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Kem was almost getting used to being beaten like this.
If it wasn't emotional, it was physical.
How much more could he really take?
He was hurt, genuinely offended, when that 'Queen' Kiraphat tried to 'buy' Bonita off him. Bonita would always mean more to him that any sum of money. She was the reason he'd given up making something of himself, because it wouldn't be worth it without her.
But what hurt the worst, was Bonita's willingness to leave him behind.
Sure, he messed up. Confessing his feelings, trying to force Bonita into kissing him; he knew it was wrong, he regretted it.
Though, he thought his existing friendship with Bonita would've lasted.
It didn't.
All because of Queen.
Even the plain thought of her was enough to push him up to his feet, to lunge forward and grab the gun he'd seen peeking out of one of the henchmen's trousers.
Before they could interfere, he fired a warning shot in the vague direction of his boss, getting them to back off.
The bullet hadn't hit him, but he was stunned to silence anyway, hands up and carefully trying to back away from the armed man.
"I've told you before," Kem started, firing again, "To never speak about Bo like that again.".
He didn't know what it was that made him so mad whenever anyone spoke badly of Bonita, but he was quick to label it as his love for her.
It made him sound insane.
But he'd gladly be that, for her.
"Kem!" His boss tried, wishing he'd just put the gun down.
The plain sound of the man's voice made Kem shoot again, and this time it made the two henchmen flinch into running away, as quick as their feet and their adrenaline could take them.
Seeing his boss left alone, Kem smirked, something sick and smug, as he approached.
"Don't-" the man urged, "Don't do this.".
As angry as Kem was, he wasn't exactly ready for a lifetime sentence, so he took his anger out on his boss with a strong hook to the face with his left hand, then a harder knock with the pistol in his hand, sending him to the ground.
Just as was given to him, Kem gave that man the beating of his life, kicking at him without mercy, and only stopping when he failed to see or hear any signs of consciousness.
It was about then that Kem managed to see past all his rage and realise what he was doing.
Kneeling beside the unmoving body, he checked for a pulse, exhaling a relieved breath when he felt the soft beat.
When he looked around, he felt lucky that no one was around, but the panic he felt was instant when he caught sight of the bullet holes left in a car just ahead of him.
There was clear evidence of a shooting, and he needed something to take away from that, at least to buy him some time.
Time that he didn't currently have.
The gunshots were loud, and someone was sure to be on their way to investigate.
Thinking on his feet, Kem tucked away the gun, taking out a small box of matches and lighting one, chucking at the puddle of fuel that had pooled under the car.
With that, he ran off, not waiting for the car to catch a flame.
-
Kem was unaware how he managed to get away with it but, from what he'd heard from Bonita's mother, the owner of the car didn't even go as far as reporting the offence, since he'd been paid off.
He guessed that his boss had done it, since a police investigation was probably the last thing he wanted, especially since he had to temporarily shut down the gambling den.
Whatever it was; divine intervention, dumb luck, or scaring his boss shitless; Kem got out of it unscathed.
That was dangerous territory - playing with the law.
If he got away with this one so easy, how much more could he get away with?
Kem wasn't stupid enough to want to carelessly test it, but he was pushed in that direction by Kongtup, someone he hadn't bothered to do any research on before taking him up on his offer to get rid of Queen, for good.
He didn't really have a plan, for where or when he'd go through with it, but all he knew was that killing Queen meant Bonita would have nowhere else to go.
Nowhere else but to him.
So when he saw that awfully flashy car parked outside, Kem decided to rush it.
It made his blood boil, seeing how confidently Queen entered Bonita's home after her, like some sort of personal saviour.
Kem was adamant that she was nothing of the sort.
Just some rich, powerful businesswoman who was probably born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
What did Bonita even see in her?
He didn't manage to catch the conversation in Bonita's house, but he could've guessed. They offered Bua a large amount of money to get her to stop bothering Bonita.
Even that made Kem angry.
Angry at Queen for having the money to do so.
Angry at Bua for so easily bending over backwards when offered money.
Angry at himself for not getting there first. Maybe if he'd given Bua the right amount of money, early enough, Bonita would be his.
