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Part 39

It's almost Chrismas now...Time really flies...

Things are looking much better for the Suthiluck family. Kongpob Suthiluck actually invented this new online game that topped the sales chart in Japan. That contributed a lot to recuperating for the company's losses.

In moments like these, I do wonder how Kongpob Suthiluck can be so intelligent and resourceful. I mean it's not just studies and sports now. He's even successful in the merciless corporate world and he's only twenty years old?

Also, I have to admit that the green-eyed monster of rage and jealous got to me very often in the office, especially when the females in the office were trying their best one-by-one or in groups to flirt with Kongpob. Fortunately he showed zero interest in all of them.

For once, I was glad of his cold personality – his personal cheerleader team seemed to find it pretty discouraging.

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Mike tried to organize a Christmas dinner for the tennis club, however, from what I knew no one was interested going, so in the end he cancelled it. Aya, May and I decided to have our own party in the Kongpob house.

Their boyfriends were both unavailable to join on Christmas Eve and the entire Suthiluck household, along with my Dad, were all invited to a corporate Christmas party on the same day, so we would be able to have the house all to ourselves. I must admit that I'm really looking forward to it because it's been a while since we had the opportunity to cosy up and gossip on secrets...

The telephone rang and I quickly rushed to pick up the call. "Hello?"

"Arthit, Aya here."

"Hi, Aya..." I had a sinking feeling in my heart as I had a very good idea what was coming next.

"Hey, I'm so sorry but I won't be able to come over today. My boyfriend planned a surprise for me, Christmas dinner for just the two of us at an expensive restaurant. That's why he pretended that he was unavailable. I'm so sorry..."

What, you too??? Damnit...

"It's okay. Just go and enjoy yourself." I replied with a heavy heart.

"Thanks Arthit! I owe you one."

I sighed heavily as I looked at Chibi who was sitting on the floor next to me – the only other living creature in the house.

"Looks like it's just you and me tonight Chibi, May's also not coming, because her boyfriend planned something."

He wagged his tail and panted happily. I dragged my feet to the couch and plonked myself down, turning the TV on.

"Merry Christmas, Arthit", I told myself silently, preparing for the loneliest Christmas in my entire life.

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We were sitting in the car and waiting at the traffic lights when someone familiar caught my eye. Isn't that May?

I blinked as I stared at the long-haired girl who was clinging onto her companion's arm. Yes, no doubt about it. What was she doing out here with her boyfriend when she was supposed to be with Arthit in our house?

Then... Arthit must be all alone because he already told us before that her other friend – the one with the short hair – couldn't make it because her boyfriend had planned a Christmas surprise for her.

My forehead furrowed slightly.

That's the thing I hate about surprises, they can completely destroy well-set plans for somebody else.

In my opinion, surprises should be strongly discouraged or even banned...

...

But...Arthit was all alone at the house huh? On Christmas Eve...

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I thought I heard a noise at the door and glanced at the clock. Only 9pm? Kongpob's family can't be back already. You're only hearing things Arthit, I told myself.

I continued staring listlessly at the cartoon that I was watching in the living room, ignoring Chibi's excited barks at the door. That dog sure has a loud voice for his size, and he loves barking at anything and everything.

"Good dog Chibi, at least someone appreciates my presence."

I jumped up as if struck by lightning when I heard Kongpob Suthiluck's voice behind me. Spinning around, my eyes widened as I saw Kongpob patting an excited Chibi who was trying to climb up his legs, licking him whenever he could find a bare patch of skin. I pinched myself – ouch!

No, I wasn't dreaming.

"Kongpob Suthiluck what are you doing here?" I exclaimed with surprise. "Where is everyone else?"

"The party was boring and I missed Chibi," He shrugged nonchalantly. "I was worried that you would forget to feed him so I came back first and bought him some chicken." He nodded towards the dining table where a huge box of KFC sat next to a much smaller white box. The aroma of friend chicken made my salivary glands work overtime – I recalled that I had not eaten dinner yet.

"Umm...Is it all for Chibi?" I asked anxiously.

"Surely you've eaten already?" He lifted an eyebrow coolly in my direction and smirked at my puppy eyes, already knowing my answer. "Okay then, he probably can't finish the whole box anyways. Help yourself."

I happily rushed to the table and started to tuck into the delicious friend chicken – it was still hot. Kongpob Suthiluck took some chicken pieces and placed them in Chibi's bowl. He selected the boneless pieces, explaining to me that the sharp bone bits could injure Chibi if he swallowed them.

"What's in that white box?" I couldn't contain my curiosity as I munched on the crispy chicken.

"Open it." He told me calmly, but I didn't miss the tiny, oh so tiny smile on the corner of his lips.

I lifted the lid and saw a few pieces of different Christmas cakes. "Wooow!" My eyes opened in amazement. "These look delicious! Where did you get this from Kongpob?"

"The party. There was too much cake and the host was pressing us all to take some home." He replied to me casually and sat down at the table in front of me.

"Shall I give Chibi some?" I asked him wide-eyed, my heart filled with excitement.

"No, it isn't good for him."

"What about yourself? Have you eaten any yet?" I asked him and he shook his head in response.

I quickly went to the kitchen to get some clean plates and forks. My cup of happiness was filled as we both sat at the table, eating the various flavors of Christmas cake together. I couldn't help but notice that Kongpob was only eating the chocolate ones, leaving all the strawberry ones for me. Unconsciously done or not, it made my heart jump with glee. I had expected to spend a lonely Christmas instead here I am, spending Christmas together with my beloved Kongpob Suthiluck.

Yes, I know that he only returned early to feed Chibi. However, I had every intention to make the best of the situation.

