Chapter 10: Marriage Crisis

Damn… Damn! Damn!

There was nothing worse that the inability to remove all the water was frantically entering through her nostrils, swallowing water while trying to resurface, but it was useless. She was idiotic and arrogant enough to underestimate all the blows she had provided with

Although at least, she could find the ring, which now she clung warily in her left hand. But she had no strength to get out of there anymore; her numbed body wouldn’t let her

The right eye, the only one she had been kept open, began to close. Yes... she certainly had screwed everything up

Nobody was going to save her...

"Hey!"

Tina frowned, what was that voice? It sounded so far away, so vanished of her hearing. She swung with difficulty, staying face up, and she was able to see the silhouette of someone at the edge of the pool

Then, a weight on water, explosion of a lot of bubbles and then someone pulled her upward, getting out from water

So she was dragged, and with difficulty taken out of the pool, lying somewhere on the lawn

She heard gasps, probably from the effort "Hey, Don’t you dare to sleep!” almost breathless, who was that?

As her vision began to close again, the person took her head, tilts it was backwards and at that time, raised her chin and opened

A strong push was felt in the center of her chest, and acute pain as she tried to take a breath, but her lungs not yielded to the constraint of the water inside them, it was impossible to take a breath

Then, at the softness over her lips; Tina froze in

Did this person was...?

The meddling of air without her consent, as she felt her chest expanding with unknown mouth on hers. Even so, her senses seemed to return, Was this what people called insufflation?

That certainly if this was CRP, knowing that there was some lips on hers; she wouldn’t need the defibrillator, because her heart was already in overdrive

"Come on, open your eyes!"

Again the compression on her chest, meanwhile her ribs resented the pain of the recent blows. The smashing over her already injured torso

She finally pulled herself together, leaning on one arm as her face was stepped aside, with the other hand moving the person away from her face, coughing water and blood that apparently, had been inside her

She almost welcomed the able to breathe again, but by doing so, her body brought back the pain

"Are you okay?" She heard the person kneeling beside her

Tina blinked, by the shape, was a woman who had saved her life; but still, with the fading she felt, Tina could not recognize her face. Making her way and try to stand "Urgh..." acute pain in all her limbs was intense

Then the woman leaned Tina’s head on her lap, without allowing her to get up "Hey, don’t force yourself, Do you want to die now? Stay out there for a little while” that voice... Where had she heard that voice before? "You got into a rough fight, eh? Look at you, your shirt is torn and also your jacket, your face... You're supposed to look cool, like a prince, right? Where all of that ended?”

Great she hadn’t only ended heartbroken and almost dead, but now she was being mocked and humiliated by a stranger

She smiled, indignantly at her "Go and die you, weird woman..." and closed her eye, trying to recover a bit

And the woman sighed "You, spoiled prince, always such a brute and paranoid... I thought you would be arrogant enough, to not allow anyone to leave you in this condition”

Spoiled prince? Brute and paranoid? Where had she heard that before?

“Well, apparently, I was stupid enough” she laughed at herself

Then, the girl touches her face, and ruffles her hair. Patting all her face; the nose, the cheeks, around the jaw…

“What’s this…?” Tina heard, her muttered

Caress and caress, softly around her forehead. It hurts…

Still, her hands feel so nice…

"My God, you're bleeding, Tina!"

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Tina startled awake and her body balked in disgust, gasping as she tried to resist the pain that headed towards the parts she still had injured, and her hand unconsciously went to her left side of her ribs but without daring to touch it “crap… this hurts like hell" she hissed

"Son, please refrain yourself about the use of indecent words in this place” in her mind, she cursed herself when hear the annoying voice in front of her, she should have been more cautious before speaking "And besides, I've said five times this day to please do not make any sudden movement, otherwise the sutures will reopen; so what you need now is to rest, of course, if you want them to heal fast" Tina groaned as she listened the claims of the doctor, and heard him sigh "I've been too flexible with you, letting you be out of bed so please do not make me change my mind" ended menacingly

Tina nodded defeated “I understand, sorry... I just had a bad dream” She resettled herself on the couch as she looked around the elegant doctor's office where she had been allowed to stay, thanks to the very considerable amount she had just given to the hospital and other things that didn’t matter right now "Dr. Apapattra, what about the patient? Do you already have the results?” Tina wasn’t paying attention as the Dr. approached, sitting at his desk. Instead, Tina just kept looking at everything unselfishly.

The man sighed again as he leaned both hands on some folders "Yes..." with that answer both looked at each other, between seriousness and silence "It's positive, and there may be no risk but; she is presented several symptoms of anemia and with this can be worsen, causing her condition complicated, if this is not properly looked after ... can be very dangerous" the man tried to be polite, using a gentle tone but surely his words had managed to turn on the alarms on her head

"What?!" her bellow went like an echo inside the room. Tina's eyes opened wide

After that, a long sigh slipped through her lips while she was trying to calm down; without making too much motion, with the head tilted toward the ceiling. The resounding of the news smashed the diminutive composure that she still had "We must not lose the calm between you and me; this can be eluded, if she takes medications and vitamins, besides avoiding overstrain, everything will be fine. Still, I don’t want to take any risks so it is better that you two come for checkups routinely" He kept explaining and Tina nodded “I'll let a doctor who will take care of all”

Tina pinched the bridge of her nose as she tried to erase the image of guilt that presented to her, as well as ignore the sensation of losing her. But then trying to take comfort in his last words; she had to look after her well, should look after her well, and need to take care of her well, at any cost "I will... Can I go and see her?" she asked, and saw him nod "Doctor Apapattra, thanks for looking after her... and thank you for doing this, I certainly would never end up thanking you properly” she bowed respectfully

"I just hope everything goes well, or I lose my medical license" the man sighed, as so often this day "But... I've already entrusted from the beginning in your words, that you will not say anything about this to anyone, and that you will take care of my daughter... and hope you fulfill your words" he warned

Tina looked seriously at the man for some time and then nod "Yes, sir, I will; And I hope you fulfill yours too" she bowed again and went out without waiting for another word from him

She had been in this hospital three days without sleep or eats well; and no doubt weariness and injuries were killing her but she couldn’t yet go home, not after all the mess in which she had gotten into. Walking slowly through the corridors of the hospital with a nurse beside her, looking for room number 37 and they didn’t take long reaching it

Her view went to the girl lying in bed once they went into the room, watching the nurse was going to do the checkup of the patient, as she approached on one side of the bed, watching her carefully "She's sleeping, a little tired by analgesics" said the nurse, and she nodded

Her heart lurched when she saw her moving uneasily, muttering, and then Tina took her hand "Tavee?" She called anxiously

Tavee opened her eyes slowly; aware she was lying on a bed, legs and arms felt so heavy that it was impossible to move them. Then her vision seemed to recover as her surprise showed up at see the person she least expected "W-what?" She stammered, trying to push away the hand that took in hers "Tina?" She felt the her confusion grow further and Tavee raised her eyes to find Tina’s, looking humble and miserable as she had never seen her before

And Tavee, also began to wonder where she was, since it was all so bright and white around

"Are you feeling well, Tavee?" heard her asking in such a low voice, and suddenly she felt the familiar sting of tears behind her eyes as fast as everything came running up toward her, her body ached so badly and felt so melancholy, her emotions were so sensitive right now

What had happened? What was wrong with her?

"I think she's a little dazed, sir" she heard the young nurse who was now checking her pulse on her left arm “Your blood pressure is still low so it would not be right to discharge her currently, it is better that she stay at least two days longer, to be sure"

"Yes, no problem, she'll be here as long as she needed" Tina nodded to the nurse

"Good, I'll tell the doctor your decision, and to bring the prescription for the medicines of your wife” The nurse explain to them and Tina just nodded again “if you'll excuse me now, sir" and after that she left the room

Both were silent, the discomfort of being mistaken for a young married couple certainly ravaged the head of Tavee, while Tina was just looking at her in silence, without leaving the expression of uneasiness

Tavee tries to move away again, embarrassed by the whole situation where she was putting to the young model, she was allowing someone to intrude in her life, she was allowing someone to approach her… something she never allowed before

Tina suddenly felt her tremble with fear, but feeling her as this made her want to hold Tavee, and she did so, careful not to hurt her or hurting herself but clutching her into her arms. She almost forgot she wasn’t in a place where she could do what she pleases, but still she was relieved when Tavee buried her face, in her flat chest; squeezing her shirt from the sides, causing her complained in pain… That wasn’t a good place to touch right now "Woman... do not try to break your Ken doll, there is no more than this model” Tina groaned, closing her eyes and clenched her hands around.

Tavee then looked up, witnessing the wince at Tina's face "Sorry" she muttered distressed, pushing her hands

Tina finally slowly released the breath she was apparently holding back, almost as if it were a lifesaver to prevent movement on her chest, she turned toward Tavee who was still trembling "There is nothing you should apologize about, what happens to me now is because of my own stupidity" then she brought Tavee closer to her arms "I'm the one who should ask you forgiveness, I was the one who brought you here, you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t my fault… I’m sorry” Tina put her chin on Tavee’s head and she tried to cool down herself, repressing herself to talking more than she should

She could feel her hands clutching again, but with more finesse. And Tina was sure she was going to give up, but what happened next made her eyes open and a heavy discomfort in the chest… She cried.

Tavee, cuteness girl she met a few days ago, stubborn witch who nonchalantly laughed and liked to with that innocent tone… she was crying into her arms

Did she ever would stop making women cry? What the hell was wrong with her?

"Tina?" Tavee hiccupped; calling her attention "Why are we here?" could hear her ragged voice. Her heart stopped for a second and drew her even closer to her

“You are my savior, that ended up being saved by me” She tried to sound funny, but conversely; her words were forced with a gloomy touch "You got me out of the pool and tried to take me to my car, but you passed out and I brought you to the hospital” she explained with a sigh. Then a curious question resurfaced in her mind "Hey, wait a minute, that day… what were you doing in such place, and at that time?" Immediately Tavee body tensed and Tina took her away, to look at her with raised eyebrow "Well? Are you going to answer or not?"

Tavee tried to evade the gaze, but such piercing eyes and methodical, managed to make talk anyone "I ..." certainly, the idea of being exposed wasn’t something she particularly enjoyed, at least not for herself "I had some problems in the place where I was staying, then... they asked me to leave"

Tina's brow furrowed. To take out someone at midnight? Now she remembered better, when she brought to the car an almost fainted Tavee, she had muttered something about a suitcase, and so alarmed that she was, Tina had only done what she asked without much thought, almost automatically, putting the suitcase in the luggage compartment of the car and almost forced her body to overwork a little longer to get them to the hospital “What kind of problems?"

Tavee shrugged "The lady said she couldn’t let me live there another minute by her husband"

Of course. A ert man added with a hysterical and jealous woman always ends with a girl paying for everything

But that does not entitle them to be so cruel to someone

"Tina ..." she heard the call

"Hmm?" she hummed along, with her thumb wiping the few tears that still remained in Tavee’s pale cheeks

"How long have we been in the hospital?"

"Three days" Tina replied simply, still in her task of cleaning all traces of tears but then Tavee made a face in disgust by her reply "Hey, don’t frown! Wrinkles will come out and your appearance will be the same as the old lady who gave Snow White the poisoned apple"

"What about Aom?" Tavee asked suddenly, making Tina to stop

"What about her?"

“"Does she know you're here and why she's not here with you?”

Tina sighed; sure she was naive girl, why always came to her that kind of girls? "She knows nothing; I haven’t said anything to her" she dropped her eyes

"You fought with her, perhaps?"

