Chapter 11: Love War

.

.

.

 

 

Dew looked again at the clock on the wall, It's ten past eleven a.m. and probably Aom…

The thundering sound of the door broke her thoughts; the hard door slam tells her Aom had returned from her lunch break, with the mood of thousand hells she had for some reason unknown to Dew. She saw her walking to her desk, muttering things she didn’t understand but seemed directed towards someone with hatred. Dew sighed, preparing herself to speak “Aom, I brought you the dossiers of the photographers you asked me” she said, leaving the large pile of folders in front of her

"Why they are coming so late? I ordered them longer than two hours ago” Aom rebuked her in a harsh voice

Dew sighed with a tired voice, because they were with the same for several days "But you went to take your breakfast so I thought it was better to bring them until you come back” she replied in a calm voice

Of course, that did not decrease the bad mood of Aom "But if you had brought this on the time I asked for, I would not have gone out to have breakfast” she still complained stubborn

And Dew was getting tired of having to endure this since it was not her fault "Okay, that's enough! What the hell is wrong with you? Huh?"

Aom raised eyebrow and looked surprised to Dew “Come again?” It was more of a threat to see if she dared to repeat it

But Dew didn’t flinch, because she knew Aom for years, she felt on the right and the duty to make her stop the injustice that anyone at the office was guilty "I said I want to know what the hell is wrong with you, you have three weeks with an unbearable temper with everyone, yelling and bullying all around you, even I'm sick of this!” She complained angry

Aom blinked stunned, three weeks with bad mood? So much time had already passed? She was used to the frankness of Dew because they were friends for a long time and they were honest with each other. And Aom guessed she was really unbearable, because it was so unusual to Dew lost her temper like that. Aom lowered her head, ashamed of her childish behavior "Sorry, I think I'm a little stressed with everything, that's all” She excused herself

“A little?” Dew embodied her eyebrows to Aom, mocking how little she believed her

"Okay, I have my nerves on edge” she recognized, nodding her head several times

Dew looked at her from her place, squinting at her, carefully analyzing her. Something was out of place, something seemed to be seriously wrong and she could check it at see the look on her face "Is something wrong Aom? You don’t look very good” she asked

"Nothing" shook her head "Well… few problems at home” she finally says

Hearing that, the interest on Dew shot up. Moreover, her curiosity and doubts "Problems with Tina?" It was more a statement

"Yes" Aom nodded "We are very stressed with the preparations for the wedding"

Dew nodded understanding, everyone in the company knew about the engagement between Aom and Tina, indeed still up the news seemed to be seething on everyone's lips, and of course, Dew still felt a huge disappointment about that, but it wasn’t Aom’s fault she had fallen in love with Tina "I guess that anyone would be the same way like you, if you had to plan your own wedding as at the same time you have to make the new campaign for a huge company"

 “Yes…” Aom murmured thoughtfully

Dew felt there was something more Aom wasn’t telling her but she didn’t want to push her for now, she looked very anguished and angry, but… it was better to leave her alone, for her to think well on her problems. After all, if Aom had not wanted to tell her before, neither would say it if she push her to do so. Although deducting a bit on the subject, maybe it was because she was confused or unhappy

How could she be unhappy with being engaged with Tina?

She'd be squealing like a schoolgirl, excited and anxious for that. Tina was the dream of anyone

Or maybe, not Aom’s dream

“Dew?" Aom called her

"Huh?" Dew blinked coming out of her thoughts, a little dazed

"I said you could leave now, I'll call you when I have the latest candidates for the interviews” Aom repeated, raising an eyebrow "I look like some kind of dictator but you look like an astronaut living into space" shook her head

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something" Dew apologized "Anyway, I withdraw, let me know if you need anything else” she said and after that Dew walked out of the office

Aom sank into her chair once she was alone. Right now she didn’t need the suspicious glances of Dew, she had enough problems. And also, she couldn’t help but feeling bad for taking retaliated with all the employees of the company, and further, for three weeks

Three weeks?

And whose fault was that?

Ah... yes, now she could remember

It had been three weeks since she had seen Tina

Three weeks without going home, without calling her, send her a message at least, or to show up even for a moment to tell her that she was still alive

Three damn weeks!

Aom never realized how slowly could go twenty one days, how stormily slower the minutes went and how teasing the seconds seemed from her point of view

That jerk attempt of Prince

Could it be that Tina was with her so precious girlfriend? Arranging their new apartment, spending their time together, being all generously wasteful to fulfill her whims, being all lovey dovey with her...

But, she shouldn’t care that it was a shame this whole situation, she should be angry and not mortified

Even if all Aom wanted was to kill the unknown woman, just as she was doing now with her pen

Aom feel that familiar throbbing pain that always causes Tina, that irrational wave of discomfort that the mere fact of imagine Tina too close to someone else besides her caused to Aom, flooded to her as a temporary blindness

A rage against someone who didn’t have a clear face

It was strange and disturbing, like fighting the wind

Still, her dirty mind was soon give her a clear example to resolve her doubts while simultaneously tortured her

An image flickered faster on her head

"You’re going out today with Mean”

Mean…

"So my lovely and dense princess, let me get this straight…"

"You, my girlfriend, want me to meet this super model to hanging out with her?"

Mean and Tina…

"You agreed for me to gonna date with her!"

The falsehood in her head as she created an outrageous image of Tina pulling Mean into her arms, and then pressing her lips against Mean, the notion of time so slowly

“You know, I don’t care that you ask me to meet a lot of times with Mean so that your product has more publicity, but you should understand…  No only other people could misunderstand it, but also I”

“No…” Aom drawled heavily, closing her eyes tightly, fiercely trying to erase all of that from her mind

It was silly, ridiculous and was never going to happen in the life

But that didn’t stop her mind to laugh at her own face due to her insecurities and jealousy

Jealousy? Was she jealous? Then she couldn’t help but think about the words once Tina said to her

"It's good you're not jealous, you cannot be jealous, I will not let you be jealous any time”

"No" she spat bitterly

"So you can be jealous, but I do not?"

"You don’t have to worry about it; I'll take care of jealousy on both sides so you will not need them"

Then her hand stopped to squeeze the poor pen, the realization of the true meaning behind those words

How come she hadn’t figured this out before?

The possessive behavior of Tina with her, her constant bad moods, the violent tantrum outside her office Tina had when she is usually so cheerful and gentle

The constant searches and harassment with all her schedules

If only imagine what Tina felt with her disregard, Aom can’t even begin to imagine what she must have been when she found out about the constant meetings and visits of Soranut with her

She doesn’t know how Tina had done it; Aom doesn’t understand how she went through all this, to handle all those days without saying anything, how she didn’t crack herself until the little altercation at the company

And yet, if Tina was so possessive and reluctant to let her go… Why she had broken up with her then?

Why she had looked for someone else?

Something there made no sense. If Tina always said she was not a player, and how tired would be to her seeing two women at once, and by showing his displeasure towards women in particular...

Then how she had got another girlfriend so fast?

Protect her about everything and everyone, allowing to be manipulated by her, complies with every whim, having agreed to marry her just to keep that girl safe and hide her from Mr. and Mrs. Jittaleela as if they might break her, keeping her under a bubble which she cautiously would take care

Her prince, the person who Aom loves the most

Her ex-girlfriend Tina, who took away her ity. Or rather, whom she willingly gave her ity

With whom she was going to marry…

Aom couldn’t understand at all what was in her mind, her reasons for doing whatever she was doing

Tina always seemed too lonely when it came to express herself, hesitant to open her feelings, what she thought

And that's why Aom knows she has no choice. She needs to know what was going through Tina’s head

Aom fingers drumming on the desk as she thought what to do, how to solve this very frustrating situation where she isn’t in control, where she doesn’t know what is happening, where everything seems so detached from her

 

.

.

.

 

 

Tina woke up in a bad mood when she heard insistent knocking at the door, annoying knocks on the door that did not let her go back to sleep in her bed happiness. She sat on the bed yet with closed eyes, cursing the person on the other side of the door, finally trying to open her eyes that still felt heavy and then turn her head to see Tavee who was still deeply asleep like a rock, inadvertently of the scandal outside "Carefree odd woman" Tina tsked, adjusting her slippers and hesitantly walking to the front door

Opening the door grudgingly, not surprised to find Zee with that idiotic smile Tina hated so much in the mornings "Hello my friend" Zee greeted, but her face turned into pure mockery, seeing the total disaster on Tina’s morning hair, furthermore, the fact that most of her pajama top was ed "rough night?" she raised both eyebrows suggestively

Tina's gaze went to the view of Zee, noticing the mess in her silk shirt, she quickly buttoned it again "It's not what you think, you ert" she complained

“Yeah, sure” Zee continued taunting her, not believing a word

"I tell you it’s not" she snorted "Tavee… she, she moves while she sleeps, Okay?" Tina rubbed her neck

"Right…” Zee narrowed her eyes "By the way, where is she? Already went to school?” she asked looking around

"She's sleeping" Tina said “She hasn’t felt well for a couple of days ago, so I asked her to stay at home, just in case"

Zee frowned, understanding why Tina had canceled her photo shoot today "Has she seen any doctor?"

"Yes, he prescribed some medicines but now she needs absolute rest because of dizziness and nausea she have, so I'm taking care of her” Tina explained “By the way, Did you need something else? Is there something wrong?”

"No, nothing important," Zee shook her head "I just wanted to see if you like to have lunch with me, to be honest… I thought you had not come to work because Tavee had you tied to the bed or something” Zee replied

"You're a bloody sick dude” Tina shook her head "But thanks, I already am hungry, I guess we could go out for lunch”

"Or dinner since it is already noon"

“Noon?” Tina checked her wristwatch; it was exactly half past twelve, how many hours she had slept? ¿16 or 18 hours?

"I guess she indeed had you tied on the bed” Zee murmured quietly

"You're an idiot" Tina snorted, she had been sleeping for so long, and now Tavee had missed taking her medicine twice "I'm going to get Tavee up, you wait here Mr. ert” threatened her with a finger, hearing a slight "yes" and then, going to the bedroom. Awakening Tavee was always a problem, she was like a dead weight for at least two hours until she magically transformed into a sparkling and smiling cuteness. In any case, Tina was sure she would love to go out for lunch

Tina made her way back to the bedroom. Looking all the time to a sleeping Tavee, then sitting on the edge of the bed and gently shake her “Hey cutie, come on, get up” she murmured softly, but only heard growls "Come on, you should take your medicines" some incoherent words came from the mouth of Tavee but still she refused to open her eyes "Stop being so lazy, Zee is here, we will go out for lunch” those words were enough for her to open her eyes but with laziness

“Hi” Tavee stammered still sleepy, with her voice a little husky from her usual and smoother one

"Hey, you cutie" Tina smiled "Zee is here to have breakfast, so you and I need to get ready to go out, I'll let you decide what you want to eat”

"Mmm, I would love to have some waffles”

"Come on, get up!" Tina said again, taking Tavee in her arms to make her stand up, hearing a cry out of surprise from her "I have no problem with help you, if you want it” she raised an eyebrow haughtily, but without any intention in particular, the only thing that crossed her mind was realizing how skinny Tavee still felt into her hands, anemia recovery was so slow that made Tina feel frustrated and further still was the relapse Tavee had two days ago when she had found her fainted in the kitchen

"Thank you, but I can do it for myself” Tavee answered already fully awake "You should take a bath first, I'll help you to choose your clothes meanwhile, okay?” Carefully she leaned on her two legs as Tina left her on the floor slowly

"As you wish my lady" Tina smiled at her and she leaned over, placing a small kiss on Tavee’s cheek, who seemed very surprised by her sudden action and then see her go to the bathroom as if nothing had happened

Tavee took cheek, there where she still could feel the tingle that the kiss of Tina had left her as a sign, Why does Tina have to be so casual with her? Tina He didn’t really know what was causing to her

An insistent noise on the nightstand brought her back to reality, turning around to see what it was about “Tina, it’s your cellphone, its ringing!” she shouted from her place in the middle of the bedroom

“Answer it!” she heard Tina said from the bathroom

 “Aright…” Tavee murmured though not so convinced but she answer the call anyway “Hello?” she said as she took it. But nobody seemed to answer the other side of the phone line "Hello? Is anyone there? "She ventured to ask

Tavee finally heard a sigh "Yes, my name is Aom Manaying and I'm looking for Tina, is she there? I want her to answer my call"

Tavee’s cheerful glaze, was slowly becoming pale while anguish came out, she moved away the cellphone of her ear “Ah… yes, she’s, but… I mean, she’s taking a shower right now” she anxious stuttered, trying to speak clearly but without saying anything to harm Tina

“I see…” she heard Aom response that seemed thoughtful for a few seconds that seemed like torture for Tavee. Tina's girlfriend was so scary and she was just hearing her voice "Okay, I'll call her later, thank you very much miss…” Aom made a pause and Tavee knew it was only a silent demand for her to say her name

Did she should tell her?

