Hi guys!
Sorry for the late update - I've been down with a cold. I'm not fully back to 100% yet, but I'm feeling much better now.
Without much talk, let's dive right in! 💙
I hope you enjoy this chapter.
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....
"Where have you been?" Mr. Thamnithit-Sky's father asked casually as Nani approached him.
A small group stood behind him. Among them were Win and Dew's fathers, another man with the air of quiet power, and a boy-young, polished, around Sky's age-watching Nani far too closely. Nani didn't recognize the last two.
Nani had changed out of the lace outfit Sky wouldn't let him step out of the room in those clothes; he now wore a fitted black suit picked out by Sky.
As he walked towards the men in front of him he wondered why he was summoned here. Win had told him, "Sky's father is asking for you." Nani's stomach had twisted. He was anxious. This was the first time Sky's Father had ever called for him.
Now, as he stepped closer, the air felt heavier-like something awful had already been decided.
He bowed respectfully when he got to where they were.
"I liked your last outfit," the strange boy said, smirking.
"Oh... I spilled something on it," Nani muttered, flustered but trying to mask it.
"This is Mr. Chaiyaporn," Sky's father said, motioning to the unknown man. "And his son-Ohm."
"Dad, I heard you were looking for me." Sky's voice sliced in sharply from the side.
"The real owner is here," Mr. Thamnithit replied, smiling too pleasantly.
"Sky," he continued, "Mr. Chaiyaporn wants Nani to come live with them. It seems Ohm here has taken quite a liking to him."
He said it like it was nothing. Like Nani was nothing. A gift. An object. A favor passed between men with fat wallets and old power.
"And I told him you own Nani-not me," Mr. Thamnithit added casually, eyes flicking to Sky.
Sky turned to Ohm, and his gaze darkened-furious, dangerous, the kind of look that promised destruction without a single word.
Nani stood frozen. Own? He wasn't even sure he was breathing. What the hell is this? Why are they talking about me like I'm something to be traded?
"How much do you want for him?" Ohm asked, eyes on Sky, voice cold and serious.
The world stopped.
Nani's heart thudded loudly in his chest, his mind scrambling to catch up with the horror of what he'd just heard.
"I'm just joking-relax. No need to kill me with your eyes," Ohm added with a nervous laugh, shrinking under the venom in Sky's glare.
But the damage was already done.
And Nani was beginning to realize... he might be standing in the middle of a game far darker than he ever imagined.
Sky's jaw tightened.
He wasn't just angry- he was seething. That boy, Ohm, sitting there with his smug little smile, dared to put a price on his Nani. In front of everyone. Like he was offering to buy a pet. Or worse.
Sky didn't say a word. His silence was louder than anything he could have spoken.
Because inside him, something was breaking.
They think he's up for sale. They think they can take him.
His father knew what he was doing. Mr. Thamnithit wasn't just entertaining a harmless proposal-he was sending a message. Testing Sky. Pushing him.
Since the beginning, he knew of Sky's sick attachment to Nani
And now the old man was using that claim against him. "The real owner is here."
Sky's fists clenched behind his back. He wanted to hit something. Tear something apart. That smug look on Ohm's face wouldn't survive a second if they weren't standing in the open.
And Nani... he looked lost. Small. His wide, confused eyes darted between them like he was trying to decode a language not meant for him. And maybe it wasn't. Maybe this conversation wasn't for Nani to understand.
Maybe it was a reminder.
That no matter what he thought or felt... he didn't get to decide where he went.
Sky took a step closer to Nani-just slightly, deliberately-claiming space, grounding him with presence.
He didn't need to say he's mine.
Everyone already knew.
But still, Sky leaned in slightly, just enough so only Nani could hear him.
"You're not going anywhere."
His voice was low. Controlled. But there was something vicious laced beneath it.
Possession.
Promise.
Threat.
And Nani, whose breath had been shaky just seconds ago, stilled. Not because he wasn't afraid-but because he knew.
Sky meant it.
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And that's a wrap for Chapter 17! 💥
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See you in the next chapter!