"I didn’t fight with her!" Tavee jumped with the loud and sudden bad mood of Tina. Ah... that was the problem

"Trouble in Paradise, Mr. brute Prince?" despite, to the boast of her words, Tina didn’t seem upset, or at least not for that reason

Compared with the memories of her heated argument with Aom that brought her a bitter taste "That sassy Miss Aom Manaying is wrapping up my nerves as she pleases" replied "For now I don’t want to see her, at least until I calm down a bit” she sighed again

Suddenly, vibration followed by a well-known tone came from her cell phone, "I think you should answer that call, Miss Aom surely must be overly worried that you have gone for three days” Tavee rebuked her

Tina stood up, walking away a few steps and pulling out her cell phone inside her pants, doing what Tavee had asked for, but not before saying “"Is Zee, Aom hasn’t called me even once in three days” To confusion of Tavee

"What do you need Zee?" The incoherent shouts Tavee heard, seemed too diffuse coming from the device due to the high tone of the person speaking, but Tina, on the other hand seemed to understand and to be accustomed to them

Saw her nod, murmuring short answer between "yes" and one or two "no" occasionally. Then, hang up the call and drop a tired snort

Again sitting beside her on the bed, another wince furrowed her handsome face "Is everything okay?" Tavee asked as she helped her to settle down, lying beside her

"Not as much as I would like" she played down the issue, but further explained anyway “"Zee is furious and wants me to go to her apartment for us to talk"

"So are you going to leave?"

"Yes, I'll talk to Zee for a while, I'll go home and take a shower, and then I'll buy some food for you, because hospital food no matter of which hospital we are talking about, is not very good, I can say it, I've already eaten it for three days” she shook her displeasure "But I'll be here in a few hours"

Tavee looked at her wordlessly

After all, Should she say something?

It was better not to become more involved with her, now she could still run away from her

 Now she wasn’t so important

She shrugged in place with astonished eyes when Tina's outstretched hand went over her head, patting and caressing "I still have to wait for the nurse to give me your medicine prescription. Go to sleep and then, I'll be back before you even notice it”

And Tavee did so, saying nothing and leaving Tina continued those gentle movements over her head; without wanting to get involved more, without letting any of them to get involved with the other, but… a part of her mind told her that, it could no longer be avoided

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“At the last moment, they report to us that just minutes ago Jittaleela magnates have confirmed the forthcoming marriage of their daughter, the famous model, Suppanad Jittaleela who a few months ago had announced her recent romance with the now president of the company, Miss Aom Manaying and which we know, is now her fiancée. It has been a big surprise, not only by the great fame of Suppanad, but as well has been controversy the fact that both are women, the fans has discussed the issue and did not seem at all happy with..."

And then Tina turns off the TV, not wanting to continue watching that nonsense

"What the hell was that?" Zee muttered dumbfounded, then her view was set at Tina who was sitting in the individual sofa on the left side "Explain to me what's going on you idiot, what the hell have you been involved yourself?! You have disappeared for three days, and until now, you just came and ignored me to turn on the TV, and now I found out you're getting married!" She demanded

"Shut up Zee!" Tina growled, ignoring the pain her shout brought with "I don’t know what on earth is that engagement, I just found out in the same way as you, my parents must have gone mad or something. But certainly, all they are doing is behind our backs" she sighed

“Are you saying it seriously?" She narrowed her eyes and Tina nodded "You are not engaged to marry with Aom then?" asked again

Tina rolled her eyes "How the heck I’m going to commit myself to marry her, if we broke up three days ago?" she replied with an annoyed tone

 Zee blinked, had she said something about breaking up? Like not to being a couple anymore? "You two broke up?!" she surely was scandalized. It was simply impossible, there was no way!

Tina exhaled; sometimes Zee could be as irritating as a five years old kid “listen to me Zee, I'll tell you everything as long as you listen very quietly and not make stupid comments like this one, I'm still in a terrible mood so don’t mess with me..." she warned with one finger

Zee smirked "Is that a threat?" but then her face became serious at the piercing gaze of Tina "Sorry, I'll shut up, you can precede young master" returned to nickname her, like when they were kids and played, Tina would be king and she would be her faithful servant

“Good, my loyal servant, it’s good that you know your position” Tina played along, nodding several times with the head "You see... three days ago I hit Aom stupid ex-boyfriend" she paused, lifting the finger towards Zee reminding her with what she had to keep quiet and who now had her eyes and mouth open, ready to drive her crazy with questions, but she didn’t “"The idiot began to taunt Aom in front of me, he made me angry outside Aom’s office for me to hit him and Aom to see it, unfortunately to me, so it was" she admitted "After that, I get home and overnight Aom finally deigned to show up, she and I had a loud argument... which ended up with me leaving from there and breaking up definitely with Aom” she continued relating “I went out on my car to wander around for a while, clarify ideas and try to lessen my rage” Zee nodded "And that bastard, he followed me without me being aware of it, with a group of thugs, saying he was bringing me back the favor I had done to him"

Zee frowned, the anticipation of knowing what was coming next “They beat you” affirmed

"Yes ... so I've been in the hospital the last three days" Tina said, skipping the whole Tavee thing. That was something she couldn’t tell anyone, not even Zee

"What?!" She stood up “"They hurt you! Where?!" She ran to Tina, inspecting her whole body around, lifting her shirt, hearing her moan

And then she saw it

A bandage around the edge of the torso, almost in her hip, with multiple bruises on the ribs

"W-What...?" Then her gaze went to Tina and her hand touched her face, there was a lot of makeup on it, she tried to wipe with the back of her hand, ignoring the vague complaints of Tina, being able to see the color of her skin to change and exposing a great deal of bruises and minor cuts. Then her eyes passed over such a formal homburg hat she was wearing, nearly as typical as an older man, which was odd, since Tina preferred most the caps, and her outfit in jeans and shirt were not something that would regularly be accompanied by a hat, at least not that kind of hat "To whom the hell did you took off this hat?"

"The doctor lent it to me with some other clothes, I don’t want anyone to see me like that" heard her explanation

So that meant she was hiding something else. Carefully she removed it with both hands and Tina groaned again to the action not at all pleasant. And seriously Zee couldn’t believe the fact there was another gauze bandage around her temples

"But ... Did they beat you with a stick or what?" Zee said sarcastically

“Yeah, twice” her hand pointed to the back of her head

“Dude…” Zee murmured now watching the gauze patch on the crown of the head

"Do not look at me like that, you already know, I hate when people look at me like that, so you’re not allowed to look at me that way young servant" Tina told her

"Eh?" She blinked confused

"I spent a long time wallowing in self-pity, but that must stop, I'm frankly tired of sinking myself in the role of victim that I was forced to take and I've already made the first step”

Zee frowned "If you are thinking that I pity you, you're wrong, you know me better than that, I'm worried about you! You disappeared for three days and now I find you this way” she pointed out "Are you stupid? What will I do if something bad happens to you?!"

Tina looked down, moving away a bit her arrogance against her best friend "Sorry, I did not mean that, but... I can no longer distinguish between the sky and ground anymore, so I needed to be sure, I do not want to continue taking missteps"

Zee swallowed the lump started forming in , feeling angst of seeing the always presumptuous and extroverted friend who had a King complex in her younger years "Hey, young master..." she tentatively called "Say to me, How does it feel to be the groom and get married? It makes me feel bad... that you don’t fight for what you want and just let everything happen, for you to do what others ask you" Those words seemed to get her attention, a direct towards her ego as she raised an eyebrow discreetly

Zee knew too well that her young King had enjoyed too much her freedom, of being the spotlight, to maintain the bearing of superiority and authority to everything in her life, and despite having a very bad image of all women around her, she certainly enjoyed being single, of the pleasure that women had supplied to her with overflowing amounts. A lot of women were those who had passed through her bed; and the fact that she had refused the dowry her parents had promised her if she got married, was the proof of it too

Fifty million dollars, was not an amount anyone would despise by the simple task of getting married. But Tina always made to see, how little she cared about money, because she earned a very good amount as a model and she probably already had that number in her bank account

Tina was ambitious, yes, she was. But in ways more than childish

Dominance, the seduction of women without any meaning for her, reaffirming her narcissistic existence through others, control over everything around her, and even, the desire to monopolize over her, the love of someone

Like a Romantic Egoist

And those two women, had brought down from her arrogant throne so easily and Zee, as her servant, had been able to only stare helplessly

And that brought her back to reality, recovering the courage to keep talking, at the expectant look of Tina "When you find out about Mean’s wedding... I never thought you were going to give up so soon"

"What do you mean?" Tina asked sullenly

"You should have decided with more courage, you already knew how the temperament of her was and...

“Don’t talk like that about her, what do you know, maybe she had a reason for what she did” cut her off

Zee frowned, not believe how much she kept standing up for Mean "Why if you say to hate women so much, you have to be so consistent with those two?"

Tina patted her head with the difficulty that her injuries allowed her to; fortunately, Zee was on one knee beside her "You know they are important to me, despite the so shameful way they treat me, just like you" and pinch her cheek with the same hand

“Stop! You know I hate it" Zee indignantly slapped out her hand "And back to the same thing, Mr. Search engine of excuses..." watched as she frowned, muttering curses in a low "Don’t do this, please Tina. Getting married by orders of your parents would be.... A cowardly act"

But Tina kept silent

Zee shook her head, annoyed "I cannot understand you anymore, Tina. You have twenty-three, you're an adult now. You should have matured, be a bit aware of your life! Why do you still act like a spoiled brat?!" claimed angry

"Aom and my parents have fooled me” she said quietly and continuing "You see servant, exactly three days ago I confronted my sweet and insolent princess about her secret meetings with her ex-boyfriend and she shamelessly confessed to me that even if I knew that, she wouldn’t stop seeing him"

And Zee could swear that at her twenty five years has never thought she heard biggest stupidity. She narrowed her eyes, still shocked "Aom said that? Are you sure? You may have misunderstood, maybe..."

"None of that, I confirm it by myself, by asking again, and it was the same effect" Tina cut her off, shaking her head "That's why I left, that’s why... I preferred to break up with her"

Zee nodded "So what will you do with the marriage thing?"

“I guess, as soon as I get home my parents will be waiting for me, and then I'll talk to them” said "I will not allow them to make me another dirty trick like that, besides, I can no longer marry Aom, not after everything has happened"

Zee smiled more conformable with that answer "Glad you're back to your old self, which is certainly is what best suits you” She told looking at her with intensity

"Indeed" Tina replied haughtily, looking at her again "Now take that gay looking out of me, you're being silly"

Zee rolled her eyes “You don’t need to be so dramatic, you're not my type” said as if the very idea of something romantic between them was the worst aberration on the existence

Tina ignored that, straightening up in her position regardless of the pain "Now listen to me, my dear henchman, nobody, not a single soul must know that I'm hurt; especially my parents and Aom” finished her threat and returning her back against the backrest of the sofa "I'm tired of being the one that always paid for everything and I will not give them the tools to humiliate me anymore"

Zee just sighed “Don’t say that, I guess in their own way, the uncles are simply looking for your welfare"

"I already know, buddy. But their way has not been the best and It’s only harming me, so it's better that I put them a stop on my own” Said with a touch of bitterness in her tone "So now I have to leave, I'm going home to take a shower and change my clothes, I feel like a kind of youthful Al Capone” she said in amusement "Maybe it's the hat" she shrugged, and standing up from the sofa

And Zee also stood, although still somewhat alarmed by Tina welfare, following her to the front door "I hope to see you soon in one piece my friend" she said sardonically

Tina turned back to her, raising an eyebrow "And what sarcasm is that?"

