Chapter 27 First Step Into The Horizon

After KK and Santichai had lunch, he returned to the office, where he spent the rest of the day consulting with patients. It was five o'clock in the evening when he saw his last patient. His phone rang while he was still charting.

KK answered, "Hello."

Mrs. Suwannarat said, "KK, do you have time to look at the pictures I sent you?"

KK said, "I have not, but when I have time, I will look at it."

Mrs. Suwannarat said, "Dussadi and her boyfriend are coming to see us tonight. Are you free to go home for dinner?" She paused for a moment. "Your grandfather will also be here."

KK said, "Ma, thank you, but I still have to talk to some surgeons about scheduling surgery. I promised I would come when my schedule is lighter."

Mrs Suwannarat knew that if Grandfather Suwannarat was around, KK would never have come home for dinner. She smiled and said, "KK, your dad wants to talk to you."

Mr. Suwannarat, "KK, take time off. If you think it's too much, get someone to manage your hotel for you. It's all Dussadi's fault. I told her to go into business, but she chose to be a hairdresser."

KK, "Pa, it's not her fault. You never forced me to do things I didn't want to do. If you forced Dee, would it be biased."

Mr. Suwannarat, "You're right. Why do I think I'm wrong here?" He smiled. "Anyway, come home and have a meal with us when you are free, but I'd rather you bring someone than come alone."

KK said, "I did take people with me last time."

Mr. Suwannarat said, "Not your colleague or friend."

KK said, "Okay, I have to go. I'm still finishing my charts."

Mr. Suwannarat, "Well, I won't hold you hostage for too long, have a nice day."

KK, "Bye bye, pa."

KK hung up the phone with Mr. Suwannarat and he continued to chart his notes. By Eight in the evening, he had finished his charting and packed up his bags. He called Santichai, but no one answered. He knew Santichai get out of work by 8:30PM. He walked to the small kitchen area, only to see Fon walking towards the parking lot. He quickly caught up with Fon.

KK asked, "Mrs. Pricha, where is Santichai?"

Fon said, "Oh, Doctor Suwannarat, Santichai has not come back?"

KK's heart sank. "What do you mean?" he asked worriedly.

Fon said, "This morning, a man broke into our kitchen area and dragged Santichai out. I was about to call security, but Santichai said no." She lowered down her voice. "This person must be Chai's ex-boyfriend. He is tall and handsome but has a bad temper."

KK muttered to himself, "So, Santichai's ex-boyfriend is tall and handsome?"

Fon said, "I'm not sure, but it seems so. Santichai seems to be afraid of this person."

KK was worried about Santichai's safety, but at the same time considers himself an outsider and doesn't want to invade Santichai's private space. If Santichai's ex-boyfriend is a tall and handsome guy, then there is nothing of him that could compete with Santichai's ex-boyfriend. He paid a steep price and learned his lesson. He will not dive himself into the same river.

KK said, "Thank you, good night." He walked slowly to the parking lot.

Fon quickly said, "Doctor Suwannarat, are you chasing Santichai?"

KK stopped and turned around, "How do you know?"

Fon smiled and said, "I'm older than the two of you combined, I can tell."

KK said, "Yes, I am."

Fon asked, "Are you being serious?"

KK said, "Yes I am. Does Mrs. Pricha have a problem with me chasing Santichai?"

Fon said, "No, but Doctor Suwannarat, you know Santichai is a very good kid, and I don't want him to be harmed or taken advantage of."

KK, "Mrs. Pricha, I won't take advantage of him, I can assure you."

Fon smiled, "Thank you, good night." She stopped in front of her moped. She still saw Santichai's moped park in the parking space. She quickly picked up her phone and dialed Santichai, but it rang and went to voicemail. "Santichai, called me, are you home yet?"

KK drove his car past Fon and saw that she was still standing next to Santichai's moped. He stopped the car. He asked, "Mrs. Pricha, is that Santichai's moped?

Fon said, "Yes. I called him, but no one answered."

KK called Santichai and it rang, but it went to voicemail.

Fon said, "He might come back late." She looked at her watch. "Shoot, I have to go. Bye." She jumped on the moped and pulled away.

KK stared at Santichai's moped, which he also pulled out of the parking lot. On the way home, he thought of many different things. He understands why Santichai refuses to date him, because Santichai still has deep feelings for his ex. When he saw Santichai's boyfriend, he was a handsome and well-mannered man, so KK was not afraid that Santichai will be in danger.

When KK got home, there was still a large yellow envelope in the mailbox. This time the package was sent by his mother. He took the large yellow envelope and put it on the coffee table in the living room. After taking a shower, he walked over and opened the envelope. He saw three pictures of young women, one of which he recognized. The one he recognizes is Ratana Siriporn. There are three pictures of very handsome men. He read their profiles, and of the six, Ratana's profile stood out more than the others.

