||ᴄʀɪᴍsᴏɴ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛs|| ᴘᴏɴᴅᴘʜᴜᴡɪɴ ғғ

12

The next morning, as everyone gathered at the dining table, Phuwin descended the stairs, still dressed in his oversized white shirt from the previous day that covered his shorts so thoroughly it looked like he wasn't wearing any. Joe’s eyes lit up the moment he saw him, and with a playful grin, he whistled. “Oh, Phuwin, now I get why your dad is so protective. I mean…wow.”

Phuwin chuckled, brushing off the comment with a casual smile as he sat at the table. Meanwhile, Pond couldn’t seem to stop staring, his gaze unintentionally fixating on Phuwin's bare legs. His throat bobbed in a visible gulp before he quickly looked away, feeling a strange sensation stir within him.

A few minutes later, Joong and Dunk joined the group, and everyone dug into breakfast. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with laughter and easy banter. As they finished eating, they all moved to the couches to lounge, when Joe’s phone suddenly rang. He answered it, then hung up and turned to Pond.

“Looks like the officer’s letting our men go. Pond, you can drop Phuwin off back at his place now,” Joe said, flashing a satisfied grin.

Pond nodded. “Alright,” he replied, then turned to Phuwin. “Come on, let’s go.”

But Phuwin hesitated, looking around the room, before finally turning his big, pleading eyes on Pond. “Um, could you maybe drop me off…after evening?”

Everyone looked at him in surprise, blinking in confusion. “Wh…what?” Joe stammered, glancing between Phuwin and Pond.

Phuwin sighed. “If I go home now, my dad will call his friends again and keep pushing this whole marriage thing. If I can just stay a little longer, maybe I can avoid the whole ordeal.”

Pond cleared his throat, looking away, flustered by Phuwin’s puppy eyes. “Hey, we kidnapped you; that’s all. Don’t push your luck by asking us to cater to your schedule!” he muttered.

Phuwin huffed, his face falling a little, and turned to Joe. “Phi Joe, come on. You know how strict he is. If I go back now, he’ll set up the engagement before I can blink! Just give me until evening, please.”

Joe chuckled, patting Phuwin’s shoulder. “Fine, fine, he can stay here till he wants. Pond, just let it go.”

Phuwin's face lit up, and he gave Joe a big thumbs up. “Thanks, phi!”

Joe’s eyebrows shot up at the term of respect, his face softening. “Aww, you can call me phi, anytime.” He grinned, wrapping an arm around Phuwin’s shoulders. “You’re my favorite little nong now, after all.”

Phuwin smiled shyly, happy with Joe’s warmth and acceptance.

As Joe wrapped an arm around Phuwin, Pond frowned, shaking his head in disapproval. "Joe, don’t be soft on him. Letting him stay here longer is a risk for us. We don’t need any extra trouble. Someone else can drop him off if you won’t. I’ll do it myself.”

Phuwin raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. "Aren't you guys supposed to be a mafia? And you’re scared of my dad? Always avoiding risks… How terrifying," he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Pond’s jaw clenched, and his eyes flashed with irritation as he pointed a finger at Phuwin and took a step forward. “You…!”

Seeing Pond’s expression, Phuwin yelped, darting behind Joe and gripping his shoulder. “Phi, see? He’s bullying me!”

Joe burst out laughing, casting a mock-glare at Pond. “Aii, Pond, don’t you dare bully my precious nong!” He gave Phuwin a comforting pat on the back, his expression softening.

Dunk joined in, scolding Pond with an exaggerated pout. “Yeah, Pond, leave him alone. What’s gotten into you?”

Pond looked at them all in disbelief, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Fine! Do whatever you want,” he muttered, shaking his head as he went to sit down on the couch.