The golf match had begun.
A line of pristine carts followed the players along the fairway, staff waiting with drinks and umbrellas like soldiers for their generals.
Sanya stepped up, her white skirt swaying with each stride.
She swung her club with fluid confidence, the ball cutting through the air and landing with a perfect bounce onto the green.
Polite applause rippled from the onlookers.
Lek stood a little further back, hands in her pockets, trying to look invisible.
She wasn't sure where to put herself among these polished heirs and heiresses who chatted about summer houses and luxury cars like it was small talk.
Then someone stepped beside her.
"Not really your kind of scene, is it?"
Lek stiffened and turned.
A tall man in a designer polo shirt smirked at her.
He was young but carried the lazy arrogance of someone born into power.
"...I'm fine," Lek muttered, eyes forward.
He chuckled, tilting his head.
"You work at the casino, right? Security, I think? Funny, seeing you here. Must feel strange. Like walking into a private club you don't have the password for."
Lek's jaw clenched, but she stayed silent.
The man grinned wider, enjoying himself.
"What's your connection to Sanya, anyway? Bodyguard? Or…" his gaze flicked, sharp with suggestion, "…something else?"
Lek's lips pressed into a thin line.
On the course, Sanya lined up for her next shot.
But her concentration broke when she glanced over her shoulder, her sharp eyes catching sight of Lek.
And the man beside her.
Her swing froze mid-prep.
She narrowed her gaze, studying the interaction from a far.
Lek's posture was stiff, defensive.
The man's smirk was all too familiar.
Sanya's brow furrowed.
Recognition hit.
She knew him.
The smug son of a co-founder of their casino empire.
One of those entitled rich kids who thought the world was theirs by birthright.
Her teeth ground together.
She didn't like the way he was leaning toward Lek.
She hated it.
"Excuse me," she said coolly to her opponent, handing her club to a staff member without ceremony.
She strode off the course, her heels digging into the soft grass like every step was an announcement.
When she reached them, her presence hit like cold steel.
"Interesting seeing you here," she said sharply, her eyes cutting through the man.
"I didn't realize parasites were invited to this event."
The man blinked, taken aback, but tried to smirk.
"Sanya. Always a pleasure—"
"Don't," she snapped, her tone slicing through his attempt.
"I saw the way you were talking. I don't appreciate it."
His smirk faltered, but he tried to laugh it off.
"It's just a conversation. Don't be so serious."
Her eyes burned, voice rising, sharper now.
"You don't get to come here and throw your arrogance around like that. Not with me. And definitely not with her."
She gestured fiercely at Lek, her protective stance clear as day.
The man raised his hands defensively, but his pride was wounded.
"Relax. You'll cause a scene."
"I'll cause whatever scene I damn well want if you don't leave."
Sanya's voice was low, dangerous.
"Now."
Her intensity turned heads.
A few of the nearby players paused, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
Lek's pulse spiked.
This wasn't good.
She knew how important this event was for Sanya's image.
"Sanya, hey.." She stepped closer, placing a careful hand on the heiress's wrist.
The moment the touch landed, everything stilled.
Sanya froze mid-word.
Her eyes dropped to the hand holding her, warm and firm.
Her chest tightened with a sudden, unexpected flutter, like the pressure in her throat melted away in an instant.
For a moment, she forgot about the man.
She only saw Lek.
Her pulse betrayed her composure, thudding louder than the whispers now circling the green.
She swallowed, lips parting slightly, her fierce expression softening as if that single touch had pulled her back from the edge.
The man scoffed, muttering something about "overreacting," before striding away to rejoin the others.
But neither woman paid him any mind anymore.
Lek's brows furrowed with concern, her voice steady but quiet.
"...Don't let him get to you. It's not worth it."
Sanya lifted her gaze, meeting Lek's steady eyes from behind the black glasses.
Her breath caught, her chest tickling with an unfamiliar warmth that melted her anger into something softer, something dangerous in a different way.
For the first time that day, she had nothing to say back.
The man was gone, but the echo of Sanya's sharp words still hung in the air.
The other players returned their focus to the game, whispering dying down as the commotion faded.
Yet Sanya stood frozen, her wrist tingling where Lek's hand still rested.
Her heart hadn't settled.
It was racing,far too fast for her usual poise.
The warmth of that grip had seeped under her skin, rattling the walls she had built around herself.
Then Lek noticed.
The realization struck her, and she quickly pulled her hand away as if burned.
