Chapter 17

Even though Duangkamol had forewarned him that Kannika wouldn't be free for much longer, Nunew was still caught off guard when he heard the news of her arrest from Tee.

​At the moment the news broke, he and Tee were enjoying their favorite Japanese dinner at home.

Since Tee’s confession, Nunew’s parents hadn't forbidden their relationship, but they hadn't exactly accepted it either. Coincidentally, his father needed to travel to another province to scout for business expansion. To avoid mutual awkwardness, they decided to take this chance to stay away for a while—giving themselves time to process the situation while taking a relaxing trip.

​"So, the real reason her family opened an entertainment agency for her was to distribute drugs?"

​Nunew swallowed hard, his grip on his chopsticks faltering as a piece of fresh tuna sushi slipped and fell.

​"Yes," Tee replied.

He picked up the piece Numew had dropped, placed it on his own plate, and pushed the vibrant assortment of sushi toward the boy. To be honest, even Tee hadn't seen this coming. Although Tutor had dropped hints that the clan backing Kannika built their wealth through dishonorable means, he never imagined they would dare deal in narcotics.

​Nunew chewed the sushi mechanically, his taste buds sensing nothing.

​One had to admit, Kannika’s family was quite shrewd in establishing that agency. On one hand, they could keep a direct eye on a troublesome child like her; on the other, they could recruit new talent to serve as both earners and trained mules for their distribution network.

​Two birds, one stone.

​"Was Duangkamol the whistleblower, P’?" Nunew asked instinctively.

​Tee shook his head; this part was also unexpected.

​"No." Seeing Nunew’s soy sauce dish was nearly empty, he opened a new packet for him.

"It was an artist under her own company."

​From what Tee gathered, this artist was also a young woman in a situation quite similar to Duangkamol’s—talented, but weathered by a rocky life.

​"Is... the other side affected?"

​Nunew's 'other side' was vague, yet specific enough for Tee to know exactly who he was asking about.

​"Net and Nat are fine." The sushi Nu dropped had lost a few grains of rice from the impact. "While their families have business ties with Kannika’s, they were absolutely not involved in the drug distribution."

​To say they were 'fine' was an understatement; Tee was actually suspicious that either Net or Nat had sent someone to report the drug storage. Belonging to the same social circle and having business dealings, he didn't believe they hadn't investigated or heard whispers about the illegal activities. It was likely just a lack of concrete evidence that kept them silent before.

​However, that was merely his personal speculation.

​"Also..." Tee paused for a few seconds before finally choosing to speak, "He has already gone to the police station to give his statement."

​Nunew lifted his eyes to Tee, his breath wavering slightly, but then he simply nodded in silent acknowledgment.

Since learning what Zee had done, Nunew’s feelings for the man remained in a state of complicated ambiguity. He no longer felt the heavy resentment of the past, yet he couldn't bring himself to care as much as he once did. Or perhaps, the love was still there—it was just that his eyes no longer allowed him to view the man through a lens of pure, simple romance.

​Too much humiliation and too many complications stood between them now.

​"You can't let the hurt someone caused completely erase the goodness and the feelings they had for you before."

​Tee was right. Nunew couldn't deny that Zee had once been the most beautiful dream of his life. He couldn't negate the days when their affection blossomed and took root in their hearts. Deep down, more than anyone, Nunew knew that Zee loved him.

​He just didn't love Nunew in the way he needed to be loved.

​From the moment Zee spoke those impulsive words, accusing him of harming Kannika—regardless of the reason, whether intentional or accidental—it no longer mattered to Nunew.

​Because the most beautiful dream of his life had already shattered.

​Noticing Nunew’s distressed state, Tee looked for a way to catch his attention.

​"I think the police will be contacting our house soon," Tee explained.

"He and Duangkamol will certainly bring up your case."

​This was something Tee could state with certainty.

​Kannika had managed to hide her thick criminal history thanks to her family’s backing. Now that her support was gone—forgetting mere business rivals—there were countless people waiting for the day her beautiful, fake mask was torn off to reveal her venomous heart. The victims she had suppressed were just one example, Duangkamol included.

