Summer House

Chapter Fifteen

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Chapter Fifteen

Kongpob watched May fall asleep and reached out to wipe away the tears that spilled from her closed eyes. He placed the blanket over her and placed a hand on her shoulder. He always thought May was a strong person, but looking at the way she was sleeping, he realized just how fragile she appeared. Although he was upset that he couldn't do anything for her when they were confronted by her fiancé, he was angry with Arthit for exposing May like that. He hadn't seen Arthit all day and wondered if he felt responsible for what occurred which was why he knew to keep away from him.

He thought back to May's words.

"You can't possibly keep him here. You don't even know where he came from."

He thought May's arguments were unreasonable. It seemed as if she was determined to get Arthit out of the house. Kongpob knew that he would eventually have to let Arthit go, but he couldn't bring himself to do it...yet. Why does he feel so attached towards Arthit's character?

He saved your life, you bastard. He had to remind himself. But that's not the only reason, now is it?

When he opened the door, Arthit Rojnapat was standing there with an expression full of concern. Kongpob moved towards him and shut the door behind him so that Arthit wouldn't see May. "I have nothing to say to you."

"I know you don't. I only wanted to tell you, dinner is ready." With that, Arthit turned to go, but Kongpob reached out to take his arm in his.

Immediately, Arthit's head shot up to look at him in surprise.

When Kongpob realized what he was doing, he quickly dropped Arthit's hand and muttered, "I'm sorry." And then quickly added, "I'm not hungry. You go on ahead and eat. I'll be in my room."

Arthit said nothing in return and Kongpob could hear his footsteps descending the stairs as he parted from him.

Kongpob headed inside his room and shut the door behind him. Then he went to sit against the end of his bed, stretching his legs out before him like a tired and sore athlete.

Clenching and unclenching his fists. Arthit's touch had triggered a painful memory from his past.

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An eight-year-old Kongpob Suthiluck sat in the back of his class. He didn't care to socialize with the other children who didn't seem to care about him either. He had isolated himself from the rest them since day one, because he preferred to be alone. He was more afraid that they wouldn't accept him as their friend because he was different.

He knew that he behaved no different from school than how he was at home. At home, he was alone. His father was never around and didn't seem to take notice that current wife was abusing his first son.

"Do you really think I pity you? Did you really think I could replace your mother? I am nothing like your mother. Your father doesn't seem to care for you anymore. So why don't you go? Run away. See if we give a damn. Don't you call me 'Mom' again. You go that?!"

Her words pierced right through his heart. He knew that no matter how he looked at her, he could only see a witch. To his young eyes, she was an evil witch who managed to place some kind of love spell on his father and convinced him that his son was the real enemy.

He hated the smile she offered to his father. It was fake and conning.

He hated that she didn't care.

He hated his father because he acted like he didn't care.

He hated his mother for leaving him.

He hated his mother for trying to kill him.

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In the still of the night, he heard her faint approaching footsteps. She came to him, sitting on the bed and leaning over to brush his hair back. He only pretended to have his eyes closed and waited for her next move.

And then, through half-closed eyes he saw her, standing over him with a pillow raised over his head. Before she could push it down and smother him with it, the lights came on and she quickly dropped the pillow next to him, pretending that she was drawing the blanket higher to cover his neck.

"Honey, there you are. What are you doing in here?" his father questioned from the doorway.

She stood up and turned to meet her husband, speaking in a whisper. "I was just giving sweetheart a kiss goodnight. I feel really bad for punishing him earlier. I only came here to see if he's okay."