"To love a god is to become—
the target of his devoted demon"
—Nil
Lava lounged on the edge of the bed, body curved like flowing silk,
"Oo..! Want to change pants?" Her voice was soft, mischievous.
She crossed her legs deliberately, and the delicate white lace of her panties shifted just enough to catch the light. "Go ahead..."
Kao's gaze flicked away briefly, measured and calm. "Lava... I need to change."
Her smirk sharpened, glinting with memory. "Remember high school?"
Kao didn't answer. His posture remained composed, unshaken.
"You never felt shy changing in front of me... You even used to choose bras for me..." as teasing smile curling her lips.
Her voice dipped lower as she stepped closer, each movement deliberate,
"I still remember every mole on your body—"
"Even the ones that should be mine alone." Her eyes glinted, pain and desire tangled together.
Outside, Nil's car rolled to a slow stop before the gates of Neptune Sawan. The massive entrance loomed, twin gates swinging wide as two guards in crisp black blazers stepped aside, oblivious to the storm inside.
Lava didn't scream. Yet every movement, every shallow breath, radiated it—Nil had taken what should always been hers. Kao's hand rose, slow and unhurried—not anger, not desire, but firm restraint. He lightly gripped her wrist,
"...Kao," Lava spat, breath quick, but her defiance faltered under his touch.
He turned her toward the door, movements calm, deliberate, brooking no refusal. His voice, low and even, pressed into the air like a seal,
"Today, Nil will be here. Behave yourself. Do not make me say it twice."
Then, with the calm finality of a closing tide, he shut the door on her face.
Nil's eyes widened, taking in every detail, his breath caught in quiet admiration. "So grand..."
"This is where Stranger lives," he murmured.
The guards approached with measured precision, each bowing slightly as they held Nil's bag with careful hands. "Welcome, Sir," they intoned.
The guards guided him to a sleek golf cart. "This way..."
Nil and Than both settled into the seat. Nil's eyes roamed over the sprawling estate. It was no less magnificent than 'Ramana Park' back in Dhaka, yet this carried a weight of opulence and precision he had never seen.
The cart moved slowly along a broad avenue, past a grand fountain whose waters danced and shifted colors, golden light tracing the curves of the jets. Lamps with italicized designs lined the road, casting soft reflections onto the polished stone, guiding them toward the main house.
They crossed a broad wooden bridge that arched over a serene pond, the still water mirroring the lights and trees. Nil's lips parted, dry with wonder.
"So... big..."
Than, equally taken, murmured, "So luxurious..."
Ahead, the mansion rose—four stories of stainless white shimmering in the night, every corner glowing faintly under the moonlight. Its presence was commanding, almost alive, pulling Nil's gaze as the cart carried them closer.
After ten minutes, the cart came to a slow stop before the mansion's grand entrance. Nil's eyes widened, almost threatening to tip him to the ground. His thoughts raced,
"I knew Stranger was filthy rich... but... "
"Thi... this is a kingdom..."
His fingers clenched around the soft lotus in his hand, petals trembling under his grip.
From the shadows of the illuminated steps, Kao appeared, moving toward him with that same effortless calm, posture flawless, hair neat, aura ethereal—
Before Nil could find words, Kao reached him, arms closing around Nil in a warmth that pressed away every tremor of fear and awe.
"Seems like I haven't seen you for a whole day," he murmured, brushing against Nil's ear.
Kao continued, holding him as if letting go was impossible.
"Why... keep me waiting?"
Nil's lips curved in a tight, smile, hands threading into Kao's sleeves, wrapping around him in return.
"Stranger..." voice was soft, trembling
Behind them, Achara and Shian exchanged soft smiles. Ms. Nin and Lava, however, bore expressions like molten rock ready to burst—restless, simmering tension radiating off them.
Than stepped out from the golf cart, orchid bouquet trembling in his hands, legs weak. "H-hello, sir..." His voice barely steadied. Kao's warmth flickered briefly, then settled into a cool, measured calm. "Mn... welcome."
His hand found Nil's, firm, guiding him toward the entrance.
Nil's eyes popped. The colossal round pillars, each carved with delicate motifs and gilded leaves catching the lantern light.
"Those golden colors... they're... shimmering..."
Kao gave a small, cool smile. "It's real gold."
Nil choked, 'Gulp' .
"Whaa...!" He looked like he'd just discovered dragons exist, legs wobbling, brain short-circuiting, "Real gold..."
Two guards followed respectfully behind, Nil's worn bag clasped in their hands as if it were some priceless treasure. They halted before Ms. Nin.
Her figure stood poised at the grand entrance, yet her face was as still as stone. Nil's heart tightened, but he quickly stepped forward. A small, earnest smile touched his lips as he raised his hands close to his face and bowed deeply, voice soft yet steady,
"Sawasdee ka, P'Nin."
The depth of his bow held sincerity, yet the woman before him did not shift. Her gaze remained cool, her lips unsmiling. Nil straightened slightly, and with a careful gesture, he took one of the bags from the guard. Bowing again, lower this time, he offered, voice earnest and tremoring just faintly,
"P'Nin... this is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea."
"It clears the mind, eases restlessness... it's good for health." he added.
His words were gentle but Ms. Nin did not so much as raise a hand. Instead, her sharp eyes flicked to the side. At once, her maid Pha stepped forward, hands lowered as she accepted the gift in her stead.
