Handle It

[lakornblog]

Chapter Thirty Eight​

 
With the lantern in his hands Gun placed the lantern further than an arm’s length away from his cousin before he shouted in Can’s ears, “FIRE! FIRE!”
 
Can opened his eyes to fire in front of his eyes and shot up to see his cousin with his arms crossed and just looking at him, “Why are you just standing there? The house is on fire?” Gun watched as his cousin searched for his clothes in lantern glow-light. It took Can a few distorted seconds to realize nothing was on fire but the lantern around the cabin. “Why?”
 
Gun waved his towards the bedroom, “you and your boxers just ruined a moment for me. Get up and go to bed.”
 
“What moment?” Can asked as he gathered their backpack.
 
“It’s too late now.” Gun said kicking his cousin into the room, “you’re making breakfast tomorrow.”
 
“What moment?” Can asked again as Gun ignored him.
 

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“Eggs?” Ploy said as she watched Gun walk into a hen house. “Fishing?” She wanted to poke her eyes out. “Don’t tell me we have to garden our own vegetables?”
 
Through the chicken wires Gun smiled, “yep.” He laughed as Charlie ran into the henhouse to chase the chicken. “There’s a local villager nearby that helps to take care of the garden for me. There’s another town just a drive down that I contact to let the villager know I’m coming into town.” Pream held onto the basket as Gun extended his hands with the eggs he’d collected. “We’re not that far out from civilization. There’s a campground that takes about a day to reach that Can and I used to go to.”
 
Ploy squinted her eyes at Gun, “what are you wearing?” She shook her head and laughed, “you look like a local farmer.”
 
Tightening the fabric around his waist, Gun waggled his eyebrows “it’s how one hides from rich people or gold diggers.”
 
Pream laughed at his antics as Charlie picked up a chick. “Please remember to wash your hands before we eat breakfast.”
 
“Are we ever going to get breakfast?” Ploy whined as her stomach growled. “How do we even know if he can fish?”
 
“Quit whining and start the rice.” Can said from behind one of the bushes. “For lunch, I’m going to teach you how to pluck chicken.”
 
Ploy blinked rapidly, “these chicken?” She pointed into the hen house.
 
“There’s the meatier chicken on the other side of the cabin.” Can said as he came into view with fish tied to the ends of a rod.
 
Gun leaned against the hen house as Ploy counted the fish Can brought. “Whoa…”
 
“We’re going to salt some to dry a bit for tomorrow.” Can said as he held a fish to try and make Ploy kiss it.
 
Pream looked down at the eggs and asked, “is that all you guys eat here?”
 
“The vegetables are behind the house.” Can said pulling Ploy with him to salt the fish. “It’s possible Charlie can do it without messing up.”
 
Pream glanced over at Gun as he led the way behind the house, “this feels weird--” Charlie said as she hopped over some rocks. “It sounds funny too.”
 
“How so?” Pream asked as she breathed in the fresh air. “This is nice.”
 
“I don’t hear cars.” Charlie said as she leaped over another rock. “I don’t hear people yelling at each other.”
 
Pream laughed, “isn’t that a good thing?”
 
Charlie shrugged, “but what if we want to someone else? There’s no one else to talk to.” All three turned to look towards the sound of Ploy yelling at Can somewhere to the side of the cabin.
 
“Well…” Pream grimaced, “you will always have someone yelling at someone else over there.”
 
“Let’s just pick the veggies.” Gun said waving them over to where he was looming over some carrot tops and onions. “We could make soup with these.”
 
“I didn’t see what seasonings you had.” Pream said as she followed right behind Charlie. She squatted to look down at some cabbages. “I can’t believe you have people coming to take care of all this for you.” She looked around at the small garden in amazement, “you can live out here for some time.”
 
Gun shrugged, “I did, for a time.”
 
“What?” Pream asked as she watched Charlie pull up some carrots and handed to her to place in the basket. “Why did you do that?”
 
“Horrible time in my life.” Gun side and plopped himself down in the dirt row between the vegetables. “I didn’t know what to do. I was still young. Charlie was coming soon.”
 
“Charlie wasn’t born yet?” Pream frowned. Thinking about it again, they were young… She glanced up at Gun as he watched Charlie some distance away try to bribe a passing bunny with one of the carrots. “It was a rocky marriage?”
 
Sighing, Gun explained, “it was probably going into Charlie’s third trimester. We both weren’t ready. My dad had just died. I was already taking on the family business. I never had a mom, I had relatives here and there… but to find out that Charlie was a girl.” He let out a scary laugh, “I didn’t know anything about raising a daughter. I mean, look at her mother, if she took anything after her.” SHaking his head he sighed again.
 
What was wrong with her? Pream thought as she frowned. Was she that horrible of a person? “How bad were you fearing this?”
 
He picked a leaf to fiddle around with, “I was about to call defeat. Charlie shouldn’t have been brought into the world-- but a stupid night…”
 
“A stupid night?” Pream repeated.
 
He laughed again, “you’d think I’d stop drinking by now right?”
 
Pream followed his stare to Charlie again, “was it that bad of a mistake?”
 
“No, once Charlie was born, I realized the past mistake was what gave her to me.” Gun flicked his wrist and tossed the leaf into the wind. “I figured I’d work hard to get Charlie everything she deserves.”
 
“By spoiling her?” Prean chided, “by letting her run wild?” She watched as Charlie broke off a piece of carrot to toss towards the rabbit, “it’s not too late to still be a father to Charlie.” She looked around the garden. “this is nice, in the middle of nowhere-- she can’t get into trouble.” She smiled at Gun, “every once in awhile, take her away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The glare of an iPad or computer screen. This can do her some good.” She looked behind her as she heard Ploy screaming again, “or Charlie is going to be like Ploy one day.”
 
“An unemployed waitress?” Gun joked.
 
“Someone who don’t know what it’s like to be away from the convenience of technology.”
 
Pream smiled then he noticed her confused look. “What?”
 
“You don’t eat fish though.”
 
Gun smiled. “We’ve got eggs, vegetables, chicken-- canned food.”
 

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Gun yawned again as he pulled up to his house. Blinking multiple times he slapped his face again to stay awake. He glared at Can who was snoring in the passenger seat behind him. Everyone in the car was asleep. He stretched his neck this way and that before Jim ran up to the car to help open the door. He got out to stretch his back then opened the back door to scoop Charlie out of the car. Gun stifled another yawn as Can came to.
 
“We’re home?” He asked drowsily.
 
Gun didn’t spare him a glance. “The house was closer to get home than the condo. Maybe you could spare the time to drive your car to take them home.”
 
Can looked over his shoulders in the car and noticed Pream and Ploy still sleeping. He grimaced, “yea.” Sheepishly he grinned, “sorry for not staying awake to keep you company.”
 
“I’m going to take Charlie upstairs so Mai could wipe her down and catch a shower.” Gun began walking up the steps.
 
Yawning loudly Can got out of the car and opened the door on Ploy’s side. He smacked her shoulders and she came to swinging. Pream opened her eyes to see Can at the side of the car, doubled over and holding his stomach. “What happened?”
 
Can grunted and pointed a finger at Ploy who was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
 
Pream got out the car from the other side and looked up at the house as Noun came out with Jim to carry the bags, “Charlie is upstairs already?” They nodded and grabbed the bags from the trunk. She left the bickering pair at the side of the car as Noun watched open mouth to see Pream waltzing into the house. Jim looked worriedly at Noun as he continued to grab the bags from the car.
 
Gun craned his neck to stretch the long drive out of his bones and went to his room to shower before he passed out. He was thankful now that it a cabin and not hiking to a campsite this time, he wouldn’t have been able to drive back by himself. When he sees Can next time, he’s going to kick his ass. It was his plan to go. He huffed and walked down the hallway to his room.
 
Pream turned the hallway corner to see Gun entering his room and closing his door. He looked awfully tired. She bit her lips debating on checking on him or not. She decided to go to check on Charlie instead. She got into the room to see Mai walking out of the bathroom with a bowl of water and a towel. “I got it Mai, why don’t you go grab the bags from Noun and throw Charlie’s clothes in the hamper? I don’t want the backpack to smell like dead fish.”
 
Mai smiled and walked out slowly checking the hallway for signs of her boss. She heard the water running so she knew he was in the showers and quickly ran downstairs to see Noun running towards the stairs before running back up with the bag to run interference.
 
Gun looked around his room wondering where most of his items had went. Jai probably got around to donating his clothes. He kind of wish she ran it by him first though just in case he wanted to hold on to something she deemed old. He stretched out in bed and pulled the covers over him to rest his eyes, he was hungry, this weekend didn’t really satisfy him. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He didn’t get a chance to talk to Pream one on one after that first morning. Regrets. He smiled to himself thinking how close he was to kissing her. Almost.
 
Pream finished changing Charlie into her pajamas, kissed her goodnight and went into her own room to wash. She came out to see Noun dusting the vase in the hallway. “Why are you dusting the vase at this time over the hour, Noun?” Pream laughed. “It’s okay, you can do it tomorrow.” She walked passed Noun and headed towards Gun’s room.
 
The maid covered her mouth with her hands as Pream peeked into Gun’s room then disappeared.
 
She knocked lightly at his door, but he didn’t answer. Pream frowned and poked her head in to check on him. She found him asleep already and sighed. She ran her hands through his hair as they were in his eyes and removed the stray strands away from his face. Daringly, she gave him a kiss on his cheek. His window was open widely and the breeze was frisky. She reached the window sill and breathed in the air. It felt and smelled differently than the fresh air at the cabin. Pream heard a grunt and a squeal that made her look down from the window to see Can and Ploy bickering again, he was pointing at her and she pulled that finger to bite down on it. He screamed making Pream jump. She turned to look behind her, but Gun was still sleeping and unaware. Closing the window quietly, she then made her way out the room, down the stairs and out to the driveway.
 
Jim brought the car around as Can held on to his hands. Pream had her arms crossed to warm herself from the air that was getting oddly cold that night.
 
“WIll you make it home safely?” Pream asked as Can stayed a few steps away from Ploy.
 
Ploy was still spitting mad at Can and Pream wasn’t sure why or what Can could have done to cause this reaction from her friend. They had noticed her in her pajamas and stopped their bickering immediately asking when she’d gone to shower. “When Can was doubled over next to you.” She’d replied rolling her eyes. “I was able to wash and change Charlie, shower and was checking on Gun when you bit Can.”
 
“Checking on Gun?” Can and Ploy repeated in unison.
“He was already asleep and you two were heard from his window.”
 
“You were in Gun’s room?” Ploy asked.
 
Pream nodded her head.
 
“He was already asleep?” Can repeated. He looked down at his watch. “It’s not that late.”
 
Pream shrugged, “he did most of the driving. He’s probably tired.” She yawned, “I am too. I’d stand here and chat with you all but a bed to myself sounds amazing after being kicked by Charlie and Ploy for two nights in a row.”
 
“I know not to share a bed with her then.” Can said walking around the car to the driver’s side.
 
Ploy scrunched her face, “please, like I’d share one with you, ever.”
 
Pream blinked multiple times as they continued to bicker going into the car. If she didn’t know better, she really would think they’re a couple. She covered her mouth for another yawn and went to bed too. Dinner was not an option for this household tonight.
 

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Pream was walking back into the house the next morning after dropping Charlie off at school and grocery shopping. She handed the grocery bags over to Sonny and saw Jai slowly descending the stairs. The older woman seemed dazed and called for Sonny. “I just sent her to put away the groceries, was there something I could help you with?”
 
“I was going to have her make some porridge for Mister Gun….” She held onto the banister on her last step.
 
That caught Pream’s attention, “Porridge? Did Gun come home?” She turned around when Jim ran back into the house announcing Gun’s car was still in the parking spot. He’d assumed he would wake up late, but this was too late.
 
“I tried to wake him up and felt his skin.” The housekeeper found Noun instead who was walking by and they hurried to the kitchen.
 
“I got it Jim.” Pream said running up the stairs.
 
Jim stared up the stairs and scratched his head. He didn’t know what to make of the situation anymore.

 

[lakornblog]

Chapter Thirty Nine​

 
Pream knocked at the door and Gun didn’t answer so she poked her head in to see he was still sleeping. She felt the warmth on the back of his hands then pressed her other hand to his forehead. How’d he get sick all of a sudden? She went to his bathroom to grab a bowl and towel. She wiped most of his body down before Noun knocked on the door with the house phone, Can was on the line.
 
