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The limousine cruised through the winding mountain road. Outside the tinted windows, Bangkok had disappeared for a while now. The bustling city streets gradually became scattered houses, then empty roads, and finally, nothing but towering trees on either side of the road.
Dew barely noticed; because his attention was on the person sleeping against his shoulder. Nani had been asleep for almost half an hour now. His head rested comfortably against Dew’s shoulder, with his arms folded comfortably across his chest, completely unaware that the scenery outside had changed from city streets to the middle of nowhere.
Dew’s glasses had slipped slightly down his nose. He pushed them back into place.
“How much longer?”, he asked the driver.
“About 10 minutes, Khun Dew”.
“Alright. Good”.
Dew looked down again as Nani shifted in his sleep. His head slipped slightly.
Without thinking, Dew adjusted his shoulder so that Nani wouldn’t fall.
The driver watched through the rearview mirror. He wisely said nothing.
Everyone in the Scarlet Fang household knew better than to question the boss’s son.
Especially when Dew had that expression.
The limousine slowed.
The enormous iron gates opened.
And beyond them, stood a large wooden house surrounded by dense forest.
Beautiful and isolated.
Perfect for disappearing.
Once the driver stopped the limousine, he climbed out and opened the door for his young master. “Khun Dew, we’re here”.
Dew nodded.
Then he looked at Nani, who was still asleep.
Dew didn’t wake him up.
He carefully slid one arm beneath Nani’s knees and another behind his back.
Dew lifted him effortlessly while Nani barely stirred. His head rested against Dew’s chest as Dew carried him towards the house.
The driver blinked. “Umm… Khun Dew… Would you like me to—”
“No”. Dew continued walking. “I’ve got him”.
Inside, Dew made his way to the guest room upstairs and placed Nani gently on the bed.
Nani made a tiny sleepy sound and turned onto his side.
Dew smiled.
He crouched beside the bed.
First, he removed Nani’s shoes.
Then, he loosened the tie around Nani’s neck.
Then, he adjusted the blanket.
Finally, he moved a strand of hair away from Nani’s forehead.
And he smiled again before leaving the room.
The driver and the housekeeper were waiting downstairs.
“Thank you for bringing everything here”. Dew gave them a polite bow.
“Of course, Khun Dew”. Both of them returned the bow.
“I won’t need either of you tonight”, Dew continued.
The housekeeper looked surprised. “Are you certain?”
Dew nodded. “I want to be alone with my friend”.
The driver hesitated. “Is there anything we should prepare?”
“Nothing. If I need anything, I’ll call”. Dew smiled politely. “Ohh, and also… Make sure you tell no one that I’m here. Not even my father”.
Both nodded.
After they left, the enormous house became completely silent.
Dew closed the door.
Locked it.
Then looked towards the staircase.
His smile disappeared.
Because this wasn’t a vacation.
This… was a hiding place.
And somewhere in Bangkok, Dew’s father was searching for Nani.
== == ==
The first thing Nani noticed when he woke up was the smell.
Not his usual pillow, nor his bedroom.
Not even the faint scent of jasmine that always drifted through the Black Lotus estate.
This smelled like cedarwood.
He slowly opened his eyes.
The ceiling above him was unfamiliar.
Nani blinked. Twice.
He rubbed his eyes and pushed himself upright. “…Hngh…”
The room was enormous, surrounded with wooden furniture.
Beyond him, tall windows overlooking nothing but trees.
The curtains were heavy.
There was a fireplace too.
He was laying on an enormous bed.
And, standing beside the bed…
Dew.
Nani stared at him. Dew stared back.
Dew was wearing glasses, his dark hair slightly messy, and his shirt was partially unbuttoned.
Nani’s sleepy brain took several seconds to process everything.
“Where are we?”
Dew smiled. “My vacation house”.
Nani looked around again. “…What?”
Dew chuckled. “In the middle of the forest”.
Nani stared at him. “…What?”
Dew laughed quietly. “You heard me”.
Nani looked towards the window.
Trees everywhere.
No other buildings. No neighboring houses.
He turned his attention back to… “Dew…”
“Hm?”
