FIRST LOVE - Book 2

Chapter 21: Between Honesty and Heartbreak

In the dimly lit sitting room of her grand mansion, Grandma sat in her favorite armchair, a delicate china cup of tea cradled in her hands. She gazed thoughtfully out the window, the afternoon light casting a warm glow around her. The silence of the room was punctuated only by the soft clink of porcelain as she took a sip, lost in her reflections.

Her reverie was interrupted by the maid’s soft voice announcing a visitor. “Madam, you have a guest.”

“Show him in,” Grandma replied, her interest piqued. She set down her cup, her mind racing with possibilities.

The door opened to reveal a man in a tailored suit, a hint of weariness in his eyes but a determined expression on his face. It was the private investigator she had hired to keep an eye on Khongkwan. He stepped inside, his demeanor serious as he approached her.

“Madam, I have an update,” he said, his voice low. “I’ve confirmed that Fon is indeed back in town.”

Grandma's heart quickened at the news. “So, she didn’t follow through with our agreement?” she asked, her tone fierce.

The investigator nodded. “They were seen together at the café. They looked... quite close.”

“Close?” Grandma echoed, her eyes narrowing. The memory of her agreement with Fon flooded back, the stakes of their arrangement coming into sharp focus.

**Flashback:**

In the same sitting room, a younger Fon sat nervously on the edge of a plush chair, fidgeting with her hands. “Grandma, I need your help. Khongkwan had an accident, and I don’t know how to help her,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

Grandma regarded her granddaughter coolly, her eyes sharp. “I can help you, but you must understand the terms. You need to leave Khongkwan for good. No contact, no lingering ties.”

Fon hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. “But… I love her.”

Grandma’s expression hardened. “Love? This is bigger than that. You need to focus on your future, not your past. Do we have an agreement or not?”

Fon nodded reluctantly, tears welling in her eyes. “I agree.”

**End of Flashback.**

Returning to the present, Grandma’s jaw tightened at the thought of Fon’s defiance. She reached for a neatly sealed envelope on the table and handed it to the investigator. “Here’s your payment. I want you to keep a closer watch on them. I need to know every detail of their interactions.”

He took the envelope with a nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Consider it done.”

As he turned to leave, Grandma leaned back in her chair, a storm brewing in her chest. The delicate balance of her plans was at risk, and she was determined to set things right—no matter the cost.

As Khongkwan drove Fon home, the ride was filled with casual conversation and light teasing. When they finally arrived at Fon’s place, Fon smiled and bid Khongkwan goodbye, thanking her for the ride. Khongkwan watched as Fon entered her building, waiting for a moment before driving off.

Once on the road, Khongkwan felt the familiar buzz of anticipation as she sent a quick text to Fon: “Home safe? :)”

Minutes passed, then half an hour. No reply.

Khongkwan stared at her phone, her anxiety slowly creeping in as she sent another message: “Fon? You there?”

Still nothing.

Her heart started to race, her mind jumping to conclusions. "Is she ignoring me?" Khongkwan wondered, her fingers tapping the screen impatiently as she typed another message: “Why aren’t you replying? Everything okay?”