Chapter 7

14 days before the wedding

ZEE'S POV

It's been four hours since I've been waiting for Nunew in their living area. He had told everyone to make me go home as he don't want to talk to me right now, but I didn't go anywhere.

I just can't give up on not talking to him now, after everything that happened to us last night I can't just let it be and won't talk to him about it.

I need to know his feelings for me. I want to know why he did it, or does it not meant something to him?

Cuz, it means everything to me.

I woke up early in the morning but he was not there anymore. He ran away to me.

I don't know what his feelings are. That's why I'm here  to make sure if he is really okay.

Mrs. Keerati came and sat beside me. She looks sad while looking at me.

"I'm so sorry for disturbing you all here like this Mrs. Keerati. I just want to talk to Nunew right now." I said.

"No, it's okay Zee. I must be the one to say sorry to you."she said. Then she holds my left hand.

"I know it must be hard for you to see him being like this. Please understand him for now." She said trying to make me understand Nunew as I nodded. But she doesn't have to say it cuz that's what I'm doing right now.

"Is he okay though." I ask her and she smile weakly.

"He would be for sure" she said but the look in her eyes are telling me otherwise.

God. I need to talk things with Nunew before anything else.

"Please tell him, I'll come back next time Mrs. Keerati." I said as I don't want to disturb them anymore. I didn't go to meet with clients today and just told Tutor to go with Net instead. As I'm here at the Keerati's house to talk with Nunew but since he doesn't want to talk to me and don't want to see me I've got no choice but to go back next time.

"Okay Zee I will tell him. Anyway, welcome back and Take care " as she rubs my shoulder.

I said goodbye to her and get out of their house.

When I was in front of the car I look up at Nunew's window. The curtains was drawn in and even the sunlight won't get in.

I felt awful cuz I know he wanted to forget about what happened to us last night and I can't just accept it.

I sigh and get in the car as I drive out of the place.

************

NUNEW'S POV

I was on my bed still lying as I heard Zee's car driving away.

My tears stream down again. I've been crying for the whole time since I got home.

I want to get angry of myself as I make him wait there for many hours. But i don't want to hurt him even more now. I am too ashamed to look at him after I ran away last night.

I heard my door open and my mother gets inside. I sat down on my bed and she walk and sat on my bed. She wipe the tears in my eyes as she smile weakly.

"Nu son. The decision is still yours. But son think of your happiness and not others." She said.

"If I back out mom. I'm afraid grandpa would not take it. His heart is getting worse every month. He only has 1 year left and the least thing I would do is to disappoint him, that would lead him to die early." I said sadly looking down on my hands.

"Pa would surely understand son. Please, I don't want you to get hurt even more." She said as she holds my hand.

"Zee loves you, and even if he wouldn't say it you can feel it. Son don't give up on your love on him." She continues as she look at me with a pleading look.

"I can't risk grandpa's life for this love mom." I said

"He would find someone better than me mom. He would forget his love for me. He was starting to move on and I'm letting him do it." As I'm determined now. Zee would forget about me and that's important, to see him happy without me.

I'm only gonna hurt him if he would stay with me.

"I would still marry Max and that would not change." I said with a determine voice I'm trying to show her.

My mom sigh deeply and look away. I know she wanted me to be happy.  But my grandfather's happiness is what's more important for now.

7 years ago I fell in love with Max bestfriend Zee.

But 3 years ago I gave up that love instantly. The day I found out my grandfathers condition.

**************

7 years ago

The day I met Zee. It was the day of Max game where my dad was one of the sponsors.

Max and I both know since we were young that we were betrothed to each other. I didn't have any problem with it as I thought I love him. I agree with it.

But everything changes when I met Zee.

After Max game I came to him immediately and hug him congratulating him on winning the game. Then he introduced me to Zee. The best friend that Max often  share to me. How he was happy to have a friend like Zee.

Every time we see each other he would brag about Zee being a genius and a top student of their classes. At first I wanted to sulk at him for always praising his friend thinking maybe he had some feelings for Zee.

Then I saw the guy he always talks about. All my doubt and jealousy toward the guy turns into dust.

At first I thought he was a celebrity as he was too good looking man. His eyeglasses makes him look so hot.Then Max told me that his Zee. My rational thoughts stops as I admire his beauty. And when he talks my heart summersaults in my chest.

