"KIM"

Chapter 23

The Breaking Point

The days had grown increasingly tense in Jeff’s apartment. Nat's resentment towards Vegas was evident, and it was beginning to wear on everyone's patience. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken words and hurt feelings. Jeff and Vegas tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, but it was clear that Nat’s feelings were affecting everyone deeply.

One evening, after dinner, Nat's anger reached a boiling point. As Jeff and Vegas were cleaning up, Nat stood in the doorway of the kitchen, his face flushed with frustration.

"Why is he still here?" Nat demanded, glaring at Vegas. "He should just get out of our house!"

Jeff froze, the dish he was drying slipping from his hands. He turned to Nat, his eyes flashing with a mixture of hurt and anger. "Nat, that's enough."

But Nat wasn’t done. "I don’t want him here! I hate that you’re with him! He’s not my dad, and he never will be!"

Vegas stood silently, his expression one of sadness. He didn’t argue or try to defend himself, which only seemed to infuriate Nat more.

Jeff felt his patience snap. He hugged Vegas tightly and kissed his cheek. "Nat, I didn’t raise you to behave like this! I didn’t teach you to disrespect your elders!"

Nat looked at his father, defiant tears in his eyes. "But he’s not family! He’s just some guy you brought home!"

Jeff’s voice shook with emotion. "Vegas is not just 'some guy.' He’s someone I love, and he deserves your respect."

Nat crossed his arms, his face set in a stubborn scowl. "I don’t care. I don’t want him here. I want things to go back to the way they were."

Jeff took a deep breath, trying to control his rising frustration. "Nat, I know this is hard for you. But you can't talk to Vegas like that. This is his home too now."

Nat’s eyes flashed with anger. "No, it’s not! I don’t want him here, and I don’t want you with him!"

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Nat’s words hanging in the air. Vegas looked at Jeff, his eyes filled with unspoken pain.

"Nat, go to your room," Jeff said quietly, his voice trembling with the effort to keep calm.

Nat hesitated, then turned and stormed down the hallway, slamming his bedroom door behind him.

Jeff took a deep breath, then turned to Vegas and hugged him tightly, his face buried in his chest. "I'm so sorry, Vegas. You don't deserve this. Do you hate me?" Jeff asked, his voice small as he caressed Vegas's cheek.

Vegas shook his head and gently lifted Jeff's chin, looking into his eyes. "No, Jeff. I could never hate you," he said softly before leaning in to kiss Jeff's sweet lips.

Jeff melted into the kiss, the stress of the evening momentarily forgotten. When they finally pulled apart, Jeff sighed. "I just want us to be happy."

"We will be," Vegas replied, resting his forehead against Jeff's. "It's just going to take time."

That night, as Jeff lay in bed, he couldn't stop thinking about the pain in Nat's eyes and the sadness in Vegas's. He knew they had to find a way to make this work, but he didn’t know how.

The next day, Nat remained silent, avoiding Jeff and Vegas. When he finally spoke, it was only to tell Jeff that he was going to play outside. Jeff nodded, hoping the time alone would help Nat clear his mind.

By evening, Nat had not returned. Anxiety gnawed at Jeff, and he tried calling Nat’s phone, but there was no answer. He paced the living room, his worry growing with each passing minute. Then, the phone rang. Jeff rushed to answer it, his heart pounding.

“Hello?” Jeff said, his voice trembling.

“Papa help me, please! Stop hitting me!” Nat’s terrified voice came through the line, followed by the sickening sound of a belt striking flesh.

“Nat! Nat, are you okay? Who is this?” Jeff screamed into the phone, his heart racing with fear.

A sinister laugh echoed on the other end, sending chills down Jeff’s spine. “Hello, Jeff,” a familiar voice said. It was Alex.

“Alex? What are you doing to my son? Let him go!” Jeff demanded, his voice shaking with anger and fear.

“Relax, Jeff. I’ll let him go… but only if you come here and spend some time with me. Alone. Tomorrow,” Alex said, his tone menacing.

“Alex, please, don’t hurt him! I’ll do anything!” Jeff pleaded.

Alex chuckled. “You have until tomorrow. Don’t be late,” he said before hanging up.

Jeff’s knees buckled, and he fell to the floor, tears streaming down his face. He felt helpless and terrified for Nat. Desperately, he dialed Vegas’s number.

Vegas arrived within minutes, and Jeff threw himself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “He has Nat. Alex has him. He’s hurting him, and it’s all my fault,” Jeff cried, his voice breaking.

Vegas held Jeff tightly, his own heart aching with worry. “Jeff, listen to me. We’ll get him back. I promise. You don’t have to go to Alex. I’ll take care of this,” Vegas said, his voice firm and determined.

“But, Vegas, what if he doesn’t let Nat go if I don’t show up? I’m so scared,” Jeff sobbed.

Vegas gently cupped Jeff’s face, looking into his eyes. “Trust me, Jeff. I won’t let anything happen to Nat. We’ll get him back safely,” he reassured, his voice filled with conviction.

“Who is Alex?” Vegas asked, his tone serious.

Jeff took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice. “Alex is the son of a mafia boss. He’s been harassing me since I started teaching. He... he tried to...,” Jeff’s voice broke, and tears filled his eyes. “Because of him, I resigned and moved away to"

Vegas thinks Alex... he’s someone who’s been trying to win Kim’s heart

“Vegas,  I’m so scared,” Jeff sobbed.Vegas gently cupped Jeff’s face, looking into his eyes. “Jeff. I won’t let anything happen to Nat. I’ll get him back safely,” he reassured, his voice filled with conviction.

Jeff nodded, though fear still gripped his heart. He clung to Vegas, drawing strength from his presence. “Okay, Vegas. I trust you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Vegas kissed Jeff’s forehead. “Stay here. I’ll handle this,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.Jeff watched as Vegas left, his heart heavy with worry. He prayed silently, hoping that Vegas would be able to save Nat and bring him back safely.