With Yim gone, Aiden ran up the stairs to the bedroom he shared with White and started his search.
He opened the wardrobe and began a frantic hunt through its contents. When that yielded nothing Aiden looked through the desk drawers.
He found nothing of consequence.
Aiden returned to the wardrobe again and searched it a second time. As before he discovered nothing.
Then an idea popped into his head to look under the bed.
Aiden dropped to his knees and took a peek.
Underneath the bed he discovered a briefcase he had not seen before.
Aiden pulled the briefcase from its resting place and set it upon the bed.
Aiden paced back and forth in between contemplation of whether or not to open it.
He paused and looked at it for a long moment before throwing caution to wind and deciding to open it.
In the briefcase were paper documents.
An envelope caught his attention and in it was a large sum of cash.
Aiden set the envelope aside and picked up one of the documents and quickly scanned through it.
He realized it was an insurance policy.
A life insurance policy.
Aiden returned it to the briefcase without a second and continued his assessment of the remaining contents.
He came across another envelope underneath the documents.
This second envelope did not contain any cash like it's predecessor, rather it was filled with pictures.
Pictures of White and a young man engaged various fun activities.
There were pictures of them enjoying ice cream and picnics together, pictures of them sailing and attending gallery viewings.
Was this Nom? Aiden wondered.
The following day Aiden sat alone in the parlor watching a soap opera but could not really concentrate.
He kept thinking about the contents of the briefcase.
Aiden reached for a magazine.
But after mindlessly flipping through the pages he threw it against the wall and began pacing about the parlor.
Should he tell White about what he had found or simply ignore and let things remain as they are?
After an hour had passed and Aiden had not arrived at a conclusion, he became heartily sick of everything.
He went upstairs to change his clothes and stepped out to look at the shops.
He went to the Village Market which was located in the heart of the resort town. The venue was bustling with activity.
The complex offered a diverse shopping experience including dining, entertainment and cultural immersion.
It was not just a shopping complex, it was a focal point for the community.
A place where families spent quality time together and teenagers came to hung out after school.
The tourists were not left out either as they dive into the local Thai experience.
After buying a few trifles which he thought his parents and his Aunt would like, Aiden decided to explore the back alleys of the market.
It was where the locals displayed their unique handmade goods.
Later when Aiden was about to cross the street, a Bristol car slid to a halt in front of him.
"Get in," Han commanded as he opened the passenger door.
Aiden settled himself in the passenger seat and the Bristol roared into motion.
"How did you know where I was?" Aiden asked.
"We still share locations remember?" Han told him.
Aiden suddenly remembered he never turned off his location app even after they had broken up.
Han had done the same.
Looking at Han Aiden asked: "Where are we going?"
"I went to see my mother and she asked me to bring you back for tea."
Aiden froze.
"Your mother is here and she wants to have tea with me?"
"The answer is yes to both questions," Han laughed as he turned the car into another street. Aiden recognized it as the street where the Sheraton was located.
They made their way through the open air lobby which had sweeping views of the soft sandy beach that seemed to stretch into the distance.
Mrs Alee was waiting for them at the outdoor seating area of The Deck.
It had a stunning view of the lagoon.
"Mother, here is Aiden."
"Nice to meet you Aiden. Please sit down," Mrs Alee gestured to a chair.
"It's been a while and I was wondering what had happened to you."
"There is nothing so charming as a reunion," Han mocked.
Waiters came and set the table with two teapots as well as a selection of savory delights and colorful sweet items.
There were also scones with cream and jam.
"Mother, how do you like Aiden?"
Han leaned back in his chair making Aiden nervous.
""I find Aiden quite charming," Mrs Alee smiled a little but answered his son truthfully.
"Well I find him to be very agonizing," Han told his mother.
"Agonizing?" His mother repeated.
Aiden calmly buttered his scone for he was too amused, too tickled and too annoyed to say anything.
Han looked at Aiden and inquired:
"How much do you love me?"
Aiden shifted comfortably as he dodged the question.
"I do not know."
"Don't be silly Han. I want to have a serious conversation with you."
"At this very moment?" Han sounded unsure.
"What's wrong with now?" His mother persisted.
"You invited Aiden to tea so your conversation should be focused on him."
"Aiden is not a stranger and I do not mind having this conversation in front of him."
"Alright, hit me with it."
"I think you should settle down."
"But mother....."
"Do you not want to settle down?" Mrs Alee asked.
"I do, but you must allow me to decide when I feel it's best to do so."
Han steals a glance at Aiden.
"Do not take too long," his mother quickly added.
They left shortly after tea and drove to Khao Hin Lek Fai.
It was a beautiful vantage point where one could see the whole town of Hua Hin.
After packing the car they made their way up the broad trail up to the top of the hill.
There were a couple of shops along the Broadwalk where one could sit and drink coffee.
They finally got to the top and the view was indeed spectacular. It was also a great spot for bird watching.
They stood next to each other as they took in the panoramic views in all of its awe-inspiring beauty.
Han looked at Aiden and offered a smile.
"Aiden, I have something particular to say to you."
"Is it a proposal?" Aiden asked.
Han laughed. "Something like that."
Aiden held his breath as felt himself melting into Han's eyes.
"I trust you with my life and everything....I love you."
A thousand jolts of happiness suffused Aiden's body.
"I love you," Han repeated again but this time it was a soft whisper.
