Author's note: hey guys! Here again with the next chapter, hope you love it. Don't forget to vote and comment, thanks. : )

Chapter 16

"That's wonderful news, Kongpob!" my mother was the first one to celebrate. "Oh my gosh, Anya. I love this, I am so glad!"

I didn't look at my dad because I remembered why I had to resort to this when I did and I still wasn't very comfortable lying to him. This was a really big lie, I have set up the bar here when compared to lies P'Arthit and I have ever told my parents, I have really fallen to the lowest degree here too. Not only was I lying to my parents, deceiving them, I was also lying and deceiving P'Arthit.

P'Arthit and I have never been happier these past few days. I know that he hasn't reacted the way I wanted—P'Arthit had not even contemplated our coming out— instead he thought of another lie Anya and I could perform before my father, and as far as P'Arthit is concerned, we were doing that. But the only thing we were doing was affirming our story and my mother, though she was partly aware of the truth, has no idea what we were doing.

Actually, I wasn't sure I knew what we were doing. I am so far deep in it that all I can do is follow Anya's lead, and she was leading.

In the little porch in my mother's garden, we sat down with snacks and drinks in front of us, and we broke the news to my parents. My mother was positively merry, as in she was already making plans.

"Oh darling, I hoped and hoped against all hope that you two were really becoming a couple, I hoped that it would be as I dreamed!"

She was so excited; her hands were waving about with her words. "When is the wedding? We need to start making plans as soon as possible."

"A month," Anya said and her smile and flush was no different from a blushing bride. She looked pretty with her hair in ponytail and for once, wearing a dress. Having spent a good quality of time with Anya, I could see some of the things my mother liked in her. Not her looks, to me Anya looked like a normal pretty girl, but her personality was mild, calm, and very supportive. Naturally, this always makes me a bit marveled at how good she could lie.

"Although we never wanted to get married too fast, we are deeply in love with each other," she turned her head and smiled at me, "I just want to hold onto him so no one can ever take him away."

I returned the smile a bit awkwardly, I can't say I am entirely comfortable with it, but I needed to play my own part.

"I don't know, "my mother was suddenly showing a hesitant look that I did not understand. She wanted this more than anyone, I am sure. "A month is too short a time to prepare for a grand wedding," she said.

"But mother, we don't need a grand wedding, just having family around is good enough," Anya was quick to stop her.

"But the plans alone could take a whole month," my mother was restless.

"Don't worry mom, we can plan it together and get it done faster."

Soon the conversation stirred towards wedding plans and my father and I had nothing but a few nods and yes to contribute.

A little while later, I separated from the headache inducing conversation and went upstairs to use the bathroom. It's been years since I moved out but my parents still kept my room the way I left it. My purple and white strip bedspread, my action figures, my books and cds, all arranged and cleaned.

After using the bathroom, I was more than hesitant, with good reason, to return to my parents and Anya. I wanted to seat on the bed and relax for a bit, so I did, then I lie down to rest my back and my bed was really soft and I just decided to stay like that a bit longer.

My phone started ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket and sat up at the name flashing on the screen. It was P'Arthit. He had no idea Anya and I were here doing this. What do I say? I didn't want to lie. Okay I was already lying but if I can help it, I would like to reduce the number of lies I have to tell P'Arthit.

I answered without coming up with anything to say. "Hello, P'Arthit."

"Why did you take so long to answer?" he asked.

"Um, did I take that long?"

"Where are you?" it was like I was being interrogated by the police or something.

"What is it P'Arthit, do you miss me?" I decided to tease. Silence came from the other end for a moment then,

"Yeah."

I blinked and laughed. "Say that again P'Arthit."

"shh," I could tell he was smiling, "where are you?"

"Um, you can't come to where I am."

He paused, "why, where are you. What are you hiding?"

"P'Arthit, are you suspecting of something?"

"No," his voice sounded guilty as hell.

"What are you suspecting me of?"

"I said no, I'm not. Why don't you listen to what people say?"

"I know that you are suspecting me, why can't you tell me what it is."

