"Work for just one day and earn a fortune… Interested? Contact the number below."
The moment she got home, Kangsadan unfolded the small note and read it carefully.
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Kangsadan had been invited by her younger cousin, Rinya, who was getting married next month, to meet at a wedding studio in Sukhumvit.
"Let's meet at Phrom Phong BTS and walk to the studio together. I'm afraid I might get lost," Kangsadan said nervously. She didn't come to this part of town often.
"Sure… let's do that. See you at half past ten. Afterward, we can grab something to eat at the Emporium." This was the first time Rinya had invited Kangsadan along. Usually, Kangsadan stayed home on her days off, cooking and taking care of Grandma Lamduan, who was also Rinya's grandmother.
Outside the shop window, Kangsadan paused to admire the wedding gowns, her mind drifting into a sweet daydream. Would she ever have a chance to wear a dress as beautiful as the ones her lucky cousin tried on?
"Come on, stop staring and help me choose," Rinya teased, laughing at her cousin's dreamy expression.
"Sorry… I just really like this one. You should try it, Rin," Kangsadan suggested.
"Too puffy… I don't like it!" Rinya shook her head.
"Just try it on. It might suit you. You're so slim, it could look perfect," Kangsadan encouraged.
Finally, Rinya agreed, and Kangsadan followed her into the fitting room. When Rinya emerged, Kangsadan's eyes lit up.
"See? It looks beautiful! The bodice is embroidered with sequins in a floral pattern, and the sheer fabric drapes perfectly at the shoulders. Elegant but modest."
Rinya frowned at her reflection. "I want something off the shoulder, maybe with an open back. I want to show my skin."
"Too revealing!" Kangsadan shook her head, disapproving of her cousin's second choice.
"Bell… don't be so harsh. My feelings are hurt, you know!" Rinya's voice was a little frustrated.
"You're just too proper, that's all!" Kangsadan laughed.
"Maybe… but maybe I'll be wild in the future," she added, laughing at her own words.
"What, like kicking your husband out and moving a lover in?" Rinya teased, sounding a little too daring.
"Hey… that's harsh!" Kangsadan said, too busy watching her cousin twirl around, she accidentally stepped on someone's foot.
Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with a middle-aged man in a hotel driver's uniform.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there," Kangsadan said, blushing.
"It's alright. I'm looking for my boss… I'm not sure where he is," the man replied politely.
"We don't see anyone around here," Rinya answered for her.
The man nodded, opened the glass door, and walked out.
"The shop is so quiet… no one comes in while we're inside trying on dresses," Kangsadan muttered.
After more deliberation, Rinya finally chose a gown she liked.
"If it were me, I'd take the first one—it's sweet and elegant," Kangsadan suggested.
"No… I like this one," Rinya insisted, pouting.
"Careful, bride-to-be… make a face like that, and you'll frown until your wedding day," Kangsadan teased.
"Ugh… Impossible," Rinya groaned.
Kangsadan was about to fetch another gown for her cousin to try when a calm, tall voice interrupted.
"Do you want to work with me?"
She looked up to see a young man, around 180 cm tall, with olive-toned skin and a composed expression, staring at her.
"Are you… a real or fake scammer?" she asked cautiously.
He tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"
"These days, scams are everywhere. Where have you been living?" She laughed lightly, amused at his puzzled look.
"Well, I'm neither, as you say. But I do have a small offer for you…" He continued to watch her patiently.
"I'll think about it… I don't even know who you are or what you're hiring me to do," she replied softly, slipping the folded paper he handed her into her bag.
Without another word, Kangsadan walked away, feeling uneasy. People nowadays were strange… and life seemed increasingly difficult.
"Rin… try this one too… I'm starting to get hungry." Kangsadan picked a soft ivory dress, which seemed more suitable than a pure white one.
"Help me, please!" Rinya called from the fitting room. Kangsadan pushed the door open.
"This one's hard to take off—it clings to the chest. But if you want a style that shows your skin, this lace one-strap is sweet and easy to wear," she advised seriously.
When Rinya stepped out to look in the mirror, the shop assistant immediately complimented the dress, saying it suited her figure and bright personality perfectly.
"Alright… I'll take this one. Please alter it to fit, and call me when it's ready." Rinya handed her business card to the assistant. The shop owner came down from upstairs, smiling warmly.
"This dress is very expensive, styled like a famous brand," she said happily.
"It fits perfectly. Thank you so much…" Rinya turned to Kangsadan, grateful for her help.
Kangsadan breathed a sigh of relief, but her stomach growled loudly. She had hurried to make pumpkin porridge for Grandma that morning, fearing she might leave the house late, and now it had long been digested.
"Let's eat… I'm starving," she whispered to her cousin.
The two girls hurried across the BTS overpass and entered the mall. Rinya had planned to treat her to Cantonese dim sum.
"It's on me… you helped me pick the perfect dress," Rinya said.
"I don't care… I'm so hungry I could eat anything," Kangsadan replied, hurrying after her cousin to the third floor. Fortunately, the restaurant was quiet midweek.
Kangsadan placed her bag on the table, then excused herself to the restroom. While walking along the narrow corridor outside, she nearly collided with a young man exiting the men's bathroom—the same one from earlier.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"It's a public restroom… didn't you notice the women's one?" she replied, laughing lightly.
"Oh, sorry… I thought you decided to follow me," he said, embarrassed.
"Really… what a coincidence… how annoying!" Kangsadan thought, irritated but amused.
"But… don't throw away that note. It's priceless," he called over, walking away immediately.
Back at the restaurant, Kangsadan couldn't eat. His words lingered in her mind, irritating her.
Once home, she immediately opened the note again, her eyes widening.
"What… is this? Is this crazy?"