Chapter 4/12
A
he woke up when his clock was alarming, then timing... someone's knocking at the door. he thought that made maybe Ploy's back already, but it wasn't... and rather... it was Aff who's standing infront of the doorway, carrying a basket of bread and the spread that she made.
Aum: Aff...
Aff: hi... uh... good morning. (he made a way, to let her come in to his pad.) thanks... (she look at him.) i brought you and Ploy some breakfast... where's Ploy? is she still asleep?
Aum: she's not here... (he carried the basket and went to the kitchen, while she just followed him.) i'll go wash my face first... just feel free to use everything.
Aff: did i woke you up?
Aum: no... i'll just wash my face and change.
he went back to his room, while Aff started prepare their breakfast. she wonder if where's Ploy, but when Aum came out of the room... she found herself, locked her eyes on him. he was wearing a jogging pants and a sleeveless white shirt. she dont know why she had this sort of feeling that she was trap... trap to his charisma?
"oh, my... why am i feeling this way?", she asked herself when Aum almost caught her staring at him. she returned her attention from the plate where she's trying to transfer the slice of bread from the basket. Aum was heading towards the kitchen and she dont know why her heart keeps beating faster.
Aum: pineapple and cheese?
Aff: uh... yeah. (she tried to smile at him.) Aum... i... i... dot know how to say it...
Aum: about what?
Aff: i... uh... its... its about the... the...
Aum: the?
Aff: i dont know what kind of job suits me... im usually at field work too, but i couldn't go out because-
Aum: you're hiding. (he continued and he crossed his arms.)
Aff: yeah... and... i supposed that you already know that i shouldn't-
Aum: so what job do you want to apply for? if you prefer to work in my office, you'll be my assistant then... however, you couldn't go out.
Aum gets the sandwich and took a bite, he then was waiting for her answer. she was thinking if what job that would suits her. "i have an idea.... how about a housekeeper here?", she just blurted and didn't know why did she suggest that kind of job. he stopped eating and look at her seriously. "you're not serious right?"
Aff: i am serious...
Aum: i can't...
Aff: why? you're offering me a job and i think that there's nothing wrong with my idea.
Aum: but why being a housekeeper? i cant let you do that.
Aff: tell me why then?
Aum: why would someone like the only daughter, the heiress of Taksaorn company needed to apply for being a housekeeper? (her stingy expression made his breakfast with her ended.)
he gets his polo shirt and walks out of the pad, then Aff followed him. "hey! why are you walking out from me!?!", she shouted at him while they were getting downstairs. then Aum stopped and look at her, "i told you... you can't be the housekeeper..."
Aff: give me the keys...
Aum: what?
Aff: the keys...
Aum: (he already get it. she was referring to his pad's keys.) no... and dont... follow me.
Aff: im not following you... (on the second thought...) im just begging you to give me this kind of job.
Aum: you're being nonsense.
he hurriedly went downstairs while Aff's being tremendously desperate to find a job. how she'll going to pay her rent if she doesnt have a job, now she thought that it would be useless already if she ask Aum's help. it was like the same as before...
*flashback*
she was chasing him, she dont know why she had this feelings for him... and yet... she knew that he's obviously rejecting her.
Aum: why are you following me?
Aff: Aum... i told you that-
Aum: dont call me by my name... because we hardly dont know each other. tell me then... we met a couple of weeks ago, i did something wrong to you and made your relationship with your fiance ruined... and now you're confessing to me??? we're strangers...
Aff: i dont know why you hate me... im just telling how i feel
Aum: i dont hate you... how am i supposed to hate a stranger? i hate you because you're either confuse about your feelings or you're just way to desperate to find someone who can stand someone from your fiance! go home now... i dont need you to be here.
he left her at the middle of the road, it was late already... it was terrible night that first ever happened to her. but after that night... til the day he left for America, she realize that it was just maybe an infatuation.
he was right... it was just infatuation. and yet, why does its coming back again? they are friends... and nothing less. he was concern... but he haven't change for being a abrasive sometimes.
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he's been waiting since early this morning. he didnt had a good sleep because of what Ken found out and he made Vicky confessed to him that Aff's living to this address, the address whom he knows who owns it. today, he and Aum were going to meet up because Aum is the mainly architect for the project that he invested. he was at the coffee shop, he didnt had good sleep at home because of his father. he has been thinking and already decided that he's going to leave his father's company.
finally, Aum arrived at the place where they supposed to meet up, he called him awhile ago... because he wanted to know personally if what is Aum's relationship with Aff, why she's living in that building?
Aum: im Mr.-
Ken: you dont need to introduce yourself anymore. (Ken refuse to handshake with him.) i dont want this to take long.
Aum: so... Mr. Theeradej, what do you want? (he took the seat.)
Ken: when are you planning to start the project? (he suddenly turned the wrong way, he was supposed to ask and warn him about Aff.)
Aum: as long as Sum organize the materials, then that's how i will start the project.
Ken: why you weren't in the meeting last time?
Aum: i was in America that time. i just came back a few days ago only.
Ken: i see...
Aum: is there anything else?
Ken as stood in silence... he thinks that Aum knew already that he's going to ask about Aff. he gets up and put his hands on his pockets, he remained stared at him only, and so was Aum who's just looking at him. he dont know if it was fierce look, but surely he knows already what Ken supposed to ask him. but he didnt dare until Aum was the one to ask him.
