"Kongpob, what—"

"Okay then, Uncle Thipat . We'll leave you to it.

Arthit, lets go. We still have that dinner to go to"

Before I could even say anything, Kongpob pulled my hand and dragged me out of the house.

"Do you want to go have dinner somewhere close? I am sure you know all about the restaurants around here. The security team will probably be finished by the time we are done with dinner."

"Uhh sure. There's a good restaurant 10 minutes from here. We can walk. But Kongpob, you need to first tell me about the papers you kept in my dad's study. We should take them with us."

"Lets keep walking". After a while, Kongpob finally spoke up.

"What do you mean?"

"It means, there is nothing useful in your dad's study except an empty envelope that says 'Confidential' on it. I only told Uncle Thipat that to check whether he really has your best interest at heart or not."

I stopped right where I was. "Kong, I told you I trust Uncle Thipat. You didn't have to do all this"

Kongpob smiled at me and intertwined our hands together. "I know, but we still need to confirm. Otherwise all this process of resetting and re-wiring security in the house would be for nothing. I really hope you are right, Arthit but we need to confirm it"

We finally arrived at the restaurant and I was still unsure about what to say, so I just checked the menu and ordered dinner.

Kongpob was the one who finally spoke up. "Are you angry at me? I am sorry if I crossed the line Arthit. I am just really very worried about you."

I looked up at him and sighed deeply. "I am not angry Kong, I know you are just trying to look out for me. Though I would like you to keep me in loop when you do something like this again."

"I will. I promise.

By the way, I already sent your mother's hospital documents and the files Uncle Lam shared to the lawyers. He is my dad's closest friend, so we can trust him. I was thinking we could meet him at my house. You could come by for dinner?"

"You-Your house? Fo-For dinner? Kong, I am not so sure. Why don't we just go to the lawyer's office?"

"Because your dad might still be tracking you. We have just removed all the trackers from the house. What if he sends someone to trail you? We don't want him to know you are already talking to lawyers. Not yet. My house would be the safest place. Plus, mom and dad really want to meet you too.

"Meee? Why? What did you tell them about me, Kong?"

Kongpob laughed. "Arthit, they met you when you came by the house, remember? They thought you were nice and thoughtful for helping me. My dad does not know all the details, but I did give him some information about your dad's case and he helped me get in touch with the lawyers. I hope that's okay?"

"Yeah. I guess."

We finished our dinner and went back to the house to check up on security team. Everything was already setup and the new house help had started rearranging the house again.

Mom also came back just when I was about to leave. "Did you find something in the house, Arthit?"

"Nothing that I didn't expect to find mom. You don't have to worry about anything. I'll take care of it all"

Mom patted my hairs. "My Arthit. All grown up." She tilted her head slightly, smiling at Kongpob. "And you are? Arthit's friend?"

"Yes Aunty. Hello. I am Kongpob"

"Aren't you the guy who came with Arthit the last time he was here but my son didn't even introduce you to me?"

"Ah. yes, I am so sorry. I was in a hurry the last time, but its really good to meet you now"

"Same here. Why don't you guys stay for dinner? I'll cook "

"No mom, we already ate dinner. And we need to go. I'll come by later okay. Bye"

We left the house and took a bus, hands intertwined and smiling at each other. Things were not really normal, but I liked the small bouts of normal I could get with Kongpob, and for now, that was more than enough.

When we deboarded and started walking towards my apartment, Kongpob stopped me. "Arthit, I need to go back to the dorms tonight. Do you want to come with me?"

"You don't want to go to my apartment? I swear I have started cleaning it again now and I won't make you clean my place again."

Kongpob chuckled. "No Arthit, That's not it. All of my stuff is at the dorm. My clothes. My books. I still have an assignment pending for tomorrow."

"Oh. Why dont you.. why dont you justmoveinwithme"

"What did you say?"

"I just said, its too much for you to go back and forth and my apartment is big enough for both of us. If you want, you can live there too. Only if you want to"

Kongpob was giving me his patent overconfident smile. "Arthit, are you asking me to move in with you?"