Her sunglasses slipped a little down her nose, almost exposing the red in her ears.
She bowed slightly, voice low and hurried.
"Forgive me, I shouldn't have done that. It was inappropriate."
Sanya blinked, the words dragging her back to her usual self.
And just like that, the heiress' lips curved into a slow smirk.
She crossed her arms, her composure slipping into something dangerously playful.
"Inappropriate?" she drawled, eyes narrowing with mischief.
"So you admit you couldn't resist touching me, hm?"
Lek's head snapped up, eyes wide behind the black lenses.
"That's not.. I just—"
Her fumbling only made Sanya's smirk deepen.
She tilted her head, savoring every second of the woman's discomfort.
"You know," she added, lowering her voice so only Lek could hear,
"if you wanted to hold me, you could have just asked. No need to make it so… accidental."
Lek's throat tightened.
She stiffened, looking like she might break in two from trying so hard to keep a straight face.
"I apologize," she muttered firmly, almost like a soldier reporting to a superior.
Her broad shoulders squared, jaw tight. "It won't happen again."
Sanya chuckled lightly, enjoying the little storm she had stirred.
"Such a serious face… You really don't know how to take a joke, do you?"
Her eyes softened briefly, though her smirk stayed. "Relax. I don't mind."
Lek swallowed hard, choosing silence over risking another slip.
Sanya let her linger in that discomfort for just a beat longer before she sighed dramatically and glanced at the green where the game continued.
"Boring," she muttered under her breath, waving a hand dismissively.
"I've had enough of this charade."
She turned on her heel, her ponytail swishing behind her as she took a few steps forward before glancing over her shoulder.
"Well? Are you coming?"
Lek blinked. "You want to leave?"
"Yes," Sanya replied simply, her tone carrying both command and indulgence.
Her smirk curved again, sly and daring.
"You've already made this event infinitely more entertaining, so I see no reason to stay. Let's go."
Her gaze lingered on Lek, almost daring her to refuse.
And though the weight of all the curious stares still pressed against Lek's back, she found herself nodding, falling into step behind Sanya.
As they walked off the field together, Lek's chest tightened with something unfamiliar, a mix of nerves, relief, and a strange warmth she couldn't shake.
Meanwhile, Sanya let her smirk linger, masking the very thing she was trying so hard not to admit to herself:
That one touch had left her rattled in a way no one ever had before.
_____________
After leaving the golf course, Lek expected to be sent home, but Sanya had other plans.
Instead of heading back to the casino, the car turned toward the outskirts of the city.
Lek shifted in her seat, looking at Sanya from the corner of her eye.
"We're not going back?" Lek finally asked.
Sanya tilted her head, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"No. I've had enough of fake laughter and overpriced champagne for today. I want something different."
The words lingered, making Lek's chest tighten.
She wasn't sure what Sanya meant, but she followed anyway.
The car stopped at a quiet villa perched above the hills, overlooking the city lights.
It was far too extravagant for Lek's taste, yet the silence was comforting after the chatter of the rich crowd.
The villa was quiet, the air scented faintly with jasmine and chilled from the steady hum of the air conditioner.
Sanya walked ahead with that poised confidence only she could carry, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
"Come on, Follow me," she said without looking back.
Lek nodded silently, trailing after her until they stopped in front of a tall double door.
Sanya opened it and stepped inside, motioning for Lek to enter.
It was a private room, large but uncluttered, with a wide mirror mounted on one wall and dim lights casting a golden glow.
Before Lek could ask why they were here, Sanya reached for her blouse and began undoing the buttons, one by one.
Lek froze, her breath caught halfway.
"S-sanya…" she stammered, snapping her eyes shut and turning her face away. "I'll leave you to—"
But Sanya's voice cut her off, smooth and commanding.
"No. You need to help me first."
Lek's eyes widened.
She hesitated, but when she looked back, Sanya was already watching her, sharp eyes catching every flicker of her expression.
The heiress tilted her head, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"And why are you getting red, hm?" she teased softly.
"Surely it's not new for you… to see a woman's body."
Lek swallowed hard, her voice low and defensive.
"It's not. But you're my boss. It's… inappropriate."
That answer only made Sanya's brows lift, a spark of irritation flashing in her eyes.
She took a slow step forward, then another.
Lek instinctively stepped back until her shoulders hit the wall.
The air between them shifted.
Sanya leaned closer, her perfume warm and heady, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"Then why would you get shy, Lek? If you meant being professional…" Her lips curled into a smirk, her breath brushing Lek's ear.
