Personal Manager

24 . Betting with my heart.

 

The big racetrack is packed with people even at night when people should be sleeping. I just realised that this kind of gambling is popular. Popular among teenagers, the roar of engines echoed throughout the area. Kandapong scanned the area, looking for the culprit. After learning the truth from his younger model friend, he rushed straight here. His friends were all here too.

 

"I think he's probably in the racers' locker room," Man said. If what Meen said was true, he definitely wouldn't unthinkingly side with his older brother.

 

"That's good. We'll be out of sight of everyone," Kant said, afraid it would become news if there were a fight here. He knew they'd end up exchanging punches or two, as Mind seemed determined not to let go. Kant had always wondered why Mind gave up so easily after being rejected by Kel. Today, he learned that Mind hadn't given up; he was waiting for the right time to get revenge. 

 

The four men walked together to the racers' locker room. Man greeted several people who were coming out, and when he saw his close friend, he asked him about it.

 

"Have you seen P'Mind?"

 

"He’s in the room, getting ready," the person said, pointing.

 

"Thank you, sir."

 

All the friends were observing the young model, wondering if he was angry now that they knew who the culprit was. Throughout the drive here, Gun showed no emotion; he didn't say how he planned to handle the situation. Even Tin was at a loss, afraid that Gun might explode as never before and ruin everyone.

 

"I want to know what you're going to do," Tin asked, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.

 

"Hey, are you going to hurt my brother?" Man's face showed clear worry, because one person was his older brother, and the other was his best friend.

 

"I need to check on your brother first," Kant replied. He wanted to assess the situation before deciding on the best course of action. If the other side became violent... he didn't see the point in remaining calm.

 

"I don't want any trouble."

 

"Don't worry, if there is... I definitely wasn't the one who started it."

 

Man slid open the door to a room with a sign that read "Racers' Locker Room." When he peeked inside, he saw his older brother and his gang putting down money. They were making a bet. One of them looked up to greet them, followed by his older brother, who frowned in a questioning manner.

 

"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to watch the shop?"

 

"I came to see you. Kant wants to see you," the younger one stated his purpose immediately.

 

"Mind averted his gaze from Man, looking past him at the person walking towards them." Kantapong looked back silently, without a greeting.

 

"You guys go ahead, I'll follow," Mind told his friends before standing up to his full height.

 

"Do you want to talk privately?" Man turned to ask Gun. Tin and Nanfah waited for his answer. If he wanted to talk privately, they were ready to wait outside.

 

"Let's all listen together."

 

"What's your problem with me?" the man in the racing suit asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips, as if he already knew why the other person was there.

 

"You're the one who ordered Meen to follow P'Kel and me, aren't you?" There was no longer any respect for an older brother; he asked using vulgar language.

 

"You already knew?" Mind's expression was incredibly mischievous, Gun thought.

 

"Why would you do this?"

 

"I love him no less than you do, but why did you get him? Why did he choose you?" Those eyes clearly showed hatred, with pain mixed in.

 

"Don't be a coward. Just accept the truth," Kant sighed wearily.

 

"I was here first." Yes, everyone knows that. But simply being here first isn't the right excuse to pester others.

 

"He chose me" is meant to emphasise the other person.

 

"Hmm, I really want to see him right now." His serious expression gave way to a mischievous smile.

 

"." Kant frowned, not understanding what the person in front of him was trying to convey.

 

"It's better to call. I want him to come here," Mind said, picking up his phone.

 

"Don't call."

 

"I'll call."

 

"Mind, it's time," someone interrupted as the door opened.

 

"Let's talk after I'm done competing," Mind said, then bumped into Kant and walked out of the room.

 

The cell phone rang loudly, startling the small figure lying down watching a movie. He quickly fumbled for it. He guessed it was probably Kantapong, the man he loved, but was he coming back from the club already? Why so early? Looking at the number displayed on the screen, he realised it wasn't the person he was waiting for. It was Mind calling for the first time since Kel told him they could only be friends. He had thought Mind would be so upset he’d deleted his number.

