After a lengthy but disappointingly uninformative discussion at the hospital, Jay had been left with more questions than answers. Despite his insistence on involving him, Art could provide little meaningful information about Tay's activist group. All he had offered was the name of a possible member who had attended university with his twin. Jay couldn't help but wonder if there was a deliberate effort to keep him in the dark or if Tay had entrusted Art with only a superficial layer of his life. But also, Jay wasn't quick to discard the possibility that his twin didn't want to get his friend in trouble and purposefully kept him out of it, providing him with just enough information to receive help in case of unexpected events.

This growing intrigue and suspicion brought him to Tay's apartment. Perhaps here, amidst the traces of Tay's everyday existence, he would find the missing pieces to a puzzle that seemed to grow more complex with each passing moment.

Despite the late hour, the neighbourhood retained its vibrancy. Street vendors continued to peddle their aromatic offerings while people bustled about, their voices intermingling with the street sounds of honking scooters and distant music.

The surroundings held an air of both charm and grit. Weathered buildings stood shoulder to shoulder, creating a maze of narrow alleys with laundry lines suspended above.

There was a palpable sense of community that offered a certain level of security amidst the hustle and bustle, even in the face of economic hardship. And Jay found himself strangely drawn to this scene of collective resilience.

The apartment was a single room with just enough space for the essentials. A double bed with worn-out sheets, a modest wardrobe on one side, a compact kitchenette on the other, and a desk piled high with textbooks and notes. Jay had skimmed through some of those textbooks earlier, discovering Tay's pursuit of corporate law. A microscopic bathroom with a cramped shower was tucked away behind another door. Tay's wardrobe consisted mainly of rugged, washed-out clothes, a far cry from the tailored suits and high-end brands Jay was accustomed to.

The stark contrast of their lives was overwhelmingly evident in every corner. But what struck Jay the most was the chaotic, lived-in feel. It was as if every nook and cranny exuded Tay's personality. Every item told a story of a life deeply intertwined with this place. It was surprising how much he could learn about his twin just by being here. In a way, it made him think about places he had lived in throughout his life. Jay couldn't help but wonder why he had always left them devoid of any personal traces, like an elusive figure passing through rather than a resident leaving a mark. This contrast between his own transient existence and Tay's deeply connected one left him with a sense of both awe and estrangement.

As the early morning sun poured through the small window, Jay winced and pulled the covers over his head with an annoyed grunt. He had never been a morning person, and the uncomfortable bed did nothing to improve his mood. Outside, the noise of the bustling neighbourhood only added to his irritation.

With a sigh, he finally emerged from beneath the covers, his thoughts lingering on the decision to stay at Tay's place. It had seemed like a practical choice the night before, but now he was beginning to regret it. As a result, Jay stood utterly annoyed in front of the wardrobe, trying to remember when he last wore a uniform.

Jay had left most of his belongings in the hotel room, taking only a few essentials with him. Pretending to be Tay was hard enough without wearing clothes that would make him stand out like a sore thumb in this neighbourhood. It was a small but necessary sacrifice to maintain the illusion he was trying to create.

The university was located in an urban area. Modern and functional building with a clean, minimalistic exterior, simple lines, and a neutral colour scheme blending with surroundings. As soon as he entered it, a cool and refreshing air hit him, a welcome respite from the hot and humid climate outside. Jay stopped by the large sign with a map, trying to find anything that could point him in the right direction, when suddenly someone jumped on him and slung his arm over his shoulders. Jay staggered in surprise as an unfamiliar face popped into his vision.

"You've been gone for ages, bro! I can't believe you left me to deal with our most boooring classes alone," he complained, eyeing his hair.

Judging from his words, it was safe to assume that this person was Win. He didn't seem surprised or shocked to see him, rather curious and worried.

"I had a few things to take care of, Win," Jay replied, trying to keep his accent in check.

Win squinted his eyes. "Don't tell me you needed days to get a new haircut."

"Obviously."

He rolled his eyes playfully, but deep inside, he was grateful for this momentary distraction. From his twin's most recent photos, Jay learned that Tay had semi-long hair he tied into a ponytail. Quite a difference from his undercut hairstyle with a top just long enough to tie it, but it's not like he could magically grow hair.

