Your strange ways attract me in ways
I strangely can't understand
..................... .................. ...............

The glasses were sliding down his nose again. The black eyed man pushed it back up. It's quite irritating to say the least. The case file in front of him was even more. And the intern who thought it was a good enough reason to bring a murder case history into his home on an off day was even more irritating. Nowadays it seems like meeting irritating people has become his fate.

"Sir, if we see it from another angle, then what if the murder took place before the party? I mean the police were late by three and a half hours."

George, the intern working under him has a point. He was young but mature too. Always wearing a different pair of spectacles. Sometimes Gulf really wonders how many does this person own. But that's not the point. The point is that this intern does have a point. It is possible. 

Gulf took the case file in his hand again. Trying to read and see what he didn't concentrate on before. The couple was in their mid 60's. One of the business tycoons of Thailand who got success in the cosmetic business. No child. Then what could've happened that suddenly both of them were found dead at the same time in their house? 

Robbery? Impossible. The security was quite tight as it is expected from a billionaire couple living far from the city. Revenge? But they were already on their deathbed judging by the age. Gulf's eyes furrowed. Everything was pointing towards murder except his gut. And this gut has made him won many cases. So what is it? Exactly what the hell happened that day?

Then something clicked in. 

"But what if the murder .......wasn't a murder at all." He can feel George's confused eyes on him while waiting for an explanation. 

And truth to be told, he had none. It was only a feeling. A feeling of gut. And he always trust his guts. As long as they are not bleeding of course.

"I will explain to you later. Bring me their death certificate. I have already spoken with the doctor handling their case. Just go and tell them my name. You will get it."

He nodded at him not before judging him in a hundred different ways through those spectacles before leaving the room without any question. 

Gulf Kanawut quite like that boy. Silent and abiding. Just the people he likes dealing with. Unlike...

"Grumpy....."

And that wretched thing appeared. His eyes fell on the boy already standing in his study room with..what the hell is that on his face! "How many times do I have to tell you to ask for permission before entering my study. And why are you looking like a ghost?"

That ever angry kid huffed at him then crossed his arms before walking towards him. "It's called sheet mask. You know nothing about beauty. Who made you a lawyer."

A scowl can be seen even from behind that mask as that kid walks towards him before sitting on top of the table turning his bad mood worse. "Kid, there are chairs in front of me for a reason."

"But I like this table more. It is comfortable."

"Then do you want me to push you off it? You know I will do it right? I really will." In fact he was mere seconds away from doing it. 

A doubt-filled look crossed those eyes before looking on the floor and back to him. "Then I will get back on it again. " 

Why was he smiling like that?. Irritating. Irritating at it's best.

That reminds him...

"Did you edit my name?"

"Yes. I did. it's grumpy now. Damn plus oldy is equal to grumpy." This one, this evil thing had the audacity to look proud of himself after spitting that bullshit. And that smile made his blood boil again. 

"How does two words blend together."

"It does in my dictionary."

It's safe to say that one of these days he really is gonna kill him.."Get out"

That kid huffed again then placed those dangling legs on his table sitting in a crisscross position. A stubborn filled look appeared in those brown eyes. "No, I won't."

"Kid, don't mess with me now. I am working here."

"But I have something important to tell you. Very important. It's a life death matter."

He narrowed his eyes at the kid in suspicion. What is he getting at now? 

"You got one minute."

"But, I need more."

"54 seconds.

"You don't understand.."

"48"

"I need Chapstick. Mine is over. I need a new bag too. The older one got out of fashion. Also new jeans. The one I saw the ad on tv for yesterday. I think I need to buy that matching boots and shirts too. But then only jeans were on the led display. I saw it before coming home yesterday. Do you think they come in pairs?"

Patience is a virtue. Remember what you learned in that anger management class. Breathe in, Breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Fuck it. 

"GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW." Why why did he think it will be a good idea to marry a 18 year old who had the brain of a 5 year old? What the hell was he thinking then?

Those brown eyes narrowed down on him, that body not even close to moving a bit. "Grumpy, I can't get out. If I move too much the sheet mask won't be in one place."

