CLAIMED BY MY IDOLS UNDER BANGKOK LIGHTS

CHAPTER 6: THE EMAIL

Mira hadn't left her hotel room in two days.

The curtains stayed closed. Her phone stayed on silent. The note from three nights ago sat on her nightstand like it was waiting for her to look at it again.

You should have messaged them. They're not the only ones watching.

She'd read it so many times the words didn't even look like words anymore.

A woman. She was sure now. The handwriting was too soft, too curved to be a man's handwriting. A woman was watching her. A woman who knew about Ace and Zayn's note. A woman who wanted her scared. Or a woman who wants to threaten men. Or A stalker.

It was working.

Her laptop sat open on the bed, untouched. Work emails piled up. Chloe had sent her three she hadn't opened. While Essie had sent nothing.

Of course, he hadn't.

She should eat. She should shower. She should stop staring at the ceiling like it had answers.

A knock made her jump so hard she nearly fell off the bed.

She crept to the door, heart pounding, and looked through the peephole.

Pete. Two coffee cups in his hands. A paper bag dangling from his wrist. Grinning like he owned the place.

She opened the door.

"Damn, girl." He pushed past her like they'd been friends for years. "You look like you died and forgot to stop breathing."

"Thanks." Mira pulled her robe tighter. "You really know how to make a girl feel special."

He set the coffee and bag on the table. "Jimmy's showering. I escaped. Figured you needed caffeine and carbs and my charming personality."

"I needed sleep, actually."

"Yeah, well, sleep is overrated." He dropped onto the small couch and patted the spot beside him. "Come on. Eat. Drink. Talk to me."

Mira hesitated. Then she sat.

He handed her a coffee. The warmth seeped into her palms.

"You want to tell me what's going on?" Pete's voice was lighter now, but his eyes weren't. "You've been hiding since the concert. That's not jet lag. That's something else."

Mira stared at her coffee.

I can't tell him. I can't tell anyone.

"I just... had a lot to process," she said.

"The concert?"

"Yeah. The concert."

Pete studied her for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Okay. I won't push. But for the record, Jimmy and I? We're here. Whatever it is."

Mira's throat tightened. "Why? You don't even know me."

"Don't have to," he shrugged. "Some people you just click on. You're one of them."

She didn't cry. But she wanted to.

******

Three hours later, Mira stood on a rooftop overlooking Bangkok, and for the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe.

The city spread out beneath her, endless and glowing. Neon signs flickered. Street noise floated up, distant and warm. The air smelled like grilled meat and jasmine and something sweet she couldn't name.

Jimmy stood beside her, quiet and steady. Pete was at the bar, charming the bartender into giving him extra for whatever he was drinking.

"Better?" Jimmy asked.

Mira nodded. "Yeah. I think so."

"Good."

She looked at him. This stranger who'd become something like a friend. Who asked nothing but showed up anyway.

"Jimmy... can I ask you something?"

He turned to her. "Anything."

"That night at the concert. After. When you guys brought me back..." She paused, choosing words carefully. "You and Pete looked at each other a certain way. Like you knew something."

Jimmy was quiet for a moment.

"We know a lot of people in this industry," he said slowly. "We hear things."

"What kind of things?"

He looked at her. Really looked. "Why are you asking?"

Mira's heart pounded. "The Lycans. Ace and Zayn. Do you know them?"

Jimmy's expression shifted. Just slightly. But she caught it.

"Why are you asking about them?" he said.

Because I saw them kissing. Because they gave me a note. Because someone's watching me and I think it's connected.

"I just... heard things," she said. "That they're complicated."

Jimmy was quiet for a long moment. Then: "They've been through a lot. Both of them. A few years ago, there was someone. A woman. She meant everything to them. And then she disappeared."

Mira's blood went cold. "Disappeared?"

"Left without warning. No explanation. Just... gone." Jimmy's voice was soft. "They haven't been the same since."

A woman. Disappeared. Watching me.

"You know them," Mira said. It wasn't a question.

"I know them. Everyone does." He paused. "But I've seen them at events. Talked a few times. They're... guarded. For good reason."

Mira looked out at the city, her mind racing.

A woman. She meant everything to them. Then she disappeared.

And now someone's watching me. Leaving notes. Calling me little moon.

"What was her name?" she asked quietly.

Jimmy hesitated. "Faye."

The name landed like a stone in still water.

Faye.

Pete appeared, drinks in hand. "What'd I miss?"

Jimmy smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing. Just talking."

Pete looked between them. "Okay. Well, drink up. We're celebrating."

"Celebrating what?" Mira asked.

"Life. You being here. The fact that I convinced the bartender to give me extra." He grinned. "Take your pick."

Mira laughed. It surprised her. But it felt good.

Back in her room that night, full of good food and something almost like hope, Mira opened her laptop.

Work emails. She couldn't avoid them forever.

She scrolled through. Client updates. Invoices. Three from Chloe.

The first two were normal. Hope you're having fun! Send pics! Miss you!

The third one made her stop.

Hey. Something weird happened today. A client called asking about our contracts. Said someone reached out offering them a better deal with another designer. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it. Probably nothing. Let me know when you're free to chat. Xo

Mira stared at the message.

