Hi, everyone...

Sorry for the late update ...

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The next morning, Kongphop walked through the villa's beautiful garden as he did every morning, but with an unusually forbidding and grim face and red and puffy eyes from crying all night. He was still shaken from yesterday's shocking revelations, and his mind was only occupied by one person.

Tears blurred his vision once more, as the thought of the suffering that his beloved had gone through threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn't begin to imagine what his P'Arthit had felt during his captivity or what sort of nightmares had haunted him since then. His P'Arthit had suffered silently, unable to go to a hospital or report the crime committed against him to the police, so that he wouldn't drag his boyfriend's name into the matter.

Kongphop inhaled sharply as he leaned against a tree trunk, feeling his heart clenched painfully inside his chest. He felt guilty for doubting his lover's fidelity, for giving up on him so easily, for abandoning him in his hour of need and for being the reason for the older man to suffer in silence. A pained sob tore itself from his lips as his heart swelled with guilt and regret. Everything now made sense to him.

Why his boyfriend had broken up with him, why Knott had treated him with unexplained hostility and aggression in the hospital and the days after, and why Arthit's father had asked him to stay away from his son...It all made sense to him now. And the fact that he was suspected of being the mastermind behind this tragedy had cut even deeper through his heart.

Sliding down along the tree's trunk, he sat and cried bitterly, releasing all the pain dwelling in his heart until he was too tired to shed any more tears. Taking several deep breaths, Kongphop wiped his face and eyes before he stood up and resumed his walk back towards the villa.

Nearing the front of the house, he saw his mother and father waiting for him in the small sitting area in the garden with breakfast set in front of them.

Taking a deep breath, he approached them.

"Good morning, Dad, Mom," he greeted, forcing a smile upon his face.

"Good morning, Kong."

"Good morning, my baby," His mother greeted, stretching one arm and gesturing for him to sit on the seat beside her. "How are you feeling now, Kong?" She asked, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

"I'm fine, Mom," he replied, smiling slightly but his mon frowned deeply in response, unconvinced.

"What had caused you to cry like this, Kong?" His father asked. "What did that detective say to you?"

Kongphop looked hesitantly at his parents. He honestly didn't know what to say to them or how to explain the situation, especially to his mother, who would certainly freak out upon knowing.

"It's nothing, Dad," he replied eventually.

His parents exchanged worried looks but didn't comment. Instead, his mother urged him to eat breakfast, and three ate in silence.

After breakfast, Mrs. Suthiluck excused herself to look after the household. As soon as his wife was out of hearing range, Kerkkrai turned his attention to his son.

"What did that detective say to you yesterday?" he tried asking again.

Kongphop let out a deep sigh before he nodded his head. He told his father everything from the moment he broke up with Arthit to the recent discoveries that the detective had revealed yesterday.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Mrs. Suthiluck glanced at her watch before she took another peek outside the window at her husband and son, who were still talking in the garden.

Despite his reassurance that he was fine, it was obvious that her son had been crying before meeting them in the garden. As she watched the two, she hoped that her son would confide to his father about what was troubling him before her arrival.

Mrs. Suthiluck had contacted Mayuree when she had excused herself earlier and asked her to come over. She hoped that the young woman would be able to cheer her son up a little and lift his spirits from whatever was bothering him. The old woman prayed that she would arrive soon.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Kerkkrai stared at his son, speechless with utter shock upon hearing the true reason behind the detective's visit last night. He had never imagined that something like that would happen to someone close to his family! The old man inhaled sharply, trying to imagine the feelings of Arthit's father upon learning such news about his son. Kerkkrai didn't even want to imagine such a thing happening to one of his children.

He could still not believe that one of his employees could do such a thing, using his son's name?! Not to mention, using the company's vehicles and property to commit such a crime?! Not only that but also trying to frame his son? How dare they? And how dare that detective even think that Kongphop would stoop so low?

Kerkkrai stared at his son, completely understanding his reaction last night.

"And what are you planning to do, Son?" He asked finally.

"Once I'm back to work, I'll personally help Detective Gun in his investigation," Kongphop declared determinedly.

