TWENTY ONE

T H I R D P E R S O N'S P O V

PETE OPENED his eyes and he saw that he was already in his room. He roamed his eyes and settled it in the side of his bed, expecting Vegas was there but he saw nothing.

Pete sat up and stared into nothing, thinking what went wrong to their relationship. Because, as far as he remember they are happy, but how could this happened to them?

Pete closed his eyes as their memories flashback..Vegas smiling to him, hugging him, kissing him, and saying I love yous to him. How can he moved on with that?

"Vegas..." Pete muttered Vegas name, while his heart's aching because of the pain inflicted on it.

Pete clutched his chest as his heart continued to aches. "V-vegas...p-please..d-don't do t-this to m-me.." Tears started to pooled in Pete's eyes as he remember his last encounter with Vegas.

He can't imagined his life without Vegas. He can't go back in his life before..because it changed already.Vegas changed everything in his life. Vegas became Pete's life.

How can he survived that?

Tears started to stream down to his cheeks as he remember the face of Vegas. Pete thought that they could last to forever, but how can they do that if Vegas decided to let him go?

Pete is willing to fight for them, but how can he do that when Vegas halted him to do that..

Pete immediately wiped his tears when he heard a knock, hoping that Vegas is the one who will showed up.

"P'Pete.." Leo called Pete as he entered the room.

Pete sighed and looked at Leo, "Leo..Where's Vegas?" Pete asked.

"Khun Vegas already went to the company, P'Pete." Leo answered.

Leo looked at Pete with pity in his eyes because he doesn't know what's happening to them. He understand the feelings of his boss but he can't just understand why his boss did that action even he's hurting.

'They both hurting but why Khun Vegas decided to let P'Pete go?' Leo thought to himself while watching Pete.

Leo witnessed how his boss loves Pete..and he doesn't understand the decisions of his boss.

Leo sighed, "P'Pete..." Pete looked at Leo, who's standing in front of him.

"Khun Vegas ordered me to take you to the main family mansion." Leo muttered.

Pete eyes widened and looked at Leo nervously, "N-no, Leo.. I will s-stay here.." Pete shook his head continously.

"V-vegas was just u-upset that's w-why he said that.." Pete added.

Leo looked away, he cannot gazed at Pete because even him don't want what's happening to his boss and Pete.

"I'm sorry, Phi. It's Khun Vegas order..." Leo said.

Tears was flowing continously to Pete's face as he heard Leo. His heart crashed again because of Vegas.

"I'll wait for you outside, Phi." Leo added before he went outside.

Pete averted his gaze at the door, trying to process his situation. He can't believed that this is the end for him and Vegas.

Pete stood up while tears still streaming down to his cheeks. His heart aches painfully as he put his clothes to his luggage.

"Is this really our end, Vegas?" Pete whispered. He roamed his eyes in the room, remembering their memories once again.

"I'm s-sorry, Vegas... I l-love y-you... I love you so m-much.." His voice cracked as he said the last word before he went out to his room.

He once again glanced at Vegas' room, hoping that Vegas will go out there and stopped him but no... "P-pete..stop it, okay? Stop hurting yourself. There's no V-vegas that will stop you." He uttered to himself and continue to walk downstairs.

When he got down, Pete saw Leo waiting for him.. "Let's go, P'Pete?" Leo asked him.

Pete nodded and walked inside the car, he stared at the mansion, reminiscing the happy memories he had there. The first time he arrived here, and now...he's going to leave..

"L-let's go, L-leo." Pete said.

WHEN THEY arrived at the main family mansion, Pete saw Khun No and his friends waiting at the entrance hall. He smiled a little, feeling a little enjoyment seeing his friends.

"We're here, P'Pete." Leo told Pete.

"Thank you, Leo. It was nice meeting you... Please, take care of Vegas and Macau for me.. Don't hesitate to call me when you know Macau's whereabouts, I will help to search for Macau too.." Pete said as he tapped Leo's shoulder.

"Wait, Phi." Leo get something from the car storage and handed it to Pete.

"Here. Here are the copies of the footages. I know that you will want to help Khun Vegas." Leo said and smiled at Pete.

Tears pooled in Pete's eyes, "Thank you Leo." Pete said and smiled widely before he went out.

"Pete!" Khun No exclaimed when he got out to the car and immediately hugged him, "My favorite bodyguard came back!"

"Pete! We've missed you!" Arm, Pol, and Porsche shrieked in happiness.

Pete gave them a warmth smile, trying so hard to hide the pain he was feeling.

"I'm glad to be back." Pete said and hugged them back.

"But, wait. How about Khun Vegas, Pete!? And, did they already found Khun Macau?" Pol asked Pete.

