Pete fidgeted near the door at the main entrance of the family mansion, his phone in hand, waiting for Vegas. A message had buzzed a while ago, promising Vegas's arrival in just five minutes. Tankhun emerged from the mansion, flanked by Arm and Pol.
"Hey, Pete, make sure to update me every hour, okay? I don't want Vegas kidnapping you or something," Tankhun said with a stern expression.
Pete chuckled nervously. "No worries, Tankhun. I'm just accompanying Vegas to meet Khun Roy."
Tankhun rolled his eyes. "If I know, Vegas just wants to hang out with you."
Pete raised an eyebrow. "It's not like that. It's work. I will represent the main family in that."
Sighing, Tankhun replied, "I really hope so."
Just then, an SUV pulled up in front of the entrance, and Vegas stepped out from the passenger's seat. He looked effortlessly cool in a black long-sleeve shirt that accentuated his well-built frame, paired with casual pants and shoes.
"Good morning, P'Khun, Pete, Arm, and Pol," Vegas greeted them. Pete, Arm, and Pol wai-ed at Vegas in respect while Tankhun eyed Vegas's attire skeptically. "You're wearing that for a meeting?"
Vegas nodded. "Yes, P'Khun. It's a request from Khun Roy to avoid attention in a public place. No need for formality."
"You look like you're going on a date rather than a meeting," Tankhun wasn't convinced. "Where are your bodyguards?"
Vegas gestured towards the waiting convoy outside. "They're right there, Phi. Thank you for letting Pete accompany me."
Tankhun sighed, turning away. "Sure. Bring back my bodyguard as soon as possible or I will castrate you. Understand?"
"Yes, P'Khun," Vegas said before Tankhun re-entered the mansion. Arm and Pol bid farewell to Pete, bowing respectfully to Vegas. Pete approached the SUV, intending to take the front seat, but Nop was already sitting there. With a shrug, Pete settled into the passenger seat next to Vegas. The SUV rumbled to life, driving away from the mansion as Nop briefed them about the upcoming meeting with Roy.
An hour later, in the bustling atmosphere of a coffee shop nestled within a well-known mall, Pete, Vegas, and their entourage of guards convened for what seemed like a routine meeting. Vegas engaged in conversation with Roy, while Pete chatted away with Nop at a nearby table. Roy was discussing a new shipment when he noticed that Vegas was distracted.
"Vegas, are you listening?" Roy waved his hand in front of Vegas. Vegas looked at Roy. He offered a quick apology to Roy, "I'm sorry. What was that?"
Roy followed Vegas's line of sight. His sharp eyes caught Pete's presence, and he remarked, "He's not one of your guards, is he? Doesn't seem like he's from a minor family."
Vegas confirmed Roy's observation with a simple "Yes." He explained, "Pete represents the main family."
A smile played on Roy's lips as he continued, "A main family guard, huh? I heard a little tale about you and a guard from the main family."
Intrigued, Vegas prodded, "What did you hear?"
Roy leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Something about you holding a main family guard hostage after he spied on the minor family mansion and maybe catching feelings, but things not working out in the end."
A heavy sigh escaped Vegas. Roy's raised eyebrow and smirk prompted him to ask the question lingering in his mind, "Was it him?"
"It's none of your business," Vegas muttered before sipping his coffee.
Roy smiled, "I'm sorry. It's the romantic side of me. You know, Vegas, we may be part of the chaotic world of the mafia, but we're still human. We know how to love, despite the odds. And in a world where our days could be numbered, why not take the chance?"
Vegas remained silent, contemplating Roy's words. The memories of his past with Pete flooded his mind, leaving him torn between the fear of rejection and the longing for a second chance.
Roy, sensing Vegas's inner turmoil, continued, "You missed your chance before. Don't let fear hold you back again. Confess your feelings, Vegas. At least then you'll know where you stand."
Vegas glanced over at Pete, who was still engrossed in conversation with Nop, a genuine smile adorning his face. Uncertainty gnawed at Vegas's heart as he wrestled with his emotions.
