She hadn't realized how happy she appeared until the mirror reflected the curve of her lips, the sparkle in her eyes, and the glow that only comes from wishing for a dinner with someone special wouldn't end.
Tanya barely had time to savor the moment before the restroom door closed with a sharp click.
"We need to talk," said a woman who leaned against the sink, arms crossed. Her expression was deadly serious.
Tanya's eyes swept around the closed restroom. No one else was there. The words had to be meant for her, as if this woman had appeared solely to accuse her of some unforgivable crime.
"Uh… who are you?" she asked, curiosity lacing her voice as she tried to make sense of the sudden intrusion.
"You don't know me?! How could you not?"
A flicker of surprise ran through her as she realized she wasn't recognized.
Was it possible? Her?
The famous young actress in Thailand and overseas. Her face covered a nearby billboard, large enough to be seen for miles. There was even a small poster of her inside this restaurant.
Yet here was someone who didn't even know who she was.
Feeling both disbelief and a sting of pride, she sighed deeply and tried to introduce herself like a professional star.
"The name is Rati—" she began, but was cut off.
"Should I care?" Tanya is not really asking; her tone is mocking as she casts a quick glance at the mirror. She adjusts her hair, then smooths her blouse, and finally checks her reflection to ensure she looks composed before leaving.
Rati's teeth clench in frustration, but she forces herself to focus, determined not to lose sight of why she is here.
"Actually, I—" She started again, only to be interrupted.
"Excuse me," Tanya said lightly, brushing past her and reaching for the door. But Rati moved faster. Her hand shot out to grasp Tanya's arm firmly, stopping Tanya in her tracks.
"Do you know what you're doing? Flirting with a married woman?" Rati's narrowed eyes barely hid her annoyance.
Tanya blinked, startled, her cheeks coloring as she stammered,
"I… I don't know what you mean—"
Rati let go of Tanya's arm, having caught her full attention. She leaned in closer and said,
"You're not fooling anyone. I've seen you staring at Doctor Fahlada and hanging around when you know she's married!"
Tanya swallowed hard. Her heart pounded like a trapped mouse. Her mind wandered as she struggled to think of something truthful to say.
"I… I don't know what you saw, she's my senior and…"
Rati cut her off this time, stepping in until only an inch separated them, her stance making it clear who was in control.
"If you don't back off, I'll tell Fahlada's wife there's a little insect buzzing too close to her beloved. And trust me, Fahlada's wife is my best friend—like this." Rati laced her fingers together.
"Do you really think she won't believe me?"
Tanya flinched, instinctively stepping back at the threat and imagining Fahlada's anger. Fear tinged her thoughts, but after a deep breath, she lifted her chin, straightened her shoulders, and forced herself to hold her ground.
"Back off? Why should I? I haven't done anything wrong."
Rati's retort caught in her throat, leaving her momentarily speechless, and Tanya seized the chance to strike back.
"So could you please move out of my way, or I'll tell Fahlada that one of her wife's friends is harassing me."
"Fahlada? How can you call your senior by her given name like that? Where's your respect?"
Tanya didn't answer, shoving past quickly and brushing Rati aside as she made for the door.
Rati stared at Tanya's retreating back, stunned. For a moment, she almost shouted something insulting after her, but she held herself back, knowing it would only make things worse. Instead, she stepped forward and called out,
"Consider yourself warned!"
Rati felt a twinge of hurt, not at Tanya for ignoring her, but from the sting of not being recognized. She wished she had introduced herself properly, so maybe Tanya would remember her.
___
Back at the table, Fahlada had already finished her food and was scrolling on her phone when Tanya slipped back into her seat, her expression slightly sour.
"Oh, what took you so long?" Fahlada teased lightly.
"There were a lot of people in the restroom," Tanya said, forcing a casual smile that faded instantly when a voice called out.
"Fahlada! It's good to see you here!"
"Rati!" Fahlada's face lit up as she stood and leaned in to give her a quick hug.
"How are you? What are you doing here?"
Rati glanced at Tanya, 'Do you think I'm going to let just the two of you together?'
"Oh, I was shooting just around the corner. And who's this with you? Where's Earn?" Rati asked sharply and sat beside Fahlada, looking at Tanya,
'If I didn't get Fahlada, no one else will, except for Earn, of course,' she thought.
"She's my intern at work. Earn's at home. Actually, I should get going," Fahlada said, then glanced at Tanya, noticing she looked a little flustered.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, her tone calm but concerned.
"Yes… I'm fine," Tanya said quickly, though she couldn't hide her awkwardness.
Rati leaned in with a teasing grin. "Oh, does your tummy ache? Wait a minute… You were just in the restroom."
Then she whispered to Fahlada, but loud enough for Tanya to hear, "It doesn't smell good in there."
Tanya immediately went red. "I did not—"
Fahlada, serious and concerned, immediately rose from her chair.
"If you're not feeling well, we can leave now. Let me take you home, or grab some medicine, if you need it."
Tanya waved her off quickly, forcing a small smile.
"No, I'm fine. You should go ahead, Doctor."
Rati's lips curled into a faint smirk when she noticed Tanya deliberately avoided using Fahlada's name. 'I knew it.'
Fahlada tilted her head, offering a half-amused, half-serious smile.
"Are you sure? I couldn't just leave you like this."
"Don't worry, Fahlada. I can go with her." Rati chuckled softly, shaking her head as she rose from her seat.
"Please, don't be shy. Just call me Rati." She stepped closer to Tanya and extended her hand, her tone warm but her eyes sharp.
Tanya hesitated. She didn't want to trouble Fahlada, so she ignored the subtle provocation and clasped Rati's hand firmly, perhaps a little too firmly.
"I'm Tanya. And I'm okay, really. Don't worry about it."
