16
It turned out that there were no issues with Toop announcing our relationship to the neighbors like that.
Lek seemed more delighted than shocked upon learning the truth, while Yai’s gaze dimmed slightly, though he still offered a congratulatory smile.
He even shook hands with Toop, who had left me mulling over countless questions as we walked back home.
He kept me close, refusing to let me stray even a step until we were inside.
“Why did you say that?” I asked as soon as I placed the bag of food from Yai on the table.
“What do you mean?”
“Well—”
I hesitated as I turned to face him, Toop no longer wore the cheerful expression he had had outside.
I was not afraid, apprehensive or shy, but the reminiscence of what he did, made it harder for me to address how he had state our relationship.
“You mean when I told the neighbors we’re married?
What’s the problem?
Aren’t you happy about it?”
“I—”
“You have a husband, Anshan.
And now, you’re going to have a child with your husband.”
“I know that.
I’m well aware.
But did you really need to let others know?
What if it affects your work?
W- why are you coming closer?”
He folded his arms and strode toward me.
Unable to finish my sentence, I instinctively stepped back, only to find myself trapped against the edge of the table.
“Mr. Toop!”
Looking for an escape, I tried to move sideways, but he took a single step forward, pinning me in place.
Both hands rested on the table, caging me in.
“Can’t a husband be close to his wife?”
I froze, my eyes wide, staring at the man who had just called himself my husband.
“And your husband already apologized to the neighbor.
Don’t you have anything to say about that?”
“Huh?”
“What’s with the huh?
You said you’d think about it.
Well, I’ve done it now.”
So, that was what he wanted to discuss.
Did he really need to stand so close to make his point?
“Yes, I saw and heard it all. You apologized to Mr. Yai, but you still had that attitude. Fine, I’ll consider it settled as you took some responsibility. This issue is over.”
He shrugged.
“That’s done, but why were you about to tell Mr. Yai I was your brother when I’m your hub—”
I quickly clapped my hand over his mouth.
“Just stick with calling yourself my husband. I’m begging you.”
Whether it was husband or the word he was about to say, both carried the same meaning and sent heat rushing to my face every time.
But the husband was more manageable.
Whenever he or P’Thian called me wifey, I found myself at a loss.
So, I pleaded silently, hoping he would let it go as I had already sealed his mouth.
“Mr. Toop!”
“What?”
His mischievous grin made me withdraw myself and my hands instantly.
But just as I did, he used the opportunity to lick my palm.
“What are you doing?
I haven’t even washed my hands yet!”
“So, if you had, that means I could lick them?”
“Mr. Toop!”
What was this man’s goal?
Even when asleep, he stirred up my emotions.
Now awake, he not only gave me headaches but left me utterly speechless as well.
“Then answer me already—why did you tell them I was your brother?”
His grin vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow.
He did not back away, leaving me nearly perched on the table’s edge.
His intense gaze made my throat dry.
“Answer me, Anshan.”
“The answer is in the question I just asked you.”
I met his gaze, keeping the little space between us that was left.
“Why did you say that in front of them?
Who are you?
Who am I?
Did you even think about it?
You don’t love me, so was it worth it to tell them what we are?”
“Are you worried about me?”
“How many times are you going to ask me that, Mr. Toop?
I’ve already told you—yes, I’m worried about you.
I’ve always worried about you, a lot!
But look at what you’ve done.
You’re such a—mmph!”
Before I could finish, my nape was suddenly pulled, bringing my face close to his.
He did not waste a moment, sealing my lips with a quick kiss that left me stunned.
I had not expected Toop to kiss me so abruptly.
“You…”
“Do I need to care about what I’ve already chosen to say and decided on?”
He whispered near my lips while his hand gently kneaded the back of my neck.
I had been about to retort after the swift but shallow kiss, but with our foreheads pressed together and his question delivered from so close, all I could do was lower my gaze and press my lips tightly shut. Find the original chapter at g.com.
“Answer me, Anshan.”
“I don’t know…”
It felt like I heard him make a sound before he tilted my chin up.
“Then you should know this.”
All I could do was let my eyes silently question him, my lips unmoving as if spellbound by his words.
“From the moment I agreed to marry you, I stopped caring about anyone else’s opinions.”
“But—”
“You, on the other hand, overthink everything, sulk about every little thing.
Why don’t you just ask when something’s bothering you?”
“Well—”
“And next time, if someone asks about our relationship, don’t let me hear you lie and say I’m your brother.
I’m an only child, and I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s brother.”
His voice was firm, his intense gaze locking with mine.
Though I was still confused about what he was saying, I nodded without meeting his eyes.
“Good. But there’s one more thing.”
Curious, I looked up at him.
His hand slid from my nape to rest gently on my cheek.
“I’m hungry.”
“In that case, I’ll go prepare—”
“I mean I’m hungry for a kiss, Anshan.”
I froze, staring at him as his slow, deliberate tone sent a rush of heat to my face.
He leaned in closer.
With just a slight movement, I surrendered, closing my eyes as I felt his soft lips and breath press against me.
It was lighter than before but deeper, a kiss that deepened until I could feel his tongue brush mine.
“Ow.
You bit me-!”
“Lost in it, huh?
If you let me keep going, I won’t stop at just a kiss.”
Pulling away after biting my lower lip, he grinned at me smugly, bringing me back to reality.
Just as I was about to scold him, he spoke again.
“It’s already late.
Let’s eat breakfast.
If we delay, you’ll feel queasy again.”
“Wait, Mr. Toop—”
I wanted to interpret his words as genuine concern, but there was something I needed to tell him.
Reaching out, I grabbed his wrist.
“Or do you want me to do more than kiss you here at the dining table?”
“Of course not.”
