To the end

18

                      The Plan to Wait

Kim sat in his study, holding the letter PJ had delivered—a simple message with a location and a date. He’d been so consumed by anger and hurt earlier that he hadn’t thought to look at it. Now, as he reread the note, the realization dawned. This wasn’t just a meeting place; it was Thargen.

His heart raced, the name heavy with meaning. Thargen was an infamous island, hidden and dangerous—a place for the lost and the forsaken. He knew instantly: this was where Vegas had been held.

Without hesitation, he dialed PJ. His voice was low and demanding, laced with urgency. “Tell me the truth, PJ. Vegas… he’s in Thargen, isn’t he?”

After a pause, PJ’s quiet response came, “Yes, sir. But I must ask you to wait.”

Kim’s patience thinned. “Wait? After all this time, you want me to just stand by?”

“Please, sir,” PJ’s voice softened. “Thant has been taking care of him. Vegas is getting stronger, and the arrangements are in motion. We’re working to bring him back safely. If you rush in now, it could all fall apart.”

Kim clenched his jaw, his frustration simmering. But PJ’s words resonated, and he knew there was wisdom in them.

“khun Kim,” PJ continued, “you’ve waited this long. Just a little more patience, and Vegas will come home to you. Don’t risk everything now.”

The mention of Thant watching over Vegas brought Kim a measure of relief, though he wouldn’t admit it aloud. A familiar ache filled his chest as he imagined Vegas, worn and hurt but resilient, waiting to return.

“Fine,” Kim murmured reluctantly. “But if there’s any delay, I’m going to Thargen myself.”

“Understood, sir. But trust us; soon, he’ll be back where he belongs.”

Kim hung up, feeling a mix of hope and frustration. The thought of waiting gnawed at him, yet the knowledge that Vegas was in safe hands, even under such circumstances, brought a small comfort. All he could do now was prepare and, for once, wait for Vegas’s return.

---

As Kim sat across from Venice and Leiah in the living room, he could feel the tension weighing heavily in the air. Both children looked at him with pleading eyes, determination clear on their young faces.

"Papa, we want Ken to stay here with us," Venice said, his voice steady but full of conviction. "He’s been like a dad to us… he cares, he’s here."

Kim closed his eyes briefly, feeling the words hit deeper than he’d expected. He opened his mouth to respond, but Leiah quickly added, "Please, Papa. It’s just… everyone else at school talks about their families. And we… we don’t have that."

He swallowed, fighting against the ache that threatened to rise. "I understand how you feel," he said, forcing himself to stay composed. "But Ken… he isn’t your father. He was never meant to fill that role."

Venice’s gaze hardened, hurt flashing in his eyes. "Maybe not, but he’s here. And he wants to be here. Why can’t that be enough?"

Kim took a slow breath, steadying himself. "Because there are things you don’t understand right now, things that… might change soon."

Venice and Leiah exchanged glances, confused by his words. Kim leaned forward, a hint of softness in his tone, but his decision remained firm.

"Ken won’t be here forever," he said gently. "But someone else might… someone who belongs here with us."

Leiah’s eyes lit up with hope, but she didn’t voice her thoughts aloud. "Who, Papa?" she asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant.

Kim gave a small, cryptic smile, his gaze distant yet warm. "Just… wait till next week," he replied. "You’ll understand then."

Though he didn’t mention Vegas’s name, the hint lingered in the air, filling the room with a sense of anticipation.

Hours later

The tension in the house had reached a peak, and Kim felt it with every quiet, resentful glance his children cast in his direction. Venice and Leiah, normally full of warmth and chatter, now held a cold distance, their young hearts hurting from his refusal to let Ken stay.

As Kim sat down at the dining table with them, Venice didn’t look up, his focus solely on his untouched plate. Leiah crossed her arms, her expression sullen and shadowed by disappointment.

“Why can’t you just let Ken stay?” she murmured, not even trying to hide the hurt in her voice.

Kim sighed, feeling the weight of their questions pressing on him. “It’s not that simple, Leiah..”

Venice scoffed quietly, anger simmering beneath his words. “You say that, but where is our father, Papa? Ken is the one who’s been here when you couldn’t be. He actually cares about us.”

The sting of Venice’s words was sharp, and Kim felt his resolve waver. He reached out to him, but Venice pulled back, leaving Kim’s hand empty in the space between them.

“Why are you so selfish, Papa?” Venice asked, his voice tight with frustration. “Why can’t you see we’re happy with Ken? Why does it always have to be your way?”

Leiah nodded in agreement, her eyes brimming with unspoken disappointment. “You’re keeping us from the only person who’s made us feel… complete,” she whispered.

Kim took a deep breath, forcing himself to keep calm, though his own heart ached at the accusations. “One day, you’ll understand why I made this decision. It’s not out of selfishness. It’s because I believe someone else belongs here with us.”

But the words felt hollow even as he said them, and he could see the disbelief in their eyes. They looked at him as if he were a stranger—someone they no longer trusted to protect their happiness.

Venice stood up abruptly, pushing his chair back, his face filled with defiance. “Fine, then. We don’t need you to be happy, Papa. We wanted Ken, and you won’t let us have him.” He stormed off, Leiah trailing silently behind him.

Left alone, Kim clenched his fists, feeling the weight of their anger and rejection press down on him. But he held onto a shred of hope, the faint promise he’d hinted at. “Just wait until next week,” he whispered to himself, praying that bringing Vegas back would finally heal the rift between them, even if it meant enduring their anger a little longer.