Capítulo 49: 37: Back
Book 4
PORSCHE
"Pete!"
The sound of Khun crying for Pete resonated throughout the house as the smoke drifted around.
In the afternoon, after finishing all the documents needed, and cleaning, we burned Pete's body. Thankhun fell down to his knees, crying and calling out for Pete's name. I saw his situation and felt deep sympathy.
I understand how he felt, as someone who has worked with Pete for a long time. They are almost together every day, twenty-four hours a day. It would be very difficult for him to accept that someone who has been with him won't be returning ever again.
Last night, we sent Pete's grandmother and grandfather back to Chumphon, their province. Tankhun promised to bring Pete's ashes to the island after the parting ceremony is all done, and he will soon follow.
"Yesterday, I forgot to burn a house and car keys for him. I want to send them to him."
Metal buckets were set up in front of the house, plus there were two tanks today. It was another day that Tankhun burned Gong Tek for Pete. He was afraid that Pete would be missing something.
"That should be fine now. Do you have to burn Gong Tek every day? That's enough, what are you mourning for so much?" Khun Korn's voice shouted and cursed his own son tiredly.
"And if he doesn't have a key? How will he enter the house of heaven?" Thankhun turned back to his father who only shook his head impatiently.
Right now, Arm and Pol were the only ones in front of the tanks. As for me and the others, stood by the front door and only looked at him in pity.
"Right now, I'm ordering my people to investigate what happened to Pete. I don't believe he's really dead." Kinn put his hands around my neck.
"Who else?"
Although I had a lot to think about right now, I pretend to be as normal as possible. This afternoon, I went to meet Athi and of course, a lot has bothered me quite a bit.
"I let brother Chan find him for me. I asked him to go and collect the surveillance cameras to retrieve the information around the area where Pete was found."
Kinn patted my head softly. As he said, I still couldn't fully believe that it's Pete. As long as the DNA results haven't come out yet.
"My brother really was heartbroken. If it weren't for Pete, I can't even imagine the life he had become." Kinn added.
I looked at the brother he was talking about who was continuously burning papers incessantly. The emotions today were heavier than yesterday, with more than fifty guards on the house coming to stand in front of the iron barrel to mourn with us.
"Here, the southern curry paste. I let Aunt Prik pound it for you since this is your favorite. Go eat!"
Fuck!
The fire burst into flames once more. We all bowed our heads to avoid the smoke as the smell of garlic stings our noses until tears flow all over our eyes as well.
We all lifted our shirts to cover our mouths and close our noses from the awful smell. Oh, crazy guy! Who burns curry paste and sends them to the dead?
"Ugh, let's make a delicious southern curry!" Khun closed his eyes and shouted then waved his hand to brush off the smoke.
"And this is the car oil."
"Wait a minute, you bastard!! Do not burn your car's oil." Khun Korn immediately protested.
"Why? Pa? How will Pete drive the car? Huh?"
Khun Korn wasn't able to continue speaking. He threw a gallon of gasoline into the tank and of course-
Fuck!
The fire was so intense that it almost burned down the house. We all walked into it, closing the door as a smoke shield. The smoke was much thicker than usual. This fucker! He's going to send everyone together with Pete.
"Oh, someone, get this bastard out of my house!" Khun Korn shouted angrily.
The smoke and the smell were mixed up in the air that it won't be long until the whole house will be full of smoke and we will all die of suffocation.
"What are you going to do about it?" Kim shouted loudly. His hand grabbed Che's head and tucked it into his shirt.
Because my brother coughed until he almost puked. Khun walked over to the other tank.
"Oh, this revenge must be paid. Just wait, bastards. I'll make you all remember Pete!" Khun said in between coughs. His face was covered with black soot because he kept following the direction of the fire.
"Take a pound of Chili peppers and salt. Pour them in and you guys get ready."
He turned to order the other guards standing in front of the board, couching and sneezing. Then he ignited another bucket of fire to burn salt and chilies while cursing the minor family.
"Porsche, do you want to go upstairs? There's a lot of smoke down here."
Kinn pulled me to his chest and tried to pull his shirt to protect my face. The thick smoke was all around, I think I am going to die as well.
"Put more chili in it. I'll burn chilies and salt then curse the minor family so they don't get born again in the next life! Pour it all!" His face was filled with tears, but he couldn't do anything. He stared at the peppers that are being poured into the bucket with so much vengeance. His teeth were gritted and clenched his fists. His face now looked like a villain in the soap opera.
"Ah. All of you, let's chant together!" He turned to command the guards behind him. What else does he plan to do? The terrified bodyguards raised their fists and shouted in unison.
"May the minor clan be devastated!! The subordinate family will perish!" The chorus in unison made me, Kinn, Kim, Che, Khun Korn, Khun Chan, and the other housemaids who came to watch, confused and dazzled.
"That's it! Louder! And add more salt!"
"May the second family be devastated! The second family perished!"
"Oh, I want to die of humiliation." Khun Korn put his hand over his temple in disbelief. Turned around towards the house and walked in. Brother Chan followed quietly and ordered the maids to clean up the soot.
"Good!! Just like that, just like that."
"May the second clan be devastated! The second family will perish!"
"Louder! Karma results and curses will work faster and louder!"
"May the second clan be devastated!! The second family will perish!"
"Enough! Just enough! Stop!" Kinn, who seemed to be unable to bear to look at the chaos any longer, hurried up and shouted to stop them. He pointed at the instigator, ready to curse out and scold at every soul that shouted with Khun.
"What the hell are you doing? That's totally useless! Don't you guys have anything else to do?" Kinn's face was furious and asked the guards.
"Mister Khun ordered us, Mister Kinn." Said one of them with his head bowed down low.
"You are all the same as him. Instead of helping to manage the company, you are promoting chaos. What are you doing?"
"I'm helping manage the house Kinn! Shut your mouth!"
"Can't you find a better way to do it? Oh, I forgot you're a ding dong!" Kinn stood on his feet with his hands loosely placed on his hips.
He looked exhausted. I couldn't bear to see his current state now as much as I couldn't believe his elder brother could do something immature like this.
"Why do you even bother to ask?" I told Kinn after the smoke subsided for a while.
"Well, if you can't deal with the second family with evidence, have you heard of that method? We have to use tricks or a gimmick. With magic or spells. Now, Pol and Arm, let's take a shower."
His body was dirty, ragged and it looked like he had been playing with coals all day. I'm telling you he looked disgusting.
"You have to remember that most, it will bounce back to you. Be careful." Kim said, trying to wipe his shirt off his face. Mucus began to flow out of his nose. It must have hurt a lot.
"I told you, if you want to come and see, then do it. If not, then don't. Ai Pon, Arm, get over here. If you can't do anything about it, I will do it for you."