"I must say you look much better," Win chirped, leaning closer as if inspecting him. "Hmm... your skin looks better too... now that's suspicious... you never care about things like this...," he trailed off, his eyes shooting wide open with sudden realisation, giving Jay a mini heart attack. "It's a new girlfriend, isn't it?!"

Jay sighed. This whole thing started to become more troublesome than he wished. He forced himself to laugh and then playfully smacked his shoulder. "Stop it and lead the way before we are late."

"Oh, fuck!" Win exclaimed, pulling him towards the law faculty. "You will save my skin as always, right? RIGHT?!"

"Yeah, sure."

"I don't know what I would do without you... these tests are the worst!" he complained without looking at his suddenly incredibly pale companion. "Taxation of business entities will be my doom."

If misery and desperation ever had a child, Jay was sure it would be Win. His twin's friend looked like his life was about to end, and only the apocalypse could save him. "You know, we could always skip it," he proposed carefully.

Win's head snapped in his direction, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Is it some kind of trick? You never skip classes... first, you are gone for over a week and now this...," he added, leaning even closer, and then suddenly grinned widely. "I must say, I love how this new girlfriend works on you! To the canteen!"

Jay breathed a sigh of relief and decided not to dispute the idea of having a girlfriend. So far, she seemed to work as a perfect excuse.

"For the record, you owe me breakfast for ignoring my messages for a whole week! How could you, man?! I'm your one and only best friend...," Win trailed off dramatically. "My feelings were hurt, and only Khao Soi with extra toppings can soothe them."

His eyebrow quirked in amusement. Win seemed like a cheerful and honest person. He reminded him of Johnathan, his friend from Westminster. It had been a while since they had had their usual drinks as both got busy with work, but maybe once Jay was back in London, they could pop into their regular bar. But for now, he had to focus on his brother's life.

"Well, it looks like we have Khao Soi for breakfast then. My treat."

"Damn... she really works wonders on your usual grumpy ass."

"Enjoy while it lasts," Jay quipped back, making a mental note about his twin's typical behaviour.

The sunlight poured through large windows, casting a warm, inviting atmosphere over the small tables and chairs. Scattered groups of students were chatting, sipping coffee, or enjoying their breakfasts.

As Jay and Win entered the canteen, a young man enthusiastically waved at them. Win's face lit up, and he hurried over to join them. Jay followed him slowly, curious but cautious, unsure of the stranger's connection to his twin.

"Oh, look who's back," he greeted him with a slightly teasing voice. "It's not like you to disappear like this between the jobs. Izzy was trying to call you, but nothing went through."

"Sorry, my phone has issues," Jay replied with an exaggerated eye roll.

"I told you so many times to replace it!" Win exclaimed with a playful yet slightly exasperated tone. "I swear, Tay, if I had a penny for every time I told you to replace that ancient relic, I'd be rolling in money by now. Hey, Fort," he added, pocking him with an elbow. "Maybe you can reason with him?"

It wasn't hard to figure out that Fort was also part of the group and had nothing in common with Tay's condition. Jay was now wholly convinced that the suspect was somewhere else, but why did Art insist on him joining the group if that was the case. How his presence here could benefit anyone?

"It's admirable how you never give up, Win," he responded. "Do you really think any of us can convince the most stubborn jackass in the galaxy to do anything he doesn't feel like it? C'mon, you should know him better than this."

"Touche, but still, you should get it fixed, bro," Win said, looking at Jay worriedly. "Sean told us what happened on the last job. I was dead worried, not knowing if you managed to escape. I get it, and we all know the risk and sometimes need to lay low for a while, but still, it would be good to know that your annoying ass is in one piece."

"My bad," Jay acknowledged, then excused himself to get their breakfast, using this time to summarise everything he had learned so far about his twin. It seemed like Tay was stubborn, independent, and grumpy at the time, yet his friends genuinely cared about him.

"Oh, you may want to stay out of Sean's way for a while," Fort advised once Jay returned to the table with two noodle soups. "He is still pissed about the factory. The last thing we need before today's job is you two again at each other's throat."

"Yeah, since you seem to be in a good mood today, maybe you could bury a hatchet for one night?"

Jay contemplated their warnings a moment. It was apparent that Tay had some issues with Sean, possibly connected to the factory. This raised questions about whether Sean might be related to Tay's critical condition. However, Jay couldn't jump to conclusions, as he lacked details about their disagreement or what had happened at the last job.

