2

Sky swallowed hard as he watched the man circle the table and lean against it, facing him.

"What's your name?" the man asked plainly.

Sky kept his head low before finally looking up to meet his gaze.

"Sky Wongravee," he replied shortly.

The man responded with a quiet hum.

"Nice to meet you, Sky," the man said, leaning back slightly, "since you'll be working for me tonight, I'm Nani Hirunkit. But you can call me Nani," he added with a cigarette in between his slender fingers.

"You know how the escort job works, right?" he asked, studying Sky through the haze of smoke before exhaling slowly.

Sky hesitated, then nodded.

"Well," Nani said, tapping ash into a nearby tray, "it's not time for that yet. First, I need you to come with me."

Sky nodded again, silently.

He didn't know what to expect but something told him this night was going to be long.

Nani turned away and walked toward an expensive looks black coat draped over a nearby chair.

He moved with purpose, like a man who was always in control, unbother by treat and danger.

"Put this on," Nani said, tossing Sky a long, dark coat. "It'll help you blend in. Everyone at this place watches. You don't want to look out of place."

Sky caught it, his fingers brushing the expensive fabric.

It was heavier than it looked.

Tailored, sharp, like everything else in Nani's world.

As he slipped it on, he caught his reflection in a nearby mirror.

He barely recognized himself anymore.

"You're quiet," Nani said, adjusting the cuffs of his own jacket. "Is that nerves? Or are you just this calm all the time?"

Sky straightened. "I just don't talk unless I need to."

Nani smirked. "Hm. We'll work on that."

He moved closer, stopping just a step away from Sky. Too close for comfort, or maybe just close enough.

"Tonight, you're mine. Got it?" he said quietly, his voice low but firm.

"You stay by my side. You smile when I tell you to. And if anyone talks to you, you let me do the talking. Understand?"

Sky nodded slowly, heart pounding in his chest."Understood."

For a second, Nani's gaze softened before it disappeared again behind his usual calm.

They left the room and walks along the hallway, down to the ground floor through elevator ride, silence stretching between them like a wire pulled tight.

Outside, an expensive limousine waited with its engine already running.

Nani opened the passenger door for him himself, something Sky didn't expect.

It was a small gesture, but it said everything.

Power didn't have to shout.

Sky slipped inside.

As the car pulled into the night, city lights blurred past them. In front of him, Nani leaned back in his seat, eyes fixed ahead with grace.

The scent of his cologne filled the space between them.

The smell of lavender, fresh and clean.

And as they drove into the darkness, Sky realized something unsettling.

This wasn't fear he was feeling anymore.

It was curiosity.

"I hear it's your first time," Nani said, breaking the silence.

He sat elegantly across from Sky. Legs crossed, one hand resting on his lap, the other holding a glass of champagne.

His eyes never left Sky.

Sky, still taken aback by the luxurious interior, said nothing until a quiet chuckle from Nani drew his attention.

"I suppose it's your first time in everything," Nani added casually, before sipping from his glass.

Sky gulped, fidgeting in his seat, and nodded awkwardly.

Nani placed his glass down, then poured another. This time for Sky and moved to sit beside him.

The space between them shrank instantly. Sky tensed as Nani's eyes settled on him, intense and curious.

He could smell his cologne more clearly now.

He could see the exposed skin beneath Nani's suit jacket.

Nani gently lifted the champagne glass toward Sky's lips, silently urging him to drink.

Sky didn't hesitate. He took a small sip then drained the rest in one go.

Nani blinked, clearly amused. "Alcohol definitely isn't your first time."

Sky met his gaze. "I'm overage. Of course it's not my first time," he replied flatly.

Nani laughed, a soft, warm sound but intimidating that made the air feel even heavier.

"You're not just handsome," he said with a grin, his hand suddenly gripping the front of Sky's jacket. "You're cute, too."

Their breath mingled.

Warm and slow between them as Nani leaned in just a little more, his gaze over Sky's features.

He studied him like something he might want to keep.

Sky's breath caught in his throat.

Nani's hand was still gripping his jacket, holding him close, their faces barely inches apart.

It wasn't just the cologne or the champagne clouding his senses, it was the way Nani looked at him.

Like he was a puzzle worth solving. A secret worth unwrapping.

Sky's heart pounded, but he didn't move.

He couldn't.

Nani tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping to a murmur. "You're nervous. But you're not scared of me, are you?"

Sky met his gaze, eyes steady despite the heat rising in his chest. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be scared of."

Nani's smile was thin and mystery. "Good answer."

And just like that, he let go. Leaning back, reaching for his glass again as if the moment hadn't just happened.

Sky exhaled softly, trying not to make it obvious.

Outside the tinted window, the city began to shift. The busy streets giving way to a quieter, more exclusive part of town.

The kind of place with no signs. No addresses. Just silent gates and discreet entrances.

"We're here, Mr. Hirunkit," the driver inform as he open the window separating the front and back side.

Nani hums softly as he set the empty glass champagne away and be the first one to steps out from the limousin before Sky followed.

Right as Sky steps out from the vehicle, his phone vibrate.

He fish it out from his pocket's pants.

It's notification from bank, the agency credited 100,000 baht as per promise.

Nani curiously looks at Sky as he keeps his phone away but didn't ask anything.

