...

I hurriedly ran towards the direction where I heard Vegas screaming. Arm and Pol are behind me, backing me up.

Did something happen to Vegas? What if Khun Korn gets him? Is he wounded that much that he screamed as if he is being into agony.

When I arrived, I paused when I saw Vegas’ back. He was sitting on the floor, hugging someone.

Who is that?

I watched Khun Korn slowly grabbing the knife that’s on the floor.

Bastard! Why are you not even aware that Khun Korn will kill you?

Without any hesitation, I shot Khun Korn’s hand that made him loose grip on the knife. Now, both of his hand and shoulders are bleeding.

I ran to Vegas and my eyes widened in shock when I saw the person he was hugging.

Nong Macau.

Why? Why is he here? What happened?

“Vegas!” I called his name as I heard him whimpering. “Vegas. What happened?”

Macau’s cloth was soaking with his own blood while Vegas is severely wounded, there are also blood coming out from his mouth and his legs were definitely shot.

I tried to hug Vegas as he rested his head near at the crook of my neck. I can feel the hot liquid from his eyes, overflowing with so much misery.

What did you do Khun Korn?

I let Vegas cry as he wants. Macau is definitely what matters to him and this happened. Young Macau’s eyes are closed, his lips are pale and as I tried to check his pulse… I couldn’t find anything.

“Macau is a kid!” With all of the suppressed anger I had, I went to Khun Korn’s direction and punched him.

He can’t even help himself to stand up since his shoulders are already wounded. I shot his legs that made him hissed in pain.

“Why are you so childish, huh?!” I asked him. “They have nothing to do with what happened before! Can’t you even understand that?!”

I held his collar and forced him to stand up. Khun Korn just stares at me blankly and I angers me to know that there is no single hint of guilt and regret in his eyes.

“They have to pay for it.” He told me.

I twisted the collar of his shirt and slam him on the floor.

“Khun Sun has forgiven Khun Kan! He didn’t blame Vegas and Macau for his brother’s deaths! Why can’t you forgive them? They have nothing to do with happened!”

When Khun Korn listened to what I said, he gets up even though he had received multiple shots.

“Forgive?” He scoffed. “It is not easy forgive and don’t argue with me that time heals everything because it fucking doesn’t!”

I just saw Khun Korn getting mad, releasing the hatred he had in his heart.

But whatever he says, I still find it pointless.

He kicked the knife besides him; stare at my eyes filled with anger that I can feel the world stopped spinning for a while just to listen to him.

“If I kill Vegas. If I will be involve in his death then you will do the same thing! You feel the pain I went through! If someone you loved dies then you will fucking understand me!”

“That is not the point!” I shouted back at him as I stare back with the same intensity. “No one wanted it to happen!”

“Then do you think I want that?” Khun Korn asked in disappointment. “Do you think I am thankful that it happened? Do you even know the regrets I have? No one understands my pain!”

Khun Korn’s voice echoed. It was like a monster in him finally awakens. The thoughts and pain he kept for thirty years were finally out.

He pointed himself; his eyes were starting to get red. “I am still stuck on the day Sol and Eros died! Until now, I keep blaming myself that I wasn’t in the car with them! I regret the day I chose to meet my father than to be with Sol and picked up Eros from his school!”

“It was decades ago, Khun Korn! Khun Kan is dead! Isn’t enough that you killed him? Why? Why do you still need to harm Vegas and Macau?”

Honestly, I am getting tired explaining it to him. It wasn’t Vegas and Macau’s fault.

The accident happened even before they were born.

Khun Korn, with his getting weak body, he managed to go near me.

“I lost Eros too! He was eight when he died! I always imagine the day they were involved in that fucking car accident. His voice! I can hear his voice calling me, Pete!”

I watched Khun Korn took a handful of his hair as if he is getting crazy. There are also hint of tears coming out from his eyes.

“I can hear him asking for help! He broke his limbs and fractured his skull! How painful must it be for my son?!” He sigh deeply. “He is also a kid! I will never allow that Eros died but Kan’s sons will live a happy life.”

The disappointment I felt is big-time. “You’re so selfish.” That is what I can only comment.

“I am not selfish, Pete. I was never been selfish. If you knew me back then, you will say it yourself that I am not.” His tone became calmer. “But the day I lost them was also the day I lost myself.”

“You still have your sons, Khun Korn.” I reminded him. “They always do their best to make worthy of your love.”

I have seen their efforts proving themselves to Khun Korn, working their ass off, following all of the orders and even messed with people they do not know just to give Khun Korn a reason to love them.

“Who said I ever loved them?”

I paused when I heard it from Khun Korn’s mouth.

“Tankhun, Kinn and Kim. None of them can replace Eros.”

“They are your son. Your own blood is flowing through their veins!”

“I had them because I need to but it doesn’t mean I have seen them as a son.”