"Sean's bad mood is not my problem to fix," Jay retorted nonchalantly, shifting his attention to the steaming soup.

"And back to his usual self," Win sighed dramatically, clutching his bowl as if someone were to take it away from him. "I guess some things will never change."

"Yeah," Fort sighed, standing up. "Anyway, I need to go. I'm already late for classes. See you at the garage later."

They continued their breakfast with Win narrating everything that happened last week while Jay couldn't help but wonder how a chain of random coincidences worked in his favour. If this continues, he may actually pull off the whole thing without betraying his identity. Jay still had more questions than answers, but at least this whole thing seemed more doable and part of him started to enjoy it. It was a change from his perfectly organised life... in many ways, an entertaining change... or troublesome, as he discovered in the afternoon.

Jay somehow managed to navigate through the day. He attended classes, maintaining an appearance of comprehension despite his limited understanding of the Thai script. It was a day filled with subtle triumphs and moments that boosted his confidence in this impersonation.

However, the afternoon brought an unexpected challenge. Jay discovered that Tay owned a motorbike, something Art had failed to mention in their initial conversation. While he could brush off that he hadn't arrived at the university on a motorbike, a more significant issue loomed over him – he had no idea how to drive one. Motorcycles had never piqued his interest. Jay liked physical challenges and preferred cycling, especially in the Scottish mountains.

"You are too distracted, mate!" Win pointed a finger at him accusingly, yet his tone carried playful notes. "No matter how amazing your new girl is, you've got to get your head in the game! It's your plan, after all!"

Win's playful accusation hit Jay like a bucket of cold water. The only thought that surfaced in his mind was, 'Oh, fuck, I'm screwed.' He had no idea about the details of this plan, and there was no reasonable way for him to ask without raising suspicion since, technically, it was supposed to be his own plan.

"Anyway, Izzy wanted to talk to you about it," Win continued, heading towards his bike. "After what happened at the factory, he would rather have us lay low for a couple weeks or adjust your plan accordingly."

Jay was astonished at Win's ability to unconsciously keep throwing him a lifeline. "How?"

"Mostly the timings. First, look for any signs of a trap, then we go in, set the fire and go out before anyone realises we were there," he whispered, leaning closer as if afraid someone could overhear them. "You still get what you wanted, but we potentially avoid the shit storm from the factory."

Jay froze for a brief moment. Arson. His brother was planning to commit an arson. This could be easily over fifteen years in prison. He could not comprehend his twin's thinking but did not want to be part of it.

"I know you don't like it, but Izzy worries it's too extreme," Win continued without noticing his reaction. "But I agree with you. Thanarak can't get away with it. He and Chaiyawat think they rule the whole city. Greedy fuckers," he hissed, spitting in disgust on the ground. "For most people here, that temple was important... the only place they could find escape, and he took it away to build another fucking mansion. I guess he couldn't stand the idea that poor people enjoyed the view he couldn't have."

Jay nodded slowly. "It's about time someone put them in their place," he replied in a hushed tone, his voice filled with a simmering anger that matched Tay's apparent outrage.

"I hear you, brother," Win agreed eagerly. "Come, I will give you a ride. We don't have time to go back to your place. You can stick with me today."

As the late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the bustling streets of Bangkok, Jay sat behind Win on the bike, gripping the support at the end of the seat. The chaotic traffic flowed around them, motorcycles weaving between cars, the city's symphony of horns and chatter filling the air.

His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Tay's plan to burn down a mansion loomed over him, a reckless and illegal act that made Jay, a future prosecutor, deeply uncomfortable. It felt wrong and absurd, and he couldn't help but question whether discovering the truth about his twin was worth being entangled in such a scheme.

Yet, amidst the conflict, there was a fresh breath of air in his life, a deviation from the path of predictability he had been on. The camaraderie and passion of Tay's friends were unlike anything he had experienced before. Win, in particular, had a genuine, straightforward outlook and a strong sense of justice that resonated with Jay. It made him question the motivations and backgrounds of the entire group. What had driven them to such extreme actions? How far were they willing to go to achieve their goals?

The moral ambiguity of the situation gnawed at him. Still, growing curiosity and the allure of breaking away from his meticulously organised life made him question his priorities.

