Chapter 1
Around seven in the evening, a luxurious supercar pulled into the driveway of a large house.
A tall figure stepped out of the car, carrying important files from the office. She walked into the house without any rush.
"Oh my goodness, Ms. Phat! Let me help you. Why are you carrying those files yourself? Why didn't you call one of the staff to help you?"
The maid, who was in her late fifties, hurried over to take the files and the suit jacket draped over her employer's arm with enthusiasm.
"It's alright, Auntie Nuan. I can carry these myself. But could you please ask one of the staff to take them up to my room?"
"Of course, Ms. Phat. Have you eaten yet? Your father and Mr. Tee are at the dining table right now."
"Not yet. The traffic was terrible, so I didn't stop to eat before coming home."
"In that case, why don't you join them at the dining table? I'll take care of these and have them sent to your room."
"It's better to let the staff do it. It's not good for you to go up and down the stairs too often."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Her beautiful face showed signs of fatigue, but she still managed to express concern for those who'd lived with her family for over a decade.
Standing at over 5′9 tall, she walked straight to the dining room and took her usual seat, where her father and younger brother were already waiting.
"What brings my daughter back home today?" Thanaphat greeted his eldest daughter. To make traveling between the company and home convenient, his daughter had chosen to live in a condo and usually came home on weekends or whenever it was convenient for her.
Like today, she'd come without notice but still made it in time for dinner.
"I have some business nearby early tomorrow morning. I didn't want to waste time driving back and forth, so I decided to stay at home tonight."
"But as far as I remember, you haven't stayed at home for almost two weeks," Thiraphat, her little brother, who was sitting across from his sister, said with a playful smile. "Are you hiding a girl in your condo?"
"..." While scooping rice into her mouth, her captivating eyes shot a glance at her brother. Thiraphat grinned, showing his white teeth, his mirthful demeanor contrasting sharply with his sister's. "I don't have time to go out and chase girls like you do, Tee."
"Oh really? Even though you don't have time, there are rumors that the president of Thanadecha Group was seen having a candlelight dinner with a gorgeous actress. What's that about?"
"She's just the presenter for the new condo we're launching. It's nothing."
"Whatever you say, Sis."
Phatthira maintained a calm expression, finding her brother's teasing trivial.
"Your little girl is quite something, Dad. Surrounded by beautiful women, but hasn't chosen anyone to be your daughter-in-law yet."
"Enough, Tee. If you have so much free time, why don't you help me with work instead of talking nonsense?"
"Oh wow! Changing the subject as soon as you get the chance. Whenever it comes to work, I'm at a loss."
Thiraphat quickly turned to his father with a pleading look, knowing his fate. There was never a time when his father didn't side with his eldest daughter.
"Don't give me that look. You're an adult now but still living idly. I've given you months. It's time you learn the business from your sister."
"Dad, you're siding with Phat, too." His father's stern tone and authoritative voice instantly changed the young man's playful demeanor. "Can I have until the end of this month?"
"I'll take that as a promise. It's our family business. You're a man. Don't you feel bad leaving Phat to handle everything alone?"
"Feeling bad is one thing, but you know Phat is incredibly capable. Everything seems easy for her."
"You're so unbelievable."
His father shook his head in exasperation. Since losing his wife, his eldest daughter had seamlessly taken over the business, thanks to her exceptional management skills.
She was a stunning, wealthy, and talented businesswoman, and everyone wanted to be close to her. It was common to see news about the Thanadecha Group's executive dating handsome businessmen or beautiful actresses and models.
More importantly, Phatthira never hid her preferences, though she never openly declared them.
He and his wife never had any prejudice about their daughter's preferences.
The Phatthanadecha family raised their children with modern values, never restricting their thoughts, which naturally evolved with the times.
He and his wife supported whatever made their children happy. The family's relationships were built on understanding, and they allowed their children to freely choose their own paths, even in matters of love...
The sun had long set, and white clouds were quickly covered by darkness. Not a single star shone in the sky.
It looked like it was going to rain soon.
A slender figure stood with her arms crossed on the balcony, gazing absently at the movements below.
Pandao had been lost in thought for over an hour, her large eyes shifting between the sky and the traffic below, watching the long line of vehicles.
Red and orange lights flickered from the tail lights of various cars, slowly moving, indicating that the people inside would soon reach their destinations.