Another designer. A better deal.

Probably nothing.

She typed back: I'll call you tomorrow. Miss you.

Then she opened her main email and froze.

Starlux Creative

Her heart stopped.

She'd applied to them so many times. Dozens. Maybe more. Months of silence. Months of rejection. She'd given up hoping.

Her hand shook as she opened it.

Dear Ms. Haven,

After reviewing your portfolio, Starlux Creative would like to offer you a collaboration opportunity. Your work has impressed our team, and we believe your aesthetic aligns with our upcoming projects.

We would like to invite you to our Bangkok office to discuss a potential partnership. We have a client in mind who is seeking a jewelry designer for their upcoming world tour.

Please let us know your availability this week.

Warm regards,

Pimchanok Surakit

Starlux Creative Director

Mira read it once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then she screamed.

Not a scared scream. A real one. The kind that came from somewhere deep and happy and completely unexpected.

Her phone buzzed. Pete.

You good? Heard a scream from two floors down.

She laughed, tears streaming down her face.

I'm good. I'm really good.

****

The next morning, she replied to the email. Set up a meeting for two days later.

Then she called her airline and extended her flight.

Three weeks became four. Then five. She'd figure it out.

Her phone buzzed. Chloe.

"Girl, I got your message. What's going on?"

Mira took a breath. "Starlux said yes."

Silence. Then, screaming so loudly, Mira had to hold the phone away from her ear.

"OH MY GOD! MIRA! STARLUX? THE Starlux?"

"The same. They want to meet. I extended my flight."

More screaming. Then Chloe's voice shifted. "Wait. Extended? How long?"

"A few more weeks. Maybe a month. I'll figure it out."

Silence.

"Chloe?"

"I'm here." A pause. "That's a long time, Mira. The thing I mentioned yesterday... it's probably nothing, but... you sure you can be away that long?"

Mira thought about the note on her nightstand. About the bathroom. About Ace's grey eyes and Zayn's warm ones. About Faye. About someone watching.

"I have to do this, Chloe. This is my dream."

"I know. I know." Chloe's voice softened. "Go get it, girl. I'll hold things down here."

"Thank you. I love you."

"Love you too. Now go be amazing."

****

Two days later, Mira walked into the Starlux Creative offices.

Glass and steel and art on every wall. People in beautiful clothes walking with purpose. Everything about it said success.

She was led to a conference room where a woman waited elegant, professional, with kind eyes.

"Ms. Haven. I'm Pimchanok. Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for having me."

They talked for an hour. About her journey. Her designs. Her vision.

Then Pimchanok smiled.

"We have a specific client in mind for you. They're preparing for a world tour and want custom jewelry pieces for each member. Something personal. Something that captures who they are."

Mira nodded, heart racing. "That sounds incredible."

"Good." Pimchanok slid a folder across the table. "Because they requested you specifically after seeing your portfolio."

Mira opened the folder.

Lycans Entertainment

Ace Nattapon Sittichai

Zayn Thanawat Chaiyaporn

And members

The world tilted.

"Their management loved your work," Pimchanok continued. "They want someone who understands artistry, not just trends. Someone who can capture their essence."

Mira couldn't speak.

"You'll be working closely with them. In particular, Ace and Zayn, the tour's creative direction centers around their vision. Is that something you're interested in?"

Ace. Zayn.

The bathroom. The kiss. The note was hidden in her suitcase.

If you want to talk, contact us.

She hadn't messaged them. Too scared. Too confused.

But now...

"Ms. Haven?"

Mira looked up. Smiled.

"Yes. I'm very interested."

****

That night, she told Jimmy and Pete over dinner.

Pete choked on his drink. "Wait. You're designing for Lycans? For Ace and Zayn?"

Jimmy's eyes went wide. "That's huge."

"I know." Mira was still processing. "I will start Monday."

Pete and Jimmy exchanged a look. The same look they'd given each other before. The one that meant they knew something she didn't.

"What?" Mira asked.

"Nothing." Jimmy smiled, but he was careful. "Just proud of you."

But later, when Pete went to the bathroom, Mira leaned in.

"Jimmy. Did you know them? Ace and Zayn? Before?"

He looked at her. "I've met them. A few times. Events and stuff."

"And?"

"And what?"

"The way you looked at me when I said their name. On the rooftop. You looked... worried."

Jimmy was quiet for a moment. Then: "I told you. They've been through a lot. They don't let people in easily. If you're going to work with them, just... be careful. They carry stuff. Heavy stuff."

"Because of her? Faye?"

His eyes flickered. Just slightly. But she caught it.

"How do you know that name?" he asked.

Mira's heart pounded. "You told me. On the rooftop."

"I told you someone has disappeared. I didn't give a name."

The air between them went still.

Mira's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

"Then how do I know it?" she whispered.

Jimmy stared at her. "I don't know. But you need to figure it out. Fast."

Pete came back, oblivious. "What'd I miss?"

Jimmy stood. "We should go. Early shoot tomorrow."

Pete looked between them. "Uh... okay?"

Mira sat frozen as they gathered their things.

At the door, Jimmy turned back.

"Mira. Be careful. Please."

Then they were gone.