Arthit's POV------

“Bright ?? Jenny ?? Are you on ??”

I asked through my Bluetooth earpiece. They both answered in the affirmative.

The technical aspect of our team was the favorite thing about it for Bright, getting to be the 'Technical man' of our team. He kept finding us the most up-to-date gadgets. Our current Bluetooth earplugs were very small, very discreet and could barely be seen. Bright  still really wanted his, to be on his wrist…Or in his shoe. He wanted to play James bond in real.

Bright is... Bright in the end.

Kongpob was now on stage with the orchestra, and the concert was about to start. We were going to make continuous rounds of the corridors and the outdoors. The University Security Staff were also keeping their eyes on each and every entry and exit point through the CCTV. It was a hard job because there were so many entries and exits.

Prem and Wad, along with Knott and Noor, were seated in the audience. They would be keeping watch in there. Prem and Wad was also linked with us via bluetooth system.

The President of the University began speaking, introducing Kongpob, William  and the orchestra. He gave a short speech about how a large portion of the proceeds of the concert would be going towards helping the Arts Projects for the school.

The house lights dimmed, and from where I was standing backstage, I could see William raise his arms, with a flourish of his baton, the music started.

The audience was enthralled, as was I. Watching Kongpob perform was mesmerizing. You could see that he felt every word, every note. I could feel the rise and swell of the music in every part of my body as the orchestra followed his voice.

I moved from one side of the stage to the other. As I peeked out from behind the curtain, Kongpob happened to glance up and caught sight of me. He smiled, his face softening and lighting up. I smiled back at him and then went on out of sight, continuing my vigil of the stage area. This man was making me feel things that I had never thought to feel. It was exhilarating, that’s for sure.

Later…I was really looking forward to later !!

The concert continued through to the last song of the first half. At intermission, all of the musicians would come back to one of the four dressing rooms to get a drink and to dress down just a bit. Kongpob would take off his coat and tie, and then they would continue with the second half of the concert.

The music from the last song before the break was coming to a close when Bright announced on the Bluetooth

“Arthit !! I can smell the stalker....”

His voice was quiet and swift.

“I just ran across the scent at the north door, towards the front.”

“Is it the complete scent ??”

I asked as I rushed from my post and ran towards where Bright was.

“Yes.... No….. just a hint of the whole thing ?? It’s the one from the park bench for sure”

Bright  sounded confused.

By then, I was rushing with Jenny towards him. We met up in the corridor just as the auditorium doors opened, and the people at concert began spilling out to take a break during the intermission. We were quickly engulfed in a sea of humans. The scent was immediately diluted by all the human bodies surrounding us.

The three of us began to sift through the scents, trying to isolate the one we were looking for.

There !! A young woman was walking towards the back hallway, where Dressing Room 1A and 1B were. Her long curly blonde hair was cascading down her back nearly to her waist. She was wearing a pink, long halter style dress, it fit tightly over her hips, then flared into masses of ruffles at her knees.

In a moment, the three of us had her surrounded. She looked into our faces, stunned at our sudden appearance.

“Miss, you need to come with us”

I had my badge from the police Department out and was holding it under her nose. She started to back away, but Jenny had one of her arms, and Bright was standing close to her other side. She was not getting away from us.

“Now, miss, you need to come with us”

That’s when she got a good look at my face.

“YOU ??”

She was immediately enraged as she pointed her finger towards my face.

“YOU are the one that I saw the other day ?? YOU are the one that he drove with in his car…in MY seat !!”

If Jenny hadn’t been holding her back, I am sure she would have attacked me. Not that it would have done her any good.

People were starting to look at us as she got louder and louder. Several members of the university security team were beside us in moments, and they assured the small crowd watching us that everything was being handled appropriately. My team quickly moved the woman out through one door and into a conference room, the same one that Kongpob used as his office.

She immediately started complaining.

“You have no right to detain me !! I am on my way to see my fiancé. You will all be in trouble if you keep me from him”

She was ranting and pacing by this point, pausing often to sneer in my direction.

“Who are you, and who is your fiancé ??”

