(NOTE: This will not follow the original novel, as always, so these are their age for those who wanted a reference.

Khun Korn- 55 years old

Khun Kan-52 years old

Khun Sun- 52 years old

Sol- 22 years old

Eros- 8 years old)

I sat beside Vegas, held his hand in case that he will react differently on what Khun Sun will tell him.

Khun Sun puts his cigarette on the ashtray, sat comfortably on the other sofa and signaled the rest of his men to leave the three of us first.

“Everything happened more than thirty years ago that I thought Korn has gotten over it.” He started and takes a deep breath.

Both Vegas and I were quiet waiting for him to continue his story.

“Korn and my brother Sol were from two different faculties. Korn is known for being the good looking, trouble maker and rich guy from the Faculty of Economics while my brother is a typical good-looking guy who plays chess, basketball for fun and a star student from the Education Department.”

So Khun Korn is already a trouble maker that time. Never changed.

“They met at the chess club where they both applied and get along with each other. My brother’s classmates would tell me that it was only Sol who can make Korn shut up because he had a bad temper as always,” Khun Sun laugh a little.

“Actually, my brother told me that Korn is bad at playing chess but had no choice since it is required to join at least one club based from the school policy. The Chess Club only has few members. That is when my brother will spend his time after class, teaching Korn about how to play it. That is also when they started.”

Thinking about it, I have seen a chess board and pieces on Khun Korn's room. I always thought that it was his favorite sport since he was born.

This is the first time I found out that it is the club where he met Sol.

“Korn. You should listen and study about—“ Sol didn’t finished his sentence when he caught Korn was not even listening to him.

“Korn. Are you even paying attention?”

Sol left his seat, went to Korn who seems to be looking outside. When Sol finally went to his direction, he saw that the other guy is sleeping peacefully.

Sol smiled as those deep dimples in both of his cheeks appeared. Fixing his eyeglasses, Sol bent a little and poke Korn’s nose that made him awake from his sleep.

Korn was still half-awake, trying to remove Sol’s finger that is playing with the tip his nose.

“Ai Sol!” He shouted and stands up. “I will beat you up, I’m telling you.” Korn warned.

The man with those pretty pair of dimples can only cross his arms at the level of his chest and bent a little to take a look at Korn who’s almost ten centimeters shorter than him.

“How? I’m taller than you.” Sol joked and tried to tiptoe that even made Korn furious.

“Tall, stupid and soft-hearted.” Korn went back to his sit and tried to sleep again.

“Being soft-hearted isn’t a bad thing.” He reminded this stubborn guy. “You’re so harsh.”

Sol sat on the vacant chair besides Korn and tries to wake him up again. “Hey, if you don’t want to study about chess then you can go home.”

Korn removed the handkerchief he just used to cover his face, looked at him in happiness. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

“No, I am not. Let this sleepy and trouble maker Khun go home.” Sol smiled and stares at Korn.

The other guy almost jumped from his seat, placed his bag on his shoulder, ready to go home. Sol can only look up with a smile. Sometimes, Korn could be stubborn but also behaves like a kid every time his wants are followed.

“Okay. Okay. You’re gonna leave me here.” Sol said that made Korn’s brows furrowed.

“You’re old enough. Bye.”

“Bye!” Sol waved his hands and his eyes widened in shock when Korn went near him and steal a kiss.

“See you tomorrow!”

Sol giggled.”See you tomorrow.”

Hearing it from Khun Sun’s itself. Sol is Khun Korn’s first love, the person he deeply fell in love with. It was only Sol who managed to tame the uncontrollable and short-tempered Khun Korn.

“They dated almost at the end of their freshman years. There are stories that say Korn and Sol are the perfect couple who proves that opposite attracts. Let us say that even though Korn is somehow of rude to others, there is my brother who balances everything out. I have seen them as the couple who had the healthiest kind of relationship.”

“Did you have a misunderstanding again with your brother?” Sol asked and handed Korn a cup of ice cream.

