Becky's POV
"Get out of there; I know you've been listening for a while." When Freen said that, I couldn't do anything but stand up, holding the blanket I had wrapped around my body.
I didn't know what to say to her, so I just stood there for a few minutes looking at her. Meanwhile, she was also just standing there at the side of the room with lifeless eyes, just looking at me. My heart was breaking at the sight of her, but I chose not to speak. I realized that sometimes silence speaks louder than words, and maybe that was what she needed at that moment. I silently prayed for her to find the strength to overcome whatever was troubling her. I know how she looks up to Mr. On and how he is like a father to her. I don't know how she feels about it, but I'm just wondering about my life without my parents, and losing the only person that serves as your family is already breaking my heart. It's important to be there for someone in their time of need, even if that means just being present and listening. I hope that she finds comfort in knowing that she has a support system and people who care about her.
"I'm going to take a shower in my room, and you can take a shower too; just go to the dining room after you so we can have breakfast. "We still have a press conference to attend, and I'll call your parents about our issue " she said, looking at me with no emotion.
After saying those, she adjusted her robe and fixed herself before going out of my room and leaving me here without looking back at me. I felt a chill down my spine as I realized that something was off about her behavior.
After I showered and got dressed, I immediately went straight to the dining room, as she said. I was surprised to see that Freen was not there. I wondered if she had meant a different room or if I had misunderstood her instructions.
''Hey, Beckzy , come join us .'' Kade invited me to join them at the dining table Tee, on the other hand, stood up and adjusted the chair for me to sit on her left side. Kade and Jim are on the other side of the table, while Saint is sitting in the middle. I smiled and walked towards the dining table, thanking Tee for the kind gesture. As I settled in, I couldn't help but notice the delicious aroma of the food that was being served. Kade had always been a great cook, and today was no exception. The table was filled with different dishes, from grilled chicken to roasted vegetables, and everything looked so appetizing.
"Wow, I thought it was just a simple breakfast." I said seeing those foods on the table.
They looked at me while holding their laughs.
''What?'' I asked confuse of their reaction to what I said.
''Bb , it's already past lunch, " Jim answered my confusion.
''I just decided to cook because they were craving my recipes, and we are all hungry, Kade added.
" Yeah, we haven't eat proper food since yesterday so let's make a feast now " Tee join to the conversation.
I just smiled and noded looking around hoping to see Freen around.
"She's not here. She went out I tried to stop but she insisted." Saint said he must have notice me.
"Where did she go?" I ask. "I'm not sure," he replies. "She didn't mention anything to me before she left."
''Let her be alone. Mr. On is such an important person to her. She might still be processing in her mind'' Saint added.
And I just nodded my head and agreed with him. It was clear that Mr. Ons had a significant impact on her, and it was best to give her space to sort out her thoughts and emotions.
And we all came to think about it in silence. ''As her friends, we should be there for her when she's ready to talk about it. It's important to show our support and let her know that we care. But now the best thing we could do is let her have her time alone," Jim said. The group nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of respecting Freen's need for solitude. They made a mental note to check in on her later and offer any assistance she may need.
"Now, I feel guilty for cooking a lot, like I am celebrating something horrible," Kade says, realizing that.
And we all fell silent again. Now we have all lost our appetite .
''Guys, she's in the morgue where Mr. On's body was.'' Tee suddenly batted in as she checked her phone. Everyone looked at Tee in shock, wondering what news she had received on her phone that could be so disturbing. The atmosphere in the room became even more tense as they waited for Tee to speak.
She shows us her phone, where we can see how Freen was being broadcast going inside the morgue where Mr. On's body was laid. Thankfully, she was with her bodyguards and the hospital's guards, who are blocking the reporters who are trying to get her opinion about this crime.
''As I was expecting , thank God the guards I sent to follow her made it on time, '' Saint blurted out.
And we all looked at him.
''I had a feeling she was going to do this. What ? Do you think I'd just let her go by herself? Saint explained himself as we looked and in disbelief .
Tee shook her head and smiled. Saint always had a plan and was glad that everything worked out well. And we continued looking at the news on the phone. I can see Tee felt relieved knowing that Saint was always there to take care of things. It was not the first time Saint had come through for us, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. His reliability was one of the reasons why we valued his friendship so much.
