The Merger

Six

"Today looks like it's going to be a scorcher," thought Khaotung. It was still early morning and already the air felt hot and dry. They hadn't done much talking last night as he had planned. Instead they "talked" about other things, using touch and taste to communicate. Khaotung knew he had to tell First how he got involved with those gangsters but he wasn't ready for that conversation. Khaotung didn't think he would be able accept being lectured by First on responsible and irresponsible behaviours. First, who was still sleeping, hadn't asked Khaotung how and why he was kidnapped by those ninja goons, but Khao knew First wanted to know everything. Khaotung just couldn't admit that he'd made wrong choices and now he was seeing the consequences of those decisions. Their evening had been very romantic and First had doted on Khaotung. After dinner they'd taken a light night swim in First's pool, followed by a cold shower which was perfect after the heat of the day. They'd planned to watch a film before bed but their activities did not include a screen of any kind. Khao stretched lazily, aware of how stiff his limbs were. He slipped quietly out of bed and started breakfast prepations. While his hands were busy chopping, cutting and frying, his mind occupied itself trying to untie the knots he himself had made. Months ago he'd been naive in thinking that he could singlehandedly solve the problem his employees had created. Since the opening of the new casino many of them frequented the gambling den and suffered big losses. Khaotung had jumped in thinking the problem could be solved with money. He threw some cash at the problem and thought he made the issue disappear instead he made it worse. These people, once they got the unsuspecting workers trapped in a win-lose-win-lose-lose-lose cycle, didn't ask the workers to pay back their ever growing gambling debt, instead they asked them to steal secrets from both him and First's company, costing them millions. Khaotung accepted blame as it was his employees getting trapped by promises of easy wins. He had tried to take on this syndicate and almost lost his life. That's why Khaotung had been working with the police as a secret informant on these casinos trying to track down just who was behind it all. He thought they were about to make a huge breakthrough in the case when his informant status was discovered, which was why he was kidnapped and beaten. Khaotung just couldn't admit to First that he got himself trapped in this way and he was afraid that he would be the reason both Firmeow and Tungmeow would go bankrupt. Khao had thought he could wriggle out of this mess but that wasn't the case. Instead he got dragged deeper in and his partnership with First, both in and out of the bedroom was in jeopardy.

Khaotung was at a loss both mentally and physically plus his friends were suspecting that he was hiding something. They thought he was cheating on First and had even staged an intervention. Little did they know that it all revolved around everyday's bigger and bigger cash intake. These gangsters were planning a huge money heist and they were using Khao and his company as a front for their dealings. Khaotung had thought getting the police involved would help him and so he had become an informant and this had led to the arrest on one of the suspect gangsters. Now this suspect's brother was chasing Khao and he wanted revenge. Up till now Khaotung had managed to escape him but he was now threatening Khao's mom. How could he tell First that he had gotten his own mother into trouble. Khaotung had thought sending her on vacation would get her out of harm's way, instead she had gone missing and so far his search had been fruitless. Khaotung worried for his mom and he worried for First. He was scared. He wanted to tell First everything but last night when he had the chance he couldn't do it. Khaotung was scared First would think him reckless and irresponsible. First would blame him for bringing these people into his company and what if Khao was the reason First would eventually lose his business. Khaotung agonised over whether he should tell First or not and had come close to making that decision but in the end he didn't follow through. There was a soft cough behind him and Khaotung almost lost his grip on the pan he was holding over the hot plate. First grabbed Khaotung's arm just in time, steadying him before everything toppled over. "Just call me Mr breakfast saviour, " joked First as he set the freshly scrambled eggs down on the table. "Why don't we try having our eggs off the plates rather than the floor " remarked First with a sly grin while using his other arm to encircle Khaotung's waist. "You gave me a fright," said Khaotung. "Why did you sneak up on me? " he asked. "I didn't sneak," replied First. "I called to you a few times but you were a million miles away. I was wondering what kept your mind occupied that you never even heard me calling". "Let's eat," said Khao hurriedly hoping to avoid that conversation even more now. They ate quietly for a few minutes before First eventually asked Khaotung what was bothering him. Khao knew he couldn't avoid First any longer because if he did First wouldn't trust him and he could end up losing First completely. After clearing the table and stacking the dishes in the dishwasher, Khaotung invited First to sit outside at the poolside overlooking the lush serene garden. "This was as good a spot as any to have a conversation," thought Khaotung. Khao took both of First's hands into his own and matched his gaze. " First, months ago I got involved in something," he paused, not knowing how to continue. First instinctively knew how difficult it was for Khaotung to tell his story. Because he loved Khaotung so much and because he didn't want to cause him any more hardships than was necessary, First gently placed his fingers under Khaotung's chin and lifted his head to meet First's eyes. "I can wait. I trust you. I love you. I can wait until you are ready to tell me " said First. Gently the tears started to roll down Khaotung's cheek and dripped onto First's hand. First softly wiped them away with his thumb. "Will you bear with me just a little longer," asked Khaotung. "I promise I will tell you everything, I just need a bit of time to sort things out. Please, can you put your trust in me for now " asked Khaotung softly, almost whispering. First drew Khaotung into a hug and while placing feather kisses on the top of Khao's head he said ," take as long as you need. But remember I love you and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you." Their lips met tenderly knowing this was a promise they both intended to keep for the rest of their lives.