"Why wait until you return to work?" His father asked. "If he wants to check the employees' files, I can provide him with them myself."

"No, Dad," Kongphop said. "I prefer to be one who handles it."

Kerkkrai just nodded his head. "And what are you planning to do about that detective's insolent accusation? I can contact the family's lawyer and—"

"Dad," Kongphop interrupted. "I'm not planning on doing anything regarding this. The detective is only doing his job." —he took a deep breath— "Unless he arrests me on these charges, I don't want lawyers to be involved."

Before Kerkkrai could answer, an elegant white car entered their house's driveway.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Mayuree smiled sweetly at her fiancé as they sat in the garden after Kerkkrai had left them alone.

"Your mom said that you were upset last night," she began. "Did something happen after I left? I tried to call you, but your phone was switched off."

Kongphop sighed, staring at Mayuree's beautiful face, wondering if he had the right to carry on what he had set his mind on doing. Before the detective's arrival, he had been thinking about his relationship with Mayuree and finally came to the undeniable conclusion that they didn't belong to each other. It didn't matter what would or wouldn't happen between him and Arthit, Kongphop was sure that he and Mayuree had no future together. He had decided to call the young woman first thing in the morning and end things between them. However, the detective's arrival and the revelations he had brought with him had rattled Kongphop to the core, and he forgot everything about Mayuree. But, since the woman was already there, Kongphop decided to proceed with his originally planned intentions.

"Mayuree," he said in a solemn tone. "I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore."

The young woman looked at him with clear puzzlement shinning in her eyes.

Kongphop took a deep breath before he began to speak again. "I'm sorry, Mayuree, but I can't marry you."

"What?"

"My heart has always belonged to another," he said. "but we parted ways a year ago. Heartbroken, I tried to forget about my lost love by courting you." —he closed his eyes, bowing his head apologetically— "I know that I had no right to drag you into this mess but I was desperate and my mom said that I would forget my old love if I pursued a new one. However, the more I tried to focus on you, the more I thought about us, the more I realize that I can't do it. I won't be able to love you as a husband should love his wife. And with time, you will surely be miserable. I'm sorry, Mayuree."

A heavy silence hovered over the two, yet Kongphop couldn't find the courage to look at the woman in front of him and witness the scene of his crime, but as the minutes passed, he felt that he must look up.

Silent tears drenched Mayuree's beautiful face as she stared shockingly at him.

"I'm sorry, Mayuree," he said passionately, reaching one hand to grab hers, but she quickly recoiled her hand out of his reach.

"Mayuree, please, say something!" he exclaimed.

Looking straight into his eyes, Mayuree stood up and left without saying a word.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

"You did what?" Mrs. Suthiluck exclaimed in utter shock as she, her husband and Kongphop sat in the living room.

"I have called off my engagement," Kongphop repeated calmly. "I will not marry Mayuree."

"Why did you do such a thing, Kong?" His mother asked.

"I don't love her, Mother," he replied. "Both of us will be miserable eventually. It is better for both of us to be with someone else."

"Oh, so you're planning to return to that man now?" His mother asked sarcastically. "I knew that his sudden appearance in our lives again would ruin everything!"

"I'm not returning to him, Mom," Kongphop stated tonelessly. "My decision to dissolve my engagement with Mayuree has nothing to do with P'Arthit. I've always felt forced when I'm with her; my smiles, my conversations, everything!"

"And you just talked now? After eight months of engagement? May I remind you that if you hadn't undergone that operation, you would've been married by now!" His mother countered. "I find it hard to believe that you, of all people, have been forced into doing something you don't want for eight months, Kong."

Kongphop gave his mother a sad look. "I was hoping that I would eventually find happiness, Mother," he said softly. "I tried hard to delude myself that my heart would allow Mayuree entrance, but every time I was with her, playing the role of the doting fiancé, I felt like a low-life hypocrite. In all our time together, I couldn't even say 'I love you' to her, not even once! I can't live this lie any longer, Mother."

With that, Kongphop stood up and walked away, not wishing to prolong this conversation.