That's it. That just fucking it. He needs a refund from that anger management teacher. 

He stood up and then forcefully took that kid in his arms before going out of the door. 

"What are you doing? Let me down. Are you gonna kill me now? I swear, I will come back as a ghost."

"I think I forgot to tell you that I used to work as a Ghost hunter before becoming a lawyer." He was about to throw him onto the couch when those tiny arms were wrapped around his neck making him look at the kid dumbfounded.

Wasn't he struggling just until now? "Get down" He ordered, his anger at it's peak.

"No, take me to shopping first." That kid refused as usual, while that glare deepened in his eyes.

Those arms gripped his neck even tighter. "Kid, now."

"Nooo. Say you will take me shopping."

"Go alone."

"Then who will pick my shopping bags..."

For the hundred times again he thinks about his life choices. This wretched being should've been 1000 meters away from him. He glared at him, and that kid glared more while tightening his grip again and this glare battle would be still on if not for his dearest chicken-loving friend.

"Isn't this romantic."

Gulf's eyes went toward the voice coming from the doorway. That idiot was just standing there with an amused look present in his eyes. "So this is Mew Kanawut, Nice to meet you."

Finally, that grip untightened making him throw that body on the couch as soon as possible. That kid let out a scream again while looking at him accusingly. "Who throws someone like that. I could've died."

"Then just die already."

"In your dreams Grumpy. I am not gonna die before making your life miserable."

When he looked at those stubborn eyes he can't help but think..My life is already miserable.

And that shameless friend of him agreed. That fucker's lips already formed in a teasing smile as he looks at the kid.

"You are cute." Mild's voice was still filled with amusement.

The glare vanished from the kid's face as a smile take it's place. "I know right. My friends think so too. It's all because of this sheet mask. You are cute too Mr.."

"I am Mild. This bastard's friend."

"How can you  endure being grumpy's friend." Gulf's eyes looked at the Kid with a glare deepening in his eyes.

"Yeah, I think I was born with some superpower, or this won't be possible."

What! Does this idiots know  he was standing right here!

"Suttinut don't start now, and you....." HIs eyes went towards the man sitting on the couch with an angry scowl on his face.

"Get back to your room. I am not taking you anywhere."

At that moment something happened. He can't exactly pinpoint what but suddenly those eyes got bigger, that scowl replaced with a sad look as those lips formed in a pout while trembling. Is that kid trying to blackmail him emotionally? Does he think Gulf Kanawut is that weak? He will never give in to this. This is not how he deals with things. He will never....Damn it.

"I..I said go to your room." 

That evil being looked at him. Why is those eyes only getting bigger? And why the hell is that pout not going away? Why was he feeling guilty suddenly? 

 "I said...damn it. Just get ready in five. Or I am not taking you anywhere."

That little thing had the audacity to huff at him again before flashing the idiot standing at the door a smile. Then those eyes looked at him. More like glared at him before climbing up the stairs. "Just so you know, I still hate you"

Those words stopped him midway from walking out of the living room. That kid didn't glance back after uttering those words. Stomping all the way to the staircase leading to his room. 

"Good." So nobody heard when he whispered that word. It's good as long as that kid keeps hating him. Cause the other option against hate was not an option for him or for that kid.

"Careful there Kanawut." Mild took his place on the couch checking his mobile for something. All of his attention was on the mobile phone in his hand. Making it impossible for Gulf to understand what he meant.

"Exactly what are you talking about?"

Mild finally looked at him. The smile missing from his face as he uttered those words. "This doesn't look like hatred to me, Gulf. The hatred I see flashing in your eyes for his father, I wonder why it's missing when you look at him."

The silence after that question took a grip on the room in control. Something really unsettling taking reside in Gulf's inside. Yet he couldn't answer him. Mild's words struck back at him in full force. 

Hatred. Such a strong emotion. The one he is most acquainted with. Yet does he hate him? Does he hate that kid? The answer was simple.

I have to hate him. There was no other way around. 

