Kongpob pulled up to the gates in front of the Ruangroj mansion, and waited for it to open. A buzz could be heard, and the black gates swung open to reveal the old yet impressive white mansion. This mansion has hosted the late King Bhumibol the Great, and many high ranking generals for political events and parties. It's been the Ruangroj mansion for four generations now. If someone traced his family history far enough, they would know that the Ruangroj family are distant relatives to the royal family. That's why they have been politically connected all these generations.

Kongpob is the next in line to inherit this mansion, and all the fortunes and the title that comes with it. The Ruangroj family owns a great amount of land across Asia, and a lot of stock in Thailand's rice and other exported crops. That's why it's in the best interest of even the royal family themselves to maintain a good relationship with the Ruangroj family.

Taking over is an inevitable duty that Kongpob has tried to delay for as long as possible. He simply has no interest in politics and power. He is busy enough as is, he can't imagine how it would be on a few more years when his grandpa hands everything over to him. Kongpob's only way out would be if Nina had a child, but he would never want his aunt to take such a risk. Not if it means there's even a slight chance that he would lose Nina like how he had lost his birth mother. So, he has no choice in the matter. He can't let his grandpa, or the Ruangroj family down. He will just have to take it as it comes. He briefly wonders if Arthit would like to live in this mansion with him. There is a massive pool and a beautiful courtyard. That's a plus.

Kongpob drove into the driveway, and left the car running for the driver to park it. There's a lot of fond memories here just in the driveway alone. Nina taught him how to ride a bicycle, and rollerblade here. He remembers scraping his knees, and palms on the pavement when he couldn't break on his rollerblades before tripping over the crack in the pavement around the corner. Nina carried him bridal style like he weighed nothing at the time. Kongpob made a little chuckle at the memories of how tiny he used to be.

When Kongpob told Arthit he was a late bloomer, he really wasn't kidding. He used to be as scrawny as a string bean. Not only was he skinny, but he was the shortest kid in his class too. Kongpob was teased a lot growing up, but it never bothered him since his mother made sure he excelled in everything else. She told him the best revenge is to make those who teased him, to one day come and beg for his help. Let them eat their own words and lose their own pride. That's the way his mother raised him, and that's how he still is today.

Nina on the other hand was the complete opposite. She was the tallest in her class, and was actually chubby before puberty hit her. No one ever dared to tease or bully her for it though. She's a Ruangroj after all. Boys in her class went from being scared of her, to going crazy over her. Girls who made fun of her behind her back, calling her a giant became envious green monsters once puberty transformed her. Nina lost all the baby fat, and was all legs and curves over one summer.

"Welcome young master." Saomi, the head housekeeper, greeted Kongpob.

"Hello Saomi. I've missed you." Kongpob enveloped Saomi into a warm hug before walking further inside the big house.

"Aish...what would your lover say if we get caught?" Saomi said, pushing Kongpob off of her.

"You know I would leave anyone in a heartbeat if you would just say yes." Kongpob smiled, and winked at Saomi, making her giggle and blush.

"Sure. If you don't mind changing senior diapers in a few years. It's about time you returned the favor." Saomi laughs, and pushes Kongpob to start walking inside the house.

"Hahaha...you're always fun to joke around with. This place would be unbearable if it weren't for you." Kongpob says as he walks across the marble grand foyer.

"That mouth of yours can sweet talk stars to fall for you. Are you hungry? I made red curry chicken noodle soup. I know you like that." Saomi asked the young master that she had a hand in raising. She was Nina's nanny before she became the head housekeeper of the Ruangroj mansion.

"I ate already, but thanks for asking. Is Nina in her room?"

"No, she is in the backyard killing all the flowers. Yesterday, she had plucked all the plants bare in the courtyard." Saomi said while shaking her head.

Kongpob sighed. "Okay, let me go see what is wrong with her."

Saomi smiled, and nodded her head. Kongpob walked across the grand foyer, through the open air courtyard, crossed the little bridge over the koi fish pond, and then came out the other side to the backyard. The mansion's backyard is filled with beautiful tropical flowers, and lined with plumeria trees that give off the most pleasant fragrance with every breeze.

Kongpob can see Nina in a long yellow dress at the end of the yard. She was standing in front of a floral bush with her murder weapon in hand. Oops...there goes another innocent life.

"You know, those are supposed to be my mother's favorite lilies you're killing." Kongpob said it loud enough for the murderer to know she has been caught red handed.

Nina spun around quickly at the sound of Kongpob's voice. She dropped her shears, and ran over to him with tears immediately rolling down her face. "Kongpob!"

