Me and Thee: English translation.

Special Last Wake up call #4

At first, Peach was pretty anxious about Mhok and Marn. He couldn't quite predict how the young mafia boss would react to all this. Even though adopting orphans had always been something he'd planned on doing from the very start—and he had no intention of changing his mind it still left him uneasy. 

 

Truth be told, he'd even prepared himself for the possibility that if his wife or partner didn't agree with the idea, he might support the kids in other ways instead. But deep down, Peach knew better than anyone what these orphans truly needed: the love of a real family just like he and Thee had always longed for growing up.

 

"Dad, can I move this to the table now?" Twelve-year-old Mhok asked as he picked up a dish from the counter. His boyish voice, not yet cracked, carried a tone of responsibility beyond his years.

 

"Of course, thanks so much, Mhok," Peach replied with a small smile, letting his adopted son carry the dish without stepping in to stop him.

 

"Then I'll take this one!" chimed in nine-year-old Marn, her tiny frame climbing up two small steps to stand beside her brother. She pointed a small finger at a large white serving bowl, her big, round eyes looking up expectantly, wordlessly asking permission. Peach smiled again and grabbed a stack of four empty plates instead, handing them over to her.

 

"That one's a bit too heavy-and super hot, too. Why don't you take these to the table for me instead? Can you help set them up nicely as well?"

 

"Sure, I remember how!" the little girl said with a cheerful nod, spreading her hands to take the plates with delight.

 

"Thank you, sweetie. Be careful going down, alright? Watch your step," Peach said as he watched her navigate the steps carefully. Only then did he turn to follow Mhok, who had been waiting to walk with him side by side.

 

Peach never stopped the kids when they wanted to help out. The most he'd ever do was offer a few words of caution to be careful. And every time they did something good—whether it was helping him or Thee he always made a point to thank them. Because of that, the house was constantly filled with smiles and a warm sense of pride radiating from the two little ones. But the one who seemed the most affected was the young mafia boss himself. 

 

After discussing parenting styles with Peach, Thee wholeheartedly agreed with their approach. It made sense, given that Arseny had grown up learning to fend for himself, too. He didn't have a nanny doting on him like most wealthy kids. His father had insisted he grow up tough and self-reliant. Still, Thee's overprotective nature kicked in hard when the kids arrived, and he practically overhauled their entire living situation.

 

They moved out of the condo into a detached house on the peaceful outskirts of town, surrounded by nature. For added safety, their closest neighbours were families of Thee's most trusted men. The house was transformed into an entirely kid-friendly space. Every fragile or heavy template, bowls, and even glasses were swapped out for lightweight, shatterproof versions. Expensive, fancy dishes were locked away, and all the utensils were replaced with rounded ones to avoid sharp edges. Knives never made it to the dining table except for a blunt butter knife, and if steak were on the menu, Peach would cut it up in the kitchen beforehand.

 

Beyond the kitchen, nearly every aspect of the house was childproofed. There were little step stools for the kids to reach the sink and the bathroom, corners covered in cushioned guards, plush carpets on the stairs, anti-slip mats in the bathroom, and so much more. The place no longer resembled the luxurious home of a Russian mafia boss in the slightest. And that made Peach happier than words could express.

 

After placing the frying pan in the sink, Peach decided he'd come back to clean up after dinner. Thee's protective streak had only gotten worse since the kids arrived. He was reluctant to let anyone outside the family into their lives. Even the housekeeper was allowed to come by only once a week, under strict supervision from a bodyguard. On other days, Peach handled everything himself.

 

Peach still took on photography gigs, though far fewer than before. Most of his time now was dedicated to his two kids. Ironically, despite working less, his skills had only sharpened, making his bookings stretch two years in advance and at sky-high rates. Still, Peach was Peach. He picked jobs based on what he liked, not the price tag. And now, with the mafia boss's bottomless wallet at his disposal, financial worries were a thing of the past.