Gritting his teeth, Kem grabbed the pocket knife Kongtup had given him, flicking out the blade.
He felt like a drug addict going through withdrawal at the sight of Queen leading Bonita out of the house, holding hands.
That should've been him.
When Queen told Bonita she had nothing left to hold onto, Kem had hoped Bonita would remember him.
After everything, he was still there for her.
Bonita knew that, right?
She didn't actually mean it when she said she couldn't love him as a friend anymore.
Right?
Bonita only agreed with Queen.
And that was enough to set Kem off.
Mumbling an unsavoury word or two under his breath, Kem stormed off, adorning his cover ups - sunglasses, a mask and a hat; all black, to go without his all-black outfit.
Weaving his way through their little slum area, Kem avoided Queen, Bonita and the bodyguard as he made his way to their car.
He saw his chance when the bodyguard had gotten into the car, going over and sticking the blade of his knife into Queen.
Why did she have to be so strong?
Holding onto his arm, Queen managed to stop the assailant from pushing the blade further into her, looking up to try meet his eye.
Damn his disguise.
Queen let out a staggered breath, urging herself not to pass out just yet. She furrowed her brows, trying to concentrate and figure out something, anything, about this man.
Though she wasn't given the time.
Pulling the knife out, Kem rushed off, walking right past Bonita, who remained oblivious about his presence, and the attack.
When he got to cover, Kem whispered some more swears at himself for not hitting his target properly.
There was no way his pathetic attempt would've hit anything important, much less killed the woman.
-
Kem dreaded his next meeting with Kongtup, even more so when he couldn't put it off, after being hunted down and taken to him by his men.
And he just had to bring up Bonita's 'relationship' with Queen.
Something about how Queen had already played his Bonita.
It was enough to make him want to kill the man in front of him.
No one should've been talking about Bonita that way.
-
News got around that 'Queen' Kiraphat would be present at some community event, talking and representing a party.
It wasn't anything Kem particularly cared about.
The only information he needed was where Queen would be, and when.
He'd get her this time.
Except he didn't.
Just before Kem could finsih pulling the trigger, he saw Bonita run up onto the stage, getting in front of Queen. By the time the shot had fired, Queen was mostly out of the way, the bullet only getting her in the arm.
Angered by his second failure, Kem couldn't act. He had no choice but to run, again.
-
When Kongtup forced a confrontation, it struck Kem's last nerve.
He pulled out the very gun he used to shoot at Queen, waving it around like a madman, throwing around threats he'd never make do on.
Shaking, it was clear Kem wasn't the most experienced with the gun, but, when Kongtup's men attempted to take him, Kem shot at the ground just before them, easily getting them to make their escape.
Kem could've laughed.
Even the hefty payment they were sure to be getting from Kongtup wasn't enough for them to stay loyal to him.
Clearly scared, Kongtup held his hands up, begging for his life.
This is what Kem wanted from Queen.
For her to beg for her life.
For her to not even have the choice, between her life or Bonita's.
For her to know; he could shoot Queen, and take Bonita; or he could spare Queen's life, in exchange for Bonita.
Either way, it would be a win-win for him.
He didn't need a jealous businessman in his way.
Putting almost all his strength into it, Kem pistol-whipped Kongtup, right in the centre of his face.
Kongtup went down, cradling his broken nose as blood poured out from it. Kem couldn't care less. He then smacked Kongtup round the side of his head with the butt of the pistol, then getting on top of him and continuing to deliver some mean blows to his face.
Up until Kongtup stopped defending, his face deformed from all the cuts and bruises.
He'd get up eventually.
Kem left him like that, satisfied.
-
Thinking about Bonita, Kem felt like he was going insane.
What didn't he have?
He was fairly handsome, he was hardworking, he was determined.
Maybe he wasn't the richest man alive, but he'd work himself to the bone to provide for Bonita.
On occasion, he could act a little rash.
But he was kind to Bonita, when the world threw her down and spat at her.