“Why am I here?”
Dew didn’t answer.
Instead, he moved closer, lowering himself onto the mattress, placing both his hands on either side of Nani.
Their faces were suddenly much closer.
Nani instinctively shifted backwards.
“Because nobody knows you’re here”, Dew lowered his voice.
Nani’s eyes narrowed. “…What are you talking about?”
Dew leaned closer. “If I wanted to do something to you, nobody would hear you…”
Nani stared. “…Are you threatening me?”
Dew’s mouth twitched. “If I do something to you, nobody will come to save you”.
Nani blinked. “Dew…”
“Hmm?” Dew let his gaze lingered on Nani’s lips.
“Are… you planning to do something to me?”
Dew immediately burst out laughing.
Nani’s jaw dropped. “You!”
Dew backed away as Nani grabbed the nearest pillow. “Wait!”
“You scared me!”, Nani yelled as he threw the pillow.
“I was joking!” Dew caught the pillow. “You should’ve seen your face!”
“Idiot!” Nani reached for another pillow.
Dew raised both hands. “OK, OK! Stop! I’m sorry!”
Nani glared at him.
Dew finally stopped laughing.
He placed the pillows back to their original position on the bed.
“I would never hurt you. I promise”, Dew declared, his expression softened.
Nani folded his arms but the anger has slowly disappeared.
Dew sat beside him. He sighed heavily before breaking the news to Nani. “My father is targeting your family”.
Nani froze. “What?”
“There’s been a dispute between Scarlet Fang and Black Lotus”.
“I know there was an argument”.
“It’s worse than the usual argument”.
Dew looked towards the window. “My father ordered his men to find you”.
Nani’s expression changed. “…Me?”
“Yes. Specifically, you”.
“Why?”
“I don’t know the entire story”. Dew looked back at Nani. “But I heard the order myself”.
Nani was silent.
Dew continued. “If his men found you first, I don’t know what they would’ve done”.
“So you kidnapped me first?”
“I rescued you”.
“You kidnapped me”.
“I relocated you”.
“You kidnapped me”.
Dew sighed. He raised both his hands. “Fine. I kidnapped you for your own safety”.
Nani stared at him. Then pouted. “So you’re hiding me?”
“Yes”.
“From your own family?”
“Yes”.
“Dew… You realize that you’re also a member of that family, right?”
“Yes, Nani. I’m doing this with full awareness”.
Nani frowned. “I don’t like this. I want to go home”.
Dew nodded. “I understand. But you can’t go home now”.
Nani pouted again. “Can I take a shower now?”
Dew blinked, and then he laughed. “Yes, yes. Sure, go ahead”.
Nani got off the bed, striding to the bathroom Dew had gestured towards.
“Dew”. Nani stopped halfway.
“Hmm?”
“Thank you”.
Dew smiled. “Always”.
== == ==
The smell of freshly prepared food drifted from the kitchen by the time Nani opened the guest room door.
He peeked from above. Dew was sitting at the dining table with his laptop open in front of him.
Nani had only taken three steps down the staircase when—
The front door opened. “Dew!”
Dew immediately looked up. His expression went from surprised to genuine relief.
A smile appeared on his face. “Ai Tee”.
Tee walked inside carrying two bags, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Surprise!”
Dew shook his head, but the smile remained as he walked towards the entrance. “You could’ve told me you were coming”.
Tee grinned. “I just missed my boyfriend”.
Dew laughed softly. He took one of the bags from Tee. “Hmm. I can smell the sticky rice with grilled pork neck from this bag”.
Tee lifted his eyebrows smugly. “Your favorite. Of course I had to get them for you. Ain’t I a good boyfriend?”
Nani watched them from the stairs.
“So this is Tee. The heir of the Ashen Hand family”.
And, apparently, Dew’s boyfriend.
Nani had heard that after Dew and Tee became a couple, the Scarlet Fang and the Ashen Hand mafias formed a strong alliance.
He smiled watching their interaction.
Dew noticed him.
“Ohh! Nani! Come here!”, he gestured Nani to come downstairs.
“This is Tee”, Dew introduced.