 

Peach wiped his hands clean, picked up the white rice bowl, and headed to the table. Cooking hadn't been his strong suit; he used to barely scrape by with simple survival skills like frying an egg. But after becoming a dad to two kids at once, with a husband who could shoot him a sharp, expectant look, he'd slowly taught himself how to cook. He wasn't anywhere near a five-star chef, but it didn't matter.

 

His kids and husband always beamed at him, flashing enthusiastic thumbs-ups before scarfing down every bite, sometimes to the point of practically licking their plates clean.

 

"I'll take that." A deep, low voice beside his ear jolted him from his thoughts. Peach looked up and smiled, letting Thee take the bowl from his hands.

 

"Are the kids done setting the table?" Peach asked as they walked side by side. Thee glanced down at him, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

 

"Not quite. Mhok wanted to do it on their own, so I thought I'd help you instead."

Peach nodded, and together they made their way to the dining table. Four sets of plates and glasses had been placed, albeit a bit crooked and slightly messy. But Peach and Thee still showered the siblings with praise, making Mhok and Marn beam so widely their cheeks puffed out.

 

Once everyone had settled, Peach dished out rice for each of them before taking his seat. The table was medium-sized and square, with four simple chairs, two on each side. Thee sat next to Mhok, while Peach sat across from him, beside Marn.

 

"So, how's it going? It's been a month since school started, hasn't it?" Thee asked, his voice gentle, carrying the unmistakable tone of a dad talking to his kids. Peach glanced at Marn, who was currently chewing on a massive bite of meatball, her cheeks round like a chipmunk's, and couldn't help but smile.

 

They weren't sticklers for table manners. In fact, mealtimes had become a space for family bonding and casual conversations. At first, Thee had seemed awkward, unsure what to say or how to act. But after a month or two, things had fallen into place, feeling natural and easy in a way that now seemed completely ordinary.

 

"It's good, Dad. No problems," Mhok reported calmly, though the faint sparkle in his eyes betrayed a subtle smile. "Next Sunday, we're having a sports day. I signed up for the sprint race."

 

"A race, huh? What date is that?" Thee's brows furrowed as he immediately reached for his iPad to pull up the calendar. Mhok scooted closer, pointing to the date on the screen. Without missing a beat, the young mafia boss grabbed his phone and started dialling.

 

Mr Thee had recently changed his assistant. Mok had been reassigned to work as a close aide for Rome, Thee's younger brother, who had taken over as head of the Arseny mafia family. In Mokh's place, Thee had brought in Raf, a new assistant from Russia, who had flown in to take over the role.

 

"Cancel all appointments for next Sunday... Yes, everything. It's a very important matter-no exceptions. And make a reservation at..." Thee rattled off the name of Mhok's favourite restaurant with practised ease. Peach sat listening to the conversation, a small smile playing on his lips.

 

Thee had fully embraced them as their family. He'd promised, from the very beginning, that family would always come first for him, and he had never once gone back on his word.

 

"That's awesome, Mhok! Sounds like you've been practising a lot," Peach said, turning his attention back to his son to let Thee finish up his call. Mhok looked up at him, his eyes shimmering with excitement. He even puffed out his chest slightly, proud of his progress.

 

"Yeah! I've been practising every evening, and my times are getting better and better!" Mhok replied, grinning ear to ear. Trying to act grown-up only made him all the more endearing, so Peach reached over and ruffled his hair affectionately.

 

"Well done, Mhok. Do your best out there, but be careful, okay? No accidents," Peach said warmly. Mhok nodded enthusiastically before diving into his plate again. Peach then turned to the little girl sitting beside him. "And what about you, Marn? What's your role next Sunday?" he asked gently, looking at her with a smile.

 

"On Sunday, I'll be a cheerleader!" Marn announced with a wide smile that puffed up her round, rosy cheeks adorably. "Teacher said I get to wear a fluffy dress!"

