As the van rolled to a stop in front of Mayura's house, she turned to Da, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Do I really have to go?"
Da smiled reassuringly. "Come on, I need you there. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to get away while your studio's being finished."
Outside the van, Vorapat and Time were busy handling their luggage. "Is everything ready, Rak?" Vorapat called out.
Rak glanced back at her brother, nodding. "Yes, everything's set."
"Good," Vorapat said, satisfied. "The rest of the team will meet us at the hotel. Da, I'm leaving the rest to you."
Da gave a confident nod. "Don't worry, everything's prepared."
As the van passed through the bustling streets of the city and made its way towards Phuket, Mayura gazed out the window, her thoughts wandering. Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all. She'd avoid her mother's constant nagging and steer clear of the people she was trying to escape. The idea was already growing more appealing.
Soon enough, the van pulled up at the Wave Hotel Resort, their home for the trip. Solada rolled her luggage and turned to Rak.
"Rak, I'm going to wait in the lobby for the rest of the team. If you're tired, feel free to check it out first."
Checking her watch, Mayura nodded. Turning to her brother, "P'Pat, I'll head to the villa now."
"Take a rest," Vorapat said with a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Mayura smiled back and headed towards her villa.
As Solada handed her luggage over to the hotel staff, she turned to Vorapat with a teasing grin. "P'Pat, how about a drink before we settle in?"
"Sure," Vorapat replied with a laugh.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, Unakan moved towards a sleek black car, two subordinates trailing behind him.
Phanumas, one of them, stepped forward to report. "Sir, the J.E. Company has withdrawn from the investment. It seems some investors are already catching wind of the news."
Unakan paused for a moment, smirking before sliding into the car. "It's time to pay our friend a visit."
At the same time, Anupong sat at his desk, studying photographs. His assistant, Thiramon, entered the room, handing over more images. "These are the only useful footages we could retrieve, sir. Unfortunately, it was hard to track her after she entered the lobby."
Anupong frowned, flipping through the pictures. "Did you check the CCTV outside?"
"Yes, sir, but it was too dark to make out who was who."
With a sigh, Anupong dismissed Thiramon. He lingered over one photo in particular, a trace of a smile playing at his lips. "Bannarasee… it has to be you, right?"
A sudden knock broke his concentration. Nee entered the room, her face serious. "P'Anupong, we've been tracking Unakan. He's heading to Phuket today to meet an investor."
Anupong raised an eyebrow. "And the investor is?"
"Minister Pipod Sirijanya," Nee said.
Anupong's eyes widened with surprise. "Are you saying Unakan is behind B.I. Construction?"
Nee nodded gravely.
Anupong sank into his chair, deep in thought. Nee continued, "I will go to Phuket to find out what Unakan is really up to. I have a bad feeling about this."
"Be careful," Anupong warned. "Whatever you do, don't take unnecessary risks."
Nee nodded and left, but not before Anupong murmured to himself, "What are you planning, Unakan?"
The B.I. Construction project had attracted the attention of many investors, with millions of dollars on the line. The ambitious plan was to build a massive condominium and hotel complex in Taraya, a small city on the outskirts. But the project threatened the livelihoods of many lower-class families who were being forced to sell their land. Anupong had been helping these families, but it seemed the project wasn't going to be stopped anytime soon.
---
The next morning, as sunlight poured into the villa, Mayura got ready for the day. Solada, sharing a room with her, was busy applying her makeup.
"Da, are you ready?" Mayura asked, tying her hair.
Solada finished dabbing blush onto her cheeks. "Ready."
The two headed down to the lobby, meeting the rest of the team for breakfast. Solada, always the lively one, was eager to start the day. "This hotel has the best food," she announced proudly.
"I heard they even have a sushi bar!" Lina, one of the team members, chimed in excitedly.
The group was large—17 people in total, with more joining later. Among them were veterans like Sukrit Korrasud, a respected senior actor in the industry, and young rising stars like Yanin Thawornwong and Leo Intarakomalyasut. Everyone was eager to unwind and take a break from work.
After breakfast, they headed out for a day of activities, starting with a boat ride to the nearby islands. As the boat skimmed across the water, Solada, ever the entertainer, regaled the group with stories of local myths and legends.
Mayura, standing at the bow of the boat, felt the sea breeze against her skin. She adjusted her camera, capturing the laughter of her friends, the golden glow of the sun, and the beauty of the island that lay ahead.
Solada sidled up to her, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "You know, this island is rumored to be cursed."
Mayura raised an eyebrow. "Cursed? Really?"
Solada grinned. "Yeah, they say a guardian spirit was betrayed, and now it haunts these waters, waiting for someone to set things right."
Mayura laughed softly, intrigued but unconcerned. "Well, I'm not planning on angering any spirits today."
They reached the cove, where everyone splashed into the water, eager to snorkel. But Mayura stayed behind, preferring the quiet solitude of the beach. Her brother, Vorapat, came up behind her with a cold drink. "Not going in?"
