The Dying of the Light

Chapter Twenty-Four

"You know why you're here." The voice boomed, a slight echo reverberating throughout the room.

Channarong sat in a solitary chair. The only light in the room shone upon him. The rest of the room was shrouded in darkness.

"Yes." Channarong felt beads of sweat beginning on his forehead. It had been several weeks since his last botched attempt on Kongpob's life. He had been ill at ease, but having heard nothing from his benefactors, he allowed himself to exhale and relax. He was mistaken. The moment he let his guard down, he was rendered unconscious near his car in the parking garage of Suthiluck Corp. He awakened in this chair, disoriented and fill with dread.

"You have failed to remove the younger Suthiluck. You were warned of the repercussions of failure, were you not?"

"Yes."

"Then you know your life is now forfeit."

"Please...I just need one more chance. He will be gone. I just need more time. The last time was not my fault. If it weren't for his lover, he would be dead now."

"We are not interested in your excuses. You have been given ample time and resources, yet your efforts have yielded nothing.

"Not nothing. You have 45% of the stocks and the prices continue to fall. Pretty soon you'll have even more stocks. With more time, I can rid you of Kongpob and the company will be ours."

"Ours?"

"Yours."

Channarong's words were met with silence. After what seemed like forever, he heard mummering and then another silence.

"We have decided to be merciful. You have one week to remove the younger Suthiluck. If you fail, we will not meet again. Failure will be met with immediate forfeiture of your life, understood?"

Channarong fell to his needs and waiied. "Thank you. I will not fail you."

"See that you don't."

"Arthit, please stay still. You aren't supposed to be lifting anything. The doctor's orders were very clear." Kongpob was exasperated, taking the tray from Arthit's hands.

"Kong, it's just a tray of food. I'm not going to pass out carrying it." He rolled his eyes and sighed deeply.

"Just sit. I'll take care of it." He pecked his lover's cheek and carried the food tray to the receptacle in the canteen.

People sitting at the surrounding tables giggled watching Kongpob dote on his lover. Arthit met their stares with a blush that reached all the way to his ears. He bowed his head and waited for Kongpob to return.

"So, are you ready to go back?" Kongpob grabbed the back of Arthit's wheelchair and pushed him out of the canteen.

"No, I need some fresh air. How about we go to the garden? That's a special place for us. Remember?"

It was Kongpob's turn to blush as he thought back to that special time when he realized he was falling in love with Arthit.

"Yeah, that sounds great. Let's go. It's getting dark, though. Are you sure you won't be too cold?"

"I'll be fine."

Kongpob placed a gentle kiss on Arthit's lips and headed to the hospital's garden. The night air was filled with the smell of plumeria. Arthit took a deep breath and smiled.

"The air is cool and sweet tonight. So wonderful."

Kongpob pushed Arthit's wheelchair next to a bench and sat next to him. He held his hand, intertwining their fingers.

"It is sweet, indeed. Not as sweet as my angel, though."

"Cheesy. I swear your brain is parmesan."

Kongpob chuckled and smiled. "How can I not be? I just love you so much."

"I love you too, Kong. I've been thinking about something."

"Hmm...what's on your mind, baby?"

"Our wedding. I know your mother wanted a big wedding for her only son, but I really want something small. I don't have any family, so I won't have many people to invite."

"Don't worry about mom. She'll understand. What were you thinking?"

"How about just a simple blessing from the monks at the temple and a nice dinner afterwards? Is that okay, love?"

"As long as you're happy, I'm happy. All I need is you, my angel."

Arthit laid his head on Kongpob's shoulder and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of their closeness.

What neither of them knew there was a shadow watching their every move. He was simply waiting for a moment to strike.

"Ready to go back in, baby?" Kongpob didn't get a response. "Baby?" His question was met with the soft sound of Arthit's gentle snoring. He chuckled and stood to wheel his angel back to his room.

Kongpob lifted Arthit from the chair and softly laid him on the bed. He turned when he heard the door open behind him, putting his finger over his lips when he saw the doctor entering.

"So, how's our patient," the doctor whispered to Kongpob.

"He's doing well. No pain today, just a little soreness."

"Well, I've reviewed all of his latest results and I'll go ahead and process his discharge. You can take him home in the morning whenever you're ready." He smiled and shook Kongpob's hand.

"He'll be so happy to hear that. Cabin fever is starting to set in."

"Doctors make the worse patients. They don't say that for nothing."

"Thank you for everything you've done. Arthit and I deeply appreciate it."

"No thanks necessary. Take care and I'll see you both again for Arthit's follow up exam in about two weeks, okay?"

"Yes, thanks again."

Kongpob sat next to Arthit's bed and held his hand. He took out his phone and made a call.

"Is everything ready?"

"----"

"Good. I have a feeling it'll happen soon. I'm ready."

"----"

"No, he can't know. Just be ready when it happens."

Kongpob ended the call and stared at his lover's face. His heart was warmed watching Arthit sleep. "I love you so much Arthit and I'll do anything for you. Please trust me and believe that. I would never do anything to hurt you. Forgive me."  Tears formed in his eyes as he bowed his head.