 

Peach's lips curved into a warm smile at her confident words. He and Thee always spoke to the kids clearly and directly, never using baby talk. This approach helped them pick up vocabulary quickly just by listening and remembering. It was something Peach took great pride in, well, to be honest, he and Thee were proud of everything about their two little ones.

 

"Really? I can't wait to see! I bet you'll look absolutely adorable, sweetheart," he said, grinning. Just imagining his little girl twirling in a princess-like puffy dress made his heart swell with affection. His kids were the cutest in the world!

 

"Then Daddy and Dad have to come to the event, okay?" Marn said as she leaned over to hug his arm. Her big, round eyes turned to Thee across the table, sparkling with a mix of excitement and pleading.

 

"You have to cheer for Mhok with me, and you have to come see me all dressed up too, okay?"

 

"Of course. Daddy wouldn't miss it. Is there anything you'd like me to bring for you?" Thee replied, the corner of his mouth lifting into a small smile. His other hand reached out to gently ruffle Mhok's hair in a rare, tender moment.

 

The mafia boss had been smiling much more often lately, even if they were just small, subtle smiles. To the outside world, he was still the same fierce and stoic CEO, but at home, these brief flashes of warmth had become a familiar sight for their little family.

 

Marn raised her hand enthusiastically, her bright eyes shimmering with excitement as her cheeks puffed up even more from her grin. "Ice cream! It's going to be so hot on sports day. We have to have ice cream!" Peach's hand shot out to grab Thee's wrist just as the man reached for his phone. He narrowed his eyes in warning, a silent rebuke.

 

"And what exactly are you planning to do, Kian?"

 

"I was going to book an ice cream truck for the event." Thee paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. "Or I could just buy the whole shop and set it up at the event. That'd save the trouble of booking it every time."

 

Peach raised his other hand to rub his temple, sighing deeply. One thing about Thee that hadn't changed a bit was his tendency to throw money around like it was water, leaving Peach to be the perpetual voice of reason. And to make matters worse, nobody else ever seemed willing to rein him in. It was exhausting.

 

"No way. Too much ice cream will rot their teeth. Besides, if they fill up on sweets, they won't eat their meals, and then they'll end up with a stomachache." Turning to his daughter, he softened his tone but kept his authority intact. "I’ll buy ice cream for both of you myself, but as per the usual deal —just one each, okay?"

 

Both kids answered with a loud, enthusiastic "Okay!" restoring the lighthearted atmosphere at the table. But the peace didn't last long. A moment later, Mhok straightened up, his brow furrowed as he turned to grab Thee's arm, giving it a small shake to get his attention.

 

"Dad, I have something important to report," Mhok said with a serious tone. His narrowed eyes and the determined set of his jaw made him look startlingly like Thee, and Peach had to fight the urge to chuckle.

 

"What is it?" Thee asked, his usual calm expression sharpening with interest. 

 

"Yesterday," Mhok began, his voice dropping lower, "someone kissed Marn on the cheek." The atmosphere at the table instantly shifted. Thee's eyes widened, his faint smile vanishing like a switch had been flipped.

 

Peach blinked in confusion, turning to Marn, who was sitting beside him with an innocent look on her face.

 

"Is that true, sweetheart?" Peach asked gently, though a thread of unease was starting to creep into his chest. Marn, blissfully unaware of the tension building around her, nodded without hesitation, her expression as guileless as ever. But that little nod seemed to ignite a spark. The atmosphere, once light and warm, now felt like it was simmering, on the verge of boiling over.

 

"Who was it?" Thee growled, his voice low and menacing. The sharp edge of anger was barely concealed, and he bit his lip as if trying to hold back a string of curses. Peach considered stepping in to calm him down, but Mhok, now completely unfazed by his father's intimidating demeanour, answered bluntly, his own voice heavy with displeasure.

