Chapter Text
“And you Mr. Koraphat, are no longer of any use to us after you chose to refuse transferring your territories into our hands. I didn’t think you’d abandon your little brother so easily” The malicious man said immediately after shooting Yim, as if nothing had happened.
He aimed the gun at Tutor, but all hecould focus on was Yim. He watched him groaning in pain, feeling completely helpless.
Tutor waited to hear the gunshot meant for him. But before the man could pull the trigger, they heard the door burst open violently and without warning.
~~~
“We managed to locate Yim and Tutor. I’ll contact your head of security to inform him. As for Thomas, our people tried to reach him but we don’t fully understand what happened yet. Our people are on their way to him I’ll update you soon.”
Kong received the message from Meen. He was relieved that they had found his cousin and Tutor, but he couldn’t calm his nerves regarding Thomas. He had only recently recovered from injuries from the previous incident, Kong desperately hoped nothing had happened to him or at least nothing serious.
“Why are you so glued to your phone?” His father snapped. “We’re in a crisis, Kong. Try being present for a change.”
Aside from sitting around helplessly, none of them had done anything particularly useful. Kong was just about to snap back and tell him that at least he was trying to communicate with the Koraphat family and understand what was happening. But then the head of security rushed into the room and announced that Tutor’s people had found them.
They arrived at the nearest hospital and were informed that Yim had been shot in his right leg. They managed to stabilize him and remove the bullet. He was under heavy pain medication and asleep.
Kong said he was going to get something to drink but instead, he went to Tutor’s room.
He knew the front desk wouldn’t give him Tutor’s room number. In their world, that kind of information could get someone killed. Earlier on the way to the hospital, he asked Meen to text him the room number. Luckily they were on the same floor which is the VIP wing.
He saw Meen just stepping out of the room, holding the door open. Kong nodded in thanks and hurried inside before anyone else could see him.
Tutor was lying in bed, staring out the window.
“How are you feeling?” He asked cautiously, taking a seat beside the bed. There were bruises all over Tutor’s body, but nothing else seemed immediately wrong.
“I’m fine. How’s Yim? What about him?” Tutor asked instantly, without hesitation.
“He had surgery. They managed to remove the bullet. He’s asleep because of the painkillers they gave him. They told us to let him rest and wait for him to wake up but he’s out of danger” Kong explained, noticing that Tutor didn’t fully relax.
“I’m worried about Thomas. We still haven’t heard anything from him” Tutor admitted. If only he knew how much Kong had been thinking about Thomas all day, replaying every possible scenario in his head.
“I’m sure he’ll contact us. It’s only a matter of time, you know Thomas. He always manages to get through” Kong tried to reassure Tutor and himself.
“This time it was different” Tutor said gravely, prompting Kong to listen more carefully.
“It’s the same man who tried to kidnap Yim at the charity event. But this time, he made sure it worked. We didn’t know him before. We didn’t know what he was truly capable of if we refused him and he proved it the hard way. I’m afraid he managed to catch Thomas or hurt him” Tutor said, his voice tightening as anxiety crept in.
Kong had never seen the older brother this fragile and exposed. Tutor was always composed, in control, seemingly untouched by anything. So different from Thomas. But now, Kong could see how sensitive he really was.
He stood and moved closer, placing a hand on Tutor’s shoulder.
“I promise you that Yim will wake up and recover quickly and that Thomas will be okay too. I’ve been in constant contact with Meen since this started. I understood right away that you were alone with Yim and that none of your people knew what was happening. He jumped into action immediately and didn’t waste a second. I’m sure they got to him, it’s just a matter of time before we hear from them.”
Kong tried to comfort him. He felt like he had to be there for him to steady him.
He had to believe Thomas was safe and show Tutor that everything was under control. He also didn’t want his father or the others to see Tutor in such a vulnerable state, they would exploit it.
“Thank you, Kong. I appreciate it. Thomas chose well” Tutor said with a faint smile.
It was the first time he looked calmer since Kong had entered.
“What about Mr. Pharinyakorn?” Tutor changed the subject.
“How did he react to everything?” He asked while adjusting the hospital bed to sit more comfortably and Kong sat back down.
“He was relatively calm and collected. It felt like he had always prepared himself for a situation like this but he wavered a little when others started questioning why you were in the car with Yim without your security” Kong admitted. His father and Mr. Sorntast had noticed it and pushed the thought further than necessary. It made Tutor's brows knit together and the calm surrounding him seemed to crack again.
“I’m going to the cafeteria. I’ll get you something to eat” Kong offered, not waiting for an answer. He knew there was a very good chance Tutor wouldn’t eat hospital food after what happened last time. Too much time had also passed since he told his father and the others he was going to buy some food for them.
He went to the food court next to the hospital and bought food for himself and the others, Tutor and his bodyguards. He decided to drop the food off with Tutor and Meen first, then head to Yim and stay there.
When he reached the door, he noticed Meen wasn’t there and neither was the bodyguard who rotated shifts with him. He assumed they were inside. He opened the door and stepped in.
“Tutor, I brought you fried rice and gyoza, I remembered they’re your favorites. I also got some for Meen—” Kong said cheerfully as he entered, not paying attention to who was in the room.
When he lifted his head from the bags in his hands, he froze.
His father, Mr. Pharinyakorn and Mr. Sorntast were standing there along with Meen and the other bodyguard.