That morning, in a Dutch colonial-style house with traditional Thai touches, the atmosphere was serene. In one of the luxurious bedrooms, a handsome 29-year-old man was busy. With brown eyes, neatly styled black hair, a masculine face, and a sturdy, muscular build, he was packing his belongings on his king-sized bed.
He was Frenan Anawat, the sole heir to Meta Group Corporation. He was the son of Elena Natapon and Phat Maeta Anawat, a power couple whose businesses were spread everywhere.
However, since a plane crash claimed his parents' lives, Frenan had to take over all the family businesses. Despite his status, he remained a kind and humble man.
"I think this is enough. After all, we'll only be there for two days," Frenan murmured, tucking the last jacket into his backpack.
As he was zipping it up, his phone rang. The name Nana Ontara Posan appeared on the screen. Frenan answered immediately.
"Hello, Nana. What's up?"
"Hey, are you ready yet? We're on our way to your house," Nana said from the other end.
"I'm ready," Frenan replied.
"Great! Wait for us!"
"Got it," Frenan said before hanging up.
After the call ended, Frenan grabbed his backpack and walked out of the room. He descended the stairs with a relaxed gait, his smile widening when he saw Dimitri, the head butler whom heconsidered a second father, standing below.
"Good morning, Young Master Frenan," Dimitri greeted.
"Good morning, Dimitri," Frenan replied. "Oh, is the equipment I asked for ready?"
"Yes, Master. Everything is already in the car,"
Dimitri answered, his face turning anxious.
"Young Master, wouldn't it be better if Kla or Joy came along to guard you? I'm worried."
Frenan shook his head gently. "No need, Dimitri. I know martial arts. Besides, we're camping in a protected forest, not the wild wilderness. There are forest rangers there."
Soon after, the doorbell rang. Bi Yam, the housekeeper, immediately opened the door for Nana, Ket, and Henrry. The three of them walked in, greeting Dimitri and Frenan.
"Morning, Frenan! Morning, Dimitri!" Nana chirped.
"Morning, Miss Nana," Dimitri replied.
"Shall we head out now?" Frenan asked.
"Okay, let's go!" Nana said enthusiastically.
"Young Master Frenan, I am truly worried about you going without protection like this," Dimitri said again, his eyes full of concern.
"Dimitri, I'll be fine. You don't need to worry," Frenan said, reassuring him.
"Very well, Master. But if anything happens, contact me immediately," Dimitri pleaded.
They walked outside. Dimitri saw his master off to the front, clearly uneasy. The four of them got into the cars, and the adventure in the heart of the forest began.
Frenan shared a car with Nana. Frenan sat behind the wheel, and throughout the journey, they listened to music from the car's player. Nana, feeling bored, started a conversation.
"Frenan, I wanted to ask," Nana said.
"Ask what, Nana?" Frenan replied without taking his eyes off the road.
"Is Dimitri always that worried? I saw his face earlier; he looked really anxious," Nana said.
"Dimitri has always been like that. He still thinks of me as a little kid," Frenan answered with a sweet smile.
"I think it's reasonable, though. Especially since you're the primary heir to Anawat Corporation," Nana remarked. "I'm also surprised you didn't ask Kla and Joy to escort us."
"I don't really need them, Nana. Like I said, I can defend myself, so it's not necessary."
After that, the conversation died down. Frenan focused back on driving, while Nana occupied herself with her phone. The car Frenan was driving began to enter a lush, protected forest area. The air felt cooler, and the sound of birds chirping filled the air.
By midday, the air in the forest was refreshing. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating beautiful patterns of light. Frenan, Nana, Ket, and Henrry had arrived at their campsite. After setting up the tents and organizing their gear, Nana asked Frenan and Ket to look for dry branches for the campfire.
"I'll come along," Nana said.
"No need, Nana. Just the two of us. Stay here with Henrry," Frenan suggested.
Nana eventually agreed. Frenan and Ket walked away from the campsite, following a path covered in dry leaves.
"Wow, this is actually fun," Ket said while picking up dry twigs.
"Yeah, we need this kind of atmosphere once in a while," Frenan replied, his eyes scanning the surroundings, enjoying the natural beauty.
Amidst their task, Frenan's gaze stopped at a massive, towering tree. Beneath it, a beautiful girl with dark brown hair was sitting while reading a thick book. Frenan felt something strange about the girl, though he couldn't explain what it was.
"Who is she?" Ket whispered, looking in the same direction.
The girl looked up, as if sensing someone was watching her. Her eyes, a deep dark blue, stared straight at Frenan. Instantly, Frenan felt his body stiffen, as if a powerful magnet was pulling him. Without realizing it, he took a step forward, approaching the girl.
The girl, named Patricia Robert, was of vampire descent, though she didn't know it herself. She lived like an ordinary human, unaware of her powers or destiny. Her innocent and beautiful eyes held a great secret.
"Hello," Frenan greeted in a soft voice.
Patricia was startled, but she smiled warmly. "Hello," she replied. "Looking for branches?"
"Yes. Are you here alone?" Frenan asked.
"Yes. I'm on holiday and wanted to enjoy nature," Patricia answered, smiling again.
Her smile was so genuine and mesmerizing that Frenan's heart began to race. He felt an odd bond had just been created between them.
