"Heirs of the Heart" (Pondphuwin, Geminifourth, Joongdunk)

Chapter:12_Decanter of Fate_

"Sir, may I come in?" A man wearing a sleek black jacket knocked on the door.

"Come in," commanded a voice as cold as ice.

"Sir, we have found him," announced the man in the black jacket. These words electrified the room. The man behind the desk, Gemini Naravit had been waiting for this moment.

"Give it to me," ordered Gemini. The man handed over a tablet. "Here it is, Khun Gemini," he said.

Gemini examined the face on the screen carefully. The person in the picture was undeniably cute, his smile almost enchanting. "He is Fourth Nattawat Jirochtikul, formerly a second-year student at Bangkok University," the man reported.

The word "formerly" sent a shiver down Gemini’s spine. "What do you mean by 'formerly'?" he asked, his voice calm but his heart pounding.

"He has moved to Finland. Last week, he transferred his credits to a university there. We confirmed his departure through the airport’s passenger list; he left on an afternoon flight last Sunday," explained the man in the black jacket.

"Get out," Gemini commanded, his tone dangerously calm.

"Sir, I—"

"Get out, Kenta," Gemini cut him off sharply.

After Kenta left, Gemini locked the door and leaned back in his chair, staring at the dimly lit room. His world was painted in shades of black, mirroring the darkness within him. He had lost his last chance to seek forgiveness. His connections had failed him, and now, Fourth was out of reach.

Gemini looked at his reflection in the glass table, seeing a tormented man. He had wealth, power, and influence, but no peace. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by remorse for a sin that no one knew he had committed.

He wasn’t crying, but the guilt gnawed at him relentlessly. He realized that Fourth had fled the country after discovering that Gemini was a Naravit. The Naravits were renowned for their charity and good deeds, but Gemini had tarnished that image with his dark secret. No one knew of his crime, but the weight of it crushed him daily, especially the thought of his family—his brothers and grandmother—who believed he was the pride of their lineage.

His conscience was his fiercest enemy, a relentless reminder of the innocent boy whose life he had shattered. The boy who had sought refuge in Finland, far from Gemini’s reach. And now, Gemini could only sit in his opulent prison, consumed by the shadows of his past and the love he could never redeem...

---

"One flat white, please!" A voice called out from the counter.

"Hold on a minute, First. I'm making it. Nobody else drinks coffee this early like your ultra-weirdo pro max boss," Dunk said, heading to the kitchen without glancing at the customer at the counter. Joong frowned at Dunk's comments—his long-time crush.

"First is already his friend, calling him without any formality," Joong thought, hiding his disappointment.

For two years, Joong had admired the beautiful barista named Dunk from afar. Today, after a fierce wrestling match with his inner self, he finally came to grab his drink. Thanks to his secretary First's absence, Joong had a rare opportunity to visit the café himself. Usually, he just sat in his car, sipping the coffee First had collected for him, secretly admiring Dunk from a distance.

"Can I pay with card?" Joong's voice called out again.

"Oh, okay. Let me grab the card puncher," Dunk replied, packing the coffee. He still hadn't looked at the customer, assuming it was First as usual. "By the way, what's wrong with your voice? Have you caught a cold? You sound different."

"Because I'm not First," Joong said, taking the coffee from Dunk's hand.

Dunk looked up, shocked. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that earlier. I thought my friend was here."

Joong chuckled at Dunk's flustered apology. "Don't be that cute. It's hard for me to control myself," he thought, trying to steady his racing heart.

"It's okay," Joong said with a smile, quickly turning to leave. It was overwhelming to be so close to Dunk, the barista he'd admired from afar. Seeing Dunk up close made his heart race uncontrollably....These two minutes 14 seconds was longer than a lightyear to Joong..
 

--

"Mix, come inside. It's late, and you need to rest," Earth called gently to his boyfriend, Mix, who stood silently in their garden, his face drawn with sorrow.

Since Fourth's abrupt departure to Finland, Mix had been a shadow of his former self. Earth could see the torment in his eyes. "Earth, I've failed as a brother," Mix choked out, tears brimming. "I know why Fourth didn't seek justice for the assault. He's still haunted by that horrible childhood incident. He didn't want to drag us into more danger like before. He thought leaving would spare us the burden. I couldn't convince him that he's never been a burden to me and our family.I'm a terrible brother; I couldn't convince him he isn't a burden. Why does my innocent brother have to endure such horrors repeatedly?""

Earth wrapped his arms around Mix, pulling him close. "Mix, don't blame yourself. Fourth knows how much you love him. Everything that happened was because of that drunken monster. Neither you nor Fourth are at fault here," he whispered, his voice steady and comforting.

Mix buried his face in Earth's shoulder, seeking solace in the warmth of his embrace. "I just wish I could have done more," he murmured.

---
Meanwhile at Naravit's dinner table,

"Clear your next  week, Pond," Grandma announced at the dinner table, her voice carrying a tone of finality. "You're getting married. We have pre-wedding rituals to start."

Pond nearly choked on his rice. "Grandma, isn't this a bit rushed? You just told me last week I'm getting married, and now it's happening next week?" He tried to argue, knowing full well how unchangeable her decisions were.

Grandma's expression remained gentle but firm. "Would you prefer to wait another two years, as you did the last two? Everything is arranged; the sooner, the better."

Gemini, ever the curious one, leaned forward. "Granny,we know you won't let P'Pond meet his husband before the wedding, but can P'Joong or I meet our brother-in-law? We're dying to see him."

Grandma shook her head. "No need. You'll see him at the aisle."

Both Gemini and Joong looked deflated, while Pond sighed in resignation. He knew his grandmother well enough to predict her responses.

"But Grandma," Joong piped up, "has our brother-in-law seen P'Pond?"

"He has seen Pond's biodata," Grandma replied curtly.

Pond seized the opportunity. "Then why can't I meet him or at least know more about him?"

Grandma's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Because he's an obedient boy. Unlike you, who never listens to my advice."

Pond realized he was fighting a losing battle.He wouldn't get to meet his future husband, no matter how many times he asked. With a sigh, he resigned himself to trusting his grandma's choice. After all, he had resisted her marriage pressures for the last two years, and perhaps it was time to give in.

**A/N:

Guys, I have changed my username because I don't like the previous one🙂.. Don't get confused please,it's the same author here🥹🥹

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