All Along, You

IV- I Kid You Not

PETE's POV:

"Hi" I say as I walk towards her.

We are now in mine and Shine's hometown, in a government office to process the adoption papers.

"Hello, Phi. Uhm, can I call you that?" she smiled at me. It wasn't a happy smile. She looks at the child in her arms. She must be sad to give him away but she has no choice.

I nodded at her."Shine..." I don't even know where to start as I look at her face. I feel guilty because she's my sister but I couldn't even talk to her without the government involved. I blame myself. It's my fault she's in this predicament. If only I had adopter her. If only I let her be loved by grandma too. I was definitely greedy and cruel. While I was acting like Vegas' trophy wife, she was secretly scavenging on leftovers from the bar because what she was earning wasn't enough for food and rent.

And all because she was the spitting image of her mother. The woman who laughed at my mother's face as she stole her husband away. The woman who slandered me in front of my father to make him hate me even more, the very same woman who said she wished I'd just die and go away because I was a curse to my abusive father. The woman...who Shine isn't. I never realized it until now as I look at her and I feel like that defeated look was the only thing we got in common.

She was shamed for being a slut online when in fact, she was tricked by a child-predator. She's only sixteen for crying out loud. And me, who has been tricked into believing a ruthless mafia was inlove with me. We're more alike than I can imagine.

"Do you want to see him up close?" She asked, pulling me out of my trance.
"Uh oh sure " I walked closer to her and the baby. I expected the baby to look like any other baby but no. I immediately feel smitten as I look at him. His small eyes looked like they were staring straight at my soul. It sent delightful shivers down my spine.

"Hi." I say to the baby and put my finger on his chest. He immediately grabbed my finger and I feel an instant connection. At this point, if Shine doesn't let me adopt him, I'll probably beg her on my knees.

"Can I meet your partner?" Shine asks and I feel nervous. I asked Khun Noo to act as my partner but he's not even here yet.

"Sure, I'll just call him" I went outside to try to dial Arm's number but I couldn't reach him. Shia. I call multiple times but the line is busy. I decide to get back inside the room to explain to her. I should probably tell her the truth since grandma hasn't told her I was single now. I entered the room back with a huge sigh.

"Shine, about my partner---"

"Sorry I'm late. Hi, darling" The door suddenly open revealing Khun Kinn who looked like he was panting. He put his arm around my shoulder after his greeting

It took me a while to process everything. Khun Kinn probably there in lieu of Khun Noo. Shine's forehead revealed several folds of confusion. Can she not believe that Khun Kinn is my partner? I don't blame her. I wouldn't believe it too if I were her.

"Hello, you must be mister Theerapanyakul. Holy sh---!" The government social worker almost cursed when he saw Khun Kinn.

"I'm sorry, sir but are you by any chance Annakin Theerapanyakul?" She asked with shocked eyes.

"Oh yes. I am. Nice to meet you. I'm quite surprised you know me." Khun Kinn bows at the older woman politely and she bows back.

"Of course I know you. When Theerapanyakul is mentioned, everyone thinks of you, Mister Annakinn. I'm sorry. I was surprised. I didn't know you were Mister Saengtham's partner. I thought it was a cousin or a relative." Khun Kinn smiles in understanding as I process what's happening around me.