8

Silence fills the car for a few heavy beats.

Sky grips the steering wheel tighter, eyes fixed on the road as he starts the engine.

The streetlights wash across his face in nimble glows, casting shadows beneath his eyes.

He looks tired. Confused.

"You lied to me," he says quietly, his voice calm but cold.

Joong doesn't respond right away. He leans his head back against the seat, pretending he didn't hear.

But Nani hears the words and misunderstands them.

"I didn't lie," Nani says suddenly, his voice low. "I told you not to see me again. I meant it. You're here because of Joong, not me."

Sky lets out a humorless breath, almost a scoff. "Is that supposed to make sense to me?"

Joong glances between them through the rearview mirror but wisely stays silent in the front passenger seat.

"You don't get it," Nani mutters. "I was trying to protect you."

"By dragging me back into this mess?" Sky snaps, his voice rising.

Nani sits up straighter, eyes narrowing. "You were already involved the moment you stepped into my place. It's not like I forcefully dragged you in, you followed me on your own."

"You seduced me!" Sky shouts.

"And I didn't force you!" Nani fires back.

The car falls still.

Even the hum of the engine seems quieter after that.

Sky blinks, stunned.

Joong lets out a low sigh and mutters, "This is better than any drama series I've watched."

Nani shoots him a glare through the mirror but says nothing.

Instead, he looks back at Sky, his voice low and rough.

"You were supposed to be just an escort looking for quick cash. But you were too kind for the job. I thought maybe it'd be okay if we spent just one night together. Then I paid the agency and asked them to block you."

Sky swallows hard, his throat suddenly dry.

He hates how much that sentence makes something ache in his chest.

"So what now?" he asks, his voice softer but not forgiving.

Nani doesn't answer right away.

He glances at Sky through the rearview, then turns his head away.

"Just leave."

Sky's jaw tightens, his eyes locking on the rearview mirror.

"And if I say no?"

Nani's eyes darken. "Go ahead. Do whatever you want. I don't care anymore."

Sky doesn't respond.

The tension thickens, like a fourth presence in the car, sitting between them.

But he doesn't press the brakes.

He keeps driving.

Forward. Toward whatever's coming next.

A moment passes in silence before Sky asks quietly, "Were you keeping eyes on me this whole time? Even after I left?"

Joong, sitting beside him, tries hard not to react, sensing the weight of the question.

"I didn't!" Nani replies, half-whining, half-defensive.

Joong covers his mouth with one hand, turning his face to the window, trying not to laugh out loud.

Sky says nothing after that.

The road stretches ahead, dark and quiet. The headlights carve through the silence like a knife.

Behind him, Nani slumps slightly in his seat, muttering under his breath, "You're impossible."

Sky's lips curl into the faintest smirk, though it doesn't reach his eyes.

"You're a mafia leader. Why are you acting so sulky?" Sky mocks, glancing at Nani with a smirk.

Nani grits his teeth. "I'm not the mafia leader. It's the guy next to you."

Joong turns his head instantly to glare at Nani, eyes wide with betrayal. "Seriously?"

"That's for lying to him about why he needed to be here," Nani shoots back, unapologetic.

Joong sighs, clearly defeated.

Sky glances between the two of them, brows furrowed in confusion.

"Fine," Joong finally admits, arms crossing over his chest. "I've been disguised as a bartender. It was the best way to keep an eye on the other gangs."

Sky stays quiet. He keeps his eyes on the road, listening.

"Aydin Gang," Joong says after a moment. "That's our real name. It's my family's business, and I'm the heir."

He stares out the window, his voice calm now, almost distant. "Nani was someone I brought in through the auction years ago."

Sky's expression shifts, surprise flashing across his face. "You bought him?"

Nani doesn't deny it.

He sits quietly in the backseat, eyes cast down.

"That's how the underground business works. And you've seen it for yourself," Joong replies, glancing at Sky from the corner of his eye.

"I bought him from the Chakrit Gang," Joong continues.

Nani doesn't seem bothered by Joong telling the truth. Everyone in the gang already knows his origins. There's nothing left to hide.

"He and Dunk both belonged to the Chakrit Gang. One night, I attended an auction they hosted. At first, it was Dunk who caught my eye. But he begged me to take Nani too, he refused to leave without him. Nani was supposed to go with another bidder, but I paid three times what the winner offered."

Sky's grip tightens around the wheel. His jaw clenches.

"Chakrit Gang couldn't stand the loss, but they needed the money then. Now that they're gaining profit again, they want one of them back," Joong says, pausing.

"I was shot and forced into a recovery months ago. Nani was appointed as temporary boss. I decided to keep him in that role."

Sky stays quiet, the story settling in his chest like a weight.

He doesn't know whether to be angry or to pity them.

But he does know, he's already in too deep.

"And one night, Dunk disappears. No message, nothing. We hear he's back with the gang," Joong says, voice low.

"Why do they mean so much to the gang?" Sky asks, confused, as he turns into the area near the bar and Nani's hidden suite.

"We were ex-escorts. We offered sex," Nani says suddenly, breaking the silence.

Sky nearly slams the brakes, his lips parting in shock.

Joong turns to look at Nani, brows furrowed. "Nani," he says, tone warning.

Nani shrugs. "It's the truth."