"Are you content by just looking at him from afar? What if he meets someone?" Roy added softly. "Even I, as a straight man, can see Pete's appeal. Imagine what others must see in him."
Vegas swallowed hard, the weight of Roy's words sinking in. He knew he had to make a decision, no matter how daunting it seemed.
Taking a deep breath, Vegas turned back to Roy. "I don't know. It's not that simple."
Roy nodded in understanding, offering a reassuring smile. "Nothing worth having ever is. But sometimes, you have to take that leap of faith."
With a final glance at Pete, Vegas made up his mind. He would confess his feelings to Pete soon, regardless of the outcome. Because in the unpredictable world they lived in, one thing remained certain—regret was a fate far worse than rejection.
Later, Roy and his team bid farewell to Vegas and his guards. As they strolled back to their cars, Vegas had a different plan in mind. He looked at Nop.
"Nop, you and the guards can go. Have a free day today and be back at the mansion before 10 in the evening. I'm gonna roam around the mall for a while," Vegas declared.
"Yes, Khun Vegas," Nop said.
"Leave the car key with me," Vegas insisted. Nop handed the car key to Vegas. Turning to Pete, Vegas proposed, "Hey, Pete, how about spending the day with me?"
Pete looked puzzled. "Why?" he questioned, unsure of Vegas's sudden offer.
Vegas shrugged, "Well, you seemed stressed after Venice was hospitalized. Thought you could use a break. Plus, I kinda wanna hang out with you."
Pete hesitated, torn between his desire to spend time with Vegas and his unease. Vegas could see the uneasiness in Pete.
"It's okay, Pete. No pressure," Vegas assured him before looking at Nop. "Can you take Pete with you and drop him off at the main family mansion?" he instructed, ready to let Pete go if that's what he wanted.
But before Nop even answered, Pete reached out and grabbed Vegas's hand, surprising both of them. "Wait," Pete said softly. "I'll hang out with you, Vegas."
A smile spread across Vegas's face, gratitude shining in his eyes. "All right," he said sincerely. He then looked at Nop and nodded.
With a final farewell to Nop, Pete and Vegas set off back into the mall.
Vegas and Pete strolled side by side. Vegas, with a touch of excitement, delved into a bit of shopping, picking up toys for the kids while Pete observed with a gentle smile.
"Hey, Pete, what do you think about this one?" Vegas held up two brightly colored toy cars, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Pete chuckled. "That's nice. Jax and Max are gonna love it."
"I should buy one for Venice so the three of them match." Vegas picked up another toy car. "Now, let's find something for Seoul and Rome," Vegas said as he walked around to find toys for the two young children while Pete followed him.
After the toy shopping spree, Vegas turned to Pete with a serious expression. "Hey, can you help me pick out a suit for the annual shareholder's meeting? I want to look decent and formal."
"Okay," Pete replied with a nod.
As Vegas tried on different suits, Pete couldn't help but admire how dashing Vegas looked in each one. But it was the three-piece grey suit that caught his eye the most.
"Wow, Vegas, that looks good on you," Pete remarked, impressed.
Vegas noticed Pete's gaze and grinned. "Thanks, Pete. I think I'll go with this one."
"Great choice," the clerk said, "You and your boyfriend have good taste."
Vegas and Pete are about to clarify to the clerk that they aren't dating, but the clerk beats them to it by telling Vegas that he can have it adjusted if he wants, and that he can pay for his suit at the counter. The clerk ushers Vegas back to the fitting room, leaving Pete in shock.
After their shopping excursion, Vegas treated Pete to a late lunch at a nearby restaurant. Amid bites of food and sips of drinks, they talked about Vegas's plans for a new motorbike and Pete's upcoming visit to his grandparents' home and grave on the island.
But as they finished their meal and indulged in dessert, Vegas sensed a shift in Pete's demeanor. "Is everything okay, Pete?" Vegas inquired, concerned.
Pete hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, everything's fine."
Noticing Pete's reticence, Vegas tried to lighten the mood. "So, before we head home, would it be okay if we go to the temple? I wanna do some merit."
"I'm sorry, Vegas, but I must return to the main family since my work with you is done," Pete said.
