Kongpob is getting ready for his dinner date. He decided on a simple blue suit since Arthit said he didn't want him to wear gray. Apparently, he looked too handsome in gray, that's Arthit's words, not his. So, that eliminated a third of his wardrobe for tonight. Kongpob really didn't care about what he was going to wear until Arthit kept suggesting he go change. Kongpob figured that he would just do it if it would make Arthit feel better about tonight.

Kongpob can sense Arthit is still nervous about his date. He's been very jumpy all day. He even burnt the French toast he was making this morning. Sighing to himself, he just hopes tonight will be over with soon.

The address Kongpob received from the Red Cross organization for him to pickup Mild for dinner looked familiar, but he didn't pay too much attention on it. Kongpob promised Arthit that he will take Thak tonight, and not drive on his own.

Kongpob came out to the living room, and found Arthit sleeping on the sofa with Popeye laying next to him. Kongpob walked over, and covered Arthit with a blanket, and then pecked him on his cheek. Arthit instantly woke up, and wrapped his arms around Kongpob's neck.

"You're really going to go?" Arthit asked softly.

"I'll be back before you know it." Kongpob kissed Arthit on the lips before he made his way out the door.

Kongpob gave Thak the address, and along the way, he had stopped by a flower shop to pick up a bouquet of assorted flowers. It's what he does every time he went on one of these dates. He actually saw Mild's favorite calla lilies at the flower shop, but he didn't get them. He is just here to follow through with his agreement. He doesn't want to give Mild any wrong ideas.

Kongpob was checking his emails when Thak informed him of their arrival. He looked out the window, and he was surprised to find himself in front of Mild's old house. No wonder the address looked familiar. From what he knows, Mild's old house was sold years ago. How did she end up living here again? He thought to himself. He got out of the car, and walked towards the front entrance.

He curiously looked up to the window that he had once climbed through, and it was no longer broken. His feet grew heavier with each step he took. The latch to the front gate is still broken like it was before. All he had to do was lift the gate up by an inch, and push it in. He remembers telling Mild that her family needed to get that fixed many times.

The grass in the front yard is overgrown, and there's several wild sunflowers taller than him in the yard. He has finally reached the front door steps. Kongpob raised his hand to knock on the door, but then hesitated. It wasn't going to be as easy as he thought it would be. He took a deep breath, and schooled his emotions before finally knocking the door.

Kongpob heard noises from inside the house.

"No, you have to go to bed by 9!" Mild yelled as she opened the door.

Kongpob looked at Mild bewildered, and for a moment he was speechless.

"Kongpob, hi. Uh, can you give me a minute? Just come in." Mild said without really waiting for Kongpob to respond. She just grabbed him by the wrist, and pulled him inside the house.

"Uh, I can wait in the car." Kongpob was ready to just walk back out.

"No. I'll be real quick." Mild ran to the back of the house where the kitchen was.

Kongpob stood there without moving another inch further. Looking around from where he stood, there's a few more pieces of furniture than the last time he was here. It was mostly still bare. So he concluded that Mild has just recently returned to this home.

"Sorry, to keep you waiting." Mild came half running. She was wearing a simple black dress with a long oversized denim shirt on top. It's not exactly what people would wear to Attitude.

"It's okay. Do you need to change?" Kongpob asked.

"No. Are those for me?" Mild pointed to the bouquet in Kongpob's hand.

"Uh yes. These are for you." Kongpob handed the flowers over.

"Thank you." Mild took the flowers, and ran back to the kitchen.

Kongpob could hear the kitchen faucet switched on and off. And then Mild came running back out.

"We can go now." Mild said as she slipped on her sneakers.

Kongpob finally couldn't help it, and said "there's a dress code for Attitude. I'm sure sneakers are not welcomed."

"Let's just go." Mild grabbed Kongpob's arm, and pulled him outside.

Kongpob brushed Mild's hand off him. "Look, I can walk on my own. Mild, I just don't want you to be embarrassed when they turn you away. I will wait for you in the car if you want to change."

Kongpob walked back to the car without waiting for Mild to speak. He doesn't care what she decides to do. He didn't like her grabbing him like she still knew him, just like how she used to grab him.