 

"It was a boy in my class. His name's San. He came to watch cheer practice, saw Marn in her fluffy dress, said she looked cute, and kissed her on the cheek." Mhok replied curtly, his face scrunched up in a scowl. His little sister hadn't even let him see her cheer outfit yet—she'd said she wanted to surprise him on sports day. And now some random kid had not only seen it first but also kissed her? Unacceptable.

 

"It's just a kid. He probably didn't mean anything by it. Calm down, okay?" Peach said, trying to soothe the situation as he placed a gentle hand on Thee's.

 

"Is kissing on the cheek not allowed?" Marn, sitting wide-eyed and confused in the middle of the conversation, finally piped up. She tilted her head in innocent curiosity before adding, "But he said it's because I'm cute and he likes me a lot, so he kissed me. Isn't that a good thing?"

"It's not allowed," Thee stated firmly, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his voice steady and not sound too harsh. "If it's not Dad, me, or Mhok, no one's allowed to touch you. Got it?"

 

Peach let out a long sigh, raising a hand to signal Thee to stop before his temper got the better of him. Ignoring the deep frown on his partner's face, he turned to Marn with a soft smile and asked gently,

 

"Sweetheart, can I give you a hug?" Marn nodded eagerly and threw herself into his arms. Peach hugged her tightly, his hand stroking her hair in slow, calming motions before he pulled back. Meeting her curious gaze, he spoke with a steady, serious tone, making sure she understood.

 

"Mhok, Marn, listen carefully to me," he said, his voice kind but firm. "Your bodies are important, and they belong to you—only you. No one has the right to touch you unless you say it's okay. Even when Dad and I want to hug you, we ask first, don't we?" Both kids nodded, though Marn still looked a little unsure. Peach continued, "If anyone tries to touch you or kiss you without your permission, I want you to run away and tell Dad or me right away. Do you understand?"

 

"But what if I say it's okay? Then it's fine, right?" Marn tilted her head, her innocent curiosity returning. Before Peach could answer, Mhok shouted, "No, it's not!" at the same time as the sharp crack of glass shattering. Peach didn't need to look to know Thee had just crushed his glass in his hand again. He sighed internally. This was the thick glassware, too.

 

Choosing to ignore the two fuming males, Peach focused on Marn, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear and responding gently.

 

"Not yet, sweetheart. Not until you're older. For now, no one else, apart from our family, is allowed to do that. Can you promise me that?" Marn glanced at the pinky Peach held out, her small face lighting up with a bright, cheerful smile that crinkled her eyes into adorable crescents. With no hesitation, she hooked her pinky with his.

 

"I promise!"

 

"You promised me, Kian," Peach said, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at his partner. Thee was busy adjusting his sleek black suit, making sure the fabric hugged his broad frame perfectly. His silver-streaked hair was slicked back, fully revealing his sharp, serious features. The look was polished, an imposing fit for an evening gala or a high-stakes business negotiation.

 

The problem? They weren't heading to a cocktail party. They were on their way to their kids' sports day.

 

"Of course," Thee replied evenly, still focused on fixing his cuffs. "I'm not about to pick on a twelve-year-old, am I?"

 

"And why are you dressed like this, then?"

 

"Well, I have to look sharp for the kids' event. Can't let the other parents show me up, can I?"

 

Peach groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose before letting out a long sigh. These conversations were getting more absurd by the day. "The event is outside. At noon. In Thailand. Do you even realise how hot it's going to be? If you get heatstroke, don't expect me to carry you to the medics."

 

Thee paused, glancing down at his outfit. His brows furrowed, a rare flicker of doubt crossing his face. Peach, spotting an opening, checked the clock before making his move. He walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out something more suitable for the blazing Thai sun—a simple, casual outfit. Handing the clothes to Thee, Peach tilted his head and tried a softer approach.

 

"I picked this out just for you. Won't you wear it? Please?" That was all it took. Thee turned on his heel and strode into the dressing room without another word. A few minutes later, he reemerged wearing a plain black T-shirt and fitted navy trousers. But, predictably, he had thrown a dark brown blazer over the ensemble to add an edge of formality.