 

"Hi, Mind," a sweet voice greeted him after answering the call.

 

("This is Poom, Mind's friend. He asked me to call you and said he wants to meet you.") He recognised the name Poom. "You want to meet me? Where?"

 

("Remember that race track he took you to?") The person on the other end kept asking.

 

"I remember, but why do you want to see me?" Kel didn't understand.

("He'll be competing in half an hour. This time, he's competing against a model named Kant.  You should know him well.")

 

"What?" He was very surprised when the other person mentioned Kantapong.

("That's all it wants to say.")

 

"I don't believe it. How could Gun be there?" Gun should be at the pub right now. ("Ah, I'll send you a picture.") The call was cut off.

 

After a while, a picture was sent to Kel via LINE. It showed Gun standing and talking with his friends: Man, Tin, and another man. Kel's anxiety grew. Kel immediately called Gun. Why had he only said he was going on a trip, without mentioning a car race? He was worried something might happen because the other person was Mind. He didn't want to think negatively, but what reason would those two have to race, especially when they wanted him to watch? 

 

Frustration crept in because Gun wasn't answering his calls.  didn't call a second time. He decided to get dressed and go there. That was his fastest drive. Upon arriving at a familiar place, he quickly called Mind. Kel had tried to contact him throughout. The result is the same: no answer to the phone. The person who's worried about Gun is already worried sick.

 

("You've arrived?") This time it was Mind's voice.

 

"Where are you? Can you tell me what happened?" A small person ran up to the entrance of the audience. It was a small opening connecting to Amchan.

 

("Come down here quickly," the voice on the other end said.) Kels's round eyes immediately took in the scene and saw a large group of tall men standing there. One of them beckoned him, but Kel was interested in someone else.

 

"Kant!"

 

With slender legs, Kel hurried down the stairs to get there. Kant was now dressed and ready, just as Mind was. Sports cars were lined up one after another, the cheering was so loud it was almost annoying, and the place was packed.

 

"Why didn't you answer the phone? Do you know how worried I was?" As soon as Kel had arrived,  he went straight to ask Kant.

 

"Why are you here?" the young man asked in return. He was in such a hurry that he hadn't even taken his phone out of the car.

 

"Why are you here? And what are you about to do? Who told you to compete?" The slender figure began to yell loudly, watched by several people.

 

"Just doing a test run," the model said calmly.

 

"Just tell them that the competition is happening because Kel is the prize," Mind interrupted.

 

"What?" The shorter figure turned around to ask. "That's not it. I'm going to win the competition so he'll stop bothering us," Gun said.

 

"Stop interfering?" Kel's slender eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

 

"That video clip was Mind's doing. I'm so glad  Kel isn't working as his personal manager anymore." A wicked smile, as mischievous as his face, shows his wickedness.

 

"Mind..."

 

"Why? Are you disappointed?"

 

"We never thought it would be Mind. You hate us so much to do something like this." It was truly unexpected. The person who said they would try to see him as a friend, he cherished the happiness of the days he was courting Kel, but now the truth has been revealed.

 

"I don't hate him, I never hated him. Mind loves Kel ." Many might think he has no heart. But if he doesn't... then what does he use to love Kel? If he doesn't have a heart, why did it hurt when he heard Kel say that he can only offer you friendship?

 

"If you love me, you should respect my decisions. But Mind is trying to ruin other people's lives. Does he want to see me heartbroken?"

 

"If that 'other' you're talking about is him... Yes! Mind wants to destroy him, but not Kel. Do you love him that much? Mind was here first, pursued you first, but why couldn't I win Kel's heart? Mind doesn't love  any less than he does, please know that." His sharp eyes began to tremble. The man who had always been so steadfast was now losing confidence.

 

"What am I supposed to do?  Kel loves only one person!"