If I am not aware that he's Kinn's brother, I would beat him to a pulp. I'm getting annoyed at the smell of the burning tanks. It filled the house that I don't know if I could sleep tonight. Plus, he contributed to global warming too. Shall I call the department of environment to catch him?
"You should be careful. His soul will come to the person who misses him the most. And what about the seven days? It's a time a soul keeps track of his footprints. He will return to the place where he is bound! Maybe
Pete didn't even realize he was dead. It will do its daily routine like."
Kim said in a haunted tone that have me hissing. I began to imagine everything that he said and unconsciously reached out to pull at the hem of Kinn's shirt tightly from behind. I'm even more scared than Khun.
"He will walk in and out of your room as he pleases. Right now, his spirit might be wandering around in your room, slowly doing everything as usual. Walk to the bathroom, get your pajamas ready for you, until about ten in the evening. You will sit and watch soap operas together. What are you doing?"
"Enough Kim. Did you listen to The Ghost too much?!" He thrust his elbow at Kim but his face began to lose its color and looked suspiciously at me.
"Is that true?" He asked in unconcealed fear, thinking about everything Kim has said.
"Seriously. Don't think too much that in the afterlife he would have nothing to eat, to use because death itself was a mystery. One thing is for sure, he will circulate around you."
When Kim burst out laughing, I quickly grabbed Kinn's waist and hugged him. The more I think about it, the more I see the picture in my head. Plus th atmosphere in the house has a creepy effect with all the smoke and traces of mourning. With the sorrow and the faint smog, along with the dogs barking around, I got goosebumps all over my body.
"Kim, stop talking. My wife is terrified." Kinn turned to curse at Kim who laughed continuously.
"Okay, we can continue this tomorrow when the sky is bright. Let's pack this stuff. Arm, today you come to sleep in my room." Khun turned to Arm who was doing a good job extinguishing the fire in the tank. He made a dissatisfied grunt as if he wanted to decline but he can't.
Everyone helped to brush off the smoke then prepare to disperse into the house and continue their duty.
"Help! Help me!"
"What?" Khun suddenly turned to his guard who was collecting the coals and putting them in a sack.
"Yes?" Pol's face looked back at him, puzzled. I and Kinn were fazed as well.
He turns to Pol out of nowhere when no one is calling him. What? Is he haunted by ghosts at this early hour? Or maybe he got too drunk from the smoke. Right, he's just gone nuts, oh! He's already crazy.
"Well, you called me."
Khun turned to yell at Pol in disapproval. My mind has gone blank. I think it's not good to stay here anymore. I can't think straight and my heart started beating frantically as my imagination wandered.
"What did you hear?" I gulped down and held Kinn's waist even tighter from behind.
"It's nothing." Kinn gently stroked my arm.
"I haven't said anything yet." Pol replied.
"Oh, why did you call me Arm?" Khun changed his target and asked Arm.
"No. I'm putting out the fire." Arm shook his head quickly.
"Who among you guys-"
Before he could turn to ask, all the guards around waved their hands in denial. Then suddenly, a voice intervened.
"Master Thankhun, help!" At this point, everyone present paled and has gone frozen because we all heard the voice. I pressed myself closer to Kinn's back that our bodies almost became one. I felt my legs stiffen, my heart twitched for a moment. No! I must have misheard it.
"What? Who called me?"
I saw Khun secretly swallowing down but still turned his head left and right to find the source of the voice.
"Master- I'm here."
A hoarse voice and a slight moan floated in the wind. I hugged Kinn ever so tightly, uncaring of the eyes around us. Kinn held my arm as well. His eyes roamed around as I could tell that his face has gone white.
"Kim, did you hear that?" Che' buried his face in Kim's shirt. Their hands began to fold together in fear.
"W-Who called me?" Khun asked, instead of cowering down, still acted bravely and yelled. He continued looking around.
"Who is in there?" He narrowed his eyes toward the fence in front of the house.
But when he stepped closer towards it, all the bodyguards including Arm and Pol, stepped back and gathered together in the stairway at the entrance of the house. They hugged each other tightly, staring together forward in fear.
"Y-Young master, can you see me? This way." The faint shadow waved gently, its silhouette, appearance, and tone made me almost breathless.
Kinn, Kim, Che' and I all hurriedly moved back a few steps in unison. And the rest was like they were about to run at full speed.
"What the heck are you doing there, Anon?"
I don't know if it was because he sees the world in a different way or he's so damn crazy that he cannot process what was happening.
"I-I'm here, Mister Khun." Anon raise his hand and rushed behind Kim.
"Oh my gosh. And you guys say that you love me so much. What are you so afraid of, Jet?" Khun turned to stand with his hands on his waist and scolded the guards who had retreated from him that stood in a row behind.
"Phi Jet has been sick since this afternoon." Pol said then took another step back.
"Young master."
"Who is it? Come out!"
"He's calling for you, bastard." Kim hugged Che tightly. His face is as white as snow as he looked around in fear.
"Young master, help. Please help me." Even though everyone looked scared, they all stood still. All eyes were fixed in front and waited for the source of the voice to appear.
My legs were trembling in fear and my heart felt like it's going to burst out of my chest but I was curious as well. The shadow of the figure began to appear more clearly. An extreme shock came upon everyone as we gasped in unison.
That's Pete! Definitely Pete! But, if it's Pete, what the fuck?!
With his face drenched in blood, he slowly moved and stepped forward. It doesn't help that he was wearing a white shirt that was all stained with blood and unknown marks. My brain stopped functioning and could not process the image. I felt the sudden urge to urinate.
"Ahhh!!!" I shout out loud as I jumped on Kinn, hooking my legs around his waist and my arms linked along his neck. I urged him to run away with my head buried along his neck.
"Pete! Sawadee krub! You animals, help me!" The crazy bastard stood frozen there in front of the house with trembling hands. As for me, I ran away to survive still hugging Kinn tightly.
"Khun! Come in here!" Kim, called at him while he hugged Che' protectively.
Khun stayed there and just closed his eyes, his hands clasped over his ears, and prayed a Thai mantra to call the gods.
"Help!! I- I can't move my legs! Help!" The bastard opened his mouth. His eyes glanced at Pete who was walking closer and closer. And his body trembled even more.
"You bastard! Porsche, get down for a minute. I'll go drag him inside." Kinn took my leg off his waist, but I shook my head quickly.
"No! Don't go! Wait, Pete will fool you and die. What am I going to do?!" I put my face on Kinn's shoulder and held on tighter than before. Now he's carrying me on his back and trying to crouch down to put my body on the ground.