At first, Tee simply looked at Nani up and down. Then his face lit up. “So you’re Nani”.
Nani nodded politely. “Yes”.
Tee smiled and extended his hand for a handshake. “I’m Tee. Dew’s boyfriend. I’ve heard a lot about you from him”.
Nani accepted the handshake and grinned. “Ohh? You have? What did he say?”
Nani glanced at Dew and the man immediately looked away, pretending to adjust his glasses.
“That you’re his best friend. But neither of your families knows about this because you guys belong to rival mafia gangs”.
Tee paused. “And that you’re very important to him”.
Dew let out a fake cough.
Nani’s expression softened. “Aww~”
Tee suddenly leaned slightly closer to Nani. “But you know what Dew never mentioned to me?”
Dew froze. Nani blinked.
Tee continued innocently. “He never mentioned that his best friend was this cute~ This soft-spoken~ That’s… very unfair of him~”
“Ai Tee—”
Tee gripped Nani’s shoulders with both hands. “If Dew gets annoying while you’re staying here, you can always come talk to me~” He winked.
Dew’s mouth fell open.
Tee continued. “I’d be an excellent alternative!”
Dew stared at his boyfriend in complete disbelief. “Ai Tee! Are you his boyfriend or mine?!”
Nani burst out laughing. “Ok, Khun Tee. Sure! Nice to meet you!”
== == ==
That evening, when Nani stood beside the guest room window, he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching.
He looked through the glass. But he saw nothing. Only trees illuminated by moonlight.
Nani frowned.
Suddenly, he heard a branch snapped.
His eyes scanned the forest right away.
Still nothing.
Then, there were sounds coming from downstairs.
A heavy impact. One after another.
Nani rushed out from his room, down the stairs.
He saw the front door wide open first.
Then, he saw Dew was fighting a stranger at the foyer.
The man was enormous; with broad shoulders, muscular arms and in black clothing.
Dew ducked a punch.
The stranger swung again.
Dew blocked.
The impact echoed through the room.
“Who are you?!”
The stranger didn’t answer. He kicked.
Dew jumped aside.
Somehow, Nani recognized the man’s movements.
His eyes widened. “STOP!”, Nani shouted.
Dew and the stranger exchanged several more quick blows.
“KHUN SKY!”
The stranger froze. He turned to the direction of the voice. “Khun Nani!”
Dew also stopped.
Nani rushed towards them.
Sky approached Nani with concern. “Khun Nani, are you hurt? Did he hurt you? Did he force you to come here?”
Nani shook his head. “I’m fine, Khun Sky”.
Sky looked at Dew. Suspicion returned immediately.
Dew crossed his arms. “I told you! I didn’t abduct him!”
Sky’s eyes narrowed. “Khun Nani disappeared”.
“Yeah, I know!”
“You are the heir of Scarlet Fang”. Sky stepped forward. “And Scarlet Fang is currently not in good terms with Black Lotus”.
Dew sighed. “Yeah, I know about that too. But you got it all wrong!”
Nani stepped between them. “Khun… He’s my friend…”
Sky looked at him. “Khun Nani…”
“I trust him”.
The worry in Sky’s expression faded. “If you trust him, then… I believe you”.
Dew raised an eyebrow. “That was surprisingly easy”.
Sky glared at him. “Only because Khun Nani said so”.
Nani sighed. “Both of you. Stop”.
Only then Tee appeared at the top of the staircase.
He looked down at the broken furniture. At Dew, at Nani, then at Sky. “…Did I miss something? Who’s this gentleman?”
== == ==
All four of them sat around the dining table.
Dew explained everything again.
Sky’s expression became increasingly serious.
When Dew finished, Sky spoke softly, “The Black Lotus family has been searching everywhere since this afternoon. Your father and mother are worried”.
Nani lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry”.
Dew sighed. “I told him not to inform anyone. Nobody in the families know that we are friends. I’m afraid that if either of our families find out, the situation will worsen”.
Sky stared at him. Then he nodded. “Hmm. Understandable. This whole situation is already complicated since the beginning but… yeah… I understand”.
After a paused, Sky continued, “Then, I will stay here”.