“Hey.” She answered placing the phone against her ears and shoulders as she continued to wipe his neck and arms.
 
“The other office called me and said Gun wasn’t at work today.” He was worried Gun had caught Pream at home instead of going to work.
 
Pream swept some hair strands from Gun’s face. “Yea, he’s caught a fever.”
 
“Are you in his room again?”
 
She heard the worriness in his voice. “Why does that surprise you?”
 
Can slapped a hand to his own forehead. What’s going to happen when he wakes up and sees Pream in his house and his room no less. “I’m going to finish this meeting real quick and see if I could head out sooner…”
 
“Gun’s already out of work, do you want to run out of there as well?” Pream reasoned with him. “I can take care of Gun here just fine, if there’s any problems, I have Jim, Jai, Sonny, Nouna and Mai to help out.”
 
Can silently berated himself. “Please call me if anything?” After he hung up the phone he turned back to look at the faces on the other side of his desk. “Are we set then?” He spent all night trying to make this meeting work after they arrived home last night. His personal lawyer was also called to come in today too to write up the agreement. He shook their hands and had one of the employees escort the gentleman on out.
 
His lawyer handed him the deed and business ownership transfer. “Did you want to explain why you went and bought this bar?”
 
“How often does someone do something crazy like this?” Can looked at the building deed and the bar transfer in his name and had this ridiculous smile on his face.
 
The elder man smiled and studied Can for a moment before replying, “just your dad that I know of.”
 
Can was still smiling when he called Ploy, “hey!”
 
She growled into the phone. “I’m at the cafe working!”
 
“I know, but I just thought I’d let you know that I explained to the bar you had an emergency and was away from the city.”
 
Ploy looked back down into the phone. “So you’re saying I got my job back?” Their was a pause when she checked the call waiting on her phone, “Hey! They’re calling me back!”
 
He heard her happy again at the end of the call and thought that it was worth it. Letting out a relief sigh he got back to work so that he could get back to his cousin’s house to check up on him. He scratched his head when his cell phone rang and he saw that the caller was Aunt Jan again. “Yes ma’am?”
 
“I just went to Gun’s other office, he’s not in, is he there? He’s not answering my call.”
 
“He’s not feeling well, so he’s at home. You can probably bother him in a couple of days when he has the energy to listen to you.” His aunt made an annoyed sound to ask if it was serious. “I’m sure he’d be fine without you bothering him at home for a visit. I’d still give it a couple of days. I’ll let you know if he’s gotten worse and needs you by his death bed.” He hung up when she started screaming. He really didn’t know how Gun could pretend to be nice to this woman. She was always up to something.
 

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Pream was wiping Gun down again, but his temperature remained the same. Charlie was in her room doing homework and was a bit upset she couldn’t stay in the room with Gun as she was taking care of Gun. She had explained to the little girl that until his temperature went down, she won’t have Charlie catching it too. He hadn’t woken up yet to take any food down.
 
There was a commotion downstairs when she was heading back down the stairs to check on dinner for her and Charlie.
 
“I came to visit Gun!” A woman was yelling as the maids and Jai was keeping her at bay near the foyer.
 
Pream frowned as this was the first visitor that came to the house since she was released from the hospital. Who was at the door? She peered around the corner of the pillar and stood there as a gorgeous woman, in attractive and expensive clothes was trying to push her way in. “Jai.” She called out and made her way to the staff but kept her distance when she saw the look the woman was giving her. The woman stopped her struggling against the mids when she laid eyes on Pream. “Can I help you?” She noticed the flowers in the woman’s hand now. “I’m sure Gun would love the flowers you’re bringing him, it’s just that he’s not awake yet.”
 
“Who the hell are you?”
 
Pream pointed at herself then asked back, “who the hell are you?” If this girl is anything like that other woman Dao, Pream was going to have to punch Gun like Ploy punches Can.
 
That was  a fierce look she was giving Pream across the room. Charlie came running down when she heard the screaming and held on to Pream’s hand. Seeing this infuriated Pim some more. “Who is she?” Pim demanded using her free hand to point at Pream.
 
Charlie looked at her angelically and replied, “my mom.”
 
“Your mom’s dead!” Pim shouted back causing Pream to be somewhat startled.
 
“I beg your pardon?” Pream asked, “I was in a car accident and was unconscious for only awhile and I can assure you, I’m not a ghost or a figment of your imagination.”
 
“You crazy woman, what the hell are you talking about?” Pim shouted and then looked at Charlie as she held on tight to Pream. “Your mother is dead!”
 
Charlie’s eyes started to water and started to yell back. “Quit saying that!”
 
Pream patted Charlie’s shoulders, “if you want to see Gun, I suggest you leave your name and number, I’ll make sure he calls you when he wakes up so you could arrange a visit with him. I’m not comfortable with you near my daughter.” She took Charlie’s hand, “let’s check on dinner. You can help me make dessert.” Then over her shoulders she ordered the staff to call the cops if Pim still refuses to leave.
 
PIm was still struggling to get pass the maids when Jai brought out the phone to call the cops. She handed the flowers over and stalked out of the house and calling her friend Air again.
 
Can walked into the aromatic house and his stomach growled. “What’s for dinner?”
 
Pream looked up from the plate in front of her and waved him down. “Calamari steak, stir fry with beef and sauteed mushrooms.”
 
“Fancy.” Can said as a plate was set out for him. “How’s Gun.”
 
“Oh, he slept throughout the day.” Pream said eying Can, “he slept through all the ruckus as well.”
 
“What ruckus?” He asked as he tasted the mushrooms, oh the food was amazing.
 
Pream placed her utensils down to stare him down, “some woman arrived and demanded to see Gun. She wanted to visit him and was very determined to do so.”
 
He choked on the rice he was chewing. Pream handed him a cup of water.
 
“She then went on yelling that I’m dead?”
 
“What?” Can asked looking over at Charlie who was not looking up from her plate at all.
 
“She kept yelling that Charlie’s mother is dead.” Pream frowned, “I assured her I’m alive and well, but she just seemed a bit confused. “Is she not right in the head?”
 
“Who was it?” Pream shrugged. Can looked again at the little girl, “do you know who she was, Charlie?”
 
“Pim.” Charlie said as she looked up at her mom.
 
Pream tilted her head, “the friend of those models?”
 
Can bit his lips to keep from answering her.
 
“Is Gun seeing them?” Pream asked confused. “Why would she demand to see Gun and why would her friends help to defend her when we were at dinner?”
 
“Can I have dessert now mom?” Charlie asked not waiting for an answer and went into the kitchen to possibly hide Can assumed.
 
Pream waited for Charlie to be out of earshot. “Is there a reason why Gun and I are in separate rooms?”
 
“Hey, what goes on in your marital bed is none of my business.”
 
“Well, it’s mine, and if you know it, I hope you’re going to fill me in.”
 
Can frowned, “that’s gross. Why would I know it.” He tried to change the subject, Pream gave up when Can kept insisting that he didn’t know.
 
“Fine, pretend that this conversation is over.” Pream said going back to her food, “at least let me know if there’s any more of those girls coming by the house so I could be prepared or hire a guard at the entrance of my own house.”
 
Charlie came back out of the kitchen with her brownie and a scoop of ice cream.
 
“Oh, I want some!” Can said getting up to go grab dessert as well.
 
Pream noted that he wasn’t done with dinner yet and eyed him suspiciously as he walked away to get dessert.
 

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Ploy yawned as she walked into the condo at the wee hours of the morning. She was called back into work and was offered a raise and management position. She starts training next week for the day manager. No more late nights or two jobs. Scratching her head she looked down at her phone to see no missed calls or text messages. That’s odd. There was always something from Pream.  She hopped in the shower to rinse the night at the bar off before making an effort to go see Pream.
 
It was almost lunch time already by the time Ploy made it over to the house. She had dozed off the on the couch before the garbage truck nearby woke her up. She waved at Jim as he ran to open the gate for her. He looked nervous to see her. “What’s up Jim? Is Pream okay?”
 
He pointed up at the window, “Mister Gun is unwell.”
 
“And Pream is with him?” Ploy asked handing him the helmet and keys to her scooter. She ran up the stairs and paused. She didn’t know where Gun’s room was. She saw Mai coming out of Charlie’s room, “where can I find Pream?” She was pointed to the room and started heading there when she heard someone yelling downstairs. Ploy glanced at the door but when the voice became more demanding she turned to head back down the stairs.
 
There was an elderly woman who was pointing fingers and saying offensively crude things to the staff. When she saw Ploy she glared at her, “are you the one claiming to be Charlie’s mother?”
 
“What?” Ploy asked and scratched her head, “That’s gross! I’m old enough to be Charlie’s sister, not mother.”
 
“Well then, who are you and what are you doing here?” The woman demanded.
 
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that since you’re the one kicking and screaming?”
 
“I am not screaming!” She shouted.
 
“Well, you’re not exactly speaking nicely either.” Ploy said adjusting her shoulder strap of her bag as she stood there glaring back at the woman. “You should keep it down. Gun is upstairs sick, you screaming might keep him in a comatose state and not want to wake up to see you, or hear you for that matter.”
 
“I saw you coming down the stairs, what power gives you the right to go up there freely.”
 
“You ask a lot of questions that I will refuse to answer.”
 
The woman pointed at Ploy angrily. “I will call the cops on you for trespassing.”
 
“I think only the owner of the house can do that.” Ploy said daring her. “It’s going to be embarrassing when the cops get here and the staff backs me up that I am not trespassing.” The staff looked around uncomfortably. The old woman took a menacing step forward but Ploy stared her down, “don’t even think about it.” She crossed her arms when the woman stopped walking, “I’m sure he’ll welcome you when he’s better. You going in like this, screeching like a banshee, isn’t going to make him want to get better. I suggest you leave and come again another day.” The woman looked around the room and kept her eyes on the housekeeper, “you’re losing control of this house.” And stormed out.
 
Jai just shook her head slowly, “Mister Gun is going to have to talk to his family. They’re all crazy obsessive.” Ploy laughed when the housekeeper called the others back to work. “Miss Pream is upstairs taking care of Mister Gun. She hasn’t eaten yet, maybe you can force some vittles down her throat. Stubborn, the lot of you.” She sighed muttering to herself that still made Ploy laugh. The housekeeper was too adorable not to like.
 
“I heard someone hasn’t eaten yet.” Ploy said walking into Gun’s room with a tray containing a bowl and a cup of water. She saw him still asleep and Pream was reading a book nearby. “What a doting wife. Now eat.”
 
“I’m not hungry.” Pream said placing the book down next to Gun’s hand. “And hello to you too.”
 
Ploy placed the tray on the nightstand to grab and found a little table to move between the two girls, “yea? It doesn’t matter if you’re hungry or not, I don’t need both you and him out sick. Who’s going to watch Charlie when you’re sick? The nanny can barely handle her without you.” She picked up the spoon and made airplane sounds to feed Pream. Her friend just glared at the spoon. “Come on, quit being a jerk and take a few bites, I don’t make airplane sounds for just anybody.”
 
Pream stared at the spoon, “is this how you feed Can?”
 
Placing the spoon back down in the bowl Ploy mumbled something under her breath. Then was heard to say that Can wouldn’t eat what she feeds him, he’d think it’s poison.
 
“How do I know this isn’t poison?”
 
Ploy pouted, “what’s gotten into you?”
 
“Why don’t you tell me who Pim is?” Pream asked back.

 

[lakornblog]

Chapter Forty​

 
Ploy’s eyes bulged, “who?”
 
“Pim.”
 
“I don’t even know who that is.”
 
Pream sighed, “well then, you should’ve been here yesterday. She kept saying that I was dead.”
 
“Wait, what?”
 
“She kept saying Charlie’s mother is dead. Repeating it almost nonstop.” Pream thought about that a moment, “which is really odd. I was only in a car accident, how did she assume I was dead?”
 
Ploy scratched her head. Oh man, Charlie’s real mother is dead. Pim was going to be dead next if she won’t stop messing with her friend. “Who cares, probably a jealous hag.”
 
