Business With Pleasure | 2gether AU

17 - I Am Jon Snow

It was one of those rare occasions when I preferred silence to words.

Especially words that promised hurt. Physical hurt from the man on the phone and emotional (and who knew what other kinds of) hurt from the man who sat before me.

I thanked my stars I hadn't said what I was about to say to him the previous day right before the attack.

At least I wouldn't have to add the shame of that nail to the crucifix of my heart.

It seemed like a whole lifetime ago.

"Tine, I swear I was about to tell you everything tonight. I just..." began Wat.

I raised my hand and shook my head.

"Save it. I don't think I can process any of this by myself. The twins and Fong deserve to hear the truth, too."

Wat nodded. "That's fair."

"I'm going to the hospital to see Fong. I will head to Earth's house afterwards" I spoke calmly and without any emotion.

"Okay" said Wat, confusion writ large across his face.

"You can come to Earth's if you want to do this in person. Otherwise, we can do this over a phone call.

Or if you want to send me bullet points over an email or something, that's okay too.

But I have to request you to do it today. I need all the time I can get."

"Of course I want to talk face to face, baby. I need to explain myself properly to you and everyone else" he said, swallowing dryly.

"Your wish" I shrugged. I opened the door to step out of the car.

"Where are you going? I'll drive you to the hospital" yelped Wat.

"I don't think I can be with you right now. I don't even know you. I need time to think" I said, still extremely calm and composed.

I hopped out of my seat, picked up my bag and walked towards the main road just a short distance away.

It was under pressure that Teepakorn shone like a diamond. No drama, no tears, no tantrums. I was proud of myself.

"Please, baby, get back in the car. Don't go like this" begged Wat.

I walked steadily on. I jumped into the first taxi I could find, and headed straight to my sanctuary, the only truth in my life I could depend on - Fong.

My brain was racing with all sorts of questions, going back over every word, every action over the last month or so that I had known Wat.

Something struck me. I called Earth.

"Hi Tine, how are you?"

I felt the weight of the morning settling uncomfortably on my shoulders at Earth's warm voice.

"I could be better. What do you know about Wat?"

I could imagine Earth frowning in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I didn't realize it earlier, but you know him from before the orphanage event, right?"

"Yeah, I met him four years ago. We move in the same circles, given who his parents are.

We didn't grow up together because I was abroad for most of my school life.

But after I returned to Thailand, we've bumped into each other a fair few times."

I gulped. "Who are his parents?"

"You don't know? I'm sorry, I assumed you've known from the start. He's Melanie Chivaaree and Benjamin Guntithanon's son."