SOLD TO THE MAFIA | SAILUBPON

CHAPTER 18

The sun had barely risen, casting soft light through the curtains as Pon woke up with a groan. His head throbbed.

And there was a strange, heavy feeling in his stomach. He tried to ignore it, pulling the blanket over his head, but the discomfort only seemed to grow worse.

He sat up, clutching his stomach as a wave of nausea hit him hard. It was too much for him to ignore now. He quickly stumbled out of bed, rushing to the bathroom, hoping that this was just some fleeting discomfort.

But as soon as he reached the bathroom, Pon leaned over the sink, his body shuddering with the overwhelming urge to throw up.

His stomach heaved, and despite not having eaten much the night before, his body expelled whatever little was inside. It was unlike anything he'd felt before so sudden and intense. His head swam, and he felt weak.

He could hear Sailub's voice from the bedroom, calling his name softly, worried. Pon hadn't realized how loudly he'd been breathing, how the panic and dizziness had taken over him. His hands gripped the sink tightly as he gasped for air, trying to steady himself.

"Sai... huhu.." Pon's voice cracked as he managed to say his name, barely loud enough for Sailub to hear, but the moment he did, Sailub was by his side in an instant.

Sailub's strong hands wrapped around Pon's waist, helping him stand steady, his face full of concern. "Pon... my baby, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

Pon turned his head toward Sailub, his face pale and sweaty, a frown of discomfort on his features. "I feel awful... just really sick, Sai."

Sailub gently helped Pon back to the bed, sitting him down and tucking the blanket around him. "Let's get you some water. You've been through a lot lately, maybe it's just stress or something."

Pon took a deep breath, leaning into Sailub's chest. "I don't know... I feel like I can't control it. My head hurts, and it feels like my stomach's just... all over the place."

Sailub's brows furrowed as he rubbed Pon's back in slow, soothing circles. "Okay, just breathe. Let's take it slow."

His voice was steady, trying to calm both Pon and himself. "We'll figure this out, alright? Let me know if you need anything."

Pon nodded weakly, but then his stomach churned again.

He suddenly sat up and covered his mouth, rushing back to the bathroom. Sailub, never leaving his side, followed closely, his worry intensifying.

Pon's knees were weak as he knelt down in front of the toilet, throwing up once more. It felt like his body was fighting against him, rejecting everything, leaving him feeling helpless and exhausted.

Sailub knelt beside him, brushing Pon's hair back gently, his eyes full of concern but also a calm determination.

"Pon, it's okay," Sailub said softly, his hand steady on Pon's back. "Just let it out. Take your time."

Pon felt the waves of nausea slowly subside, but the exhaustion still clung to him.

Sailub helped him back to the bed, where Pon collapsed back into the soft pillows.

"You're okay," Sailub whispered, cupping Pon's face in his hand.

"We'll figure this out. It's probably just some phase... something that happens sometimes. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

Pon barely nodded, feeling drained but comforted by Sailub's unwavering presence. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breath.

As the morning went on, Pon's symptoms didn't seem to improve. His body felt weak, his stomach unsettled, and even the smallest movements made him feel dizzy.

It wasn't just the nausea; there were strange cravings too. He'd been craving sweets things like chocolate and fruit, but only certain fruits, and none of it seemed to make sense to him.

"Sai," Pon said, looking at Sailub with wide, uncertain eyes. "I... I really want something sweet. But I don't know if I can even eat it."

Sailub, ever the attentive caretaker, gave him a soft smile. "I'll get you something. Don't worry. You just need to relax, okay?"

But when Sailub returned with a bowl of fruit and some chocolate, Pon barely touched it.

"I don't know why... I feel like I should eat, but then again, I can't. It's like I don't want to."

Sailub sat beside him, his hand resting on Pon's leg, his thumb gently stroking his skin. "It's okay. We'll take it slow. Maybe it's something your body's just going through. Maybe an omega thing. I don't know."

Pon's thoughts swirled. He didn't understand what was happening to him. He'd felt ill before.

But never like this not with such a strange combination of cravings and nausea, mood swings, and an overwhelming sense of being off balance.

"I don't know what's happening, Sai," Pon whispered, looking up at him with eyes full of confusion. "This isn't just being sick. It's... different."

Sailub could only nod, keeping his voice soft and reassuring. "I know. But we'll figure it out. We'll go to the doctor soon and get it checked out. You're not alone in this, Pon. You never will be."

The rest of the day passed slowly. Pon's condition didn't improve, and his mood swings became more noticeable.

He went from being tired and withdrawn to suddenly becoming irritable. He snapped at Sailub over the smallest things, and then just as quickly, he would apologize, feeling guilty for being short-tempered.

Sailub was patient, of course. He didn't take it personally, and every time Pon seemed to withdraw, he'd gently pull him back into his arms, reminding him that it was okay to feel however he felt. "You're going through something, Pon. Don't feel bad about it."

But the uncertainty hung in the air like a thick cloud. Neither of them could pinpoint what was happening.

Sailub had seen a lot in his life he'd run a mafia, dealt with countless risks, and had known what it meant to face danger but this, this was different. He had no idea what was going on with Pon, and it worried him.

As night fell, Sailub helped Pon get comfortable in bed once again, ensuring he had everything he needed: the right blankets, water, and a cool cloth for his forehead. He stayed by his side, not letting Pon out of his sight for a moment.

"We'll go to the doctor tomorrow," Sailub promised, brushing a strand of hair from Pon's face. "I'll be right here, okay? No matter what, we'll figure this out together."

Pon smiled faintly, feeling the exhaustion of the day take its toll on him. "Thank you, Sai... for everything."

Sailub leaned down, kissing Pon's forehead tenderly. "I'll always be here for you, Pon. Always."

And as Pon finally drifted off to sleep, Sailub stayed awake, his thoughts consumed with uncertainty. What was happening to Pon? And why couldn't they figure it out?