Gia POV

"Sorn, please..." I grasp his hand, coaxing him to meet my gaze. He lets out an exasperated huff and averts his eyes.

"I'm sorry. It's just..."

"Enough apologies, G. You never listen," I interject, cutting him off.

"No, really! But-"

"Who am I to you, huh? Am I simply your perpetually bothersome best friend? It wouldn't bother me if the situation were trivial, but this concerns your well-being! And still, you doubt my trust?" I feel the urge to bite my tongue, realizing the weight of my words.

Sorn is always right. His intuition never falters. He can effortlessly detect negative energies. But how can I reveal the truth to him? Will he regard me the same way? How will he process it?

"I have my reasons..."

"Not again!" Sorn sighs, drawing nearer. His finger gently brushes against my cheek. This physical proximity is his response when he's upset with me. He finds solace in our closeness, like an endearing gesture I can employ in our moments of conflict or banter.

"I'm worried..."

"I know, but trust me, I'm perfectly fine!"

"There's a vacant unit right next to mine..."

"Become your neighbor? That's quite a stretch!" I chuckle, gripping his hand tightly.

"But still, it's not entirely impossible..."

"Listen, there's no need to fret. Maybe it's just an isolated incident. I promise I'll take some precautions, alright?" I flash him a reassuring smile, extending three fingers like a pledge.

"How about installing a CCTV system?"

"Sounds like a solid plan," I respond, sharing a knowing smile.

"What's going on, you two?" A voice startles us from behind, causing me to spin around.

There stands Way, his expression as inscrutable as ever.

"I was suggesting that G should install CCTV at her place," Sorn explains, smiling at Way while casually placing his arm around my shoulder. The young man nods in agreement.

"That's a great idea. I could use a reliable recommendation," Way remarks, his gaze fixed on me.

"Oh, now I remember. You were the one who called G in the first place, right?" Sorn chuckles, breaking free from my grasp and striding towards his brother.

"G is straightforward," Way states, his eyes never wavering from me.

"And undeniably adorable..."

Now, both men observe me as I playfully place my hands on my waist, shaking my head with a smile. Slowly, I intertwine my arms and squeeze myself between the two brothers.

"This adorable lady will give both of you a good scolding later. We have a meeting to attend. Let's go..." With a smile plastered on my face, I pull them along, leading us outside.

As the three of us stroll hand in hand down the corridor, an abrupt tension fills the air. We exchange bewildered glances, uncertainty clouding our minds.

"What's wrong?" Sorn inquires, approaching one of the staff members.

"There has been an accident," the staff member responds, unable to provide further details. He hurries away, leaving us puzzled.

Tamara bursts out of her room, visibly anxious and stressed.

"Mara, what happened?" I inquire, my voice tinged with concern.

"It's Cruise. He fell down the stairs!"

"On how many steps?" I chuckle, initially finding amusement in the news.

However, the seriousness etched on Tamara's face wipes away any trace of laughter. I gasp, releasing my hands from their intertwined position.

She's not joking around.

"That can't be serious, right?" Sorn questions, mirroring my disbelief.

"He fell from the backstage staircase while inspecting the backdrop," Tamara explains. Our faces contort with horror.

"I thought he fell from the regular staircase!"

"No, it was the 40-foot staircase in the main hall studio," Tamara reveals. I feel myself growing faint, but Way manages to steady me. Despite my irritation towards Cruise, this is far too distressing—a dreadful tragedy.

"How is he?" I inquire, my voice trembling.

"The team rushed him to the hospital. They just left," Tamara informs us.

"I need to go check the scene," Sorn declares, turning to Way. Way nods in agreement before the two of them depart, leaving the rest of us behind.

"Me too..."

"No, you need to stay here and be ready to handle the influx of phone calls. The media might already be aware of this," Tamara insists.

Reluctantly, I comply. As the Vice President, it's my responsibility to handle such matters.

"I need to head to the police station. I'll call you later," Mara states, her assistant approaching with her belongings.

"Take care, Mara!"

"I will," Tamara responds before parting ways with me. Now alone, I make my way to my office. I retrieve the case file from my desk and begin studying it myself.

How could someone as cautious as Cruise end up in such an accident? I know he has a hands-on approach when he's dissatisfied with the results, but to fall from those stairs is beyond comprehension. He was well acquainted with the hazards of that area. It's like a second playground for us.

Was it intentional?

My face turns pale. Could it be...?

I immediately reviewed the texts exchanged yesterday.

I'll deal with him later!

My eyes widen in realization.

***

Despite Sorn's persistent arguments, my stubborn nature refused to stay at his place for long. As I entered my apartment just now, I could sense his sulking demeanor. But deep down, I knew it wouldn't last. Sorn has always been quick to cool down.

I place my keys on the side table by the entrance, exhaling with a hint of frustration. I push aside any lingering uneasiness and brace myself. I must face this situation on my own. Repeating to myself that it's all just a coincidence helps me convince myself that I am safe within the confines of my own home. I repeat it over and over again.

When I connect the dots between the previous incident and the recent attack, my heart sinks. That man meant what he said. I can't afford to take any more risks. I can't be reckless. That's why I decided to leave Sorn's house. He is now at risk, and I can't bear the thought of him becoming the next target. I refuse to let that happen.

After tidying up my cluttered studio apartment, I take a relaxing bath. I light a soothing lavender aromatherapy candle, hoping it will aid my sleep. I need to rest, even if just for a little while. Perhaps tonight, if that lunatic dares to show up, I'll be ready to confront him. I need some rest to gather my strength and bring this to an end.

Lying on my bed, I scroll through my phone, searching for ways to defend myself in case of an attack. I delve into articles and videos, absorbing various self-defense techniques and moves. I am determined to apprehend this man, no matter what it takes. If this attack was not a random act, then it's up to me to handle the situation and protect myself.

***

Suddenly, the silence jolts me awake. The room is enveloped in darkness now, and I can only assume that the candle has been extinguished. I'm still clad in my robe, likely having dozed off while browsing on my phone.

As I attempt to shift my body to the side, I'm met with a chilling realization—I can't move, not even an inch! My eyes widen in alarm as I become fully aware of my predicament.

My hands are tightly bound to the bed frame.

And there's someone lying behind me, toying with my hair. Their long fingers trace a slow, unsettling path from my shoulder, down to my arms, waist, and pelvis. Their other arm wraps around my waist, constricting me and making it difficult to breathe.

"Miss me, jellybean?" a voice sneers, sending a shiver down my spine.