Pond was about to leave the student dormitory when he caught sight of the same boy again—the one who had somehow made it into his car the other day. This time, the boy was cornered by a group of street thugs. They were kicking him mercilessly as he tried to cover his head with his arms.
Something inside Pond snapped. Being a Jamornham, fighting was instinct, almost like breathing. Without hesitation, he charged forward, his fists connecting with bone and flesh. Within moments, the goons scattered like startled birds, muttering curses as they ran.
Pond stood there, chest heaving, and glared at the boy sitting bruised and battered on the ground.
"Whenever I see you, you're always in trouble," Pond muttered, half irritated, half concerned.
Phuwin winced as Pond knelt to check his leg. "Yes, right. First time they chased me, I ended up in your car. And now this." He let out a short laugh despite the pain on his busted lip. "Maybe you're a jinx."
Pond looked up sharply, pressing down on his ankle with purpose.
"AAAHHH—You freak!" Phuwin yelped, clutching at Pond's arm.
"If you want to keep this leg intact, keep your sweet mouth shut," Pond shot back, his voice firm.
Supporting him, Pond draped Phuwin's arm across his shoulder, his own hand circling the boy's waist.
"Hey..." Phuwin murmured, his lips curling into a mischievous grin. "How do you know my mouth is sweet?"
Pond's only answer was a sharp pinch at his waist that made Phuwin yelp again. Without another word, he half-carried the boy to his car. This time, silence filled the ride. Phuwin didn't dare to tease him further.
At the hospital, Pond took charge like a professional which he is. He cleaned the wounds, bandaged Phuwin's leg, and then gave him instructions in his clipped, authoritative tone.
"Sit here. I'll check on some patients, then I'll drive you home."
"Why would I go to your home?" Phuwin asked, looking confused.
"You.....really are dumb." Pond's patience was thinning. "I meant I'll drive you back to your home. You're injured. I can't just leave you on the street to die."
Before Phuwin could argue, Pond was already gone.
A little while later, a nurse entered with a tray. "Doctor Narawit asked me to bring this food for you."
"For me?" Phuwin blinked in surprise but took the tray anyway.
He was halfway through the meal when another figure walked in. Beam.
"Hey," Beam greeted warmly. He heard the commotion on floor that Doctor Narawit brought his boyfriend to hospital today.
Phuwin's eyes widened as though he had just seen a celebrity. "Awww, you're beautiful!"
Beam chuckled, his own smile radiant. "And I think you're more beautiful."
Phuwin tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Don't say that. I am handsome and manly."
" Why? what's wrong in being beautiful?" Beam asked teasing him.
" Because girls are beautiful not men. You don't mind people calling you pretty or beautiful? Because I mind" He said, more like announce.
"Of course not," Beam said with easy charm. "It's a compliment. A man can be handsome, pretty, and beautiful all at once."
"Are you a doctor, P'?" Phuwin asked curiously. " Because you cure my heart only with your words."
Before Beam could respond, Pond stormed in.
"Uncle," Pond said firmly, looking directly at Phuwin.
Phuwin frowned. "What?"
"The doctor in front of you who cured your heart is Doctor Bramee," Pond explained, irritation lacing his tone. "He's my senior. And he has two sons. So, he's definitely not a P' to you. He's Uncle. I am your P'."
Another dumbfounded expression crossed Phuwin's face. "How do you know?"
Beam almost burst out laughing at Pond's growing frustration.
"I know because he's the father of the person who brought you here," Pond replied tersely.
"Ohhhh, that explains why you're so handsome. You got your looks from your father," Phuwin said brightly before turning back to Beam. "But you, P'... you don't look like an uncle at all. If you didn't have children, I'd propose to you right here."
Pond's jaw clenched. Beam, however, smirked. "Unfortunately, I do have children. But thank you for the proposal. If I didn't already love someone, I'd take care of you myself."
That was the final straw for Pond. "Paa, if you have no business here, please leave."
Beam only smiled wider, happy that Pond had openly recognized him as his father. With a mock bow to Phuwin, he left the room.
Back home, Beam was practically bouncing with excitement as he barged into Forth's office.
"Forth! Forth, we need to talk!"
Forth didn't even glance up from his paperwork. "What is it, baby?"
"Pond has a boyfriend!" Beam declared.
Forth finally looked up, eyebrows raised. "He does not. First, he isn't gay or bi. Second, he'd have told me. Third, I've been keeping track—he hasn't been doing anything but whoring around with girls."
Beam gasped, furious. "How dare you call my son's activities whoring? Are you even his father? And I know my Pond. Maybe not gay, but definitely bi. I saw the way he looked at that boy."
"Beam—"
"No! Next time you call my son a man-whore, you'll be sleeping in the living room for months." Beam stormed out, not realizing that Pond had overheard every word.
Later, Pond walked into Forth's office, his expression serious.
"Dad, we need to talk."
Forth groaned inwardly. Another talk. That seemed to be all today was about. He poured them both a glass of wine.
"What is it?" he asked, handing Pond the drink.
"Paa was flirting with a kid in my cabin," Pond said flatly.
Forth laughed so hard he nearly spilled his wine.
"I'm serious!" Pond snapped. "I saw it with my own eyes. He even said he'd take care of the boy if he didn't already love someone. Can you imagine?"
Forth sobered, noticing how worked up his son was. "You want me to confront Beam about this?"
"No. Your marriage isn't my business. But I'm warning you—the boy is a trouble. He's beautiful, yes, but dumb. He even proposed to Paa during their first meeting. I don't want him anywhere near him."
Forth tilted his head. "When did you start calling boys beautiful?"
"That's not the point!" Pond snapped again. "He's dangerous."
"You're overreacting."
"Fine. Ignore me. But don't come crying when your husband gets stolen away."
Forth sighed in defeat. "Alright. I'll talk to him."
As if on cue, Park entered the office as soon as Pond left.
"Forth, I need to talk to you."
Forth rolled his eyes. "Of course. Who's affair are we discussing now?"
"Our affair," Park said seriously. "The shipment is on its way. And so are First, Max, and Tul."
"What?" Forth's eyes widened.
Park nodded.
Finally, something other than family drama, Forth thought.
By morning, however, fresh news arrived. No one had come home last night—except Pond.
"Great," Forth muttered, rubbing his temples.
Meanwhile, Tul and Max were still waiting anxiously for Mix and Boom. And upstairs, Beam quietly watched over his firstborn, a tender smile curving his lips as he saw his son peacefully asleep.