Sky

Sky looked around the room. Every single person he knew here, loved Rain in their own way. But for Sky, it was more about vested interest. He had been with Rain the longest, he had seen Rain change and grow up, and get hurt on his behalf. He knew that Rain didn't care about that, but the guilt in his heart was a festering wound. He wanted Rain to feel safe, feel the love of family, which is why this meeting had been convened. P'Phayu had deliberately not been invited, but their other friends were there. "So my Sky, why are we here, sans my idiot of a cousin?" Pai asked. "Because Sig has a plan, and we wanted to share it with you all," Sky said. "But before that, there is something you all must know," Ple said, looking completely heartbroken.

"What is it?" Pete asked gently, knowing that the girl was extremely troubled. "P'Som showed Rain's vlog to the school authorities. They withdrew the award he had received," Ple said, openly crying. "And it is more than likely that they will withdraw his scholarship," Por said, knuckling his eyes, clearly trying to stop the tears pooling there from falling. "I see," Kinn said, softly and calmly. "Anything else?" "Sig, tell them what you were thinking," Sky said. Sig laid out what he had discussed with his uncle. "Whether we take legal action or not, the threat should suffice," Sig added at the end. "I like that thought. It has potential. Plus, since you all have video proof, using it would be simple enough," Pete said. He had put his hands on Vegas's, knowing that his husband was livid. He didn't want a feral Vegas right now. They needed to stay calm for their Rainy.

"What do you need from us?" Porche asked. Sky sighed. "Pa, we need just your support," he said. "Not happening," Vegas's controlled tone sent shivers down everyone's spine. "No one, and I repeat, no one gets away with hurting my son," his voice were shards of ice. "We understand Vegas, and we don't disagree," Kinn said, raising his hand in the universal sign of peace, knowing as well as everyone there that if Vegas went on a rampage, the streets of Bangkok would be stained red. If it was other mafia families who targeted Rain, Kinn would have simply let Vegas and Kim loose. But these were civilians, no matter how much they hated that fact, there were rules that needed to be followed. "All I am going to say is that the Nongs have come up with a good plan. Let them first put it into action. If it doesn't work out their way, we will do it our way," Kinn said, looking Vegas straight in his eye, trying to show him that he meant every word. Vegas leaned back. "You have one week. Sort this out, or I will," he said. It was clear to everyone that Vegas was absolutely ready for a blood bath.

Sky sighed again as they left the Theerpanayakul compound. "What is it?" Sig asked. "If Rain ever finds out..," he trailed off. "We have to make sure he doesn't," Ple said. "When we talk to Som, you will make yourself scarce Ple," Por said. "Why?" she asked, surprised. "Because you have to live with him, and we don't," Sky said. "He will make your life miserable if he comes to know that you stand with Rain," Por said. "He already knows that. My parents are not happy about it, but as I very politely reminded them; I am an adult, not a child anymore. Plus they can try and throw me out if they want to, but I will land on my feet way better than their precious son," she said, drawing a surprised laugh from the other three. "But no matter what, I am not leaving Rain's side. I don't care what happens after," she added, a stubborn set to her mouth.

Phayu

In his entire 27 years of existence, Phayu had never come across someone so determined to ignore him. As a Theerpanayakul heir, he commanded a room when he walked in. As Phayu Saengtham, he was the darling of his University, his classmates, seniors and juniors and his teachers. Even at work, he was well loved and respected. And then, here he was. Rain. Who took the greatest pleasure in just skimming over Phayu's existence. He was not blatant in his show, but boy! Did he make Phayu feel like a fly on the wall in his own office? Yes Sir! He did. Oh! He was polite enough. If Phayu asked him something, he got a response, completely respectful. But Phayu had been trained as an heir. He heard the implied 'fuck you' clear enough.

Phayu had decided to go out of his way to make things easier for Rain. So, when Rain came in the next day, Phayu ordered coffee for everyone. The moment Rain heard it was from Phayu, the coffee lay untouched. Kiet asked him why he didn't drink it, and he made it sound like he didn't like it. So Phayu got tea for him, that also went untouched, positively ignored. This time, his excuse was that he didn't like tea either. So boba was the next offering, that went directly to Praew's table because she mentioned she liked that particular flavour. Phayu was at his wits' end. He didn't know what he could do to win Rain's heart. Lana had been so easy to win over, practically effortless, and now Phayu realised that when something was that easy, you probably didn't appreciate it enough.

Phayu looked up from his work table as he heard Yihwa and Rain giggle. Even the stern faced P'Praew couldn't stop her smile from blooming at Rain's cuteness. Phayu felt battered from within. Why was it so hard for him to win Rain's affections? He knew he was staring, but he could not help himself. "Som will join us soon," Mhok said softly, watching Rain as well. Phayu jolted in surprise. "I thought we would not be asking him to come?" he asked, looking at his senior, noting the way he was looking at Rain and not liking it one bit. "Rain said we should," Mhok said, a smirk forming on his face. Rain had been with them for a little more than a week, and he was an absolute favourite. He was loved by every single person. Even the most hard-nosed clients could not help but fall completely under his spell. According to P'Praew, there was no one more pure-hearted and clear minded than Nong Rain.

