The Kingpin's Possession

Kim:

The man with dark brown eyes and midnight hair had easily caught the attention of the entire café the instant he had walked in with his pinstripe blue suit and dress pants. Not only was he ruggedly handsome, but there was something about him that screamed danger and that drew people to him like moths to a flame.

However, Kim disregarded the stares and headed straight for the private booth at the back. His men were stationed right outside the café, looking out for any danger that might come his way, but most of all, they were there to ensure that he got the privacy he needed. This was an extremely important affair for him and he wanted it to be solved as quietly as possible.

And that's why he'd chosen this café in particular. Because it was one of the many legal businesses he owned in Bangkok.

"Sir, your guest has arrived."

Kim nodded and headed for the private booth at once to find his guest waiting. "Kanya."

"Kim." Kanya stood up from her seat at once, readily accepting her friend's embrace. "It's been ages."

"Five years already?" Even he couldn't believe that they had lost contact for so long. "I remember I couldn't go on even a day without talking to you."

"We've all grown up, I guess." Kanya sighed, but she was nervous.

If only she was the same woman that she had been in the past, then she wouldn't have been feeling so guilty to meet Kimhan's eyes right then, but desperate times had called for desperate measures. The reason she was here today, sitting in front of her beloved best friend who she had spent her university years with...was because she was here for business...and in desperate need for his help.

The only good thing about this meeting however, was the fact that he had been the one to contact her first...as a potential client.

"So..." She wanted to start the conversation, but she didn't really have words for him. How was she going to explain to him about how her name came to be on that list? She knew why he had gone searching on that website...but for her to be there...she had a lot to explain, didn't she?

"I'm not going to ask you why, Kaya." Kim sighed, calling her by the nickname that only he used with her. "But if you were having problems, you knew you could've always come to me."

"We hadn't been in contact for five years already," Kaya said in a small voice, looking down at her lap. "And I didn't want to burden you."

"You're my friend, Kaya; you'll never be a burden. But..." Kim hesitated a bit before rubbing at his temples. "You know it's illegal, right? How did you even get your name registered?"

"A...friend helped me find the right people..." She still didn't meet his eyes and Kim was starting to understand that Kaya's 'friend' was not the kind that he had expected her to associate with. It was a good thing that the website in question was managed by him and his most trusted people...otherwise, there were plenty of examples of how badly things had ended for young women who signed their names on dotted lines without reading the fine prints.

But Kim decided not to torture her further. "Then I want to be direct with you as well. I need your help."

Kaya looked up at him in surprise. "Me? I don't know how I can help you, but just tell me what you want; I'll do anything in my power."

"Well...for that, I need you to listen to me first." Kim told her, leaning forward so no one could overhear their conversation, even though he had already ordered for complete privacy. "After school, the reason I lost contact with you was because my father was shot by an enemy organization...and I had to take over after his death."

"But why you?" Kaya asked immediately. "What about P'Kla?"

"Hia didn't want this kind of life," Kim shrugged, talking about his older brother who was now working as a legal businessman. "He didn't want any part of our father's illegal business...and there wasn't anyone else to hold the reins after our father. So I had to do it. But it also meant I had to distance myself from the people I knew and cared about. The world I'm in...it's filled with dangers at every turn."

Kim wasn't scared of telling Kaya who he really was, because she knew. Kaya was the one person who had always known him for who he really was and had never seen him any differently. When everyone at school had cowered away from him, keeping their distance because they didn't want to mess with the 'Mafia boy', Kaya had been the only one who had extended her hand in friendship and made Kim feel wanted. In return, he had become the protector of the petite woman who had been easily bullied and harassed by others.

Their mutually dependant relationship had slowly turned into a beautiful friendship that had required no one else. Kim had trusted Kaya completely and so had Kaya. But the truth was...that was five years ago. Although they didn't change much in appearance in the last five years, they could tell that there was so much that they had missed out on.

