Journey (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 4: The Power Play

The sun had set by the time Phuwin left Pond's apartment, his mind spinning with the weight of their conversation. He walked through the bustling streets of Bangkok, the neon lights casting long shadows on the pavement, but he barely noticed the world around him. All he could think about was the trap he had just walked into, the cold, calculating smile on Pond's face, and the terrifying realization that his life was no longer his own.

Pond had laid out his terms clearly, leaving no room for negotiation. Phuwin would be at his beck and call, available whenever Pond demanded. In return, Pond would keep his secret safe, ensuring that no one at the university—or anywhere else—would ever learn the truth about how Phuwin made his money. The threat was implicit, hanging over Phuwin like a guillotine, ready to drop at any moment if he dared to disobey.

Phuwin had dealt with difficult clients before, but this was different. This wasn't just about money or physical pleasure. This was about control, about dominance, and Phuwin could feel it in every word Pond had spoken. He had become more than just a tool for someone else's gratification—he had become a pawn in a game he didn't understand, a game where Pond held all the cards.

When Phuwin finally reached his apartment, he collapsed onto his bed, his body heavy with exhaustion and dread. He stared up at the ceiling, the events of the evening replaying in his mind. He knew he had no choice but to comply with Pond's demands, but the thought of what that would entail filled him with a sense of hopelessness he hadn't felt in years.

The next day, Phuwin tried to go about his usual routine, but the unease gnawed at him. He went to class, but he barely paid attention to the lectures. His mind kept drifting back to Pond, to the fear and anger that simmered just beneath the surface. He had always been in control of his life, using his body and looks as tools to climb out of the poverty that had once defined him. But now, all that control had been stripped away, and he was left feeling vulnerable in a way he hadn't felt since his high school days.

As the day wore on, Phuwin received a message from Pond: Come to my place tonight. Don't be late. The words were simple, but the command behind them was clear. Phuwin's stomach churned as he read the message, but he knew he had no choice. The alternative was unthinkable.

That evening, Phuwin stood outside Pond's door once again, feeling more like a prisoner than a visitor. When Pond opened the door, his expression was one of satisfaction, as if he had been waiting for this moment. Without a word, Pond stepped aside to let Phuwin in, closing the door behind him with a soft click that echoed ominously in the silence.

"Good," Pond said, his voice smooth and commanding. "I'm glad you know how to follow orders."

Phuwin nodded, keeping his eyes downcast. He could feel Pond's gaze on him, assessing, judging, enjoying the power he held over him.

"Take off your clothes," Pond ordered, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

Phuwin hesitated for a brief moment, his pride flaring up, but he quickly pushed it down. He knew better than to resist. Silently, he began to undress, his movements mechanical as he peeled off the layers of clothing that had once been his armor against the world. When he was finally standing naked in front of Pond, he felt more exposed than he ever had before.

Pond circled him slowly, his eyes raking over Phuwin's body with a mixture of desire and possession. "You're mine now, Phuwin," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I own you, and you will do exactly as I say."

Phuwin nodded again, his throat tight with fear and humiliation. He wanted to speak, to say something, but the words caught in his throat. There was nothing he could say that would change his situation, nothing that could give him back the control he had lost.

Pond moved closer, his hand reaching out to touch Phuwin's cheek, tracing the line of his jaw with a touch that was both gentle and possessive. "You're going to learn to obey me in everything," Pond whispered, his breath warm against Phuwin's skin. "And if you're good, I might even reward you."

Phuwin felt a shiver run down his spine at Pond's words. He hated the way Pond made him feel—powerless, afraid, but also strangely compelled. There was a twisted logic to the way Pond spoke to him, a seduction that played on Phuwin's deepest fears and desires.

Without warning, Pond grabbed Phuwin's chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "But if you disobey me," Pond continued, his voice turning cold, "I'll destroy you. I'll make sure everyone knows what you really are, and you'll have nothing left."

Phuwin's heart pounded in his chest, the threat hanging over him like a sword ready to drop. He knew Pond meant every word, and the thought of losing everything he had worked so hard for was terrifying.

"I understand," Phuwin said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Pond's expression softened slightly, but the coldness in his eyes remained. "Good. Now, get on your knees."

Phuwin hesitated only for a moment before sinking to his knees, his eyes still locked on Pond's. He knew this was just the beginning, the first step in a long road of submission and control. As Pond began to assert his dominance, Phuwin forced himself to shut down, to retreat into the part of his mind where he could distance himself from what was happening. It was a survival mechanism he had perfected over the years, one that allowed him to endure whatever his clients demanded of him.

But this was different. This wasn't just a client—it was Pond, someone who had the power to destroy his life with a single word. And as Pond's demands grew more intense, Phuwin realized that this was more than just a transaction. It was a battle of wills, a struggle for power in which he had already lost the upper hand.

The night wore on, each moment blurring into the next as Pond took what he wanted, leaving Phuwin to pick up the pieces of his shattered pride. By the time it was over, Phuwin was exhausted, both physically and mentally. He dressed quickly, eager to leave Pond's apartment and the suffocating atmosphere of control that hung in the air.

But as he reached the door, Pond's voice stopped him. "Remember, Phuwin," Pond said, his tone a mix of warning and promise. "You're mine now. Don't forget that."

Phuwin nodded silently, not trusting himself to speak. He opened the door and stepped out into the cool night air, feeling a strange sense of relief despite everything that had just happened. The encounter had been degrading, humiliating, and terrifying, but it was over. At least for now.

As he walked home, Phuwin couldn't shake the feeling of dread that clung to him. He knew that this was just the beginning of Pond's control over him, that there would be many more nights like this one. But what choice did he have? He had worked too hard to build his life, to create the illusion of wealth and success that kept him safe. He couldn't afford to lose it all now, not because of one man's twisted desires.

But deep down, Phuwin knew that he was already losing something far more valuable—his sense of self, his pride, his freedom. And as he reached his apartment and collapsed onto his bed, he couldn't help but wonder how much more he would have to sacrifice before Pond was done with him.