I immediately extended my hand to introduce my self but almost cursed my self when I said I'm Max fiance.

That's the most unforgettable memory I have.

I thought what I felt for him was just an admiration but I was wrong. The time I got home all I could think is him. It's already been three months since I went to Bangkok university and I still don't forget about him.

"What's that?" I heard my mom said as I was sitting on our couch while I was sketching. I immediately put down the sketch book and look at her smiling, but she look at me knowingly.

"You don't have to hide it Nu. I already saw it" she said that makes me pout.  "Can I know who that was" she ask.

I look down fidgeting as I'm holding the pen.

"I'm not going to get angry." She said in assurance. Then I slowly got the sketch and show it to him.

"Wow..his handsome." I smile brightly as I'm looking at her

"He's more handsome in person mom." I said as I look at my drawing of Zee's handsome face.

"Who is this" she asked getting more curious.

"His name is Zee Pruk Wang, mom." I said to her.

"Wang? Is he maybe the son of the Chinese magnate Jiro Wang?" I frown of what she said as I don't really know the person she said.

"Ohh sorry, Don't mind what I said.." she suddenly sat down and look at me in the eyes.

"Do you like him?" She ask and I was speechless.

I batted my lashes as I don't know what to answer.

Then suddenly I told her about how unforgettable it is when I meet him.

"Did you just experience a love at first sight son." She said and I was shock of what she said. Love at first sight. Is there a thing like that?

"Is there a love like that mom?"I ask in confusion. I never heard a love like that before.

"There is. That's how I love your dad. The first time I saw him my heart beats so wild and I couldn't forget about him.

"Seeing how your heart react seeing him, and you can't even forget his face as you even imprinted his face in your mind that you can clearly draw his handsome face says it all,son." She said and I couldn't talk for more.

Is that what love is.

But what do I feel with Max. Is it not love?

No, i don't. My heart won't beat wildly the way when I saw Zee's face and heard his voice for the first time.

With Max I felt nothing at all. I'm happy seeing Max, but the wild beating of heart doesn't.

I bit my lower lip couldn't say anything anymore.

"Khun Pat, nong Nunew Max is here." I look at Aunty Ja who just get inside. Then Max came in, but I was shock to see who he was with. It's his bestfriend Zee.

I immediately stand from the couch and check myself then when I realize I was holding the sketch of Zee's face I put it immediately on my back. My mom gasp and look at me smiling.

She comes close and whisper. "That's him?" She ask and I nodded slowly. "He really is handsome in person as what you said" she said  smiling so widely.

"Mom, they might hear you" I look at her fear that Max and Zee can hear us.

"Hi Aunty Pat." Max interrupted as he greeted mom. "Hi Nunew" he said but all my eyes where only for Zee who just stay silent while staring at me.

"Hi Max, who's with you" mom ask curiously even though she already know Zee's name.

"This is Zee Pruk Wang. Aunty Ja. He's a son of the Chinese business magnate Jiro Wang." Max said and we saw how Zee hit Max in the arm.

"Stop introducing me as my father's son." Zee said then he look at my mom and smile at her.

"Hello Mrs. Keerati. I'm Zee, Max's friend."

"Stop introducing yourself as my friend" Max playfully said and laughed while Zee elbowed Max's antique's.

My mom laugh at them. "Nice to meet you Zee, Max's friend" my mom teases Zee who looks away in shyness.

"Nong aren't you going to greet Zee?" Max ask me. I smile at Zee and great him.

"Hi, Zee glad to see you again."

"Hello Nong Nunew." As he smiled back and greeted me.

That visit started everything, and our friendship started too. Max often take Zee to our house when he visit and all the time I'm spending my time with him. We've become close and be bestfriend. Until I call him Hia who he didn't got problem to be called with.

But the problem was my feelings for him getting deeper.

I started going to Bangkok University and he would often come to visit me. We would go on a dinner or go out somewhere to stroll around and have fun together as often time Max was busy doing some work as he was starting to work on his family business.

We became even closer with Zee that he was always visit our house. Even when he was busy with building up his own business he would always find time to go to me and have time to visit me in university or in our house and I would do the same with him. Visiting his condo from time to time

Until my love for him turns even deeper.

++++

3 years ago.