Nil felt a flicker of awkwardness, but before it could settle too heavily, Kao's hand tightened reassuringly around his, steadying him. With that unspoken support, he was led toward Achara.
The young woman's face lit up the instant she saw him. She stepped forward, voice warm and eager, and embraced him as if greeting an old friend,
"I've been wanting to meet you for so long," she said earnestly. "
I kept telling my brother to bring you, but he always forgot..." staring at Kao, she added.
Nil, flustered yet touched, quickly offered her the small bag he carried. "These are Ferrero Rocher," he explained softly.
Achara accepted it with a delighted bow, "Thank you, P'Nil. This is actually my favorite." Her joy seemed genuine as she hugged him once more.
Kao's calm voice interjected, guiding the introductions. "You already know Shian. And this—" his gaze shifted slightly, "—is Lava."
Shian greeted him with a friendly smile. But Lava's eyes... they swept over Nil as though measuring some dirt.
Achara gently led Nil inside, guiding him through the grand hall. Passing through the drawing room, Nil's eyes grew wide; above him, a magnificent chandelier spilled its brilliance in every direction, scattering light so that no corner dared to remain in dark, "So grand..."
His head tilted back, gaze caught, tracing each glittering facet as though he might never look away.
A sweeping, curved staircase spiraled upward with stately grace. Then, before them, a round fountain shimmered, its crystal-clear waters flowing in steady song. At its heart stood—
'Green Jade Buddha'
—Delicate—its serene face adorned with gold ornaments. Nil paused, stepped forward, and bowed reverently before the figure, his posture solemn, as though standing before a living presence.
White furnishings gleamed in order, and large paintings lined the walls. Before one such portrait, Nil suddenly halted.
Achara, noticing, turned toward him. "P'Nil, she is—"
But before she could finish, Nil softly murmured, "Great Grandmother."
Startled, Achara blinked. "How do you know?"
Nil's eyes fixed on the painted face, the piercing sapphire eyes that seemed to gaze through the centuries. His voice was quiet, almost reverent.
"Those blue eyes... "
"P'Kao once told me." he added.
They stepped into a room lined with shelves, each packed with books. Achara's voice was gentle, guiding. "P. Nil, this is brother's study."
"He spends most of his time here," she added.
Nil's gaze swept the room. "Does... Stran—I mean, P. Kao—like reading books?"
Achara's eyes softened, earnest. "Mn... brother loves reading."
"Even with his tight schedule, he always finds time."
Nil ran his fingers along the spines, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What kind of books does he usually read?"
"Philosophy, history... but sometimes, I've seen him lost in Shakespeare's romantic novels," she replied.
Nil's fingers traced the polished surfaces of the study with care, as if trying to gather every fragment of time Kao had ever spent here.
"Nil."
Both Nil and Achara turned. At the doorway, Kao paused, arms crossed, a bright curve to his lips,
"My beautiful sister, please leave Nil with me for a while..." His voice held a soft insistence.
Achara, frowning at him, pouted, "See, P.Nil, how brother speaks...to me."
Amused, she continued, "Am I clinging to you?"
Nil's eyes flicked to Kao, "Stranger... she is my sister too. You can't speak to her like that."
Achara's face lit up.
"See, brother, he is on my side!"
Kao's expression softened into a helpless sort of pout, his brows drawing together ever so slightly. Achara caught sight of it, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. She tilted her head at Nil, "Okay, fine...don't make faces..."
"P.Nil, I'm leaving you to him for a while. But if you need anything, call me, alright?" Achara's eyes flicked to her brother one last time before she turned.
Kao strode over, hands crossed behind his back, lips curving into a gentle, almost teasing smile.
"Do you like my house?" he asked.
Nil hesitated behind the desk, eyes sweeping the opulent space,
"House?" he murmured, brushing a fingertip across the polished wood.
"For me... it's more like a palace. Or a fortress. I had to pinch myself, just to be sure I'm not dreaming."
Kao moved closer, resting his hands lightly on Nil's shoulders. "You look breathtaking," he murmured.
Nil's lips curved, "Really... this outfit was chosen by Than," he admitted.
At the name, Kao's smile faltered into a subtle frown, a disapproval crossing his features. He removed his hands from Nil's shoulders, leaning slightly on the desk beside him.
"Now Than start choosing your clothes?"
Nil blinked, realizing he might have over-shared. "Stranger... I was nervous. I didn't know what to wear, so... "
"He just helped."
Kao's frown melted into a teasing curve of his lips, eyes glinting,
"Hm... so I'll just have to make sure next time you only ever wear what I choose," he murmured as possessiveness lacing his tone.
Than sat quietly beside Shian and Lava, observing rather than speaking. Faces unfamiliar, names unremembered, the weight of being an outsider pressed lightly upon him. Yet his gaze searched, almost unconsciously, for Nil.
After a moment, Achara approached, her steps light, "P. Than, you must be bored sitting here all alone..."
"No... nothing like that," he replied quickly, a faint flush coloring his calm. "It's a family dinner... I'm just... an outsider."
Achara laughed softly and lowered herself beside him.
"Who says? If you're Nil's friend, then knowing each other is simply a matter of time."
Lava, perched across the table, interjected with a sly glint in her eyes,
"Where is your friend Nil?" Keep a watch on him, please..."
A hush fell over the table. Everyone was staring at her. Ms. Nin's lips curved slightly.
Lava leaned forward, pausing for effect, she added,
"I mean, He's good at stealing hearts."