He stares ahead, eyes dark. "He tricked us into thinking he cared. Made us believe we mattered. Then he turned me into his toy. His personal companion."

Sky pulls the car to a stop and yanks the handbrake. Both he and Joong turn to face Nani, who sits still in the backseat, his expression grim.

"I told you," Joong says firmly, almost too forcefully, "Stop talking about your past, Nani."

Nani lets out a low chuckle. "That's what I was before you freed me, Joong."

Sky and Joong exchange a glance as Nani steps out of the car and heads toward the bar.

"I need you to keep your eyes on him," Joong says as Sky unbuckles his seatbelt.

Sky pauses, confused. "Why me?"

Joong looks at him for a beat before asking, "Do you know how to fight?"

Sky nods slowly. "No formal training, but I go to the gym and practice boxing."

Joong nods. "That's enough for now. You can train with the others later." He opens the door, but Sky stops him.

"Still, why me?"

Joong hesitates, then answers, "Because Nani won't listen to anyone else. Not even me."

Sky's brows furrow.

"After that night you two spent together, something changed in him," Joong says, voice thoughtful. "He's different now. Off balance. The way he was when I first brought him here."

Joong chuckles softly. "When I mention your name, he looks vulnerable. Panicked. So if keeping you close keeps him grounded then yes, I need you."

Sky doesn't speak right away. Then he nods.

"I'll do what I can," he says.

Joong smiles and pats his shoulder. "Don't worry about the payment or your uncle. I'll take care of it."

Sky nods and follows him inside.

Nani is already on the dance floor, a glass likely vodka clutched in his hand.

Joong sighs. "He acts like this every time he comes back from an auction."

Sky doesn't respond. He watches as Nani sways awkwardly to the beat, cheeks flushed, eyes unfocused.

"I'll bring him back to his suite," Sky says calmly.

Joong raises an eyebrow. "Be my guest."

Sky pushes through the crowd.

"Nani, let's go," he says, trying to take the glass.

Nani hiccups, eyes glassy. "You don't get to give me instructions," he slurs. "I'm your boss."

Sky stares at him, unimpressed.

"There are lots of Skys," Nani mumbles, giggling.

Sky scoffs, then yanks the glass and hoists Nani over his shoulder.

"Hey—! Put me down!" Nani protests.

Sky ignores the stares and carries him out.

Joong waves playfully as they pass. Sky leaves the glass on the counter.

"You've got your hands full," Joong calls out.

Sky doesn't answer.

He's focused on getting the drunk idiot upstairs before he embarrasses himself more.

He finds the access card in Nani's pocket, taps it, and enters the elevator.

"Put me down," Nani murmurs.

Sky tightens his grip. "Stop moving, or you'll hurt both of us."

Nani goes still.

They reach the suite. Sky unlocks the door and sets Nani down gently.

He turns to leave but a hand grips his wrist.

"C-Can you stay?" Nani asks, voice soft, cheeks flushed.

Sky pauses, then nods and helps Nani off with his coat.

"You're drunk," he mutters, unbuttoning Nani's shirt and guiding him to the bed.

Nani lies down, eyes never leaving Sky.

"Why did you agree to whatever Joong offered you?" he mumbles.

Sky crouches nearby. "I need money."

Nani's eyes soften.

"I figured," he whispers. "Everyone always needs something."

Sky says nothing.

"I'm not blaming you," Nani adds, voice quieter.

Sky frowns slightly.

"I didn't ask for this life either," Nani says, raw and unguarded. "I just provided service. I didn't choose to live like this."

Sky stares at the floor.

"You think I don't get that?" he asks, tired. "I didn't fall into this willingly either. I just wanted to help my uncle."

Nani falls quiet.

"You're a good guy," he says. "Your uncle raised you well. I don't want you to lose yourself in all this."

A silence settles between them.

Not uncomfortable.

Heavy with everything they don't know how to say. asked, his voice soft, cheeks flushed from alcohol and maybe from the request itself.

Sky paused, then gave a small nod before helping Nani slip off his coat.

"You're drunk," he muttered as he unbuttoned the top two buttons of Nani's shirt, then led him toward the bed.

Nani said nothing. He lay down, but his eyes never left Sky.

"Why did you agree to whatever Joong offered you?" he mumbled.

Sky crouched down nearby, leaning back against the wall as he looked at Nani, expression hard.

"I need money," Sky said simply, without hesitation.

Nani's eyes softened, the drunken haze not enough to hide the way Sky's words hit him.

"I figured," he whispered, staring at the ceiling. "Everyone always needs something."

Sky didn't respond immediately. His fingers loosely tangled together, resting on his knees.

"I'm not blaming you," Nani added after a moment, voice quieter now.

Sky's brows furrowed slightly, unsure how to respond.

"I didn't ask for this life either," Nani continued, his voice raw now, stripped of all pretense.

"I simply provide service on bed. I didn't choose to be dragged into a world where everything is dangerous."

Sky looked down at the floor, his jaw tight.

"You think I don't understand that?" he asked, not harshly, just tired. "I didn't fall into this willingly either. I was just trying to help my uncle recover."

Nani was quiet for a moment.

"You're a good guy," he said softly. "Your uncle raised you well. I don't want you to lose yourself in all this."

A silence stretched between them.

Not uncomfortable, but heavy. Full of the unspoken things neither of them knew how to say.