7

Two weeks after the incident, Sky's life returns to normal.

The café door is repaired.

No more threats.No more mysterious man showing up out of nowhere.

It's during Sky's evening shift when a man in black walks in casually and he instantly recognizes the familiar face from that night.

Joong. The bartender.

Sky clenches his jaw and steps out from behind the counter, offering View a reassuring smile before grabbing Joong by the arm and dragging him outside the café.

"What are you doing here?" Sky asks, keeping his voice controlled as he fights the urge to snap.

Joong doesn't resist. He leans back against the brick wall outside, his expression calm but serious.

"I'm here to talk," he says simply.

"About what?" Sky shoots back.

Joong raises an eyebrow. "The threat you received last time."

Sky lets out a sigh. "How do you know about that?"

"Nani told me. He sent me here to get you," Joong replies with a shrug, both hands tucked into his pockets.

"Look, I'm just an escort for one night," Sky snaps, then quickly lowers his voice when a passerby gives him a strange look.

"I don't want anything to do with that world anymore. He made it clear he doesn't want to see me again."

Joong's expression stays serious, his gaze steady.

"You do realize that other gangs have their eyes on you now, right? Not just you, your uncle, and the people at the café too."

Sky swallows hard, his throat suddenly dry.

"What do you mean?" he asks, clearly confused.

Joong rubs his temples and exhales a slow breath.

"At the bar, a lot of eyes were on you two. People saw you leave together. Our rivals think you might be Nani's weakness," he says flatly.

Sky's eyes flicker with unease.

"If you're wondering," Joong pauses, hesitating, "he's never brought anyone to his private space. Not until you. And—"

He stops himself, realizing he has no right to reveal more about Nani's private life.

"Listen to me. If you want to keep your people safe especially your uncle, Nani will move him to a better hospital and assign his men to keep watch over him."

Sky remains silent, staring down at the pavement.

He slowly turns to glance back at the café, then looks at Joong again. "Are you sure he'll help?"

Joong nods. "Your uncle will be safe. So will the people at the café. But in return, you need to come with me. You'll be offered a job and a place to stay."

Sky rubs his face, overwhelmed.

Of course, one million baht doesn't come without strings.

He's already used most of the money for Sunny's chemotherapy, the upcoming surgery, and the house's outstanding rental fees.

He doesn't have another option. Not really.

"Give me a second," he mutters, heading back into the café.

Madam Godji has just stepped in from the back door, now standing beside View. As Sky explains everything, their expressions shift from concern to heartbreak.

Through the glass window, Joong watches silently as the two women hug Sky tightly, like they're saying goodbye for the last time.

Once Sky steps out, Joong opens the SUV door parked at the side of the road.

Sky pauses for a moment.

"Let's stop by the hospital and my rental house first. I need to pack my things and see my uncle before I leave," he says as he gets into the passenger seat. Joong slides behind the wheel.

The bartender starts the engine and pulls away, heading toward the nearby hospital.

When they arrive, Sky is the first to step out, with Joong trailing behind.

The steady beeping of the monitors, sounds that have become part of his daily life fade slightly as he walks down the familiar hallway toward the ward where Sunny rests after another chemo session.

"Uncle," Sky calls softly as he opens the door.

Lying in bed, Sunny is resting. His face is pale, but a gentle smile appears the moment he sees Sky.

"Sky," he greets his nephew in a tired but warm voice.

"I'm here," Sky replies gently, moving quickly to sit in the chair beside the bed.

Joong waits just outside, occasionally glancing into the room through the small window in the door.

Sunny reaches out weakly, placing a trembling hand over Sky's. "You came back early today."

Sky smiles faintly, squeezing his uncle's hand. "I wanted to see you before I go. There's something I need to take care of for a while."

Sunny's eyes narrow slightly. "Where are you going?"

Sky hesitates. The truth sits heavily in his chest, but he doesn't want to worry him.

"I got a job opportunity. It'll help us out more. It's temporary, but it'll make things easier." He forces a small smile.

"You don't have to worry. I've made sure you'll be taken care of."

Sunny studies his face quietly for a moment, his gaze sharper than Sky expects despite the fatigue.

"Will you be here for the surgery next month?" he asks, concern in his eyes.

"Of course I'll be here," Sky replies, the smile still lingering on his lips.

Sunny finally nods. "Take care of yourself. Text or call whenever you have time," he says, squeezing Sky's shoulder gently.

"Let me know when you're discharged. I already cleaned up the house," Sky says, and Sunny gives him another nod, watching as Sky rises to his feet.

"I'll keep sending your monthly allowance as usual, and my new boss is moving you to a hospital with better equipment. I'll text you the address later," Sky adds before leaving the room.

Outside, Joong is waiting, his expression curious.

"Your uncle, he looks familiar," Joong says thoughtfully.

Sky frowns. "What do you mean?"

Joong hesitates, then shakes his head. "Probably nothing. He reminds me of someone I saw in an old photo. Must be a coincidence."

Sky says nothing, but a knot of unease settles in his chest. He brushes it off and gestures toward the hallway.

"Let's go. I need to grab my things before we leave."

The ride to Sky's rental house is quiet.

Joong doesn't speak, and Sky keeps his eyes on the window, watching the city blur by.

Every corner, every second feels a little more distant, like he's already leaving the life he knew.

When they reach his place, Sky steps out of the car and walks to the house. He opens the door and disappears inside, returning a few minutes later with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

"That's everything," he says, tossing the bag into the back seat.

Joong nods as Sky climbs in again.

As they pull away from the sideroad, Sky looks back at the building one last time.

It's not much.But it was home.

