A loud slapping sound reverberated through the empty, abandoned warehouse. An annoyed man was fuming over his accomplices' failed tasks.
"I thought you fucking stabbed his boyfriend?!" he yelled, kicking the blonde guy's shin.
"I... I did," the blonde guy stammered, struggling to rub his shin through the pain.
"Then why is he still fucking alive? And why can't I see his stabbed wound?! ARE YOU PLAYING WITH ME?!" The man punched his face, causing the guy to stumble onto the dirty, cold floor.
The man then turned to face his other accomplice.
And you!" he snarled, gripping the guy's collar, his eyes burning with anger. "Why the fuck does Zee know about the container?! I shouldn't have listened to your stupid idea about throwing it in the water!" He pushed the guy away roughly.
"Now that they've found Max, I will fucking kill you both! You are fucking USELESS!" He kicked the guy in the stomach, making him grunt in pain.
"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" he ordered. The two men dashed away, struggling and wincing in pain as they went.
"AAUUGHHK FUCK!" the man. screamed in frustration, his voice echoing through the empty space. The walls of the warehouse seemed to close in around him, amplifying his rage and desperation. His plan was unraveling, and his fury was becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
___
After the events at the seaport, Zee, Saint, and Ms. Janis accompanied Mr. Kanawut back to his headquarters. The forensic team took the body with them for further investigation.
Zee waited for the right moment to confide in Mr. Kanawut about his search for his secretary, detailing everything from the day the secretary went missing. Naturally, he omitted the part about being the burnt man in the car and being an angel; revealing those details would risk being deemed mentally unstable. With Ms. Janis' assistance, he handed over the videos and other evidence he had gathered.
Mr. Kanawut inquired about how the private investigator died, and Zee, with his hand gently rubbing Saint's thigh for comfort, recounted what they knew. Saint had also shared the story of his father's death that same night.
After the questioning, they departed for home, reassured that the authorities would handle the investigation and provide updates in due course.
The night had fallen, and as they were preparing to enter the car to head home, Ms. Janis intervened.
"Sir, I don't think it's safe for just the two of you to go home. I'll call the bodyguards to escort you," Ms. Janis insisted, already reaching for her phone to make the necessary arrangements.
"Thank you, Jan," Zee acknowledged gratefully.
"Baby, are you alright?" Saint asked Fighter with concern, noting his boyfriend's exhaustion from the day's events.
Fighter shook his head slightly and let out a sigh of disbelief. He rubbed his forehead lightly and closed his tired eyes.
"Come here," Saint invited softly, opening his arms wide. Fighter embraced him tightly, seeking comfort in his arms as they waited for the bodyguards to arrive.
Once the bodyguards were ready, they left with Zee and Saint in the back seats of Saint's car, ensuring their safety on the journey home. Ms. Janis departed separately in her own vehicle.
The ride home was silent, both Zee and Saint worn out from the day's tumultuous events. Fighter rested his head on Saint's shoulder, finding solace in his boyfriend's comforting presence. Saint gently brushed his fingers through Fighter's hair, his eyes closed in a moment of quiet reflection. Together, they sought refuge in each other's embrace, silently processing the events that had unfolded.
Zee's phone call startled both him and Saint. Zee quickly retrieved his phone, seeing his dad's name on the screen. Weary, he answered the call.
"Hello?" Zee spoke softly.
"Zee? Are you alright?" his dad's concerned voice came through.
"Well... sort of," Zee replied, his eyes still closed in exhaustion.
"I heard everything from Ms. Janis. I think you should come home tonight, son. Your mom is very worried."
"My boyfriend is with me..." Zee hugged Saint tightly, seeking comfort in his presence.
"Of course, bring him along," his dad responded.
"Alright... we'll be home soon," Zee said before ending the call and slipping the phone back into his pocket.
"Panich's condo, please," Zee instructed the bodyguard who was driving.
"Yes, sir," the bodyguard acknowledged, steering the car toward their destination.
Saint's heart raced upon hearing the conversation about staying with his boyfriend's parents for the night. Despite wanting to protest, he was too exhausted to utter a word. Opting for silence, he decided to join his boyfriend, avoiding any potential arguments. Fighter needed his presence and comfort more than ever, and Saint was determined to provide it. He kissed Fighter's forehead and rested his head on him, offering silent support and reassurance.
They finally arrived at Zee's parents' condominium, where his parents were waiting at the main entrance. His mom welcomed him with open arms, pulling him into a warm hug while his dad rubbed his back affectionately. Saint stood to the side, smiling as he observed the touching reunion.
