Chapter 25 The Value Of Feelings

It was already evening, and it was time for Santichai to eat. He was sitting in his usual spot when KK joined him. Just as Santichai and KK started to eat, Laddawan approached them. She smiled and said, "KK." She handed KK a container. "I made it this morning."

KK smiled and took the container, "Thank you Lada, but Santichai has already brought me some food. Keep it for yourself, or I can keep it." He smiled at Laddawan. "Do you want to stay here and eat with us?"

Laddawan smiled and shook her head, "No, I have to go back to work. I saw you sitting, and I thought I'd give this to you, but since you've got food, I'll go. Bye bye." She walked away.

Santichai said, "KK, if you refuse her food, she might be upset."

Santichai quickly put the food container he prepared for KK back. KK took Santichai's hand and said, "What do you mean?"

Santichai said, "It takes a lot of courage to approach you, but you coldly rejected her."

"I said it in the politest way I can think of," KK said with a smile. He took the food container from Santichai. "Why should I eat a sandwich since you've prepared this for me?"

Santichai said, "If you don't eat it, aren't you afraid she'll be sad."

KK opened the container's lid and started eating. He said, "It doesn't matter what other people think of me, it is not important." He looked at Santichai. "Because I only care about your feelings. So, I can't just randomly accept gifts from others."

Santichai said, "I was once told by someone that he eats the food I cook every day, so it's rude if he refuses to accept gifts from others."

KK said, "I'm not that kind of person. I respect you and value your feelings more."

Santichai smiled and said, "Thank you."

KK, "For what?" Please tell me that you're already in love with me, and the three-month dating trail is no longer needed." He chuckled.

Santichai chuckled, "I'm sorry for disappointing you." He sighed, "KK, I'm ready for that surgery."

KK smiled, "Okay, I'll make arrangements for you."

Santichai, "Thank you."

KK said, "There is one thing I need you to promise me?"

Santichai, "What?"

KK said, "You have to stay at my house after the surgery and during recovery."

Santichai, "Okay."

KK, "Also, I want you to go back to school."

Santichai said, "KK, I have no money to continue, have you forgotten?"

KK said, "No, but our clinic has a program. We will pay your tuition, but when you get your degree, you have to work in the clinic for five years. Not everyone will get this kind of financial help. You have to go through the pre-test first." He smiled at Santichai. "I'll explain to you more after the surgery. When I get the date, I'll inform you and Mrs. Pricha."

Santichai, "Mmm."

KK returned the empty lunch box to Santichai, "I'm done eating, I have to go back to work." He quickly kissed Santichai's cheek. Then he took a napkin and wiped Santichai's cheek. "Sorry, Grease. Bye bye."

Santichai smiled shyly, "Bye bye."

Fon cleared her throat. She smiled and said, "So, what is the relationship between the two of you?"

Santichai said, "He bought me a fan, and I made him lunch for a month."

"You thought I would believe it," Fon said. "Even a blind man could see that Doctor Suwannarat was chasing you." She sat beside Santichai. "Santichai...Today is not like yesterday. When... you know... people have to hide their love. Now people are more open, but." She sighed. "Santichai, you are a good boy. I don't want others to take advantage of you."

Santichai said, "Pi Fon, what do you mean?"

Fon said worriedly, "I'm worried about you, Doctor Suwannarat and you are not on the same social level, and I'm worried that you will be used by others."

Santichai, "Thank you for worrying, but you don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. I know not to stand beside those upper-class citizens."

Fon sighed and said, "You are too nice, so other people take advantage of you. I'm afraid others will take advantage of you, just like the other workers in the kitchen did to you. Just be smart when you talk to those people. Don't fall into the trap of luxury lifestyles etc."

Santichai said, "Pi Fon, thank you."

Fon said, "My brother came to the city to find a high-paying job. Soon, he met a rich man, and at first, he dated that man for money. I warned him, but he didn't listen, because of the luxury lifestyle the man offered him. He told me he would never fall in love with the man because he was a straight man. As their relationship progressed, he fell in love with the man and that rich man left him. When my brother found out that the rich man had a wife and kids, he never intended to be with my brother. My brother ended his life with an overdose." She looked at Santichai. "Are you gay?" She chuckled shyly. "I'm sorry, am I being too blunt."

"No, I'm not gay. I don't believe I am," Santichai said with a smile.

Fon nodded. She said, "I'm not talking bad. I can see that Doctor Suwannarat is a very honest person. I have been working here since the clinic opened and I can tell you for sure that Dr. Suwannarat is single. No wife and children."

Santichai said, "He is indeed a very good person. Whoever has him as a spouse will be very happy in the future."

Fon was taken aback, "What? Who? Why isn't that person you? You like Doctor Suwannarat, right?"

"He's been nice to me, so I'm going to repay his kindness," Santichai said. "It doesn't mean I need to fall in love with him."

Fon said, "Santichai, it's not right. Also, it's not fair to Doctor Suwannarat and you. If you don't like him, just tell him you don't like him. This will avoid future misunderstandings. If he treats you well, and you are kind to him. That means you're misleading him." She looked at Santichai. "But if you like men, you should give him a chance."

Santichai said, "I'm just coming out of a bad relationship, honestly. I'm not ready for a new one."

Fon, "Did you say that to Doctor Suwannarat?"

Santichai, "I have. He asked me to try to go out with him for three months. At the end of the three months, if I don't fall in love with him, he won't bother me, and it won't affect my work here." He looked at Fon. "Pi Fon, didn't you just persuade me not to fall in love with the rich?"

Fon cleared her throat and said, "I did, but Doctor Suwannarat is so kindhearted. Please give him a chance. If you happen to marry into the Suwannarat family, remember your good pi, um..."

Santichai said, "I'm afraid this relationship will be the same as my previous one."

Fon said, "Santichai, you listen to me. A good partner is when that person values your feelings in their hearts."

Santichai, "How?"

Fong said, "For example, he will care about your feelings more than others. Before he can make others happy, he has to make sure that you are happy." She smiled at Santichai.

Santichai said, "Pi Fon, thank you very much for your advice." He sighed. "Pi Fon, I need a few months off."

Fon asked, "What? Are you leaving me?"

"I'm having spinal correction surgery and Doctor Suwannarat will give me the date of the surgery when he knows. Once I have the surgery, I'll need to rest for several months to recover."

Fon said, "Santichai, you can go. When you are better, I will still take you back. When you know the date of the surgery, tell me, and I can ask the Buddha to bless you."

Santichai smiled, "Pi Fon, thank you."

Fon looked at Santichai and she felt bad. She knew many people from the orphanage. On their eighteenth birthday, the system released them on the street and told them that they were no longer the government system's responsibility. She smiled and said, "Santichai, let just say, today is your last day of work before your surgery. You can go home to rest and prepare for surgery. While you are recovering, I will hire someone to take your place."

Santichai, "Thank you."

The door opened, and an old cook was forced out through the door. He landed on the ground. Fon quickly went to help the old cook. Asnee walked through the door.

Fon shouted angrily, "Who are you? How dare you make trouble here?"

Asnee ignored Fon and stared wildly at Santichai. He angrily said, "Santichai Kittibun, you dare to lie to me and give me a fake."