I told the gang that I can manage going back alone but they won't let me. Mew helped me pack my things while Bright and the others do the same thing. I kept on muttering silent prayers as we keep on packing our things. I can feel Mew's stares at me but I couldn't pay attention to him as of the moment. My heart is beating really fast and it hurts to imagine Aunt Hilda, my second mother, lying in a hospital bed.

She is a very cheerful person and I can't remember a moment where she got mad at me just because I'm an illegitimate son or any of that bullshit. She treated me like her own son because she doesn't have one. She's living alone while managing her own small architectural firm. Aunt Hilda never asked for help to my Mom or to any of her siblings. She managed to get it through life with just by herself and she was my motivation to do the same thing. She became my drive to persevere without depending on anyone. She is not in good terms with her siblings and she only talks with my Mom - that's far as I know.

Mew held my hand while we are in the plane. Bright and the others are sitting in front of us so they can't see us. I looked at Mew and he gently smiled at me before nodding - like he knows that I'm not really in the mood to joke around. He knows that I'm scared right now.

"Everything will be fine babe." he whispered and I can't help but to hope for the best before nodding at him. He pulled me in for a kiss on the forehead before caressing my cheeks. "Don't worry too much okay? You don't know the situation yet."

"B-But what if she's..." I can't even say it because I don't want that to be a possibility.

"She'll be fine okay?" he reassured me before he let me rest my head on his shoulder.

We stayed in that position for the whole trip until we landed in the airport in Chiang Mai. I immediately got my things and rushed outside so I can go to my auntie. Mew held me on my shoulders as we walk outside. Three men in uniform greeted Mew and he nods at them before talking.

"Is the car ready? Have you located the hospital?" he asked in a stoic tone and I almost forgot that his father's company specializes in security and firearms.

One of the men nodded as they ushered us inside a black SUV. Mew sat in front while the four of us sat on the back.

"Gulf it will be fine..." Sinee assured me but I still can't calm down. I don't know what happened to auntie and she's found lying on the cold floor. As far as I know, she's not sick and she's very healthy. I even called her last week when Mew and I were chilling in his room.

I was quiet the whole time we are traveling to the hospital. My heart didn't calm down as time passes by. I kept on pinching my fingers to calm down but it's not helping. I checked on my phone every two minutes but I haven't had any replies from my mother.

The car stopped in front of a huge hospital and I immediately ran out of the car to ask where my auntie is. I quickly went to the reception desk to ask for the details.

"Hi, I'm here to see Hilda Royput. She's my auntie." I said while catching my breath. The nurse in the front desk nods at me before typing something in her computer.

"She's in room A13. Just take the lift on your right side and go to the fifth floor for the VIP rooms."

"Thank you." I quickly said before leaving the desk.

"Gulf!" Mew called as he caught up to me. He held the small of my back as he pressed the button of the lift. "Where is she?"

"VIP room. A13." that's all I can mutter and he nodded before ushering me inside the lift.

"Bright and the others will follow us. I asked them to buy dinner for us first. It's getting late." he explained and all I did was nod at him.

We got out of the lift and we searched for the room until we saw the right one. Aunt Hilda's name was written on the name section of the door and I didn't hesitate to turn the knob to see her.

I hurriedly went inside and my heart immediately stopped as I see her lying on the hospital bed with tubes connected in her mouth, a clip that monitors her heartbeat that is connected to an apparatus and a large pumping machine on the side. My feet and hands went cold as I went near and sat on the chair beside her bed.

"Auntie..." my voice broke as I looked at her face. She looks very uncomfortable with all those tubes connected to her. "Auntie wake up..." I softly said and held her hand.

I felt warm hands on my shoulder and I don't have to look back to know who that is. I surveyed the whole room and saw my Mom, Everson and her husband looking at me.

"What's her condition?" I asked.

"She's in a critical condition." Mom said she was about to come to me but Everson held her hand, stopping her. I swallowed the lump in my throat and decided to just let it go. I don't have the energy to go for another brawl with him or anyone.