"You can say yes or no Kong. You don't have to make a big deal out of it"

"I WOULD LOVE TO! Though, I don't know how to break it to my parents yet. How about I move some stuff to your house and I'll empty out the dorms in a few months?"

"Only if you get your stuff and stay at the apartment tonight." I smiled.

"Done and done"

···

To say that I was nervous going to Kongpob's house for dinner and meeting his parents would be an understatement. I was at their front door. My palms were sweaty. And I was wondering if it was still too late to bolt.

Mustering all the little courage that I had left, I finally rang the door bell.

It was Kong who answered the door. "Arthit, you are finally here. Come inside. The lawyers aren't here yet, lets have dinner till they came."

Kongpob's parents were right inside waiting for me with beaming smiles.

"Arthit its so good to finally meet you properly. You were in such a rush the last time. I regretted not asking you to come inside."

"Uh. Yes, I am sorry we couldn't meet the last time Aunty."

"Please sit down, I'll setup the dinner."

"No, that's completely okay—"

"Just sit Arthit, mom won't let you leave the house until you are fully stuffed with her food."

Having dinner with Kongpob's parents felt so... normal. I had forgotten what it was really like to share meals with people everyday, until Kongpob showed up in my life. And I owed him so much for changing my life.

When our dinner was over, Kongpob got up to help his mom with the dishes, and they absolutely refused my help.

So, I was left alone with Kongpob's dad.

"Arthit, I didn't want to say this in front of Kongpob, but thank you for convincing my son to show more interest in the family business. Honestly, I can't thank you enough."

"I—I didn't exactly convince him. I just told him it would be nice if he helped you. I already know he has the skills to handle things."

"That was all the push that he needed. I have never seen him this excited about managing the business before.

And I have also discussed your case with the lawyers, they will do everything in their power to solve this. Arthit, I know it must be hard to handle this by yourself, you are only a few years older than Kong. Please treat us as your family. Take my number and call me anytime you ever need help okay?"

"Ah yes. Thank you so much Uncle. I really appreciate all the help"

"I think the lawyers are here Arthit. I'll let them in"

···

" — Our investigator found out that your dad is trying to prove your mother is incompetent of handling the company, or in fact her whole life. That is why he went to the hospital, he is trying to bribe the doctors there.

If he is successful in doing that, he could be the primary guardian, handling all of her finances including all the properties, assets, and of course the company. He has been planning this for too long, and he may not want to get a divorce this easily, especially when there is so much money on the table."

"But then what do we do? I know he won't leave mom so easily."

"The documents your Uncle Lam sent you, were legit. Your dad has been siphoning money from the company accounts to offshore accounts. So, we can use them to blackmail him into signing on the papers, but "

"But there is nothing wrong with the company's operations."

"For now. The stocks will start plunging the moment news gets out — The CEO is going to jail for fraud and criminal dealings, how you do you think the investors will take this? What happens when the media gets even a small whiff about your mom's mental health history?"

I sat down with my hand in my head. He was right. I was so worried saving mom's life that I did not even think about the company grandfather had made from the ground up.

"Arthit." Kongpob put a hand on my shoulder. "Just listen to them, they have a plan for this"

I looked up. "What's the plan? We'll do whatever saves the company and gets dad in jail"

"We can ask your mother to put all the company shares and assets in your name.. Of course, you still have two more years of college, so we can tell the media that you are learning the day to day responsibilities and you will join full-time when your college finishes."

"The company doesn't belong to me. I can't just become the 'owner'"

"Of course its yours Arthit" Kongpob held my hand tightly. "And this is the only way."

"But I can't just—"

My phone started ring

Why the hell is he calling me this late

"Hello? Uncle Thipat, what's wrong? Is mom okay?"

He — He is here in front of the house and creating a scene. The security guards won't let him and he is yelling.

---------

A/N: A little longer chapter than usual.

Are you still with me? Hope it wasn't too boring?