"Unless it's … something else."
Lek's throat worked as she swallowed, her Adam's apple rising in her long neck.
She quickly looked away, straightening her back, forcing her voice steady.
"Okay, I'll… help you."
That earned her a soft chuckle, rich with amusement.
"Good girl," Sanya murmured, stepping back just enough.
Lek lifted her hands, her long fingers brushing against the fabric as she carefully undid the remaining buttons.
Her movements were precise, almost mechanical, but her eyes flicked nervously to the mirror across from them.
Sanya, of course, noticed everything, the stiff seriousness in Lek's face, the faint tremor in her touch, the way her ears were betraying her by burning red.
Every time those broad, careful hands brushed against her skin, Sanya's body responded with an involuntary shiver.
Goosebumps scattered across her arms despite the cool air.
The silence thickened, charged with something unspoken.
Sanya didn't break it, she only watched, savoring the way Lek's composure wavered.
Finally, the blouse slid from her shoulders, revealing flawless pale skin down her back.
Lek coughed softly, trying to regain her professional demeanor.
"I'm… done with my job," she muttered, stepping back quickly.
Sanya turned slightly, the smirk still playing on her lips as she caught Lek's reflection in the mirror.
"Are you sure?" she teased, voice like velvet.
Lek stiffened, bowing her head to avoid the heiress's eyes.
She mumbled something close to an apology, but that only made Sanya laugh softly, low and playful, like she was enjoying every second of this little game.
The air was heavy, warm, intimate.
Neither of them said what was really sitting between them, but both felt it.
Minutes later, Sanya finally stepped out of the room, Lek couldn't help but draw in a quiet breath.
Gone was the half-undone blouse and teasing vulnerability, now she wore a fitted casual dress, elegant yet dangerous in its simplicity.
The fabric clung to her curves, tracing every sway of her hips with a confidence only she could command.
Her hair framed her sharp features, her thin fierce brows and the slight curve of her pinkish lips giving her the look of someone who knew her power and wielded it effortlessly.
Lek tried, truly tried not to stare.
But her eyes betrayed her, lingering too long on the lines of that dress, the sway of her walk, the way everything about Sanya seemed untouchable yet magnetic.
Why is it so hard not to look at her?
she thought, scolding herself. After all that teasing, it only made her more nervous, and she knew the heiress knew, how much she was enjoying her reaction.
Lek clenched her fists at her side.
I can't let her have that power again.
Sanya's eyes caught hers suddenly, sharp and curious.
"Spacing out?" she asked with a light tilt of her head.
Lek blinked, her ears burning as she bowed slightly.
"Sorry."
The heiress let it slide with a small smile and led the way out toward a terrace.
A small table was set there, just for two, with a perfect view of the mountains wrapping around Bangkok.
The evening breeze was cool, carrying the scent of pine and city smoke, mixing into something oddly comforting.
Sanya sat first, graceful as always.
Lek hovered awkwardly until Sanya gestured at the seat across from her.
"Sit."
Obediently, Lek did. She rested her hands on her lap, still stiff from the earlier scene.
For a while, silence stretched between them.
Sanya leaned back, eyes fixed on the view.
The wind swept through, tugging strands of her dark hair free.
Her lips pressed into a firm line, and her face, usually guarded, confident looked lost in a thought too heavy to shake off.
Then, without turning, she spoke.
Her voice was quieter, softer.
"Sometimes… being an heiress makes me tired."
Lek looked up, startled.
There was something raw in the tone, something different from the Sanya she knew, the heiress who teased, smirked, commanded.
Sanya's gaze remained on the horizon, but her eyes carried a weight, a sad glint that Lek had never noticed before.
"It makes me lonely, too."
Lek didn't answer immediately, just studied her.
For once, it wasn't confidence or superiority in those sharp eyes, it was something almost… fragile.
Sanya let out a faint laugh, bitter at the edges.
"You probably think I have it easy. Being rich, being me."
Lek parted her lips, unsure what to say.
But before she could form a response, Sanya continued, her voice steady yet tinged with that strange mix of defiance and vulnerability.
"Money makes everything easier, yes. You can buy comfort. Escape boredom. Even people, sometimes."
She shifted her gaze, locking on Lek with a half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"But it doesn't make things… less empty. It doesn't change the fact that most of the time, people only see what they want from me. Not me."
Her words lingered in the air.