On the other hand
''Maam, you are not allowed to come in and see the body inside the morgue; only family members are allowed to enter for identification purposes. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we have strict protocols to ensure the privacy and dignity of the deceased. If you are a family member, we can assist you with the identification process. The body is going to undergo an autopsy, so no one is allowed to touch or disturb it until the examination is completed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter, '' said the assigned personnel of the morgue where Mr. On's body lay.
''Are you deaf I said I just want to see him. I will not touch or do anything to disturb your investigation, '' said Freen.
The detective who just arrived replied, "I understand your concern, but interfering with an ongoing investigation is a serious offense. Please wait patiently, and we will update you as soon as possible."
'' If you are not a family member, we advise you to contact the authorities or the family to inquire about the situation. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.'' The personnel continued.
"I am his family, and I just want to see him," Freen insisted.
''Please, let her through. I am letting you do whatever you want to my husband's body for investigation, but just let her see him one last time. She was like a daughter to us.'' A woman in her 50s batted at the conversation going between them.
The woman in her 50s had tears streaming down her face as she pleaded with the officer to allow Freen to say goodbye. She explained that On had been a constant support system for her when he was still alive and that it would mean the world to them if she could have one last moment with her husband.
The detective and the personnel had nothing to do but let Freen get inside the morgue , and the old woman remained outside with other police officers securing the area. Freen's heart was pounding as she approached the cold metal door, knowing that she was about to come face to face with the victim's body. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door, steeling herself for what she was about to see.
Freen was standing as the embalmer pulled out the body of Mr. On from the freezer. The embalmer looked at Freen as the covered body of Mr. On was now visible.
''Are you sure you want to see it ? You might not take it, ma'am. '' The embalmer warned her. Freen nodded her head in affirmation, and with a deep breath, she walked towards the embalmer to have a closer look at the body of Mr. On, hoping to find some closure after his sudden demise.
The embalmer unzips the body bag, and Freen just looks at the body of Mr. On blankly, like seeing the slit throat on the old man's body does bother her.
The wife of Mr. On came inside the morgue and quickly gave her a tight embrace. Freen didn't even flinch and just stood there in silence, looking at Mr. On's wife hugging her; she was not even responding to the old woman's embrace.
It's a horrifying sight.The elderly man appears to have endured a traumatic ordeal before the suspect took his life.Freen's face is expressionless, but she is enraged on the inside. Who would do this to an elderly man?
"Mr. On's body doesn't only have a slit body; it also has cut fingers and a broken leg, ma'am." The embalmer informed her.The only thing Freen said was, "Find out who did this."
"That's what we are doing, ma'am, and that's why we are here." The man in a leader's jacket said to her that the team of this detective was just outside securing the area.
"You all said that when my family died.And yet you used an innocent man to cover up your incompetence in your job," Freen said coldly.The detective attempted to reassure her that they were doing everything possible to find the perpetrator and bring them to justice. As he listened, Freen maintained a stoic expression, clearly resentful of the authorities for their previous failures.
"That is a serious accusation, ma'am.Being a celebrity does not give you the right to disparage our department's ability to do its job, Ms. Sarocha," the detective responded.
"We expect everyone, regardless of position or status, to be treated with respect and professionalism.Please refrain from making such disparaging remarks," the detective stated emphatically.
''Respect?I am not speaking as a privileged individual; I am speaking as a citizen who has been deprived of true justice as a result of a justice system that is blinded by the weight of money and the influence of those in power."Freen's statement emphasizes the pervasive issue of inequity in the justice system, where money and power frequently dictate outcomes.
Addressing these systemic issues is critical to ensuring that justice is truly accessible to all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The room fell silent as a result of what Freen had just said. The investigator is more surprised than annoyed by what Freen's side claims he has seen all along.
He'd seen this woman on television, social media, and billboards and assumed she was just a dumb beauty with a good heart.
He had never considered the depths this woman was concealing. Freen's statement should serve as a wake-up call to those blinded by superficial appearances—those who fail to see the true struggles beneath the surface.
It's crucial to recognize that every person, regardless of their appearance or social status, carries a story that deserves to be heard and acknowledged.
Becky's POV
"Get out here; I know you've been listening for a while." When Freen said that, I couldn't do anything but stand up, holding the blanket I had wrapped around my body.