 

Peach exhaled deeply. Well, at least it wasn't the full suit anymore. Small victories, he thought, resigning himself to letting it slide. He would take it off when it got too hot.

 

Peach, having made up his mind, headed straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family. At the very least, the kids needed fully stocked lunchboxes-today was going to be a busy, high-energy day for everyone.

 

By the time Peach finished packing up the food, the kids were wide awake. Thee had already taken them to the bathroom. Thanks to their early years growing up in an orphanage, both Mhok and Marn were remarkably independent. They could handle getting ready on their own, which meant neither Peach nor Thee had to hover over them.

 

Thee returned downstairs; one hand holding onto Mhok as he walked beside him, while his other arm cradled Marn with care. Peach, having neatly lined up the kids' lunchboxes, met them halfway. He leaned down and planted a kiss on each of the kids' cheeks as a morning greeting.

 

"You can eat on the way. I've already prepared everything of you." Peach said, smiling as he reached out to smooth Marn's hair. He noticed her still looking a bit drowsy. "Are you okay, sweetheart? You'll need all your energy today to cheer for Mhok."

 

"I'm okay!" Marn nodded firmly before turning to wrap her arms around her brother, forcing Thee to set her down. "Go, Mhok! You can do it! I'll be cheering for you!"

 

Mhok hugged her back, a shy smile creeping onto his face, his cheeks tinted slightly pink. Peach couldn't help but chuckle at the sight before nudging everyone towards the door. 

 

"Alright, let's get moving, or we'll be late." Thee grabbed the bag Peach had packed and followed behind the rest of the group. Being a man who valued his privacy, Thee always made sure that on his days off, or during family outings, all his usual bodyguards were sent home. Only those necessary for security stayed, and even then, they kept their distance. So, naturally, driving the family to the kids' school became Thee's responsibility—one he didn't mind taking on.

 

As they made their way along the familiar route, Thee navigated with ease. After all, he picked up Mhok and Marn after school quite often. But today, instead of parking the sleek black European car by the school's front gates like usual, he drove straight into the grounds. The vehicle finally came to a stop near the full-size football field behind the main school building.

 

The international private school Thee had chosen for the kids offered everything one could imagine: state-of-the-art classrooms, a fully equipped sports complex, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and an activity space where kids could freely engage in their favourite pastimes. There was even a stage with a professional sound system and a skateboarding area.

 

Of course, all of this came at a steep price. When Peach first learned of the tuition fees, he was taken aback, not expecting such an extravagant cost. But Thee had stood firm, insisting that "buying a good social environment" for the kids was perfectly reasonable. He had the money, and he was more than willing to invest it in ensuring the best possible future for them. Although Peach had his reservations, he eventually gave in, trusting Thee's judgment. All he could do was hope that someday, kids wouldn't have to depend on such astronomical sums of money to secure a bright future.

 

The car came to a stop, and Thee parked it smoothly. A few bodyguard vehicles followed at a respectable distance, stationed two spaces away to monitor the area without interfering. The children bowed politely to their parents, a habit they had picked up after just a couple of lessons—and then grabbed each other's hands, giggling and skipping toward the school's sports day festivities. Those kids had such good manners. They could do well after being taught a couple of times.

 

Thee stood with his arms crossed, one hand constantly pressing his phone, which surprised him. Normally, when he was with his family, the mafia man rarely touched his phone unless it was something really important. He usually didn't pay attention to it, but some sort of gut feeling was warning him, so he stepped back slightly and peeked at the phone in his thick hand. Realising he was being watched, Thee not only didn't turn away but also deliberately moved his hand so his partner could see clearly.

 

The feeling of being checked up on by his partner felt like this! Thee thought to himself with a sense of excitement and joy. However, as he scrolled back through the phone, his face suddenly darkened again.