“Hey, I can’t thank anyone particularly if you don’t tell me your name, hurry up, I don’t have all day” Aom growled annoyed

“So-sorry, I am Ti… I, my name is Tavee" she let out helplessly, Aom just press too much

Then there was another silence, and Tavee began to hate the silences

Had she ruined it? Did she have said too much? It was because of Tina, she shouldn’t have asked her to answer her phone

"Nice to meet you Miss Tavee, please tell Tina I called her, and I will call her in another time” Despite the good ways Aom reply to her, Tavee could still hear the sharp tone in which she expressed every word, as if she tried to convey to her other types of hidden message

"Yes, I will miss Manaying" finally her voice seemed to return back to normal, knowing that the call was ending

"See you later Miss Tavee" frightening chill surrounded Tavee’s skin at hearing that

What did she mean by that?

But still she replied "Goodbye Miss Manaying" and then she hung up the call

Tavee let out all the air she was holding

She then proceeded to go into the dressing room that was at the end of the room, a giant wardrobe within three folding glass doors with mirrored window film, Tavee couldn’t help but smile as she prepared Tina’s clothes

That had been so cool and scary. She thought Tina was overreacting when she referred to Aom as an icy dictator, but now with just talk to her, she could tell it was a perfect nickname for her. Although certainly she felt confused with Aom attitude toward her, most women would explode in rage if another woman had answered the phone of her lover, even more when she told her that her beloved girlfriend was in the shower and could not answer her, but Aom hadn’t yelled, not even some kind of recrimination, she had sounded upset on the phone but cordial after all

Aom Manaying was a very mysterious and interesting woman; terrifyingly mysterious and interesting

Although, speaking of unpredictable people… was also Tina

Why Tina was still with her? What did she expect from her? And if Tina was expecting something from her, so what happened with Aom?

Tina was such a teaser. Saying all and yet saying nothing, pushing and pulling all the time. An open book but who boasted by keeping the suspense at all costs. A person who liked to show everything but herself

Undoubtedly, Tina and Aom were two of a kind, a pair of fools and helplessly stubborn

Tavee was choosing Tina shirt, a white and black plaid shirt wouldn’t be bad at her, would combine with her black trousers, Tavee told herself when suddenly she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist that pulled her closer to the person behind her. She gave a startled cry then she heard the amused laugh of Tina "It's not funny, you almost gave me a heart attack," she pouted

"Oh! Believe me cutie, was hilarious to me” Tina finally let Tavee go "Your face was priceless, thought you were ready to attack me back” continued making fun of her

"You’re an idiot, what would have happened if I would have attacked you back?” Tavee raised an eyebrow

And the burlesque expression of Tina just increases more with her words "Is that so? So what would you have used? Any of my ties to try to strangle me?"

 "Stupid" Tavee muttered

"I am, I admit it” Tina nodded "By the way, who was the person who phoned me?” Tina asked taking her black trousers in her hands "Was it from work?"

Tavee stiffened at the doubts that still surrounding her, feeling as if she had done something wrong "No… it was your girlfriend, Aom” she answered anyway

Tina frowned "Aom?"

"Yes, she was asking for you, and I told her you were in the shower"

Tina looked at her, there was something Tavee wasn’t telling her "So? Anything else you would like to add?"

"Well, I…” Tavee started playing with her fingers, her gaze down, embarrassed "I told her my name, I'm sorry"

Tina sighed. She had not wanted to give any details that relate to Tavee but fine, if Aom knew something more about her, there was nothing else to do "Okay, there is nothing to say sorry” Tina patted her head, trying to comfort her and make her stop feeling so guilty

"Really? I thought I had ruined it since the moment I said hello” Tavee still seemed worried

"Well, you didn’t, so don’t worry about that anymore, I don’t care if Aom knows about you” Tina replied

"Seriously?”

"Seriously” Tina nodded

“You don’t care if Aom know me?”

Tina stopped, raising an eyebrow, looking suspiciously to Tavee "What do you mean with that?"

"You already know that soon I will finish my career” Tavee started saying "And that I needed to start doing my practices since some time ago” Tina nodded but still suspicious "So I saw this newspaper ad today… that in Jittaleela companies are looking for a photographer for the new campaign” Tina's heart stopped panicking while Tavee’s was running a thousand miles per hour because of her nervousness

This could not be happening to her, Tina thought as she cursed internally

"What did you say?" Tina murmured apprehensively, her eyes peering at her not believing what came out of

And Tavee nervousness grew more after hear that, seeing her side of pure awe "I want to go for an interview"

Of course, her life always had to find a way to become a hell, there wouldn’t be a single breath of relief for her "Why?" she asked exhausted

And Tavee felt like when she was just a girl and her parents scolded her for doing something inappropriate “I need it, there is no better opportunity for me than this, you know that” Tavee said “Tina… I'm not trying to twist your life and I wouldn’t be asking you this if it were not so important” she begged her “Please…”

Tina snorted and Tavee took this as a good sign that she was at least thinking about it

Then with one hand Tina began to untie her robe, zipping around, with all the confidence that she invested to the point of being unbearable arrogance but Tavee wasn’t someone who was used to this sort of thing, on the contrary, she was too reserved as her parents had taught her to be, so it was no surprise that she opened her eyes greatly shocked just like "What are you doing?!" Tavee was scandalized, her eyes blinked as he tried to look away from Tina who dropped the robe at her feet "Hey, stop it! Why are you doing that with me here?!” Tavee now covered her eyes; her voice had gone so severe and trembling

But Tina just looks innocently at her, batting her eyelashes as if she didn’t understand "What are you talking about? I'm just dressing up, Zee is still waiting for us outside and also I'm cold” she shrugged

"Nonsense! You're being truly a cheeky ert, strutting in front of me all ” she mumbled embarrassed, still refusing to look

Tina was not going to waste this time, after all, not every day she could catch off guard and shyly this girl. She came over to stand in front of Tavee, taking her hands that still covered her eyes "Cutie, if you cannot bear to see my attractive figure, you can go outside and wait for me to get dressed" She taunted, uncovering the eyes of Tavee who immediately and unavoidably gave a quick glance at her whole body with her gaze still stunned and with eyes wide, What was wrong with that face? After that, Tavee practically run away from there, not before yelling at her, she would take a shower now

Tina laughed amused by the situation; Tavee could pretend to be a rascal and adulthood but it was obvious she didn’t know the meaning of those words properly. She started to put on her trousers without understanding why Tavee looked so shocked if she was wearing her boxers already, she wasn’t wearing any tank top but her almost flat chest wasn’t something to be surprised, there was hardly anything to see, what a dramatic woman

Although, that was a good excuse to make her get out there, Tina thought as her smile faded from her face, to become a serious and thoughtful expression as she put on her tank top. The request of that cutie was still trying to fit on her head

It was after all, a very risky thing to do and almost impossible if Aom found out whom was actually Tavee

On the other hand, she couldn’t forbid or to imprison Tavee forever. She was not an object, or her possession

But… What if she had a relapse at work?

What better than having her around to keep an eye on her, because Tavee was stubborn and if she did not seek for a job in the company of her parents, she would do it somewhere else

Yes, it was best to having her around. But…

What would she do with Aom then?

 

.

.

.

 

 

Tina laughed for the tenth time that day, listening as Zee was talking about her attempts to ask Dew for a date, Aom’s secretary, but always failed miserably because she get nervous and ended up fleeing like a coward, a clumsy coward "I tell bro, I had almost succeeded yesterday, I was so close, that girl is so slippery as hell” Zee boasted

"So what happened to that almost would not be a concluded date?” Tina raised an eyebrow, not believing in the words of Zee. Dew had been all winking and giggles with her; she had practically thrown herself whenever she had gone to visit Aom to her office

Zee stopped her dramatic gestures, glancing at Tavee who now eat a big bowl of ice cream, so focused and marveled as if all that vanilla would be put out her sight "Aom showed up" she said thoughtfully, her view towards Tina who now raised an eyebrow "She arrived slamming doors, with a look of pure anger, as if she was going to kill someone, shouting and commanding everyone, It was so scary….” she ended up severely

"Yes, Miss Aom's so scary, I almost make pee on myself when I spoke to her this morning” Tavee nodded looking up

Tina chuckled at hear the description of Tavee "Is that so? Is she really that scary?” she scoffed but only saw her shake her head up and down effusively

"Wait ... did you?" Zee stopped their chat, looking at Tavee stunned "You spoke with Miss Holocaust?" She asked in disbelief

"Yes idiot, she answered my phone this morning while I was taking a shower" Tina agreed

Zee's smile was broader and sadistic, even more so, she couldn’t help but laugh inwardly at the irony of all this. Her friend had actually made it, doesn’t it? Revenge against woman who so much had scoffed at her, to pay her back in the same coin, even more splendid! Have managed both women speak to each other "And what did she say?" she asked with a need to know the dirty details

But Tavee seemed oblivious to the cruel mentality of Zee, more concerned about the indifferent behavior of Tina’s girlfriend,  behind the phone call “Not too much actually, she just asked for Tina, but as I told her she was in the shower, she said she would call later” she explained, taking another bite of her dessert

She felt very curious about Aom Manaying; and that was one reason why she had asked Tina permission to work there, she wanted to meet that bossy and calculating woman, she was dying to know what was the fuss about, but Tavee didn’t want Tina found out she was snooping in the company of her parents and to give her a heart attack

"Is that all what she said?" Zee frowned to the amusement of Tina who already knew the unpredictable mind of her stubborn princess

"Yes ..." Tavee murmured "Well, she asked for my name” she said grudgingly

Ah, there it was. Zee smiled now more pleased with that answer. Aom wouldn’t show her jealousy so blatantly, but… she would let clues of it "I guess you told her, that woman is usually very compelling" Zee raised an eyebrow

"And you're being very nosy" Tina stepped in overly protective "Stop harass Tavee, you spoiled brat" Tina reproached her, taking a napkin and helping to clean the face of Tavee "And you, Why does always have to eat your nose first before you?" Muttered

"Ah, no need to kill me with those eyes young master, I was just a little curious" Zee raised her hands in peace

"You can’t buy me with that lame excuse idiot servant, I know you perfectly" Tina threatened her with a finger and finally straightening up in her place “There you go cutie, beautiful as ever" Tina smiled at Tavee

"Thanks" Tavee smiled back

Zee looked at them, studying them from side to side several times; meanwhile they both seemed so foreign in their own silly world, Zee winced "And this leaves us with the advantage for the marshmallow" she muttered still staring incredulously "the master princess, you are slowing down too much, what are you waiting for?”

Zee had hoped that after the break with Aom, Tina would fall into a pit, in depression, which nothing would be left about her best friend and that she would have personally to chain Aom back to her, with threats, bribery or even blackmail, whatever! Even she would have expected Tina became a nun or for her own to kidnap Aom, but this…

She hadn’t put this as a possibility, because it was not even a possibility at all! Zee not yet clearly understood from where had come Tavee, from where Tina knew her and why one day like any other with all the peace in the world her stupid friend had asked her to buy an apartment, clothes and even give Tavee an unlimited credit card. Yes, it was true that her friend used to be very lavish with her conquests, but with jewelry, with expensive dinners, gentleness, fur coats, luxury trips, you know, smallest details, but not as if it was to turn her into a queen! What was so special about this woman to make Tina put her in almost as big as Aom’s pedestal?

Was the effect Tavee had on her perhaps? Something that needed to be compensated?

Maybe that was the reason since Tina she looked so radiantly happy, she could hardly avoid that idiotic smile. Also, Tina looked like she couldn’t take her eyes away from Tavee who also seemed to always be looking for her like a lost puppy "Hey Zee! stop drooling into outer space, it's time to go” Tina shook her hand in front of her face

“Eh?” Zee blinked confused to see that both Tavee and Tina had stood

"You've been there staring at nothing like an idiot for about twenty minutes, I already got bored of seeing you" Tina mocked

Zee finally stood up too, clucking his tongue and looking at Tina disapprovingly "How can you say that to me, old friend? I love you, is not that enough for you? You should be more than happy to see me” She dramatized, her arm around Tina and pulling her down "You arrogant ingrate, I should punish you for that dirty mouth of yours” Zee shook her a few times, squeezing more the grip on her neck as they were leaving café and went to Tina's car

"Miss Tina, good afternoon" That stern voice was unmistakable to Tina, she stopped just like Zee did, her smile had disappeared from her lips to the confusion of Zee who didn’t know the person in front of them, plus it was uncommon for someone refer to Tina as Miss since everyone called her, young master or sir

Tina was reincorporated, her demeanor eventually becoming respectful with the old person "Mrs. Manaying, good afternoon, it’s a pleasure to see you again" she bowed

And only the last name was enough for Zee and Tavee to understand the situation

Zee felt the disgusted look of the woman when she looked at them "Yes, and also I can see you're busy with your… friends”

But Tina would not allow any offense against them "Yes, I'm taking lunch with my family” she said severely

Of course, gallantry and good sense weren’t one of the strong points of Zee, even less, caring about someone who was practically denigrating Tina "We were not having on the cafeteria table if you're wondering, ma'am” she sneered

“Zee!” Tina rebuked her as Tavee tried to keep from laughing, grimacing

"Young lady, you're being very rude, and I will not allow that” the woman warned rigorously

“On the contrary ma'am, you are the one who's being like that” Zee defiantly raised her head “You and your hypocritical education have me careless, but I will not allow you to slander my little bro and also, if you want to be treated with respect, then you should provide it first"

Tina took the bridge of her nose with her hand, she could read Zee facial expressions so well and she knew Zee was ready to growl and bite if it was necessary to drive away the mother of Aom. That wasn’t good at all; Aom would kill her if she found out what the very explicit language of Zee had said to her mother.

