Chapter 26: Taking off the Shackles

8 years later

(From: His mother dog, exclaimed Pooh)

Police Lieutenant Colonel Wasan Khamboonreung, 43-year-old deputy superintendent of investigations at Lamphun police station, drove his black SUV from the police station to a location at the scheduled time. The time that passed did not change Wasan's outward appearance much. He still looked good in the uniform decorated with silver stars and star crowns on his shoulders. His piercing eyes looked through the dark lenses of his sunglasses toward the road. His face was expressionless, calm and it was difficult to know what he was thinking or feeling inside.

When he arrived, Wasan turned the car and drove towards the front of a place surrounded by high walls. He parked in front of the iron gate, turned off the engine, opened the door and got out of the car. The police officer in uniform stood up and crossed his arms, looking calm. He calmly looked at the iron fence without taking off his black sunglasses.

Suddenly, the door opened and a group of about 10 men with short hair came out while carrying some of their belongings in bags. He looked at a young man running towards a middle-aged woman who was waiting for him. They both hugged each other in a ball and cried out loud. The man knelt on the ground and paid his respects to his mother. Wasan had no way of knowing why the man was imprisoned, but he knew from his mother's eyes that she felt no anger toward him. The eyes were full of love, kindness and they were always willing to give their son another chance.

And then Wasan saw a tall, distinctive man walking out as the last person. He looked in the other direction for a long moment before turning to look at Wasan. At first he wasn't sure, but when he saw the car behind Wasan, that man looked like he couldn't believe his eyes. He walked slowly towards Wasan. His eyes were getting redder and redder. Wasan released his crossed arms and let them fall next to his body.

When the two came face to face, the cool winter breeze passed by them. The policeman took off his sunglasses, showing the beautiful pair of sharp eyes that were now much stronger and braver. The power emanating from Wasan's eyes made the newly freed man not know what to do. The former doctor didn't know what to say or do. Should he have hugged the person in front of him or raised his hands up in greeting? Should I say hello or thank you?

"Get in the car." Wasan finally broke the silence. The policeman reached out to grab the bag of belongings from Gunn's hand and walked to open the trunk. Gunn's eyes followed Wasan, trying to figure out what Wasan was thinking, but he couldn't. Wasan was very different from back then. Gunn opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat of the car he first bought from Wasan eight years ago.

"Thank you... for picking me up," Gunn decided to say thank you first. Wasan nodded, started the car and drove out in front of the prison. As Wasan did not say anything, Gunn did not dare to speak further. This must have been because Wasan decided to firmly end their relationship with Gunn. At this point, Wasan has probably already started a new life and has someone new that he loves. The fact that Wasan picked him up was to show generosity as someone who knew each other before. Gun  looked around to see how much had changed. Nothing was better than regaining his freedom.

"Time passed pretty quickly. You were out in the blink of an eye," Wasan said as the car stopped at the red light. Gunn quickly turned to look at him.

"Actually, the prison sentences have not been served yet, but I received kind consideration for parole and a probationary period," Gunn said with a smile. "I was an exceptional inmate who helped care for the sick in prison. My behavior has always been good and I received royal pardon so many times that I now only have 5 years left."

"You did well," Wasan said.

Gunn just saw the silver stars that have increased on Wasan's shoulders, "You have been promoted. Congratulations."

"Yes, I'm Superintendent now," Wasan kept replying in a flat tone, making Gunn feel deep pain even though he no longer has the right to feel that way.

"There is one question that always stayed inside me the entire time I was there," Gunn looked at his hands. "I was prepared to be a death row inmate, but you didn't make that happen, even though you have every right to do so. You have the evidence and you are the son of one of the patients I euthanized. Why did you choose him instead?" this way?"

"I didn't do this for you, so don't be a narcissist," Wasan replied. "But I decided not to present the evidence because of the principles and reasons why you decided to do so."

"Even when it was illegal."

"Yes, even when it was illegal," the police officer responded clearly. "But it wasn't bad in terms of respect for humanity."  Gunn was stunned by Wasan's response. "You wouldn't say this in those days."