"Is she waking up soon?" I inquired once again and mom heaved a sigh.

"We don't know Gulf. The doctors said she suffered from a very bad head injury when she fainted. Her right brain is swelling that made her unconscious. There's also a possibility of blood clot and they told us that it is a possibility too that she will undergo surgery while she's in coma."

"So what are we waiting for? Sign the papers immediately!"

"Are you dumb? The tests are not out yet." Everson butted in.

"Shut up." I hissed and he was taken aback by my choice of words.

"Gulf-"

"I don't have the energy to deal with anyone right now mom. If you will take your son's side then go ahead. My only concern is my auntie." I said in a stoic tone before throwing a glance at Everson who is now looking at me like he's ready to kill.

"When will the test arrive?" I asked without looking at them.

"Tomorrow." Mom replied and I nodded before facing Mew.

"I'm staying here. You should go with the others. I'm fine here." I said but he shook his head.

"I'm staying here with you." he said with finality and I know I can't do anything to change his mind. I just don't want to be a nuisance to him but if he insist then I don't find any reasons why I should decline.

"Mew it's fine... Gulf will be staying here with us." Mom said and Mew threw a glance at them.

"I will be staying with Gulf." he answered, his words are absolute.

Mom heaved a sigh before nodding her head. "I understand. Then just tell us when can we go home for the time being. We've been here for the whole day."

"I'll stay here with auntie. You can go and rest." I replied and looked at my aunt Hilda.

Mom agreed and they immediately got their things before they decided to leave. I didn't have to look at them and see them out because I know they don't even care if I stay here or not.

I stayed in that position for what feels like eternity until I heard the door opened. I heard Bright's voice at the door and I looked at them only to see the paper bags they're carrying.

"Dinner." Zee smiled at me but I don't have the appetite to even eat. I'm not feeling the urge to eat because in front of me is the mother I never had who took care of me during the vacation period of my schooling since I was a kid.

"You can go ahead. I'm not yet hungry." I weakly said but I felt Mew's hands on my arm.

"Gulf you have to eat..." he reminded me and I know he's right but I just don't know if I can eat while staring at my auntie in this condition.

"You can go ahead." I repeated but he shook his head.

"Gulf please... your aunt Hilda will not like it if she will see you like this. Please eat. You have to have the energy for tomorrow." he persuaded me and again, I know he's right.

In the end, I gave in and decided to eat even a little. Every spoonful of food I eat, I keep on glancing at Auntie to check if she's still breathing. I haven't seen her this weak and I don't want her to be in this state for long. I want her out of that bed. I want her to be back to her old self where she will shout for my name for coffee in the morning. I want her to laugh with me when we watch cartoons. I want her to make me food while I sit at her balcony while studying. I want to see her shopping again in Hong Kong or in Japan again like there's no tomorrow. I want to see her chatting with her friends in a coffee shop while I sit beside her, drinking my favorite matcha frappe. I want to hear her defend me from my mom who wants me to give up something again for my younger brother. I want to hear her curse at my Mom again for not taking care of me. I want her to at least... smile at me now... but she can't. She can't do it because of her condition and it's breaking my heart.

I barely slept the whole night and I let Mew sleep on the couch while I stayed beside my auntie, watching her breathe slowly with the help of the huge machine beside her. My heart started to crumble into pieces just by seeing her like this. The only person in my family to ever stood up for me was her and I don't get it why she is suffering this much when all she did is to be my second mother.

Morning came and I opened my eyes only to see auntie, still lying in bed. I bit my lip as I reached for her hand.

"Auntie please wake up..." I pleaded but it was futile. I didn't get any response. Not even a nibble.

Mew stayed by my side the whole morning and our friends brought us breakfast as well. We ate it while I stared at my resting auntie. I don't even have the energy to talk anymore because it feels like I'm giving my energy to my weak auntie.

There's a knock on the door and it opened, revealing a group of doctors.

"Good morning." they greeted in unison and we stood up from sitting on the couch.

"How's ma'am Hilda?" the woman in her late 30's asked.

"Still sleeping doc." I faked a smile and she nods at me.