"Miss..." Aom's mother seemed to try to get some calm for the moment

"My name is Zee" she cut off "And if you're looking to investigate me at some point after this to take revenge on me for offending you, my name is Zee Matanawee Keenan” she continued daring her

Mrs. Manaying smiled sarcastically after hearing that "kid, you're so full of yourself, I don’t care at all about you, I don’t care about any of you” she said quietly "Still, I want you to be quiet, your sister and I are having a conversation here, so, do you think you could keep your nose out of this?”

"What?" Zee frowned "What you just told me?" Zee growled through clenched teeth. Tina could see the fire of fury growing in her eyes and she knew Zee was someone who was easy to get angry but very hard to reassure again

"Zee, please just be quiet" Tina stepped in

Zee looked at upset but still obeyed her silent request “Fine!” she said reluctantly

Tina sighed, tired of all this drama that seemed more an artwork of comedy with an attempt of suspense on it "Mrs. Manaying, do you need something? I don’t think you've stopped to talk me out of pure cordiality, do you came to congratulate me on my engagement with your daughter?” she said seriously but mockery in her words was still there

And comparing to Zee, Tina didn’t need a lot to get the woman out of her mind "I haven’t approved that marriage and I never will!" She said angrily "So it's better for you to finish all this farce before I do it if you do not want to end up ashamed for being left alone right in the shrine"

Tina didn’t seem the least bit shaken by her words "Why would I do that? Your daughter is quite pleased with our engagement; do you want to see your daughter unhappy? "Tina asked innocently "Give me a good reason to end our marriage, and maybe I will take into account”

"The fact that you two are women, "It's not important?"

Tina snorted "Come on, I thought there would be something better Mrs. Manaying, that is too overrated and more to be said lame, I thought it had been clear before”

“And what do you say about you're a womanizer? I will not let you to play with my daughter”

"And I already had also said that aside from your daughter I no longer….”

"Don’t! Don’t you dare finish that sentence again” Mrs. Manaying threatened her flustered

"Then you shouldn’t mistrust me, I will be after all the future husband of your daughter" she shrugged

"I investigated you, on the record clearly she says you runs after the first skirt you see” the older woman continued replicating

"Mrs. Manaying you know better than anyone that people always make speculations and believe anything" Tina raised an eyebrow

"Yes, you can find all the excuses you want, but… she should not go out with you again, and you know it” she said in a serious voice

Tina looked at her with a blank expression

"My daughter grew up to have it all, she grew up to live the perfect life of a princess, a fairy tale with a happy ending, you can pretend to be a prince… but the truth is, no matter how hard you try, you will never be one"

Tina didn’t move any muscle despite the toughness of those incisive words, not a single wink. But Tavee on the other hand tried to take a few steps, frowning, more than angry, ready to yell a couple of truths at that woman, but was stopped by Zee who took her by the wrist

Tina's mind was screaming at her not to allow this humiliation, to get up and spit to that woman that she had so much money to buy even the moon Aom wanted so badly from those children's stories she read, but she just stood in silence…

Because it was not only her pride that was being squeezed out at this point but also her heart

Because she wasn’t so pathetic to use her money and win the love of Aom or the confidence of her parents; she was arrogant, not by her personal belongings but by her own self, because she didn’t need anything more than herself to assert in the world

But the rational part of her mind was boasting just like Aom’s mother, reminding her that none of that had served to bring the attention of Aom, that her princess as much as it hurt…

Was a rich businesswoman, a woman merely rooted in her work and who already had what she considered in her own judgment, a Prince Charming "I don’t think you and I will reach an agreement my lady, you and I have very different points of view of what is considered a worthy prince” was the absent reply of Tina

"What did you say?"

"What you heard" Tina replied to her "By the way, if you want so badly to end our engagement, then you should talk to your daughter not with me” she shook her head and then add “she never considers my opinions”

"Excuse me?" The woman asked confused, she expected more fight from Tina, not… this

"What I say is that you will never get anything from me, if you want so much to me never see your daughter, then you should try to convince her not to me, if she agrees, then I give you my word I'll stay away” Tina finally gave up

Mrs. Manaying tried to readjust her composure but it was hard since she was still dazed, so easy it had been for her to agree? Why? "If… if you say so” she cleared "I hope you keep your promise"

“I will” Tina nodded

"Then I'm leaving” She said without looking at anyone in particular

"Goodbye Mrs. Manaying" Tina said cordially, followed by a slight and timid "Goodbye" from Tavee

“ma'am, I hope to never see you again” Zee raised an eyebrow still on defense

"The feeling is mutual Miss Matanawee; I hope I don’t see any Matanawee Keenan of you” The woman nodded and then without another word, walked away

"Crazy woman, How the hell she knew you were here?" Zee muttered grumpy

"Well, considering how crazy she really is, would not surprise me if she was following me” Tina replied wryly, everybody seemed to spend most of their time harassing someone else. The looks Tavee and Zee gave her was telling Tina that they expected an explanation of what had happened "That was pretty good, do not you think?" She said innocently

"You're an idiot, Mr. Brute Prince” said Tavee

Tina frowned "insensitive woman, you really have to be so rude just now?"

"She's right, you're an idiot" agreed Zee

"And why is that? I'm not an idiot!" Tina complained indignantly

"Hey Mr. spoiled, you just gave the free pass to your mother in law to make your girlfriend leaves you” Tavee rebuked

"She's not my girlfriend and you know that," Tina said surly "I'm just giving her the freedom so she can go with her beloved boyfriend and to leave me alone, I'm tired of so much drama”

“You're such a jilted baby girl” scoffed Zee

"I am not!"

"Yes you are!” Zee counterattacked "Otherwise, How would you let your beloved princess definitely go away from you?" She said sarcastically

"I never put over my pride to anything or anyone, and I'm sick of having to bow down for the princess, I'm not a puppet with whom she can have some entertainment" Tina muttered “Neither I'll let her mother she reproach me for everything I already know, I don’t need her to rub it on my face, if she wants so badly to feel like a queen, then she may go and be a tyrant over her daughter, I want those two bossy women to leave me alone for once” Tina kept talking although more to herself than to them, as if she tried to redeem her authority here

Zee frowned. Leaving aside how crazy looked her friend talking to herself, looking at the floor, leaning against her sport car while she clenched both fists as if she wanted to suppress something inside her, or someone…

"You think Aom’s mother is right, isn’t it?" Tavee cut her off, making Tina to follow her with her eyes as she took a seat beside her on the car hood

"Say cutie, are you a real witch? You can tell me, I don’t plan to take you to any bonfire” Tina taunted

"Tavee rolled her eyes" That doesn’t answer my question"

"You push too far away to your doll Ken; do you want to make me lose my mind? Your spells will not work on me” she continued with her jokes, but obviously Tavee wasn’t laughing “Fine! Heck, you can really push hard "Tina hissed

"Just answer, idiot king, or I really will push you, but inside some lake" Zee growled

Tina sighed "Tell me Zee, Do you know why Mrs. Manaying called all of us by your last name?" She asked

Zee frowned, digging in her memory, and, come to think more clearly…

"The feeling is mutual Miss Matanawee; I hope I don’t see any Matanawee Keenan of you”

"She thought you two were from my biological family?" Asked Zee confused and only saw Tina nodded "But… Hadn’t she told us that she had investigated you?"

"Yes, she did" Tina nodded "However, just what she needed. Like where I live, where I work, how much money I earn, my personality; her investigation was based mostly on the testimony of people who have lived at some point with me, as daughters of barons, women with whom I slept, sons of businessmen, millionaires men, former bosses, you know, what could give her the necessary tools to expose how bad influence I could be for her daughter” she explained and then laughed slightly "For her purposes, my last name doesn’t matter, neither my family"

"But, if she wanted to know how much you could give to her daughter, why she did not investigate your bank accounts?" Zee questioned again

Tina shook her head "Her research wasn’t to see how good prospect I could be, but rather to find an excuse and use it to take me out of the way” Feeling the lump in was getting bigger, making almost painful each of her words "I wasn’t material to be investigated thoroughly, I'm just a minor setback" more than her pride being struck, the truth hurt like hell

During the nearly five months they had been dating (Despite their recent fight), Tina had always been the one who was an open book, or at least more often. Aom knew her family, knew her job, knew the existence of her sister Air despite not yet meet her in person, she knew her best friend Zee, practically her parents had given her their company, Tina had left her to have absolute control of their home, she put Aom on a pedestal in front of everyone and more than clear, she had given her heart completely to that princess

Tina gave everything to her despite the cranky warnings of Zee, despite her own doubts and problems. Tina gave her everything she asked for and everything she didn’t ask for. And now, with this comedy show of a marriage that her parents had exposed on national television, Tina started to wonder the fact that Aom had never shared anything about her family, nothing about herself, stupid ex-boyfriend had come out by himself to light. So now, Tina felt like a total stranger in front of this. Even someone as egotistical like her, couldn’t deny Aom didn’t consider her too important to be honest with her, which made her heart grieve in silence

But Tina went on, with a slight distrust of hesitation, a thread of her own inner voice demanding, almost shouting in on her head this belong only to her, that she shouldn’t share her pain, her love, her bitterness. That she shouldn’t show weakness to anyone and she should leave all the ridiculous sentimentality aside, this wasn’t something proper to an admirable pride like that one she had boasted so much. But her tongue seemed not to obey or to stop "You know, that woman is very confident that I would never be important to her daughter, that I’m not required in her life but that I’m easily replaceable” She smiled without humor "Unfortunately for me, my princess thinks the same way than her mother” To admit that in front of someone felt worse than death

Because Aom made her feel like a secret lover

A lover locked behind the bedroom door, hidden, as if she was a disgrace and Tina really hated feeling this way. As if Aom was using her, a very handsome trophy behind closed doors

She was highly selfish so she needed to feel loved and also needy, and not to be just a dirty secret Aom can manipulate to make her go on dates with models, avoiding now the fact that such model, was her childhood friend and ex-girlfriend

Maybe that's why, the famous model Suppanad Jittaleela was actually a secret trophy whom she was just using for a while, Who can tell?

Maybe it was her karma for mocking the hearts of so many women in the past

"I'm really sorry to hear that, Tina” Zee said, patting her shoulder and then sat beside her on the right side

“I know dude, and I really appreciate that you're always with me despite my stupidities" she smiled slightly

Then Tina stopped smiling when on her left, she heard sobs "Tavee, why are you crying?" she became frightened

But the tears in Tavee kept running down her now flushed cheeks and Tina couldn’t help but to panic. Such cutie looked so broken, so hurt and heartbroken, she seemed like Tina should be feeling at this point, however she didn’t "I do not know! But you're an idiot, how could you be so stupid?” It was everything she said and cried. Her hands trying to push away the tears, or at least to cover her eyes

Tina sighed, she didn’t know what was wrong with Tavee and even though she pushed her, she wouldn’t say anything, she knew her too well despite the short time they knew each other

So she just gave up, trying to be a bit tender and not the sullen brute she used to be; with her arms around her shoulders, as she let Tavee hide her face in her chest while she continued sobbing

Tina and Zee shared knowing glances. Or more like Zee sends a clear message to Tina for her to explain why Tavee was crying

Tina shook her head, trying to convey her innocence and bewilderment on this issue

But Zee did not seem to believe her anything

Tina rolled her eyes. Geez, why did she always make women cry?

 

.

.

.

 

 

Tina parked her car inside the garage of the house, casually looking around as she walked inside the house. For a moment, she couldn’t help wondering if she should tell Aom about the encounter with her mother and finally throw the whole wedding thing overboard. She also asked to herself what would be the expression of Aom knowing that she had her mother complete freedom for her to finish all this nonsense game

And the fact is, she had to admit it

Even though she had tried, Aom was still deeply rooted in her thoughts as the first day she saw her. But right now, in a different way. And how ironic was to say it, after all this time ranting her love for Aom so blatantly, she practically ran away and refused to marry her princess. Ironic but true.

What would she be doing right now? Will she be celebrating her absence with her boyfriend?

She inhaled deeply, the natural scent and part of Aom’s perfume seemed to be impregnated all around the house. It was a paradox, because she had so quickly used to the smell of sweets in the apartment she shared with Tavee since the cutie was so addicted to candies, she had found it necessary to buy thousands of them, whenever she was going to work she bought even more, stopping at each candy store she saw.

So this scent was very different, stronger, less sweet, less docile and which permeates inside her nostrils, with a touch of the coffee Aom always drank every morning. And in this moment she could also smell the special fragrance that belong only to her limited collection of whiskey

What was the meaning of that smell? Does anyone have dared to touch her personal belongings?

