Chapter 32

Hospital Room

Nani sat up against the pillows, his expression unreadable as he scrolled through his phone, checking work. Despite the dull ache in his ribs and the stitches on his arm, his mind was still sharp, focused.

A knock at the door broke his thoughts. Before he could respond, the door pushed open, and a familiar face walked in.

Chimon.

Dressed casually in a sweater and jeans, Chimon looked around before sighing heavily. "Damn it, Nani. Can't you go one week without getting yourself into trouble?"

Nani smirked, though the movement pulled at his split lip. "And here I thought you'd show up with flowers."

Chimon rolled his eyes before stepping closer "Right, because that's exactly what you deserve after scaring the hell out of everyone." He paused, scanning Nani's injuries with a deeper frown. "How bad is it?"

"I'm still alive," Nani replied smoothly, setting his phone aside. "That should be enough for you."

Chimon let out an exasperated sigh before pulling up a chair next to the bed. "You're impossible."

Nani tilted his head slightly. "And yet, you're here."

Chimon leaned back, his expression shifting slightly. "Of course, I'm here. I was halfway across the city when I heard, and I came straight over."

There was something heavy in his voice, something unsaid.

Nani caught onto it immediately. "What's wrong?"

Chimon hesitated before meeting his gaze. "It's Perth."

Nani's jaw clenched, but he said nothing, waiting for Chimon to continue.

"I know he was behind this" Chimon said, voice quieter now. "And I also know this isn't just about business."

Nani studied him carefully. "You've been avoiding him."

Chimon's lips pressed together. He didn't need to confirm it, they both knew it was true.

Nani exhaled through his nose, dragging a hand through his hair. "So, this is about you, too."

Chimon looked away. "It's complicated."

"No" Nani corrected. "It's dangerous."

The real problem wasn't just the attack, it was Perth's growing obsession with Chimon.

Perth had fallen for Chimon, but Chimon, fully aware of his feelings, did everything he could to avoid him. It wasn't just because he had no interest, it was because Chimon was Nani's cousin, and he knew better than to get involved with someone who was practically Nani's enemy. The tension between Nani and Perth was no secret, and Chimon had no intention of making things worse.

But Perth's attack on Nani had nothing to do with business. It was personal. He had seen Nani and Chimon having dinner together last week, and that was enough to set him off. But what Perth didn't know was the truth that had been hidden for years.

Chimon wasn't just some ordinary man Perth had taken a liking to. He was Nani's cousin, a connection carefully kept out of the public eye. After losing his parents in a tragic car accident, Chimon's family history had been buried, kept secret to protect him. Not even Perth, with all his power and resources, had managed to uncover it. And now, unknowingly, he had declared war on his beloved's own blood.

"Chimon, you're telling me that ridiculous man did all of this just because he's jealous?" Nani asked, his voice tinged with disbelief and frustration.

"I wish I could say no, but knowing him... it wouldn't surprise me."

"And how do you know those men are Perth's?" Nani pressed.

"How could I not? His right-hand man sent me a bouquet of red roses. And do you know what was in the letter? It told me to stay away from you if I still wanted you to breathe." Chimon shook his head in disbelief.

"Unbelievable. Does he think he owns you or something?" Nani's voice rose with anger. He couldn't stand Perth, especially knowing how obsessed he was with Chimon, someone Nani loved as much as Prim.

"Look, Nani, I think if I told him the truth, that you're my cousin, things wouldn't get worse." Chimon's voice was hesitant, but there was a glimmer of concern.

"Why are you afraid of him?" Nani shot back, his eyes hardening. "Don't even think about it. I won't let that man get what he wants, especially not you."

"Okay, okay, I get it." Chimon replied with a small shrug. "But where's Sky? Shouldn't he be here taking care of you?" Chimon clearly knew about Nani's situation with Sky, thanks to Win.

"I didn't tell him. The only thing he needs to focus on right now is finishing his studies."

"Nani, you said Perth is a crazy, obsessive man, but you're just the same," Chimon said, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "The only difference is Sky likes you too."

