Chapter 49 Each Other Shield

Santichai got out of the bus and walked slowly back to KK's house. He waited for a while before making sure that the tears he shed had dried from the corners of his eyes. He walked to the door and let himself in. He took off his shoes and put away all the grocery bags. He prepared dinner and he put all the prepared food back in the fridge and begins mobbing the floor when the door pops open.

Santichai shouted in another hallway, "Be careful the floor is wet." He walked back slowly and found Mrs. Suwannarat and Mr. Suwannarat standing at the door.

Mrs. Suwannarat looked up and down at Santichai and smiled, "No wonder KK's house is so clean recently."

"Mr. KK, haven't come home yet," Santichai said.

Mrs. Suwannarat smiled and said, "I know." She and Mr. Suwannarat walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Santichai quickly went to the kitchen to get two glasses of water and put them on the coffee table. "If you need anything, please let me know," Santichai said.

Mr. Suwannarat said, "Sit down."

Mrs. Suwannarat, "Please take a seat. We have a few words for you."

From the look in the eyes of the Suwannarats, Santichai knew from his past what they wanted to say to him. He also already knew how to answer their questions. He knew exactly where he should place himself, and he didn't dare to reach out and touch the star. He slowly sat down opposite Mr. and Mrs. Suwannarat.

Mrs. Suwannarat said, "First of all, I'm sorry to have mistaken you for KK's housekeeper."

Santichai said, "You are not mistaken. I may not officially be Mr. KK's housekeeper, but he pays my tuition, so I help him clean his house."

"But KK told us you two were dating," Mr. Suwannarat said.

Santichai's nervousness suddenly took over. He swallowed, clasped tightly his sweaty palms. He dared not look at Mr. and Mrs. Suwannarat, so he rolled his eyes to the ground. He bit his lower lip.

Mrs. Suwannarat said, "Mr. Kittibun." Santichai looked up to see Mrs. Suwannarat's calm face. "It's not that we're going to interfere with your relationship with KK, but we want to talk to you too. We know KK seems to have put a lot of effort into this relationship and we want to know if you're on the same page. Our KK has been through a lot in the past and we don't want history to repeat itself. That's why we took the time to talk to you initially."

Santichai lowered his eyes and nodded, "Mmm."

Mr. Suwannarat said, "The Suwannarat Corporation is not a small company. In KK's grandfather's will, he must get married and have children before his grandfather's death, unless he will not get any of his grandfather's properties. There are many other Suwannarats who want KK not to have children because their eyes aimed at what is belong to KK." He took the glass and took a sip. "Would you let this happen to KK?"

Santichai said, "No."

Mrs. Suwannarat said, "Mr. Kittibun, it suddenly occurred to us that KK is serious about the relationship this time. KK may not have told you before, but in the past, KK almost get marry twice. It saddens that both women deceived him and left him with nothing. He had to start from scratch to get to where he is today."

Santichai knew that both Mrs. Suwannarat and Mrs. Siriporn did what they did to protect their son. They are willing to let others call them monsters as long as they can protect their son from harm. It was at such a moment that Santichai wished so much that he had a mother to protect him. If he had his mother, his mother would have stormed through that front door and started arguing with the Suwannarats, for accusing her son of this unfair charge.

Santichai said, "I understand that as a parent, you worry about Mr. KK's well-being, but you don't have to. I'm not going to hurt Mr. KK or put him in that situation."

Mr. Suwannarat started pulling paper from the large yellow envelope and read, "Santichai Kittibun, raised in an orphanage, adopted by the Kittibun family at the age of eight. Date of birth unknown. Main job, working in the kitchen as a dishwasher at HappyCare Clinic. You have seventy-two thousand, nine hundred and frothy baht in your personal saving account. You don't own any property. You are also a college drop out." He put the yellow envelope and white paper on the coffee table. "That's what I found about you."

Santichai would not argue about what Mr. Suwannarat found about him. He said, "Everything you found out about me is true, but...but I'm not here for the money...if...if that's what you want to know..."

Mr. Suwannarat looked at Santichai, "You are a straightforward person. Then this conversation will be easy. I'm going to be very straightforward with you. What exactly are you here for?"

Santichai said, "If you're worried that I'm here because I want to chase Mr. KK's money, don't worry. Mr. KK is very nice to me. When he suggested me a three-month dating trail, I couldn't say no, but don't worry." He looked up. "When the three-month trial is over, our relationship will be over."