Sanya's gaze lingered on the horizon, but her voice dipped lower, carried almost away by the mountain breeze.
"even with all of this..." she gestured around them, her perfectly manicured hand sweeping across the villa, the view, the wealth that wrapped around her like a cage,
"I still feel so lonely..."
Lek blinked at her, a small frown knitting her brows.
Sanya's lips curved in the faintest of smiles, but it was bitter, weighed down.
"I can have almost anything I want. Clothes, Cars, even people throwing themselves at me just because I'm who I am."
Her eyes softened, though the sharpness of her brows made her look more vulnerable than Lek had ever seen her.
"But the one thing I've never had…" she paused, her voice thinning, "…is love. Real love. Something that isn't tangled with the word heiress."
Lek's heart stumbled.
She shifted slightly in her chair, unsure why her chest tightened hearing Sanya's confession.
The heiress continued, a little laugh escaping, humorless but soft.
"It's a struggle. Every time someone claims to want me, I wonder, is it me they see? Or just my name, my father's empire, the money, the power? It's exhausting."
Lek studied her carefully.
For someone so beautiful, so untouchable, it was hard to imagine her ever being unwanted.
Quietly, Lek spoke, her voice betraying her confusion.
"But… you're beautiful. You're smart. Rich. It's impossible no one has truly fallen for you."
Sanya turned her head then, eyes locking directly on Lek.
Her lips curved, not into her usual smirk, but into a smile that carried a painful truth.
"Oh, there are countless people who've wanted me, Lek."
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze never wavering.
"But the sad truth is… they wanted Sanya the heiress. Not Sanya, the woman."
Her words cut the air between them, heavy and unshakable.
Lek swallowed, her throat tight.
Sanya's eyes softened again, but now there was something else, something curious, something searching.
"That's why I want something different."
Lek's chest tightened further, her palms sweating slightly as she sat straighter in her chair, caught in that unwavering gaze.
Then Sanya asked it, calmly, smoothly, but with an edge that made Lek's pulse jump.
"Tell me, Lek… if it were you… would it be possible for you to like me?"
The sudden question landed like a strike.
Lek's breath caught, her eyes widening.
She had no answer, her mind scattering in every direction.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Her heart thumped painfully in her chest, louder than the quiet wind.
Sanya didn't look away, didn't let her escape.
The heiress sat there, perfectly composed, her lips tilted in the faintest of curves, waiting, watching every flicker in Lek's face, every trace of hesitation.
Lek's throat tightened, the weight of Sanya's question pressing down on her chest.
She opened her mouth, but her words stumbled before they found shape.
"I… no. I have no right to even think of something like that."
Her voice was firm, but the faint tremor betrayed her.
She lowered her gaze, hands curling tightly on her knees.
"You're rich, Sanya. You live in a world far above mine. Even if…"
She hesitated, her jaw tightening.
"…even if I ever did feel that way, I'd rather not let it happen. It's too complicated."
Her words fell like a stone in the quiet space between them.
Gathering courage, Lek finally lifted her gaze.
Sanya was staring at her, lips slightly parted, her dark eyes sharp yet unreadable.
But there was something else there too, something that almost looked like pain, hidden deep within her.
Lek's breath caught.
She wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but it was there, flickering for only a second.
Then, Sanya's tongue brushed against her bottom lip, her jaw tightening as if she was swallowing something heavy.
She looked away briefly, her expression composed once again, though her eyes glimmered faintly with something darker.
"I'm not surprised you'd say that, Lek," she murmured, her voice low, controlled.
She shifted in her seat, leaning back, and for the first time there was no playful teasing in her tone, only cold determination.
"But you should know one thing about me. I may be an heiress, but I have a trait I can't change."
Her eyes flicked back to Lek, steady and piercing.
"If I want something… like, really want it… I never let it slip through my hands. Especially when it's already so close."
Her words were heavy, deliberate, each one pressing into Lek's chest like a slow drumbeat.
Confusion flickered across Lek's face.
Her lips parted, unsure if she understood what Sanya was really saying.
"What… what do you mean by that?"
Sanya's lips curved, not in sweetness, but in a smirk that carried both challenge and promise.
She didn't answer.
Instead, she stood gracefully, the swaying of her hips controlled, deliberate.
She brushed past Lek's chair, her perfume lingering faintly in the air.
Without looking back, she said softly just loud enough to be heard:
"You'll figure it out."
And with that, she walked away, leaving Lek frozen in her seat, her heart racing with questions that had no answers.