"Pete! Go wherever you like. I promise that I will make merit for you." Kim shouted as he and Che' clasped their hands together and waii'ed at Pete
"Well, I love it here- ouch! It hurts." Pete shouted back, before turning to look at his wrists with bloody lines. "What are you afraid of, young master?"
"Don't fool me!! Help!! My bladder is going to explode!" Khun closed his eyes tightly as he shouts out loud for help.
"Young master, I'm going to assist you to the bathroom. Let's go." Pete was about to reach him but the more he stepped closer, the more Khun trembled in fear.
"He must have died without realizing it." Kim said turning to Kinn who has now successfully removed my legs from his waist.
"Wait here, I'm going to help Khun." Kinn said to me as he sat me down on the floor.
Both of my arms and legs are powerless. My muscles and brain stopped working altogether. The sight in front of me was so frightening that I wanted to faint. I never thought that I would encounter a ghost in real life, I couldn't believe it.
"Kinn! No, don't go!" I tried to reach out and grab Kinn but he ran quickly to help Khun that began to cry out instead of running away.
"Mister Kinn, I'm back." Pete tried to rush forward that all the people watching, who were in fact, all piled up in a cocoon, shouted in unison to stop him from stepping closer to Kinn.
"No!" Pete stopped in his tracks.
"Khun, go in fast." Kinn pulled his wrist to follow him inside the house. But while Kinn was snatching Khun, his legs were trembling. Pete stared at the scene as if he was offended by what he saw.
"Mister Kinn, I'm back."
"Pete, we will make merit for you, I promise." Kinn's face turned pale, pulling Khun, who seemed to totally lose his mind into an embrace. His hands were up in the air, reciting something stupid.
"What are you talking about?" Pete stood in disbelief.
"Tell him Kinn, he doesn't know." Kim shouted. So I turned and glared at him.
"Then why don't you do it yourself? What the fuck are you asking Kinn to do? If something happened to Kinn and got fooled by that ghost I will fucking kill you!" I yelled at him who kept hugging my brother and was hiding behind Non.
"Kinn is stronger than me! Tell him Kinn!"
"Pete, you're dead. Go wherever you like." Kinn said as he dragged Khun to keep walking towards the house.
"Really? Am I really dead?" Pete put his hands on his face and began to examine his left and right torso.
"Pete, we love you. But you don't have to come to see me like this." Arm shouted from inside the house and raised his hands incessantly.
"Wait! When did I die?" Pete frowned. Then he muttered something to himself softly.
"Vegas didn't kill me or did he? Yeah, Vegas won't let me out. What did he do?" Pete frowned thoughtfully.
I saw Kinn pause for a moment before scooping Khun up in his arms and running inside the house, throwing Khun at Kim who protected himself. The bodyguards hurriedly put the buddha figure in the dingdong's hand. Khun started to mutter a prayer until he know nothing of what was happening around him.
"Kinn, where are you going Kinn!" I called out to Kinn as he ran back outside.
"Mister Kinn, I'm not dead. I just ran away from the second family's house." Pete sighed heavily. Every step that Kinn took away from the safety of the house, the people periodically cried and called for him.
"Ahh! Kinn! I told you to come in!" I yelled at Kinn. Even though I wanted to get up and grab my lover's arm back to my side, my body refused to cooperate with me.
"Pete, today, we just cremated you. I'm so sorry." Kinn stopped at a distance from Pete. I could say that he was terrified as he looked at the figure in front of him.
"Cremate me? Today?" Pete pointed a finger at himself which Kinn nodded slowly. Kinn's face was filled with questions and the frightened eyes gradually calmed down.
"Really? But today I woke up as usual. But I hardly slept. In the morning I eat porridge, Vegas told me to go out. Did I die? Then who was Vegas talking to?" Pete seemed to be drowning in thought. He said something I couldn't understand.
"Pete, are you really not dead yet?" Kinn looked at Pete from head to toe.
"I'm sure. I'm not dead. I just ran away from the second family's house. Mister Kinn, try to touch me." Pete held out his hand to Kinn.
"Don't believe him, Kinn! This is what they do. The ghost is deceiving you!" Kim yelled back.
"Itipiso...namosa...namo." And there goes Khun reciting some unimaginable chants while his eyes were tightly closed.
"Pete! Fuck!"
I haven't even uttered a word of warning yet to Kinn, when he flew towards Pete, grabbing him by the arm and hugging him in relief.
"Kinn!!!" I cried out.
"How are you? Oh god! I'm really sorry. I'm sorry Pete! I'm really really sorry!" Kinn said bluntly as he pulled Pete in a tight hug.
"Mister Kinn, I'm fine." Pete beamed brightly.
"I thought I'm going to feel the guilt for the rest of my life. Hey! Thank you for coming back!" Kinn said teary-eyed. A faint smile lifted at his lips as if the whole world was lifted off his chest.
"Kinn, you're being deceived by the ghost!" Kim continued to yell.
"Guys, Pete isn't dead yet!" Kinn turned around and shouted at us happily.
"Ai Pete!" Ai Pol, Arm, Anon, and everyone in the house began to gradually surround Pete in joyous cheer.
"Fuck, we're all dead. The whole house was deceived by the ghost!" Kim said who came out and looked at the crowd disgustedly.
"Stopped blubbering for a while, nah. Move your feet and look. That's clearly a person."
Che' pulled away from Kim and ran towards Pete. As soon as I came to my senses and thought that if Pete was a ghost, he wouldn't be able to hold or talk to anyone. And that smile, that's really Pete, even if he looks like a ghost right now because of his bloody shirt.
"Porsche."
Pete walked into the house with Che' holding his hand and Kinn following behind. I couldn't quite explain how I felt. I was so scared to the point of fainting but now my body felt weak. Kinn lifted me up from the floor and I went straight to hug Pete tightly.
"Where did you go??" I hugged him like never before. My heart pounded in happiness, excitement flowed throughout my system as the hopelessness turned to a flash of light before my eyes. Pete is alive! Tears started to form at the base of my eyes.
"I miss you so badly." Pete said as he tapped my back.
"I was so scared! Fuck. Are you really okay?" I pulled away from him to look at his body from head to toe.
"Yes, I am."
~~~~
"Before anything else, here, look at this crazy guy. His spirit might have gone to the fourth world already. Namo? What is it? Tassa?" Kim said chuckling a bit as he pointed at Khun who was still sitting on the floor and praying.
"Go and take his soul back." I patted Pete on the shoulder who walked straight to Tanakhun and sat in front of him.
"Huh...Namo..." Khun suddenly started crying. Tears fell from both his cheeks, but his hands remained folded and praying.
"Young master, I'm not dead yet." Pete placed both his hands on the buddha statue on his lap and placed it next to him. The bastard paused and looked at Pete with tear-stained eyes.
"Huh? Pete! Bastard Pete!" Then he threw himself at Pete's embrace.
