Chapter 4 Crazy in Love

Parker strolled back into the house, a car keychain swinging from his fingers and a cheerful whistle escaping his lips. Doctor Anan, who had been savoring Auntie Im’s delectable cooking, looked up from his meal with curiosity. he couldn’t help but admire Auntie Im’s culinary prowess—her dishes were a perennial delight, never failing to impress him no matter how many times he indulged. As he surveyed his friend from head to toe, a knowing smile crept across his face, tinged with a touch of wistful longing. He shook his head slightly, his expression a blend of admiration and a touch of nostalgia.

“That’s quite the haul, you cradle robber,” Doctor Anan teased with a grin.

“Is it really that obvious?” Parker raised his eyebrows in playful surprise as he took a seat next to his friend. He wondered how many others might have noticed and whether it would stir any reactions from those around them.

“I’ve never seen you like this before,” Doctor Anan remarked, his eyes widening with surprise. “Could this be what they call being madly in love?” He turned his attention to the tantalizing red tilapia with chili sauce, clearly relishing the dish. “Auntie Im’s cooking is fit for a five-star hotel.”

Parker chuckled, shaking his head. “You’d better not try to recruit Auntie Im as your private chef!” he said with a grin. “Last time, you nearly stole my gardener!”

“What? Is that all you’re complaining about?” Anan shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. “But who’s this young lady? She looks so young—are you saying you’re stealing away a minor?”

Parker grinned, clearly in high spirits. “Lydia is actually twenty-four,” he replied, his tone light and teasing. “And she just broke up with her fiancé.”

“Wait, did you just say she broke up with her fiancé?” Anan’s eyes widened in surprise. He leaned in, his curiosity piqued. “You’re really showing some possessive instincts there, like a king cobra guarding its eggs. That’s intriguing.”

Seeing his friend’s interest, Parker's grin widened. “Tell me everything,” Anan urged, his excitement evident. “And bring me a beer.”

“Would you like it now?” Parker asked, already moving to call the servant. Without waiting for an answer, he instructed the young servant to fetch some beer. Then, with a cheerful mood, he took on the role of waiter himself, serving his friend with a smile.

“We’ve been friends for ten years, and you’ve never mentioned this woman before.”

“I don’t have much to say,” Parker shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. “She’s just the girl next door who went off to study somewhere else. We lost touch for a while.”

“So, you’re taking an interest now?” Anan asked, scooping some pork sausage salad into his mouth. “Were you really so unattractive back then that you’re only now making a move? Why didn’t you go for her earlier?”

“No,” Parker said, glancing at his beer glass. “She’s still young, and there’s a big age gap. Besides, she went off to study far away.”

“Then why did she break up with her fiancé? She doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble,” Anan asked, intrigued.

“Why blame her?” Parker responded, pouring beer for both. His voice was steady and unruffled. “Her fiancé cheated on her with her best friend.”

“Oh!” Anan’s tone shifted to a teasing edge. “So now you’re playing the concerned uncle, taking care of her while she’s down?”

“If he was truly a good person, why would he sleep with her friend?” Parker’s smile was tinged with cruelty, a look of understanding in his eyes. He glanced at his phone, reading a new message, and a satisfied grin appeared on his face.

“What’s that about?” Anan asked, curious.

“Just some background on the guy,” Parker replied, his tone dismissive.

“How quick are you on this?”

“Can things like this really be slow?” Parker shrugged.

“So what’s next? Are you going to make things worse?” Anan took a swig of his beer.

“Sometimes, you have to show the truth for things to change.” Parker raised his beer glass and took a hearty drink. He had done enough of watching Lydia live her life from a distance. It was time to bring her back to his side.

**********

Parker drove Lydia back to her grandparents' home. Since he had informed them the night before that she would be staying at his place, they didn't ask many questions about what had happened. Before leaving, Parker handed Grandma a crate of orange juice, offered a polite smile, and said his goodbyes.

“That family is already printing wedding invitations,” Grandpa said, his voice steady as he broke the news. “He called earlier, asking if we had any additions or changes to make.”

Lydia looked up from her plate, the vibrant flavors of her meal suddenly tasted bland. Her mind raced, struggling to process the gravity of what she’d just heard. Grandma, sensing the shift in atmosphere, didn’t speak but her eyes, filled with quiet concern, were locked on her granddaughter, waiting for her to say something.

Lydia couldn’t stand the mounting tension.

Grandfather lifted his gaze and met Lydia’s eyes with a steady stare. “Is there something you want to tell me, my dear?”

