Chapter 1
Four years ago, Bangkok.
Isara Lucknara watched the figure walking down from the faculty building of a prestigious state university with gleaming eyes. The young woman accompanied by her classmates was strikingly distinct. While not conventionally sharp or dazzling, her beauty was the kind that grew more captivating the longer one looked. Coupled with a curvaceous physique hidden beneath a loose university uniform—appearing slightly plump by the standards of the slim-beauty era—she exuded a sensuality that fueled a man's fantasies.
"Nong Prae."
"P'Isara."
The owner of the name turned to look at him, as did most of the students in the area. The young man was well aware that he always drew attention, both for his looks and his reputation; he was the son of a business tycoon whose surname commanded respect and immense wealth nationwide.
"I'm here to take you out for lunch," he said, glancing at her friends who stood there looking bewildered. "You can invite your friends too, if you'd like."
Unakarn blinked. She had never made an appointment with him, nor did she even know he was coming. Although he had been relentlessly pursuing her for several months, she didn't want to humiliate him since he was a final-year Master's student in the same faculty.
"Khwan and Kae invited me to eat at the canteen..." she said, signaling Khwanjira and Kayure to help her out. "The thing is, we have a tutoring session."
"Nong Khwan and Nong Kae, don't you ever get bored of the canteen food? A new restaurant I want to take you to just opened, and it's packed. Luckily, I managed to book a table."
The two girls exchanged a quick glance, sensing the situation, but they were equally intimidated by the senior's famous surname.
"Exams are just a few days away, so we don't really want to go anywhere far, P'Isara," Khwanjira said softly, being naturally considerate.
"If you need someone to help with the tutoring, you can just let me know."
"Khwan is tutoring us. She's the smartest one here," Unakarn said in a gentle voice, looking at her friends as if asking for a timeout when it seemed no one could help. She then led Isara aside.
"I didn't call to make an appointment because you always turn me down, saying you're busy," the young man complained immediately once they reached the shade of a tree outside the building. He took the opportunity to lean in close, almost brushing against her, despite Unakarn retreating to a proper distance. He felt a surge of pride seeing her smooth cheeks turn a faint shade of pink.
"Don't you already have a girlfriend, P'Isara?"
"If I did, how could I come to see you like this?"
"Khun Ginny's friends probably wouldn't lie to me."
She mentioned the nickname of Ginjutha Kridakul, an international program senior at the same university. Ginny was a student from a different faculty and a prominent new-generation socialite in Thailand. Meanwhile, Isara had graduated from the United States three or four years prior and had been living the life of a handsome, wealthy heir until his family pressured him into a Master's degree; otherwise, he wouldn't get the executive position he desired.
"Ginny and I are just friends," Isara said, feigning displeasure. "Who told you such a thing to make you misunderstand me?"
Involving others in trouble was not in Unakarn's nature, so she simply shook her head. "Never mind then."
"How can I 'never mind' when they've made you misunderstand me this badly?"
"If it weren't true, why would they try to keep you away from me for Khun Ginny?" she asked softly.
"I don't like to gossip about ladies, but Ginny might have some feelings for me." The young man sighed, looking at her with pleading eyes, begging her to believe him. "We meet at social events often because of family and business. But my eyes are only for you."
"She seems like a perfect match for you."
"Women like Ginny are everywhere." The flirtatious man's gaze softened even further. "But a woman like you is not easy to find."
The young woman felt awkward hearing that. Although she had no shortage of suitors, they usually either scattered due to the handiwork of her 'villainous' youngest sister or gave up on their own because of her consistently gentle yet stagnant demeanor.
Isara was different. He was determined, persistent, and dedicated, often coming to her faculty with gifts. Even though she tried to return expensive items like jewelry or bags, he would find less valuable things like flowers, snacks, and books he knew she liked.
"I'm not that special. You could surely find someone much better."
"But my heart already belongs to you. Even if someone better came along, I wouldn't care."
Unakarn turned her face away, feeling weary. She started when her small hand was suddenly snatched and held by him.
"P'Isara!"
"Go to lunch with me, please. Nong Khwan and Kae can come along too if you're afraid of me."
Unakarn hadn't even had the chance to refuse because she was distracted, looking down suspiciously at something he had shoved into her hand. To onlookers, it appeared as though a young couple was engaged in a typical flirtatious exchange.
"What is this?" she asked, pouring the shimmering item out of a small velvet bag.
"I went to an exhibition with my mother and thought it was cute, so I bought it for you."
The item was a small pearl bracelet interspersed with modern-cut gemstones, likely carrying a significant price tag. Although her family wasn't wealthy, Unakarn was familiar with such things because her mother often polished them in her spare time. Her older sister, Shanya or Pudpitchaya, a famous actress known for her villainous roles, also possessed many such valuables and occasionally passed them down for her to use.
"This is real."
"How could I buy something fake for someone special like you?" He made a hurt sound as if insulted.