A warm breath was exhaled softly. Her large eyes always carried a hint of sadness, often visible when she let her thoughts wander.
Pandao had lived in this apartment for over four years. Since losing her mother in a car accident, her life had turned upside down.
On the first day of starting university, she lost her parent, who was everything to her.
At nineteen, she had no close relatives to rely on, no siblings, just herself, and a small amount of money her mother had left behind.
In the first year of her loss, Pandao managed with the small sum her mother had saved, but it wasn't enough for a comfortable life. She had to struggle on her own.
Rrrrrrr!
The ringtone of her smartphone pulled her out of her thoughts. She walked back into the room, her sweet eyes glancing at the name on the screen. A faint smile appeared on her lips, recognizing the frequent caller.
"Hi, Vee. If you're going to call me this often, why don't you move into the room next to mine?"
Pandao teased the caller lightly. Initially, she found it annoying, but eventually, his concern won over the annoyance, becoming something she was used to.
"Oh, come on! How can I not call when I miss you?"
The deep voice laughed dryly. Words like "miss you" or other expressions of affection had come from him countless times, but they never softened Pandao's heart or made her see him as more than a friend.
For years, Patwi knew his efforts hadn't affected her feelings. Still, he never gave up and never made her feel uncomfortable.
He never crossed the boundaries she set, which might be the only reason Pandao hadn't cut him out of her life.
Just being a friend and being able to care for her was enough for someone whose love went unrequited, who still held a glimmer of hope.
He hoped that one day, his consistent efforts would make her soften and give him a chance to move beyond friendship.
"Did you just close the shop, Vee? Why so late? Was it busy?" Her beautiful eyes glanced at the clock on the wall.
9:30 PM. While many were heading home to rest, for her, it was the start of her workday.
"Yeah... Are you heading to work now? Want me to give you a ride?"
"No need. It's late. You should go home and rest."
"Don't worry about it, Pin. You know I'm more than happy to do it. Let me take you. A motorcycle is faster than a taxi anyway."
"But I haven't showered yet," Pin said, as the pleading tone in the young man's voice made the owner of the sweet face start to waver.
"Then hurry up and shower. By the time I get there, you'll be ready. It won't waste any time."
"Alright then. See you soon, Vee."
After hanging up, she quickly disappeared into the bathroom to take care of her personal business in a rush. In just ten minutes, she was dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans, hurrying downstairs because she felt bad for making the young man wait.
Patwi watched her half-walking, half-running out of the elevator with admiration in his eyes. Even though Pandao was in a plain t-shirt and jeans, she still looked beautiful and cute to him, as always.
"Did you wait long, Vee? I'm sorry for making you wait, even though I tried to hurry."
"Not long at all. I just got here. You didn't need to rush so much. I can wait."
"No matter what you say, I still feel guilty. You came to pick me up, and now you have to wait, too?"
"No matter how long, I can wait. You know that."
The young man moved away from leaning against his beloved big bike. His words, filled with hidden meaning, made Pandao respond with a slight smile.
She didn't feel uncomfortable hearing such words from him. Even though those words carried a truth she was well aware of, she knew her friend didn't intend to make her feel pressured or uneasy.
"Still, I don't want you to wait. Let's hurry so you can get back and rest."
"There you go, Pin, always killing the mood," he laughed to cover up his deeper feelings. Her gentle rejections always made his heart ache a little every time he heard them.
It seemed like he should be used to it by now, but he never really was...
"As long as we're friends, I'll never disappear, Vee."
Pandao gave a sincere smile as she reached out to take the helmet from him before skillfully hopping onto the back of the big bike.
They arrived at their destination in less than ten minutes on the road. The booming music could be heard even from outside, clearly indicating that this was a nightlife spot.
Pandao got off the bike, which had been parked by the club's side entrance. She smiled broadly as she handed the helmet back to him.
"Thanks a lot, Vee. Drive safely, and don't speed."
"Got it, sugar belle. You take care too. Did you bring a jacket? Don't forget to dress warmly on your way back. It's dangerous to take a taxi late at night. I worry about you."
"I got it covered. Thanks," she said, showing him the jacket she had in her hand before waving goodbye and disappearing through the side entrance of the club.
Patwi watched Pandao's petite figure until she was out of sight. Pandao was a pretty and charming woman.
Her delicate and fragile nature made him worry. Healways believed that a woman like Pandao didn't belong working among thesepredators...
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