Chapter 18: He Just Greeted Me, Smiled So Hard, My Lover Almost Went Crazy
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Over the past week, life had returned to its usual rhythm after my illness. Days seemed to pass quietly, like the gentle flow of a calm river, yet beneath the surface, countless little stories were unfolding. A week full of moments, though in truth, life always carried stories, day after day.
Time flew by quickly. Since returning from P'Theer's house, my friends and I went about our daily routines. But then, an unexpected incident happened. One day, we decided to climb the mango tree to pick the ripe fruits—a fun childhood activity we did often. But this time, I misstepped and nearly fell.
My friends below screamed, and in that exact moment, P'Theer happened to be walking by. He rushed over without hesitation, but the expression on his face was more serious than I had ever seen before.
"Don't do something so risky again. I don't want you to get hurt," he said, his voice stern, but overflowing with concern.
After that day, it seemed like P'Theer lingered around me more than before. We ran into each other almost every day. Sometimes it was by coincidence on the way home, other times he came over with my favorite treats. We went out together to different places; sometimes he took me to cozy, well-decorated restaurants, while other times we just sat quietly in his car, watching the scenery until the sun dipped below the horizon.
Every moment spent with him carried a sense of care. No matter how small, he was always ready to look after me, to protect me. Throughout the week, many things happened, but all of them drew us closer, creating a bond that was slowly becoming more intimate and special. This relationship added colors to days that once seemed ordinary.
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The morning sunlight streamed through the wooden window, brushing my eyelids with its warm golden hue. The same lonely mynah bird that always perched on the balcony chirped, nudging me awake. The soft scent of damp earth and wildflowers floated in with the morning breeze, invigorating me with a strange freshness.
I got out of bed and moved to perform my morning routine in the old but spotless bathroom. The large mirror reflected my still-groggy face. I let out a long sigh and quickly washed my face, brushed my teeth, and stepped out to have breakfast.
Descending to the lower floor, the aroma of food hit me. Hot rice porridge, a tangy curry, and sticky rice with mango—my mother's special treat—wafted through the air. I smiled and walked into the kitchen to see everyone seated at the table.
Dad, wearing a deep brown silk robe, remained still, composed like a statue. His face was stern, yet his eyes always carried a hint of gentleness. Mom, in a pale pink silk dress, sat beside him. Her smile was soft and warm. Every time she looked at me, she smiled.
"Here you are, Warun. Come, sit, my child," her gentle voice said as usual.
I walked to the table and sat next to Jan, who still looked half-dreamy, half-enamored, eyes overflowing with love, making me involuntarily pout at his silly expression.
"Eat your breakfast, son," Dad said in his usual flat tone.
I nodded and scooped some rice porridge into my bowl. Just as I was about to take the first bite, the wooden door creaked open, announcing a guest.
A man entered the house. His face was dignified, dressed neatly in a white silk shirt. His hair was perfectly styled, dark brown eyes sparkling warmly, and his smile radiated friendliness.
"Ah, good morning, Arthit," Dad greeted him cordially.
"Good morning, Uncle. I came early," he replied with a broad smile. "How's Mom?"
"She's fine," Mom said. "Come join us for breakfast."
Arthit nodded and turned his warm gaze toward me, sitting directly across from me. His eyes met mine, and he smiled.
"This is my youngest son, Warun," Dad introduced. "And this is Arthit, the eldest son of my close friend."
I nodded politely.
"Hello, Arthit," I said.
"Hello, Warun," he replied, his tone soft and approachable. "Your parents speak highly of you."
I smiled faintly.
"Do they?"
"Yes," he replied. "Especially about your intelligence… and your good looks, which are hard to match."
My face turned bright red as I felt a blush of pride. My smile widened uncontrollably.
"Hahaha," he laughed. "I didn't expect to meet someone both smart and handsome at the same time."
I giggled shyly.
"Not really that much."
The conversation flowed effortlessly. We could talk as if we had known each other for years.
"I just realized you're friends with my father too," I said.
