Thailand's biggest newspaper was slam with headline 'King Pin Vs The luckiest man' and below the font was picture of King Pin with his daughter and then Jame .How the media got a hold of the information was beyond Jame's comprehension unless King Pin leak out the news himself , of course , to secure the bet they wager are met or else face public humiliation . And that was what Jame was afraid of , if he loses he will have to marry Shampoo and if he refuse , the media will attack the issue and the casino will lose it's credibility . Lately , his luck is on a rocky shore at the table and of course he will never marry Shampoo regardless the outcome of the challenge! He need to return to his usual self again , now that Lavadee and him are back together , there shouldn't be any more distraction , therefore he decided to take Lavadee shopping .
They walk down the aisle holding hand at “Baby on the Way” department store . Lavadee was enthusiastic with all the baby's thing and the joy in her eye when she explore all the difference baby's carriage. The sale woman was explaining the texture and style of the carriage .
“That's cute ~!” she sheik , with one hand over her mouth and then turn to Jame with sparkle eye.
“It's pink” he said carefully and then she frown at his lack of interest in the color .
“Our baby is a girl” she push her chin upward , challenging him to beg the difference .
“I thought we decided to surprise our self without knowing the gender of the baby first. How can you be so sure our baby is a girl ? What if the baby is a boy ? Are you planing to stroll him around with a pink carriage? ” he point one accusing finger toward the little pink carriage with too many butterfly designs .
“I'm quite positive , our baby is a girl” she said stubbornly and turn to the sale lady , “We take the pink one” . She turn her attention back to him and smile sweetly “Beside , if our baby is a boy , it still make no difference . Babies could not distinguish the concept of color coding between gender.”
How adorably she look with such a ridiculous statement had him laughing out loud , “ If that's the case , we will have a funny story to tell our son when he is older!” he gather her in his arm and kiss her forehead . She wrap her arm around his waist and snuggle against his chest. When they got home later that evening , Jame does all the rearranging in the baby's room with the new item they brought and he refuse to allow Lavadee to move a muscle . She remain in the sofa with her feet pull up on the coffee table , as she watch him run in and out the door . He even attempt to cook dinner as well , though he make a big mess in the kitchen and nearly set the toaster on fire with the burnt bread .
He ran into the living room , with his apron intact stained with some kind of red sauce and in his hand a spoon dripping with soup water “Lavadee ! I have everything under control . That was just the smoke alarm malfunctioning !” he hurry back inside. There was a sound of pot and pan dropping .When he emerge from the kitchen again he was smiling as if he won a noble prize and she couldn't compress the laughter that was threaten to burst . He pretty much look as if he just rise from the ashes .
“Dinner is serve” he announce proudly.
“Should I be afraid ?” she giggle and stretch her arms out . He reach for her hands and pull her up on her feet . They went to dine together and though the food look as if he dug it from a trash can , she manage to take a couple bit from each dish . She nearly choke on the cury soup while he anxiety await for some kind of complement from her . She force a weak smile and shook her head sadly . His disappointment draw on his face.
“It's nasty huh? I done everything according to the book” he spoon the soup and swallow it . He spit it out within sec. “Oh , my god . That's hot and bitter !” he drank all the water from the glass . They decided to order pizza instead and watch lakorn together in bed.
“The main girl is pissing the main guy off” said Jame
“He being an ass and there no reason for him to be jealous . The other guy is her childhood friend !” she complain. They continue to watch the lakorn with great interest .
“He going rape her” Jame pointed out and reach for the remote to turn up the volume .
“How could you tell?”
“They are alone in a close door room and they are arguing and ... there a bed” he half grin at the tv.
The scene in the lakorn was just as Jame predicted and Lavadee turn to pinch several spot on his arm. He twist restlessly , then caught her hands in midair and brought it down to held it immobile to her side. She glare at him accusingly , “ Was those your ways in the your playboy days?”
“Honey , of course not . I don't rape woman . They come willingly” he tease and watch her eye wide with fury . She bit her lip vengefully and for a sec there . He thought she was going to bit his head off.
“I'm sure you lure them with trap bait and bread crumb ! Now that I'm a belly full , you are bound to trap some girl in a room ...with a bed !” she try to twist her hand free but he held it fast and then he scoop closer to pin her half of her body down on the mattress. He laugh and throw quick kisses everywhere on her face.