Frenan didn't know that this meeting would be the beginning of an adventure that would change his life and reveal secrets he never imagined.
Ket had managed to gather several branches, but his eyes were still fixed on Frenan, who was deep in conversation with the stranger. Not wanting to interrupt, Ket decided to leave them for a moment and walked back to the campsite.
"Come on, Frenan! We have to head back!" Ket called out from a distance.
Frenan turned, realizing he had been there too long. "I'm sorry, I have to go back. It was nice meeting you," Frenan said to Patricia.
Patricia smiled softly. "Me too. My name is Patricia, Patricia Robert," she said, extending her hand.
Frenan shook it. "Frenan. Frenan Anawat," he replied. "Maybe we can meet again?"
"Of course," Patricia said, her eyes sparkling. "Have fun with your friends."
Frenan waved and hurried to catch up with Ket. Throughout the walk back, he couldn't stop thinking about Patricia. For some reason, there was a very strong sense of familiarity.
That night, the campfire was lit, warming the atmosphere. Frenan, Nana, Ket, and Henrry sat in a circle, sharing stories and laughter. However, Frenan's mind occasionally drifted back to Patricia. He wondered what made a girl like her stay alone in the middle of the forest.
"Hey, Frenan. Are you daydreaming?" Nana asked, nudging Frenan's shoulder.
Frenan smiled awkwardly. "No. It's just... I met someone earlier this afternoon," he shared.
"Who?" Ket asked curiously.
"A girl. She was sitting under a big tree, reading a book," Frenan answered. "Her name is Patricia."
Ket nodded. "I saw her. She's beautiful, isn't she?"
"Beautiful and... strange," Frenan said honestly. "There's something different about her."
Nana and Henrry looked at each other and shrugged, not understanding. That night, under a sky full of stars and a full moon, Frenan couldn't close his eyes. He felt restless. There was an odd urge telling him to go back and find Patricia.
Carefully, he got up from the tent and walked away from the quiet campsite. He walked toward the spot where he had met Patricia that afternoon. Faintly, he saw a silhouette of someone under the same tree.
Frenan approached slowly. Patricia wasn't reading anymore; she was staring at the moon with a melancholic expression. Frenan saw Patricia stretching her hand toward the moon, as if trying to reach its light.
"Patricia?" Frenan called softly.
Patricia turned, surprised.
"Frenan? Why are you here?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"I... I don't know. I just felt like I had to come back," Frenan answered truthfully. He sat down beside her. "Why are you here alone, this late? Aren't you afraid?"
Patricia gave a bitter smile. "It's okay. I just... love the moon. Its light makes me feel alive. Besides, why should I be afraid of my own home?"
Frenan fell silent, sensing a deep sadness behind her words. "What's wrong?"
Patricia shook her head.
"Nothing. You don't need to worry."
However, Frenan felt he couldn't let Patricia go. Without realizing it, he reached out and touched Patricia's cheek. Her skin felt incredibly cold, much colder than the night air. Patricia turned, staring at Frenan with her blue eyes that now seemed to glow under the moonlight. That innocent and soulful gaze made Frenan lose himself.
At that moment, Frenan didn't know. Behind those beautiful eyes lay the secret of an ancient heritage that would change his life.
Frenan was still looking into Patricia's glowing eyes, captivated by a charm he couldn't explain. He pulled his hand back from her cheek, feeling the lingering sensation of coldness.
"Why are you alone here? Did you... run away from home?" Frenan asked, trying to understand.
Patricia looked down. "I... I don't have a family. I live alone in a wooden shack in the middle of this forest," she replied in a low, sorrowful voice.
"I don't know who my parents were, or where I came from."
Frenan's heart ached. Pity overwhelmed him. Patricia, a girl this beautiful and innocent, lived in such loneliness. The urge to protect her grew stronger.
"Are you lonely?" Frenan asked, his voice very tender.
Patricia didn't answer, but her teary eyes were answer enough. Frenan grabbed Patricia's hand, squeezing it tightly, trying to offer warmth.
"In that case, come with me. Meet my friends, share stories. I'm sure they'll like you."
Patricia looked up, her innocent eyes staring at Frenan with hope. "Really?"
"Of course. And after this camping trip ends," Frenan paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, "come home with me. Live with me."
Patricia fell silent, her lonely heart trembling. She had long yearned for the presence of someone who cared. In Frenan's eyes, she saw pure sincerity, not fear or suspicion.
"Are you... not afraid of me?" Patricia asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Why should I be afraid?" Frenan countered, smiling. "You haven't done anything bad, right? I think you're a good person."
Hearing that, Patricia couldn't hold back her tears. She shook her head, then nodded, accepting Frenan's invitation. All this time, she had only interacted with the animals of the forest, and now, there was a human who wanted to accept her and lead her out of her isolation. She felt as if Frenan was the answer to her prayers.
Under the brightening moon, Frenan and Patricia returned to the campsite. Frenan felt happy because he had managed to convince Patricia. He was certain his decision wasn't wrong. Meanwhile, Patricia felt a new sense of hope. She didn't know what awaited her outside the forest, but she felt that Frenan was someone she could trust.
From that moment on, their destinies were intertwined. Frenan, a CEO and sole heir, had unknowingly brought home the last descendant of a vampire dynasty into his normal life.