However, what surprised him was that Mild didn't go back in to at least change her shoes. She just followed behind him, and got in the car.

Kongpob eyed her curiously.

"Kongpob, I don't want to go to Attitude. Can we go to our old spot?" Mild looked up into Kongpob's eyes.

"I don't know what you are talking about?" Kongpob lied. He knew very well where their old spot was. He was just there recently. He turned away from Mild.

"I know you remember. I can read you like a book. You can never lie to me." Mild said confidently.

"It doesn't matter if I remember or not. That's not part of this evening's plan." Kongpob said looking out the window away from Mild.

"Kongpob, what difference does spending three hours at Attitude verses spending three hours at the park make? I just want to be able to talk to you. Maybe it won't even take as long." Mild reasoned.

Kongpob sighed. This talk is long overdue. Maybe the park would be a better place to talk than a romantic restaurant. Maybe he would be able to go home early, and be with Arthit instead. His fingers itched to reach for his phone to text Arthit about him going home early. But then, it would be a nice surprise for Arthit if he shows up early with mango pudding. So, he stopped himself.

"Fine. Since you've bought my time. It really doesn't matter I guess." Kongpob said.

Kongpob told Thak to take them to the park by the bridge.

~~~~~

Arthit got up the moment Kongpob shut the door. He quickly texted Nina to let her know that Kongpob has left the house.

Nina texted him back asking "red or blue?". Arthit's eyes rolled so far back that they could have gotten stuck. He replied, "neither. Black only."

Arthit put on a black suit, and went to fix his hair. Looking in the mirror, he smiled remembering how Kongpob said he looked cute with his hair tied up on top. He usually only does it to keep his hair from getting into his eyes when he is at home, and he hasn't gelled his hair. It was Kongpob who tied his hair this morning. He tried to tie Kongpob's hair too, but the latter refused to let him.

Arthit was ready in record time, and Nina came promptly to pick him up twenty minutes later. Arthit couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Nina in the car.

Nina was all dolled up in a sexy black lacy dress, and her hair put up into a messy bun. He shook his head sighing.

"Nina, I thought we agreed that we have to dress as low key as possible." Arthit said.

"I'm trying to be as low key as possible, but still appropriate. Hey, do you think I can get a table at Attitude at the snap of a finger in a potato sack?" Nina said tilting her chin up. Men just have no idea what women have to go through.

"Fine. Let's just get going. I just hope we won't get caught." Arthit said as the car pulled away.

"Don't worry. I can put these glasses on." Nina pulled out a pair of black wired rim glasses. The glasses actually complimented her very well. They gave her the studious, yet naughty librarian vibe with her sexy dress.

"Uh, I think those might attract more attention. Maybe you should put your hair down. That way you can hide a part of your face." Arthit suggested.

"You think so? Okay." Nina reaches her hand back, and pulled out two hairpins. Her luscious curls cascaded down her back, and to her side. Arthit swears this is one of those scenes you see in the movies where the beautiful girl tosses her hair in slow motion. Luckily, this has no effect on him. He may be gay, but he is not blind. He can totally understand why Nina gets proposed to every year.

"Is this better?" Nina asked.

"Uh, yeah. Just try not to look up too much."

Nina nodded. "Oh, here, I have something for you too." Nina pulled out something black from her her tiny purse.

"What is that?" Arthit asked quizzically looking at the black thing.

"It's a mustache. Here, I can help you put it on." Nina scooted over closer to Arthit.

"Is this necessary?" Arthit leaned back, and looked at that thing like it would bite.

"You don't want to be recognized right?"

Arthit frowned, but slowly moved closer to Nina to let her stick that thing on his face. He really doesn't want to get caught by Kongpob. So, maybe a mustache isn't such a bad idea. Actually, if he could, he wouldn't mind putting on a whole mask to cover his face.

When they arrived at Attitude, Nina was promptly met by the manager that was exceptionally nice to her. The manager was practically undressing her with his eyes as they made pleasantries. Seeing that Nina wasn't exactly comfortable, Arthit put his arm around her. The manager backed off, and led them to their table.

They sat down, and just ordered their drinks. The restaurant served a 12 course fixed menu, so they didn't have to decide on what to order.

Arthit looked around, and he has never been to such a high end restaurant in Bangkok before. The atmosphere was sexy with an amazing view looking out to the city across the River. There's even an outdoor rooftop bar on the other side. It's definitely a nice place to have a romantic date. So, he hated it. He discreetly looked around to see where Kongpob was sitting, but he didn't see him anywhere.

Nina looked across the room to the reserved table by the window, and nobody was there.

"I guess they're not here yet." Nina said to Arthit as she pointed to the empty table.

"Oh, so they are supposed to sit over there?" Arthit turned to look at the empty table as well. It's the best seat in the house. It's a middle table by the windows with unobstructed view of the Chao Phraya River and the city skyline. That side of the building has no balcony or ledges, giving patrons the ultimate view. With an atmosphere like that, even if you don't fall in love with your date, you would surely fall in love with the place.