"Yes, we've been friends for a long time," he said. "Actually, I wanted to visit you and your parents more often, but work kept me busy."
"Such a pity," I said. "If you came more often, I'd have a chance to talk to you more."
"No need to feel that way," he said. "From now on, we'll probably see each other more."
I smiled widely, feeling an unexpected happiness. He returned the smile and leaned slightly closer.
"I really enjoyed today," he whispered, low enough for only us to hear.
Suddenly, a car screeched into the driveway. The tires squealed sharply, making everyone pause. His face remained composed as if sculpted from stone, yet his eyes darkened noticeably.
The car came to a complete stop. The door opened, and a young man stepped out briskly—it was P'Theer!
He walked into the house with an expression that was far from pleasant. His sharp eyes fixed on me and Arthit, and the bright smile I had worn earlier vanished instantly.
"Hello, uncle," he said in a flat voice before turning to me. "I'm here to pick you up."
"Oh… Theer," my father greeted. "You're picking Warun up earlier than expected today."
"Yes," he replied, then leaned down to whisper beside my ear. The warmth of his breath brushed against me.
"Why didn't you tell me there would be guests at the house?"
"I don't know either," I whispered back. "Mom and Dad didn't tell me."
He looked at me with disbelief, then shifted his gaze to Arthit, his eyes suddenly cold and intimidating. Arthit smiled politely in return, though there was a flicker of displeasure hidden in that smile.
"Warun, let's go," he said calmly, yet his words carried an undeniable command.
"Wait, Theer," Arthit interjected. "Warun and I haven't finished our conversation yet."
He turned to Arthit with a sharp, intimidating glare.
"I don't see anything left to talk about," he said, voice calm but icy.
"But Warun hasn't even finished breakfast yet," Arthit pressed.
He glanced at my mother.
"It's okay, aunt. I'll take him to get something to eat myself," he said, grabbing my arm with surprising strength and dragging me out of the kitchen immediately.
I glanced back at my parents and Jan, who were frozen in place, before being yanked along toward the car.
"Are you okay?" I asked, curiosity lacing my voice. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
He didn't answer, merely opened the car door for me to get in, then circled to the driver's seat and started the car without a word.
We drove along a quiet road. Silence filled the car, heavy and suffocating, making me increasingly uneasy. I turned to look at him; his face remained stoic, but the intensity in his eyes had darkened noticeably.
"You…" I began, unsure what to say.
He turned slowly to look at me, still silent.
I could only stare out at the road ahead. The tense quiet gnawed at my nerves. I tried to break the silence.
"Why are we in such a hurry?" I asked.
The car continued on silently, only the hum of the engine filling the air. The quiet was almost oppressive, making me shift in my seat, trying again.
"Why are you rushing so much?"
He didn't answer, focusing on the road. We left the city behind, entering a dense forest. Tall trees lined both sides, sunlight filtering through the branches in dappled patterns. The forest was calm, save for the hum of the engine.
Suddenly, he slowed the car and pulled over beside a stretch of towering trees and blooming wildflowers. The faint scent of damp earth and gentle wildflowers drifted in with the afternoon breeze. Only the sounds of birds and insects filled the serene atmosphere.
I looked at him, confused.
"Why… are we stopping here?"
He remained silent, letting the tension hang heavy in the air. I turned to look outside, absorbing the beauty of the trees and flowers.
"I don't like seeing you talk to others like that," his deep voice sounded suddenly beside me, making me snap my head to look at him. His expression was clearly frustrated and displeased.
"I… I was just talking to a friend normally," I replied.
"Friend?" He raised an eyebrow. "Then why have I never seen you like this with me?"
My mouth fell open. His words felt like my heart had stopped.
"I… I am like this with you too," I murmured softly.
He didn't respond, silence enveloping us again. The oppressive tension made me feel worse, and I slowly closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing heart.
Then, his low, deep voice whispered beside my ear, soft but tender in a way I had never heard before.
"I… I don't like seeing you near anyone else. I'm jealous… Warun."
His words hit me like ice. I stared at him, heart pounding violently, threatening to burst from my chest.