"Hey, don't worry," Forth said, voice low but firm, as bullets shattered glass behind him. He crouched beside Beam, shielding him with his body. "They're my rivals. I just got intel on their location, and now they've launched an ambush."
He brushed a trembling hand against Beam's cheek, his voice softening.
"But I promise - nothing will happen to you. I'll protect you with everything I have."
He leaned in quickly, pressing a kiss against Beam's lips before turning back and firing again.
For a second, Beam was too stunned to move. He had assumed this was just some business rivalry - but that illusion shattered the moment he overheard their enemies talking.
"You can't hide forever, Forth," came a voice from the shadows. "You don't stand a chance. Surrender now - it'll be easier for both of us."
The voice belonged to Frank, the rival gang's top sharpshooter. He fired, narrowly missing Forth's shoulder.
Forth ducked and returned fire, shouting, "Let's see who survives, Frank. In the end, you'll be the one begging me to finish you."
His phone buzzed. He picked it up mid-firefight.
"The fish are here. But I don't see the crocodile," he said cryptically.
"We've spotted the crocodile. Clear the pond - we'll deliver soon," came the reply.
"How long do you need?"
"Ten minutes."
"Fine. Just don't get stuck kissing your boyfriend's ass. I'm on a date right now," Forth muttered and cut the call.
"Asshole," someone on the other end swore. "He's been lovesick over a doctor for a week, and now he's actually on a date."
"With whom?" asked another voice.
"God knows. Last I heard, he said he was sick and going for a checkup. Turns out the doctor wasn't a nickname - he actually fell for a real MBBS."
"Well, they could open a hospital at this rate," someone joked. "One husband breaks bones, the other treats them."
Laughter followed.
Meanwhile, Forth had taken down nearly every member of the rival gang. He dragged Frank, bloodied and breathless, to the center of the room and threw him to the floor.
"Who's behind this? Who sent you?" he demanded.
Frank spat blood and grinned. "You'll never own the underworld. Mr. X rules here. After me, Snow will rise. Just kill me - I'm no use to you."
Hearing about this Mr. X Beam eyes flashed.
Just then, Lam stormed in, dragging a limp figure.
"Sorry to interrupt your romantic shootout," he said, throwing the unconscious man at Forth's feet. "Here's your Snow."
Park strolled in behind him, swirling a broken wine bottle in one hand and a half-filled glass in the other. He made his way to the bar - where Beam was standing.
"Oh hey there," Park said lazily, eyeing Beam. "If you're one of them, I'd hate to ruin such a pretty face…"
"Park!" Forth's voice snapped across the room. "Don't you dare touch him. He's mine."
Park blinked, taken aback, then chuckled. "Well, I thought Frank was yours. But sure… welcome to Team Doctor."
Frank whimpered from the floor. "Snow… say something… please…"
Lam's expression was cold. "He tried to speak earlier. But I didn't like his voice. So, Park cut out his tongue. I doubt he'll be speaking again - ever."
"Finish it, Forth," Park said, pouring wine down his throat. "I've got a date waiting, too."
Forth stepped forward, placing his boot on Snow's throat. "Last chance. Where is Mr. X?"
Frank's eyes welled with pain and defiance. Then his gaze landed on Snow's wristwatch. He smirked through the blood.
"You'll never rule this world, Forth. Doesn't matter what you do... His heir is ready for underworld. You better start guarding your people… or this game ends in a blink."
Suddenly, Lam's phone rang.
He answered. "Yeah?"
"Get out! There's a bomb in the building - detonates in five minutes!" the voice on the line shouted.
Lam looked up. "Forth. Park. Five minutes."
Without hesitation, Forth grabbed Beam's hand and pulled him. "Come with me."
They sprinted through the hotel's back exit. The moment they stepped outside -
BOOM.
An explosion tore through the hallway behind them, and the sky turned red with flame.
Later that night, Forth dropped Beam off at the hospital. He touched his arm gently. "Rest. Don't worry about anything else."
But Beam couldn't stop worrying - not about the explosion, not about the men, not even about his safety.
All he could think about… was Forth.
Why him? Why now?
It was the first time Beam had truly fallen for someone. And that someone want to be… a future king of the underworld.
How cruel could fate be?
No, he told himself. He couldn't do this. He couldn't fall for a man like Forth.
That very night, Beam left town and returned to his hometown without telling anyone.
Forth tried calling, but his phone was unreachable. He checked the hospital every day. No sign. No leads.
It was as if Beam had vanished from the face of the earth.
How?
How could someone with so much power not find one man?
Forth's rage simmered every day.
Fifteen days later, Beam returned to duty at the hospital. That same day… their first confrontation happened.
Forth showed up unannounced, trying to explain himself.
But Beam had seen too much.
The newspapers had dismissed the hotel blast as a "gas leak." No mention of a shootout. No mention of the underworld. That was the power of the Jaturapoom name.
Forth could erase any truth.
And if he could kill fifteen men without consequence... would he kill Beam too?
That thought alone terrified him.
"I have to stay away from you," Beam had said, trying to push Forth back.
But Forth had already reached his limit.
"Do you even know who I am?" Forth said, his brows knitted into a cold frown.
Beam met his gaze unflinchingly. "I know exactly who you are, Mr. Forth Jaturapoom. The youngest businessman f year. S strong leader gaining political powers. A stubborn person who uses his power and money to get whatever he wants. But I - " Beam jabbed a finger toward the door of his cabin, voice rising - "am Dr. Beam Bramee. And I will never be your puppet. So, get out of my premises. Right. Now."
Forth's eyes remained locked on Beam, a smirk curling his lips. "Relax. I'm leaving… for now. But yes, you're right - I am Forth Jaturapoom. And I always take what I want. Just wait, Dr. Beam Bramee. Soon… you'll be under me. Ravished and broken. Just wait, honey. Just wait."
With that chilling promise, he turned and walked out, leaving an icy silence behind.
Beam let out a heavy sigh, the weight of what had just occurred hitting him hard.
"Oh my God… What the actual fuck did I just do?" he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. "You're a doctor, asshole! How can you be so reckless? That man is Forth Jaturapoom - CEO, future political figure, a walking powerhouse. And you… you just insulted him in your own office."
What does he want from me?
The memory of that violent night returned - fifteen men dead in front of him.
A knock on the door jolted him back.
He swallowed hard. "Come in," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.