Chapter Text
loud music was the only thing that was heard at the "Hide & Seek" nightclub. You could barely, just barely hear the yelled out conversations between other people. Sometimes you could make it out and eavesdrop on the most random plans belonging to the people you will probably never meet again, but most times it all comes down to a blur, the voices and screams blending in together with the up-beat music.
There stood Dokkaew Narong, a competent, hot-headed and merciless, when it came to crime investigations, detective. She was drinking liquor from a fancy glass with her investigating partner Khem, who only ordered a measly, weak, colorful coctail that contained at least a spit of alcohol. It looked pathetic and funny, to say the least.
Though none of them commented on their choice of drink as their attention was drawn to something, no -- someone. All the attention belonged to a gorgeous woman, sitting alone, enjoying her tall glass of wine, toying around with it every now and then as she looked thoughtfully at the liquid swirling around in the glass each time she tilted it. The woman was none other than Picha Bupphachinda, the middle sister of one of the most influential and richest families in Thailand.
What made her worth the attention wasn't her power, looks or wealth... it was the fact that she is now currently wearing the title of "crime suspect" along with her. No matter what she did, said or felt, the title always followed behind as if it was tattooed on her, or worn on her head like a crown.
The reason for that is just... existing at the wrong place during the wrong time, as people like to say. Picha likes to present herself and her story that way as well.
"The night that Nathat died... I was in the kitchen, getting myself a glass of water..." She spoke, adding pauses that seemed too long, too practiced for an innocent person who claimed to only be a witness.
"Then i heard a loud thud and... he was there, on the porch of the mansion. He looked.. horrible and so I, of course-- i screamed. I didn't know what to do. Me-- me and.. my sisters..." the victim hugged herself tighter as if it by doing that, she would successfully shield herself from whatever was after her.
"Her statement seems like a lie" Khem declares for the sixth time throughout the whole investigation period. I breathe out as a smirk forms on my lips, later on turning into a smile as I nudge him softly
"And the grass is green, Khem. How many more times will you say that, im curious." I tell him, absentmindedly mirroring Picha's movements as I begin to swirl around my liquor in my glass as well, admiring the glass momentarily before returning my focused gaze on the woman.
"I know but..." Khem starts again, sighing loudly as he impatiently taps his fingers against the glass of his drink he barely touched. "Most of it was confirmed to be true, yes, but... She barely gave out details, even though she claimed to be the first one who saw the body and the first one to try and help the victim, so why..." he trails off, not bothering to finish his sentence as the question lingered in both of our minds, but he focused on every possible answer he could think of.
"She's so pretty too... Why waste your time and lie on a case, knowing you might end up behind bars" I let out thoughtfully, watching the suspect finish her glass and stand up with a long, exasperated sigh before her legs lazily try to find the right path out of the club.
Khem only slaps my shoulder with a laugh "Whoa, Dok! Speaking like this...why not go and help her, maybe even take her out to dinner, huh, our little charmer?" He says, despite both of us knowing that he also had such thoughts circling around her name.
It was childish, really. Two grown people, suddenly gaining interest in a person they really shouldn't be interested in. This is what gets your name thrown out of the case files, no longer letting your hands admire the hard work put into the case.
The second you get acquainted with the crime suspect for whatever your reason may be... you have to take responsibility. To do that, you're forced to watch your precious case, the mystery you were so close to solving, be handed to someone else. The praise and promotions you could receive after solving the case and catching the culprit would no longer reach you, it would reach your opponents, you enemies. The ones who would take your case, find the answer and take all the credit for it. All because you traded your work in to mingle with a possible criminal.
Despite all of that, despite every risk possible I stand up abruptly, downing my glass of liquor. My fast paced movement caught Khem off guard, it almost looked like I jumped up from the seat because it was burning me. But maybe it really did...
Seeing Picha, the one you're interested barely able to walk, about to disappear from your radar and possibly falling under the care of a vicious man, whos probably already salivating at the thought of getting to play the role of hero, to ultimately get what his sick, twisted and perverted mind wants.
"Maybe I will" i can only say as I smile, watching my next victim already fall for the bait.
I could barely catch Khem's face twist in confusion before morphing into an angry pout as I swiftly make my way towards Picha, my pace fast, yet casual.
Just as i had expected I think to myself as I watch the woman trip on thin air and fall backwards. Before the man, who was carefully waiting for the right moment to slide in and steal Picha away from me, I catch her in one swift move and hold her close to me in a side hug, watching her yelp out in surprise before finally recognizing me and furrowing her brows in confusion.
"Sorry, she's with me" I declare to the man who only shoots me an annoyed glare before taking Picha's arm and looping it over my shoulders.
"What are you doing?!" The woman whisper-yells at me the moment we step out of the club, I can only muster up a smile at her weirdly adorable reactions.
"Im taking you home, Miss Bupphachinda." I address her formally, keeping my professionalism mask on despite the growing pace of my heartbeat. The shorter woman only pouts a bit, as if considering it before choosing not to protest and let me take her home.