"I think all the chickens that you eat are messing with your mind. You know I hate that family Mild."

Mild leaned back on the couch, a very annoying knowing smile taking over his face. "But do you hate that child?"

Do I? I do. I have to. 

"You think too much." Yet he couldn't assure his friend who was sitting on the couch with a knowing look on his face. He couldn't utter the words. He couldn't say that he does hate that kid. Yet he couldn't say those words aloud. 

This is what is concerning him. Even from the start when he wanted to do nothing but hurt him, even when he wanted nothing but to see fear in those childish brown eyes, something always stopped him. Something that wouldn't let him be the monster he was to that kid. Something he remembered even till now.

Like a faraway memory, it kept bothering him every once in a while. Taking him back to a time when he made a promise. A very childish promise to a two year old a long time ago......

............... ........... ...............

The waves were crashing around the shore with sounds that can sometimes be mistaken as giants grunting in pain. But above even those sounds, the echoes of laughter came deeper to his ear. His mother's sweet smiling face can be seen from where he was standing too. She was busy in arranging the food while discussing something with Aunt Sara.

"What are you looking at son."

His eyes went away from his mom to look at his father standing beside him. His Black eyes which were a mirror image of Gulf were holding nothing but love and pride. This feeling always brings something indescribable to his heart. He looked back at his mom with Uncle Suppasit and Aunty Sara. They were still laughing about something. Then he looked back at his father.

"Nothing. It's just this sea looks so vast, Dad. And here I stand with little to no existence in front of it." That's what made him worried. He was nothing in front of it. Nothing at all. If he were to get lost in this sea today, nobody will ever be able to find him. He will be nothing but a distant memory to everyone. And this thought scared him greatly.

"Yes it is vast but still I think My son's existence is bigger than this. Because..." His father's body turned towards him. A warm smile lifted the corner of his father's lips as he pointed his finger at Gulf's chest. "Because of this. This heart that you have. This pure thing that exists within you. That beats, that feels, that loves others. This is what makes you more vast than the sea itself."

A smile unknowingly appears on his lips as he looked at his father. This fondness in those eyes made him believe every word so easily. But he couldn't concentrate on his father more as another person appears beside him.  A very short one, in age and in temper, sobbing in full force demanding every ounce of his attention.

"Gu..Guppie.." His eyes fell on the two year old toddler tugging at his shirt sleeve. Those brown eyes brimming with tears. Somehow making those bigger eyes looking even more big as the toddler sniffled.

He can't help but smile at the kid. This is probably the only person besides his family who was able to crack the serious mask he wore every day. Just like now, when his mind was in chaos, this little thing made his place among it with the adorable way he was looking at him with those doe eyes shining with tears. 

"What happened" He knelt down before him wiping those tears away. That small fist didn't let his shirt go as a small finger was pointed towards the sea. 

"Waarr.. Mew wan toush waaerr."

"Is that so." Gulf's father's deep voice sounded soft as he tried to take the kid into his arms. "Then Uncle will take Mew to touch the water. Let's go..." He tried to pick him up but he moved away from him while letting Gulf's shirt sleeves go and holding onto his neck instead while hiding that small tear cladded face into his chest."

"Noooo. Guppie take Mew. Mew go with Guppie."

An amusing smile lit up his father's face as he looked at his son. "This kid seems more attached to you than even his own family. What magic did you do, son?"

He laughed at his father then picked the crying kid up before wiping those tears away again. "That's our secret. I am not telling you." He can still hear his father's loud laughter behind him while his feet moved towards the sea with a now smiling bouncing kid in his arms. Those brown eyes holding all the joy that replaced the tears that were streaming down that little face a while ago.

Gulf stopped when the water level was to his kneecap then bend down a little making the kid's legs touch the water. A soft giggle left those lips as that kid held onto his neck while bouncing his legs on the water. There were no tears anymore on that face. And it was making him smile too.

"Ah, this drama king. You could've just asked your dad, you know." He giggled again before looking up at Gulf with those shining big eyes. "But Mew afaid. Mew fall. Mew don kno seeimng."

