The car stopped...
Mok froze. He pointed toward the window and stared at Kao, while Kao awkwardly rubbed his ear.
"Isn't this the best racing place? Even getting tickets to enter is difficult. How are we supposed to get inside?"
"It's okay. We can enter."
"Really? Are you joking? I didn't know you were this crazy. If we barge in like that, we're done for. At least we're standing in front of it." Mok quickly took out his phone and started snapping pictures.
"Mok… actually, I'm a racer."
Thud...
The phone slipped from Mok's hand.
"What?" Mok eyes widened. "Crazy…" he muttered in English.
Seeing Mok's expression, Kao burst into laughter without holding back.
"Haha—"
"Don't laugh. It's not that funny. So you're a racer, but I'm an outsider. How can I go inside?"
"Mok, let me finish first," Kao said while trying to calm his laughter. "I'm a racer and this place is mine."
"I don't get what you mean."
"It's my place. I own it."
Mok's brain completely stopped processing.
"So you're a racer… and this whole place belongs to you? Meaning you don't need anyone's permission? So you're?"
Kao nodded quietly.
Mok stared blankly out the window.
"Where am I even right now? What kind of situation did I get myself into? I can't think straight anymore."
Mok…" Kao called softly.
Mok hummed in response.
"Start the car. We can't park here. I'll show you where the parking spot is. Let's go."
As Mok scratched his head in confusion, Kao observed him quietly before reaching out to gently pat the side of his head.
"You really are like a kid, Mok."
Caught off guard, Mok turned toward him.
Their eyes locked for a brief moment.
Kao's gaze slowly dropped to Mok's lips. They looked dry and slightly pale. With his other hand, Kao removed his seat belt.
Little by little, he leaned closer.
Their warm breaths mixed together. Both of them had stopped thinking clearly.
Kao's dry lips barely brushed against Mok's.
Mok's hands tightened around the steering wheel. Kao tried to press closer, but Mok suddenly pushed him away.
Kao immediately leaned back into his seat. He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
His trembling hand grabbed onto his shirt as he turned away, avoiding Mok's eyes.
"Kao, what did you just do?"
He touched his own lips. "If I had really kissed him… what would've happened to us? I really messed up. What the hell was I thinking?"
"You can get off. I'll park the car."
A cold voice followed. Kao still couldn't bring himself to face Mok.
"But you don't know where to—"
"I'll find it." Mok's voice was as cold as stone.
"Okay…"
Kao stepped out of the car and waited outside.
Meanwhile, Mok parked the vehicle while clutching his chest tightly. "This isn't normal… my heart."
With trembling fingers, he brushed against his lips. "We almost kissed. What's wrong with me?"
He leaned back against the seat. "I like men?"
Then he lightly hit his forehead against the steering wheel. "I'm confused… Did I feel something toward him?"
He stayed inside the car until he finally calmed down.
Standing in front of the entrance, Kao paced back and forth restlessly while texting someone.
"I'm already here. I'll come in after a bit."
Even sending that message made him uneasy because of what had almost happened inside the car.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Mok approaching.
"Kao, pull yourself together. Just act like nothing happened."
Taking a slow breath, he raised his hand and gestured toward Mok.
Meanwhile, Mok silently admired the massive logo at the entrance while hiding his expression.
As he came closer, Kao tilted his head slightly.
"Let's go inside. It's your first time here, right?"
"Mh."
Mok paused in front of the large entrance logo. "Now I think I finally understand what it means. K9R Line."
A faint smile appeared on Kao's face just as someone rushed toward them.
Out of breath, she stopped right in front of him.
"Samy… why were you running? Catch your breath first," Kao said, trying to calm her down. "Didn't I already text you that I'd come inside? Then why did you rush all the way here?"
"I… I…"
"You what? Calm down and speak properly."
"Kao, you're finally here." She tucked back her golden hair and finally caught her breath. Her neat outfit was already a mess.
Her curious eyes shifted toward Mok. "Who's this new face? A new friend?"
Kao tapped Mok's shoulder. "He's my junior."
"Just a junior? You two are—"
Kao immediately cut her off. "Mok, she's my secretary. She manages the racing team. She's basically a strategic genius."
Then Kao leaned slightly closer and whispered near Mok's ear.
"If she starts acting annoying somehow, just praise her more. She'll calm down immediately. Okay?"
Mok quietly nodded.
"Excuse me, I'm still standing here," Samy said with sparkling eyes.
After hearing that, Mok bowed politely.
"Sawasdee khrap. I'm Mok."
"Oh, sawasdee… Actually, I'm still learning Thai culture, so it takes me some time."
"Learning the culture means you weren't born here?"
"That's right. But most people think I was born here because of how I look."
Samy blinked.
"I have another racing place overseas. She works there. It's only been two years since she joined."
"Really, Kao? You're misleading him. I barely have time to explore anything here. It's all work, work, work. That's why my Thai is still bad."
"Samy, that's because you're always partying. Mok, just erase her from your memory."
