LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU MY HEART

Chapter 2: Everything falling apart

Kinn smiled looking at his two most favorite women in the world after his mom and aunt. Though Thanya is Tharn and Thorn's sister Kinn had always considered her as his own little sister and Alice (Thorn's wife) has been their friend since kindergarten and was the mom of the group. Thanya ran to Kinn, threw herself in his arms and hugged him tight. Kinn happily hugged back as his parents walked in. He was surprised to hear a little sob, he looked around. He spotted the somber faces of the elders, the atmosphere of the room changed drastically, his friends looked alarmed too.

'Mom, Dad what's wrong?'

'Let's sit down son' his uncle Kun walked to him and placed his hand on his shoulder. Alice held Thanya.

'Uncle Kun?' Kinn was pretty sure by now that something is gravely wrong.

They all walked slowly to the sitting area, Leah and Rose held each other.

'Kinn, Tawan and his family is missing. The villa has been cleaned out as if no one ever lived there.' Korn said

'I am sorry, come again?' Kinn was processing what he was hearing

'When our choppers landed there was no one on site. Everything was gone. Big and Ken is looking around.'

'What?' Kinn froze finally grasping the situation.

The room went completely silent but Pete sprang into action

'I will co-ordinate with Big and Ken. Don't worry Khun Kinn, we will find them. Arm, Pol come on.' Pete sprinted out shouting instructions to his team in his walkie with Arm and Pol close at his heels.

Vegas jumped up. 'I will go with him.'

'Vegas. Co-ordinate with Chan and make sure the news doesn't get out. Find Kim and get him here now.' Kun instructed. Vegas nodded and followed Pete.

'I don't understand what's happening after all this security and privacy how could anyone find out about Tawan and his family and kidnap them.' Leah said.

'Uncle Korn, Aunt Leah let me help. You know no one can actually hide from Delta Corp's systems.' Tharn said standing up.

'Tharn, son, we would need your help, in fact we would need all your help.' Korn said looking around the room. 'But for now, less people know the better. We need to find out what actually happened first.'

'If it's a kidnapping then we should get a ransom call.' Leo said.

'What if they don't call? What if it's not about the ransom? What if it is about the other matter?' a little voice spoke from the door.

'Macao? What are you doing here son? Go back downstairs stay with your cousins' Rose said.

'Mom I am not a kid anymore. I want to be with Hia Kinn now.'

'Macao don't argue.'

'Let him be here Rose. He needs to be with his brother. Come here son.' Korn called

Rose stopped pushing. She knows Hia Korn and she also knows Hia Korn trusts the youngest Theerapanyakun the most even though he is just seventeen.

'What are you thinking Mac?' Kinn asked ushering Macao to sit with him.

'What if it's about the inheritance? What if whatever happened to P' Tawan was related not only to Hia Kinn but to the Theerapanyakun group itself.'

Everyone turned silent. Kinn's friends are looking at each other confused.

'Every person in this room I trust them with my life.' Said Korn. 'Just as I said earlier, I will be requiring each and every one of your cooperation. The Theerapanyakun group was founded by my forefathers a few generations ago. They made a rule. The rule may sound stupid to many of us but it is what it is. Once my eldest son/daughter was born, he inherits the company de facto however there is a clause that is he must marry before he turns 28 and on Christmas Eve the consolidation process will happen with him being selected as the unanimous owner of the company. If anyone fails to keep up with the guideline the ownership of the company will lapse and the assets will be dissolved amongst the shareholders and Government. Since Thankun gave up the idea of inheriting the company since he was fifteen the responsibility fell on Kinn. Well, you all know Kinn turns 28 this January hence this Christmas Eve is his last and only chance to consolidate his position. So, he proposed to Tawan and since Tawan didn't know anything about the secret he wanted to get married today. We all thought we will have both celebration in one day. Its almost 12.00pm now so we have exactly six hours to find Tawan and get Kinn married to him. Or else we stand to lose everything.'

'What do you mean Uncle Korn? If we can't find Tawan by 5.00 pm today what will Kinn have to do? Does he have to marry someone else?'

'I am sorry, but that's the only way.'

Kinn's face turned expressionless. The storm inside was turning Kinn upside down but it's not the time to show emotions. He knows his responsibilities.

'You might think I am keeping the welfare of the company before my son's happiness but you need to understand thousands of families are dependent on us not to mention the stability of the country's economy to a large extent relies on us. I have to think about the bigger picture.'

Suddenly Kun's earpiece became live, one of the guards stationed downstairs reported something. Kun looked worried and whispered something in Korn's ears. Korn turned to Tankhun, 'The paparazzi and reporters are getting restless someone is starting rumours. Go cause a diversion.'

Tankhun nodded and left. He knew what he had to do. Time to call Elizabeth and Sebastian.