17

Sky enters the gym with his usual duffle bag slung over one broad shoulder, catching a few glances from the other henchmen.

He doesn't say a word, walking quietly toward the locker room to change until a voice catches his attention.

"I can't believe he's already getting that much attention, and it's only been a few months since he joined the gang," someone mutters.

Sky pauses just behind the wall, out of sight, listening.

"Must be nice, going from escort to personal bodyguard. He's not even that good. Got stabbed just weeks after starting," another man adds, followed by low mocking laughter.

Sky clenches his jaw, his grip tightening around the strap of his duffle bag.

What they're saying isn't entirely false and that's what stings the most.

He stands frozen for a moment, staring blankly at nowhere in the hallway. Their laughter echoes louder in his head than it ever did in the room.

He knows what they see him.

Someone who got lucky.An outsider. A man who doesn't belong.

"I heard he's sleeping his way to where he is now. Whispers say it's boss Nani, he's also an ex-escort. Guess they suit each other. Birds of a feather flock together," comes another voice, sharp and smug.

That's enough.

Sky takes a deep breath, then steps into the locker room. The conversation cuts off instantly as a few of them catch sight of him.

He says nothing.

His movements are calm and collected as he changes clothes, acting unbothered by the whispers.

He ties his shoelaces quietly, the low murmur of the locker room fading into a dull hum.

The locker door clicks shut louder than necessary in the awkward silence that follows his entrance.

Sky stands slowly, his eyes sweeping the room.Sharp and hard.

He doesn't speak, but the weight of his stare says everything.

A few of the henchmen quickly look away, suddenly very interested in their bags or phones.

Sky walks into the gym and begins his routine with weights, his steps steady. Each one louder than the last.

The gym returns to its usual pace, but the air feels heavier, like the room itself is holding its breath.

He picks up a barbell, loads it with more weight than usual, and positions himself in front of the mirror.

Each rep is sharp, controlled, like he's lifting the weight of every doubt thrown at him.

Sweat forms at his temple, but his eyes stick on his reflection.

He isn't just pushing iron. He's proving something.To them. To himself.

From the corner of the gym, Kay enters.

He pauses, picking up on the lingering tension in the air. His gaze follows one of the henchmen's line of sight, landing on Sky.

He approaches quietly, stopping a few feet away.

"Heard some noise earlier," Kay says, his voice low but steady. "You alright?"

Sky racks the bar, chest heaving slightly from exertion. He glances over his shoulder, gives a short nod.

"They're just talking," Sky replies evenly. "That's what people do when they're afraid of someone new."

Kay smirks slightly, folding his arms. "You don't need to prove anything to them. They'll catch up or they'll shut up."

Sky doesn't respond. He doesn't need to.

Kay turns to leave, but pauses.

"I have a job for you," he says, calm but serious now.

Sky stops mid-routine, turning toward him. "What is it?" he asks, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Big boss Joong has a meeting with a third party connected to the Ghost Gang. The one rumored to be taking out other mafias involved in human trafficking," Kay explains. "Since boss Nani's still under confinement, I suggest you come with us this time."

Sky doesn't answer right away. He looks down, grabs his water bottle, and takes a long drink.

Then it hits him.

This might be the perfect opportunity. A chance to step away from Nani for a bit and maybe quiet the whispers.

"When's the meeting?" Sky asks, his tone serious now.

"Next week. Nothing risky. Only a negotiation with the Chao Gang. They apparently have a connection to the Ghost Gang," Kay replies.

Sky stays silent for a moment before returning to his workout.

"What about Nani?" he asks, voice laced with concern. "Is someone going to look after him while we're gone?"

Kay gives him a knowing look. "Don't worry. Tew and First. My guys will be with him the whole time. He'll be safe."

Sky nods. "Then it's a deal."

Kay pats him on the shoulder before heading off to start his own routine.

***

Nani storms into the gym, stomping hard, ignoring the stares from everyone inside. Tew and First trail behind, trying to keep up.

Sky has been avoiding him for days.

He ignores every request to meet in Nani's room, locks his door when Nani tries to come in, and spends nearly every hour training in the gym.

To make it worse, Kay assigns Tew and First to watch over Nani, making it nearly impossible to get a moment alone with his personal bodyguard.

Sky is just taking off his shirt when Nani bursts into the locker room, fuming with frustration.

He looks up, surprised to see Nani when the man is supposed to be confined inside the villa.

"You're avoiding me," Nani says, arms crossed tightly.