"What should we do now?" Mrs. Suthiluck asked her husband as she looked at him. "How can we redeem this situation?"

"We can't do anything, dear," her husband replied. "It's his life, not ours."

"But—"

"I wasn't pleased with the idea of him getting attached so soon after his breakup with his boyfriend, if you recall," Kerkkrai cut her off. "Kongphop was emotionally vulnerable, and his better judgment was clouded at that time, yet you pushed him into this relationship, despite my warnings. He could've married Mayuree, my dear, and ended up miserable because his decision wasn't based on solid conviction from the start. I'm positive that his resolution to break up with Mayuree was formed after many long forethoughts and considerations. Thus, I'm certain that it is the right course of action. Don't try to interfere or push him to change his mind, Dear. It's for the best."

Mrs. Suthiluck simply stared at her husband, unconvinced.

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'FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!' Gun repeatedly cursed inside his head as he stared hatefully at the pictures retrieved from the CCTV cameras of Arthit's apartment. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and his throat became dry as he studied the picture of a man in his late thirties standing in front of Arthit's door, zipping his pants up.

"This is not good at all!" He mumbled under his breath. "Once he knew, P'Phet will either go berserk or have a heart attack! How on Earth I'm going to tell him?!"

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One week later...

Phet took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart as he stood in front of the ICU, waiting for his son. Siriporn had informed him last night that Arthit was finally in a good state to be shifted to a room in the surgical ward. The detective was too excited; he came early and had been waiting for almost two hours in front of the unit's doors.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a gurney wheeled out by two nurses, followed by an ICU doctor and Siriporn.

"Arthit," Phet called as he looked down at his son lying on the bed. Arthit looked up at him with half-opened eyes.

"Dad..." he whispered.

"You'll be fine, Son," Phet reassured gently, walking by his son's side as he was pushed to the ward.

Arthit gave his father a weak ghost smile before he closed his eyes. He was still under the effect of the sedative, and all he wanted was to sleep.

"What's wrong with him?" Phet asked Siriporn, noting how tired his son looked.

"He's sedated, P'," the psychiatrist replied tonelessly. "Let him rest."

Phet stared at her for a few moments before he opened his mouth to say something, but the woman quickly cut him off. "We'll talk, P', but not now. Let's settle i-Aoon into his room first."

Arthit's original doctor, who was waiting for their arrival at the ward, took Arthit's chart and file and stood with Siriporn and the ICU doctor talking while Arthit was brought to his room accompanied by his father. Due to the nature of his surgery, Arthit was taken into a special sterile room, located right in front of the ward's reception, with a well-circulating yet tightly secured ventilation.

As Phet waited in the room for the doctors, he looked at his sleeping son, studying his state carefully.

Arthit's skin looked a little better than before though it was still sickly pale and clammy. The dark circles under Arthit's eyes were still there though they were fainter than before. A nasal cannula surrounded his face, provided him with oxygen while an IV line was attached to his forearm.

Touring his eyes down, Phet noticed something peculiar. Just at the level of Arthit's wrists, a pair of soft-rubber cuffs, lined with foam padding inside, attached to the bed's railings. Phet inhaled sharply as he stood up and walked to the feet of bed and raised the blanket. As he had guessed, a matching pair of cuffs were positioned at the level of Arthit's ankles as well.

Though his son's limbs weren't restrained at the moment, it was easy to conclude that there was a time when his son was tied down to his bed. Before Phet could form a reaction, a nurse entered pushing a mid-size machine. Setting it next to the bed near Arthit's head, the nurse proceeded to hook up the heart and pressure monitors on Arthit after she had raised the head of the bed into a low Fowler's position.

"Why does he need these?" Phet asked. But before the nurse could answer, Siriporn and the two doctors entered the room.

"Mr. Rojnapat," the hepatologist said. "Please, come with us. We have to talk about your son."

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Kongphop looked out of the window of his father's car as the two went to work together. Though he was supposed to remain at home for more time, he simply couldn't stay confined in his house any longer. Since the day he learned details surrounding Arthit's attack, he had become too restless and stressed. Add to that, his breakup with Mayuree was starting to take its toll on his nerves.