Arm and Pol saw Pete's smile slowly disappeared. That's why they instantly covered Pol's mouth.

"Hmmp, hey!" Pol grunted, trying to removed Arm's hand.

"We're still searching for Macau. Vegas told me that my work there is done." Pete explained.

"Alrig--" Porsche couldn't continue what he was saying..

"What!? I thought you and Vegas have a thing!?" Khun No exclaimed.

Porsche and Arm sighed frustrated about Tankhun.

Pete just smiled at them, "I need to take a rest, Khun No... Can I go to my room?" Pete said.

"Yes, Pete. You can take a rest!" Porsche quickly said before anyone asked Pete again about the minor family.

"Thank you." Pete replied and walked inside the mansion.

Arm let go of Pol and Porsche hit Tankhun.

"Ouch! Why did you do that, Porsche!?" Tankhun complained.

"That's right! What wrong with you two!?" Pol added.

Porsche and Arm sighed, they are so done with these two.

"Don't you notice it? There's something wrong with Pete." Arm concluded.

"Arm's right. His smiled disappeared when you've mentioned Vegas and Macau name." Porsche said.

"What do you mean?" Pol asked.

"I think, they already broke up..." Porsche said. "Because, Vegas will not let Pete go back here if they are still together.." He added.

"What!?" Arm, Pol and Tankhun were shocked.

However, Tankhun immediately clapped his hands, "It means that Pete don't need to go back there, right!? Oh my god! I'm so happy that we are complete again." Tankhun said, happiness was visible to his voice.

"This dumb shit." Porsche muttered, wanted to hit the brother of his lover.

"I'm outta here!" Porsche said and turned his back at his friends before he smacked Tankhun's head.

PETE SIGHED for nth time when he can't still tracked Macau's location. He put down his laptop in his bed and massage his temple. Although he was back in the main family, he still want to help Vegas.

"Please, God. Help me to find Macau.." Pete uttered a prayer before he went back to observe the footages. Good thing Leo lend him the copies of CCTV footage that's why he still tracking Macau's location.

Pete startled when he heard knocks on his door. "Come in." Pete said.

When the door opened, Arm's face welcomed him, "Hey, Pete. What are you doing?" Arm asked Pete.

Arm walked inside Pete's room, "What is that for?" Arm asked and pointed his finger at the laptop.

"I'm still trying to search for Macau.." Pete answered while his eyes was focused on the screen.

"Oh. Let me help you. I will just get my laptop." Arm said before he left.

After a minutes, Arm went back to Pete's room with his laptop. Arm sat beside Pete and opened his laptop.

"Why Khun Vegas do not want Khun Korn's help?" Arm asked while he opened the file in the flashdrive.

"I don't know...Vegas was not telling me anything..." Pete muttered.

"Are you okay, Pete?" Arm asked and looked at Pete seriously..

"I'm trying..." Pete smiled. "I'm trying to be okay, Arm."

Arm tapped Pete's shoulder, "Don't worry, the both of you will conquer this challenge in your relationship." Arm comforted Pete.

"I hope so.." Pete murmured.

Pete gazed back at his laptop and his eyes widened when he caught the van who took Macau in the footage.

"What the fuck!? Arm I found it." Pete shouted and pointed on the laptop.

Arm quickly scanned the video, "Oh shoot. We need to tell this to Khun Vegas."

Pete stood up and get his car keys, "I'm going to minor family mansion." Pete said.

"Wait for me. I will accompany you." Arm said and followed Pete.

Pete and Arm hurriedly rode the car and Pete started the engine.

"Fuck! Macau wait for us." Pete murmured.

"They brought Khun Macau to a secluded area." Arm stated.

"I will going to kill them!" Pete sternly said and his grip in the steering wheel tightened.

When they arrived at the minor family's mansion, they saw Vegas with his subordinates.

Pete immediately went out to the car, "Vegas! I found Macau." Pete happily announced.

"What are you doing here, Pete?" Vegas said with furrowed eyebrows.

Pete stopped, "I just want to tell it to you the location of Macau."

"Will you stop, Pete? I've already told you that I don't want to see your face. And if you are going to say the one in the riverbank...They already left!" Vegas yelled at Pete.

"I'm sorry..." Tears started to stream down in Pete's cheeks.

Arm quickly went near to Pete, "Pete, let's go home." Arm saw how sharp Vegas gaze at him.

Pete looked at Vegas, "Is this really our end, Vegas?" Pete uttered, looking at Vegas.

Vegas eyes avoided Pete's, "I don't want to see you anymore, Pete." Vegas said. "I don't need you anymore." He added.

"V-vegas.."

"Stop, Pete. I'm tired hearing your sorry. I'm tired seeing you crying. Don't go here anymore. Is it hard to understand that I am done with you?" Vegas said before he went inside the mansion.