Lydia pressed her lips together, struggling to hold back her emotions. Her grandfather, once a dedicated teacher, had retired years ago and embraced a modest lifestyle. For as long as Lydia could remember, her grandparents had been her steadfast caretakers, far more present than her own parents. She understood that while her mother had insisted she live with her grandparents, she was also responsible for her own expenses.

Taking a deep breath, Lydia lifted her glass of water and took a sip. She glanced at her grandparents, who continued their meal with the same calm demeanor, seemingly indifferent to her inner turmoil. Gathering her courage, she finally spoke.

“Has Grandpa ever cheated on Grandma?”

Grandpa's eyes widened in shock, and he choked on his food. Grandma quickly sprang into action, patting him on the back until he could breathe again. As she settled back into her chair, she took a sip of water and fixed Lydia with a curious gaze.

Lydia’s eyes widened as she observed the scene and drew her own conclusions. “So, Grandpa really did cheat on Grandma?”

Grandma laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, Lydia, for that to happen, Grandpa would need money in his pocket first!”

“What?” Lydia asked, bewildered, but seeing Grandma’s laughter, she couldn’t help but smile herself.

“Yes, where would I find such a thing?” Grandpa asked with a serious expression. “In my younger days, I had so many women interested in me, they’d practically line up.”

“But you chose to marry a nurse like me,” Grandma said, shaking her head with a smile.

“Well, I loved you,” Grandpa replied, his voice dropping to a low, almost wistful tone. “Before I could flirt with anyone else, I had to pass through your parents’ checkpoint again.”

The three of them burst into laughter together, the earlier tension dissolving in an instant. Seeing her granddaughter’s mood lighten, Grandma took the opportunity to speak.

“However, it’s up to the two people involved to decide if they want to be together. Even if the elders approve, if there’s no love, it won’t last.”

“Grandma,” Lydia said quietly, her voice trembling slightly as she decided to share the entire story with her grandparents. They listened with calm composure, showing no signs of anger or regret.

“So, has your grandchild made a decision?” Grandma asked gently.

“I… uh…” Lydia hesitated, her throat tightening. “Joe has asked for another chance. What do you think, Grandma?”

“And do you love him enough to forgive him?” Grandma’s eyes were searching, filled with concern.

“Are you certain this is your first time dealing with something like this?” Grandpa’s voice was steady, though his lips were pursed thoughtfully.

Lydia’s eyes welled up with tears, her face reflecting a mix of fear and confusion. “What should I do?” she asked, her voice breaking. “I made up my mind when I discovered Joe’s betrayal, but I’m scared and uncertain. I don’t want to disappoint or sadden you both.”

Grandpa’s gaze was stern, yet it held a depth of understanding. Lydia could see the weight of his thoughts as he looked at her.

“Sometimes, things happen that make us shed tears,” Grandpa said, struggling to maintain his composure. His voice cracked as he tried to keep his resolve, but the emotion was undeniable.

“The wedding cards can wait,” he continued, his tone softening. “If you find it in your heart to reconsider, then do so. Men aren’t the only ones who make mistakes. If something isn’t right, you shouldn’t feel pressured to make it work. It’s better to be true to yourself and find happiness rather than enduring unnecessary suffering.”

Both Grandma and Lydia were taken aback. Grandpa, usually so composed, had revealed a fierceness that Lydia had rarely seen. His reaction was restrained, but it was clear he was deeply affected. Otherwise, he would have grabbed his rifle and dealt with anyone who had made his beloved granddaughter cry.

The room was filled with a heavy silence, punctuated only by the sound of their breaths and the clinking of utensils. Lydia felt a wave of relief and gratitude wash over her, realizing the depth of her grandparents’ support and understanding.

“Let Grandpa handle this matter for now,” Grandma said, her voice soothing as she rubbed a damp cloth on Lydia’s forehead. “Just relax and enjoy yourself. Don’t let this stress you out too much. Sometimes, things aren’t as they seem, and maybe Joe isn’t meant to be your true partner.”

“Thank you so much, Grandpa and Grandma. I’m really grateful for your understanding,” Lydia replied, feeling a surge of relief and comfort.

Feeling more at ease, Lydia found that talking openly with her grandparents wasn’t as daunting as she had feared. Their support gave her the clarity she needed to make important decisions. As her grandparents finished their meal, Lydia cleared the table, washing the dishes and tidying up the kitchen. After finishing her chores, she took a refreshing shower and slipped into comfortable pajamas. With a bottle of orange juice in hand, she headed to her bedroom, ready to find some solace and reflect on her next steps.