After their breakup, he hadn't seen Mayuree or talked to her, but her parents visited their house the day after the breakup and complained about his shameful behavior for more than three hours before leaving. Not that he blamed them, he had, after all, toyed with their daughter's feelings and broken her heart. He felt terrible, not only for Mayuree and her parents but for his parents as well. During the visit, his mother kept apologizing profoundly to the Chansungnoens while his father tried to calm the angry couple down and reason with them.

After that, his mother kept nagging him about apologizing to Mayuree and making up with her for days. She had even enlisted the help of his sisters and their husbands to change his mind and return to his ex-fiancée.

Kongphop was glad that the doctor had allowed him to return to work earlier than expected on the condition that he wouldn't exert himself, or else he would've gone mad. And although, his parents were against his wishes to return to work, he stubbornly insisted on going back.

"Remember, Kong," His father spoke. "Don't do anything tiring. Just sit on your desk and finish your paperwork and once you start feeling tired or even uncomfortable, call one of the company's chauffeurs and let him drive you home."

Kongphop's body tensed upon hearing the words "company's chauffeurs."

"No, thank you. I'd rather take a taxi or ride the bus," He said coldly.

Kerkkrai sighed but nodded understandingly.

"So," he spoke again, breaking the silence. "what are you going to do about that matter?"

Kongphop shrugged. "Detective Gun asked for the files of some of our employees and the company's chauffeurs, so I suppose I'll start collecting these first."

"Kong, while I understand your desire to catch whoever done this to your ex-lover," Kerkkrai said. "I don't want you to treat everyone working in the company as a criminal. You have to be evenhanded, impartial and self-restraint."

Kongphop simply nodded but said nothing.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

"Good Morning, Mr. Kongphop. Welcome back."

"Welcome back, Mr. Kongphop."

"Glad to see you again, Mr. Kongphop."

Greetings and well-wishes poured down at him as soon as Kongphop stepped into the main building of his father's company, starting from the security guard up to his office's manager and secretaries.

Despite his father's words, Kongphop felt his heart thumping profoundly inside his chest as he entered the building and faced the same employees who might be responsible for his lover's tragedy. Unconsciously, his eyes kept jumping from one person to another, wondering who was it that had murdered both him and Arthit in that merciless way.

"Mr. Kongphop!"

He snapped from his thoughts at his head secretary's voice. He was already in his office, seated behind his desk.

"Yes, Miss Phailin?" He asked, looking up at the woman standing in front of him.

"Your mail, Sir," she said while presenting a file to him. "Also, the head of the Human Resources is waiting outside."

"Let him in and leave us alone."

Kongphop didn't waste any time. He had already prepared a list at home of those whom the detective had named. The moment he entered his office, he asked his head secretary to call the head of the Human Recourses Department.

As soon as the old man was in, the secretary left and closed the door behind her.

"You asked for me, Sir?" the man asked as he took a seat in front of Kongphop's desk.

"Yes," Kongphop said tonelessly. "I want a complete copy of the files of these employees," —He passed the list of names to the man opposite of him— "on my desk by the end of the day."

The old man looked at the list and frowned. It contained the names of the employees of the departments of Human Resources, including his and the President of the department, the employees of Public Relations, Procurement, the company's chauffeurs and all the employees who worked in the offices of Mr. Kerkkrai and Kongphop himself.

"May I ask why you need those files, Sir?"

"I just need them," Kongphop replied coldly.

"Including the President of the Human Department? Your brother-in-law?"

"Including my brother-in-law's," the younger man replied. "That's all. Thank you for your time. You may return to your office."

"Yes, of course," the man said timidly before he stood up and left.

Kongphop took a deep breath, already feeling as if he was suffocating. As much as he wanted to leave the house and return to work, the thought of being at the same place with someone who had hurt his beloved was unbearable.