He paid off her mother's debt with his own savings. He gave up on the mere thought of a career when paying for his own tuition meant Bua and Bonita wouldn't be able to eat. He went through the torture of working at that gambling den, just to make some money for Bonita and her mother.
And all he got in return?
A rejection and a slap in the face.
Did Queen even know what compromise was?
Would she ever have to give up anywhere near as much as he did for Bonita?
How could he trust that Queen would actually take care of Bonita? That she wouldn't just throw Bonita to the side for the next pretty thing she could buy with all her money?
Kem felt worthless.
Like a life without Bonita was exactly that.
-
Stuffing a bag with newspaper, Kem was determined to get himself a final outcome.
Either he'd have Bonita, or he wouldn't be around any longer.
As Bua tussled with him, seeing the contents of the bag, Kem pulled out his gun.
He shoved Bua back, putting enough distance between them to hold the gun up to her.
"Where did you even-" Bua started, letting out a short scream when Kem fired into the sky.
Bonita, stood to the side, had also flinched, bringing her hands up to cover her ears.
Not far, Queen and Sam had heard the gunshot.
Sam stood protectively in front of Queen, only for her to push past, disregarding the reason she hired him.
When he fired again, it was right at Bua's feet, sending her tripping back. Bonita, despite being startled by the loud noise, ran over to catch her mother, both of them staying on the ground, afraid to move.
By then, Queen and Sam had run over; Queen heading straight to hold Bonita, while Sam momentarily lagged behind.
Kem didn't miss the way he swept his blazer aside to pull out his gun, quickly redirecting to point his gun at him, "Stop! I'll shoot!".
Bravely, Sam took out his gun anyway, leaving himself and Kem in a stand-off.
One that lasted mere seconds.
With Queen's order, Sam lowered his gun.
"You just don't die, do you?" Kem spoke to Queen.
"I stabbed you, and you didn't die. I shot at you, and you didn't die. If I shot you now, though, you think you'll survive this time?"
Kem hated that Queen talked back, even when she was so clearly disadvantaged here.
"If you want revenge, take it out on me. Leave everyone one else out of it."
Queen had hoped he caught the undertones of her words. That he wasn't man enough to take her on himself, that he had to hurt others around to try and get to her.
"You sure have a big mouth." Kem stepped back, now pointing the gun in Queen and Bo's general direction, "Come out then.".
When Queen actually got up, Kem was a little surprised, further so when she told Sam to stay out of the way, instead of doing his job.
But before Kem could even think about finally taking the shot, Bonita ran ahead.
And that's when Bua also scrambled up, without a care in the world for her daughter, running off with the money Bonita had initially given her.
"I'm begging you. Please, stop." Bonita pleaded.
"I will." Kem put on a smile, "I will. It's so easy. Just come with me, Bo. I'll forget everything".
Bonita shook her head, and Kem had to pretend he hadn't seen it.
"And the two of us, we'll start over together, Bo. Sounds good?" He was still smiling, trying to be the same man that had made friends with Bonita all those years ago.
"You know I can't do that, Kem."
Hearing his name from Bonita was refreshing. He hadn't heard it in so long.
He just hated that she said it with tears in her eyes. Like he'd ever hurt her.
"Why not? Huh?" he shouted, "Tell me!".
"Do I have to kill her first? Is that what it will take for you to come with me, Bo?"
He sounded so desperate, so hurt.
Yet he also sounded so deranged, so fuelled by anger.
"Tell me!" Kem yelled. All while Bonita just watched him, like he was some hurt puppy, Queen over her shoulder.
"I have to kill her, right?" he continued, waving the gun around.
He was only stunned to silence when Bonita made her move, picking up Sam's gun and holding it just under her chin, stepping right up in front of Kem.
"Babe!" Queen called, being ignored.
"If someone has to die today," Bonita spoke, "Let it be me.".
"Babe, stop." Queen tried again, ignored again.
"Is that what I have to do, for you to stop?" Bonita threatened Kem.
"Is this what it takes?" she hated that she was using his love/obsession for her like this. Kem would do anything to make sure Bonita came out of this alive and well.
"If me being alive only makes everything worse," Bonita said, "I'll be the one to go. So it finally ends.".