I didn't know what to say to her, so I stood there for a few minutes looking at her. Meanwhile, she was also standing there at the side of the room with lifeless eyes, just looking at me. My heart was breaking at the sight of her, but I chose not to speak. I realized that sometimes silence speaks louder than words, and maybe that was what she needed at that moment. I silently prayed for her to find the strength to overcome whatever was troubling her.
I know how she looks up to Mr. On and how he is like a father to her. I don't know how she feels about it, but I'm just wondering about my life without my parents, and losing the only person who serves as my family is already breaking my heart. It's important to be there for someone in their time of need, even if that means just being present and listening. I hope that she finds comfort in knowing that she has a support system and people who care about her.
"I'm going to take a shower in my room, and you can take a shower too; just go to the dining room after you finish, so we can have breakfast. We still have a press conference to attend, and I'll call your parents about our issue," she said, looking at me with no emotion.
After saying that, she adjusted her robe and fixed herself before going out of my room and leaving me here without looking back at me. I felt a chill down my spine as I realized that something was off about her behavior.
After I showered and got dressed, I immediately went straight to the dining room, as she said. I was surprised to see that Freen was not there. I wondered if she had meant a different room or if I had misunderstood her instructions.
''Hey, Beckzy, come join us .'' Kade invited me to join them at the dining table. Tee, on the other hand, stood up and adjusted the chair for me to sit on her left side. Kade and Jim are on the other side of the table, while Saint is sitting in the middle. I smiled and walked towards the dining table, thanking Tee for the kind gesture. As I settled in, I couldn't help but notice the delicious aroma of the food that was being served. Kade had always been a great cook, and today was no exception. The table was filled with different dishes, from grilled chicken to roasted vegetables, and everything looked so appetizing.
"Wow, I thought it was just a simple breakfast," I said, seeing those foods on the table.
They looked at me while holding their laughter.
''What?'' I asked, confuse of their reaction to what I said.
''Becky, it's already past lunch, " Jim answered my confusion.
''I just decided to cook because they were craving my recipes, and we are all hungry, Kade added.
" Yeah, we haven't eat proper food since yesterday so let's make a feast now " Tee join to the conversation.
I just smiled and nodded looking around hoping to see Freen around.
"She's not here. She went out I tried to stop here but she insisted." Saint said he must have noticed me looking for Freen.
"Where did she go?" I ask. "I'm not sure," he replies. "She didn't mention anything to me before she left."
''Let her be alone. Mr. On is such an important person to her. She might still be processing it in her mind'' Saint added.
And I just nodded my head and agreed with him. It was clear that Mr. Ons had a significant impact on her, and it was best to give her space to sort out her thoughts and emotions.
And we all came to think about it in silence.
''As her friends, we should be there for her when she's ready to talk about it. It's important to show our support and let her know that we care. But now the best thing we could do is let her have her time alone," Jim said.
The group nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of respecting Freen's need for solitude. We made a mental note to check in on her later and offer any assistance she may need.
"Now, I feel guilty for cooking a lot, like I am celebrating something horrible," Kade says, realizing that.
And we all fell silent again. Now we have all lost our appetite .
''Guys, she's in the morgue where Mr. On's body was.'' Tee suddenly batted in as she checked her phone.
Everyone looked at Tee in shock, wondering what news she had received on her phone that could be so disturbing.
The atmosphere in the room became even more tense as they waited for Tee to speak.
She shows us her phone, where we can see how Freen was being broadcast going inside the morgue where Mr. On's body was laid.
Thankfully, she was with her bodyguards and the hospital's guards, who are blocking the reporters who are trying to get her opinion about this crime.
''As I was expecting , thank God the guards I sent to follow her made it on time, '' Saint blurted out.
And we all looked at him.
''I had a feeling she was going to do this. '' Said revealed.
we looked and in disbelief .''What ?''
''Do you think I'd just let her go by herself? Saint said in defense.
Saint always had a plan and was glad that everything worked out well. And we continued looking at the news on the phone.
I can see Tee felt relieved knowing that Saint was always there to take care of things. It was not the first time Saint had come through hell for us, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. His reliability was one of the reasons why we valued his friendship so much.
