𝟮𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘄 [OffGun]

- 3 -

I had to stop myself at the doors. At first, I thought that my old hearing must be mistaken because I could bet I've heard the sound I could only hear in my dreams. My heart stopped. After a second of listening, I was sure there was no mistake. I could distinguish Gun's voice from any other. An old feeling filled my chest. I pressed the doors' handle and saw him. It hit me like lightning.

My son was greeting Gun who was standing backward and couldn't see me coming inside the room. Then I heard my name coming out of his mouth. It was not the sweet Papii but Off Jumpol, spoke hesitantly and weirdly. But it was my name and I felt my heart jumping nervously. I answered the question, finding nothing better to say.

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

I could see Gun flinched as I spoke. And the silence after that before he uncertainly turned around, it felt like ages. And it was 20 years... since I saw his face. I couldn't take my eyes out of him. How possibly could he still look the same, was he real, was it another dream?

Even his hair was still black and cut in a similar style with bangs, he used to care so much about. I felt old emotions being thrown back at me as our eyes finally met, the chills went down my spine, my throat went dry and I couldn't speak anything. 

But as I was staring longer I could notice the cruel differences. Gun was still looking at me and the shock that was first on his face changed into an expression full of anger and soreness. I tried to search for answers in my mind because it should be me who reacts to our unexpected meeting this way. Then he finally spoke after Ratana has brought up our past relationship as an imaginary couple.

" Not gonna happen."

 I felt an urge to speak to him, but in a second he added in a cold and serious tone which made me more speechless than ever.

" I am not going to approve it."

He looked in my eyes once again and gave me the stare you give to your worst enemy, people who you hate, who you wished you had never met. Why?

" Never. After my death."

I felt something heavy dropping on my chest and it didn't let go after Gun passed me and left the room. I couldn't stop him. 

Ratana quickly ran after her father, leaving me and Paitoon alone. My son grabbed my arm and strongly shook it to wake me up from the thoughts that were now occupying my mind.

" Dad, what does it mean?! Did you fight in the past? That's why the whole thing OffGun has ended?" he looked worried and spoke quickly " Are you also against it? Dad, you can't! It won't stop me from loving Ratan! She's my one and only!"

" Calm down," I finally let out some sound, but I'm not sure if that useless advice was for Paitoon or me. " We'll solve it. I just need... Damn, why didn't you tell me before?!"

" You heard Ratan's surname. I thought that you have forgotten Mr. Atthaphan after all these years."

" I didn't hear it at that time..." I shook my head and massaged my temple. Shit, why I just didn't ask about that then..." and how could I forget him." There were times I wished, but I never could.

" Right? You were really close friends back then. You'll get along, right? It's just temporary because you haven't seen each other for so long, right?"

That boy. Paitoon rarely speaks with so much concern, he usually doesn't give a damn about other people. He must be really in love with that Ratana.

I'm a fool. I could now connect the similarities I'd noticed before when I first saw her at the airport. She had Gun's smile. That smile I could never erase from my memory.

" Tell Ratana I'd like to meet with Gun in more calm conditions, without you two. We have got a lot to talk about." I grabbed my jacket and moved to the exit.

I've so many questions for you Gun.

~~~

" Do you know which hour it is?!" she asked angrily but still tried to be not too loud. Ratana was sleeping in the next room after she had been waiting for her father to come back home and Jane didn't want her to see Gun in this state.

He murmured something but she didn't understand anything from that drunk talk. Seeing he will fall trying to untie the shoes she held him and helped with taking them off.

" Why didn't you pick up your phone?! Behaving like a teenager. I and Ratan were so worried..."

Gun staggered ready to answer but quickly put his hands on his mouth.

" No, no, no! Don't puke there! WAIT!" she caught him and led him to the bathroom. The floor was cleaned today, Jane couldn't let him mess it all.

As he was emptying his stomach she patted his back and caressed his head.

" Aghh... that food... It must have been bad." Gun murmured as he finished.

" Yeah. The food. I bet vodka was too warm." she rolled her eyes and hit his arm slightly.

" Auch. Don't give me that stare, Jane." he frowned.

" What stare?"

" An angry wife stare." he snorted and smiled. " You'll get wrinkles from that frown! Haha!"

" Damn you, Gun. I'm your wife and I will be angry when there is no way to contact you and you get so doomed. Seriously, how old are you to behave this way?!" she started but seeing his expression she stopped the yelling that wouldn't help the situation.

Gun leaned on the wall and hid his head between his legs murmuring something. Jane caught his chin and moved it up to look in his eyes.

" Tell me exactly what has happened. I couldn't understand much from Ratana's sobbing and now you're condition will not be helpful too so try to get sober or at least speak understandably or I will go mad."

Gun looked in her serious brown eyes, she was truly worried. Hearing that his little princess was crying tore his heart apart. He finally spoke after giving out a loud sigh. " That Mr. Right... He's Off's son."

" Fuck. Ratana has told me that already but the sick coincidence is still unbelievable. Come on, get up." she grabbed Gun's arms and helped him to stand up. " Let's go to the bedroom."

Jane led him to the bed and didn't insist on changing clothes to pajamas this time. She let him lay down and waited for him to speak, laying next to him. Jane was a good listener, she had that personality which makes people open their minds and share their stories with her. Gun values that in her, he could always count on her and she never left him with his problems alone. He sighed after he had gathered his thoughts and was ready to speak.

" I thought I'll never meet him again...I thought I buried all that in the past."

" Yhmm." Jane patted his hand, letting him know she's with him.

" I can't agree with that. I can't imagine us becoming... family. Shit. That would be sick." he wiped away the tears that kept on coming. The alcohol was still working, his voice was almost trembling.  " You know what he did. I can't Jane. I don't want to see Ratana sadness and broken heart but I don't think I'll bear this hell situation. And that Paitoon, damn... Why the fuck is this happening to me?!"

" Come." she pulled him into a hug and caressed his back while speaking calmly " I understand Gun. We'll solve this together, you're not alone. I'll talk to Rata-"

" You can't tell her." he suddenly got up, breaking off the embrace.

" I won't tell her about that... We've decided years ago, right?" she pulled him down and stroked his bangs. " Gun we should keep it a secret forever. That's better for our family. Better for Ratana."

~~~

A/N Hi, thank you for reading and comments!💚 I have a question. What do you prefer more 1st person POV or 3rd person POV? I can't decide. I guess I'll mix it, I hope it's not confusing. 😅