"Why does he want Som to come here?" Phayu asked, surprised and not very pleased with this decision by Rain. "He wants Som to see that he can get a job even when there is no award in his name," Mhok said. "I beg your pardon?" Phayu asked, now staring at Mhok in shock. "What?" Mhok asked. "What did you say?" Phayu asked, in complete disbelief. "He wants Som to see..," Mhok trailed off as Phayu shook his head. "After that," he said. "When there is no award in his name?" Mhok asked. Phayu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "What does that mean?" his breath hissed out. "Did you know Rain vlogs?" Mhok asked. Phayu nodded. "Someone showed the video to the award committee and those phlegmatic morons decided that Rain didn't deserve the award due to his 'personal preferences'," Mhok said, stepping back a bit from the absolute fury he saw in Phayu's eyes.

"Phi, I need to go home please," he said through clenched teeth. Mhok waved his hand, and Phayu turned and walked out, not even bothering to pick up his things. He drove recklessly to the Theerpanayakul compound, leaving his bike right there and storming inside. He slammed open the door to the family office, making everyone jump. "Yu?" his Pa asked, surprised. "Did you all know that Rain's award was cancelled?" Phayu asked, gritting his teeth to prevent his anger from spewing. Everyone looked at each other. "Yes lu, we did," Porche finally answered. "And you did not think it important to tell me?" Phayu asked. Something was breaking inside him and he couldn't understand what was happening. His sweet Rain had suffered so much, and no one had bothered to tell him?

"Come sit lu," Pete said, standing up and coming up to Phayu. But Phayu was in no mood to be placated. "Please tell me there is something we are going to do?" he begged, his eyes holding a wealth of pain. "We cannot do anything Phayu. They are civilians, and we don't mess with them. Civilians will take care of them," Vegas said softly, hating this, but having no choice. "What is that supposed to mean?" Phayu asked. "His friends have a plan. Let them take care of it. We will step in when there is absolutely no other choice," Kinn said, putting a hand of Phayu's shoulder, trying to calm the boy down. Phayu allowed himself to be pulled to the couch and dropped down on it, flanked by his Pa and Uncle Porche.

Rain

Rain watched in surprise as Phayu flung open the door of the firm they worked in and stride out. In the one week he had been here, he had seen his Phi happy, sad, upset, flustered, perplexed, a large variety of emotions. But this was the first time he had seen Venice Theerpanayakul. Phayu looked so angry, that even though the anger had not been focused on him, Rain had felt sorry for whoever was going to be at the receiving end of that wrath. Where had his Phi suddenly gone off to?

He looked up at P'Mhok's face. He was looking a bit shell-shocked, as were the others in the office, when he looked around. He guessed that, like him, they had not seen him this way either. "What happened to Phayu Phi?" Yihwa called out. Mhok shrugged, looking clueless. "Rain, come see me in my cabin," he called out, and everyone looked at him. He shook his head to indicate he had no idea what was going on, but followed Mhok nonetheless. "Come Rain, sit," Mhok said. He wondered if Phayu had said something that was about to get him fired. "Rain, Phayu was a little upset at your decision in allowing Som to join us, but what actually set him off was the fact that you lost the award that was mentioned during the faculty fundraiser dinner," Mhok said. Rain felt surprised. What had that got to do with his Phi?

"Is anything being done regarding the returning of the award?" Mhok asked. "Have they announced it publicly?" "No Phi, not yet. But it will be out by next week," Rain said. "Will this affect your scholarship?" "I hope not Phi. That hasn't come up yet. But if that happens, I may have to quit studies," Rain said, sighing internally. "No, you will not have to," a voice spoke up from the doorway. "Aroon? Pensri? What are you guys doing here?" Mhok stood up and went to hug his friends. Rain also stood and waiied at the two senior partners. This was his third meeting with the couple, and every time he met them, he felt a certain kinship with them, almost as if he knew them. "Rain, if you want, we can talk to the management on your behalf. We are alumni. I am sure that will go a long way in helping you out," Pensri said.

"Thank you very much Khun, but that will not be necessary," Rain said politely. "Then let us sponsor you," Aroon said. "Khun, so far, only my award has been revoked. They hopefully will not do the same with my scholarship. I would like to wait and see. I am pretty sure I can figure out something," Rain said, loathe to take help from people. Aroon was about to speak up when Pensri laid an arm on his hand. "We understand dear boy. But please do let us know if we can help in any way, okay? Do not hesitate," she said, and Rain smiled and nodded. "May I leave now Phi?" Rain asked. Mhok nodded. Rain reached the door and then turned back. "Phi, umm.. may I take P'Phayu's things with me? I can give them to his brother," Rain asked. "Alright Rain," Mhok said.

Rain collected everything that belonged to Phayu, including his phone and helmet. His Phi had actually left without his helmet. Just how upset was he? Rain took everything to his car, settling in, wondering whether he should call Sky or go directly to the compound. He remembered Phayu's face, the fury on it, and sighed. The compound it was.