When she had finally come into the living room, a wave of selfish anger quickly replaced her expression. She was very stingy with such liquor. But all her But all her fierce outburst had stopped with the big surprise she had taken because of the picture that presented in front of her

Aom was sitting on the luxurious couch. Her eyes darkened and narrow firmly on her so beloved whiskey bottle which was on the table, her legs crossed and on her hands was recently a filled glass

And Tina swore that if she wasn’t so damn scared, she would find the whole scene and the too tight white dress on her so goddamn . She cleared , finally drawing the attention of Aom "I'm back, princess" She said gently, trying to make it safe. Walking to face her, Tina knelt down on one knee, ignoring the discomfort she still felt because of the wound on her waist, but there was something so wrong about Aom now, and neither cared that she was drinking her so precious and imported whiskey "Hey, are you okay?" tried again, using his right hand to put it on Aom’s who still was holding the glass

She felt relief when Aom took her hand in hers to give it a gentle squeeze. Tina lost all sense of time when they looked at each other. Aom hazel eyes looked so restless and cornered

That didn’t fit at all to Aom’s profile that Tina already had inside her mind

“Where have you been?” It was all that came out of the mouth of Aom

Tina groaned with aversion. That was nothing of what she expected as an answer, moreover, the nerve of this woman… was prodigious, she could even win a Nobel Prize with it.

It was also her gift to make her feel like the worst kind in the world. Just as now, it seemed as if Aom was the innocent victim of a heartless bastard like her “I said, I was looking for you all over the places. But there was no clue about you, so, why did you come back by yourself?” Aom asked again

Tina rolled her eyes, taking away the glass of whiskey from Aom’s hands before standing up "What are you talking about? You just phoned me once today and it's not like you're really worried about me, so stop pretending to be a martyred woman, I'm already here” and she drank it all in one shot

"Call once is enough" was the harsh response of Aom taking another glass on the table to pour herself whiskey

"Maybe you're right" Tina shrugged, sitting next to Aom on the sofa and taking the bottle from her hands

"Of course I am… Besides, I really thought that your secretary wasn’t going to give you the message" Aom said as she looked Tina, who offered back to her the now full glass "Thanks" she murmured taking it

"She's not like that, she’s a kindhearted girl, and you shouldn’t assume anything without knowing her” Tina raised an eyebrow with an annoyed expression

Aom's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Tina, she hadn’t expected that the so distrustful and stupid prince said a word about her secret lover, and even less, she would fight back to her like that, just to defend her. She hissed "Well, by the way you protect her at any cost, I guess she knows how to train you” Aom sneered about her

And it was obvious what she said had angered Tina

But Tina laughed, humorless "Honey, I can say the same about your boyfriend, he trains you pretty well too, because if my memory serves me correctly, you even had the gall to slap my beautiful face just for him”

Aom felt the stumble of guilt since Tina still remembers that "Tina, please…” said in a quiet voice

"What? Don’t you like to hear the truth?” Tina sneered "So you can tell me what you like but I, who do have fundamentals in my words can’t do it?" Tina was so enraged now that she seemed unable to let go of all this.  With the jaw and teeth hardly clenched

Aom tried to fix the situation, she didn’t want to be the target to throw darts "Tina, calm down. I don’t want to fight with you, so it's best to leave the issue where it is” She took a sip from her glass

"Dear Aom, you clearly mean what you said, do not think I'm that stupid” Tina she fought back "But… I'll leave it” She left her glass empty again "However, the only thing I am going to warn you it’s that I will not even allow for you to try dissing my girl” Tina looked to Aom who was frowning at her "Because I am here to answer for her"

 

Aom chuckled, "Wow, I didn’t expect this from a so-called prince and more than that, I think this whim of yours is being too outrageous” her false joviality was replaced by anger in her face "I don’t know how that woman has twisted the poor judgment you still had, but I'm not here to let you just come to this house to make me look ridiculous with your insults and your arrogant threats"

Tina doesn’t change her serene posture, sitting on the couch just like Aom, refusing to finally crash their eyes together. She refilled their glasses of whiskey, finally leaving the bottle empty "Here, she hasn’t twisted... my desire to share with you the last glass of my favorite whiskey” She returned to give it to her "Especially, when you are so eloquent and delightfully drunken"

Aom turned to see her, she was mad, she hate when Tina seemed so smartass and pedantic about it "It's not true, you are wrong" she mumbled, although she had to close her eyes for a moment, the sudden movement she had done had caused her a sudden dizziness that she could barely handle

Tina finally looked at her, turning her whole body towards Aom, taking her hands to help her to stabilize "There is no mistake princess, even if you shout, you are always more sublime when you have a few too many drinks on you” Taking Aom left hand and bringing it to her lips to kiss her "On the other hand I'm still eloquent without the need of anything, don’t you think so?"

“Yes, and that's your biggest flaw” Aom wobbled

"You can say that, but I can’t help, since you are someone impossible to please” Tina laughed "Now, I am going to make use of that much talked flaw” she warned her

“Tina…?” Aom asked as soon as Tina let her hands go

She walked away from Aom as if her mere presence was a curse to be avoided "You dared to play with me, you tricked me, you made fun of my qualities and my love for you; but more than that, now you dare to belittling someone with the qualities you have, Do you really may not be aware of your own cynicism?" And Tina left aside her arrogance and mockingly, she was apart from her imperious mind and even aside from the sensitive part inside her that screamed at her to stop being so rude to her princess as she let out those words. She was surprised that Aom not seem to be upset, that she didn’t contradict her, that she did not complain, but still she continued talking “You’re wondering if Tavee is a whim for me… the answer is no. Aom, I want you to understand that Tavee is not a whim” She shook her head

“Tina… I'm going to ask you something and I would like you to tell me the truth, without giving so many turns to the issue” was all Aom said, peaceful, as if alcohol had evaporated from her body

"I guess I can try to please you on that, but I can’t assure you anything”

Aom took that answer more than enough to daring to ask "Did you have with her?"

There it was, so direct. Without blushing or stammering, maybe Aom had grown up, or maybe… she was more than used to such topics

Tina frowned at the thought. That question was too much, even for that sassy princess. She raised her proud head "No, we do not have” she said, because she wasn’t going to lie about her relationship with Tavee

"And how I will be sure of that?" Aom ask again

"I cannot give you any proof, you will have to trust on my words" she shrugged "My relationship with her is something different than what you think of me, despite being a ert, we are a bit more complicated to explain, something that you naughty mind wouldn’t understand darling" Tina raised an eyebrow at her, stretching both arms in the back of the sofa

"You sound like you knew her pretty well then"

"I'd like to think so, despite the short time we have met; she is someone very special that makes me feel like we were in our golden years "She said honestly

And Tina's voice at that last statement, made Aom frown, she was expecting the fear, any justification, guilt. Lamentation of being caught red-handed in something she shouldn’t be doing never in life ever "So… I'm the one who was your whim”

"You know it's not like that, I really try to do everything to make you stay with me, but apparently, it was a hopeless task to do” Tina turned back to Aom, not bothering to hide the smile that crossed her lips “I always want to get closer to you and rest, to stop the time, but even if I try so hard the distance between us don't go away, I'm sorry... I had enough”

But that smile was something Aom what could not join "I'm sorry too"

Tina blinked in confusion, "Why?"

"I apologize to my prince, because

“It’s okay princess, but you should have given me a fair warning before I found out all by myself, I would have understood it if you had talked to me about your beloved boyfriend, if you had break up with me before you go after him" she sighed

But Aom wasn’t sure whether to be happy or angry with her, her words were so disinterested that irritated her so much, "Why?"

Tina raised an eyebrow "Why, what?" asked back

"Why you stayed with me all this time then? Why it’s now when you're leaving me? Because before no matter how fast I ran away from you, no matter which way I ran… you always were by my side” she stared into the eyes of Tina, she wanted to convey everything, that she had no doubt that her words were honest and real “Wasn’t it painful? All this time with me, it must have been so painful to you…”

 “Aom, it's better for you to stop it” Tina warned her

“…but you never left me, you never you walked away, you stayed with me, no matter what, you smiled and continued following me…”

"I said that's enough, this isn’t funny and you'll be regretting it then” Tina again threatened her

But Aom ignored her “You, no matter how fast I run away…you never shook me off, so why is now when you make yourself aside? How you dare you to say you are my prince if you run away and you let me to my own? What's so important that makes you to be far from me?”

“I said to shut up!” soon the wrathful shout was an echo in the room, and Tina regretted it

Aom seemed to have an expression between sorrow and bewilderment

And Tina seemed surprised by her own outburst “I… I-I’m so-sorry” She ran a hand through her hair anxiously "I… I d-don't know what ha-happened to me, It was not my in-intention to yell at you”

Looking back to Aom, she could see the fear of Aom slowly disappearing after a deep breathe, but still, her eyes narrowed in concern "I'm sorry too… I didn't mean to hurt you” She smiled at Tina, trying to make her calm down

But Tina was still hesitant to smile back

"Do you want a hug?" Aom opened her arms

And Tina didn’t think too much, pulling Aom toward her, her arms surrounding her as she smiled in the crook of her neck. Tina thought briefly how miraculous seemed that Aom and her reconciled almost as fast as they fought

Meanwhile Aom was relieved when Tina pushed a little more of her grip while she leaned her forehead on her shoulder, moreover her heart almost seemed to jump out of her chest when she heard Tina pronounce to her, those three familiar words "I love you" Aom tried to look up, looking for the confirmation of what she had just heard, but Tina refused to release her, merely adjusting their position, without allowing to see her expression from her hiding place in the crook neck or to repeat her words

 

.

.

.

 

 

“Please Miss Aom, Could you move a little more to the right?" the photographer politely asked her

And she tried to obey, while she warily approached a little closer to Tina “You don’t need to be so surly Princess, I wouldn’t dare to bite you in front of cameras” Tina , but then her smile was replaced by a wince

"It is better to keep for yourself that ert tongue of yours” Aom muttered as she tried to feign a smile in front of the camera

“Young master, are you okay?” asked to her one of the assistants in the study, worried about as soon as he saw the pain in her face

“Yes, I think I just run into something, it was just that” Tina justified herself as she took the knee with one hand where Aom had just kick her, and goddammit! The woman was very strong, or maybe the princess was just hardly merciless against her

"If the young master is hurt, then we will take a break, we can take our lunch while a nurse can check her knee” Zee intervened, who was sitting in a chair behind some lamps

“But, we haven’t yet finished the photo shoot” tried to complain the old man

"I said that we will take a break" Zee cut him off in a harsh voice "It's past noon and we have been here for over five hours, so you better give us a break if you don’t want to have problems with me about your negligent schedule” she growled menacingly

"Ah, yes" the man cleared his throat. Despite being taller than her, he felt so small because of her barbaric tone of voice "I guess we can have our lunch now"

Zee smirked "I'm glad you reconsidered it so quickly, excuse me” and after that, she walked away from him, leaving the poor man breathe freely and going towards Tina who still seemed to be trying to hold her injured leg “Are you all right?" she asked, worried

“Yeah…” Tina snorted straightening up "But I'm very hungry, I need food or I'll die" she said to Zee, resting a hand on her shoulder

"You are certainly such a Drama Queen" Aom rolled her eyes

"King" Tina corrected her while with the help of Zee she walked to the cafeteria, being followed a few steps behind for Aom "I am a king” she glanced at her

"Now you have raised even more upward your throne, even raising your nobiliary title… you're just an arrogant jerk” Aom said crossing her arms

They sat on a table in the cafeteria “On the contrary my so erroneous princess…” Tina contradicted her, shaking her head as she looked at Zee murmuring that she would go for the food and then walked away from them "You were the one who denigrated me with the title of prince, trying to find on me the perfect prince who would be always at the disposal to rescue you, the damsel in distress” she raised an eyebrow

"I didn’t ask you to be perfect, I don’t mind even if you had boasted of being a frog prince” Aom replied with a shrug

Tina laughed more relaxed "You really are something princess" without breaking eye contact with each other, Tina thought it was appropriate to give one last chance to escape to this stubborn woman

She had no choice, she get a bit tired of the persistent complaints of her mother about her irresponsibility

She just knew she was going to regret this decision "Hey, Miss Manaying… Why do we have to do something like this?”

Aom cocked her head in confusion, maybe Tina had forgotten or simply had not paid attention when her mother in law had called them last night to inform them about this photo shoot for one of the most influential magazines in Thailand “Didn’t you hear my mother last night?”

Tina crossed her legs, ignoring the slight discomfort she felt in her hip and knee respectively "Yeah, but what I mean is, if we publish something like this… we really have to be engaged. Are you sure you want to continue supporting this lie? Lies aren’t something that one can succeed so easily”

Yes, Tina knew, after all, everyone lies. This was part of the not so pleasant human nature, no matter how honest a person try to be, we always succumbs towards one lie, no matter how small and insignificant could be.

Among the lies that could be magnificently helpful there was the art of the mass media. Most were ridiculous stories or without a sound basis to support them, without integrity and or any decorum, but quirky enough to attract the attention of the audience. All that matters, were monetary benefits earned.