"I'm here now." Khun hugged Pete tightly as the latter heave a huge sigh of relief. His face now calmed.
"I'm scared to death. I thought I'd never see you again."
"I'm fine." Pete patted his back through the comforter that was stashed around him.
Khun cried until he almost throw up. "You really are back, don't disappear again. I won't forgive you."
"What the hell is happening here?"
Khun Korn walked out of the office and was taken aback for a moment before exclaiming.
"Pete! Why do you have to return like this?! My heart almost exploded!" Khun Korn said smiling slightly.
"Sir, I'm not dead yet." Pete pulled away from Khun to stand and pay respect to Khun Korn, saying he's back.
"I see. Let's go and sit to talk. Ugh, the smoke! You guys, get that smell out of the house now." Khun Korn ordered the guards to take care of the smell that has been lingering around the house created by his crazy son.
~~~~
I, Kinn, Khun, Kim, Che, Khun Korn, and Phi Chan including Ai Pol and Arm sat together in the living room of the main house while the others brought in fans and some sprayed air deodorizer to clean the air inside the house.
"Look here, Your bones are still warm. Just burned this afternoon." Khun said teasingly at Pete while handling the urn containing the ashes of the body that has been cremated today.
"As for this picture, I choose it myself." He added, giving Pete the picture with the date of his death.
"Who is this that you cremated?" Pete placed the urn at the center table and asked in a haze.
"Is that- yeah, who is that?!" Thankhun stared at the urn thoughtfully.
"Come to think of it, I held a big event for the funeral, invested over a hundred thousand baht per day, and treated your guests as well!" Khun muttered in wonder.
"Don't tell me that the funeral was for me, not uncle Pong? That bastard Vegas lied to me!" Pete said in a daze. He muttered and gritted his teeth in anger.
"You know about the funeral?" Asked Kinn who was sitting across Pete.
"Y-Yes." Pete was silent for a moment, thinking about his words.
"Is this uncle Pong?" Khun asked in shock.
"N-no. I just thought that it was him."
"You know what? Khun held a six-day funeral for you. With monks giving blessings and all while attending to the guests every day." Kim said smiling.
"You do all that? That was so much!" Pete's eyes widened in shock.
"That's not all, this afternoon, we just sent your grandmother and grandfather back to the province. We made sure they have boarded the plane safely." Khun scratched his chin in admission.
"My grandparents also know about this? Oh my god, they must have been in shock!" Pete digs his fingers into his head and looked so nervous. His face has gone pale as if the world is ending.
"Kinn. Let's deal with his grandparents together." Khun Korn turned to look at Kinn who just nodded silently.
"I'll take care of it myself Pete. Everyone, don't call them in the meantime, if you do that, they will be in shock. I'll let you know tomorrow. You'll meet them soon." Kinn said and everyone agreed.
"My grandparents, by now probably-"
"I will be the sole responsible for all this confusion. Don't worry." Kinn quickly said.
Giving Pete peace of mind. But if his grandparents received a call asking them to return to Bangkok because their grandson wasn't dead after all, what will happen then?
"So, why did everyone think I'm dead?" Pete asked as Pol and Arm helped to wipe the blood off his wrist. I looked at the trails and muttered a curse softly. I saw that Kinn was looking as well and barely blinked his eyes.
"It's Phi Chan. Phi Chan." Khun pointed at Phi Chan who pointed at himself.
"Is it me?"
"Yes, Phi Chan! You said that a dead body was found in the suburbs. Plus, we found your business card in his wallet with the main family's crest. He's also wearing the stainless-steel ring on the middle finger just like you." Khun said in outrage.
"Oh, really?" Pete thought deeply as he looked at his left hand that currently didn't have the ring.
"Is that Tom?"
"Huh?" Everyone who was listening attentively asked in unison.
"Tom, who left last month. He said he was going to work for another company. When he resigned, I gave him my business card just in case a problem occurred, he could contact me."
"Tom? Tom- Oh! Tom who used to be your subordinate. He's been my drone for a while." Khun realized and said while Pete nodded.
"Oh really. Tom said that Pete was so handsome and cool. That Pete was his idol. Oh, I remembered he's wearing the same ring on the same middle finger just like you!" Arm said as he slowly regained his memory.
"Well, we bought that ring together. Mine was already worn out so I took it off."
"Wow, why didn't you say that before Arm?" Khun pointed at Arm's face.
"Well, I have forgotten about it and I couldn't think under the circumstances."
"So this is clearly a misunderstanding." Khun Korn concluded.
"Oh, is this really Tom?" Pete looked at the urn sadly.
"Okay, everyone calms down. Let Chan investigate this. Wait for a while, just in case someone appears again out of nowhere, let's not worry about it in the meantime." Khun Korn hurriedly dissuaded the gloomy atmosphere.
"I'll find it out myself, in case there's foreplay behind it. If it was really Tom, then this has nothing to do with the main family." Phi Chan said quietly.
"I almost cried to death." Khun said.
"The body should have been picked up by the competitor's side. Well, as long as Pete is fine." Kim said.
"It was considered bad luck, Pete." Che' said as he helped Pol to pick up the gauze and cotton that was used for tending to Pete's wounds.
"So, the minor family, what did they do to you?" Kinn asked as his gaze stared at Pete curiously.
His face was solemn and I could see the underlying questions in his eyes that he dared not to ask. Pete saw that and his fingers tightened on his shirt's collar. He turned his gaze away too.
I saw the unusual exchange. Actually, there were no traces of deep wounds on Pete's body. Except for his left wrist and also the faint bruises on his neck and chest which I think looked familiar to me. But I dare say not that thosemarks are—
"That bastard Vegas right? What did he do to you? Tell me!! I'll go and kill him tomorrow!" Khun clenched his fists tightly and smashed them against the table. He looked determined and a little resentful.
"Let it go, it's nothing." Pete said softly.
"What did he do to you? Did he hold you captive? Starve you? But you looked fatter. And strangely softer." I agree with Khun's comments.
Physically, Pete looks strong and everything. In addition, his appearance looks clean, there are almost no traces of being hostage.
"It's ugh..." Pete hesitated like he was in a dilemma.
"I'm going to kidnap Macau or Vegas! I will lock them up and torture them just like what they did to you! Those bastards! Is that a good plan?" Khun spilled his emotions in every word of revenge.
"Alright, it's getting late. Let Pete rest today and let's talk about it tomorrow." Khun Korn said, dismissively and everyone agreed.
I looked at Pete and his eyes seems heavy with thoughts. As if there are so many things stuck in his mind.
"Pete, do you want to be taken to the hospital? I'll take you there." Kinn asked.
"No, Mister Kinn. I'm really okay."
