....

You’re going straight to my head,

And I’m heading straight for the edge.

- Poison, Rita Ora

....

The members of the Main Family gathered in Khun’s room. After Khun Korn’s plan were revealed and the betrayal of Pete happened; the ambiance inside the mansion were dark and silent but deadly.

Khun Korn didn’t tell his guards to follow Pete that is why; there is a tendency that he will be preparing for a merciless and bloody plan.

As of now, Pete is already labeled as an enemy of the family which means everybody, including the guards he worked with should treat Pete as their enemy.

Kim stood still, he was about to reach for Porche’ but the young man didn’t even recognize his presence and went directly to his older brother. Kim sigh deeply as he admitted that he did something wrong also.

“Can you explain it properly Kim?” Kinn asked calmly while he was holding Porsche’s hands.

He wasn’t holding Porsche’s hands to calm him down but to hold him back because he is ready to throw a punch.

“What can I say?” Kim asked. “You already heard it. Pa wanted to kill Vegas and Macau and he used Pete to kill Macau. In the end, Pete didn’t do it and ran away with Vegas.” He explained.

This time, Khun was silent.

He just sat still on the bed that makes everybody uncomfortable. They all know Khun. Even at the most terrifying and worrisome situation; he will still manage to say something.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Porsche gritted his teeth in annoyance. “If Pete did something wrong, he will be killed! Didn’t you think about that?! I thought you’re the brainy one among your siblings but you just ended up as another idiot!”

Porsche was about to approach Kim to punch him but Kinn just hugged him to stop.

“Che’, don’t be so silent.” Kim said in desperation.

Now, he is facing the consequences of messing with Pete, hiding those secrets and putting Pete’s life in difficult situation.

Porche’ still didn’t even meet his eyes and only approach Tankhun.

“It isn’t just me who knows the plan.” Kim said and looks at the other two who were sitting beside Khun. “All of the bodyguards know even Arm and Pol.”

“What?!” Khun reacted. “You know that Pete will be in danger?”

Khun held Pol’s arms and shakes it violently that Arm needed to stop him.

“We only know that he wanted to kill Khun Vegas and Khun Macau, Khun No.” Pol replied and his face just shows how guilty he is. “We didn’t know that Pete was the one assigned to kill Khun Macau.”

Arm and Pol went silent after confessing the information they know.

Porsche combed his hair in so much frustration. Porche’ still doesn’t want to see Kim’s face and Khun was quiet.

“For now, Pete is already an enemy.” Kinn said to break the silence. “Let’s accept it that he prefer to be with the Minor Family, to be with Vegas.”

“Why did he do it?” Khun seriously asked that made everyone looked at him. “Why did he still choose Vegas when the only thing he did was to cause pain on Pete?”

“We know that Khun Vegas hurts Phi Pete.” Che’ said and continued. “But we don’t have any idea how Khun Vegas loved him.”

They expected that Khun will throw a rebuttal and argued to what Che’ reason out but he didn’t.

Arm and Pol went close to Khun when they heard him sobbing as those tears run through his cheeks.

“What will happen to Pete?” Khun asked and cried. “What if Pa kills him?”

His question just made Porsche uneasy to the point that he didn’t even want Kinn to touch him.

Now, they are all in the dilemma.

Should they interfere or not?

For the three brothers, Khun Korn is still their father who holds so much power over them. There is also another side of them that wants to help the Minor Family especially Pete.

“I believe that Pete is just fine, Khun No.” Arm said and assures him. “He is with Vegas. Pete is with the person he loves.”

Whatever it is, it will happen.

PETE’S POV

I roll on the bed multiple times until the bed sheets were wrinkled. I don’t know what is happening in Khun Korn’s head that made him corner me in that situation.

“Pete. Will you stop moving so that we can sleep?” I heard Pol requested so I sat on the bed.

The lights were already off, the mansion has been silent and there are only noises from the insects outside. I breathed deeply and held my already recovering wrist.

Am I really doing it right?

I don’t want to kill Vegas and Macau and the idea of Khun Korn trying to manipulate me with what Vegas did is already useless.

If Vegas is the symbol of pain then I am willing to embrace him.

I am always in constant debate with myself. It is true that if Vegas died then maybe that will be his karma.

But there is another side of me that says that I want him to live. I am deeply hurt with everything he did to me at the very start. However, my heart cannot deny that those times I spent with him made me feel true to myself.

When I was held captive, I have the freedom to complain about the things I didn’t like or request what I want to eat, watch and stories I want to listen to. That moment, I don’t have to always agree and push myself to like things I didn’t.

Vegas let me complain, praise him and express myself as long as I want. He made me realize that I shouldn’t hold back my emotions and just say everything I wanted.

If the time comes that the Main Family will never forgive me for betraying them, I am only hoping that they will understand that I chose to follow my heart.

My initial plan is to follow Khun Macau and make sure that he will not do any suspicious things. I wore my jacket and made sure that he will not recognize me.

First, I need to find out any doubtful person around. As from Khun Korn said, someone will be spying on me to make sure that I am doing it right.