Pete was about to run to follow Vegas, but Arm stopped him.

"Let's go, Pete. Please don't hurt yourself again." Arm said before he pulled Pete.

"But, Arm..." Pete looked at Arm with tears flowing in his eyes.

Arm hugged his friend, "Shh. Don't cry. Let's go home." Arm said and guide Pete to ride in the car.

Pete nodded and they both rode the car. Arm the one who drove the car.

But, for the one last time... Pete looked at the minor family mansion...

"Is it hard to fight for us, Vegas?" Pete whispered before Arm maneuvered the car.

PETE WAS peacefully sleeping when he heard his door opened forcefully. He opened his eyes and saw his master along with Arm, Pol, and Porsche.

"Pete, wake up!" Tankhun tapped him aggressively.

"Khun No, I'm awake." Pete grunted.

Pete sat to his bed and looked at his wall clock, "Oh, it's already evening?" Pete mumbled to himself.

"Yeah. So, stand up and fixed yourself." Pete looked puzzled when he heard Tankhun, "We're going to Yok's bar. We're going to celebrate because you're back! It's been two days since you're back here, but you always sleep!" Tankhun exclaimed irritatedly.

"Okay, Khun No." Pete answered and stood up.

"Alright, we'll wait for you outside." Tankhun said and left.

Pete looked at Porsche because he was left there, "Why are you staring at me, Porsche? You're not my type, okay?" Pete joked because Porsche keep staring at him.

"Don't flashed your fake smile at me, Pete." Porsche walked near at Pete and tapped his shoulder, "You'll get through this okay?" He added.

Pete smiled sadly and nodded his head, "I'm going to be okay..." Pete muttered.

Porsche smiled at Pete, "Go! Dress up, we will get wasted tonight." Porsche said and left Pete's room.

Pete shook his head and smiled because he was thankful that he has a friends like them. He's still hurt but he needs to keep going in his life...without Vegas.

When Pete was done, he immediately went outside and saw that Tankhun and his friends were waiting for him.

"At last! Let's go! Pete's here!" Tankhun yelled in excitement before he clung his arms to Pete's and Pol's.

They rode in the car and Tankhun started singing so loud. Pete smiled while watching his master, he missed this bonding with them but he can't deny that he missed Vegas so much.

'How is he? Is he doing fine? Did he already eat his dinner?' Pete's questions in his mind.

He can't stopped himself thinking about Vegas and Macau. He's still anxious about their safety. Because until now, their lives are in danger. Even though Pete wanted to help Vegas...he doesn't want to add in Vegas problems...

"We're here! C'mon! Let's party and get wasted tonight!" Tankhun shouted before he entered Yok's bar.

Pete's friends cheered and then entered the bar too. Porsche looked at him and put his arm on Pete's shoulders, "Let's have fun, okay?" Porsche said while smiling at him.

Pete nodded at him timidly.

"I will mixed our drinks." Porsche told him and went to the bar counter.

Pete sat on the stool and roamed his gaze at the bar, the people were partying happily; he should be happy too but he can't do it.

The pain is still fresh in his heart and mind. Every time Vegas keeps appearing in his mind. He still hears Vegas words that keep hurting him.

"Pete, drink this!" Porsche gave Pete a shot of the cocktail he made.

Pete quickly get the shot glass and drank  it, "Fuck.." He muttered when the cocktail was too strong but he doesn't care.

'Maybe, It will lessen the pain if I will get wasted..' Pete thought.

"One more.." Pete told Porsche.

Porsche obliged and mixed another set of cocktails for his friends.

"WOOOHH! PARTY PARTY!" Tankhun yelled while dancing his heart out.

Porsche and Arm just watched their friends getting drunk.

"Look at him," Arm nudge Porsche and looked at Pete, who's continously drinking the cocktail. "Our dear friend was so broken to Khun Vegas" Arm asked.

"Obviously." Porsche replied as he keep observing his friend.

"If you are there, Porsche... You will punch Khun Vegas, because of the words he told to Pete."

"I don't know what's happening...I know Vegas was not like that. I talked to him before and he was madly in love with Pete, that he's not willing to let him go." Porsche uttered.

"What's the reason of Khun Vegas? Pete was devastated." Arm said.

Porsche shook his head, "The only thing we can do is to help Pete..."

"V-vegas...I'm s-sorry.." They heard Pete started crying so hard.

Porsche and Arm sat beside Pete, trying to console him, "Pete..." They both muttered.

"It's my f-fault...V-vegas is m-mad at m-me..." Pete cried.

It's hard for them to see their friend hurting. Arm caressed Pete's back to give him comfort.