"Go to my room and sleep with me tonight. I'm afraid to wake up and find you gone again." Arm said but Khun inserted between them and held on to their arms.
"I'm back young master." Pete gently stroke Khun's hand.
"I don't know. Why don't you sleep with me in my room? Arm and Pol too." Khun said and the whole house shook their heads in refusal.
"Hey, let Pete rest. You will only have crazy ideas later. Go, let him go." Khun Korn dragged Tankhun off Pete's arm and pushed them out of the room.
"As for that urn, I will have it in your care Arm. Take it to the monk's room." Kinn said and pulled me by the hand then walked out of the hall.
I felt relieved today like never before. The pain of the memories when my parents died slowly fades away. Although my parent's story was not as miraculous as Pete's, I still hold on to my faith that everything will be cleared in time.
I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen. The questions buried deep within my heart reach out to seek answers, it has been closed for a long time, but it looks like it's gradually unraveling on its own.
I sat down on the bed and slowly wiped my wet hair. After going through a lot of bad things, there's one thing I want to solve. The death of my parents.
I pulled the picture out of my wallet. It was a picture that Athi stuffed into my hand in the afternoon we found him at our house. He left some mysterious words that kept haunting me.
[THROWBACK]
"Oh, it's my nephews. How are you?"
"Athi."
I was stunned seeing the face I haven't seen for a long time. My only surviving relative. Athi, was thin, gloomy and his dirty torso has no trace of the businessman he has been in the past.
"Uncle, why are you breaking into my house?" I asked immediately, lowering my hand that held the piece of wood that I picked up.
"You changed the lock. I just dropped by to rest for a bit but I can't open the lock so I have to break it." Athi said with an indifferent look on his face.
"Then why did you come for us?" Che' asked looking at Athi in question.
"Bastard. Can't I miss my nephews? But there's nothing left here anymore. Did you sell everything? There's nothing left of the stuff."
"What are you going to take? We haven't been here for a long time." I said looking at the person in front of me in disbelief.
"Huh, but that's it. You've moved all the appliances to live with the main family. Wow, both brothers are living a comfortable life. Hey, it's good that Korn is feeding you, no, it's Kinn and Kim, right? As if you are trying to sell yourselves." I immediately furrowed my brows at what he said. He must have been following us to know all these details.
"What are you talking about?" Che' was about to rush towards Athi, so I quickly grabbed his arm.
"What am I talking about? Your parents must be proud of having two sons who know how to survive. You'll be fine. You have caught rich men." Athi said mockingly. I clenched my fists, taking a deep breath to calm my emotions.
"But it's still better than stealing even the last furniture that you can sell in a house that wasn't even yours. Aren't you ashamed of that uncle?" My voice began to erupt out unbearably.
"Oh, Kinn hasn't told you this yet? How come?" Athi frowned, he rolled his eyes having fun in provoking me.
"What are you talking about?"
"I thought you are stupid, but I didn't think you will be this stupid." Athi poked my head with his finger but I shook his hand away. "My debt has done its purpose for you. But I believe my last treasure of your father could be sold for quite a big sum."
My brain began to get confused and anger boiled from my chest. I pulled Athi's collar closer. "Whatever you want to say, just say it!"
"Tell them I need money. If they want to keep my mouth shut. Send me money, otherwise, I can't guarantee my silence."
Then he slammed my shoulder. He descended down the stairs and headed towards the door. Distracted, I reached out and grabbed Athi's arm. There was a lot of confusion in my head. Even Che' himself didn't understand and remained silent for a moment.
"Wait a minute! What do you mean uncle?"
Athi turned to pull his arm with a sly smile.
"What? Leave my condolences to Ai Korn too. If you want to know more, send some five hundred thousand. No, you probably have more than a million already. I am sure that if you know about the death of your parents and the main family's brutality, you will have goosebumps for sure."
Athi stuffed a picture in my hand before hurriedly going out of the house. I unfurled that crumpled image. I bit my lip tightly with a sudden sting in my heart. This old photo is—
"That's Mister Korn with our parents and the child that Mister Korn was holding–" Che' looked at the picture and slowly turned to look at me.
The child in the picture was me.
[END OF THROWBACK]
"Honey! Hey, babe!" Kinn's voice made me jump a little before I stashed away the photo into my bag.
"What's wrong, hmm?" I asked stupidly, adamant about the fact that Kinn is already wearing pajama.
"Hmm, what are you thinking?" Kinn pushed me to the bed softly which I didn't resist much.
"Nothing. I am just glad that Pete is back." I said following along even though it was just a fraction of the truth.
"I'm so relieved. When I saw the mourning eyes of Pete's grandparents, I felt so guilty. But now I'm so comfortable." Kinn laid on his side, drawing his arms and legs around me.
"Well, I don't want to see my friend die. And I don't want you to stress and get worried." I turned to look at Kinn who now hold his head by his elbow and was looking at me.
"Speaking of which, do you want a house or a car?" Kinn used his free hand to lightly brush his fingertips on my cheeks.
"What if I want both?"
"Then I will work harder to save the money and buy them for you." Kinn lowered his head and kissed my cheek lightly.
"And if I want glasses, ring, silver, gold watches?" I made a thoughtful expression as I smiled at Kinn who looked back at me in affection.
"I'll get them all for you. Even if it takes a month, I'll find a way to get it for you." Kinn said, smiling down on me but in his eyes were glassy sincerity and truthfulness to his words.
"You– do you love me that much?" My heart skipped a beat for a moment.
Despite all the things that distraught me and his stupidity at times, I like this side of Kinn. I thought about Athi's words and I think those were unreliable.
'The brutality of the main family. If you only knew, you would get goosebumps.'
I sighed because I couldn't get those words out of my brain.
"I love you so much. And do you love me too?" Kinn lowered his head and kissed my bottom lip softly. So I nodded slowly in response.
"But, do you still have anything hiding from me?" I asked because I couldn't help but overthink.
I haven't told him the fact that we met Athi this afternoon because I wasn't sure what I should be asking him really. I don't know what was there to dig about. Athi might be tricking me to get more money. What if there's nothing into it? I will just be making a fuss over nonsense.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just in case you are hiding anything behind my back."
"Actually there is. But I want to talk to Pete first." Kinn seemed to have a whiff of my idea that his face suddenly became gloomy.
"What does it have to do with Pete?"
"I'm not sure. Let's just say, I'll tell you as soon as possible."
"But I want to know now." I urged him.
If it was about my parents being involved with the main family, I want to hear it from Kinn's mouth. Because maybe by then, I will understand.
"Let's sleep babe. I've asked you what you want. Don't you want to know what I want?" Kinn quickly changed the subject, thinking I didn't notice but I just let it slide for now.
So, I turned to him and asked what he want. "What do you want?"
