Ouch!

A sharp cry broke the moment as Sky yelped, his hands instinctively flying to his head where Nani's playful smack had landed. Nani smirked. "That's for whispering into my ear while I'm trying to eat," he said. "Now, continue eating and do the cleaning, will you?"

Sky rubbed the spot on his head, the shock of the light smack fading into a playful grumble. "Krub..." he muttered as he gave Nani a pouty look, still nursing his "wound."

Nani chuckled, his gaze never leaving Sky as he took his seat again, dramatically rubbing his head. The playful energy between them lingered, light and easy. But then, Nani's eyes shifted, catching the corner of a letter on the table. His smile faded just a little.

Whether he accepted his uncle's invitation or not was a difficult decision.

------A week later, Evergreen Masion

At the front of the mansion's grand gates, guests in elegant formalwear were arriving, their voices full of congratulations for Khun Anuman—Nani's uncle—who had just taken over as CEO. His father, Khun Somchair, Nani's grandfather, had stepped down to enjoy his well-earned retirement at the age of eighty. The event was held early, at 7 a.m., and the mansion was lit up like it was midday, the lights casting a soft glow on the scene.

Sky, standing beside Nani, looked at him with a concerned frown. "Are you sure you want to go in?" His voice was low, laced with worry.

Nani didn't flinch. He took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the crowd with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. "I have to," he said, his voice steady. "Uncle said he's got something my parents left for me. If I don't show up, he'll just toss it all away."

Sky glanced at the mansion, then back at Nani, his brow furrowing deeper. "I get that, but..." he trailed off, uncertainty clouding his gaze. "They invited you here for a reason. They want something from you. I can feel it."

Nani's lips curved into a sharp smirk. "Don't worry, Sky. I've got nothing to lose." He cast a sidelong glance at his puppy boy, his tone laced with teasing. "Besides, aren't you just a little happy I'm here? You've been dying for me to come to this place."

Sky let out a sigh, frustration mixing with his concern. "Of course I want you here, but not like this. Something's off, and I can't put my finger on it. It's like the whole situation is wrapped up in fate's messy little web. I can't see it clearly."

"Hey," Nani murmured, his voice low and steady, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. The warmth radiating between them was impossible to ignore, a quiet electricity that made his chest tighten. He offered a soft smile, one meant to reassure, to anchor. "Don't stress too much, okay? Besides..." He paused, his thumbs brushing lightly against Sky's collarbone. "Don't I have you by my side?"

Sky's breath hitched, just barely, before his expression shifted. The worry in his eyes melted away, replaced by something softer, warmer. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, playful but laced with something deeper—something fierce.

"You're right," Sky said, his voice steady, carrying a quiet strength that sent a shiver down Nani's spine. "I'm here. And no one's going to hurt you." He leaned in ever so slightly, his tone dropping, firm and unyielding. "I promised."

A silent vow lingered in his mind, sharpening with every passing second. No matter what tricks or schemes they had planned, Sky would make sure they paid tenfold if they even thought of laying a hand on his Nani.

With a shared, quiet glance, they approached the gate, the air thick with unspoken intentions. As they stepped into view, all eyes turned toward them. Sky's leather jacket, with its defiant edge, and Nani's party outfit—flashy and unbothered—were a stark contrast to the sea of formal attire. They looked like they were ready for a night out, not a formal gathering, and that was exactly the point. Nani's smirk hinted at the rebellion he felt in his bones. He wasn't here to play by anyone's rules, especially not his uncle's.

The guards stiffened at the sight of Nani and Sky, their expressions hardening as their eyes darted over the pair's unconventional attire. Their postures screamed suspicion, hands hovering near their radios as if ready to call in backup or physically remove them. This was a high-profile event, the kind that attracted more than its fair share of gatecrashers and drama-seekers.

But Nani wasn't fazed. With an air of practiced indifference, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the invitation, flicking it open like a winning hand in a poker game. His smirk was calm, self-assured, practically daring the guards to challenge him.

The guards hesitated, their confidence faltering. They exchanged uneasy glances, muttering into their earpieces. A tense pause followed before one of them reluctantly stepped aside, motioning for Nani to pass.