I complained to his impassive expression, my face burning with embarrassment at his teasing.
“I might be as clueless as you often say I am—”
He did not move, but I could tell he was listening.
“But whether you love me or not, I’m not trying to hide our relationship.
I just want you to be able to work in peace, without gossip or scandals because of me.
So, if it’s not truly necessary, please don’t do what you did today.
I’m not important enough for you to risk your reputation like that.”
“Anshan.”
“And—and I’m not upset or sulking either.
I understand.
When you love me, and if one day you decide to announce it to the world, I won’t stop you.”
My words came out haltingly, but I forced myself to smile at him as much as I could before letting go of his wrist.
He looked at me without saying anything.
“I’ll go bring the food now.
Ah.
Mr. Toop—”
“Stay here.
I’ll get it myself.”
“Mr. Toop, you—”
He was gone now.
Sitting in the dining chair where he placed me, I could only watch his back as he walked away.
Today, he took care of everything by himself, unlike before when he would help me with little tasks.
I could not help but wonder—was he upset with me for saying those things earlier?
After all, he did not love me, even if he said he was starting to feel something.
A fleeting part of me wanted the world to know that Toop Pasutha was my husband.
But what if one day, after our child was born, Toop and I ended up divorcing because of the words he once said to me, words I could not forget:
’I want a child.
I don’t want the child’s mother.’
It would not be worth it for him to tell anyone about us.
Even though I was surprised when he told Yai and Lek, deep down, I was also happy.
For now, I was satisfied.
Even if he did not love me yet, he was not hiding our relationship away in some dark corner.
Despite his sharp tongue, my kind husband had actually declared it.
“Here’s some fruit for the soon-to-be dad.”
“Whoa, you didn’t have to, P’Thian. Thanks a lot.”
Despite my awkward smile, I could not help but feel a little embarrassed by Toop’s older cousin, P’Thian, who has a long-standing love-hate relationship with him.
I looked up from the drawing app on my phone while lounging in a recliner by the pool.
The clear roofing above provided just enough shade from the midday sun.
I smiled, setting my phone aside to take the plate of freshly peeled fruit that P’Thian had prepared.
“Thanks so much, P’Thian.
Sorry to trouble you.”
Nonsense.
I’m more than happy to do this—for you and the baby.”
P’Thian laughed as she settled into the recliner next to mine.
“I might not have peeled it perfectly, though.
Think you can eat it?”
“Of course.
Honestly, you don’t even need to peel the apple.”
“I just worry that I didn’t wash it well enough.”
She gave an awkward smile, which only made her seem more endearing.
“Do you want an orange? I’ll peel it for you.”
Her offer warmed my heart even more.
She reached for another piece of fruit that Toop had ordered to be delivered yesterday.
He was not here today because his manager called to say the shoot could not be rescheduled anymore.
So, early this morning, he had ensured all the essentials, including fruits and skincare products such as belly cream, were sent to the house.
Not only that, but P’Thian had also brought a variety of additional goodies when she came to visit today.
While I spent my days doing less drawing—having already updated my fans that my work would be slower for the foreseeable future—I was sure I would be busy for months or even a year.
I busied myself with preparing for the arrival of our little one, whose gestation was approaching ten weeks.
There were so many things to do, such as attending parental courses.
“Oh, thank you so much, P’Thian.
Really, thank you.
But I’m just pregnant—I can still peel my own fruit.
Mmm!
The apple is so sweet and crispy.
You should try it.”
“Anshan.”
P’Thian shook her head, smiling.
“Are you still feeling nauseous?
Any other symptoms?”
“Lately, I’ve been feeling dizzy every morning.
But when I feel like throwing up, someone beats me to it—Mr.
Toop.”
“Pfft”
She stifled a laugh.
“Serves him right.”
“P’Thian,”
I protested, shaking my head at her teasing.
Even though Toop had turned pale and dry-heaved this morning before leaving for the shoot, it was just retching without anything coming up.
“I really think he’s experiencing sympathy nausea.”
“He’s probably just stressed.”
“Who knows? That guy was absolutely beside himself with excitement when he found out you were pregnant,”
P’Thian said with a wide grin, both her smile and eyes full of amusement.
I frowned slightly, looking at her.
“Don’t tell me he hasn’t said anything about your pregnancy.”
“…He has.”
Toop had indeed said a few things about my pregnancy.
But was he genuinely excited, happy, or thrilled?
He never really showed it.
Not once since finding out.
“He probably said it in his usual pretentious way, didn’t he?”
I sighed softly, smiling at her observation.
“That’s just how he is.”
“And you?”
P’Thian’s tone shifted after badmouthing Toop theatrically, becoming more serious.
She looked directly at me as I took small bites of the apple in my hand.
“Do you love Toop?”
“Cough—”
“A-An!”
I quickly waved her off, coughing slightly but managing to recover.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to shock you.”
It was startling to hear her ask that question.
The moment she asked, I froze.
Her words brought back memories of that night on the island with Toop.
Even now, I still was not sure if I had dreamed it or if he had really asked me if I loved him.
But love?
Did I love him?
“An.”
“I-“
I hesitated, wanting to say that I liked him first and foremost.
But before I could answer, my phone rang.
“Manager?”
P’Thian asked, her tone matching my own confusion as I frowned at the caller ID.
Since marrying Toop, this was the first time his manager had called me directly.
Usually, he only dropped by the house to deliver items or pick Toop up for work.
The unexpected call made my chest tighten with unease.
Even so, I pressed the answer button.
[Hello, Mr. Anshan.]
“Hello, manager. Is everything okay? Why—”
I started to ask, my tone betraying my growing anxiety.
But before I could finish, the manager interrupted.
[It’s Toop, he—]
The mention of his name made my breath hitch.
What happened to Toop?