 

"What are you looking at?" Peach asked, eyebrows knitting together slightly. From what he could see, the screen was filled with detailed information about someone, so much so that Peach couldn't make sense of it all. The uneasy feeling in his gut grew stronger.

 

"Enemy intel. Nothing for you to worry about," Thee replied casually, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "It's always good to know what you're up against."

 

"What enemy?"

 

"The family of the kid named San," Thee replied, his tone flat.

 

Peach gave him a tired look before pulling the phone from Thee's hand. He locked the screen with a click and shoved the phone back into Thee's hand, all without saying another word. Then, with a firm tug, he guided Thee toward the sports field.

 

The parent seating area was even more crowded than they'd expected. Most of the parents were mothers, gathered in little groups chatting away. The two tall men walking in quickly became the focus of attention. But since Thee and Peach often took turns picking up their kids, rarely letting the bodyguards handle it, the mothers who were there regularly weren't surprised at all. The ones who seemed most shocked were the parents who didn't usually show up or preferred to send their nannies to take care of their kids.

 

"Peach, hello!" One mother called out, and Peach greeted her with a smile. He recognised her as the mother of one of Mhok's classmates. They'd exchanged pleasantries before, though they hadn't really had much of a conversation. "I heard Mhok's running in the race today, right?" she asked.

 

"That's right," Peach replied with a smile. "Marn's cheering for him. What about your son? What's he competing in?"

 

As Peach spoke, Thee had already found a seat and was scanning the area, intently looking for his kids.

 

Lock is competing in basketball. I heard he's playing with a friend named San."

 

The mention of San's name made Thee's head snap toward them, his eyes narrowing slightly at the name he clearly wasn't fond of. Peach subtly shifted his body to block Thee's view, forcing a smile that wasn't quite natural.

 

After a few more polite exchanges, Peach finally excused himself. He quickly moved to sit beside Thee, taking the other man's hand in his and placing it on his lap. While it looked like an affectionate gesture, Peach's fingers were actually rubbing Thee's hand, trying to soothe him and calm his rising temper. He couldn't let Thee pick a fight with a twelve-year-old!

 

After a moment, the host walked out to open the event officially. Everything moved quickly. The director gave a brief opening speech before letting the kids march in the parade toward the field.

 

Peach focused his eyes on his daughter and lifted his camera, eager to capture the moment. His little girl, dressed in a fluffy pink-and-white dress, looked absolutely adorable. The top had puffed sleeves, and her head was crowned with a pink-and-white flower wreath. Her cheeks, flushed from the heat, made her look like a tiny angel-nothing short of perfect.

 

Marn looked up and, spotting her parents, immediately waved her hand in excitement. Peach waved back enthusiastically, as did Thee beside him, offering a smile and a soft gleam of affection in his eyes.

 

Once the kids settled into their seats, the competition began. They had perfect seats, giving them a clear view of both their daughter in her princess outfit and their son preparing for his race.

 

The sound of the starting gun fired, and Mhok shot off from the start line. Peach glanced at Thee out of the corner of his eye. Thee sat there, arms crossed, but it was obvious he was tense, his muscles tight, and his lips pressed together, never taking his eyes off his son.

 

Peach couldn't help but chuckle softly before shouting his support for Mhok, clapping loudly when Mhok crossed the finish line. Thee did the same, his applause just as loud. Though Mhok came in second place, he was still the best in their eyes.

Peach pulled out the snacks and drinks he had prepared for the kids to have something to eat. In the midst of this, they heard cheers coming from the nearby gym. Mhok glanced over, his face darkening slightly as a trace of annoyance crossed his features.

 

"The basketball game's probably over now," Mhok said flatly, taking the water bottle from Marn and putting the cap back on. 

 

"Let's go, Marn. I'll walk you over."