Aum: aren't you gonna ask about her?
Ken: (at first he didn't even want to comment.) she doesnt want to see anyone anyway...
Aum: do you love her?
Ken: if i dont love her... i shouldn't have watch over her wherever she goes.
Aum: did you plan to chose me as the architect of this project?
Ken: no... because in the first place, i didn't know that it would be you and i didn't know that she's living with you-
Aum: (he stood up from his seat.) correction... she's not living with me. she's one of my residents in my building.
before Aum could leave first "think whatever you wanna think about me and your fiance. but i tell you... there's nothing going on between us", he said and left him first. as Ken watch him leave, in his mind... what Aum didn't know... he's one of the reasons why he and Aff broke up.
but the truth is... Ken accepted already that he and Aff wont be the same as before. he's doing this because of Aff's father, besides he also realize that maybe he wasn't ready at all if it in terms of relationships. it was like Aff was the first and his last...
now, he has others to work out for. his standing at his family and the life that he wished for... he has to do this on his own.
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while walking home, Aum almost forgot to buy something at the convenience store. he just realize that he was hungry because he only took a slice of bread this morning. but he accidentally saw Anne. and so she was....
Aum: Anne?....
Anne: Aum.... it really..... ..... ..... you... (she realize that she's not imagining things anymore. that night when she saw him, she was unsure... but now, its real. she knew that when she walks in this area, she would see him again and it did.) we missed you... (she gave him a hug and she look up to him again.)
Aum: do you want to have a cup of tea?
the two gone to the restaurant. they had a long talk, Aum told Anne about the things that happened to him while he was studying in America. but he didn't told that he got back here 3 years ago and started his business already. he also miss this sassy, annoying but funny girl like Anne. he she look and listen to her stories, he thought of her like she had never change... she was still the same.
until their topic gets into Rita.... he suddenly felt hesitant.
he told Anne that he's not ready to meet up with Rita and Rome yet. it doesnt mean that he's not ready, it means that he havent move on yet. he only says that its not the right time. after their little chit-chat, Aum couldnt promise if they could meet up again. he may be gave his address to Anne... but since that moment... he felt like he needed to hide even more. he knows Anne, even if she does keep secrets sometimes... she accidentally slips her mouth.
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Aum got home, as he went upstairs... his mind couldn't focus anymore. he wished he never got out today and able to meet Anne again. it was already lunch time, he may not feel hungry but he felt like he needed to feed his brain. he reaches the fifth floor, he then stops and stared at the unit where Aff stays. it was open. he decided to go and check her.
surprisingly, she was packing her clothes.
Aum: what are you doing?
Aff: (she got carried away and didnt know that someone's watching at her back, it was Aum.) what do you think?
Aum: (he dont know if he has to blame himself, now that obviously Aff was packing her things and plans to leave.) is this how you runaway because i didn't gave you the job-
Aff: it's not that... i just needed to go because Ken found out that i am staying here, Vicky told him.
Aum: and so?
Aff: what do you mean "and so"? i dont wanna go back home...
Aum: but your father is worried about you-
Aff: hey! you dont know anything about what happened to me and my father. i dont wanna go back there because he will either imprison me or set an arrange marriage with other men. now, please... dont ever stop me from leaving... because i will leave today. it's now or never!
Aum: why are you shouting me? (he was being calmed while watching packing her things.)
Aff just ignored him, if Vicky didnt called... maybe Ken already went to see her. it wasn't Vicky's fault, her friend told her that she was forced to tell Ken if where she lives at the moment. "where are you planning to go then?", Aum asked her.
Aum: (she stopped from packing, she dont know how to answer him back. because it obviously, she dont know where to go or where to hide next.) Aff, i am asking you....-
Aff: i dont know, okay! just let me be... stop being feeling concerned about me!-
Aum: i get it... i supposed you dont need my help anyway... so i'll just let you go.
"... im planning to go to Phuket and stay a couple of days there. if you dont wanna come with me, then i guess i should leave you and let you solve your problems alone", he continued as he was about to leave her and goes upstairs. but Aff stopped from packing was thinking about the solution that Aum suggested. if she'll come with him, then it only means she can peacefully hides there.
Aff: wait!- (Aum stopped from walking.) why.... why-why are you going to Phuket?
Aum: (he turn around and look at her.) i have business there. i'll be staying a couple of days... or maybe weeks as soon as im done.
Aff: (he was waiting for her answer. an answer that she would come with him.) i... uh... i... um...-
Aum: are you gonna come with me?
Aff: i... still need to pack my things-
Aum: is that mean yes? (she shyly nods at him. in her mind, she dont know how to thank him if he's really trying to help her.) okay then, i'll see at the ground floor. i'll just change my clothes first.
he went upstairs, while she went back to her unit and continue packing her clothes. there are only unexpected things happened to her today, though Ken finally knew that where she lives... there was Aum who's trying to save her.
the next thing happened, she was sitting right next to him inside the car. it doesn't feel strange sitting next him, but it was rather strange that they're going together in this place. strange but she knew she'll be safe... with him.
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see you on Part B, a little date and a willing scene... then hurting scene XD
i'll be posting if what does Aum's rest house looks like. and yes, they'll be stuck in an island... the island that Aum owns.