"At you, keep letting pieces of yourself every time you are with Aom, so please avoid falling back on her charms"

Tina just snorted "You will come back to see me with everything already I still have, nothing more or less” She adjusted her hat back on the head "Although... maybe the only one who will lose this time, will be her, not me” she played an eyebrow but still with her serious look

Zee for the first time felt sorry for Aom, because she didn’t know what Tina was planning to do with her but it wouldn’t be a good thing. And it was true her best friend was so generous, thorough, kind and with a good heart

But she also could be very harsh, rude, stupid, crude, and brash with a sharp tongue that could become very brutal to whom it was targeted

Yes, her friend could be anyone's dream, the happily ever for someone; But she also could be the nightmare, the upward swirl of wretchedness that no one would want to spend

And Zee preferred not to get between Tina plans, but she couldn’t avoid the fun that caused her all this "My young master... Who would believe that you were a child who kept her word?” Zee mocked her and enjoyed more the moment she saw Tina’s eyebrows came together "But I hope your marriage ... is the right path for you" she bowed to her

Tina groaned as interrupted her “Enough of jokes Zee, I said that I will finish with this nonsense" and heard Zee playful whistle, saying that obviously didn’t believe anything. She snorted “I appreciate your gift of Samaritan wise... but I think you should stop worrying so much about me, and see your own life, because if I'm immature, I do not know what will happen to you” reproached back

Zee raised both hands, advocating silently a peace treaty "Well, it seems that someone is not in a good mood" muttered under her "By the way, Will you go to the masquerade party that your parents are hosting?”

"Yes, I am already aware, the invitation has come to me a couple of weeks” said unimportant "And as much as I dislike the idea of attending a party for now, I have no choice, since I'm working for the new campaign of the company, my work is very important and I usually do not let my private life goal with labor "explained

"Will you go alone or...?"

"I’m going alone" sentenced "Now I shall leave, I still have to do many things, we will talk later, I will keep you informed of everything that happens, I know you love being a spectator between dramatic roles" Tina mocked "You're like a corny old maid"

Zee frowned "I'm not corny" They went down to the parking lot, because she wanted to be sure that Tina would be fine

Tina laughed but immediately complained with a slight gasp "Sure you are, a cheesy and giddy schoolgirl" continued to ridicule her, "But I must go, my time is accurate… see you lovely old lady, still as delusional and romantic as usual” said goodbye one last time with the hand before going to her car and opened the door of it

"Stupid..." Zee irritated clucked her tongue, seeing as the car moved away from there

 

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Tina tried to suppress the urge to take in more air than it was necessary, it was not a good idea to continue testing the resistance of the sutures. She tried to reassure herself, reminding the reason to come here. It was inevitable to have to see Aom eventually, but she thanked that now Aom is outside, probably in her office, working. She must stand firm, speak clearly and avoid things got out over her hands

She should be comprehensive, to provide a normal and civilized conversation with her parents and Aom, or that she would end up saying things that really didn’t mean to say. She was sure that her parents would understand her decision. I mean, they would have no other choice. She was the one who ruled over her life, in her choices

So, knowing this, why she was still standing in the doorway of the house?

But she told herself, this fact had nothing to do with nervousness around her body, surely her palms sweating, was caused by midday heat. Also had nothing to do with her heart breaking again with the memories of her last fight with Aom. And much less had nothing to do with the fact of feeling like a complete stranger in her own home, in the place where until a few days ago she came happily after a long day of work, the illusion of seeing her princess, her smile and her angry face, obeying her silly orders, because she had made some cute pout...

She shook her head, pushing out those absurd images, because it was already a hopeless. She definitely didn’t want to think for a second most on her.

Tina finally opened the door; enter examining everything around before she went to the bedroom. She had slept almost nothing these days. Phone calls from her parents and Mean hadn’t ceased for a moment since her sudden disappearance, but she had decided to ignore them because she already knew what they would say, and she didn’t want to hear what she already knew

She took clean clothes from the dressing room, then making her way to the bathroom, using the door lock to avoid being surprised.

With eye circles and tired face, she took of the first aid kit the necessary to take care of her wounds; after all, this wasn’t the first time she got into that kind of mess, leaving everything in one of the wide edges of the luxury black marble bathtub. Pushing the modern button to let it fill with water to a somewhat cold temperature because she didn’t think her body could resist the hot water right now, and meanwhile she stripped off her clothes and bandages with a lot care to avoid hurting herself

When she stopped listening to the water flow, she came into the bathtub, a slight wheezing when her body was aware of the cold element invading her warm corporal temperature but ignored this, she came in anyway

Her view wandered throughout the bathroom, trying to find something to occupy her thoughts. She had never noticed the structure of the bath before, well, she hadn’t noticed a lot of the house in general, because to her, it had never been important. But now that she took more caring, she could tell that her parents had been very meticulous about this. This particular place was beautiful; half of the wall and the entire roof were decorated with pale gray tiles whilst the bottom half were black like the floor, at her right side, almost touching the tub, there was a huge aquarium and in front of her, on the other side of the bathroom, a giant mirror split into three covering most of the wall, From whom was the idea of putting that in a place of personal cleanliness? It made her feel like some kind of to have that here, or… maybe only one with such a dirty mind, was her

What it was more probably

Yet her view was in the mirror, or more precisely, in her reflection, and she amused in the awful and depressing state she found herself. Almost immediately the memories again assaulted her without any warning

No the attack of those thugs, but her dispute with Aom.

And now, after all the pain and anguish; rage, the wrath... the betrayal, all were blurring her mind, hardening her heart and blinding her eyes. Her pride, was everything to her now, the only thing to must be embedded

She closed her exhausted eyes; she was so keen to go straight into bed and sleep

Suddenly several on the door startled her, waking her from her thoughts and she complained as quiet as she could, closing her eyes tighter, waiting for the pain to stop "Who is it?" demanded hoarsely

"Aom" her eyes went to the door as if that way she will make sure Aom was actually there, that she was not hallucinating her voice

"What do you want?" Tina managed to say although more upset than she wanted to

"Nothing, I just wanted to make sure it was you, did not think you would come home so soon” Of course, Aom must have been happy when she disappeared, and now, she had taken that bliss "Don’t worry, I will not impose my presence to you again, as soon as I finished fixing my stuff I'll leave” replied stubborn

"You're an idiot, always putting words in my mouth, And above all running away!" Of course recriminations and insults would not expect in the case of Aom. But Tina was silent, staring at her reflection again, her face never looked as severe as now seen, was the perfect distraction to avoid exploit against Aom "You're a coward, and I hate you!"

Aom's voice echoed in her ears, and for some stupid reason, she found herself smiling, but without any fun "I know, trust me I know, Aom. I know I'm an idiot, coward and that you hate me, that’s no longer a novelty, because… you take care of rewind it to me frequently” mocked tough "Now… “Will you need anything else miss Manaying?" he asked with an innocent and fake voice

Tina heard Aom call her idiot arrogant prince again, although it seemed more a murmur which made her expand her smile "Your parents called me and said they would be here in an hour, so I suggest you hurry up there, you're not going to want them to also talk to you in the same way I'm doing now” and after those words her smile disappeared

Tina sighed “Good, I'll be ready in a little while, now leave me... I want to bathe with peacefully" finished saying although more gently. And after not hear another word of Aom, continued quietly in her task of cleaning herself

Thinking about each of the words that may expose her parents, while she was finally out of the tub, with a towel around her waist, now cleaning and adjusting the new bandage on her wounds, then get dressed and fix her hair in the mirror sink

Again, she mentally prepared herself for what was coming. And again, she knew she hadn’t escaped from the cornered situation in which she was but on the contrary, that she was running out of oxygen in that corner

Finally she decided to leave the bathroom, go to the kitchen and eat something

She thought how good sounded, the idea of having a sandwich right now "Where are you going?"  Tina’s head turned to where the voice came, stopping her way

Of course Aom would be following her, thinking she would escape to avoid her parents "Hello to you too, Aom" she smirked "I'll get something to eat, you can follow me to confirm it" Said sarcastically

Aom approached her, as if she was afraid that Tina would disappear from her sight, examining her carefully, frowning "What happened to your face? This way you were not when you left, did you come back to fight with someone?"

This girl always had to think the worst about her, isn’t it? Tina ran a hand through her neck. How was she being able to give Aom of so much of her heart? How she was so dumb, so stupid to deliver so much and not receive the same from her? She shouldn’t have allowed the constant betrayals of which was her girlfriend, to give such liberties to Aom and her parents; that had been her big mistake "It's none of your business" Said harshly, taking a few steps back, trying to get away from her; walking beside her as fast, to get into the kitchen.

Aom followed her unable to believe that those raw words came from the mouth of Tina “You don’t need to be so rude, I was only asked politely!"

Tina stopped when her hands were firmly supported on the kitchen island; she turned to look at Aom, wincing, feeling her blood at full boil. But her body stiffened instantly when their lips came into contact with each other. She remained in a chaotic state unsure what to do.  The feeling of kissing Aom was always overwhelming. And in the past she would have done anything to kiss her, but now, not so much. It still caused havoc to her heart. But at the moment she thought of what had happened in these days, how this might harm her in the future. And the realization of that, it was enough for her to give a muffled gasp and push away Aom as if her touch was toxic. Clenching her jaw trying to control "Okay that's enough, Aom! You cannot do this to me again!" Tina shouted dangerously, closing her eyes tightly, feeling the sharp pain going mainly all over her face and torso. Then when she opened her eyes again saw her. Watch as she trembled slightly, but didn’t move from where she stood, facing her. It was Tina who took a step back, looking directly into her eyes as she whispered out "Just stay away from me, is that clear?" She looked away, leaning a few feet away from Aom. Going to the refrigerator and taking a bottle of juice, she had lost appetite "Go to the living room to wait for my parents, I have no desire to continue arguing with you about something that obviously doesn’t make any sense" she muttered

"Tina" Aom ignored her order, without taking her eyes from her

And Tina regretted that Aom wanted to keep talking to her "What?" Tina let the words slip from but such disdainful, something that could not help knowing that they were aimed at Aom

"Uh... Um... I... I'm glad you're okay" a shaky sigh came from the lips of Aom and Tina cursed the moment when her eyes were turned upon them, looking, disguised with a face expression of serenity

 "Thank you" Tina whispered back gently.

Surprised by the change of mood in Tina, Aom prepared herself quickly to say what she needed to say before her bravery disappeared "My parents!" Well, that shout made no sense and Aom could confirm it seeing Tina’s curious face, she shivered in the anticipation of her next words

Aom wasn’t paying attention to Tina until she was so close to her face, is she a ninja or something? Her heart quickly identified the warmth of Tina, pounding in her chest like every time they were together "What about your parents?" heard her ask, perhaps because she had been silent

"They called me when you were taking a bath..." Aom bit her lip, trying to find the right words "They are aware about the engagement ... and want to know you"

Tina narrowed her eyes, Aom parents? Aom had never spoken of them before. Well… this certainly was becoming more difficult to stop. Damn! She couldn’t even believe that Aom had said that, she probably was scared and hadn’t other choice but to tell her "What did you say? Repeat it to me" she asked again, wanting to make sure what her ears had heard

With some fear, Aom did what she asked for, more quietly "Mom said she wanted to have a dinner tomorrow with you, my father and I; that they want to know you" and shrugged her shoulders, looking down, unable to bear know, what would be the reaction of Tina

And that was fine, because the arrogant face of Tina was extended, letting out a wry smile. Taking another sip of her bottle and then look at her with some amusement "A meeting with your parents?"

