Sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to.

-Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven

“Please take care of them.” I said as Mark hugged Venice tightly.

“Aye Aye captain!” Mark replied.

I can only sigh as I watched Mark’s men prepared the car and put their things in there.

Vegas held my shoulders and rub them, making sure that I will feel less tensed.

Mark is carrying Venice as he volunteered to make sure that both Venice and Macau will escape the country. We trust them too much and I know that they won’t fail us.

Nop bow his head to Vegas as Macau hugged his older brother.

For now, they will be sent to the Philippines in order for Khun Korn’s men not to locate them. Khun Sun’s team is very subtle that sometimes, it is hard to find them. This is for the better.

It will be better if they escape, wait until this war to subside… or wait until one of the sides completely dies.

“Phi Pete.” Macau called my name and in surprised, he hugged me.

“Take care of yourself, okay?” I whispered to him and looks at Vegas who just smiled.

“We will see each other again, right?” I can hear him ask feeling blue.

I paused for a moment. There is no assurance that we will meet each other again.

“We will do our best to survive.” I answered the safest way.

“Can we take a photo?” Macau suddenly requested.

Both Vegas and I are shocked and puzzled on Macau’s request. Photo? At this moment?

“Give me your phone.” Mark handed Venice to me and snatch Macau’s phone from his hand. “Okay. Let me take a photo of you.”

Vegas being Vegas, he seems too puzzled with the request as if he is processing what it means. I grabbed him and let him stand next to Macau.

“Smile everybody!”

After several shots, I returns Venice to Mark and Macau went to Nop.

“I will keep this.” Macau said with his lips forming a smile. “Family photo.”

In times like this, it is a relief to know that this family is slowly healing. Vegas isn’t bitter about Venice. He also smiles from time to time and sincere and honest words also got me.

We were divided into three groups now. Vegas and I together with some bodyguards, Mark is with Venice accompanied by his men and a separate car for Nop and Macau in case there is an emergency and they have to separate ways.

I couldn’t help but to look at Venice. I think Mark noticed my worry that he starts joking around.

“If you will cry then I will not bring him.”

“Just go now. Don’t you even dare to let someone lay a finger on him.” I talked back.

“Yes, Boss.” He replied.

“Macau.” Vegas called his brother. “Take care and wait for us.”

Inside the car, Macau just smiled widely but I also see tears forming into his bright, youthful eyes.

He shouldn’t be in this trouble. I feel really bad that instead of going to school, being with his friends and doing his homework; Macau is here, trying to survive and save his dear life.

“If we meet again then please buy me ice cream!” He shouted. “Let’s eat ice cream with Phi Pete.”

“Of course! We will!” I said in assurance.

Once this is over damn, I will also eat the foods I wanted. In this current situation, no one will definitely have the appetite to eat foods. Even stress eating isn’t applicable.

There are times where I am thinking that what if I eat and somebody will just shoot me.

Damn you, Khun Korn.

I think it should be normalize blaming him with everything.

“Let’s go.” Vegas said and proceeds inside the car.

This is it. This is the moment of truth.

I sat next to Vegas as I prepare the guns, magazines and bullets I will use. I stretched my arms as I ready myself for a big fight.

It’s been a while since I have been avoiding involving myself in trouble.

You will see.

You will see what it seems like to mess with a head bodyguard of Khun No.

“Ready, babe?” Vegas teased as he starts the engine.

“Babe?!” I asked confused. “What are you saying?”

“Okay. Let me just call you baby.”

I pretended to puke with his ideas but Vegas only laugh with my current state.

Do you even have the energy to think about possible endearments than to think whether we will make it alive? Wow.

What kind of brain do you have Vegas? Are you made to flirt for 24/7?

“Pete, you should promise me that you won’t die there.” He said while driving.

As I looked at myself on the mirror, I answered. “Of course. I also don’t have any plan to drag your heavy dead body in case you got killed.”

“That’s so sweet.” He said as his lips formed a smirk.

“Yes and you haven’t paid yet for what you did to me.” Sometimes, it’s great to blackmail him about that.

“Can I suggest something?”

Fixing my gun, I didn’t bother to looked at him and just responded with a ‘hmm?’

“You can also do your revenge to me.”

“What?”

“You can also tie me and torture me. I have lots of sex toys in case you wanted to use—Fuck! Pete! Stop hitting my shoulder!”

I slapped him on his shoulders several times as my face flushed red like a ripe tomato.

Maybe there is a high chance of us dying in a car crash because we were fighting than to die in Khun Korn’s hand.

“What the hell are you saying?”

Damn. I can’t breathe in shock!

“What? Why are you shy? Stop pretending like we didn’t did it last night when Venice was asleep at Khun Sun’s mansion—wait!wait! Stop hitting me!”

“Can I tape your mouth?” I asked trying to find if there is some duct tape here.

This is Vegas. Vegas and his mouth without breaks.

“You can also silence me with your lips, Pete. I prefer that.” He teased once again.

Never mind, I will just smash your head with the hammer you bought.