"I want you." Kinn snuggled his face into the crook of my neck before he took a deep breath. His lips began to suck up all over the place.
"Kinn, tell me first, what's going on?" I tried to push Kinn's chest away from me. But to no avail, his lips continued their way. Nibbling along my earlobes softly.
"Kinn. That tickles." My voice began to falter. The warm breath in the crevice of my neck made me doze off easily. My mind began to blur. Because the soft mouth grazed over the same area for a long time. Kinn started to get heavier until–
"Kinn! Kinn." I could feel that he stilled. I was surprised to find him snoring softly.
"Kinn, Kinn?" I shook his arm and found him already sleeping on top of me. I pushed him down to his side and tucked myself closer into his chest. Kinn's arms went around me automatically.
I know it's been tiring for him this past week and I understand if he slept easily like that.
As the days went by and since I accepted the fact that I love him, I never cared about other people's opinions and emotions aside from my brother. But today, I'm worried about a lot of things. I could feel that a big problem is approaching, and it is approaching fast.
No matter what happens in the future, I want to remember this touch of happiness. This scent of love lasts as long as possible and I actually do not want anyone to disappear in my life now, especially Kinn.
~~~~
I woke up very early, probably because I was used to the funeral of Pete that I have to wake up and go to the temple at seven o'clock almost every day. Or another reason why was the emptiness beside me on the bed.
There was no sign of Kinn, not in the bathroom, nor the office. So I went to wash my face and brush my teeth, then went out to find Kinn. I am not used to not seeing him busy walking around the room when I wake up.
What business do you have so early in the morning?
"Woke up early? What's going on?" Arm walked by me on the stairs as I nod to greet him.
"Have you seen Kinn?"
"I saw him walk towards Pete's room just now. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Where are you going?"
"I'm bringing hot milk to the other person who woke up early as well. I know that he would go down to find Pete later."
"Okay." I waved my hand goodbye to Arm and went straight to Pete's room. I don't know what kind of business Kinn had with Pete this early in the morning.
Instead of letting him rest, and so is Khun. That person will be chasing Pete all day for sure.
"Did you sleep last night?" I heard Kinn's voice ask Pete through the slightly parted door of the room. I slowed down and didn't get inside right away.
"Well, I haven't slept yet. I'm going to exercise in the fitness room today."
"What are you thinking? Vegas?"
"..."
"Pete, I will ask rather directly." Kinn's voice softened along with the halting of my footsteps. Maybe Kinn came down to talk to Pete because he didn't want anyone to know about it. Which, I know very well what Kinn is curious about and it's probably the same thing as mine.
"Yes."
I stood next to the door of the room when I heard a faint sound emanating from Pete.
"What did he do to you?"
I kept quiet because that was something I wanted to know as well. Pete had bruises but it wasn't of someone being attacked. In addition, I heard the brutality of the second family. If they caught anyone spying on them, they won't leave the person alive. Which Pete escaped safely. I noticed this as well.
"He hold me in custody."
"Where?"
"In his room."
"Did he hurt you?"
"Well, at first."
"And after that?"
Pete's voice has gone silent. I don't know what he was doing but the atmosphere was so uncomfortable that I could feel it from outside of the room.
"Why didn't you contact me, Pete?"
"That day, when I finished sending everything to Mr. Kinn, my phone has gone out of battery. I hid in the closet and Vegas caught me. I couldn't do anything after that."
"Pete, I'm sorry. You can be angry at me, hate me. But I'm willing to take responsibility for everything that happened. How much damage do you want to claim? Or if you want me to do something, tell me. But everything was a misunderstanding. I thought that you had already gone to your grandparents to rest. While you are still working for me. I'm stupid. I'm really sorry."
"Mister Kinn, why are you apologizing? I do understand. As long as everyone didn't really forget about me, I'm glad."
"I see you as a younger brother, Pete. What would you have me do? You can tell me right now."
"No need. I just might take a leave and go home for a month."
"Do you still want to work here? Or if you are uncomfortable, just give me some time."
"I dare not leave you, Mister Kinn, I never thought about not wanting to be here. But I might need some time off."
"I'm willing to do anything to make you at ease because I'm the reason why you-"
"Mister Kinn, don't worry. I think I can handle everything."
"Alright Pete, when are you going to say goodbye to your young master? Forget it, that won't be good. I could see what you will be going through."
But I'm a hundred percent sure, I do understand the same way as Kinn. It has to do with what has Pete gone through. I have been past that point. Knowing how bad and difficult it is to get past it.
~~~~
"Oh, are you awake?"
I took a few steps to enter, pretending to have just arrived at Pete's room. One thing is for sure, I have no idea how bad Pete is feeling right now. He doesn't want anyone to know about this so I pretended to roam my eyes around.
"You are one to ask." I replied to Kinn who gave me a faint smile.
"Business, early in the morning."
"Oh, Porsche wake up so early." Pete, who just a moment ago talks with a hoarse voice.
Now I can see its full face and he looked fairly shabby. His swollen eyes and dark circles under, reflecting a person who hadn't slept at all and has been crying.
"Have the wounds healed yet?" I tried to adjust my tone. I asked without focusing too much on his gloomy eyes.
"It didn't hurt much. Let's go to the gym with me." Pete persuaded me. He's currently wearing a crew-neck, long-sleeved tracksuit with slim-fit trousers.
"Okay, do some exercise. You've gained a lot of weight, did you notice? If you want to learn new sports, leave it to me."
Kinn brushed the top of my head before turning around out of the room.
~~~~
"You bastard!" Pete yelped as I kicked the sand towards him in enthusiasm as we walk to the gym.
"Huh, it's good to be back you know. I'm glad that you came back." I said. Pete grinned at me. I just found out today that Pete, despite how sad he was, his smile still shone brightly.
"So, are you okay?" I tried to ask.
"I'm fine. I'm okay." Pete seemed to have something in his mind all the time, he says he's okay but to me, he doesn't sound okay at all.
"Good."
I didn't know how much I could say. I want to comfort him terribly but I don't know what's the reason for his sadness if it was because of his bad experience or was it because he kept thinking about someone.
When we arrived at the gym, Pete exercised hard as if he was suppressing something from crossing his mind. He kept himself busy. He ran, watched TV, and invited me to have a chat but I am still terribly confused.
"Good morning! You guys are early!" The ringing voice that arrived hurt my ears that I wanted to throw the steel weights at his face.
"Hello Young master, did you sleep well last night?" Pete smiled at his master like a mouse. Watching Pete, he hurriedly rushed towards Khun's side. I looked at him in surprise because the gym has been here for years but he never visited the room. I wonder if he's feeling alright.
"I heard that you are going to exercise to welcome the new day so I came out early as your friend. You might get lonely." Khun walked over to the treadmill and turned on the engine.
"I'm good, Porsche is here with me. But this will be good for your health too."
Pete extended his hand to press the speed and set the device for the clumsy-looking bastard instead. Like a guiltless fool, Pete served him. I totally understood his actions after the trauma he has gone through this past week due to the thoughts of losing Pete, his favorite bodyguard.
"What are you doing?"
I raised my head to greet the newcomer who was no other than Che'. Today is a holiday so he must have no classes and since he was used to waking up early, he came here instead.
"Hey, good morning. Do you want to exercise as well?" Pete said to him.
"What's the rush? You should get have some more sleep, Pete." Che' walked closer to me and sat down beside me.
"I'm looking for something to do."
"It's good that you're here. Tonight, let's go to Jay Yok's restaurant. To celebrate your return. Good?" Khun turned to Pete and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Okay, I don't want to be in the room anyway. Who will be coming?" Pete asked softly.
"I'm going with you." Che's gaze shifted to me and Khun.
"You're a minor."
Che' immediately lowered his head. I saw this and I wanted to kick my gut as I remembered his confession the other day.
"I'll let you go with us. Who's gonna stop me? Yeah, you're going with me, if not I will go rampant." Khun told Che' but was looking daggers at me.
Oh my, this spoiled brat!
"Are you okay with it?" Che' looked at me cautiously but I just rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"Good. Porsche, go and call to reserve Jay Yok's shop. I will rent it privately tonight. Tell her to not let anyone in. Get the mic ready because I'm going to scream."
"Jay Yok is back from the afterlife? You sent her to heaven, remember?" I laid spread on the mat and turned to ask Khun with all the seriousness that I could muster.
"Then go and light the incense, we need to summon back his soul."
"I am not your slave bastard." I said chuckling softly. This man wasn't to be taken seriously, really.
"Oh, I forgot that you are my sister-in-law. Then please do it for your brother-in-law." Khun smiled at me cheerfully. He seemed happier and more jolly today.
These past days, he used to cry just after he opened his eyes in the morning. I have no idea how much he loved Pete until I saw him cry a river. I'm happy that the atmosphere is now brighter. I roam my eyes around and felt contented.
I focused on my phone, calling Jay Yok's shop as Che' tried to meditate while balancing on a yoga ball. Pete ran until he was sweating all over. Khun's wide grin slowly faded as he gets weakened by exhaustion.
"Ow! Ouch!" Suddenly Khun screeched out loud until he slide through the belt of the treadmill and fell on the floor.
"Young master, what happened?"
"Cramps. I got cramps. Ouch! It hurts!"
Pete hurriedly squeezed and massaged Khun's leg in the calf area. Che' and I walked closer and sat down next to him.
"Stretch your leg." I grabbed his legs to straighten it up. With my knowledge in sports and first aid-like cramps, I was able to live.
"You didn't stretch before coming up here. And you rarely exercise, your muscles can't adapt."
Pete was still squeezing and kneading his leg like that. I could only hold his leg and straighten them.
"Take me to Dr. Top! Oh my, it hurts.."
"You won't die from cramps. Don't be too crazy." I cursed at him.
During the funeral, he ignored the good doctor and now he's back to being in love again?
"Porsche! You are like my mother, you like to interrupt me all the time. You must understand that P'Top is my love." Khun seemed to have eased the pain and started ranting some alien language.
"But, does he love you back? Recently, he came to Pete's funeral. You pour fish soup on Vegas' head. Phi Top was there standing in shock. Have you forgotten?"
I said without thinking and Pete paused for a moment but pretend to not pay attention to what I had said. I cursed myself and silently asked for forgiveness. I didn't mean to say it, as he probably didn't want to hear Vegas' name.
"That's it. Phi Top must have seen my frustration. He likes a passionate person like me. I can feel that he will accept me no matter what." Che' couldn't hold back his laughter, walked over to pick up the massager, and handed it to Pete.
"Oh, that would feel better."
"But that day, Vegas pretends to be unaware of Pete's whereabouts. I should have lifted the whole pot and poured it on his head. What a jerk! Instead of telling me that my man is not dead yet, he had fun watching me mourn! I will definitely take revenge!"
I know that he has said it all without thinking but Pete was silent, his eyes were on the massager. He's like trying to hypnotize himself to focus only on the legs.
"I will take you to have a holy bath in a few days. Your survival story is a miracle. Huh, Vegas is a psycho right?" Khun kept talking as Pete began to show uneasiness.
"How did he become like that?" Che' suddenly asked.
What's wrong with my brother? Why does he want to know?
"I'll tell you, he's been through a lot. Ten years is not enough so let me tell you the latest story. A friend of mine in college told me about it. Vegas is a manwhore. Let's say there are 30 gay men, twenty of them will pass through Vegas' hands in no time."
Pete froze. He took a deep breath and stopped massaging.
"Hey, continue the massage. My leg still hurts." Khun poked Pete who blinked a few times, trying to keep his face as blank as possible.
I'm starting to get a little nervous that Pete might feel bad hearing all these things. Or is there more than meets the eye? I noticed his every move and reaction and I could be wrong.
"Is that so? Then why couldn't he have the other ten more?"
I wanted to take off my shoe and slap my brother's mouth.
"Ten more and that is at Kinn's level." Khun said then smiled smugly at me. Hearing that, my blood boiled.
"Oh, that's fucked up. Right? How preposterous!" He exclaimed feeling angry at Kinn for no reason.
"This envy is so strong and has been there for a long time. I don't know. Maybe it's okay to say that whoever wants Kinn, will soon fall for Vegas as well. I think that is true." Khun has been talkative, and my hands are itching to slap his mouth. I looked at him fiercely.
"Tell me more."
My eyes grew wide when Che' blurted out but I couldn't stop the conversation without getting obvious.
"This friend of mine told me how it was being with Vegas. He said that when they are making out, his hands are tied and he will almost beg for his life. Like this-" Khun raised his hands acting as if it was tied above his head and spoke in a lewd moan.
"I don't want it anymore. I'm scared, stop it." He acted so good that I couldn't help but laugh even though I saw that Pete kept his head bowed down low. I feel sorry for him. Damn bastard!
"Is that so Phi?" Che' tried to hold back his laughter as well.
"I don't want it anymore. Please stop! That's it! Do you believe it? He was blindfolded as well, screaming out of frustration. Recently, That friend of mine went out of reach. I couldn't contact him, I'm afraid he has died. My friend- Ouch! Pete, gently."
Pete seems to be squeezing his legs a bit harder unconsciously. He hastened to relax and hurriedly said sorry.
"I'm sorry Mister Khun."