After dinner, I washed the plates and gave him his present that I had been waiting all day to give him. It was the latest Rolex watch that I had saved up from my part-time salary to buy for him. Kongpob looked surprised and stared at me in silence for a while, before saying a quiet "thank you in return".

Although he didn't give me anything, his presence was the best present I could have.

We ended up watching TV together, sitting next to each other on the couch and clicking through some cheesy Christmas-themed movies, while waiting for the rest of the family to return.

Thank you Kongpob Suthiluck, ironically this is the best Christmas of my life...

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"Look Kongpob, I think it's time that you start learning the ropes to take over my business."

Mrs Suthiluck, Daniel and I were hiding behind the kitchen door, eavesdropping on the conversation between Mr Suthiluck and Kongpob. We couldn't contain our curiosity when Mr Suthiluck requested to speak to Kongpob alone after dinner. Although, I had expected this to happen, after seeing how well Kongpob did in saving his dad's company, I still didn't expect it to happen so soon.

And I was quite afraid to see what Kongpob's reaction might be. He did not like to be told to do something. At all.

"Why are you and mama always deciding my future for me? Surely I deserve a say in my own future?"

I was rather taken aback at Kongpob's angry retort. Especially so early in their conversation. Rarely have I seen him display such emotional temper. Things rapidly went downhill from there as Auntie immediately ran into the living room to join in the foray.

"How can you address your father in such a disrespectful tone, Kongpob? Everything he does is for your own good."

"Mary, calm down ..." Mr Suthiluck began softly to calm down his wife, but Kongpob cut him off.

"Mama, papa isn't the only one who's always forcing me to do things that I don't want to. You are guilty of doing the same thing. You never care about my feelings at all! All you are concerned about is Arthit's feelings! I don't have any say in this at all! I'm not allowed to decide my own career path, I'm not allowed to choose the person I like. I'm not even allowed to date! You're both so selfish! Why did you think I moved out so early? I don't want to stay here and be manipulated like a puppet!"

And then, before our horrified eyes, the most unexpected thing happened. Auntie slapped Kongpob Suthiluck hard in his face. For a moment, we all froze. The blood had drained from Kongpob's face, his pallor highlighting the red marks left by his mother's palm. Auntie looked as shocked as we all were, her hand was still in the air and her eyes were filled with tears.

Then without a word spoken, Kongpob turned and ran out of the door.

My heart twisted in pain, and I didn't hesitate for a second to follow him. I was only aware of the fact that it was freezing outside and that Kongpob Suthiluck had left without his coat. I quickly grabbed his coat from the hook and ran after him.

"Kongpob Suthiluck!" I yelled as I saw him walking off very fast in the distance. Damn tall man with his long legs. I quickly picked up speed and finally caught up with him, gasping for air beside him. "Kongpob...ugh...your coat!"

"I'm not cold," He responded coldly and avoided looking at me, so I forced the coat into his hands. I sensed that he wasn't ready to talk yet, but I didn't want to leave him alone as well, so I simply walked by his side for a while, letting him calm down. I had never seen him so agitated before and practically had to jog to keep up with his long strides as he kept walking in the cold night.

After a while, I finally mustered enough courage to say carefully, "Kongpob Suthiluck, your parents love you and want the best for you. You know that. It's just that you always keep things to yourself and you never tell them what you want. So they don't know that you have plans of your own, that's why they try to make plans on your behalf. It's because they love you very much."

He didn't reply but he didn't tell me to shut up either. Encouraged by his silence, I took in a deep breath and expressed my opinion again, "I mean I can understand why you're so mad. I totally understand and agree with your view about having the right to choose the person you love, the job that you want and direct your future. Because after all, it's your own future."

Tears sprung unbidden to my eyes as I suddenly recalled Kongpob's words from before.

I'm not allowed to decide my own career path, I'm not allowed to choose the person I like. I'm not even allowed to date! You're both so selfish! Why did you think I moved out so early?

And then it was back, that familiar pang in my heart and feeling of disappointment. No Arthit, this is not the time to cry. Kongpob Suthiluck needs your support right now. So what if he doesn't love you. Please...you knew that a long time ago. He doesn't want to be with you. He hasn't chosen you... and you know that, so just stay strong for him right now and figure it out later.

I took in a deep breath and quickly blinked back my tears, forcing myself to think of something else. I can't cry. Not here. Not now. Damnit...

"I really want to be a doctor, that's why I don't want to continue my father's business."

I forgot about my tears when Kongpob Suthiluck suddenly spoke up. I listened quietly, almost holding my breath as we walked side by side.

"You all see me as someone who has everything coming to him easy, who hasn't got a single worry in the world, but you're all wrong. I have my own troubles as well. I'm worried that I'm not suitable to be a doctor. I know I'll need to work extra hard because I don't have a biology background and I need to transfer from my current course. I worry about not making it. And to top it off, the timing's all wrong..." He sighed, looking extremely sad and I just wanted to hug him for comfort.

"...Why are you telling me all this Kongpob?" I asked in a small voice. I had never heard him talk so much in my entire life and although I was glad he told me, I couldn't help but wonder why...considering he seemed to hate me and everything.

He suddenly stopped walking and turned to me with a mysterious smile on his face, "...Because I haven't told anyone else yet."

I froze, totally stunned by that response. Yet at the same time, I felt warm all over and the pain in my chest was replaced by happiness.

He simply stood beside me, looking at me with that secretive smile of his, eyes twinkling with...something I couldn't figure out again, so gathering my scattered wits, I just blinked at him in understanding.

He nodded and resumed walking again and I followed silently by his side.

I would be contented if I could only walk by his side like this for the rest of our lives...

As his partner during stressful times.

I was the first person Kongpob Suthiluck had opened up his mind to...

...maybe next time I can open up his heart to me as well?

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