Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Nani hirunkit

The door opened before I could even knock, and Pond’s wide grin greeted me. “Oh, how surprising! My baby brother!”

Before I could say anything, he pulled me into a tight hug, nearly knocking the air out of me. “I missed you so much! What’s with the sudden visit? Did your fancy vacation get boring?”

I forced a weak smile, leaning into his warmth for a moment. Seeing him here, safe and completely unaware of the storm circling us, brought an overwhelming sense of relief. But I couldn’t let it last.

“Pond…” I tried to speak, but my voice faltered. My throat tightened as I took in the familiar sight of him. Alive. Whole. Unbothered.

He pulled back, studying me closely. His playful grin faded as his brows furrowed. “You look... tired. Is everything okay?”

I opened my mouth, but he didn’t give me a chance to answer. “You’re coming inside,” he declared, grabbing my arm and pulling me in. “And you’re telling me what’s going on.”

Mark trailed behind me, his presence quiet but watchful. Pond’s eyes flicked to him the moment we stepped into the living room, his protective instincts kicking in like clockwork.

“And who’s this?” Pond’s tone sharpened as he crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing on Mark like he was sizing him up. “Wait—don’t tell me. Is this the mysterious guy Phuwin mentioned? The one who swept you off your feet?”

Mark blinked, startled, and glanced at me. “What? No—” He raised his hands defensively. “Definitely not me.”

“That’s for damn sure,” I muttered, the corners of my lips twitching into a faint smile. “Mark wouldn’t survive five minutes with you grilling him.”

Pond smirked, but the tension in his stance didn’t ease completely. “Alright, fine. But you still owe me an explanation, lil bro. You disappear for months, and now you just show up out of nowhere?”

I hesitated, my gaze dropping to the floor. “I wanted to check on you,” I said finally. “To make sure you’re okay.”

He frowned, stepping closer. “Nani, what’s going on? You’re acting weird. Are you in trouble?”

Mark cut in smoothly, his tone calm. “He’s fine. Just a lot on his plate lately. That’s why he’s been laying low.”

Pond ignored him, his attention locked on me. “Nani, talk to me. I can help—whatever this is.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “I just needed to see you. That’s all.”

His expression softened, but I could still see the worry in his eyes. He didn’t believe me, not entirely. But for now, he let it go.

---

The hour we spent together felt like borrowed time. Pond tried to lighten the mood with jokes and stories, but the weight of what I couldn’t say pressed down on me like a stone. Every glance out the window, every distant noise, sent a spike of dread through me.

Mark was on edge, too. He kept checking his phone, his gaze flicking to the window as if expecting trouble to arrive at any moment.

Finally, his phone buzzed, and the change in his expression was immediate. His jaw tightened, his posture straightening as he read the message.

“What is it?” I asked, my chest tightening.

Mark turned to me, his tone urgent. “We need to leave. Now.”

I stood abruptly, my heart pounding as I turned to Pond. “Please stay safe,” I said, grabbing his shoulders. “If you can, take a trip. Go somewhere far away—just for a little while. I’ll cover everything. Take Phuwin with you and have some fun”

Pond frowned, his worry deepening. “Nani, what—”

“Please,” I begged, my voice cracking. “Just do this for me.”

After a long pause, he nodded reluctantly. “Alright. But you’d better call me. I mean it, Nani.”

I hugged him tightly one last time, holding on longer than I should have. “I love you, Pond,” I whispered. And then I followed Mark out the door.

---

The Ambush

The tension in the car was suffocating as we drove away. Mark’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his sharp eyes scanning the road and rearview mirror like a hawk.

“Mark,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “What’s going on?”

“Win’s men are still outside your brother’s house,don't worry he is safe.” He said quickly. “One of our men cars is following us to escort us back. It’s standard procedure.”

I glanced back, spotting the black sedan trailing us at a steady pace. The sight should have comforted me, but it didn’t. Something felt... off.

Mark must’ve noticed my unease because he muttered, “We’re fine. Just stay calm.”

But the longer we drove, the more the dread grew. The black sedan wasn’t the only car behind us anymore. Another vehicle had joined, its movements too precise to be a coincidence. I remember the incident a few months back with Sky, my heart dropped.

“Mark…” I started, but he cut me off.

“I see it,” he said grimly, pressing harder on the gas.

The first gunshot shattered the silence.

The back window exploded, shards of glass raining over us. I screamed, ducking instinctively as Mark swerved violently, trying to put distance between us and the attackers.

“Get down!” he shouted, his voice sharp and commanding.

My heart pounded in my chest as I crouched low, the sound of gunfire ringing in my ears. The escort car behind us swerved into position, attempting to block one of the attackers.

Mark threw a gun into my lap. “Take this!”

“I don’t—” My voice broke. “I don’t know how to use this!”

“You aim and pull the damn trigger!” he snapped, his focus on the road.

Another shot hit the car, the force sending us skidding briefly. The first escort car was losing ground, the attackers relentless.

The first car pulled alongside us, its passenger leaning out with a gun. My hands trembled as I lifted the weapon, my breath hitching.

“Shoot, Doc!” Mark barked.

I pulled the trigger, the recoil jolting my arms as the bullet hit the front tire. The car swerved, veering off the road.

“Good shot!” Mark shouted, but his relief was short-lived. A second car sped up, firing wildly.

One shot hit the rear tire, and the car lurched violently.

“Hold on!” he yelled as the car spun out of control. My head slammed against the window as we skidded across the highway, coming to a jarring stop.

---

The chaos around us was deafening. Mark yanked me out of the car, shielding me with his body as the attackers closed in.

“Stay down!” he ordered, firing off shots with precision.

I pressed myself against the car, my chest heaving as adrenaline surged through me. But then I heard it—the sickening sound of a bullet hitting flesh.

I turned just in time to see Mark stumble, blood blossoming across his shirt.

“No!” I screamed, dropping to his side.

My hands pressed against the wound, desperate to stop the bleeding. “Stay with me, Mark. Stay with me!, please."

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”

“Doc...” Mark’s voice was weak, but he managed a faint smile. “You’re... gonna be fine.”

Gunfire erupted around us, deafening and chaotic. I couldn’t focus on anything but Mark, his face pale, his breathing shallow.

And then, through the chaos, I saw him.

Sky.

He moved like a force of nature, his men flanking him as he fired with precision, taking down one attacker after another.

When his eyes met mine, I saw everything—anger, fear, and something so raw it made my chest ache.

“Nani!” he shouted, running toward me.

The relief that flooded through me was overwhelming, but it was short-lived. The danger wasn’t over.

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