Chapter 2

The rain was making the water very unstable and I got really seasick. Since I have never been on a boat I guess I didn't know whether I suffer from seasickness.

We got down from the boat onto some kind of island. Still concussed by my seasickness I couldn't speak but I could steal hear the boatman say, "If you stay here just know that no one would be able to pick you up in at least two days."

"Yes, that's what I expect." After that suspicious reply, I tuned out the rest or was too busy dry heaving to listen.

When I realized myself, I was being helped to walk on Kongpob's shoulder across what looked to be a flowered path. I could see a field of flowers, red, yellow all cleanly organized to grow separately.

"Where are we," I asked.

"It's called Kuta Island," he said. I didn't say anything but that wasn't the answer I was searching for. I didn't even know what answer I was searching for.

"Don't worry, we will be safe here."

I didn't ask again though I was curious about Kongpob's confidence. The guy has always been a smartass; his confidence grew from being smarter than his age. Many a time I heard teachers praising him, saying that he should be in the university instead. He was so arrogant, and as if that wasn't bad enough, his parents was also rich.

We arrived at some kind of house. I wasn't surprised to see the house standing alone in the hill. It was painted white and was tall. Its windows reminded me of black and white movies and its porch was simply too much.

"Where is this," I asked as I let go of Kongpob's shoulder. I didn't feel so sick anymore. I was feeling good actually and as much as I wanted to bother this guy with my weight, I am too aware of my situation.

"It belongs to my parents."

I turned to him," then doesn't that mean they would find us here?"

He chuckled, I frowned. "They won't think to look for me here, P'Arthit. Trust me."

Once again I was being asked to have this much trust on a person I didn't like. "Then," I said soundly as he began to climb up to the house, "what am I supposed to do?"

"Just stay here with me P'Arthit."

"Ah, stay with you. Don't say it like that." Somehow that tone affronts me.

"How did I say it?"

I gave him my hardest look. "Even if we stay here, that solves nothing."

He looked away from me. "Don't worry about it."

"I have to because I am involved now with whatever is going on."

I was sidetracked when Kongpob got the house open. It's not like I was expecting much, I mean it is a mansion cottage out in nowhere, but Kongpob's family were rich so I expected grandeur and one or two puffy attitudes from the son of the family but inside this place looked haunted.

Everything was covered by white sheets: The chairs, the lights, the tables and most of the furniture. For fairness the place looked like it was once bright and happy but now, I couldn't see anything but a dilapidated building.

"I hope you don't mind, it's a little... dark"

I looked at the guy who walked into the house and began to pull down curtains. There were tall windows covered by deep red drapes and they didn't look easy to pull down. For some reason I couldn't say anything more and assisted with the pulling down of drapes.

Now we had a pile of drapes on the ground and a somewhat brighter room. I had a beautiful view of the setting sun from the eastern window.

"Not that I don't enjoy cleaning," I began.

"I know that you have a lot of things you are dissatisfied with, P'Arthit," he interrupted. "I promise I am going to compensate  you?"

"Oh? Are you talking money if so how much are we talking about, you know my family is so poor that I can't even afford any of my school books and such."

He noted my sarcasm thankfully and looked a little apologetic. "I didn't mean it like that, I just..." he turned uncomfortable and unable to meet my eyes.

"What, you think I am one of those gold-diggers looking for money? Let me tell you there are less troublesome ways to make money, okay."

"P'Arthit, you are the last person I would think of that way."

"Okay, then thanks."

We both stopped talking then and the obvious silence made us look at anywhere but each other.

"If you don't want anything then why are you helping me?"

I could tell him that he had just looked so desperate and in need of help at that altar and I wasn't thinking, or that I couldn't resist coming to him for some reason. I mean all of that made perfect sense and was what really happened but...

"Couldn't you tell," I said with my lips tilted at the side, "I am so in love with you that I couldn't let you marry anyone else."

The laughter I had expected didn't come. I guess it wasn't worth a laugh but it was at least worth a smile. When I stared at him he shook his head as if shaking away distracting thoughts then he smiled.

"I can't think of anyone else I want to be in love with me less, P'Arthit."

What, how affronting! "Hey, wait a minute."

I walked closer to get in his face and tell him just how much my loving him would be the best thing for him but I was grabbed and dragged aside like a rag doll. I didn't know that Kongpob had such strength or such a large chest. Just as I was pressed against him, the floor I had been stepping on caved in.