Bonita wasn't stupid.
All the violence, all the problems, over the last few weeks. She knew she could claim being the root cause of it all.
Ever since she beeped her measly little horn at those men.
Ever since she decided to try and earn herself some extra money by working at the club.
Ever since she met Queen.
Kem was beginning to waver.
The last thing he wanted was to hurt Bonita.
"Pull the trigger." Bonita challenged him, her voice soft.
Beaten, defeated, Kem lowered his gun.
He looked Bonita up and down, trying to will away all that rage within him.
"Just having you come back to me. Is it really impossible?"
What was the point, then?
"It can never be the same, Kem." Bonita admitted.
It was all his doing, anyway.
And Bonita's inability to love him the way he wanted her to.
Anyone could see it.
The tears in his eyes.
The way his heart had cracked all the way through.
He let it come through, yelling out a loud, wordless cry.
After all, Bonita had once loved this man. So it hurt to see him so broken.
She wasn't afraid to let her tears fall as she watched Kem monologue away, about hating the world for the way its treated him.
"Even you, Bo," he cried, "I love you more than my own life.".
They could all see that.
"But you still turned your back on me."
Bonita faltered, and Queen took it as her chance to hold her, letting her presence be known from behind.
Sam regained possession of his gun, tucking it away, while Queen attempted to console Bonita.
Seeing Queen and Bonita look at each other like that, hearing the way Bonita called Queen's name, Kem felt it like a gunshot to the chest.
He watched them look to each other for comfort, clearly finding it.
He accepted his reality.
Bonita would never be his. Not the way she was Queen's.
And that was okay.
It would be fine, he just needed to be out of the way.
If he was gone, Bonita would be happy... right?
They loved each other so much.
Kem knew that if he was around, he'd spend all his time, and the last if his sanity, trying to break them up, trying to hold onto Bonita, like she was some prized possession.
That would never be what Bonita wanted.
"It can never be the same, Kem."
The words rang in his head as he looked down at the gun in his hand.
He hoped Queen would use all her advantages and give Bonita the life he wouldn't have been able to even imagine.
He hoped Queen would love Bonita at least half as much as he did, for as long as they'd know each other.
He hoped Queen would make Bonita happy.
"I love you, Bo." he said; his final words.
/
Or so he'd hoped.
Sam had tackled Kem just as he pulled the trigger, moving the direction of the shot enough for it not to kill him.
The bullet had grazed the back of his head, that and the impact of hitting the ground rendering him unconscious.
Police cars entered the scene first, followed by an ambulance, both called by a member of the public due to the earlier gunshots.
Bonita refused to report anything to the police, demanding she rode with Kem to the hospital. Queen, in tandem, withheld any conversation with the police, making sure Sam handled any legal issues, even if that meant getting money involved.
For the sake of her image, Queen hadn't reported Kem's first two blunders either, knowing an extensive trial wouldn't have been ideal.
When Kem came to, he didn't think anyone would be there for him.
"Kem." Bonita called, looking up from her textbook.
"What..." Kem exhaled, feeling a lingering pain in the back of his head.
Bonita walked over to his bedside, pulling over a chair.
"How are you feeling?".
"Why-" Kem interrupted himself with a short, pained grunt, "How am I still here?".
After catching him up on what happened, Bonita let Kem know that a psychiatrist was called to take a look at him, considering his attempt at his life.
"So not only am I still here, I'm getting thrown into some mental asylum? Perfect." Kem grumbled.
He was surprised when Bonita took his hand, looking to meet her gaze.
"Please, Kem. Do this for me." He didn't know why Bonita was asking this of him. What did she care?
"Mum's gone. I don't know where she went, but she ran. I-" Bonita was choked up on her words, trying not to cry even more than she already had.
"I can't lose you too."
Kem wasn't aware Bonita had considered him something to lose.
"Please." Bonita whispered.
"I-" Really, he had no argument. "Okay.".
"Okay?" Bonita repeated and, for the first time in a while, Kem finally saw a spark of something lighter in her eyes.
"If you want me to." Kem reasoned, offering a weak smile.
