In the back of a moving white van, Mayura lay sound asleep. After several days of much-needed rest, she was finally on her way home to reunite with her family.
However, her peaceful slumber was interrupted by a sudden twitch of her brows—a familiar precursor to another haunting dream.
In this dream...
"Run, run as far as possible!" a man's urgent voice pierced the air as he shoved the girl forward.
Tears streamed down the girl's face as she cried out, "No, I can't just leave! I haven't done anything wrong!"
"Nanthiya!" the man shouted, desperation lacing his tone.
"Listen to me, it doesn't matter now. If lord Anupong sees you, he'll kill you!"
Nanthiya clutched onto her friend's hands, pleading, "I can explain it to P'Anupong, trust me, Suntorn. He'll listen!"
But Suntorn forcefully pulled Nanthiya's hand from his, insisting, "Go! Even if you explain now, he won't listen—"
Nanthiya cried out in protest, but Suntorn ripped a necklace from around his neck and pressed it into her trembling hand.
"Take this," he urged. "This necklace will protect you from all harm. It can hide your scent. Go!"
Reluctantly, Nanthiya refused, but before she could protest further, a sword suddenly pierced through Suntorn's body from behind. With blood dripping from the blade, Suntorn urged Nanthiya to flee.
Tears clouded Nanthiya's vision as she ran away, the sound of clashing swords echoing behind her.
Nanthiya suddenly froze in her tracks, her senses picking up the ominous sound of laughter from a familiar figure in the distance.
With a sinking feeling in her chest, she turned back to see Suntorn's lifeless body lying on the ground, swiftly disintegrating into ashes that scattered into the air like mist.
"NO!" Nanthiya's anguished cry echoed through the empty space.
(Beep!)
Mayura jolted awake at the sound of a car horn. Panting, she realized it was just another bad dream.
Concerned, the driver inquired, "Miss Mayura, is everything alright?"
Mayura reassured him with a smile, "Yes, umm, what happened?"
The driver explained the sudden disturbance, apologizing for the surprise.
"It's fine," Mayura replied, but her mind was elsewhere.
Touching the necklace around her neck—the same one from her dream—she couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
"What are you trying to tell me?" she wondered aloud, her voice filled with worry.
Arriving at the house, the white van came to a halt, and the driver swiftly opened the door.
Mayura was greeted with the warm laughter and beaming smiles of her mother and father.
"Mayura, my darling!" her mother exclaimed excitedly, enveloping her in a tight embrace.
"Mayura, sweetie," her father welcomed her with open arms as she approached.
The maids unloaded Mayura's luggage as her parents greeted her.
Namnung Karawoot, her mother, stood at 5'4" with short hair and an elegant demeanor, still vibrant despite her late 40s.
Chokchai Lekcharuthas, her father, in his mid-50s, joined her as a retired homestay parent.
"My lovely little sister!" Mayura's brother Nathee, or Time, exclaimed joyfully as he rushed to hug her.
Trying to pull away from the hug, Mayura smiled, "P'Time, you're home."
"My only sister is finally here, of course I have to be home," Time pouted.
Their mother interjected, pinching Time's ear playfully, "Enough of that. You're hardly home unless someone's dying."
Time hugged his mother, promising, "Mom, that's an exaggeration. I'm here now, aren't I? And I'll be home more often, I promise."
Namnung sighed before asking, "Where's Pat?"
Descending the staircase was Voropat, known as Pat, dressed in a light blue suit. "Rak!" he greeted warmly.
Mayura smiled and approached to hug her older brother. "P'Pat."
Pat gently stroked her hair, asking, "How was the trip? You're not too tired, are you?"
Shaking her head, Mayura reassured him.
As the family gathered for lunch, Chokchai turned to his son. "Today's your day off, is it not?"
Pat nodded. "Yes, but some problem occurred at the company, so I'm going to have to go check it."
"Will you be back for Rak's welcoming party?" Namnung inquired.
"I won't miss it, for sure," Pat confirmed.
Mayura, puzzled, interrupted, "Wait a minute—what welcoming party?"
"Yours, of course," her mother replied with a smile. "Don't worry, I already have everything prepared. You just have to get ready and wear a dress, then we'll head to the party in no time."
Perplexed, Mayura asked, "We're not having the party here?"