Now, he's heading somewhere unknown. Somewhere dangerous. Somewhere that will demand more from him than anything ever has.

And all because of one night with a man who wasn't supposed to matter but somehow does.

***

Nani walks through the hallway, frustration etched across his face.

He's attended numerous auction events, but there's still no sign of Dunk.

Just as he's about to turn another corner, a familiar figure stops him in his tracks.

Fai approaches, hands tucked casually into his pockets, a slight smirk tugging at his handsome features.

"Where are you hiding him?" Nani demands, teeth clenched as he instinctively steps back, his spine hitting the rough surface of the wall with a jolt.

Fai lets out a mocking chuckle.

"Easy now," he says smoothly, planting his hands on either side of Nani and effectively trapping him.

"I told you, if you want him back, as part of your gang," Fai leans in closer, voice low and dangerous, "you'll have to accept me back into your life."

His lips hover inches from Nani's.

Nani's breath hitches, fury tightening in his chest. "You tricked me once," he growls, voice a warning. "I won't let you trick me twice."

He shoves Fai off him, hard enough to break the tension between them.

Fai stumbles back a step, but the smirk never leaves his face. He dusts off his suit with a low chuckle slipping from his lips.

"You always were emotional when it came to me," Fai says, straightening up. "That's your weakness, Nani. You let feelings blur your vision."

Nani's eyes darken. "And you use people like they're disposable. Dunk was never yours to take."

"He volunteered," Fai replies casually. "He chose to sacrifice himself. But you're still too stubborn to understand what it means to let go."

Nani steps forward, jaw clenched. "If you've hurt him—"

Fai raises a hand, smirking. "Relax. He's fine. For now. But if you keep pushing, that might change."

"You're not untouchable, Fai. You might think you're controlling the game, but sooner or later, someone's going to remind you you're not."

The smirk on Fai's face fades slightly. The threat lands.

"Just remember," he says, voice low and dangerous, "I won't stop until you're kneeling in front of me."

Without another word, he turns and disappears down the hallway, his footsteps echoing as the shadows swallow him.

Nani stands frozen, fists clenched, heart pounding.

This isn't just about rival gangs anymore.

He's fighting someone from his past and that man knows exactly how to use it against him.

Somewhere out there, Dunk is still waiting.

Alive. Maybe safe.

But still trapped in a game Nani swore to keep him out of.

With a sharp exhale, Nani turns and leaves the venue.

Outside, the night air is thick and heavy.

He lights a cigarette, inhaling deeply, letting the smoke calm his nerves before exhaling into the sky.

"The night's still young," he mutters to himself.

He feels it, a palm sliding over his chest from behind. An escort, smooth and confident, pressing close.

Nani doesn't react.

He stands there, unmoving, not even bothering to push the man away.

Then, like a jolt to the chest, Sky's face flashes through his mind.

His warmth. His breathless groans. His touch.

Nani's hand freezes mid-air, the cigarette slowly burning between his fingers.

Suddenly, the night doesn't feel so young anymore.

"I'm not in the mood," Nani mutters, dropping the cigarette to the ground and crushing it under his shoe.

Without sparing a glance, he steps away.

"You can go back. Your service is done for tonight," he adds coldly, waiting at the side of the road for the vehicle that will take him back to his private suite.

The familiar SUV pulls up, slow and silent.

Nani slides into the backseat, only to freeze as a voice drifts from the front passenger seat.

"Rough night?"

Nani jumps slightly. "What the—?"

Joong sits there, arms crossed, side-eyeing the driver.

Nani frowns and leans forward, squinting past Joong to the driver's seat.

The moment the man turns slightly to look at him, Nani's eyes go wide.

"What the hell is he doing here?!" Nani practically shrieks.

Joong chuckles at his panicked tone. "Relax. He's just driving."

Sky keeps his eyes forward, silent, jaw tight.

"You asked me to check on him, and that's exactly what I'm doing," Joong says casually, glancing sideways at Nani.

Nani groans and rubs his temple. "I didn't ask you to bring him all the way here."

Sky blinks, glancing at them in the rearview mirror. "Wait, he didn't request me?"

Joong smirks. "Congratulations. You got played."

Nani sinks lower into his seat, scowling. "I'm never living this down."

"You must really hate me that much," Sky mutters, more to himself than anyone else.

Nani scoffs. "I don't hate you. I made it clear, you were never supposed to be part of this world."

Sky stays quiet, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

"Yet the gang is hunting me because of you," he snaps.

Nani is about to respond, frustration clear in his eyes, when Joong cuts in with a sigh.

"Guys, I'm still in the car," the bartender says dryly, raising a brow from the front seat.

Both Sky and Nani turn away at the same time, avoiding each other's eyes.

Joong shifts in his seat, glancing at Nani. "Look, I know you're worried about Dunk. But as his boyfriend, I believe he's okay."

Nani doesn't respond. He crosses his arms and legs instead, letting out another annoyed scoff.

But Sky catches something that doesn't sit right.

"Dunk?" he asks, frowning as he looks at Joong.

"There was this guy," Sky continues slowly. "Two weeks ago, he stopped me in an alley and said Dunk was doing fine."

Joong's eyes widen and Nani stiffens in the backseat, posture suddenly alert.

"You're sure?" Joong asks, leaning toward Sky.

Sky nods. "He didn't give a name. But he had a bruise on his lip, like he'd been in a fight. Said he couldn't tell me more."

Nani's jaw clenches. "He was watching you?"

Sky nods again, more firmly this time.

"That means Dunk's alive," Joong says, glancing at Nani in the back. "That means he's somewhere out there."

Nani's eyes narrow. "We need to fucking bring him back."