Dew raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“I’ll protect Khun Nani. I assure you, Khun Nani will be safe with me around”.
Tee smirked, then slowly leaned towards Dew. “Interesting~”
The four of them didn’t know, that they were about to become the center of something much larger than a family feud.
Because somewhere beyond the forest…
Someone was already watching.
== == ==
Nani woke with a start.
“WHO ATE MY BACON?” He heard shouting from downstairs.
He sat upright. “…Hngh… What?”
Nani rubbed his eyes as he walked out the bed room.
He made his way downstairs, and saw Tee standing beside the dining table, Dew holding his coffee and Sky stood near the kitchen counter with an expression that suggested he was questioning every decision that had led him here.
“What happened?”, Nani asked sleepily.
Tee pointed at Dew. “He ate my bacon”.
Dew looked offended. “I told you it was my bacon, Ai Tee!”
Tee shouted again, “Liar!”
Sky shook his head, then quietly moved a huge plate full of different kinds of foods towards the both of them. “Here. There’s more food”.
Both men turned.
“But there’s no bacon in here!”, Tee cried out sulkily.
Sky gave them a death glare. “EAT”.
That successfully made both of them sat down.
Nani covered his mouth.
Because Sky had somehow managed to silence two mafia heirs with one word.
“How impressive”.
== == ==
After breakfast, Dew spread several photographs across the table.
“They attacked the Black Lotus warehouse two nights ago”.
Sky looked at the photos. “Scarlet Fang?”
“That’s what everyone thinks”. Dew pointed at one photograph. “Look at the bullet casings”.
Sky leaned closer.
“They’re not ours”, Dew confirmed.
Nani frowned. “Then someone is pretending to be Scarlet Fang”.
Dew nodded. “And someone else may be pretending to be Black Lotus”.
Tee leaned over the table. “In other words, someone is trying to start a war”.
Sky looked at the photographs again. “There’s more”.
He pointed towards a small symbol painted on the warehouse wall.
A black circle, with a thin silver line inside it.
Nani furrowed his brow. “What’s that symbol?”
Sky shook his head. “I’ve never seen it”.
Dew stared at the photograph. “Neither have I”.
“I have”.
Everyone looked at Tee. Worry flickered across his face.
“I’ve seen that symbol before”.
“Where?”
Tee looked at the windows. “At an Ashen Hand meeting”.
For a few seconds, it was silent.
“My father once mentioned…” Tee’s voice became serious. “He said, we should never trust anyone with this symbol”.
== == ==
A cool breeze drifted through the garden.
Nani’s long hair, which reached slightly past his neck, slipped loose around his face.
He had tied it back earlier that morning, but several strands had already escaped.
Sky noticed. Nani didn’t.
He continued watching Sky tending to the lotus at Dew’s vacation home’s garden.
“Khun Sky, I thought you’re only my bodyguard while I am here”.
Sky let out a quiet laugh. “I guess it’s a habit, Khun Nani. I am the gardener back at the Black Lotus estate after all”.
Nani nodded and laughed too.
Sky carefully adjusted the soil. “Do you know? Lotus grows in places where other flowers struggle”.
Nani looked at him. “Hmm. Sounds like us”.
Sky smiled faintly. “Perhaps”.
Then, another breeze passed.
Some strands of Nani’s hair fell across his cheek again.
Sky’s eyes lingered on him. “May I?”
Nani batted his eyelashes. “Hmm?”
Sky lifted one hand, carefully reaching behind Nani.
His fingers found the small tie.
He loosened it slowly, making sure not to pull.
The tie slipped free.
Nani’s hair fell naturally around his neck and shoulders.
For a moment, neither spoke. They met each other’s eyes.
Sky held out the tie. “You don’t need it right now. Let your hair dance in the breeze”.
Nani felt his cheeks grow warm. He took the hair tie from Sky’s palm.
Nani awkwardly steered the conversation back to Sky’s work as a gardener. “Hah… You’re really serious about your job, huh?”
“I am serious about you”.
Sky paused. He realized how the sentence sounded.
“I mean… Protecting you. That’s my job too”.