"My...mom died last year." Kaya admitted, swallowing past the lump in her throat. "You know our dad left us when we were still very young, but things got even more difficult when mom left us too. Nong Kit is still in University and I can't let him quit his studies just like that, even though he insists on doing so every day. We both work part time jobs but it's getting difficult with paying off our tuition fees and the debts on the house that our father left us. So...I didn't have any other choice."

"Has anyone else contacted you before?"

"No." Kaya shook her head immediately. "Just you. I guess the background of the surrogate matters as well, so-"

"So you're perfect for me." Kim finished for her, offering her a small smile, because he didn't want her to get hurt...and didn't want her to know yet that he was the reason why no one had yet been in contact with her. "You're my best friend; I couldn't think of a more suitable person."

Kaya's lips trembled at the kind words that she hadn't heard in over five years. She truly did miss him.

"But... I want it to be our child, Kaya. Not just you as a surrogate, but you as the child's mother."

Her heart thrashed against her ribcage. "Kim...you know I can't-"

"I know." Kim shook his head. "You know I can't either. I don't want to cross any lines with you, Kaya. That's why I'm asking you if you're going to be okay with it? The entire procedure will be done by expert doctors and we will discuss in details about what to do from here on once you've made up your mind."

She sighed in relief, sitting back against her chair as she thought it through.

Actually, even during their university days, people had often mistaken them to be a couple. Maybe in another life, they probably would have been. But both of them knew the truth about the other and they understood each other, more than anyone else ever would. That's what made their friendship so special.

Because Kaya knew that Kim liked men and Kim knew that Kaya was asexual, unable to be sexually attracted to anyone she liked...forever weary of physical contact.

"Think about it." Kim told her now. "I'll take care of you and your brother from now on. Once you agree, you become part of my family...and I will protect what's mine."

Wasn't it a tempting offer? ...Kanya thought to herself. Never to have to worry about debts or what to eat for the next meal? Never to have to worry about taking care of her little brother? But like Kim had said himself...his life was filled with unknown dangers as well. How much was she going to be risking in order to get that life that she always hoped for?

She had thought that by registering herself as a surrogate, she could make some money to pay off the huge debts that her malicious father had left behind after he took off with everything. Her back was up against the wall and she was trying her best to take care of the situation, but she was tired. The debtors were relentless, the jobs kept getting harder while she was underpaid, and she was trying her best to let her brother have as normal of a life as he could.

"Are you sure you want it to be me?" Kaya asked hesitantly, because she knew there would be no better option for her than Kim. But what she wasn't sure about was Kim wanting the child to her 'theirs'. "You know my family history..."

"And you know mine." Kim reminded her. "So it's more a question of you accepting me, because I've already made my decision...and I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure."

Kit:

Kit placed the neatly cut slices of pork into the plastic bags and placed the poached eggs onto another plastic bag , before finishing it off with a garnish of fresh spring onions.

It wasn't often that he got to bring back something delicious to share with his sister, especially because he had to save up all the money from his part time job to help his sister pay off the debtors.

So when the restaurant owner had told him to take home some of their freshly made porridge with any of his favourite toppings...he hadn't stopped to think before rushing to the topping's station with packs in hand as he piled up on the veggies. He knew that taking too much of the meats would make the other employee's frown, so he kept it to a few slices only but usually the customers didn't like adding too much greens to their dishes, so he made sure to take some extra with him.

"Got everything you need?" The restaurant owner, an old man of about fifty years of age, came to check on him, placing his hand on his backside, a little too long for his comfort.

Kit ignored it. He knew the owner was a nice person...he just made a few accidental touches that he was uncomfortable with...so he moved out of the way in case there were any misunderstandings.

"Yes, krub." Kit bowed his head in respect. "Khob khun khrup." (Thank you)

"No need to thank me na," Khun Thong placed his hand on Kit's chest inappropriately once again. "Just keep working hard...like you always do."

Kit tried not to think of it, but it was getting difficult to shake off this feeling in his chest that Khun Thong might not be the nice person he had thought he was. But what else could he do?