Lydia turned on her mobile phone, which she had kept off since leaving Joe’s condo. The screen revealed a flood of missed calls from Joe and a barrage of unfamiliar numbers. Noticing the calls had come in while she was eating, she felt a twinge of suspicion but wasn’t inclined to return them. The thought of dealing with potential psychopaths, pushy salespeople, or even scammers weighed heavily on her mind.

Opening a bottle of orange juice, she poured it into a glass and took a sip, trying to soothe her nerves. As she glanced at her phone, she began scrolling through a mix of general news and dozens of unread messages, searching for something to distract her.

Suddenly, her phone rang with an unfamiliar number. Still wary, she decided to answer.

“Hello?”

“Have you turned on your cell phone yet?” The voice on the other end was both familiar and unexpected.

“Eh?”

“It’s me, Parker.” His smile was evident even through the phone, imagining the surprised look on her face.

“Parker? How did you get my number?”

“When you fainted, I took the opportunity to look at your phone and ended up calling Grandpa,” he said, his voice warm and unruffled.

She rose from her seat and walked to the window. From her vantage point on the second floor, she gazed out at the sprawling Rung Arun Farm in the distance.

“I haven’t had a chance to properly thank you for everything,” she said, her voice soft with sincerity.

“Oh, you’ve thanked me more than enough,” Parker replied, his tone warm and casual.

As she heard his gentle laughter, Lydia felt a comforting warmth spread through her. Without thinking, she rested her hand on the windowpane, finding solace in the simple gesture. She realized how much Parker made her feel safe and secure—something she hadn't felt in a long time.

“I’m worried that Grandpa might be angry you. This is my personal number. You can call me anytime. Anytime means anytime you want"

“Really? Are you offering 24/7 service now?” Lydia chuckled, lifting her glass of orange juice and taking a sip. Her mind wandered to the image of Parker.

“Be whatever you need it to be,” he replied with a soft, comforting tone.

“Um… anything else?” Lydia asked, setting her glass down, feeling a flutter in her chest at his words. There was an odd, almost flirtatious undertone to his voice that she couldn’t quite ignore.

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. How could she entertain such notions? Parker had always been like a reassuring presence in her life, much like he was when she was a child. It was just his way of caring, she told herself.

“What's wrong? Do you need me to come over?” The concern in Parker's voice was palpable, his agitation clear as the line went quiet.

“It’s nothing,” Lydia quickly replied, regaining her composure after the moment of choking.

“Are you sure? If there’s anything, you need to tell me. I’m worried about you,” he insisted, his tone soft and sincere.

“Yes,” Lydia answered, her voice gentle. The depth of his concern stirred an unexpected warmth in her chest. It felt oddly comforting, making her heart race in a way she had never experienced, not even with her soon-to-be ex-fiancé. She tried to push these thoughts aside, forcing herself not to dwell on them.

“So, what’s your plan now? Are you sticking around at Grandpa’s, or heading back to the grind in Bangkok?” Parker asked, his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity that didn’t go unnoticed.

Lydia blinked in surprise. How did he know she worked in Bangkok? Then again, Grandpa might have mentioned it in passing.

“Well,” she said, “I’m on a five-day break right now. The family wanted to discuss the wedding, but this issue came up first. I’m hoping to sort things out before I return to work.”

“If you need any help,” Parker offered, his tone sincere, “just let me know. I’d hate to leave you without support. Besides, it’s a good reason to stay in touch.”

“Thank you,” Lydia said, touched by his offer. But before she could add more, Parker’s voice took on a playful edge.

“Just so you know, I don’t do favors for free. So, what’s in it for me?”

“Oh,” she laughed, realizing he had teased her. But instead of feeling upset, she found herself amused. She knew that beneath Parker’s playful charm, there was always genuine care and concern for her.

“Relax and take the medicine,” Parker interjected gently. He wanted to keep talking, to make up for the time they’d been apart, but he knew Lydia still needed to rest. She hadn’t fully recovered, and he wanted her to take care of herself. Besides, he felt that he’d made enough progress today. There would be more time later.

“Yes,” she replied, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“Good night.”

“Sweet dreams,” he added warmly.

Lydia set her phone on the bedside table and lay down, letting sleep gradually overtake her. She knew she had to confront her problems on her own, but there was an undeniable comfort in talking to Parker. Maybe it was their shared memories, or the way he seemed to understand her better than anyone else ever could.

It felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her chest. Opening up to her grandparents and receiving Parker's encouragement made every decision seem easier. Lydia felt herself returning to the strong, confident person she once was. That night, thoughts of Joe faded away, replaced entirely by thoughts of Parker.