“Hag?” Pream parroted, “she was just as gorgeous as those models at the mermaid show.”
 
“Well, beauty is on the inside, and to me, she is a hag on the inside.” Ploy said, “Come on. We could have Noun come sit in and keep an eye on Gun, come downstairs and eat with me. I’ve got stories to tell!”
 
Pream frowned as Ploy pulled her up, “you’ve only been gone a day.”
 
“A lot could happen in a day!” Ploy beamed and laughed as Pream tried to keep up with her as she was being dragged her out the hall and down the stairs.
 
Gun stirred in his sleep, knocking the book down off the bed somewhere under the bed now. He moaned a little, his throat was dry. He reached over for the glass of water on the tray and took a little sip and tried to put the cup back but seemed too tired to do so. Noun came in to see his struggle and helped to get the cup. Gun was still quiet when he saw Noun adjusting the chair next to his bed and sitting down with a basket of clothes to mend. He closed his eyes in disappointment, he thought for some weird reason that the woman and voice next to him belonged to Pream. His head was starting to pound again and closed his eyes to ease the pain.
 

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“So you’re going to be a manager now at the bar?” Pream was owled eye, “how is that possible?”
 
“Oh ye of little faith in me.” Ploy said popping a piece of fried chicken into her mouth. “I get full benefits with paid time off.”
 
Pream started laughing, “the way Can always has you taking days off, it’s going to come in handy.”
 
Ploy rolled her eyes, “Can? You too. I constantly take days off to be with you.”
 
“Why?” Pream frowned, “I asked you for the camping, I hadn’t asked you to take any other days off.”
 
“I just wanted to make sure that you were going to be okay.”
 
“I can take care of myself.” Pream said reassuring her friend. “You guys all seem to freak out about me and Gun, we’ve been fine so far.”
 
So far. Ploy thought in her head as she took a large gulp of juice. Just waiting for that moment when they’re all busted.
 
The alarm on Pream’s phone went off. “Time to pick up Charlie, want to go with me?”
 
“Might as well.” Ploy said, throwing more food in her mouth.
 
“I’m going to head upstairs to grab my purse real quick.”
 
Ploy just nodded her head as she chewed on more food giving her the thumbs up.
 
Pream went up to grab her purse and swung by Gun’s room to check on him. She saw Noun with the mending basket and smiled to see some color on Gun again. She noticed the water glass that was meant for her was empty. “He woke up?”
 
“I came in, he was trying to put the glass away.” Noun explained.
 
Pream smiled and felt his arms then his cheeks, his fever was still there, but it was better. “Fine. Sleep when I’m by your side and wake up when I leave.” She shook her head smiling to herself and bent down to kiss him on the cheeks again. “At least if you wake up this time, please eat something. You’ve already lost weight just being lazy and sleeping there” She stroked his hair and gave him another quick peck on his cheeks and left.
 
Gun groaned and opened his eyes. He thought he heard Pream ordering him to eat. He only saw Noun sitting there, still sewing. He blinked a few times, the headache was still there. But his stomach growling was letting him know he was hungry. “Noun.” The maid looked up quickly then at the door. He saw her slight confusion, but what Gun was confused about was why she was looking at the door. “Noun.” He got her attention again. “Can you find something for me to eat.”
 
“I’ll go warm some porridge up for you sir.” Noun ran out of the room like there was a ghost chasing after her. She was looking around for Sonny as she ran around the kitchen. He woke up right after Miss Pream had told him to eat. Like he heard her. Like he knew… Noun placed her hands over her mouth. “Hurry, hurry.” She waved Sonny to scoop the porridge into the bowl, “I’ll explain later.” She took off again upstairs to help Gun with his food.
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
Pream yawned as Charlie and Ploy chatted in the car about her day at school. She tried to keep her eyes open, but she didn’t sleep well last night in the chair next to Gun’s bed.
 
Ploy stopped her chatting when she noticed that Pream had fallen asleep in the car. CHarlie was also looking at Pream worriedly. “She didn’t eat anything today, did she eat yesterday?”
 
Charlie nodded her head, “she ate with me and Uncle Can last night.”
 
“Did she not get any sleep?”
 
“I don’t know. She tucked me in to bed and then I woke up to her getting me ready for school.”
 
Ploy rubbed her eyebrows, “alright, Jim, can you help me to carry her up into the house when we get home?”
 
Jim nodded and looked behind him in the rearview mirror. The poor miss, taking care of Charlie and a sick person, with no care of her own health.
 
Gun was getting drowsy again after eating and taking the medicine that Noun had brought to him. He thought he heard Charlie running up the stairs. It took her a lot longer than he thought to come see him. “Daddy!” She bounded up on the bed to give him a hug. He felt her arms go around him and he was out again. Charlie sighed but noticed he had eaten some food. She gave her dad a kiss on his forehead like he’d give her when she was asleep and bounced out of the room to find Ploy.
 
Ploy was arranging Pream’s clothes that she had changed helped to change out of and felt Pream’s forehead. “She’s not sick, probably just tired. Mai, I’ll help Charlie with her homework, why don’t you be Pream’s nanny for the day and I’ll be Charlie’s homework buddy.”
 
“Sounds like a fair trade.” The nanny smiled when Charlie stuck her tongue out at her.
 
Can arrived at the house to find Charlie and Ploy at the gazebo. “Wow, who is this big kid?” He laughed seeing them pour over some math homework. “Where’s Pream?”
 
“In bed.” Ploy answered as Charlie wrote in her answer.
 
“Why is she sleeping in the middle of the afternoon?”
 
“She’s busy taking care of her family.” Ploy said glaring up at Can, “why can’t you help her out? She hadn’t eaten today and she was probably up all night taking care of Gun. Then getting Charlie ready.” She corrected Charlie on one of her math problems before getting up to talk to Can. “She had an alarm on her phone to pick up Charlie like she’d doze off and forget what time it is.”
 
“Is Pream sick too?”
 
“I checked, she doesn’t have a fever, just your cousin.”
 
Ploy said leaning against the gazebo and catching up with each other as Charlie was bent over the table doing her homework. Jai was watching them from the side of the house smiling. They looked like a happy little family.
 
“Sonny, can you make sure there’s some smoothie for in the fridge. In case Mister Gun or Miss Pream wakes up, we could get some vitamins in them if they’re too tired to chew food.” She went back into the house smiling widely, “this house is feeling like home again, don’t you think Sonny?” The young maid smiled and nodded her head.
 
Pream opened her eyes and realized it was dark. She saw a glass of water next to her bed when she reached up to turn on the lamp. There was a little cup with pills and a note from Ploy.
 
Pream,
 
Charlie did her homework already. I gave her a bath too. I can’t guarantee the soap made it onto the child, as I think most of it got in my eyes. I’m still crying soap out of my eye ducts by the way. We’ve already had dinner, Can is going to take Charlie to school tomorrow, so please sleep in. Charlie has instructed me to write that on this note card.
 
PS: there’s smoothie in the fridge for you. Drink it!
 
<3
Ploy, Charlie and that jerk Can
 
She swallowed the medicine and rubbed the tiredness from her body. Pream was still tired, but she wanted to check up on Charlie. “When did I fall asleep?” Pream didn’t remember anything beyond going to pick up Charlie from school. Poking her head in to see Charlie snuggling with her doll, Pream went to adjust the blanket on her and gave her a kiss on the cheeks. “Good night darling.” Pream went downstairs to look in the fridge and found a glass of smoothie with a note attached to it. Charlie had drawn a picture of the sun with glasses on it. She drank the smoothie as instructed and washed the glass before walking back up to the stairs to check on Gun. She gave a large yawn as she opened the door to his room and felt her eyes drooping. She checked on him and felt his fever had lessened and then went to pop the window open just a smidge so that it wasn’t so stuffy in the room. Walking back, she smacked her toe on the ottoman and covered her mouth to prevent her scream from waking Gun up. She sat on the side of the bed and rubbed her toe yawning again all the while she did so. Her toe was still throbbing but she was too tired to move. Laying her head on the pillow next to Gun she told herself she’ll wake up in a little bit to go back to her room.
 
Gun felt a stirring next to him and opened his eyes slowly. It must be a trick of the light, but he thought he saw Pream sleeping next to him in bed. “Boy, you’ve got it bad.” He said as he closed his eyes against another onset of headaches. He remained sleeping with his face facing Pream.
 
A short while later Pream felt a chill in the air and realized she was sleeping on top of the cover instead of in the cover. Yawning again she adjusted herself and moved closer to the middle of the bed where it was warmer as well.
 
This has got to be the most realistic dream he’s ever had, Gun thought as he felt a warm body next to him. Breathing in, he smelled Pream. Opening his eyes again, his headache was still there but he wanted to see his dream. She was there sleeping. One arm tucked under her head the other grasping the blanket. Whatever medication he’s on, he’d like another one tomorrow night. He laughed to himself as he reached out to adjust the loose stray of hair strand that laid against her cheek. He moved that hair behind her ears and placed his hands on her cheeks. She laid there not moving. Of course, the girl in his dream was asleep. Sighing with a smile he moved in closer to hold his dream girl. Best dream ever.
 
Once Gun felt Pream’s head on his shoulder and her hand across his chest, he was sure he had the silliest of grin across his face right now. He was able to close his eyes as he held on to her.
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
Can ran up the stairs to check on his cousin after he made sure Mai was getting Charlie’s shoes on to head out to school. He walked in without knocking and froze at the door. He looked around and rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. He slowly brought out his phone and took a picture. He’s going to see Ploy later and will need to sure this juicy tidbit. He glanced behind him to see Noun walking by with a basket of clothes for the laundry. “Did you know Pream was in here last night?”
 
Noun shook her head and poked her head in dropping the basket on Can’s foot. He released the door handle to grab his foot and howled in pain. He quickly covered his mouth as the bed shifted. Gun made a grunting sound in his sleep but remained with his eyes closed as Pream popped her eyes open. Her eyes adjusted and she looked up to see Gun’s chin next to her head. “Well, this is odd.” She said realizing that they had an audience.
 
Can rubbed his neck as Noun grabbed the basket and left. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
 
Pream smiled sheepishly, “I must’ve fell asleep when I came to check up on him.” She began to move slowly out of Gun’s embrace.
 
“Uh huh.” Can said as Gun frowned in his sleep. He’s probably realizing there’s no longer a warm body next to him. “Did you want to say bye to Charlie before we head out?”
 
“Oh shoot!” Pream bounded out of bed. “Thank you and Ploy for helping with Charlie yesterday!” She gave him a peck on the check before making her way out of the room and went to look for her daughter
 
Can was about to turn around when he noticed Gun’s eyes were open. “I could explain.”

 

[Bieluvr]

Awe!!!! I'm squealing non stop reading this. My cheeks hurt from all the smiling and grins that these chapters had brought onto my face!!! Gun and Pream sleeping in one bed?!!!! Hugging!!! Lol. Gun thought he was dreaming. And the almost kiss, so romantic! But the cliff-hanger there, I'm guessing either Gun saw Pream and will find out what had been happening all along, or he woke up after Pream had left and Can just thought that Gun saw everything. Can't wait for more.

 

[danounagirl]

this last part brought a silly grin on my face it was tender romantic and so lovely
and again u spoil us and leave us hanged 
update soon plz
and now i'm going to sleep hoping to have the same dream Gun is having

 

[lakornblog]

Awe!!!! I'm squealing non stop reading this. My cheeks hurt from all the smiling and grins that these chapters had brought onto my face!!! Gun and Pream sleeping in one bed?!!!! Hugging!!! Lol. Gun thought he was dreaming. And the almost kiss, so romantic! But the cliff-hanger there, I'm guessing either Gun saw Pream and will find out what had been happening all along, or he woke up after Pream had left and Can just thought that Gun saw everything. Can't wait for more.

LOL you're always assuming and guessing :secret:  -- guess no more :woot:  :woot2: ! 
 

this last part brought a silly grin on my face it was tender romantic and so lovely
and again u spoil us and leave us hanged 
update soon plz
and now i'm going to sleep hoping to have the same dream Gun is having

.... I dream of Gun every night 

 

[lakornblog]

Chapter Forty One​

 
“I’m sure you will. From what I heard, you’re taking Charlie to school?” Gun said still laying there in bed.
 
Can held up his hands as he heard footsteps coming back in the hallway.
 