“Lavadee , Lavadee ...do I have to tell you a thousand time a day ? I love you” he kiss both her cheek and then said “You have spoil all the other woman for me , you know that ? I can't even compare you with anyone because you are the only woman I want to look at for the rest of my life” his thump caress her cheek .
If he wasn't pinning her to the mattress , she thought she might as well melt to the floor and the way his eye are so warm with love and affection , she know her heart must had skip a couple beat .She was being silly again , it's only because she love him so much and the thought of him with another woman make her so jealous. Oh, lord . If she make it become a habit she will drive him away ! No more insecurity , Lavadee ! Blame it on the pregnancy!
“I'm having mood swing. Pregnant woman get them all the time. I love you too” she add the last part rather quickly when she saw his doubtful frown . She smile then and wrap her around his neck . “Can we kiss and make up?”
“Oh , yeah . I like that” he kiss her mouth slowly and thoroughly . She love the taste of his pepper mint breath and he does the kissing part so good . He had taught her to kiss back as well , she was shy at first when he told her to touch his tongue with her . It felt ticklish at first when she slip her tongue into his mouth and the wetness make her toe curl because it felt so wick .
Five days later , Jame return to the Casino with Lavadee by his side . The employee exchange speculation among themselves while other worker stare in wonder . The couple held hands as if they were lovers and everyone curiosity heighten . The whole city know that Ms. Lavadee is married to Rome and what in god name is she doing with the cousin ? They walk pass the secretary and went into Jame's office . Once inside , Lavadee sat on dice design leather sofa while Jame went to his desk and phone his secretary about important document that need his signature .
“Rome and my father will be here soon” said Jame . He had call his cousin and father last night and told them to come see him in the morning at work because there something important he must tell them. Jame realize it's about time he must come clean with his relationship with Lavadee .
“This ...is so awkward” said Lavadee , her fist cling to her maturity dress and she nervous look toward the door , Rome and her father in law will be here in minute .
“Yeah, I know what you mean honey. I just hope their fist doesn't hurt me too much . I hate to cry out in pain” he cover one of his eye and imagine the punch .
She laugh and watch him winch . Just then the door open and their invited guest came in . Rome quickly spotted Lavadee on the sofa , he was surprise to see her there and then he got a sick feeling this isn't a random visit and turn to stare at Jame .
“Hello , Lavadee . What are you doing here in my son's office” ask Mr. Atichart .
Jame walk around his desk and went to help Lavadee up. She held on to his hand so tightly , that if he would let go she will surely drop to the sofa . She notice how sweaty his hand as well , both of them are nervous and afraid but in their heart they know it now or never .
He clear his throat and wrap one around around Lavadee's shoulder . He notice the tense look on Rome 's face . “ Father ...Rome. Lavadee and I ...are in love. The baby she carrying is ..mine. We ..um..well..it's a long story”
“Explain your self” said Rome , already bar his teeth and cross his arm . Wave of heat and betrayal was shown in his eye . Jame continue with the story of how he first meet Lavadee but he was caution to leave the sex part out and onward how they were kidnap to China . He end the story with them falling in love by the time their adventure end and decided to be together . Jame was a gentlemen to left out the intimacy part of their relationship – the detail were self-explanatory already because her pregnancy was enough proof of the act. Mr. Atichart was shock as he listen to his son story but at the same time was glad that he going be a grandfather and then he turn to Rome , saw the anger and hurt the young man was going thru.
“I..I'm very sorry Rome. I shouldn't keep it a secret” Jame search his cousin face for any sign of forgiveness .
Rome clench and unclench his fist , there was murder in his eye . “Are you trying to say . You left Lavadee alone and pregnant for month because you felt so guilty toward me?” he demanded.
“Yes. I admit I did it for you but as days gone by . I realize I can't live without her. I love her too much”
“You bastard. No wonder she was always sad . You hurt her .” Rome took three step and punch Jame in the face.
Lavadee cried out when Rome was about to throw another punch , “ Don't hurt him! No! I love him !”
Rome turn his back away from the couple , determine not to let anyone see the tear that fill his eye and yet he could not walk away without telling them what on his mind , “I had always known you never love me, Lavadee . I just thought , just maybe if I show you how much I care for you and your father , then perhaps you will return my love one day. I would had done anything to make you happy .” his words begin to slurp and she knew he was crying .