"What if I don't know swimming too." He expected to see fear in those brown eyes but instead what he saw was only happiness and trust. 

"But Guppie won let mew hut. Guppi protet Mew." With that, he went back to playing with water. Without realizing the effect those words had on him. 

Gulf kanawut always thought he was cladded with darkness. Even from childhood, he was different from other kids. More mature, more understanding. But this kid, he could swear this little one had magic in him. Because this toddler somehow has always seen only the sunset in his eyes even when he couldn't see anything but darkness itself. 

His concentration was broke when his mom called them for eating.  He finally took his eyes off the kid, a smile unknowingly playing across his lips as the departing sun casts it's light on those two. With one last look at the sea he took the kid back into his embrace while walking ahead.

"Guppie.."

He stopped mid way looking at the kid. " What is it Mew?"

"Guppie alyys protet Mew?" He stopped thinking for a second before smiling at the adorable kid with large eyes.

"Yes. Guppie will always protect Mew."

"Piny powise." A little finger was held out, asking for a promise while looking at him with nothing but trust. He connected his with that little finger, looking with amazement at the kid and the way that face lit up with a smile while a happy giggles leaving through those lips.

"Pinky promise..........."

...................... .............. .............

Two sets of curious eyes were on him with their mouth agape. Questions swirling in them. This was getting more awkward. Does he look like an alien to them? Their expression will agree.

"Grumpy, this one looks good too. And it has three colors. I think I should buy them right?"

A groan left his lips as he glared at the kid who kept shoving every clothes he can find on the basket and his two friends walking alongside him while glancing at him every now and then with curiosity.

"You never told us you have an uncle this rich."

The paper coffee cup in his hand was crushed. And his fucker of a friend seems to find it amusing. At least his loud laughter will say so. "Yes. Gulf Uncle is very rich, guys. Buy whatever you want."

He glared at that traitor .

"Gulf Uncle is also very good at throwing his friend down the stairs. Want to see me doing it?"

Mild's laughter vanished instantly as he looked at him then at the stairs before finally going off to the other direction of the store. Suddenly seeming to be more interested in clothes than looking at him. A tired sigh left his lips. He need a smoke badly. This idiots have done it today. But before he can walk away, that kid's answer stopped him.

"Yeah. he is my very far away relative. You guys didn't know."

Those words were thrown away from the kid's lips carelessly as he went towards another section with his two friends following him along. Not before the pink haired Girl wink at Gulf with a shy smile of course.

He rolled his eyes while trying to not let those words affect him. Should those words be felt insulted or something? Should he care if that kid doesn't want to introduce him as his Husband? No, he doesn't think so. It doesn't affect his plan. And what that kid does in his life is not his concern either.

Then why does that sentence prick him? An unknown feeling settled over his stomach while looking at those three carelessly laughing away.

And he sighed again for the umpteenth time. Sometimes, he really wishes he can laugh like that. Or even cry a little. But doesn't matter how much he tried, emotions don't come easily to him anymore. Now it seems like a luxury he can't afford. Still, that didn't worry him. What worried him was something else. 

What worried him was the sound of laughter that was always irritating to his ears. But when that kid laughs, with those lit eyes and carefree way...it doesn't sound so irritating anymore.

And that irritating smile owner was suddenly in front of him. "Grumpy.." The kid was standing in front of him now with a black shirt in his hand. "Do you think I will look good in black? Kaow Kaow said I should try it." A pout was already formed on his lips. He looked at his two friends who was now again looking at Gulf with a gaping mouth. Does he really look like an alien or something?

"Grumpy.." The sound of stomping feet made him give his attention to the kid again. "Don't look at them. Look at me. Do you think I will look good in black?"

And suddenly, he doesn't want to see this smile anymore. "Just buy whatever you want. I don't have interest in choosing your shirt color." With that he left that kid, taking out his cigarette packet in hand. He need that smoke badly. This day was not going smoothly at all. he can already feel the upcoming headache. He almost took out the cigarette when his eyes stopped on his traitor friend.