Nani strolled past the guards with a smirk, throwing a glance over his shoulder that all but screamed, You just dodged a disaster. His uncle wouldn't want any drama at such an important event like this, but if the guards had dared stop him, Nani wouldn't have hesitated to make a scene.

But as he stepped through the gate, something was off. Sky wasn't beside him.

Nani turned back to see Sky blocked by one of the guards, the man's arm stretched out like a barricade.

"Sorry, kid," the guard barked, his voice harsh. "You're not allowed in."

Nani's brow furrowed, his playful air evaporating. He gestured toward Sky. "It's fine. He's with me."

Sky, trusting Nani's words, stepped forward—but the guard's hand shot out, clamping down on his shoulder.

"You can go in," the guard sneered, glancing at Nani. "But him? Not a chance. Events like this aren't for everyone, kid." His tone dripped with mockery as his eyes swept over Sky, silently belittling him.

Sky froze under the man's grip, his shoulders stiffening. Annoyance flickered in his gaze, but his voice remained calm, cold. "Let go of my shoulder," he said, a quiet warning. He hated being touched by others—Nani was the only exception.

The guard, either oblivious or emboldened, tightened his hold, his smirk deepening. "Oh, you think you're tough, huh?" he scoffed, clearly enjoying the display of power. Without warning, he shoved Sky backward with enough force to make him stumble.

"Maybe this'll teach you to know your place," the guard added smugly, watching as Sky struggled to regain his balance.

But Sky didn't hit the ground.

Nani was there in a flash, his arms wrapping protectively around Sky, pulling him into his chest before he could fall. For a heartbeat, Nani's eyes widened with shock, but it was quickly replaced by a storm of rage. His jaw clenched, his usually carefree expression darkening into something lethal.

"Are you okay?" Nani asked, his voice softer now, but the tension in his tone betrayed his simmering anger.

"I'm fine," Sky muttered, 'forcing a weak smile' as 'his hand rose to massage his shoulder'. But the 'faint wince' that crossed his face told Nani everything he needed to know.

The smirk was long gone from Nani's lips. He looked up, his gaze locking onto the guards with a fiery intensity that sent a chill down their spines.

"You touched him," Nani said, his voice dangerously quiet, each word laced with anger. His smile returned then—sharp, cold, and utterly terrifying."Now you're going to regret that."

As Nani's steps carried him forward, the guards began to realize they had just made the gravest mistake of their lives. With a swift motion, he placed Sky behind him and closed the distance, his expression unreadable. Then, without hesitation, he drove a sharp, precise kick into the guard's stomach.

The man let out a strangled cry, the impact knocking the air from his lungs as he crumpled to the ground. Whatever arrogance he had worn earlier was gone, replaced with wide-eyed shock and pain.

The second guard barely had time to process before rage took over. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he barked, lunging at Nani.

Big mistake.

Nani sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid, almost lazy. A flicker of a smirk crossed his lips before he struck again—one swift, calculated blow—and just like that, the second guard joined the first on the cold pavement.

Gasps rippled through the crowd gathered at the gate. Whispers spread like wildfire. The guests, who had been waiting in line, stood frozen in shock.

Nani's gaze dropped back to the first guard—the one who had dared to lay a hand on Sky. The man was sprawled on the ground, fear etched into every line of his face as he scrambled backward, desperate to put distance between them.

But it was useless.

Nani crouched in front of him, tilting his head as his brown eyes flickered to the guard's right arm. "This arm of yours... it hurt him." His tone was eerily calm, almost conversational, as if he were merely stating a fact.

The guard swallowed hard, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. Then came the worst thing he could imagine.

Nani planted a foot on the man's shoulder, gripping his arm firmly as he slowly stood up. The pressure increased, his grip unyielding. "Maybe it's only fair you pay him back," Nani mused, his voice quiet but lethal. "Breaking your arm should be enough."

A chorus of shouts rang out as more guards arrived, alerted by the commotion. One of them—perhaps the captain—stepped forward, face twisted in fury. "Don't you dare!" he barked, his voice laced with authority.