"What I consider a grave mistake and one that I will never forgive is the fact that you killed Dr. Somsak and let everything get so bad that problems arose and many people died, something for which you have already paid," Wasan led to the front. from the village where Gunn used to stay before being imprisoned. He drove past the security guard's kiosk and parked in front of a beautiful two-story house. Gunn looked at his own house and found that the trees in the garden were well maintained. The house that should not have had anyone doing maintenance for over 8 years should not be in this state.

"Did you... look after my house for me?" Gunn turned to ask Wasan with an alarmed expression.

"I abandoned everything for four years before I could come back here," Wasan pressed open the electric gate, reversed and parked inside the garage. "You have no idea how much you broke me in that moment."

"I'm sorry," Gunn apologized, feeling guilt from the bottom of his heart. "I don't know how to make it up to you."

Wasan said nothing more. He got out of the car and walked to open the front door. Gunn followed him into the house and looked around. Their house, which eight years ago was beautiful, is still the same as before. Wasan stopped walking and turned to look at Gunn. Gunn looked down to avoid the other person's eyes. He prepared for goodbye. Wasan already did a lot for him.

"What do you want to eat? I'll go out and buy it," Wasan asked and Gunn shook his head.

"You don't need to do that. This has been enough." Gunn said quickly before Wasan did anything else for him.

The police officer came and stood next to Gunn. He looked at the tall man who used to look as handsome as a movie star. Although 40-year-old Gunn looked a little older due to the prison living conditions, he was still a handsome man as before. "Like I said, I will never forgive you for killing Dr. Somsak," Wasan stared Gunn in the eyes. "But I want to thank you for ending my mother's pain and allowing her to pass away peacefully like she wanted."

The former doctor looked at Wasan as if he couldn't believe his eyes, "How could you have changed so much?"

"You have changed me," Wasan brought his face close to Gunn. He looked at the other person's lips. "Because you made me like this, Gunn."

The faces of the two men gradually came closer until their lips touched. The feelings that ran through both of their bodies were no longer the same as they were 8 years ago. It wasn't the magnetic or electrifying feeling caused by strong desires or the flames of lust that couldn't be denied. The heat of that flame burned their eyes so that they could not see the other's true self.

This time was different. This was their first kiss without walls between them. No secrets. Without hiding. Gunn kissed Wasan again thus only reinforcing how fake he had been eight years ago. He blatantly lied to Wasan while the other person trusted him with all his heart. Gunn's tears ran down his cheeks as Wasan withdrew from the kiss. The tall body was shaking so much that it could not stand properly. He knelt in front of the man in uniform. Gunn hugged Wasan's legs and sobbed so hard, "I'm sorry, Wasan. I don't deserve your love. I'm so sorry."

"You don't deserve anyone's love," Wasan supported Gunn's face and lifted him up. "We'll both have to stay together like this."

"You mean you're going to live with me again?"

"Yeah."

"Even after I've been in jail, my license will be revoked and I'll just be a piece of trash that will tarnish your reputation and be gossiped about by others?"

"As far as I'm concerned, you can be a monster. I don't care about anyone else. Being the subject of gossip won't kill me," Wasan raised his hand to rub the other person's head. "As long as you don't go back to being the old Gunn, I will stay with you. But if you have something to hide from me, even just one thing, you will never have a chance like this again."

Gunn had never cried so much in his life before. It was as if all his shackles had been removed at that moment. Gunn stood up and kissed Wasan passionately. His two arms hugged the other person's thin waist and pulled her closer to his body. Gunn pushed Wasan back until he hit and collapsed on the couch. Wasan was lying on the sofa, looking at Gunn's face and body with seductive and longing eyes. Gunn straddled the other person's body while still having tears in his eyes. Wasan raised his hand and used his thumb to gently wipe away his tears.

"I will never lie to you again. I swear on my life." Gunn grabbed Wasan's hand and kissed it firmly. "I will be like a transparent glass so you can see through me. I will tell you what I think, what I feel and everything I encounter every day. I will inform you every time I go somewhere or do something. There will not be a second to From now on you doubt me."