"Well, the massage is good. It's still tight. But Ai Che', it didn't end here. I heard that Vegas would fuck someone until the eyes of his partner turns white. Can you imagine, when your eyes roll to the back of your head? Friends need to help and slap the other for his soul to come back. This Vegas is so fucked up."
"That's enough. You don't have to talk about it." I touched his shoulder to stop him from talking.
"If your eyes rolled like that, it would be from too much pleasure."
He blurted out as if he didn't hear what I have said. As my brother and the guards around enjoys his stories so much.
"Not more than the hit I received last week. I don't know if I have recovered yet. This is what it looks like. You can only see the whites of my eyes. Oh my god! Pete! That hurts. My blood stopped flowing, are you going to kill me?"
Pete released his hand from Khun's leg and bowed his head in apology again. I think he's acting really weird. I could feel the murderous intent for Vegas, coming out of Pete lightly.
Pete, don't tell me, you can't get over what Vegas has done to you? What did he do? How do you feel about it?
These questions I wanted to ask him but I can't.
"I think you should go up and take a warm bath. It will get better." Pete said in a low and raspy voice.
"Oh, okay. By the way, I used to idolize him." Che' laughed until his stomach curled up and shook his head immediately.
"How about you Pete? Ah, wrong. I can't ask you, you don't have a girlfriend. How about you Porsche? Have your eyes rolled back like that?" Khun turned to me in curiosity so I raised my feet to his face in irritation.
"I want my eyes as it is now. Let me smack you until only the whites are left. Like that?"
If Pete's feelings were what I really thought. By now, the fire inside Pete must have been ignited already and burning.
"I'm sorry. Excuse me." Pete said and walked out of the gym.
"Oh! What's wrong with Pete? Did I say something wrong? Or don't he like people with reversed eyes?" Khun didn't stop talking.
"Call and ask Dr. Top." I got up off the floor and hurriedly followed Pete.
"Oh, Dr. Top must have known something. I'll call him."
"Don't! Don't!" Che's laughter is the last thing that I heard as I went out of the room.
~~~~
"Pete! Are you okay?" I pulled Pete's arm to stop walking because his feet were about to step inside the house.
"I'm okay. I'm fine." Pete gave me a small smile. So I reached for my pants pocket and took out a cigarette and handed it to Pete.
"It will get better." Pete put the cigarette into his lips and I lit it for him.
"Ugh, it feels good. I haven't smoked in a very long time." Pete said as he looked at the cigarette as if it was what he has been looking for, for a long time.
"Don't listen to Khun too much. When you give him something, he will multiply it. When you tell him to divide, he will divide it a lot too. Put the egg in his hands and it will soon be gone."
"Even if what he said was true, it has no effect on me. He can go with anyone, kill them, or be killed, it doesn't matter. I don't care." Pete said in a trembling voice and he took a deep breath. Even if his mouth is pursed in a thin line, the look of strength in his eyes is gone.
"Pete- can you tell me something?"
"..."
"You can consult me about anything Pete. Even though I am not good at giving advice, I can listen to you." I said as I put my hand on his shoulder lightly.
"What a motherfucker. I will forget about him. He probably didn't care that I escaped. He didn't care about anything."
Even though I didn't say it directly. I believe Pete should be able to see that I could see through it all. He won't probably admit it outright.
"Whatever you're saying might just get yourself hurt. Better not talk about it." I replied.
Pete's face darkened every time he fell silent and get drowned in his thoughts. I don't want to embarrass my friend, I just want to make him realize that it was not a bad thing and should be accepted.
"Huh! Since you are the second-in-command here, you sounded saner and talk like a human now." Pete smiled and covered his face.
"Of course I am the same crazy person as you. I just need to be more conscious." I said with a smile.
"Let me have another stick please."
I reached into my pocket and handed him the cigarette box. Upon pulling out my hand, my wallet that I had left in my pocket fell down to the ground and Pete bowed down to pick it up.
"Ah." Pete stared at the picture that I have carelessly stashed inside last night. His brows furrowed.
"Here, your cigarette." I said grabbing the wallet back from his hands and stuffed the cigarette in it instead.
I hurriedly put the wallet back in my pocket. I have no idea if he has seen the picture that causes trouble in my mind. But even so, I came up with an idea.
"Oh, Pete. I need to ask you something."
"Hmm." Pete stood up and smoked the cigarette. He raised his brows at me.
"If I wanted to know about the main family's affiliate from more than ten years ago, who should I ask?"
I should at least tell someone so that I could seek help. But I am very confused about whether to investigate quietly alone or get other people involved, so I asked Pete first.
"Umm, uncle Chan. Phi Chan knows everything here."
"And do you know anything about affiliates?"
"I have only been here a few years. I only know about the little Chocolate Factory." Pete said, puffing out smoke from his mouth.
"Oh, and about the title deed at Ban Ku. Do you know anything?" I tried to think of the question from Athi that day that would make sense.
"What is wrong Porsche? What's with the questions?" Pete asked in puzzlement.
"I- uhm."
Shall I ask Pete for help?
I wanted to be sure if what Athi said about the main family was true or just some nonsense blabbering. I wonder what my parents have to do with this.
"Will you help me, Pete?"
"Me? What do you need me for?" Pete pointed at himself. His face and expression looked like someone who was about to cry out loud.
"I don't trust anyone but you."
"Last time Mr. Kinn told me that as well. Don't you trust other people? Pol and Arm are fine. Those two guys are trustworthy. Trust me." Pete seems to have been traumatized by Kinn.
"But I will not cause you any trouble."
"It seems like you both are really worthy to be husband and wife. Mr. Kinn had said that to me too."
I think Pete will stubbornly refuse.
But I assure you that I will provide you with help to investigate, not lead you to death like Kinn!
I thought for a moment. I still couldn't find a solution to this. Where should I start? We have had a car dealing business before. Could it be that my family and the main family has private dealings before? Therefore, affiliated companies would not be a difficult sect to start.
"Okay! Whatever you need, if I can I will help you." Pete suddenly bursts out noticing that I have gone quiet for some time.
"Are you sure?"
"Actually I'm not. But tell me about it first. Just don't let me break into someone else's house. Not in the second family's house again. Not a chance!"
Pete hurriedly bit his lip as if he had said something he shouldn't. I couldn't help but tease him.
"I promise not to remind you of it."
"Hey, Porsche!!"
I ran away from Pete's grasp for a while. I'm not going to remind him of his troubles, which is Vegas. But seeing the momentary swayed expression on his face makes me want to tease him just for today.
I hope I could easily solve this problem without breaking any relationships.I pray that everything won't turn out the way I thought it to be. Khun Korn and my parents were probably friends before so we took a picture together. Right?
Or might have traded in business. But even so, why doesn't he remember me at all?
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder