POV MEW

It has been two days since the accident and fortunately Gulf will be discharged from the hospital today.

Tul thinks there is no other reason to keep him hospitalized any longer, although he still cannot explain the frequent headaches.

Before discharging him, they will do some final tests and if everything is normal, they will send him home in the afternoon.

--Gulf you still have to be patient for a moment.-- I try to reason with him as he starts to get impatient.

--I know, but I can't take it anymore! I want to go home.--

His wait is short-lived, because twenty minutes later we are already at our house.

--You didn't even tell me how Bua is! You disappeared to go to her, two days ago, but then nothing!-- she states.

--You're right, Pon held me back more than he had to that day. But don't worry, both of them are fine.--I say as I unpack her duffle bag.

--What are you hiding from me?-- he asks.

--I'm just worried and a little scared about what happened. I've been reliving my accident and it's shaken me up a bit, I hope sol---I interrupt abruptly.

A severe headache forces me to bend over, holding my head. I feel that I am about to relive another memory.

Flashback begins

It is late at night and together with Gulf we are taking a walk. He teases me about eating only cooked fish at the sushi restaurant where we went to dine.

Hand in hand we walk home, since it is not far from our apartment.

He keeps shielding me by waiting for the green light to go off. Laughter and hugs as we wait to get back on the road which we soon do when it is our turn to cross the street.

But a speeding car aims straight at us.

"What is my father's car doing here?" I think and everything happens in an instant. I push Gulf away from the path thus preventing it from being hit, before falling into darkness.

End flashback.

--Mew! Is everything all right?-- he asks me worriedly.

--No! That's not possible! Gulf---my voice breaks with pain.

--You're scaring me!-- I hear him say as he takes my face in his hands.

--No! No! No!-- I collapse, crying in his arms.

POV GULF

Mew, shocked by his flashback, lets go on me, but he's thinking so we both fall to the ground. Useless is my attempt to support him from the waist.

--Mew for heaven's sake, talk to me! What was it that upset you so much?--I insist worriedly.

--So who was driving the car that tried to run us over two years ago. I remember now!--he lets himself cry.

--Hey, don't worry, I'm here! Who was it?--I try to lull him into soothing this desperate crying of his. I don't like to see him so distraught.

--My father! It was him---he confesses to me.

--What? Your father? Are you sure? -- I ask him as he continues to cry harder and harder in my arms --Shh...it will be all right.-- I try to calm him down.

--Gulf... help me...it hurts!--he says touching his chest.

--Come on--let's get up. You need to calm down.--I grab his arm, bring him to my shoulder and levering up, we get up.

I accompany him to the bathroom, and once we take off our clothes, we slip into the shower. I'm sure the jet of hot water will help him calm his nerves. That's why once underneath, I start soaping his body.

After twenty minutes, he finally manages to calm down, so I drag him into the room to change.

I make him lie down on our bed and lay down beside him, letting his head rest on my chest and hugging him. I'm worried about him because he hasn't said anything since he calmed down.

--Mew? What will you do now that you remember everything?-- I ask him, stroking his hair.

--Tomorrow I will go and denounce my father.-- he whispers.

I wince at this statement of his, for it is the last thing I expected to hear him say.

--Reflect well please! What do you solve? Besides, we have no evidence to prove that he was driving that day.--I point out to him.

--Then I'll make sure I have that evidence! I'll go to my parents tomorrow...--he tells me.

I hold him tightly to me, trying to infuse him with as much love as possible.

--We will go there together, so that they understand, once and for all, that no one can divide us. Not even death!--I conclude by giving him a kiss on his hair.

--I love you Gulf!--he whispers before falling asleep from exhaustion. --I more Mew...-- I also whisper and then fall asleep soon after.

*********

POV MEW

I am very nervous about the discussion that awaits me once I arrive at my parents' house, so much so that I even argued with Gulf at breakfast this morning.

He insists that no matter what evidence I can gather today, I should not report my father.

While for me this is the only solution.

Then we will be free to love each other without fear of persecution.

That's why he insisted on coming with me and I agreed with the promise that there will be only one confrontation today, the one between my father and me. I honestly don't know if I will be able to keep my composure. Most importantly, I will have to try not to attack him both verbally and physically, otherwise I will get nothing from him.

Once we arrive at my parents' house, it is the housekeeper who opens the door, ushering us into the living room where my parents are intent on breakfast.

--Mew! What a nice sorpr...-my mother starts to say but, as soon as she sees Gulf next to me, she freezes.

--What the hell is he doing here? I told you he is not welcome in our house!--she shouts getting up from her chair and pointing at him.

--Theore please calm down!-- my father tells her by grabbing her hand and holding it back.

What a hypocrite! The blood rushes to my brain and Gulf notices because she squeezes my hand calling my attention.

I take a deep breath, as calmly as I can, before I speak.

--Mom if you don't want to lose me as your son you'd better sit down and listen to what I have to tell you.-- I announce as she sits back at the table, incensed.

--I finally remembered what happened on the day of my accident that occurred two years ago.-- I begin and, as my mother looks at me a little surprised, I notice my father's expression change--I know for a fact that in that accident I was only a collateral victim. The real target was not me, but rather Gulf.--I make my case but am stopped by my mother.

--I don't understand why you came here, early in the morning, to tell us something we don't care about! To me that lout can even die!--she shouts still angry with me for bringing him home.