"It's okay, Pete. Technically, you are still working since you are accompanying me," Vegas reassured him with a smile.
But Pete couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. "It's just... it feels different, Vegas. Like we're not just hanging out as friends," Pete admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Vegas fell silent, contemplating Pete's words. Finally, he mustered the courage to confess, "You're right, Pete. It's more than that for me."
Pete scowled. "What do you mean?"
Vegas sighed. "This is not just hanging out for me. It's a date." Vegas paused. "I like you, Pete. I... I'm falling for you."
Pete's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could respond, Vegas continued, "I had this whole plan about how I was going to tell you, but I couldn't keep it in any longer."
They stared at each other for a while before Pete finally spoke again, "Do you like me as I am right now or because we have a history together?" Pete asked. Vegas was surprised by Pete's question, but before he could answer, Pete spoke, "No, forget that question. It's not important," Pete sighs.
"Pete..." Vegas muttered.
Pete's expression softened, but there was sadness lurking in his eyes. "Vegas, I appreciate your honesty, but... I'm happy with how things are between us. I love the fact that we're doing great as friends. I don't want anything to ruin it," Pete confessed gently.
Vegas's heart sank at Pete's words, but he forced a smile. "I understand, Pete. I'm sorry for making things awkward," Vegas apologized, his voice tinged with regret.
"Don't apologize, Vegas. Let's just... keep things the way they are, okay?" Pete begged him.
Vegas nodded, swallowing his disappointment. "Yeah, okay. Friends it is," he agreed, though his heart ached with longing.
As they settled the bill and made their way out of the restaurant, an undeniable awkwardness lingered between them. But through it all, they remained friends, silently grappling with unspoken feelings and uncharted territories.
---
Pete stepped out of Vegas' car, carrying bags filled with gifts for the children. He exchanged a farewell with Vegas, who offered a shy smile before driving off into the night.
As Pete watched the taillights disappear down the driveway, a whirlwind of emotions churned within him. Vegas had confessed something unexpected, something Pete wasn't quite prepared to handle: love. It seemed impossible, yet there it was, hanging in the air between them.
"I can't believe Vegas said that," Pete muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief.
Lost in his thoughts, Pete made his way to the playroom, where the children were gathered with Madee. Their faces lit up at the sight of him, and they bombarded him with questions about the contents of the shopping bag he carried.
"Hey there, kids," Pete greeted them with a smile, crouching down to their level. "I've got something special for you all. Vegas bought some toys for you all."
With excitement bubbling over, Jax and Max eagerly reached for their gifts, tearing into the wrapping paper with gusto. Pete handed Seoul and Venice their presents, but Venice's bright eyes clouded with disappointment.
"Where's Wegath, Pa?" he asked, his voice tinged with sadness.
Pete's heart twinged at his son's question. "Vegas had to go home, son," Pete explained gently, ruffling his hair. "But he wanted me to give you this gift from him."
Venice sighed, accepted the gift, and went to the corner to open it.
Seoul's gaze flickered around the room, searching for the familiar face of their uncle and friend. "Pa, Wegath?"
Pete sighed inwardly, grappling with his own conflicted feelings. "He had to go home, Seoul, but I'm sure he'll visit you soon."
"Ohh, Uhmm," Seoul muttered before getting the toy and wobbling to the side to play with it.
Pete stood up and looked at Madee, "Madee, I'll just rest a bit but I'll come back later."
"Don't worry, Pete. I'll take care of the kids. Just get the rest you need," Madee smiled.
With a heavy heart, Pete excused himself from the playroom. He headed to Tankhun's room to inform him that he had arrived.
Pete shuffled into Tankhun's room, spotting him perched on the sofa with his tablet, while Arm was engrossed in his laptop on the other side. "Khun Noo, I'm here," Pete announced; a hint of weariness in his voice.
Tankhun's face lit up at the sight of him. "Pete, good to see you back safe." Tankhun huffs, "Did Vegas drop you off? Bet he's in the playroom again right now with the kids," Tankhun rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, he did," Pete replied, his gaze distant. "But he took off right after."