During the past week, Kongphop had done lots and lots of thinking about who would've done this and why. As the detective had suggested, it must have been someone who had access to the cabin and had known Arthit and their relationship. This narrowed the list to the secretaries, office managers, and the departments' heads. Of course, he could exclude the women, leaving him with six people in total. But then, Kongphop remembered an event where all employees from Procurement and Human Recourses departments were invited to their house for a party to celebrate the retirement of two former employees from said departments. The two were close friends of his father, and he wanted to honor them. Thus, he invited them along with their colleagues to the house. Kongphop and Arthit were already spending the weekend there, so the young man found himself obliged to introduce his boyfriend to them.

Kongphop frowned, remembering how sexy Arthit looked in his white tuxedo suit that night, and wondered if someone had set his eyes on him since that time.

Shaking his head, the young man straightened up and tried to focus on his work for the time being.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Phet listened attentively to the explanations and instructions of the ICU doctor and the hepatologist about his son's condition, what to be expected on the upcoming days and the measures must be taken to ensure that Arthit's condition wouldn't get worse. After fully explaining Arthit's situation to Phet, the doctors asked if he had some questions.

"Why is taking him too much time to heal?" He asked.

"Recovery time varies from patient to patient," the ICU doctor replied. "When Mr. Arthit was admitted, his body was already weak and malnourished. This also affected the healing process. Plus," —the three doctors exchanged a hesitant look before the ICU doctor looked back at Phet— "your son wasn't cooperative at all since he woke up, Mr. Rojnapat. He refused to eat his medications or allowed anyone to touch him, giving us a very hard time during his examinations. And at times, he became too agitated, forcing us to either restrain or sedate him so he wouldn't hurt himself or cause his wounds to re-open. Dr. Siriporn said that he was suffering from PSTD before his accident, is that correct?"

"Yes," Phet said.

"Why wasn't he treated?" the ICU doctor asked.

Phet shook his head. "I wasn't sure that he had PSTD," he replied, although his excuse sounded lame to his ears. "I thought that it was a passing phase of depression."

"Well, that explains it." the ICU doctor said.

"We will address this as well before he gets discharged, of course." the hepatologist said. "You will handle Mr. Arthit's therapy, Dr. Siriporn?"

"Yes, I will," Siriporn replied. "However, I must point out that during his stay in the ward, Mr. Arthit will be closely monitored by the nursing staff. If he got agitated at any time, they had my authorization to restrain him." —Phet glared at Siriporn, but the psychiatrist didn't care as she continued— "his bed is already equipped with restraints, and the nurse has already set up the monitors."

She had vowed to do everything to ensure Arthit's speedy recovery, even if it meant forcing him.

"Well, in that case, it's best we to ensure Mr. Arthit's cooperation so he can get well soon," the hepatologist said. "Mr. Rojnapat, I trust that you will help us in securing your son's cooperation?"

"Of course."

After the meeting had ended, Phet was about to head to his son's room, when Siriporn called him.

"P'Phet," the psychiatrist rushed after him. "Wait! We need to talk!"

"Still? Haven't you said enough?" He asked sharply.

The woman pouted annoyedly but decided to let it slide.

"I just wanted to remind you of your promise to me," Siriporn said, looking straight into Phet's eyes.

"What's promise?"

"Your promise about Arthit, P'Phet, which you seem to have forgotten!" she stressed. She wasn't going to allow the man to back down on his promise now that she was in charge.

Phet sighed. "Yes, I remember. Alright."

With that, he walked away, heading to his son's room.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Kongphop was engrossed in his work when suddenly the door of his office swung open, and his oldest brother-in-law burst in, followed by one of Kongphop's secretaries.

"Kong, we need to talk NOW!" the older man exclaimed, standing in front of Kongphop's desk.

Dismissing the secretary, Kongphop took a deep breath before he gestured to his brother-in-law to sit.

"What is it, P'?" He asked coolly.

The older man took a seat in front of Kongphop's desk before he spoke. "The head of Human Recourses informed me that you've asked for the files of several employees, myself included. May I know why?"

Kongphop looked at the other man for a couple of minutes. "I'm sorry, P'. I can't tell you," he replied.

"Why not?"

"It's a private matter that concerns me personally."

The older man frowned. "And I'm not allowed to know about something that personally concerns my brother-in-law?" He asked, gaining a shake of the head from Kongphop.

