Chapter 3: Bloom's Melody

 Summary:

Fern Sunan Ariyasakul meets Rain and Sky, along with their boyfriends, Payu and P'Pai. She boldly questions if they're part of the Mafia, showcasing her sharp instincts. Meanwhile, the Theerapanyakul family speculates about Fern's background, intrigued by her connections.

Notes:

This is a work of Fiction. I do not own the characters. Any similarities to real persons and events are unintentional. Enjoy!

Fern Sunan Ariyasakul sat in the bustling cafeteria, her senses alert. The atmosphere buzzed with hidden tensions and secretive glances. But Fern wasn't just any college student; she carried the legacy of her family, the Ariyasakuls, known for their unique skills.

"So," Fern said, leaning back and looking between Rain and Sky, her new friends, "when will I get to meet these boyfriends of yours?"

Rain, with a mischievous grin, glanced at his watch. "In five seconds."

As if on cue, Payu appeared. He leaned down and kissed Rain's cheek. Sky, ever watchful, interjected with a soft, "We have company," signaling to Payu.

Fern watched them closely. Payu—the mysterious husband of Rain—had a look that suggested he'd seen a lot. P'Pai, Sky's partner, had a blend of playfulness and danger. They weren't ordinary men.

"I'm Fern," she said, introducing herself. "I just transferred here a few weeks ago."

Sky, taking a bite of his sandwich, added, "She's staying across from my room."

P'Pai's eyes widened. "You're the one who sang that really sad song the other day!"

Rain's smile widened. "She's also Bloom—a YouTube artist and a fan of WiK."

"Rain, let her speak for herself," Payu teased, amused by Rain's excitement.

Then came Fern's direct question. "I don't mean to be rude, but you guys are Mafia, aren't you?"

The cafeteria seemed to freeze, the clinking of cutlery pausing. Rain's face remained unreadable. "How did you know?"

"The sudden appearance of undercover bodyguards when your boyfriends showed up," Fern answered matter-of-factly. "It's a dead giveaway."

Payu's frown deepened. "Who are you, really?"

Fern's smile remained steady. "Relax, Phi. I'm not an enemy. I'm Fern Sunan Ariyasakul. Nice to meet you."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Around the polished dining table, the Theerapanyakul family gathered, a mix of tradition and modernity. Kinn, Porche, Phoenix, Venice, Vegas, Pete, Khun, Porchay, and Kim were all present, except for Sky and Rain, who had disappeared with Fern, leaving behind a cafeteria mystery that buzzed like an untold story.

"Last we heard," Vegas said, "the Ariyasakuls had left the underworld and gone legit."

Venice nodded thoughtfully. "Fern mentioned her dad became a police officer after her uncle's tragic death."

Khun, ever the provocateur, sipped his tea. "Ah, yes. P'Korn—the one who shot himself in front of his lover. A love so strong that even death couldn't break it. Their fathers tried to keep them apart but tied red threads on their fingers, hoping they'd reunite in the next life. It's a tragically romantic story!"

Pete chuckled. "Khun Nu, not the best time for that."

Khun, unfazed, continued. "It's true! We should make a series out of their story. Give me Fern's number!"

Amidst the laughter and raised eyebrows, Phoenix and Venice slipped away from Khun's enthusiasm. They retreated to the moonlit veranda, where the night held its own secrets.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The pixelated faces of her friends—P'Dean, Pharm, Manaow, P'Win, and Team—filled Fern's screen. Their warmth reached across the digital divide.

"We're doing great, Fern," Pharm said, his cheerful voice familiar and comforting. Before he could continue, Manaow, ever the drama queen, interrupted with a playful shove.

"Hey, Fern! Why didn't you say goodbye? Are we not important anymore?" Manaow's dramatic tone made Fern roll her eyes. Some things never changed.

"You're perfect for the drama club," Fern teased back. "And congrats, by the way. P'Don told me you won."

"Oooooohhhhhhhhhh!" P'Win's teasing came through even before his face did. "N'Fern, first time talking to us, and you're already chatting with Don?"

"Oi, Hia!" Team cut in, smacking P'Win's shoulder. He grabbed the tablet and said, "Don't mind him, Fern. How's life there?"

"It's going well," Fern replied. "I've made two new friends from the Architecture Faculty. They invited me to sing at their Last Cheer event this Saturday. But now, I need to talk to Pharm and P'Dean privately."

"Okay, we'll leave you to it," Team said, handing the tablet back. The others left the screen, leaving Fern alone with her cousins.

Pharm leaned in, concern evident. "Is everything alright, Fern?"

"I'm fine, my dear cousin." Fern's smile held a hint of mystery. "Guess who I met this morning?"

"Who?"

"The Theerapanyakul heirs."

Pharm's eyes widened in surprise. "The Theerapanyakuls?"

"Yes," Fern confirmed. "They were sitting across from me. But don't worry, they're not our enemies. They're my friends now."

As the screen faded, Pharm's voice lingered with a warning. "Be careful, Fern."

Fern felt the pull of unseen threads, drawing her towards P'Payu, P'Pai, and the echoes of a past she was destined to unravel.