Dask Till Down

CHAPTER 1 — The Girl Who Chose Me Genre: Dark Mature Romance • Action • Thriller • GL Romance • Angst Setting: Bangkok, Thailand / Europe Main Character: Nalintra “Nalin” Sutham — 35 years old. Thai-American blood, internationally recognized secret agent. Future Love Interest: Arisa “Risa” Smith — 32 years old. Half-Thai, half-American, a licensed medical doctor and university lecturer. The youngest daughter of billionaire Alexander Smith. “You were the first person who chose me when I had nothing. But what happens when the person I want the most becomes the one who no longer wants me?” --- TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO Bangkok, Thailand Smith Children's Home — 10:35 AM The sky was clear that morning. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the orphanage, illuminating the small living room where several children sat together, playing with old toys and coloring books. Some were laughing. Others were arguing over who got to use the red crayon. And in the farthest corner of the room sat a little girl who seemed completely disconnected from everyone else. Seven-year-old Nalintra Sutham. She wore a faded yellow dress that had become too small for her, and her black hair was tied into a messy ponytail. Her knees were pulled against her chest while her little fingers held a worn-out teddy bear. The teddy bear was the only thing she had left from her previous life. Almost a year ago, she had witnessed the murder of her parents. She remembered the sound of glass breaking. The smell of smoke. Her mother's trembling hands pushing her beneath the dining table. Stay here, sweetheart. Whatever happens, don't come out. And then— The gunshots. She still remembered the way her mother screamed her name. She remembered her father's blood on the marble floor. Most of all, she remembered the strangers who had walked into their house as if killing two innocent people was nothing more than another ordinary day. They had taken everything from her. Her parents. Her home. Her childhood. And no matter how many times the orphanage director told her that everything would eventually be okay, Nalin never believed her. How could anything be okay when the people who promised to protect her were never coming back? "Nalin?" The little girl lifted her head. A woman in her forties stood in front of her, wearing a gentle smile. "Nalin, sweetheart, can you come with me for a moment?" The child immediately tightened her grip on her teddy bear. "Why?" "Someone is visiting us today." Nalin looked toward the entrance. "Someone?" "Yes. A very important person." "Are they going to take me somewhere?" The woman's smile faltered slightly. "I don't know, darling. But I want you to be nice, okay?" Nalin lowered her gaze. She didn't answer. The woman sighed softly before crouching in front of her. "You know, Nalin, not everyone who comes into your life will hurt you." The little girl stared at her. "But they can leave." The woman fell silent. Seven years old. And already, the child had learned the kind of lesson some adults spent their entire lives trying to understand. "Come on," the woman finally said, extending her hand. "Let's see who's here." Nalin hesitated before accepting it. She didn't know it yet, but that morning would change the course of her entire life. And it would begin with a little girl who smiled at her as if she were the brightest thing in the world. --- The Man in the Expensive Suit A black luxury SUV stopped in front of the orphanage. The driver stepped out first, opening the rear passenger door. A tall man emerged from the vehicle. He was in his early forties, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, with neatly styled dark hair and an expression that suggested he was accustomed to being obeyed. Alexander Smith. A half-Thai, half-American billionaire whose business empire extended across Asia, Europe, and North America. He owned hotels, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and several international investment firms. His name regularly appeared in financial magazines. His business decisions could move entire markets. But none of that mattered to him as he stood outside a modest orphanage in Bangkok. Because beside him was the only person who mattered more than his entire empire. A little girl with round cheeks, bright eyes, and an infectious smile. "Papa!" the little girl called as he adjusted the collar of her white dress. Alexander looked down at her. "Yes, sweetheart?" "Can we see the children now?" "Of course." "Can I choose?" He paused. "Choose what, Risa?" The little girl tilted her head as if the answer should have been obvious. "My sister!" Alexander laughed softly. "Risa, sweetheart, we've talked about this. You don't have to choose someone today." "But I want a sister." "You already have cousins." "But I want a sister who lives with us!" The billionaire shook his head in amusement. Arisa Smith. Four years old. His only daughter. A tiny ball of sunshine who could turn even the most exhausting day into something worth smiling about. Since her mother had passed away when she was very young, Alexander had devoted himself to raising her with all the love he could give. And recently, Risa had become fascinated with the idea of having an older sister. She wanted someone to play with. Someone to share her toys with. Someone she could hug whenever she