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Part 23

"Arthit!"

I turned around reluctantly when I heard the familiar voice call for me. This must be the first time that I am so unwilling to face Kongpob Suthiluck.

"What were your results..."

"Oh look, your mother is calling for us!" I quickly changed the subject, almost dashing into the dining room as dear Mrs Suthiluck called us for dinner at this moment. Kongpob Suthiluck followed leisurely behind me.

"What did you get?" The dark eyes were looking at me intently as he sat down in front of me. I shifted uneasily and transferred my gaze to my bowl of rice, staring at it as if I had never seen a more interesting object in my life.

"Arthit..."

Boy was he persistent. I couldn't hide my pathetic results any longer. Lifting pleading eyes to his expressionless face, I barely whispered, "38%..."

"I understand...so you only like me 38%..." His voice was quiet and he clearly looked disappointed.

"No, no!" My big eyes lifted up to his face, anxiety in my voice. "It's a 100%!"

Then I flushed to the roots of my hair under his steady gaze, seemingly pouring into my very soul, and slowly bowed my head again.

After dinner, Auntie brought me to my newly decorated room. It was beautiful! The entire room was painted white and the fluffy carpet was a baby blue and peach colour. All the furniture was a mixture of white and peach. Other than a bed, cupboard, shelf and desk, the room had a blue sofa and there were many big cushions. I was left to explore the lovely room on my own.

However, suddenly a thought came to me – what would happen if Kongpob was to marry someone else? I felt an acute pain in my heart, I would definitely have to leave this place then. A tear rolled down my cheek. Unlike Mrs Suthiluck, I am not deluded enough to entertain any false hopes of having a place in Kongpob Suthiluck's affections...

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All eyes were on me as I entered the University compound with Aya and May. I felt very uneasy and quickly looked down at my clothing – nothing appeared to be amiss. Apparently, it was not me being oversensitive and my friends noticed everyone staring at me as well. Turning, I caught Aya's suspicious look.

"...What did you do now, Arthit?"

"Me?" Incredulity was in my voice. "Nothing!"

"... ...oh!" Understanding was reflected in May's voice as he stared at something.

"What oh?" Both Aya and I turned to her. "Look!"

We both turned and to my surprise, I saw a poster of me on the wall. We stepped forward to read the title, "Tennis Baka". It was the comic! As we walked to class, I noticed that the poster was hanging all around university! Ugh...why did they call me baka in it!?? That's so...rude, even if it was for a comic book!

And only Kongpob called me "baka"...

But now everyone at the university could! :(

"Hey Arthit!" I turned to see Max who was running up to us excitedly. "I've got lots of these posters!" He beamed as he showed me about six or seven rolled-up posters against his chest.

"What are you going to do with them?"

"Put them up in my room of course!" He said proudly as I gaped at him wordlessly.

"Yo baka!" I was irritated at being called by the diminutive name used for my cartoon personality.

"What!" I spun around and my irritation faded instantly. Kongpob Suthiluck was standing behind me, his arms crossed with a smug look on his face.

"Hey, look I've got so many of Arthit's posters!" That silly Max was now waving all his posters proudly under Kongpob Suthiluck's nose, gloating away. Kongpob Suthiluck lifted an eyebrow coolly as he looked at Max, who was waiting eagerly for his response.

"I don't need any posters of Arthit when the real thing is staying at my house. When Arthit goes to bathe, he walks through the corridor only in his bathrobe, much better than the poster."

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My eyes widened and my face flushed at the Kongpob Suthiluck's revelation of this piece of news to Max. KONGPOB SUTHILUCK that's PRIVATE! Why the hell is he teasing me so??? In front of everyone!??

Understandably, Max turned purple and started heading for me, gasping for air – I quickly dashed into my classroom and prayed I wouldn't face Kongpob Suthiluck for the rest of the day...

One embarrassment was already enough to handle, but two...

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"Wuff wuff!" My legs almost gave way when I heard the sound of barking the moment I stepped into the Kongpob household. To my horror, I saw Mrs Suthiluck petting and playing with this white and gray puppy. The bright smile on her face vanished, rapidly replaced by a look of concern as she gazed at me.

"Arthit, are you scared of dogs?" Before I could answer, I heard Kongpob Suthiluck's voice behind me.

"Oh no, he loves dogs."

I shut my mouth and groaned silently, cursing myself for pretending to like dogs when Kongpob Suthiluck mentioned in passing that he liked dogs. I managed to force a smile on my face as the little dog ran up to me and started rubbing itself against my legs. Immediately, I felt a cold shiver go down my spine as I started getting goosebumps on my arms.