 

"..." A lump formed in Kels’ throat, his heart ached as if being squeezed by an immense force, forcing him to turn his face away because he didn't want to look.

 

"The field's ready," Mind's friend said, breaking the tense situation.

 

"Take him out of here," Kant turned back to tell Tin.

 

"No, I won't let Kant compete," Kel refused.

 

"I will not lose."

 

"Gun has no chance of winning. How can someone who's not an expert in this field and unfamiliar with the arena possibly compete? An accident might even happen." I've seen it happen before. It happens often. Sometimes the race cars break down in the middle of the race, and sometimes accidents occur where drivers can't make a turn, resulting in serious injuries. It's really scary.

 

"If you're so worried, then sit next to him," someone in Mind's group said.

 

"No, you go first," Mind said, refusing to let the person he loved put themselves in danger. In this game, it was just Gun and him who had to win the race

 

"Mind, don't do this. Whether you win or lose,  I will still choose Kant. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

 

"It hurts. It hurts like hell." His heart suddenly sank because of the words of the person in front of him.

 

"Please, stop," the small figure pleaded again. "Ah... Mind might change his mind if Kel comes and kisses Mind's cheek right now." That sentence made Kantapong's blood boil.

 

"..."   Kel remained silent, deep in thought.

 

"Why? Before this model came along, we used to hug and kiss all the time. Do you remember how happy we were?" Mind continued. Kant clenched his fists and gritted his teeth until the muscles bulged.

 

Kel decided to step towards Mind to follow the instructions. He couldn't think straight, only knowing he had to stop the competition before it started. But before he could reach Mind, someone behind him yanked his arm hard, forcing him to spin around. Kel's face slammed into a strong chest. Kandapong held the smaller person tightly, refusing to let him go. His sharp eyes stared intently at Mind.

 

"He’s mine! He’s mine!" he declared fiercely, his large hand stroking his lover's head like a possessive man.

 

"Hic," Kel began to sob softly and raised his arms to hug Gun tightly.

 

"Take him out," Mind ordered his friend loudly, like a loser. He'd lost the game before even competing. His eyes looked at the two people with a mixture of emotions. It was agonising; the pain shot through him like a sharp knife slicing right through his heart.

 

"No,"  Kel pulled away from Kant's embrace and turned to talk to Mind.

 

"Let's sit back and watch how skilled he is. Let's see how much effort it puts in for Kel."

 

"Kant, can we not compete?" This time, the shorter man pleaded with the one he loved.

 

"Wait for me a minute, I'll be back to hug you." But Gun didn't listen to anything. He was determined to go onto the field even though he probably already knew the outcome. Gun wasn't involved. He’s not good at all when it comes to cars.

 

"Kel shook his  head from side to side, his eyes red and overflowing with tears."

 

"I love you," the young model said confidently, indicating that Kel probably couldn't ask him to stop now.

 

"Then can you promise me you'll be safe?" Having exhausted all means of dissuading him, all he could do was hope he wouldn't be harmed.

 

"Yes, I promise."

 

The whistle blew, signalling Mind and Kant to turn their attention back to the about-to-be-begun match. Kel stepped back to sit by the sidelines, his eyes fixed only on Kant. In his heart, he repeatedly prayed, "Please, let the one I love be safe." He didn't want him to win at all, because no matter the outcome, he would always be with Kantapong.

 

Everything was ready. Both racers took their seats. The cars were very similar, differing only in colour. They started their engines, but hadn't started yet, waiting for the signal from the voluptuous woman to wave the flag. The cheers from the crowd, mostly from Mind's supporters, grew louder. This was Kant's first time here; he'd never raced before. But before he got into his car, Man whispered to him...

 

"Step on the gas. Even if you crash, you won't die. At most, you'll just end up in the hospital because the safety system here is better than any other track."

 

He'll surely get his wish to use his wounds to charm his wife. Whatever happens, happens. All he knew was that the track had over ten curves before it looped back to the finish line at the same spot. Inside the car, there was a monitor showing the road ahead. The suit he was wearing was incredibly hot, and the helmet was annoying. The commentator announced the rules through the microphone. Soon, the sound of the siren sounded, and Mind's car started off first.

