𝟮𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘄 [OffGun]

- 4 -

" P'Tay someone is looking for you."

" Who? I'm busy... Hey! What's wrong with that light, change it to normal!" he shouted seeing the equipment misbehavior and staff's clumsiness " Next pose, please. Relax your arms more, yes this way. Perfect, keep still."

He took a couple of shots before telling the model to change to the next clothes.

" He introduced himself as your old housemate." the worker spoke as Tay finished.

" Housemate?" he frowned, checking on the photos on the screen. So Off really came back, huh. " It must be a ghost then. Threw salt on him or ignore. I don't care."

Tay came back to his work but couldn't focus and constantly got distracted by the thought of someone waiting for him because the worker came back after 30 minutes saying that this person wouldn't leave.

" Stubborn donkey." he hissed. " 10 minutes break!"

He walked to the corridor and saw the mentioned idiot waiting by the entrance. He imagined that meeting many times and in each visualization, he just punched that bastard in the stomach or head but now he did nothing like that.

" Long time no see, huh?"

" Spare me that bullshit. What do you want?" Tay snapped.

" Talk."

He felt his blood pressure rose, he clenched his fist trying to stop himself from hitting the bastard who used to be his best friend and left without a word for almost two decades after hurting his other close friend.

" Why should I?"

" We were friends."

Tay snorted finding those words ridiculous in Off's mouth. " Yeah. We were. But it's different now. You're like a stranger to me Off."

" I'm sorry about New."

" Don't you think it is too late for that?! Don't act like you care." he instantly felt anger hearing his name. " Leave, I'm busy."

" Alright. Here." he left his business card on the table. " Call me, when you'll have time to talk."

Tay looked at the note and spoke " Don't litter. Go straight and you'll find a trash bin at the end of the corridor but be aware it's too small for your old ass." he turned around and got back into the room leaving Off behind.

" Yeah. I deserve that shit."

~~~

" Your father is right. You're still young, you'll find someone new."

" P'Tay don't even say that!"

" Don't frown! I can't photoshop that ugly expression!" he laughed still taking pictures which he promised to do after Ratana begged him for weeks. She needed them to her portfolio." You want to become an actress, right? The guys will fight for your attention... You don't need to be in a rush. Smile, yes pretty."

" I'm not in a rush. I just found my true love. I can't let him go."

" Yeah, yeah." he just nodded rolling his eyes. " Which one is it this year?"

" P'Tay! I'm serious. Paitoon is my soulmate. The one I can't live without. I don't want to regret it-"

" Stop talking or I won't make you these pictures." he was getting irritated hearing that nonsense which interrupted his work.

" I thought you'd understand me, P'Tay, you still can't forg-" she murmured.

He stopped and looked at the Ratana who just got aware she shouldn't have said that. Tay put the camera on the table and scratched his head. Damn. It seems like seeing Off was not enough to destroy this peaceful day.

" I'm sorry." she whispered, her eyes were watery. She rarely cries and Tay couldn't stand that view. " I don't understand why dad is acting this way. He has never forbidden me anything, he suddenly got angry and left. P'Tay, please tell me what has happened in the past. Mom won't say anything. I'm not a kid anymore, I have to know!"

" It's past. Not yours, but theirs. You shouldn't mess with it if they don't want to talk about it. Neither should I tell you." Tay came to her, patted her shoulder and gave her tissues. " Just do that one thing for Gun. Forget about that guy. It would be easi-"

" NO! It won't be any easier! I can't! The thought of leaving Paitoon tears my heart apart. I feel like I will die if I do it!" she whined and the tears covered her face.

" Don't say that. Don't ever say that. Die? You're stupid. The whole life waits for you..." he wiped away her cries and pulled that crying mess into a hug. " Shhh... Calm down. Don't cry."

~~~

" I hate you!"

These words spoken by Ratan felt like a knife threw straight into Gun's heart. He tried to convince himself that his daughter didn't mean it, she just couldn't understand the situation, he couldn't tell her the truth to let her understand. 

It was tough, hearing that bitter words. She hadn't given up after their first fight and they continued to have them for the next days. At first, she was just trying to make Gun talk to hear the reasons for his objection, she tried to convince him that Paitoon is a good man and can bring her happiness. Then she begged and cried, whining about how she can't live without her fiance. And finally, she shouted it.

" I hate you!"

And left the house, slamming the doors.

When you hear your only child saying that... It hurts. Damn hurts.

" It's hard for her. You have to understand. She didn't mean it." Jane repeated and Gun didn't feel any better hearing that. He already hated himself for this whole thing.

" Should I just tell her?" he finally spoke after minutes of silence.

" About?"

" Good question... I don't know. What should I tell, what should I hide, Jane?" he stared in her worried eyes searching for answers.

~~ retrospection 2019 ~~

" Should we tell them or should we hide it?" I heard a seriousness in his tone. I didn't expect Off to make this suggestion, not twenty minutes before the start of our biggest event. " I'd rather tell them..."

We were alone in the room. Everyone was busy with preparations. I came closer to him and grabbed his hand to link our fingers. He used to not like it but recently he didn't protest anymore and even caressed my hand while I caught his first.

" You mean us?"

Off nodded and smiled. I felt really happy. We were dating for almost four months and it was already troublesome to hide it whenever people ask what our relationship was. I must be honest. Sometimes I felt a bit hurt hearing those words of negation from my partner, not being able to show some affection whenever I wanted to and now he suggested we should announce it officially. I was just.... the happiest man in the world.

" Hey. Don't ruin the makeup. Just say no if you don't want to. You don't have to cry..." Off spoke teasingly since he knew I was pleased with that plan and pulled me to hug like he always does when I get too emotional.

" Stupid, Papii...." I murmured and embraced him tightly. " Don't get shy later on the stage! We'll tell Babiis and have to rescue them right after." I giggled imagining their reactions. " They all will faint!"

" Yeah. It'll be funtastic." Off kissed my forehead. " Tell them, when you're ready, I don't want you to regret it."

I stood on my tiptoes to peck his lips but somebody opened the doors and I automatically changed the direction to his neck. As usual, my action was taken as an innocent affection for a close friend.

" Off and Gun, on stage!"

~~~

" Yeah... This is already funtastic to me. Why... What do you want to hear?"

" If you don't want to say it now. It's okay."

.