Mild looked at him before looking behind then looking back at him again. He wasn't talking but his look was saying it all. He wanted Gulf to look behind. But he doesn't want to. He have had enough of that kid's tantrum for one day but still, why the hell does his treacherous head turned back? What the fuck is wrong with him?

But one thing was clear. He really shouldn't have looked. Cause now his feet were walking towards that kid who was standing at the same place looking down at the shirt. He can already tell that the ever-present laughter was not in it's usual place anymore.

He didn't stop in front of him. His feet took him straight to the aisle. A blue shirt with white strip caught his eyes. It took him less than a minute to get back to him. The cigarette packet was back in his pocket as he took the black shirt away from that kid's hand. Wide brown eyes look up at him when he put the blue shirt on his hand replacing the dark one.

"This will look more good."

And just like that, the gloomy appearance disappeared as a bright smile took over that Kid's face. Making him wonder why was his heart beating like that at the sight.

"You think so? " His eyes looked at the shirt then back at him. "Ok, I will take it." 

He was amazed at how soon that gloomy person went back to being the jumpy kid he knew.
Shaking his head, he took out the cigarette packet again, and walking out of there, leaving those three friends alone. The footsteps sound indicating that Mild was following him too.

"I liked the black one." Mild's voice was full of amusement while taking a stick out of Gulf's packet before lighting it up. "Yet you seem to disagree. I wonder why?"

He doesn't look at him to know that fucker was smiling while saying this. But he does want to beat himself up for not being able to lie. "Black...it's not his color. He seems bright, Suttinut." He finally said them aloud. That kid does seem bright. With those big innocent eyes, slightly curly hair and joy-filled smile, he seems more brighter than anything Gulf has ever encountered in his life.

"If I didn't know any better, I will say that you are getting attached to him." The sentence came out more like mocking. But somewhere, there was a sense of warning too.

"I can't get attached to anybody, Suttinut. You know that more than anyone." 

He chuckled while letting out a puff before looking back at him. "Then why does it feel like that you are already."

He couldn't deny it, he couldn't accept it. He couldn't say that fucker was wrong. Not when it felt so right. Not when those words stuck with him like glue. So he didn't. He looked away from his friend instead, looking back at the entrance of the shop. The sound of laughter echoing even outside. His eyes following the happy kid who seems like a sun appearing after dark clouds. 

Just like that night, when his eyes fell upon those shining eyes in the dark after so many years.

Just like that time, the want pricked at him. The need almost consumed him. The need to turn those shining stars into ruined galaxy.

The ringing of his phone made him finally look away from the kid breaking his concentration. His secretary's name flashed there. With a grunt, he picked it up.

"Sir..."

"What is it." He took another puff trying to calm himself down. If she was calling for another missing document that was sent to the wrong address which seems to be her daily habit, this will be the last time she will have the facility to even know his number. But what she said next stopped him from firing her.

"Sir, there is  a police officer here asking for you." The news didn't surprise him. He was expecting it after all.

"Tell him to wait. I'll be there."

With that, he hang up the phone, looked at the trash bin, and threw away the remaining cigarette there before looking at Mild. "Seems like someone wants to talk to me." Mild seems to understand immediately. But his expression stayed unbothered.

"It's not the first time anyway." 

Mild was right. It wasn't. And if his predictions were right then it won't be the last either. "Take them home. I have to go. My guest is waiting."

That fucker only chuckle while nodding his head. Gulf took one last look at the kid who seems to be analyzing a shirt with a determined expression. 

It made him wonder sometimes, what must be going on in the mind of that little one. He wanted to go inside and ask him this. Instead, he turned his back and walk out of there. 

But surprisingly, it wasn't his upcoming guest that was on his mind. What was in his mind was only one question. 

Why didn't he introduce me as His husband? And why....just why do I care if he didn't?"

.......................

.............

...........

I am confused too? Why is Gulf kanawut seems to be so bothered about this? Any guess guys???

Anyway, till we meet in the next chapter, this is your Confused author logging out. Byeeee