​Speaking of Duangkamol, Tee couldn't help but reflect on Nunew’s account of their conversation at the aquarium. A girl who could hustle from poverty to her current status clearly didn't have a simple mind. At least from his perspective, she was the type of person who always knew what she was doing, what she wanted, and how to get it.

​Tee was certain that besides the case involving his stubborn kid, Duangkamol held plenty of other interesting information. However, given her opportunistic nature, she was likely waiting for the right moment to use it—just as she had sold the truth of Nunew’s case to Zee in exchange for a spot as a DMD artist.

​He only hoped she was ambitious, not greedy.

​Clack.

​The sound of a small collision woke Tee from his thoughts. He looked up at the person opposite him, only to see that the chopsticks that should have been in the boy's hand were now lying scattered. The one who dropped them didn't even notice.

​"Nunew?"

​Worried, Tee stood up and walked over to the boy, leaning down to observe eyes that had become clouded with mist.

​Nunew flinched when he felt a hand lightly touch his face, instinctively shrinking back.

​"I’m fine."

​Seeing the fog in his eyes had yet to clear, Tee could only let out a helpless sigh.

​His Nunew was truly terrible at lying.

​"What is my stubborn kid worrying about now?"

​Tee affectionately flicked the boy’s forehead. It had been a long time since he’d seen Nunew harbor such distress alone. If he remembered correctly, the last time was when Nunew lost control at the DMD office. Since then—especially after Nunew learned of his feelings—the boy almost always shared his problems with him.

​Before Nunew left Bangkok, Tee had been his 'troubleshooter' for over a decade.

​Therefore, there was no reason for Tee not to continue being the 'Mr. Know-It-All' for his stubborn kid.

​"I’m not..." Nunew reached up to rub the spot where he’d been flicked. "It’s just... I wonder..."

​His sweet voice grew smaller and smaller.

​"This time... will people believe what I say, P’?"

​Tee’s heart skipped a beat.

​Strangely enough, through the calm expression of the person before him, he once again saw the shadow of the bleak, broken angel from two years ago. An angel who had struggled until his strength was spent just to utter a single question:

​"Why does no one believe me?"

​Tee remained silent for a long while before gently pulling Nunew’s hand away. The boy’s skin was too fair—so fair it looked fragile. He had only given him a light flick, yet a red mark had already appeared on his forehead.

​"Yes, they will believe you."

​Tee looked at the faint red mark on the smooth forehead and, feeling pained, blew softly on the spot a few times. Nunew sat obediently, letting him blow, saying nothing more.

​More than anyone, Nunew knew the situation was different from two years ago. Kannika’s fortress had crumbled. She no longer had the power to manipulate the media as she once did. Her dark history would surely be unearthed. Her true face would be exposed sooner or later.

​However, as a Chinese proverb Nu once read goes:

​Once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of a rope.

​Even knowing the outcome would be good, Nunew couldn't help but be plagued by fear. He feared the horrific memories of those two years would repeat. He feared that the current beautiful reality was just an illusion he’d painted to escape his living hell. He feared even more that if Kannika somehow escaped justice, his family would be dragged down by him once again.

​From experiencing her tactics once, Nunew could summarize her character in six words:

​Arrogant to the point of madness.

​Especially regarding anything involving Zee, she became even more ruthless.

​Nunew wrapped his arms around Tee’s waist, leaning his upper body completely into his chest. He couldn't explain his current state of mind.

​"Don't worry," Tee felt his insecurity and encouraged him softly.

"The net of heaven is vast; its mesh is wide, but nothing slips through."

​Nunew kept his face buried against him, holding on tight. Seeing this, Tee gave up on convincing him to let go and finish the meal.

​"Nunew, you must remember this."

​The familiar large hand stroked the silky black hair.

​"Even if no one in the entire world believes you..."

​His steady voice spoke each word clearly.

​"It's okay. Because I believe you."

​That was the answer Tee had for the poor little angel’s question from two years ago.