Unplanned Marriage

Chapter 10

Arthit's stomach felt like being pressed together by two unknown forces, then being tossed to the ground and finally cut open. He was stepping around nervously, waiting for Kongpob to show up. The restaurant looked very luxurious and although he wasn't into French food, he'd decided to go with the flow. Food was the least important issue here, or so he thought.

Arthit didn't want to go inside and sit there alone, it was considered rude and odd to do so. Waiting at the entrance wasn't ideal either, he got many strange looks by standing near the door. Outside was freezing alongside mild raining, therefore Arthit was forced to hold an umbrella. As soon as he spotted Kongpob, he felt relieved. His stomach relaxed a bit, signalizing he might eat something this evening.

On the other side, once Kong saw his husband, a feeling of responsibility hit him. Arthit was lightly shaking from cold, wearing only a thin black coat.

"I'm sorry I'm late, P'Arthit." He apologized as he approached him. "There were mild complications at work."

"Oh, is everything alright? I just came here, you're not late." Arthit said the cheesiest line ever, lying about the time he got there.

"Yeah, don't worry. Shall we go inside?" He asked, offering him his hand.

"Kongpob... what are you doing?" his husband asked, glaring at his elbow.

"Is this not how we do it? I'm new to this, I'm sorry." He apologized, embarrassed. He'd forgotten Arthit is not a girl, going for the same way as he was doing it with Jane.

"I don't think any skin contact is necessary to prove how close we are. I mean... look at our hands." He commented, glancing at Kongpob's left hand. The sparkling ring in the shape of heart was still on the same place as a few days ago.

"You're right." Kong nodded and both of them disappeared inside.

*** *** ***

Arthit's parent's arrived moments after, making them meet even before being seated and having a chance to order.

"Mother, father, allow me to introduce you my husband. Kongpob Perawat, Prachaya before marriage." He emphasized both surnames.

Kong hand-signed politely and smiled.

"I'm so happy I finally have a chance to meet you in person, mother, father. It's an honor for me. Before we start to entertain ourselves, shall we proceed to sit down?" Kongpob was charming, polite and gentleman. The waiter led the small group to their table. Kong then proceeded to help Arthit take off his coat and handed them to the waiter. They sat next to each other, Arthit facing his father and Kong mother.

After Kongpob ordered for everyone, being the only one speaking fluently French and understanding all the dishes on the menu, an awkward silence spread around the table.

"So... where did the two of you meet?" The mom finally broke the silence and tried to smile. She still wasn't sure about her feelings nor view on the situation but tried to be understandable. The real Kongpob Prachaya was sitting in front of them, wearing a similarly styled ring as her son. A rather feminine ring, it couldn't be just a coincidence.

Arthit's stomach fell to the ground, they didn't agree nor discuss their love story to such details.

"We've attended the same university, Arthit was my senior." Kongpob spoke calmly, having everything thought thru.

"Is that so? That's lovely." Another silence occurred, making Arthit desperate for the food to arrive. He nervously drank the champagne already on the table, but the sparkles only made him choke. He coughed a few times and his eyes teared up before Kongpob patted his back.

"Are you okay, dear? Here, drink some water." He handed him his glass he'd already drunk from and also a tissue to wipe his face. "It's okay now." He said gently, still patting his back.

Arthit's parents watched in awe.

"How long have you been in... this relationship? What is your parents' opinion on this marriage? I've read somewhere you had a girlfriend, just as Arthit, this partnership came out of nowhere." His mother couldn't hold back any longer. So many questions have appeared in her head and the curiosity was beyond limits.

"Nina, stop it." Arthit's father has finally spoken, stopping his wife from being rude.

"I don't mind it at all, father." Kong smiled, working out the answers in his head meanwhile. Arthit gasped quietly at Kongpob's boldness calling his dad like that. Kong, however, didn't look slightly worried and a smile danced on his lips the entire time.

"Where should I start? We've started dating shortly after graduating from school. We'd both had girlfriends at that time and tried to resist our love and... ourselves. I've quickly found out it was impossible and chased P'Arthit whenever I got a chance. He was persistent and didn't want to give up to me but eventually had done so." He stopped and gently touched Arthit's hand. He wanted to jerk off but his husband didn't let him, giving him a look that said it all. This is my act, don't ruin it.

"Stop it. Let's talk seriously." Arthit's father didn't let him continue, having a scary look on his face. Everyone except Kong straightened up from nervousness.

"It's about time, father." He smiled, waiting for the attack to come. The only thing that came was food though and silenced everyone for a good 20 minutes. It was beyond rude to hold a conversation while eating.

Arthit stared at his plate, wondering what it even was. A strange bowl with six tiny holes was placed in front of him, having an unknown ingredient inside each hole. The top was sprinkled with seasoning and melted butter. As a side dish, a crispy and fluffy French baguette was sliced evenly.

"Mr. Prach... Pera... Kongpop. What exactly is this?" Arthit's mother looked at the same dish in front of her with untrusting expression.

"Mother, Kong or Kongpob is only acceptable while addressing me. We're family now." His mouth must be hurting from all those cheesy smiles. Arthit thought, staring at his husband, also waiting for an answer. "You've got a real 'délicatesse' in front of you, my dear's favorite meal!" Kong glanced over and smirked. Shivers ran down Arthit's spine from that look, nothing good was about to happen.

"Those are snails," Kongpob revealed, making his husband's jaw fall to the floor.

"I didn't know this was your favorite food, sweetie..." His mom commented. I didn't know that either. Arthit thought angrily, knowing he can't run away now.

"Let's eat." Kongpob suggested, digging in. Arthit gave him a look of a murderer and stepped on his leg under the table. Kong didn't even flinch but Arthit's father jerked from pain. He glanced over at his son but said nothing.

Everyone started eating except Arthit. He'd tried a lot in his life and a lot he was still intending to, but eating snails wasn't on the list. He should just do it but the thought of the snail moving in his mouth demotivated him.

"Dear, you're not eating. They'll get cold." Kongpob worried, feeling a weird joy by teasing him.

"I'm not feeling like eating. Might be all the stress I'm experiencing." Arthit hissed, cursing in his mind.

"You'll feel better after eating, I'm sure about it. Here, eat one." Kong smirked and forced one bite into Arthit's mouth before he could resist. His eyes widened from surprise, knowing he cannot spit it out.

Arthit's parents were also left surprised by how lovely-dovely the couple was acting even in front of them.

Freaked Arthit tried to bite slowly the food, waiting for the snail to move. It didn't happen but the delicious and right seasoned taste spread in his mouth.

...And that's how Arthit discovered that his favorite meal were snails.

It turned out to be too long for one chapter, I'm going to cut it here and publish the rest tomorrow or the day after|~

Thank you so, so much for your support, I'm sorry for not updating sooner! Take the longer chapter as an apology ❤️