"Ah..."

Gia leans against the car, sitting on the boot and savoring her strawberry sorbet. Sorn watches her, shaking his head with a wide smile.

They've decided to enjoy the night scenery at the nearby park, witnessing a small ferry glide beneath the bridge that connects the mainland with the stone island.

"Cruise is such a pain!"

"Tell me something I don't know," they laugh together. Ever since Gia returned, they've been working tirelessly. Sorn wants her to catch up quickly, pushing them to their limits. With Milan just around the corner, the pressure is mounting.

"I can't believe we've become a household name. I always thought we were just fooling around," Gia remarks.

"So, all this time you were just 'fooling around'?" Sorn squints his eyes and locks his gaze with her.

"No... I mean, I can't believe YoLo would become this famous," Gia clarifies. She stands up and looks at him, meeting his intense gaze.

"You know I've never been fooling around," he states firmly. Gia swallows, knowing exactly what he's referring to. She feels a pang of guilt for breaking someone's heart.

Her stomach twists with unease.

"Sorn, I'm sorry..."

"It's alright. Although you know, love doesn't simply disappear," he responds, his calm demeanor contrasting with the pain he undoubtedly feels in his heart.

Gia can't comprehend how he manages to remain composed and unaffected in the face of such heartbreak. If she were in his position, she doubts she would even be able to be in his presence.

Similar to when she broke up with Alan, the moment she learned about his scandal, she immediately packed her bags and left, even though they hadn't officially ended things at that point. The pain was too overwhelming to bear.

"I wish I could love someone, but I don't think I'm capable of it. Even if someone loves me, it would be better if I simply disappeared..."

"Don't say that! Love doesn't lead to someone's demise," Sorn insists, his voice filled with concern.

Gia gazes at him, a melancholic smile playing on her lips.

"You don't understand..."

"Ah... Because you've never told me," Sorn sighs. He leans in closer to her, their faces now mere inches apart. While they have always embraced each other as friends, the confession has changed everything, and both of them can feel the shift in the air between them.

"Tell me. If I lean closer like this, can I get killed?" Sorn asks, his voice filled with anticipation.

Gia playfully pushes him, trying to maintain a semblance of distance. But Sorn manages to grab her hand, locking eyes with her. His gaze is intense as he leans in closer, whispering into her ear.

"Let's put it to the test," he suggests, his words sending a shiver down her spine.

Before Gia can fully process what is happening, Sorn presses his lips against hers in a deep, passionate kiss. It takes her by surprise, and she gasps, momentarily wanting to pull away. But Sorn's hand on her back pulls her closer, and she finds herself unable to resist the surge of emotion that courses through her.

Kissing her best friend feels strange, according to popular belief. But as Gia succumbs to the warmth and familiarity of Sorn's lips, she realizes that there is something undeniably magical about sharing this intimate moment with someone who knows her so well. She admits to herself that kissing Sorn doesn't feel wrong at all.

Could it be that she is developing romantic feelings for him?

She ponders the question, realizing that there is nothing inherently wrong with falling for Sorn. He has always been by her side, through the highs and lows, never leaving and never hurting her. Despite their occasional bickering, which is normal between friends, Tamara's words echo in her mind — finding someone like Sorn in this day and age is a rarity. Gia closes her eyes, allowing her body to guide her, rather than overthinking with her mind.

No one can love you as I do! You're mine, Gia!" he declares, his voice filled with possessiveness.

Her immediate reaction is to push him away, creating some distance between them. She can feel her lips trembling, the realization sinking in that she has made a mistake.

"What's with this unfaithful feeling?" she wonders, her mind clouded with confusion.

"G, are you okay?" Sorn asks, still in shock but maintaining his composure.

"I... I can't do this... It's..." Gia stammers, unable to find the right words to express herself.

"It's fine. I'm sorry, okay?" Sorn's voice is calm and understanding as he reaches out to gently caress her back. Deep down, he hides his disappointment, determined to give her the space she needs. He wants Gia to love him genuinely and without any reservations.

"I'm sorry, Sorn. I... Just can't..." Gia's voice trails off, her eyes filled with a mix of regret and uncertainty.

"It's okay, hmm? I'm not forcing you. I just... Repay you," Sorn offers a lighthearted excuse, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Repay me?" Gia raises an eyebrow, curious about his reasoning.

"Yes. You stole a kiss from me when we were in Paris. So, I thought I'd do the same," he explains, a playful tone lacing his words.

"But I was drunk. I didn't even remember until Mara told me," Gia pouts, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Well, now that you know, I never held it against you. Besides, you looked cute when you were drunk! I wouldn't mind getting the kiss," Sorn teases her, trying to ease the tension.

"You're so mean, Sorn! Making fun of me like that!" Gia playfully punches his shoulder, eliciting a slight grunt of mock pain from him.

"You're adorable when you're embarrassed!"

"Stop it, Sorn! Now you're making me even more embarrassed!"

"Oho, now you are?" Sorn chuckles, enjoying their lighthearted banter.

"Hey!" Gia protests, but a smile tugs at the corners of her lips, unable to resist his infectious laughter.

They continue joking and goofing around, savoring the precious moments of their time together. It feels as if time has stood still, just the two of them, like in the good old days. Gia begins to believe that she might be on the path to a full recovery, ready to leave the past behind and embrace life with a newfound appreciation.

That's what she hopes, as they bask in the joy of the present moment.

***

Later that night, she finds herself alone in her new apartment, the silence enveloping her. Despite her outward appearance of happiness, deep inside, she carries a heavy burden.

Tears stream down her face, and her sobs echo through the room. The weight of her situation becomes unbearable, and she clutches her phone tightly, reading the threatening messages over and over again.

She knew this was coming. She had expected it, but the reality of it hit her hard. The words on the screen, filled with possessiveness and a dark obsession, send a chill down her spine.

LOOKS LIKE YOU REALLY WANNA PLAYING WITH FIRE THIS TIME, MY JELLYBEAN. I'LL ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE. YOU MESSED UP WITH ME GREATLY THIS TIME!

BUT SINCE YOU NEED TO RECOVER MORE FROM WHAT WE DID LAST TIME, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE LAST CHANCE. BUT REMEMBER, YOU ARE MINE, AND ALWAYS BE MINE! NO ONE COULD EVER COME BETWEEN US. I SWEAR, I WILL GET RID EVERY HUMAN; MEN, WOMEN EVEN CHILDREN WHO DARE TO SPLIT US! MARK MY WORD, JELLYBEAN. YOU ARE MINE

The fear takes hold of her, and she curls up in a desperate attempt to protect herself, even though deep down, she knows there is no escape.

In the depths of her despair, she realizes that she is trapped. Bound to him, forever. No one can save her from this torment. The realization drowns her in a sea of hopelessness, as she resigns herself to the fact that she will forever be his possession.