Unspoken
It was early morning at the Vosbein Mansion. The sun had just started to rise, casting a soft glow over the neatly trimmed garden. Fae, Milk and AJ’s mother, was walking slowly along the stone path in her exercise clothes. Beside her was Kra, stretching her arms and legs with surprising energy for her age.
“You’re too slow, Fae,” Kra teased, reaching down to touch her toes.
“You won’t burn any fat walking like that.”
“I’m not here to burn fat,” Fae replied, smiling.
“I’m here to relax.”
Just then, AJ walked out of the house, yawning loudly. He was wearing an old hoodie and mismatched socks.
“What are you both doing up this early?” he mumbled, scratching his head.
“Exercise,” Kra answered quickly.
“You should join us. Maybe you’d stop being so lazy.”
“I’m not lazy,” AJ argued, flopping down on the garden bench.
“I’m just... saving energy.”
Fae sat beside him and gently patted his back. “Did you sleep well, baby?”
“Yeah,” he muttered.
“But I had this weird moment just now. When I walked past you, Mom, I smelled something... familiar.”
Fae looked confused. “My perfume?”
AJ nodded slowly. “Yeah. That exact smell. That’s it. That’s the perfume the girl was wearing at the club.”
Kra stopped mid-stretch and turned around. “What girl?”
“The one from the night I lost the car,” AJ said, now more alert.
“The one I talked to before everything went black. I couldn’t remember her, but just now, when I smelled that perfume again, her face came back to me. I remember it!”
Kra’s eyes widened. “You remember her face?”
AJ nodded quickly.
“Yeah! She had this long dark hair, and sharp cheekbones. Her eyes were strong, like she was studying me. She was beautiful, but not in a soft way. More like... dangerous beautiful.”
Fae raised an eyebrow. “And you remember all that now, just from a smell?”
“I swear, Mom,” AJ said.
Kra’s expression turned serious. She pulled out her phone immediately.
“Who are you calling?” Fae asked.
“Freen,” Kra said.
“We need her here right away. And tell her to bring someone who can draw.”
AJ blinked. “Wait, I have to talk to someone official?”
“You’re lucky I don’t make you go on TV,” Kra muttered.
“You finally remembered something useful for once. We’re not wasting it.”
She walked off toward the porch, already on the phone. AJ leaned toward his mom.
“Why does Aunt Kra act like she’s in the police force?”
Fae smiled gently and kissed the top of his head. “Because if she was, the world would be a safer place and also a lot louder.”
Love lay wide awake in her bed, staring at the ceiling. The early morning light crept through her curtains, soft and quiet, but her thoughts were anything but.
She hadn’t slept much. Her heart was too loud. Her head was too full.
The kiss.
It played in her mind over and over again like a broken recording. Milk was drunk, soft-eyed, swaying a little—had looked right at her. And then, she kissed her. No warning. No words. Just... a kiss.
Love sat up slowly and pressed her hands against her face. Her cheeks were still warm. Her lips still tingled, and her mind was still confused.
Was it real?
Did Milk remember?
Love wasn’t sure what scared her more, if it meant something or if it meant nothing.
She stood up and walked to the mirror near her dresser. Her eyes looked tired. Her hair was messy. She barely recognized her own reflection.
She opened her door quietly and stepped into the hallway. She paused in front of Milk’s room. The door was still shut. No movement. No sound.
Love backed away and made her way to the kitchen.
She needed something to do. Something to help her stop thinking. She pulled out a small pot, set it on the stove, and began making simple chicken soup. Something warm. Something comforting. Something that might ease the tension that would no doubt fill the air when Milk woke up.
As she stirred the broth, her mind kept drifting back. Her body remembered how close Milk had been. How her hand had grabbed Love’s wrist. How natural it had felt, even if just for a second.
Love sighed and leaned over the counter.
“I can’t ask her,” she whispered to herself.
“I can’t just bring it up.”
What if Milk laughed it off?
What if she apologized and said it was a mistake?