“He is always like that; he is growing up as tricky and stupid bastard.” The irritation he feels cannot hide as he complains again about his younger brother.

Sun who’s just on his last year in high school sat properly, looking at his brother who’s doing his best to calm down his boyfriend.

“Kan is still a kid. He will understand it once he grew up.”

“Kan is eighteen, the same age as your brother and he already did lots of evil things in life.” Korn argued.

“He will still learn from it.” Sol scooped his ice cream and places it near Korn’s mouth to eat it. “He is still your brother and you should teach him. Korn, you should not look at your younger brother as an enemy or a competitor.” He reminded.

Sun sat quietly, listening to the conversation. He had met Korn several times and what he had kept in his mind is its hard-headed younger brother.

Base from Korn stories, it was Kan who received attention from their parents to the point that he grew up wanting everything to favor him. In their business, Kan has also started messing with him such as delaying the plans or sabotaging it for fun.

“When both of them are already in their fourth year, Kan and I also entered college and became classmates. That is when Kan found out about his brother being in a relationship with a man for nearly three years. I think Korn hid Sol from his younger brother very well as he knew that Kan hated that kind of relationship.”

I turn sideways looking at Vegas. I knew that Khun Kan has always despised that kind of relationship that he even hated Vegas because of it.

“Good thing he’s dead.” Vegas whispered and stare at me. “He will definitely curse us for sure.”

I gently tapped his shoulder giving him an assurance. “Somehow… it’s a good thing that he’s gone.”

I mean, I will never stand it if Khun Kan will shout at us and pour his hate about this kind of relationship. I’m afraid that I might talk back once I got pissed.

Thank you, Khun Kan for dying. I will never have the chance to be humiliated by you for being with your son.

Praise the heavens, hell and earth for it.

One percent special credit to Khun Korn for saving me and Vegas from Khun Kan’s hate about two men being together.

“Kan and I became friends, joined organizations together and even do troubles together. I know that Kan sometimes find Sol and Korn’s relationship different. My brother has always reminded me that in this world, there are indeed people who will not favor about two men being in love. It was the reason why I can’t hate Kan.”

“Don’t you think it’s weird?” The young Kan asked Sun as they sat, placing their tray on their table.

“What weird?”

Kan pouted his lips, pointing the direction of Sol and Korn on the other table in the school canteen, sharing lunch and seems to be happy eating together.

“It’s not weird, Kan.” Sun told his friend and proceeds to take a bite of his lunch.

“They’re both men.”

Sun takes a look at his friend and just reminds himself to be patient.

“And they’re in love. Love is normal Kan.”

“But two men being in love are not.”

Sun raised his hand that is holding his spoon and smacks Kan with it.

“That’s my brother whom you think is not normal. Let them be.”

“Did you know that my brother has just put me into difficult situation the other day?” Kan started. “I want to get back. Can I throw pranks on your brother?”

Sun laughed. “Don’t hurt my brother I’m telling you.”

Khun Kan is definitely immature who wanted things to be on his way. Even at the young age, he is used to do things that can make Khun Korn mad.

“Kan didn’t particularly do anything to my brother. He will just throw silly pranks. Sol said that Kan is being a teenager. On the other hand, Korn is always mad at Kan for doing it. They just don’t fight for their parent’s attention but also about Sol.”

“Before graduating, Sol and Korn decided to adopt Eros. It’s our nephew, my older sisters son.”

“What will happen to him?” Korn asked and looked at the crying Eros.

Sol is carrying him, patting his head as he talks to Korn.

“Since I’m the second child then I will take care of P’ Ria’s son. I don’t want him to live at his father’s side.” Sol explained.

Ria is Sun and Sol’s older sister who raised Eros alone. She committed suicide, leaving her son on her younger brother.

“Stop crying now, young man.” Korn said and wiped away the tears on Eros’ eyes. He handed him a toy gun and smiled. “Do you want to play?”

