Mayura sat alone in the cafe, awaiting her friend's arrival. People trickled in, absorbed in their own affairs.
A familiar voice called out as the cafe door swung open. Mayura turned to see her friend, waving enthusiastically.
"Sarah!" Mayura greeted with a wave of her own.
Sarah Singhapat, the cafe owner and one of Mayura's closest friends, joined her at the table.
"I'm terribly sorry for being late. My wheel had some trouble, so I had to take a taxi," Sarah explained.
Mayura chuckled. "No worries at all."
"Any ideas on where to go?" Sarah inquired.
Mayura shook her head. "Not really,I'm thinking of just looking around."
"Perfect! I know just the place," Sarah declared.
The two scanned their surroundings until Sarah halted in front of a building.
Sarah turned to Mayura, gesturing towards the building. "Here's the place."
As they entered and explored, Mayura inquired, "How did you know this place?"
"My cousin, a police officer working nearby, recommended it," Sarah explained.
Mayura smiled and followed the landlady inside for a tour.
Afterward, she made the decision to purchase the property and signed the necessary documents.
As they concluded the transaction, Sarah expressed some concern.
"Are you sure about this? It seemed like quite a swift decision."
Mayura reassured her with a smile. "I really like this place. It's quiet yet not isolated. And honestly, I'm too lazy to search further."
Sarah pressed further, "Are you planning a serious business venture here, or are you just avoiding your family's company?"
Mayura deflected the question with a light laugh. "A bit of both. Anyway, it's lunchtime already. Let's grab a bite somewhere."
Meanwhile, Kaew and Ken were strolling down the street when Kaew spotted Mayura with her companion.
"Isn't that Khun Mayura?" Kaew asked.
Ken, with a cup of meatballs in hand, leaned forward to get a better look. "I believe so. What's she doing here?"
Kaew decided to trail behind Mayura and Sarah, pretending it was a chance encounter. "Oh, hello, Khun Mayura. Do you remember me? We met at the party last week."
Mayura was taken aback by the unexpected encounter and sought to avoid familiarity. "Hello, and you are Kaew?"
Kaew asked if she could join them at the table, and Mayura agreed.
"I'm Sankaew Kamwilaisak, or you can just call me Kaew," she introduced herself, gesturing to Ken. "And this is Ken, my friend." They exchanged greetings.
Kaew then inquired, "What brings you here, Khun Mayura? Surely it's not just lunch?"
Mayura smiled at Kaew. "No, I'm actually scouting for a location to open my studio."
"Really? That's fantastic!" Kaew exclaimed. "I've seen your work and I'm a huge fan. My father's birthday is approaching, and I was hoping to arrange some family portraits. It would be amazing if you could be our photographer that day," she added with a hopeful look.
Mayura chuckled warmly. "Is that an invitation?"
Embarrassed, Kaew scratched her head. "Um, would you consider it?"
Mayura smiled and handed Kaew her business card. "Call this number. You'll be my first customer in Thailand."
After finishing lunch, Mayura and Sarah bid farewell to Kaew and Ken.
As Kaew and Ken walked back to her car, Ken voiced his thoughts.
"Khun Mayura is so friendly and nice, but did you really want to schedule family pictures? I thought you and the boss still hadn't reconciled."
Kaew lightly smacked Ken's head. "That was just a quick improvisation. The best way to approach Khun Time is through Khun Mayura. Plus, her reputation is solid. I can use this opportunity to interview her and make some connections."
Ken nodded in agreement. "You're quite clever, Kaew."
Kaew grinned proudly. "Of course, who do you think I am?"
Meanwhile, inside Sarah's cafe, Solada, who arrived later, questioned, "Are you sure it was just a coincidence?"
Sarah set her juice down, contemplating. "I don't think so. They want an interview from you. After all, you're the only daughter of the Lekcharutha family, one of Bangkok's wealthiest. And let's not forget, you're also P'Time's sister. I'm sure it's more than a coincidence. As for the family photo thing, it's likely just a made-up excuse."
Mayura laughed lightly. "You're overthinking it. Maybe it really is just a coincidence," she paused for a moment, "or perhaps it's fate."
Solada interjected, "Do you believe in that?"
Mayura simply smiled in response.
After their hangout, Solada offered Mayura a ride home. As they approached Mayura's residence, Vorapat, who happened to be outside, greeted Solada warmly.
"Da, you came?," Vorapat exclaimed.
Solada blushed and nodded.
Observing her friend's reaction, Mayura suggested, "Would you like to come in for a bit before heading back?"
However, Solada declined," No, I still have some work to finish".
Vorapat then addressed Solada, "Da,you work as a tourist guide, right?"
