Chapter Text
Fifteen years ago, Bangkok belonged to those who knew how to hold not only a weapon, but also their own word. In those days, the name of Vin Mahawan forced even the most defiant street gangs into respectful silence. But behind every great leader, there is always someone he trusts more than himself. For Vin, that man was Weerawat — his right hand, his best friend, and his lifelong advisor.
Vin ruled the Mahawan clan with an iron fist but a wise heart. His fourteen-year-old son, Nanon, along with his peers — Kirk and Jay — were not yet involved in the real business back then. The boys only trained, spending entire days at sports bases, learning how to shoot and fight, preparing to one day become the pillars of the clan. Vin’s youngest daughter, Film, had just turned ten that year, and she was the darling of the entire extended Mahawan family.
On the other side of the world, in the States, lived Weerawat’s daughter — thirteen-year-old Namtan. Her father had sent her there for her own safety, hoping to protect her from the dangerous shadows of Bangkok, but the bond between them was incredibly strong. Namtan loved her father fiercely, and each of his phone calls was the main event of her life.
But on one rainy night, everything shattered.
It happened during heavy negotiations at an abandoned port warehouse. Vin Mahawan went to meet with the leaders of the "Dragon" syndicate — men who recognized no old notions of honor. Weerawat felt the trap from the very beginning. He walked a step behind Vin, his hand resting on the grip of his pistol.
The negotiations didn't last even five minutes. When the Dragon leader signaled his snipers, the first shot ripped through the air. Hell broke loose in the warehouse. Mahawan’s men fell one by one, lead ricocheting off iron containers. Vin, firing back, tried to break through to the exit, but a bullet caught his shoulder. He fell onto the rain-soaked concrete. In that exact moment, a Dragon mercenary lunged from behind cover, aiming directly at the head of the clan leader. Vin had no time to react.
"Vin, look out!" Weerawat’s scream echoed through the chaos.
He didn't think about himself. Weerawat simply did what he would always do for a brother — he lunged forward and shielded Vin Mahawan with his own body.
Three deafening shots tore into Weerawat’s lungs. The loyal Mahawan fighters still managed to unleash a counter-barrage of fire, forcing the Dragons to retreat. Vin crawled to his dying friend, desperately clamping his hands over the wounds, but the blood poured mercilessly through his fingers.
"Hold on, do you hear me?! Weerawat, don't you dare die!" For the first time, a wild, raw terror rang out in Vin’s voice.
Weerawat took a heavy, wheezing breath and weakly squeezed Vin’s hand. "My daughter... Namtan... She is only thirteen... Take her from the States. Protect her, Vin..."
"I swear to you, brother," Vin pressed his forehead against his friend's hand, tears streaming down his face. "Namtan will become a part of my family. I will be a father to her. The Mahawan clan will never forget your sacrifice."
Weerawat smiled faintly and took his last breath.
Two weeks later, a flight from New York landed at Bangkok airport. Thirteen-year-old Namtan stepped out of the arrivals zone. She was wearing a black hoodie, her hands tightly clutching her father's old pendant. She didn't blame Vin Mahawan for her father's death — she knew what dangerous work he did, and she knew he died as a hero saving his brother. But the loss of the person she loved most broke her heart. She arrived in Thailand completely withdrawn, her eyes glassy and distant, hiding away from the world inside an oversized hood.
Vin Mahawan met her at the exit personally, and behind his back stood fourteen-year-old Nanon, Kirk, Jay, and little ten-year-old Film.
Vin took a step forward, silently embraced the girl, and said softly, "Welcome home, daughter. You are a Mahawan now."
The first months in the new home were the hardest for Namtan. She barely spoke, sat in isolation for hours, and let no one near her. But the Mahawans did not give up. Vin surrounded her with such genuine, fatherly care and warmth that Namtan slowly began to thaw. He personally began to introduce her to the business, teaching her espionage tricks, tactics, and shooting.
Nanon, as the future head of the clan, immediately accepted Namtan like a real sister. They quickly became close friends, spending long hours at training sessions together. Kirk, being Nanon's best friend, also warmly welcomed the girl and willingly shared everything he knew himself. Even little Film constantly hovered around, trying to cheer up her newly adopted older sister with her childhood stories and a bright, innocent smile. Seeing how much these people loved her, Namtan gradually came back to life. Between her and Film, that special, warm affection was already born — a bond that, years later, would grow into a powerful and deep love.
The only one who kept his distance was Jay. He disliked Namtan from the very beginning. It stung him that a girl from the States instantly received such love from Vin, respect from Nanon, and the attention of Film — everything Jay himself could only dream of. But Jay was clever. He remained detached, kept his mouth shut, and never said anything against Namtan out loud. He knew perfectly well that the Mahawans would never forgive even the slightest disrespect toward the daughter of their hero. He buried that blind, bitter resentment deep inside his chest, letting it grow right along with him.