"Yes ..."

And although Tina still finding everything quite unfair and funny at the same time, her brain isn’t finished processing all intelligently, so she ventured to ask a third time “You… Are you asking me, your ex to go to dinner with your parents?" The idea sounded more outlandish than anything Tina had experienced. At least, she begged that everything was the way it sounded, and not that Aom parents only wanted to examine her new and improved acquisition, that although they did not know, had already left her. But even if it wasn’t like that, the problems Aom had, were no longer of her business

Aom her lips and Tina couldn’t help but look and hold a long inhalation "Yes"

But Tina was an expert with women and that unconscious and seductive action wouldn’t be enough for her to fall again, because first of all and even if her parents didn’t know it, she was a business person, and for this reason, she continued as apprehensive as if the subject were some very hard investment, and the first step to achieve success, was to see how much actually the goods value "Tell me Miss Manaying. Did your mommy and daddy have not taught you not to play with fire? I can assure you that lying and using people, It is a metaphorical way of burning, even more, trying to profit from someone like me" The contempt and derision were a trick, Tina wanted to pull the rope much as she could, unleash uncontrolled the tongue of this impudent princess and so she finally throw away clearly her purposes and fears, the real reason to ask for help to her and not to her stupid boyfriend, the reason why she had not really wanted to clarify the situation with her parents, and of course, knowing the short temper of Aom, this was a very simple task to do

Tina raised her head smugly as anger spread through the eyes of Aom as quick as a flash "No Tina, my mommy and daddy not say that kind of nonsense that only someone as stupid as you would say, also, my parents are serious people, so better to refrain from all your jokes” And there it is, the weak point on the dictatress, Achilles' heel, her permanent headache

"Oh... right? So all this is because you’re afraid of your parents, I have to please the princess by her shyness, sacrifice myself as a clumsy jester to be the Royal entertainment” she spat sardonically "Sorry dear, but your prince..." she paused for a moment, looking vehement at Aom "I already got rid of her, I drown her in the depths, dead, now… now it's just me who stays here, a boor and arrogant who is not willing to fulfill your whims"

But Aom wouldn’t allow another insult anymore, not after all the insolence Tina was doing with her “boor and arrogant, you've always been, that's nothing new for me"

Tina laughed derisively, but almost immediately she regretted when pain ran through her body, but answered anyway "Touché, ma belle demoiselle"

"And so ...?" Aom asked again

Tina cocked her head in confusion “so what?” she walked to the metal trash can, throwing the now empty bottle

"Will you accompany me to dinner with my parents?"

Tina just stood, looking Aom who came near her again "Why would I? You and I already broke up, so I don’t see what has this to do with me, you will have to explain to them that you are no longer my girlfriend” She shrugged, but quickly an idea came to her head "Unless... I have some gain by doing it” started saying and moved closer to Aom, her head going down until their noses touched, a small smile appeared on her lips

"Gain of what?" Aom muttered confused, ignoring the lack of space between them

Tina ignored the pain in her body, gently pushing Aom up to one of the columns in the kitchen, placing her hands on both sides of Aom’s head and look directly into her eyes "Stop this Aom, you're being very unfair with me… Stop playing like the innocent little girl” Tina murmured back, pressing her forehead against Aom’s, closing her eyes tightly with a sigh, her stitches hurt so much, she was pushing her luck too far "Stop making fun of me, stop playing with me, and I'm getting tired"

Her voice was so soft, making Aom feels a tingle on her lips and she couldn’t help but close her eyes "I've never played with you so stop saying that" she replied, then taking the courage to brush her lips with Tina’s, raising her hands to cling to her shoulders

Tina snorted "maybe I look so pathetic, that seriously you're so sure I'll let you use me again...” She said wryly. But Aom was no longer paying attention, she just turned to surround her neck with both arms, clinging even more to her “Oh whatever, I'll never let a woman as a liar” And finally Tina closed any space between them.

Tina groaned and put her arms on Aom’s small waist, all this was making her feel dizzy, while she was outlining with her tongue Aom’s lower lip, and the moment she opened to sigh, Tina made her way inside. Taking her into her arms to bring them even closer, desperately trying to get rid of any space was left free.

And the familiarity of being in this intimate position was too comfortable. Although they knew it would not last forever, still, they would treasure every chance, even with the shorter than those moments are or the worse things could become.

She buried her nose on the neck of Aom to inhale the heady scent she always carried and then, Tina’s hands again slipped through her hips and tongues rubbing against each other as they continued to drown in the hot time. Tina then moved again, starting to drag her way with small kisses along her cheek and jaw, reaching her neck. Electricity shooting through their bodies and sends shakes by their spines. While Tina now all the way around, her instincts gaining ground over her body as she and bit, her teeth digging into her collarbone

Aom cry out in pain, but still she pulled Tina closer to her and rested her head on the wall, giving her more access to her skin. She was sure that Tina had heard her vague complaint, because she immediately stopped what she was doing

And Tina had pushed her against that wall because of a hormones outburst, regardless of whether she was too rough or if it frightened her; she cannot help, she felt her feelings explode, her patience was stretched to the limit, all she had kept to herself screaming to get out, her anger… wanted a fast relief…

But as soon as she had heard Aom complain about it, everything had fallen apart. She was still dangerously close to Aom, almost disappearing distance from her lips again and then, looking at her face; she could see clearly as her lips and her eyes were tightly shut, a red mark on her collarbone her small tank top exposed, and that maybe tomorrow it would be darker. Tina felt ashamed of herself for having forced Aom.

Tina slowly raised her right hand while her left hand was still wrapped around her waist as she kept her own weight for not crush her. She hit her forehead with a finger, and could see the look of surprise on Aom the moment she opened her eyes, but Tina just let her go, moving away a few steps from her

Aom held her wrist, making Tina stop but not the look at her, so she continued speaking "Sorry. About the fight we had the other day, I'm sorry I should not have said that” She He did a few steps back and waited but Tina did not say any word

Why did she have to do that? Aom was only making things worse with her words and apologies. What Tina needed was to get out of here now. Wishing hopelessly, this woman that she was still considering her princess, I love her as much as she did "What happened before, does not matter anymore"

And Aom swore she had never heard Tina’s voice so broken "Please, look at me” She begged, searching for her gaze. And Tina finally turned to see her "Please, don’t hate me" Aom felt the tears would not let her see clearly anymore, welling up on her eyes

Tina sighed, really, why is she still doing girls cry? Why they continued to be so bad with her and yet she was the one who felt guilty? Probably were the tears from them that seemed to come out whenever she was near, as a reflection, as a shield against her anger. In any case, Tina hugged her, breathing out as the idea of hurting Aom stabbed her heart "Tina please, don’t hate me" Again Aom implore in a sob, squeezing her hands on Tina's shirt

Tina closed her eyes, internally shout in pain, cursing in her mind thousands of times, desperately looking for a relief, did they have any rare joy to squeeze her poor body? "Princess, I could never hate you" Tina confessed downcast

They were both breathing heavy and were still tense. Aom wanted to explain everything, but couldn’t speak, she really didn’t know what to say, her mind was a mess. It was really hard, thinking that if she said something else, Tina would react badly again "But I think it's best for now, you and me to keep the distance, I told you before, and in fact I was talking quite seriously then” Tina smiled slightly, although it was more like a small curvature to then get Aom away from her

The alarms on the head of Aom shot up at her words “No” she shook her head, with her watchful eyes on Tina "I know I said things that upset you, but..."

"No, listen to me Aom" Tina cut her off "To me it seems good that you have been honest, to let me know the limits I have with you. And that's why I ask you time to accept your words"

Aom still shaking her head in disbelief of what Tina was saying, not wanting to hear that "Tina, stop it"

"Stop what?" Tina asked, feeling her head a bit clearer with this little chat, and she realized that Aom seemed absorbed in some kind of trance "Never mind, let's go to the living room" and walked away from her

Tina tried to ignore this feeling of guilt, sitting on the single armchair as she saw Aom finally arrive at slow steps, sitting in front of her in the broader Black Leather Sectional Sofa, quiet and staring at her hands in her lap. It's not like she should keep paying so much attention to Aom. After all, she still felt like an idiot for kissing her. Because she had done exactly what she said wasn’t going to do. She rubbed her neck. Well, what's done is done but there was no way in hell to allow the engagement thing to go ahead.

Meanwhile Aom suppressed the desire of collapse with exhaustion. Because if there was something she didn’t want to do right now was to see Tina’s parents. She adored them, yes, she did, but sometimes they could be very exceeded with their ideas, also because she was scared, worn out physically and emotionally.

They heard voices at the door; of course, Tina’s parents came with all the confidence in the world to the house because they had called before and because it was rare the times they came here

"Aom, good afternoon, it’s good to see you" greeted Mrs. Jittaleela once she came in with her husband who only made a slight bow with his head followed by a slight "Hi"

"Mom, Dad is good to see too" warmly greeted Aom

"Tina" her mother said sullenly while her father gave a soft "Hey Tiger" a tone of self-pity and anger coming from him. And they sat beside Aom

Tina smiled sarcastically. Knowing that her parents had betrayed her for Aom "Hey mom, hey dad, cool to see you too" ignoring the discomfort in her injured as she crossed her legs

For most of the short time the four of them had been sitting in the living room, each of them seemed to be in their own little world. Tina could feel Aom looking at her or more like waiting for her to explode or something like that, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was to end this at once

Aom was dying of anxiety. She had a bad feeling about this. She knew Tina would explode with anger by knowing that her parents had decided over her again, without her opinion, without her consent, but Aom had a strange bliss when of marring with Tina was spoken. Maybe it was because in her childhood always had illusion her with weddings and to live the joy of sharing the life with someone. However, she knew the probabilities of that happening were one against a million

"Hey Tiger, I'm glad you agreed to appear after leaving three days without telling anyone, not even answered our calls, what were you thinking?" Mr. Jittaleela said in a calm voice. He looked her up and down and saw her clothes more urbanized than she usually wore, he blinked briefly confused with this, worn out jeans shirt, sneakers and a hat? "Your clothes, why you look..."

"Like a tramp" Mrs. Jittaleela abruptly concluded by saying “What kind of outfit is that? You're not a bully gang member to use that kind of clothing"

Aom looked back at Tina and suddenly became nervous. She looked visibly upset. Her knuckles that were on the armrests were now practically white with the pressure she closed both hands but still had a smug face on her face "On the contrary, I informed Aom I would leave for a while and I would amuse some days at parties and women, after all… I'm single again"

“Tina, you're being too mediocrity with your words and I will not allow that in my presence” her mother threatened her

Tina snorted "You know what mother, let's stop the hypocrisy and let's get right to the point of this fallacy” she spat out with venom and Mrs. Jittaleela looked surprised by the harsh tone on her daughter’s voice "I guess you are already aware, that Miss president and I broke up so now I will clarify this. I will not marry Aom, I will not do it"

The harsh words of Tina frozen at the three people who didn’t expect this insensitivity and lack of cooperation coming from her, Mr. Jittaleela was the first to regain his composure and talk "Actually, I am very sad to hear you saying that Tiger” started saying as he shook his head "I thought you were already happy with your life, with what you had… You filled me with proud for having turned into a responsible person but now…” The expression of disappointment from her father, made her courage falters a little bit

“No matter what you say Tina, you had already given your word to have a relationship with Aom but you broke up with her. You knew our agreement, and I'm not here to play around with our family assets because you want to be a spoiled brat” reprimanded her mother, what was the final touch to press the outbreak in Tina

But when she spoke, her manner were still as intact as ever, just like her composure "I agreed to pretend a relationship with her, so if I truly break up with her, it has nothing to do with you"

"Conversely for you, if you go back to your life of debauchery as you have confessed now, rumors will start scattered all around and since we cannot have a guarantee of the pact anymore, I think there is no problem for you to be also a fake husband. There is no difference about it, it's just a role that can be overridden with a divorce” her mother struggled back "So don’t you dare not take responsibility in this, the engagement is already confirmed, your wedding will be in five months, Aom has already agreed yesterday too, so there is no turning back"

And after those last words, Tina felt utterly fooled. Of course, her parents always had everything planned, all figured out, or at least… almost everything

"... I have another woman" Tina suddenly dropped out. She was simply too cornered enough to say that. Feeling that was the right thing to say.

