The tie that binds us ✅

[EP 30] The Ultimatum

Dunk was surprised by how affectionate Phuwin was the next morning. He gave him a hug and a kiss to the crown of his head. Joong had gave him a sniff kiss that made him blush. Only Pond stick to his usual morning hug routine. Dunk was left confused when they left for work.

***

Dunk was surprised to see Phi Net and Phi James at the door during lunch time. He had plated the food that Phi James brought over. He had an easy going conversation with Phi James. He noticed how quiet Phi Net was during that entire interaction. Phi Net's facial expression kept changing as if having an internal fight within himself. Dunk knew what was about to come.

When they sat down at the sofa after lunch, Phi Net could no longer keep it in.

"Did you or did you not hack into Mondschein's mainframe?" Phi Net looked at Dunk. Dunk tried to shrink into himself but he nodded nonetheless.

"Didn't I tell you we'll deal with it? Why would you put yourself danger, Dunk?!" Phi Net could no longer hold in his anger.

"They will still be at large if you nab those people on that list. Phuwin would still be in danger, so would Pond and Joong. I can't lose any of them! I just can't..." He lost the steam when he saw the look of surprise on Phi Net's face when he shouted. Phi James stroke Dunk's back to comfort him.

"You know who we work for Dunk. Why don't you trust us to handle this?" Phi Net was hurt by Dunk's distrust.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Phi Net. Mondschein's system was no joke. There's a reason why they survived this long and we only have that small window to work with. I'm sorry I couldn't sit back. I promise I won't do this again." Dunk looked at Phi Net with pleading eyes, hoping he'll forgive him.

"No more hacking, you hear me?! Think of a career change while you are at it." Dunk wanted to argue since it was his life work but Phi Net's warning look had put a full stop to it.

***

"Don't you think you were a little too harsh on Dunk?" Phi James asked as they exited Phuwin's penthouse.

"I just can't, James. I just can't." Images of Dunk being hurt flashed through his mind.

"You think asking him to change a career would help?"

"Going back into IT will give him a possibility to hack. We need to nip it in the bud." James shook his head at that.

Sometimes it is not a matter of choice.

~Please vote if you like this EP. It drives me forward. Khoorp khun na kha~

Do comment to let me know your thoughts. 😊😊 

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A/N: Finally a lil NetJames... Don't think I'll be able to explore their relationship much though... Just a lil too much to bite. 

On another note, are you all receiving notification on updates for this series? I've been informed that some of you don't. 😔😔I'm still doing daily updates for this series, so hopefully that will clear some of the doubts.. but I really wonder what we can do as writers...