Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 26

The patient, scowling, finished the entire bowl of rice porridge.

Seeing the empty bowl, Chatklao couldn't help but smile. "Next time, when you're sick, don't bathe, alright? Just wipe yourself down instead."

"You're ordering me around again. What are you, my dad?" she shot back, pulling a face in defiance.

Chatklao found himself wondering how he'd fallen for this woman. They'd been nothing but rivals, constantly bickering, rarely exchanging kind words.

"Well, I might as well be. Otherwise, you wouldn't have clung to me so tightly just now." He smirked. Her hand, poised to strike again, paused mid-air when she met his stern gaze. Frustrated to the point of wanting to scream, she glared at him, while he stood there calm and unaffected.

"Go home. I want to sleep," she grumbled.

"No. I'll stay here tonight until your brother gets back."

"What?! Are you out of your mind? If people find out, my reputation will be ruined!"

"Then I'll take responsibility," he said, his tone serious and unwavering.

"What?" She gaped at him, stunned. His eyes reflected nothing but sincerity, making her look away, flustered. Her heart fluttered wildly, like a thousand butterflies had taken flight in her chest. Similarly, Chatklao was surprised at himself for saying such a thing.

"I'll take responsibility for the kiss—and everything else too."

"Ha! Acting noble now, huh? Who asked you to take responsibility? I know you hate me. You probably curse me under your breath every day."

"Are you so sure that's what our relationship is like? I think it's time we stopped lying to ourselves about being enemies when we're clearly not."

His words left her cheeks flushed. Kwanruethai didn't want to admit the truth—that something had shifted between them. No matter how hard she tried to resist, her heart seemed determined to betray her.

"That's not true."

"Are you sure?"

Before she could retort, he cupped her face in his hands and leaned in, pressing his lips firmly against hers.

It felt as if the earth shook beneath her feet. She should've slapped him for crossing the line, but her arms felt weak and limp, her body melting like wax in his embrace. Her pulse raced wildly. It took several long moments before the young doctor finally pulled away, leaving Kwanruethai gasping for breath, her waist still held firmly in his grasp.

"You can't do this to me," she managed to say, her voice trembling. Deep down, she was terrified. He was a handsome doctor with women flocking to him, while she was just a humble street vendor. She feared he would eventually grow bored and leave her for someone better—just as her mother had abandoned her father.

Her father had loved her mother with all his heart. But when her mother realized he wasn't wealthy, she had left him without a second thought. He had worked himself to the bone, trying to prove himself, even knowing there was no hope. Kwanruethai didn't want to repeat her father's heartbreak.

"You say I can't? Then what about this?" he murmured, stealing another kiss.

Once again, Kwanruethai's mind went blank. The sweetness of the kiss was intoxicating, and to her own shock, she found herself kissing him back. Her clumsy hands rested awkwardly on his shoulders. Everything felt automatic, beyond her control.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him smiling softly, his gaze tender as honey. She had no idea that her own eyes were reflecting a shy vulnerability no one in their small town had ever seen. It was all because of this man. Her stubborn heart had finally conceded—she was hopelessly in love with the sweet-faced doctor, despite her efforts to keep her distance.