I decided to confess my love to Zee. I can't just be friends with him cuz what I felt for him is more than just a friend. I love him so much that it's so hard to hide it anymore. So here I am at his condo cooking something for us. I am planning to confess my love to him in a candle light dinner in his condo.

Since I know his condo's passcode I can freely went in and out of here. He trust me more than anything in the world.

I know Zee had feelings for me too. I can see it and feel it, and I can't wait that he would confess as I know he is too coward to do it, so I might do it for the both of us.

I finished doing everything and I also prepared the candlelight dinner all I wait is him to go home.

I know I need to wait for another 30 minutes for him to come back home.

I was so nervous waiting for him. This is it for me. I can't wait to confess my undying love for him.

I was startle when my mom suddenly calls. I answer it and was shock when she said grandpa was sent to the hospital.

Without anything I stand and abandoned the candlelight dinner I prepared. My confession can wait but my grandfathers life can't.

I went to the hospital and before I can come inside I heard my mother, father and grandpa talking.

"Before I die. I want my grandson to get married." He said.

"Pa are you talking about the Max and Nunew" my dad said.

"Who else would it be. Does he have someone else. Let me just see my grandson get married and I'll die happily." My grandfather said.

"He's still young Pa." My dad said.

"I still have four years. I can wait" grandpa said as my tears fell in my eyes.

"You're not going to die pa" my mom said.

"Of course I am. You heard the doctor giving me ultimatum. I only have four years left." He said that makes my tears drop rapidly.

How the heck life would end with just the word of someone.

"At least give me the happiness I wanted" I can't take it anymore. I run out of the hospital and went back to Zee's condo.

I didn't get in and I only stood there, doesn't have the strength to get in. I was thinking if I could really give the happiness my grandfather wanted. Cuz if he wanted that happiness do I need to sacrifice mine to give it to him?

Suddenly the door opened and Zee look at me wondering. "Nunu, what happened?" He ask and my tears fall again. He immediately close the gap between us and hug me tightly.

"It's alright" as he try to comfort me. When I stop crying he wipe my tears and guide me inside to sit on his couch. He walk to the kitchen and came back with a cup of water. I take it and drink it.

"Tell me what's the problem Nunu." He ask as he sat beside me.

"My grandfather was taken to the hospital Hia, and the doctor said he only have 4 years left." And I sobbing once again.

"I'm sorry Nunu. I don't know what to say to this." He said as he hug me again.

"It's okay Hia. I just don't know how to take this news on." I said as I hug him back.

"I heard my grandfather's wish" I said while he was still hugging me.

"If I fullfil his wishes he said he would die happily." As I remember the conversation my parents and my grandfather have.

He pull off from hugging me and hold my shoulder. He wipe my tears again.

"Nunu if that's what would make him happy. Why not. I might help you fulfill his wishes" He said. If he just know what my grandpa wants would he be okay with it. Would he really help me with it?

"Then I would tell Max to set the wedding " I said that makes him stop and look at me unbelievably.

"He wants you to get married?" I nodded at him sadly.

He stayed silent for a minute before he talks.

"Then I would be here to support you Nu." He said.

Now maybe his love for me not that deep. He wouldn't be hurt by it I guess, as I don't see any hesitation in his eyes.

Then I should give up this love for him and stayed with him as a good friend. That must be enough with this relationship we had.

"You make dinner. Let's eat first and go back to the hospital. You must be shock to know that kind of news" and he pull me up and head to the kitchen.

The candlelight dinner that I make to confess my love turn as my celebration in letting go of my love for him. How cruel love is for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 days before the wedding

NUNEW'S POV

"Nong, I take you here cuz I want to tell you something" Max started. We are now on a fancy restaurant as he takes me on a date.

"I know we have talk about this. We both come to talk about this marriage before anything." He started and I just listen. "We tried to work things out. Thinking maybe we could really love each other the way we supposed to."

"I tried nong.  I may not love you the way you love me but I tried to." I know he thinks I love him the way he thinks I am as he didn't know anything. I always make him believe and so as my self just to forget what I truly felt for Zee. But I always come back on loving Zee all over again.

I know what he wants to talk about here. He wants this to end.

He still doesn't know that I know about him and his lover. I don't plan to tell him about it then but guess I would now.

"Nunew, let's -"

"I know about your lover" I interrupted him. His eyes went wide looking at me. Then I continue.

