LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU MY HEART

Chapter 3: You never know what's in their hearts

Warning: Mentions of blood, and murder in this chapter

Getting rid of the reporters seems to be getting harder and harder. Well, Tankhun was trained for this and he has given them the much-needed diversion. He didn't want to go up so he walked out the back of the hotel. He was mad really, really mad. He never thought he would be worried about Tawan. Yeah right, he didn't like Tawan either. It seemed as if sometimes Tawan worked too hard to please everyone. He always had the right things to say. But Kinn and Tawan looked more like associates than boyfriends. Even straight men have better chemistry than they had. God knows what Kinn found in him. But anyways if his brother is happy who is he to interrupt. But today he is really worried about Tawan, about Kinn's happiness. No matter how much Kinn speaks about responsibilities he deserves to be happy too. He is a good man.

Tankhun started blaming himself for his brother's misfortune. If he hadn't given up on the business may be today Kinn could have had a carefree life, he could have lived happily and free i.e., as free as being a Theerapanyakun allows you to be. But still Kinn needn't have shouldered all the burden himself. His twin Thorn is shouldering all the burden of Delta Corp with his father and brother why didn't he do it. Why did he have to be such a self-obsessed drama queen? They have to find Tawan fast.

Tankhun's chain of thoughts or rather self-doubt was broken by a small sob. He was irritated. A young lad hardly older than Macao was sitting on the bench in front of him.

'What are you doing here?' Tankhun spat at him a little harsher than he expected.

The younger one flinched and looked up. The boy was a little skinny, with a tanned skin, shabby clothes and an apron, name tag on which suggested he was a waiter of sorts in some establishment, however he had bright innocent eyes which seemed to be troubled by the weight of the world. He looked up at Tankhun wiped his tears and stood up ready to leave.

'What happened to you why are you crying?' Tankhun asked a little softly from before.

'I lost my job.' The younger one said lowering his head.

Tankhun rolled his eyes pulled out a bundle of notes from his pocket and held it out. 'Here take it and leave.'

The boy bowed his head and turned around to leave without even glancing at the money.

'Aaahhh. Wait.' Tankhun shouted frustrated. 'Come back here.'

'What kind of jobs can you do?'

'I can do any kind of jobs sir. I can even drive.'

'Can you arrange clothes. Catalogue them.'

'Yes sir. I have worked in garment factory before.'

'Look I am not promising you anything. I will test you. If you pass then I will give you a job.'

'I won't disappoint you sir.' His eyes shone bright with hope.

'How much do you make working in an hour?'

'50 Baht. Plus, some tips.'

'Don't worry you will get thrice that working for me.'

'Huh' the boy looked at him with wide eyes. Tankhun smirked.

'Now what is your name and how old are you'

'My name is Porsche Pachara Kittisawasd. I am 19 years old.'

'Fine follow me now.'

As he walked inside the hotel Porsche was stopped by the security at the gate. 'He is with me.'

Tankhun took him up to one of the many rooms booked for the wedding.

'Wait here. Help yourself if you want.' Tankhun said point to the bowl of fruits and snack-baskets in the table and walked out. He again dialled the number he had called a few minutes ago. 'I need you to do a thorough background check on one person. I will send you the name and photo. You have got one hour.'

He headed to the other floor where Kinn and the rest of the family was.

As expected, the Theerapanyakuns and all of Kinn's friends have activated all their resources in finding Tawan and his family. But it's as if they have evaporated from the face of the earth.

Kim has also arrived. He looked troubled and had bloodshot eyes. But his own troubles can be delt with later. Now he needs to be with his brother. He had been filled in on the way by his personal entourage. He sat beside Kinn without saying a word. That's how Kinn's brothers were, one was hyper active, overly emotional, blatantly unfiltered and expressive while the other one is silent, reserved but he sees all and knows all and is well aware of what to do and when to do it.

Suddenly Pete and Vegas walked in. Pete looked serious and Vegas angry. They were carrying a laptop.

He placed the laptop in front of Kinn and a video started to play. It was Tawan. Bound to a chair. Kinn tried to stand up in anger but Vegas stopped him and nodded. Kinn looked confused but decided to carry on watching before deciding on what to do.

'Kinn...' Tawan looked in a bad shape. His face was bruised. 'I love you so much honey. I am so sorry I don't think I could be around to get married to you. I love you baby. I waited for you. I waited my whole life for you but we could not be together I guess'.... sniff.... sniff

Kinn stared at the screen and clenched his jaw, whoever did this is going to pay.

'I was lost when I met you. You made my life light up with joy. I loved everything about you. You overlooked my fallacies embraced my shortcomings. It was the happiest day of my life when you proposed. We were getting married together. We were going to have our happily ever after in our winter wonderland. But I guess not all journeys are meant to end up together. I am so sorry for letting you down darling. I wish you to continue living a happy life....'

Tawan looked straight into the camera and continued '... in your fucked up little world. SCREW YOU.' He shouted and smirked the rope fell down as he stood up. Wiped his face with a tissue. All was make-up.

'Wow that was so emotional I almost, I almost for a bit believed in my acting as if I love you. Shit.' Tawan spit on the floor and laughed maniacally. 'Hoooh... sorry couldn't control myself. I really thought to give you a heartbreak and leave so that you live in guilt that you caused your beloved Tawan's death. But WHAT'S THE FUN IN THERE.' Tawan screamed. 'You don't have human emotions you don't feel anything. If you were not the Theerapanyakun who would even want to be with you. GOD all my previous marks were better than you. You are a fucking robot Kinn. If not for the shitty consolidation, would you ever even consider marrying me. No, you wouldn't. You are incapable of loving someone. Who the hell would love you?' Again, laughed maniacally

'So, I decided to hurt you where it hurts the most. You stand to lose everything today. How much time do you have left to enjoy your happily ever after. Two hours? Huh? Good luck with that. Haahaahaahaahahaha...'

'You must be thinking what did you actually do to deserve this. Well, you have your whole wretched life ahead to figure it out. Before I leave, I will keep two gifts for you...'

Tawan turned the camera. Tawan's parents sitting there bound and gagged in the chair. 'These little actors who played along so well I will let you go now...' They were furiously nodding their heads. Tawan walked up to them and slit their throats with one single sweep of his blade and their bodies lay wriggling until lifeless with blood oozing all over. 'Don't come looking for me or else you know what's gonna happen. I would hate to do this to the person I love... sniff... sniff' Tawan rubbed his eyes and smiled. His maniacal laughter rang through the room as the screen went dark.

Everyone literally sat frozen for nobody knows how long. Then Kinn spoke in a deadly whisper 'Launch a full-scale investigation on Tawan and the couple posing as his parents first thing tomorrow morning.' He looked at Pete. Pete nodded and replied 'Khrap khun kha.'

'I trust every person in this room but not those on the other side of the door. Vegas launch a full-scale personnel investigation starting tomorrow. I don't care how old and trusted employee that person is rip their past and bring it to me. There is no way we got fooled without internal help. I need to know everything. Tawan is not working alone. An individual won't have the courage to go up against us alone. He must have a backer. Find them. How in fucking hell did he know about the consolidation?'

He looked around and added coldly, 'Find me a groom. I don't care who he is. Somebody bought Tawan. This time I will buy my groom. It's going to be a contract marriage of one year. We shall be married only on paper on my terms. He shall be compensated. You guys have two hours. Marriage will happen at 5.00pm as usual and consolidation and transfer of power at 6.00pm.'