My shoulders are getting heavy as if I want to give up after hearing that.

“We haven’t been on the same level as Eros, right?”

I turned around and found Khun Kinn carrying the body Khun No. Khun Kim that is standing beside him just shows a disappointed face after hearing what his own father just said.

I looked at Khun No and Khun Kinn shook his head.

“Tankhun is gone.” Khun Kinn said in a monotone voice, still carrying his older brother. “You never feel bad, right?” He asked his father.

I saw Porsche came and gestures me that him with Pol and Arm will treat Vegas’ wounds.

I only stare at Vegas who is still hugging Macau. Arm and Pol tries to convince him to let go first to make sure that his legs will stop bleeding. Nop also arrived helping Porsche.

“Are they that important to you?” Khun Kim asked.

His face is calm, reserved and collected but once you look at him for a long time, you can also see the storm, chaos and anger in his eyes.

“Is he that important to you that you keep treating us like a fucking part of your game?!” Khun Kim asked madly.

I was expecting some apology to Khun Korn but I was disappointed.

“Yes. You can’t replace them.” He answered briefly.

I heard Khun Kinn cursed, upset that it came from their father’s mouth.

Is it really that hard Khun Korn to love your own child? Is it really that hard to forget about the past?

I cannot blame you of the resentment but I will not tolerate how you put karma into your hands that even the sons must pay.

“When are you going to look at us like your son?” Khun Kinn asked helplessly.

I saw Khun Kim clenched his fist while looking at his own father.

Did you finally saw the devil?

“I don’t know.” Khun Korn said and kneels in front of me.

“Tankhun and Macau died because of you! Your eldest child died because of you!” I shouted at him.

Khun Korn didn’t react that much that makes me madder.

“They died saving you and Vegas.” He said and closed his eyes.

I placed the gun near his head. I glance at Khun Kim and Khun Kinn but both didn’t show sign that I should not do it.

Khun Kinn nodded at me when he noticed. “For Tankhun, do it.”

“Any last words Khun Korn?” I asked.

“I will finally see them.”

In the end, the present and the people he have doesn’t matter because his heart and soul was stuck in the past.

After what happened, we went to the hospital while Arm, Pol and Porsche assisted Khun Kinn to send both Khun No and Macau’s body to the morgue.

Vegas needs to be in a wheelchair because of his legs and tries to recover his bruised face.

As for me, I have to be careful in moving and protect my back. P’Chan throws me that bad that I am only thankful that my ribs aren’t broken.

“What do you want to eat?” I asked Vegas who’s still at the hospital for further recovery.

“When will be burial?” He asked referring to Khun No and Macau’s burial.

I sigh. “Tomorrow. You should have enough energy so you can visit.”

Khun Sun also volunteered to help the Main Family to arrange the burial of the two. Vegas and I stayed at the hospital for a while as we are still monitored.

The death of Khun No and Macau made the rest very quiet probably because we can no longer hear Khun No talking non-stop. We can no longer hear him and Macau arguing like kids.

I peel the fruits for Vegas and feed him with it.

I didn’t force him to talk too much because I can feel that he also some time to process everything. Sometimes, I will catch him crying alone. Does he think that I will know it?

“Pete. After this can we order someone to buy something?” He asked out of the blue yet I agreed.

“What do you want?”

“Ice cream. Let’s eat ice cream.”

I smiled and sat on the hospital bed. I hugged him, telling him that I am here. I will not leave and will do things with him.

“That’s so sweet.”

We were interrupted when Mark entered and gave the sleeping Venice to me. Mark nodded to Vegas as he handed me a white envelope.

“What is this?” I asked in curiosity.

He just smiled at me. “I will be going back to France today,” he said.

“Really?”

“That’s good.” Vegas bitterly said that made Mark laugh.

“Yes so I am here to say goodbye.” He waved his hands and bow. “Let’s see each other again.”

When Mark left, I handed Venice to Vegas first. He was about to complain but I widened my eyes to him.

There is a letter inside.

Is it for me?

To Pete:

I don’t know when will our paths will crossed again but I am thankful that it once did.

I hope there is another universe where I had the courage to hand you the tissue during Khun Kan’s burial. I hope I took that chance and said hi to you even though you look so sad that time. That was the decision I feel bad that I didn’t do it.

During that ceremony, you are the prettiest and most appealing person I saw. You caught my eye that very moment.

When I went to Vegas to help him, how happy I am to find out that it was you whom I needed to help. It was when I started believing to the power of destiny and universe.

I managed to compliment you every time I have a chance because you’re worth the compliments. I admire your bravery and the way you risked everything for Vegas.

There is a part of me who just wanted to steal you from him but I can’t hahaha. I don’t want to die early.

I realized that you are not just someone who did everything for the name of love, but you are also compassionate and admiring.

I wish that you will never lose your smile because it suits you.

Pete, I like you.

-Mark