A small smile tugged at Nani’s lips.
The breeze moved through his now-loose hair.
Sky didn’t immediately return to his gardening.
He simply watched Nani for a moment.
Then, Nani quietly asked, “Khun Sky”.
“Hmm?”
“Are you angry at Dew?”
Sky considered the question. “No. Actually, I was. But now I know that he protected you”.
Nani smiled warmly. “Thank you”.
“I thought I’d lost you…” The words were quiet.
Nani’s expression softened. He shook his head. “We’re both here now. All is well!”
Their eyes met again, revealing a feeling neither of them could quite put into words.
The moment was broken… when Tee’s voice suddenly echoed from inside the house.
“Nani? Where are you? Come watch the new episode of Mr. Kill with me!”
== == ==
That night, Dew found Nani standing outside. “Can’t sleep?”
“Hmm”.
Dew stood beside him. “Thinking about your family?”
“Yes”.
Dew nodded. “I’m sorry”.
Nani turned to look at him. “Stop saying that. You didn’t cause this”.
Nani looked towards the forest. “Do you think our families will go to war?”
Dew didn’t answer immediately. “No idea”.
“That’s not comforting”, Nani scoffed.
“Well, you’ve known me for years. You know that I’m really bad at comforting people. I’m better at fighting”.
“Heh! Unfortunately”, Nani snorted.
Suddenly, a light flashed in the distance.
“What was that?”, Nani whispered.
Dew reached for his weapon. “Go inside”.
“But Dew—”
“Now!”
Nani obeyed.
Sky appeared outside almost immediately.
Dew narrowed his eyes. “Someone’s out there”.
Sky nodded. “I’ll check”.
“No, don’t”, Dew stopped him. “We don’t know how many”.
Sky looked at him. “Then, we checked together”.
Dew nodded. “Agreed”.
“Wait!”, Nani rushed back outside, pulling Tee along by the hand. “We’re coming with you guys. The more, the safer”.
== == ==
They discovered a camera hidden high in one of the trees.
“Someone’s been watching us”. Dew removed the device.
Sky looked around. “How long?”
Dew examined it. “At least a day”.
Nani’s face paled. “So they know where I am”.
Tee looked at the forest. “Then why haven’t they attacked?”
Nobody answered.
Then Tee noticed something. “Hold on”.
He pointed at the ground. There was a metal object laying beneath the tree.
Dew quickly went to pick it up.
The same mysterious emblem.
The black circle with the silver line.
Dew’s expression darkened. He turned around facing everybody. “This… seems like a warning”.
== == ==
The four returned inside the house and sat around the table again.
Dew placed the emblem in the center. “I think… We’ve been looking at this wrong”.
Nani looked at him. “How?”
Dew pointed at the symbol. “Whoever owns this organization doesn’t actually want Scarlet Fang and Black Lotus to destroy each other”.
Tee frowned. “Then what do they want?”
Dew looked at him. “They want us to believe someone else is attacking”.
Sky’s eyes narrowed. “So while everyone is fighting…”
Nani finished the sentence. “…they can move freely”.
It was silent for a moment.
Tee leaned back. “That’s worse than I thought”.
Suddenly, Dew’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone became still.
Dew answered anyway. “Who?”
Static.
Then a distorted voice.
“You shouldn’t have brought him there”.
Dew’s eyes hardened. “Answer me! Who are you?”
A quiet laugh from the other side. “You’ve already met me”.
Just like that, the call ended.
Nani looked at Dew. “What did they say?”
Dew stared at the phone. “They know we’re here”.
Sky stood. “Then we should leave. Now”.
Dew shook his head. “Wait”. He looked at the forest beyond the windows. “That’s exactly what they expected then. For us to run”.
Tee smirked. “So we don’t”.
Sky stared at them, bewildered. “But this house is compromised!”
Dew’s expression hardened. “Don’t worry. Let’s wait”.
Nani looked between them. “For what?”
Dew answered, “For them to come”.
== == ==
The house had finally gone quiet.
Nani had retreated to the bed room upstairs together with Sky.
Dew remained in the dining room.
