Chapter5 A Will

"Sam, I'm the one who is sick. Why are you stealing the spotlight?"

Having been silent for a while, knowing that Khun Sam had a tumor in her head, Jim's silence and indifference turned into a flurry of concern that made her forget her own issues. As for me, I sat quietly, biting my nails in a daze. Only Kate and Tee seemed to be able to keep their composure.

"So, what did the doctor say? Is it benign or malignant?" Tee asked curiously. On the other hand, Kate pulled Jim, who had been standing there, to sit down and calm her emotions since we were in a restaurant. Even though we were in a private section, seeing a friend making a fuss about her could make Khun Sam even more anxious. However, she remained calm, shrugging her shoulders and answering indifferently.

"I don't know yet. The results aren't out. It may come out in four or five days."

"It's good that Mon told you to get a check-up so we don't find it out later. No wonder you got headaches so frequently. Why didn't you take care of yourself? You're a CEO; you have dozens of subordinates. It's not just you who will suffer if something happens." Tee scolded while Khun Sam just sighed in response.

"Well, here we are. We'll see the results soon. Stop fussing about it. We can worry when the results come in."

"Didn't the doctor say anything else? Like, how to treat it? What if it's just a regular tumor? What if it's malignant..." My voice started to tremble as if I were trying to hold back tears. Khun Sam looked at me sympathetically and gently touched my arm.

"He said it needs to be removed. It's treatable, don't worry. At worst, I'll just die."

"Khun Sam!"

I slammed the table, stood up, and stormed out of the restaurant. Khun Sam rushed after me and grabbed my arm, trying to stop me and talk. I yanked my hand away, tears filling up my eyes. I felt both hurt and upset that she spoke of death so easily, seemingly unaware of the pain it caused those around her.

"Why are you so upset?"

"I'm upset because you casually spoke about death without considering my feelings."

"I was just saying."

"Couldn't you think before you said it like that? I'm terrified of losing you, yet you acted as if it meant nothing. Did you think you could casually talk about dying? What if it was me? How would you feel if I were the one facing this and talked about dying?"

"I'd feel abandoned."

"Exactly. That's how I feel, but you just said the word out loud."

She grabbed my wrist tightly, giving me a gentle smile before apologizing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it'd upset you this much."

"Have you ever thought about how would I live if something happened to you?" I sobbed.

She pulled me into a hug and gently stroked my back. It turned out that the sick person had to comfort the healthy one now.

"I'm really sorry. I spoke without thinking. I didn't want everyone to be overly concerned. Everyone was already worried about me. So, I thought I'd lighten up the mood."

"If you're not feeling well, just say it. Why do you have to keep it to yourself?"

"I'm not feeling bad or anything. I just know that I have a tumor in my head. I don't want to assume the worst. I want everyone to maintain their spirits."

"Why does it have to be you?" I sobbed and pounded on her back, but she still held me in her arms. "Why can't it be me?"

"If something happened to you, it'd be harder for me. It's better if it's me."

"I feel the same way. Khun Sam…please be okay."

"It's okay. I promise it won't be anything serious. I still want to share my life with you. We have so many plans together—from getting married to having kids, just like we've always dreamed of. Please don't worry too much. I won't give up that easily."

"You promise?"

"I've never broken a promise. Trust me."

I still didn't fully trust her but I didn't want to reveal my worry. As for Khun Sam, she remained strong, concealing her emotions. She continued to work as usual, scolding her subordinates like she'd always done. The news of Khun Sam's illness reached a close friend like Khun Kirk and eventually reached her older sister, Khun Nueng, who rushed to the company. She reacted just like Jim did when she first found out.

"What's wrong with Sam? Why didn't you tell me?" Khun Nueng, who had left her restaurant to talk to Khun Sam in her office, was loud enough to be heard outside. The employees who were secretly watching didn't know what was happening until I had to go in and join the conversation, shutting the blinds for privacy.

"The news spread fast. You're making a scene. I didn't kill anyone; I'm just sick."

"Why did I have to hear about something this important from someone else instead of from you, Sam?"