A few henchmen glance over, already sensing drama. Sky doesn't immediately respond, instead pulling a clean shirt from his locker calmly.

"I'm not," he finally replies, voice short and neutral.

"Why? Because of the whispers going around? That you only got this far because you're sleeping with me?" Nani snaps, his voice loud enough for nearby ears to catch.

Sky doesn't answer.

Instead, he sits down on the bench, still shirtless, and slowly turns to meet the eyes of the watching men. His expression is hard, unapologetic.

The room falls silent. Thick tension settles like smoke. Everyone waits.

Sky clenches his jaw, but when he speaks, his voice is even. "Let them talk. If they think I'm here because I slept my way in, that's their problem."

Nani narrows his eyes. "And you think ignoring me helps?"

"I'm not doing it for them," Sky says, finally standing. His eyes meet Nani's. "I'm doing it for you. So you don't have to keep defending me."

"I never asked for that," Nani snaps.

"No," Sky replies, softer now. "But you deserve better than having your authority questioned because of me."

Nani steps forward, stopping just inches away. "So you're pushing me away to protect me?"

Sky lets out a dry laugh. "Isn't that what you always do to people?"

The words land with weight. Nani's lips press into a tight line.

Sky's voice drops lower. "I don't care what they say. But if they start looking at you differently because of me, that's not something I can ignore."

Behind them, the henchmen awkwardly turn away, pretending to busy themselves.

But the damage is already done.

Nani grabs Sky's wrist, yanking him to stand fully upright.

Even with Sky towering over him, shirtless and intimidating, Nani doesn't flinch.

"Let them talk," he says firmly.

"I'm not pretending there's nothing between us just to make others feel comfortable."

Sky stares at him, searching for doubt. But there is none.

"You think I care what they say?" Nani continues, eyes fierce. "They'll still follow my orders. And they sure as hell won't lay a finger on you."

Sky's throat tightens. "Nani..."

"I'm not ashamed of you," Nani says, quiet but full of fire. "So fucking stop acting like you're something I need to hide."

Then, with one last glare, he bumps his shoulder against Sky's and storms out of the locker room.

Sky rolls his eyes, exhaling sharply, but the emotion clinging to his face betrays him. He watches Nani's retreating figure, jaw clenched tight.

"Happy now?" he mutters as he pulls on his shirt and slams the locker shut.

The room is quiet again.

But everything has shifted.

Sky stands there. Jaw tight, heart pounding not from anger, not from pride but from something tangled between the two.

Nani's words still echo in his mind, louder than anything the henchmen had whispered.

He turns slowly.

A few of them are still pretending to look busy, but their eyes shift, less hostile now.

Some even guilty. Maybe respectful.

Kay enters moments later, raising an eyebrow at the tension in the air. His gaze sweeps the room, then lands on Sky.

"Something I missed?" he asks casually.

"Nani was here," Sky replies, picking up his duffle bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

Kay smirks, falling into step beside him. "That explains the guilt in the room."

Sky sighs. "Am I really that bad?"

"You're not," Kay says with a shrug. "They just don't like that you climbed fast. But they can't do anything about it. Nani wants you close. And for the record, those guys shouldn't have been mocking you to begin with. We're here because we were chosen. The bosses see something in us."

Sky nods slightly. "Thanks, Kay."

Kay gives his shoulder a light pat. "Now that the whispers are dying down, what are you going to do about him?"

Sky groans and drops onto a bench.

"He's really pissed at me," he mutters. "I've never seen him that mad."

Kay laughs under his breath.

Sky falls quiet for a moment, exhaling as he stares at the door Nani disappeared through.

Not ashamed of you.

That phrase loops in his head.

Maybe it was never about the rumors.

Maybe it's about proving to himself that he earned this place. That he belongs.

"Settle it after the meeting," Kay says, snapping him out of the situation.

"You said it's not going to be dangerous, right?" Sky asks.

Kay gives a short nod. "Still, be careful. Chakrit Gang's watching us. This meeting stays confidential. Big Boss Joong's under our protection from start to finish."

Sky nods again.

Later, the bodyguard leaves the gym. Outside, he pulls out his phone and tries calling Nani, only to hear an immediate disconnect.

Blocked.

Sky sighs, rubbing his temples. "Why are you acting like a sulky boyfriend when we're not even in a real relationship?"

He's leaving tomorrow. No idea how long the negotiations will last.

Hours, days, maybe longer.

And worst of all, he's leaving with Nani still furious.