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Kim has never been kind.
Her hands were calloused not because of strumming the guitar, but because of the gun she has held too many times. The hardness in her eyes earned from scenes of piled up bodies and spilled blood. A tongue trained to lure a rat into a trap. Is her red nail polish really nail polish?
Big knows this. Everyone knew it, in fact. Kim hasn't appeared in the mafia world for a long time, but the fact that she still makes men larger than her shudder was a testament to how much power she holds in her hands. Throughout her time with the youngest sister, Kim had never revealed anything. Not by accident. If she had, it was on purpose.
It was almost boring.
Other than when she'd be called to run an errand or get information, she was almost not needed. In fact, she was free most of the time.
Until a few months ago.
Big is not sure what happened.
One day, she had opened the door with a file in hand. She was greeted by a unique sight. Kim's eyes were bloodshot, glassy from tears that left a track down her cheeks. Her hair was bunched up in her hands, nails buried within it. Blood dripped from her head. Her usually moist and red lips were chapped and dry, forming an 'o'. A box was opened on the table.
Big could almost cry. How was she still so beautiful? Were all Theerapanyakuls like this??
Finally, Kim seemed to snap out of it. Big flinched, stepping back slowly. Lord help her.
Kim slowly stood up, like some sort of beast ready to pounce on her and make her dinner. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and her lips were now forming a scowl.
"Get. Out." she spoke in a hoarse voice.
Big did not move.
Kim's chest rose and dove. "I said," she took a step forward. "Get out! "
Big apologized, and hastily went out.
What... What was that?
Big shook her head, it was none of her business. She left as she heard a muffled thump and a roar.
A few months from that, she'd get her answer.
"Madam." She bowed her head formally.
Kim doesn't spare her a glance, of course. "I need you to follow someone for me." she said, focused on her phone.
"Of course, madam. Who is it?"
That's where she pauses, before showing her phone. Big looks up. On the picture displayed is a smiling young girl, no more than 18. She wore a pink sweater, worn out but well loved. Her hair was cropped short just by chin length and went in all sorts of directions .
She knows her. A few months ago, she was a topic of interest for the madam. However, she had never seen this picture before on the files. It also looked like... Like it was taken by Kim herself.
Hm.
"Seen enough?" Kim spoke coldly, taking away the image. "She's at Theerapanyakul Manor. Provide me with information of her whereabouts and whatever I want to know about her. Keep her safe at all costs, understand?"
Big salutes. "Yes, ma'am."
"But if I may ask..."
Kim looks up. "Hm?"
Big's heart thumps. "Why are you suddenly interested in that girl again, ma'am?"
Kim remains silent, looking out into the city for a moment before turning away.
"... Just do your duty."
She salutes and goes.
Now, we're at present. Chay is boring as well. She is fond of sweaters, Big notes. Rarely goes without one. Big snaps a picture of her walking the halls and sends it to Kim. Almost immediately, Kim seens it. Big was about to turn off the phone before seeing that Kim was typing.
Kim Theerapanyakul : Did she do anything today?
Big sighs. By anything, she meant what the girl had done today. It included if she went out, if she was watching a new show, or was reading a book or playing a song on loop. Or something good happened. She thinks back. Then types:
Nothing much, maam. Just the usual, but she did wake up early. At 3am, she went out to the convenience store to get a cup of coffee. That's about it. For the rest of the day, she was inside.
A beat.
Okay.
This is how it is for a while. A long while. There are guards assigned to Chay, however Big knew that they got bored of Chay often and left her to do things on her own. They weren't bad, actually. They respected Chay a good amount, which was why they let her own her independence.
It makes sense. Chay is the younger sister of the minor family's boss, who was in love with the boss of the major family, who inwas endeared to her. Big doesn't even think the girl could get hurt as long as she was inside. She was treasured by many, including the mad elder sister.
Chay reminded her of a lady-in-waiting that is beloved by the nobles of the house, and thus garnered respect for that.
Perhaps even more peculiar is how she...
Big thinks of a word that would describe the relationship between Kim and Chay. If there even was one.
Attracted?
Pulled her by the leather jacket?
Sewn Kim into her very skin, while at the same time refusing to interact?
.....
That was a bit much.
Well, Chay definitely sinked her clipped nails into Kim's shoulders. And instead of fighting it as she was trained, Kim only stares at her in a dazed manner.
Is that love?
Was what Kim making her do an act of love?
Big shakes her head, before continuing what she was doing.
....
She's not here.
Big feels herself sweat. Where was she??
She contacts the guards in charge. Nothing. They end up rallying others to look. Nothing. There is panic. There is unrest. Porsche is shaking as Kinn holds her. She calls Kim.
"Mistress Kim. Chay has been captured."
Big hears something shatter in the distance. She sucks in a breath as someone in the background screams. Was she at the studio?
"Hello?"
"I'll be at the mansion. When was she last seen?"
When Kim arrives, she is a whirlwind of rage in a leather jacket and a bleeding palm. She chews out the two guards in charge of Chay to the point where tears are brimming at the men's eyes. She asks Kinn and Porsche to move into a different room as Porsche trembles in fear. Kinn obeys. Everyone does as she asks as she handles the event with expertise.
This is the power of the youngest daughter, who is rarely seen but is evidently respected and powerful in both brains and brawn.
"If you don't find her, I will cut off your heads and display it on the gate. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am!"
Kim nods, before turning to her own car. Alone, it seems. The more room you have in your car for dead bodies the better.
Big turns to the car she'll be sharing with a few other guards. They haven't seen Kim this involved in the family in so long. Or so angry. Her minds turns as she readies her guns. Is Kim finally making a claim on Chay? If so...
Then this was a mafia's way of doing it.
If this is how Kim loves, then the blood of the mafia still flows in her veins.
She takes a breath. "Let's go."
Big will not bother to describe what happened. But you must know that it was red. Too many bodies and the footprint of Kim's heel. One of the guards with her puked.
Of course, Kim killed the most. She stands before them now, drenched in blood. There is a scar on her thigh, and plenty of bruises. But mostly blood. She breathes as if she's a rabid animal, warm breaths passing her lips as she stares at them all. She carries an unconscious Chay in her arms.
Big is almost in awe. It's almost like a painting, looking at the contrast between the two women.
"Move."
"Yes ma'am."
Pass to a few minutes later. Or, an hour? Big couldn't tell at this point.
Chay turned out to be alright asides from a few bruises and scars. She took a hit on the head, however, and that would make her unconscious for a while. A day or perhaps later, the doctor estimates. Kim insisted on bringing the girl to her apartment. She carries Chay all the way there, refusing to let go for even a moment other than when she set her down on her bed. Big stayed in the living room, respectfully.
Kim gripped Big's face tightly. Big could only stare as her eyes were colder than ever.
"I'll have you know," Kim warned. "If you're a spy for my mother..."
Big swallowed.
"You need not know what'll happen to you, do you?"
Big nods hastily.
Kim stares at her for a while more. She lets go. "Good."
And so the day smoothens out.
Catch breakfast and coffee at a diner or 7 11. Collect some info. Probably kill someone in the process. Take a bath if that happens. If it's a file, give it to Kim and keep your head bowed as the two women whisper about something together. Pass out in your room at the mansion.
Rinse and repeat.