“Please don’t ask any questions just yet. Please don’t yell.” He peeked out to see Pream reaching the top of the stairs again. “Please don’t say anything to Pream.”
 
“What does Pream have to do with it?” Gun asked confused. “I thought I heard you talking to Noun.”
 
“Wait.” Can looked at his cousin, “you said Noun?”
 
“Or was it Sonny?” Gun asked rubbing his eyes. “Could you close my curtains, the sun is giving me and my giant migraine an attack.”
 
“Migraine?” Can repeated.
 
“What are you an echo?” Gun asked grumpily. He was upset that his cousin woke him up from his dream. He was happy dreaming of Pream. “Close the door, I want to sleep.”
 
Can backed up out of the room and bumped into Pream. “Hey!” He apologized.
 
“He wanted to go back to sleep?” Pream asked yawning again.
 
Can felt Pream’s forehead, “you must’ve caught what Gun had.” He helped her down the hallway and flagged Noun down again, “medicine and make sure she doesn’t leave the bed at all today.”
 
Pream tried to roll her eyes but felt a headache coming on and held on to the wall. “Whoa.”
 
“Nice going.” Can said helping Noun to carry Pream to bed, “medicine, sleep. I’ll call to check up on you.”
 
She nodded her head then held on to it. Oh the headaches hurt.
 
Once the door closed Can leaned against it and FaceTimed Ploy. “What?!”
 
“Whoa.” Can said laughing at what he was seeing. “Did you already quit the cafe?”
 
“Course.” She mumbled throwing her head back into the pillow.
 
“As much as I enjoy talking to you and your bed head, but we have a crisis here.”
 
Ploy peeked one eye open, “what now? Is that old cow back?”
 
“What old cow?”
 
“Tell me what you want to say so I could go back to sleep.”
 
Can jogged down the stairs as he explained that Gun and Pream are now both sick in bed.
 
“What?!” Ploy wanted to reach through the phone and smack Can on the back side of his head.
 
“So, can you head over here and keep an eye on Gun and Pream? Please?”
 
Ploy sat up with her mass of hair cascading over her face. “Pream, yes. How am I supposed to explain myself to Gun when he sees me?”
 
Can thought about that for a moment, “you know what. I’ll have Jim check up on him or Jai.”
 
“Yea, I thought so.” Ploy growled but got up from the comfort of her own bed. “I’ll be there shortly. Make sure there’s breakfast for me.”
 
Can looked back at his phone, “someone is not a morning person.” He found the housekeeper on his way out and explained the situation of Gun and Pream. Ploy will be over shortly, but everyone else has to keep an eye out on Gun. He also added to make breakfast for Ploy as she would likely empty out the fridge.
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
It had already been two days now and Ploy was getting bored. She came to make sure that Charlie did her homework and ate her dinner.  “Hey Charlie!” Ploy high-fived the little girl. “You could probably swing by to say hello to your dad.” She took Charlie’s backpack and helped the girl take off her shoes. GUn made more sound in his room now, so he should be going to work again anytime soon. “Pream just went back to sleep, we’ll check up on her in a little bit okay?” She was supposed to be watching Pream, but figured that if she caught it too, what’s going to happen? So Mai had been taking care of Pream as Ploy roamed around the house to kill time.
 
Charlie pouted.
 
“I left your drawing for her on her nightstand so stop your pouting.” Ploy said playfully pushing the girl. “It’s not like she’s really your mom.”
 
“Is she going to get better by the time it’s the Mother’s Day Ceremony at school?” Charlie wondered.
 
Ah crap. She was talking about this with Can earlier too. “We’ll see.” Ploy said scratching her head, “we can’t have her all sick and out in public.” She looked at the girl who did seem to sadden a bit, “Why can’t we do what you did last year? Was it your dad that showed up? Your aunt? Your nanny?”
 
Charlie scrunched her face, “I went home.”
 
“Oh.” Ploy said and scratched her head with her finger, “well, I’m sure we’ll make something happen for you.”
 
Charlie ran up the stairs to visit her dad and Ploy made her way to the gazebo towards the after school refreshments and to set up Charlie’s homework for the day.
 
Gun turned his head slowly to see his daughter bouncing into the room, “hey, how was school?”
 
“Are you all better now daddy?” Charlie asked climbing up to give him a hug.
 
“Of course. RIght as rain, should be able to go back to work tomorrow.” Gun said laying there with Charlie next to him. “Did you do your homework yet?”
 
Charlie shook her head until her hair went into his eyes. He laughed and wiped them away from his face. “I need to change out of my school clothes first.” She kissed him on the cheeks when his eyes started to flutter close. “Night daddy.”
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
Gun came to hearing voices outside below his window. He got up from his bed to stretch and peered out over his window. He heard Can’s voice telling a joke as his daughter giggled. He washed his face and felt the little stubble on his chin. Oh man, and he was too tired to shave them off and decided he would shave it off tomorrow morning. Running his hand through his hair he walked down the stairs and out to the gazebo where he found Can, Charlie and not surprising to him at all, Ploy. “Not his girlfriend, my ass,” Gun muttered shaking his head as he leaned against the pillar until Ploy noticed him mid swallowing a pineapple that she was chewing off her fork.
 
“GUN!” She choked out.
 
He held on to his ears then wiped his face with his shirt sleeve. “I’m right here, you don’t need to yell or spit at me.” He found some pineapple chunks on his shirt and dusted them off.
 
Jai was sitting nearby and felt like she was going to have a heart attack. “Mister Gun, you’re awake!” She held on to her chest as her heartbeat went into overdrive.
 
“Are you okay Jai?” Gun asked worriedly helping her to stand as she struggled to hold on to the table. The old woman nodded her head slowly as she did eventually stand up. “What are you doing here Ploy, no work today?”
 
“What am I doing here?” Ploy asked dazedly, “I uh....” She pointed at Charlie, “I came to help her with her homework.”
 
Gun frowned, “why, where’s Nanny Mai?”
 
“Uh…” Ploy looked over at Charlie as she shook her head. Then over at Can who was biting his nails.
 
“What did you do to Nanny Mai?” Gun assumed automatically asking Charlie.
 
“Me?” Charlie asked owl eyed, “I didn’t do anything!”
 
“She’s sick!” Can said quickly, “so Ploy came over to help take care of Charlie, we had to make sure she was doing her homework and eating.”
 
“Is Mai okay?” Gun asked looking around.
 
Jai nodded her head, “I was about to go check on her medicine.” She waved at the group to stay where they are. The old woman made it into the house and found Noun, “run up to tell Mai to stay there with Miss Pream, do not come out. We’ll bring dinner to her later.”
 
Noun’s eyes widened, “why would we keep her locked up?”
 
“Mister Gun is out in the gazebo,” Jai said pointing an accusing finger at the younger girl, “you were supposed to keep an eye out for him!”
 
“I didn’t think he’d wake up after his nap.” Noun pouted but went up to do as she was told to pass along the instructions to Mai.
 
Gun looked over at Ploy who was whispering something between Charlie, “so, you invited your girlfriend over. Again?”
 
Ploy stopped her whispering and turned to look at him sharply, “I. Am. Not. His. GIRLFRIEND!”
 
Pream opened her eyes hearing Ploy. “Is Ploy here?” She asked weakly holding on to her throat. They felt parched. “Water please.” She wondered why Mai was in her room. “What are you doing here Mai?”
 
“You’ve been out for a few days, since I’m more capable of taking care of you, your friend Miss Ploy switched roles with me.”
 
She eyed the nanny suspiciously, “you volunteered to not watch Charlie?” Mai laughed nervously and helped to fluff Pream’s pillow. “How’s Charlie?”
 
“She just got done with homework from what Noun just told me. Mister Gun is outside with them right now.”
 
Pream smiled, “he’s all better not then?”
 
“Should be going back to work tomorrow.” Mai smiled and took the cup of water back.
 
She felt her eyes getting droopy again and dozed off.
 
Gun rubbed his ears as Ploy stomped her little feet on the ground. “What are you two whispering about?”
 
“Mother’s Day Ceremony.” Ploy answered and got smacked by Charlie. “Ow.”
 
He looked at his daughter. “Why are you two talking about it? Did something happen?”
 
“No,” Charlie pouted. “I didn’t know who was going to make it to the ceremony. I want to do it too. I just don’t have a mommy.” Her eyes teared up. “I wanted Pream to go.”
 
Gun frowned, “Pream didn’t want to go?” Odd, she’s not working and she seemed fairly close with his daughter. Wasn’t she?
 
“She got sick.” Charlie sniffled.
 
Even odder, she got sick around the time he did.
 
Ploy smiled and raised her hands, “I volunteered.”
 
“Not the same.” Charlie said giving her a side glance.
 
“Don’t be evil to me child!” Ploy said and started tickling the girl. “If Pream gets better, I’m sure she’ll make it. But right now, you got me!” Charlie eventually started giggling too making Gun smile. He mouthed a ‘thank you’ to Can who only shrugged and smiled back.
 
“I seem to be interrupting a family moment. Where was my invite?”
 
Ploy followed the sound of the old woman’s voice until she made eye to eye contact. “Crap. This old fart again.” Can looked at Ploy when he heard her muttering.
 
Gun stood up to greet his aunt as well as Can who then sat back down near Ploy and Charlie. Charlie didn’t even acknowledge the woman but went back to whispering with Ploy.
 
“Your daughter still mannerless Gun.” His aunt admonished him. ”And I came here graciously to let you know I’ll volunteer to sit at the school for the Mother’s Day Ceremony.”
 
Charlie scrunched her nose at that and so did Ploy who rolled her eyes.
 
“I see your little fake wife is here.” Aunt Jan eyed Ploy then circled around her like she was a vulture. “A bit young, isn’t she?” Ploy took offense to that but Can held her at bay. “Or is she playing you for Can?”
 
Gun sighed, “Ploy is a friend. Not my wife.”
 
“Not what I hear through the grapevine. You have a wife?” His aunt looked at Charlie, “I swung by the school to check up on her progress since I haven’t been receiving any complaints. A young mother has been very attentive to her daughter lately.”
 
Ploy’s eyes widened, “what?”
 
Gun frowned, “I was only out a few days on bed rest, Ploy was taking care of Charlie for me. Her Nanny is also sick.” Relieved, Ploy sighed as Gun assumed the harridan was referring to her going to school with Charlie.
 
“Ploy, what kind of name is that?” The lady scoffed.
 
Ploy started to turn red, “I was named after my mother, you old crone.” She placed a protective arm around Charlie, “and I already volunteered for the Mother’s Day Ceremony at school.”
 
“Just where did you come from?”
 
Can watched as Ploy had a sneaky little smile form at the edge of her lips. “The streets. Making my way up.” She hugged Charlie and told her she’d swing by tomorrow to take her to school like she promised. She walked away eying the old woman then tip-toed up to kiss Can on the cheeks to piss off the aunt.

 

[lakornblog]

Chapter Forty Two​

 
Gun closed his eyes and tried not to laugh at Can’s reaction. His cousin is definitely in love. Hearts were in his eyes and he didn’t even move or blink when Ploy made her way to the driveway to leave.
 
“I ask again, who is that little whore?” Jan demanded.
 
Gun looked at Charlie hearing the woman call Ploy by an unsavory name, the little girl spoke up. “Where’s your manners Grandma Jan? There’s a child in the room, please watch your language.” Charlie got up and grabbed her backpack to pull Can with her who was still smiling like a loon from Ploy’s kiss.
 
“I keep seeing her now. Twice already in your house.”
 
“Twice?” Gun repeated.
 
His Aunt sat down at the table Charlie just vacated. “I was here the other day to visit you when you were sick, that little girl had the audacity to kick me out of your house when I threatened to call the cops on her.”
 
He scratched his eyebrows, “why were you trying to kick her out? Mai’s been sick, so Ploy came to help take care of Charlie. She was probably doing a favor Can had asked of her again.” Thank goodness his aunt never made it into the room, he’d been out of it, she’d probably just try to run his household without his knowledge. Letting girls she deemed perfect for him in to control the environment.
 
“Pim came in the other day and encountered her as well, threatening the cops on her no less! When all she wanted to do was pay you a visit when you were sick.” His aunt cajoled.
 
Gun frowned. That would’ve been awkward, as he hadn’t spoken to Pim since the model incident at the mermaid dinner show. Ploy would’ve probably clawed some eyes out. Can came back out to the gazebo and he breathed out, surprised to find relief that his cousin didn’t abandon him. “I didn’t know Ploy was here when Pim came to visit.”
 
“Oh yea.” Can said scrunching his face. It was a good thing too, as it wasn’t Ploy the day Pim came but Pream. If it had been Ploy, Pim actually might not try to come back in Gun’s life. He thought about that for a moment. “Ploy was helping Charlie since you and Mai were…”
 
He held up his hands, “don’t worry about it. I trust your girlfriend.” Gun asked about his daughter.
 
“She’s not my girlfriend! And your daughter is showering and preparing for dinner. Didn’t know you were going to be up and about, so it’s not some fancy dinner.” He looked over at his aunt, “or expecting visitors.”
 
“Visitors?” His aunt exclaimed, “you act like I’m an outsider when it’s this Ploy girl.” She shook her fingers at them, “you better be careful with her, first claiming to be Gun’s wife then Can’s girlfriend.” She stared up at them from her seat, “I didn’t raise you guys to be this way.” She got up like she was offended by the thought of Ploy as an in-law and proceeded to leave. The boys knew she wanted them to make as if they’d try to stop her, but they knew better than to stop her, or else she’d stay. They really didn’t want her to stay.
 
Can glanced over at the woman, when he was younger, all the woman did was yell at her of how much she hated his mother. She didn’t raise him, she watched and hoped that he’d fail at life as a miserable man. He sighed and adjusted his tie, “I might not stay for dinner, there’s some stuff I wanted to look into since I promised I’d take Charlie to school.”
 
Gun smiled, “with Ploy.” The two turned to talk as Jan walked away, slowly. Very slowly. Probably still waiting for the nephews to stop her. She got around the corner and stopped when she was no longer in their line of vision. She heard Gun next, “how did Pream get sick?”
 
Can rubbed his neck and pretending something got in his eyes. “I don’t know. You got sick too, and you don’t see anyone questioning you.”
 
“Smart ass.” Gun said with his hands on his hips. “So Ploy will go for Charlie’s ceremony at school?”
 
Can smiled, “of course, if that girl says she will, then she will.”
 
“Are you picking her up?”
 
Laughing, “please, the woman wouldn’t let me help unless she’s in dire need.” He reassured Gun, “that scooter you got her last year, her pride and joy. She’s going to ride in like the White Knight she thinks she is.”
 
“Thank her for me will you?” Gun said sighing, “I think I could use a cup of coffee.” He stretched, “you sure you’re not staying for dinner?”
 
Can listened and held up his hands to silence his cousin. He hadn’t heard his Aunt’s car leaving yet or the gate opening. He glanced over to the side and began to walk over. By the time he got to where his Aunt was, she was already making her way over to the car. Finally.
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
Gun had been heading home the last few days instead of the condo. Leaving a bit earlier than usual won’t affect him. He wanted to make sure his daughter was fine before and after school. Especially since today was for the mothers. He knocked his phone down when he was putting on his watch and bent down to pick it up. He noticed a book under his bed and flipped it over to the cover. He usually doesn’t read in his room, and this wasn’t a book he’d read before. He did remember seeing Pream reading a book like this when he bumped into her at the cafe one morning a while back. Maybe Can? He thought and placed it on his nightstand. He glanced at his watch again and hurried out to check on Charlie before he went to work. Ploy had been an angel taking care of Charlie while Mai was out sick. He hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Mai, but Jai reassured him she’s on the mend.
 
Sometime after lunch his Aunt showed up to chat with him about this and that. It wasn’t unusual, but she was unusually chatty today. He sat through it as he worked pile after pile of signing and reviewing documents. He paused her only once when he called Can to check on Ploy.
 
Pream opened her eyes to see Ploy peering over her. “Hey.” She felt better, a few days in bed did wonders. “What’s up?” She stretched but still felt weak from strength.
 
“Just wanted to let you know, I’m off to the ceremony.” Ploy said waving bye to her as she headed out the door.
 
“You’re heading out early. It’s still not for another couple of hours.”
 
Ploy stuck her tongue out, “I’ll get there early and Can can’t say I’m late!”
 
”Thank you so much Ploy.” Pream smiled. “Pictures please. I know Charlie would appreciate it.” She yawned again. Ploy nodded her head and gave her one last goodbye as Pream dozed back off to sleep.
 
She grabbed her shoulder bag and scooter keys from Jim, “see ya Jim!”
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
Can looked at his phone when it rang and laughed, “what happened?”
 
“That’s not funny.” Ploy said as she sat in traffic, she wasn’t able to maneuver around. “I left early and I’m still stuck in this stupid traffic.”
 
“You still have an hour.” Can laughed, “take the other road.”
 
Ploy looked around her as chicken flapped and fluttered their wings everywhere, pigs laid on the road in front and behind her bike, not to mention the ducks waddling everywhere. Cars and other motor vehicles “What other road?: She stood on top of a crate and snapped a video to send him. “I also smell like a pig sty.” She placed her hands over her face. Charlie was going to be so disappointed. “I can try to walk around a few blocks to catch a cab.” She pulled out her hair bun and looked up at the sky, Pream is going to be so upset. Not as upset as Charlie would be and called Pream, and got only her voicemail.
 
Can called Gun next and showed him the Ploy situation. He looked across from him and his aunt looked really innocent and eager at the same time. “Are you busy in an hour?” Why would she be? His Aunt didn’t work, and she’s been talking his ears off for a few hours now.
 
“Why?” She asked. A little too excited.
 
Thankfully the school was closer to this office and asked his Aunt for that favor she offered a couple of days back and she leapt up eagerly to do so. Her quick movement did scare him a bit as she was old and usually moved slowly.  Once his aunt left he looked back down at his watch, he had a meeting soon. He looked back at the door then paged his assistant to cancel his meeting for him.
 
It was another twenty minutes before he got things in order was down in the lobby to head to his car and noticed his aunt sitting in the chair at the lobby. “Aunt Jan? I thought you were heading to Charlie’s school?”
 
She jumped in her chair, “I.. I was, but...”
 
Gun waited a beat for an answer. “But?”
 
“My car had a flat, my driver is changing the tire now.” She stammered. “It was too hot outside so he had me come in and wait.”
 
Gun placed his hands over his face looking down at his watch again, thirty minutes to get there, that’s also not including time to park his car. He ran out to flag a taxi.
 
His Aunt mysteriously showed up in her car next to him when he was still waiting for a cab. “Tires are fixed.”
 
Gun got in, “I thought it was only one tire?”
 
“That’s what I meant.” His aunt said calmly, “come along. Cabs aren’t really available this time of day, everyone is still at work.” She noticed he kept glancing down at his watch and his legs were uncontrollably shaking. “We’ll make it. Don’t worry.”
 
He just looked out the window and prayed they will. No one to show up for her first Mother’s Day Ceremony at school? He let out a shaky breath.
 
His aunt spoke up. “Just in case, let me call Pim.”
 
He frowned, “why?”
 
“She’s only a few blocks away from her school, she was catering some event there.”
 
Gun looked at his aunt, “what a crazy coincidence, isn’t it?”
 
The cars were jammed right in front of the school and his aunt refused to get out of the car until she was closer. Her legs couldn’t handle the distance. Gun sighed, “then forgive me for leaving you in the car.” Once he ran out, his aunt just smiled out the window and hummed joyously to herself.
 
Gun made it up the steps of the school and bumped into Can. “What are you doing here?”
 
“I thought you had a meeting so I hopped on the back of a motorcycle.” Can said, fixing his helmet hair. “Come on, we’re going to be late!” They already heard voices coming from the multi-purpose room and the hallway was crowded.
 
“Ow!” They heard when someone was shoved their way.
 
Gun held his nose and Can made a gagging sound. “Tell me that’s not you.”
 
Ploy clenched both fists and looked up at them. “I am here, shut up and make way for me!” She stomped her foot on Can so that he and Gun could start parting the way like it was the Red Sea.
 
“There you are!” They heard a really perky voice.
 
Ploy looked over her shoulders and wanted to slap her face with her palm. “What is she doing here?”
 
“To save the day!” Pim said pinching her nose, “oh my god, ever heard of a shower?”
 
The crowd started to move away realizing the smell was coming from Ploy. Gun was forever thankful for Ploy’s odd and convenient behavior, including her smell right now. By the time they reached the doors to see the stage they heard Charlie’s name being called. He wanted to scream and pull his hair out, “we’re too late.”
 
“Wait…” Ploy said as Pim asked, “who is that?”
 
“Pream!” Can said with his eyes wide open and his smile was just as wide.
 
Gun tilted his head as he saw his daughter hand over the flower, he’d never seen his daughter moved quite like that. It was like she had been practicing to be gentle. Pream smiled like she was a proud mother and Gun just couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Both his daughter and Pream.
 
“Oh my god.” Can said astonished.
 
“She made it.” Ploy said in amazement.
 
Gun just continued to smile and make his way towards the front, not caring who he bumped into. By the time he got close enough to the makeshift stage Charlie had gotten up to give Pream a big hug and kiss on the cheek. He didn’t realize he had tears in his eyes until Jim handed him a handkerchief. He hadn’t realized his driver was here, but he did notice him stepping back with a camera and snapping more pictures.
 
Charlie glancing up from whispering to Pream saw Gun and leapt up to jump in his arms. “Daddy! You’re really here!”
 
Pream got up and walked towards them smiling widely and stroking Charlie’s hair. “You did it perfectly.” She moved her hands from Charlie’s hair to Gun’s cheeks, “you missed a spot.” Gun didn’t know what to do but to starting laughing as Pream got that stray tear. “Come on, they’re about to call up the next group of students.”
 
They all walked out the door and down through the hallway. Ploy, Can and Pim found them and made their way.
 
“What is she doing here?” Pim demanded.
 
Pream leaned to the side to look at Pim, “oh hey, you again.”
 
“Yes, me again.” Pim said frowning, “Your aunt said…”
 
They were shushed by the crowd and continued to walk out of the hallway to the front of the school. “Did you make it in time?” They heard Aunt Jan nearby.
 
Gun turned around with Charlie in his hands and shook his head then his fingers angrily at her, “you made me almost miss one of the most important days for my daughter.”
 
“I was showing you that you could use Pim in your life.”
 
Pream crossed her arms, “why does he need Pim in his life?”
 
Ploy crossed her arms as well, “you almost ruined it, you old witch!”
 
The old woman looked at them, “who the hell are you?”
 
“Manners, Grandma Jan, please watch your language. We’re in public and a school for little children.” Charlie said and asked for her father to take her home.

 

[lakornblog]

Chapter Forty Three​

 
Gun pinched his daughter’s nose. “Thankfully Jim is here.” He looked around for his driver, “what is Jim doing here anyway?”
 
Pream questioned it, “why can’t he? I asked him to bring me here.”
 
“Thank you.” Gun said taking one of Pream’s hand into his. “Let’s grab an early dinner.”
 
“Who is this?” His Aunt asked again pointing at Pream.
 
Gun sighed impatiently, “this.” He emphasized holding Pream’s hand up, “is none of your business.” He pushed through and followed Jim to find the car.
 
Can jumped and pushed Ploy through as well, “caught a bike here. Let’s go before he leaves us.”
 
Pim pointed in their directions, “I told you that’s his wife!”
 
Jan shook her head, “that’s not possible. He isn’t married to her.”
 
Pim grunted and pointed towards them again. “What do you call that?”
 
“I’ve never seen her before.” Jan said shaking her head, “the little one in the jeans and the bunhead, every time, but the other one. The quiet doe eyed one, never.” She looked up when Pim stomped her foot and growled.
 
Her plan didn’t work. She wanted Pim to save the day by showing up and being the mother figure for Charlie. She and Pim had planned it so well. They knew which route Ploy was taking and found trucks, hired truck drivers to block them. When Ploy tried to cut through, they blocked her in and hired more drivers and farm animals to do so.
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
“I thought you weren’t feeling well?” Gun asked as he felt Pream’s forehead, “still a little warm.”
 
“But better.” Pream smiled. “I couldn’t leave Charlie like this. Ploy was stuck in traffic, Can was at work, you were at work. Who would Charlie have if not me?”
 
“Dinner might not be a good idea if you’re not well.” Gun said feeling Pream’s hand again. She did feel slightly better.
 
Can glanced over at Gun with Charlie in his lap, “get a room.”
 
Charlie tilted her head upwards at her uncle, “why do they need to get a room? Because she is sick and needs a bed?”
 
Pream and Gun cleared their throats.
 
“Let’s just cook at home. Grill, and a little fire going. Roast some marshmallows for the weekend?” Ploy suggested. “Pream is still under the weather.”
 
Pream held her nose, “we also need to hose you down on the side of the house.”
 
“Hey, I did this for Charlie!” Ploy defended raising her fists.
 
Charlie eyed the fist, “by playing with a skunk?”
 
Ploy turned around in her seat, “do you want to sit with me instead of your uncle and smell my wrath?!”
 
Pream laughed and leaned her head against Gun on the drive back to the house.
 
Once they got home Gun was apologetic, “I called off some work today. Let me make some video conference calls…”
 
Pream nodded her head, “it’s fine, we still have to hose this farmer down.”
 
“Is that chicken poop?” Can asked pointing to a spot on Ploy’s jean.
 
Charlie waved her dad up the stairs and started whispering to Can. Pream leaned down, “why are you all being so secretive?”
 
“No,” Charlie shook both her hands, “we’re not.”
 
Ploy smiled like a clown and nodded her head, “just thinking I should run up and shower. Yeah?”
 
“You can borrow some of my clothes.” Pream said taking Ploy’s hand, “come on.”
 
They headed up the stairs and Ploy turned around panicking at Can. She mouthed that Gun was upstairs. Can slapped his forehead. “Why don’t we drive Ploy home?” He suggested.
 
“Nonsense, a waste of time,” Pream said waving it off, “come on, it’s not like you haven’t worn my clothes or showered here before.”
 
Ploy was closing her eyes in a prayer when Pream shoved her through the door and closed it with Charlie tagging along.
 
Can was out on the stairway behind them scratching his head furiously.
 
Gun popped out of his study and found Can looking pained. “What’s going on?”
 
“Uh…”
 
“You okay?” Gun asked then his phone rang and held up his finger to Can to hold up. He stepped back into his office as Can leaned on the banister for relief.
 
If he was lucky, Gun could take a while with the call. He sat there on the top of the stairway looking left, then right, seeing who would pop out first.
 
Ploy and Pream came out refreshed as well as Charlie who was holding Pream’s hand. She was looking down to talk with Charlie but Ploy was looking at Can who was silently waving to hurry up and go downstairs.
 
“Come on! We still have to prep the barbeque. I really want that s’mores!” Ploy said ushering Pream and Charlie down the stairs.
Can was wiping the sweat off his forehead as the girls made it to the bottom of the stairs.
 
Gun came out of the study to see his cousin all shaken up. “Did you catch what I have?” He pointed at Can’s hand, “your fingers won’t stop shaking.” He looked Can up and down, “your whole body is shaking.”
 
“I was just nervous that we almost ruined Charlie’s first Mother’s Day at school.” Can lied baldly.
 
Smiling at his younger cousin, “it’s alright. We did good.” Gun smiled thanking Gun again, “hey, I’m going to grab a quick shower. I’ll be right down, if Ploy needs to ask Jim to drive her to the condo or you to get your car at work, go ahead.” He quickly went into the room, “I’ll be downstairs shortly.”
 
Once Gun got into his room he noticed his phone ringing again and pressed the decline button, his aunt could keep calling, he would forgive her, but not today. Conniving and scheming he couldn’t tolerate.
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
“Hey!” Pream screamed as Charlie brought a water bottle to spray at the plants in the gazebo and missed.
 
“Sorry mom!” Charlie apologized before sneaking around and eying an unexpecting Can.
 
“Got you!” She screamed when Ploy was using a watering can to water her.
 
Can laughed but had water dumped on him when Charlie took the watering can from Ploy’s hand.
 
“That’ll shut you up!” Ploy laughed and clapped her hands at him.
 
Gun looked out his window to see everyone talking and laughing under the gazebo and smiled. It felt wonderful every time they hung out. A miracle when Charlie behaved. Noun walked in with fresh towels as he was buttoning the cuff to his shirt, “Noun?”
 
She stopped her towel stocking. “Yes?”
 
“Can you ask Jim for the camera he used for today’s event at Charlie’s school?” Gun grinned, “I wanted to see it first before everyone else.”
 
Noun smiled automatically seeing her boss smile, “yessir.”
 
He had finished coming and drying his hair when Noun came back with the camera. He sat on his bed flipping through the display screen to see Pream smiling into the camera in front of the school. Another pose was her putting a finger to her lips like it was a secret. He flipped through some more to see the side where the screen blocked the audience from the children. Jim had caught the moment Charlie realized Pream was there for her. And the moment Charlie jumped into Pream’s arms. For someone who was sick recently, she was sturdy enough to catch a flying six year old in the air.
 
He sat there for a bit longer to look at all the photos that Jim had helped to take. Gun didn’t know how long he was sitting there, but he looked around his empty room of no photos, and decided, he would have some photos up now. Memories.
 

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ---------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ​

 
Pream was marinating the steak when Jim walked by. “We’ve been so busy today, I forgot to ask you for my phone.” She smiled when Jim reached into his pocket and pulled out her device. “Did you get a good one?”
 
Proudly Jim answered, “the best one is in your phone.”
 
Pream tilted her hips, “could you place it in my apron pocket please?” She handed the steak to Sonny so that she could wash her hands and look at her phone. She went back out to the gazebo and sat down flipping through the pictures to find one of Charlie handing her the flower ring onto Pream’s hand. Her eyes began to water. And she sniffled a little as she posted her photo onto Instagram.
 
Gun came back downstairs to see Ploy chasing Charlie and Can trying to start the grill.
 
“Let me help.” Gun said shaking his head. “You never were able to get a fire started, ever.”
 
Can stuck out his tongue.
 
“You’re starting to behave a lot like your not-girlfriend.” Gun said as he squeezed tested the gas grill. “That’s why, they tank is empty.” He frowned, “I don’t remember grilling often, how are we out?”
 
Can smiled suspiciously, “why don’t you go get some then?”
 
Gun scoffed, “why don’t you go get some?”
 
Pream looked up from her phone, “why don’t you guys ask Jim to get some?”
 
“Jim?” They repeated.
 
The driver was still standing to the side and raised a hand up. “Yes, Jim.” The driver said his name in the third person, “I really want some good food tonight. And I can’t wait. No charge sir, free.”
 
Gun watched his driver unhitch the gas tank, “free, no charge- he says.” He laughed. “You’re using my car and my money and now you’re eating my food?”
 
The driver waved and walked away laughing unabashed.
 
“Since I can’t start the grill,” Gun rubbed his hands together, “what could I help you with?”
 
Pream smiled, “We’re almost done, just got to skewer the shrimps.”
 
Gun looked at her and then Ploy, “that was quick. When did you guys change clothes?”
 
Can coughed into his hands and Pream answered, “when you were on your conference call.”
 
Gun nodded his head, “oh.” Then he pointed to Can, “did you get your car then?” Can scratched his ears and said no. “If they could shower and return, you could’ve grabbed your car.” Then he changed the subject, “Jim took some really awesome pictures today. I should give my driver a bonus.” He excused himself to go grab the camera as Can eyed him then Pream who was now to the side taking pictures of Ploy and Charlie with her phone.
 
Gun got back up to his room and grabbed the camera that was next to the book. He should return it back to Can. “When does he even have time to read this thing?” He jogged back down the stairs with the book and camera. He placed the book on the gazebo center and showed Can the photos like a proud father.
 
Pream went back to check on the steak Sonny was marinating and pulled up the book from the table. “Hey, I was looking for this!” She smiled, “where was this?”
 
“In my room under the bed,” Gun frowned, “Can borrowed it, didn’t he?”
 
Pream shook her head smiling, “I must’ve dropped it when I was reading this to you when you were sick.”
 
Looking up from the camera that he almost dropped if Can hadn’t caught it, he asked, “what did you say?”
 
“When you were sick, I was reading it to you in your room.” Pream explained again. “You were out sick, so you probably didn’t remember I was reading it to you.”
 
Can placed the camera strap around his neck and bit his lip nervously.
 
“Why were you reading me a book in my room when I was sick?” Gun asked. She shouldn’t have been in his room. It was inappropriate of her to be in his room. “When Ploy was helping Charlie with her homework?”
 
“No, Ploy helped after I got sick,” Pream said tilting her head. “I’ll be right back, I need to charge my phone.” He watched her walk into the house like she owned it then turned around to face Can
 
Gun turned around to Can, “what the hell is going on?” He pointed over his shoulders, “where is she charging her phone?”
 
“Gun, no time to explain before she comes back.” Can scratched his neck nervously, “Charlie told Pream that she’s her mom. So Pream assumes...”
 
Confused Gun ran to follow Pream into the house and up the stairs where he last saw her and swung around the banister as she entered a room down the hall from him. He walked in after her and she turned around surprised to see him.
 
Pream frowned, Gun never came into her room before.

 

[Bieluvr]

Oh my!!!! Aaahhhhhh. Gun found out. What will he do!!!! The whole time I'm reading, I couldn't stop myself from squealing. Seriously, my brother thought I was going crazy. Hahahaha. Crazy for Gun and Pream!!! You are really talented and know how to keep your audience interested, letting off at a cliff-hanger every time. Please update soon, I really can't wait to find out what happened. Gun, you weren't dreaming, she was there with you all along! I have to thank you very much for writing the best Gun fan-fiction ever on AF and in my life!! Love you for it.

 

[danounagirl]

finally finally 
he knows and i don't know what he is going to do whether blame her and get angry with her or continue with the deception and take their relationship further 
that will be awesome but u left us hanging again 
please update sooooooooooooooooooooooooon :woot:  :woot:  :woot:

 

[sarN]

Update soon^^^^^ I can't wait to read her reaction lollll ^^

 

[lakornblog]

Oh my!!!! Aaahhhhhh. Gun found out. What will he do!!!! The whole time I'm reading, I couldn't stop myself from squealing. Seriously, my brother thought I was going crazy. Hahahaha. Crazy for Gun and Pream!!! You are really talented and know how to keep your audience interested, letting off at a cliff-hanger every time. Please update soon, I really can't wait to find out what happened. Gun, you weren't dreaming, she was there with you all along! I have to thank you very much for writing the best Gun fan-fiction ever on AF and in my life!! Love you for it.

Why aren't there more FF for Gun? Are we just fan-girling then?  :cry:... flying to Thailand next year in hopes of meeting him. LOL >> crazy ass fan-girl right here <<
 

finally finally 
he knows and i don't know what he is going to do whether blame her and get angry with her or continue with the deception and take their relationship further 
that will be awesome but u left us hanging again 
please update sooooooooooooooooooooooooon :woot:  :woot:  :woot:

mmmmm I'll try to update it by this weekend. busy busy gal here
 

Update soon^^^^^ I can't wait to read her reaction lollll ^^

<3 I picture you getting home from work and reading FF all day/night. LOL

 

[sarN]

Why aren't there more FF for Gun? Are we just fan-girling then?  :cry:... flying to Thailand next year in hopes of meeting him. LOL >> crazy ass fan-girl right here <<
 

mmmmm I'll try to update it by this weekend. busy busy gal here
 

<3 I picture you getting home from work and reading FF all day/night. LOL

I do ! I get off work late at night and come read FF but lately I been busy but now I'm back.

 

[danounagirl]

i've being checking approximately every day
plz update soon  

 

[lakornblog]

i've being checking approximately every day
plz update soon  

sorry! I've been caught up with Halloween. LOL Costume making and mini-vacation planning with only a two week deadline. Trying not to procrastinate! I'll try next week with more

 

[lakornblog]

Chapter Forty Four​

 
 
Pream stood there as Gun looked around her room. He stood where he was, but he was slowly turning to see what she had done to a former guest room. She tilted her head to follow where he was looking and stared up at one of the photo she had printed on her foray out in town. It was one of the sunrises from the Instax that she had blown up. She watched him just stare at it.
 
She didn’t even know it was him that she had crashed into that morning at the beach. He turned to look back at Pream who was studying him. Hands on his hips he took a step further into her room and looked at another object in her room. The vase had been moved from down stairs center table piece to now the side of her room near her closet. He looked at Pream again as she stood with her hands together in front of her now as he took a step to the side now. Gun reached for the photo frame next to her bed. “This is Charlie’s baby picture.” He said softly.
 
“I assumed so.” Pream said confused. “Why else would you be holding a baby girl?” She smiled then. “Jai found it when we were cleaning out your room the other week.”
 
He didn’t do photos. He stopped caring about photos. Charlie’s baby pictures were somewhere, he just didn’t remember where. “You were in my room?”
 
Pream nodded her head, “Clothes drive.” She smacked her forehead then, “that’s where I saw that lady from.”
 
“What lady?”
 
“The one with Pim.” Pream explained, “I went with Jim to drop off the clothes at the charity, and she just waltzed to the front of the line to write a check instead of waiting in line like everyone else. The nerve of her.”
 
“That explains why some of my clothes were gone.” Gun said absently and shut his mouth about his aunt, he didn’t want to jump into that problem just yet. That woman is lucky that she was his aunt.
 
“I know I don’t remember which clothes meant something to you, so I had Jai help me sort them.” Pream said nodding her head. “I made sure that…”
 
“I get it.” Gun said sitting down on the edge of her bed looking at the frame still in his hand as he reached over to grab another frame that was near the one in his hand. “The beach.”
 
“I’ve been meaning to add more, but I hadn’t have time to print out the one from the Mermaid show.” Pream smiled then it slowly faded. “We don’t really take much photos do we?  I didn’t find any throughout the house.”
 
It was probably how she got easily confused about the situation. Gun looked up at her, “we…” He wanted to tell her the truth but heard someone at the door. It was Charlie. She was holding on to the door’s edge and the door handle at the same time. “Hey.” He held his say when Charlie sidled up next to him and leaned against his shoulders using her puppy dog eyes. Gods, he failed each time to these eyes.
 
Pream watched the daughter-daddy duo and crossed her arms smiling. She looked up from the two when Ploy was next to stand at the doorway. “Is something wrong?” She noticed the worried look on Ploy’s face. “Did Jim come back with the Propane already?” She uncrossed her arms when Ploy looked Gun’s way. “You’re scaring me. Why aren’t you saying anything?” Her friend did the puppy dog look as well and slowly made her way to Gun’s other side. “My goodness…” She was wondering what the girls were trying to plead Gun for with those eyes.
 
“Fine…” Gun said resolutely causing Charlie and Ploy to release him and whooped and hollered with glee.
 
Still confused Pream looked at all three, “why are you guys so happy?”
 
“Uh…” Charlie said looking at Ploy then her dad. “Dad’s going to take us girls shopping for us being really good.”
 
Gun glared at his daughter, “Yea. Really good.”
 
That didn’t sound really good but Pream loosely pointed at Ploy, “you’re taking this girl too?”
 
Rubbing his forehead, “whatever.”
 
She looked around her room as Gun threw himself back on the bed and released an eerie groan. Looking back at him she leaned over the bed to feel his forehead. Surprised by her action he laid there looking up at her. First thing she does is check his health when she was the one who was sick still.
 
Why? Gun thought as he stared at her face.
 
Ploy cleared her throat loudly causing Gun to get out of his reverie. He cleared his throat and told Pream that he was fine. “We should head downstairs.”
 
“Grab a cardigan.” Ploy said over her shoulders as she and Charlie headed out towards the stairs.
 
He watched her walk back towards the closet and swung the door open. She poked and prodded until she found a cardigan. Once she had it on she adjusted her hair over it and sighed as if it was comforting. Gun shook his head and walked out the room with Pream following shortly. He waited for her to close the door before he proceeded towards the steps again. Pream still didn’t look steady so he held out his hands for her to hold.
 
Thankful, she held on with a smile. “Are you really taking Ploy and Charlie shopping?”
 
Gun laughed, more at himself than anything that’s going on. “They’ve been good.”
 
There he was gritting out the word ‘good’ again. It still didn’t sound good at all to Pream. “You seemed a bit put off. If you don’t want to take them shopping, just tell them ‘no’, I’m sure they'd understand.”
 
“Charlie,” Gun said turning to face her half-way down the stairs. “Charlie, is going to understand me saying ‘no’ to her?” Pream bit the corner of her lips as she thought about it. “You lost your memories, you don’t know what Charlie is capable of.” He inwardly rolled his eyes muttering, “or what she already did.”
 
“What?” Pream asked as they continued their descent down.
 
“Nothing.” Gun said waving his free hand, “just, forget about it.”
 
Pream gave him a side glance and said dryly, “yea, just about ninety nine point nine percent of my life is lost already.”
 
Gun grimaced, “I didn’t mean it that way.”
 
“From what you told me at the cabin, I don’t think I’d want to remember that person.”
 
Great, Gun thought, she’s confusing his wife story with her life story. “There are good things about you.”
 
“Oh really?” Pream asked raising a challenging eyebrow. “So tell me then.”
 
“I’ll… try.” He said deciding on what was best to say since he didn’t know what these guys had told her.
 
“Why was Pim braying like a donkey that I was dead?” Pream frowned, “did you tell her I was dead?”
 
Gun Held up his hands once they made it to the landing. “I swear, I didn’t tell her that you were dead.” He thought about that, “why would she tell you that you’re dead?”
 
“Beats me.” Pream shrugged, “kept shouting Charlie’s mother is dead.” She huffed. “Your lady friend was upsetting Charlie very much that day. I had to threaten her the cops.”
 
Gun covered his face with both hands. What?
 
“Tell me though,” she waited until Gun made eye contact with her, “are we separated, about to divorce, in the middle of a divorce and something stupid like memory loss happened to me, is it pity we’re still together?”
 
“Huh?” He blinked rapidly, “what makes you ask that?” Didn’t Can just tell me in the gazebo that Pream thinks she’s my wife? Why would she… “Oh.” He remembered when Pream would get possessive of him in public “It’s not like that. I swear”
 
“So we’re in separate rooms, just because?”
 
He had no clue how to answer her. He’s going to kill Can. Then Ploy. Then Charlie. When he saw Sonny walk by avoiding his eyes with a tray he squinted his eyes at her. Even the house staff members were in on it.
 
“Oh, Sonny.” Pream smiled, “can you ask Noun to bring out the pineapple juice? I wanted to mix it in with the marinade.” Sonny nodded her head and quickly went into the kitchen.
 
He’s going to add his servants to the kill-list as well. “Sonny giving you any trouble?”
 
Pream shook her head, “no, why? Did she give me trouble before?”
 
Gun smiled, “course not.” He saw Mai walking by with Charlie’s backpack. “Feeling better are we?”
 
“Were you sick too?” Pream asked worriedly, “you shouldn’t have taken care of me everyday then, I would’ve been fine.”
 
Mai looked left then right, then smiled sheepishly when she caught Gun’s eyes. She quickly darted away.
 
“Poor thing.” Pream huffed again, “I didn’t mean to get her sick.”
 
Gun scoffed, “yea. I think it was only a little flu that went away just as quick as she caught it.”
 
“Don’t be so rude. She’s still under our care as employers.”
 
Gun paused when she said ‘our’ -- oh, this could get interesting. He sighed, content. “I’m still going to kill Can.”
 
“Why do you want to do that?” Pream asked as they reached the path to the gazebo.
 
“I didn’t realize I said it outloud.” Gun said as they made their way towards the little group. “It’s a work thing. With Can, it’s always a work thing I want to kill him for.” His cousin whistled a tune ignoring Gun and tried to help Jim hook up the propane to the gas grill. His driver was also not making any eye-contact with him. “Pream, how do you feel about unloyal employees scheming around?”
 
“I’m sure it was all for money.” Pream said looking back at the table with the prepped food not seeing Jim turning red or ducking lower as he hooked up the gas tank. “They need to work right? Loyal or not, they got paid while trying to survive.” She made a face, “why? Is the company going through that right now? You got that many bad employees that you need to find?”
 
Pream thought he was referring to the office, when he meant his faithful little house staff. Gun watched as Jai slowly walked away from the gazebo. They were all in listening distance though. “They’re probably closer than I thought. Just a handful of them. I’m pretty sure Can could help me find them.”
 
His cousin choked on the fruit he was chewing on. Pream reached out to pour him some water. “Are you okay?”
 
“Never better.” Can said as Gun pounded him on the back. “Thanks cuz, needed that.”
 
“I know.” Gun said as he looked from one face to another. How they all duped him for so long, he will never know. But payback’s a bitch.
 
“There’s this little gleam in your eye, that I’m actually afraid of.” Pream said pointing at Gun. “I hope it’s just the sun that’s giving it that little evil glare.” He squinted his eyes at her.
 
Charlie covered her mouth up but Ploy let it rip and couldn’t stop laughing at what Pream had said.
 
“What?” Pream asked confused. “Why do you all look so guilty about something all of a sudden?”
 
It seemed everyone was whistling or humming a song when Pream looked up from her seat at the table. She eyed them all slowly but it seemed that the joke was on her as no one said or explained anything to her at all or even peeked her way.
 
Jim smiled at Pream and walked away with his plate of food and avoided Gun’s eyes.  Pream watched as all the staff made their way into the kitchen to eat. “You’re all more than welcome to eat out here with us.” She looked around as they all said ‘no thank you’ to her. She frowned up at Gun, “what did you do to them while I was sick in bed?”
 
Gun raised his hands up innocently, “I have no clue what you’re talking about. I didn’t do anything to them.” He added the word ‘yet’ in his head. He saw Pream standing up, “where are you going?”
 
“The kitchen.”
 
“I swear I didn’t do anything to them.”
 
Pream rolled her eyes, “I was getting up to get grape juice.”
 
Gun waved her back down, “Can, man the grill. I’ll get the juice.” Once he got into the kitchen the staff around the table eating stopped talking and looked down at their plate. All except his housekeeper. “How could you guys all go along with this?”
 
“As the point of view from a nanny,” Mai started off, “she wasn’t called in for causing trouble at school.” The nanny started ticking things off her finger. “She did her homework without asking, she showered and bathed without being clawed at…” She looked up at Gun, “I get days off. Real days off.” He frowned at her until Jim said his piece.
 
“I’ve seen the little miss changing.” Jim said daring to point at his boss, “she smiles more, she laughs more. She isn’t demanding or ordering anyone to be up to no good with her. I’m tired of being the getaway vehicle.” He softened his voice, “even you’re happier, and you didn’t even know yet that she was in your life.”
 
Placing his hands on his hips as he raise his head heavenward. “How could all of you trick me. How did it go on for so long in my own household that I didn’t know?”
 
Jai spoke now, the old woman shaking her finger at him, “that’s the point. It’s your house, and you didn’t even know it.” She huffed, “be a father. Be a husband, quit being so immersed in work that you forget you have a family.”
 
“I have Charlie.” He crossed his arms in a dramatic ‘x’, “I don’t have a wife.”
 
“Maybe you found your new wife, and you’re just not realizing it.” Jai said going back to her dinner.
 
Gun felt that stab of hurt in his chest again when he thought of Pream that way. “Wife?” He rubbed his head then, “Pream?”
 
“Yes?” The all jumped at the sound of Pream’s voice. She raised her eyebrows at them and pointed to herself. “Did you say my name?”
 
“Uh…” Gun was stuttering so bad he had to grab a vacant chair to sit down. “Why are you sneaking up like that?”
 
“I was pretty loudly clomping my way in here. None of you heard me?” Pream asked looking in the kitchen.
 
“You came to check and see if I was lecturing them?”
 
Pream shook her head and pointed at the fridge, “I was looking for the grape juice you never came out with.” She looked at them after she grabbed the juice, “seriously though, are you all okay?” The servants nodded their heads then she walked back out slowly looking over her shoulders one last time.
 
Gun got up to look out the door to make sure she really did leave, “we’re all talking about this later.” He pointed at them and walked off after Pream.

 

[lakornblog]

Chapter Forty Five​

 
Jai sighed with a smile as everyone else who was holding their breath let theirs out.
 
“Here, I got it.” Gun said taking the juice from Pream and walking with her back to the gazebo.
 