"I saw you both kissing inside a convenient store weeks ago " he was practically speechless of what I said.

"You're there?" When he finds his voice. I nodded and I take a spoon full of stake that I cut.

He can see that I'm just too relax while talking. He must thought I would go wild and be mad at him.

Many times I tried to work our relationship thinking He might be able to love me and maybe I could do the same, to be happy in the marriage we both choose. To believe myself that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, when in fact that's not what my heart wanted.  And Max, he would always disappointed me. He never have time to even work this out.

I know he was doing this dating thing right now out of guilt and I don't like it.

Then I drink the water and put down the fork and knife. I got the napkin and wipe my mouth gently and put it on the table.

"Do you know how angry I am that time Phi Max, very. I can't imagine you would do this to me" I said.

"Imagine me, your fiance seeing you kissing other men?" I said holding my self to be furious as I imagine what happened that time.

"Why didn't you tell me." He asked confused.

"What for? To slap you and him. To make a scene in front of everyone?" and he look away.

"You know it's not my thing Phi. What I didn't like of what you did is keeping it to me for this long." And Max stayed silent.

"I know what you want Phi Max." He immediately looked at me.

"You want to cancel the wedding right?" I ask but not really asking more like stating a fact.

He stared at me before he said yes and nodded slowly.

See I was right he wanted the wedding to be cancelled, but the problem is he can't make it stop.This is not something he can't cancel with, with just a word of him that his dad doesn't count on. He needed me do it for him.

"My answer to that is a 'NO" I emphasizes. He frown looking at me unbelievably.

"Nong Nunew." He was speechless.

"I'm not cancelling the wedding." I said in convection.

"Please, nong. This marriage is not gonna work out." As he was pleading, but I didn't say anything.

"We are not meant for each other nong. There's someone better for you. Someone who can love you whole heartedly." He said and I look away. I drink the last water in my cup and look at him again.

"You're family and business benefits on this, and most importantly my grandfather would be happy about this." I said

"But not us. Let's stop this Nunew. Why not accept that I can't love you the way you wanted to. Don't you wanted anything else than to throw yourself in this loveless marriage" He said but didn't answer as I instantly stand and got my bag. This is not getting anywhere.

"You don't know what I want so don't you say that. My answer is still no. Let's see each other at the wedding ceremony Phi."I said and walk away.

"Nunew wait..nong." I heard him call.

I walk out of the place and went to take a taxi. When the taxi stopped I opened the door and went in, but before I could go in someone suddenly pulled me out of the car preventing me going inside.

I was shocked to see Zee holding my arms tightly.

"I'm so sorry he's not going in. Here." as he pay the driver for the inconvenience.

He walks to his car and drags me along with him.

I try to pull my hands away but he look at me with a warning look.

"Stay put Nunew. I'm not going to let you go. Not now, not ever." He said and continued to drag me to his car.

He opened the door and put me inside immediately and put my seatbelt on. All the time I just can't resist him. I'm not afraid of him but I'm afraid of what he might do.

I saw Max approaching but Zee stopped him. I wanted to find help but I know Zee wouldn't like it, most importantly I don't want to make a scene in here.

"I'll be taking him home Max." Zee said and Max look at me.

"Then please take care of him Zee."Max said.

"I'm always doing that Max. You don't have to worry about that" Max nodded. Then Zee walked back to the car and went inside.

"Aren't you going to say anything now?" He said looking at me intently waiting for me to say something, but I didn't say anything I just stayed silent looking outside the window. I saw Max walking back to the parking lot.

"How could you do this to me. You've avoided me for five days. Why Nu?" I heard him said. He facepalm holding his emotions as I still stay quiet and was biting my lip trying not to burst out crying.

He sighs and decided to turn on the engine and went away. At the whole ride I didn't even look at him as I might do something stupid again if I see his face.

I can feel his gaze at me from time to time as it feels like it's piercing my soul.

When we arrived I only noticed that we were in his condo building.

He went out and walked over to me to open the door and pull me out of the car before he locked it and then he immediately dragged me towards the elevator.

I wanted to run away but his too strong and I can't get out of his grip so I just let him do what he wants. God I don't know what he wanted to do but I don't think I could resist him anymore. I don't want to do the same madness I did last time but with him I know I would instantly surrender.

_______________________________________________________

Now all your questions have been answered for this Chapter.

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