He stared at the photographs from the warehouse attack that were still spread across the table.
Tee entered quietly.
“You’ve been looking at those for a while now”, he greeted.
Dew adjusted his glasses. “I’m thinking”.
Tee pulled out the chair beside him and sat down. “No. You’re worrying”.
Dew sighed. His fingers moved one of the photographs slightly. “If I hadn’t brought Nani here…”
“Hey. Stop”. Tee’s voice was calm. “You did what you thought was right. You didn’t create this mess, Dew”.
Dew fidgeted uneasily. “I should’ve known someone was watching”.
Tee rested a hand on Dew’s lap, quietly reassuring him. “None of us knew. Stop this blaming yourself thing, OK?”
Dew laughed despite himself.
Tee smiled. “There”.
“Hmm? What?” Dew raised an eyebrow.
“You look less terrifying when you smile!”
“Wha- I wasn’t aware I looked terrifying”.
“You’ve been staring at that photograph like you want to arrest it!”
Dew chuckled. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you”.
Tee shrugged, then he stood. “Come on”.
“Where?”
“Kitchen”.
“Why?”
“You’ve been thinking for an hour. So you must be hungry!”
Dew shook his head, still smiling. “You’re so annoying”.
Tee giggled. “Come on, mafia prince”.
Dew followed him towards the kitchen.
For a few minutes, the conspiracy disappeared.
Outside, thunder rolled across the mountains.
And somewhere in the darkness…
A car engine started.
== == ==
The first shot came at 3.17am.
The window exploded.
“DOWN!”
Sky grabbed Nani and pulled him behind the bed.
Another shot struck the wall.
Nani’s heart hammered. “Khun Sky!”
“Don’t worry!” Sky positioned himself between Nani and the window.
Dew’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Everyone! Downstairs!”
Tee shouted back. “Already moving!”
Sky quickly grabbed Nani’s hand and pulled him out of the room, heading downstairs.
The house erupted into chaos.
The lights went out. Doors slammed. Footsteps thundered across the wooden floors.
Dew reached the staircase first.
He saw three men entered through the front door.
Dew attacked immediately.
The first attacker swung.
Dew ducked. Then countered.
The man crashed into a table.
Tee appeared beside him. He kicked the other two attackers away.
Across the room, Sky fought two men simultaneously.
One rushed from behind.
“Khun Sky!”, Nani shouted.
Sky turned.
Nani threw a small decorative vase. It struck the attacker.
Sky looked at Nani.
“Sorry, Dew”, Nani mumbled, looking at the broken vase.
Sky snickered, amused at Nani being apologetic to breaking Dew’s vase at this situation. “Good”.
Sky turned back. The fight continued.
Nani stayed close.
He wasn’t helpless. He had grown up in Black Lotus. He knew how to defend himself.
But Sky never allowed anyone to get close enough to threaten him.
Every time an attacker approached, Sky was there.
Every time Nani stumbled, Sky caught him.
“Stay behind me”.
Nani smiled. He believed in Sky.
==
The attackers began retreating.
Dew immediately followed.
Sky grabbed his arm.
Dew turned. “They’re escaping!”
“Let them”.
Then, the last attacker disappeared into the trees.
Dew and Sky stood in the middle of the ruined living room, breathing heavily.
“Ai Tee!”, Dew shouted.
“I’m fine!” Tee emerged from behind the broken pillar.
There was a small cut near his eyebrow.
Dew immediately walked towards him. “You’re bleeding!”
Tee touched his forehead. “Hmm? Ohh…”
Dew gaped. “That’s your reaction?”
“It’s barely anything, Ai Dew”.
Dew went to the drawer where the first-aid kit was kept and grabbed a clean cloth.
“Sit”.
Tee blinked.
“Sit”.
Tee sat down on one of the polished rosewood chairs.
Dew sat down himself in front of Tee and carefully cleaned the cut.
Tee watched him. “Why are you panicking?”
Dew glared. “I’m not”.
Tee chuckled. “You know what? Your face is giving ‘I’m going to personally destroy whoever touched my boyfriend’ look”.
“Shh. Stop talking”.
Tee smirked. “Yes, sir”.
