With one foot on the accelerator, and depressed just enough for his Camaro to move forward at a bicycle's pace, Jeff traverses the last street where he will make a turn to where his house is. Vacated by Tonhorm, Long, and Thunder a few days back, the house is a gift for him from their parents, which is the same thing for Tonhorm's that is located in Chiang Mai. For the siblings, however, those structures serve more than one purpose: first, it is a place where they can go to find rest and be tranquil, but, at the same time, it is but a grim wound that not even time can heal.

When Thunder was a year old and can only speak Mummah to mean Mom, Jeff and his family went to his house at Saeng Thong Alley to have it blessed. Bringing with them enough clothes for a day, they decided to spend the night over. That same night, Jeff's dad decided to have a drive around his son's new neighborhood to try and get familiar with the place. Together with his wife and using their Nissan Terra, they set out at eight in the evening. One hour after, Jeff called his parents – one at a time – worried because it was getting late and they were not yet back. However, there was no answer from both. Half-an-hour more had past, and this time, it was Tonhorm who called her dad first – nothing. After that, she tried her mom's number – same outcome, no response. Alarmed and with different ominous thoughts entering her head at the same time, Big Sissy and Jeff decided to exercise an action, which doubles as an objective – search.

However, before they could reach Tonhorm's van, they saw a police car stop in front of the gate. Worried, she detoured and went to greet their unexpected visitors, with Jeff following closely behind. The officers introduced themselves courteously, and without wasting time, told the siblings what had happened. According to the investigation, Mr. and Mrs. Satur's car had been involved in an accident: it was hit at an intersection. The culprit was a driver of a small delivery truck who ran a red light on the perpendicular direction as the Saturs. The delivery guy apparently fell asleep behind the wheel, which caused him to floor the gas pedal that enabled his vehicle to nearly fly at a suicidal 200 km/h. Upon hit, the Terra that had the Saturs tumbled and rolled over multiple times, which killed Jeff and Tonhorm's parents. The delivery guy, on the other hand, was also killed after getting squashed between his seat and front side of his truck, which has been flattened like a soda tin.

Looking at the front, but with his mind elsewhere, Jeff misses veering to the right where Saeng Thong Alley is. Realizing his mistake, he slams his foot on the brake, gears his Camaro to reverse and backs a short distance before proceeding to the make the turn. As he inches to his house, he ponders on the new fact that he has learned earlier: Gameplay and Top are together now.

"Since when? Why GP? WHY!?" Jeff – jaws clenched and teeth grinding each other – hits the steering wheel with hammer fists, imagining that he is striking flesh.

Seeing the gate with 87-B on it, Jeff moves to the left and stops in front of it. He tries to get out to open the entrance, but the thought of his former fiancé and boss being an item prevents him from even unbuckling his seatbelt. "Sutthirak? Of all people, GP? Him?" Jeff's tone is as if Gameplay is on the seat beside him. He is about to shut off the engine when his phone lets out a tone, alerting him of an incoming call – a video call.

"Hi Long," said Jeff as soon as he sees the face of his brother-in-law on the screen.

"Congratulations Jeff." Long is all smiles, and soon after, Tonhorm and Thunder appear on the screen, waving.

"What? What are you saying?" Jeff frowns.

"You had an interview today at the Commercial Bank Of Thailand, right?"

"Did you tell him, Big Sissy?" Jeff looks at Tonhorm, who shakes her head.

"It was Beer who interviewed you, right? The IT head at CBOT?" asked Long.

"Yes. He and three others were the panel for my final interview."

"He informed me about the good news, Jeff. Beer and I are friends since our university days. We were both in the Sports Club back then but in different events."

"Which sport were you two in?"

"I was with the Muay Thai team, while Beer was on the Basketball team."

"That explains why he looks fit."

"Yeah. He has an athletic built. It was him whom I passed your profile to."

"Thanks for that, Long. Well, now that you know, I guess it is not a surprise anymore," said Jeff, smiling. He waves at his nephew afterwards.

"And now that you already have a job, do you want me to send over one of our maids to keep you company there?" asked Tonhorm.

"Oh! I was about to ask that. Yeah sure. Tomorrow?"

"Alright, and we will be sleeping over. We'll leave on Sunday – midday. Thunder here told us that he misses you a lot and wants to see you."

Jeff pouts at the camera, pretending to kiss his nephew on the forehead. "You miss uncle, Thunder?" he asked.

"Yes, Unkle Jep,"

"Don't worry, we'll ride your carousel here together," said Jeff, beaming over Thunder.

"Uhhm...Jeff...Is it okay for that thing to stay there for a while? We have not yet contacted the manufacturer to give us a hand," asked Long.

"I don't mind if it's here. That way, Thunder will have a reason to come over."

