The Merger

Three

First kept smiling as he busied himself preparing a romantic dinner for two. Today was their unofficial anniversary. Today marks the date of their last fight as rivals and they had promised each other they would celebrate every month just to remind themselves they were no longer rivals but that they had become each other's support and cheering squad. They each had meetings to attend earlier, still fallout from the announcement of their merger. Business partners, board members even suppliers all needed to be appeased and they had done that but still there were small issues that needed attention. This was their time though. A quiet night, dinner, some conversation, a good meal and cuddle time. Khaotung was late however but First wasn't worried because he knew Khao would never miss their time together without letting him know.

Now that everything was ready First thought that he'd relax with glass of wine and watch the day's news while he waited for Khao. He had underestimated just how tired he was and soon had fallen asleep.

Hours later he awoke from a restless sleep. Angry with himself for sleeping this long, he immediately got up from his reclining chair and checked if Khaotung was somewhere in the house, the bathroom or the bedroom maybe. He felt little pangs of alarm knowing that if Khao was home he wouldn't have let him sleep in that uncomfortable position. If he wasn't in the house then where was he. He dialed Khao's number with trembling fingers. Ringing....
Ringing...
"Try again!" He told himself. He dialed. Ringing....  No answer. First was worried.

He called Khaotung's home number. Although they've been spending most nights in his house which they considered their home, Khao still had one foot in his parental home which he shared with his mother who was currently on vacation. It's no surprise then that there was no answer. First tried Dee, Khoa's assistant. She always knew where he was. He didn't want to disturb her at this hour but he was worried and he didn't know what else to do.

Moments later, their call completed, First only knew one thing for certain. He didn't where Khaotung was. He didn't know where he went or what he was doing. Khaotung wasn't answering his personal phone or his home phone. First didn't know if he should search for Khao or just wait and trust that he would be home eventually. First paced.... Long strides all around the house, the garden and eventually the garage before circling the house again.

It felt as though his heart was being squeezed, tighter and tighter. He was sweating. He wasn't pacing anymore. He was running. Down the road, to the intersection. Maybe Khao's vehicle malfunctioned. Maybe.... maybe... So many maybees. Where was Khaotung?

First got in his car and drove to Khao's home. He'd just check he thought. Maybe Khaotung just forgot they were supposed to have dinner together. The drive took forever. First drove as fast as he dared without breaking any traffic laws but he barely managed to stick to the speed limits, in fact he had broken them without realising. Khaotung's home was dark. It's obvious there was no-one here.

First parked his car in the side road  across from Khao's home. He felt like a stalker sitting in the dark in his car. He just didn't know what else to do. Was he being a terrible partner? Is this normal behaviour for couples? Shouldn't he trust Khaotung? He should go home and wait he decided. He believed in Khao and trusted him. First was sure Khaotung would tell him all about it in the morning and they would both laugh about it. Maybe he wouldn't even tell Khaotung how he'd acted just a little crazy.

Smiling to himself, he started his car. Satisfied that he was worried for nothing and that his boyfriend would assure him that he, First, was just needlessly fretting.

Before he even touched his steering wheel however a black van with no windows pulled up in front of the home First was watching. Out jumped four muscled men, the kind you see in movies. Dressed in black and all brawn with minimum decision making skills. A black suited man exited from the vehicle. He was clearly in charge. "Get him out," First heard him say. Two more ninja-like men got out the back of the vehicle. They carried a limp figure between them. They threw him to the ground in front of telephone guy where he landed with a thump.

The world narrowed around First as he realised that limp figure was Khaotung. First had no thoughts or words in that moment and his actions were automatic. He jumped out of his car, ran towards the black van while screaming Khao's name over and over.....