The bike stopped in front of a weathered shack amid worn concrete buildings carrying the scars of societal struggles etched deep into the neighbourhood. Jay couldn't help but feel apprehensive as he stepped off the bike. Could he truly pretend to be his brother with people who most likely knew him the best?

Jay's eyes quickly adjusted to the dimly lit space as they walked inside. It was a garage, a place that appeared to be the epicentre of their clandestine activities. A car sat in the centre, raised on a hydraulic lift, with a mechanic working beneath it. Two worn-out sofas were pushed against the back wall, suggesting that this space played host to regular gatherings. To the side, a set of narrow stairs led to what looked like a tiny studio perched above the garage.

Win strode confidently toward the car and nudged the mechanic's leg with the tip of his shoe. "Look who I found, Izzy!" he called out.

The tray slid from underneath the car, and dark eyes looked at him with relief. "Damn you, Tay!" he exclaimed, rising from the floor. "I was sure they got you! Where were you?"

"Laying low at his girlfriend's," Win chipped in without giving him a chance to respond, leaving Jay grateful for another lifeline. "And his phone died again."

Izzy shook his head with resignation. "Do me a favour and replace that damn thing already."

Jay nodded in agreement. This would work in his favour. He could use his own phone with a dual sim option and easily keep in touch with both worlds without juggling two devices.

"Anyway," Izzy continued. "I know it's not my place to tell you how to do your jobs, but after what happened last time, you need to be more careful. It seems like both of you barely got out, and knowing both of you, neither understand the possible consequences. If you get caught, your lives are over. Dead people can't change anything. You can't afford to be reckless, Tay."

Every part of him agreed with this man. Izzy seemed older than the rest of the group and clearly more responsible. But from what he learnt, his brother would never agree. "I know what I'm doing," he replied coldly.

Izzy sighed as if this was the answer he expected. "Can you at least reconsider the approach and climb from the other side instead of getting in near the front gate? Foliage will give all of you better cover, and you don't need to deal with guards at the gate."

"You want us to climb the hill with fifty litres of petrol strapped to our backs? I can't do it!" Win complained, sinking into the sofa.

Jay had no idea how steep the hill was, but climbing with this much weight was nothing. Not to mention, Izzy's idea made much more sense than barging in from the front. "Fine," Jay replied as if he couldn't care less.

Suddenly, the door behind him slid open, followed by someone's light footsteps. Izzy raised his hand in greeting and leaned on a car as if waiting for something to happen.

"Did this fucking asshole finally show up, or do we need to pull off his plan without him?"

Jay felt a shiver run down his spine. It was a voice that oozed sensuality, with a deep, velvety tone that seemed to wrap around each word. There was a smoky quality to it, and every word carried a hint of raw, unapologetic confidence.

He turned around slowly, his gaze settling on the newcomer. His appearance was nothing short of arresting. He stood there in ripped black skinny jeans that clung to his long, lean legs and a white university shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing a tantalising glimpse of his chest. His tall frame exuded casual nonchalance, with just the right amount of defined muscle to leave an impression without seeming overdone.

But it was his messy black hair that seemed to defy gravity and his intense, dark eyes that captured Jay's attention. His sharp features and multiple black piercings only added to it, creating a handsome, edgy charm that was impossible to ignore.

In that single moment, a single thought raced through Jay's mind: 'Oh fuck, he's hot.'

Sean's quick steps closed the distance between them, and before Jay could fully comprehend what was happening, a firm grip seized his collar, pulling him forward with an aggressive force.

"I told you something was fucking wrong, but you never listen!" Sean hissed through gritted teeth, anger blazing in his dark eyes.

Jay's instincts kicked in, and he managed to dodge the incoming punch by tilting his head to the side. The missed strike slightly disrupted the attacker's balance, and Jay seized the opportunity. With a swift, practised motion, he shoved Sean against the wall, pinning him there before anyone in the room could react.

Sean was taken aback, his surprise evident as he gasped for breath. He couldn't help but wonder if Tay had always possessed this level of strength. But as Tay leaned closer, their faces mere inches apart, all rational thoughts were extinguished, and the only thing Sean could think about was the intoxicating scent of cedarwood and cypress that enveloped him.