“What?” could barely mumble her mother, and damn! Tina knew she would regret this.

Tina looked about the three who looked at her with very alert frown "I have another woman" she repeated

And the silence, there was nothing worse than the wait and the silence

“No” Aom shook her head, not knowing what else to say, unable to speak, looking pale “Are you lying again for what happened before?” Aom asked, internally begging "Answer me!" she demanded, had enough of the pointless crying, very angry that Tina was always so mean to her

Tina sighed, running a hand through her hair "Aom, I'm not lying. I've been seeing another woman since a few days and I don’t have in mind to stop seeing her, that's why I'm saying this, I'm sorry" And Tina had the decency to look guilty

Aom decided to analyze the truth that revealed not only the words but also Tina’s eyes. Her gazes so sincere and determined made Aom wince in disgust "You're a bastard, an !" Aom exploded in trespasses "I hate you!" Shouted as Mr. and Mrs. Jittaleela take both her shoulders, trying to control her and also very surprised of her so extensive vocabulary

Tina on the other hand, began to accumulate anger with each of Aom hurtful words, because she wasn’t innocent in this, on the contrary, she was a liar, unfair and cruel woman who had boasted to play with her. So she laughed in the face of Aom, and with this was very probably that her aching body would give to her the bill later "For you it’s very comfortable, isn’t it? To always put the blame on me” she sneered

"Enough Tina!” her father cut her off “Why are you being so impudent, so blind?”

“Yeah… you're right, I was blind" Tina nodded "I was blind and stupid for having been interested in this rascal woman,  for ignoring all the times she cheated on me, the times she lied to me” she replied back "Well, since this is not going to be a real marriage…" Now she turned to Aom "You miss sassy princess must be the happiest of all because you do not have to worry” Tina smiled at her “Since you can also keep your paramour, yes, the idiot that you have for boyfriend who if before did not mind to have to share you with me, well, now I do not think there is any problem either"

"What does she mean by that, Aom?" Now was Tina’s mother, looking at her with a raised eyebrow

 "I told you before, that's not true!" Aom said outraged "Me and him..."

"And I also told you that I don’t care about your explanations" Tina cut her off “And my parents shouldn’t care about it either, because my mother has already said it, this marriage is not real so you can go on with your life as I can go on with mine” she paused "And in order not extend this useless discussion…  I decided to accept that other Circus show as long as you don’t go near to the new department I think to buy” Tina looked at her parents, quietly convey them to refrain from following her there "What I do or the person who lives there, They are issues that I'm willing to hold for me very selfishly, so if this is accomplished without problems, I marry me with Miss Aom Manaying as long as you respect the pact, otherwise, I will see the need to end the marriage ... and get out of here, far away from here"

Aom pretended that sentence had not affected her but the reality was that nearly had brought her to tears again. Tina spoke really serious about having a secret mistress lady. But Aom replaced this with the humiliation and anger, and she wanted to say something to make Tina feel the same way right now “Seriously can I keep my paramour?” Aom said sarcastically "Because I don’t think I can survive a week without "

Tina's body tensed in her place. Pretty sure she would kill that jerk if it was true that he had dared to touch Aom

Meanwhile, to Mr. and Mrs. Jittaleela the whole situation seemed enjoyable. Relaxing a little knowing the jealousy of Tina could make her to come back with Aom regardless of whether it was true that she already had a new girlfriend or not

Tina takes advantage of this opportunity. Because suddenly, the sacrifice her parents imposed her didn’t look so bad after what Aom had just said. Maybe if living in that marital hell with Aom, she could finally to get Aom out of her head once and for all. She smiled malicious "Honey you and that stupid guy can do whatever please you. But you must not forget that we should provide a good performance… or people will not believe us” Tina sharpened her eyes to Aom, almost like a predator about to capture her next prey

"What?" Aom stuttering a little scared

"I told you before, I do nothing without earn a profit from it” Tina haughtily replied, standing up and that was enough for Aom to shiver

The place seemed to have shrunk. The oxygen was scarce. And for the first time in their relationship, Aom felt trapped.

 

.

.

.

 

 

After Tina had finally been able to sneak away from home, from her parents and Aom despite the reluctance of them. She practically ran into her car, because it was already quite late and she still had to buy the medication. She did not even want to imagine the claims of Dr. Apapattra when he realized that she still had not arrived. And indeed, as if she had called him with the thought, her phone started to ring from her pocket. Pulling it out, a quick glance was enough to see the name on the screen and corroborate it "Hello?" she spoke calmly and ended up instantaneously surprised when the agitated voice practically screamed so loud and worried "Are you sure?" of course, the man replied indignantly that it was true, yelling for her to hurry up and then as unexpected as the call had begun, the man hung up

Tina hurriedly went into her car, and almost driving like crazy to arrive as quickly as possible to the place. Curses over her bad luck and cursing the torrential rain that now fell to delay her.

As she arrived at the parking lot of the building, she took her jacket and went out to look around, among the people, desperately turning her head in all directions, with eyes half closed because of the thousands drops hitting in her face without mercy, she was so worried and upset about Tavee had not waited for her, that she had left the hospital unauthorized, that she was alone somewhere, wet and still weak. Tina ran around the hospital, her eager view as she tried to find that familiar face among the other people, protecting her jacket to stay as dry as possible.

Tina suddenly stopped at the entrance to the hospital, with her ragged breath and her gaze focused on the girl who was sitting on the floor outside the huge glass doors.  She couldn’t help but sigh in relief, with her nerves rise with each step she took closer to her, watching how Tavee played with her hair casually regardless of getting wet, so silly… “Hey” was all Tina could say, but it was enough to get her attention

Tavee stopped what she was doing, looking up smiling but confused "What are you doing here? Are you spying on me? However, hi”

Tina looked at her with a serious expression, was still upset with this senseless girl who along with her princess, seemed not to care about her words "The doctor called me to tell me you wouldn’t wait for me, so… why are you sitting there on the floor?"

"It started to rain and I'm thinking what to do, my suitcase got lost in the accident, and my parents are still upset with me” said that if it wasn’t a big deal

“Still, I’m glad to have the call” Tina cut off and stretched out her hand for her to get up "Come on, it's time to go"

Tavee but refused to take it "Where are we going? And why the hospital had your number?" She continued questioning suspicious

Tina rolled her eyes, yeah right, now she was suspicious, when a few days ago practically related to her all her life and showed her where she was working, but now it was when she seemed a little responsible, precisely now she must do what she was asking for "I was worried about you and allow my number as a reference, however, you must call me instead of running away, because it is not good for you to leave the hospital that way and in your current state" as the words left , Tina regretted it, she had seriously ruined

"Current state of what?" And of course, Tavee would seek an answer because of her clumsiness

Tina looked away from her, ignoring how she was already soaked and even ignoring the fact that it was raining heavily "Oh! Never mind, just let's go home” She shrugged and of course, the look of Tavee stated that she was not going to leave this topic. Tina snorted as sight went back to focus seriously on her "You have anemia, so you should not be forcing yourself cutie” Tina didn’t know if Tavee will allow her to approach her again. But still, she didn’t want her to continue getting wet and further, didn’t want her to be sick "That's why I told you to wait for me, I was almost so close to coming here, you shouldn’t leave without me, you little witch, you should stop being so stubborn with me” Tina knelt down before her, extending her hand again. "Come on, I'll take you home, just trust me, please" Tavee nodded slowly, but ending up thrown herself into her arms and Tina winced in pain, which was later replaced by concern at realize Tavee was shivering in her hands, probably because the cold and how wet her clothes were, Tina surrounded a little tighter her thin body and nearer her to her chest. "Everything will be fine, I promise, I'll take care of everything, I'll protect you" Tina muttered and then helped her to stand up, pushing Tavee way from her "Here, I brought this for you" she extended her jacket and helped her to put it on despite her vague complaints

“But… you're wet, plus you're hurt "Tavee claimed

"The truth, water and cold air feel too refreshing, especially now that all day I have abused of how good were placed the sutures and the painkillers I take a while ago, but surely when the effect is gone, it will hurt to the death” she scratched her cheek "Anyway, come on, I think the rain is getting worse" Tina put her arm around Tavee’s waist, pulling her up to the parking lot and scoot into the car

Once the car started walking, Tavee braved to ask "Where are we going?"

"Well, now I'll look for a drugstore because I haven’t yet bought the medicines but then, I guess we will go to a hotel” she said "For now, you can rest, and I'll call you when we get there" she smiled slightly

Tavee closed her eyes, the truth, she was very tired but despite that, had left the hospital earlier because she did not want to be a burden on Tina. And now that Tina seemed so determined to stay with her, with that smile and the warm kindness, Tavee knew she couldn’t refuse to any of her requests anymore

The journey to the hotel was quick, or at least that's what Tina thought, although surely that was because everything happened so monotonous because her thoughts had been working tirelessly. Even she had agreed to carry an a sleeping Tavee despite her wounds, arriving to their room regardless of the dreamy eyes of some women as she walked with Tavee in her arms.

She went straight to the bedroom, laid her down carefully not to wake her, Tina looked at her wet clothes and knew she should remove them or otherwise, that cuteness would get sick. So she sat beside her, taking several bites of breath, closing her eyes tightly as her trembling hands touched the buttons of her blouse, thanking her scoundrel experience with women just because she had taken off faster, like the pair of jeans she wore, and yet without looking. She still refused to look at her, hurrying to cover her with blankets and then drop off the air she was holding

Well, she might be a gentleman, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t curse the bastard who dared somewhere in the universe to screw her life with such karma, dammit! She wasn’t made of stone! And five months without didn’t help her sanity

She picked up the hotel phone, calling to the room service and asks them to bring some clothes for her and Tavee, also too some food. She knew well the owners of this place, so it wasn’t difficult for them to accept her requests. After that, she went to the bathroom to take another shower, without forgetting the things she had repurchased to change her bandages again

Tina hurried to shower, taking a bathrobe to cover herself at hear a knock on the door, were two waiters of the hotel who brought her things, she stepped aside with a slight bow when they announced themselves cordially, leaving the young man pushed the cart-table inside the room, and the other, behind him carrying some shopping bags "You can leave it on the couch" she told the man who was carrying the paper bags whereas the other finished setting the table and warned her of the heat of some of the dishes "Do not worry, you can leave now, I'll call you later to let you know when to come to the room to collect the service” Tina told the young man who brought her food

The waiter nodded, handing her the bill and a pen, waiting for her to sign it, and so, after that, they again bowed respectfully and left, thanking when she spread them a generous tip.

