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Part 44

"Hi, can I speak to Kongpob please?" My heart sank as I recognized Vanessa's voice over the phone.

"Hold on please. Kongpob, you have a phone call!"

He walked downstairs and into the living room as I continued with my homework, trying my best to eavesdrop on their conversation – or rather Kongpob's side of their conversation.

"Hi..."

...

"Yes..."

...

"This Saturday?"

...

"Mmhmm... yes I like their music too..."

...

"Alright, I'll get the tickets."

...

"Yes, see you then..."

0_0

Oh god no...

Kongpob Suthiluck is going on a second date!!!

And it seems to be for a concert!!!

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I looked at Kongpob Suthiluck carefully as he hung up the phone, trying to read his expression and determine his feelings for Vanessa. To my disappointment, his face was as bland as ever. He caught me watching him intently and folded his arms across his chest, waiting for me to make a comment.

"So.... you're going out with Vanessa again?" I tried to ask casually.

"Yes."

"And where are you going?"

"It's the Markov's concert. Why do you want to know? Are you going to spy on us again and do your best to ruin our date?" His dark eyes bore into mine and there was an obvious smirk on his face.

0_0

WHAT??? He knew!!!

Of course he knew and yet he didn't say anything during the date!!!

I felt my temper rising, "Who on earth wants to spy on you? Stop being so full of yourself!"

"Arthit look, go and find yourself another guy." He said with a sigh, looking away from me to stare outside the window. He almost looked...sad to say it.

My eyes widened as I flinched by those harsh words. I...I know! You don't have to say it out loud! I just...need time to...damnit.

"Mind your own business! I don't need your silly advice!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, before running out of the living room into the kitchen, slamming the door as hard as I could. And damn, those tears of sadness and anger and just...frustration were already streaming down my cheeks.I just hope Kongpob hadn't seen them.

To my annoyance, Daniel was in the kitchen tho and he was staring at me in mock disapproval. It was obvious from the glint in his eyes that he had overhead my conversation with Kongpob Suthiluck. "How violent can you get?" He drawled insolently, smirking at me. "You know, you're so different from the person brother is matchmade with. As I've heard, she is pretty, gentle and well mannered. You should learn from her..." He continued relentlessly, rubbing salt into my open and damn painful wounds.

I had just about enough for one night. I know that I can't ever compare to Vanessa. I know she's perfect, she's pretty, gentle and probably intelligent as well, but Daniel, you don't have to be so cruel to rub my faults into my face...

"Are you listening?" He jumped off the kitchen stool and walked around to look at me, annoyed that I wasn't reacting to his jibes. Then he froze when he saw my face, "Arthit..."

Without bothering to hide the fact that fat tears were pouring down my cheeks, I turned and sprinted upstairs. Once again, I found myself lying on my bed and crying into my soaked pillow.

This was starting to become a bad habit recently...

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"Brother!" I turned in surprise, when Daniel suddenly barged into my room without knocking. There was an angry expression on his face.

"What's up, Daniel?"

"Are you really going to marry Vanessa?"

I was quite taken back by his direct question. We hadn't even discussed this situation with him since I announced the business marriage to the family.

"Yes, if nothing goes wrong."

"Do you like Vanessa?" He looked at me intently, sanding beside me.

I paused for a moment. "What's wrong, Daniel?" I finally asked him. I had never seen my younger brother behave so out of character before.

"Look brother. Is it REALLY alright for you to marry Vanessa? I mean the one you truly like is Arthit, isn't it?"

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I looked at brother's expression after my comment, expecting shock or surprise, but it was kept carefully bland. In fact, all he did was look a little thoughtful.

"I'll introduce Vanessa to you one day." That was all he said, totally ignoring my previous question. I felt my temper raising as my hands clenched into fists. I was sick of being treated like a child. He looked at me and added almost as an afterthought to convince himself, "Vanessa will suit me. Yes, she'll definitely suit me..."

I barely could refrain from holding back a snort. Who was he trying to deceive with his lack luster performance? From a brief moment, I thought that I saw sadness flickering in his eyes. I doubt that he had succeeded in convincing even himself, although he was trying so hard to do so and all for the sake of our family.

But...I know the truth... And it's so obvious you don't feel anything for that woman. You are just forcing yourself...Does the family business really require such a sacrifice of your own happiness, brother?

Suddenly I was totally deflated, overwhelmed with my own feelings of helplessness. I turned and quietly left the room. Kongpob was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even notice me leave.