I asked quietly, standing before the door to keep her inside. Bright was standing a short distance away from us. Jenny had the woman’s purse and was pouring the contents out on to the table. There was a cell phone, a lip gloss and some tissues.
She looked at me like I was nuts and said, her voice firm and full of certainty

"I am Maya....Maya Suppapong, and Kongpob Suthiluck is my fiancé, of course !!"

She rolled her eyes, apparently at our stupidity.

Jenny snorted, a decidedly unladylike sound coming from her beautiful lips.

"Only in your dreams !!"

That caused Maya to glare at her, too.

"You can't keep me here. He is waiting for me. We are getting married tonight, and it's time to go. Mama said that we would have to drive for two hours to get there"

She tried to get to the door again. I stopped her easily.

"What.... where are you going to get married ??"

Rapidly pouncing on her statement, Bright asked. He looked even taller than usual as he towered over her small frame. She took a step back, a shiver of fear running down her spine before she answered, her voice slightly less firm

"Mama didn't say. Just that it is really pretty. My bridal veil is there, and my flowers too"

A light went off in my head. That's why the scent was wrong….... there were two of them, they were working together the whole time. The scent on the gifts and cards were of the two of them…the scent on the bench was just Maya. The scent now was complete but not strong. They had come here together and then had separated.

Where was the other one now ??

What did she look like ??

What was the plan ??

**********************************

Maya's Mom's POV-------

The first part of our plan was to see which dressing room Kongpob was in. Maya was checking the ones on the East side of the hall, So I would check the ones on the West. We would call one another on our cells when we saw him. If he was on her side, I would join her, or she would join me on this side. We would offer him a drink, containing the drug. If that didn't work, I would use the gun to persuade him. Easy or hard, it didn't really matter to me. This is what my baby wanted, and this is what she would have.

After we parted in the corridor, I had walked a short distance down the west hall when I remembered that I wanted to remind her of one more thing. I turned back to catch her. That's when the audience began streaming out of the hall...…and when I saw some people descend upon my girl.....

They laid hands on her !!

They stopped her !!

Who were they ??

Oh my, They were so gorgeous. Their clothes were obviously made by a top designer.

In a matter of moments she was also surrounded by security. Rage clouded my vision as they swept her away and out a door.

Our plans !! My plans !! My mind raced, what should I do Now ??

Ah.... another plan began to come together in my mind. I would still do my part. Kongpob would not get away with this..…this outrage !!
This was HIS fault. If he had only met with us at the restaurant last week, they would be happily married by now. But no, he had to play hard to get.

Yes, the plan would still work. But I had to hurry…

**********************************

Arthit's POV------

"Where is your mother now, Maya ??"

I could feel fear begin to take a firm hold on me as I questioned her.

"Where is She ??"

Maya looked at me with a smug look on her face.

"She is getting Kongpob, of course"

In speech too fast for her to hear, I said,

"Bright  check the dressing rooms on this side. I don't know which side he was going to go to, for the intermission. There should be security guards watching both lines of rooms. Jenny, please keep her here"

Swiftly pressing my Bluetooth to reach Prem, I asked

"Prem, is Kongpob still on the stage ??"

He got back to me in a second.

"No. They have all left for the intermission. They have been gone for about 5 minutes. What's up ??"

With a few words, I filled him in. He and Wad ran towards the West side dressing rooms. I caught up with them and raced down the corridor to the rooms.

"Kongpob is not in any of these on the East side or the rest rooms either"

Bright said.

"I will go around behind the stage and check there"

As I checked the first room, which was full of musicians, I heard a small pop from somewhere. It sounded like it came from outside. I knew that sound..... and it filled me with dread. It was the sound of a small caliber gun being fired.

I spun around, and Prem joined me as I flew to the back of the hall, behind the stage area.There was a small door back there, behind some props. It was closed, but I could smell that Kongpob had been through here moments ago. There was also the rest of the scent that we had been missing at the park bench. Maya's mother had been through here too.

Wad and Bright had caught up with us by the time I got my hand on the door knob and turned it.