I shouted. The sound of the wood breaking was so loud and so surprising.

"This house is a little old and uncared for."

"You don't say," I said imagining my leg stuck in the hole. "Thanks for pulling me away."

"Let's just try to be careful."

"Yeah."

We both realized at the same time that it was getting dark and without light we wouldn't be able to stay through the night without some kind of accident.

"We should get lights..."
"Are there lights" we looked at each other at the same time. Kongpob's eyes were so black, his smooth face near.

My heart and stomach did a funny little dance that surprised me so much I shoved Kongpob hard. He stumbled and nearly fell but was saved by a sheet-covered couch.

"P'Arthit?" the surprise in his voice at my reaction made me see how weird I was being. Why did I have to react like that? I don't understand myself right now and those shaking light things were still dancing around in my stomach. Is this the so-called butterflies in the stomach? Why? Why would it be?

"Sorry. I-I guess I am just in a hurry. Lights." Awkwardly I left him gaping in the living room and went to what looked like a large kitchen. I turned to peek at him before ducking back behind the wall to blink at the semi-dark kitchen. I touched my chest where my heart was pounding away.

Kongpob's face had been too close, I began to rationalize, and I was just uncomfortable. That's all. Anyone would likely react in the same way. I have never felt like this though, a small part of me thought, even when Ai Bright brings his face uncomfortably close. I kept seeing Kongpob's face, lips and eyes so close to my own and my heart wouldn't relax.

I shook my head again

"P'Arthit, are you alright?"

Kongpob was in the kitchen. "Sorry, uh where are the lights." I kept my face away from him.

"There should be some torch lights in the cupboards."

In a hurry I flew towards said cupboards and started pulling them open.

"This one P'Arthit," he turned on one and it's white light covered a small circle of space.

"Kongpob, just those wouldn't be enough, what about heat. I think this place is going to get cold soon."

"We could... you know, always cuddle," I saw him smirk and shook my head without saying anything back. "Don't worry about it P'Arthit, it doesn't get cold around here."

"How do you know?"

"We... ?" he broke off, " my family comes here every year at this time for vacation so I know."

I didn't really believe him, better to stock up on blankets at least. I started to pass him heading for the stairs when he grabbed my arm out of the blue. "Kongpob?!"

He dared to laugh at my startled expression. "P'Arthit, you are being so weird."

I forced my hand from him. "What? Anyone would be surprised when you grab them like that."

"P'Arthit, don't tell me you are scared."

"pfft, me, scared. Are you crazy?"

"P'Arthit if you are scared we can stick together for a while."

"With you? Aren't you more dangerous?"

"Me?"

I had meant to whisper that to myself but he heard me clearly and looked unbearably curious. "Just give me the torch," I snapped and grabbed the one he was holding.

I don't know why I was afraid of being in close proximity with Kongpob; I just knew I didn't want any more of those confusing reactions. Before I realize myself I was already climbing the stairs. I shook the thought from my head and continued on. It occurred to me that I should watch the floors. If even the first floor was so dangerous then I would hate to spend the night sleeping defenselessly on the second floor.

Despite my fears, I experienced nothing scary just the occasional flash of light from the window. The delayed rain seemed ready to start pouring. It won't be cold my ass.

I entered the nearest room and found the bed covered in similar white sheets. Some mischievous spirit put the image of Kongpob and me cuddling in the bed causing my face to flair with heat and my heart to skip.

"jeez." That guy just had to say that and now I am imagining things.

The cupboard wasn't locked as I had feared it would be. I found it nearly empty save for a few clothes and a bundle. I felt the bundle and loosen it up. It was a blanket. It was big and could cover two or three people but there was no way I would share a blanket with Kongpob.

I hurried out of the room to check the two other rooms for another blanket. No such luck. I hoped Kongpob was right about the no cold. After scanning the whole upper part for any other useful thing, I came down with just the blanket.

Kongpob had two torches seating facing up at two points in the living room, illuminating everywhere. I saw him dusting what looked like a mattress. I didn't say anything but he noticed me and smiled. "Hey, found anything?"

Why did he always smile when he looked at me? I don't remember him smiling so much back at school, not that I spent most of my time looking at him.

"Yes, I found a blanket. I hope you are right about it not being cold around here at night because you have no blanket."

"But we could just share that one."

"I don't share blankets."

We stared at each other in the silence" I have allergies."

He laughed. "Just say that you are scared of me."