--Mom! Call Gulf like that again and you'll see your husband behind bars!-- I roar, unable to contain myself any longer.

My father winces and, without a word, keeps his gaze down.

--I don't understand! What does your father have to do with that--? that person?--my mother is somewhat surprised.

--Try to calm all of us down please.-- Gulf speaks calmly.

--Calm down? I don't understand what's going on here, but I know for a fact that I don't want you in my house!-- she continues to attack him.

--Mom! Gulf is the man I love! Get it through your head that he will always be by my side!-- I retort.

--Mew you are our son and we only want your good!-- says my father.

--My good? Are you sure? And how, let's hear it! By investing the man I love? After my "accident," living without Gulf for two years was not good! And certainly living the rest of my life without him will not be good for me!--I hear as I see my father begin to get nervous.

--What are you talking about? Two years ago it was just an accident! What are you accusing us of? For heaven's sake Mew, you're my son we could never hurt you!-- my mother keeps telling me as she exhaustedly sits on the couch with her eyes shining.

--A son you don't love! Because if you did, you would be happy to see me happy with him! Gulf is this, he is my happiness! Attempting to kill him is not part of demonstrations of love!--I accuse them as my companion grabs my right hand, trying to calm me down.

--But why do you keep saying we tried to kill him?" she asks irritated now.

--That's a question you should ask your husband.-- Gulf replies coldly.

--Treasurer, what are they talking about?-- my mother asks turned to her husband.

--Yes, dad...tell mom what happened the night I was run over! Tell it!!-- I urge.

--You don't think your father had anything to do with it?!-- she asks me surprised as my father goes to sit by her side.

--I don't think so, I'm sure of it!-- I shout facing him.

--Mew calm down.-- Gulf whispers to me.

--Mew Suppasit Jongcheevevat are you crazy by any chance? Your father is innocent! How can you even think that! Was he the one who put this absurd idea in your head?--she asks me pointing at Gulf with a finger --You have to stop being manipulated by this brat!--she insults him again as my father grabs her hands to try to restrain her.

--That's enough! I will not allow you to insult him anymore! Father will you tell it, or do you want Mother to find out from me how you tried to take him out twice?--I ask quite irritated.

--Mew I...-- he whispers.

--That's enough son! I won't allow you to accuse your father like that...-- he asserts unconvinced.

--I no longer have a father! He lost that right the very moment he tried to kill the man I love!--I shout in his face.

--Stop accusing him! How can you even think that?--

--Madam, the one thing I would like most in the world is for Mew not to suffer -- and believe me when I tell you that at the moment he's not, because he's been suffering ever since he began to remember. And I have nothing to do with it! Mew is simply regaining his memory.--Gulf calmly asserts.

--You are a liar! Admit it! Ever since Mew saw you again, I don't recognize him anymore!--he begins to cry.

--That's enough! Gulf is the only one who has been by my side without ever, and I mean ever, asking me for anything in return!--I assert angrily --You wanted grandchildren from me at all costs and you dad...you were more devious than her!--I explode.

--Mew apologize to him at once!-- she orders me.

--That's enough! You have finished controlling my existence! I love this man more than my own life so get over it!-- I inform him grabbing my man by the hands and heading for the exit.

--Mew!-- she shouts getting up.

--Their that's enough now! Mew has made his decision it's useless to talk to him!-- she turns to me --Your mother is right though, since you met this person we no longer recognized you!-- my father begins to unbutton himself --Why can't you be a normal man?-- he accuses me throwing down, finally, the mask.

--Mew is more of a man than you are! What a hypocrite!-- explodes Gulf before I can defend myself.

--Son, get this person out of my house at once, before I lose my temper completely!--

--Be careful, Dad! Because if you in the slightest try to touch him with your fingers, I'll make you bitterly regret it! After all, I'm your son...I can become as ruthless as you!--I threaten him by standing in front of him and grabbing his jacket lapel.

--Treasury...enough!-- Gulf holds me back.

--Thank goodness he's with me now, because otherwise I wouldn't have controlled myself!-- I hiss through clenched teeth letting go of my grip on his neck.

--I warn you! Stay away from my life and Gulf's because otherwise I will make your life hell!--I conclude by taking his hands in mine.

--I only wanted to protect you!-- my father shouts.

--Stay away from him! Or I'll report you to law enforcement on charges of attempted murder!--I say before I hear something I was looking forward to.

--I didn't mean to hurt you! Two years ago he was supposed to be alone on those strips, not with you!--he admits in an apologetic tone.

--I should think so! You only wanted to kill him! Well resign yourself Pops! I will marry this man as soon as the divorce papers are validated!-- I inform them, feeling Gulf wince.

Of course, this request should not have been made in this way, but after all, it's what I want.

--I can't let you do that! You can't move a man!-- she says in shock.

--Certainly I can and you'll stay out of it, or I'll report you!--I clarify.

--You can't! You have no evidence against me!-- he states as we are about to leave.

I stop, turn around very slowly and with an icy stare shut him up.

--Who says I don't have it?--I turn back to the door, walking out of that house with a heavy heart, because after all, they are still my parents.

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And here it is at last, the penultimate chapter. Forgive this delay but I have had a work season that has exhausted me. I hope to be able to post the last chapter soon and in the meantime I thank you for every single message, star and comfort received . A huge thank you also to my beloved SilviaRontini who is supporting me and putting up with the writing of this story