Human beings are cruel creatures. They don't understand everything. And what we don't understand, we tamper with it until we destroy it.

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There are many ways to spend an off day's afternoon. With family, which he doesn't have. With friends. His was more fixated on eating chicken while watching women with red dresses. And of course with a lover..Which he doesn't have now. The one thing he has is a kid who introduces him as his Uncle.

So, in that case, the next best option for him is the police officer sitting while looking at him as if he had murdered someone which he did but this one doesn't need to know that. But those eyes held a look that can only be described as annoying to him of course. Others will tell it's quite intimidating. But to him it looks more like a man trying to prove that he is just that...a man. Such a waste. Of his time.

"She was the one who gave testimony against your father. Do you remember?"

Of course he does. "That's not something I am supposed to forget Mr.."

"San"

His voice was just like him. Trying to be fierce only to be ended up sounding as nothing but childish tantrum.

"Mr. San, as I was saying, I can't just forget her. It's not like she stole something unimportant and fled away. She kind of singlehandedly destroyed my family, so no I don't think I can forget her."

The eyes looking at him seems to narrow even more. As if trying to find a loophole that was too small to the eyes. He really would've suited the role of a lab doctor more. Looking through his telescope with those smaller than ordinary eyes.

"Well, yes you got that right I guess. But you must know that the same woman has been registered as an unfound person in our book. And right now.." He leaned forward with those original than smaller eyes. Again looking for something in his face then sighed when he couldn't find any.

"Right now...I am one of the people in your suspicion book?" The police officer was smart. But not more than him. "Then I guess I have to disappoint you. Because I have nothing to do with that woman. Never did. And if I can, I would like it to stay that way. " Especially since that woman is buried six feet below. And he was not in a hurry to go there. 

At least not yet.

"Mr. kanawut, you do know that a person can be sentenced to prison time for kidnapping?"

He almost had the urge to touch the forehead to straighten the narrowed lines appearing on that forehead. Instead he took out another cigarette. His colons already asking for that damaging inhale. "Kidnapping convictions can result in lengthy prison sentences, including life sentences in some situations and states. Sentences of 20 years or more are common for first-degree or aggravated kidnapping, while minimum sentences of five years or more are common for second-degree kidnapping. Do you want to know more?" He offered him a cigarette which was declined. Perfect civil servant behavior.

"I hope you really are not connected with this Mr. Kanawut. And if you are I will find it."

"Then...I wish you the best of luck. Now If you'll kindly leave my office. That will be appreciated. It's my off day after all."

The man stood up taking his hat in his hand before looking at him. His eyes finally going back to normal shape. "Till we meet again, Mr. kanawut."

"Cheers to that" Gulf held up his cigarettes in that man's direction. It seems to irritate him more as he left the room without looking back. For a while he couldn't help but stare at that direction. That police officer was what he called a typical honest man. But he would need more than just an investigation to find him. After all, it is harder to find the lawbreaker if the culprit is a man of law himself.

The slight burning sensation in his finger make him throw the cigarette away in the trash bin. It was still burring, almost at the point of dimming. He couldn't look away from it as it burned to ash. An odd satisfaction flowed through him at the sight. The way the light burned and burned only to meet it's end in insignificant ash...it intrigued him. Strange. The feeling was very strange.

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But he should be familiar with strange things now. After all his so called husband is the most strange person he knew. "Eat slowly. Nobody is taking your food away."

"But this is so good. What if you steal it." He had to look up from his laptop to the face of the kid who was shuffling more hot dogs into his mouth. He always seems to be eating in his study now.

"I won't. I don't like hot dogs."

"But what if you do"

"Then you can buy more."

"So you are saying that you will!" He took the plate into his lap as if trying to hide it from him. 

What am I gonna do with this kid!

"You know I am paying for it right?"

"So what? Get your own"

Why were they even arguing on this! He seems to be offensive while holding the plate. But what Gulf couldn't understand was why he came with the food plate in his study to eat. And why was he behaving like a kid. Wait he is a kid. He forget sometimes.

But as he look more closely, he can tell. Years of studying human profile always give this advantage. This kid is trying to say something . But afraid to say it too. Thus the eating increasing in rapid pace. But it wasn't his problem. He have a case to study. Still it was him who put the laptop aside to look at him.

"What is it?"

For the first time he saw that kid getting shocked at his question. His moth opening and closing on his own several times. Hesitation clear as day in his face. But what caught Gulf's attention was not that. It was those eyes. Fear and embarrassment lounging there. And it didn't settle well with him. He has a hard time picturing anything but the carefree look he always see in those brown orbs. So what changed it?

"Kid, what is it? I won't ask again."

He look at him with fear before finally taking out a crumpled paper from his pocket and extending it towards him. A clear invitation to look more into it.

He took the paper that was offered expecting it to be another shopping trip advertisement. Maybe that's why it caught him off guard when he looked at the poster.

"Dancing class admission." Wasn't he studying in a business major?

"I..I.." His eyes went downcast. Hesitation and fear appeared together in his eyes. "I know it's stupid right."