"I am definitely not." Just who does he think he is?

"Then let's share the blanket."

"I can't."

"Because you are scared." He folded his arms across his chest with the most annoying grin I have ever seen and began to speculate. "Could it be that I smell? Back then you shoved me pretty hard."

Bringing up old news. I snapped, "I already apologized for that."

"Then maybe you think that I am going to have my way with you."

My mouth fell open in mock shock which was actually true shock—I can't believe he said that with a straight face—"who would! If you try anything I will just kick your butt."

He laughed wickedly, "Judging from that violent outburst I am right. P' Arthit is scared I am going to have my way with him." He started a sing-song with those words that grated on me so much that I was biting my lip vengefully.

"Are you a kid?" I didn't know Kongpob could be like this. He used to be so serious at school, still annoying but not this person. This person was obviously different.

He actually started to approach me saying, "Then prove me wrong P'Arthit."

"Are you crazy?"

"Why are you stepping away?"

I froze and looked at my feet. When did I move? His wicked chuckle drew my tormented gaze. "You are a scaredy-cat. What would people at school think when they find out the school's head boy is such a scaredy-cat."

"Fine god damn it," I swore loudly. It was either that or beat him up. "Let's just share the stupid blanket."

I can't believe all this started because of a blanket. I saw him smiling at me and frowned. "Do you still want something?"

"Nope."

There was nothing to eat, nothing more to talk about so we quickly entered the bed, the one mattress Kongpob found in a guest room and lay down. Like a robot whose joint needed oiling, I raised the blanket over us.

"Hmm. So warm."

"Hey don't roll to my side." I think saying that tempted him because the bastard immediately rolled over and trapped me with his leg thrown over me.

"Kongpob!"

"What, I'm just playing." This unrepentant bastard. I glared at him until he retrieved his leg.

"Stay on your side of the bed, damn it!"

"P'Arthit do you always swear so much. I never would have known."

"I don't, it's just you. You make me want to swear."

"Wow, I feel so special all of a sudden."

Sigh. I give up; he is obviously not right in the head. To distract from this awkwardness, I asked, "why is your parent's place like this anyway. I used to think that your parents were so rich and so mighty nothing could ever shake them and they wouldn't even be able to step on normal ground."

"I hope you know you are exaggerating."

I shrugged my shoulder uncaringly. I am used to seeing Kongpob being picked up by his mum in their limousine, and other very expensive cars, and more often than not she would come over to give gifts to Kongpob's classmates and friends, which by the way was just about everyone in the entire school.

"Are you grinding your teeth P'Arthit?"

"Sorry, I just thought about something annoying."

He relaxed noticeably on his side and sighed. "Well, actually my family isn't as rich as they seem."

I gasped mockingly when he didn't follow that with anything else. He laughed and glanced at me in a very softening sort of way, the kind you would give to someone dear and I shook for a moment with awareness.

The awareness didn't fade away even when he started to talk. "My family is a branch family in fact. We may have had real wealth sometime in the past but all of that has slowly died and now we rely on the grace of one of the very head family. "

Branch family, head family—it sounded like something from novels. How does one become a branch family anyway?

"Never mind about that P'Arthit," he said as if reading my thoughts, "this is just one of those houses that my parents are unable to upkeep with the downturn of our business. That's why... "he sighed.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me."

"It's not a secret. You already know half of it. You saved me from that marriage after all."

"Eh?" that marriage?

"To seal a business deal with one of the main family's very important partners, I should have gotten married. My marriage to their daughter would be able to restore my family back to their former glory. And I couldn't do it."

I sat up. "Wait so you weren't marrying her because you liked her."

He glanced at me. "P'Arthit, I just met her yesterday.

"Wow. Not be rude but your parents are very selfish."

"No, I understand why they needed to do this. I would have done it if it didn't..."

The guy sure liked to trail off before finishing his sentence. "If it didn't?" I prompted.

He started to seat up too, encroaching on my space. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"P'Arthit, do you believe in soulmates?"

Those were words I never expected to hear? "Soul mates?"

"Yes. What would you do if you could identify your soul mate, P'Arthit?"

My heart started to beat strangely again, like I was running when I wasn't even moving. I looked away from him in embarrassment. "What are you saying?"

"I'm serious P'Arthit."

His voice sounded serious, my head turned to him sharply. "What do you think of soul mates P'Arthit?"

