The Red Thread of Destiny

Chapter 22: Difficult decisions

"There is never a good time for tough decisions."

Theerpanayakul mansion –

"I did nothing," Rain said shyly, as he received praise from all the members of the family. Phayu kept stroking his hair, and Rain looked at him. Phayu looked at him for a minute before turning to look at the rest of the family. "Before P'Arm tells us everything, there is something else I need to say, especially to Rain," he said. "Of course, what is it Phi?" Rain asked, immediately alert. "Rain," he said, as he held his boy's hands. "Amy's death anniversary is coming up. I will have to go to Chiang Mai just after the first of the year. I want to tell you this upfront, so that there are no misunderstandings between us," he added. Rain considered a moment. "Ai'Sky? When does our break get over?" he asked. Everyone was puzzled. Only Sky and Phayu did not look phased, used to the weird workings of Rain's mind.

"We reopen after winter break on 10th of January," Sky said. "Why do you ask Rain?" Pai asked, puzzled. "So that I can go with P'Phayu," he said, the look on his face saying that he clearly found the question extremely weird. "Go with me? Go where?" Phayu asked. "To Chiang Mai. We will do a family trip, and spend some time there. We can come back before Uni reopens!" Rain said excitedly. "I will talk to Dad and Pa. Anyway Chiang Mai is our favourite place to go to!" Rain added, happily making plans. The whole family looked at Rain in surprise. "Rain, it's her death anniversary..," Phayu started. "Phi," Rain said, making Phayu pause. "Death is never an end. It is the start of a new journey. My Gampy always says that death of a loved one may bring sorrow, but it should never bring angst. We have to learn to move on because death is the end of the body, not the soul. If you will be unhappy and keep thinking about P'Amy, her soul, which is now somewhere else, will never attain peace. Instead, you should celebrate her journey and let her move on as well," Rain said, his face calm and composed.

The entire family was stunned. They could not believe how wise and mature this little boy was. They had seen their son wallow in misery and self-pity for so long, but they had been able to do nothing that could open his heart. But Rain had turned the whole household on its head. He had pulled out every certainty they had and transformed it into a thought process. They had tried to talk to Phayu so often, but had never been able to quite put it across the way Rain had. They all looked at one another in absolute confusion, not knowing what to say. Only Sky looked relaxed, smiling away. "Why are you smiling Sky?" Pai asked, not understanding how he was so calm. "Phi, I have known him way longer than you all have. Rain is an old soul, he has always been like that. He knows so many things that would make no sense to normal people, but he will explain in a way that you will be forced to believe him. Rain's logical skills are unbeatable," he said, still smiling, and very proud of his bestie. "I am forced to agree," Vegas said. "You truly have skills," he added, smiling too.

"By the way? Where is P'Arm? He was supposed to talk to us, right?" Chay asked. "Yeah, let me message him. He was happily clacking away at the keyboard last I saw him," Thankhun said. "But before that, Rain?" "Khap Uncle Khun?" he asked. "You are my best boy from now on. And you are going to be the one to watch K-Dramas with me, since you look Korean," he said. Rain looked properly appalled as the whole room burst out laughing, the tension of a few minutes ago dissipating into relief. However, before Thankhun or Rain could do or say anything further, Arm came into the room, followed by Pol, Nodt and Boom. These four bodyguards were the closest to the family and were in-charge of not only being the first line of the family's defence, but also training the new recruits. "Arm? What news do you have?" Kinn asked. Phayu pulled Rain in closer as he felt the boy tremble. "What happened baby?" he asked softly. "Nothing Phi, I am just so worried," he said. Phayu rubbed circles on his back, to soothe and calm his beautiful boy.

"I hacked into most systems in Pat's various businesses. I have got a line to who could be the mastermind, but I still need some time," he said. "So have you found him or not?" Vegas asked. "Yes and no," Arm said. "Please explain Arm," Pete said, laying a hand on Vegas' arm, knowing his temper was increasing, not wanting to scare Sky or Rain. "Some of the systems that were in place in Pat's different companies, pulled me in the direction of Phuket. But all the research I have done have clearly shown that Pat has no connection whatsoever to Phuket. There were some encoded calls as well from that region, but that was more difficult to get into. However, I have contacted some people in Phuket, who have starting getting closer and closer to the concerned person. Very soon, he will not be able to escape me," Arm said confidently.