Her father explained, "No, Rak, we'll hold your party at the Moon View Hotel . There'll be reporters there as well, so just prepare yourself."
Mayura frowned and looked at her brother Time, who shrugged as if unaware.
Turning back to her parents, she questioned, "How come no one told me about this?"
"If we had told you earlier, you probably wouldn't have come back or might even have delayed your flight. It was our only choice," her mother explained.
"But Mom, you know I don't like this kind of event—"
Her father intervened, "Just do this once for your mom and me, please, darling." Mayura was left speechless.
Pat chimed in, "Rak, do it for them, at least this once."
In another corner of town, Kaew, still in her pajamas, hastily brushed her teeth. It was already 11:40 AM, and she had just roused from sleep.
*Ding dong*
"Kaew!" Ken's voice echoed through the door.
Finishing up, Kaew rushed to answer, finding Ken outside with three bags of food. "You ordered all this?!" he exclaimed, stepping inside.
Kaew nodded, puzzled. "Yeah, why?"
Ken eyed the chaotic scene—the couch strewn with bags of chips and unwashed clothes.
"Oh my god, what happened to you? Is this your way of retaliating against your father, Kaew?" he teased, clearing a spot to sit.
"There's nothing to do; my work has been put off," Kaew replied, unruffled. "Come on, it's not even that bad," she added, distributing the food.
Ken surveyed the room, grimacing at the mess. "My dear friend, how do you live in this type of environment?"
"Wanna clean for me? I'll pay you," Kaew quipped, slurping her noodles.
Ken declined with a shake of his head. "No, I'm good," he chuckled. Leaning in, he got serious. "Are you really giving up this easily? This is not you at all."
Sensing his intention, Kaew paused. "Why are you here?" she asked abruptly.
Clearing his throat, Ken reached for some documents.
"Even if the boss took you off this case, it doesn't mean you can't work on others," he explained. "Here, Khun Mayura Lekcharuthas, the daughter of Dr. Chokchai and former award-winning actress Namnung Karawoot, is holding a welcoming event this evening. The reporters were only informed recently; apparently, their daughters hate appearing on the news, so this is a rare chance."
Kaew took the document, scanning it. "What's so interesting about this?" she queried.
Ken straightened up. "Of course, it's interesting. She's the sister of Time, one of the most popular actors nowadays. Have you heard the recent rumors?"
Shaking her head, Kaew waited for him to explain.
Ken sighed, then delved into it. "It's a dating rumor. Apparently, Leakers (famous news media outlet) revealed there would be a new couple this year. They hinted it's a famous actor in his late 20s and a new-generation singer. People are speculating it could be Time. If we manage to find evidence of this speculation, our articles will soar to the top—don't you get it? We'll soar to the top!"
Grinning, Kaew tapped Ken's shoulder.
"You're the best cameraman and also the best accomplice, do you know that? You truly deserve to be my best friend."
With a quick drink of water, Kaew dashed off to change.
"What time did you say the event was?" she called from the bathroom.
"7:00 PM!" Ken shouted back, smiling at Kaew's hurried pace.
Mayura's House.
Mayura descended the left staircase, clad in a breathtaking light purple satin dress. The delicate, transparent white long sleeves of her gown seamlessly blended with the intricately patterned corset that hugged her figure. The corset boasted a floral motif, resembling blossoms blooming and unfurling across her waist. Her dress cascaded in layers of pink, white, and light purple fabric, each flowing gracefully as she moved. Mayura's hair was styled in a chic low ponytail, secured with a ribbon, with soft side bangs framing her face elegantly.
The staircase was a grand two-way structure, converging in the middle before extending downward to the first floor.
As Mayura descended from the left staircase, she was met by her brother Time, who gracefully offered his arm for her to hold as they continued their descent together.
Mayura smiled at her brother's gallant gesture.
The event took place at the prestigious Moon View Hotel, renowned as a luxurious 5-star establishment accessible only to the affluent and fortunate. With numerous branches worldwide, the Moon View Hotel boasted a rich history and unparalleled accommodation, earning its reputation as one of the finest hotels globally.
At another place.
At a red light, a black car came to a halt.
Inside, Anupong sat, his fingers lightly touching his forehead. Traffic seemed to be at a standstill ahead of them. Anupong inquired, "What's going on?"
