The Merger

Nine

Khaotung stepped into First's house about a second before First did. As soon as he shut the door and turned his body to face Khao, Khaotung's arms encircled First's waist while he buried his nose in First's neck breathing in his scent. They stood like that, arms wrapped around each other for a long time, but not nearly long enough to satisfy the heartache and loneliness they were both feeling. They held on to each other like some passengers may have done when the Titanic hit that giant iceberg.

They spoke no words but drew comfort from each other nonetheless. After some time First gently pushed Khaotung away asking where he'd been, what he'd seen and if he'd found his mom. The first two questions Khao couldn't answer and the last two hung in the air like black heavy rain clouds. Khaotung didn't want to talk about where he'd been or what he'd experienced the last few weeks. "I haven't found her yet First, but I'm following a lead that may see my mom home in the next few days", the words exploding from Khao. "Tell me '' was all First said. Khaotung wasn't ready to open his secret to First yet. He thought First would accuse him of sacrifing his own mother to the ninja goons now threatening him. Khao felt stupid for being tricked into this mess he found himself in. He had risked not only his own business but also First's company. Khaotung knew how hard First had worked to get to this point and he didn't think First would be able to forgive him if he knew what Khao's role in all this had been. Khaotung couldn't understand nor accept his own guilt in this matter, how could he expect First to understand and support him. So Khaotung kept his lips tightly sealed and in so doing he squandered more than one opportunity to explain everything to First thereby aggrevating the situation.

All Khaotung said repeatedly was "I missed you, I love you, I don't want to leave you, but I must. Forgive me, please." These words worried First even more and he demanded once again that Khao tell him what's going on, but Khaotung silenced him again. He gently placed his index finger over First's lips and whispered "ssssshhhhh , not yet. Later. Can I kiss you?" First was worried, anxious and Khaotung's behaviour wasn't helping him calm down. Instead, through clenched teeth and eyes that were spitting fire, First whispered menacingly " tell me now what's going on or I swear I will...." Khaotung smothered the rest of that sentence with some actions of his own. He held First with one hand by the nape of his neck and the other, holding First by his lapels, pulled him towards himself into what would be their first kiss in two very long weeks. Needless to say any objection First might have had were surrendered as both First and Khaotung surrendered themselves to emotions, pent up feelings, desires, needs and a hunger that could only be stilled by gifting their bodies to each other.

The day passed, night came and with it came the hour of Khaotung's departure. They'd been asleep for a while, sheer exhaustion driving them to rest. As usual Khao was first to wake. He watched First sleeping uncontiously matching his breathing rhythm to First. He kissed First gently on the forehead. "I'm sorry" Khaotung whispered. " I owe you an explanation. I have so much to tell you, I just don't have the courage yet. I've got to find my mom. She's my priority now, but please, please just wait for me. As soon as my mom is safe I'll come back to you and I'll completely dedicate myself to you. First, you're my heart. I couldn't bear it if something were to happen to you because of me. I'll be leaving now, I have somewhere to be but remember nothing means more to me than you and my mom. I love you." Khaotung gently kissed First again, then hurriedly left the room. He left so fast he didn't even realise that First had been awake the entire time. First didn't expect Khaotung to leave at that precise moment so it took a moment for him to follow Khaotung and ask him again to tell him what's happening. First came running outside clad only in his pajama bottoms and barefoot, just in time see Khaotung's car disappearing down the road. He thought of following but he knew by the time he got his own car keys Khaotung would be long gone. Once more all he could do was trust Khaotung and pray for the best outcome.

First knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep nor would he be able to concentrate on anything. He decided on doing a couple of laps in the pool hoping the physical exertion would calm his troubled mind but that's not how it works.

By the time Adi came to pick First up he'd already showered and dressed. Before Adi even greeted First simply said"Let's go ". Adi knew exactly why First was in this mood and he also knew this wasn't a good time for questions so for one of the very few times in his lifetime, Adi remained absolutely silent and carried out wordlessly whatever instructions First gave him. Adi knew this behaviour of First was brought on by Khaotung and he could only hope that these two men would be able to work out whatever it is they were going through.

First and Adi arrived in the office earlier than usual, even so the reception staff were all on duty and ready for the day. As First waited for the elevator by himself, Adi having gone off to get breakfast, one of the staff approached him. "Khun First, please accept my apologies for disturbing you, but there's someone here waiting to see you. " "I'm not taking appointments now" First answered curtly. "Please reschedule the appointment and apologize for my absence." "Khun First " the staff member carried on. " I'm really sorry sir, but this lady waited all day yesterday even though we told her you weren't in office . She also came very early this morning. She says is very urgent and it's personal. Won't you please just speak to her?" "Where is she ?" snapped First abruptly. " Over there sir, sitting in the first row of reclining chairs. I will ask her to come closer." First glanced up in the direction his staff had pointed and felt his world narrow around him. Narrowed until he felt his eyes were just two lazer beams zeroing in on the figure on the chair. First recognised her instantly. Although he had never met her personally, he had seen more than enough photos of her to be absolutely certain who she was. First looked at his staff member and said " bring her to my office. Serve us coffee, and don't come back until I give you my permission. I want absolute privacy and don't tell anyone, not even Adi, that I have a visitor." First strode into his office and sat down behind his desk, ready to meet his visitor.