As I passed Arthit's bedroom, I could hear him crying inside. It had been hours since he started crying and he still hadn't stopped. It broke my heart and I felt extremely sorry for him and angry at my big brother for being so damn stubborn.

Just admit that you like Arthit, you big idiot! God dammit!

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"...and so yeah, so he is most likely going to marry her." I finished my narrative and saw my two best friends looking at me with concern and pity in their eyes.

"Arthit..." Aya started as she placed an arm around my shoulder. Just then, I saw Jessica walking by.

"Sorry guys, I need to tell Jessicaabout this." I quickly left, not wanting to see their pity. Catching up with Jessica, I updated her with the recent news about Kongpob's second date.

For once, she was silent throughout the entire narrative.

But then, "Just give up, Arthit."

"What?" I was taken aback by her outburst. She sounded sad, but also tired.

"Kongpob is right. Go and find another guy. I think it's hopeless, if that's what he wants, then he's going to get it anyway. So I'm giving up as well." Then she simply left without a further word. However, the resigned look on her face spoke volumes.

I sat there silently watching her walk away from me. Could I also walk away from Kongpob just as easily as she did? Could I?

And for the first time during all these years of loving Kongpob Suthiluck, my heart was hesitant to give me the obvious answer.

Maybe it was really time to say goodbye to him and finally move on to someone who would appreciate me and actually love me back?

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The concert was over and I was walking Vanessa home, since it was my obligation as her date. She was smiling and seemed happy as we chatted about the concert and music in general.

Suddenly, the image of Arthit appeared in my mind and I couldn't help but fall into this imagination. If I was with that Baka instead of Vanessa, he would probably have fallen asleep and started snoring in the middle of the concert. Somehow, that thought brought a small, amused smile to my face and I couldn't stop myself from thinking about Arthit and how distant we had become lately.

I would never say it out loud of course, but...I had become to miss Arthit and his silliness a lot over the past weeks...

"Kongpob."

"Yes?"

Vanessa blushed a little as she looked at me, "My grandfather says that you plan to see me... on a regular basis?"

"...Do you mind?"

"No, not at all." We walked in silence for a while. Then suddenly, I felt Vanessa leaning her head lightly against my shoulder. I instantly stiffened.

"I care about you, Kongpob." She said softly.

I felt a sinking sensation in my stomach as we continued walking, not knowing how to respond. Vanessa is such a nice and sweet girl, I told myself sternly.

So why is it that I don't feel anything at all when she said that she cared about me?

...

And why was I thinking about Arthit whenever I was with Vanessa?

Damnit, I had been thinking a lot about Arthit lately. At home, at school, at work, everywhere I went, he was unconsciously on my mind as affection and concern over him grew with each day.

And as I fell even deeper into thought, I moved a bit away from Vanessa, so she wouldn't touch me again.

I found myself leaving my bedroom door open, so I wouldn't miss Kongpob returning home. The concert had ended and he was bound to return anytime.

As I had feared, although my mind was made up on trying to forget about Kongpob, but heart was not ready to move on so quickly and needed more time to...forget.

"Why did you stay out so late?" I suddenly heard Auntie raising her voice downstairs. Obviously Kongpob Suthiluck had returned home.

"I walked Vanessa home as well."

"Umm...well, make sure you come back earlier next time! And don't go out this weekend, we're having a party for your dad's recovery."

"Okay."

And then, I heard Kongpob Suthiluck's footsteps passing by my door as he headed for his bedroom. His steps stopped right behind my door and for a second it seemed like he was going to come inside. My heart beat wildly as I waited for his next move anxiously, but he didn't move and just kept standing behind my door for a while, until...finally, walking away into his own bedroom and slamming the door close behind him.

Uhoh...

What was that???

I couldn't help but wonder how his date with Vanessa went. What stage were they at? Have they started to hold hands already, have they hugged or even...kissed? They probably have kissed already, why wouldn't they, I told myself resignedly. I mean, Kongpob Suthiluck has even kissed me (okay okay, he was just angry and didn't actually mean it, but still!), so why not the sweet, pretty and gentle Vanessa?

Damn Arthit, just stop thinking about him and move on!

...

Move on...

Move on, Arthit...

There are plenty of guys out there and tons who would treat you 1,000-

No! 10,000 times better than Kongpob!

Fighting, Arthit!

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Author's note: I am so damn frustrated with Kongpob! Even though I know well how the story goes, it still makes me so angry to write him as such a stubborn asshole...ugh. Well, I am rushing to finish this story now, so only a few chapters left!

PS: I am working on a new comedy romance story. I plan to post it this weekend. Hopefully it will be a lot of fun~