"Oh, Kongpob," he whined, "stop talking about that. I'm not suspecting you. But you are hiding something. You've been..."

I waited but words were not forthcoming and I was grinning into the phone. "I've been what P'Arthit."

He didn't say anything, but I knew what I have been. In the last six days since I announced to P'Arthit that I was marrying Anya, I have made sure to be by P'Arthit's side as much as I can. When he was at work I would call. When he comes back I made sure that I met him at home first, and when he was working late I went to his workplace to be with him. I bought him anything I sensed he needed, like a new toothpaste, a pen and stickers. I wanted to do everything he needed me to, and be there when he needed me.

I guess I was over doing it, I knew I was over doing it, but it felt like this month was it for me and P'Arthit. When that day of my fake wedding comes...I don't know what would happen, what P'Arthit would do, but the possibility stands that the result of that day might be the beginning of a new chapter for us, when we no longer have to hide our love for each other, or it could be our end. The final nail in the coffin.

I wasn't ready for it, my heart skips every time I think about it and when I think of P'Arthit letting me go, leaving me, I wanted to break. So I hold on to him, and I try to make him love me more, to the extent that he cannot live without me. Please, P'Arthit, you have to choose me, because if not, I don't think I would be able to live. My whole world was dependent on how much I could increase P'Arthit's love and reduce his fear.

So I do all I can to be there always. Another reason, and the most selfish, was that I wanted to build more memories with him. If the end is so close, then let me go with something to hold on to, let me have something to look on. This was all I wanted.

"Why did you go silent?" he asked.

"I was just thinking about how much I love you, "I said back.

I hear his breathless laugh, "you really don't want to tell me where you are huh."

"I'm at home, at my parents' house."

"Oh," I hear movements. "Are you staying over?"

"No, not unless they want me to. Why?"

"Nothing," through that fast reply I could hear another thing in his voice and it made me smile so deeply.

"Do you want me to come?"

"No, stay there. I finally have the house to myself, why would I want you to come."

"I could give you another massage," I bargained.

"hmm, don't want it."

"Massage and pink milk,"

He chuckled, "if you make it in time," he whispered.

"I will. I love you, P'Arthit."

"hm." He ended the call. I was used to it and didn't usually mind, but sometimes I wished he would say it back.

As I began to seat up and rise to return to the garden, I caught my father standing at the door, his eyes focused on me. I stared wide eyed at him and he stared quietly back. Did he hear me? I tried not to panic. Even when I fisted my hands they wouldn't stop shaking and I just stared back at him wordlessly. I don't know how long he has been standing there and my last words to P'Arthit had to have been as clear as day.

"Your mother," just when I was about to speak he spoke, "is looking for you."

I remained still and staring. If he had heard me that wouldn't be the first thing from his mouth.

"Ah, okay, "I shook off from my thoughts and stood. He remained by the door and a sense of awkwardness washed over me. I couldn't meet his eyes and he was still blocking the doorway.

"Kongpob, are you sure about this wedding?"

My eyes widen and went to his and my heart accelerated. "w-what do you mean dad?"

He crossed his arms and studied me, "do you really love Anya?"

I wanted to melt from my skin. My father had heard, hadn't he, he had to have heard. What did he think, why was he so calm?

"Of course he loves me, "Anya smiled into the room over my father's shoulder. "Kongpob, your mother wants to take us food tasting, she says she knows this fabulous place."

My mouth caught up faster than my mind, "um, okay."

"Great, let's go."

I sidled past my father and walked arm in arm with Anya down the stairs.

"What was that about," Anya whispered.

I shook my head still not sure. "I don't know, I think my dad heard me say I love you to P'Arthit."

She let go of my hand so fast I nearly tripped. We were still on the spiral stairs but when I looked up my father was not there.

"How? Kongpob, you are being so careless," she said.

"I know, I'm sorry," I said. I wasn't sure why I was apologizing; I just felt that I should. "But he didn't say anything so I'm wondering if he didn't."

She looked up toward my room and my father must have left or was still there but we could not see him.

"Let's us hope that he did not here you," she said with a sigh, "otherwise things would get out of hand."

She didn't have to tell me, I knew how bad things could get if my father found out before P'Arthit is able to make his choice—before I force him to—I knew all that would be lost, so I prayed my father did not hear me.

"But you need to be more careful from now on, Kongpob, one mistake and we might not get to finish this plan. Do you understand?"

I closed my eyes, it wasn't easy keeping myself convinced that this was my only option, I felt really bad about what I was doing, to my mother and to P'Arthit. Even so, what other option did I have? So this was it. I opened my eyes and nodded.

"What are you two love birds talking about so secretly up there?" my mother's amused voice echoed in the wide space of the house. We both looked at her smiling face at the same time.

"Mom, Kongpob and I are just talking about who we should invite to our wedding," Anya was quick with a reply and as she climbed down to meet my mother, I followed behind her.

Later, when we were done tasting so much food my tongue was burning, my mother and Anya said their goodbyes with some secret conversation.

I stood next to my car watching the two women talk some few feet away. I had no idea what they were saying, but if I should take a guess, I would say it's about the wedding. I haven't seen my mother quite this happy in so long. She was all smiles and giggles that I couldn't help the guilt in my eyes every time I looked at her. This marriage wasn't real, this marriage will never happen. In this life time, I will probably never give my parents the children they want, or the kind of marriage they want. I can't give them anything. And that made me a really terrible son.

"Kongpob," Anya had returned when I looked up and her confident look was completely disappeared.

"That was exhausting," she sighed. "I didn't know it could take so much out of you to pretend to be happy and in love. I really should give those actors and actresses who can easily fake their feelings a reward."

I smiled in amusement. "You didn't do so badly, there were times I was almost convinced you were in love with me."

"almost. That's the word."

"I know this is an act so that's why I am not one hundred percent convinced, but no one else would be able to tell."

She smiled at me. "Well...that's good. I really don't want to blow this thing."

"Thank you, Anya," I said.

"For what?"

"For all of this. You are a good friend, I don't know anyone who would be willing to do this."

She grinned and seemed really pleased. "thanks Kongpob, but I have nothing to lose from doing this for you and I really want to help."

I nodded. I was certain of Anya's honest feelings, I trusted them to see us through this mess and when the time came, she was the only place I can run to, if I needed to.

"So what happened with P'Arthit, you said that he wants us to convince your dad that we don't like each other, "she asked.

I nodded, lowering my eyes. I was a bit ashamed that both P'Arthit and I seemed to be thinking mostly lowly. We couldn't seem to choose the honest, possibly easiest way into anything.

"hm, do you want me to talk to him?"

I looked at her, my brows squeezed, "what for?'"

"Kongpob," she sighed, "if P'Arthit thinks that we are trying to convince your father to call off the wedding, he won't feel under any pressure to stop your wedding. He needs to know that there is no other way but to stop your marriage, which can only be done when he tells everyone everything."

That made sense. P'Arthit and I were becoming comfortable around each other and he doesn't look even the least bit worried about my impending marriage to Anya.

"What would you tell him?"

She looked to the side in thought, "let me worry about that, okay?"

"Why? I don't want to be caught unawares by anything, Anya." I was serious. Anything she was going to do, I needed to be a part off otherwise I might make a mistake.

"Relax Kongpob, I don't know yet. Besides, at this point it is better if you don't know. "

What?

"Okay, I'm going now, I'll call you later." She smiled and took off in a jog across the street. I didn't call her even though I probably should. It was late and I wanted to go to P'Arthit. I trusted Anya with this anyway, it was her idea, she would do it right. I guess I was more worried about myself. I hope I do not break and tell P'Arthit everything. I have never kept anything from him for this long and I was going to have to go longer.

The door to P'Arthit's apartment was not locked but the owner was not inside. I walked into the room and found his bed neatly made, which was a none occurrence on a work week, and I could see something that looked like dinner.

I smiled at the dish arranged on the table, plates and cutleries and the unlit candles. What is this? It's so sweet; it can't be what I think it is.

I turned around when I heard the door open and there he was, dressed casually in a fade polo shirt and blue pants. He gaped at me.

