The Kingpin's Possession

56: For Better or For Worse

Kit:When the celebration had slowed and they had finally made a list of all the fun things they were to do in Chiang Mai, they eventually parted ways and went home for the day.

As the restaurant wasn’t that far from the Ayutthaya territory, Kit didn’t feel the need to ask P’Aawut to come fetch him once again since it was already late in the afternoon. Instead, he took the liberty of catching a bus home. It was good exercise, a bit of nostalgia to the time when he lived alone with his sister and the bus was the only mode of transportation he could afford.

But as he sat by the window, looking out at the houses pass by, he couldn’t help but think that by taking the pocket money that P’Kim was offering him every week, and by staying at his house, enjoying all the luxuries provided…he was imposing a bit too much on P’Kim’s generosity.

‘Should I get a job this summer?’However, when he remembered the last job he had and how he was almost taken advantage of by KhunWhen he arrived at the mansion however, he found that his sister wasn’t home. He peeked into the dining room and saw Nong “Nong Som swallowed her snack before replying, “Ah, today is her first check-up, remember?” She took a sip of milk from the glass on the island counter. “She’s at the hospital right now. To see if she is pregnant.”

Suddenly…everything came crashing down on Kit like an avalanche of emotions that he couldn’t even define. His stomach twisted in knots and his face paled.

Kit had always known that this day would come. But in the flurry of his final exams and spending time with P’Kim like true lovers should…he had forgotten about the most important change that was about to take place in his life.

And now, he felt like the ground had been pulled from under his feet. He felt dizzy with anxiety, his heart beating a mile a minute. He didn’t know what to say, what to think—what would become of him now? Was he an awful brother if part of him wished the procedure hadn’t been successful?

Nong“PhiiiKit could only nod, but even as he tried to fake a smile, he just couldn’t do it. So instead, he asked, “Where’s P’Kim?”

Som frowned, as if trying to remember where her brother was. “Oh…P’Kim had work, so he left early and was not able to take P’Kanya to the hospital. Instead, it was P’Kla who escorted her there.”

Hearing this, Kit felt a bit relieved. There was less chance of him being excluded if P’Kim wasn’t keeping P’Kanya company during her most vulnerable state. But even as he thought so, at the same time, he also felt bad because P’Kanya was his sister, and he should be happy for her.

Honestly, it was a difficult balance that he was trying to tread. He knew not trusting his sister and P’Kim would only put a strain on his relationships with both of them, which is what he wanted to avoid. But at the same time, he feared that once the child came, everything was going to change.

Sure, some changes were inevitable. But what he feared most was that it might cause him and P’Kim to drift apart and he didn’t want that. So, he kept hoping against all hope that the things he feared were all irrelevant and baseless. After all, his and P’Kim’s love for each other wasn’t that weak.

To distract himself, he decided to change the subject. “Wata…NongSom, grateful for the chance to break free from the tense atmosphere, did not question the sudden change in topic. “I had actually applied to several colleges, but if you ask me, I would really prefer to be in the same college as you. Not only will it help me adjust comfortably to a new environment, but it would also give my older brother some peace of mind, since I will have someone to help me out when I’m in trouble.”

“Ohhoo…who would dare to cause trouble for you, N’Som?” Kit laughed, genuinely this time. “You’re more than enough to take them on yourself! I think I might need protection from you.”

“Heyyy!” Som protested, but she was smiling. “But…at least we will have each other! And you can show me all the cool spots in college and where to go and who to talk to! It will be amazing having you there!”

Once their laughter sobered and stopped, Kit held Nong“Yes.” Som smiled. “I know. Thank you, P’Kit.”

As they conversed about Som’s future college era, one of the maids laid out more snacks and fruits for them to munch on and they continued their discussion. Kit momentarily forgot about all his troubles and Som described how she had always felt safe with Kit. They seemed to have an understanding like that of siblings; one reason why Kit was so fond of her.

Since he lived in the condo P’Kim gifted him near the campus, he was glad that Som had been keeping his sister company all this time and she had never left her alone or made her feel like she missed her siblings. Of course, P’Kanya missed Kit, but she was also glad that she had gained a younger sister who she could share all her troubles with, and Kit was glad that Som was with her when he couldn’t be.

When the sun set, Kit went up to his room. He decided to maybe take a nap or read some books to pass the time as he eagerly waited for his sister’s arrival. Thinking about it, he was seriously still torn about his emotions, and he didn’t know which one to feel more.

On one hand, he had his reservations and doubts. On the other hand, he felt like a bad brother for having such doubts and insecurities; he felt this innate sense of responsibility, that he must be happy for his sister. And he was. Truly, he was happy for her and P’Kim.

But…

That darned ‘but’. Why must this have to be so hard? Why was their situation so complicated?

Everything was going to change today—for better or for worse, he didn’t know.

It turned out that he hadn’t had time to open the book he wanted to read or even lie down on the bed for a nap, because right then, as he peaked outside his windows, he saw two cars enter the mansion perimeters through the gates.

He knew who it was immediately…and that sense of foreboding that he had tried to push down all this time resurfaced with vengeance.

Kit rushed downstairs, almost tripping over his own feet as he hurried. He wanted to know what the results were, even though he was dreading them at the same time.

As he waited for them to walk in, he had expected P’Kla and P’Kanya to arrive together. But to his surprise, he saw that it was P’Kim who entered with his sister, P’Kla only following behind them.

Som rushed out of the dining room to welcome them excitedly, while Kit stood at the base of the stairs, his heart hammering in his chest.

“What happened?” she demanded. “How did it go? Did it work? Please tell me it worked!”

Time seemed to stand still as he looked at his sister, his heart hammering so loud that he was sure everyone in the room could hear it.

But then he saw P’Kanya smiled and exchanged a glance with P’Kim that made Kit’s stomach turn and coil in on itself.

“The procedure worked,” she announced, her happiness palpable. “I am pregnant.”

And Kit felt his world crumbling all around him.