novelraw Chapter 16: Home Tour
Chapter 16: Home Tour
Chapter 16: Home Tour
Kit:
Kit had initially thought that one of P’Kim's men would drop him the keys after he had finished his studies and then give him some kind of map, so he could easily find out where the condo was located.
However, as he bid goodbye to his friends and watched them leave one by one, Earth and Ben on their motorbikes and then Prem was picked up by Nong Wayo in his luxury car…Kit found himself almost all alone in front of the college building, waiting for some kind of sign that someone had bothered to remember that he was supposed to move into his new condo today…
Or was this P’Kim’s way of telling me that my request for moving out has been denied? Kit thought to himself, just as a shiny black car, which had been parked not too far away in the shades of the trees on the opposite side of the road, began to drive his way and came to a stop in front of him.
Kit looked on either side of the almost empty road to see if the car was waiting for someone else, however, when the doors opened automatically to reveal the person sitting in the back seat, Kit’s eyes widened in surprise.
“P’Kim?” His voice was hoarse as he looked at the older man in shock. “You didn’t tell me you’d come here personally…”
“Come on in.” Kim patted the empty seat next to him, telling Kit to enter the car.
For some reason, Kit felt nervous. Before entering, he stopped and turned his head in every direction, making sure that he wasn’t being watched, before he hopped inside the car at phenomenal speed and shut the door hastily. The blackout windows prevented anyone from outside from peaking in.
Looking to his side, Kit found P’Kim observing his behavior with a smile on his face.
“What?” He touched his face with his hands. “Is there something on my face?”
Smiling even wider, Kim shook his head at the younger person’s behavior before instructing his driver to take them to the destination.
It took hardly five minutes and they were pulling into a gated community with several tall buildings and an apartment complex with more than a hundred condominiums. Kit watched the buildings in awe. Watched how each condo had some kind of special touch to it. Some balconies had Chinese lanterns hanging at the corners while some were decorate with blooming floral gardens. Some were clean, while some were messy with clothes handing all over the place. But the place looked lively. Kit wondered why he had never seen this place before, considering how close it was to the University.
The car went into the parking of the building in the middle and the driver quickly got out and opened Kim’s door. Kit followed Kim out the door; however, he was a little surprised to see Kim extend his hand for Kit to take while getting out of the car.
Not wanting the support, but at the same time, not wanting to insult P’Kim in front of his men, especially since he was at the condo that P’Kim had bought for him…he took his hand as he stepped out, but let go immediately after both his feet were firmly on the ground. He didn’t want to appear as an ungrateful brat who didn’t appreciate all that P’Kim was doing for him…but at the same time, he didn’t want it to be awkward between the two of them either considering they started off as a one-night stand.
P’Kim led the way into the building and up the elevator to the sixth floor. The hallways were brightly lit as they exited the elevator and then he was being led to a room right next to the elevator, the second door to the right, labeled 602. The door was a dark brown and the numbers were in gold. He waited patiently beside P’Kim for him to open the door; however, he found a set of keys dangling in front of his face instead.
“For me?” Kit felt stupid for asking that question as soon as the words were out.
“It’s your condo.” Kim shrugged. “There are two spare keys and I have one as well…just in case of an emergency. The deed for the transfer of ownership has already been created. You just need to sign and the condo is yours.”
Kit’s eyes were as huge as saucers as P’Kim finished speaking. “Deed? Transfer? Wait…P’Kim…I just wanted to rent a condo…I can’t afford to buy this place!”
“It’s a hassle to rent condos, Kit. It’s easier to just buy it.” Kim gave the boy a small smile. “We’ll talk about the rest later. Shall we?”
Kim dangled the keys in front of Kit’s face yet again and saw the boy’s throat move as he swallowed. Tentatively, he reached for the keys and took it out of his hands before he turned the lock and opened the door.
The condo wasn’t humongous, but it was still large and spacious. First came the living area, followed by the kitchen to the right and a door to the left that led to the bathroom. The bedroom was just on the other side from the living area and it had a connecting balcony like Kit had seen with the other condos while he came into the complex.
There were already some furniture in the condo, like a large couch and a bed and one chest of drawers to the side, but he will have to buy a lot of things or perhaps bring whatever undamaged goods still remained from his old home. And then he would be all set.
So far, he had a bag full of clothes that had already been delivered to the room and was lying at the foot of the bed and a few plastic kitchen utensils that would suffice for a week or so. He could throw on a bedcover and rest for the time being and then he would go shopping later on to buy more supplies…after he had managed to find a part time job that pays well. Maybe he could work at a garage or a convenience store?
After touring the entire condo, Kit couldn’t help but feel this bubbling feeling of happiness inside his chest. He was getting his first taste of freedom after ages of having to live in fear and poverty, constantly being threatened by loan sharks and thugs and later finding out that his scum of a father was still draining them dry and living his life without consequences.
Yes, he might have gotten hurt in the process, but Kit though that it was still worth it, if it earned him his freedom. And it was all thanks to P’Kim. He hadn't only saved his life, twice at that, but also given him this condo to live in and was willing to transfer the deed in his name.
“Are you sure about the deed transfer?” Kit turned to look at the man wearing the dark grey tuxedo with the maroon shirt underneath. He was leaning against the door, watching Kit stare in awe at the condo. “I’m already indebted to you for saving my life. How can I ever repay you for this?”
Kim stood up straight and began walking towards Kit with slow, measured steps, making his heart thrash against his ribcage. After a long time, they were the only ones in the condo with no one to interrupt.
“I don’t have a problem giving this condo to you. I have several around the city.” Kim came to a stop in front of Kit, towering a good few inches above the boy until Kit had to tilt his head back to look up at him. “As for how to repay me…that depends on you.”
“What do you mean?” Kit swallowed his saliva, his throat suddenly feeling dry like the Sahara’s. “What do you want from me?”
Was he imagining it or did he really understand the double meaning behind P’Kim’s words? He had some kind of agenda from the start, didn’t he? Kit thought to himself. He must have been a real fool to think that a man like Kimhan Ayutthaya would do anything for anyone for free…
And even before P’Kim opened his mouth…Kit had already guessed the reply.
Kim stood even closer to Kit, so close that their breaths mingled. He then brought up his hand to wrap around the waist of the younger boy in front of him, before tightening his grip on his waist and pulling him closer.
“You.”
Such a simple word…so many complications.