On the other hand
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you're not allowed to enter and view the body inside the morgue. Only immediate family members are permitted for identification purposes," said the assigned morgue personnel, their voice calm yet firm. "I understand this may be difficult, and I apologize for the inconvenience, but we have strict protocols in place to protect the privacy and dignity of the deceased. If you are a family member, we can guide you through the identification process. The body is scheduled for an autopsy, so for now, no one is allowed to touch or disturb it until the examination is complete. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation."
"Are you deaf? I said I just want to see him," Freen snapped, her voice sharp and trembling. "I won't touch him. I won't interfere with anything. I just… I just need to see him."
The detective, who had just arrived, stepped in calmly."I understand how difficult this is," he said, his voice measured but firm. "But interfering with an active investigation is a serious matter. Please, wait patiently. We'll update you as soon as we can."
"If you are not a family member," the personnel added with a respectful firmness, "we advise you to contact the authorities or speak directly with the family for any information. We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time."
"I am his family, and I just want to see him," Freen insisted, her voice trembling between anger and grief. "I need to see him with my own eyes—just once."
"Please, let her through," a woman in her fifties interrupted, her voice cracking as she stepped forward. "I am allowing you to do whatever is necessary for the investigation—whatever you need to do to my husband's body. But just let her see him one last time."She glanced at Freen, her eyes filled with sorrow. "She was like a daughter to us."
Tears streamed down the woman's face as she clasped her hands together, her voice trembling with desperation."Please, sir, let her say goodbye. On was everything to us — a rock, a constant support when we needed it most. It would mean the world to all of us if she could have just one last moment with him."
The detective and the personnel had nothing to do but let Freen get inside the morgue , and the old woman remained outside with other police officers securing the area.
Inside, Freen's heart pounded fiercely in her chest. Every step toward the cold metal door felt heavier than the last. She paused just before reaching it, inhaled deeply, and summoned all her strength. Then, with trembling hands, she pushed the door open, bracing herself for the sight of the man who had meant so much to her.
Freen stood frozen, eyes fixed on the embalmer as he carefully pulled Mr. On's body from the freezer. The dim light flickered against the cold, pale sheet covering him. As the embalmer looked up at Freen, his expression was solemn but gentle, silently acknowledging the pain etched on her face.
''Are you sure you want to see it ? You might not take it, ma'am. '' The embalmer warned her. Freen nodded her head in affirmation, and with a deep breath, she walked towards the embalmer to have a closer look at the body of Mr. On, hoping to find some closure after his sudden demise.
The embalmer unzips the body bag, and Freen just looks at the body of Mr. On blankly, like seeing the slit throat on the old man's body does bother her.
The wife of Mr. On came inside the morgue and quickly gave her a tight embrace. Freen didn't even flinch and just stood there in silence, looking at Mr. On's wife hugging her; she was not even responding to the old woman's embrace.
It's a horrifying sight.The elderly man appears to have endured a traumatic ordeal before the suspect took his life.Freen's face is expressionless, but she is enraged on the inside. Who would do this to an elderly man?
"Mr. On's body doesn't only have a slit; it also has cut fingers and a broken leg, ma'am," the embalmer informed her.
The only thing Freen said was, "Find out who did this."
"That's what we are doing, ma'am, and that's why we are here." The man in a leader's jacket said to her that the team of this detective was just outside securing the area.
"You all said that when my family died. And yet you used an innocent man to cover up your incompetence in your job," Freen said coldly.
"That is a serious accusation, Ms. Sarocha," the detective replied, his voice firm but controlled. "I understand your pain, and I won't pretend to know the depth of your loss. But I assure you, we're not here to repeat the mistakes of the past. We're here to find the truth—no matter how ugly it may be."
"Truth?" Freen scoffed, eyes sharp as glass. "You wear that badge like it means something, but all I see is another puppet in uniform—too scared or too owned to go after the real monsters. Spare me your speeches, Detective. Justice doesn't come from people like you. It comes in spite of you."
"That is a serious accusation, ma'am. Being a celebrity does not give you the right to disparage our department's ability to do its job, Ms. Sarocha," the detective responded.
"We expect everyone, regardless of position or status, to be treated with respect and professionalism. Please refrain from making such disparaging remarks," the detective stated emphatically.
"Respect?" Freen scoffed, her tone sharp as steel. "I am not speaking as a privileged individual; I am speaking as a citizen who has been deprived of true justice by a system blinded by money and the influence of power. You demand respect, but you haven't earned it. Your badge doesn't absolve you from failure—it magnifies it."