"Are you a relative of her?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'm her nephew." I shortly replied.

"I see... well, her test results came out just now." she started and I swallowed the lump in my throat as I braced for anything that might hurt me. "It is confirmed that she has a blood clot inside her head but we also saw a tumor in her brain."

My world stopped at the last few words of the doctor. My heart went numb but I can feel pain crawling all throughout my body.

"T-Tumor doc?" I asked and she sadly nod at me.

"Didn't your family know that she has this? She never went for a checkup to any doctors since then?"

"D-Doc how long is the tumor in her brain now?" I asked.

"For about a year now according to the test." she replied and I bravely nodded, still trying to be optimistic.

"Is there anything we can do to get rid of that?" I asked once again.

"Yes. Fortunately, her brain tumor is a grade two tumor, which means the tumor cells grow and spread more slowly than grade III and IV tumor cells. We need to do a surgery as soon as possible and we will observe your auntie inside the intensive care unit after the surgery. We need to make sure that her brain will heal well after the surgery. "

"Please do everything doc." I said and she sadly smiled at me.

"We can't take your words for that sir. We need a direct relative that is of age to decide. Where is miss Frida from last night?" she asked and I quickly grabbed my phone.

"I-I'll call her right away. Where can she find you for further discussions?" I asked while I dial my mom's number.

"Just inform the nurse at the desk so they can call me and we can talk." she smiled at me. "Don't worry, I believe your auntie is a fighter and she can survive this." she encouraged me but it barely changed anything inside me because my head is about to explode with all these information.

I nodded and she excused herself before leaving the room together with the other doctors. I put my phone on my ear and it took a few rings before my mom answered the call.

"Yes Gulf?" she asked, her voice still a little sleepy. How can she sleep!? Her sister is in a coma!

"Mom you have to go here immediately. The doctor came with the test results and she said auntie has a tumor inside her brain. She needs to undergo surgery and you are needed here to fill out the papers. The doctor will also talk to you about her condition. Mom please come over right now... I'm afraid something will happen to auntie if we'll be late even just a minute."

"Okay. Wait for us." that's all she said and dropped the call. I can't believe she's being calm after hearing everything from me! If she's my sister, I would've asked the doctor to do anything just to save my sister. I am more than willing to spend everything I have just for my sister to live. Why is she being so calm is now beyond my understanding.

It took them almost an hour before the three of them came inside the room. Bright and the others left to return to the hotel for the time being while Mew and I stayed to wait for my mom.

"Mom..." I said and came near her.

"Where's the doctor?" she asked.

"I-I'll just inform the nurse that you arrived already. They will call the doctor for you." I said.

"No need. I will go there myself. Everson stay here, your father and I will talk to the doctor first." Mom said before leaving the room.

I heaved a sigh before sitting on the couch. Mew sat beside me and wrapped his arms around my shoulder, comforting me.

"Everything will be fine Gulf. We have to trust the process." he cooed and I nodded but I know saying those redundant words will not help my crumbling system.

"Mew is right. You're probably over thinking Gulf. Mom paid for the doctors here. I'm sure they will do everything for your beloved auntie." Everson said in a very boastful tone and I glanced at him only to see his judgemental face directed at me. "She won't die. She's strong right? She even cussed at mom when you were asked to give up a contest for me."

"Can you stop talking even for a day?" I hissed and his forehead creased. "You're well spoken, I know that, but Everson, I don't need your words neither your presence here. You can keep your opinions and sugar coated words to yourself. I don't need them."

"G-Gulf I'm just trying to cheer you up-"

"Well you don't have the power to do that. All you did is to get everything I have. Now do the family the biggest favor and shut your goddamn mouth before I put a tube in it." I said in gritted teeth.

"Babe..." Mew whispered, enough for the both of us to hear while he caress my shoulder. "Enough."

I bit my lip as I tore my eyes off the abnormal person in front of me.

"Why are you being so rude? I just want you to know that she won't die!" he shouted and I rolled my eyes.

