Manner Of Death English Translation

Chapter 19

Assistant Professor Boonlert Songsakdina, MD, cardiology surgeon at the Faculty of Medicine of the best university in the country.

My hand trembles as I realize the social status of this man. I apologized for going to the bathroom to check his personal information online and calm myself down before returning to my office where he was waiting for me. I slip my phone into my pants pocket, leaning my head against the bathroom door. I take back control of myself and open the door to face reality.

What do I do? What do I have to do? If I thought dealing with Bunn was complicated, his older brother seems to be even more so. I don't even want to think about how ingenious Boonlert must be.

I return to my office. Dr. Boonlert is already waiting for me on the sofa. The man looks calm and much more mature than Bunn. He is surrounded by a kind of aura that commands respect without having to say anything

"Sorry to have made you wait." I sit on the chair placed near him.

"No problem," Boonlert's eyes fixed on my face. "How long have you known Bunn?"

"Well. I've known him for a while." I give him an evasive answer. If I tell him the truth, that Bunn and I have only known each other for a week, he might be suspicious. "For about six months."

"And before he disappeared, where did you last see him? When?"

I feel his gaze pierce my head. "At the hospital, I went to pick him up after his day's work and we had dinner at my house. We talked, discussed. It was two days before he disappeared."

I give him a worried look, "I'm worried. I don't know if he's alive or dead. I understand there were signs of struggle at home."

"Was he in conflict with someone?"

I shake my head. "I don't think Bunn has a problem with anyone in particular. But with his job he's involved in all kinds of cases, I don't know if he's upset anyone."

Dr. Bonniert nods. "I always told him about the possible risks in this line of work. And he chose it anyway. He made the decision to work away from me." He takes off his glasses and puts them in his shirt pocket. I can see the many physical similarities they shared. Boonlert's face has more physical signs of his superiority in age. I can see his apprehension. "Other than you, was he spending time with other people?"

"I know he had Pert—and he had went missing a few days ago." I try to play a role like what I did to make Bunn believe me. "Do you think there would be a connection?"

"Pert, the DA. Bunn's friend in high school." Boonlert nods in agreement. "I don't know if it's connected, but perhaps. Could it be a joint investigation? Or a personal problem? Apparently I've learnt that the most recent case Bunn was working on is that of a woman who committed suicide during this process. A day after the autopsy, the hospital informed me that Bunn was admitted with a head injury. The medical records indicate that he was assaulted but the police were not notified because he did not file a complaint."

I swallow. Within hours, he had put his hand where it started and it scared me to death.

"I wonder if there is a problem with the autopsy results that day. I asked investigators and they told me the cause of death was determined to be suicide; but Bunn disappeared the day after the autopsy report was filed with the police... I think it's strange. "

"Why did you come here on your own?" I ask him, trying to keep my voice steady. That man intimidates me.

"I just want to find something. I'm trying to find a useful lead for the police." Dr. Boonlert claps his hands on his thighs. "As long as I don't see his body, I'll believe my brother is still alive. I'll do whatever I can to bring him back. Whatever it is."

His tone sends me a cold juice down my spine. I really want to tell him that Bunn is alive and that he is hiding in my house. But I don't know how this revelation will affect our plan. I have to go home and inform Bunn to let him analyze it all. "I understand. If my brothers disappeared, I would do the same."

"Is it okay if I come back here to talk to you? Are you there every day? How can I contact you?"

"I'll give you my number." Boonlert records it on his phone.

I walk him to the door and thank him before he goes to his rental car right in front of the entrance. When the vehicle is out of sight I feel my legs wobble. I lean against the door, catching my breath

I need to get to Bunn as quickly as possible. I'm afraid Dr. Boonlert will find out about my involvement in all of this, but I'm afraid for his safety. The more he knows, the more danger he will be in.

...

"Boon!" Bunn writes after telling him what just happened. We are sitting on the floor against the bed.

"What should I do? Am I going tell to him the truth?" Frankly, I want Bunn to tell me to tell him he's still alive because I'm too tired to be able to play this role.

"Let me think about it." Bunn looks very worried. "Why did he have to come? He makes it harder than it already is."

"Seeing how determined he is, I won't be surprised if he comes to my house to ask if you're here." I shudder at the thought; "But I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?"

"I'm listening to you." Bunn turns his watchful eyes on me.

"We should tell him the truth. Let him know that you are safe here with me. Explain to him why you are hiding like this and convince him to return to Bangkok. The longer he stays here, the more dangerous it is. Your brother might get Paul's attention, If he gets close to the truth, he'll end up being the next victim."

Bunn is silent for a while. "Boon won't leave. He'll stay here until it's all resolved, until he's sure I'm safe." Bunn grabs my sleeve, shaking his head. "I can't think about it anymore."

He must be exhausted by all of that thinking. He pulls me closer to him and rests his head against my chest. "We will continue tomorrow. Take your meds and go to bed."

"Don't let him go through what I'm going through. Do what you need to do to protect him." He whispers with his eyes closed. My heart is warming., "You must protect him for me, I'm begging you."

"I will keep an eye on him." I kiss him on the top of his head. "Sometimes I wish you were sick forever,"

Bunn opens his eyes. "Why?"

"It makes me realize how affectionate you are. Bunn, you are so much more affectionate than usual, do you realize that?"

I express my thoughts aloud.

"I know... it's called the art of seduction, something you should have in order for someone to get under your skin."

His straightforward answer puts my heart to a halt.

"It's something that draws me even more to you. I can hardly do anything about it." Why does he have to do this to me? I pull him closer to me.

"I'm going to bed." And then Bunn gets up and walks away from me to collapse on the bed once more.

I pick up the bowl in which he has only eaten half of the contents but it is enough to relieve me. At least he's got something in his stomach. Bunn is my happiness in the midst of this whole thing. The happiest times are when I come home from work to see him in my room—he hasn't left after all.

I quickly return to my room after washing the dishes. I take a shower, put on pajamas and turn off the lights. I wander over to the bed on which someone is completely still, breathing deeply. Bunn must already be sleeping. I lie down next to him, staring at his back in the dim light.

"Have a nice night ... my love." The words I wanted to say the most to him escape my mouth slowly. I don't hope he hears me. I don't even have the right to call him that, our relationship doesn't make sense. We stay together just because it's safer—our lives are on the line—no connection to love or whatever.