“But Pete, seriously, we will go there together and we should also go outside together.”

Vegas’ voice became serious and the aura inside the car was cold and dark.

“Yes. I have Venice and Macau, I can’t let the two be totally abandoned.” I answered.

“You didn’t even include me in your plan of staying alive.” Vegas said in his sulking voice that I laugh loudly.

Damn! That’s kinda soft voice!

“You’re a bad person, Vegas. Even the devil cannot reach you.” I honestly told him.

“Next time, if you make a plan about living, include me too.” He said in a monotone voice and looked seriously outside almost not blinking. “Maybe you also forgot that you got a husband here.”

“Husband?! Since when?”

Why I am not informed Vegas?

“Why? Do you think we are still boyfriends? Pete, we already have a bastard named Venice.”

“Don’t talk to him like that.”

“See?” His tone went higher. “The ranking of your priority is definitely Venice, Macau, Food and me.”

I playfully punched his shoulder.

“Good thing you know your place.”

“I definitely know my place especially in…” He paused and takes a quick look starting from my face down to my body. “To your hole--- fucking shit!” He cursed loudly when I pulled his hair.

“Shut the fuck up, Vegas! I will kill you even before Khun Korn did.”

Damn! I thought he already quitted being pervert but here he is! Shit! Unleashing the lusty side of him.

“Do or Die.” I heard Vegas said that made me smirk.

“Let’s do it until we die.” I replied as we arrive on the storeroom.

Outside, there are already bunches of goons, guarding and making sure that no one can enter.

This is storeroom is where most of the important items are placed. One item probably caused millions or billions of baht and also contains files and documents on a safe.

You’re so smart Khun Korn. It’s definitely a big money.

I opened the window, extended my arms outside and gestures everybody that is behind us to attack.

The moment I gave them the signal, they immediately fired up, targeting those men without mercy. I open the door, carefully taking a step forward.

The rest of our men are making sure that Vegas and I will enter the place. The only mission is to kill Khun Korn, that’s it and I don’t have any more intention.

I watched Vegas held his gun on his left hand and with his other hand; he uses it to hit every man he saw with a pipe. Shit. Even the ones that are already bleeding to death are not spared. Vegas smashed their heads with the metal pipe, making sure that they will no longer breathe.

Someone already opened the wide metal door and the moment it was opened, I duck a little positioning myself to make sure that they will be hit.

Wow, there are indeed lots of goons here. They remind me of the Final Wave in Plants vs. Zombies though. Kinda ugly though like the zombie.

“Shit.” I cursed when I need to change the magazine.

Another man approached me as he launch a punch that I immediately avoided. As I am changing the magazine, I kicked him on his balls and as soon as he bent, I used my knees to kick his nose. I can even hear him groan when I did that.

The enemy just didn’t stopped arriving that I need to fight using gun and physically. I placed the gun on my waist and pulled the knife kept on my boots that Vegas gave me.

When someone was about to kick me, I held his legs making sure that he will drop on the floor and after that, I didn’t waste any time and stab him with the knife on his neck.

His blood just poured everywhere that even my face and cloth was tainted with it.

Wow. Nice design.

“Let’s go!” Vegas said and swung the metal pipe again, hitting the other guy.

The poor man landed on the floor, dead on the spot without even a single blood coming out from his body.

RIP. Internal bleeding at its finest.

The inside of the store room is spacious. There are also lots of stairs and place where we can enter like a maze. Who design this?

“Vegas! Let’s separate.” I suggested and hide behind a pillar to avoid the gunshot.

Vegas did the same but asked. “Why? Why are we going to separate?”

I rolled my eyes on him and fired another gunshot. “So that we can find Khun Korn! We can’t finish this if we will keep going on side by side! We should not waste our time.”

“No! What if something happens to you?!”

“Then pray for me!” I reasoned out. “Just do it, damn! We will see each other. Here! If you killed Khun Korn then after that, look for me and I will do the same thing!”

He never wanted to be separated from me, huh? How I wish but this is the best choice.

Vegas quickly went my direction, as we hide behind the concrete pillar, he pinned my body there.

“What? Wait!” My eyes grew larger when his faced went nearer on mine.

I felt his soft lips on mine, kissing it softly. He bit my lower lip and stared at me. “Take care.”

I was stunned with what he did but the moment I heard the gunshots aimed on us, I came back to my sense.

I kissed his lips quickly. “Take care.” I said and began to run on the opposite direction.

This is more like an obstacle course that in every level I have to pass by different kinds of men. Some are holding gun, some are holding knife and some are into physical fight.

“Holy shit.” I cursed and catch my breath.

Why are you too many? Can I request for a 15 minute break? Let me drink some water or have a snack. Time out!

“Be careful!”

I was shocked when someone shouted at me and the guy who was just to hit me with a bat just fell. I looked around and saw Arm and Pol.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked in surprised and make sure that I will dodge the attack.

Pol gave a salute. “It’s Khun No’s order to protect you.”

What?