That kid tried to laugh it off but the gathering wetness in his eyes told Gulf otherwise.

And he decided. He doesn't like this look one bit.

Maybe that's why he let natural instinct take over and wiped a lonely tear that fell down. Those brown orbs widen. Looking at him as if expecting him to do anything else but wipe those tears away.

"I don't think it's stupid. If this is what you want, if this is your dream, then no. It's not stupid. It's anything but stupid.

"But boys are not supposed to dance." He murmurs slowly looking down again. "Dad said boys don't do silly things. And dancing is silly."

There was something in that voice. Something similar to pain.

Why are you looking so hurt. it makes me want to hurt you more. 

That's what he wanted to say. "Define silly to me." That's what he ended up asking.

Big eyes fell on him, the fear replaced by stubbornness and the trembling lips replaced by a scowl. "You. You are silly. For forcing me to marry you. For ruining my unfinished dreams, for ruining my 18th birthday. Do you know how much I was waiting for that day?" He took another bite of the remaining hot dog, cheeks still puffed out in anger as he tried to turn his pain into anger.

"Fair point." Gulf slowly took the tissue from the tabletop to wipe away the food crumbs. But changed his mind and threw at that kid's lap instead. "But letting others decide your future dreams, isn't it silly too, Kid? Giving a stranger like me the power to have a say in your future, isn't it silly too? Most of all.." His eyes bore into those big ones, trying to see what else beside pain resides there. "Isn't it really silly when you let someone else's thinking stop you from chasing what you want?"

He stopped chewing, eyes going downcast looking at the paper in his hands. "B..But what if...what if I fail?"

There was something in that voice. Something so pure and touching that it muted the screaming that always goes on and on inside his mind for a moment. "So what. Then you try again. Who's stopping you." He force his eyes away from those blinking eyes, pulling his laptop close to him again trying to focus on how the rope was tied around the victim's neck. You can tell a lot from the position of the rope. Whether it was murder or suicide. or..

"Grumpy....will you come with me tomorrow? I....I am afraid to do this alone."

There it was again. Softly spoken heart-wrenching words filled with hesitation. But this time he gave up on the idea to find out why it was even affecting him. When he looked at the kid from the corner of his eyes who was looking back at him with star filled eyes. Hope swimming there. Making him want to crush that sprout of hope right then and there.

Instead for some unknown reason, for the second time that day, he ended up saying what he didn't wanted to. "I have to go to court early tomorrow."

"Oh.."

Just that. An Oh? The hot dog was long forgotten in the plate, eyes looking down again, fingers fidgeting. He looked like a drowned puppy. And Gulf Kanawut hate drowned puppies. Since the time his cousin drowned one in their lake. Alive ones are ok. Maybe that's why he ended up agreeing. "So be prepared early. I will drive you there."

Brown eyes met with him, stars filling them again. His lips stretching into a smile that crinkled the corner of his eyes. "Thank youuu....But just so you know I still hate you." He went back to eating fully while smiling at me.

He will never admit that somehow he found the sight of this bratty kid who's eyes light up with happiness every time he smiles is quite adorable. Never. And he will pretend until the day he die that he only agreed because he hate drowned puppies.

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The chaos in the hallway wasn't as disturbing as he imagined. Teenagers laughing, planning their day, some wanna be bad boys roaming looking at every ass as if it belongs to them, a girl looking at the book in her hand not thinking if she will run into a poll which she totally did. Then grabbed her book and ran away.

This sight was long forgotten in his mind. Locked up in somewhere he never gave any effort to look. Cause it wasn't like this to him. He wasn't in the nerd group or the bad boy wanna be or the quiet introvert person with less friends.

He was the Bastard. The one that doesn't have a category. The one that stood up in the class because teachers thought it was funny to make you read the paragraph about your father. Fucked up life to be exact.

"Grumpyyyy..."

The kid's voice dragged him back to reality. He was waving at him frantically, his two friends standing up and...waving too? What's wrong with these three?

"Is that my name?" He strolled towards him, a glare apparent in his eyes. Still not enough to make that kid afraid. That kid smiled that eyes crinkling smile of his dragging Gulf by his hands towards his still waving friends.

"Grumpy look they even have different categories for dancing events. Jen is gonna try with me too."

He couldn't even pull that kid out of his happy bubble then. He was excited and for some reason, 

Gulf was feeling giddy to see that look on his face. Again, never gonna admit this of course. This feeling was gonna be replaced soon.

"But what if Uncle Gulf doesn't agree to that trip."

Replaced. Irritation taking over giddiness in a jiffy. "Uncle?"

That evil being's lips were pursed trying to what he assumed was surpassing his laughter. His irritation grew again before the girl with pink hair who's name was Jenny stood before him. "Uncle, you will come with us too right?"

By now he doesn't know if he should laugh or cry. Or just kill the laughing kid beside him who's arms was still holding his.

"No I can't." He removed those hands from him. "You guys enjoy. I have to go now." He turned towards the kid with every intention of warning to not do any mishap that day instead he found him standing away a little with a smile looking in front of him. Looking at the man who just came.

He looks to be in his early 20's with a charming smile pointed towards....kid?

