Journey (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 8: A Public Encounter

The days blurred into weeks, and Phuwin found himself sinking deeper into the life that Pond had forced upon him. The demands never stopped, each one more degrading than the last. Phuwin had become numb to it all, retreating into a mental space where he could endure the humiliation without completely breaking. But Pond wasn't satisfied with just owning Phuwin behind closed doors. He wanted more—he wanted to test how far he could push Phuwin, how much he could control him, even in public.

It was a Friday evening when Pond sent the message that would set Phuwin's nerves on edge: "Meet me at the club tonight. 10 PM. Wear something that will make you stand out."

Phuwin's heart raced as he read the words. The club was a popular spot among university students and young professionals—people who knew him, people who could recognize him. The idea of being seen there with Pond, of being forced into another humiliating situation, filled him with dread. But as always, Phuwin had no choice. Pond's control over him was absolute.

He spent hours preparing, choosing his outfit with care. He knew what Pond expected—something that would draw attention, something that would make him the center of the room. He finally settled on a tight, designer shirt that clung to his body and a pair of sleek, dark jeans that accentuated his long legs. His appearance was flawless, as it always was, but tonight, that perfection felt like a curse.

When Phuwin arrived at the club, the music was already pulsing through the air, a heavy beat that matched the pounding of his heart. The bouncer nodded him in with barely a glance, and Phuwin stepped into the dimly lit interior, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Pond. The club was packed, a sea of bodies moving to the music, and Phuwin felt a wave of anxiety as he realized how easily he could be seen.

He spotted Pond near the back, lounging in a VIP section with a group of friends. They were laughing, drinking, enjoying themselves without a care in the world. Pond looked up as Phuwin approached, a slow smile spreading across his face as he motioned for him to come closer.

"You made it," Pond said, his voice loud enough to be heard over the music but casual, as if Phuwin was just another friend dropping by. But there was an edge to his tone, a possessiveness that made Phuwin's skin crawl.

Phuwin forced a smile, slipping into the role he had learned to play so well. "Of course," he replied, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.

Pond's eyes flicked over Phuwin's outfit, a satisfied gleam in his gaze. "You look perfect," he said, reaching out to pull Phuwin closer. "Let's have some fun."

Fun. The word felt like a mockery, but Phuwin nodded, allowing himself to be guided into the booth beside Pond. The others in the group barely glanced at him, too engrossed in their own conversations and drinks. But Phuwin could feel Pond's eyes on him, could sense the unspoken command beneath the surface.

"Get us some drinks," Pond said, leaning back in his seat. It was a simple request, but the way he said it made it clear that this was just the beginning of the night's events.

Phuwin nodded and stood, making his way to the bar. He could feel eyes on him as he walked, his appearance drawing attention just as Pond had intended. He ordered the drinks, his hands shaking slightly as he handed over the money. When the bartender slid the drinks across the counter, Phuwin forced himself to smile and thank him, even though his mind was racing with fear.

As he carried the drinks back to the booth, Phuwin felt a surge of anxiety. He knew Pond was planning something, knew that tonight wouldn't just be about sitting in a booth and drinking. Pond wanted to test him, to see how far he could push Phuwin in front of an audience.

Sure enough, when Phuwin returned to the booth, Pond took one of the drinks and handed the other to Nop, who had arrived and joined the group. Pond then pulled Phuwin down onto his lap, his grip firm and possessive. Phuwin stiffened, aware of the curious glances being cast their way.

"Relax," Pond whispered in Phuwin's ear, his breath hot against his skin. "You're with me. You should enjoy this."

Phuwin forced himself to relax, his body going limp as he leaned into Pond's embrace. But inside, he was anything but relaxed. He could feel Pond's fingers tracing patterns on his thigh, could feel the eyes of Pond's friends on him, judging him, assessing him. The music thumped in his ears, but it did nothing to drown out the rising tide of panic in his chest.

Pond's hand slid up Phuwin's thigh, inching closer to the hem of his shirt. Phuwin's breath hitched, his heart pounding as he realized what Pond was about to do. He wanted to protest, to push Pond's hand away, but he knew better. There was no saying no to Pond, not without consequences.

As if sensing Phuwin's hesitation, Pond's grip tightened, his fingers digging into Phuwin's skin. "Don't forget who you belong to," Pond murmured, his voice low and dangerous.

Phuwin swallowed hard and forced himself to nod, his throat too tight to speak. He could feel Pond's fingers slipping under his shirt, could feel the cold air on his skin as Pond pushed the fabric up just enough to expose his abdomen. The move was subtle, but in the context of the club, it was bold, an assertion of ownership that left no room for doubt.

The people in the booth shifted, their conversations faltering as they noticed what was happening. Phuwin could feel their eyes on him, could sense the judgment in their gazes. But more than that, he could feel Pond's satisfaction, the pleasure he took in humiliating Phuwin in front of others.

"Dance with me," Pond suddenly said, his voice cutting through the tension. He didn't wait for Phuwin to respond before pushing him off his lap and onto the dance floor.

Phuwin stumbled slightly as he was propelled forward, his pulse racing as he realized that Pond was about to take the humiliation to a whole new level. The dance floor was crowded, the music loud and pulsing, but Phuwin felt exposed, as if a spotlight was shining directly on him.

Pond joined him on the floor, his movements fluid and confident as he closed the distance between them. He placed his hands on Phuwin's hips, guiding him into the rhythm of the music, but the dance was anything but innocent. It was a display, a show of ownership that left no room for doubt about the nature of their relationship.

Phuwin tried to keep up, his body moving in time with Pond's, but his mind was a whirlwind of fear and humiliation. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on them, could hear the whispers and murmurs as people took notice. The music, the lights, the bodies pressed close together—it all became a blur as Phuwin focused on one thing: surviving this moment.

Pond leaned in, his lips brushing against Phuwin's ear. "You're doing well," he whispered, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "But don't forget, Phuwin, this is just the beginning."

Phuwin's heart sank at the words, but he kept dancing, kept moving as if nothing was wrong. He had no choice. He had to keep up the act, had to pretend that this was all part of the game. But inside, he was screaming, desperate to escape the prison that Pond had trapped him in.

The night dragged on, each moment stretching into an eternity as Pond continued to push Phuwin's limits. The dance floor, the VIP booth, even the bar—all became stages for Pond to assert his dominance, to show everyone around them who was in control.

By the time the night finally ended, Phuwin was drained, his body aching and his mind numb. Pond's grip on him had only tightened, his demands growing more intense, more public, more humiliating. And as Phuwin walked out of the club, his legs trembling and his heart heavy, he knew that this was only the beginning. Pond's control over him was complete, and there was no escape from the nightmare his life had become.

As Phuwin made his way home, the city lights blurring around him, he felt a crushing sense of despair. The life he had once known, the person he had once been, was slipping further and further away, replaced by a hollow shell of submission and fear. And the worst part was, Phuwin knew that there was no end in sight. Pond wasn't done with him—not by a long shot.

Phuwin was trapped in a world of darkness and control, and as the days turned into weeks, he realized that he might never find his way back to the light.