Nani let out a small, almost amused laugh. A threat? To him?

They had no idea who they were dealing with.

They didn't know that a boy who had survived the slums, clawing his way through the darkest corners of life, wasn't easily intimidated.

They didn't know the kind of reputation he carried.

They didn't know how dangerous he could be.

Then— crack.

The sickening sound echoed through the air as the guard beneath him let out a bloodcurdling scream, his arm twisted at an unnatural angle. Silence fell over the crowd like a heavy weight. No one dared move.

Nani barely spared him a glance. Instead, he flicked an ear, feigning irritation as the man's screams rang in his ears. "Too noisy," he muttered in annoyance. Then, without warning, he drove a final, merciless kick to the guard's face, rendering him unconscious.

The silence that followed was deafening.

No one spoke. No one breathed.

Because in that moment, everyone understood—Nani wasn't just a troublemaker.

He was a nightmare they never should have crossed.

After finishing with the guard, Nani returned to Sky. However, as he stepped toward him, Nani suddenly froze. His heart pounded in his chest, the realization crashing down on him like a tidal wave. He had just shown Sky a part of himself he had kept buried—the dark, ruthless side he had developed over years of surviving in the slums.

Everyone around them was staring at him with wide, fearful eyes. The guards, the guests—all of them. He had seen that look before. It was the same look people gave to monsters.

And now... now Sky had seen it too.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Nani's face. Would Sky be afraid of him now? Would he pull away, call him cruel, walk away and never look back? The dark aura around Nani thickened, a storm of self-doubt and unspoken fears twisting in his chest.

But instead of stepping back, Sky moved toward him.

With no hesitation. No fear.

Sky leaned in, whispering softly, "You were kinda hot protecting me like that na, Nani."

Nani's eyes widened. Completely caught off guard.

Sky... wasn't scared. Not even a little.

Instead, he was smiling. Sky's warm smile was the last thing Nani had expected.

A slow smirk pulled at Nani's lips, relief washing over him like a warm breeze. His dark, tense aura melted away as he let out a small chuckle and lightly smacked the back of Sky's head. "Stop being so cheesy," he muttered, rolling his eyes. 

Sky pouted, rubbing the back of his head with an exaggerated frown. "Ow, it hurt, Nani," he huffed.

Nani just chuckled, shaking his head. The dark tension from earlier had completely vanished, replaced by the usual easy-going playfulness that Sky had always known. The soft boy—his Nani—had returned just like that.

But the moment was short-lived.

"Take him!"

The captain had finally snapped out of his shock and barked the order. More guards stepped forward, their hesitation gone. Nani was strong—too strong—but if they all attacked at once, surely they could overpower him. Right?

But just before anyone could move—

"STOP!!"

A sharp, commanding voice rang through the air, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Heads turned as a young woman in a luxurious gown approached the gate. The guards immediately halted. The captain clenched his jaw in frustration. "But, Miss Air—"

"I said back away!" Air snapped, glaring at the captain. "Haven't you embarrassed my family enough? Stop already!"

She had been watching from a distance, secretly hoping to see Nani get put in his place. The thought of him getting humbled by her father's elite guards had been satisfying.

But reality had slapped her in the face.

The very guards she had trusted, the ones her father had personally chosen, had been humiliated in front of a crowd. And worse—if she let them keep fighting, it would only damage her family's reputation further.

With an irritated sigh, Air turned her attention to Nani, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her wrist in barely concealed frustration.

"Air," Nani smirked, his gaze flicking over her with the kind of indifference that made her blood boil. "We meet again."

Air tilted her chin up, forcing a confident smile. "Nani, what a surprise." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "The bastard finally decided to show up."

Nani tilted his head, studying her for a moment before his lips curled into an even wider grin. "What's wrong with your face?" His tone was light, teasing—but the glint in his eyes made it clear he knew exactly what he was doing.

Air's nails dug into her palm. She had spent hours trying to cover up the unfortunate bruises left from a series of misfortunes—most of which, in one way or another, she blamed on him. After all, her bad luck had started after meeting him at the mall on that fateful day. A mix of rage and embarrassment simmered beneath her perfectly poised expression.

