"Kam, don't get too close to the water!" Arthit shouts to make sure Kamron can hear him.

Even though Kamron has on a life vest and he's only a stone's throw away, he doesn't trust the waves. They're only here to play in the sand and dip their feet in the water. When Arthit asked what Kamron wanted to do this morning, the child had no requests. They have the whole day together so he wanted to take Kamron somewhere fun. So he asked Luke what's a fun place to take a child and Luke presented the most horrifying option in the whole world to Arthit.

The freaking amusement park. Arthit absolutely loathes the insane crowd, the horrendous lines, the obnoxiously loud kids, the overpriced junk food, and above all, the terrifying rides. Even as a kid he only liked the games at the amusement park. He remembers how his father forced him to go on roller coaster rides one after another in an attempt to toughen him up. His father didn't care that he's afraid of heights. His father didn't care that he was in tears and dragging his feet. His father would say things like 'be a man for God's sake, it's only a damn ride.' Arthit remembers emptying his stomach the instant he got off his first loopy roller coaster ride. Till this day, just the thought of getting on a roller coaster can make him nauseous.

Arthit immediately passed on that idea saying it's too hot and crowded. Luke only smirked as if he couldn't tell there's more to it just by the panicked look on Arthit's face, and of course Luke knows Arthit's fear of heights, but there are also kiddie rides that barely leave the ground. Oh well, it's not like Luke enjoys being in the crowd either. So he offered another idea. The beach.

Kamron's eyes immediately sparkled upon hearing the word beach. So it was settled that they would go to a beach. However, since Kongpob took the helicopter to Chiang Mai with Thak, they can only drive. Luke suggested going to the closest beach in Bang Saen. It's only about an hour and a half away from Bangkok. The beach and its sand there are definitely not as beautiful as Phuket or Pattaya, but it's a lot closer for a day trip and it's not as tourist-packed. So Bang Saen it is.

"So how do you like playing dad?" Luke takes a sip of his iced tea leaning back with his feet in the sand. They are currently sitting on lounge chairs under umbrella shades. He would love to be drinking an ice-cold beer right about now but too bad he's on duty.

"I don't know, but Kamron is a nice kid. So far he's been pretty easy. He's only four but he's very smart and mature. I bet he can beat you in chess." Arthit chuckles watching Popeye knock a laughing Kamron down in the sand. Arthit swears someone has swapped his dog. His Popeye has never been this active. The dog that doesn't even want to go out for his walks is now chasing a four year old around. Simply unbelievable!

"No way! Just because you suck, don't underestimate my skills."

Arthit only laughs at that. It's probably true. He's never been very good at chess. "Do you like kids?"

"I can't say I do. But as long as they're not bothering me, I don't mind if they're around."

"So would you have kids when you get married?" Arthit has been dying to know what Luke thinks about babies ever since he's learned about Nina's heart condition.

"Whoa whoa whoa. Married? Kids? What makes you think I want either one of those things?" Luke gives Arthit a weird look.

"I'm just curious." Arthit shrugs his shoulders and turns his attention back to Kamron and Popeye. He needs to keep a close watch in case they get too close to the waters and get swept away.

"Arthit, I'm a bodyguard. I have to put my boss's life before my own. That's my job. Right now that's you and Kongpob. If a bullet comes your way, I'll stand in front of it. I can't make anyone any promises. That's the life I've chosen."

Arthit rolls his eyes. "Well, you don't have to be a bodyguard forever. You can always get another job."

"But I like my job." Luke can really use a can of beer right now.

"Would you quit if Nina asked you to?" Arthit turns to look at Luke.

Luke looks away from Arthit's gaze. Nina has never asked him such a question. But then again why would she? It's not like this is something that'll last. It's just a fling. She'll move on when she's bored with him, and he must not let his emotions get the best of him. Nina is like a flame and he's the moth attracted to her warmth and her glow. It's dangerous if he gets too close. Luke can't even stare into Nina's eyes for too long or he'll get lost in their abyss. It's as if Nina's eyes can see through his soul and disarm him without even trying. Her smile alone can render him captive. That's why Luke needs to keep himself in check at all times. It's too easy to get lost in the throes of their passion. No matter how right it feels, he mustn't lose control. He needs to be realistic.

"No, I wouldn't if she asked but she also wouldn't ask such a thing of me. We're not what you think. So, let's drop it."

"Suit yourself." Arthit sighs. He doesn't want to pry any further so he gets up to go join Kamron and Popeye.

"Kam, want to go in the water? I'll take you." Arthit offers his hand to Kamron.

"Yes! I want to, Uncle Thit." Kamron excitedly grabs Arthit's hand and pulls him towards the water.

Arthit looks down at little Kamron with a smile. "Now, try not to drink any of the water okay? It's not good for your body and it can give you a tummy ache. Do you understand?"

Kamron nods and raises his arms for Arthit to pick him up. Holding Kamron tight against his body, Arthit heads for the water. Together with Popeye running behind them, they run into the water as a wave comes washing over them.

"Hahaha...are you okay?" Arthit laughs while squeezing the water out of his eyes.

"That was fun! Again! Again! Again!" Kamron shouts.

"Alright, get ready. Here comes another one." Another small wave washes over them.

Arthit walks around in the water with Kamron in his arms, dipping up and down the warm water. They wave to Popeye who's barking on the shore and too afraid to get in the water.

"Uncle Thit, what's that?" Kamron points to a round thing that's floating nearby.

"That's a moon jellyfish. Let's try to move away from it. This type is not very dangerous but there might be some others around right now. Some can sting humans and it's very painful. So let's go back up to the shore for now and play with Popeye. He's lonely." Arthit chuckles seeing Popeye pace back and forth barking at them.

