𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞

Episode 46

The first rays of dawn painted the sky a soft orange as Phuwin and Dunk tiptoed into the kitchen. Their aunt, usually an early riser, was still asleep, the weight of yesterday's conversation etched on her weary face. They decided to prepare breakfast, a small gesture to ease the tension that hung heavy in the air.

"So," Phuwin began, his voice barely a whisper, "what do we do about the order?"

Dunk, who had spent the night wrestling with the same question, sighed. "It's a huge order, Phuwin. The money would be a lifesaver, especially with Dr. Han coming in next week."

A pang of worry flickered in Phuwin's eyes. Dr. Han, the renowned specialist, was their only hope for Fourth's recovery. But the cost of treatment was astronomical, a hurdle that threatened to crush their already fragile hope.

"But what about Auntie?" Dunk continued, his voice laced with concern. "Her reaction last night was… unexpected."

Phuwin nodded solemnly. Their aunt's vehement refusal to return to Thailand was a mystery they couldn't ignore. There was more to their past, more to their departure, than they'd ever realized.

The clinking of spoons and the sizzling of toast filled the silence as they ate their breakfast, their thoughts churning. Their once simple life now felt like a precarious balancing act. Fulfilling the order meant confronting their past, potentially unearthing secrets their aunt desperately wanted buried. Rejecting it meant financial strain and a potentially missed opportunity for Fourth's recovery.

The afternoon brought a glimmer of hope. As Dunk manned the cash register at their cafe, his phone buzzed with a call from the hospital. It was the doctor, his voice filled with a hint of excitement. Dr. Han, the specialist, had confirmed his visit for the following week. Relief washed over Dunk, quickly followed by a wave of anxiety.

"The good news comes with a hefty price tag, though," the doctor continued, his voice apologetic. "Dr. Han's treatment fees are quite substantial."

"Don't worry about the money," Dunk blurted out, a wave of determination washing over him. "Just make the appointment. We'll figure something out."

He hung up the phone, his gaze meeting Phuwin's across the cafe. Phuwin, his forehead creased with worry, mirrored his concern. The weight of the situation pressed down on them. The Thailand order, their aunt's secret, Dr. Han's treatment – they were all tangled threads in a complex web.

But amidst the worry, a flicker of hope remained. They had each other, their unwavering love for Fourth, and the unwavering support of their customers, who filled their cafe with joy and laughter.

Perhaps, with a little ingenuity and a lot of courage, they could navigate their way through this maze, fulfill the order, appease their aunt, and most importantly, give Fourth the best chance at recovery. They just had to find a way.

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Bright, finally finished with the mountain of paperwork, stretched his tired arms and leaned back in his chair. He was surprised to see his two cousins, Joong and Pond, standing at the office door.

"Surprise!" Joong exclaimed, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Bright's face lit up with a genuine smile. "Guys! What brings you here?"

"We had some free time," Joong explained, "so we decided to drop by and give our favorite cousin a little surprise!"

Bright chuckled, appreciating their gesture. He noticed, however, that Pond seemed a bit subdued compared to Joong's usual exuberant energy.

"So, spill the beans," Bright said, ushering them towards a couple of empty chairs. "What's really going on?"

Joong, ever the storyteller, launched into an explanation. "Apparently," he began, glancing at Pond who looked away slightly, "Mr. Adams approached Dad to propose marriage between you and his daughter, Vanessa."

Bright raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Marriage? Really?"

"Yup," Joong continued, "and guess who had a little 'meet-cute' with her two days ago?"

"Pond?" Bright guessed, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Pond let out a defeated sigh. "Yeah, me. We met, had a decent conversation, and…" he trailed off, his voice lacking enthusiasm.

"And you… agreed?" Bright finished the sentence, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

Pond nodded glumly. "I mean, I'm not getting any younger, right? And if it means expanding our business, then why not?"

Bright's brows furrowed. The pragmatism in Pond's tone sat uncomfortably with him. This didn't sound like the Pond who usually followed his heart, the same Pond who stood by him throughout his journey with Win.

Arranged marriage, especially one driven by business interests, seemed a world apart from the love story Bright shared with Win.

However, he knew better than to pry. Pond, despite their close bond, often kept his emotions tightly guarded.

"Well," Bright said, trying to lighten the mood, "let's not talk about gloomy marriages. We're celebrating love here, remember?"

He gestured towards a stack of wedding magazines on his desk. "Joong and I were just picking out ideas for your wedding gift with Win. The best gift for my amazing brother-in-law!"....pond said

Joong, ever the one to join in the playful banter, chimed in, "Of course! And for my soon-to-be-brother-in-law, win!"

Bright feigned a dramatic pout. "What about me? Am I being forgotten by my dear cousins?"

The three of them dissolved into laughter, a welcome break from the weight of Pond's unspoken worries. The playful exchange highlighted the strong bond they shared. While Pond's marriage situation caused a flicker of concern in Bright, he knew that ultimately, Pond would make his own choices.

Perhaps, as the days leading up to the wedding went by, Bright might find an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with Pond, to understand the reasons behind his seemingly hasty decision. But for now, he focused on the joy of his impending nuptials and the supportive presence of his cousins by his side.

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