 

Brrrnnn...

Kel couldn't sit still anymore. He got up to look at the image from a distance before his gaze shifted to the large screen. Two cars were squeezed together on a narrow road.

The roar of the finely tuned engine drowned out the crowd's sound. His heart pounded as they rounded a bend, fearing Gun’s car would swerve out of control. The race continued until Mind deliberately rammed another car, sending it swerving and crashing into the roadside barrier. Kel wouldn't have been so shocked if the car hadn't burst into flames like that.

 

"Kant!" The short boy shouted loudly, then ran onto the field.

 

Tin ran after him and grabbed him.  Kel tried to shake his arm free, but couldn't break free. Chaos ensued when Many people rushed into the area, their fear for their loved ones' safety mixed with relief at how quickly the rescue team had arrived.

 

"It's alright," Tin said.

 

"No, let me go." his thin lips were tightly pressed together, tears streaming down his face.

 

On the screen now is an image of one of the racers helping an injured person out of a car whose rear end is engulfed in flames. Mind is helping Kant. Really? That's unbelievable! The ambulance carrying the injured is heading this way.  immediately ran down to wait, and many others followed.

 

"Calm down," Man said.

 

"Gun"

 

A stretcher for the injured person was quickly wheeled down. A slender figure rushed over to check on his condition. Kant was half-asleep and couldn't clearly see his lover's face.

 

His whole body ached, probably from the impact. A car travelling at that speed is difficult to control, and he didn't know what to do next. Everything happened so fast. The next thing he knew, Mind was knocking on the window.

 

"The ambulance is ready," Mind's friend said. Kel, who was crying heavily, looked after them. It was unbelievable that the ambulance had arrived so quickly. Minutes after the incident, was it too soon?

 

"Kel, please step aside and let the officers do their work," Man said. The shorter man nodded and let go of the young model's hand. Mind walked towards him as if he wanted to say something, but the look in his eyes was...You can actually read it. Kel doesn't understand anything about Mind. He acts angry, but why is he helping Kant?

 

"You love him a lot, huh?" the tall man asked, smiling self-pityingly.

 

"It was a first gamble that wasn't a win, but it wasn't a loss either. There's no pride, only pain."

 

"Thank you for helping to get Kant out." That's all I can say.

 

"Mind didn't help Gun, Mind helped  Kel instead. If I had let the fire burn Gun, who would suffer the most?" It would definitely be Kel.

 

Kels' beautiful eyes were swollen from crying. He could only stare at the tall man, not daring to utter a single word.

 

"I know how much you love Gun. Mind gives up." It was the same Mind that Kel knew, the one who always spoke kindly to him.

 

"Thank you." It's a very short word, but it probably expresses all my feelings right now.

"I want you to know that Mind loves Kel just as much as he does. I'm sorry for making everything so complicated. I sound like the villain in a drama, don't I?"

 

"You could go back to being his manager if you wanted. Mind wouldn't release that video."

 

“Really?”

 

"May your love last as long as your heart desires. I'll watch from afar. I'll have to be very far away, because if it's not far enough, I'll never forget."

 

"I'm sorry I couldn't be Mind. Everything is partly our fault."

 

"Don't say that. Kel is never wrong, no matter what decision he makes. He’s always right." Those words made the slender figure cry out. Mind was trembling. In truth, he desperately wanted to hug Kel, but at this moment, he couldn't. He had to tell himself to accept the reality that the person in front of him already belonged to someone else.

 

"Mind isn't taking you to the hospital. Can you drive yourself?" he said again.

 

"I'll take him myself," Man's voice made the older brother shift his gaze. He had to thank his younger brother for reminding him to stay calm before stepping onto the field…

 

"Don't try to possess what isn't yours, because one day it will slip away just the same."