As she closed the door, Tina went straight to the bags, or more precisely those who had famous brands of male clothing on one side of them. Almost praising the good taste of those young men and kind precaution they had to bring her a huge and varied quantity of them, they even had brought her a pair of shoes and a pair of sneakers. She took a pair of black sweats, a white polo shirt and underwear, going to the bathroom in case Sleeping Beauty woke up; she didn’t want Tavee to run into some surprise. She chuckled slightly at the thought. A bit of fun now wasn’t so bad to her; especially now Tina had already spent the bitter pill against her parents and her beloved ex-girlfriend, wow came the much-deserved break for her. Here, in a hotel room, with injuries, without having eaten all day long and with a girl a girl whom everyone had forsaken and left to her fate. Well… that didn’t sound good

But, Tina was really happy that Tavee had appeared in her life especially now that with her, her mind was so busy. It was amazing how this girl had come so unexpectedly, in such a catastrophic point for both of them. Her happiness crumbling so fast, but suddenly being stopped by Tavee and Dr. Apapattra who had spontaneously offered her one of the things she longed for many years, although she had to admit it, not as she had planned or wanted, but it happened anyway. And she did not regret it.... Completely

She finally had something for her, you know, something she had acquired by her own decision

And that’s why she had told the truth to her parents, because about having another woman, wasn’t a lie

And maybe this was not so right, but… if she had gotten into this mess, she would get out of it too

Tina also had not able to help but realize at the meeting with her parents, when she had claimed to have another woman, the look Aom gave her, and certainly not even a blind person would have missed those eyes full of terror, rage, anger and disappointment… and unwittingly, was glorious for her still grieved ego

Although maybe this was because her beloved girlfriend thought she didn’t have the guts for her had dared to find someone behind her back. But, it still felt like a minimal compensation from all the pain and emotional perjury Aom had caused her

Tina went back to the bedroom carrying Tavee’s bags and debating internally if she should wake the girl. She looked at her, leaving aside the bags on the floor, sitting beside her on the bed

It must have been very tired for her these days, having spent what she happened there and with the anemia, also, hospital food was not very good. Cutie looked very thin and pale. She examined each of her features, unable to believe that anyone could be so cruel and disregard this girl, Tina could see traces of tears still falling from her eyes and she slowly removed them with her thumb, indeed, this girl was a fool "You know, I thought, there is no other stupidest but me, so… What should I do with you? Eh, dummy?” Tina murmured

Again, her phone rang and she carefully pulled out from her pocket trying not to awake her

“Hello? Ah, doctor, yeah I found her, and she fell asleep here in the hotel room” Tina played with one hand by her flushed cheek, maybe, for all she had cried

“I’m glad to heard that son, I was very worried but now that he is with you, I'll stay calmer”

 “Don’t worry; from now on, I will take care of her”

“I know… and that's a relief for me”

“As I said before, I’ll take care of what she needs, anyways; we will go for her appointment tomorrow in the morning”

“Yes, but remember for you to step into my office without her realizing it, I need to check your sutures, because I guess with everything that happened this day your wounds ended rather badly”

 “Yeah I will, good bye doctor” and she hung up

“Who was it?” She hear a sleepy voice behind her

Tina exhaled, grateful for not having said anything incriminating and turned around “Are awake yet?” she smiled

Suddenly Tavee's innocent question remained unanswered “Oh, yeah, sorry I fell asleep in your room” said shyly

“None of that, but… you should get up and eat with me, I ordered room service and it seems that they brought a wide variety of dishes” Tina said getting out of bed

“Thanks…” Tavee off the blankets that covered her and found herself only in her underwear “Tina…” she called her, making Tina to stop but without daring to look at her “You took off my clothes?"

Tina was nervous "Yes, all was wet and I didn’t want you to get sick, but still, I did not look anything, I closed my eyes" and hear her laugh made her even more embarrassed “Hey you crazy woman! What’s so funny about me?” she demanded but her gaze was still on the wall of the room

Tavee covered trying to calm the laughter "Sorry, but your false innocence seems a bit funny, you even had the decency to be flushed" she shook her head "But you are very obvious if you look at that huge mirror on the wall” she raised an eyebrow and stood up

Tina rolled her eyes, turning to see her "Shut up, I just wanted to be a gentleman ... or at least look like one, meanwhile, I looked cautiously to avoid being shot in the back"

"First of all, I don't have a weapon” Tavee pointed with a finger "And secondly, I cannot hide the weapon that I have already clarified not to have, and even less, on the cleavage of my bra that you still looking at"

With those words Tina finally looked up at her face, clearing "Whatever, next to the bed you will find some clothes, and you can take a shower and change your clothes in peace while I'll make some calls from the living room” Tina then decided to leave her but stopped when she saw Tavee doubt “What’s up with that attitude of yours? Uh? Now you look so embarrassed, when a few days ago despite being an unknown to you, you kept talking and teasing me”

Tavee hugged herself, crossing her arms “I think… I’m taking advantage of your hospitality, you’re being too much generous with me and you just know me a few days ago”

Tina snorted “You, days ago didn’t know me and yet you still talked to me as if we knew each other since forever, and now you come to me with this silly words?”

“But... you don't need to do any of this because of that”

 “Is that so? You’re a very weird girl, putting those kinds of words in my mouth and with a face like a marshmallow” she muttered under her breath

But still, Tavee seemed to hear it “Hey! Are you saying I’m fat? That’s rude!”

Tina raised both hands in peace “Calm down little bonbon, I’m not saying that, it’s just that your face is very smooth”

Suddenly heard a noise coming from Tina’s stomach “Or it’s because you’re hungry” Tavee mocked her

"Anyway, we will discuss this tomorrow, because now it is night and we still have not eaten all day long, so Miss Bonbon go and take a shower, I'll wait for you in the living room"

Tina left, giving Tavee other soft pat on the head, trying to make her feel more comfortable; going directly to the broad sofa, taking her phone to make all the arrangements she needed, more importantly, the apartment was a priority, she needed to buy it faster.

She called Zee first and as she expected, her joyful friend demanded her all the details on when a hello came from , Tina rolled her eyes but still told her everything, having to endure her taunts about being an unsatisfied and seductive a ladies' prince… damn, that jerk servant! Still, she agreed to go early morning to buy the apartment and settle her bank accounts, and then saying goodbye to her

“Hey” Tavee call her, standing behind her and slightly smiling

"Good evening" Tina greeting with a smile "Now come and sit with me, let's eat our dinner” Tina slid aside for Tavee to sit beside her. She hath uncovered the dishes "Wow, this looks great, do not you think?" She told her

"It's a lot of food for two people, Do you asked for everything in the kitchen?” Tavee asked sarcastically

"Yes, I do not know what you would like so I ordered all from the menu”

"You're all a spendthrift, but I appreciate your nice gesture” she murmured, taking the chopsticks "Oh, Ramen!" she was delighted

"You like it?" Tina asked with interest

"I could even say that I love it" she nodded

"Well, here" with her silverware Tina took some beef and put it on Tavee’s bowl "You need a lot of protein"

"Thanks" Tavee smiled, which was immediately reciprocated by Tina

Their dinner was peaceful, and now Tina was devoted to watch how Tavee excited ate her slice of cake "tomorrow we can already move on the apartment, maybe around the afternoon” Tina vaguely said "Tomorrow is Saturday, Do you have any school class?” saw her shake her head "Well, then you and I can take advantage of all day to go shopping” and then there was no answer “Hey, the cat got your tongue out or something?" She sneered

“No, Umm… Errr… okay, I will do it” Tavee mumbled incoherently

“Good” Tina said pleased while she was still looking at her eat, with one hand resting her face. Thinking and thinking, her mind working at high speed "Hey… cutie” Tina called her

"Eh?" Tavee looked up

"It's yours"

"What?" Tavee asked confused

"The apartment" she replied "I want you to live there, to be a home for you, for you to stay with me” she pulled her hand up to Tavee’s cheek who was still stunned “seriously, you eat like a kid” Tina said, taking a napkin and wiping her face “There you go, your marshmallow face is free of dessert” She commended "Now you can go to sleep, meanwhile I'll call room service to take this out"

“But…”

"Stop grumbling woman, and go to sleep" Tina pushed her out of there

“But…” Tavee renege again

Making Tina stopped "What?" looked at her with a raised eyebrow

"You… Are you going to sleep with me?” Tavee asked shy

"Huh?" Tina blinked

"I don’t want to sleep by myself, would you sleep with me instead?" She innocent asked

Tina deliberated for a while her reply, what would she say to her? After all, she didn’t sleep well if it wasn’t…

She shook her head, cursing "Yes, don’t worry, I will. I'll just call room service to withdraw this and I will be with you in a few minutes” she smiled, watching as Tavee then disappeared smiling into their bedroom while she just looked at her

Tina took the phone from the living room, calling the hotel reception to order the withdrawal of the service, to thank them and then hang up.

She waited standing there, too uninterested in sitting. Moreover, she was still meditating the gentle request of Tavee, because maybe this was the opportunity to force herself to switch her sleeping habits.

She heard knocking at the door, and turning away her internal interrogations she went to open it. It was one of the young men who had treated her a few hours ago "Good evening Mr. Jittaleela" he bowed slightly

"Good night, you can pick up the service” she replied, the boy pushed out of the room the cart-table with another respectful bow. Stopping as he was standing outside "I'm going now sir, I hope you and your wife spend a pleasant night"

Tina nodded "Here" she spread another generous tip "It's my thanks for coming at midnight, so it's better not despise my gratitude” she said when the young man thought on reject it I also wanted to ask you to bring breakfast to this room tomorrow morning, my wife is a little ill and I don’t think it would be wise to make her do a lot of effort so early in the morning”

"Yes sir, I will, with pleasure!" The young man smiled "Thanks again"

"You're welcome, now go to sleep, it's really late” Tina patted his shoulder and then of hear another clumsy "Goodnight" from the boy as he walked away down the hall, she finally closed the door

She went to the bedroom with quiet steps, amused that people keep mistaking Tavee as her wife and to her as a man

When she came in, only the light from the lamp beside the place where Tavee was laying remained on, with her hugging a pillow "You know, often, people use a pillow under the head, not as stuffed animals” Tina mocked, leaning back on the opposite side of the bed

"Back when I lived with my parents, my mother usually slept with me. Then when I was on my own, my roommate was sleeping next to me” Tavee said vaguely I don’t like to be alone” she hugged the pillow tightly, but at not hear Tina response after a few minutes, she had to look up. She frowning at what she found “Hey, what are you smiling about?” she complained

But Tina did not stop looking at her with a slight smile on her lips “It fits you” she said

“Excuse me?” Tavee raised an eyebrow confused

"Staying with me, it fits to you” with one hand, she took out Tavee’s pillow, to which she seemed to cling as if her life depended on it "So you will not need this anymore" finally rid the annoying pillow and place it in the place where it belonged, the head of Tavee "Come on, I'll be your pillow from now on, just be soft, because this pillow could lose some feathers right now, if you squeeze her too much” Tina extended her right arm to let Tavee would fit beside her

Hugged her carefully around the waist, more precisely to keep from touching the other left flank where the recent sutures were, feeling as Tina covered them with blankets "Thanks” she murmured, resting her head on Tina’s flat chest, hearing the rhythmic beat of her heart as she closed her eyes

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about…” Tina whispered back “But if this is about to thanks someone, it would on the contrary, thanks to you"

Tavee tensed still very confused about why Tina kept repeating to her thanks and apologies "Thanks for what?" she dared to ask

"Thanks… for staying by my side”

Tavee felt a lump in , burning in her eyes that prevented her of tears that already were coming, she demands herself to say something else, but the words were whispered trembling “Then… thanks to you, for staying by my side as well"

Tina heard a sniff and another...