Finding a proper job without a University degree was hard already, and not many places hired University students because they knew that students were just out to make some extra cash and for them, the work wasn't serious. But for Kit it was so much more. It was his and his sister's only way of survival.

The crack of thunder in the distance brought Kit back to reality as he sprang back from the owner, acting surprised at the sound of thunder. He looked out the big glass windows to see fat rain drops falling onto the glass as more thunder crashed through the sky.

It was strange, Kit thought to himself. The forecast this morning had predicted a light drizzle, but this looked more like a thunderstorm. And even though he had brought an umbrella with him, it didn't seem to be fit for this kind of weather.

"Ah...it started to rain so heavily." Khun Thong sighed heavily from next to him, looking around his empty restaurant. "We won't have any customers come in either now that the weather got bad. It's a good thing though...since we are about to close."

The uncomfortable feeling in Kit's stomach began to grow, but he pushed it aside. "I should wait until the rain clears a bit."

He set aside the toppings that he had collected in the plastic bags and went to the kitchen to see if the chef, P'Aun needed any help. The man was usually quiet and minded his own business but at least he didn't make him uncomfortable.

"Aun, make some tea for us, will you?" Khun Thong asked the chef as he waited outside in the sitting area. "It's raining and I feel like getting something warm."

P'Aun simply nodded and got to making tea for the three of them. Since the restaurant was already small, there were only five staff members in total that worked there, including the owner, who usually took over the cash register as he trusted no one else to do so.

The other two members, another chef and another waiter, had to go home early due to the rains as they lived far away. Kit too lived more than an hour away from the restaurant, but he didn't complain or ask for a break in fear of a pay cut. And besides...the owner had offered to pay him extra today if he stayed back...along with the offer to take food back home for him and his sister.

"Here you go." Kit watched P'Aun set two cups in front of Khun Thong as he was cleaning away the tables.

"Come here, Nong Kit." Khun Thong invited him over. "Join me for some tea."

A bit hesitant at first, Kit nonetheless accepted the offer because he hadn't had anything since lunch at the University...and that had been almost six hours ago. It was getting late and he was hungry. Tea wouldn't help much, but he was lucky to have someone offer him a warm beverage on a cold rainy day, right?

So he sat opposite to Khun Thong and took a sip of his warm tea, enjoying the silence as well as wishing for the rain to stop quickly so he could go back home already. He wondered if his sister was stuck in traffic or at her workplace because of the rain as well.

"So, Kit...I heard that you have a lot of debt to pay."

Kit almost spit out the drink from his mouth as he heard Khun's words, his eyes widening in horror. He had only started working here a week ago...then how did Khun Thong know about his debt?

"Khun..." He wanted to ask his employee how he knew about it, but he was suddenly afraid as he felt his heart beat speed up.

"Look, Kit," Khun Thong sighed, his big body hunching forward as he placed a hand on top of Kit's. "My shop is small and has a fixed set of customers. I'm not a big shot...but I have money...money that can help you."

Was it because of Khun Thong's words...or was it because he was scared of his secret being discovered, but...why did he suddenly feel so hot?

"I...I don't need..." when his words jumbled up, Kit knew something was wrong for sure. But as he tried to get up from his seat, his body suddenly feeling heavy...Khun's hand on top of his stopped him from moving away.

Thunder crashed through the sky once again, lighting up the entire room and it made Kit see the wicked gleam in Khun Thong's eyes as his hand crept up to hold onto him more firmly. Kit had suddenly lost all strength and he was starting to realize that it might not be fatigue or the fact that he hadn't eaten anything for almost six hours.

He had been drugged.

"But like all loan sharks out there...I want something in return." Khun Thong's smile told him that he had his prey exactly where he wanted him. "But don't worry...I'm not deducting interest in money. I'll give you 50,000 baht...but in return, you have to be mine for the rest of the month."

Kit shook his head, trying yet again to get away. The chairs scraping against the floor caused a shrill noise as Kit stood up, ready to leave and Khun Thong stood with him, his hands still holding onto the boy with enough force to leave bruises.