Forcing herself to remain composed, she turned to the guards, her tone clipped. "Let them in."

The captain hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. His gaze flickered between Nani and Air, as if silently questioning the decision. But after a moment, he gave a reluctant nod and stepped aside, signaling the others to do the same.

As Nani and Sky walked past, Air seized the opportunity to redirect the attention. She smoothed her dress, composed herself, and flashed Sky a sugary-sweet smile. Her voice softened, adopting an almost affectionate tone.

"Hello, P' Sky. We meet again, don't we?"

Sky didn't even pause. Without so much as a glance in her direction, he slid an arm around Nani's waist, pulling him in ever so slightly. The action was subtle, effortless—but the message was loud and clear.

Air's smile faltered.

Her eyes darkened for a split second before she forced herself to recover, masking the sting of rejection behind a well-practiced look of amusement. Fine. Let him have his fun. The night was young, and she would find another opportunity to get what she wanted.

Just then, the deep hum of an engine rumbled through the air, drawing the attention of the entire crowd.

A sleek, jet-black luxury car rolled up to the entrance, its tinted windows reflecting the golden lights of the venue. The sight was unusual—every other vehicle had been required to park at a distance, yet this one had been granted special access.

A ripple of whispers spread like wildfire through the guests.

"Who could it be?"

"That car—it's definitely someone important."

"The audacity... skipping protocol like that."

The murmurs grew as the chauffeur stepped out and circled to the passenger side. With a practiced motion, he opened the door.

A hush fell over the crowd.

A single, slender leg emerged first—wrapped in an elegant, high-slit gown of deep crimson. Then, with an effortless grace that belonged only to the truly powerful, the young woman stepped out. The face was painfully familiar to Nani. It was the woman they had met at the casino. Love, if he remembered correctly—Sky had told him so.

Even under the soft glow of the chandeliers, Love looked like she belonged somewhere far grander. The deep red of her gown contrasted against her smooth, caramel-toned skin, and her midnight-black hair cascaded down her back in loose waves. Her sharp, almond-shaped eyes swept over the crowd with quiet amusement, as if she had already assessed and dismissed everyone in attendance.

Next to Nani, Sky let out a small, annoyed tch. "She's here too?"

Air's eyes lit up at the sight of the new arrival. It was clear this was the important guest she was supposed to greet. For once, Air set aside her usual entitlement and adopted an air of polite respect. With a perfectly measured smile, she stepped forward, her voice smooth as silk.

"Good evening, Miss Love," she began, her tone dripping with faux sweetness. "We are honored to have you here, attending my father's important event. It is truly a great privilege—"

But Air never got to finish. Love walked right past her.

Didn't slow down. Didn't acknowledge her. Didn't even glance in her direction. The slight flick of Love's hair as she passed felt like an afterthought, but to Air, it might as well have been a slap. A ripple of shocked whispers spread like wildfire through the guests.

One of the female attendees leaned toward her group, her voice hushed but urgent. "Don't you know her? She's the youngest daughter of the Limpatiyakorn family—the ones behind Trinity Tech Corporation."

That made Nani pause.

He had heard of Trinity Tech. It was a name often spoken in the same breath as Aetherveil Enterprises, though the two companies were vastly different. Where Aetherveil was ancient, woven into the very fabric of the elite with deep, generational influence, Trinity Tech was newer—cutting-edge, ruthless in its innovations, and a dominant force in its own right.

What was someone from that family doing at a party like this? More than that, what was she doing at the casino near his old neighborhood weeks before? Questions like that raced through Nani's mind, each one more hard to find an answer than the last. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, some connection he wasn't seeing.

Love continued scanning the venue, her gaze passing over dignitaries, business moguls, and high-ranking officials with the same mild disinterest she might give to furniture.

And then—

Her eyes landed on Nani and Sky.

The shift in her demeanor was instantaneous.

A brilliant smile broke across her face, her features lighting up with an ease that made it clear that this was not an act.

Without a second thought, she brushed past Air—who was still hovering by her side in a feeble attempt to recover from the earlier slight. Air stiffened, her expression frozen in disbelief. But Love didn't spare her a moment.

