𝟮𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘄 [OffGun]

- 2 -

I drove into our ready-to-open Crystal which is placed in the most popular area of Bangkok and is one of the buildings of the luxurious chain of shopping centers that I own. This place was created for only the richest Thais who can afford such brands as my once beloved Chanel, Gucci, Dior and many more.

From today's perspective, I think my youthful fondness of them a little bit ridiculous and a waste of money. One good thing was that I have a piece of wide knowledge of this expensive fashion and could use it in running my business. 

As I was entering the building my phone rang. The face of my beloved beautiful daughter showed and I quickly answered it.

" Yes, sweetheart?"

" Dad. You remember, right? About tomorrow?" Ratana's voice sounded kind of worried and it didn't match her always confident personality.

" Of course. I know it's important for you. I've rescheduled everything to be free..." my sight wandered on the shop's expositions, checking if everything presented fine. " Mom told me she'll manage to come, her plans changed suddenly since you brought up that ekhm... marriage thing." I still couldn't get used to that crazy idea of Ratana " Next time, please don't drop it like that. It's risky at our age..."

" Haha! Dad, you're not soo old! And I've already apologized for that, you know me I didn't mean to scare you."

" Yeah, I know."

A couple of days ago Ratana announced to us - her innocent parents that she'll get married soon. I and my wife - Jane almost fell on the floor as Ratana confirmed it was not a joke. We would be happy to hear that but not under that circumstances when we don't even know our future son-in-law beforehand and totally don't expect something like that to happen.

I still couldn't believe my only daughter got engaged to some guy she didn't even introduce us to. Like what the hell? Was I too overworked to notice my only treasure falling in love? I suddenly felt like a bad parent I never wanted to become.

We treated Ratana like a princess, protected her from the dangerous world, sent her to only private schools, gave her all she wanted. And that's what we've got - we are presented with a fait accompli. She will marry a stranger we don't know.

I just hope that the chosen will turn out to be a good man. I really do, because I'm scared that there is a huge possibility that Ratana has inherited some of the bad taste in humans from both her mother and me, her father.

" P'Gun, are you ready for the official opening?"

" Yes, Kamon. Please give me a moment, Ratana is calling." I gave her an apologizing smile since I was as always late. " I need to go, sweetheart. Everything will be alright, don't worry, I'll speak to your mom and try to calm her down beforehand. I love you, bye-bye."

" Byebye, dad! And don't make P'Kamon angry! I love you!" she giggled and ended the call.

" Little princess causing trouble?"

" Did Jane tell you?" that was an unnecessary question since I already knew she did. My wife and my secretary were... close recently.

" I'm sure he'll turn out to be a capable and strong man. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to ask for her hand and she wouldn't accept him. You both raised Ratana well." she sent me a sincere smile and I couldn't argue with what she said, my daughter has never failed us before.

" Yeah. I hope so... I'm just a bit sad she didn't tell us earlier. I always thought there are no secrets between us." so that's the feeling when you notice your child is a grown-up and don't really need you as much as before.

I felt a pat on my shoulder.

" P'Gun there is no such thing as no secrets between people, especially when it comes to parents and children." she made her usual smart face and added, " But don't be sad. That won't change the bond you have. You'll remain the first man she loved forever."

" Haha, right. Thanks, Kamon." I felt much better hearing that, I'm happy to have a true friend like her next to me in my work. " Let's go, the opening for the greatest Crystal in Bangkok is waiting for us and any delay costs us money we shouldn't waste."

" Moment" she corrected my tie and made a hand gesture letting me go first " This way Mr.Atthaphan."

~~~

" Dad, you're earlier." my darling instantly ran to hug me as soon as she saw me walking into the restaurant.

" The meeting ended faster. Where is your love?" I asked since I saw no one around her.

" Let's go, they're waiting. This place is huge, dad. And so beautiful... You made a good decision giving them rights to build it in Crystal." she took my hand and led me to one of the doors. She stopped there to catch a breath, I could see she was stressed so I caressed her hand gently.

" It'll be alright. Have you ever had to worry about your dad? I'll behave nicely, I can promise you I won't beat him up." I joked and she slightly laughed no longer frowning. " Good, smile. You're the prettiest when you smile." I pinched her cheek and pressed the door handle.

" Mr. Atthaphan! Nice to meet you I'm Paitoon Adulkittiporn."

That surname. The sound of it caused an instant pain in both my head and ears.

I stared at that young man who had just jumped out of his chair to come closer to meet me. He was smiling nervously and after a second Waiied at me politely since in stress he forgot to do it at first. That clumsiness... I noticed he had only expensive brand clothes on him, some colorful Gucci shirt from a vintage collection older than his age and some Balenciaga pieces.

My daughter cleared her throat since I was standing there wordless examining him with a critical expression. Still, in a slight shock, I automatically reached out my hand to meet his and shook it.

" Nice to meet you Paitoon..." I checked out his face still concerned about what I've just heard. It must be a coincidence I thought but then I saw the similarity in his expressions and that shirt... It bothered me so I had to ask. " Can you tell me please..."

" Yes, Mr. Atthaphan?" he smiled at me noticing my confusion.

" Are you related to..." my mouth suddenly felt dry when I was about to bring his name, I had to hold on the chair to speak it " Off Jumpol?"

" Yes, he is. I'm his father."

I heard doors closing and the voice I haven't heard for ages. The voice I missed for ages. The voice I craved for ages. It was still the same. I slowly turned around afraid of what will I see. My heart skipped a beat, I felt my legs numb, a wave of cold and chills overwhelmed my body.

After 20 years I met him. Off Jumpol was now standing across me, wearing his usual smile his eyes glued on only me and I felt like everything around vanished. The time stopped.

" Surprise dad! You don't need to introduce yourselves-" Ratan was babbling something but I couldn't hear her because I was too shocked to let anything reach my ears.

Off was still tall and somehow in better shape than years ago. He had his hair all grey and the length the way he always liked to have, the way he could brush it back in his flirtatious way. There weren't many signs of time passing on his face. I noticed he wore glasses and had some wrinkles around his small eyes. Off had a strange expression I couldn't understand. I assumed he had no clue about our children dating neither.

" It's destiny!" the grip of my Ratana's hands on my shoulder and her excited voice woke me up from my thoughts. " Off and Gun, long best friends meet again! I found it recently, dad. Why have you never told me that you were an imaginary couple? How cool! And a legendary one! Now you should thank us because you'll really become a family so-"

" Not gonna happen."

" Dad?"

I looked in Ratana's troubled eyes and felt bad thinking that it'll hurt my beloved daughter. 

Destiny, huh? I must have murdered the whole nation in my previous life then.

I took off her hands and repeated my words slowly with a firm tone " I am not going to approve it.". Then I looked once more at Off who didn't move his stare. I felt instant pain as old emotions came back. I had to leave the room as fast as possible.

" Never. After my death." the words escaped my mouth.  I passed him and left hoping it would be definitely the last time in my pathetic life our paths crossed.