||ᴄʀɪᴍsᴏɴ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛs|| ᴘᴏɴᴅᴘʜᴜᴡɪɴ ғғ

5

Phuwin and Fourth arrived at Nightheaven Club, the hottest spot in town, and one frequented by their college seniors. As they stepped inside, the pulsating rhythm of the music enveloped them, a blend of excitement and energy radiating from every corner. They made their way up the stairs to the VIP floor, where the atmosphere was more exclusive and the crowd was select.

As they reached the top, Phuwin spotted their senior friend Mix behind the bar. His grin widened when he saw them, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Oh, here come the troublemakers! Finally made it, huh?” he exclaimed, leaning against the counter.

Phuwin chuckled, shaking his head. “Auu phi, you don’t know what I had to do to get here. I pulled off some pretty crazy stunts to enjoy myself tonight,” he replied, a playful spark in his voice.

Mix laughed heartily, leaning closer as if he was eager to hear the details. “Now, what kind of stunt did you pull to sneak out from your old man? Did you climb out of a window or something?” he teased, his eyes dancing with mischief.

Phuwin rolled his eyes dramatically. “Close enough! I practically performed a whole circus act just to avoid getting caught,” he said, feigning seriousness as he recounted his escapade. “You should’ve seen me—sneaking out the back, climbing down the side of the house like a ninja, and then sprinting to meet Fourth!”

Fourth, who had been listening with an amused smirk, chimed in, “And let me tell you, he nearly gave me a heart attack with how fast he was climbing down! I thought I’d be waiting forever.”

“Not forever, just until my dad fell asleep,” Phuwin replied, laughing. “But trust me, the thrill of being out here is worth every bit of trouble I went through.”

Mix grinned, pouring them both drinks. “Well, now that you’re here, let’s make the most of it! The night is young, and we have a whole club to explore!”

As Phuwin took a sip of his drink, he felt the rush of freedom wash over him. Here, in the vibrant atmosphere of Nightheaven Club, he could escape the suffocating expectations of home, if only for a night. He glanced around at the lively crowd, the colorful lights flashing in sync with the beat, and felt a sense of belonging.

“Cheers to trouble and freedom!” Mix shouted, raising his glass, and Phuwin and Fourth joined in, their spirits lifted by the night ahead.

The pulsating bass of the music vibrated through the floor as Fourth indulged in the club’s atmosphere, his laughter mixing with the sound of clinking glasses. He had already consumed a few drinks, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol, while Phuwin preferred to savor his. He took his time, sipping each drink slowly, relishing the flavors, and occasionally glancing around the club to soak in the vibrant energy.

Suddenly, he pulled out his phone, checking messages and notifications. Mix approached, eyebrows raised. “Mm, now you’re on your phone too? Always glued to a laptop or your phone. What are you even doing?” he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Phuwin smiled lightly, not wanting to reveal too much. “Nothing much, phi. Just checking some assignment work,” he replied, putting his phone down and taking another sip of his drink.

Just then, the lively chatter and laughter in the room faded into an eerie silence. Phuwin felt the shift and looked toward the entrance. Heavy footsteps echoed through the club as three men in sharp black suits strode in, their presence commanding and powerful. Phuwin squinted, trying to make out their faces, but he could only see their backs. One of them looked vaguely familiar, but he quickly dismissed it and turned his attention back to his drink.

On the other side of the club, Pond, Joe, Joong, Gemini, and Dunk arrived at Nightheaven. The atmosphere shifted slightly as Pond, Gemini, and Joe headed toward the upstairs VIP floor, while Joong and Dunk stayed on the lower level, scanning the crowd for any potential trouble.

Once seated on the plush sofa, Pond surveyed the room, his gaze landing on the Dragonfire Gang. They were notorious for their ruthless dealings, and their leader, Jack, was currently flaunting a sickening grin as he approached them.

“Oh, welcome, welcome! I’m very pleased to see you here,” Jack greeted with an exaggerated flourish, his attitude dripping with condescension.

Pond, Joe, and Gemini remained stone-faced, their eyes cold and unyielding as they stared back at him.

Jack continued, speaking boastfully about the deals on the table. “If you take this, you’ll have more profit than you can imagine! It’s a win-win for everyone involved!” He leaned in closer, as if sharing a secret, but the mockery in his tone was evident.

Joe's patience wore thin. “Jack, are you really that foolish? Do you think we’d come here without doing our homework? You really take us for fools?” he shot back, his voice steady, laced with a thinly veiled contempt.

Jack’s confident demeanor faltered for just a moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. He stuttered, struggling to maintain his facade, and Pond couldn’t help but smirk at the sight.

“Really, Jack? You’re either an idiot or just acting like one. Make your choice,” he taunted, leaning forward, his intensity radiating.

Jack’s expression shifted to anger, but he quickly masked it, still attempting to maintain control. “You think you can intimidate me? You’re in my territory now!” he spat, signaling one of his men. The man pulled out a gun and placed it in Jack’s hand, who immediately pointed it at Joe, his face twisted into a menacing grin.

The moment was tense—until it wasn’t. In the blink of an eye, Pond moved. With lightning-fast reflexes, he grabbed Jack’s wrist, twisting it painfully until the gun dropped into his hand. Pond immediately pointed it back at Jack, his movements smooth and precise.

The tables turned instantly.

Jack’s bravado faltered as fear flickered in his eyes. Though trembling slightly, he tried to keep his facade intact, forcing a smirk despite the sweat trickling down his temple. “You… you really think this changes anything?” Jack stammered, attempting to regain control.

Pond’s expression remained icy as he leaned in closer, the barrel of the gun pointed squarely at Jack’s chest. “Oh, I think it changes everything,” he replied, his voice calm but lethal. “Think twice before you try anything like this again, Jack. You’re not dealing with amateurs.”

Jack swallowed hard, unable to hide his fear, but his pride wouldn’t let him back down completely. He gritted his teeth, still trying to hold onto the last shred of control he thought he had. “We’re not done here,” he muttered through clenched teeth.

Pond didn’t respond, his eyes boring into Jack’s with an intensity that left no room for negotiation. The message was clear: the situation had fully reversed, and Jack was now at their mercy.

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