Tankhun was surprised. He knew that Vegas always checked on the kids whenever he went to the main family home. Tankhun looked at Pete. He noticed the shadow on Pete's face. "Everything all right, Pete?" he inquired, concern etching his features.
"Yes, Khun Noo. I'm just tired, that's all," Pete shrugged, trying to brush it off.
"Take some rest then," Tankhun suggested with a nod.
"Thank you, Khun Noo," Pete said before looking at Arm. Arm smiled and nodded at him. Pete smiled timidly before excusing himself and exiting the room.
Tankhun turned to Arm, a furrow forming on his brow. "Do you think Pete's okay?"
Arm glanced at his boss, his expression thoughtful. "Doesn't seem like it. It looks like something's bothering him."
"Do you think Vegas did something to upset him?" Tankhun pondered aloud.
Arm shook his head slowly. "I don't think so. Khun Vegas might've been a troublemaker in the past, but I don't see him pulling something like that now, especially not on Pete."
Tankhun sighed, a flicker of worry in his eyes. "I hope Pete's okay."
At that moment, Pete arrived at his room. He sank onto the bed, the weight of Vegas' confession heavy on his mind.
"I don't know what to do," Pete murmured to himself, staring at the ceiling. "I'm not even sure how I feel."
But one thing was certain: the ache of letting Vegas go, once again, gnawed at Pete's soul. And as he lay there, lost in a whirlwind of uncertainty, he couldn't shake the feeling that the road ahead would be fraught with difficult choices and heartache.
---
Around midnight, in the quiet of the minor family mansion's garden, Vegas sat with whiskey in hand, lost in his own thoughts. The soft glow of moonlight kissed the edges of the garden, casting shadows that danced around him. It was a serene scene, broken only by the arrival of his brother, Macau.
"Hey, Hia," Macau said as he approached, taking a seat across from him. "Can I join you?"
"Sure," Vegas said before setting his own glass aside, taking the extra glass on the table, putting some ice in it, and pouring some whiskey. He handed it to Macau before getting his glass. They raised their glasses at each other before taking a sip of their whiskey. Vegas asked his brother, "Where's Cherry and Rome?"
"They're sleeping already." Macau looked at his brother. He studied his brother's face, sensing a heaviness in his demeanor. "What's on your mind?" he asked gently.
Vegas hesitated before answering, "Nothing for you to worry about, Macau."
But Macau persisted, his concern evident. "You know I'll always worry about you."
With a heavy sigh, Vegas emptied his glass before speaking. "I confessed my feelings to Pete," he admitted quietly.
Macau's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "And?"
"Pete said he just wants to be friends," Vegas confessed, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Macau leaned in, his eyes searching Vegas's face. "What's bothering you about that?"
Vegas paused, gathering his thoughts. "He asked me if I like him for who he is now or because of our past," he explained.
"And what did you tell him?" Macau inquired gently.
"I wasn't able to answer it because he told me not to answer since it wasn't important. Then he said he really just wanted to be friends. I respect and understand that but... Gosh. You know that I was madly in love with him years ago," Vegas began, his voice wavering with emotion. "But after I woke up from my coma, I didn't remember him for over a decade. I lost so much time with him, but I was happy with Tay."
Macau nodded understandingly, urging Vegas to continue.
"But now, my feelings for Pete are different," Vegas confessed. "I've come to appreciate the person he is now. I love him for his patience, his kindness, and his love for his family."
A pang of longing filled Vegas's voice as he admitted, "I want to be with him, Macau. But he just wants to be friends with me and I can't do anything but accept it."
Macau listened intently, his mind working to process his brother's words. "So, you're giving up?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Vegas looked perplexed. "I don't know," he admitted.
Macau leaned back, his gaze fixed on the stars above. "Think about it from P'Pete's perspective," he suggested. "He was in love with you back then. I saw it when we spent a month taking care of you. He hoped for a future with you, only to have that dream shattered when you woke up and didn't remember him. He moved back to the island to give you a new start. Then, he meets you and P'Tay at P'Kinn and Porsche's wedding. Can you imagine the pain he had to endure, knowing that you were with someone else while he was trying to move on from you?"