His subordinate, Kamalat Puntasrima, replied, "There's traffic ahead. It'll take some time before we reach the hotel."
Anupong crossed his arms and sighed, then glanced out the window.
Outside on the road, Ken and Kaew are waiting in their motorcycle.
"Dammit, we're going to be late," Kaew said impatiently, glancing at her watch and scanning the road.
"Can't you squeeze through it?" she asked, looking to Ken for a solution.
Ken scratched his head. "Huh, umm, I don't know, Kaew," he replied uncertainly.
"There's got to be a shortcut!" Kaew suggested, hoping for a solution to their delay.
Anupong's attention shifted to the rearview mirror, where he spotted a familiar figure. Surprise flickered across his face as he instantly looked back.
As the light suddenly turned green, Ken swiftly maneuvered toward the front. Sensing Kaew's urgency, he followed her instructions, quickly making a turn into another road.
Anupong swiftly exited the car, attempting to locate the familiar stranger amidst the cacophony of honking cars. However, with vehicles filling the road and beeping impatiently, he had no choice but to return to his car.
Turning to Kamalat, Anupong issued a directive, "Follow that motorcycle."
Kamalat promptly complied, following the car in pursuit of the motorcycle.
To Anupong's surprise, the motorcycle was headed straight for the Moon View Hotel, which happened to be his own hotel.
Inside the car, Anupong inquired, "Was there an event happening today?" as he scanned the surroundings, observing people dressed elegantly and formally as they poured into the hotel.
Thiramon Kitjakarn, Anupong's other subordinate who was seated on the left side, responded, "Yes, Dr. Chokchai is holding an event for his daughter on the 7th floor."
Anupong contemplated for a moment.
Kamalat asked, "Sir, who did you see?"
Anupong muttered, "Bannarasee."
Kamalat and Thiramon exchanged surprised glances before asking in unison, "Are you sure, sir?"
Anupong glared at them. "It's no mistake. There's no way I can't tell what Bannarasee looks like." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Secure the area, cameras, and make sure Bannarasee is not out of sight. I will attend the event in case she's there."
Kamalat and Thiramon nodded in acknowledgment.
Anupong and his older subordinate, Loesan Suk Chaiprasit, then proceeded into the hotel as his guards dispersed throughout the building, maintaining a silent vigilance.
Inside the event.
Mayura greets the guests one by one, her smile becoming strained as fatigue sets in. Yawning discreetly, she does her best to maintain her composure.
Mayura's mother, who'd finished with her interview, quickly approaches her.
"Rak, come here, come talk with the reporters," Namnung says, guiding Mayura towards the group of journalists.
Mayura nods and follows her mother, though inwardly she longs for a moment of respite from the constant socializing.
Mayura smiles nervously as the reporters constantly ask her questions.
"Khun Mayura, do you plan to stay in Thailand for good?" a reporter inquired.
Mayura smiled, "Yes, I plan to stay and work in Thailand."
"I heard you graduated from one of the top schools. Do you plan to use your knowledge and take over the company?" another reporter asked.
Mayura laughed nervously, "No, I plan to work as a freelancer. I want to gain experience not by using my family, but by my talent."
Namnung looked at her daughter in surprise, then whispered, "What are you saying, darling?" She pulled a smile.
Mayura smiled back at her mother, then turned to the reporter.
"I plan to open my own studio in the near future, separate from the company. I hope you guys can look forward to it."
After the interview, Mayura could be seen sipping on some juice. She had finally managed to escape from the reporters and her mother after Time came to her rescue. From behind, Time could be seen engaged in conversation with the reporters, his fans hovering over them.
Among the reporters were Kaew and Ken.
While Mayura's parents were engrossed in conversations with a group of business owners, Mayura made her way to the first floor and into the outside lobby for some fresh air, seeking a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of the event.
As Time left the scene to take a break, Kaew and Ken saw an opportunity to conduct some personal interviews and potentially capture some unexpected footage.
Observing from their concealed vantage point behind the wall, Kaew and Ken watched intently as Time entered the elevator and pressed the button. Their curiosity was piqued, wondering about Time's destination and the reason for his sudden departure. As the elevator doors closed, Kaew and Ken exchanged a knowing glance, silently acknowledging the need to investigate further.
