You're Mine, I'm Yours

Part 2

The next morning, Khaotung stood in front of the mirror, staring at his disheveled reflection. His mind was a tumult of thoughts as he replayed the chaotic events of the previous day—the aggressive gangster he had collided with, the threats, and the inexplicable demand for him to work for him. He rubbed his eyes, trying to banish the tiredness and frustration that lingered.

"Crazy bastard, who does he think he is, just a cheap-ass gangster," Khaotung muttered under his breath, his voice filled with resentment. He shivered slightly as he recalled the gangster's menacing warning: "Don't you dare try to run away."

"He doesn't know where I live, he doesn't know me. We're practically strangers. He has no control over me," Khaotung reasoned aloud, his reflection staring back at him with a look of defiance. He shook his head with determination, trying to banish the fear that gnawed at him. Grabbing his bag and helmet, he made his way out the door, resolute to ignore the gangster’s threats.

Without his bike, Khaotung trudged to the bus station. The morning chill nipped at him as he joined the queue, where he waited impatiently for half an hour until the bus finally arrived. The bus was packed, and Khaotung squeezed in among the crowd, clinging to the metal poles for support.

When he finally arrived at the university, he slipped through the back door of his classroom, arriving late once again. He scanned the room for an empty seat and found one in the back row. Settling into the seat, he hurriedly opened his notepad and began taking notes, trying to catch up on the lecture as best he could.

The class felt interminable, stretching on despite his efforts to focus. When it finally ended, Khaotung let out a deep breath, relieved to be done. He quickly packed away his notes and checked his schedule for his next class—Professor Jim's lecture, where he had missed an assignment deadline. With a couple of hours to kill, he decided to head to the university cafeteria.

As he made his way to the cafeteria, his friend Neo intercepted him. Neo's face was etched with concern.

"Khao, where were you yesterday? The professor was furious about your absence and punished you with a solo assignment," Neo said, grasping Khaotung’s shoulder with a worried expression.

"It’s all because of that bastard," Khaotung grumbled bitterly, his frustration spilling out as he thought about the gangster who had turned his life upside down.

"Your landlord again? Didn’t you promise to pay him next month?" Neo inquired further.

"No, not the landlord. Some guy I accidentally hit with my bike," Khaotung explained tersely, his frustration evident.

"You hit someone? Damn, that’s rough. Is he okay?" Neo asked, his concern growing.

"I wish he wasn’t," Khaotung replied darkly. "Now I’m stuck working for him because I broke his arm."

"Nonsense, why would you work for him?" Neo exclaimed, clearly bewildered by the situation.

"I won’t. He doesn’t know who I am or where I live, so he can’t do anything to me," Khaotung asserted confidently, trying to sound more assured than he felt.

Just then, Khaotung’s phone rang. An unknown number flashed on the screen, and he felt a surge of apprehension. He answered the call cautiously.

"Hello?" he greeted, his voice trembling slightly.

"I told you not to run away, Khaotung Thanawat," came the chilling voice on the other end, instantly recognizable as the gangster.

"Who... who are you?" Khaotung stammered, a cold shiver running down his spine.

"I thought you were smarter than this," the voice taunted, sending a jolt of fear through Khaotung.

"How did you get my number? How do you know my name?" Khaotung demanded, his anxiety spiking.