"Because it's not that bad yet."

"You have a tumor in your head and still saying it's not that bad? You too, Mon. Why didn't you tell me? Do you want me to be the last to know at her funeral?" Khun Nueng said angrily. The word 'funeral' shook me to the core. Seeing that I was affected by this, Khun Sam shook her head and begged Khun Nueng to stop.

"Don't jinx me."

"I'm not. I'm just furious. I have two siblings; one committed suicide, and the other is seriously ill. I can't handle this loss. And you're still coming to work when you're this sick. Why don't you stay home and rest?"

"Staying home is boring. It's better to come to work. No matter where I am, the doctor will call me with the results. It's more beneficial for me to be here working."

"Are you planning to work forever? You're this ill, you should stay home and rest with your girlfriend. Let someone else handle the work."

"That's a good idea," Khun Sam said with a faint smile before glancing at me. "I'll take a day off tomorrow and flirt with Mon."

She was still in a playful mood, which made Khun Nueng massage her own temple.

"Please take good care of yourself, Sam. I'm serious... please, please be okay." Khun Nueng's concern for her made Khun Sam walk over to her and hug her. This was such a rare sight.

"I'm fine, don't worry."

"How can I not? You're sick, and I know you're scared but trying to hide it."

"I'm not scared."

"We grew up together. Do you think I don't know you?"

Khun Sam fell silent, not responding. Khun Nueng, not wanting to push any further, could only sigh.

"Just keep me updated if anything happens. Don't let me hear it from someone else again."

"And who did you hear it from?"

"Kirk... What kind of name is this? Who the hell named him that?" Whenever she mentioned this name, Khun Nueng would get upset because she didn't know why they had to name him 'Kirk[8].'

"What a big mouth."

"Starting tomorrow, stay at home. I'll send you food and water. It will be healthy."

"I'll receive such a service from a talented chef?"

"I only have one younger sister left. Take a day off tomorrow. Go out and do something that makes you happy. One day off work won't get your company bankrupted."

"Okay."

"Don't just say it. Stop working and do as I say."

"Understood."

"Good."

"Khun Nueng."

"What?"

"If something happens to me, can you take over my position at the company?"

"Come on, Sam!" Khun Nueng started to get angry again at her sister's ominous words. "You aren't going anywhere, and I'm not good at this kind of work. Get better and come back to work as usual. Promise me."

"Why does everyone want me to make promises?"

"Because you never break your word."

"Alright, I promise."

"Good."

Khun Nueng just said that and nodded at me before walking away. I approached Khun Sam, who was standing there seeing her sister off, and gently touched her arm.

"She's just worried about you. Don't overthink it."

"I know. I'm not overthinking that but thinking about something else."

"What are you thinking about?"

"Maybe we should go home and cuddle today."

I lightly hit her shoulder and laughed.

"Wow, as soon as Khun Nueng encouraged you, you started talking about this."

"You don't want to? I'm sick, you know?" Khun Sam leaned her head on my shoulder in a coy manner. "Today, I want to be the one on top."

"Hey, you're such..."

Knock knock knock.

The knocking on the door made Khun Sam jump up from leaning on my shoulder and stand straight before allowing the new guest to enter the room.

"Hello, madam."

I remember he was the company's lawyer whose service Khun Sam frequently used. Seeing that I had no business here, I prepared to leave. But before I left the room, I inadvertently overheard their conversation.

"Is the draft ready?"

"Yes, the will would be according to your wishes, madam. I brought it for you to check one more time. Then you can sign the documents."

"What?"

I closed the door and immediately returned to the room when I heard the word 'will.' Khun Sam slightly frowned as if she wanted to scold me in front of the lawyer to maintain her authority.

"This is not your business, Miss Kornkamon. You can leave now."

"How can it not be my business? I just heard that you drafted a will. Why would you do that?"

Since I refused to back down, Khun Sam sighed and admitted.

"Just taking precautions to prevent any mishaps."

"Prevent what mishaps?"

"In case something happens to me... all my assets will be yours."

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[8] "Kirk", aka "เกริก," is quite an old-fashioned name.