Love didn’t think she could handle hearing that.
She poured the soup into a bowl, placed it on the table, and took a deep breath.
Whatever happened, she’d have to act normal. At least until she was sure.
Behind her, she heard a door open. Slow, tired footsteps followed.
Milk was awake.
And Love wasn’t ready.
.
.
.
Milk shuffled into the kitchen, her hair slightly messy and her eyes half-closed. She was still wearing her sleep shirt, and her steps were slow and lazy. She let out a soft groan as she rubbed her forehead.
“My head feels like it got hit by a train,” she mumbled.
Love was already sitting at the table. She looked up quickly but tried not to stare.
“You drank a lot last night,” she said softly.
Milk blinked, eyes adjusting to the light. She spotted the bowl on the table. “You made soup?”
Love nodded. “Yeah. I figured you’d need something to help you with your hangover.”
Milk sat down slowly and picked up the spoon. She took a bite and let out a small, pleased sound.
“This is really good.”
“Thanks,” Love said, trying to sound calm. But inside, she was watching every move, every word and waiting for Milk to say something. Anything.
There was a short silence as Milk ate a few more spoonfuls. Then she glanced up at Love, squinting.
“Did I... do anything stupid last night?”
Love’s heart jumped.
“No,” she said quickly.
“You were just... sleepy. A bit dizzy.”
Milk let out a breath. “Thank god. I was afraid I started singing again.”
Love gave a nervous laugh, even though her throat felt tight.
Milk sipped the water next to her bowl and leaned back in her chair. “Ciize’s parties should come with warning labels. That wine was dangerous.”
Love stared at her for a second. There it was... nothing. No memory. No mention. No sign.
So it hadn’t meant anything.
She forced a small smile. “You probably just needed to relax.”
Milk smiled back, soft and tired. “Thanks for taking care of me.”
“Of course,” Love said, lowering her eyes. She picked up her empty cup and stood up to take it to the sink.
Milk kept eating quietly, and the kitchen felt heavy but not with noise, but with everything neither of them was saying.
Love dried her hands and glanced at the clock. “We should leave soon. You have work.”
Milk nodded. “I’ll go get dressed.”
She stood up and walked out, leaving Love alone in the kitchen again.
Love looked down at the sink, gripping its edge. Her reflection in the window looked just as confused as she felt.
Whatever that kiss was last night... it was staying unspoken. At least for now.
.
.
.
Milk walked out of her room dressed neatly in her usual work outfit—button-down shirt tucked into dark slacks, hair tied back, and a bag slung over her shoulder. Her eyes still looked a little tired, and she rubbed her forehead as she slipped on her watch.
Love was already standing by the front door, holding the car keys.
“You sure you’re okay to work?” she asked, trying to keep her tone normal.
Milk nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be fine. I just need to drink more water and focus. I’ve handled worse hangovers.”
They left the penthouse and rode the elevator in silence.
The drive to the firm was quiet at first. Milk sat in the passenger seat, sunglasses on, head leaning slightly against the window. Her fingers rubbed gently at her temples. She still looked tired, and the hangover hadn’t fully passed.
Love kept her hands steady on the wheel, eyes focused on the road. But every now and then, she glanced at Milk... quick little side glances, hoping to find something in her face. Maybe a clue. Maybe a sign that she remembered.
Milk noticed.
“You keep looking at me,” she said, voice soft but sharp enough to break the silence.
Love’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “No, I’m not.”
“You are,” Milk said. She didn’t sound angry. Just curious.
“Is there something on my face?”
“No,” Love answered, keeping her eyes on the road.
“You just... look like you need more sleep.”
Milk gave a soft laugh, rubbing her eyes. “Tell me about it.”
Love didn’t say anything else. She just drove.
When they arrived at the firm, Milk stepped out first. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and straightened her shirt before heading toward the glass doors. Love followed quietly, staying behind as usual. She knew her place—driver, cook, maybe something more—but today, it felt strange. The silence between them felt louder.