Kongpob opened his arms wide, waiting to embrace the big cry baby that is his aunt. He can see her eyes puffy, and her hair is actually out of place. Kongpob hasn't found out what is wrong yet, but whatever it is, it's serious.

~~~~~~

"Hey, so why are you working today?" Arthit asked, sitting in the passenger seat with Popeye on his lap happily looking out the window. The pup is extra playful today. Arthit hasn't been alone with Luke much as of late. Luke has given him rides here or there alone, but Arthit was usually busy on the phone taking business calls.

"There's no games today, so I have too much time on my hands. So, why not?" Luke answered nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders like that explained everything.

Arthit rolled his eyes thinking Luke needs to get a life. Then he suddenly noticed something different about Mr. Cool. "Hey, are you wearing a new cologne?"

"Yes. You don't like it?" Luke asked, giving himself a couple of quick sniffs, and smirked. He pulled into the parking lot of the pet store, and found a spot with a bit of shade casted by a big tree.

Arthit caught the little smirk Luke had before going back to his stoic straight face. There's something fishy going on here. Luke is not the type of person to just switch things up. "No, it's very nice. It suits you. Change is nice sometimes. Like your casual look today."

***Luke***

"I don't like change. I'm always casual on Sundays, so this is not a change. I only changed my cologne because I'm out of the old one." Luke got out of the car first, and scanned their surroundings. "The coast is clear. We can go." He shut his door, and walked to the other side of the car to meet Arthit. Arthit doesn't like to wait for Luke or Thak to open the door for him. He finds it silly to sit inside the car, and just wait when he can easily open his own damn door.

Arthit comes out with Popeye in his arms. They walked into the pet store grabbing a shopping cart along the way. Arthit knew exactly where Popeye's favorite treat was, so he headed straight to that aisle. The store was pretty quiet for a Sunday afternoon. Luke took note of where every visible person's position, and location was without a second glance.

"Oh, after this. I need to make a stop at the market. I want to pick up some stuff to make dinner tonight. I wonder how long Kongpob will stay at Nina's." Arthit casually name dropped.

Both Kongpob and him have been suspecting something between Nina and Luke for a while now. However, neither of them have admitted anything. Kongpob is not one to pry on such details, and neither does he have the time to do such things. So, they have just been sitting on the side lines, waiting for Nina to spill the beans. Yet months have gone by, and there was still no news. Kongpob and him had started thinking maybe there really is nothing. However, something tells Arthit that there's definitely something up with Luke. He has been discreetly checking his phone a lot more than usual. Sometimes with very visible annoyance on his face, and sometimes with a stupid grin.

Arthit stopped upon seeing Popeye's favorite dog treat. He grabbed the biggest bag off the shelf. Popeye excitedly wagged his tail seeing the familiar bag being dropped into the cart next to him.

"So, Mr. Suthilak went to see Miss Ruangroj instead of spending time with you?" Luke asked. He was careful to make his more about Kongpob than the latter, hoping Arthit would elaborate on his own.

Arthit knew very well what Luke was doing. If Kongpob was meeting with anyone else, Luke wouldn't bother to say a single word. The man was stingy with every single syllable that came out of his mouth. But Arthit willingly took the bait. "Well, Nina needs Kongpob more than I do right now. The poor girl was crying so hard over the phone. Even I could hear her from across the table. I curse the bastard that did that to poor Nina. So, Kongpob is needed to go comfort her broken heart."

"Broken heart? She can't be that serious." Luke looked away frowning. He felt a pang to his heart knowing that Nina was crying. Was he really too harsh that day?

Flashback

Nina's car had run over a pothole, and got a flat tire. Her driver needed to go get help since their phones had no signal. She was instructed to stay inside the vehicle, but of course she wouldn't listen. It's just a fantastic place and time to take in the scenic view. That is until she dropped her precious handbag on to the edge of the cliff.

Luke was just on his way to Nina's restaurant for dinner after work. He didn't expect to see Nina's car stranded on the side of the road with it's hazard lights flashing. Luke pulled aside to see if there was anything he could help with. He didn't see anyone inside the vehicle, so he walked around to the other side, only to find Nina leaning dangerously forward on the edge of the cliff, with an outreached hand that just managed to grab the bag by its tassel. Luke immediately ran over, and grabbed her by the waist, and threw her over his shoulder.

Nina was initially shocked, but she quickly recognized the scent. "Let me down you brute!" Nina shouted while she was slapping the hard back of Luke's.

"Stop kicking, or I'm throwing you into that puddle."

"I dare you!"

Ooph!

"Ouuu...you asshole! This is Versace."

"Is that damn thing worth your life? I can't believe you would risk your life for a damn bag."

Luke plucked the limited edition handbag out of Nina's grip, and made the motion to toss it over the cliff that Nina could have fallen off of moments ago.

"No!"

Nina quickly scrambled off the floor, and tried to reach for her handbag that Luke was holding over his head with a smirk. Her body plastered and flush against the bodyguard's muscular solid chest.

Luke would be lying if he told you he didn't enjoy Nina's warm and soft body rubbing up against him. Her intoxicating scent invaded his space without warning. He looked down to meet Nina's disarming sparkling eyes looking up to him. And ever so slowly his face leaned closer until their lips met for a soft gentle kiss.

Nina closed her eyes as their lips touched for the first time. She had wondered many times if this very moment would ever happen between them. This game of tug and pull that they have been playing for months now have finally come to this. Her heart raced like it's her very first time being kissed.

And just as Luke was about to wrap a strong arm around Nina's tiny waist, a car zoomed by breaking the moment. Luke pulled back to see Nina with her eyes still closed, and lips slightly parted. He took a step back to put some distance between them.

Nina's eyes fluttered open at the sudden loss. She was a little embarrassed, but at that moment she wanted answers. She took a step forward.

"Luke, do you like me? If you do, let's stop playing games."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Nobody likes anybody. Here, take your bag. I can give you a ride to wherever you were going."

Nina took her bag frowning, and said "Luke, you know I like..."

"Miss, I'm back. Someone is on the way to tow our car. We can take the taxi back first." Nina's driver said, climbing out of the taxi.

"Okay Jeep. I'm coming. Just give me a minute." Nina turned back to Luke only to see his retreating back.

End of flashback.

There's no way Nina is serious about him. No way, right?

~~~~~~
AN: Sorry for the late update. Like many people, I'm stressed with the coronavirus. I was struggling to put words down. I hope this chapter wasn't too bad. I will try to update sooner with the next chapter.

Please take care and stay safe.

Love ya lots,
Lana ❤️