Gia POV

Someone...

Please shoot me...

For I have forgotten myself and who I am.

Who he is.

Come to think about it, I deserve to be called out like that. I'm drowning in emotions so much that I missed one critical fact.

Way is engaged.

Good to know, Gia! I hope that slap wakes you up!

Curse me because I know I made a mistake. I mean, who the hell in this world would be happy to see some random girl hugging your fiancé?! She has every right to be furious with me.

"Cut it out, Andra!" Way yanks her wrist when she tries to grab my hair. Quickly, Sorn pulls me away from both of them.

"Let me teach that girl a lesson-"

"Shut up!" Way yells at her. That's the first time for me, I think? I've never seen him so damn angry, even more than when he punched Jules in the face.

"Calm down, will you?!"

"Who the hell is she? Tell me, Way!" She throws another fit, shaking her body once again.

Jeez, she's dramatic as hell!

Screw you, Gia! Of course, she is!

"She's a family friend. Used to babysit Way. Don't get too jealous..." A tall, muscular man pulls her away from Way. He shakes his head in disbelief.

"Like I'm supposed to believe you!"

"Call mom then..." He gives her a look and hands his phone to her. She glances at me but eventually backs off, standing there like a child who just threw a tantrum at the mall.

"Sorry, Gia! We should've at least knocked," the man smiles at me. The girl next to him nods in agreement.

"No worries, Khun. We weren't up to anything, really. Way just decided to give me a haircut," I explain.

"Oh? Let me have a look..." Sorn spins me around to face him and grins. He playfully flicks my hair.

"You look cute, and sexy too..."

"So that's why you think you can seduce my fiancé?" Andra interjects. Sorn shoots her a stern look with hooded eyes.

"If you're so worried about someone stealing your fiancé, maybe take better care of him, missy!" Sorn retorts. He pulls me into a protective side-hug, ready to shield me in case she tries to attack me again.

Way's gaze is fixed on us, specifically on me. I can see the disappointment emanating from his face. Just a moment ago, it was him holding me in his arms.

Now, he can only watch from a distance.

"Uff, you guys are beyond annoying!" Andra stomps her feet and storms off, leaving us in the middle of the living room.

"Where are you going?" Way calls after her.

"Your room, obviously!"

"Excuse me, but you need to stay away from my room!" Way hurries to catch up with Andra.

"And why's that? Is it wrong for us to sleep in the same room as an engaged couple?" Her annoyance is evident in her voice.

"Yes! We've just gotten engaged. You're not my wife!"

"We'll be getting married soon, honey! Don't be so damn uptight! Now show me which room is yours," Andra grabs his hand, forcing Way to lead her to his room, conveniently located next to mine.

What a first impression!

I turn my head to Khun, who has now brought a girl along with him. She looks stunning, like a flower blossoming in a radiant garden!

"So, it's been a while since your last visit. I want to introduce you to my wife, Holly," the girl bows slightly.

"Hello, I'm Holly. You must be Gia, right?" I smile and proceed to hug her. She pats my back gently.

"Nice to see you, sister-in-law! When is the wedding, and why didn't I get an invitation?" I playfully put my hand on my waist, glancing at Khun, who starts grinning.

"Chill, sister! We just got registered at the court last month. No ceremony yet because both of my brat brothers are too busy to take care of me!" I chuckle as I see Khun pout and pretend to look sad.

"You're almost 40, bro. You can take care of yourself," Sorn replies, unfazed by Khun's act. That's how they communicate with each other. Khun, despite being the eldest sibling, loves to act cute. He can be a little clingy and affectionate. On the other hand, Sorn is more serious but also friendly.

Sometimes I can't help but notice how Sorn is more mature than Khun.

"Don't you want to contribute to your own brother's wedding? You're heartless..." Khun rests his head on Holly's shoulder, and she lovingly pats his head.

"Let's burn down your house then..." Way emerges from his room after a while.

"I dare you to try it. Do you know the consequences for arson? A lifetime in prison," Khun retorts, utilizing his skills as a lawyer.

"Like I'm not imprisoned already! Everyone is invading my space as if I never existed!"

Well, that's a little harsh!

"Lock your door then," I shoot a meaningful glance into Sorn's eyes, silently telling him to stop provoking his younger brother.

"Put me in a coffin then," I sense the fiery spirit in the room.

Here we go again, another playground fight in the making!