Inside, the lobby was busy. Employees walked past with folders, a few interns stood nervously by the front desk. Love sat down on one of the waiting chairs, pretending to scroll on her phone.
Just then, the front doors opened again. Freen walked in, holding a brown folder tight to her chest. Her expression was serious. Love looked up immediately, her eyes following her as she walked straight to Milk’s office.
Freen didn’t even glance around. Whatever she had, it was urgent.
Love stood up slowly and took a few steps closer. She stayed near the hallway, close enough to see but far enough not to be noticed.
Through the small opening in the glass door, she could hear their voices.
“It’s about Mim’s case.” Freen said quickly.
“We have a lead.”
Milk stood up from her chair. “What kind of lead?”
“A girl.” Freen replied.
“Your brother remembered her. He said the memory came back to him because of a perfume. His mom was wearing the same scent this morning. Typical.”
Milk looked impressed. “Did we get a name?”
“Not yet. But we have a rough sketch now.”
Milk’s eyebrows raised. “He remembers her face?”
Freen nodded. “He gave a full description. Miss Kra called me. I brought someone to sketch her. AJ was clear about the details. I think this might really be her, the girl from the night of the accident.”
Love’s breath caught.
Inside the room, Milk took the folder from Freen and opened it. Her eyes scanned the page carefully. “This changes everything.”
Freen leaned in. “I haven’t told Love yet. I wasn’t sure how she’d react.”
“Let’s wait,” Milk said.
“We need to be sure. If this girl is real, she might be the key to all of it.”
Outside the door, Love stepped back quietly.
She didn’t need to be told. She’d already made up her mind.
She had to see that file.
She needed to do something.
.
.
.
The hallway was empty.
After Milk and Freen left the office, Love stood still near the corner, her heart pounding. She waited a few more seconds, making sure no one else was around. Then she stepped toward Milk’s office door.
It was unlocked.
She slipped inside quickly and closed it behind her. The room was quiet. On the desk, the brown folder Freen had brought was still lying there.
Love opened it slowly.
Inside was a sketch. A girl’s face, drawn in soft pencil lines. Long hair. Sharp eyes. Confident expression.
This was her.
The girl AJ talked about. The girl from the club. The girl that might be the missing piece in Mim’s case.
Love stared at the sketch, then spotted a sticky note inside the folder: Bar near Suan Luang – last seen location.
She didn’t waste time.
Love grabbed her phone, stuffed the note in her pocket, and walked straight out of the firm. She didn’t tell anyone. She didn’t ask permission.
She hailed the first taxi she could find. “Take me to Suan Luang. Fast.”
The taxi moved through traffic quickly, but Love’s thoughts moved even faster.
She checked the sketch again and again, memorizing the girl’s features. She had to be sure. If she saw her, she needed to act fast.
Then, while stopped at a red light, Love glanced outside the window and her eyes widened.
There. Crossing the pedestrian lane.
The girl.
It was her. Same hair. Same face.
“Stop the car!” Love shouted, throwing money to the driver and jumping out before he could respond.
She ran across the street, following the girl from a distance. She didn’t want to lose her.
The girl turned right, down a quiet side street. Then into a narrow alley.
Love hesitated at the alley entrance, then moved in carefully. Her footsteps were quiet.
She opened her mouth to call out.
“Hey—”
But before she could say more, she heard footsteps behind her.
Fast. Heavy.
Two men in black suits stepped into the alley from the entrance she had just come through. One of them raised a gun.
“Don’t move,” one of them said sharply.
Love froze.
The girl was gone. The alley now felt like a trap.
Love turned and ran. Her shoes slapped the concrete, heart racing. She dodged trash bins, turned corners, ran deeper into the maze of walls and shadows.
Another gun cocked behind her.
Then a shot fired.
She ducked and stumbled, falling behind a stack of old crates.
Her phone flew out of her pocket and skidded across the ground.
She heard the men shouting. Footsteps getting closer.
Then... another shot.
But this time, it didn’t come from them.