I had the door flung open and was out of it in a second. The smell of blood was thick in the air. It tore at my throat with a blast like a furnace.

A quick glance around, showed no sign of Kongpob or a vehicle of any kind.

I dropped to my knees, drawn to something on the ground. It was blood.... several drops of it. It was Kongpob's blood. I touched my fingers to it and brought it to my nose, inhaling the essence of him. Fear greater than anything I had ever encountered surged through me.

He is hurt…

Bright had run around the building, returning to us in moments. He was shaking his head.

"Nothing......"

Wad, who had taken in the situation immediately, had run towards the road. He came back and said

"I couldn't see anything either. They're gone"

A roar of anger and pain left my throat as Prem placed his hand on my shoulder.

Kongpob was injured, I didn't know how badly, and he was gone…

Just GONE......

**********************************

Kongpob's POV-------

As the last note of the song faded away, there was a moment of silence. I always loved to hear that, it meant that the audience was caught up in the music. I waited that moment, waiting for the response. Then the audience was on their feet, offering us a standing ovation. It always made me smile and wonder if my mother was watching the reaction to my songs.

The musicians and I stood, taking a bow. I turned and thanked them with a bow towards them. They really did play well. By the smiles I saw on their faces, they knew they had done an exemplary job. We all gave William a round of applause in thanks too.

The President stepped up on the stage and said that the intermission would be 20 minutes long. He hoped everyone would return for the second half. He mentioned that there were refreshments available in the joint hall. We left the stage as many members of the audience got to their feet and left the hall. As usual, I made my way to one of the dressing rooms to spend the intermission with the members of the orchestra.

We were milling around, making small talk about the first half of the concert. Everyone was sipping water, just regrouping for the second half, when a woman approached me. She was wearing a black pantsuit with a red vest. Her clothing looked similar to several of the outfits that women in the orchestra had worn. She looked like she could be a member, but I didn't recognise her.

"Ahhhh, Kongpob !!"

She gushed.

"That was lovely, simply lovely"

She held her hand out to shake mine, and as I looked into her eyes, I wondered where I had met her before. Her pale blue eyes almost looked familiar.

"William sent me. He would like you to join him in the next room. Some important people are there with him and he wants you to meet them"

She was leading me towards the door almost before I knew what was happening. Manners that were ingrained in me by my mother, were making me walk with her, not wanting to appear rude.

The corridor, as we stepped out into it, was empty. That was strange. I wondered where Arthit and the security team were. I stepped towards the other dressing room, when I felt something poking into my side. I glanced down and was shocked to see the barrel of a small caliber gun pressed against my ribcage. I started to turn to see what the woman was up to when she began to speak.

"Kongpob, I don't want to make a scene, but you need to continue walking to the end of the corridor and behind the stage"

The woman prodded me again with the gun.

"If you care about anyone, we may meet, just continue walking on"

She smirked just a bit.

"I wouldn't want to have to hurt anyone else if you try something"

My mind was racing. Hurt anyone else ?? Had she already hurt someone ?? Where was Arthit ?? Bright ?? I got the feeling that this woman meant business.

Who was she ??

We reached the end of the passageway, and she told me to open the exit door. As we stepped out into the darkness, I saw a van parked in the loading area. She told me to open the back door and to step inside. As I opened the door, the many public service announcements that I had seen on TV came back to me in a moment.

NEVER..... leave with an attacker.

FIGHT..... to stay where you are.

YELL…make a scene.

I started to yell and turned, trying to grab her arm, the one with the gun.

A loud bang, a flash of light…and pain..... unlike anything I had ever felt seared through my left side.
The woman growled some obscenity and shoved me into the back of the van. The shock from being shot made it easier for me to move than I would normally have been.

As I curled on the floor of the van, I grasped the wound with both hands, wanting to put pressure on it. I didn't know how badly I was bleeding, and bleeding out was not an option. Bleeding out meant that I wouldn't be able to get back to Arthit. And in that moment there was nothing that I wanted more than to be with Arthit..... to smell that lovely scent of him, to drown myself in his deep charcoal eyes, to feel his fingers run through my hair once again.