Suppanad Jittaleela, famous model, proclaimed Charming Prince… was an excellent example of being a liar

The problem with lies, from the ideological confirmation of the same liar, was to know when they were finally telling you the truth, to know when oneself was telling the truth and to be always suspicious when others were honest

Also, another problem with lies was to stop them, since you start them, the vicious chain becomes longer and stronger each time to break

Until inevitably the truth is stranded in front of the spectator you least expect, at the most crucial time and more unpleasant

As karma, rebuking the effrontery of the liar who had dared to outwit the fate

But at least, it was a good way to attract the interest and prestige, in this case, to the company and the CEO of the Jittaleela family. To make it clear to all Thailand, what they had paid to make people think, what they want

As a marriage between their daughter and the CEO

A successful model, daughter of a multimillionaire family and a girl from a good family, hardworking and innocent

The synonym of retribution of the crude heyday between hypocrisy and the romantic wiles with which people typically delude girls at an early age

“So?” Aom asked, bringing her back to reality, Tina could so easily get lost in her thoughts

Tina snorted “Wouldn’t it be better for you if we just ended up this right now? And why do we have to show this kind of pictures?” she looked at herself; it was summer, Why the hell was she forced to wear a tuxedo with this agonizing heat?

Aom smirked, despite this stupid black dress was also making her quite annoying “If you don’t want to do it, then go and complain to your mother”

“Ah… is that so?” Tina smiled as well “To me, it seems that you just don’t dare to do it by yourself”

Aom frowned, Tina always seemed to internally create the entire situation as she pleases, and the idiot never gave her time to contradict her “¿What?”

And Tina just kept on “Because I’m sure… losing the company is not in your plans, and of course… only in dreams you would have seen as the fiancé of Suppanad Jittaleela” she ended arrogantly

“Stupid” Aom muttered annoyed, crossing her arms

Tina expanded her pleased smile; Aom had proved to be more hilarious than she expected. It was priceless the face of this bipolar princess. Even the idea of laughing out loud in her face had crossed her mind, but she dismissed it, aware of how violent Aom was and also resenting her still sore knee that had been the target of her recent anger

Did she really hope that after all she had done, she forgot it so easy and so fast? Too bad, she wasn’t after all, neither a compassionate person nor a good one

If she had agreed to kiss and hug her again, more than anything, it was because she was a ert

Tina looked at Aom and then grabbed her hand in hers

Aom had given a quick glance towards their clasped hands, without time to react to what was happening until Tina already put her lips on hers. And she was hardly blushing, with wide eyes and blank mind

They were in a public place!

After a few seconds Tina finally pulled away, looking at her with arrogance, because despite how tenuous the kiss had been, she was more than pleased with the reaction that she had managed to get from Aom "You should take advantage of this moment Miss President, I will not be kissing you forever” she sneered

Aom frowned and Tina almost jumped backwards when she suddenly leaned forward, closing her eyes with her basic reflexes of knowing her violent princess.

Meanwhile Aom raised her right hand, running her fingers behind the collar of Tina and pulling towards her to gently capture Tina's lips.

This time, it she didn’t care the place or time where they were

And also Tina didn’t care why Aom was kissing her, she was just thinking about kissing her back with the same anxiety she was getting. She was the one who now seemed eager, her hand went to cup Aom cheek and leaning her body for her to deepened the kiss. Aom lips moved gently over hers. Tina could even be aware of the slight groan that escaped from her lips as her tongue the contours of her lips

 "Aom, what the hell does this mean!” Both moved away at hear the angry growl a few steps from them

Aom blinked, she didn’t expect to see him standing there, to him less than anyone. What the hell was Soranut doing here? However, before she could ask him directly about this, he interfered shouting his rage again "What the hell were you doing to my girlfriend you stupid tom?!"

Tina didn’t repress the smile of delight that came over her expression. She has never felt so good in her life to see the anger on someone because of her, her arrogance had been raised so high with bitterness this man irradiated to her. She was in full swing of her pride.

Framing her shoulders, she stood up, walking until she was facing her doom "Good afternoon sir, what brings you here?" she said politely despite the mockery that was drawn across her face "I guess you already be aware of our engagement, Have you come to congratulate us?”

Of course, she knew the stupid boyfriend of Aom wouldn’t stay out in this situation

“Shut up, you´re not gonna marry Aom, you heard me!” he yelled again

Tina rolled her eyes at the wide ability to speech of this man.  In her own way, she was also stupid and maybe an irrational shameless one who didn’t know how to be gently not even with a rock, but she wasn’t a complete as this guy was.  She even has virtues with which she can redeem herself from such stupidity. Like her so-called skill to know when she was being a stupid

And this guy is merely confident without attribution. He thinks without a functional brain

 “Is that so?” she smiled “she has already said yes, so… how are you going to stop it?”

Tina blamed this cynical façade to her wild sense, to that egomaniac container inside her head vast in motivation and debauchery, an immoral need of being the Alpha peak in any pyramid, the winner of any dispute no matter how small it may be the worst part of her that goes beyond bearing, education, upbringing and appearance. To have been claimed a prince by her fans, Tina has a heartless mind, inhuman and without restrictions when it comes to expressing it, instinctive and cruel. She enjoys of sadism and the adrenaline that this causes to her

"What are you saying?" He kept shouting angrily, challenging her so she would dare to repeat that in front of him

And if there was any time for Tina recovered a little bit of common sense, to keep shut, to get out of here under her right mind and still intact at all possible physical aggravation, was currently on that question

But Tina was a stranger to the idea of running away from this confrontation, with her pride that wasn’t even a possibility, she wouldn’t let go the chance to succeed haughty and satisfied with what was happening in front of her. She had already planned her goal, to degrade the two people who dared to feel superior to her "Even if you're her favorite boyfriend, you're being too intimate. After all, Aom is the woman who will be my wife” she mumbled in a deep voice

"What are you saying?!" Soranut repeated again. His voice was loud and even tougher

Meanwhile Aom could only look everything in surprise, not knowing what to say, how to react

And Tina finally moved aside all that remained of her burned sanity when the man took her by the lapels of her black coat, hatefully squeezing it as he shook her several times, demanding, but she didn’t flinch "She is my fiancée, I do what I please with her, and you can’t object about it, It’s none of your business" she shrugged

"None of my business?"

"Yes, is not your business" Tina reiterated

He laughed loudly to confusion of Aom and indignation from Tina "What nonsense are you talking about? Aom doesn’t love you; she would never fall in love with someone like you. And if she's going to marry you, it will be only for the money your family provides as compensation"

Tina chose to keep silent, looking sideways at Aom who now had crept up to them. She smiled inwardly, it seems that her idiot boyfriend was unkempt for study his surroundings and to keep silence when the occasion warranted, she could corroborate it by the very frown on the face of Aom when the guy continued, most boasting about how selfish and materialistic Aom was on his eyes

How the idiot was unaware of the closeness of Aom with such murderous aura surrounding her so grimly?

But it seems that she refused to interfere in the speech of her beloved boyfriend

And the man went on and on talking without any concern "In what serves you to marry her, in any case we are going to keep seeing each other” with that stupid smile on his face that Tina so much wanted to tear out "You really think marriage will ensure you having her, you're pathetic, tying you to a woman who is in love with someone else"

The way Tina looked at both was ominous, Aom thought to herself. It was the edge of her frustration, silent resentment trying to appease the wrath before it explodes out of control to finally get pissed "You're wasting your time with all this nonsensical allegation, all you are accomplishing with all these silly excuses it’s for me to get annoy by listening you" Tina's voice was gruff, but calmly "No matter what you say, I will not change my mind"

"You're a…” He mumbled and then with nothing more, mad, he threw himself on Tina, knocking her down with him over her

They heard the shriek baffled of Aom

Tina hadn’t expected him to do that in front of Aom. She had underestimated the guts of the boy, so for that reason, she couldn’t dodge the first punch that crashed against her nose, or the second that had gone straight to her jaw… or the third which had fallen over her cheek, near her eye

Even now lying on the floor, she couldn’t prevent the knee that deliberately lashed out her hip, with viciousness, embedding all his weight on that precise task, more specifically into the wound that he had inflicted on her a couple of weeks

And Tina immediately had felt her breathing was missing. Heavily trying to take some of the air that had been drained from her lungs due to the oppression she was suffering, she hadn’t been able to articulate even a gasp. She just writhed trying to free herself from the grip, but it was impossible; he was sitting on her upper body, immobilizing it, like her hands, which now were above her head, held together with one of his rough hands

The impotence came to her, feeling helpless, was so demeaning

If just Aom hadn’t kicked her knee, now she could use it to push her stupid boyfriend out of her, but to do that, she needed both legs

Meanwhile, when she heard the thud of Tina's head against the pavement, Aom finally reacted. She hadn’t expected this kind of behavior coming from a person as calm and focused as Soranut "Tina!" instinctively the concern grew inside her, to see her lying there and being beaten "Stop it, let her go!" it was part a plea and part an order

But he ignored her, almost being deaf, dumb and even blind to the requests of Aom, his attention was only on Tina, a cruel smile graced his face when he saw her with that torn expression "Come on, tell me stupid and arrogant tom, how does it feel?" Pushing harder his knee, with everything he could, even trying to break bones if that possibility was available "It still hurts, isn’t it?”

Tina tried to pretend this wasn’t nearly killing her, smiling as much as the agony framed on her face allowed her “You will not be able to have respect from me, not even using violence, you're just a temporary thing, because even without being my wife, I already had my way with her, I have too much advantage over you… I still can be able to rub on your stupid face, the fact of having been her first” And Tina had enough weapons to make his anger will go straight to the top of what anyone with a little integrity could withstand

His face is further dissected out with pure hatred towards her, through clenched teeth muttering and tightened more the grip of his hands "Let's see if you're still laughing you bastard, I'll see if you have the nerve to keep making fun on my face, after all, a goner would of the necessary medication because of an owner who prefers to drink alcohol instead of taking them… It must still be sensitive or potentially open”

Tina felt the knee rotating in the place, rotating with the same intensity as his thirst for revenge and immediately she had felt the blood wandering since the injury of her waist down to her back, a long line dripping on a very extensive quantity that didn’t stop, she moaned with the arrival of more malaise

She had to learn how to keep the tongue inside . It was pathetic to find herself in this situation and even more, having Aom as a spectator. But, after some time when the screams and pleas of Aom didn’t cease, she had tried to accept this defeat, but still… it hurt so goddamn badly

She can see the blood go down to the floor as she began to feel dizzy, she didn’t know if it was by the pressure there was still over her body or by blood loss

And Aom was more than horrified to witness this, now she tugged at his shirt as she shouted him to stop, unfortunately she wasn’t so strong, tears falling out of control from her eyes at the impossibility of do something else

How is, that putting one knee on a person could make someone to bleed so much?

Her prayers were answered when the thin yet strong silhouette of Zee had arrived striding, throwing the trays of food she was carrying and fiercely taken away the hysterical man off of Tina, Aom almost swore she could kneel down right there and thank Zee for saving her

But the priority was Tina, who was still on the floor with one hand trying to hold the hemorrhage

And at this point, the fact that Zee was fighting with Soranut was something that was overshadowed in her mind. Ignoring their shouts and curses filled with obscenity, she ran after her "Tina!" She knelt to help her, in her nose blood also was flowing "Are you feeling well? Let me see" But more importantly, the wound on her waist was even more dangerous. She removed Tina's hand to her coat and vest, noting the huge bloodstain was apparent from her clothes "Oh god!" was horrified to see her white shirt blackened in red from one corner, her hands trembled as she also was about to it

Tina grabbed her hand, "No, don’t do it” she stopped her "I'm sorry, I dirtied your hand” she spoke again, now with more humor, pointing the hand she had turned away, her fingers were marked in red on the back of Aom’s hand

"Stupid, how you can say something like that in this situation?" Aom sobbed upset "And why did you have to argue with him like that?"

Tina's heart beat unbridled in bitterness that those words had left, hadn’t Aom cared at all what that idiot had said about her? And now she was defending him, putting all the blame over her as if she was the worst of the criminals. Was she dumb? Apparently, she was, Aom was dumb enough to forgive him everything, including his offenses, fine!

