Only You - LingOrm Unofficial Fanfic - (IraTawan)

Chapter 17: The Confession

Tawan arrived at the meeting spot at exactly 5:30 AM, her mind racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. She had faced countless dangers in her life—high-stakes missions, life-or-death situations—but this felt different. More personal. As she waited in the cool morning air, she rehearsed what she wanted to say. The stakes were high, but not because of any mission. This conversation was about the future she hoped to build with Ira.

Moments later, Mr. Kraisee arrived, stepping out of his car and striding toward her with a sharp, no-nonsense expression. He had always been a commanding presence, a man who didn't waste time with pleasantries, especially this early in the morning.

"This better be important, Tawan," he said as he approached, his voice firm but not unkind. "Waking me up this early... I assume Ira is okay?"

Tawan nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. "Ira's safe, sir. After today, you won't have to worry about her safety anymore. Or yours."

Mr. Kraisee crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. "And Amonsak? What about him?"

Taking a deep breath, Tawan met his gaze, knowing she had to be direct. "Amonsak is dead. He was behind everything—the threats, the attempts on your life. He wanted to take your place, and he wasn't going to stop until you were out of the way."

Mr. Kraisee's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't look entirely surprised. "Dead? How did that happen?"

"My team and I... we dealt with him. It wasn't a decision we took lightly, but Amonsak wasn't going to stop. Even if we put him in prison, he had too many connections, too much influence. This was the only way to make sure Ira and you were safe," Tawan explained, her voice steady despite the weight of her words.

Mr. Kraisee remained silent for a few moments, his expression unreadable. Then, he nodded slowly. "You've always been thorough, Tawan. I trust you handled things cleanly?"

"Yes, sir," she replied. "There's no evidence left, no loose ends. It'll be a news story by morning, but no one will trace it back to us."

He let out a long breath, finally allowing some of the tension to leave his shoulders. "You've done well, Tawan. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done—for Ira, for me. But..." His sharp gaze returned, focused intently on her. "Is that all you wanted to talk about? I feel like there's something else."

Tawan hesitated, her heart skipping a beat. She wasn't used to feeling vulnerable, but this was a conversation she needed to have, and now was the time. Taking a deep breath, she began, her voice softer than before.

"You're right, sir. There is something else. Something personal."

Mr. Kraisee raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Go on."

Tawan felt her pulse quicken, but she forced herself to continue. "I'm in love with your daughter, Ira. I've been in love with her since the day we first met years ago. I've spent all this time looking for her, and now that I've found her again, I don't want to hide how I feel anymore. I respect you, sir, and that's why I wanted to tell you this. I want your blessing. I love her, and I want to be with her."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and raw. Tawan, who had faced down death without blinking, now felt exposed in a way she never had before. She waited for Mr. Kraisee's response, unsure of what to expect. After all, she had never experienced this kind of conversation—never had parents to seek approval from, never known what it felt like to ask for someone's trust in such a deeply personal way.

For a long moment, Mr. Kraisee didn't say anything. His face was unreadable, and Tawan's heart pounded in her chest. Then, to her surprise, a slow smile spread across his face. He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Tawan, you really think I didn't know?" he said, his tone light.

Tawan blinked, caught off guard. "You... knew?"

Mr. Kraisee laughed again, the tension between them easing slightly. "Of course, I knew. You think I'd let someone as important as you get close to my daughter without doing my own research? I've known about your connection with Ira for a while now. Hell, I knew before you even realized it yourself."

Tawan's eyes widened, trying to process what he was saying. "But... how?"

"Ira talks about you," he said, smiling fondly at the mention of his daughter. "She's talked about you for years. I knew about the person who saved her life, though I didn't know it was you at first. When I saw your name come up for the job, I made the connection. I figured it would be good to have you close, so I pushed for your profile to be sent to her. And here we are."

Tawan was stunned. "You... you wanted me to be close to her?"

Mr. Kraisee nodded. "Ira loves you, Tawan. She's my daughter, and I trust her judgment. And I trust you. I've seen how you protect her, how much you care. I wouldn't have left her with you if I didn't believe in you."

Tawan felt a warmth spreading in her chest, a feeling she wasn't familiar with. It wasn't just relief—it was something deeper. Growing up in an orphanage, she had never known the love or approval of a parent. But here was Mr. Kraisee, a man she respected deeply, offering her something she had never known: trust, acceptance, and even love in his own way.

"Thank you, sir," Tawan said, her voice thick with emotion. "I promise I'll always take care of her. I'll do everything I can to make her happy."

Mr. Kraisee smiled and patted her on the shoulder again. "I know you will. And stop calling me 'sir.' You might need to start getting used to calling me 'dad' one day."

Tawan couldn't help but laugh softly. "I'll... keep that in mind."

With a glance at his watch, Mr. Kraisee gave her a playful grin. "Now, if that's all, I'm going back home. You should get back to Ira before she starts worrying. You know how she is."

Tawan nodded, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. As she watched Mr. Kraisee walk away, she realized something profound: for the first time in her life, she had a family. She had Ira, and in some small way, she had Mr. Kraisee's acceptance—something she never thought she would experience.

As the sun began to rise, Tawan felt a sense of peace settle over her. There were no more threats looming, no more secrets to hide. She had Ira's father's blessing, and soon, she would be able to start the life she had always dreamed of—with Ira by her side.