When Zee leaned back to include Saint in the embrace, his mom swiftly pulled Saint towards her for a hug as well, catching him off guard. Saint awkwardly patted her back lightly, feeling the sincerity in her gesture. It was a side of his usually composed boss that he hadn't seen before.
"Thank you, Saint, for staying with my son," she said gratefully, and Zee's dad playfully ruffled Saint's hair.
"C'mon. I've prepared dinner for both of you," Zee's mom said, leading them up to their room.
"Thank you," Saint managed to reply softly, unsure if a simple 'thank you' was sufficient for their acceptance of him as their son's boyfriend. He followed them upstairs, grateful for their warmth and hospitality.
His mom cooked them a simple dinner, and soon they both dug in while his parents watched them lovingly.
"I've already cleaned your room, Zee. We don't mind if you both get loud in the middle of the night," his mom teased playfully, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Mom!" Zee hissed, embarrassed. Saint choked on his food, coughing hard at her unexpected remark. Zee hurriedly rubbed Saint's back, and his mom quickly got him a glass of water. She handed it to Saint, but Zee took it and helped him drink.
"Are you alright?" Zee asked, concern etched on his face. Saint waved weakly, indicating he was fine.
"Sorry, Saint. But by the way, when are they going to retrieve Max's body so we can arrange a proper funeral?" His mom's tone turned somber.
"They'll call us after they finish the tests," Zee replied softly.
"Poor Max. Do you know who did it?" His father inquired, his expression grave.
Zee shook his head, though he knew the answer well enough. He chose not to divulge it to spare his parents from unnecessary worry and potential danger.
"Mr. Kanawut will handle it. They'll catch the person responsible," Zee assured them, though he knew he could resolve it himself if not for divine restrictions.
They finished dinner quietly, the weight of the day's events hanging over them.
___
The morning arrived swiftly, and everyone departed early for work. The CEO, still shaken by recent events, conducted an early morning meeting before her departure for a business trip in the afternoon.
Zee and Saint were both present at the meeting. Zee found himself constantly glancing at his boyfriend seated at the other end of the conference table. While his ears were attuned to the discussion, his mind and eyes were frequently drawn to Saint. Whenever the CEO directed questions his way, he felt flustered but managed to answer them competently.
Saint, on the other hand, couldn't help but notice whenever Zee glanced his way during the meeting. Whenever their eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze and pretended to focus intently on the CEO's words. Despite his efforts to maintain a serious demeanor, he found himself fighting back a smile and blushing slightly. At times, he furrowed his eyebrows to appear more engrossed in the meeting, but he was aware of Zee's gaze lingering on him from the corner of his eye.
'Punishment says hello, Fight,' Saint murmured to himself, teasingly acknowledging the playful dynamic between them. He shot a brief glare in Zee's direction before redirecting his attention back to the CEO and the ongoing discussion.
During the meeting, the door abruptly swung open, startling everyone in the conference hall. Several men entered, causing a moment of confusion and interruption. The CEO stood up, prepared to reprimand the unexpected visitors, but her expression shifted to recognition as she identified one of them.
"Mr. Kanawut?" she exclaimed, puzzled by his presence.
Ignoring her question, Mr. Kanawut immediately directed his attention to Mr. Wayar, who stood up to acknowledge him. With a grave expression, Mr. Kanawut produced a document resembling an arrest warrant and confronted Mr. Wayar directly.
"You are under arrest for the murder of Max Nattapol," Mr. Kanawut declared firmly, holding up what appeared to be an arrest warrant. "You have the right to remain silent and the right to have a lawyer present during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided to you."
Mr. Kanawut signaled to the officers, who moved forward to handcuff the suspect.
"What? No! This is a mistake! I didn't kill anyone!" Mr. Wayar protested vehemently, struggling against the officers as they secured the handcuffs on him.
He was swiftly escorted out of the conference room, leaving everyone stunned by the sudden turn of events. Among them, Zee and Saint remained composed, having anticipated this moment. Saint offered his boyfriend a reassuring smile, silently conveying that things were finally moving in the right direction.
"Mr. Kanawut, what's going on? Why are you arresting my nephew?" the CEO asked, her tone fraught with concern.
"Your son knows the details, ma'am. I'll take my leave," Mr. Kanawut replied, nodding respectfully to both of them before exiting the room.
Confusion etched on her face, the CEO turned to her son. "Zee, what's going on? Can you please explain?"
Zee placed a reassuring hand on his mother's shoulder. "I'll explain everything later, Mom. It's complicated."
The CEO reluctantly adjourned the meeting abruptly due to the unexpected events. Once alone in the room, she sank into her chair, visibly shaken. Zee and Saint remained beside her, comforting her and providing a detailed explanation of the situation.
"He did that...?" she muttered in disbelief, struggling to come to terms with the news.