"Hello, guys!" Tamara cheerfully walks into the room.

"Thank goodness," I mutter quietly and swiftly make my way over to Tamara. I give her a meaningful look, and she raises an eyebrow in response.

"Oh, it's the Kent-Patthita household! How was the flight? Ah, Holly, right?" I furrow my brow as I notice how casually Tamara addresses them, as if she knew they would be coming for a visit.

"Excuse me, did I miss something?"

"What-? Oh, wait..."

Now, everyone looks guilty!

"Why are you being so nonchalant?" I ask Tamara. She glances at Sorn and Way, both of them lowering their heads.

"We forgot to tell you that they were coming to visit," Tamara admits, and my jaw drops.

"So, everyone knew they were coming, except me?"

Now, I'm furious!

Everybody was aware of their visit, yet no one bothered to inform me. It's an important piece of news! Why did they keep me in the dark?

"Blame Way. He asked us not to tell you. Perhaps he didn't want you to meet his fiancée," Sorn remarks.

Way shoots an intense and deadly glare at Sorn. Fortunately, they're too far apart. Otherwise, things would turn sour!

"Oh, why? I thought you knew?" Holly asks.

Sorn glances at Way. The young man is boiling with anger. I can see how tightly he clenches his fists.

What's wrong with him?

"Ah, let's not complicate things further. The most important thing is that we all arrived safely!" Khun interjects, throwing in a cheerful laugh. He knows how tense the atmosphere has become and is doing his best to diffuse it. I notice Holly nodding in agreement.

It seems like things are settling down now.

But, to be honest, this is just the beginning.

***

With everyone dispersing to their respective rooms, only Gia, Way, and Sorn remain. Sorn glances at Way, feeling satisfied that he has finally found a way to keep him away from Gia.

"Why did you keep this from me?" Gia asks, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Is it really that important? You're not feeling well. I think you need to rest," Way responds.

"Yes, but at least tell me! Why did you want to keep it a secret? Was it because you knew Andra was coming too?" Gia's feeling of unfairness seeps into her words.

"Why are you blowing this out of proportion, G? It's just another visit!" Way's anger rises, though he doesn't have a valid reason. He had tried to keep it from Gia because he had assumed they would be staying in separate accommodations. He had hoped to distance himself from Andra so he could continue persuading Gia to choose him.

Little did he know that Sorn would play his cards this time!

"Drop it, Gia... What matters is that they arrived safely," Sorn interjects, feigning innocence. Unbeknownst to them, it was all by his suggestion. He knew that Way wouldn't be able to get anywhere near Gia if Andra was around. That girl clung to him like a baby koala!

"Now, we need to figure out the bedroom arrangements!" Gia declares.

"Ah, that's easy. Khun and Holly can take the room at the end. We'll need to clear out the files and equipment from that room later. You and Tamara can share a room," Sorn suggests.

"What about Andra?" Gia inquires.

"She'll be staying with Way," Sorn replies.

"What? No!" Way protests.

"Why? It's not like you two haven't done it before!" Sorn retorts. Gia looks at Way, her brow furrowing. She tries to think positively, but now it's becoming difficult.

"Yeah, you two are engaged, so it's... normal," she murmurs slowly. Way feels deflated.

"Is this arrangement fine with you? Or do you want to switch rooms? Because being next to them might lead to a sleepless night, especially if you know what I mean," Sorn smirks. Gia chokes slightly. She tries to ignore it, but she can't deny the sudden ache in her heart.

"Way! Can you help me with the shower, please?" the conversation comes to an end when they hear Andra's whining voice calling for Way. He sighs heavily, looking at Gia who already appears gloomy.

"Way!!"

"Go, or she'll keep torturing our ears," Sorn says. He side-hugs Gia, signaling that he wants Way to leave them alone.

With a heavy heart, Way leaves the kitchen.

"Ah, lovebirds!" Sorn exclaims, his lips curving slightly. Then he looks at Gia.

"Are you okay?" he gently caresses her hair. Gia nods, offering him a forced smile, concealing her sadness.

"Or maybe you'd prefer to sleep in my room?" he teases. Gia playfully smacks his shoulder before giving him a tight hug. She tries to calm her heart, knowing that falling for someone who is emotionally unavailable might be a mistake.

"Come on, let's help them clean!" Sorn suggests. He leads her to the room at the end, savoring the victory of his long-planned scheme.

Looks like I've won this time!