"Mew, what a pleasant surprise. You are applying in my department too?'

And then he witnessed something else. The irritating kid turning into an obedient puppet at glance. "Yes, Mr. Collins. I am very excited to be in your class."

But he wasn't excited. Something very ugly gripping at his inside threatening to consume him whole as he looked at the two before him. It doesn't take a genius to understand that this kid has a crush on the same man with that stupid but charming simile.

He wanted to break something then. Very eagerly.

"Oh, won't you introduce me to your relative?"

Those brown eyes looked at him as if just realizing that he was there too. His hands were itching to break that smile present on that teacher's face into two.

Yet, he shook the hand that man forwarded, buried that ugly feeling he don't wanna name and put on his professional behavior. At least he though he did. He will never admit the fact that he might've squeezed that hand a little more tighter than necessary.

"I'm Gulf Kanawut. Mew's.."

"Uncle. He is my Uncle."

Gulf looked at him. Those eyes avoided his. So he looked back at the man. "Yes. That's what I am."

That stupid smile appeared again on that stupidly handsome face. "I'm Professor Collins, I teach in the dance department here. It's nice to meet you Mr. Kanawut."

His eyes narrowed on their own. "Likewise, Mr. Collins. Likewise. But if you'll excuse me now." Before he wipe that smile of that man which was irritating him for some stupid reason. "I have a job to attend."

"Of course. See you in class Mew." He smiled again at the kid who smiled back. And he wanted to wipe both of their smiles from their faces. Instead, he walked away from there going towards his car. Maybe it is better to just study those dead body pics awaiting for him than staying here where it was looking like a drama unfolding to him.

But before he could open the car door a hand grabbed his. "Grumpy, you will come to pick me up today too right? Should I wait?"

Gulf kanawut saw it then. That smile that was in display for that teacher was not present for him.

What do you even expect Kanawut. Who are you to even think that you can demand something like this from a person whose life you are about to destroy?

 "Grumpyyy..." That kid whines again while grabbing onto his forearms. "You have to come pick me up. Then we will go for ice cream. I will order that strawberry flavored one today that I couldn't eat that day. Okeyyy?" That kid smiled while waiting for an answer from him.

An ugly feeling reared it's head inside him as he removed that hand from him, opened his door and slide inside before looking back the kid who was still loooking at him expactantly. "No. I have work today. John will come."

It must be his imagination when he saw that simile getting wiped away little by little. It must be. Why would he even dare to think that this kid who have that shining beaming laughter will ever directed it towards him one day..

"Oh." Disappointment showed clear as day in his face before he smiled again. "That's ok. At least John won't scare me or scold me evetime I turn up the volume. He is more fun than you. Who will want to go eat ice cream with a grumpy like you anyway."

His eyes narrowed at their own as he take in that happy expression. Something like fire burned inside him. Why did he even think this kid will ever want to be in his presence? After all the only relation he have with this kid is the one he forced upon him. 

He will never willingly agree to stay with me. Nobody in their right mind will.

"Then have fun by damaging your ear with loud volume."

"I will." He replied with a determined pout taking over his lips. He didn't payed that kid any attention. His watch was already telling him how late he was. It didn't take him even 2 second to drive away from there in full speed.

And maybe that's why he didn't notice. He didn't notice that smile slowly going away from that face. He didn't notice how that kid still stood there looking at his car until it was out of sight.

It was because he didn't notice the disappointment lurking behind that smile. That's why he went away. That kid wasn't his responsibility anyway. It was not his job to make that little one smile. It was not in his right to prevent that kid from ever meeting that dance class teacher. It wasn't his right. Nothing that includes that kid was his right. Never will be.

The loud ringing of the phone distracted him from his current thoughts. The familiar number flashed there. His eyes were still on the road when he put it on loudspeaker. A woman's voice coming out of it instantly.

"Have you forgotten me Kanawut."

"How can I? It's not like you will let me even if I want to." She laughed making him grit his teeth. "What do you want again? You know I am busy." A blue car passed by him in full speed making him concentrate more on the road instead of that sweet laughter. She always had this beautiful smile. That's one of the reason why a line of men always follow her.

"It's not about what I want. It's about what you want. Don't you want something Kanawut. Something like a Girl's name?" The taunting was clear in her voice. He knew what she meant. Another car went by him. The road was calm otherwise unlike his mind that were in turmoil.

His hands tightened on their own on the steering wheel, turning up the speed taking over the bus that were in front of him. Seems like he will just have to skip work today.

"I will be there in half hour." A person screamed from the car he overtook and left behind. He paid him no attention while turning up the speed even more. He need to hurry. After all, there is a place he need to be at. There is a person he need to meet. A person he was waiting to meet since the day he saw his father's dead body being wheeled out of the prison.

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Done. Finito...for now. It took me so much time. And until next moth, the updates won't be regular at all. I still didn't get a new laptop. And typing in a mobile is just a complete no no.

So sorry in advance. Also, you guys can expect another update tonight, Hopefully.

Till we meet again..bye bye

P.S Comments and Votes will be much appreciated.

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