Vegas's heart sank as he realized the depth of Pete's pain.
"He moved on, met Khun Som, and started a family with her. But she passed away after giving birth to Seoul," Macau continued. "And now, you've come back into his life, confessing your feelings. It must be confusing for him."
Vegas nodded slowly, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions.
"Give him time, Hia," Macau advised. "Show him that you're here for him, no matter what. If he doesn't feel the same way, at least you'll still have him as a friend. But if he does... cherish it this time. Show him how you really feel and never let him go. You both deserve happiness."
Vegas's heart felt lighter as he absorbed his brother's words. "You're right. I guess I was in a rush and caught him off-guard." Vegas looked at his brother, "Thank you, Macau. You really are more mature than me," he said softly.
"It's not that, Hia. You two just need to take your time and know what you truly feel for each other. Whatever that is, I hope it will be the best for the both of you," Macau said.
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. But amidst the uncertainty, there was hope – hope for a future where Vegas and Pete could find their way back to each other, stronger than ever before.
---
Pete stood near the mini pool area on one of the top floors of the main family home, lost in thought as he gazed at the sprawling city below. The weight of Vegas's confession still lingered heavily on his mind, despite the passing days. Though they had crossed paths a couple of times since then, Vegas had stayed true to his word, maintaining their friendship. But Pete couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at him.
As he took a drag from his cigarette, Porsche appeared.
"Ohh good. You're here. Can I have a cigarette?" Porsche asks.
Pete offered him his pack of cigarettes along with a lighter. Porsche took one and lit up before returning the lighter. "The kids are missing Kinn so much. His schedule has been so hectic lately. I had to represent him this coming Monday at the annual shareholder meeting at Vegas' company."
Pete remained silent, but the mention of Vegas's name stirred a mix of emotions within him, a longing that he couldn't quite shake off. Sensing Pete's quiet demeanor, Porsche inquired, "You okay, man?"
Pete looked at him, "Porsche."
"What's wrong?" Porsche prodded gently.
Pete hesitated before admitting, "Vegas confessed his feelings to me."
Porsche cursed under his breath, clearly taken aback. "And what did you say?" he asked, his voice soft yet probing.
"I told him I just wanted to remain friends," Pete confessed, his words heavy with the weight of his decision.
Porsche fell silent, processing Pete's revelation. Then, with a furrowed brow, he remarked, "Why do you look like he's the one who rejected you?"
Pete scowled, feeling defensive. "It's not that simple, Porsche. I'm scared."
Scanning Pete's troubled expression, Porsche sighed. "Scared of what, exactly?"
"I'm scared... that he only likes me for what we had before, not for who I am now," Pete admitted, the fear palpable in his voice.
Porsche chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You serious, Pete?"
Pete nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"In all the years I've known Vegas, I've seen him happy and I've seen him sad," Porsche began, his tone earnest. "And every time he's around you, Pete, he's happy. Trust me, he's not just stuck in the past."
Pete remained unconvinced, his doubts looming large.
"You're giving yourself a hard time, Pete," Porsche continued, his voice gentle yet firm. "Vegas took a risk confessing to you. That means something. And let me tell you, he loves your kids and he respects the hell out of Som. That's not just lip service."
Pete mulled over Porsche's words, uncertainty still clouding his mind.
"Let me ask you something, Pete," Porsche said, fixing him with a probing gaze. "Putting aside the past and the fact that you're a widower dad, how do you feel about Vegas?"
Pete hesitated, the weight of his emotions almost suffocating him. But then, with a quiet resolve, he spoke up. "I like him, Porsche. And... I think I'm falling for him, too."
---
A/N: And that's an update for you. The next one will be in June... Just kidding! I'm actually working on the next chapter and aiming to get it out as quickly as possible. Your comments and stars/kudos mean the world to me, thank you for your ongoing support of this story. Can you believe it's been a year since 'Forgotten Memory' was posted (I posted it around March last year)? Time flies! There are so many exciting developments in store for this story. Until the next update, take care!