Instead, she strode forward, her movements confident, poised, as if nothing else mattered except the two young handsome men in front of her.

"Well, isn't this quite the surprise," Love said, her tone cheerful and warm as she stopped in front of them. "We meet again."

She extended her hand with a graceful smile. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Love,"

"I'm Nani," Nani replied, taking her hand and shaking it with an easy smile.

"Hello, puppy boy," Love teased with a smirk, her sharp gaze lingering on Sky. "I've done my homework. You have quite a few secrets. I'm a little surprised na."

Sky frowned and looked away, muttering, "Stop saying things you're not supposed to."

Nani, amused nad confused, narrowed his eyes at Sky. "Why were you being rude to her?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and mild disapproval. Before Sky could respond, Nani gave him a light smack on the head. "Don't be rude," he scolded.

Sky pouted dramatically, rubbing the spot as if Nani had inflicted a grave injury. "Ouch! You didn't have to hit me," he grumbled, his lower lip jutting out. Meanwhile, Love burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained by their antics.

Air, standing nearby, couldn't hide her shock—or her growing annoyance—as she realized Love seemed to know Nani and, worse, appeared to be on good terms with him. She hesitated, then tried to insert herself into the conversation.

But Love didn't even give her a chance. Turning to Air with a pointed look, she said, "Don't you have other guests to attend to? I'm fine on my own."

Air opened her mouth to politely argue, but Love's sharp gaze silenced her. Air shivered under the weight of it, knowing full well she wasn't in a position to disobey. With a forced smile, she muttered something under her breath and stormed off, her temper getting the better of her. She nearly tripped in her haste, but the guard accompanying her managed to catch her just in time, sparing her another humiliation.

The night had just gotten a lot more interesting.

Another sleek, black Lemouse glided to a stop, its presence exuding quiet luxury. It wasn't flashy, but it commanded attention—sophisticated, understated, and carrying the weight of old money.

Air blinked in confusion. Who was this? Hadn't her father told her to greet only Miss Love? But before she could even process the thought, the words slipped from her lips in a hushed whisper.

"Father... why is he here?" Her eyes widened in shock.

Khun Anuman rushed out of the mansion, flanked by guards and assistants. That alone spoke volumes—this guest wasn't just important. He was someone her father deemed worthy of a personal welcome.

Nani watched as the man stepped out of the car, his movements fluid, deliberate. Late twenties, tall, with an effortless authority that seemed to settle over the space like an invisible force. His sharp gaze swept over the entrance, taking in everything with a calculated ease. He carried himself with the confidence of someone who could shift the course of the world with a single word—and knew it.

And yet... Nani swore he looked familiar. A flicker of recognition danced at the edge of his memory, elusive but persistent. That's impossible. He'd never met this man before. Had he?

Beside him, Love's eyes widened for a brief second before a knowing smirk curved her lips. "Well, well. Isn't this interesting?" Her tone was light, amused, but the sharp glint in her eyes told a different story—curiosity, calculation, maybe even recognition.

She didn't need to say more. Her gaze flicked toward Sky, who had just gone rigid.

Nani turned just in time to see his puppy boy take a sharp step back, his entire body tensing as if bracing for something. Then, without a word, he moved behind Nani, as if using him as a shield. His usual air of cocky indifference was gone, replaced by a look of tightly controlled irritation. Under his breath, he muttered a string of curses, barely audible.

"Sky?" Nani asked, his brows drawing together at his boy's unusual behavior.

But Sky didn't answer. His gaze stayed locked on the gentleman who had just arrived, his posture stiff with unease. He was clearly trying to avoid the man, and that alone sent warning bells ringing in Nani's mind.

Then, it hit him.

The resemblance.

Now that he looked closer, the man bore a striking similarity to Sky. The same sharp jawline, the same piercing eyes. Not identical, but close enough that Nani couldn't ignore it.

His stomach tightened. Who the hell is this guy?

----Happy Lunar New Year, everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. 🧧✨ Leave me comments for motivation, na! They're the greatest encouragement! ❤️😊----