"Does your father know about this?" He asked again.

"Yes, and he has given me his approval to do whatever I want."

Still frowning, the older man nodded before he stood up and left.

As soon as the door was closed behind his brother-in-law, Kongphop returned to work.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Around noon, Knott was in his office, going through some construction plans when he received a message from Kongphop.

Kongphop: Hello, P'. Do you have a moment?

Knott: Hello. Yes?

Kongphop: Are you free today after 4?

Knott: Yes, why?

Kongphop: I'd like us to go to my family's cabin.

Knott: What? Why?

Kongphop: I'll tell you later. Can you pick me up around 5 pm? I'll send you my address.

Knott: Kongphop, why are we going to that place? I don't wish to set foot there again!

Kongphop: Please, P'. I need you to go with me. The detective in charge of P'Arthit's case will join us as well. Please!!

Knott: ...Okay, fine!

Knott frowned at his phone, feeling a little bit ominous. With clear frustration, he tossed the device into his folder bag before he released an irritated growl. He didn't want even to be reminded of that place's exitance, let alone go there. And why in hell would Kongphop assume that he would comply to his request anyway?

They weren't friends or close, even when Arthit and Kongphop were a couple. Knott had always treated Kongphop with courtesy because he was his junior and later his best friend's boyfriend, but they were never close. Even when Tob and Arthit started that annoying custom of going out on double dates, the relationship between him and the younger man hadn't changed.

After what happened to Arthit, Knott partially blamed Kongphop for his friend's suffering. Knott kept telling himself that if it weren't for that message sent from Kongphop's phone, Arthit wouldn't have gone to that cursed place. If it weren't for Kongphop, Arthit would have been able to go to a hospital and get treated or report the damn incident to the police. For an entire year, Knott had blamed the younger man every time he had to witness Arthit's suffering until he started to believe that it was indeed Kongphop's fault.
'But...' a tiny voice inside of him interjected gently.

Knott sighed deeply. But deep inside, he knew that the younger man was much as a victim as Arthit was. He also was deeply hurt and injured by all of this.

Plus, he was the one who saved Arthit's life when the rest had failed to do so. He had selflessly given up part of his time, body and life to give Arthit another chance at life.

Knott let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back at his leather chair. 'How did I get involved in all of this?!' he thought grumpily.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Phet entered his son's room and walked up to the bed. Arthit was still sleeping deeply. Placing a hand on Arthit's cheek, he breathed deeply, realizing that it had been a very long time since he felt his son's skin under his touch. His hand then moved up and gently brushed Arthit's long bangs off his eyes.

The corners of Arthit's lips tugged up slightly.

"Kongphop," he whispered as a tear seeped from underneath his closed eyes.

Phet's heart clenched upon hearing the name and seeing his son's reaction. It was clear to the old detective that his son would never be able to forget the other man.

"I'm sorry, my little Sun," Phet whispered. "But I can't allow that man to be near you ever again."

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

At the agreed time, Knott drove his car to Siam Polimer Group Company and picked up Kongphop.

"Kongphop, why are we going to that place again?" Knott repeated his question as he drove away.

"Detective Gun wishes to see the place, so I called him and agreed to go today," Kongphop explained. "He asked me if you can come as well. I think he wants to ask you about what you had seen when you recused P'Arthit since you are the only witness."

Knott simply twisted his lips but didn't comment. Instead, he said. "Arthit had left the ICU today."

The older man didn't know why he had said that but something inside of him urged him to do so.

"What? He's still in the hospital?" Kongphop asked anxiously. "It's been a month since the operation,"

Knott nodded his head in affirmation. "There have been some complications after the surgery. Arthit's father said that the doctors only recently had deemed his state to be stable enough for him to be transferred to a normal ward."

Kongphop felt his heart clenched painfully inside his chest, wishing if he could see his ex-boyfriend even if it was for one second.

"And what about you? How are you doing?" Knott asked suddenly. "Is your wound completely healed?"

"Only on the outside," Kongphop replied, wincing as he adjusted the way he sat. "According to the doctor, the inner muscles hadn't fully healed yet. I should've stayed in bed for another two or three weeks, but I got bored at home, so, I've returned to work."