"Stop talking, Mango" Nani growled, his face show his irritation. "If it were up to me, I would've killed that man a long time ago." What Nani meant was that he could easily have had someone take care of Perth, but he hadn't. Deep down, he knew his cousin had some feelings for that crazy man. It just that Chimon still doesn't even understand his own action that sometimes give in to Perth. And for that reason Nani had always held back, knowing Chimon's feeling too well but today it was different game.

After Chimon left the hospital, Nani wasted no time. His mind was already set on the revenge he would exact. He picked up the phone, his fingers cold and steady as he dialed the number of his most trusted man.

"Find every single one of Perth's men who were involved in this," Nani's voice was devoid of any warmth, each word dripping with an icy, calculated malice. " Make them regret ever stepping into my path. Tear them apart, It should be the kind of suffering that feels like it's pulling them straight into hell. Once you're done with them, Send them back to Perth's mansion with a bouquet of roses, just like the one Chimon received. And make sure this letter is with it: 'No matter how much he wants Chimon, Chimon is still mine.'"

There was no hesitation in his tone, no trace of remorse. Nani's eyes were ice-cold. If Perth wanted to play dirty, then fine. Let him play that way. Nani wasn't backing down. If Perth truly wanted his cousin, then he'd have to sacrifice more than this.

--

Perth stood in his grand foyer, his hand gripping the letter with fury. His face was twisted in disbelief as his gaze scanned the words again. The letter was clear, , warning him in no uncertain terms. His men were lying in front of his mansion, barely alive, a testament to Nani's rage.

The thought of one of his trusted men being reduced to a barely-breathing shell because of a personal vendetta was enough to ignite a fire within Perth.

His knuckles whitened as he crumpled the letter in his hand.

"Nani" he muttered under his breath, his chest heaving with anger. the idea that someone would dare lay a hand on his men was a slap in the face.

Perth didn't even think twice. He slammed the letter onto the table, turned on his heel, and stormed out of the mansion. His mind was racing, his grip tightening around the steering wheel as he sped through the streets. His eyes were narrowed, burning with determination.

The man who had triggered this chaos. The man who held a special place in his heart, but also the one who made him feel like his world was falling apart. Perth had tried to stay composed, to keep his emotions in check. But now, with Nani's threat hanging over him and his pride shattered, the only thing he could focus on was Chimon.

"Chimon..." he whispered, his voice raw with an intensity that matched the fury inside him.

His foot pressed harder on the accelerator, as he drove faster, the streetlights blurring past.

He had to see Chimon.

When he reached Chimon's condo, he didn't even hesitate. He parked his car roughly, slamming the door behind him before striding toward the entrance.

He had prepared for this. Chimon might try to avoid him, might lock himself away in some attempt to escape Perth's grasp, but Perth had anticipated that. He had Chimon's keycard—the one Chimon had carelessly given him during their last meeting, a moment of vulnerability in the midst of their complicated relationship. That keycard, meant for convenience, now served a darker purpose.

With cold precision, Perth swiped the keycard at the entrance, the door clicking open. He stepped into the condo, his eyes scanning the familiar space.

As he turned down the hallway toward the bedroom, his heart began to pound harder, the fury from earlier mixing with something darker, more primal.

The door to the bedroom was slightly ajar. Perth didn't knock, didn't wait for permission. He pushed it open with a force that rattled the frame, stepping into the room as if he owned it. because, in his mind, he did.

Chimon was sitting on the edge of the bed, his back to the door. His posture stiffened when he heard the door open.

"You shouldn't be here, Perth."

Perth's eyes burned with intensity as he took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. Chimon stood slowly, but there was no escape. Perth made sure of that.

"What are you doing here?" Chimon said quietly, his voice betraying a hint of fear, even though he tried to remain composed. But Perth was too close now, and the tension in the room was suffocating.

Perth closed the gap between them, his body pressing against Chimon's as he reached up to gently but firmly turn Chimon's face toward him. There was no room for resistance anymore, not in this moment.

"I don't think you need to ask." Perth replied softly, his voice a dangerous whisper. Perth didn't wait anymore. He leaned in, capturing Chimon's lips with his own, his kiss rough, desperate, and commanding.

Perth remained motionless when Chimon attempted to escapade the kiss and distance herself from him. Perth forced Chimon into sleeping with him.