"V-vegas... I n-need to t-talk to h-him.." Tears continued to flow in Pete's cheeks.

"M-my f-fault." Pete slapped himself and tried to punch himself, but good thing Porsche and Arm was there to stop him.

"Stop hurting yourself, Pete." Porsche said.

Pete shook his head and continued to drink the cocktail.

"Hey! Let's dance!" Tankhun invited them to the dance floor, but stopped when he saw Pete's situation.

"What's happening to Pete!? Is he drunk?" Tankhun asked.

Arm nodded, "He's broken."

"Because of that bastard, Vegas?" Tankhun angrily asked.

Porsche and Arm nodded. Tankhun held Pete's cheeks, "My Pete.."

"V-vegas...l-love...y-you're b-back.." Pete muttered and tried to kissed Tankhun but the latter slapped Pete's mouth.

"What the hell!? Is he trying to kissed me?" Tankhun shrieked.

"Nevermind," Tankhun looked at Pete, "Pete, forget about Vegas. Don't worry, I will find you another man who will love you so much as much as I love you, okay?" Tankhun said while caressing Pete's cheeks.

Pete pouted and hit Khun No's hands, "I j-just only w-want V-vegas! S-shut the fuck up!" Pete yelled.

"Damn, he fucking fell hard to my damn devil cousin!" Tankhun muttered.

"V-vegash...it h-hurts.." Pete's friends watched him crying, uttering Vegas name.

"You know what, let's go home. Pete needs to take a rest." Arm said.

"That's right. I will ready the car." Pol said and went outside.

"Let's go home, Pete." Porsche said and assisted Pete to stand.

"S-sorry, V-vegash..." Pete keeps muttering.

When they already settled Pete in the car, "I hope they both survived this storm in their relationship." Porsche said while looking at his friend.

"I hope too, even I don't like Vegas for him...I still wanted them to be with each other because they are both happy. Pete's happy with Vegas and same with my cousin.." Tankhun said.

"We need to find out the one who started this chaos.." Tankhun added before he rode to the car.

THREE DAYS passed. Pete was still lying on his bed because it's his day off. As much as he wanted to enjoy this...he can't stop thinking about Vegas.

Pete sighed and stared at his ceiling, thinking how's Vegas' life. For the past three days, Vegas never left his mind. Every damn time he's thinking about him.

"I miss you so much, Vegas." Pete muttered.

Pete closed his eyes, forcing himself to sleep because that's the only way he could see Vegas again...to be with Vegas again... in his dreams.

"Pete? Are you awake already?" Pete heard a knock. It was Porsche.

He sat up, "Come in." He said.

Porsche entered his room and Pete looked at him.

"How are you?" Porsche asked Pete.

Pete smiled at him, "Thank you for asking that, Porsche. I'm fine..I'm trying to be fine.." Pete answered.

Porsche sat in the bed looking at Pete, "That's good to hear. You'll be okay..."

"I hope so.." Pete replied.

"Porsche..." Pete played his fingers, "Is it bad if I'm still hoping that Vegas will comeback to me?" Pete muttered.

Porsche's heart ached when he heard his friend. "It's not, Pete."

Pete averted his gaze at Porsche, eyes watered because of his tears, "I know...Vegas will comeback to me... I'll wait for him. I don't believed that he doesn't want me anymore..." Pete whispered as his tears dripped in his cheeks.

Porsche immediately hugged Pete, "It's going to be okay, Pete. I'm here. We are here for you." Porsche comforted Pete.

"Thank you, Porsche." Pete said as he wiped his tears. He doesn't want his friends worry about him.

Porsche stood up, "Call us if you need anything."

Pete nodded at him before Porsche left.

When Porsche left, Pete went back to stared in nothingness. This was his daily routine, because this is where he could reminisced his memories with Vegas.

"I will wait for you, Vegas.." Pete said.

He laid in his bed, readying himself to sleep again, but stopped when his phone rang...

He quickly get his phone and his heart glimmer in happiness when he saw Leo's name.

He answered the call, "Hello, Leo? Why did you call me? Is there any news about Macau? About Vegas? How is he?" Pete fired Leo questions.

"Phi...about Khun Vegas.."

"What about Vegas?" Pete's heart beats rapidly as Leo mentioned Vegas name.

His sick worried about his family, Vegas and Macau.

"Khun Vegas left by himself to find Khun Macau, Phi. We didn't know where he is." Leo said, worry was evident to his voice.

Pete got up to his bed and get the car key, "Wait for me there, Leo. I will go there." Pete said with nervousness.

He dropped the call and hurriedly went outside, "No. Please, don't let anything bad happened to Vegas too.." Pete mumbled as he rode the car and drove away going to the minor family mansion.