Aom could rot in the depths with that idiot if it was what she wanted; And Tina would allow her to do so

It was for this same reason, for this same anger in her thoughts that when Aom tried to help her to stand up, had been greeted with a slap from her until recently, so claimed Prince

Aom couldn’t been able to avoid settling in bewilderment, to be received by such attitudes from Tina, unknown for her, with a portion of her heart that had been broken after that "Hey, what are you doing?" she asked with a trembling voice, with the little courage she still held and trying to restrain herself of letting go even more tears

Taking a sharp intake of breath, Tina tried to stand up by herself, ignoring all pain and how hard it was even to breathe. Slowly she had managed to stand, she wasn’t a disabled person, she told herself, and she could subsist on her own “Don’t worry, I will not die, you just have to wait for your boyfriend" The pain intensified and when her hand touched the injury even over the shirt, lot of blood pierced even by the tuxedo vest, until the deep red liquid dye her hand "I don’t want you to help me so stay away from me" Tina said earnestly seeing that Aom approached her again

But Aom ignored her, approaching her footsteps to reach a few centimeters from her, taking her arm "Stop being so stubborn, you have to go to the hospital!" She rebuked her angry

She smiled at her frivolously "I said let to me alone” She pulled her arm out "You and that guy are made in heaven, idiots who do not listen to me”

"You can shout all you want, but I'll still take you to the hospital" Aom sentenced willful

Tina snorted "Apparently this conversation between you and me isn’t worth it, you still do not hear what I'm saying…” with her free hand she took without too much delicacy Aom wrist, listening to the shrill cry of her at the roughness of her grip "Listen well Miss Manaying, All this time I let myself to be taken and brought to the pleasure of for all of you”

Aom rolled her eyes, Tina sometimes could prioritize nonsense talks instead of the fact that she was seriously bleeding, such an idiot prince who had no sense of self-preservation "So you expect me to thank you for that right now?" She asked sarcastically

To Tina little or nothing cared about that. Her mind and her eyes were focused on Aom like if she wanted to make clear how ridiculous the situation they found themselves were "Neither thank me yet princess, there will be time for that later" was her crude reply "Right now I just want you to leave me alone" and then his sight was toward Zee, who had the aforementioned boyfriend, lying on the floor while she was giving him punch after punch "Hey, get up, it's time to go!" yelled at her

Zee stopped, turning her head to look at Tina who was already standing “Fine!” responded grudgingly, getting to her feet, but not before giving him a last direct hit on the nose "I'm glad our first meeting went so well man, I hope never to see you again" Zee smiled, pleased when she saw him complain and take his nose into his hands

"Good heavens Zee, what did you do with him?” Aom looked at her bewildered as soon as Zee approached them

"Nothing that your boyfriend doesn’t deserve, anyway, you can have him back” Zee shrugged and then helped Tina, running one of Tina’s arms around her shoulders to let her support "Come on dude, I'll take you to the hospital"

"Okay, you win my henchman” Tina finally gave up, she felt too tired and dizzy to continue refuting. She finally had enough of playing this push and pull. She still needed to go home and catch up with Tavee whom she hadn’t seen in two days “I’m done with this, let’s going home” Being helped by Zee, she came back to Aom who still looked upset. Tina gave her a quick peck on the lips, without caring the look of rage in Soranut from the floor, regardless the sly smile of Zee, without paying attention to the surprise and embarrassment in Aom, she says a "See you later Miss Manaying" fast as she throws back before walking out of there with Zee as her support

Tina couldn’t get rid of her love for Aom with only one day, she knew that, but at least now she had been able to remove her from the pedestal on which she had placed her. That was a breakthrough

Later she would like to repeat this scene in her mind over and over again, reveling with the unknown startup that had possessed her to have gone so victorious of this moment, despite still bleeding. Possibly to think she had won at this point would be too awkward. Maybe because she wanted Aom to take off that huge blindfold even for a while. Hell! Probably because she had wanted to take revenge a little bit of everything Aom had done to her

And it had worked

 

.

.

.

 

 

Tavee looked at the clock on the wall again; she had already finished clean up the mess in the apartment, or rather, accommodate in the kitchen cabinets the tons of goodies that Tina had bought for her. On one hand she regretted, when a few weeks ago she had told Tina she had wanted to eat some gummy worm, because she had instantly left the house to twenty minutes later back with boxes filled with different types of them, after that, the others candies had come more slowly, every day, but in smaller amounts, until today, she could even compress the huge kitchen of the apartment with them

When she heard the main door opening, her senses stood alert and she almost sigh of relief, thinking it was Tina who only was late arriving from the photo shoot she had today. Hearing the footsteps getting closer to her, Tavee excitedly stood up, running with a smile over her face to greet her with her so usual hug and joy

But her happy spirit fell at meet with a very messy and feeble Tina who walked with difficulty, who didn’t notice her but rather to the floor where she walked, almost as if she measured every step she took, Tavee stifled a gasp with her hands as her gaze passed over her clothes covered in blood "My goodness, Tina!"

Tina looked at her from head to toe, as if she couldn’t believe what her eyes were seeing. For a moment she had forgotten that she wasn’t alone anymore, that when she came to this department there was someone who would receive her generously with open arms regardless of the condition in which she might be

For an instant, that reminded her to Mean, who even with all this, always seemed so worried about her. Irrespective of their failed relationship, they were friends since childhood, as Mean had properly secured

Tavee reminded her lot like Mean. Both were novelettish girls and pretty shrewd with people. But Mean was quietest and mature without leaving her sweet and friendly appearance, while Tavee was more flirty and spontaneous but with that characteristic clumsiness and inexperience that always followed her without she could help it "What happened to you?! Come on, let me help you" Tavee cut her off her thoughts, moving the arm of Tina over her shoulders to let her supported on her

Tina laughed without humor, her gaze turned from her as she accepted her help, the shame of being found in this state once again for Tavee “…this is kind of awkward…” she murmured as they walked

But Tavee didn’t listen; she was too busy on reaching the living room so she can heal all the wounds Tina had. She couldn’t think of anything except taking care of Tina. Finally they arrived and she led her gently toward the large sofa "Wait here, I'll get the first aid kit” she said and then turned to go after it, but was held back by Tina who took her by the wrist, she looked at her confused

“It’s okay; this is just blood residues, I went before to the hospital” Tina answered her doubts "Just sit awhile with me, I’m very tired"

Tavee obeyed, taking her seat next to her "What happened to you, Tina?" She asked softly

"I had another disagreement with Aom’s boyfriend, but at least it ended better than the last time” She smiled, but then she felt a sharp twinge in her head, she closed her eyes as her hand instinctively went to her head

"Does your head hurt?" Tavee asked concerned, cupped both cheeks of Tina between her hands, watching the pain reflected in her expression

“Yeah, I guess my migraine is back” Tina tried that her explanation at least calm down a little bit to Tavee. With her eyes still closed she felt Tavee pushing her on her back, laying her back on the couch

"Do not move, I'll get your medicine"

And then the weight of Tavee over her went away. Tina figured she had gotten up, leaving her alone, she sighed more peaceful at finally be able to rest at home. After having come out with Zee from the studio, she had taken her car alone after Zee had claimed having to inform the photographer some excuse about her hasty departure of the place, she had to accept reluctantly, something told her that Zee would do more than talk with people in the studio, but the pain was so strong that she had refused to think about it, knowing it was too much for her tormented body, she drove the car out of there after saying goodbye to Zee

Tina also used this time to assess her injuries. Setting aside the many bruises on her face, her split lip and the new sutures on her old wound in her waist, she was relatively presentable. She had nearly grateful when after X-ray they taken of her, the doctor informed her there was no fracture, but it was only slightly swollen

Tina once again took her head when the pain came back; she stifled the groan that wanted to go out . Probably, migraine was caused by the fact the beloved boyfriend of Aom had pulled and beaten her against the floor, after the coup, she had sworn that her brain had misplaced

Tavee soon came running with all first aid kit for the bewilderment of Tina "damn! Cutie, I told you to bring my medication, not to try to get an entire hospital with you” she snorted. Straightening up again to sit

But Tavee ignored her, sitting back at her side, putting the kit on the table next to them "raise your shirt" she commanded

She couldn’t help but show a small smile when Tavee sounded so bossy, unable to deny how dirty her thoughts were about the meaning that had flown after her ert mind "Do I have to? Usually one would expect an enjoyable evening before someone asks to take off the clothes of the other person” she raised her eyebrow in amusement

Tavee cocked her head, thinking a little in her words, trying to capture the mockery that surrounded the whole face of Tina, then the double meaning that her words seemed to cause on Tina finally came to hit her, squinting she gave her a death glare "Shut up, ert prince, just do what you told you to do” murmured blushing

Tina laughed heartily and without argument she took it off, exposing her tank top, raising it to expose her abdomen to her "It's done, See? There is nothing to worry about” she shrugged off

“Is it open again? Did you have sutures again?” Tavee put her hand on Tina’s stomach, but without touching the wound, she felt her oppose to her touch, her eyes met hers "Still hurts? Do you want an analgesic?" She saw Tina shook her head

"I think if I took another painkiller, I would faint” she laughed. But Tavee didn’t laugh with her; instead she seemed upset "cutie?" Tavee just threw herself over Tina; her arms were straight to surround her neck with such but gentle, sitting on her lap but without daring to lean her weight against her, maybe Tavee thought that if she adjusted her embrace a little more she was going to hurt her. Tina laughed happily, Tavee always seemed like a little kid, going on hugs came naturally to her "You know, I love your bear hugs" Tina murmured with difficulty from the small place that was left in her arms

Tavee felt so warm with her words and finally couldn’t help but laugh with her despite the tears formed on her eyes; she still didn’t understand why she was so sensitive, so susceptible to cry "That's what I expect, if not, anyway you will have to endure them because I will not stop making them" she said shakily

Tina did her head back to look at her “Saying such things and yet, why are you crying again cutie?" she asked confused

"I don’t know, it's so weird, I just know it's horrible, how do you want me to know?!"

Tina winced as soon as she heard her sudden grumble "I think tomorrow I will talk to the doctor about this bipolarity that you’re having lately, it might be a side effect of your medication” said with uncertainty, she was a bit scared to see Tavee crying every 3 hours during the day, then angry and end up as joyful as if it never happened

"Yes, maybe you can convince him to reduce the number of pills I'm taking” Tavee agreed. Nausea caused by the thousands of vitamins she was taking were big part of what made her angry during the day

But she hadn’t wanted to say it before; Tina was doing too much for her as for keep doing to her more problems

Besides, there was still one last request she had said to Tina, one that wasn’t so easy to fulfill such as changing her vitamins. Part of her had wanted to take back her words; the face of pure consternation in Tina had been enough to be ashamed of her negligent request; but the other part of her felt with enough courage to restore a bit of the care that Tina had with her, she needed to meet Aom and make her regret of the rudeness and rejections she was doing with that brute and paranoid prince

She did not want to intrude but she wanted to help Tina

She wanted to be helpful to the same brute and paranoid prince who was determined to treat her like a princess, even though she had sworn to be the witch of her fairy tales

"Oh!" Tina stood up from the couch, her hands surrounding Tavee by the waist to bring her with her still in her lap, her legs around Tina’s waist, suddenly remembering something "By the way, Tavee. I'd like to talk with you something important”

“Eh?” she looks at her with a little of fear. Important words tend to always be a big change in what is already agreed beforehand, and she did not think she's ready for one more change

“Don’t make that face, there’s nothing to be worry about” Tina patted her head trying to reassure her

“What face? And what did you want to talk?” Tavee frowned

"It’s about the money..." Tina started saying

“Yes” Tavee interrupted her with a nod of her head “I will be working, I can pay you for letting me live here, I...”

"None of that," Tina shook her head

“Then… what?”

“Me” Tina explicate “I want you to receive from me, a monthly alimony”

“What?” Tavee asked again, but just see determination on Tina “What are you talking about? It’s not like we are married,” she tried to be fun

But Tina seemed to take everything seriously “I know, but I want you’re focused on your studies. Leave the job at the cafe; I will be your guardian from now on”

Tavee frowned. The feeling of invasion on her again had come back “What? No! Who do you think you are, Daddy Long Legs? I don’t need it" She didn’t want her money, she appreciated all the concern and their time together, that was more than enough for her. But more than that, the face not at all happy of Tina, was letting her know that she had been wrong with her choice of words “I mean… I don’t need anything from you. It leaves me troubled, all the time, depending from you…”

"Troubled...?" Tina narrowed her eyes

 “Yes” She looked down, to the floor

“Do you hate me so much?” Tina asked instead

“No, that’s not it!” she mumbled quickly, senseless movement of her hands as she tried to explain herself better even from the arms of Tina

Tina smiled, cutie had fallen into her trap without her noticing it "Then it is saying, you will receive a monthly alimony and you will stop working until you graduate” with those last words ended the conversation and with difficulty she put Tavee on the floor "Come on, change your clothes, we'll go out to dinner and celebrate"

 “But…”

"No buts just go and do what I said, I’ll take a shower" Tina cut her again, making her way to the bedroom

"I can’t accept that” Tavee said causing Tina to stop and look at her again but Tavee didn’t flinch, clenching both fists in her lap she forced herself to keep talking "I already told you, you let me troubled with such kind of requests, I can’t take it"

Tina didn’t seem mad, on the contrary, her smile widened at her words. Tavee was a strong-willed girl despite not look like one and she obviously would discuss if anyone tried to impose a monetary order over her life. She stood in front of Tavee and took her face in her hands, Tavee looked bemused and her face had turned so red “Well, you rejecting me… it makes me troubled. I want to be concerned about you, why are you denying me to do so? Come on, tell me, cutie… what are we going to do?”

Tavee snorted, Tina was too stubborn and bossy, and she guessed that was the reason why she fought so much with Aom, both were so similar although they didn’t realize it "You're being too nice to me, you shouldn’t be so kind to me” she murmured softly, trying to avert her eyes from the sight of Tina, who still had her face into her hands

Tina laughed “I’m not doing it for that, I’m not a good person”

Tavee blinked, removing Tina's hands from her face "Then why are you doing it?" her eyes met again with hers, and something seemed to come to her head, something too recent “Is because my request to work in the company of your parents?”

"No" Tina shook her head "I have decided to accept your request, probably tomorrow I’ll talk with Aom and I’ll give your file so you can have a job interview with her, that's why I want you to quit your job in the coffee shop, so you have free time to prepare yourself, Aom isn’t an easy person to please, she is very strict with her work" Tina explained better

But that answer was even more confusing to Tavee, if it was not because the fear for her to meet the so famous girlfriend of Tina… Then, why was Tina trying to deliver so much to her? It was impossible, as much as she tried to read the acts of Tina; she always surprised her with something new, something like this "Why?" she ventured to ask. Because her instincts told her that Tina was being overly mysterious for her own good.