Just then, Queen entered, and Kem caught sight of Sam waiting outside.
Bonita turned to face her, letting go of Kem's hand to hug Queen.
This time, Kem didn't look away.
He didn't feel his heart fill with hatred and rage.
Rather, it was something kinder.
"He said he'll do it. He'll take the treatment." Bonita told Queen as they separated.
Kem nodded when Queen looked his way.
"I thought I couldn't live without Bo. But I've been given the chance to stay. I'll take it." Kem said, his brush with death having switched something inside of him.
"Kongtup." Queen mentioned. Short and simple.
"He- he wanted you dead." Kem confessed, "He said he'd pay me to kill you.".
"He's pressing charges for assault. You're lucky he had no evidence of you premeditating my murder." Queen spoke in a tone that Kem couldn't quite figure out.
It wasn't nearly as harsh as he'd expected, but it wasn't a trained public-speaking voice either.
"But..." Bonita trailed, expectant, like there was good news amongst all this.
Briefly staring daggers in Bonita's direction, Queen didn't return the smile when the younger girl just beamed up at her.
"But I promised Bo I'd handle your case. You won't have my lawyer, just to make sure people don't find out I'm helping, but I will pay for the next best thing."
Before Kem could ask why she'd bother helping him, she reiterated, "I promised Bo. Had it not been for her, I would've killed you myself. Slow and painful.".
This wasn't anything new to Bonita, seeing Queen threaten murder, but it wasn't exactly the most pleasant of things to hear.
"Queen." she softly scolded, pushing at her arm.
The older woman's serious demeanour didn't falter as she looked down at Bonita, and all it did was put a smile on Kem's face.
Bonita was in good hands.
He didn't know why he ever doubted it.
Someone like 'Queen' Kiraphat? Of course she'd love like her life depended on it.
"I'm sorry." he said. It was weak, but he meant it with every fibre of his being, "I'm so sorry.".
"Kem, it's-" Bonita started.
"It's not okay." Kem interjected, "I'm sorry for everything.".
"I'm sorry I tried to kiss you, that day I told you how I felt. I'm sorry I chased after you, and treated you like a trophy to win. You were always going to be fine without me. I'm sorry if I ever made you think otherwise. I'm sorry I ever hurt you."
"Kem..." Bonita had never been apologised to like this. No one ever really meant it.
When Kem looked to Queen, he chuckled something light and feeble when all she did was look right at Bonita.
"An apology will never be enough, but I'm sorry I tried to kill you. Twice. And I'm sorry I tried to take Bo from you. I know you'll do right by her. Better than I ever could dream."
Still looking at Bonita, Queen only nodded, her eyes softening.
-
When Kem was discharged from the hospital, he went through with the trial for the assault charges.
For that, he was sentenced to two years, for causing bodily harm to Kongtup.
Through the police investigation, though, the bullets from Kongtup's home were recovered, and traced back to an unlicensed gun. The same one he'd used to try and take his own life.
Kem pleaded guilty to illegal possession, remaining quiet on where he'd acquired it, as his lawyer recommended.
He didn't need a trial that went digging deeper than it needed to.
In total, Kem was sentenced to a generous four years. The lawyer Queen had hired could definitely do some magic.
Prison wasn't the worst thing ever, for Kem. It was certainly better than being dead.
Sure, he was ridiculed here and there for his suicide attempt, but he didn't let it get to him.
As per Bonita's request, Kem regularly saw psychologists and other relevant professionals during his sentence, getting the help he needed.
Unbeknownst to Bonita, though, Queen was the one keeping Kem's commissary paid, allowing him the privilege to stay out of people's way while behind bars.
Kem and Bonita wrote to each other, and Bonita finally felt it.
A friendship. It was growing.
"He get beat up recently?" Queen asked, leaning onto the desk from behind Bonita.
"Oh, shut up." Bonita gently laughed, nudging Queen with her elbow.
"Really, how is he?" Queen wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, tightening as she inhaled a breath of her scent.
Bonita smiled, skimming over the most recent letter she'd received.
Kem was doing okay. And Queen cared.