Shadows

Chapter 1: The Beginning of a Debt

The crisp morning air in Bangkok felt stifling in a way that Joong couldn’t explain. As he walked down the narrow alley leading to his family’s modest home, the bustling sounds of the city echoed around him, yet his mind was somewhere else entirely. His thoughts were consumed with the impending move, the weight of his family’s debt pressing down on him like a suffocating cloud.

He glanced over at his two brothers, Pond and Fourth, who were walking beside him. Pond, the eldest, looked unusually quiet today, his tall frame tense as he fiddled with his phone. Fourth, the youngest, was as lively as ever, but even he seemed a little more subdued than usual. Joong felt the same way—everything had changed in the last week. Their father, who worked for the wealthy Gemini family, had told them about the arrangement that was about to happen, and now, the three brothers were about to move into the mansion of Dunk, the son of the Gemini family.

Joong’s family wasn’t exactly poor, but they weren’t rich either. Their father had worked as a servant for the Gemini family for years, managing the estate and taking care of their business dealings. But recently, things had gone wrong. There had been a mistake—one that couldn’t be ignored. And as repayment, Joong and his brothers were sent to live with Dunk and his family. They were supposed to be protectors, to make sure that Dunk and his brothers were safe at all costs. But Joong couldn’t help feeling like they were being sent as little more than a token gesture, a pawn in the larger game of family loyalty and debt.

“We’re really doing this, huh?” Fourth asked, his voice light but edged with nervousness.

Joong didn’t reply immediately. He felt the familiar knot in his stomach tighten. Moving into the Gemini mansion felt like crossing an invisible line. They weren’t just going there as guests—they were going there as servants, as guardians. And while their father had made it clear that this was the only way to settle the family’s debt, Joong couldn’t shake the feeling that they were about to step into something they weren’t prepared for.

Pond spoke next, his voice quieter than usual. “Do you think they’ll actually treat us like we’re part of the family? Or will we always be the ones who have to bow our heads?”

Joong sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. But I don’t think we should expect anything more than what we’re here for. We’re here to protect them. That’s the deal.”

Fourth grinned, though it was more out of nervous energy than anything else. “Yeah, but you’ve seen Dunk, right? He doesn’t exactly look like he wants us around.”

Joong’s thoughts immediately went to Dunk—the Gemini family’s middle child. Cold, distant, and always with a dark expression that seemed to say, “I don’t need anyone.” Joong had only met him a few times, but those few interactions had been enough to feel the icy wall Dunk kept between them. He hadn’t said much to them, not even when their family had arrived at the mansion yesterday to unpack. Dunk hadn’t even bothered to greet them, simply ignoring their presence like they were nothing more than air.

“I don’t know what to expect from him,” Joong admitted. “But whatever it is, we have to do our part. This is our only option.”

Pond gave him a small nod, his brow furrowed. “Just… don’t get too close, okay? We’re here because of Dad’s debt. That’s the only reason they’re letting us stay. Let’s not make it complicated.”

The words stung, but Joong knew they were true. They weren’t there because Dunk or his brothers wanted them. They were there because of a debt that had to be paid, no matter the cost.

As they approached the front gates of the Gemini mansion, Joong’s heart skipped a beat. The mansion was enormous—its gates were high, grand, and ornate, and the gardens stretched on for what felt like miles. This was a world Joong and his brothers had never known, a world of wealth and power that was far beyond their reach.

But now, they were stepping into it.

A servant opened the gate for them, bowing politely as they entered. Joong didn’t miss the way the servant’s eyes flicked toward them, a brief but unmistakable look of curiosity before the man quickly averted his gaze. Joong hated that feeling—that sense of being watched, of being measured by something other than who they were.

Inside the mansion, everything was as opulent as Joong had imagined. The marble floors gleamed under the soft light filtering in from the tall windows. The air smelled faintly of perfume and something richer—expensive, timeless. They were escorted to the guest wing, where they would be staying for the foreseeable future.

The door to their new room opened, revealing a large, luxurious space with beds made of the finest linens, furniture so exquisite it looked like it belonged in a museum, and a view of the garden that was almost too perfect to be real. Pond and Fourth immediately began unpacking, their usual energy returning as they adjusted to the lavishness of their surroundings.

Joong, however, remained by the window, his hands resting on the cool glass as he gazed out at the sprawling estate. This was a different world. And no matter how many times he told himself to stay focused on the task at hand, part of him couldn’t help but wonder—how long would it take before they were caught up in something they couldn’t escape?

“I don’t like it here,” Pond said quietly, walking over to Joong and standing next to him. “We’re supposed to be here to protect them, but I don’t know if I trust them. Dunk especially. He doesn’t even acknowledge us.”

Joong turned to look at his brother. “I get it. I don’t trust them either. But we have to keep our distance, Pond. We can’t get too involved. We’re here to do a job.”

Pond nodded slowly, but Joong could tell he wasn’t convinced.

“Let’s just get through this,” Joong said, turning back toward the mansion. “One day at a time.”

As they settled into their new lives, the Joong brothers couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a world they weren’t meant to be part of, a world filled with secrets that could destroy them if they weren’t careful. They had come here to pay off their family’s debt, but Joong had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning.