I’d been running around like a headless chicken all week—teaching students, checking their work, and prepping for the school’s silver jubilee decorations. And why? Because our genius principal thinks it’s okay to save money by making me and the other teachers do the grunt work.

Hire professionals? Nah. That’s a “waste of money.” Oh, but calling some celebrity to the event? Totally worth it. Are you kidding me?! I’m pissed. 

Like, seriously pissed.

I couldn’t even find time to read my favorite comics! 

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh! 

What did I do in my past life to deserve this?

“Should I just resign?” I muttered, dramatically slamming my head on the desk, as if that would magically fix my misery.

Tan, sitting across from me like the calm and collected looked at me. “Sure, go ahead. But be ready to stay unemployed for months,” he said in that dry, sarcastic tone of his.

I groaned louder, wishing this week would just end already. Even being at home felt impossible. And you know what made it weirder? My mom. She’d been acting way too happy lately.

Did she win the lottery or something? I wouldn’t put it past her. But would she tell me? Of course not.

Oh, and she’d been trying to talk to me about something, too. Probably important, but who has the time? After the jubilee, maybe. Right now, I’m just trying to survive till tomorrow.

“Do you want to go out and have lunch?” Tan asked, breaking my train of thought.

I looked at him and asked the most important question, “Are you paying?”

Tan sighed, already regretting his offer. “Fine. I’ll pay.”

I grinned like I’d just won the jackpot. “Let’s go, then!” I said, practically leaping up from my seat.

Grabbing my phone, I added, “But we’re going somewhere good, okay? If it’s bad, I’ll make you pay double next time!”

Tan muttered something under his breath—probably cursing his decision—but followed me anyway.

                                                                                            ***

Fanthom Bistro, Later,

We ended up at a restaurant near school, and guess what? Thanathorn’s face was everywhere. On the walls, on the menu, even on the napkins. The owner must be his number one fan or something. Even the name of the place—Famthom Bistro—sounds like a knock-off version of his name! 

Like, come on, do they really have to go that far? 

It's like they want to worship him in every corner of the restaurant. I mean, I'm all for good food, but this is starting to feel like I'm dining in a Thanathorn shrine.

Seriously, the guy is everywhere. Like, you can’t escape him even if you try. And while I’m annoyed at how much space he’s been taking up in my head lately, I gotta admit—he’s insanely successful.

But Tan? Of course, this guy’s on a whole different level. He’s over there taking selfies with the napkins, the menu, the freaking walls, grinning like a fanboy.

I gave him a side-eye and asked, “What the hell is wrong with this restaurant, huh? Why did you bring me here?”

Tan just smiled, looking way too pleased with himself. “Oh, this place? I heard it’s run by some of his fans. I’ve been wanting to come here for ages,” he said, acting all casual.

I sighed, shaking my head. I should’ve figured it out the moment he offered to buy me lunch. I mean, this is Tan we’re talking about—the guy who wouldn’t spend a single baht on me even if I begged. But today? Lunch on him. Suspicious, right? Yeah, now it makes sense.

But, I can’t lie. The food here? So good. At least something about this place is worth it.

Still, man, I can’t shake this weird feeling. These days, it’s like I can’t go a single day without hearing Thanathorn’s name. Everywhere I turn—bam! There he is. Like, what’s the deal? Is the universe trying to send me some kind of sign or what?

But wait, hold on a second. What kind of sign would the universe even send me about Thanathorn?

I mean, come on, that guy’s a freaking superstar, and me? I’m just a simple schoolteacher who still lives at his parents’ house. Why? Because free food, that’s why.

What am I even thinking? I must be out of my mind. Let's just enjoy this lunch in peace.

                                                                                            ***

SirisukFamily,

And just like that, finally... the day has arrived. The school silver jubilee day. I swear, I’m gonna take a break tomorrow. I really hope today ends fast.

I walked out of my room, glanced at myself in the mirror one last time before heading out. As I walked past the living room, I saw my dad sitting there, reading his newspaper.

"Paa, drop Pim at school on time, okay?" I said.

Dad didn’t reply.

"PAA!!" I raised my voice a little to get his attention.

He looked up from his paper and mumbled, "Huh! Oh alright. Don’t worry."

I just sighed, hoping he wouldn't be late. As I was about to step out, I heard my mom’s voice.

"Oh, Win. You're leaving early today too?" she asked, stopping me.

I nodded, saying, "Yeah, mom."

I looked at her. This lady—my mom—she's been acting like she wants to talk to me about something for the past week.

"Something happened?" I asked, half-curious, half-suspicious.

"No... no... we can talk later," she said, smiling. But looking at her face, I could tell it's nothing serious. Just a mom being her usual mysterious self.

"Okay, I’ll leave then," I said, waving it off.

And just like that, I stepped out for what was going to be the busiest day of my life. But somewhere, somehow, I couldn't shake this feeling of déjà vu.

I hoped it wasn’t some bad omen.

But you know, when you’ve got that feeling like the universe is about to throw a curveball at you, it’s hard not to worry. Maybe it’s just me being paranoid... Or maybe something is actually coming. I just have this gut feeling—like a storm brewing and I’m standing in the middle of it, waiting for the first drop to hit.

I prayed to the universe, "Please, don’t let today be the start of anything ridiculous."