"They may bind me, humiliate me, even draw blood—
But every cruel hand only teaches the world,
How fiercely I wait for him."
—Nil
"If you're lucky, lucky (Oh)
We can lay up in the bed..."
"Mmmff..."
Nil's muffled cry trembled in the air. His mouth was sealed, his eyes blinded beneath a strip of dark cloth. He sat bound to a chair, wrists lashed tightly behind him, ankles fixed to the legs of the chair.
He twisted, jerked, shook—yet the ropes bit into his skin, refusing to yield.
"If you're lucky, yeah
We can just go ditch the rest.
If you're lucky, I can take you down..."
The lyrics twisted in his mind. Promises disguised as threats. Each "lucky" felt like a countdown, each line a warning: one misstep, and control would be lost entirely. Nil exhaled, breath harsh, chest rising with the futility of his struggles.
Then—closer, almost brushing his ear—a familiar voice, low and deliberate, "Little thing... trying so hard. But you cannot escape me."
A chill ran down his spine. Sweat gathered at his temples beneath the cloth. His brow furrowed, body tense, as he forced out hoarsely through the gag.
A pause. The voice sharpened. "...Remove the cloth from his eyes."
The cloth was yanked away. Neon green and red stabbed his eyes. Nil flinched, then forced them open.
A familiar figure lounged before him. Mid-aged, black glasses masking his gaze, a sleek luxury cigarette perched between his lips. He sat with unshakable ease, calm yet venomous, like a predator in no rush to kill.
"Phawin..." Nil gasped.
The man's mouth curled into a smile that mocked more than it welcomed. "Well done," he drawled. "They handled you neatly."
"Let him speak. I want to hear what this little thing dares to say," he added, flicking his fingers.
Eight men in black shirts loomed around him, silent walls of muscle. One bent down and tugged the gag from Nil's mouth.
Nil's breath trembled, but his voice struck sharp: "Why drag me here? I've never spoken your name."
"Let me go—or you'll regret it."
At the word regret, Phawin rose from his chair, stride slow, deliberate.
"Ordinary slut," he sneered, grin spreading with malice. "Daring to threaten me."
He leaned close, smoke curling against Nil's cheek. "Let me tell you—who throws you into trouble?"
"Your master, Kao Neptune...haha..." Phawin's laugh rang, jagged and cruel.
Nil's glare cut through the haze. "Don't!"
"Don't you dare involve him." his eyes blazed, voice trembling with fury.
The laugh faltered. Then—CRACK! A vicious slap split the air. Blood welled at the corner of Nil's mouth.
Phawin seized his jaw in one hand, nails pressing into flesh. His tone dropped, low and venomous. "You sit here bound and broken, not because of yourself... but because of him. Kao Neptune. He is the reason you're suffering."
Nil's eyes widened, horror shattering his composure. "Khuay..."
Another strike landed—crack! Nil's head snapped sideways, fresh blood smearing his lip.
"You whore," Phawin spat, voice raw with rage. "Daring to curse me?"
He leaned closer, words poisoned with humiliation. "Because of Kao, you're here. That arrogant bastard—he isn't even as tall as my dick—provoked me. He called me a dog. He made me lick his shoes." His grin twisted into something feral. "Now I'll show him how it feels when the dog bites back."
Nil's chest heaved, but his voice stayed firm. "I don't know what passed between you and him. But listen—if you think you can compete with him, you'll be the only one crushed. I'll tell him myself..."
He drew a breath, steady. "Besides, he isn't even in Thailand."
Phawin ignored him, pulling out a phone instead. He dialed, pressed the speaker button, and waited.
A calm voice answered, faintly distorted by distance. "Dog. Wasn't licking my shoes enough? Or do you want more?"
Each word slid like a blade wrapped in silk, humiliating yet measured.
Phawin's jaw tightened; teeth ground audibly. "You son of a bitch ..."
He seized Nil's hair, yanking his head back until his throat strained. Nil cried out, "Ugh—mmph..."
On the line, a sharp intake of breath. Silence. Then Kao's voice, suddenly heavy, frowning through the distance: "Nil..."
Kao, still in bed, fingers flying over his laptop, froze. His chest tightened, fists clenching until veins stood out sharply.
"Phawin! What have you done to him?!" His voice was raw, trembling with fury.
"Let him go. Now. Or face consequences you cannot even imagine," Phawin replied, amusement dripping from every word.
Kao's breathing hitched, muscles coiled like steel. "Every second you've hurt him... You will pay."
Phawin chuckled, savoring Kao's agitation. "Interesting... he's far more precious to you than I expected."
"Release him immediately." Kao hissed, eyes darkening.
"Main point, then. Hand over everything you've gathered against me," Phawin said smoothly.
"One hand gives, the other takes. I've already sent the address. Come alone—no police, no guards. Otherwise..." His tone sharpened, cold as a blade, "...I won't hesitate to end him."
"You have six hours."
"You heard me. Start the countdown now..."
"Quickly. Your strumpet's turned tender. All my men are staring... I don't know how long I can restrain them."
Kao's jaw tightened, lips pressing into a thin line. "Phawin..."
He ended the call with a hard click.
"Ughh..." Kao rasped, dialing Krit. One ring... two... until the line clicked.