Why is he asking me this? Did he think I was his soul mate or something? Being able to identify your soul mate, actually that didn't sound too bad. In fact that would make a lot easier and you wouldn't have to try too hard with just anyone.

I have never thought of love or romance let alone soul mate in my life yet in that moment I was thinking it. I didn't even truly understand what being soul mates meant, just that in that moment the thought came to me.

'What if Kongpob was my soulmate'

"P'Arthit?" his voice echoed into my ear. "oi, P'Arthit."

"What?" I blinked distractedly at his up-close face.

"You just vanished off into your head for a moment there."

"I did what?"

He laughed, "P'Arthit, you are so funny. Why is your face red?"

"It's not." I smacked the hand coming towards my face.

"Were you always this adorable?"
"Don't touch me. Who is adorable, don't make me kick you."

We tussled for a moment and I kicked off the blankets and refused to share it with him anymore. Now that I did it I realized it wasn't even that cold to begin with. When he realized I wasn't going to let him back into the blanket he tried bargaining but I tuned him off.

When we started to fall asleep I don't know why I asked. "Do you believe in soulmates?"

"hm, and my soul mate is the most amazing person in the world."

I began to smile but then I stopped. I wasn't his soulmate, I mean it wasn't like there was a way to know if I was plus I didn't really want to be his soulmate. Have I gone crazy? Kongpob is a guy, I am a guy. Soulmates shouldn't be something between two guys also, I didn't like Kongpob like that.

I realized the guy had fallen asleep while I was still struggling with myself on what to think. His soft breath brushed my ear and made it flush red. I turned to push him off, he was too close, but he had the most defenseless expression.

He shifted closer again murmuring something that sound, "smell gooood."

I wasn't sure if he was really asleep or just trying to make me uncomfortable but... my heart was still racing, my stomach still twisting, I am still so flustered. I am either sick or do I like Kongpob?

I fell asleep late. When I woke up, it was pouring heavily. Something smelled divine. I blinked my eyes open and blankly stared at the ceiling for a minute. This smell was food, wasn't it? But I wasn't home and even if I was such a nice and warm smell wouldn't come. I am not used to how good I feel wrapped around my blanket.

It may not have been cold at first and I even kicked off the blanket, but right now I was being kept warm by that blanket. I rolled it up with me and began to go in search of Kongpob.

However, before I could move he was coming around with something on a tray. "Good thing a lot of the utensils are still available in the kitchen." He said.

I watched him step on the mattress and place the tray in front of me then seat down facing me. "Good morning." His smile was cheerful. Kongpob always looked serious at school, so much so that I didn't think he could smile this much.

"Morning. What's this?"

"It's porridge, what does it look like. Are you hungry?"

My eyebrow twitched at the thing called porridge, it didn't look white plus there were strange lumps on it. I picked a spoon and served one of the lumps towards him with a raise of one eyebrow.

"Hey, it tastes better than it looks."

I shook my head and dropped the lump back into the bowl. It fell with a disgusting plop. "Where did you get the ingredients to make this."

"From the kitchen, it's probably expired but you know it wouldn't hurt us."

"You are hopeless," I snapped and got to my feet, the tray in hand.

"Where are you going?"

"To find breakfast."

I walked into the kitchen and paused to smile. That bastard has probably never cooked a thing in his life, why did you go to the trouble. I guess he is nicer than he looks.

I had no idea the guy followed me and was watching me. "You look happy."

"What?" I flushed a little but pushed it down till it disappeared.

"P'Arthit always used to look so serious back in school. I like you a lot more like this now."

"Like me?" I rubbed at my neck and refused to meet his eyes, "don't just say that out of the blue. Anyway, where is the storeroom?"

"Storeroom is over there."

In the storeroom I found something things to gather and make a small breakfast. I was worried about the close expiry dates on them but it shouldn't hurt.

"P'Arthit, you would make someone a great wife," the bastard said when he tasted my cooking.

"Wife your dad." I poked his head with my spoon and we bantered back and forth till we finished eating.

When we were done, I used the toilet and straightened my appearance. "We should go to my hotel room, " I said.

"Your hotel room?"

"Yeah... well we could hide there for the meantime." when I met his eyes he looked like he didn't believe me so I hastily added, "not that I want to hide there with you or anything. I mean it would be a awful lot more comfortable there and even if it isn't we could get another hotel room."

I didn't have the cash but I was hoping Kongpob did. He looked at me as if measuring what I just said which grated on my last nerves. What was he looking like that for, it's not like he had any better ideas.

