MINE, YOURS ONLY (SHORT STORY)

CHAPTER 3

Pavel was talking to Sailub's very own detectives due to how many times he had this issue in the office and many more that he needed detectives and lawyers for everything.

Sailub sat and sunk in the soft couch Pavel had in his house. Sailub felt guilty about everything that had happened, he didn't know what to tell his mother-in-law and father-in-law who trusted him so much.

Their parents knew that they loved each other but in reality, it was one-sided-Pon was the only one who loved Sailub, Sailub didn't love him and treated him like an afterthought and a burden.

"Pon is a fragile omega, he has this trendy brown with gold streak hair under the sunlight and he has this beautiful smile, a small yet delicate body and fair-skinned, here's a picture of him." Pavel described Pon.

Pavel described Pon much better than Sailub could ever imagine or describe him, he felt guilty and felt like a useless husband towards Pon.

Pavel took out his iPhone from his pocket and then opened it, scrolling through his gallery and then showing the picture of Sailub's beloved husband to the detectives.

"he's an omega? what's his scent?" the detectives asked, Sailub finally spoke up after that statement.

"Pon had this strawberry, honey and milk scent, his scent was addictive, it's a scent most Alpha or Enigma would want to sniff everyday, it's the only thing that makes me calm, this scent is sweet and it has this cinnamon scent to it, it's very sweet." Sailub spoke up.

He was very detailed about it, Pavel smirked at Sailub as he talked and described Pon's scent so detailed and it made the detectives smile as well.

"Khun Sailub must've loved Nong Thanapon." the detectives whispered which wasn't much of a whisper and Sailub heard it.

Sailub swallowed the lump that was stuck inside his throat which was dry and moist, his heart was beating fast and felt so anxious.

Sailub sat frozen on the plush couch, his hands tightly gripping the fabric, feeling the weight of Pavel's words and the detective's questions pressing on him.

His chest felt tight, as if the walls of the room were closing in around him. The guilt gnawed at him, the realization that he had neglected the one person who had loved him so unconditionally.

Pon's scent sweet, comforting, and addictive was now burned into his mind, and the thought of not being able to smell it again, of not being able to hold Pon, filled him with a sense of dread he hadn't known before.

The detectives continued to murmur amongst themselves, exchanging notes and ideas about where Pon might be.

Pavel was on the phone, giving orders to his network, ensuring every lead was followed. Sailub felt like an outsider in this moment, detached from everything happening around him.

He hadn't even realized how deeply he had come to care about Pon until the threat of losing him loomed large.

"Khun Sailub, we'll get on it right away," one of the detectives said, snapping Sailub out of his spiraling thoughts.

"We'll start with the places he might have gone, and we'll reach out to those close to him. But we'll need you to help us."

Sailub nodded, though he wasn't sure if he could speak for fear of his emotions overwhelming him again. He stood, shakily running a hand through his hair.

"I'll do whatever it takes to find him," he said, his voice low but steady. "I'll reach out to his friends. I'll ask anyone who might know something."

The detectives gave him a brief nod of acknowledgment before dispersing, immediately pulling out their phones and getting to work. Sailub turned to Pavel, his mind still reeling.

"I have to start with Garfield. He's Pon's best friend. If anyone knows what happened, it's him." Sailub's voice trembled with urgency, and Pavel gave him a knowing look.

"You do what you need to do," Pavel said, his voice calm but filled with an underlying command. "I'll have my people keep track of every lead. But remember, Sailub, you're not alone in this."

Sailub gave him a weak smile before heading towards the door. As he stepped into the cool night air.

He could feel the weight of the city pressing in around him, the hum of the bustling streets at odds with the frantic pounding of his heart.

He dialed Garfield's number as he climbed into his black SUV. The phone rang twice before Garfield picked up, his voice crackling through the speaker.

"Sailub?" Garfield's voice was thick with concern. "Is everything okay? Is Pon-"

"I don't know where he is, Garfield," Sailub interrupted, his voice tight. "He's missing. I need you to tell me everything you know. The date, the guy he went with. Where did they go? What was he planning?"

Garfield was silent for a moment, the weight of Sailub's words clearly hitting him.

"I-I didn't think anything was wrong. He seemed fine when we talked, Sailub. He said he was just meeting with Boss, an old high school friend. He didn't mention anything strange. And Pon doesn't-he doesn't keep secrets from me. At least, he never has before."

Sailub's stomach twisted. "But he didn't tell you where they were going? Didn't say anything about where he would be?"

Garfield let out a frustrated sigh. "No. Just that he'd be out for a bit, maybe grab a coffee or something. He didn't even say which mall. It's all a blur. We texted for a while, and then suddenly... nothing. I haven't been able to reach him since."

Sailub closed his eyes, feeling the rising panic again. Where was Pon? Why hadn't he said anything more? Why hadn't he told Garfield or anyone else?

"I need you to check the places you know he'd go, Garfield. The mall, the cafes, anywhere he might have stopped by. I'll be doing the same thing. I'll talk to his other friends and figure it out more."

"Alright," Garfield said, his voice filled with resolve. "I'll start calling around, but you have to keep me updated, okay?"

"Of course," Sailub answered quickly, hanging up. He felt the lump in his throat again, his breath shallow as he thought about what to do next.

His hands shook as he put the phone back in his pocket, staring out the window of the SUV as the driver navigated through the busy streets.

There were so many people he could call. So many places Pon could be. But even if he knew where to start looking, there was still that gnawing feeling what if Pon was in danger? What if he'd been taken, hurt, or worse?

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone buzzed again. It was another message from one of Pavel's detectives, a lead.

"Sir, we've confirmed Pon was at Siam Discovery Mall earlier today. We've got someone checking the CCTV footage now."

Sailub's heart skipped a beat. At least they had a direction. At least he had a place to start.

"Take me there," Sailub ordered his driver, his voice sharp.

The driver nodded, his foot pressing harder on the accelerator. The streets seemed quieter now, almost eerie, as if the city had decided to hold its breath along with him.

Sailub's mind raced as the seconds ticked by, and his grip on his phone tightened. He couldn't afford to waste another moment.

As the SUV pulled into the parking lot of Siam Discovery, Sailub felt his chest tighten. This was it. This was where Pon had been, and it was where he would find the answers.

Stepping out of the vehicle, he tried to push aside the nagging fear in his chest and focus on the task at hand.

Every part of him wanted to run into the mall, to check every store, to demand that someone help him. But he knew better. The detectives were already on the ground, and he needed to stay calm.

He checked his phone again, sending a quick message to Pavel: "I'm at the mall. I'll keep you updated."

Then, with a deep breath, Sailub walked toward the entrance, determination flooding through his veins. This was his chance. He was going to find Pon, no matter what it took.