"I thought you weren't coming," he blurted after a quick glance to the table.

"Oh really, then who is this for?" I gestured to the table, "and that," I nodded at the chocolate he was holding.

"No one," he said and shut the door behind him. "It's all for me,"

"Is that so? P'Arthit, you must be very hungry, you want to eat all this food by yourself."

"Yes I am, I can eat it all,"

"With two plates and two spoons? And you need the candles and chocolate to what, set the mood for you alone," as I spoke I walked to him till I was standing in front of him.

He sighed. "It was a surprise but you didn't make it in time, so..." I cut him off with a light kiss.

"But I'm here now."

He held my eyes and searched them for something then he nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Do you want chocolate?" he held up the carton to me.

I took it and looked at the label. It was the type I liked, a bitter sweet caramel flavor. "Thank you," I said.

He walked past me and sat on the bed, "why did you take so long, was it that busy at the company today."

"I told you I was at my parent's house," I said.

"Was Anya there?"

I said nothing, my confusion at why he was asking on my face.

"Usually, these days when you go there Anya is always with you."

I didn't answer immediately. "Yes, she was."

He nodded. "P'Arthit, I—"

"Anya wants to marry you," he said.

"What?"

"She says she is in love with you."

I shook my head, completely lost," what are you talking about, Anya is not in love with me."

He stared at me.

"When did you see her?"

"A few minutes ago, when I went out to buy something."

Could this be what Anya was talking about? No, it didn't make sense.

"She said this to me, "he got to his feet and came to me, "that if I let her marry you, she will allow me to remain by your side, that I never have to tell anyone about us ever again."

"What?" I was breathless with shock.

"Tell me, Kongpob," he said, his eyes clouded and I couldn't tell what he was feeling. "What happened between you and Anya when you slept at her place?"

My heart began to race. "N-nothing happened, P'Arthit."

"Tell me the truth."

"It is the truth."

"Did you kiss her?"

"What?"

"Did you sleep with her?"

"P'Arthit!"

"Tell me the truth, Kongpob!"

"I didn't do anything! I swear, nothing happened."

I had been corned to the door, my back pressed to the hard wood and P'Arthit has grabbed the front of my shirt in his fist. He looked ready to hit me. I stared at him wide eyed and he looked at me coldly.

"I'm, telling you the truth, P'Arthit. I didn't do anything. I have never done anything with anyone besides you. I only want you, no one else. You have to believe that. Please."

He pulled away after a tense moment and I let out a sigh. He turned his back to me and I could hear his frustrated pants.

"I want to believe you, but..."

"P'Arthit, " I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind and pressed my chin to his shoulder.

"I told you before, that I would never hurt you like that. I love you, so much. My life is meaningless without you, I can't bear the thought of losing you. You have no idea the extent I would go, the things I would do to keep you in my life. I would be the last person to ever betray you this way. Can't you trust me?"

"I trust you," there was no delay. "My heart believes every word you say to me, it is Anya I don't trust."

He turned in my arms," what she said to me, how she said it, there is something not right about it. I know this and I'm trying my best not to go insane with the fear of losing you to her. The thought of you marrying her, touching her, makes me so mad I feel crazy."

I have never heard P'Arthit talk like this before and it made me throb with pleasure I couldn't help my smile.

"Why are you smiling?" he asked irritably.

"Because you are crazy for me, " I teased. He didn't look pleased. "Come on, P'Arthit, you have nothing to fear. "

"Yeah," he said and grabbed my face by my chin till he kissed my lips hard. He pulled away breathing deeply, "you know how you are always saying that I am yours, I hope you know that you are mine too. And I don't share."

"hm," I nodded, my arms around his back, I needed to connect our mouths again, as badly as I needed my next breath. He came to me without haste, pulling my mouth to his and taking control of our searing hot, open mouth hungry kiss.

I pulled back andlicked my bitten lip, and then I dive back in to get more. We have been makingup for lost time; but it felt like no matter how much we took, we somehow stillneeded more. I bet this is how it would be for the rest of our life and I wasokay with it. I was more than okay with it.