Kaew and Ken swiftly made their way toward the staircase, eager to follow Time's path to the first floor.
As Mayura peacefully rested outside for what seemed like a brief respite, she contemplated her surroundings, perhaps seeking solace from the chaos of the event.
However, her peace was soon interrupted by the appearance of a familiar stranger—Anupong. Clad in a black suit, he strode hurriedly from the opposite side, catching Mayura's attention.
Mayura's surprise was palpable as she locked eyes on Anupong, the sight of him stirring a mixture of sadness and familiarity within her.
Sensing something amiss, Anupong turned towards the source of his unease, only to find nothing as Mayura had swiftly ducked out of sight, avoiding his gaze entirely.
The bushes acted as a convenient cover, fully shielding Mayura from Anupong's view, allowing her to remain hidden as she caught her breath and collected her thoughts.
As Anupong swiftly departed, it became apparent that he was heading toward the building. Following closely behind him was another familiar face, Rueng Wannee (Nee) Narinsak.
Mayura's emotions overwhelmed her, and tears welled up, escaping her control. She instinctively covered her mouth with her hands, trying to stifle her sobs as the weight of her emotions became too much to bear.
Feeling emotionally drained and physically exhausted, Mayura remained on the ground even after Anupong and Nee had departed. Her legs felt weak, as if they had given up on her, unable to support her weight amidst the turmoil of her emotions.
Mayura's mind was likely swirling with questions and confusion.
As Mayura's tears flowed, Kaew's attempt to follow Time was met with frustration as she struggled to catch up to him.
Exhausted and frustrated, Kaew and Ken found themselves at a loss. Kaew's determination to follow Time was met with physical limitations, while Ken echoed the sentiment with his own fatigue. It seemed like their pursuit was taking a toll on both of them.
Kaew puts her hands on her waist," let's rest for a moment," the two of them then head outside to the lobby for some air.
Ken then stated, "I'm going to get some water. You wait here, okay?"
Kaew nodded in agreement. "Get me some too; my throat is killing me," she added.
After taking a deep breath, Kaew slowly walked around the area until she spotted a girl crouching down.
Approaching the girl with concern, Kaew asked, "Excuse me, miss. Are you alright?"
Mayura then lifted her face, revealing a look of surprise. "Bannarasee?"
Kaew responded awkwardly, "I'm sorry?"
Quickly standing up, Mayura exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
Scratching her head, Kaew replied, "I'm sorry,do I know you?"
A moment of silence went by.
"My name is Sankaew", Kaew quickly introduced herself to avoid the awkward encounter.
Mayura's eyes twitched. Why were so many coincidences happening?
"Kaew!" Ken called from behind.
Mayura then excused herself, saying, "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone I know."
Mayura then walked past Ken and made her way to the elevator.
"That was Khun Mayura, Time's sister. Do you know her or something?" Ken asked.
Kaew shook her head, and the two then sat down to drink some water.
Mayura pressed the elevator button, but it seemed her body was giving up.
As she nearly fainted, her brother Time arrived just in time to catch her. "Rak, are you okay?" he asked.
Mayura's mouth pouted as tears poured out one by one, and she shook her head.
Time then supported his sister as she leaned on his shoulder. Gently, he lifted her up, carrying her to the car.
Time called Pat, "P'Pat, Mayura's sick so I'm taking her home."
Pat, who was at the event, answered, "Alright, you take her back, I'll take care of the rest over here."
Namnung asked, concerned, "Pat, what's wrong?"
Inside the car, Time took off his jacket and covered his sister with it. Mayura turned her face to the other side, trying to avoid her brother seeing her cry.
Time remained silent by her side, refraining from asking any questions. Witnessing his sister cry so intensely, especially in his presence, was a rare occurrence.
The drive back was somber and filled with silence.
Anupong's office.
*Anupong slams his hand on the desk.*
"P'Anupong, are you sure it was Mae Bannarasee?" Nee asked.
Anupong angrily strides toward the window. "I'm sure. I know what I saw. There's no way it was a mistake."
Anupong then turns to Thiramon. "Have you checked everywhere? What about the guest?"
Thiramon nods. "Yes, sir. We've checked everywhere, but there was no mention of anyone by the name Bannarasee."