~~~~~~

Kongpob and Mild stepped out of the car, and walked over to the park. It was still pretty early in the evening, so there were still plenty of people hanging around the park. The sun was still up in the sky.

Mild happily walked ahead of Kongpob. This was how it used to be too. Mild would run ahead to find a shady spot for them to sit.

"Kongpob, our spot is available." Mild said as she happily sat down."

Kongpob walked over, and sat down too. They didn't really speak in the car, and he doesn't know when will Mild start talking. However, he doesn't exactly want to be the one to initiate the conversation either. So, they sat there watching people mulling around, enjoying the park.

"Kongpob, do you ever wonder what it would have been like if we were still together?" Mild asked looking straight ahead.

"No. I don't have time for that." Kongpob answered coldly.

"I have. I wonder about it all the time."

"What's the point? It's in the past."

"Mhmm....you're right. It's the past, but I'm stuck there."

Kongpob can't believe what he is hearing. She is stuck there? How? She's the one that left him.

"I don't understand. You chose to leave the past behind."

"I need you to understand, I didn't choose to leave."

Kongpob sighed. "Mild, I don't need to understand anymore."

"Kongpob! Look! That ice cream cart is still there. Can you get me ice cream?" Mild said excitedly.

Kongpob looked at her, and then at the ice cream cart. He sighed and got up to go get ice cream. He doesn't know what Mild is trying to say, but seeing her excited over ice cream reminded him of the many times they shared an ice cream cone. So, he got up to get her ice cream.

Kongpob bought two ice cream cones, and went back to where Mild was sitting. Mild looked up at him smiling innocently like everything was okay. Kongpob knows he shouldn't be affected, but his heart felt a pang at the sight.

Mild has matured. She is no longer the nineteen year old girl that left him, but she still had that playfulness in her. She was, and still is pretty, but it was her playfulness that drew Kongpob's attention when they had first met. Everyone thinks Mild was the one that approached him when they were young, but the truth was he had noticed her even before they met.

She was always clumsy, and would trip and fall all over the place. But she would always just laugh it off playfully, and was never embarrassed by it. Kongpob had witnessed her unfortunate incidents more than a few times around school. Then one time she was going down the stairs at school, and she missed a step while juggling her books, and Kongpob happened to be on his way up the stairs had caught her from falling.

Two days later after that incident, Mild approached him, and handed him a note. She gave it to him, and then quickly ran away. In the note it said, "You kept me from falling down the stairs, but not from falling for you. Please let me buy you dinner. Meet me at Pete's Cafe at 7pm." And that's how they began to date. Mild was the most confident klutz there ever was.

Kongpob walked over with the two ice cream cones. "Here. This one is yours." He handed one to Mild.

"Thanks. You still remember my favorite, coconut ice cream with toasted almonds." Mild quickly started licking the ice cream before it starts to melt.

"How can I forget? I had to eat so much of it when I don't even like it." Kongpob said as he licked his chocolate ice cream.

"Well, I couldn't finish it, and I didn't want to waste it." Mild said.

"You just didn't want to eat it all because you were afraid you would get fat." Kongpob smirked as he licked his ice cream.

"Hey! I was not fat." Mild laughed and playfully pushed Kongpob's arm.

After the chuckling subsided, "so, why are you back?"