No, bleeding out was not an option.

The door slammed, narrowly missing my foot. I yanked it back, then I heard the front door open. It slammed, and the engine started up. We were speeding away as I tried to brace myself against the interior of the van while still keeping pressure on the hole in my side. I wondered if I could get enough energy to reach her, while she was occupied with driving. That idea was quickly set aside as I saw a grill between the front and back of the van. The handles were also missing from the insides of the doors.

I quickly lost track of what direction we were headed. I knew that we had made it on to the freeway because of the speed we were going, and she wasn't stopping for traffic lights anymore.

It was mostly dark in the back of the van. I could see the blood seeping around my fingers in the occasional flash of street lights that would come in the back window.

"If you don't get me to a hospital, I am going to bleed to death back here"

I said to the driver. She just swore a bit more and sped up.  After several minutes, she pulled off to the side of the road in a dark place. I could hear her searching around in the front. A small window opened in the grill, and a huge wad of paper towels came through and landed beside me. It was quickly followed by a roll of duct tape.

"Use that to press into the wound and tape it up"

She barked.

"It's your own fault you are hurt now. If you had only come with us last week, you would be safe now !!"

Wait, last week ??

What was she talking about ??

I had picked up the towels with one hand, while the other one was still pressed to the wound. As I took my hand away to press the towels to the hole in my side, blood welled up again. The pain intensified, and I gasped. Gritting my teeth, I tried to press the towel tighter, hoping that I wouldn't pass out.

"What do you mean ?? If I had gone where with you last week ??"

Once again, my mind was racing. Last week I had received that 'Invitation' to meet with the stalker.

Was this woman working with her ?? Suddenly, I remembered where I had seen eyes like hers. The woman at the autograph session had had pale blue eyes. This woman's were the same.

“Yes !! My daughter and I waited for you for over an hour !!”

She was shouting now.

“Since you didn’t come to us then, we made our plans so that you could be married tonight !!”

I felt my mind freez at this information. This lady and her daughter thought that I would marry her ??

Delusional didn’t even begin to cover what they were.

Keep her talking, that’s what I needed to do. Maybe then Arthit would be able to find me. That’s what I needed to do, keep her talking.

“What’s your daughter’s name ?? Where is she now ??”

I asked.

I could see her face through the open grill. A soft smile covered it as she spoke of her daughter.

“Maya. Her name is Maya. And you will just love her. She saw you in that PEOPLE magazine and just knew that the two of you were soul mates. That’s when we decided to meet you”

She nodded her head emphatically.

“My daughter deserves the best, and she said that was YOU”

Now her face changed again. She looked demonic. All traces of softness were gone as she continued

“Where is she now ?? Where ??”

More swear words escaped her mouth.

“That MAN that you drove with, to the hall yesterday took her away”

She slammed the grill shut and started back out onto the road.

“No more talking. We have to get to the cottage. I will sort things out there”

She turned the van around, and as we picked up speed, I knew that we were back on the highway. I had wound the tape around my waist several times…trying to keep the towels tight against my side. There was a pain in my back too, but nothing like the pain from the front. The flow of blood appeared to be slowing, but there seemed to be quite a lot of it on me and on the floor of the van. I felt my mind start to get fuzzy. I tried to focus my thoughts, but things kept slipping away from me.

Arthit..... I would focus on Arthit. He was the brightest thing I could think of. Maybe that would keep me lucid.

I closed my eyes, and the vision of him kneeling beside me on my bed came to me. His beautiful eyes shimmered in the near darkness…... I concentrated on remembering how his body had felt against mine when I was in his arms. He was so firm and cold, but we fit together so well. I remembered the way he ran his fingers through my hair….....

The vision began to get darker, and I knew that I was passing out. My lips formed his name..... It felt like a prayer…....

Arthit....…

and then everything just faded to black.
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🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞

A/N: Don't panic yet.....He is still alive..... Trust Arthit and your Author too 😜

I hope you will like this chapter and share your thoughts about it with me in comments section 💖💖