The sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the beach in deep oranges and pinks. The soft hum of waves crashing against the shore mixed with the laughter of Karan, Korn, Nova, and Lusi, who were still engrossed in their sandcastle wars and water fights. Karan's attention was entirely elsewhere, chasing Korn as usual, leaving the quieter side of the beach empty, except for the small space where **Arthit had followed Mr. Kim and Mrs. Kim**, who had stayed behind to set up a small bonfire for the evening.
Mr. Kim's eyes had been narrowing for a while. Ever since Arthit had appeared earlier that day, there had been something in his gaze, in the subtle tension of his movements around Karan, that did not sit right. Mrs. Kim noticed it too — a weight in Karan's usually lively posture, a distracted look when he glanced toward Arthit. Something was off, and they were determined to find out.Absolutely!
Arthit followed Mr. Kim and Mrs. Kim as they lingered behind the family's beach bonfire setup. He had sensed something in Mr. Kim's eyes earlier — a subtle worry, a silent question. And now, Mr. Kim had decided to confront him.
"Arthit," Mr. Kim said, his tone calm but firm, "I've been watching you around Karan. Something isn't right. I want the truth. What's going on between you and my son?"
Arthit froze for a heartbeat. The soft waves whispered behind him, but the question hit harder than he expected. He squared his shoulders and met Mr. Kim's gaze.
"It's not simple… but I owe you honesty," Arthit said carefully. "I… love Karan."
Mr. Kim's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his features. "Love… Karan?"
Mrs. Kim gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "Arthit… you're serious?"
Arthit nodded. "Completely. I've loved him from the moment I saw him. I never intended to hide it, but I also wanted to ensure he's safe, happy… and that I can be the one to protect him."
Mr. Kim's jaw tightened, his voice rising slightly. "You're telling me that you… a young man with a fiancée already, who is meant to secure family business alliances… loves my son?!"
"Yes," Arthit said steadily. "I have a fiancée, Arshiya, arranged for business purposes. But she is not my heart. She is a contract, a formality, a family strategy. My feelings for her do not exist. My heart… my loyalty… belong to Karan."
Mrs. Kim's hands trembled as she stepped closer to her husband. "Arthit… that's… shocking. And dangerous. What about Karan? Do you understand how this could hurt him?"
"I do," Arthit replied softly, his eyes flicking to the distance where Karan and his friends laughed. "That's why I'm here. Not to disrupt his life, but to ask for your permission. Permission to be someone who will protect him, support him, and stand by him — no matter what comes."
Mr. Kim's fists clenched, then relaxed. "You… want to protect my son? You want to be there for him, despite the… chaos this could cause?"
"Yes," Arthit said, his voice unwavering. "I will do everything to ensure he is safe. I will do everything to support him, even if it means risking my own reputation, my family's plans, everything. I only ask that you trust me — and allow me to be by his side."
Mrs. Kim's eyes filled with tears. "Arthit… if this is truly your heart… then we trust you."
Mr. Kim shook his head, incredulous. "You're brave… or foolish. I can't tell which. But I see your sincerity. If you truly love him and truly wish to protect him… then… I will give you my blessing. My permission."
Arthit bowed slightly, a shy smile breaking across his normally composed face. "Thank you. I… I won't let you down. I promise."
Mrs. Kim's lips curved into a small smile. "You may not realize it, but we are entrusting our son's happiness to you. That is a great responsibility, Arthit."
"I understand," he said. "And I swear… Karan will always be safe. Always happy. I'll handle everything else. You don't have to worry."
A long silence fell over the three of them. The waves crashed softly behind them, as though echoing the weight of the moment. Then, after a pause, Mr. Kim shook his head with a mixture of disbelief and humor.
"You… son-in-law," he said bluntly, his voice firm.
Arthit's eyes widened, his cheeks coloring slightly. "S… son-in-law?" he whispered, caught off guard.
"Yes," Mrs. Kim said warmly. "You are now part of this family. Not yet married, of course, but if Karan chooses you, you will be our son-in-law. Understand?"
Arthit's heart raced. He had imagined this moment in his mind countless times, but never like this — quiet, intense, and with the blessing of Karan's parents. "I… I will not fail. I will take care of him. Always," he said, bowing slightly, shy but resolute.
Mr. Kim let out a deep breath, a small, reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "We will be watching, Arthit. You're part of this family now… but remember, Karan is our son. Protect him, yes — but also respect him. Never forget that."
"I promise," Arthit said softly, his gaze flickering toward the distance, toward Karan running along the shoreline with his friends. "I swear… I will never hurt him. Never. Not now, not ever."
Mrs. Kim reached out and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "If what you say is true, Arthit, then perhaps… perhaps we can trust you."
"I will prove it," he said, his usual composed aura breaking into a faint, shy smile.
The waves lapped gently at the shore, the sun dipping lower, casting gold over the water. For the first time in weeks, Arthit allowed himself to feel a quiet relief. The Kim family had accepted him — accepted his love, his intentions, and his promise to protect Karan.
As he looked back at the ocean, the laughter of Karan and the others reached his ears, warm and untainted. Arthit clenched his fists, determination filling him. *I will keep him safe. I will love him openly when the time is right. And no matter what, he will always be mine.*
A small laugh escaped Mrs. Kim. "Go on… be a good son-in-law. Don't disappoint us, Arthit."
Arthit's cheeks darkened, but a confident, almost tender smile spread across his face. "I… won't," he whispered, almost to himself.
For now, the beach was calm. The sea whispered, the sun dipped lower, and the world felt right — if only for this moment. The promise had been made. The path was set. And Arthit, shy yet determined, had joined the Kim family in heart, if not yet in name.
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End of Chapter 10 — The Son-in-Law promise