"Kao sir..." Krit answered cautiously.
"Prepare my personal plane. Immediately. I'm leaving," Kao growled, barely containing his fury.
"But sir, the weather—"
"Right now!" Kao cut him off, every syllable sharp.
Niran glanced at him. "What's happening?"
"I don't know," Krit admitted, edge in his tone. "He's... furious. We must get the plane ready without delay."
"Move,"
Within minutes, Krit and Niran were already on route. Kao, shirt pale and wrinkled, hair disheveled, eyes red-rimmed, didn't tolerate questions. He contacted Shian.
In Bangkok, Shian stirred, groggy, answering after two rings.
"Access my personal locker at the office. Gather all documents, images, and videos related to Phawin," Kao instructed sharply. "I've sent the password via Line. Then wait for me there."
Shian rubbed his eyes, staring at the clock. "But... Kao, what happened?"
"Follow orders," Kao said, ending the call before Shian could speak further.
He tried Phawin next—unreachable.
The car glided through Seoul's empty streets. Kao sat rigid, jaw clenched, tension carved into every feature. Each second stretched, a fresh torment.
"Phawin... you've crossed the line," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I will not stop until you understand exactly what that means."
He exhaled slowly, "No mercy remains for you."
After a while, Kao was already aboard the plane. The South China Sea churned violently beneath him, stormy air mirroring his restless mind.
In the apartment, Than called Mary, hoping she had news of Nil, but she shook her head. The young man's whereabouts remained unknown. Together, they reached out to Achara.
"Nil is with us," Achara said. "His phone isn't working, so he couldn't return your call."
Than frowned. "So careless of him. He could have at least sent a message."
Achara exhaled, cutting the call with a soft, "Mn..." Relief mingled with worry in her sigh. "Thank God my brother informed me. I hope he stays safe."
Nil slumped slightly, lips swollen and barely parting, head lowered, but his gaze, though strained, refused to break. "Is this everything you can muster? I've endured far worse without so much as flinching."
Phawin swirled champagne in his glass, eyes glinting like a predator studying prey, "You rejected me... I expected a boy with some spine, some pride."
"But look at you—just another whore crawling into Kao's bed, desperate for his touch."
"All you crave are handsome men, soft bodies with wealth dripping from them. Pathetic."
Nil's lips curved, a weak, defiant smile tugging at them. "All you see are bodies, lust... You don't understand that beneath flesh, a heart still beats. Something you will never have. Some things are higher than sex, yet you sink lower than earthworms."
Phawin's grin faltered. "You have... guts."
"Driving someone like Kao to madness for you... ha... haa..."
Nil chuckle, "In my Bangladesh,"
"There's a proverb: a man must cry as much as he laughs. Laugh all you want today... Tomorrow, regret will find you."
Phawin's jaw tightened, voice sharp. "We'll see who regrets it first."
"Your master... or me,"
Around eight in the morning, Patpong, Bangkok, lay quiet and deserted. Neon lights were dark, bars shuttered, and only a few vendors had set up stalls. Street cleaners moved methodically along the sidewalks, sweeping the remnants of the night. Kao already stepped into the dim streets, mask and cap shielding his features, a black briefcase clutched tightly in his fingers.
Despite his attempt at invisibility, people's eyes followed him. A girl approached, voice soft and coaxing. "...Come... I'll give you a discount..."
"No," Kao replied curtly, continuing his stride.
Another woman emerged from the shadows, slipping her hand into his. "Handsome! Your arms!... You don't need to pay. Come inside."
He yanked his hand back sharply. Her brow furrowed. "You're acting like some billionaire..."
"Giving you free... while others line up with cash."
Kao ignored her, pressing forward, but she persisted, teasing, "At least show me your face..."
As she reached for his mask, Kao caught her wrist and twisted it gently. She gasped, "Ouch!"
"Ahh... such strength... Kao Neptune..."
Kao's grip loosened. "How...?"
She smiled, introducing herself, "Kanya... huge fan. Need directions?"
Kao swallowed and released her hand. "This address..."
Kanya guided him through the narrow streets. "I love your songs... but why did you stop performing?"
Kao remained silent. Eventually, they arrived at a worn, concrete-gray building, three stories high, with balconies lined with small windows. Kao drew his Centurion black card from his wallet and extended it toward her. "Take whatever you want."
Kanya accepted the card, the name 'Kao Neptune' embossed in gold, catching the light. Her lips curved in a fleeting smile before she returned it. Kao frowned.
"I'm a prostitute," she said plainly, "but I sell only my body, never taking advantage of anyone else's needs. You needed help, so I offered it."
Her gaze sharpened. "And what could be more valuable than having The Kao Neptune owe me?"
Kao's eyes narrowed.
"You'd make me happier if you simply said 'thank you,' " she added.
Without waiting for a reply, she departed. Kao paused, staring after her, then pushed open the already ajar door. Inside, a man awaited, leading him to the second floor.
And then Kao's gaze fell on Nil.
Nil sat bound, wrists tight behind him, shoulders heavy with fatigue. A thin streak of blood stained his lips. Jaw clenched, eyes narrowed—pain and defiance warring in every ragged breath.
Kao's eyes widened. Fury simmered beneath his calm, jaw tight, gaze burning with silent anguish.
"Nill..."