Mayura accepted the drink with a smile. "I'm taking photos today. Besides, I'm not much of a swimmer."
Vorapat chuckled. "I didn't ask, but Time mentioned you cried at the last event. I've been waiting for the right moment to bring it up."
"It was nothing, I was just tired that day," Rak replied quickly.
Pat raised an eyebrow. "Really? I heard you returned early, a whole week ahead of schedule. Are you sure there's nothing more to it?"
Rak nearly choked on her drink. "How did you—?"
"I'm your brother," Pat interrupted, his tone soft but firm. "You're my only sister. You think I wouldn't notice?"
Rak pouted. "I can never keep a secret from you."
"So, what was it?" Pat pressed. "Heartbreak?"
Rak laughed, shaking her head. "As if! You know that's not on my list. I was just tired, that's all."
Pat eyed her with suspicion but said nothing more.
Later that afternoon, the group made their way back to the hotel, tired from the trip.
Just then, Nee arrived at the same hotel, ready to check in.
"Nee Narinsak," Nee said to the staff at the front desk.
At the same time, Solada's group approached from the entrance.
"Rak, aren't you coming to the villa with us?" Solada called.
Rak shook her head, smiling. "I'm not that tired. I'll wait for you all in the dining hall—just in case the good food comes out early."
As Solada and the group went ahead, Rak entered the main hotel. As she walked toward the dining hall, she suddenly heard a voice she hadn't heard in a long time. "Wannee?"
She turned, her heart pounding. At the front desk stood Nee, but before Nee could look her way, Rak hurried away, dodging toward the elevator.
Rak, distracted, collided with someone as she ran. It was Unakan, but Rak barely noticed. Apologizing quickly, she stepped into the elevator and hit the button to close the doors, her mind racing.
As the doors shut, Rak's heart thudded in her chest. *Why is Nee here? Does she know who I am?*
Meanwhile, Unakan stood frozen, a strange sense of familiarity tugging at him. Shaking off the feeling, he turned toward the exit. But Nee, who had just seen him exiting, followed behind closely.
Moments later, Nee's car was trailing Unakan's on a winding road. "Sir, there's a car following us," Unakan's driver said.
Unakan smirked. "If she wants to play, let's have some fun."
His car suddenly veered left, speeding onto a secluded path, with Nee's car close behind. In a swift move, Unakan's car swerved sideways, forcing Nee's car into a collision. Unakan then reversed, slamming into her vehicle a second time.
Nee's head hit the steering wheel, and blood dripped down her forehead. Groaning, she stumbled out of the car.
Unakan stepped out, unscathed, waving mockingly. "Is this how you greet people now?"
In a flash, Nee was on him, her hand gripping his throat. "Quit playing with me. Why did you come back?"
Unakan grinned, easily breaking free and grabbing her neck in return. "Hasn't anyone told you? Being nosy can be dangerous."
Nee spat blood at him. "You bastard! Nanthiya should never have saved you back then."
Unakan's grip tightened. "You're lucky she's your sister." He let her go, smirking. "Whatever, you can't stop me anyway."
"I'll stop you," Nee gasped. "I won't let you ruin our lives again!"
Unakan chuckled darkly. "Try me." He turned and got back into his car, driving off into the night.
Nee collapsed to the ground, her body aching. She fumbled for her phone. "Come pick me up," she groaned into the receiver.
Back at the hotel, Rak sat at the bar with Solada and the rest of the team. Laughter and music filled the air, but her mind was elsewhere.
"Rak, slow down. That's your fourth drink already," Vorapat said, gently taking the glass from her hand.
"I'm not drunk," Rak protested. "I can handle it."
Time, already tipsy, chimed in. "Let her enjoy, P'Pat. We're here to have fun."
Pat sighed and stood up. "Alright, look after her. I'm going to the restroom."
As Time drifted off, Rak found herself alone again, the earlier encounter with Nee still nagging at her.
Minutes later, the bar door swung open. Gunpope Tachanok—Gun, a famous actor—entered. Rak's eyes widened as she staggered to her feet, unsteady. Tears filled her eyes.
"Suntorn?" she whispered, stumbling toward him. "Is it really you?"
Solada rushed over, trying to pull her back. "Rak, you're drunk. Get yourself together."
But Rak clung to Gun, tears streaming down her face. "I miss you, Suntorn! Do you hear me?"
Solada sighed, gently prying her away. "She's really drunk, Khun Gun. I'm so sorry."
Gun nodded, looking uncomfortable. As Rak collapsed to her knees, hugging his leg,she screamed,"No, if I let go, he might disappear again! I can't! I'm scared".
Solada shakes her head in disbelief and motions for help. "Someone, please, get her back to the villa."
Two employees stepped in, helping Rak to her feet and escorting her out. Solada glanced at Time, passed out on the sofa, and shook her head with a sigh. "These siblings," she muttered.
When Vorapat returned, he looked around. "Where's Rak?"
"She's back at the villa," Solada said. "And Khun Gun has just arrived."