“Eros will live with us?” Sun asked and waved hi to Korn.

“I will look after him.” Sol smiled and takes a look to Eros who stopped crying. “I will be his father.”

Korn laughed a little. “Really?”

“Of course.” Sol went to Korn’s direction and with his one hand, he hugged Korn’s shoulder. “It can be the two of us! We can be his father.”

“That’s right.” Sun agreed and gives them thumbs up. “You can be his parents.”

Korn only smiled as he stares at Eros. “Do you want?”

“You will not leave me?” Eros asked with those tears on his cheeks.

“We will not leave you.” Korn raised his hand and with his pinky finger he said, “Promise me that you stay with me and Sol.”

Sol gazes at Korn with so much admiration. “Promise now.”

“Phi Korn will not leave Nong Eros and Phi Sol?” The kid asked.

“I will not leave.” Korn promised. “Then Nong Eros and Sol will also not leave me, right?”

Sol laughed with what his lover just said.

“Why will I leave you?”

“Promise.” Eros said and sealed it with the pinky promise.

Korn kissed Eros’ cheeks and the corner of his lips rose to form a smile. “Forever.”

Sol let out a proud smile. “We are a family now.”

“Everything is already perfect. Sol and Korn have decided to work together in the business. They have Eros whom they treat as their child and even started living together. I sometimes heard them discussing about their wedding once they graduate or once the society will accept that kind of love. Kan might interrupt Korn and ruin his plan but what matters is that Korn have his family.”

I kept quiet. Just like Sol and Khun Korn, our situation is the same. They have Eros and Vegas and I have Venice.

“But then, Kan didn’t stop his immaturity. He still wants to mess with Korn and anger him every day. One day, Kan messaged Sol saying that he just kidnapped Korn and go to a place that didn’t even exist. He told Sol to find Korn as a joke. That was also the day Sol and Eros died.”

“Sun!” Kan entered their classroom, smiling from ear to ear.

“What’s with your good mood?”

“I just pranked your brother.” Kan proudly said that made Sun rolled his eyes.

“You know, stop making fun of my brother. You should be thankful that he is patient enough to deal with you.”

Kan didn’t dare to listen to his friend.

“Korn just made a deal to a big time client. It was supposed to be me but he stole it!”

“Do you know why Korn stole them? It’s because you’re getting into his nerves.”

Kan laughed. “So I’m making my revenge.”

“You’re not doing weird things, right?”

Kan shrugged. “I just told your brother that Korn was kidnapped. I’m definitely sure that your brother will panic!” Kan said and laughs.

Sun hits his friend’s shoulder and raised his middle finger. “Fuck you. Sol is in panic right now, I’m telling you. Stop with your childishness Kan.”

“He should be thankful that it’s just a prank and a set-up. In our world, I saw my parents kill someone.” Kan looked at Sun. “But I didn’t do it to Sol since he is your brother and he didn’t mess with me.”

Sun shakes his head, picked up his mobile phone and dialed his older brother’s number.

“Hey! Why are you calling him? Damn you, Sun. My plan will fail.”

He didn’t bother to think about his friend’s complain and proceeds to focus on his mobile phone.

“Oi Sun? Why did you call? I’m busy.” Sol asked as the moment he picks up the phone.

“Are you looking for Korn?”

“How did you know? Wait wait. Eros, hold my phone, okay?”

“Are you with Eros?”

“I just picked him up from school.” Sol answered. “Wait, how did you know that I’m looking for Korn?”

Sun seems to be tired with all of the shit Kan has been doing to Sol.

“Kan just made fun of you. Korn is with his father for a meeting.”

“What? It’s just a joke? Wait a minute, I’m driving and Eros is holding my phone.”

“Where is Phi Korn? I want to be with Phi Korn!” They both heard the innocent voice of Eros.

“Are you sure that it’s a joke?” Sol asked to make sure.