Before heading to Khun Macau’s school, I walked through malls, buildings and restaurant where there are lots of glass mirrors and windows so that I can easily see who among the Main Family’s bodyguards is following me.

I can already feel someone that has been looking at me. I decided to stop by in front of a building made from glass that reflects what is outside. I bent down pretending to tie my shoelaces, having my large hoodies; I gaze on the mirror that can reflect a wide view of the street.

My eyes land on the familiar built of a person turning around and pretending to talk to someone on his phone. My eyes narrowed into a squint and the moment he faced where the mirror is, I easily recognized him.

“Shit.”

Let me cry. Why is here? Among all people? Why does it need to be Khun Kim? Damn. That young master is tricky and very cautious in small details. I am sure that it is difficult to escape in his eyes.

Damn. Maybe he will also count the number of times I breathe every minute or how late I am to arrive at a certain place. Khun Korn really made sure that my every move will be watched.

Why are you all using me as bait?

Now, how I wish I am with Khun No and we are watching K-Dramas as he challenge us to watch it with no subtitles.

I’d rather have nosebleed while watching K-Drama with no subtitles than to be in this situation.

When Khun Macau finished his morning class, I followed him as he walked through the stores nearby the campus. Why is he going to this local restaurant?

I sneakily sat three tables away from him. I made sure that he cannot see me. Khun Kim was outside, still waiting.

Let me thank Khun Macau that he went to this place. I can definitely smell the Southern Dishes swaying in the air, inviting all the diners to devour them.

“What will be your order, Sir?” A female server asked Khun Macau.

“What do you want Phi Pete?”

Fuck. I almost snap my neck to look at him yet I decided to be calm as possible. He knows that I am following him even though I am already wearing a hoodie and a mask?

I subtlety glanced at him but I can only see him looking at the menu. Since the space here were not that wide and we are only three tables apart, I can hear his voice.

“My brother told me not to starve you. Do you want curry?”

“Y…Yes.” I answered that made the server smiled at me before leaving.

It is not only Khun Macau but also Vegas who know that I am here.

“How did you know I am here, Khun Macau?” I asked and still stare at the table.

“Because my brother has been following me and he saw you.”

When I sense that Khun Macau was about to stand up, I stopped him immediately.

“Just sit still.” I said. “Khun Kim is watching.”

With my peripheral vision, I can see Khun Macau sitting still as he receives our order. I picked up my notebook and wrote something.

Is Vegas near? I simply tore the paper and sneakily handed it to the server. I think the server understood the assignment and gave it to Macau.

“If you go at the back door Phi Vegas is there.” Macau said while looking at his phone, pretending that he is playing or something.

For some reason, I felt a sudden fear and excitement that my heart went wild. I cannot even move as I am thinking of what to do.

After the confrontation, I have never attempted to face him properly. If he will approach me, I will always avoid him.

But if he is here, I am sure that P’Chan is following him. There might be a problem.

Damn. How can I calm my heart? It the same as the feeling of being in middle school when you had an opportunity to face your crush.

The food is delicious but I need to do what is more important. I stood and went to the direction of the comfort room but when I reached it, instead of taking the left part for the comfort room, I went to the right side; heading to the back door.

I don’t know what I should tell him. Damn. Let it be.

When I reached the back door, someone forcefully grab my wrist that I almost tripped.

“What the hell.” I cursed when I saw the person who grabs me.

Can you be gentler bastard?

“Why are you following Macau?” Vegas asked as he checks the surrounding.

I also looked at the different directions, checking if there is a CCTV or someone peaking on us.

“Tell Khun Macau to leave this place.” I said and remove his hand that is holding my wrist.

I saw Vegas froze for a while with what I did and he takes a few steps backward.

“What do you mean?”

I bit my lips as I looked at him but I immediately stopped doing that when his eyes focused on my lips.

This is not the right time, Vegas!

“Someone might be following you.” I told him.

“Who? P’Chan?”

“How did…”

“After what happened at the bar, I know you requested Nop not to tell me.” Vegas smirked. “But I am his boss so he still told me that you save me from P’Chan.”

Nop! I’m telling you, I will pull your lips and staple your mouth once we see each other again.

“Why are you following Macau?” Vegas asked again as he bent a little to take a full look of my face.

I already betrayed Khun Korn by doing this so I guess there is no more point of lying even to Vegas.

“Khun Korn wants me to kill Khun Macau.”

I saw his eyes widened in shock and held me both of my arms. Damn. He’s probably mad at me at this moment.

“And you won’t do it, right?” His voice was soft as if he is expecting me to give him the answer he wanted.

“I won’t. I will sabotage the plan or lie to Khun Korn or…” I didn’t finish my sentence when Vegas hugged me tight.

This feeling. This feeling of having him near me. His familiar scent and his embrace made my heart surrender.

It was only for a minute when I slightly pushed him away. “But once Khun Korn knew about this…he will kill me.”

I cannot even look at his eyes and stare at the floor.

“You’re betraying the Main Family, Pete.” he said.

“I know.”