And another one

Then she looked down at Tavee but she was hiding her face against her chest

The sobs continued, and her tears began to wet most of her shirt "I don’t know why I'm crying, this makes no sense" Tavee cry it out, then Tina heard her keep sobbing

Tavee cried and cried and Tina just left her to let off steam

With her arm around her, pulling her even closer, murmuring that everything would be fine

After all, what else could she do?

She was not the type who knew what to do with tears; she had never been the sensitive type. But rather she was a surly loudmouth with satirical words appeared to be well-mannered who only used relatively decent words, to get something in return

But such qualities didn’t help right now, after all…

All of this it’s not an easy matter for neither of them

 

.

.

.

 

 

Aom looked at her wristwatch again; it was time for Tina to be here. She had even called her a half hour ago to tell her that she was on her way, so, where was she? First, Tina hadn’t told her where she was… or with whom she was. Secondly, Aom still wanted to kill her as soon as she crossed the front door. Resentful prince, she no longer even comes here to sleep

Well, she wasn’t done with that issue either, on the contrary, her anger went out of control, because yesterday Aom had controlled herself in front of Mr. and Mrs. Jittaleela. But she still felt the need to vent her anger against Tina

Because Aom still felt the deep pain Tina had caused to her, yesterday afternoon, at confess to her, without wanting recant for anything, not even the least modest to look regretful

"I have another woman"

"Aom, I'm not lying. I've been seeing another woman since a few days and I don’t have in mind to stop seeing her, that's why I'm saying this, I'm sorry"

Her heart had broken at that time; she was hurt, angry and furious, with Tina, with herself for having shut her feelings for so long. Surely if she could or would have said something more kind, Tina would not have needed to go find someone else, and again… she remembered her fight with Tina a few days ago…

"You and I know, I'm a womanizer, I'm just going to places full of women"

"I mean, come on. You’re Aom Manaying, president of the most famous company around Thailand, most powerful and intelligent woman... you don’t need much thought to assimilate of what place I go now, which bed I will sleep"

"And I, I'm just a stupid ert"

And Tina had fulfilled what she had said, except that such woman, it seems, she had not been one night stand. This woman had been smarter, had achieved with some unknown trick for her, to Tina take her very seriously and even to go to buy an apartment for her, as she had said yesterday at the meeting with her parents

Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud sound of a car horn outside the house; surely it was Tina, boasting as usual. Aom took her purse and left the house

Tina’s black sport car was in front the house entrance, with Tina lean on it, wearing a Fit black Tuxedo that made her look so damn handsome, with her eyes toward her shiny black shoes, her hair neatly slicked back that brought out, one… gauze pad taped to her forehead with surgical tape. Huh? “Good evening Aom, you look pretty beautiful" Tina cordially greet her as she opened the passenger door for her

"Thanks, you look very handsome as well" Aom took Tina's hand that helped her to get into the car. After not hearing any more replies, she watched as Tina closed the door and then walked around the car to take her place as the driver

It was an awkward silence, only traffic noise from the road was heard. But Aom could not help but feel that anxiety to interrogate Tina, gnawing doubts her mind "I thought when you called, you said that you already were coming on the way to be here” Aom dropped out

But Tina didn’t even flinch, with her eyes straight ahead "I was, but I had to come back, my dear girlfriend all of a sudden asked me to bring something for her and I couldn’t say no"

And anger was all Aom felt “I see…” She closed her eyes, looking for some peace against that unknown woman who seemed to enjoy so many privileges, the spoiled attitude to make Tina abide those absurd requests

"What do you think Miss Manaying? Is pretty unusual that you devote to the silence” Tina mocked her

But instead Aom looked pretty exhausted, even to fight back "I'm thinking about all the possibilities that could be at this dinner, unfortunately there is a hundred percent probability that all go wrong at this meeting” she murmured

"What do you mean?" Tina looked at her sidelong

Aom turned her gaze to the road too, somewhat embarrassed to talk about it "My parents, they are usually a bit surly and intolerable; especially my mother who could say some things that make you think she is an untreatable person. I'm afraid you're going to run away"

And Tina could not help smiling, she enjoyed the challenges, so there is nothing Aom's parents could say to scare her, however, the frightened ones who would leave possibly fleeing would be them “Why would I be concerned about? I am a charm, besides that I know to stand up for myself”

Aom snorted, irritated by the arrogance of Tina "We'll see…” here the healthiest decision was to let everything just happen like it's supposed to happen, terrifyingly unexpected and wrong but in a natural way "And by the way… Why did you bring those things in your head?” she pointed to her forehead and nape where could also see another gauze pad

Tina had expected that question but that didn’t stop her body to react, tightening like a well-concealed rock "Yesterday I fell down the stairs, nothing serious but I have to wear this for a while” she said with a shrug "I hope that your parents do not mind this, because at least it’s coupled with my white shirt” using her usual taunts as she waited for Aom to stop the issue. It seemed the trick had worked because she muttered a slight "stupid"

 

.

.

.

 

 

Mrs. Manaying looked at her wristwatch again and then takes another sip of her wineglass “Honey, you're exceeding with the drink” she heard her husband saying beside her

"They are late as I become more and more impatient, how can you be so calm? Our daughter will present us a… girl, with whom she has an affair!” The woman was scandalized

“Well, I'm not in the heyday of happiness with the news, but before judging, I will first wait to meet her and let Aom explains this” he replied without haste

The old woman ignored her husband, drinking more of her wineglass.

Her view immediately identified her daughter who was now guided by the waiter to their table, and she quickly examined them, or more precisely, to the person who her daughter was clinging by the arm

She was probing a glance to her opponent. And the first thing she could tell was that she looked like a boy, but she had investigated Suppanad Jittaleela so she was aware of her unique tomboy style. But also, reluctantly she had to admit, she was very handsome, and not for nothing was a model. But her charm wasn’t found exclusively in her physical appearance.

Of course, the dossier her assistant had brought her, clearly said she was she was the type of seductive prince with a long and brazen experience with women, who ended up making them fall for her and to take advantage of any prey that fell in her claws, and whom most men who knew her claimed she made her way through life with the strength and power her arrogance and insolence allowed her. And who also enjoys the words duels with everybody who tries to go over her overbearing ego

All this was easy to corroborate, just needed to look at that haughty bearing which seemed to be enough to make others give her the space to pass through them, so graceful and sure of herself, strutting as she took her daughter's arm cordially

Their eyes were finally able to hit together, and Mrs. Manaying indignantly could see her bright smile that distilled superiority "Mom, Dad, good night, it's nice to see you after so long" Aom greeted them with mild and respectful bowing, releasing Tina´s arm

"Lady, gentleman, it’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Tina Jittaleela” Tina also bowed to them

And certainly Mrs. Manaying was expecting some kind of ert troublemaker who would laugh in her face for having managed to catch an innocent girl of good family, after all, models were a reputation for being spendthrifts and vicious. But these good manners probably just fit to her act overly rehearsed "I know, and since you arrived late you should stop wasting time and sit down”

But Tina smiled "Yeah, I guess you're right” She nodded, and helping Aom with the chair, listening a soft "thank you" she smiled at her, and then take a seat beside her

“Dinner was already served more than ten minutes ago, Aom tell us what took you so long? What was so important to not be on time?” Her father said, so her eyes unconsciously went to Tina’s who also looked at her

"It was my fault” Tina spoke, attracting the attention of the older man “I was in the photography studio and I fell down the stairs so I had to take care of my wounds” she pointed her forehead

Yes of course. Tina would not say, she and Tavee had spent the day buying furniture for the apartment and new clothes for Tavee, she would not say either then she went to the apartment of Zee on purpose for being late and make Aom angry

"I think that's the lamest excuse I've heard” Mrs. Manaying hissed and then, drink more of her wineglass

"Mom, I think you're drinking too much" Aom said concerned

“Of course I'm doing it, how then, do you expect for me to tolerate this dinner?” Malicious words of her mother was what Aom was being prepared for happen, but certainly not as fast as this and even less when she seemed a little drunk

"Mom..." Aom murmured

"She's a girl, you're dating a girl" the comment was more a disbelieving claim of how silly it seemed that, as if it were the most illogical she'd ever heard "Aom, it's time to come to your senses!"

When Tina heard the disapproving tone of Mrs. Manaying voice, the automatic ruling to protect Aom shot up in her head. Her posture was alert to confront anyone who tried to harm her princess, even if it was her mother “Then, tell to me lady, man or woman… why should something like that matter?”

"What did you say?" Growled the angry woman

"If I'm a girl or not, what's so bad about that as for you to disapprove it? On the contrary, even if it is not me, I think you shouldn’t judge the decisions of your daughter merely by your own prejudices, she is a good girl and although she can be a little reckless, she knows perfectly how to take her decisions” she smiled "It's not surprising that she agreed to go out with me” Tina winked at Aom who then lowered her embarrassed face

"Stop your rehearsed poetry, the two of you are girls, do you think that's natural? That you think this is right? You can never have stability or a family with my daughter, what do you think to provide her then?”

Tina laughed "I think you're confused, being male or female… it does not assure anyone to have stability, a family or a family or something to offer the other one”

Mrs. Manaying huffed indignantly; kids today had become very gainsaying “Do you have an answer for everything?”

Tina felt like a deja vu, as the daughter was the mother, maybe that's why the two did not get along so well, they were just as bossy and similarly irritated with anyone who was against them, and so as Tina had said in the past, she responded with the same words "No, but at least I try, I don’t like getting caught by surprise”

In all his years, Mr. Manaying never met anyone who faced that way to his wife not evens himself, because he was too afraid. He smiled pleased, determined to help a little to the brave girl “Tell us, Tina. What do you do?” He asked even though he already knew what her job was

Tina saw the kindness of Mr. Manaying and she was relieved that at least someone at this table didn’t try to kill her with those sharp looks as his wife and daughter, but this good time was ousted since obviously his wife would not stop souring this time either "Do you still live with your parents?" she listened to her, interrupting the man

Tina showed a smile which overwhelmed her natural charm; nothing would keep out for her to show good manners "I am a model. I even would be part of the new campaign in which Aom is working, and no… I live in my own home” And if there was something that will increase more her arrogance, was her profession

But Aom’s mother had a mastery belittling people "I guess then, you don’t live with a stable salary, rather as loosely wait for work to come to you, doesn’t surprise me your libertine irresponsibility” And the gallantry of Tina falter just a moment after these devastating words, but she managed to easily recover with the promise of making this for Aom and her own pride

Because she could answer, but surely that would bother Aom; and a fight was definitely not the best way to meet the parents of her now fake fiancée

Drink wine, her subconscious said, Tina had to drink wine and forget the rest. Ignoring her rude and false mother in law who also seemed to be drunk enough to take courage and say those words to someone she barely knows "How many women have you been before?" asked Mrs. Manaying, with meticulous eyes, waiting for her reply

Tina almost choked with red wine she had drunk. For the first time she felt her magnificence so small and out of control. Really these women were something else in this world, Shameless and insensitive creatures! "If you are asking me if I'm a womanizer…” She said through clenched teeth, then exhale with a smile “No, I'm just a common pathetic person in such false womanizer body, you know, this handsome face is the one who takes the money home, right honey?” and winked at Aom flirtatiously

Now it was the turn of Aom to choke. Oh great! What had she thought when she decided to bring Tina here? Would she remain with some trauma for being in this conversation?