Her gaze flicked toward Fahlada, who was still standing near the table, one hand resting on the back of her chair.
Rati's smile tightened as she felt Tanya's grip. Her own hands were smaller, and Tanya's strength made her feel like she was losing ground. Tanya noticed and smirked faintly.
Fahlada hesitated, glancing between them. From her perspective, it almost looked like they were getting along.
"Alright… Earn's waiting at home, and the puppy's in the car. But I want to make sure you're okay."
"Please go. I'm fine," Tanya insisted, cheeks flushed as she avoided Fahlada's eyes.
Fahlada nodded politely, already moving toward the door, her thoughts drifting to Earn and the little golden retriever.
"Alright then. Take care of yourself, Tanya. And you too, Rati—let's hang out soon."
As soon as Fahlada went out of sight, Tanya released Rati's hand, but not before their eyes locked: a brief, tense moment. Rati flexed her fingers, subtly hiding the pain in her palm.
"I think… I should head out, too," Tanya muttered, and moved quickly, darting toward the exit.
But Rati followed, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She closed the distance, eyes narrowing, a faint crease forming between her brows.
"Wait. We're not done talking."
Tanya froze for half a second, then turned slightly.
"We're done, Ra…Ti." She dragged out the name, her tone laced with warning, and kept walking until they were outside the restaurant.
"Please stop for a second… I just need to know. You really don't recognize me?" Rati's tone was edged with annoyance.
That made Tanya pause mid-step. She turned halfway, her expression blank.
"…What?"
Rati exhaled sharply through her nose, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
"Look at the billboard," she said, flicking her hand toward the massive sign glowing above the street.
Tanya blinked, caught off guard. Instead of looking up, she shifted her weight toward the nearby waiting shed.
"Uh… no need," she muttered, the words awkward and rushed, like she wasn't sure what she was even answering to. Still, her feet carried her forward, and Rati followed until they reached the shed, where Tanya raised a hand to flag down a cab.
Rati's smirk widened as the realization clicked.
"I see. So you do know me… You're just pretending. I get it. Must be your first time meeting a… beautiful actress."
Tanya scoffed, finally turning fully to face her, arms crossing defensively.
"Beautiful? Please. Ingfah and Earn look better than you."
That hit.
Rati's eyes narrowed, her lashes lowering like a predator about to strike.
"So you know us. And yet… you're in love with Earn's wife."
Tanya's cheeks flared red. Her throat tightened, but she forced the words out.
"My feelings are mine, so—"
"—so what?!" Rati stepped closer, "You think Fahlada will leave her wife for you? Or are you just happy being the shadow in her life?"
Tanya's composure cracked. She threw up her hands to push Rati away from her space.
"You bitc—, you need to stop!"
"No, I won't stop!" Rati snapped, her glare cutting as she squared up like she was ready for a fight.
"Maybe you don't get it because you've got a small brain or something. Don't be delusional! Fahlada's kind to everyone, and it's easy to mistake that for something more. But as Earn's best friend, I'd do anything for her. So stay away from Fahlada… before I make you regret it."
Tanya's jaw tightened. She braced herself, refusing to back down.
"You don't scare me. Fahlada and I work together. I won't do anything unless she tells me herself."
Rati opened her mouth to speak, but Tanya didn't give her the chance. She smirked and added, "Funny thing—I heard you tried to make a move on Fahlada once, and you failed." Her smile sharpened. "But I'm starting to think your feelings didn't disappear. Unless it's not her you want anymore." She leaned in slightly. "So tell me, did your feelings shift, or were they always meant for Earn? Which one do you really want?"
Rati let out a short, humorless laugh, her gaze never leaving Tanya. She had a way of inserting herself into things, not out of malice anymore, but out of a fierce protectiveness she would never admit aloud.
Yes, she had tried to come between Fahlada and Earn, but since losing that battle, she had become something else entirely, a self-appointed guardian of their bond, even going so far as to call herself Earn's best friend, a role that was unusually soft for her.
"You're asking the wrong questions," she said with a faint smile. "But it doesn't matter—what I feel isn't the problem here."
She stepped closer, close enough that Tanya had to tilt her chin up.
"It's about knowing your place before you cross a line you can't come back from. I will make your life miserable if you get into Earn and Fahlada's relationship. Understood?"
"You're overreacting," Tanya replied, "I'm not your enemy."
"Good. Because it would be a shame if you ever had to explain why you're no longer allowed to practice."
Tanya went still. "Is that a threat?"
"That depends on you; you're still an intern. One misstep, and your career could end before it even begins." Rati held Tanya's gaze, unflinching.
A comeback trembled at the edge of Tanya's lips, but she held it back. She wanted to hurl insults, declare she wouldn't get in between the married couple, but no words came to mind.
Flustered, her gaze dropped to the ground, then darted back at Rati, who stood there like a predator waiting for its prey.
Rati's smile broadened just enough to look satisfied, but her eyes stayed razor-sharp.
"It seems we understand each other." She finally took a subtle step back.
"Let's not make our lives complicated, shall we?"
Rati extended her hand slowly, as if offering a truce. Tanya didn't move, her gaze fixed on the hand but not meeting it.
"…No need for that," Tanya muttered under her breath, eyes flicking toward the street where the rumble of a cab grew closer.
Rati's hand lingered in the air for a moment before she let it drop, her smirk returning.
"Suit yourself."
The cab pulled up to the curb, headlights slicing through the tension like a blade. Tanya stepped forward quickly, almost tripping in her haste. She yanked the door open and slid inside without another word.
Rati didn't follow. She stood there, arms folding slowly across her chest, watching as the cab door slammed shut. Her eyes tracked the vehicle until it disappeared into the traffic.
The warning had been delivered.
Her dominance?
Undisputed.