From Something To Everything (Bounprem)

9. Family

Boun woke late in the afternoon. It was his day off and he had nothing to do but get some sleep.

He got up and brushed his teeth while ordering pizza for lunch.

By the time he was done washing up, his order was delivered.

Taking a huge bite of the pizza slice, Boun picked up the script of 'You are my blue.'

He had already been halfway through it. He finally understood why Ohm had insisted on casting him as 'Fiat'.

Fiat was literally written for him. The character and his features perfectly described Boun's current persona, the one he had been showing everyone all these years.

Boun was hooked on the storyline. It was really interesting.

Fiat was one of the main characters of the story and had as many scenes as the lead couple. It was a good catch.

Ohm and Bosston had already discussed the details and arranged acting lessons for him.Boun decided to take up the challenge.

After finishing the pizza, Boun stood up to throw the box in the trash. That was when he remembered that he hadn't checked his phone ever since he woke up.

He picked up his phone which was in silent mode and checked.

Ever since Bosston had deleted more than half of his contacts, the number of people contacting him was near zero. His phone had tuned into a mere accessory for him.

Boun saw multiple missed calls from an unknown number. He called back thinking that it must be one of his past flings.

"Hello," Boun said as soon as the call connected.

"Hello Boun, it's me." A male voice was heard from another side.

Boun immediately recognized his second elder brother's voice.

"Khrab phi. How have you been?" Boun asked politely.

"I am doing well. I heard you are not." Oreo said through the phone.

"I am fine phi. Nothing is wrong with me." Boun denied.

"You don't have to lie. I have already talked to Bosston. He told me about your condition."

Boun was quiet listening to Oreo.

"Boun, phi don't want to advise you or control you, but I will say one thing, whatever you do, however, you do, the only person that will always be affected by them will be you alone. Don't ruin yourself for others' sake." Oreo's tone was firm.

"Khrab Phi." Boun's lips curved into a smile listening to his brother's concern.

"Were you busy? You didn't pick up my calls earlier."

"I was asleep phi. I just woke up and had some food. It is my day off."

"Okay good."

"Phi, why did you call me all of a sudden?" Boun asked his brother.

The only person in the family with whom Boun had kept contact in the past few years was Oreo. Oreo, being a man of few words rarely contacted Boun with his own initiative.

"Nothing much. Lyra and Leah [1] are turning three next week. Mom is organizing a birthday party for them at our hotel. Will you be coming?"

"Since it was Khun Tessa [2] who is the one organizing the meeting, I don't think I will be included in the list of invitees."

"Boun, you are family. You don't need an invite."

"I better not come phi. If I do some people may not like it. The party would be spoiled because of me."

"Merlin [3] wants you to come. You didn't even attend their wedding. She is really looking forward to meeting you in person."

"Why would that guy's wife want to meet me? To create more drama?"

"Boun, Merlin is not such a person. She really wants you to come back. She wanted to invite you to the birthday party herself, but she is now eight months pregnant and mom is monitoring her mobile usage."

"I don't want to meet them, phi. I am no longer part of that family tree."

"Then, I will let her know of your decision. Call me if you change your mind."

"Khrab Phi. I bought birthday gifts for the two of them. Can you give it to them on my behalf?"

"Okay. I will send you their pictures from the party as well."

"Thank you, phi."

"Take care of yourself. Don't party too much."

"Khrab phi. Have a nice day." Boun hung up the call.

He put the script away. He was no longer in the mood to read anymore. His mind was a mess.

Lying on his bed he thought about the past.

It was on his sixteenth birthday that his own father had thrown Boun out of the house. His father called him trash and a disgrace to the family and disowned him. If not for his aunt and her husband (Ohm's parents) who took him in, he would have become homeless that night.

Boun had always known that he was his father's least favored son but his mother's attitude towards him that night had left a deep scar within his heart.

Not wanting to show his weak side to anyone, he had hidden under the blanket and cried for days. Then only his cousins Kao and Ohm had been by his side. Other than these two people, nobody knew how many times he had tried to take his life following the incident.

Ohm and Kao had to take turns staying by his side day and night, guarding him against hurting himself.

From that day on, Boun also cut all ties with his parents.

He started his career as a professional model and built a successful career.

As someone who was trained to become the heir of the family, surviving hardships was not a big deal. He fought hard for opportunities and created a path for himself in the modeling industry.

Boun had changed so much after the incident that even Kao and Ohm had difficulty adjusting to it. But they still supported him wholeheartedly. This was also the reason why he was closer to these two cousins of his than his own biological brothers.

Boun may not listen to anyone else, but if Kao tells him to do something, we will definitely comply. That was the amount of respect and trust he had toward Kao.

It was the same for Ohm. Even though Ohm was younger than him by a few years, he was way mature and stable in making decisions since young. He would always give the best advice whenever Boun needed it. He was also Boun's biggest support system.

Boun could totally rely on these two to live comfortably. He knew that they would protect him against any upcoming storm no matter how strong it is and vice versa.

Thinking of his cousins brightened up his mood considerably.

Putting the past behind the back of his mind Boun got up and went to the gym for his evening workout that had been recommended by the doctor to improve his health.

[1] Lyra and Leah- Boun's nieces

[2] Khun Tessa- Boun's mother

[3] Merlin- Boun's eldest sister-in-law, Lyra and Leah's mother.