"Let's go sleep," Chak suggested. His voice was tired but still sounded protective.
He called Samchai and then turned to Rattan. "You'll sleep at a secret location. Samchai will take you there and bring you back tomorrow morning. Alright?"
"Okay," Rattan nodded quietly.
When Samchai arrived, Chak quickly told him: "You know where to go. Don't take your eyes off him."
"Understood, Mr. Chak," Samchai responded seriously, and together with Rattan, they left. The door closed, and a silence fell over the room.
"I'll leave as well," Taeng said, but Chak stopped him.
"No, you'll stay here tonight."
"But I have nothing to change into," Taeng said, confused.
"I'll lend you something," I volunteered.
"I think my clothes will fit you better than Niran's," Kit chimed in. "You can sleep in my room as well."
Taeng blushed slightly. "No, no, I can sleep on the couch."
Kit looked at Chak, and he immediately understood his silent hint.
"Taeng, you won't sleep on the couch. You'll sleep in Kit's room, which has two beds," Chak decided.
"If that's the case… fine," Taeng finally agreed.
We all headed to our rooms. I stepped into the shower, but the water didn't relax me. I felt tension in my chest. When I lay in bed, I couldn't fall asleep. The thought of Raeng wouldn't leave me. His words echoed in my head:
"If Chak doesn't give me the shares… I want you."
Fear flooded over me. What if Raeng kidnaps me tonight? What if Chak doesn't know anything about it?
I jumped up, grabbed a pillow, and quietly went to Chak's room. I knocked, but when I heard a soft rustling, I nervously opened the door.
Chak was sitting in an armchair, holding a book in his hand. When he saw me, he set the book down and watched me.
"Is something wrong, Niran?"
I swallowed. "Yes… I'm scared," I admitted quietly.
"What are you afraid of?" Chak asked.
"I'm afraid that Raeng will kidnap me tonight, and you won't even know about it..." I mumbled, staring at the floor.
Chak stood up and slowly walked towards me. "You don't have to be afraid of anything. You're safe here. If Raeng even looks at you, I'll make sure it never happens again."
"I'd rather be here. I'd feel safer," I confessed.
Chak smiled slightly. "If you want, you can."
He went to the bed, and I silently followed him. I lay on the other side of the bed and quickly pulled the covers over myself. I felt my cheeks burning. Chak turned off the light.
Silence. The dark room. But for the first time that night, I felt safe. His presence was like an invisible blanket.
---
The next morning
I woke up when sunlight streamed through the window. My body was warm… and I felt something under my hands.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
My arm.
Someone is under my arm…
I turned my gaze and froze.
Chak
I was holding him. My arm was around his waist, my head almost resting on his shoulder. My heart started beating so fast, it felt like it was going to explode.
Not him holding me… I'm holding him.
His face was calm, his breathing steady. He looked so peaceful… like he became a completely different person while sleeping.
How did I even end up in this position?
Quickly, I lifted my arm, gently moved away, and almost breathlessly climbed out of bed. I grabbed a pillow and quietly ran out of the room, as if I were running from my own feelings.
--Breakfast--
Kit and Taeng were already in the kitchen. Kit was frying eggs, and Taeng was cutting fruit.
"Good morning!" I said as I entered, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Good morning, Little one " Kit teased.
"Did you sleep well?" Taeng asked.
"Yeah… better than I expected," I murmured.
"Come on, grab the plates, Niran," Kit ordered.
"And cups for tea!" Taeng added.
"Just that, and you'll be a real kitchen assistant," I smiled.
When we sat down at the table, Chak appeared. He entered quietly, but his presence was strong.
Did he feel anything when I was holding him? Does he remember?
"Good morning," Chak said, looking at me. Our gazes locked for a moment. I quickly looked away.
As we ate, Chak's phone rang. He looked at the screen and put it on speaker.
"Chak," a familiar voice spoke.
"Raeng." Chak said.
"Have you decided yet? Shares… or Niran?"
My knife and fork fell from my hands. Kit and Taeng froze.
Chak calmly looked up at the ceiling. "You'll find out my decision soon."
He ended the call and looked at Kit's phone. "Call Samchai. Tell him to bring Rattan."
---
A few hours later
Samchai and Rattan were sitting in the living room. The atmosphere was tense.
"Rattan," Chak spoke, "you'll continue working for Raeng. But this time… you'll be our spy."
"How?" Rattan asked, confused.
Kit pulled a small microphone from his pocket. "You'll carry this with you at all times. We'll be listening to everything that's happening. And you won't be alone – Samchai will be with you the whole time. Quiet, discreet."
Rattan took a deep breath. "And if they catch me?"
Chak spoke firmly: "You won't be alone. And if you sense anything… anything suspicious… report immediately."
Samchai nodded. "I promise I'll keep an eye on him."
I watched Rattan and saw fear in his eyes for the first time… but also courage.
When Samchai and Rattan left, we were alone in the living room, watching as Sun, Lon, and Leo played.
A few moments later, I stood up and headed to my art room. I grabbed a piece of paper and tried to start drawing, but I couldn't.
I heard the door open, and Chak entered. He walked closer and leaned against the table.
"You can ask me one question " he said in a soft voice.
I looked at him and, after a few seconds, and asked:
"Why does Raeng want to destroy you, and what does he gain from it? How did he find out about me?"
Chak was silent for a moment, looking out the window. "Raeng wants power, he wants me to hand over the company. It's all about money for him. How he found out about you, I have no idea, but I suspect there's another spy in the company. Who, I don't know. Because Rattan couldn't have taken that picture, he was on the second floor. I'm starting to think it's someone you work with."
I quietly walked up to Chak and hugged him. In the embrace, Chak said:
"Why did you hug me last night?"
My heart skipped a beat. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.