“Yes, it’s a joke. Hey,Kan! You should apologize to my brother for wasting his time!” Sun shouted but Kan pretended that he didn’t hear it.

“Kan. Why is it always me?” Sol laughed and asked about it.

“Because it’s fun. You’re my brother’s weakness.” Kan arrogantly answered. “He goes weak because of you and the kid.”

“Apologize to my brother now.” Sun held Kan to go nearer and placed the phone on Kan’s ear. “Say sorry to my brother. He has been through several pranks of you.”

“No.”

Sol on the other line just giggles with Kan’s stubbornness.

“Alright, even if you don’t apologize, I already forgive you.” Sol say-so. “You’re forgiven Kan just don’t do this again, Korn will be furious.”

Sun hits Kan’s shoulder. “Say sorry at least once.”

Kan smirked. “Sorry.” There is no single trace of sincerity in his voice.

“Forgiven, right, Eros? We forgive Uncle Kan, right?”

“Forgiven!” Eros energetically replied on the other line.

“Go home now, Korn isn’t kidnapped.”

“We will because he might be waiting for us and Korn will----“

Sol didn’t finish his sentence when a truck who just lost control started to wiped away the cars and motorcycles blocking its way. The ten-wheeler truck reach Sol’s car and has strongly hits it, causing for Sol and Eros to be involved in a road accident.

Within a snap, their car was crushed and was thrown to the other side of the road bumping to the other cars that were involved.

“What happened?” Sun panicked when what they can hear was a loud crashing sound and the call was suddenly cut off.

“What is that?” Kan asked too still clueless.

“I have a bad feeling about this.” He gets up from his sit and takes his bag. “I’ll find my brother and Eros.”

“That’s what happened. After the call, I still tried to contact them however; another university student who has seen the accident told me that my brother’s car was involved. Korn also received the news and went to the scene.”

I don’t know how to maintain an eye contact with Khun Sun. His face is calm, collected and there is no trace of hatred while saying that.

“That time, I saw Korn crying at the side of the road, insisting that he wanted to take a closer look to confirm that it is indeed Sol and Eros. The police blocked him, he waited for several hours until they confirmed that it was my brother and my nephew.”

I pity Sol and Eros for what happened to them. There is no exact word that will fit to describe this situation.

“Korn helped my parents with Sol and Eros’ funeral. That was when I didn’t saw Korn smile again. His world probably collapsed because of the accident. I am aware on how much he wanted the family both him and Sol built but it was taken away from him in just a second.”

“We lost communication when Korn left Thailand after Sol and Eros’ death. I always thought that Korn has moved on with what happened after I heard the news of him marrying. I also received news of him having sons that it didn’t came across my mind that he still hated Kan for what happened.”

“Why did you still treat my father as your friend?” Vegas asked. “Thinking about it, he is involved with their death.”

“Because before that accident happen, Sol and Eros have forgiven Kan.” Khun Sun reasoned. “I was there; it

wasn’t Kan’s intention to kill them.”

“I don’t get it.”

Khun Sun smiled. “You will not get it because you are raised in a world where forgiveness is rarely given without revenge. I am different, my brother is different and the principle of our family is different. We forgive and accepts apology.”

“You will not survive if you think like that.”

Damn you, Vegas. Stop arguing.

“We survived.” He smiled. “Maybe I already accepted the fact that they are dead long time ago. But if Korn still hold resentment then you have to deal with him.”

Khun Sun fixed his shirt and stands up. “It’s up to you on how you will deal with his hatred.”

When he left, both I and Vegas can only exchange looks.

There is a side of me that understands Khun Korn. He lost Sol and Eros and it is definitely painful. I also don’t want to justify Khun Kan’s action. His only intention that day is to joke around but it ended up in a disaster.

I understand Khun Korn’s pain and I sympathize with him but targeting Khun Kan’s son is wrong.

“Hey, Vegas. Your phone has been ringing since a while ago.” Mark said and smiled at me.

“I’ll pick up the call first.”