Addressing these systemic issues is critical to ensuring that justice is truly accessible to all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The room fell into a heavy silence after Freen's words. For a moment, the investigator felt the sting of offense—her accusations were bold, even borderline disrespectful. But as the weight of her voice lingered in the air, his irritation slowly melted into realization.
She wasn't just lashing out. She was bleeding truth—truth born from pain, from years of carrying injustice no one ever answered for. He saw it now, in her eyes—not arrogance, but anguish. Not entitlement, but exhaustion.
He had seen Freen on TV, in glossy magazines, across city billboards. He'd dismissed her as another polished public figure—famous, privileged, distant from reality. But standing here now, stripped of glamour and drenched in grief, she was something else entirely.
He admired her.
She had backbone. She had fire. And more than anything, she had a reason—one carved into her very soul.
And for the first time since meeting her, he silently vowed to take her seriously.
Addressing these systemic issues is critical to ensuring that justice is truly accessible to all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The room fell into a heavy silence after Freen's words. For a moment, the investigator felt the sting of offense—her accusations were bold, even borderline disrespectful. But as the weight of her voice lingered in the air, his irritation slowly melted into realization.
She wasn't just lashing out. She was bleeding truth—truth born from pain, from years of carrying injustice no one ever answered for. He saw it now, in her eyes—not arrogance, but anguish. Not entitlement, but exhaustion.
He had seen Freen on TV, in glossy magazines, across city billboards. He'd dismissed her as another polished public figure—famous, privileged, distant from reality. But standing here now, stripped of glamour and drenched in grief, she was something else entirely.
He admired her.
She had backbone. She had fire. And more than anything, she had a reason—one carved into her very soul.
And for the first time since meeting her, he silently vowed to take her seriously.
"So, Mr... What was your name again?" Freen continued.
"Detective Puttichai Kasetsin. I'm also going to be the pathologist performing the autopsy, but you can just call me Push," the detective answered, extending his hand to Freen. "I'm here to help with the case." He smiled warmly.
But Freen ignored the handshake. "If you want to earn that respect you're talking about, then please do your job well. I expect you're not one of those lousy cops I met a few years back."
Push withdrew his hand but smiled. Freen's cold response didn't deter him. He knew actions speak louder than words, and he was determined to prove himself a competent and reliable officer.
Freen took the old woman with her and left the room without looking back.
"Geez, she really is something," the young man beside Push said, adding, "My crush on her just keeps growing."
"Bright, when did you get in here?" Push asked, startled by the young man's presence.
"Hehe… I kind of sneaked in when I heard Freen was here," Bright said, scratching his head.
After finishing her conversation with Mr. On's wife, Freen secretly handed her a check, then shared a warm hug and promised to keep in touch. She felt relieved to have helped and hoped the money would assist the family.
She immediately put on her glasses and cap as she headed to her car. Her bodyguard offered to drive, and she accepted without argument.
"Mr. On has been your family's longtime driver. Do you think his case is connected to what happened to your parents 17 years ago?" a reporter asked, stopping Freen just before she entered the car.
The reporter smirked, sensing she had Freen's attention. But Freen only glanced at her before getting in.
She hadn't considered any link between the two cases, but the thought nagged at her as she sat in the back seat, watching the city blur by.
She knew she needed to investigate both incidents to uncover the truth.
A familiar smile flashed in her mind as she looked toward the driver's side.
"Are you all right, Princess?"
"Madam, are you all right? Are we heading back to the resort?" Her bodyguard's voice brought her back to the present.
As the light turned green, Freen nodded, and the car moved on.
She turned her head away to hide the tears from the man driving her.
Through the side mirror, she spotted a car of her bodyguards following behind, and another car ahead of them. She knew immediately who was behind the sudden appearance of the all-male protection detail.
"This is probably Saint's doing," Freen thought. Her friends never failed to amaze her—she didn't know what she would do without them. They were her family.
Thinking of the people around her, the murder of Mr. On, and the reporter's question, a chilling realization set in: if this case truly linked back to that event 17 years ago, this psycho wouldn't stop until everyone in her circle was gone.
And she wouldn't let that happen.
Freen dialed a number on her phone.
"I was expecting you'd call," said the voice on the other end.
Freen gripped the phone tight. "Find that motherfucker. No matter what it takes."
She ended the call.