Dew finished cleaning the cut. “There”.
Tee touched the bandage. “Thank you”.
Dew was about to get up, but Tee pulled him back down into his seat.
Tee pointed to Dew’s left arm. There was a cut. “You’re hurt too”.
Dew tried to snatched his arm away but Tee hold still.
“Sit”.
Nani paced around the room. “It’s weird”.
“What is it, Khun Nani?”, Sky was immediately on his side.
“It felt as if they were testing us. They weren’t trying to kill us”.
“That’s right”.
Everyone froze.
A voice suddenly came from the darkness outside.
They all gathered near the window.
A figure stood between the trees.
Too far away to identify.
The person raised a hand.
A small object was thrown towards the house. It landed on the ground.
Dew approached cautiously. He picked it up.
It was another metal emblem.
Then the figure disappeared.
Dew examined the object.
There was writing underneath.
Three words.
ASK YOUR FATHERS.
== == ==
It was sunrise.
The four of them were ready to leave.
Behind them, the vacation house stood as a grim reminder of the chaos that had unfolded the night before.
Dew was already inside Tee’s car, but he would be the driver for the day.
Tee sat in the passenger seat, checking his phone while Dew started the engine.
Sky, meanwhile, walked towards his motorcycle.
Nani followed him. “Khun Sky”.
Sky looked back. “Ohh? Aren’t you going with Dew and Tee?”
Nani turned to the direction of Tee’s car. “Umm… Can I go with you instead?”
Sky tilted his head. “Are you sure? The car is more comfortable”.
Nani vigorously shook his head. “I want to go with you”.
Albeit confused, Sky gave a small nod. “OK then”.
Sky opened the motorcycle’s storage compartment and took out a small bag.
He rummaged through it for a moment.
He pulled out a pair of headphones.
Without words, he gently placed the headphones over Nani’s ears.
Nani blinked.
Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy was playing in his ears.
It was one of his favorite pieces.
He looked up at Sky.
His bodyguard was smiling. “So you don’t get bored”.
Sky climbed onto his motorcycle. Then, he gestured Nani to hop on behind him.
Sky waited until Nani was seated comfortably before starting the engine.
All of them departed from the forest soon after.
== == ==
The forest gradually disappeared behind them.
The road became wider.
The ride was peaceful.
The morning air brushed past them as the classical music played softly through Nani’s headphones.
At first, Nani sat upright. His hands rested lightly at Sky’s sides.
But after several kilometers, the steady movement of the motorcycle and the familiar music began to make him drowsy.
His shoulders relaxed.
Then, little by little, his head lowered.
Eventually, Nani rested his forehead gently against Sky’s back.
His arms settled comfortably around Sky’s waist so he wouldn’t lose his balance.
Sky didn’t say anything.
He kept driving. His speed remained steady.
He glanced sideways for just a moment, to see Nani resting peacefully against his back, with his arms secured around Sky’s waist.
Sky’s expression softened.
He felt relieved.
At least for this moment, Khun Nani was safe.
Sky turned his attention back to the road.
His motorcycle continued following Tee’s car.
After a few more kilometers, Dew pulled the car towards the side of the road.
Sky slowed down and eventually stopped his motorcycle a short distance behind it.
Nani lifted his head. He removed one side of the headphones. “What happened?”
Dew stepped out of the car, Tee followed suit. They approached Sky’s motorcycle.
Dew frowned. “We need to talk about what will happen after this”.
Nani lowered the headphones, letting them rest around his neck. “You have a plan?”
Dew took a deep breath. “I think our fathers know more than they’re telling us”.
Nani furrowed his brows.
Dew took the emblem out from his pocket. “I think… someone may have used information from both families”.
“And maybe someone inside one of the families is helping them”, Tee added.
Nobody spoke.
The implication was terrifying.
A traitor.
Either inside Scarlet Fang.
Or inside Black Lotus.
Or possibly both.
“What do you think we should do?”, Nani questioned.
Sky turned towards him. “We shall find out”.
Dew nodded. “All four of us. Together”.
Tee flashed a mischievous grin. “Finally!”