“You weren’t yelling at them were you?” Pream asked frowning, “they haven’t done anything wrong.”
 
“Yea,” Gun muttered, “that you know of.”
 
“Was there something wrong. I feel like you guys are all hiding something from me.”
 
Gun reassured her, “don’t worry about it.” Pream gave him a doubtful look but left the matter alone. “The food looks good, let's grab some before Can or Ploy eats it all.”
 
“I was more worried about Jim.” Pream laughed, “did you see his plate piled high?”
 
All through out their mid-afternoon grilling Gun sat with his back hunched, and his hand under his chin watching everyone. This was how they always were. Talking, laughing, pranking on Can. He studied Pream quietly as she adjusted her cardigan and went back to eating her meal. She didn’t eat as much as usual, but she did take some food in. “Did you need to go lie down a bit?”
 
Pream shook her head, “I’ve been in bed most of the week already.” She looked around scrunching her nose. “It’d be nice to just lay out here.”
 
Worried now he asked, “did you need to lay down?”
 
She smiled and gave him a look, “no, I think we should buy a hammock and some of those egg-shaped swings.” She envisioned quiet, sunny days with a book while Charlie ran around, maybe if Charlie ever had a sibling, there could be a little baby hammock type swing.
 
Gun saw her pensive stare at the trees. “We could go buy some tomorrow.”
 
“You’re not busy this weekend?”
 
“Maybe some fresh air could help you, you only just got better. Stretch your legs for a bit.” He handed her another glass of juice, “Test out some swings and hammocks.”
 
She gave him a secretive like smile, “sounds like a plan.”
 
She tried to hide a yawn but Gun noticed it. “I’ll have Noun take you up.”
 
“I’m good.” Pream protested.
 
It was Gun’s turn to give her the look, “I can’t be that boring to cause you to yawn.”
 
“Okay, I’m a little tired.”
 
Gun called out for Noun who came out from somewhere at the side of the house. He eyed the girl suspiciously still as she avoided his gaze. Pream caught that and slapped Gun’s arm, “why are you tormenting the girl.” He rubbed his arms and laughed. The joke is all on him. He waited a few moments after Pream disappeared into the house before he spun around to yell at Can, Ploy and Charlie. “Explain all of this. NOW!”
 
“Well…” Ploy smacked Can’s arm. “He should. Your cousin.”
 
Can shoved Ploy out of his way and picked up Charlie who was covering up her face, “it’s best if the child explains.” He plopped Charlie onto Gun’s lap and stepped back a few yards.
 
“Uncle Can!” Charlie hissed.
 
Gun turned his daughter to look him eye to eye, “don’t ‘Uncle Can’ him.” He pointed then flicked the girl’s nose, “explain. Now.”
 
Charlie at first held her lips shut tight then in a burst explained how the school wanted to speak to a parent, and he was never there. Then how she remembered that the school didn’t know her mom died. She skipped the mind games with Pream and explained how she didn’t like the women he was dating. Especially the ones who got along with Grandma Jan. Then it was what it was. She held her mouth shut after she explained everything.
 
Gun closed his eyes then inhaled and exhaled slowly multiple times. “How is it that she still doesn’t realize you are all lying to her?”
 
Ploy raised her hands to get Gun’s attention and once she did pulled Can in front of her, “you tell him.”
 
Can kept trying to pull her in front of him but she dodged his hands.
 
“CAN!” Gun shouted.
 
“We backed Charlie up.” Can looked at Charlie who was now hiding her face between Gun’s neck. “Pream saw me and Ploy at the hospital everyday. So when Charlie threw us this curveball and brought the principal, we didn’t want to brand Charlie a liar. Being that she was there in the first place because of her trouble making at school.”
 
Gun pinched the bridge of his nose, “how did you guys go along with this?” He waved his hands at the house as Charlie held onto his neck, “what did you tell her to get her to stay in a house and never once did she see me. She’s bound to have found that weird?” He covered his eyes with his hand again, “oh my god, because I wasn’t home. You guys used that against me?!”
 
Can was able to catch Ploy and held her in front of him. “Well…” She tried to kick Can but he held on to her tightly. “I was against it. But then Charlie did that puppy eye thing.”
 
“You mean what you just did upstairs in Pream’s room?” He shut his eyes again and slapped his forehead. He just called the room Pream’s.
 
“I learned it from the best.” Ploy said pointing at Charlie who was now looking up at her dad with those puppy-dog eyes.
 
Point taken. Gun said placing his hands over Charlie’s face so he wouldn’t have to see her.
 
“And I had two jobs. You know I had to work both of them.” Ploy went on to explain. “She won’t be working anymore, I’m the only one with a job…” She waved her arms like she was juggling something. “What was I supposed to do? The servants went along, and Pream was taken care of. So….” She did the puppy-eyed look again.
 
“Oh my god, Can.” Gun growled, “put her behind your back. Release her to hide somewhere.” He wouldn’t be able to take anymore of those eyes. Charlie had disappeared somewhere behind him so that was one less sad eyes to try and ignore. “So what am I supposed to say to her? I’ve mentioned some stories of my wife already.” He held his hands up to Can when he opened his mouth. “Real wife.” He wanted to pull his hair out, he really did. “How did you all even explain my missing in action at home?”
 
“Work.” Charlie piped up from behind him.
 
“Work.” Ploy chirped from behind Can.
 
“And more work.” Can nodded his head in agreement.
 
Waving for Charlie to line up with the adults, he stared all three down, “so now I’m that husband that’s never home?”
 
“Yes, the husband who is always at work.” Ploy said proudly.
 
Gun shot her smile down, “she thinks I’m having affairs with all those women whose been approaching me.”
 
“WHAT?!” Ploy squealed.
 
“Earlier today,” Gun nodded his head, “she asked if I was seeing other women.” He then looked over at Can, “who's going to fix that?” He started ticking things off his hands, “We’re in separate rooms. I’m never home. I sleep elsewhere on the weekdays. I have woman, who I really was seeing making me feel guilty about the wife I didn’t know I have….”
 
Everytime he ticked things off his fingers, the three trouble-makers hunched down a little more. Trying like a turtle to hide in their shirt collars.
 
“Am I missing anything?” Gun asked as he finished listing what they’ve caused him.
 
Can raised his hand now, “she wanted to know if you’re really married, because there’s no ring.”
 
“Of course.” Gun in sarcastic mode now, “how could I miss that?” He pointed to his tanned fingers with no ring tan line. “So, how’d you all explain that one?”
 
“You guys were civilized.” Ploy started.
 
Can finished, “you didn’t need a ring to mark any significance.”
 
Gun nodded his head, “I told her last weekend at the cabin that Charlie was a mistake.”
 
Charlie pinched her lips together, she already knew that but it still must smart to hear it.
 
“Shit.” Can muttered
 
“Child present Uncle Can.” Charlie reminded.
 
“Sorry.”
 
Gun tugged on his ears to think, “so let me get this straight. Pream realizes that we sleep in separate rooms, we don’t wear wedding rings, and that Charlie is a mistake.” He stood up abruptly scaring the three a step back, “and she’s still willing to stay with me?”
 
Ploy spoke up, “dude, it’s not like she really has a choice, who else would she turn to?”
 
“So, it’s more like we’re stuck with her? Or is it more like she’s stuck with us?”
 
Charlie shrugged, “it’s either the glass is half full or half empty daddy.”
 
Smart-ass. Gun said sighing and sticking his hands in his pocket. “It’s a sticky situation either way.”
 
“Well…” Can asked, “do you want to be stuck with Pream?”
 
Gun thought about that a moment, “even if I do, IF, being the keyword, what’s going to happen when she remembers that you all duped her, then got me to go along with you.”
 
“Either you’re in it with us from the start or you're not.” Ploy said crossing her arms.
 
“I was never in this from the start!”
 
Charlie crossed her arms and posed like Ploy, “so why don’t you make her want to stay? If she remembers, she won’t have to leave.”
 
“Kid has got a point.” Can nodded.
 
“She’s six.” Gun retorted.
 
Ploy rolled her eyes, “she’s also the one that got all of this rolling in the first place.”
 
“Can’t we just tell her the truth and see if we could start fresh?” Gun reasoned but he stopped when he saw that Ploy was elbowing Can. “What?”
 
Can pulled out his phone and flipped through his Instagram and showed him Pream’s newest addition to her IG.
 
It was a photo of Charlie from the ceremony with Pream in the chair.
 
The caption read: My precious angel’s first Mother’s Day Ceremony at school.
 
He closed is and groaned. “You all have just ruined my life. You know that?”
 
Ploy let out a loud gasp. “Wait. You really want to be with Pream? Are you actually wanting to give this a go?”
 
Can’s eyes opened in revelry. “Holy cow. You’re seriously thinking about it aren’t you?”
 
Charlie leaped into Gun’s arms. “YAY!”
 
“I said IF!” Gun said as Ploy and Can also ran up to him to give him a group bear hug. “You guys, it’s not what’s going on. We’re still just talking about it.”
 
Ploy hugged the group tighter, “no, you’re going to go along with it. Or else you wouldn’t have called Noun to take Pream upstairs!”
 
“That’s not it, she was yawning.”
 
“So you do care!” Can said as he bounced the group hug. “You are going to go along with us!”
 
“I’m pretty sure this is a crime.” Gun said drolly. “What’s going to happen when she finds out we’ve been lying all along?”
 
“Get with the program daddy!” Charlie squealed, “she’s going to be in love with you by then, and she won’t leave you.”
 
Gun groaned again, “I hate all of you guys. Let me breathe.” He craned his neck after they released him from the bear hug. “I can’t believe I’m going to agree to this.”
 
“Can we like make a contract or something?” Can asked gingerly, “in case this all goes wrong. You can’t blame me or Ploy?”
 
Ploy gave him the look before she pounced on him and started to pummel him. “Positive thoughts you idiot. We’re not supposed to think like something is going to go wrong, remember?”
 
Gun sat back down and grabbed Pream’s glass of juice that was still half-full and continued to watch Ploy beat Can up. Then Charlie joined in and started kicking Can to the ground. Pretty soon, all three were laughing and rolling on the grass. Carefree.
 
Pream popped her eyes opened hearing laughter and walked out into the hallway to the window that would over look where they were all laughing and rolling around in the grass and smiled. She wanted to hear this more often. She sighed and went back into her room to rest, closing her eyes to Charlie’s squeals, Can’s laughter  and Ploy’s giggles. What she remembered most, was Gun sitting there and smiling at them as they took to the grass to have a wildly good time.
 
Gun finished the glass of juice as the staff began to clean the area He stretched out his legs and and closed his eyes. The sun was setting, but the weather was good. He actually wished he was swinging on a hammock right now with his face to the sun. He opened his eyes then and saw that Charlie was lying there on the grass as Ploy was surfing the net on her iPad and Can, he assumed, was probably scrolling through Instagram feeds again. A few egg-shaped swings Pream suggested and smiled. He liked the idea of that and couldn’t wait.
 
“You all going to be good out here?” Gun asked as they all said ‘yes’, “then I’m taking a nap.” So much food this afternoon. Chances are, it’s left-overs for dinner. Good thing he didn’t mind the food today. Maybe they’ll stop serviing him fish. He paused at that. Since Pream’s unbeknown residency, his meals had been improving at home. He shot both hands up in the air as he ascended the stairs and pumped up his fist. He’s going to get good and fat, and maybe even lazy.

 

[Bieluvr]

Aaaahhhh. I'm so gald Gun is going along with it, but I just hope nothing bad happens when Pream finds out. LOL. I loved Gun's reaction when he realized that it was either a one hit or loss kind of deal with this deal. He's afraid of losing her. Ploy and Charlie are too funny with the puppy dog eyes.

 

[danounagirl]

i'm so happy
i got to read this and it was extremely awesome, ur writing is so captivating and close to heart
i wanted to hug Gun too for the way he accepted the truth, it was smooth and very hearty 
he do love her and want her
i now want to know how is he going to do from now on knowing that she thinks she is his wife and the mother of his child, how is he going to fix the women problem and the separate rooms issue to , i know he liked her on his bed even if he thought he was dreaming
i'm so excited 
and i have a very happy news
my sis gave birth two hours ago and i'm now an aunt for a very tiny beautiful girl
i'm so in love with her already