The Husband

019

I look at him in shock.

He confessed his feelings??? So that implies Arthit loved Amber. Why else would he plant white roses all around the garden for her..

I see Arthit staring at me.

"Yeah I'm listening"

Arthit nods and continues.

"Your sister and I knew each other for quite long, Kongpob, way before our parents decided to get us married.

I never told my father about Amber because growing up, I have seen him treat women like shit. I didn't want Amber to get into such a horrible family.

He abused my mother and treated her like she was worthless, he would embarrass her in front of the mafia and people used to laugh at her. I would try to help her when he hit her but he would push me away and tell me to man up. Eventually, he killed her. I tried so hard to stop him but he carried on.

My dad then married Giulia..my step-mother. Since he is old now he does not go extreme with her but he does abuse her, mostly verbally"

I am speechless. I cannot put my thoughts into words.

Arthit takes a deep breathe and continues

" I met your sister when I was 14. She used to be my bestfriend. I would share my problems with her, tell her all about the mafia world and she used to share her problems with me.

But then my mother died when I turned 15 and I was totally lost without her.

I went to school and came back home and stayed in my room for days until Alberto dragged me out..I hated him."

This is too much..too much for any fifteen year old. No wonder, Arthit hardened up all his emotions and feelings.

"So uhh..he then started to teach me the mafia business. I didn't want to but he manipulated me by saying that that's what mom wanted me to do. To run the business after Alberto retires.

He made me watch how he raped and killed men and women, and how he tortured them in the basement. I knew what he's doing is wrong. My hate for him only multiplied each day. I knew what I had to do. I had to own Omerta.
And that's how I took control over the business and turned it into something revolutionary"

He looked at me and gave me small smile.

"Your mother would have been so proud of you if she was here, Arthit"

"Yeah..", Arthit looks away, "Maybe"

"Can I ask you something?"

Arthit nods

"What is the "business transaction" that occured through our marriage ? I mean, it's probably a mafia thing but what is it ac-

"Your father's mafia.."

So I was suspecting right. Dad is involved in mafia.

"..The Blood Brothers is my rival. I decided to attack and take over The Blood Brothers. Your father wanted to sort things out but no mafia makes peace just like that if there isn't same blood in both mafia. So he offered me the hands of Amber. I never agreed because I didn't wanna ruin Amber's life...but circumstances forced me to finally agree to it. Our marriage was fixed. Amber and I were getting married. I was happy because I loved her "

He breathes in and looks at me

" She never loved me though. I still remember how she lied and told me she loved me but she didn't."

Arthit pauses for a moment before speaking again.

" She cheated on me with Andrei..you know the guy you met at the racing"

I can't believe Amber did something like this. How could she!!? It's so rare for Arthit to truly love somebody and she let him go just like that..

"Anyways" , Arthit speaks, " Days after I found out about everything, she came to see me. My anger got the best of me and I backhanded her but seeing all the bruises in her body, I let her go.
I warned her about Andrei and how abusive he is but she was blind in love"

I stare at him as everything Amber told me replays on my head. She was only lying to us all along.

I sit on the sand as I put my head in my hands

" Why didn't you call off the marriage then, Arthit? ", I ask him as he sits next to me

"Because I knew my parents would have either kidnapped Amber and forced her to get married to me or sell her of. And your parents wouldn't have stopped 'em since they are the most cowardly people I have come across.

"A week before the wedding, Amber told me she was pregnant. So Amber and I planned her escape. She told me that she will handle everything out "

I feel tears forming.

" I believed her but I never knew her plan was to put me under the bus", Arthit says

"I'm really sorry, Arthit", I say as I start crying, I pull my knees close to my body as I bow my head in shame.

I was so wrong and accused Arthit of the worst. It was all my own sister.

"What are you sorry for?", Arthit asks shocked as I continue crying

"The day she escaped, she told us you hit her and she does not want to get married to you because of the abuse you put her through..."

"Wow", Arthit laughs

I continue sobbing as he puts his arm around me.

"It's fine, sweetheart"

"What about.. Veronica?", I ask nervously.

"She was my one night stand after my breakup with Amber. Actually, she went through something similar to what I did so we are each other's distractions. No feelings involved"

"Got it", I nod.

We sit in silence as I lean my head on his shoulder and watch the setting sun.

" I apologize "

I look at him confused.

" What? ", I question as he sighs

"I apologize for what I did earlier"

I laugh as he growls.

"You can't say sorry can you?" I ask him as I laugh.

He shakes his head no, "I grew up to be a man with no feelings, Kongpob. I grew up watching violence. Everyone told me to keep away from empathy. I'm.. I apologise for my behavior. I truly do"

"Right. I understand", I say as I splash water at him.

His face turns serious

Shit he's gonna kill me..

But then I see a slight curl of smile in his lips as he wipes the water off his face.

"Are you gonna accompany me to the auction tonight?", he asks

"Do you want me to?"

"It'd be helpful..if you do"

"JUST SAY that you want your husband to be there to witness your badassery!!", Jason jumps in out of nowhere

"Shut up", Arthit growls and looks at me, "Don't listen to him"

"Sureeeeeee", Jason mocks him.

"What are you doing here?? Were you listening to us the whole time???", Arthit asks Jason

"Hmmm..", Jason speaks," Precisely, yes I was"

"Incorrigible!!", Arthit yells as we laugh our asses off.

"Go and get ready for the auction", he turns back and shouts at us and heads back inside.