My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 58's

Rey felt so moved that Kikan was thrilled to give Jason this simple gift. He was so different from what the Logan family believed... "Can you make a cake?"

" I just tried it. Hopefully the results are good. I mean, it's not the most delicious cake. I should have tried to make it but I didn't have time."

His worries seemed earnest. "Do you think it doesn't taste good?" ask Rey.

" May be good" Kikan said with a laugh. "I can't judge for myself."

" You can't go wrong with using a lot of butter and sugar. I'm sure the kids will like it." Rey.

Kikan took out the biscuit from the package. "Would you like to try?"

Once tasted, Rey immediately knew that the cake was almost charred. But that's not the worst, Kikan uses too much baking soda or salt. If the woman had not sat there, Rey would have spit out the piece she had just bitten.

" What do you think?" ask Kikan expectantly.

Rey tried to swallow it. "It's. it's delicious" he said.

" really? because I don't want Jason to be embarrassed if it's not good."

Rey is also agitated by how the children react, but not for Jason's sake. Although she didn't want her son to feel more embarrassed than Kikan, she knew that woman would be hurt if they complained, didn't want to eat it, threw biscuits at each other or started teasing Jason.

"There's no harm in that." He tried as much as he could to seem convincing, but turned to a small convenience store once they reached the city.

" Why did you stop?" Kikan asked as Rey parked the car.

Rey picked a place where Kikan couldn't see the entrance of the supermarket. "I'm going to the restroom."

" Why not say that from earlier? You can use the one in the trailer."

" Just sit there. I won't be long." Rey rushes in and buys two dozen biscuits studded with chocolate chips, which she then hides in the bushes. Then he went back in and ordered a cup of coffee, as if suddenly wanting a drink, and returned to the pickup.

He knocked on Kikan's window.

The woman looked confused as she opened the glass. "What's wrong?"

" It's okay. I ordered coffee, "Rey replied. "You want to go in there to pick it up while I'm across the street buying gasoline?" tanyakanya.

" Would you like a cup of coffee this hot afternoon?" Kikan. "Isn't it a rage?"

" Today the work was hard. I need caffeine."

Kikan took off the safety belt. "O-kay....." He said the word in a dragged tone as if he thought Rey was crazy for stopping for something so insignificant that they were in a hurry to watch Jason's game.

Rey waited for Kikan to enter the supermarket before throwing the biscuits into a nearby trash can, and filled his plastic container with the biscuits he bought.

Fortunately, his pickup tank was full, as Kikan walked out with coffee when Rey stopped the car closer to the door. "Are you ready?" ask Rey.

" If you're ready." Kikan handed over the coffee before sitting in the passenger seat.

Rey hopes Kikan does not suddenly want to eat the biscuits and see the difference. He doesn't know what he'll say later.

" We're going to be late" Kikan lamented.

" We're on our way."

Rey had a hard time holding back a laugh, but after trying at all costs until the last minute, she did not want to give up. To calm himself, he shook his head. "It's okay. Just relax and enjoy the ride." Rey said.

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As soon as they arrived at the stadium, Kikan picked up a pack of biscuits and jumped down from the pickup. His experience at the last game was not pleasant, but the distance here was far enough that he could not imagine many people from their city would come. Probably just the parents of the players. And he hopes they do not know his identity and background, or at least they are busy with their respective affairs.

A person she doesn't know stops Rey as they approach the stands. According to Kikan's estimation, the person was the father of another player, who eagerly analyzed what the players of their team had to do to beat the opposing team.

When Rey stopped to chat, Kikan continued walking. This was his chance to make some distance between them and, if he was lucky to be spared attention. If it doesn't look with Rey. Perhaps it will not be recognized in this neutral place. So Kikan acted as if it was just a coincidence that they walked side by side.

As the side of the stadium reserved for the hosts was already full, Kikan changed his plan to sit there and go to a mostly empty spot on the side reserved for the visitors' supporters. He wouldn't approach Jason immediately with the biscuits he was carrying. It will only be done after the game is over, when the team is expected to celebrate the victory.

After choosing a place that looked inconspicuous, Kikan sat down. Then slowly exhale. No one was staring at him. At that time, he felt safe as a nameless person and thought he would be able to watch Jason without any interference.

But what happens next, Rey is seen walking up the stands to get to him.

Kikan shook his head faintly to show Rey that he did not expect any company. He prefers Rey to sit somewhere, away from him. But knowing Kikan's efforts to keep him from getting close, Rey ignores him, even waving at some of the people who greet him as he climbs up, which makes him even more of a concern.

Rey is as popular as ever. Jason is now the main player. It happens by itself.

Finally, after making sure everyone was in touch, Rey sat down next to Kikan.

" What are you doing?" whispered Kikan, because the people who had been greeting Rey now stuck out their necks to see her more clearly.

" What do you mean by 'What are you doing'?" ask Rey.

" I understand you're trying to do good by accompanying the trash of society. That's a noble act. And if it involves anyone but me, I will admire it. But I'd rather you don't draw more people's attention to me. So... Please, can you move somewhere else?"

" No," said Rey. "They should get used to your presence. It's better to make it clear, when we've got a small group as a start, that you've come back and watched the game."

But it's not Rey who has to make the decision. "I'd rather not be too flashy, thank you."

" Just smile. You've already served your sentence. It can't possibly attract people's attention."

" I felt comfortable a while ago" Kikan said.

" Just because they don't realize who you are. But they will know that we play at home. You want to be able to come and go as you please, right?"

Kikan pressed both hands hard on the lap." I expect it to happen over time."

" It's like wearing a small bandage, Kikan. It's better to wear it while facing something unpleasant first and then be free of it."

" Just wear your own bandage" Kikan grumbled. "Let me wear mine."

Rey nudged. "I won't let anyone treat you badly."

Kikan looked at Rey, then looked elsewhere. "There's no reason for you to get involved. Who said you had to protect me?"

" I wish I could have done better seventeen years ago, really." Rey really meant it.