Chapter 10
1169 Words
Every day, Venice had been a target. Older boys, children his age—it didn’t matter. They were never picky about who to bully, and Venice, quiet and fragile, bore the weight of it all. The longer it went on, the more his emotions seemed to fade, his spirit dimming little by little.
She often worried about him, yet her responsibilities kept her too busy to reach out the way she wanted. At times, she even found herself resenting for not stepping in to protect Venice.
But then, one day, a protector appeared.
It was Rain.
She still remembered the sight clearly—Rain standing in front of three boys, each bigger than both him and Venice, yet he didn’t flinch. He stood there bravely, shielding the smaller and fragile boy, and for the first time, she saw light return to Venice’s eyes. It was a beautiful moment, one she had never forgotten, and one she remained deeply grateful for.
From that day onward, Rain became Venice’s only friend. As long as he was around, no one dared to touch him. Rain protected him fiercely, and Venice leaned on him in a way no one else had allowed.
Those were happy days—but they were short-lived.
The very day Venice was fetched by his grandfather and uncle was also the day tragedy struck. Rain met an accident, and from that moment on… no one knew where he had gone.
A heavy silence fell over the room, pity weighing down on everyone until some lowered their gazes.
“Do you know why Rain had that accident?” Vegas asked, his voice edged with curiosity.
The headmistress shook her head slowly. “No. I am sorry"
Porchay leaned forward, his voice tight with concern. “What about the ones who took Rain?”
The headmistress lowered her eyes, her tone heavy with helplessness. “I have no idea.”
---
As night fell and the deep blue sky took over, Rain closed up the flower shop with Jin by his side. The two walked together, their footsteps echoing softly on the quiet street as Jin led Rain to a destination he had kept secret.
“Tada!” Jin announced dramatically, throwing his arms wide, though his hand trembled with playful excitement. Before them stood a cozy Korean restaurant Jin had discovered the day before. He had been curious about the food ever since and, rather than coming alone, he’d decided to bring Rain along.
Rain arched a brow, his tone polite yet edged with a quiet glare. “So… are you really bringing me here, or am I just your excuse to try it out?”
Jin grinned, unashamed. “Aww, you caught me. But hey, you only figured it out now, so…” Without finishing his sentence, Jin suddenly grabbed Rain’s arm and pulled him inside, unannounced and unapologetic.
---
No one dared to break the silence. The room was heavy, filled with the weight of the truth they had just learned—truth none of them had been prepared to hear.
“What are we going to do?” Tankhun finally asked, his voice trembling. “The only person who could make Venice truly happy is nowhere to be found.”
“There has to be a reason Rain had that accident,” Vegas muttered, his tone sharp with determination. “There’s no way it happened without cause.”
“Because it happened in an orphanage,” Kinn added grimly, earning a firm nod from Vegas.
“Investigating and searching for Rain will solve everything,” Porsche spoke with conviction, breaking the stillness.
Kim leaned back, doubt flickering in his eyes. “Are we really still able to uncover the truth… even after twenty years?”
Korn’s voice cut through the hesitation, calm yet commanding. “We are the Theerapanyakul family. Whatever we want—we will have.”
“I’ll take immediate action on this, Dad,” Kinn declared, his tone resolute, volunteering himself without a second thought.
---
In a dark room with only a single light and no visible exit, Venice stood alone. He searched desperately for a way out, running in circles, yet no matter how far he went, he always ended up back where he had started.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure. Someone was standing there. Venice’s heart clenched—he could never mistake that silhouette. He had known it since he was five.
“Rain…” he whispered.
“Phi…” Rain smiled, the same warm smile he used to give him.
Venice took a step, then another, his slow pace quickly turning into a desperate run. He reached out, his chest aching with hope—only to be too late. Rain’s figure dissolved into nothing before his fingers could touch him.
“Rain!” Venice shouted, his voice echoing in the emptiness.
Suddenly, he jolted awake, sitting up without realizing it. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. “Another dream…” he murmured.
His eyes shifted toward the window, where the blue sky and bright morning sun poured in.
“Rain…”
Venice’s POV
I miss everything about him—his smile, the way he called me Phi, his presence… I miss seeing him again.
I want him here, calling my name, like he used to.
If I hadn’t left the orphanage… do you think I would still be with Rain?
---
“Ugh… my head—it hurts!” Jin groaned as he pushed himself up from the bed, one hand clutching his throbbing temple.
“That’s what you get for drinking too much,” Rain remarked from the sofa, where he had been sitting quietly, waiting for his friend to wake.
“You—!” Jin pointed a wobbly finger at him, half-accusing, half-playful. “How can you hold your liquor so well?”
Rain chuckled, leaning forward slightly. “You’re the only one who drank alcohol, Jin. I didn’t touch a drop.”
Jin staggered to his feet, still dizzy, the pounding in his head reminding him of last night’s overindulgence.
“By the way,” Rain added, as if suddenly remembering, “there’s breakfast left for you on the table.”
“What about you?” Jin muttered, dragging himself toward the dining area.
“I already ate with Uncle Kuea and Lian earlier,” Rain replied, his tone casual.
As Rain sat waiting on the couch, Jin froze mid-step. He turned slowly to glance at Rain, a look of dread dawning on his face. His throat went dry as he swallowed hard.
“Don’t tell me…” he whispered, horrified.
Rain simply gave a small nod.
“Sh*t!” Jin cursed, burying his face in his hands, while Rain burst into laughter at his misery. "I am so dead"
“Get over it. You still need to drop me off at the shop,” Rain reminded him.
“Fine,” Jin muttered reluctantly.
- Writer
