Morning light spilled into the room as Rak groaned awake, her head still swimming from the previous night. Her memories were a blur, only the faintest impressions lingering.
"You're up?" Solada asked, striding over to the window, a towel draped over her shoulders, hair still damp.
"Yeah... What happened yesterday? I don't remember a thing," Rak muttered, rubbing her temples.
Solada perched on the edge of the bed, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief. "Nothing? Not even a little?"
Rak shook her head, but a sudden flash of last night's events cut through the fog. Her eyes widened as she slapped her hands over her face. "No! Did I—what did I do?"
Solada sighed, stifling a chuckle. "Yup, you waltzed right up to Khun Gun, gave him a hug, and started babbling. I tried to stop you. You're lucky no reporters were around."
"Khun Gun?" Rak's voice trembled, clinging to the hope it was just a dream.
Solada tossed the towel aside. "Oh, it was Khun Gun. He's one of the top actors in your company, you know. Everyone's watching him and Khun Piyapat—they're like royalty, even if they're on-again, off-again."
"Right…" Rak whispered, feeling her heart sink. This wasn't the Suntorn she once knew. Life had swept them along separate paths.
As the morning unfolded, the group gathered in the hotel lobby for the day's excursion. Rak took a seat, earbuds in, gazing down at her camera to avoid the glances and chatter around her. She felt a presence nearby and looked up.
It was Gun.
"Hello," he said, smiling, an easy charm in his voice.
Rak's heart skipped. "Hi," she managed, cheeks flushing.
"Mind if I sit here?"
"Sure, go ahead," she replied, shifting to make room.
Silence lingered, interrupted only by the murmuring crowd. Finally, Rak glanced at him, feeling a pang of guilt. "About yesterday… I'm really sorry. I was so drunk—I didn't mean to cause a scene."
Gun's laugh was gentle. "It's fine. I didn't mind at all. But… who's 'Suntorn'? You seemed really close to him."
She faltered. "He was... someone very dear to me. Someone I loved a lot."
Gun's expression softened. "Where is he now?"
"Gone… in a happier place," she whispered, her gaze dropping.
Gun looked away, uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
"It's okay," she replied, forcing a smile. Just then, a voice broke through the room.
"Gun."
It was Piyapat, her expression unreadable as she approached and slipped an arm around Gun.
Gun straightened. "Ah, Khun Mayura, this is Khun Piyapat."
Rak nodded politely. "Hi, you must be Khun Piyapat. I'm Mayura, but you can call me Rak."
Piyapat merely eyed her, then turned to Gun. "Let's grab a coffee?"
With a lingering glance, Gun agreed, following Piyapat. Rak watched them disappear, leaning back against the seat. Suntorn—now Gun—had moved on. Maybe it was best if she left things as they were.
A phone call interrupted her thoughts, and she answered, "Hello?"
The voice on the other line was anxious. "Khun Rak, there's a problem at the studio."
Rak ended the call abruptly, turning to Da. "I have to go. Tell P'Time and P'Pat I'm sorry."
She left without waiting for a reply, heading back to face the growing challenges waiting for her.
---
**Anupong's Estate**
"Sir, here's what we've gathered so far," Thiramon said, spreading a set of documents on the table. "The woman is Sankaew Kamwilaisak, daughter of a well-regarded journalist. She's been spotted recently at Khun Mayura's studio."
"Khun Mayura? Wasn't she the one—?"
Thiramon nodded. "Yes, the event was held for her return from the state."
Anupong let out a soft chuckle. "So, why was Bannarasee—or rather, Sankaew—there?"
"Khun Mayura's family has some notable connections in the entertainment industry," Thiramon explained.
Anupong leaned back, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "Interesting... but approaching Bannarasee directly would only arouse suspicion."
---
**Mayura's Studio**
Rak returned, finding the studio in disarray. A staff member met her, looking tense. "The whole system was hacked this morning. A lot of files are missing—we're still trying to recover them."
Rak's jaw tightened as she took a seat. "Just do what you can."
Who could this be? Why were they hacking mayura's system? For what purpose? She doesn't seem to have any enemies, exactly what does this person want?
Moments later, another employee appeared at her office door. "Khun Rak, someone's here to see you."
Rak rose up from her seat and into the hall.As she near the waiting room,she can see the figure of a familiar person through the glass door.A strange unease feeling settle over her,
She stepped into the room and froze. There stood Anupong Phatipatanawong, a familiar presence with an unreadable smile.
"Hello, Khun Mayura," he greeted.
Anupong? What is he doing here? Why is he here?
Her voice was steady. "What brings you here, khun?"
Anupong smiled calmly. "My name is Anupong Phatipatanawong."
Mayura stood there staring at Anupong," I see".
Anupong chuckles,"I hear you've had some technical issues. I can help… if you agree to do me a favor."
Rak's eyes narrowed. "So it was you?"
"Consider it a minor disruption. I can have it resolved quickly," he replied smoothly.
She held his gaze, then crossed her arms with a sigh. "Why are you really doing this? What do you want?"
Anupong let out a soft chuckle. "Straightforward—I like that. Fine, I'll be direct too. Invite me and Khun Sankaew to your gallery opening."
Rak narrowed her eyes, barely resisting an eyeroll. "And why would I agree to that?"
"You don't need to know the reasons. My intentions are harmless; I simply want to meet her," he replied smoothly.
She crossed her arms tighter. "You couldn't approach her yourself? With all your influence?"
He raised a brow, unfazed. "Perhaps I misjudged your opinion of me. So, will you do it?"
Rak exhaled sharply and rose. "Fine, just this once. But keep me out of your schemes, Khun Anupong." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and left him standing there.
As Anupong reached his car in the parking lot, he paused, casting one last glance back at the studio. "Was I too harsh, Thi?"
Thiramon answered, "Not at all, sir."
Anupong scoffed lightly, getting into the car.
Inside the studio, Rak returned to her office just as the hacking issue was resolved. Leaning back in her chair, she muttered, "He hasn't changed a bit. Stubborn as ever." She touched the pendant on her necklace, a tired expression settling on her face. "Is there really no way to escape this? All I wanted was to leave it behind… Why does the world have to feel so small?"
** Crime Scene **
Netiwit was scanning a stack of documents when his phone buzzed, pulling him from his work. Another crime scene, another victim.
When he arrived, the scene was stark and chilling. A woman's lifeless body lay propped against a heap of garbage bags, her face pale in the dim light, her body contorted atop discarded waste and debris. Blood had been completely drained from her, leaving her skin a ghostly shade. Two deep, unmistakable bite marks marred her neck.
"Just like the last case, Lieutenant," Sergeant Bongkot Khampiranon said, his voice laced with frustration. "Blood drained. Same bite marks."
Netiwit clenched his jaw and, unable to contain his anger, struck the nearby pole with his fist. Running a hand through his hair, he took a steadying breath. "Any witnesses? CCTV?"
Sergeant Bongkot shook his head grimly. "The killer picked their spot well. No cameras, and no one would wander through here at night."
The alley was shrouded in shadows, littered with trash and abandoned belongings, silent except for the distant hum of city noise. It was tucked away, a forgotten stretch where no one would venture, especially at night—a perfect site for a crime.
Netiwit began scrutinizing the surroundings, carefully observing every detail. Nothing seemed disturbed; the trash was untouched, and there were no signs of a struggle. It was as if the body had simply been deposited here without a trace of the crime itself. No trails of blood, no scattered belongings—just the eerie, pristine placement of the body.
It was clear to Netiwit that this wasn't the real crime scene. The body had been moved, left here intentionally, concealed in this hidden corner of the city, as if the killer wanted her discovered but not too soon.