Maybe if she did soft and indirect questions, she could find out in her own, or maybe she was being too paranoid like Tina and she wasn’t keeping things from her “Why do you brute prince, still want to give me that alimony? I just asked for a job interview, not for you to become your father” Tavee inquisitively asked, shooting her a deadly look

"You're being ridiculous" Tina raised an eyebrow "I'm too handsome and young to be your father, people usually think I'm your husband”

Tavee huffed "Nothing slides of your amusement, or does it?" she said sarcastically

"No, I was born this way, such a charismatic” Tina shrugged "Now wifey, stop growling and get dressed, dinner and celebration still standing” she replied playfully "I'll take a shower, the smell of blood is causing me nausea" She shivered at the thought of how unpleasant her shirt probably looked

But Tavee seemed not to hear anything that Tina said anymore, her eyes had fallen to the floor as she let out a long sigh. She was losing control on the situation, not knowing exactly what to do with it. She needed to get her feet back on the ground

Because, it’s true, Tina is a charming prince

Because she gives her a place to belong, and if she’s sick or hungry, she takes care of her…

She just pretend to be all arrogant and carefree

But, in other words, all Tina is doing for her; it probably doesn’t mean anything to her…

And knowing that, Tavee desperately needed to know what the limits of that gentleness were "Tina?"

“Hmm?” Tina seemed to awaken from her thoughts now about gangster movies and how she looked like one of them. Even her too imaginative mind had gone so far as to create a little drama with Zee being his henchman in his crimes, a little more exciting than they were in real life

“If I were to ask you for a kiss, what would you say?” Her gaze became precarious as she asked

Tina frowned at "A kiss?"

"Yes, a kiss on the lips, if I ask you to kiss me, what would you do?” Tina's gaze softened but still seemed reserved with her. Her eyes were as serious as seemed to pierce her, Tavee was tempted to look away, but she didn’t, she was required to hear the answer with the utmost clarity possible

"If you asked me that… I would have to say to you. I'm sorry, I can’t do that. Because despite all, in my sight there is nobody else than my princess” was her strict reply "For me, isn’t a possibility not even to imagine kissing anyone other than her”

"I know" Tavee took this opportunity to further study Tina when she was so mild. And what she saw did not seem to like her. She doesn’t know how to say this, but…

Tina looks so lonely when she talks about Aom "I'm glad you did not ask that to me anyway" Tavee heard her say, making her out of her reverie

"Hm...?" she blinked dazed

"I'm glad you did not asked a kiss from me, you would let me in big trouble"

"Eh?"

"Yes. If I had refused to do it, yet I would have felt bad about it, I do not want to hurt you” Tina explained

"Why?"

"I don’t think there is anyone who wants to hurt someone important in their life” she shrugged "And now, leaving all the sentimentalism aside, I must take a shower, these clothes seriously causes me like throwing up” she said with a grimace

“Are you seriously with this matter of going to celebrate?" Tavee raised an eyebrow

"Of course I am, I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t meant it”

“Okay, I'll change my clothes” Tavee finally agreed

"It seems perfect to me, otherwise, I would have to do it and then drag you to the restaurant” Tina joked

Tavee smiled happily, she felt relaxed with the warmth that surrounded her. It was so peaceful. She couldn’t remember feeling so safe before. She just wanted this to last as long as possible "Tina?" Called her again

 “Hmm?”

“You really adore her…” It was more a statement "Who would have thought that such arrogant and brute prince, was so cute and fragile” was now the turn of Tavee to mock her

“Shut up” she gets annoyed when Tavee giggled in her face “But, I… I won’t deny it” she ended with a sigh

 “You're such a brat” And Tavee laughed even more, hearing Tina’s pot of defeat

Tina suddenly smiled “That’s better…” she muttered and Tavee stop

“What?” she raised an eyebrow

“I like you more; when you’re smiling” she explained to her "I will go now to take a shower" Tina patted her head again "You better get prettier!”  She yelled as now she walked down the hall to reach the bedroom

It had been a long time since Tavee had blushed so much. In fact, she had never felt so embarrassed because he had never been so nervous around anyone. Maybe it wasn’t so bad, she tried to comfort herself; it certainly was an exciting experience

She suddenly stopped her thoughts

What’s wrong with her? At this moment, she actually thought that Tina could be with her forever! She... How can she have these kinds of feelings for her?

Well, the solution and the problem itself at the moment; would be try to wipe out those feelings. It would be easy, after all, Tina doesn’t belong to her and there was nothing that made grow her illusions, yes…

“What a way to depress myself…” she muttered to herself dejected

 

.

.

.

 

 

Zee looked for the umpteenth time to the table that was three tables away from her. She couldn’t believe the nonsense those two could do for hours, she was unable to hear them, but for her seemed absurd all the time they seemed just babbling among them

She had followed Aom and her boyfriend for over four hours; the first hour justifiably Aom had accompanied him to the hospital to heal his wounds, but after that they had come to this cafe, sitting to take some cake and talk all this time

How much could they say for such long hours?

Luckily, they were sitting in a table outside the place, which was an easier reason for Zee to use sunglasses and the hat she was wearing, at least the summer was a good reason to look like some sort of potentially ert. Unfortunately, looking like one was necessary

She felt paranoid

She needed to have a threatening talk with Aom. She needed to stop a little bit of Aom irrationality and at the same time lose a little of her own frustrations

But that wasn’t the only thing that disturbed her. There was also the fact that Tina evidently kept a lot of grudge against Aom, in fact, it gave the impression that she wanted revenge… with a lot of revenues in the process

Zee rolled her eyes seeing her wristwatch again, she was already at her limit of patience. She stood up determined not wait another minute, with a couple of strides she reached them.

She stopped in front of them, Aom was the first to look up and Zee almost laughs at the incredulous look on her face "What are you doing here?" Aom stammered yet baffled

She was going to answer but then the man interrupted her “Who are you? Get out”

Zee smiled as soon as her gaze went to him, she was ready for unseemly demands of Aom’s boyfriend "My name is Zee" she introduced herself "Although, to be honest I didn’t expect you to forget so soon about me, maybe it was my fault, the state in which I left you a few hours ago must have affected part of your brain” she scoffed quietly

Soranut narrowed his eyes, processing her words, but without letting them to annoy him "Ah yes, you're one of the servants of the model Suppanad” he laughed “I know all about her, don’t doubt it”

"Of course" Zee nodded “But, you Mr. Smartass, I inform you, I'm not a servant but rather her best friend” she clarified

 “A bachelor more refreshing, but it's the same in the end” He smiled, that best friend of Tina apparently was more manageable to talk "So she sent you to plead for her with me?"

"No, nothing like that" Zee shook her head "I came on my own, not to stop and chat with someone as pathetic as you, in fact, I  just come to take with me to Miss Manaying”

He frowned, apparently this submissive person was too vulgar "What did you say?"

"I have no interest in repeating my words, see you” Then, to the surprise of both people, she tugged the arm of Aom outside the place

She didn’t care the screaming of Aom’s boyfriend or his steps behind them

She didn’t care the complaints of Aom

She didn’t care the stares of other people over her. Zee just made her way back to her car with all the tranquility she had, opening from her keys the electric car door as soon as they were close "You go in there your Highness" Zee said as she forced Aom to enter on the spacious back seat, and then locking the door to prevent her from escape

Finally when she was going to enter into the driver's door, she caught a glimpse of Aom’s boyfriend running towards her. Her smile spread at realize that this man didn’t seem to learn the lesson, then, when he was close enough and already prepared to attack her, Zee hit her fist against the weakest point of his face… the nose. Immediately he fell backward to the ground, his hands hold his nose as she listened him complain but she ignored him, entering into her car and leaving the place at high speed

"Zee! Why did you do that?!" Aom yelled from the backseat

“I had to talk with you” she replied calmly

"But you didn’t have to kidnap me or beat him!" Zee rolled her eyes. Why her friend always went after the dramatic ones?

"It was self-defense; he was going to attack me, I was just faster than him” she explained

"Still, that doesn’t explain why I was kidnapped" Aom crossed her arms, not wanting to let her be right

"I waited four hours and twenty-three minutes for your boyfriend to go away but he didn’t, I’m not a patient person”

"Were you spying on me?!" she snapped upset

Zee prayed for Dew wouldn’t be like Aom was although they were such good friends “No, I didn’t hear or see anything because what you and that idiot do or say is something that I don’t care, I was just waiting you were idle while I ate something too because if you've forgotten, we hadn’t eaten anything all day because of the photo shoot" Zee said, looking askance at her in the rearview mirror

Aom snorted "You and Tina are so arrogant, you are two of a kind” she was tired of the arrogance of those two, doing with her whatever they want without taking her opinion in mind

"No… I'm not as perky as she is, in fact, she and I are like polar opposites, and maybe that's why we get along so well. People just assumed we are the same because we have to smile at everybody for requirement, for work, but it's just an act, out of courtesy it’s a different story” She revealed "But compared to her, they have not obliged me to do it, I can be rude and spoiled when I please because I don’t care about people indeed”

Aom didn’t dare to question the reason behind her words; the relationship or the reason for the behavior between Tina and Zee was something she did not want to know right now "Where are you taking me?"

"In a secluded location, where I can freely threaten you with no one who dares to disturb us” she responded with simplicity

After those words that caused a shudder on Aom, the car stopped. It was as Zee had said, a place away from all trace of humanity, empty, a place where she could threaten someone with no one to intervene, with no one to save her

Then suddenly heard her door opening but instead she went out, Zee came beside her in the backseat of the car "W-What?" Aom tried to keep her voice from trembling but it was impossible. Moreover, when Zee approached so much to her

"Are you afraid your highness?" Zee whispered close to her face "If you do not trust me, you should've fought more for your freedom, before I bring you here” She pushed herself closer to Aom, downwardly, banging her back against the leather seat, her legs made their way between the legs of Aom while her hands forced the hands of the so beloved Princess of Tina above her head, immobilizing them "If you don’t want this kind of situations were a possibility, You shouldn’t trust on get into the car of someone”

But Aom didn’t seem frightened or embarrassed of the position in which they were, contrary, her face came closer to Zee to her bewilderment "Yes, and if you do not want to end up hurt, you shouldn't have tried to scare a girl” she whispered, Zee blinked, confused by her words. However, doubts were wiped off when Aom raised her knee and kicked her in the groin, she cringed as she complained, and taking in her hands the sore spot before being pushed out by Aom to the space between the seats

Who said that being a woman could make you avoid the pain in such places, might well go straight to hell for being a big liar

This hurt, dammit! It was the most painful thing Zee had felt in her entire life. Well, she could attribute this also to the immense strength little Aom had "I hope you've learned your lesson mister, not all women are going around crying when someone tries to molest them"

If she had learned her lesson? Zee swore not to mess with Aom never again "Yes ma'am, loud and clear" she said painstakingly, trying to get some air, but it was very difficult when she just seemed to be running out of air for trying so hard to make the pain go away, even a bit

“Good” Aom nodded, sitting again “Now tell me, where did you left Tina?”

Zee didn’t know how this had ended with her being mistreated and interrogated by Aom, she hadn’t expected being tortured to make her confess "Is this an interrogation? Where is the good cop?” She tried to evade the question with the taunts

"It's better to talk Matanawee or that kick will be the kindest I will be with you” okay, Aom was doing a good job about representing the bad cop

"In the afternoon, outside the studio, I had to come back to speak with the photographer, she went to the hospital” she spoke reluctantly because she wanted no more kicking or hitting, surely would leave her in a hospital in a coma

"And after that, where did she go?” she returned to question her

Zee smiled despite her agony, funny to see Tina was obviously wrong when she thought Aom wasn’t worried about every move she did "She must have returned to the apartment with Tavee since she hasn’t seen her the last two days, it isn’t hard to assume it"

"Of course you know the famous Tavee" Aom muttered, rolling her eyes, those two rascals always would support each other in their effrontery

"Why are you so upset? I thought you were over that” It was now the turn of Zee to question her, finally stood up with some difficulty

Aom gave her one of her famous killer looks "Are you freaking serious Zee? Who could forget that when your girlfriend breaks up with you she automatically goes and sleeps with the first woman she sees? Ah! Even better, she just comes a week later to rub on your face that she did it just to hurt you because you were stupid enough and you said things you didn’t mean to say!” she ended

Slowly Aom paced across the length of what happened, everything started to shake off her head again like galling pictures. It had all happened so fast that even looked like a very bad joke

She even though Tina was making it all up, trying to make her to apologize, but, when the Tavee girl had answered her call, it had all seemed to go downhill in her mind. She eventually realized that this was actually happening and her world stopped at the realization of that

Furthermore she felt stupid when the signs seemed so clear, like when lately Tina tried to put as much distance between them

Zee could see the single tear that slipped from the corner of Aom eye but she quickly pulled away with her hand and Zee felt genuinely bad for her. It wasn’t common; in fact, it wasn’t something that had never happened, seeing her exposed and vulnerable “No, I hate her” she hissed angrily "I hate that stupid arrogant" she says, turning into a grim line.

Zee smirked "If you say that's fine, then Miss Aom, you will not have trouble with you will not have trouble with the journey that awaits you if you continue this way” she commented disinterestedly

And it was enough to bring the attention of Aom again "Why do you ask?"