"Oh my God. Hello, boss. I'm your savior," Samy teased in English.
Mok couldn't help but laugh, seeing Samy tease Kao while Kao stood there completely clueless.
"Wait. I forgot why I came here."
Her expression suddenly shifted. "There's a problem. I think it's serious."
Samy glanced over her shoulder. "She's back again, Kao."
Kao's expression turned serious as he steadied himself. "Where is she?"
"In my office. I didn't let her enter your personal office."
"She didn't make a mess like last time, right?"
"No, she's been quite quiet today."
"Alright. I'll go meet her."
Kao turned to Mok. "Mok, you can explore the place for now."
Then his gaze shifted to Samy. "Can you stay with him for a while? Please."
Samy smiled pleasantly. "Of course. You can go."
Kao started walking away, then suddenly called her again. "Samy, come here for a minute."
While Mok remained standing there, Kao and Samy quietly spoke for a moment.
Before leaving, Kao looked back at Mok once more. His steps became heavier and quicker.
"I don't know what's happening but he doesn't look okay," Mok mumbled.
Samy returned to him. "Mok, shall we go?"
"Khrap… Phi Samy, I—"
"Oh, Mok. You can just call me Samy."
"Okay. Can I ask you something? I mean… I know I'm not really in a position to ask, but..."
"First of all, you can ask me anything. If it's something I can answer, I will."
"Second… from what I can see, I don't think you have 'no position' here."
"What?"
"What I mean is, you're someone Kao invited personally. That already makes you special."
Samy smirked. "Even Kao—who usually spends money very carefully—personally increased my salary, just to make sure you ate well and were comfortable."
"Samy, did you say something?"
"Did I? Maybe you're hearing things."
"Then, Samy… Kao— I mean Phi Kao— he didn't seem okay after…"
Mok's voice slowly faded.
Samy let out a deep sigh. "Didn't I say someone's waiting in my office?"
Mok quietly hummed in response.
At the same time...
While Kao walked upstairs, his steps slowed.
He stopped in front of the door.
His hands froze, unwilling to open it. "Just open it, Kao."
He finally pulled open the glass door.
Someone was already waiting for him.
Her high heels clicked sharply against the floor. Her short black hair carried faint red highlights. Her long legs were visible beneath her skirt.
Dressed entirely in black, she removed the lollipop from her mouth and sighed. "Wow. It's really hard to see you these days."
Her voice sounded sweet, but something dangerous hid underneath it. She crossed her legs and sat more arrogantly in front of Kao.
"Alisa…"
Kao pressed a hand against his forehead. "Why are you here?"
His voice remained calm and careful.
She grinned while avoiding his eyes.
"I need money. You didn't send it this month."
"What are you talking about? I already sent it. Father even increased your allowance this month."
"It's not enough." Her face twisted with annoyance.
"And what's with that expression? If I say it's not enough, then it's not enough. Simple."
"You're still a high schooler. Where are you even spending this much money? There's no more money this month, Alisa. If you came here just for that, then it was a waste of time."
Hearing this, she suddenly burst into laughter.
The loud sound echoed across the room.
"Oh my God." She stood up and stepped closer to him.
"You're acting like my big brother." Then her expression sharpened. "But you're forgetting something important."
"You're not."
"No matter how hard you try, you can never become my brother."
A haughty smile spread across her lips. "So just act like one. That's your role."
Ignoring his silence, she walked past him.
"Transfer the money. Otherwise, I'll call Father."
Then she left.
Kao stood there quietly before letting out a bitter laugh.
"You fool, Kao… how many times have I told you to keep your distance?"
He stared at the empty space where Alisa had disappeared.
His grip tightened around his wrist. Breathing turned unsteady.
Just like always, the hallucination returned.
Not again… this—
A possessive voice echoed in his ear.
"My son… you can't scar your face… You'll always stay at the top… Kao, you will be the only one."
Suddenly, he collapsed onto the floor.
His trembling fingers traced his face.
Darkness swallowed his thoughts. "It's dark… I…"
Kao pulled at himself harshly, as if trying to break free from the memory.
He forced himself up, rushed into the washroom, and vomited.
After washing his face, water dripped from his bangs as he looked into the mirror.
Cold... Distant... Empty...
"I need to go back. That's right. He must be waiting for me."
He stood there for a long time, forcing his breathing to steady.
"Kao… Kao… Kao!"
Samy's voice rang out urgently. Hearing her, Kao stepped out immediately.
Samy rushed toward him.
"Kao, you need to come with me. It's urgent."
"What happened?"
"Mok… he—"
Bonus:
K9R Line (K9 Red Line) —
A racing arena that has rapidly become one of the most popular racing locations in the country. It currently has four teams: three professional teams and one trainee team personally trained by Kao himself.
Kao is a two-time champion and medalist.
Although there are still larger racing arenas with higher rankings, K9R Line has only existed for three and a half years and is already gaining nationwide attention.
It is currently preparing for a major professional race next year.