The Merger

Thirteen

First was surprised by Khaotung's mom, but the severity of the situation quickly despatched the element of surprise and instead focussed on the urgency of taking action. Khaotung was in danger and they needed to find him , find him and once and for all end this drama that was now playing itself out.

Khaotung's mom had no more options. She'd already called in all the favours she had, tried to pay back the money she owed these goons and even broke the law at their behest and still they pursued Khaotung. She'd eventually turned to First as she knew she was running out of options.

First had assured her that he would make sure Khao would return safely to her. First knew he needed a plan, he couldn't afford to endanger Khao further and without any clue as to what and where his boyfriend was, that's exactly what would happen. He knew very little about these goons but he did know who and what they were. The rest, First assumed would be easy enough to find out. He needed access to information and the best most accurate information, First thought, would be that of the police force whom he assumed had been actively investigating these mafia types for a while now. The person he could trust with Khao's wellbeing and also his identity would be First's longtime friend and brother. They'd been through many scrapes before and had always been each other's backup. First knew his friend would step up for him and by extension for Khaotung. In fact Dao had already met Khaotung, the night when Khao had been kidnapped, beaten and left unconscious in front of his home. First had thought that would be worst but he was wrong, clearly worse is yet to come.

Minutes after Khaotung's mother left First's office he was on the line to Dao. He arranged to meet Dao at a nearby coffee shop, but still far enough from First's regular haunts so he wouldn't be recognised. First had arrived at their destination ahead of his friend and took the time to make sure he wasn't followed by any of Khaotung's persecuters. He also managed to dodge Adi, mainly because First really wasn't up to answering all of Adi's questions. Adi didn't know what was happening with Khaotung and his mother and First wanted to keep it that way. The less people who knew what was going on, the less people would be in danger. Dao arrived not too long after First and immediately ordered an extra strong cup of ...hot chocolate, with extra chocolatey bits, a ton of whipped cream and a truck load of miny melting marshmallows. First could only stare in astonishment at the danger signs that huge cup of heart attack was screaming at this person leisurely and loudly ssshlurping at this death inducing beverage.

"Now this is living" exclaimed Dao. "Hey First, you're paying right?," asked Dao unashamedly. "I said I'll be treating you yes," answered First . "In that case," giggled Dao gleefully like a naughty five year old and called the waitress over. He proceeded to order not only two omelettes but also extra bacon, sausage, fries (chips) and ironically, a glass of diet Coca-Cola on ice. "Why the diet cola?," asked First. The rest of the meal carried enough calories to kill a horse. "I have to ingest something healthy you know, I'm a policeman after all," says Dao. First could only chuckle softly and thought to himself that he was greatful Dao had not changed a bit since they met in elementary school. "Dao, " First began. "I'm in the middle of something big and I need your assistance." "First, you had me as soon as I answered your call mate. You know all you got to do is ask. Now tell me, does it have anything to do with that very handsome lad with laughing eyes? He's your bo isn't he?". Dao was never one to beat about the bush. First told Dao everything, including the information he and Khaotung had withheld that night in the hospital.

First explained that both Khaotung and his mother had approached the police on two separate occasions and came up short at both times. He explained how Khao's identify was blown and how the these bad guys had gone after him trying to settle a score. "Dao, I don't think officially involving the police is a good idea. Thus far it's caused more harm than good, but I need help and I don't know what to do next, " complained First. "Leave it to me. I have an idea. Before I share it with you , let me do some searching. I'll get back to you in a day or so okay?," said Dao. "I think Khaotung is in danger Dao and don't know how long he can hold out. I need to find him. I need to bring him home, for his mom and for me. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to him. He is important to me. He's the one Dao, the one I want to promise all my tomorrows too," First said passionately . Dao placed his two huge hands over First's where they were resting on the table. "First, I've known you long enough to know how important Khao is to you without you having to tell me. I will find him and together we will bring him home safely, because you love him and because thanks to him you're going to buy me a whole lot more hot chocolate" Dao promised solemnly. "Scout's honour," said Dao while holding up two fingers in a peace sign. "Dao" said First. "You were never in the scouts ". " Oh who cares," exclaimed Dao." It's kind of a universal pledge anyway isn't it. Besides I'm a policeman so it's kinda okay for me to use it, right? "Yes Dao, absolutely," answered First.

Dao excused himself shortly after and promised to call First in a couple of hours with hopefully some answers. First went home with a heavy heart, missing Khaotung tremendously and vowed that once he found the caretaker of his soul, he, First. would never let him go again. Never.
His last thought before falling into a restless sleep and after updating Khaotung's mother telephonicly, was the last time he hugged Khao tightly. The last time before Khaotung went in search of his mother and disappeared.