felt lonely. Alexander had initially dismissed the idea as a child's passing wish. But when Risa began asking him almost every day, he decided to visit the orphanage. He wasn't planning to adopt anyone that morning. He simply wanted to show his daughter that there were children who needed help, and perhaps allow her to spend some time with them. He had no idea that his daughter would make a decision that would change all their lives. "Come on, little princess," he said, taking her hand. Risa grinned. "Yay!" And together, they walked inside. --- The Girl She Chose The orphanage director greeted Alexander at the entrance. "Mr. Smith, welcome! It's such an honor to have you here." "Please, call me Alexander." "Of course, sir. We've prepared the children's activity room, as you requested." "Thank you. I hope my visit isn't causing too much trouble." "Not at all. The children are excited to meet you." Alexander smiled politely. Risa, however, was already looking around. Her little eyes moved from one child to another. There was a boy building a tower out of wooden blocks. Two girls were playing with dolls. Another child was drawing something on a piece of paper. Risa watched them all with interest. Then— She saw her. A little girl sitting alone in the corner. Long black hair. A faded yellow dress. A teddy bear clutched against her chest. Unlike the other children, she wasn't playing. She wasn't smiling. She wasn't even looking at the visitors. She simply sat there, staring at something only she could see. Risa stopped walking. "Papa." Alexander looked down. "What is it, sweetheart?" Risa didn't answer immediately. She was still staring at the girl. Then, without warning, she let go of her father's hand and took a few small steps forward. "Risa?" Alexander called. But the little girl continued walking. Nalin heard the footsteps approaching. She lifted her head. And their eyes met. For a moment, neither child moved. Risa stared at the girl with wide, curious eyes. Nalin stared back, uncertain why the younger child was looking at her. Then Risa smiled. Not the polite smile adults used when they wanted something. Not the forced smile children gave when they were told to behave. It was a genuine, radiant smile. The kind that made her entire face light up. "Hi!" Nalin blinked. Risa tilted her head. "What's your name?" The older girl hesitated. "Nalin." "Nalin?" Risa repeated carefully, trying to pronounce the name correctly. "I'm Risa!" Nalin didn't respond. Risa didn't seem bothered. Instead, she pointed at the teddy bear. "Is that your friend?" Nalin looked down at the toy. "Yes." "What's its name?" Nalin thought for a moment. "Bear." Risa giggled. "That's a funny name!" Nalin's eyebrows drew together. "It's a bear." "I know!" Risa laughed again. "But you could call it Mr. Bear!" For the first time in almost a year, something almost resembling a smile tugged at the corner of Nalin's lips. It disappeared quickly. But Risa saw it. And apparently, that was enough. The four-year-old turned around and ran back toward her father. "Papa!" Alexander crouched to meet her. "Yes, sweetheart?" Risa grabbed his hands excitedly. "I choose her!" Alexander blinked. "Choose who?" "Her!" She pointed directly at Nalin. "I want Nalin to be my sister!" The room fell quiet around them. Alexander looked toward the corner. Nalin was watching them now, her little face filled with confusion. The billionaire glanced at his daughter. "Risa, sweetheart, you only met her a moment ago." "I know!" "You haven't even played together." "We can play at home!" Alexander pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh. "That's not exactly how this works, little princess." Risa's smile slowly faded. She looked at Nalin again. Then she reached for her father's hand and squeezed it with both of hers. "Papa, please?" Her voice was small. "But I like her." Alexander's expression softened. "Why her?" Risa thought about the question. Then she gave him the simplest answer in the world. "Because she's alone." Alexander followed his daughter's gaze. Nalin was still sitting in the corner, clutching her teddy bear as though it were the only thing keeping her connected to the world. "She doesn't have anyone," Risa continued. "I don't want her to be alone anymore." Alexander said nothing. "Please, Papa. I promise I'll share my toys with her. And my candies! Even the strawberry ones!" He chuckled softly. "That's a very serious promise." Risa nodded vigorously. "Very serious!" Alexander looked at the little girl in the corner again. There was something in her eyes that he recognized. Not because he had experienced the same tragedy, but because he understood what loneliness could do to a child. He turned to the director. "Can you tell me about her?" The director nodded. "Her name is Nalintra Sutham. She's seven years old. She was brought here nearly a year ago after her parents were murdered." Alexander's expression changed. "Murdered?" "Yes. The authorities investigated, but the case remains unresolved. She was the only surviving member of her family." His gaze returned to Nalin. "And she has no relatives willing to take her in?" "None that we've been able to locate." Alexander exhaled slowly. Risa tugged at his sleeve. "Papa?" He looked down. "Yes, sweetheart?" "Can we take her home?" Alexander studied his daughter's hopeful face. Then he looked at Nalin again.