Knott simply nodded his head in response.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

When the two arrived at the cabin, Detective Gun was already waiting for them in front of the wooden building. Knott's heart tightened upon seeing that awful place, vividly recollecting the first and last time he was there.

"Good evening, Detective Gun," Kongphop greeted respectfully. "I brought to you the files you've asked for."

He handed the man a leather parcel. Gun, then, turned his attention to Knott.

"We meet again, young man," he said with a smile, looking at Knott who gave him an unenthusiastic smile in return.

"Well, shall we go in?" Gun asked. "How about you show us how and where did you find Mr. Arthit?"

Nodding, Knott walked around the cabin until they reached the back door.

"This door was slightly opened when I arrived," He said.

Quickly, Kongphop entered the lock password and opened the door. The three climbed down the stairs until they reached the glass inner door.

As he pressed the password, Kongphop felt a sudden tightness inside his chest. It suddenly occurred to him that he was about to enter the place where his lover had been held captive and raped for two days.

Opening the door, Kongphop moved aside, giving way for his senior to enter first.

Taking a deep breath, Knott walked through the door and halted just a couple of steps inside. As soon as the place was lit, his eyes spontaneously landed on the spot where he had found his friend lying unconscious over a year ago.

Kongphop's eyes followed Knott's to where they seemed to be fixated.

"P'?" he asked, looking at the older man.

"This is where I found Arthit unconscious," Knott whispered; his body was slightly trembling as memories of that day replayed in front of his eyes.

Kongphop bit his lower lip as he pictured his lover lying naked on the hard floor, weak and helpless.

Gun cleared his throat, bringing the two men back to reality before he proceeded to roam and incept the place while asking Knott and Kongphop different questions. Because it had been over a year since the incident and the place had been cleaned many times, it was useless to dust it for fingerprints or look for DNA samples. All Gun could do was to relay on Knott's memory on anything that could be used as evidence. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything significant that Knott could provide.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Kongphop and Knott let out relieved sighs once they got out of the cabin as both of them felt suffocated while inside.

Being in the same place where his lover was attacked had made Kongphop's heart tightened painfully. His mind kept imagining the terrible time Arthit had to endure in this place as he listened to Knott's answers to Gun's questions. He also kept remembering the happy time he had spent with Arthit in the same cabin. A bang of guilt also tugged his heart when he remembered the times he had spent in the same place, after his break up with Arthit. He hadn't realized at that time that he was enjoying himself in the exact place where Arthit had suffered. He was glad when Gun declared that he had nothing further to do in the cabin.

"P'," Kongphop said as he sat next to Knott inside the car. "Can we go and see P'Arthit in the hospital?"

Knott stared at the young man with a puzzled look. "Now?"

"Please, P'," Kongphop pleaded. "I need to see him even for a second."

Knott sighed before nodding and starting his car.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

As soon as the two arrived at the hospital, they inquired about Arthit's ward and went there. However, the nurses at the ward's front desk told them that visiting Arthit was restricted.

"Please, Miss," Kongphop implored, giving the woman his best pleading puppy eyes. "I need to see him...just for five minutes...no, two minutes!"

The young woman blushed at his handsome and cute expression and said. "Well, I guess five minutes wouldn't hurt."

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Phet was about to doze off when someone knocked on the door lightly. He stood up and walked to the door. Opening it, his heart skipped several beats upon seeing Knott and Kongphop standing in front of him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed, getting out of the room and closing the door behind him.

"Mr. Rojnapat—" Kongphop tried to say.

"You promised that you would get out of Arthit's life forever!" Phet cut him off.

"Yes, but I made that promise before knowing the whole truth," Kongphop replied heatedly; eyes brimming with tears. "Detective Gun had come to my house and interrogated me as if I was one to blame for what happened to P'Arthit."

"If that what is bothering you, then rest assured," the old detective said. "I don't believe my son thinks that you were behind what happened."

"What about you?" Kongphop asked, staring at Phet. "Do you believe that I could do such a thing to the one I love?"