"Okay." Little Kamron quickly wraps his arms and legs around Arthit. He doesn't want the jellyfish to get him.

They spend the rest of their time on the beach collecting seashells and sand dollars. Arthit tells Kamron that they can paint the sand dollars when they get home. That's what Arthit did when he was little.
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Woof. Woof. Woof.

Arthit rolls over to the other side and pulls the covers over his head. Why is Popeye making a ruckus in the middle of the night?

"Go to sleep, Popeye."

Woof. Woof. Woof.

Arthit groggily removes the covers and opens his eyes. It's unlike Popeye to bark so late.

"What's wrong?" Arthit switches on the dim light above him.

Arthit tries to pick up Popeye but he quickly dodges away. Instead, Popeye runs over to the doorway and barks. So Arthit gets out of bed and heads towards the door. Popeye then runs down the hallway to the other side of the house and barks.

Arthit shuffles along sleepily. It takes a moment for him to realize that Popeye is leading him to the guest room where Kamron is sleeping. Arthit immediately rushes inside Kamron's room to see if he's alright. He switches on the lights and he sees little Kamron curled up into a ball holding his stomach.

Arthit rushes to his side and feels Kamron's forehead. Luckily, there wasn't any fever.

"Kam, tell me what's wrong." Arthit pulls Kamron into his arms.

Kamron shakes his head.

"Kam, does your tummy hurt? It's okay. You can tell me." Arthit says softly to the child.

"Baba says I need to be tough because I'm a big boy now. I'm okay." Little Kamron mumbles while clutching onto his stomach.

Hearing little Kamron say something like that caused a pang to Arthit's heart. Kamron is only four, he shouldn't have to endure his pain like this. Arthit remembers his father telling him to quit whining whenever he was sick and to just suck it up. Even though Kamron's father may not have been anything like his cold father, Kamron also wasn't allowed to be just a child. Arthit hugs the child tighter.

"Kamron is a big boy but even big boys can have tummy aches. Now, tell me where does it hurt?"

"Here." Kamron points to his stomach.

"Okay, I'll call the doctor. Wait here."

Arthit lays Kamron back down and anxiously calls Kongpob's personal doctor, Dr. Sangsorn. Kongpob said Dr. Sangsorn is always willing to make house calls. He hopes it's nothing serious because Kamron can't go to the hospital without complications due to his undocumented status.

When Arthit opened the door for Dr. Sangsorn, he almost slammed the door back shut thinking she's at the wrong door. Dr. Sangsorn turns out to be a sexy vixen in a nightgown with a lab coat over it. Her glasses did nothing but add to some sexy doctor role play fantasy look she seems to be going for. Seriously, does everyone that comes in contact with Kongpob have to look like this? Is that one of the criteria to breathe the same air he does? Jeez!

Dr. Sangsorn apologizes for her appearance but she was in a hurry to get here since Arthit sounded a bit frantic over the phone. Arthit embarrassingly nods in understanding. Fortunately, Dr. Sangsorn is nothing but professional and caring. She physically examines Kamron as thoroughly as possible without an x-ray being available. She then asks Kamron and Arthit a series of questions such as what Kamron ate for dinner and when did the pain start. After about thirty minutes it was determined to be indigestion from probably too much spicy food. Now Arthit regrets letting Kamron try his extra spicy basil fried rice for dinner. The doctor provides Arthit some children's antacids and orders Kamron to drink more water and eat bland food for the next couple of days. Arthit is so relieved that Kamron will be okay.

After he sees the doctor out the door, Arthit yawns and heads back to check on little Kamron. It's almost three in the morning already.

"Uncle Thit, can you stay with me?" Kamron asks even though he knows he shouldn't trouble anyone.

Arthit smiles and climbs in bed laying next to little Kamron. He gently rubs Kamron's tummy to make the tummy ache go away faster. That's what his mother used to do for him.
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"Arthit, I'm home." Kongpob walks inside the strangely quiet house. Popeye is the only one excitedly greeting him.

Kongpob picks Popeye up and walks further inside the house. It's already past ten in the morning. Where is everyone? He came back from Chiang Mai as soon as he could to try to spend Sunday with Arthit and Kamron. He felt bad for leaving Kamron with Arthit to handle all by himself. Especially after Arthit told him he's not sure how he feels about little Kamron. So he wrapped up his work as quickly as possible.

Kongpob steps inside his bedroom to find it empty.

"Popeye, where did your papa go?" Kongpob pulls out his phone to call Arthit. He hears Arthit's ringtone go off outside so he follows the sound. He finds Arthit's phone on top of the kitchen counter.

Woof. Woof. Woof.

Popeye scrambles out of Kongpob's hold and walks down the hallway. Popeye then stops in the middle of the hallway to bark at Kongpob again. So Kongpob follows Popeye down the hall leading to the guest rooms. Popeye then disappears into the room little Kamron is staying in. Kongpob curiously follows behind Popeye, and the sight that greets him is the most unexpected yet the most heartwarming sight he has ever seen.

Arthit is holding Kamron in his arms asleep while Kamron is holding Roary in his arms asleep. Kongpob smiles and snaps a quick picture. Maybe it won't be that hard to tell Arthit that Kamron needs to stay with them for another two weeks because his mother needs to make another stop on her business trip. Maybe.

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AN: Sweets, I hope my update goes through. I've been trying since yesterday. 😒 Anyway, this is another filler/story building update. I hope you enjoyed it.

Isn't Popeye in a sharky life vest the cutest thing? 😍

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️