It came from the opposite side.
A stronger voice shouted. “Put the gun down!”
Love turned her head and saw her.
Milk.
Standing at the alley’s end. Arms steady. Gun raised.
The men froze.
“Back off,” Milk said again, louder this time.
The men looked at each other, hesitated then ran.
Love sat frozen on the ground, still shaking. Milk rushed over and dropped to her knees.
“Are you okay?!” she asked, grabbing Love’s shoulders.
“Are you hurt?”
Love shook her head, breathing hard. “I—I didn’t mean—”
Milk didn’t wait for answers. She wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close.
“You scared the hell out of me,” she whispered.
The ride back to the penthouse was quiet.
Love sat in the passenger seat, her hands still trembling slightly in her lap. Milk didn’t say much as she drove. Her eyes stayed on the road, but her knuckles were white against the steering wheel. The tension in the air was heavy, not with anger, but with fear.
When they reached the building, Milk parked the car and got out quickly. Love followed, quiet and unsure if she should say anything.
They stepped into the elevator. Milk pressed the button and stood with her arms crossed. Love peeked at her but looked away when their eyes nearly met.
Inside the penthouse, Milk tossed her keys on the counter, then turned around fast.
“What were you thinking, Love?” she said. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was sharp... sharper than usual.
Love looked down. “I just wanted to help.”
“By sneaking into my office and chasing someone into a dark alley by yourself?”
“I didn’t plan to chase her,” Love said quickly.
“I saw her, and I just... acted.”
“That’s exactly the problem,” Milk said.
“You act without thinking.”
Love clenched her fists. “I was trying to do something good.”
“You could’ve died.”
That stopped Love cold.
Milk walked toward her, slower now, her tone softer. “You could’ve been shot, Love. Do you get that?”
Love swallowed hard and looked away. “I’m not sorry I tried.”
Milk paused. She looked at her for a long time. Then she sighed and turned toward the kitchen.
“I’m making tea,” she mumbled.
“You should sit.”
Love sat on the couch, her legs still unsteady. Her mind was spinning.
Milk came back with two mugs and placed one in front of Love.
“Thanks.” Love whispered.
Milk sat on the other end of the couch, holding her cup. “You’re not allowed to do that again.”
“I wasn’t trying to be stupid.”
“I know.”
They both stared at the tea for a while.
There was a short pause. Then Love tilted her head and asked, “How did you even find me?”
Milk sipped her tea, looking away. “I checked the CCTV at the office when I saw you were gone.”
“And?” Love pressed.
“....Your phone” Milk muttered.
Love raised an eyebrow. “You tracked me?”
Milk cleared her throat and avoided eye contact. “I—well—you weren’t answering, and I panicked, okay?”
Love stared at her, amused. “You have a tracker on my phone?”
“It’s just a safety thing!” Milk said quickly, suddenly sitting up straighter.
“I installed it when we agreed you’d drive me around, remember? Just in case.”
“Right,” Love said slowly, trying not to smile.
“For safety.”
Milk’s face turned slightly pink. “Shut up.”
Love grinned, sipping her tea again. “I didn’t say anything.”
“You’re thinking it.”
“I didn’t know you cared that much.”
Milk stared down into her mug. “I don’t. I mean—I do. But not like that. It’s just... it’s work-related.”
“Of course.”
Milk groaned and dropped her head back against the couch. “You’re so annoying.”
Love leaned a little closer, her voice playful. “You tracked me.”
“Boss.”
Love felt something warm in her chest, but she didn’t know what to say.
She just looked at Milk and whispered, “Thanks... for coming.”
Milk leaned back, staring at the ceiling. “You don’t make it easy.”
“I never said I was easy.”
Milk chuckled softly. “No. You’re not.”
Silence settled again. This time, it wasn’t tense. It felt quieter. Calmer.
Milk turned her head slightly. “We’ll find her again. But next time, we do it together. Got it?”
Love nodded. “Got it.
They both sipped their tea, sitting side by side, with everything still unspoken.