Dew looked at him. “What?”
“We’re officially a team! Let’s create a team name!”, Tee cheered.
Dew sighed. Sky and Nani gave fond smiles.
== == ==
With that, the four returned to Bangkok after 3 days of hiding in the forest.
But nothing was normal anymore.
Scarlet Fang blamed Black Lotus.
Black Lotus blamed Scarlet Fang.
Fights broke out numerous times, causing the police to keep their eyes on both families.
Business partners were withdrawing.
Rumors spread through the city.
And in the middle of it all…
Dew, Nani, Tee and Sky were secretly investigating.
They discovered that the mysterious emblem had appeared at 5 separate incidents.
5 attacks, 5 different locations.
2 supposedly caused by the Scarlet Fang, 2 supposedly caused by the Black Lotus and 1 involving the Ashen Hand.
Someone had been manipulating all 3 families.
Currently, the 4 of them had assembled inside one of the Ashen Hand’s bunkers.
Tee stared at the evidence. “There’s a problem”.
“What is it?”, Nani asked.
Tee pointed to the timeline. “The first incident happened 6 months ago”.
Dew frowned. “And?”
“6 months ago, nobody was fighting”.
Silence.
Dew’s expression changed. “So this didn’t begin with the recent dispute”.
“Exactly!”
Sky looked at the documents.
He noticed an old photograph.
The photo showed 3 mafia leaders from each of their families, and an unknown man.
“Who is this?”, he asked, pointing to the unknown man.
Tee leaned closer. His face went pale. “I’ve seen him”.
Sky looked at him. “Where?”
Tee swallowed. “I believed… I saw him at a private club with my uncle”.
Nani picked up the photograph. “What’s his name?”
Tee drew in a deep breath. “Khun Amin”.
Dew glanced over. “Who is he?”
Tee shook his head. “I’m not sure who exactly he is. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve seen him in our parties too. He’s close with the leaders including my father”.
Nani’s phone suddenly rang.
The contact name “FATHER” reflected on the screen.
Nani answered. “Hello, father?”
His father’s voice came through. “Nani, my son”.
“Yes?”
“Where are you?”
Nani hesitated. “I’m at a café. Don’t worry, I’m safe. Khun Sky is with me”.
The line went silent for a bit.
Then, his father’s voice appeared back but he became quieter. “Listen to me carefully”.
Nani straightened. “What is it, father?”
“Do not trust anyone”.
Nani’s eyes widened. “Father?”
“Not even our fellow mafia members. Got it?”
“Father—”
“That’s all, my son. I’m just glad that you’re safe. Get home safely later. I have to go now. Bye!”
The call ended.
Nani slowly lowered the phone.
Dew locked eyes with him. “What did he say?”
Nani bit his lip. “He told me not to trust anyone”.
Tee exhaled. “That’s not good. Since your father took the trouble to call you, there’s bound to be something happening soon”.
Sky examined the photograph more closely. “Guys”.
He pointed to the far edge of the photograph.
At the edge of the photograph, a young boy stared directly into the camera, with only half of his body visible.
Dew tilted his head, racking his mind as the boy looked strangely familiar.
Suddenly, all four of their phones vibrated at once.
Dew looked at his screen.
One incoming message.
Tee, Nani and Sky received the same.
The message contained a photo.
A single photo of the 4 of them when they stopped by the side of the road going back to Bangkok few days ago.
It came with a caption:
YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN THE FOREST.
Nani’s fingers tightened around the phone.
Sky immediately stepped beside him.
Dew and Tee shared a tense look.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Dew adjusted his glasses. “More reason for us to stick together, I guess”, he broke the silence.
A smug grin spread across Tee’s face. “Agreed”.
Sky nodded and slipped an arm around Nani’s shoulders. “From the motives to the mastermind and the secrets that they’re hiding, let’s find out everything”.
Nani grasped Sky’s hand that was resting on his shoulder. “We’ll expose the truth. Together”.
None of them knew where the path would lead.
None of them knew which family had betrayed the others.
But one thing was certain.
The war between the Scarlet Fang and the Black Lotus had never been the real story.
It was only the beginning.