"Write this on a piece of paper and memorize it every day," Wasan unzipped his uniform and move Gunn's hands to caress under his shirt. When Gunn's hand touched Wasan's skin, Gunn was lashed out: "If you forget and do something behind my back, I want you to know that you will never have a chance like this again in this life."

There is no way Gunn would leave Wasan out of his life. He would stay with this man, even if he has to negotiate his own life.

In the following moments, the bodies of the two men were left naked. Gunn's pale skin contrasted with the beautiful honey-colored skin of the person beneath him. Both of Wasan's legs were spread and hanging from Gunn's body. Gunn moved his body slowly but firmly. He absorbed the feeling of having a physical relationship with the man he loved and had longed for for the past eight years. Gunn leaned down to kiss Wasan's temples and down to his neck. He sucked on the other person's neck and created many red marks. Their heavy breathing harmonized into the most beautiful melody they had ever played together.

"Gunn, faster," Wasan urged. When he heard that, Gunn responded immediately. Gunn moved away from Wasan's body and adjusted the policeman's position to kneel and turned him towards the back of the sofa before inserting himself into Wasan again. Wasan moaned in his throat and used his arms to hold onto the couch. When Gunn could move better, he began to accelerate and increased his strength. Their longing for each other for the past eight years made this a long session, so long that Wasan forgot the time and day. The only thing he could remember were the touches that made him feel like he was ascending to heaven, the breathing, Gunn's repeated words of love and apologies.

"And what will you do with your life now?" Wasan asked while they were still hugging in the bedroom. Wasan moved closer to rest his head on Gunn's chest. "You no longer have your medical license. This means you can't be a doctor anymore, right?"

"No, I can't. I studied medicine for six years, and I worked to pay for my scholarship and family medicine studies. It's all over. But I deserved it. I used my knowledge and skills in the wrong way," Gunn responded. "If you ask me what I will do next, I will have to find another profession that I can study and pursue. I am lucky that I still have some money to stay afloat. I could open a small cafe or a restaurant. I will not sit still and just survive with what I saved."

This must have been the most sincere response from Gunn's lips, which was a good sign. If Gunn could always answer Wasan's questions from his true heart, there would be nothing more to worry about. "Aren't you going to be with your family again?"

Gunn shook his head, "My parents have people who take care of them. My father gave the Akaramethi Company to his younger brother to manage. Now I am free. I can make decisions about my own life 100%."

“It's okay,” Wasan rubbed Gunn's chest. "Do you know what I accomplished while you were in prison?"

"What have you accomplished? Tell me."

"I established a group of volunteers to support community care for patients with terminal illnesses. There are spiritual leaders of all religions, community leaders, medical staff, volunteers and people from the community on the team to help. When there is a patient with a terminal illness transferred from the hospital to the community, the Health Promotion Subdistrict Hospital will inform the team of volunteers, who will subsequently meet to support that case until the last day, they also deal with depression and sadness due to the loss of loved ones in the family." Wasan said proudly. "The job is so big it made the news."

Gunn's eyes widened: "You did much more than what I did."

"I don't have as much knowledge as you. I studied on my own and I do what I can for my community," Wasan raised his head to look at Gunn. "It's because I read your euthanasia files."

Gunn felt like crying again: "And what did you do with those files?"

"I threw them into the fire until they were all reduced to ashes, but some of the contents remained here," Wasan tapped his head. "And here the understanding was left," the policeman puts his hand on his chest. Gunn was so moved that he could not describe it in words. He kissed Wasan's head and hugged him tightly. Gunn conveyed his principles to Wasan unknowingly and Wasan carried them out beautifully.

"Thank you, Wasan," Gunn said with a trembling voice. "I thank you on behalf of all the patients I have treated. This is a great merit."

"I'm glad I was able to do it. Right now my brain can only think about what to do to make the care of terminally ill patients as perfect as possible," the police officer stood up and straddled the woman's body. another person. He leaned down and stroked Gunn's neck as if he were a big cat. "I want you."

Gunn could not bear the seduction any longer. Even though they had done it many times that night, it seemed like the night might be even longer. He turned around so Wasan moved beneath him. He grabbed both of the cop's arms and held him firmly against the bed before leaning down to kiss the body beneath him without hesitation.