“I”m very grateful of all the thing you had done to save my father . I”m very sorry, Rome .” she was pleading with her eye and the emotion was there , searching for his heart to forgive her. Without another word he walk out the door and left the room in silent . Jame had manage to pick himself off the floor and adjust his jaw . The blow cut his lip and a tiny speck of blood was visible at the corner of his mouth .
“That went pretty well” said Mr. Atichart , wiping his forehead at the situation in hand . He congratulate the couple about the baby and then move on to important issue , “About tomorrow game . I hope you are well prepare . I hate to see my grandchild become fatherless before he even born”
“You will win right ?” she asked anxiety , squeezing his hand .
“Of course” he force a smile , though truth were , he not sure either !
“Then why you look worry! I'm not letting you marry that girl!” she cried in protest.
“Honey, if all else fail . We're elope together , ok ?”
“But I'm married to your cousin , we cant' elope”
“Only in name honey, you haven't sign the marriage paper yet .”
Hope soar in her eye , “I'll go anywhere you go” . They embrace each other with such a heart touching moment that Mr. Atichart have to leave the room so the young lover have their privacy .
The next day , hundred of new reporter and tv anchor surrounded Palace Casino but nobody was permit to go inside . The security's men block all entrance and only member with special VIP card are allow inside. King Pin and his men were escort to the top floor of the Casino , reserve for special game and tournament. The elevator door open and they were greeted by Mr. Atichart .
“Where is my son in law” said King Pin , his laughter boom through out the hall way , Shampoo step from behind her father and then gang of Chinese men came out of the elevator one by one to line up behind their boss.
“Mi Ho! Me see no Jame?” said the Chinese girl , dress in a traditional outfit with a split at both side.
“I'm right here” said Jame . Shampoo run to hug him .
“Hiya ! Miss you !” she exclaim . Jame peel her arm off from him and step away . Lavadee quickly loop her arm in his and held him possessively , her chin went up to challenge the other girl .
“You lego my man!” said Shampoo , stomping her foot like a wild cat ! She narrow her eye , “I remember u! You bad girl!”
“I'm his wife” Lavadee announce proudly while Jame chuckle softly , he love being her possession .
“No! Hiya! U have baby-e too?” her voice was such a high pinch that everyone cringe at the sound .
Lavadee rub her round belly in a loving , teasing way and then look up into Jame 's amusing eye . Shampoo connect two in two together and scream in agony .
“No! NO! Me want no man with baby-e! Me want go home now!” she screamed .
“What about the game ?” said King Pin , snorting disappointingly
“I no care!” she march to the elevator and the rest of the gang member follow her .
King Pin turn to Jame and scowl , “ You are indeed a lucky man . I withdraw the challenge since my daughter doesn't seen to want a married man but you better not step foot in China again , or else this will not be the last time you see me” the fat man turn on his heel and step inside the elevator.
The employee and everyone else waited till the door were close and the number decrease before they cheer in triumph. Mr. Atichart pull out a handkerchief and wipe the sweat off his forehead . For a sec there he thought the whole build will goes down in flame . Jame and Lavadee smile happily into each other eye . Suddenly a bell sound was heard and the elevator door slip open . Everyone pause with participation because they thought King Pin had change his mind and return . Rome step out instead . Everyone was relief and back to smiling broadly but when they notice the angry look on Rome 's face , the suspense mood had return.
Jame brace himself for a punch while shielding in front of Lavadee . Rome walk toward the couple , his lip thin as a needle with furrow brow and then his mouth move , “I should kill you for stealing her from me” then he sigh deeply and hit his cousin shoulder with a smile , “ Take good care of her . If you make her cry just one time” Rome warn , waving one finger at his cousin . “I will take her away and you will never find her”
“I swear it with my life” said Jame and shook his cousin hand. Then he turn to Lavadee , kissing her on the lip and said “If you make me cry just one time , I'm taking the next flight to China” he said jokily
“Jame! They will kill you !” she cry in alert and hug him tightly . He chuckle and held on to her .
“Then you better be good to me”
“Then you better leave the cooking to me” she smile at him and reach up on her tip toe to give him a quick peck on his cheek.
THE END