Arm smiled and shot the other guy who was aiming for me. “The sons of Khun Korn including Porsche has heard the audio you sent.” I saw him winks at me. “I think they are now siding on you.”

“Really?” That’s a fucking relief that I wanna die.

Did they just have enlightenment about their father’s fucked up mind?

“Go now! Do what you wanted to do!” Arm shouted and waved. “Run, Pete!”

“Run and go!” Pol seconded.

I raised my hand. “Thank you!”

I left the place with a smile, knowing that Arm and Pol got my back. I have my friends who never left my side and respected my decision.

We are not on the opposite side of the coin or in different boats.

I halted when I saw a familiar built of someone that is just standing over there, blocking my way.

Fuck! It’s P’Chan. What on Earth is this?

I wanna cry. Why are you here? Among all people?

P’Chan stares at me with all the strictness on his face.

“Come here, Pete!” He challenged me. “You have the guts to betray the Main Family so let us see if you’re strong enough!”

I am.

I checked my gun and wow, what a good timing. It no longer has bullets.

I went nearer to P’Chan ready to fight with him physically. In terms of experience, he is at advantage. In strength, I think we are just the same.

Can we just battle about who is more handsome? I have the chance to win.

“Damn. Chill.” I reacted when P’Chan just did an upper cut that I luckily avoided.

There is no such thing as letting him take an advantage. I am young enough to beat him.

I went closer to P’Chan throwing punches that he avoided. Shit. I felt my lips just bleed when his fist landed on mine.

“How come you betrayed the family who treat you well?” He angrily asked and pulled me to punch again.

This time, it was my stomach that I wanted to puke blood. I gasped for air and as I am bent down, I give my strength to punch him on his abdomen making him takes a few steps backwards.

“Khun Korn isn’t treating everybody well!” I said and kicked him. “He is manipulating everybody because of the grudge he keeps holding on!”

P’Chan launched another punch on him that he slightly hit my arms.

“Choosing love is stupid!” He argued while I was blocking all of his kicks.

“Tolerating Khun Korn’s shit is more stupid!”

When he paused, I took that opportunity to takes a grip in his hair and hit his head on the wall.

Are… Are you okay, P’Chan?

I saw him holding his head, it pains him probably. I will not give him enough time to recover from this so I held his collar and punched him on his face repeatedly until his nose and eyes are starting to bleed.

“Thank you for teaching me.” I said and shake him. “But I cannot let Khun Korn hurts Vegas. The fact that you are involved with this… you still has my respect but it’s not the same as it was.”

P’Chan smiled. “Korn will not let you live.”

“I know.” I slapped his shoulder. “You don’t have to remind me—aw!”

P’Chan just went near me, locked me on his body and threw me on the other side. Shit. My ribs are probably broken and my back hurts like hell.

I groan in pain as I tried my best to stand up.

I saw P’Chan ran towards a dead body and grab a gun.

My gun, shit, as my body is still in pain, I can barely reach for the gun besides me.

“Sleep well, Pete.” P’Chan said.

I closed my eyes, so this is it?

I heard the gunshot but never felt any pain on my body. He didn’t shot me?

I opened my eyes and saw Khun No in front of me. From the back view, I can see bloods dripping from his body.

“Khun No?” I panicked as I saw him lay on the cold floor.

Khun…No.

Why are you here?

I ran towards his direction trying to make sure that it was him. I saw how P’Chan’s face was also shocked with the sudden arrival of Khun No.

“Khun No! Why are you here?!”

Damn. I felt my whole body getting weak as I looked at him.

He just received the gunshot that was meant for me.

“Wake up! Please wake up! Khun Kinn will kill me!”

“Protecting…Pete…” He said almost whispering.

“Why?!” I angrily asked. “Why did you come here to protect me?!”

The childish and always young and free vibe of Khun No has changed. His eyes looks so sad, his lips didn’t form a smiled. His face was so dull that I’m not used to it.

“I want…you…to be happy.”

“I can’t be happy if you will be like this!” I cried and hugged him tightly.

No. Not Khun No. Please don’t take him away from me.

“You need to keep your eyes open.” I reminded him. “We will go to the hospital, alright?”

“Khun! What the fuck happened?” Khun Kinn arrived and his eyes landed on P’Chan who’s still not moving.

“P’Chan… he shot Khun No.” I replied.

“What did you fucking do?” This time, it was Khun Kim who arrived and didn’t hesitate to shot P’Chan on his head multiple times.

The two siblings ran on our direction.

“Please bring him to the hospital.” I pleaded. “Please.”

I held Khun No’s hands only to feel that it’s getting cold and stiffened.

“KHUN! I already reminded you to stay inside!” Khun Kinn scolded his older brother.

“Save…Pete… save him.”

I take a handful fist of my hair, pulled them as I am slowly losing my mind. This can’t be. Khun No shouldn’t be suffering like this. He doesn’t deserve to be in this situation.

“Run…Pete… go to…Vegas.”

Khun Kinn, Khun Kim and I looked into each other.

“Run now.” Khun Kinn said. “We will take care of Khun. Leave!”