"I know," Aiden felt a nice glow of pleasure and playfully added. "I think you have mentioned it before."
"Aiden please be serious. Can't you love a little bit in return?" Han demanded.
"If you know anything about anything you will know that I adore you. The whole knows it except you."
Their lips touched in a demanding, insistent and intimate kiss.
A few days later Aiden stood at the entrance of the parlor with a picture in his hand.
He looked at the picture.
It showed White and Nom beaming happily on a sun kissed yacht.
He thought about it once more whether or not to show White the picture.
What would he say? How would he react?
These questions danced in Aiden's mind.
Aiden decided to go ahead and be damned as it was the only way to find out about the mystery of Nom.
Aiden gathered courage and entered the parlor where White was playing chess by himself.
Aiden sat down across from him.
"You are looking wonderfully well," White remarked.
Aiden managed a weak smile.
White studied this chess board and asked:
"Did you like the roses I sent you?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you very much," Aiden returned as he watch White move his knight in an L shape on the chess board.
"What are we doing this evening?" White asked while heavily engrossed with the game.
Aiden responded by placing the picture on the chess board.
White paused with his bishop in as he looked at the photograph for a moment. His expression changed from astonishment to disbelief.
"You searched through my things?" White finally spoke with a suppressed vexation.
"Why did you not tell me about Nom?" Aiden countered.
White composed himself as he sought a response to give Aiden.
"He is part of my past and I do not like to talk about my past," White began elucidate without saying much at the same time.
"Did he really drown?"
"Yes...he did. But I do not like to talk about it."
White dropped his bishop as he broke down. The subject of Nom made very uncomfortable.
"It's something I am trying to forget and I should have told you before."
"Judging by the pictures you two must have loved each other very much," Aiden returned softly.
"I was wrong not to have told you," White managed cheerfully, trying to lighten the intensity of the conversation.
"That's all in the past. I only love you now."
"I am sorry for searching through your things," Aiden apologized.
"It's alright," White forced a smile.
Tears stung Aiden's eyes.
"It's not alright and I don't know why I did it. I felt that I had to do it."
"I completely understand," White murmured softly.
"I think it was the shock of hearing it from Yim."
"Yim was here?"
"Yes, Aiden wiped his eyes with his fingers.
White's expression suddenly changed again.
He glowered.
"Did he say anything else?" White was also very curious.
"No, he didn't."
"I will pay him a visit," White assured.
"I want to invite him to our yacht party," Aiden revealed.
White smiled as his expression changed again to serenity.
"Yes. We must definitely send him an invite."
A week after this conversation with Aiden White unlocks the door to May's hotel suite.
He walked into the partially lighted bedroom and proceeds to the magnificent King-size bed where May lay sleeping.
White stares at her restful figure for a long before climbing into bed and laying quietly beside her.
May finally woke up from her sleep and was visibly startled by the sight of White.
May quickly sat up and scolded:
"You scared me!"
"What are you doing here so early?" May brushed a strand of hair off her face.
White sat up and caressed her head tenderly.
"I came to watch you sleep. Can we have breakfast together?"
May rubbed her neck.
"Please don't creep up on me like that again."
White placed his head on May's lap and said.
"You seem very irritable. What's wrong?"
May looked down at White and asked:
"What did you do to Yim?"
White closed his eyes and said nothing.
May became iffy as she probed further.
"It's been a week and I have not heard from Yim. Has something happened to him?"
"I do not know how to answer you."
"It's not true is it?.... You haven't done anything to him have you?"
White became offended.
"What makes you think that I have?"
"I just have a feeling that you have," May remained unswayed.
"It's best to forget about Yim," White advised.
"That's a harsh thing to say," May said pinching his chest.
"Trust me, it's in our best interests to forget about Yim."
May half frightened by the graveness of his tone asked.
"Tell me the truth. What have you done to Yim?"
White became uncomfortable.
"I cannot answer your question."
"Answer me!" May cried.
White began carefully.
"The truth is a very complex thing and it's rarely simple. We all have to compromise sooner or later."
"White are you hearing yourself?"
"I know exactly what I am saying. Circumstances do alter things," White justified.
"Tell me, why did you do it?" May fought every tear inside her to keep from sobbing.
"You have no right to interrogate me."
White got up and went to the window.
May reached for tissues from the bedside table and wiped her eyes.
"You should not have done that him. He was our friend."
White turned and looked at May.
"I had no choice."
"You could have paid him off," May reasoned.
"No, I won't. He wanted half," White was emphatic.
"What would happen if they find him?"
"I put him to sea. By the time he is washed up there would nothing left to identify him."
After a long moment May now decreed.
"I want you to break things off with Aiden."
White looked out the window as dawn broke.
May continued.
"I no longer want us to through with the plan. If you have made any promises to Aiden you must take them back."
White slammed his fist against the wall.
"Please be understanding. At least give me a month. That's all I ask."
"Alright. A month is all you have."
"It has not been easy these past few months, thinking about you and Aiden together. I have been very jealous."
White turned away from the window and returned to the bed.
"No other woman would just stand by," May finished.
"Yes, I know. But this is us."
"Let me finalize things with Aiden."
May nodded and White sealed everything with a kiss.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoqnQ1hsxM
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DByCMGVPm
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ979L4GQXLA
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT44LcXyu2I
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0smKJWvcr
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN4lpShA5w
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gUyCKvPH3
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlE3GX3M8j
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIo084CtBx
and then Add to home screen.