A Book Called Desire

XIX. Defining Us (10)

Kim laughs so hard that it reddens Nao's face. On Kinn's and Porsche's faces, there is confusion, but they try to maintain their cool. Kinn is more successful than Porsche.

"Are you drunk?" Kim sneers, "What were you drinking on the way here?"

"I'm sincere," Nao says as he looks at Kim in the eyes.

Kim snorts, condescendingly. "Yeah, right. So Mr. Straight from a homophobe family suddenly likes dicks!"

"Just one dick. Somewhat like yourself."

Kim is now tilting his head, observing. He doesn't say anything back to Nao. He doesn't need to, since the door is bursting open, and in comes the angry mobs, Vegas and Pete.

"You fucking bastard!" Vegas wants to jump Nao so badly that it takes Pete and Porsche to hold him down. "What the hell did this fucker ask, Kinn?"

Kinn calmly states, "For your brother's hand in marriage in exchange for the borders' permit."

Then Vegas changes into a murderous state. "You gotta be fucking high, Nao, if you think I will let you take my brother to your territory without me sticking to him 24/7 now, let alone marry him! Do you fucking know what your father did to me back then? Do you think I will let your father get a hand on my brother for a mere millions of dollars?"

"We'll get married when my father ..."

"No," Pete calmly cuts. "We are not going to take the deal. We don't do arranged marriage and Cau already has a boyfriend."

"That Chaimongkon guy?" This time, it's Nao who sneers. "You must've known he is not a great match for Macau."

"Macau loves him," Pete gives an underline on the word love. "We only want his happiness no matter whom he loves."

"So if he loves me, you'll give me him?" There is a hard determination in Nao's eyes that shakes Pete's heart. He stays silent and doesn't know what to say to that.

It's Vegas who replies. "No," he states, unwavering. "I will never give my brother to your family, even if he falls in love with you to death. Even if I die, I will make sure he will never be yours."

"So just bury your idea of being with him no matter what motive you have. I don't care if you want him for revenge or if you have fallen in love with him. I. Don't. Care. It's best if you don't come around him again or I'll make Kim put a bullet between your eyes."

Kim is hiking his brows slightly on that statement. His lips bear a faint smile.

Nao takes a deep breath and looks at Kinn. "What does the head of the family have to say?"

Kinn considers his options. "I'm afraid we have to turn down your offer. Vegas is the head of Macau's family. As he doesn't want to take your hand in marriage, I can not force him."

"If Macau is the one who wants to marry me?" Nao knows he is being stubborn in this. "What will you say?"

Kinn smiles. "Then we'll talk about it when it happens. Mind you, Macau is very much in love with Kai."

"Feelings can change."

"If he changes his feelings for you, then I have no choice but to tell him what your father did to me back then and your role in it. Let's see how he feels about you then."

Nao grits his teeth. He can't seem to win here. His hands clench hard. His brain tries to think of a way out of this.

Kinn takes a deep breath and says, "We can't talk about marriages and festivity now, Mr. Hayama. We have an unfortunate event that we need to focus on. I'm sorry but I must cut our meeting short here." He stands up and Nao stands up with him then they shake each other's hand.