The older woman snorted "Of course everything is a lie; you probably sleeps with any woman who stands in your way, so stop making an effort to cover your dirty tricks"

Tina’s smile widened “You have investigated me” she said calmly "But not enough, you know lady, I'm not used to be so crude at saying things, but since you have so much interest in knowing the truth, I guess I have no choice” she shrugged her shoulders "It is true that in my singleness I lost count of the women I met with" she nodded "But I haven’t had with anyone else since I started dating your daughter, she's the only one” Were her last words that caused the scandalized yell of Mrs. Manaying and the laughter that despite his efforts her husband, could not stop

“Aom!” Her mother kept shouting shocked "What kind of girlfriend you have? The imprudence to reveal what happens in your house, with you!"

And as much as Aom was ashamed of the effrontery of Tina and the not so apparent amusement of her father, she could not help to be more astonished by the words of her mother. Had she said...?

But her thoughts were interrupted again by another intransigent reply from Tina "Mrs. Manaying, I am glad that you are already comfortable with the idea of Aom being my girlfriend, and you have nothing to be worried about, because I bet that even if I am unemployed, I have enough money to give Aom whatever she asks me for, the life my princess deserves without restriction”

At that time, the three members of Manaying family had a revelation

Mrs. Manaying really hated the arrogance and wordiness of this pathetic attempt of a prince but for now she would not say anything until she had proof of her disloyalty towards her daughter because, perhaps her speech had relaxed her, just a little bit

Mr. Manaying thought about how much he liked that kid even though she might be too carefree but he was grateful she loved his princess so much, which she was now claiming to be her princess. He just hoped his wife leave them alone, for the happiness of their daughter

And Aom finally could realize with just those words uttered by Tina, that she was stupid, hopeless and absurdly in love with her

How was she not able to be in love with that idiot if she could put in place to her mother, to make laugh her father and at the same time make her heart melt for her?

 

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Tina had agreed to take Aom parents to their home after both were exceeded with wine and champagne; Mr. Manaying was unable to ever drive again.

And now she was sitting in the living room of the elegant mansion, with Mr. Manaying who calmly was smoking his tobacco pipe; waiting for Aom since she had gone upstairs to help her stubborn mother to finally go to sleep. Tina's gaze went to the wall next to the fireplace, trying to ward off her boredom, her eyes directly to the pictures of the familiar photos

Mr. Manaying noticed her interest “that’s Aom” pointed with the hand that held the pipe "She was there five years and she used to be so attached to me, she was so cute…” he smiled

Tina looked at the photograph, a smiling girl who was in the arms of her father. She smiled too she replied softly “She is still very cute”

His smile widened even more, satisfied with her words,

“Tina…” He began by saying to get her attention, watching her turn to see him but still keeping silent “I, compared to my wife I did not send anyone to investigate you” he said “"And I have to admit it was not because I trust you or her but because I wanted to judge for myself the kind of person you were, I didn’t want to jump to conclusions” his premonitions with this girl somehow let him happy, proud despite the very unusual choice of his daughter. But in the end he still was her father, and a parent must push harder for the happiness of his daughter, or rather as threatening to her happiness

"And I really appreciate it, sir, thank you very much… for giving me the opportunity to stand up for myself”

"Well, thanks to you too," the man nodded

"Why?" Asked Tina confused

"Because even though you and I only spent a few hours, I could see that you are not the type of person who would remain quiet listening to someone like my wife but still you knew how to be respectful while at the same time you protect my daughter”

"Oh ... is that so? I was just doing the right thing" was her simple answer

The man deep breath and turned his gaze forward "You know, our little Aom is my greatest treasure” he confessed to her “She smart, beautiful, respectful and really cares about us, but despite that her innocence and good heart have always been her worst problem, sometimes I don’t know if I should be angry or happy for it” Tina heard him laugh without fun “I tried to show than for her to became the leader of the family, she must be hard and authoritarian for her own benefit, I insisted and even pay for several teachers who taught her how she should be, but she never understood"

Her innocence and good heart have always been her worst problem?

He continued relating but at this point Tina still didn’t understand what those words were, perhaps age was making him lose the thread of the conversation "A normal girl would have complained to her father for ruining with so many studies her innocent childhood, even with a small argument" he sighed tired "But my Aom didn’t do it, on the contrary, she always told me that she would work hard so I could rest and she would take care of me, her mother and family businesses"

Those words hit really hard Tina’s ego who always was characterized by escape from the responsibilities her parents wanted to impose on her. She shrugged off the companies, in which her parents had worked so hard, she practically ignored and ran away from her family the moment she entered to the University, claiming to need independence to mature but the truth was she couldn’t stand having to live under their command. She always blames them for all the lessons and studies she was forced to take, even her college career had been planned for her to take the business

It was true what her sister Air had said many years ago, she was not a Charming Prince… she was a spoiled King

“She likes to make people happy she cares about, regardless of sacrifice herself, do you think that's right?” He looked at her with sadness and Tina tried to make the lump in to let her speak but couldn’t

How to do it? What to tell the father of the woman she was using to take care of what she refused to do? She was a jerk, selfish and heartless who didn’t think about anyone but her own benefits, acting before thinking

Always filling up herself to say that she was protecting her princess despite being badly treated for her, but here the only one who always took advantage of Aom, was her

Maybe Aom’s stupid boyfriend wasn’t so wrong after all

“She cannot even fight for the things she loves, what belongs to her by right” The sound of the table seemed to be heard throughout the house, because Mr. Manaying had hit the table angrily, then he ran a hand through his neck and sighed "Even when Soranut left her a week before his marriage with another girl she didn’t tell me, I had to find out on the news; I called her and asked if she was okay, I begged her to take a vacation and come back to home, but she refused, saying she was fine and that I should not be worried"

Oh, man… Tina didn’t want to hear this; the story of how horrible the idiot guy had been with her princess but even so Aom loved him so much that she had forgiven him for everything. This was pure torture "Months later, I heard from several people that I did not know, that my daughter had a relationship with a girl, and believe me, that's something you do not expect to hear in a common way, but despite what we wanted, we leave you to be alone for a while because our daughter looked happy”

“I…” Tina did not know which was worse the previous torture or the psychological intimidation she was getting now by the father of Aom

"But yesterday afternoon, we saw on television that with the girl our daughter was dating just a few months ago, they were now engaged” Well, this was the worst meeting with the in-laws ever

Tina cleared "To be honest with you, Aom and me met so unexpectedly…” Of course, she would not add any other details "But I can assure you without any slightest doubt that from the beginning, from the first moment my eyes fell on hers, I always thought seriously about your daughter, our moments together… every second was very important to me, so I was always sure I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her… I don’t want to give anyone the chance to take her away from me” Go to know where Tina had taken out those words; she doesn’t even know where all that courage and seriousness had come out. She was not even sure they were true, after all, her marriage with Aom was a farce, plus she was all in love with someone else

“Are you telling me this for Soranut? Do you know him?” Asked Mr. Manaying

Tina sighed, settling better on the couch since her sutures were aching again, perhaps the painkillers had finally gone "It's hard not to know him when he is still so close to Aom" Aom closeness with that guy was something she could not hide from her parents, moreover, because he seemed like a plague in their lives

The man frowned "You mean he had the nerve to look for my daughter again and after what he did” Tina looked at Mr. Manaying, surprised but at the same time enjoying his reaction, for a moment she had forgotten her beloved in-laws disliked the little boyfriend of Aom

And she wasn’t going to waste this advantage that was giving to her so kindly “Yes, I've you run into him at her work sometimes, and of course I let him know my anger for him to keep haunting her, but he seems reluctant, he even told me he planned to divorce his wife so he could win back Aom” She confessed quietly

He continued smoking his pipe, thinking about what he had heard from Tina "And what do you plan to do if she decides to leave you for him?"

"If she finally decides to leave me, if she really decides to go after him… I can’t do anything else” she shrugged

Yet in a sense her most disturbing thoughts shouted so loud to disappear him, for revenge, to do what he had done to her a few days ago but without a Tavee who would save his life. To lock her up, to… denying her the divorce and somehow force Aom to stay with her

Of course, she would never do that

Mr. Manaying frowned, that was not the answer he expected from Tina “Don't you love her?” He asked upset

“My feeling doesn´t matter but hers” was her simple answer "Because I have a good friend who one day said to me that if something doesn’t belong to you, you won’t be happy even if you get it”

He smiled, amusing of her words, which sounded rather like of a young child who must obey her mother, clearly repeating her warnings "Those words are true" he agreed with “But I also believe that if we do not fight for the things we most want, then we wouldn’t value it so much and so well… Also, if you do not fight for the person you love most, then it means you really don’t love her enough because you were able live despite not have her by your side"

Tina's heart began to run so fast, As if those words would have been enough to make it back to the way in which Aom always managed to put it. Or maybe it was because the owner of it right now was coming down the stairs, as beautiful as ever, and as she told Mr. Manaying that his wife was already asleep

But she was not paying attention anymore to what they now spoke. Tina was totally stunned. Her breathing was arrhythmic and her chest hurt so much that right now she does not care about her other wounds

She felt an urge to cry, to let off steam like any normal person

But no tears came out, she just kept looking frozen, that picture with which her conversation with Mr. Manaying had begun

But then, what more was left for her to do?

She still had three outstanding issues in her life: Aom, Mean and now Tavee

Three women mingled in her life, rooted to her and those who were taking as much without limits

And she had no idea how to get out of this, this great will mess she had gotten

“Tina?” Aom called her confused

"Huh?" She blinked in confusion of being alone with her, where was Mr. Manaying?

"My father said goodbye to you, but you seemed spaced out, so he said he didn’t mind that you didn’t say good night as long as you thought well what he told you" Aom said "What did you talk about?"

Say to Aom that she had betrayed her with her father? Hell, no! Far less, repeat the words of her father that still had her shocked “men's stuffs?” she joked heartily, and standing up

Aom looked at her irritated "Really?" she walked next to Tina to her car

Tina nodded "Yeah, so you don’t need to know”

"You're a girl, stupid" Aom said as if that was pretty obvious

Tina smiled, opening the car door for Aom "Still, you don’t need to know” she complained in pain because Aom had just kicked her knee before finally getting into the car

Such aggressive princess, so thoughtless…

Tina closed her eyes, trying to suppress the pain and not to move too much "Ah… I think that at this rate I will die young” she murmured, limped to her seat

Despite the kick she had given to Tina, Aom could see around the path she was carrying a soft smile on her face, which irritated her "Why you are smiling for?" Aom asked reluctantly

Tina shrugged "Nothing in particular, I think it was a good soiree” her smile widened as she remembered the dinner "Besides, now I was able find out from which side of your parents, you brought your short and bossy temper "she sneered

Aom opened to refute that comment, but no words came out of it. Even though she had a short temper ready to fight back, there was simply nothing to refute, because it was true “Hey, you… Are you going to staying tonight?" She dared to ask

Tina then erased her smile, doubts returning back to her head. Because there was still the matter of the three princesses over her, and she wasn’t the kind of prince who was shared between fairies tales just to fulfill with all of them "Yes, tonight I will stay” Yet she missed sleeping with Aom. And maybe that was why she was still following her everywhere, like a hopeless and masochistic puppy

How pathetic was her life

"Will you sleep with me?" women should stop saying such sentences if they didn’t want her to continue freaking out

"Yes, I'll sleep with you” Said already exhausted. Lately, manipulate women seemed to achieve manipulate her as they please

And although Aom did not know, she was the winner in what so many had longed for but never succeeded

She was going to marry Suppanad Jittaleela.

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HERE, updating the chapter really fast, because it's like 1 am and I'm sleepy

It was like torture, even though I wrote every day, it seemed never to be finished

Hope you like it