"Mai..." (No)

Kit's voice came out breathless, his whole body hot as he felt his pants tighten. What had they put into my drink?

"Khun!" P'Aun's voice sounded from the kitchen, giving Kit momentary hope, but when Khun Thong turned to him with his eyes ablaze, P'Aun was forced to lower his head.

"Remember your debt to me, Aun!" Khun shouted at the man in his late twenties. "Or do you want your sister to pay off the debt for you?"

No! Kit had made a grave mistake!

He had thought that Khun Thong ran a fair, legal business...but underneath it all, he too was another debt collector and one that was just as nasty as those who barged on Kit's door regularly, terrorizing him and his sister. He had fallen into the trap of another debtor.

"Let me go...please." Kit begged. "I don't need payment...I don't need anything!"

He wanted to escape! He wanted to get the hell out of there!

He had never wanted to get into this kind of a situation!

But this time, when Khun Thong reached out to touch him over his pants inappropriately...his legs gave out from under him, making it easier for Khun to do what he wanted.

"There, there." Khun caught the younger boy in his arms, grinning from ear to ear. "Good boy...just sit back and enjoy it."

Khun fumbled with the buckle of his belt as his free hand went to his behind, fondling him over his pants as he got impatient.

Kit bit down on his lips, trying hard to find the strength to push him off, but whatever they had put into his drink was potent...and it made him weak...so weak and pathetic...

Help...

He pleaded out to whoever was listening...

Help me...

"And here I thought I was about to walk into a friendly little diner."

Kim:

The burly man on the ground, who was straddling the young boy, desperately trying to get his pants down, looked up at Kim enraged.

"Aun! Didn't I tell you to lock the door?" The man screamed in a gritty voice.

Kim looked up to see another man, about the same age as him, running out of the kitchen, his eyes red-rimmed as he tried to shoo him out of the shop.

"Khun...we are closed." The man named Aun said urgently, his lips trembling as if in fear. "Please..."

"Closed?" Kim tilted his head to the side. "Closed for what? So you can take advantage of the kid?"

"What advantage?" The older man screamed once again, this time, his voice rose an octave, making Kim grit his teeth in irritation. "Can't you see we're closed? Get out! Get the fuck out!"

"Thuanthong Rattakul," Kimhan called out, looking the older man directly in the eye. "I came to collect the five million baht that you still own us...but I see you're busy digging your own grave instead. If you can pay the boy 50 thousand a month to sleep with you...why not pay it back to stay alive?"

"Ai hee-ah!" (Son of a bitch!) Khun roared, getting up from the floor after letting go of the Nong roughly. "What five million? Bah (You're crazy)!"

Kim took a step forward, his lips turning into a small smile that lacked any kind of humor. "My name is Kimhan Asnee Ayutthaya, son of Kraisee Ayutthaya...the man you stole money from while working for him. Ring a bell?"

Khun Thong's eyes bulged out of his head at the mention of the 'Lion of Bangkok', the infamous Mafia lord who he had dared cross once when he was still a hot-headed young blood, stupid enough to think he could get away with his sins. And he had gotten away with it...for over twenty years...but that was because he had been constantly on the run. It had been only this last years that he had decided to settle down in this area, finally getting the confidence that he had managed to escape the Lion after hearing news of his death.

"H-how...how d-did you find me?" Khun seemed to have suddenly lost his voice, and it made Aun turn to him in surprise.

"It wasn't that difficult." Kim's smile never left his face and it made chills go down Khun's spine, because that smile...he had seen it quiet often in the past. Father and son had similar features. Now he was worried if they had the same temperament.

"I...I..." Khun Thong swallowed, but his throat was suddenly dry. He knew there was no more running now...and the only punishment the Ayutthaya clan was familiar with...

The shot knocked him off his feet, no matter how much he had prepared himself for it. As a former Mafia bagman, he had had experience with how the clan collected their debt from those who dared to betray them. And even though he had seen the new lord, the young man in a blue suit with dark hair and brown eyes, pull out his gun from the waistband of his pants...the shot seemed to reverberate through his entire body, making the pain that much worse.

