Chapter 2
“Good morning, love.” Aum purred while lying on the bed, pulling Ann closer to him. Ann lifted her head and gave him a weak smile. Aum examined Ann’s face and saw that her eyes were puffy and red, indicating that she’s been crying again last night.
A week had passed since the couple found out that they don’t have the chance to have a child together. Ever since Ann was aware of her condition, she’d cry silently at night, not wanting Aum to notice it. But Aum not noticing it is inevitable. Every morning, Ann would have red puffy eyes and whenever Aum sees her like that, it definitely breaks his heart.
“Aum, have you called her yet?” Ann asked him with a sleepy tone of voice. Her head was resting on his chest. Aum already knew who Ann was referring to. Aum pulled Ann even closer to him until her wonderful fragrant lingered to his nostrils.
“Don’t think about that too much…” He whispered worriedly to her. Ann lifted her head up again and came face to face with Aum.
“If you don’t want to call her, I’ll be the one to arrange things then…” Ann told him coldly. Aum sighed before answering her. He doesn’t want his wife to fix these crucial things for him.
“Okay… I’ll call her later then…” Aum told her sweetly as he gently caressed her face.
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After undergoing more tests, the doctor concluded that Aff’s mother needed to have the surgery as soon as possible. If her heart condition is not treated soon, she may not be able to go on with life anymore.
“We don’t have enough money for it… Just let me die so I won’t be a burden for both you…” Her mother told them weakly. Narin’s tears started to flow while holding her mother’s hand. Aff, on the other hand, was forcing herself not to cry. She didn’t want her mother to see her crying.
“Don’t say that, Ma! You were never and will never be a burden for us!” Narin blurted out as river of tears continued to flow from her eyes.
“Ma, everything will be fine. You’ll undergo the surgery once I have the money.” Aff told her mother softly and tightly held her other hand. Narin’s tears eventually stopped as she looked at her sister with puzzlement.
When their mother finally fell asleep, the sisters had a little talk.
“P’Aff, where will you get the money?” Narin asked her; curious on how will her sister get a large amount of money in a short period of time.
“I found a new job. It will pay me big and that will be enough for Ma’s surgery and for your studies.” Aff answered her plainly.
“What kind of job is that, P’Aff?” Narin questioned her. Aff didn’t know how to explain the job to her sister. Instead, she decided to lie to her.
“The same as my job before but this time, I’ll be working abroad.” Aff lied to her sister. She didn’t want to tell her the real job she’s doing. She will surely not approve it.
“You mean, you’ll leave me? You’ll leave us?” Narin asked her again with a worried tone of voice. Aff gently nodded.
“I have to. I’m doing it for you and Ma.” Aff told her wearily. Before Narin could protest, Aff stood up. She didn’t say another word to her sister. Aff searched for a payphone booth to call her friend, Duan.
After so many nights of thinking, Aff finally decided to accept the job she was offered to.
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Aum was reading some of the reports that was sent to him when he heard a soft knock on his door.
“Come in.” Aum responded to the knock. The door slowly opened and his secretary came in.
“Khun Aum, someone is looking for you.” She said politely. Aum lifted his head up and looked at his secretary.
“Who is it?” Aum asked her.
“She said her name is Khun Tida. She told me she was your old friend.” His secretary answered. Finally, she came, Aum thought.
“Let her in and kindly bring us coffee.” Aum instructed. His secretary nodded and made her way towards the door. She told the lady that Aum wanted to speak to her now. Tida walked in to Aum’s office. She was dressed in a neatly tailored business suit and her hair was pulled up into a bun.
“Good afternoon, Khun Aum.” She greeted Aum sweetly. Aum gave her a warm smile.
“Please take a seat.” Aum offered her a seat. After a few minutes, their coffee arrived. Aum instructed his secretary not to disturb them for the matters they are going to talk about are very important. When his secretary finally left, their conversation began.
“You finally need my help, Khun Aum?” Tida asked politely. Aum nodded as a response.
“I need to meet the babymaker as soon as possible.”
---TBC---