You don’t have to say it. I already know shit. This is really pulling the shit and my soul away from my body. I only wanted to enjoy my food and just do crazy things with Khun No but here I am.

“Then go with me.”

What? I looked at Vegas in surprise with what he said.

“Siding with us means you should leave the Main Family. You will be in great danger if you will stay there.”

“Not this time. Khun Kim is still following me and P’Chan…P’Chan is following you?”

I roam my eyes around again making sure that no one is looking at us.

“P’Chan is looking after the wrong Vegas.” He smirked and stares at me.

My eyebrows furrowed as I try to digest what he just said.

“P’Chan thinks that I am still in the mansion but it is not me.”

“Who is it?”

“Mark. He is the one who pretends to be me.”

“Mark? Who is that?”

Just be hearing that name I can feel my head starting to ache that I don’t want to listen on what he will say. I clenched my fist since I feel so irritated. Why am I even feeling this?

“Khun Sun is my father’s friend and Mark is his son. He sent his son to check on our situation. So I told him to pretend and trick P’Chan. Mark is helping me to play with them so I can see Macau and look after you also.” Vegas nervously explained.

“You don’t have to explain.” I bitterly said that made him laugh.

“I’m explaining since I don’t want you to be jealous like last time.” He said.

I rolled my eyes. “I have to go now.”

Khun Kim might be aware now that I have been gone for a while.

“What are you gonna do?” Vegas asked me.

“Continue spying to Khun Macau and find ways on how to survive.” I replied and look at him. “How about you?”

Vegas smiled and reach out to me. He extended his arms and with his hands, he patted my head. “I will find any evidence to destroy Khun Korn and…”

Vegas held my hands and with the pen he brought, he wrote something. He just wrote his number.

“I will have you back.” He said.

Going back to the Main Family is like setting my self up directly to hell. I can feel the eyes looking at me as if every wall has Khun Korn’s eyes and ears that are always paying attention to all of my actions.

Vegas said that he will find evidence to get back on Khun Korn- most likely about business and properties. I told him to instruct Macau to do ordinary things and don’t go anywhere.

Sometimes, I will catch Khun Kim looking at me every time I leave. He probably has the idea.

Today, Khun Macau went to a shop outside their campus where students mostly visit for a while after school. He should keep doing this so we can both survive the undying wrath of Khun Korn.

I panicked when I saw Vegas arriving. What the hell you idiot! I wanted to curse at him. I know Khun Kim saw him already. Vegas! I am telling you, what you did is just dangerous! He is getting into my nerves.

What if P’Chan is also following him?

I didn’t only panic but almost have a seizure when Vegas went to Macau and intentionally talked near Khun Kim’s direction. Just for a second, Vegas glance at me with a proud smile.

“Phi Vegas! Why are you here?”

Yes! Why are you even here? I thought you will find any information against Khun Korn? Why are you here walking casually as if your life is not on the edge?

“We need to go home.” Vegas said.

“We need to go to the hospital.”

Hospital? Is he sick? But base on his body and his guts to go outside without any fear of dying, even though I am not a doctor; I can say that he is still fine.

“Why?”

“Pim just gave birth and left the baby there.”

Pim? I try to recollect all of my memories as that name ring a bell on me.

Damn. His stepmother? She finally gave birth? I can still remember how Vegas hates her.

“Are we getting the baby?” Macau asked.

“No. I will send him to the orphanage and let him be abandoned. I will be working on it.” Vegas said.

What the hell did I just hear? He is abandoning a baby? His brother?

While I was still in a deep thought about what I heard, I felt someone held my hand and grabs me to run.

Vegas and Macau are holding both of my hands.

“What are you doing?” I asked as we cross the road.

Khun Macau laughs a little. “Phi Kim lost.”

When I was about to look at Khun Kim, Vegas didn’t give me a chance and already opened the door of the car that is already waiting for us.

“Hi.” Nop greeted.

“You are here again.” I rolled my eyes on him. “Where are we going? Are you sure that no one is following us?”

I’m assuring you this. If I got caught and killed, I will forever haunt the three of you until you have insomnia.

“Kim is so boring at spying on people.” Vegas said as he sat properly besides me. “Come with us.”

While Khun Macau is at my side and just sleeping, I didn’t complain anymore and just close my mouth. I don’t know what to feel by sitting besides Vegas. I placed my hands on my lap.

“Pete.” He softly called my name.

“What?”

“Why did you choose us?” Vegas asked seriously but it is only the two of us who can hear what he is saying.

I remain silent. I didn’t answer him.

“You hated me,right? Then why did you choose us?”

Vegas held my hand that was on my lap and caress it. “Tell me that this is not a hallucination.”

“This is not a hallucination, Vegas.” I answered.

“Then why?”

I faced him and stare at him deeply. “I don’t want to betray myself anymore.”

“What?”

What do you want me to say?! There are no words that want to come out of my mouth.

“Pete.”

“Because I prefer to die with you than to live without you.” I answered and closed my eyes as I said that.

What a shame it is to confess in this kind of situation.