Mrs. Suwannarat was confused, "Three months trail? Why did KK make such a suggestion? What are the details behind this?"

Santichai said, "I don't know, he treats me very well, so I couldn't bring myself to reject him."

Mrs. Suwannarat said, "Oh, I see..." She turned to Mr. Suwannarat. "Khun pi, pa is going to be in Thailand for three months." She smiled. "That child..." She scoffed. "I'm sorry." She looked at Santichai. "It was all a misunderstanding. I understand now."

"KK wants to date you for three months because his grandfather is here. He and his grandfather are like water and fire," Mr. Suwannarat said. He smiled. "During this time, he deliberately wanted to show his grandfather that, being bisexual, he could fall in love with another person without prejudice."

Santichai understands why KK treats him well and is willing to chase him. KK wants Santichai to be his shield as he is facing issues with his grandfather, but Santichai could not be mad at KK for using him because he also did the same to KK. In a way, they use each other to protect each other from harms that rushes towards them.

Santichai said, "Mr. and Mrs. Suwannarat, after the three months dating agreement, I will be leaving. Also, if Mr. KK is dating me just to challenge his grandfather, then the relationship will end in three months."

Mrs. Suwannarat said, "Honestly, we don't mind who KK dates, as long as KK is happy, that's all that matters."

Mr. Suwannarat said, "I also apologize, but I want to make sure that the person who is dating my son is not another person who are here just to use him for personal gain."

"If my words don't convince your heart," Santichai said. He quickly wrote Decha's number on a napkin. "You can call Frank. We've known each other for a long time."

Mrs. Suwannarat took the napkin and said, "Thank you."

After the Suwannarats left, Santichai started cleaning the floor when he noticed that the Suwannarats had forgotten to bring his personal data information envelope. Afraid that KK would find out that the Suwannarats were here to break up their relationship and quarreled with the Suwannarat couple, he quickly grabbed the envelope, but knocked the stack of papers on the coffee table to the ground, and the photo in another large yellow envelope fell to the ground. When Santichai saw the photo, he already knew what it is. Back then, Asnee hid such photos as these from him, but he stumbled across them while doing laundry. He slowly picked up the photo and put it neatly back into the envelope.

Santichai sighed, "It's only three months. It will go by very quickly." Santichai won't lie, he does feel hurt when he knows KK's intentions and the healed scar on his heart reopened when he saw the photos. He closed his eyes, put all the negative thoughts in the corner of his mind, and shut the door. He took a big breath, walked to the kitchen and begun cooking because KK will be home soon.

At nine o'clock in the evening, when KK came home, Santichai greeted KK with a warm smile and brought the dishes to the table. Even though his mind was full of hurtful thoughts, he still had a smile on his face because that's who he was. He sat across from KK and started to eat. He looked at KK, and he saw such worry on KK's face.

After dinner, Santichai was doing his homework at the dining table when KK walked over and put his arms around Santichai's neck.

Santichai asked, "KK, what's wrong?"

KK kissed Santichai on the side of the head and said, "Chai, I have something to tell you, and you may not like what I have to say."

Santichai knew that KK would say how his parents wanted him to go on a blind date, and their relationship should be kept secret for now. This phrase is used by Asnee so many times that when one asks him to back off, he remembers the touch and the tone of voice. He already prepared his heart, and at this moment, nothing KK says will affect him. He said, "Tell me." He closed the textbook.

"I have to attend a five-week seminar in Korea," KK signed.

Santichai was taken aback because KK said not what he thought KK would say. He choked, "Se...se... Seminar." He turned to look at KK rested his head on his shoulder sadly. Santichai's unprepared heart trembles with excitement. "You will be out of the country for five weeks?"

KK said, "I don't want to leave you alone."

Santichai smiled and said, "I'll be fine."

KK said, "Santichai, are you in love with me yet?"

Santichai asked, "Why did you ask that all of a sudden?"

"Because if I leave for five weeks, our three months will end even before I get home," KK said.

Santichai said, "Well, when you come back, we can resume our agreement." He turned to look at KK. "You can focus on your studies with peace of mind."

KK smiled and said, "Are you sure you won't betray your promise?"

Santichai said, "I won't, when you come back, we can resume our agreement."

KK smiled and kissed Santichai on the cheek, "Thank you."

Santichai, "Mmm."

KK sighed, "Can we extend the three-month date to three years?"

Santichai said, "Let's start slow."

Santichai's phone vibrated. Santichai flipped his phone and saw a prompted message: can we meet?