Phet just stared back, refusing to give him an answer.

"Mr. Rojnapat, please," Kongphop pleaded. "I'm not here to defend myself or justify anything, I just want to see P'Arthit and maybe talk to him about what happened. I need to know who among my employees had done this."

"First of all, my son is still sedated, so he isn't in a condition to talk to anyone," Phet said coldly. "Secondly, no visitors are allowed into this room unless they were thoroughly disinfected and for a limited time. Thirdly, finding out who had done this is Detective Gun's job, not yours, and finally and most importantly, after what happened, do you think that my son really wants to see you?"

Kongphop stared at the old man surprised.

"Think of it, Mr. Kongphop," Phet continued. "Arthit had broken up with you as soon as you were back from your trip, why was that? Maybe because he couldn't stand the sight of you anymore. You may not be involved in what had happened to him, but the fact remains that the incident is connected to you, one way or another. Arthit may not want to see your face because it will always remind him of what had happened."

By that time, hot tears were sliding down Kongphop's shocked face. The notion that his mere presence might cause his P'Arthit pain was too much for him to bear. Thus, he bowed his head to the old man and left without uttering a word.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Knott held the steering wheel of his car with all his might that his knuckles started to turn white as he drove away from the hospital with high speed. He was too angry that his body was shaking, and he felt an urge to scream at the top of his lungs. It was nothing short of a miracle that he managed to hold himself back.

Arthit's father had no right to say those hurtful words to Kongphop without knowing the whole truth.

During his speech, Knott felt the impulse to interrupt Arthit's father and reveal the true reason that compelled Arthit to break up with Kongphop. However, knowing that revealing the truth now would hurt Kongphop even more, Knott had to bite down his tongue and remain silent.

Glancing at the man sitting beside him quietly, Knott felt a bang of guilt filling his soul.

The younger man was crushed and devested because of Mr. Phet's harsh words, but Knott realized that he too had treated the younger man in the same manner on several occasions. He also had blamed the younger man for Arthit's pain, while fully knowing that Kongphop had no hand in what had happened to his friend. At least, Mr. Phet had the excuse of not knowing the whole truth.

Parking in front of the door of the Suthiluck's villa, Knott turned to face to the man sitting next to him.

"Kongphop," he spoke. "Don't let what Arthit's father said gets into you. Arthit didn't break up with you because he couldn't stand seeing you...the reason is far from it. Trust me."

Kongphop smiled weakly at his senior. "What was his reason then?" he asked softly.

Knott sighed. "I'm sorry, Kongphop," he replied. "All I can say is that Arthit still loves you very much and if it were within his power, he wouldn't have parted with you for even a second."

Kongphop looked at his senior unconvinced before he lowered his head.

"The more I think about it, the more I see the truth in Mr. Rojnapat's words," he said softly. "I have unintentionally caused great pain to P'Arthit."

"Kongphop, Arthit loves you," Knott repeated, feeling a bit of guilt inside of him as well. "And you haven't hurt him in any way."

Kongphop nodded his head before he reached for the door's handle and climbed down the car.

"Kongphop," Knott called as the man was about to close the car's door. "I'm sorry," he apologized as the man looked at him questionably.

Smiling slightly, Kongphop nodded his head before closing the door and entering his house.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

Gun sighed deeply as he stared at the pile of reports and pictures scattered in front of him on the desk. He leaned back on his chair before he stretched his limbs.

After his return from the cabin, he headed straight to his house when he started to study the employees' files that Kongphop had given him earlier. Comparing the profiles of each employee with the information he had gathered so far; Gun was still unable to link anyone with the crime. Sure, there were people who had the authority to arrange for Arthit to arrive at the cabin, but there were some points that still needed to be explained. Gun groaned loudly. He was hoping to find something that would balance the terrible discovery he had uncovered last week before he reported his findings to Phet but without avail.

The detective sighed as he gathered all the papers and files into one pile, hoping that he would discover something before Phet called him to his office.

}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

To Be Continued...

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Glossary:

A Low Fowler's Position = is when the head of the bed is elevated 15-30 degree.