Unakarn quickly shook her head. "I didn't mean it like that, but this is far too expensive."
She put the item back into the black velvet bag to return it, but Isara pressed his hand over hers.
"You've never accepted anything from me."
"Because I can't accept it," she said softly but with a newfound seriousness in her eyes. "It isn't appropriate."
"Can't I even give a birthday present to the person I love?"
"How did you know today was my..."
"I make it my business to know everything about you."
The young woman froze for a moment. Her hand was still being held when a new voice rang out.
"My, even in the university, you have no sense of decorum."
"Being so physical like this... they really are right about the quiet ones. These innocent-looking types can never be trusted!"
Startled, Unakarn pulled her hand away, causing the velvet bag to slip and fall. The pair turned to see three female students in uniform, one of whom was Ginjutha Kridakul. However, the one who had spoken was one of the friends who came with her.
"Ginny," Isara exclaimed, his face losing color.
"You didn't tell me you were coming to the university today, Isara." The socialite's voice was laced with a chill that made Unakarn cast her eyes down to the ground in discomfort.
"Oh, what's this?" One of Ginjutha's friends walked closer, bending down to pick up the velvet bag and opening it without permission. "Pearls and fine gemstones, too. Did P'Isara buy this for his mother... or for this girl? What was her name again?"
"Prae."
"And what are you to P'Isara?"
"Nong Prae is a junior from my faculty," Isara answered for her.
"I recall the girl is in her third year, but aren't you in your final semester of the Master's program?" This time, Ginjutha asked herself.
"Show some respect, Ginny."
That sentence made the socialite's face stiffen instantly. "I was just curious."
"If she's just a junior, why give her something so valuable?" Ginjutha's friend, Jomnaree, wouldn't let it go.
"That is my private business!"
"Jom is just curious, like anyone else who knows that P'Isara is seeing Ginny." The senior student glanced at Unakarn with a look that made her go numb with shame. "How can you still be hanging around other girls?"
"Let's go," the socialite told her friends coldly, after casting only a brief, sideways glance at the junior.
Jomnaree, who had picked up the velvet bag from the ground, shoved it back into Isara's hand with a slight flick before walking away, arm-in-arm with Ginjutha. She spoke loudly enough for those behind her to hear.
"If it were me, I wouldn't stand for it. To be humiliated like this... everyone knows P'Isara is Ginny's boyfriend. Doing this is a blatant slap in the face."
"Don't say things to make Ginny overthink," Khakanang mediated. "It's better to let them clear it up themselves."
"Isara and I aren't boyfriend and girlfriend yet," the one in the middle interrupted.
"Wait, what?!"
"This is actually good. Now I can spend my time considering others." The socialite spoke in a flat voice that masked a bitter undertone.
Unakarn heard almost every sentence before the group disappeared behind the building. She also saw the expression on the senior's face, causing her to sigh inwardly.
"If that's all, I'll take my leave now."
Isara, momentarily caught off guard because of his own guilt, quickly protested. "Wait! I told you I was taking you to lunch."
"P'Isara, please don't do this."
The sentence was sweet and cool, without a trace of accusation or blame. Yet, it made the handsome man's face fall with a mix of shame and resentment. "I told you, I'm not involved with Ginny."
Unakarn offered a faint smile and shook her head. "I have to go. I won't have time to tutor, and I have another class this afternoon."
After she spoke, she turned to walk away but was caught by the arm. This time, the young woman simply lowered her gaze to the senior's hand and then looked up at him with an expression that made Isara release his grip instantly—something that was entirely uncharacteristic of him.
"I... I'm sorry. I just wanted to give you the gift."
"A gift for a junior in the faculty... just a piece of cake or some kind words would be enough."
"I don't see you as just a junior in the faculty."
"If we are just fellow students at the same university, then there's even less reason to give anything, isn't there?"
Isara was stunned. He never expected the sweet-faced, intoxicatingly polite girl he knew to strike back like that. She was threatening him—that if he didn't accept the boundaries she offered, they could only be strangers.
"But I love you... what if I clear things up on my end?"
Unakarn looked at him with wonder. "P'Isara, do you even know what I like to do in my spare time?"
"Uh..."
"Do you know my family?"
"You have your mother, and an older and younger sister each. Your older sister is the actress named Shanya."
The young woman smiled because he had gathered enough personal information. "And the younger sister?"
"She seems to be... a freshman here."
"Do you know what her personality is like?"
"Come on, I haven't even met her yet. Do I have to pass a test at home just to date you?"
Unakarn acted as if she were amused, in a way the onlooker could never understand. "Never mind then."
She glanced at her wristwatch and smiled in a way that signaled goodbye, before turning her back and walking away with a graceful yet decisive and unhesitating stride. Only when the alluring figure had disappeared behind the building did the handsome face harden, transforming into a completely different person.
"Damn it!"