Solada confirmed with a smile, "Yes, P'Pat, you remember?"
Vorapat smiled back, "Of course."
Solada blushed again.
Before Mayura could inquire further, Vorapat explained, "The company is planning to send our celebrity team on vacation. It would be great if Da could suggest a destination and perhaps even be our tour guide?"
Solada eagerly accepted before Mayura could respond, surprising both siblings.
Regaining her composure, Solada assured, "I'd be happy to, P'Pat. Just give me a call, and I'll make sure to fit it into my schedule."
Vorapat smiled gratefully. "You still use the same number, right?"
Solada nodded, and after bidding farewell, she departed. The siblings then entered the house.
Before Mayura could ascend the stairs, her mother's voice halted her in her tracks. "Rak! Stop right there!"
Mayura turned to her mother, addressing her calmly. "Mom."
"I heard you bought a place. What's the meaning of this? Didn't I tell you that you're going to join the company?" her mother's tone was filled with anger.
Mayura replied with determination, "Mom, I don't want people to think I got my position because I'm your daughter."
"So what if they think that? Why should you care?" her mother retorted.
Mayura stood her ground. "I care, Mom. I studied abroad and earned my degree because I want to open my own studio. I don't want to rely on our family name."
"Listen to me, Rak. Working in the company will benefit you more, and you won't have to work as hard. Mom will help you," her mother said, reaching out to hold Mayura's hands.
Mayura gently withdrew her hands and placed them on her mother's. "Mom, I want to be successful on my own. Plus, P'Pat is already taking care of the company. Please."
Namnung turned away, removing her hands. "I don't care. You're not opening your own studio, no matter what."
"Why, Mom?" Mayura pressed.
Her mother hesitated before responding, "Because..."
Mayura questioned further, "Is it because of P'Time? Mom, whatever happened to P'Time won't happen to me. Why can't you trust me?"
Frustrated, Mayura's mother insisted, "I don't care. You better go and take your money back. Who allowed you to do such a thing?"
Mayura's father intervened, stepping forward. "I did."
Mayura's mother was taken aback. "What?! Why would you do that?"
"Our daughter is grown now. Let her pursue her own path. Let's not let those years she spent studying abroad go to waste," he explained calmly.
Angry, Mayura's mother stormed off to her room.
"Dad," Mayura said, feeling overwhelmed.
Her father smiled reassuringly. "I'm going to check on your mother. You should rest. You must be tired after looking for a place all day."
As Mayura's father went after her mother, Vorapat patted her shoulder. "Don't be upset. Mother's worried about you. She probably doesn't want you to be deceived like Time."
Mayura managed a smile and nodded.
Closing her door, she leaned against it and took a deep breath. Walking to her bed, she recalled a childhood memory.
It was when Time was still a teenager, before he entered the entertainment industry.
Time had decided to open a small art studio with his friend, defying his mother's wishes. In hopes of securing a scholarship and admission to a prestigious art school, he entered a contest. However, his artwork was stolen—by none other than his best friend. To make matters worse, the studio went bankrupt after his friend secretly siphoned money, leaving Time with substantial debt. Time was heartbroken when he discovered that his friend not only leaked his artwork but also impersonated him to take out loans. This betrayal left a deep scar on Time's heart.
Mayura remembered how it took Time almost two years to recover from this ordeal. Eventually, Time decided to work in the family company as an actor.
–Airport–
In the late hours at the airport, a figure belonging to Unakan Phatipatanawong could be seen making his way towards a car, trailed by some of his subordinates. Taking in a deep breath of the air, he murmured to himself, "I'm finally home."
Meanwhile, at Anupong's Estate, two figures engaged in sword practice—Anupong and Kamalat. Approaching them was Thiramon.
As the two swordsmen paused to catch their breath, Thiramon reported, "Sir, Khun Unakan has returned."
Anupong, taking a sip from his cup, turned his attention to Thiramon. "Since when?"
"Today, not long ago," Thiramon replied.
Entering the house, Anupong inquired further, "What is his purpose in returning?"
"No idea, sir," Thiramon responded.
Anupong paused, contemplating. "Have there been any suspicious activities on that side?"
"They have been unusually quiet in recent years," Thiramon reported.
"Where is Elder Bandasak?" Anupong asked.
"He has returned to Prabulong and won't be back for a while," Thiramon informed him.
Anupong then dismissed the two before retiring to his bedchamber.
Alone in his room, he found himself gazing at a painting.
"Bannarasee," he called out. As he studied the painting, another one caught his eye from behind, its back facing him.
Approaching the second painting, Anupong recognized it as belonging to Nanthiya Niransak—a person he both desired and dreaded encountering again. The picture was that of a place he regretted visiting.