Monica couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than just a coincidence. She set the CV aside, She bit her nail lost deep in thought, when her phone buzzed on the desk, breaking her concentration. It was from Visak.
"Yes…" she answered, her voice soft.
"Honey…are you home?"
"I'm still in the office. How about Virak?" Monica asked, trying to keep her focus on the conversation.
"Dad handled everything with the police. He was drunk and driving… but luckily, everyone is fine now."
Monica sighed in relief, but guilt still weighed on her.
"I'm so sorry. And I think I'll visit him today…" she said, her concern for her brother surfacing.
"No need. He's been discharged from the hospital already," Visak replied.
"I still need to see him… at home," Monica insisted.
"Mom and dad are still mad at him, so maybe tomorrow will be better," Visak suggested gently.
"Okay," Monica agreed, but her heart still ached for her brother.
"When will you come home?" Visak asked.
"In a minute, I just need to finish up some tasks," Monica answered.
"Then I'll be there soon, and we'll head home together," Visak promised.
"Okay," Monica replied, the conversation leaving her with more questions than answers. As she looked back at Leakena's CV, she couldn't ignore the sense of unease growing in her chest.
***
The CEO left the office around half past 6 pm, her mind still preoccupied with the day's events. As she stepped out of the building, Visak's car was already waiting for her. He greeted her with a warm smile, stepping out of the car as she approached.
With a soft smile, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, but she seemed no in the mood.
"How's your day been?" he asked, as they exchanged a quick embrace.
"Just so so, and you?"
"Busy, but better now that you're here," Visak replied, his voice warm and reassuring.
Monica laughed lightly, trying to shake off the tension from the office. "It was just okay, not much excitement."
Visak took her hand, guiding her into the car. "Well, let's change that. How about we go somewhere to relax before heading home?"
"Where are we going?" she asked, intrigued by the sudden change in plan.
"A sky bar. I know a great new spot with a view of the city," Visak said, his tone playful, the hint of excitement in his eyes.
Monica hesitated for a second, then smiled. "Okay, that sounds nice."
The car began to drive off, and as they headed toward the sky bar, Monica felt a sense of calm wash over her. Despite the uncertainty swirling in her thoughts, being with Visak always had a way of easing her mind.
—
The soft melody of Perfect by Ed Sheeran played in the background as the couple sat close to each other at the sky bar, the city lights stretching far below them. With a glass of wine in hand, they gazed at the breathtaking view.
"What do you prefer, house or condo? Do you enjoy the view?" Visak asked, his voice calm but curious.
Monica took a sip of her wine before responding, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"I think dad won't allow me to move out even after we get married…"
Visak chuckled, his gaze still on her. "You always obey," he teased.
"His majesty," Monica responded with a smirk.
Visak laughed. "Funny! But I follow you. Whatever makes you at ease," he said with a sincere smile.
"You must!" Monica teased back, and they both laughed, taking another sip of wine.
After a moment, Monica's expression softened, her playful mood giving way to something more serious. "Let's go home, and… I have something to ask you."
Visak raised an eyebrow, curious. "Ask here."
"No, get in the car first," Monica said, her tone firm.
Visak hesitated, sensing her unease. He nodded but couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy himself.
—
In the car, as the headlights of passing cars illuminated their faces, Monica pulled something out of her bag. She handed it to Visaknu, the receipt from the soft drink he had purchased yesterday. Visak's face went pale.
"So, where exactly were you yesterday?" Monica's voice was calm but demanding.
Visak's eyes flickered nervously. "Where did you get that from?"
"Your suit jacket," she replied, her gaze never leaving his.
Visak hesitated, his fingers gripping the wheel tighter. Monica's calm demeanor only heightened the tension in the car.
"Tell me," she urged again.
He glanced at her, his expression softening as he sighed. "Monic, I went there," he confessed, his voice low.
"Why?" Monica asked, her eyes searching for the truth.
"After seeing the situation, I wanted to step in. Honestly, I wanted to help…" He trailed off, his voice uncertain.
Monica's stress returned, the weight of his words settling heavily on her. "And what did you do there?"
Visak shook, his voice filled with regret. "I didn't do anything, just took a look around and left. That's all.
"But it was so hard for me, you know? My dad's actions almost set everything on fire. I didn't want you, or anyone to get involved. It's my family issue. I beg you, stay away from this, okay?"
Visak's eyes softened, but there was a firm resolve in her voice. "We are going to get married. Is it so wrong to help you?"
Monica's face hardened slightly. "By lying to me?" she asked,
"...My bad." guilt lining his voice.
A heavy silence lingered in the car for a moment before Monica's voice broke through. "Now I wonder… have you been there since…?"
Visak cut her off, his tone defensive but gentle. "You suspect me?"
Monica's gaze met his, and her words were clear but tinged with concern.
"The police are investigating, and soon the truth will be revealed. Don't get involved. I'm not suspecting you, I'm just worried… I'm worried about you getting unnecessarily involved."
Visak exhaled, relief washing over him. He forced a smile, but his eyes held a flicker of guilt. Monica returned a warm smile, and for a brief moment, the tension in the car eased.
"Let's go home," she said, her tone soft but firm.
Visak nodded, his smile more genuine this time. "Yes."
"And tomorrow… What time can you go?"
Visak thought for a moment. "Around lunchtime. We should meet my parents to talk about our wedding and see Virak."
"Sure," she agreed, her voice steady. He nodded as they drove toward home, the weight of the conversation lingering between them.
***
Visak sat motionless on the bed in the guest room of Heng's villa, his body stiff with unease. The events that had unfolded, especially those between him and Monica, replayed relentlessly in his mind.
Her words echoed, each one a sharp twist of discomfort. "I didn't want you, or anyone to get involved. It's my family issue. I beg you, stay away from this, okay?" Her plea lingered, refusing to allow him any peace.
He stepped off the bed, his movements frantic, and in a moment of overwhelming tension, he almost threw himself against the wall. The pressure inside him was unbearable, suffocating. Every thought, every emotion, crushed him under its weight.
***
Under the dark sky, Long, a garage construction worker, stumbled through the rice field, blood pouring from a deep wound in his stomach. His clothes were torn, and he was struggling to stay on his feet.
"Mother, help me! Help me!" he cried out, but no one was around to hear. His legs wobbled beneath him as he tried to keep going, but he was losing too much blood.
Finally, he collapsed under a tree, too weak to move. He held his stomach, gasping for breath as the blood kept flowing. Desperate, he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number, his fingers shaking.
"Visal... help..." he whispered, his voice barely audible. But before he could finish, the phone slipped from his hand as he passed out.
***
That night, Seth slept soundlessly in Dara's room, leaving the space unusually still.
Unable to sleep, Dara wandered into his mother's room, drawn by a longing he couldn't shake. He sat on the bed, scanning the familiar surroundings as if seeking comfort from her absence.
His eyes fell on the chair beside the desk, and he pulled it over to sit. His fingers brushed the mouse, and the screen flickered to life.
He found himself absentmindedly scrolling through random files on her desktop, until a new message popped up on the Telegram app he'd synced to his phone. It was from Long, sent an hour earlier at 11:07 PM.
"I know who killed your mom, brother!"
"He was…"