"Brother, will what type of dog is this? Will it get very big?" Daniel appeared out of nowhere and started petting the dog.

"It's a St. Bernard and... nooo it won't get very big...It will get huge..." Strangely, Kongpob Suthiluck seemed to hesitate as he looked at me before answering Daniel.

...Huge huh? Oh great...

"Well, Chibi seems to like you very much, Arthit," Mrs Suthiluck observed happily, reminding me that the puppy was still licking my legs. I couldn't help but shudder.

"Yes, h-he is c-ccute..." My voice trembled just a little as I forced out the lie – goodness, my lying skills have improved tremendously.

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It's so darn obvious that Arthit is terrified of dogs. Please, his face is rapidly draining colour and the terrified expression on his face when he gazes at Chibi is telltale enough! I stifled a smile when I saw how hard he was trying not to show his terror simply because I told him that I liked dogs...

"Arthit, I'm taking Chibi for a walk, come along?"

His eyes widened at my request and a smile appeared before it wavered as he glanced at Chibi. Finally, he bit his lip and nodded bravely. There was that familiar sparkle of determination in his eyes again.

"Sure, let's go!" When we were out of the house, I passed him the leash.

"Here, since you think Chibi's so cute, I'll let you do the honors."

Before he could say anything, I pushed the leash into his hand and sauntered merrily in front of him, my hands in my pocket. Chibi then turned and ran towards Arthit.

"Ahhh!" He gave a short shriek as he dropped the leash in shock. I think Chibi was startled as well for he literally turned tail and disappeared down the street. I cursed myself silently for playing this joke too far and we both quickly ran after the fast disappearing Chibi...

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Now it's been hours since we've lost Chibi and it's close to 9pm. Arthit and I are both exhausted by walking and calling for thedog, but Chibi is nowhere to been seen. I decided to give up for the night, since it was so dark now that we would not be able to find him anyway.

"Let's go," I told Arthit, trying not to sound angry.

He looked very worried and distressed. "No, I want to search longer."

"Forget it Arthit! It's getting too dark. Anyway, Chibi will probably find his way home."

Despite my words of comfort, he stubbornly refused to return with me so I simply made my way home alone. I was scolding myself for letting Arthit hold Chibi when I knew he was afraid of dogs.

Kongpob, you're really not quite bright sometimes.

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My legs are so sore and tired, but I can't help but keep blaming myself for what happened. I shouldn't have let go of Chibi's leash so suddenly. However, I was so terrified when he ran towards me that I couldn't control myself.

Daniel and Kongpob Suthiluck would hate me if Chibi was lost. And how heartbroken Auntie must be? Also, what if Chibi starves outside or something? No...I couldn't let it happen!

With renewed determination, I continued my search for him. Suddenly, I heard something rustling in the bushes.

I paused...

The noise got louder and louder as it seemed to be moving nearer and nearer! Since it was pitch black, I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Who or what was it?

For a second, I was frozen on the spot, petrified. Then in a blind panic, I started running. I didn't get too far. Something heavy struck me on the back, pushing me onto the ground. I closed my eyes, too scared to move, but then...

"Wuff wuff..." A wet tongue started licking my ear. I turned and saw this fury face near mine.

"Yipes!" I quickly sat up, almost flinging Chibi accidentally to the ground. He looked at me and whined. Then I heard something that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. I lifted my head and saw Kongpob Suthiluck standing in front of me, his arms folded across his chest with an amused smile on his handsome face.

"Chibi was already home playing with Daniel. I guess he is smarter than we thought." Kongpob said proudly and helped me to my feet, before we made our way home. Gosh I was so relieved...

As we were passing by a pet shop, Kongpob Suthiluck suddenly stopped walking.

"Arthit?"

"Yes?"

"See that picture of that big dog?"

I saw a humongous whitish gray dog that seemed rather familiar.

"Ah huh..."

"That's what Chibi would grow up to be."

I froze on the spot, my eyes glued to the huge dog – I suddenly realized that my definition of big does not appear to coincide with Kongpob Suthiluck's definition.

That's not huge, that's a whale of a dog!!!

Oh god please help me...

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I stifled a tender smile again when Arthit stared at the picture in apparent morbid fascination.

Give up Arthit, it is so darn obvious that you are terrified of dogs!

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But don't worry, I will be here to protect you from them...

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