"Then say it in a nice way. No need to tell me that she did something to your precious family." I sarcastically said and he stood up and was about to charge at me when I stood up to face him as well.

"Try." I briefly said and he stopped on his tracks. "Don't test my patience Everson. I've been putting up with your caprices for all my life and I honestly had enough of it. You are nothing without me. If I haven't given up anything for you, you wouldn't have the opportunity to build up your academic credentials. You are just a copy cat - my number two at everything."

"I hate you!" he shouted and I smirked at him without a trace of humor in my face.

"I hate you too." I said and grabbed my phone and wallet from the table on the side. "Since you are here, stay with auntie and watch over her. Tell your parents that I went ahead to hell so I can rest."

"Gulf..." Mew tried to stop me but I just can't. I'm done with everything. Their souls can burn in hell for all I care. I will even donate a whole tree for the fire to burn even brighter!

I stormed out of the room and saw my parents walking back towards the room. Mom's eyes immediately met mine.

"Are you leaving?" she asked.

"I need rest. I haven't had sleep for the whole night. I will just catch some sleep and come back here."

"Okay. Where's Everson?" she asked and I can't help but to scoff at her question.

"Inside the room. He's about to cry when I left him. I don't know if he's throwing a fit inside though." I coldly said and the both of them looked at me with shock evident in their faces.

"What did you do!?" Everson's dad shouted. Great. Now I know where Everson got his loud mouth.

"Told him some facts?" I sarcastically said and he was about to grab me when Mew pulled me beside him.

"Get out of the way!" the old man shouted.

"Try to hurt Gulf and I'll file a case right away. I'll report you for child abuse." Mew said in a stoic tone and the old man immediately stopped.

"Mew we're sorry... my husband is just mad because of Gulf's actions..."

Mew threw a glance at my mom and shook his head. "I don't know if you are aware but Gulf is also your son. If you don't care for him, then at least treat him as a human being. Offending a person emotionally is not something you normally do with others, what more when you do it to your own son?" with that, Mew held my hand and dragged me out of that place.

We didn't talk until we reached the car that was parked in front of the hospital. We both sat at the back and he heaved a heavy sigh before facing me.

"I'm sorry if I have to interfere babe... I-I just can't take it anymore." he apologetically said and I smiled before nodding at him.

"It's fine Mew." I assured him and held his hand. "You've done nothing wrong. Thank you for standing up for me." I bit my lip and he smiled as well before kissing my forehead, not minding the driver in front.

"Thank you." he whispered. "Take us to the hotel please, thank you." he commanded and we zoomed out of that place.

I still keep on thinking about auntie even when we reached the hotel suite. Bright and the others are playing cards when we arrived. They asked me about the details but I don't have anything to say yet. I haven't had the chance to ask mom if she already signed the papers because I was so mad earlier. If I hadn't got out of that room then I could've smacked some sense to Everson but I chose not to. I have never hurt anyone physically or emotionally and I wouldn't want that but that spoiled brat didn't give me much of a choice.

I took a shower and went straight to bed with Mew. We shared the same bed as well and he really locked the door so no one can disturb us from sleeping through the day.

I woke up after a few hours of sleeping and saw that it's already dark outside. I must have been very exhausted for me to sleep this long. I felt Mew's hands wrapped around my body and he is still sleeping beside me. I tried to take his arm off of me but his eyes immediately flicked open and met mine.

"Good morning." he drawled and I laughed.

"It's night time mister Suppasit." I said as-a-matter-of-factly and he laughed with me.

"Sorry." he answered before burying his head on my neck. "Shall we go back to the hospital?" he asked and I nodded. "We should eat dinner first. I called your mom before I followed you in bed. Your auntie's surgery will happen tomorrow morning."

I nodded and got reminded of the real situation once again.

"Thank you." I softly said before sitting down. "I should take a bath again and prepare to go."

"Okay babe." he softly said before kissing my cheek. "I'll cook dinner for all of us. I'll just take a bath in Bright's room."

He did that while I got busy preparing for another sleepless night in the hospital. It took me an hour before I finish preparing and directly