"That sounds good, P'Arthit, but actually we can't leave this island until tomorrow."

A memory of something similar being said came to me and I groaned. "Then how are we supposed to get anything to eat?"

"About that." He clapped his hands and smiled, "how good are you at farming P'Arthit?"

I thought he was going crazy but as we walked through the field of crops I couldn't believe it. What I had thought were just flowers turned out to be a field of crops, tomatoes, carrots, eggplants, cucumbers all carefully planted.

"This can't be here by itself," I said.

"No, although the land still belongs to us, we rented some half of it to others and they've been using it to plant."

"But I didn't see any other houses around."

"They don't live here, they only farm here. While they are not here we can borrow some of their crops."

"Borrow? " I said frowning uneasily. It sounded a lot like stealing.

"Don't worry about it, they wouldn't even notice if we just take a little bit."

"I am going to tell everyone how not a model student you are," I joked smiling. The bastard laughed cheerfully.

"No one would believe you, P'Arthit."

"Oh they would know all about this, Kongpob and your highly esteemed image would be ruined, forever."

"Not as much yours, Mr. head boy."

I groaned because I had no choice but to crouch down with him and start plucking up vegetables. That afternoon we ate potatoes stew, it was delicious. The size of those potatoes and their taste were unique. We still had enough for tonight and tomorrow.

"I never would have guessed that you know how to cook, P'Arthit," Kongpob said this while we were lazing outside the house on the porch. The weather in the island was strange; it was always slightly warm and never too cold. The warm blue color of the sky changed deep orange and the tall tree standing a few distance from the house drew a perfect picture of tranquility. For the first time I didn't feel like I was in a hurry or that I needed to be doing something. I felt... happy.

"Not all of us live in palaces and wait on king size beds to be served breakfast, lunch, and dinner by pretty maids."

"Wow, that's exactly how I live, how did you know?"

I shook my head but couldn't help smiling at his lack of modesty.

"Tell me, your cooking isn't just passable, it is delicious. I don't know many guys that can cook."

I had to look away. Did he have to say it like that, so honestly and as if it was such a unique and interesting thing.

"I cook at home okay, it's not a big deal. Guys cook at home all the time."

"Í didn't argue with you"

I deflated like a poked balloon and crackled with mild irritation at him. "Then what are you trying to say."

"Nothing. I just want to know everything about you P'Arthit. You make me curious. I never would have known this much curiosity about one person if I hadn't dragged you into my own personal drama."

That was... just... embarrassing. Why say things like that and keep looking at people with that kind of eyes. I felt sometimes like I wasn't the only one struggling with awareness and confusion about Kongpob.

"I...am curious too. Why did you go along with your parents' plan to marry you off for money? You know this is the twenty-first century, whose parents choose their spouse anymore?"

Diverting the conversation was the only way to cool down the heating of my face. I was tired of being so obvious about my...strange but undeniable attraction to Kongpob.

Kongpob looked away and a vague sort of fake smile crested his lips. "well, believe it or not I am a good son and good sons want to make their parents happy."

"Oh yeah but you ditched out on that didn't you."

"Yeah, that is because..." he looked directly at me, "I promised not to be with anyone but my soulmate. The day I do is the day my soul ceases to exist."

With something like that said anyone would want to say something mocking but the look in Kongpob's eyes told me he wasn't just saying that and he was very serious.

I looked away from him completely captured by his devotion. "Why would you make such a promise?"

He started laughing much to my surprise. Eh? Has he lost it?

"P'Arthit, you are the only one who has ever responded like this."

"Wait, you are saying you've said it to many others before?" he wasn't embarrassed saying something a kid with a very active imagination would say. Actually, would a kid really say that? I thought he was half messing with me.

"Not in this life, but whether it is this one or the previous one, the response isn't like this. P'Arthit is so weird."

"Whatever. If you didn't expect me to take you seriously then why did you tell me?"

"Because I see the way you look at me." my eyes widen and my cheeks heated painfully. "I don't want you to get hurt, P'Arthit."

"H-how do I look at you, what-what nonsense are you talking about."

He chuckled, "even flustered like this you are so adorable."

"Fuck," I swore quietly. This bastard, did he want me to beat him up so badly? I was so embarrassed that I would start throwing punches.

"But even as adorable as you are I know that I will definitely not return your feelings so P'Arthit don't fall in love with me."