KK knew that usually those in the upper classes tended to have their sons and daughters marry into another upper-class family to secure and strengthen their business partnership. His parents were no exception. He put the photo back in the envelope, on another yellow envelope his stepmother sent him. He went to the bedroom and went to bed.

KK tossed and turned in bed until 2:00 in the morning before finally falling asleep. Around 5:15 in the morning, his phone rang. He picked up the phone, but no one answered.

KK said, "Hello."

There was no answer on the other end of the phone, all he could hear was the man's soft breathing.

KK recognized the soft breathing. He asked worriedly, "Santichai, is that you? Where are you? I'm worried about you? Tell me where you are now?"

KK didn't hear the voice on the other end, but he heard Santichai take a soft breath, listening to him knowing that no matter what happened, Santichai must be crying.

KK sat up and said, "Santichai, don't cry. I'm coming for you."

Then the phone clicked and died.

KK dialed the number back, and a woman answered. The woman said, "Hello, Sawasdi Hotel."

KK asked, "Miss, is there a young man there?"

The woman said, "Yes, he just went out and crossed the road."

KK said, "Thank you."

KK hung up his phone and he slid on his shoes and drove to Sawasdi Hotel. It was morning and there weren't that many cars around, so he drove slowly and looked at the curb. As he drove two miles past Sawasdi Hotel, he saw an open beach area. He saw someone sitting on the beach. He found himself a parking space. He went to the beach. When he saw the man's back, he already knew that this man was Santichai.

KK was standing behind Santichai, but Santichai didn't seem to know that someone was standing behind him. Suddenly, Santichai hugged his knees and buried his face in his knees.

Santichai whimpered, "Santichai Kittibun, let's have our wedding by the sea."

KK figured that Santichai's ex-boyfriend might have said something to hurt Santichai's feelings. He said softly, "Santichai Kittibun...if one day you agree, we will have our wedding by the sea."

Santichai looked up and saw KK standing beside him. He quickly wiped away his tears. KK sat next to Santichai. Santichai said, "Can I borrow your shoulder?"

KK smiled, "My shoulder is yours, leave your unpleasant troubles on it." Santichai leaned on KK's shoulder. KK reached out and wiped his tears. "I believe I told you not to cry when I'm not around."

Santichai burst into tears, "I'm sorry."

KK held Santichai's hand tightly. He said, "Santichai, I take your words to heart, and when you're ready, let's get married by the sea." He kissed Santichai's forehead.

Santichai said, "KK, I want to tell you something."

KK looked into the horizon and said, "Okay, speak your mind."

Santichai said, "To be honest, I don't like men, I don't have any attraction to men. The reason I dated my first boyfriend was because I was lonely, he was the first person to stand by my side. I feel like the only way to keep him by my side is to fall in love with him, and I tried my best to keep him by my side but in the end, no matter how much I poured my heart out to him it was in vain. That's why I decided to leave him and move here."

KK said, "Thank you for your honesty." He sighed. "If that's the case, should we end our dating trail? If you don't like men, there's no point in continuing dating."

Santichai said, "Are you disappointed?"

KK smiled and said, "I am, but I will live." He sighed. "I want you to truly love me without any hidden obligations. Santichai, I want you to know that even if you decide you don't like me as much as I hoped, it won't change our friendship."

Santichai lifted his head off KK's shoulders. He said, "Thank you."

Santichai said, "No problem."

Santichai said, "I said goodbye to my old life, and I am ready to start my new life on this brand-new morning sunrise."

KK smiled, "That's good."

Santichai watched KK smile happily and embrace the new morning sun. With a brief chat with KK, it broke down those solid walls he had built around himself. He is ready to face the unknown future with this morning sun. He said, "KK."

KK turned his head to look at Santichai, "Huh?"

Santichai smiled and said, "Hinata, let's go on a date. Somewhere you like."

KK said, "How about somewhere you like?"

Santichai said, "Camping near the waterfall. When I was working in the old company, the leader of the group would take his family camping every year." Santichai smiled.

This was the first time KK saw Santichai smile. He asked, "Are you sure?"

Santichai said, "Let's go after my surgery. I want to be able to go hiking without worrying about back pain."

KK smiled, "Hah..."

Santichai stuck his head out and kissed KK's lips. "Promise with a kiss."

KK said, "You ready promised with a kiss, so when we go camping don't complain about the mosquitoes."

Santichai said, "I won't."

Santichai and KK chat happily enjoying the morning sunrise.