The Downfall of the King and the Duke:

Everything had to be just right down to the tee. Sappoto-san finally got out of that room and helped Buppha in the kitchen. I was nice to see her out and helping someone else out for a change. I didn’t even have to persuade her to do so. In fact, it nearly surprised me to actually see her there in the kitchen, helping out. I had to take a second look. She turned to me with a tray in her hands.

“Hitomi-chan?” she asked. (I was surprised that she remembered my fake name.) I blinked at her for a long second.

“You’re helping out?” she asked.

“Yes,” she said. I stared at her for a long time.

“But why?” I asked.

“Buppha-san asked me to,” she said. The older woman paused for a moment. “Is that bad?” Somehow, I couldn’t help but to smile at her. I shook my head.

“No,” I said. “It’s fine, I’m just help to see you being social for a change.” Her eyes lit up at my words.

“You mean it?” she asked.

“Yep,” I said. “In fact, I’ll get out of your way.”

“Thank you,” she said. I gracefully stepped aside and let her through. Sappoto-san made her way outside. I turned to Buppha in the kitchen. She stayed over the stove with her back turned to me.

“Are you okay with doing this?” I asked.

“Yes,” she told me. I shuffled my feet for a bit.

“You think your father will be okay with this?” I asked.

“I doubt it,” she replied. “But he has to learn the truth, right?” I nodded a bit, but I had the feeling that this wasn’t the way to do it. Surely, there had to be a better way. Surely there had to be.

“Do you need any help?” I asked.

“No,” Buppha replied. “Malee is asking for you outside.” I perked up at those words.

“Malee’s asking for me?” I asked.

“Yes,” the oldest sister said. “She wants you to help set up the decorations.” It took a moment for that to sink in.

“Oh,” I said. “Yeah, yeah. Of course. Where is she?”

“Backyard,” Buppha replied.

“Right,” I said. “Thanks.” Then, I headed out the back door. Why did I even get that excited?, I thought. Give up, already! She’s straight and you have a boyfriend AND a girlfriend. No more cheating. Just stop now! I looked around outside from the porch. Malee and Sroy carrying boxes over to the garden.

“What’s all of those?” I asked.

“Decorations!” Sroy replied. I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Decorations?” I asked.

“Of course,” Malee said. “We’re having a big celebration after all.” I blinked at her, really lost.

“Big celebration?” I asked.

“Why yes,” Malee replied. “Our brother is home after all.” I nodded as I saw the plan unfolding in my head.

“Oh,” I said. “Is there anything you need me to do?” I asked.

“Yes, could you grab a couple of boxes for us?” my angel asked. I nodded in a happy-dreamy way.

“Okay…” I said. I wandered over and picked up a box. We all carried them over to a huge gazebo in the center of the garden. I let off a low whistle. Whoa! I hadn’t expected all of this! I happened to look towards the house and saw the “king” looking out the window at us. Just by the distressed look on his face, I could tell that he hadn’t expected this. I only smirked to myself. How are you and your little buddy going to get out of this one, huh?, I thought.

Just a couple of more hours to go.

By sundown, the party began. Sappoto-san and I watched as the people walked through the gates to the backyard. I took glances back at the “king” and “duke” sitting at the big table in the center of the gazebo. Look at them trying to keep a brave face through this. I can’t wait to see how these rats weasel their way out of this. I counted all of the people that came to this dinner party. I could’ve sworn that all of Bangkok had shown up for this occasion. I turned to Sappoto-san.

“Have you seen all of these people here?” I asked. She shook her head.

“No…” she murmured.

“Me neither,” I said. Once most of the people had gone into the yard, Sappoto-san and I followed behind. We took our seats at the main table. I kept my eyes on the “king” and “duke” the whole time. For some reason, the “king” looks much more relaxed, cocky even. I wondered how long that would last for the party was over.

Dinner was just amazing. My favorite was the roast lamb. Buppha did a wonderful job with the tenderness and spices. The flavor made my eyes water. Sappoto-san smiled at me the whole time.

“Good?” she asked.

“Yes!” I cheered.

“I helped her out with it,” Sappoto-san said.

“Did you now?” I asked. She nodded at me.

“Well, you did good,” I admitted. Her little eyes lit up.

“Really? You mean it?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. My older friend smiled and took a bite herself.

“You’re right,” she said. I smiled at her. Anuwat-san tapped his glass and rose to his feet. We all looked up at him.

“Everyone!” he announced. “I have called you all here today to announce the reunion between my family and my son! It’s been so long since my first wife left with my only son. I thought that I would never see him again. That was until today.” He turned to his fake son. The “king” rose to his feet.

“Father” he called out. Anuwat-san raised his arms out as if to hug him. Anuwat-san’s wife and daughters rolled their eyes. I counted down to failure in my head.

“Wait!” we all heard someone yell. The father, “king,” and “duke” all looked up to see the real Mamoru. He came off of the porch and out to us on the gazebo. I nudged Sappoto-san on the arm to show her the looks on the “king” and “duke’s” faces. The “duke” looked like he had just crapped his pants. The “king” still had that cocky look on his face. I counted down to the moment that he would crumble. The aging Anuwat-san raised an eyebrow at him.

“Who might you be, son?” he asked. The real Mamoru walked over to our table.

“Father,” he said. “I am your son, Mamoru!” His father’s glass hit the table and shattered.