"Of course there's no one by that name. Do you think she's still named Bannarasee?!" Anupong responds, his anger evident.
"Calm down, P'Anupong. We can check the guests' profiles. There's got to be some way," Nee reassures him.
Anupong returns to his seat and instructs everyone to leave.
Outside the office, Nee walks, contemplating what Anupong had said.
"Kamalat, did you also see Bannarasee?" Nee asks.
He and Thiramon look at each other, then shake their heads.
Nee stops in her tracks. "If it's really Bannarasee, then do you think there's a chance P' Nanthiya will also appear?"
Before they can answer, Nee stops them. "No, nevermind. Just pretend I didn't say anything."
In Mayura's room, Time handed her some medicine along with a cup of water. "Are you sure you don't want me to call a doctor?" he inquired.
Mayura smiled, replying, "I'm okay, P'Time."
After Time left his sister to rest, he closed the door behind him.
Alone in her room, Mayura turned her face toward the ceiling, lost in her thoughts.
A flashback..
"P'Nanthiya!" Ruen Wannee called out as she hurriedly made her way toward Nathiya, who was collecting flowers.
Nanthiya asked irritably, "What is it, Wannee?"
"P'Anupong is back," Wannee said.
Nanthiya, who was sitting, quickly sat up. "Really?!" she exclaimed and reached for her basket of flowers, but was stopped by Wannee.
"He brought back a girl—" Wannee mentioned.
Nanthiya dropped her basket of flowers and grabbed onto her sister's shoulder. "What did you say?" she demanded.
"P'Anupong brought back a human girl with him!" Wannee repeated.
Anger flared in Nanthiya's eyes as she quickly made her way back to the palace.
Watching from afar, Nanthiya observes a girl sitting next to Anupong as they greet the elders. Gripping her fist in anger, Nanthiya wonders who this new girl is and how she dares to steal her place.
Nanthiya, Anupong's fiancée and destined partner, slowly approaches the gathering.
"Nanthiya, you're here. Come greet the guests," one of the elders beckons.
Anupong's father, Thucaphon Phatipatanawong, sitting on the higher level chairs, smiles warmly to welcome Nanthiya.
Nanthiya forces a smile and greets the guests.
Anupong then introduces the guest, saying, "This is Mae Bannarasee Larpthawornkiet," he pauses, casting a glance at Bannarasee, "Bannarasee, this is Mae Nanthiya."
Nanthiya could sense that there was more than just a guest in Anupong's eyes.
..Another Flashback..
"Nanthiya, what are you doing here?" Nanthiya's mother, Siriporn Narinsak, asked, breaking her train of thought.
Nanthiya, who was watching Bannarasee from afar, expressed her concerns, saying, "I don't think it's simply a thank you gesture of P'Anupong. It's clearly love in P'Anupong's eyes – that wench is trying to take P'Anupong from me, mother! I can't let that happen."
Her mother reassured her, "That woman is human, there's no way she'll be together with Khun Anupong. You don't have to worry, my daughter."
As Bannarasee sat outside, lost in thought, Nanthiya, hidden behind the rocky rocks, observed Anupong approaching her. Her anger surged.
"Mae Bannarasee," Anuppong said as he took a seat next to her and handed her a drink.
Anupong inquired, "How's it for you here? Do you like it?"
Bannarasee smiled and nodded in response.
Anupong then gently took Bannarasee's hands into his own, saying, "You have to tell me if there's something not to your taste, alright? Your happiness is what matters to me most."
Bannarasee blushed, attempting to hide her face in response to Anupong's words.
Meanwhile, Nanthiya, on the verge of interfering, was stopped by her mother. "Nanthiya, darling, don't," her mother advised gently.
Unable to contain her emotions, Nanthiya cried out, "Mother, don't you see? That wench—she's clearly in love with P'Anupong! She's going to steal him away from me!"
Her mother hugged her tightly, offering reassurance. "No, darling, that won't happen. It'll never be possible. Trust me."
Back to the present..
With her hand clutching the necklace tightly, Mayura murmured, "I saw him again, Suntorn. I also saw Bannarasee. Were you trying to warn me about this?"
Closing her eyes, she pleaded softly, "Please, let this all be just a coincidence and nothing more."