"Right. Thank you. We'll let you know once we have set a schedule for the dismantling and transport."

"Jeff?" Tonhorm's inquiring tone echoes right after. "CBOT is near Cocotte, right?"

As he looks at his sister, Jeff's smile and jubilant aura is slowly replaced with a straight face that has no emotion whatsoever. He nods in silence at his Big Sissy's question.

"Did you go and meet with him?"

"Who?"

"Seriously, Niño. You don't know who I am talking about?" The glare from Tonhorm can etch a fissure on Jeff's face.

Exhaling heavily, Jeff shakes his head. "He wasn't there."

"I see. The option I told you before is still on the table."

"I'll think about it." This is Jeff's signature phrase.

"Which means forget about it, Big Sissy, right?"

Smiling, Jeff shrugs off his sister's blunt rebut. "I'm not sure, and I don't have the guts to talk to him," explained Jeff.

"Anyway, you still have the last say on it, Niño. Although, you'll be at peace if you do what I suggest: closure is key, and it will help you move on truthfully and without faking it." Tonhorm seals her statement with a wink. To Jeff, her gesture is a sign that she has just looked through him, and what she just said is nowhere near a joke but something to think about because it's not a fallacy. "Anyway, where are you?"

"I just got back to the house. I was about to open the gate when Long called."

"Have you had your lunch?"

"Yes, Big Sissy."

"By the way, when will you start at CBOT?"

"Monday the week after the next, which means I have ample time to gather the requirements they asked for. I have them in a list."

"I see."

"If you need help in getting any of them, don't hesitate to ask me. I can give you a hand," said Long as Thunder pokes him on the cheek.

"But you're in Sisaket."

"Long will have photoshoots in Bangkok next week." It is Tonhorm who answers.

"Oh right. I forgot that he is a full-time model," said Jeff.

"Part-time now – just for extra money. I'm helping your Big Sissy in running your family business," corrected Long.

"Where will you be staying?"

"The production booked a three-day stay at a hotel starting Monday. For Thursday and Friday, I'd like to ask you if I can crash at your place while I wait for our check?"

"No problem, Long. You can stay here anytime."

"Right. Thank you, Jeff, and congratulations again."

"Appreciate the hand."

"I think that's about it. We called just to check how you fared earlier. You go get inside now and rest." Tonhorm gets Thunder, whose outstretched arms suggest that he wants his mother to carry him.

"Thanks, Big Sissy. Bring some sweets tomorrow when you come over."

"What do you want?"

"Downut!" shouted Thunder, whose mouth is next to Tonhorm's ear, making his mother squirm because of the sharp vibration now travelling inside her ear.

"I'll go with that," concurred Jeff, trying to hide his smile because of her sister's facial expression.

"Okay. We'll bring a dozen."

"Great."

"Thunder, say goodbye to Uncle Jeff: he has to go now," said Tonhorm, giving his son a playful nudge.

"Buh bye Unkle Jep," said Thunder, waving his plump yet small hand on the screen.

"I'll see you tomorrow," waved Jeff back. "Long, thanks again. I owe you one."

"Don't mention it," answered Long.

"Bye guys," bade Jeff. Not long after, his screen turns black, suggesting that the call has been terminated.

A little bit relieved, Jeff leans back on the driver's seat with a little gaiety in him: not only will he have his fill of scrumptious goodies, but he will be able to see and spend time with his loved ones for a couple of days.

Putting his hand on the knob, he is about to swing the driver's side door open when a recollection from sometime ago suddenly shows up in a mirage in his head.

"I'll do it, Jeff, don't worry. Covertly, too, as you suggested," said Folk – the one from Le Cargaison – his voice reverberating in Jeff's head like a music through an amplifier.

"Sutthirak has some dirty secrets, and I just got a glimpse of it." Jeff was in his prison clothes, and grilles made of thick metals separate him from Folk.

"You think that is the reason why you are here?"

"I'm not sure. Folk, whatever details you will learn, keep them safe until I get out of here."

"No problem." Folk nodded in agreement.

"If I do make it out of here, let's set a day to talk about it."

"I can't promise that I'll be able to get them all, but I can guarantee that they will be sufficient enough."

Jeff, sitting in his car, thinks if this is a viable option for him at the moment. "It's worth a try. I hope he still remembers it," he said, convincing himself about something that is unsure. He shuts off his Camaro's engine afterwards and proceeds outside to open his gate.

------

Author's Note

That's a tragic part of Jeff and Tonhorm's life - losing their parents - and you know what is more painful? It could've been avoided if only a little sense of responsibility had been observed.

Although, on the more pressing side of things Jeff and Folk discovered something - something from inside Le Cargaison that has to do something with Top. What could that be, and how is that related to Jeff being sent to jail?

Stay tuned for the release of the next chapter - Red Flag - in the following days.

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