My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 36's

Rey stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jeans. "You haven't heard from Logan yet?"

"Not yet." answered Kikan.

Maybe the police officer talked to Logan, and it was more effective than Rey expected. He hopes so. "Good."

"I'd like to invite you in, but it's too late, Jason's school tomorrow and may need to go to bed soon."

"I do have PR" Jason admitted.

"Finish your PR, and I'll invite you to dinner one day. Imminent. What's your favorite food?" Ask her son.

"Spaghetti and meatballs."

"I can definitely make it. If I practice," Kikan added with a sad laugh. "I didn't learn much how to cook before I went far."

Rey wasn't sure if she was included in the invitation. But he didn't ask. "Be careful when closing the door. Make sure it's locked properly" Rey said.

"certain." Answer Kikan.

"Always be careful." press Rey again.

Kikan. "okay"

"Mom's Night." Jason hugged his mother for a while before getting in the car.

Kikan seemed to be amazed by the action but said nothing, not even reacting when Rey said goodbye. Rey starts to circle towards the driver's door, but Kikan intercepts him before he can open the door. "I'll go, you know, if I can. I know my presence in this town makes things difficult for you."

Rey took a quick glance at Jason, who was already sitting in the car and busy putting on his seat belt, making sure the boy did not notice. "We didn't ask you to leave."

"I'm just saying that my departure might make it easier for you. Moving to another city or somewhere not too far away, Jason can visit me occasionally and you don't have to see me at all. Then Lori's family, your family, everyone will be happy. But... my mom. she doesn't want to move, no matter how much I've persuaded her well."

'You don't need to see me at all.' It was as if Rey hated him. "Maybe your mother can't afford to move" Rey said.

"Unable.but if it is independent, I hope it will change, at least to some extent.Fear is what holds it. Fear of the unknown.Fear at the cynical views of people. that's what's troubling her life."

"Tragic." said Rey.

"She may not be a good mother, but I can't just go and live my life away from her when she can't even take care of herself properly."

When Rey opened her mouth to speak, Kikan interrupted.

"I know, I've been gone seventeen years and she's fine."

Kikan must have guessed Rey was looking for a way to reverse her decision not to be in this city. But apparently not, Rey intends to tell him to do whatever he feels is necessary, and that it is the other person who has to adjust. But Kikan was still talking, until Rey didn't get a chance to say it.

"My brother left her, and she was so sure I wouldn't be able to love her either, she was trying to make sure of it."

"With his attitude that is hard to love." Said Rey.

"It doesn't make sense. But...I will show him that I will stay here, with him, in pleasure and in difficulty. If he doesn't get anything else in his life, at least he should get family affection. Family is the most important thing. That's what I learned, and that means I have no choice."

"Jason and I don't matter" Rey said. "Don't worry about us."

Kikan's chest expanded as he sighed deeply. "thank you. I... want you to understand that I am not trying to be a thorn for you."

"I can understand your mother's condition, there's nothing to worry about." Said Rey.

"And Jason?"

"He'd rather you're here." Rey reassured.

"Thank you." answered Kikan.

"dad?"

"Is that including me?" ask Rey.

Kikan looked surprised. "certain. Please follow whatever I do with Jason."

Rey wanted Kikan to say yes, but not for that reason. Kikan seems to assume that Rey's only goal is to meddle in Kikan's relationship with their son.

Rey hoped that was the reason for that, because some thoughts that crossed her mind when looking at Kikan would surprise everyone.

☆☆☆☆☆

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"You're playing with fire."

Kikan continued his work throwing stale food out of his mother's refrigerator. He could hardly stand the smell, but he had been intent on doing this since getting out of prison and actually doing it tonight.

It would be easier to cook for his mother if he could empty the refrigerator.

"You don't want to comment on that?" chirp Ms. Lis from where she sat at the kitchen table.

"What do you want me to say?" ask Kikan. "Rey's my son's father. I can't get away from him."

Lis's mother clucked. "I think you'd be smarter when you're older."

After the incident at the game, Kikan decides to leave the place for the sake of his son, but Kikan has told Rey, Jason is not the only reason he returned to this city. Her mother does not realize that Kikan has come to that decision, and will not believe it if Kikan tells her. "I don't want to miss his childhood, but there's still time."

"Despite her father being a great temptation for you?"

"Enough! Mother has accused me of sleeping with her" Kikan protested. "He didn't touch me so I don't understand what you mean."

"Oh, of course you know. Maybe he hasn't touched you, but you're imagining it."

Kikan hated the fact that what his mother said was true. He began to feel lonely after seventeen years without a partner. At first she thought she could focus more on taking care of the child, at least for the next few years, but her hormones kept working, asking to be fulfilled, and Rey was the couple she kept thinking about.

"You said you didn't like it. Now you find it interesting?" Mother says. "Just because she's nice to see doesn't mean she can be trusted." Mother insists.

"Before the mother didn't even admit it" Kikan pursed his nose when he opened up the stale food again, this time the rice was slimy. Who would have thought rice could smell more disgusting than rotten eggs?

"We were in High School when he dumped me. I didn't expect her to marry me, did I?"

"No, that's what I'm trying to tell you. He won't marry you. So don't let him get on your bed. You're not gonna get anything out of him."

Kikan is aware of that, he knows Rey is not the right person for him. He could not make the relationship more complicated, which from the beginning was already complicated, or threatened his relationship that had gone well with Jason. "I'm not going to sleep with Rey"

"I don't see another man coming into this house."

"I've only been home for a week, Mom!"

"No problem. I'll be looking for another man soon. If I were you, just so Jason's dad would know that he can't use you anymore." Mother says.

"Utilizing me? we both wanted it. We were young, couldn't you believe a little?"

"By the way he and his family doubted you?" Her mother said she disagreed.

Kikan sighed while fixing his plastic gloves. "He could've made things difficult for me, but he's quite cooperative about Jason." Kikan didn't even think Rey would behave that well.

"Don't that wonder you?" ask mother.

"That makes me grateful, that's all." Answer Kikan