The Protector (EarthMix AU)

Chapter 23

Triggered warning: Violent, crime, mature content

Tian

I hurried across the living room towards Phupha's room as more crashing noises resounded from the room. At the same time, Tawan used his key card to open the door.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

I couldn't speak because my heart was in my throat. I reached for Phupha's door but Tawan got between me and the door and pulled a gun from the back waistband of his pants before turning the knob.

Panic shot through me when it didn't open, Tawan threw his weight against the door, causing it to crash open.

As Tawan was scanning the room for potential intruder, I gasped at the damage. The lamp from one of the nightstands had been thrown against the wall, shattering the delicate glass base.

Phupha's suitcase were flipped over and all the little knickknacks decoration on the table were tossed onto the floor.

I went around the bed and let out a muffled cry at the sight of Phupha sitting on the floor, his back to the wall and blood dripping down his hand.

The remnants of the broken mirror that used to hang on the closet door were spread all over the place.

"Phupha." I said gently as I dropped to my knees in front of him.

Tears were coursing down his face and he was shaking his head back and forth.

"Here," Tawan handed me a towel from the bathroom.

I placed it over Phupha's palm and applied pressure. Tawan came back around the bed a minute later with a first aid kit in his hand.

"Found this in the bathroom. There's probably not much in it." I nodded and took it.

"Can you give us a few minutes?" I asked.

Tawan nodded in understanding. "I'll be out front if you need me."

"Phupha, can you stand up?" I asked.

His silence was scaring the shit out of me... even more so than what he'd done to the room. He didn't answer me and I wondered if he even realized I was there.

"Phupha, baby, please look at me." Phupha's eyes finally shifted to me.

"I didn't want to lose you," he whispered.
"But I knew you wouldn't want me after I told you the truth."

I steeled myself because I knew in my gut what he was talking about. It was a subject I'd had to push from my mind over and over in the weeks following my conversation with First.

Phupha is the one who needs you now.

"Phupha, look at me." I ordered gently. I waited until his focus was on me.

"Nothing you tell me will ever change how I feel about you." Phupha began shaking his head so I reached out to grab his chin gently with my hand.

I was relieved when he didn't pull away from me. I leaned in and brushed my lips over his.

"I love you so much, Phupha. That won't ever change." He managed a shaky nod.

"Baby, there's a lot of broken glass around you. Can you stand up and sit on the bed so I can look at your hand?" Phupha nodded and I kept pressure on his hand as I helped him stand.

We were both still wearing shoes so didn't have to worry about his or my feet getting cut. I walked him around to the opposite side of the bed and sat him down.

I turn on the nightstands that still safe and carefully removed the towel. The bleeding had already slowed and I was glad to see the cut didn't look too deep.