The Secret Lover that I Hate

Chapter 5: Responsibility

After I told my mother last night who the father of my unborn child was, she ordered me to prepare for a trip to Bangkok. Initially, I told her I didn't want to go, but she wouldn't relent, so I had no choice but to agree.

As for my older sibling Jantra, who came along, she hasn't spoken to me at all. I know that Jantra has liked Phetai since childhood. When Phetai became famous, Jantra became his fan from the start. Jantra even said that if she had the chance, she would definitely become Phetai's girlfriend.

The person who was shocked when I told my mother who I was pregnant with was Jantra. Since then, she hasn't spoken a word to me.

“Is there something going on that brought you here?” Phetai's mother asked after she entered the living room. Yesterday, my mother called her to say there was something important to discuss and that we would visit today, but she didn't specify what it was.

“And is your youngest son not here?” my mother asked.

“No, he's busy with the concert tour,” Phetai's mother replied.

“That's fine. I can talk to you alone,” my mother said with a serious expression and tone, while I just sat there with my head down, unable to meet anyone's gaze.

“Please, go ahead and say what's on your mind.”

“Well, my youngest daughter is pregnant,” my mother finally said, which made me tense up, nervously clenching my hands.

“Pregnant? Uh, and...” Phetai's mother seemed puzzled, wondering why she was being told this, prompting my mother to speak again.

“My daughter is pregnant with your son.”

“What?!” Phetai's mother gasped in shock.

“Yes, I only found out about this last night as well. She's four months pregnant now, which must have been when you were away in the province,” my mother explained.

“Uh, how did this happen?” Phetai's mother turned to ask me. Our families aren't particularly close; we were just neighbors back when Aunt Khem, Phetai's mother, lived in the province.

“Well...” I still didn't dare to say anything.

“It's not just you asking. Even when I asked, I got nothing,” my mother said wearily. I just kept my head down, unable to meet anyone's gaze.

"Can we wait a couple of days? Let me talk to my son first. But don't worry, whatever we find out, we're ready to take responsibility," said Pehtai's mother.

"Yes, I understand," my mother replied calmly. Since they didn't get an answer from me, they'll have to get it from him.

"So, where are you staying?" Pehtai's mother asked.

"We've booked a hotel," my mother replied.

"Oh, alright."

"Well, my daughter and I will head out for today. Once you've talked to your son, we can discuss this further."

"Alright," and then my mother took me and Jantrao back to the hotel, which was close to Pehtai's house.

***

Pehtai

"What's going on? Tell me about it," my mom asked after explaining what had happened to me.

"It's nothing," I replied. Should I really tell her? After all, I'm a guy. I don't want to say too much because it might make me look less manly.

"Son, this is serious. Do you know Jaokha is already four months pregnant?" my mom said more seriously after not getting an answer from me.

"And what did she tell you?" I was curious if she'd dare admit what she did.

"She didn't say anything, so I have to hear it from you first," my mom said wearily. But it's not surprising; she probably wouldn't dare admit she drugged a man to trap him.

"And if I tell you, will you believe me?" After all, she has such a good image in others' eyes.

"Just tell me first, and then I can respond," my mom said, looking at me.

"I did have something with her, but it was because she drugged me." You can say I'm not manly, but the person in front of me is my mom. I don't need to keep up appearances anymore. And importantly, if my mom knows this, maybe she won't want to take responsibility for her.

"What?! Jaokha did that?" my mom said in disbelief. I told you she acts all innocent. Even though my mom doesn't often go back to the countryside, she used to be there a lot when I was a kid, so she often saw her and remembered her as a good and well-behaved child.

"You probably don't believe me, but think about it, would I do something like that with someone I just know? Even though I'm a man, and even though that woman is very beautiful, I wouldn't act so recklessly. Especially being in this industry, I have to protect myself more than the average person, right?"

In the entertainment industry, any action can be a liability. The more famous you are, the greater the liability, because many people are watching. Even small issues can become big news. So, I wouldn't do anything thoughtless to dig my own grave.

"Even though you say that, and even though I haven't seen Jaokha as an adult, I still find it hard to believe she would do something like that..." my mother said with difficulty before continuing.

"But still, you're an artist, and now Jaokha is pregnant. You should take responsibility for her," my mother said, and in the end, I guess I can't escape it, can I?

"But I hate her."

I hate her so much that I don't want to see her face again. Not only did she dare to drug me, but she also dared to let herself get pregnant to trap me. I made a mistake back then, letting my emotions get the best of me and completely forgetting about protection. I didn't even stay to ensure she took the pill because I couldn't stand seeing her again.

"Even if you say that, the child in her womb is still your child, my grandchild. You've already made a mistake, and I want you to do the right thing because, in the end, it could be a vulnerability for you."

Yes, if I don't take responsibility for her, she might do anything to make me give in, and that would affect my reputation too.

"Alright, but she'll only be here as the mother of my child. And most importantly, I want a DNA test after the birth, and there will be no wedding whatsoever."

Since she wants to be my wife so badly, I'll show her what real suffering feels like.

"Is that okay, son?"

"Yes, Mom, you know I'm currently dating Minnie. If this news gets out, people will think I'm cheating on Minnie."

"Then wait for now. They'll probably come in the afternoon."

"Alright."

After talking with my mom, I went upstairs to rest. Instead of coming back to relax, I ended up dealing with this crappy situation. Damn!

Now I am sitting here with both parties present, and the woman, since she arrived, has chosen to keep her head down without even looking up. But that's how it is with those who have done wrong; they don't dare to meet anyone's eyes for fear of being found out.

“I have learned about what happened from my son, and we will take responsibility for what he has done,” my mother said to show respect to the other side.

“Anyway, thank you, Madam, for not being harsh with Jaokha,” the woman's mother said.

“Yes, but regarding the wedding, my son is really not ready right now because of the tour commitments,” my mother said, choosing her words carefully as I had already told her that I wouldn't be organizing any event.

“I understand that it's too sudden,” the woman's mother said easily. Perhaps she wanted her daughter to have a husband and didn't want to demand much, or maybe she was simply fed up with her daughter and wanted to let it go.

“But to honor both you and Jaokha, we will have her stay here with us as our daughter-in-law,” my mother said again, and I had to agree with her on this matter.

“I suppose it has to be that way. It's not good for a husband and wife to be apart,” the woman's mother said.

“Alright, let's agree on this then...”

“Ta Pe, apologize to Aunt Na, my son,” my mother said, handing me a tray with flowers, incense, and candles. I had to take it and go down to apologize, even though I shouldn't have to do it.

“I apologize for my actions, and from now on, you don't have to worry, Aunt. I will take care of Jaokha for you,” I said as I thought, and of course, I will take good care of her, making sure she understands the consequences of disrupting my life.

“Alright, Aunt holds no grudges against you. The matter has already happened. From now on, I entrust Jaokha to you,” the woman's mother said as she took the tray from me.

“Yes.”