The yells of the man as he went down was muffled by the sound of the thunder crashing in the background. Kim was thankful for the heavy rains for once, for it drowned out the sound of the filth as he cried for dear life, even though he had only shot him in the thighs. Oh, how he wished it was a few inches higher. Because Kim hated sexual predators the most...hated them with a passion.

Kim stepped forward, walking over to the injured man who was struggling to collect his breath still after getting shot. Lowering himself to his level, he looked at him directly in the eyes, letting him know just who he had crossed. "Wondering why you're still alive?" Kim asked in a voice that would make the dead cower. "I have to say...you excel at hide and seek. You made me wear out my soles trying to find you. So I'm giving you another chance. I want the money by tomorrow. And if you run again...remember to never let me find you. Because the next bullet..."

He tapped the muzzle of his gun to Thong's forehead, causing the man to fall back as he trembled and begged, but Kim had no more business with him. Instead, he got up and walked past the pest to reach for the boy who was still lying on the floor.

But the very first look at the boy and it had him pausing. No wonder that conniving Thong was trying to get the kid to sleep with him so desperately.

He was beautiful.

Long dark hair that fell onto his forehead and reached just to his shoulders, and even though it was drenched in sweat, he still wanted to weave his hands through his hair, just to feel them slide through his fingers. His skin was pale and yet he had a fair complexion that many would kill to have.

Kim crouched down to pick him from the floor, noticing how the boy was sweating profoundly. A broken porcelain cup lay on the floor not too far away from him and Kim had a sneaky suspicion as to what had been happening before he had arrived on the scene.

He hoisted up the boy who appeared to be around 19 or 20 years of age, with his hands under his arms and helped him stand on to his feet. The boy wasn't all that heavy and it made him wonder if he was getting enough nutrients.

"Can you stand?" He asked the boy gently, making sure to support most of his weight onto his body. "Are you feeling alright?"

"No..." Kim was caught off-guard by the husky, breathless whisper.

"Come on." He wrapped one arm tightly around the boy's tiny waist while he hoisted the other over his shoulder as he walked out of the tiny restaurant and into the pouring rain outside.

An umbrella was immediately held over his head as one of Kim's men rushed up to him to help his sire, but Kim refused to let go of his charge.

"I'll take him home." Kim told his Aawut, his most trusted bodyguard and friend. "Take care of everything here and make sure to report to me in the morning."

"Yes, sire." Aawut bowed his head before stepping out of the way as his boss made his way to his car. He held the umbrella over their head as his boss placed the boy into the passenger seat and shut the door. "Do you want me to drive, Sir?"

"No need." Kim shook his head. "I'll take care of it."

Walking over to the driver's seat, Kim got in and fastened both their seatbelts before starting the car and heading onto the highway, leaving his bodyguard to take care of his business.

From beside him, he could hear the heavy breaths of the boy who was starting to get restless in his seat.

If it wasn't enough to confirm his suspicion, he looked down and found the bulge in his pants that he had already been expecting. Sexual stimulants.

It made Kim want to go back and put that bullet into his head instead.

"Where's your house?" Kim asked the Nong, his voice strained as the heavy breathing increased from the passenger's side of the car. "I'll take you there."

"No!" The husky, panicked whisper made Kim's head snap at the direction of the boy next to him, only for him to meet eyes of hazel with pure golden flakes. "Not my house! Anywhere but my house!"

"Then where do you want to go?" Kim swallowed, gripping the steering wheel with both hands in a white knuckled grip. "I have a condo nearby."

He hadn't meant to say it, or take the boy to any of his private establishments, but he couldn't think of abandoning him at a hotel either with the way he was right now. Anyone who saw the state he was in would likely take advantage of the boy...

Was Kim seriously debating it? Was he actually thinking about taking the boy to one of his many hideouts without even knowing who he was?

"Please..." the boy begged, making the decision for Kim. "Help me..."