“Because with all this, my little bro was also getting tired of you so, you better be prepared, maybe I'm bad to scare girls, but she isn’t"

Aom frowned "Is this another of your silly threats?"

“No” Zee shook her head "I'm warning you because I like you, good advice from friends” She kept saying quietly I warn you, because if you break the heart of my friend once again… is highly likely that she will break yours too”

Zee did not know how she ended talking with this woman, perhaps because she meant a lot to Tina, or because this was the first time she really struck up a conversation with one. Often, all she shared was a required greeting or an attempt of date with the cute Dew, she didn’t know what had led him to be so forthright with Aom, but she didn’t regret it

It was almost funny how Aom was so brave and determined, and Zee wondered if Dew would be so interesting if she finally dared to say a complete sentence to her "What do you mean by that?" she heard Aom asking

"You can think about it for a while, I'm not going to give you all the answers" Zee smiled seeing her so upset “Now, What do you think if I invite you a drink? Some alcohol helps to decrease the personal sorrows, even if it’s just for a while”

"Yes, I guess I would not mind" Aom shrugged

Zee's smile widened “Good! Then there’s nothing more to say” After that she came out of there to take her place in the pilot's seat.

She started the car and took the wheel with both hands; her eyes looked once again to Aom in the rearview mirror

"What are you looking silly? Drive now" she ordered

"As you wish Madam" Zee sighed drove the car through the lonely path. Thank goodness it was an extensive road before coming back to civilization. She needed some air, something to clear her thoughts, to take courage, before doing what she was going to do

 

.

.

.

 

 

Tina growled in advance knowing that her time sleeping was ruined, but she refused to open her eyes yet. If she did, the light would kill like a vampire or maybe her eyes will surely melt.

Okay… she was being overly dramatic, but seriously she had never felt so bad in her life. Her body felt so heavy and her head hurt like hell, she could stay here lying as a bulge on the bed for at least a full week. She swore never again to drink so much alcohol

Last night had been a big celebration

She also knew, she actually could not stay in bed despite how comfortable she was, because surely it was already enough late for medication hours of Tavee had passed, maybe two doses in a row

Then her mind started to operate normally again at those ideas. Tavee was too lazy to get up before she did and Tina should be the one, who will take care to do so, to bring the pills and some water for her

Her hands tightened slightly more the waist of Tavee, surrounding her with her hands to bring her closer, trying to keep some of the warmth for her before she finally get up

But she felt something different, something about the way they slept today that didn’t fit with their routine

Her curious hands did a journey of research and Tina couldn’t help but gasp when her brain finally recognized in a familiar way the softness of a skin, with nothing to cover it, a flat stomach and the outline of shapely s

Her hands were no longer explorers to become embarrassed and static

She was touching a sleeping and woman!

Finally she decided to open her eyes despite the discomfort of light filtering through the window when something more important than that crossed her mind as fast as her gaze fell down at her own body

Tina closed her eyes tightly and cursed under her breath

She was too

Now, there was something even more problematic than the possible idea of having with Tavee

There was something that didn’t fit into such hypothesis

This wasn’t their department

This wasn’t their bedroom

These weren’t their sheets

This person, doesn’t feel like Tavee

This person was smaller, with an essence completely different than the sweet and soft of Tavee’s

From the place where Tina was, hugging her from behind and at the sight of the back of her neck, she could tell that her hair was shorter than Tavee’s

And for the soft moan that came out of as she began to wake up, Tina could also say that this clearly wasn’t the voice of Tavee, this was much finer

Tina closed again her eyes but now a little harder; resting her forehead on the of the other person, taking the necessary courage to speak and at the same time, be able to hear the answer "Please… tell me it’s you Tavee” she almost prayed

She felt her tense in her embrace "I'm not your precious Tavee, stupid Prince" she spat angry, turning to face Tina with a scowl and a look that threatened her impending death

"!" Tina gasped, jumping back out of bed, falling as she looked even petrified to Aom in front of her

Aom sat on the bed, pulling with her the sheets to cover herself but after giving a little look to Tina on the floor, her gaze drifted "Stupid have a bit of decency at least" she muttered flushed and threw some pillows she had

All fell violently on the head of Tina who tried to avoid them but without success

She didn’t want to fight with Aom

She didn’t even have the energy to make work her brain

However, her body seemed to work automatically; she sat, taking a pillow to cover her lap "Why… What are you doing here in my home? Where is Tavee?” she managed to ask

And that was enough incentive to make Aom angry, though she still replied "This is our home, and I don’t know where your Tavee girl is”

Tina nodded "Do you remember what happened last night?" she asked again

"No, I drank too much yesterday with Zee" Aom shook her head "My head hurts so much and I do not even remember how I got home"

Tina narrowed her eyes after hearing that "You went and drink with Zee?"

“Yes”

That did not seem like something Zee would normally do, then… Why precisely now?

“And you?” Aom caught her attention "What is your excuse?"

Tina thought about what to say, she has no idea what is happening or what will happen anymore, Its frightening since everything has turned out of control, especially now with this, she had no intention to interact with Aom and even less to end apparently sleeping with her, under the terms of alcohol again

But there's a part of her that is relieved, almost pleased that Aom know about Tavee now

After all, it's a secret less to keep. One less thing to cover with words full of lies or half-truths

And dammit, she was grateful for it!

That was certainly something that prompted her to respond at this moment "I was celebrating in a restaurant with Tavee, I exceed the amount of whiskey glasses maybe "she shrugged, regardless of the expression not at all happy of Aom “Then… we went to home in a taxi” she closed her eyes, trying to focus on her memories, but all seemed so confusing and fuzzy "I remember I went to bed after taking a couple of painkillers” she made an impatient grimace

Meanwhile, Aom enjoyed watching Tina being so frustrated. She would have enjoyed it even more if she didn’t feel so sore at this time, that prince had gone too far and too rough, and she couldn’t even stand up “Aom, are you all right?” she heard Tina cut her off her thoughts in a worried voice

Aom rolled her eyes, why Tina always had to do that stupid question?

"Hey Princess, are you okay?" Again, there's the same dumb question, did she never understand anything?

"Of course I'm not okay! What kind of stupid question is that? You were a brute last night!”

Tina and eyes open dumbfounded, Aom practically had to scream as if she were the biggest jerk in the world of erts “You… you actually remember what happened, isn’t it?” was all she could mutter back

And Aom cursed her clumsiness, she shouldn’t have said too much. She gave a stern glance to Tina before nodding

Tina sighed “All right, I guess we should get dressed so we can talk about this quietly” she said as she stood

Aom let out a bewildered shriek seeing the audacity, with which Tina got up regardless to be seen; she turned her face in the opposite direction, refusing to keep looking

Tina rolled her eyes as she took her clothes from the floor "Calm down a little bit, princess, it's not like you have not seen everything already"

"Just shut up, I will not look until you're dressed” was her stubborn reply

“As you want” Tina shrugged although Aom couldn’t see her "But as soon as I finished getting dressed, I'll leave" she warned

“What? You said we'd talk!” Aom reproached her, turning her head toward her again only to realize that Tina was already dressed

Tina smiled amused "I know, I was just kidding”

“Stupid”

Tina cocked her head undeterred by the insult, almost as if she hadn’t heard it "I just want to know princess, why did you just lie to me again?”

Aom tightened the sheet over her chest "I didn’t see a reason to tell you that I remembered everything"

Tina raised an eyebrow, unsatisfied with the response. But she decided to give her another chance to recant "Is that all?"

"Yes, that's it"

She nodded reluctantly, forcing herself to accept her words “Well, I don’t see any reason for you to have it hidden” she fought back. The happiness of having won over the princess was filtered across her face, enjoying with a wave of selfishness to see her so upset "Don’t make that face to me, I was only thinking about your benefit" she shrugged off

Now, Aom frown wasn’t anger but to the confusion of her words "Thinking about my benefit?" she dared to ask

But Tina didn’t seem cowardly on keep talking despite preachy tone in the voice of Aom "Yes" she nodded "You shouldn’t play with fire anymore, I do not think your boyfriend is just as stupid as I was, and forgive such failure"

Aom gritted her teeth when she heard her dramatic speech about stop being an apparently insensitive and shameless princess, to be gentler and nicer with her new boyfriend, or, quoting Tina, she would stay like a spinster who would need to get multiple cats, what an idiot!

"He isn’t my boyfriend" finally she decided to interrupt her with that abrupt confession

"What?" Tina asked confused, paranoid, maybe she was hallucinating the voice of Aom

Aom didn’t back away in her statement, on the contrary, she just took some air to continue "He, a long time stopped being my boyfriend, since the day that I know about his wedding, you know that"

She smiled sarcastically, not quite believe what Aom said "I really meant it before, you don’t need to lie to me anymore, so stop it" she raised an eyebrow

Aom looked at her, her cold expression showed how much those words had disliked her, almost as a humiliation or a slap "I'm not lying” She crossed her arms "The only reason he and I were still seeing us so often, was to finish and clarify everything that we might have pending and because Mean asked me to advise her in her divorce with him”

Tina opened to speak but then closed it; nothing came out no matter how many times she opened

That certainly was something she hadn’t thought to hear neither in the more bizarre of the worlds, would it be true what Aom was saying?

“…But yesterday was the last time we met, I asked him to never again look for me, to stay away from me” she continued to listen to Aom say to her

She narrowed her eyes as her body tried to find an inner stability

Trying to process the words

Trying to have an answer from her

But, how to do it?

Maybe Aom simply was saying it because she was in front of her

Or, she could be lying again

But with this, everything could make sense now

Or, maybe Aom was just planning some sort of revenge or torture

And if this was true, Then why is she said it until now?

Rather, why was she saying it?

That was something that not fit into the profile of the spoiled princess she knew, It was something she wouldn’t do

Or maybe, she just didn’t know her properly yet

Some of those things should be

But, which?

Tina didn’t believed she could make a choice about it

And amidst this entire emotional catastrophe, it was something much worse for her

If this was indeed true…

That meant the bastard had taunted her one last time

With a more structured plan, in a longer term

Playing with premeditation over the most sacred thing she had, to finally withdraw laughing and intact

"I see…” It was all she could say after her flat face

Tina’s eyes followed Aom as she stood still holding the sheets firmly on her body "You're not going to say anything else?" She asked, walking until she gets in front of Tina

"No, because this doesn’t change anything"

To tell the truth, that was an answer that Aom expected to hear, yet… it hurt, but she didn’t show it "Whatever, but you're not gonna get rid of me so fast” was her courageous response

And Tina almost smiled at such determination, almost “"Is that a threat?" She challenged

The princess didn’t disappoint her. Despite her almost sensual , Aom straightened her presence to one more arrogant, one that oddly reminded Tina to her own

Maybe they had spent too much time together and Aom was learning her tricks

"No, I'm warning you, so you better be prepared” her reply was so blatant, it sounded more like the Aom she already knew

Tina remained silent for a while as she examined a little more of her. Trying to decipher a little more of the expression on her face, that strange look she was doing right now and that she liked, really liked "Why are you looking at me like that stupid? Stop it” she heard her growling

She finally smiled, though only slightly "My dear princess, I'm sorry to tell you this, but you're wasting your time looking for something you will not be able to get" she said

But Aom didn’t seem disappointed "Or you're underestimating me"

Tina laughed outright, more relaxed

It was obvious Aom wouldn’t give in; she was too stubborn to do it. However, this fleeting courage wouldn’t be enough support for her already predestined defeat

Anyway, Tina would give her a game despite already knowing the result of the marker

It would be fun and Aom would be happy

At least while it lasted

But since her princess had been so naughty and had put on her this y dirty trick of a night, she felt with the right to match the balance a bit, to be fair. Because if the lady was playing dirty, she could also do so "I'm just going to give you the benefit of the doubt" she said smiling

A beautiful smile on her face that Aom considered annoying, it was as arrogant, know-it-all, silly and pretentious, as if she was aware of something she didn’t, as if she excluded her from something

And she couldn’t even think about what it would be if Tina had a reason to have it, if she won

She would be unbearable

She won’t let that happen. Aom stretched her hand, waiting for her to take it and closed the deal "I don’t wish you good luck” she said as they shook hands

Tina smiled more conceited "I don’t need it, but thanks" her hands continued together while they looked at each other almost as if in slow motion

As if they were waiting for the game just started

Both too confident

Both too stupid

Both too stubborn

As both too scared "I wish you good luck princess” Tina said suddenly, losing the smile on her face

“Eh?”

"I wish you good luck” she repeated again "Don’t ask why, there is no reason but I do so” she shrugged

"Idiot" Aom laughed. She was happy, having the support of the idiot with whom she supposedly was debating, makes her happy

“I know, but, what are we going to do about it?” Tina dramatically asked, her arms went to Aom, circling her neck with them "I know you love it"

Aom snorted, resting her forehead on the flat chest of Tina, her hands unconsciously made their way to surround her waist, exhaling as she relax in the embrace “keep dreaming, ert prince”

Tina leaned her chin on Aom’s head, her mind still wandered with endless thoughts but she was more at ease, because whatever was going to happen she still wanted to hoard it, whatever the decision of Aom was, she still would keep in her mind these priceless memories and whatever she win or lose ... she would take it

.

.

.