23:59

23:00 Birthday

[AN: I don't know a thing about legal procedures, so I might be wrong with what I wrote here.]

Mew bit his lip as he watched from his room's window. Uncle Tong had placed cups of tea on the table at the garden but it remained untouched for almost half an hour now. The people sitting across each other seemed to be testing the waters. The whole place was tense.

"You've grown a lot, Kana." His mom started. There were tears in her eyes as she stared at the young adult who was expressionless in front of her. "You're not wearing glasses anymore."

Just for something to do, Gulf finally sipped his tea and placed it lightly back on top of the saucer.

"I think I frightened you yesterday. It was not my intention." She said.

"Gulf."

"What?"

"My name is Gulf, not Kana."

His mom pursed her lips. "O-of course. I heard you changed your name."

Gulf sighed. So far, it had been an awkward 30 minutes for them. If he prolongs this, they might have to stay longer in Pattaya.

"Miss, what is it that you'd like to discuss with me?" Gulf asked.

"Miss." His mom repeated, but she knew whatever reason she will give, Gulf would not ever call her his mom.

"Get straight to the point." Gulf said. "Mew told me that you wanted to speak with me."

"Y-yes. I know I've hurt you, and I want to apologize."

"If only forgiveness was that easy." Gulf said, and he was surprised that he was still calm. Yesterday night, in his head he wanted to aim curses at her and even hurt her physically. Did his love-making session with Mew tame him?

"I know. I know it's hard, Kana... I mean, Gulf. I have no excuse. I know I was wrong. I should have mustered the courage to see you in the orphanage."

"Oh yeah, I heard you knew where I was but didn't bother even checking up on me."

His mom's hands shook.

"You probably have reasons why you would not even see me all these years, I don't understand why you wanted to meet now. What is it that you want?"

"Nothing else but forgiveness. I was a coward, Gulf. I was scared of facing the consequence when you got lost."

Gulf breathed in. Is she trying to say that had he not run away, none of this would have happened?

"I don't think I can forgive you." Gulf said harshly. "Talking to you right now is making my blood boil. I was there for nearly 14 years thinking I do not deserve any family. It turns out you not only knew where I was, you also had the nerve to get away with it by sending me money."

From his pocket, he pulled out the very card that Mew showed him the day they became lovers. From his room, Mew narrowed his eyes on it and wondered how Gulf got it from him. Admittedly, he's been carrying it around since he came back intending to return it to his aunt through the mail. Gulf must have seen it.