 

Marn nodded eagerly, jumping off her seat and grabbing her brother's hand. She turned and waved at their parents, who were still cheering them on. They sat in the pink section of the stands, in a perfect spot to see their daughter clearly. Marn was spinning around, jumping and dancing in the cutest way, which made Peach snap hundreds of pictures of her, excited.

 

After a while, the kids from the gym gathered back on the field: The basketball game must've finished, just as Mhok had said. Now, it seemed like only the cheerleading was left, and his little princess had a role to play in the show.

 

However, they didn't expect to see two boys approaching their kids. Peach immediately grabbed Thee's arm and hugged it tightly while keeping his eyes fixed on the group of kids approaching them. The two boys looked about twelve years old. One of them was tall with a honey-toned complexion and a clear athlete's build. The other had lighter skin, slightly golden-brown hair, and seemed mixed-race.

 

The two boys locked eyes for a brief second before the darker-skinned boy stepped forward toward Mhok. The two exchanged a few words, Mhok looking irritated. Then, the taller boy's arm went around Mhok's neck, half pulling, half dragging him away, clearly not accepting any refusal.

 

Peach watched in concern but noticed that, even though Mhok looked annoyed and mumbled complaints, he didn't actually pull away from his friend's arm. Peach felt a slight twitch in the arm he was holding onto, but he chose to let it slide and turned his attention back to their daughter.

 

The lighter-skinned boy walked up to Marn with a soft smile, speaking gently. Marn looked up and returned his smile, her eyes squinting in a cheerful greeting, clearly familiar with him.

 

"You're so cute," the boy said, reaching out as if to pat her head. But Marn took a step back, crossing her arms with a serious expression, shaking her head firmly.

 

"No, no, San. Papa and Daddy said I'm too young for that. No one can touch me unless they ask Papa first."

 

San paused for a moment, but only for a brief second, before his lips spread into a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He reluctantly pulled his hand back, crossing his arms behind his back. Thee exhaled sharply, making a huffing sound, just as Peach let out a long sigh. He felt proud that their daughter handled the situation so well.

 

"Got it. I'll wait until Marn's grown up," San said with a smile, nodding slightly to himself.

 

"Yes, and if you want to give me a kiss, you'll have to ask Papa first."

 

San smiled even wider, his eyes nearly closing, but for some reason, Peach couldn't shake the feeling that there was something mischievous behind that smile.

 

"Okay, then. I'll wait until Marn's grown up. When she is, I'll ask Papa for permission to kiss her."

 

Peach blinked rapidly, feeling the conversation was getting a bit strange. He tightened his grip around Thee's arm, instinctively sensing that something wasn't quite right. It felt like he could almost see the veins in Thee's temples tighten, as if his whole body was tensing up, even his arm shaking just slightly.

 

"That's just a kid, Kian," Peach said, his voice tight, feeling a mix of wanting to laugh and cry at the same time.

 

"We need to cut this off before it goes too far, Peach," Thee muttered through gritted teeth, his tone low and filled with a sharp edge of dissatisfaction. "No one should dare get any ideas. I should shut it down right now."

 

Thee felt a surge of irritation. He wanted to jump up and shove the kid away from his daughter. If his arm hadn't been held firmly by Peach, he probably would've done it already. But he couldn't just shake off his lover.

 

"It's just kids talking. Let's not make a big deal out of it," Peach said, his voice soft yet firm. "Don't make Marn scared, okay? This is a special day for the kids."

 

Thee grumbled in displeasure a few more times before finally giving up on his attempt to get up. Thankfully, the boy named San had backed off from their daughter, and the tension around the mafia man started to ease.

 

They sat there, watching their daughter bounce around joyfully, clapping and singing along to the song. Thee, not knowing any of the songs, focused on capturing pictures of their little girl, content with the moment.

 

Peach chuckled softly when Thee turned the camera to show him. They chatted, complimenting both kids nonstop. Even after the event ended, they remained side by side, smiling with pride as they waited for their children to come back to them. As for everything else, they decided to leave it for the future to sort out.