"Hey! Don't fill my bucket with sand!"

"I just want to help you."

"Oh, really? Well then... Thank you," the young child replied. His face lit up at her smile, and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. He had a charming and handsome appearance, and under the sunlight, his brownish hair shimmered like gold.

"How's the castle coming along?" the girl asked, gesturing towards the sand castle. The boy looked at her with a joyful grin and nodded.

"Who should be the king now?"

"Obviously, it's you!"

"But if you're not the queen, I don't want to be," the child said, kicking at the sand beneath his feet, his gaze lowered.

"You know how much I dislike wearing a tiara, right?"

She walked over to her bag, stomping her feet in frustration. She retrieved the sparkling headpiece from the bag and placed it on her head.

"You're wearing it all wrong," the boy remarked. With gentle hands, he adjusted the tiara on her head as he stood up.

"You always want things to be perfect!"

"Yes, absolutely! It represents who we are!" the boy declared. The young woman let out a sigh and looked at her unruly hair.

"I'm not attractive. I feel like I don't belong."

"Hey, who told you that?" the boy exclaimed, his expression turning angry. The girl locked eyes with him, her gaze intense.

"Do you realize people call me Dumbo?"

"No, they're wrong!"

"Look at me, Sorn! How big am I?" She turned around and pouted at him. He shook his head and reached out to hold her hand.

"Don't listen to them. You're beautiful. I love your uniqueness," he chuckled and playfully pinched her cheek.

"Hmph! But if you find someone prettier, you'll leave me one day, won't you?"

"No... I promise," he said, extending his pinky finger. They laughed and sealed their promise with a pinky swear.

"You jerk, stay away from her!" A big boy and his friends shouted from a distance, their eyes filled with trouble.

"Gia, I warned you not to hang out with this loser!"

The girl now wore a pout and a scowl, her eyes burning with anger, while the chubby boy glared at her.

"Kevin, back off! You disgusting jerk!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, you filthy creature? Stay away from her!" The boy pushed him aside, causing him to stumble into the play area.

"You disgusting creature!" Gia pushed him away and tried to come to Sorn's aid, but Kevin grabbed her wrist and pulled her away.

"Join us and play! Just keep that weirdo away, okay? He'll ruin you with his filthy, dark skin!"

"Please let me go!"

Hearing her plea fueled Sorn's anger. He gathered his courage, stood up, and charged forward. He leaped onto Kevin's chubby body and relentlessly struck him.

"Stay away from her?! Who do you think you are? You're not my father! Even my father couldn't stop me! This time I'm going to teach you a lesson! You pervert, don't you dare touch my girl! She's mine, all mine!" He continued to deliver punches with fury.

As his punches landed on Kevin's jaw and even his nose, blood gushed from Sorn's knuckles. Kevin was left unable to move or defend himself. Witnessing the severity of Sorn's retaliation and the injuries he sustained, his so-called gang backed off, and some even fled.

"Sorn! Stop! You're bleeding!" Gia shouted, desperately trying to restrain him from inflicting further harm. Sorn, with a mixture of rage and pain in his eyes, turned to face her. His intense gaze frightened her.

"Come on... Let's go home, okay?" Gia managed a weak smile, gently urging him to let go of his almost murderous intent towards Kevin. Sorn reluctantly complied, rising to his feet, brushing off the dust from his shirt, and walking away. Kevin was left all alone as his friends abandoned him.

Naturally, Kevin underwent rhinoplasty the following month. He eventually transformed into an attractive young man.

However, he would never dare to lay a hand on Gia again.

***

Gia POV

Suffocating...

Out of breath...

Awkward...

What a terrible idea. I can't believe I thought this was a good plan!

Well, now I've earned the title of the town's master of creating awkward situations! If either of them ends up in the hospital later, I should get a bonus!

I haven't seen Sorn this angry since the infamous Kevin incident at the playground. His gaze is intense, almost laser-like, fixed straight ahead. The person sitting in front of him, on the other hand, casually munches on their food, completely oblivious to the tension.

I swear, I'm regretting this more and more!

How was I supposed to know that Sorn would hate the idea of his brother joining us for lunch? I thought it would be a great opportunity for them to bond in a friendly environment! But it seems like things are getting even more tense than before.

"Anyone want more meat?"

"Me!" they both blurt out simultaneously. Then they lock eyes and sparks seem to fly.

I really want to facepalm right now!

I quickly divide the remaining meat into two pieces and place them on their plates. They both start stuffing the meat into their mouths as if they're in a competition.

This never-ending playground fight seems to have found its way into the restaurant! I won't be surprised if one of them storms out or ends up with a busted nose!

Just like Kevin!

"Ouch!" I accidentally touch the blade of a pair of scissors and grimace in pain. Instantly, they both drop their spoons and grab my injured hand.

I only have one hand, as you can see. Yet, here are two pairs of hands fighting over it as if it's a priceless treasure.

"Aaahhh!!!" I scream in frustration, feeling suffocated. They both retreat, startled. I shoot them a glare as I take out a tissue pack from my bag and wrap it around the wound.

"Sit!" I command, and they immediately take their seats. But the rage in their eyes doesn't dissipate.

I don't know how much longer I can tolerate this pointless competition!

The fiery lunch is abruptly interrupted by a phone call. But no one seems eager to answer. I'm guessing it's Sorn's phone. Yet, he's too busy "claiming" the airspace, constantly staring at his brother for some reason!

"Sorn, answer the phone."

"Eating," he grumbles.

"Now!" I scold him. He huffs and reluctantly takes out his phone.

"Hello?"

Then he turns to me with a puzzled expression.

"Okay, we'll be back later. Thank you, Detective."

"Detective?"