The escort take a deep breathe and exhale as he walks to stand beside Nani.

He looks around the unfamiliar area then back to Nani.

"Your arm," Nani said out of nowhere.

Sky looks at him confusingly which make Nani scratch his forehead in annoy then reach to wrap his own arm around Sky.

He looks up at Sky in amuse.

"Strong arm you got there," he complement.

Sky shyly rub his neck, "I hit gym when I have free time," he admitted as they walks toward the entrance of the building. 

Once inside, Sky's lips parted in awe at the sight before him.

A massive chandelier glittered above them, casting golden light over marble floors and elegant decor.

Everything screamed wealth and luxury he never imagined himself walking through.

He watched silently as people approached Nani with polite nods and formal greetings.

They treated him like someone important, someone powerful.

Sky didn't say a word. He only smiled when Nani prompted him to. Only returned greetings when asked.

He stayed close, observing, until they were finally ushered into the main venue of the event.

Seats were arranged by number. Sky sat beside Nani and looked down at the paper handed to him, his brows furrowed in confusion.

He'd never attended an auction before, had no idea how it worked.

Then the door to the private viewing room shut behind them with a soft click.

Sky froze slightly at the sound of the lock sliding into place, but said nothing.

The lights dimmed, casting the room into shadow. A single spotlight illuminated the center of the stage.

And the event began.

Just like any formal affair, there was an emcee. Well-dressed, well-spoken who introduced each item up for bidding.

Art pieces. Rare antiques. Jewelry. Luxury beyond Sky's comprehension.

He kept his reactions muted, but the rising prices were enough to make his stomach twist.

Some items sold for millions without hesitation.

Then, as the night drew to a close, the energy in the room shifted.

"And now," the MC said with a knowing smirk tugging at his lips, "we've come to the final part of tonight's auction."

A murmur spread through the VIP guests.

Sky leaned forward slightly, expecting something extravagant maybe a rare car or an ancient artifact.

But what rolled onto the stage made his blood run cold.

It wasn't an object.

It was a person.

A young woman, locked inside a transparent display case. Naked.

Chains clung to her neck, wrists, and ankles. She struggled. Weakly, desperately under the harsh spotlight as the crowd watched in silence.

Sky's heart thudded painfully.

His eyes darted to Nani, then back to the stage.

This wasn't just an auction.This was trafficking.

His breath hitched. His chest tightened.

He wanted to speak but the words stuck like thorns in his throat.

What the hell had he gotten himself into?

Sky was about to rise from his seat when Nani's voice cut through the tense air.

"You're not going anywhere." His tone was sharp.

Sky turned to him, eyes burning with fury.

He met Nani's gaze head-on, his voice trembling with restrained rage.

"I don't care if you want more than just company," he hissed.

"But I won't sit here and watch you people auction off a human being like it's nothing. It's disgusting."

He moved to stand again. This time with more force but Nani's hand clamped around his arm, gripping tighter.

"Sit. Down." Nani's voice was lower now, but even more commanding.

Sky froze. His heart hammered in his chest.

Nani leaned in close, his eyes cold and serious.

"See those men in the corners? The ones with guns?"He nodded subtly toward the shadows lining the walls.

"They won't hesitate to shoot you the second you make a scene."

Sky followed his gaze and saw them. Silent figures in black, barely visible, but armed and watching.

His throat tightened. A cold sweat broke across his skin. Reluctantly, he sank back into his chair, jaw clenched.

Sky couldn't take his eyes off the stage.

The woman inside the case looked terrified.

Bruised. Helpless.

Her eyes darted around the room like a caged animal, silently begging for help but no one moved.

No one even flinched.

The room remained still. Almost entertained.

Sky's hands curled into fists on his lap.

"This is illegal," he whispered, barely audible.

Beside him, Nani didn't react at first. He simply cross his arms over his chest, calm as ever, eyes fixed on the stage.

Sky turned to him, his voice low and tense. "You knew about this?"

Nani finally looked at him, unfazed. "Of course."

The answer hit Sky like a slap.

"She's human," he said harshly. "They're selling a person."

Nani leaned in slightly, his voice quiet but razor-sharp."This is how underground business work, Sky."

Sky's jaw clenched. He wanted to stand up, to walk out, to do something, anything. But his body felt frozen, like the weight of the room had him locked in place.

The emcee continued as if none of it were shocking. "Opening bid begins at 10 million baht."

A few hands lifted without hesitation.

Sky's stomach churned.

He turned again to Nani, who hadn't lifted a finger.

"You're not bidding?"

Nani's eyes narrowed just slightly, a shadow crossing his features. "I'm not here for her."

The coldness of the words chilled Sky to the bone.

But then Nani leaned closer, voice so low Sky could barely hear it.

"But I know who she belongs to. And this auction isn't really about selling her. It's a warning."

Sky blinked. "A warning?"

"To someone who crossed the wrong people."

Suddenly, Sky wasn't sure what horrified him more, the girl in chains or the power behind her presence.

"You're okay with this?" he asked, voice sharp, desperate.

Nani looked at him fully now. There was no smirk. No charm. Just a calm, question stare.

"I don't make the rules," he said softly. "I survive them."

For the first time that night, Sky realized something terrifying.

Nani wasn't just attending this world.

He was part of it.