Sighhh… 

"What am I even thinking again since he came here?" I muttered to myself. 

There I was, standing like an idiot, completely lost in my own spiral of thoughts, mentally cursing my overactive imagination.

But then—bam! A chair appeared right in front of me. I was startled.

When I turned to see what was happening, there he was—Thanathorn, standing a little too close, staring at me with that same unreadable, icy expression. He was so calm, it was almost scary.

“Have a seat,” he said, his voice casual.

I froze. “What?”

I looked down at the chair. Wait, wait, wait. Isn’t this the chair? You know, the one the principal personally brought out, the chair specifically arranged for Thanathorn? That chair? And now he wants me to sit here?

“You’re not planning to stand there for hours, are you?” he said, his tone so casual it was almost insulting.

I was speechless. But guess what? I wasn’t the only one. His manager and his makeup artist? They were just standing there, frozen, eyes wide like they’d just witnessed the most bizarre thing ever.

I looked back at Thanathorn, trying to keep my composure, and smiled politely. “Thanks, phi… but I’m okay.”

He didn’t even blink. “Just sit.”

And you know what? I sat. I sat immediately. Because that stare? It could probably bore a hole through my soul.

"Thanks... for the chair, phi," I mumbled, bowing my head slightly.

Thanathorn didn’t even flinch. His icy expression remained as usual. But just before he turned away, I thought I saw a tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth. 

A... smile? 

Maybe? Nah, I was probably seeing things again.

And, he turned and walked away to change clothes, his manager followed him. I let out a long, dramatic sigh. Just as I was settling into the absurd comfort of that chair, my phone buzzed.

It was Tan.

“Hey, where the hell you disappeared to, huh?” he barked, his voice loud.

I sighed, already bracing myself. “I’m in the music room.”

“The music room? What are you doing there? Pim’s been looking for you everywhere, man!”

“Just—tell Pim I can’t come. I’m stuck,” I whispered, lowering my voice and glancing around like I was about to leak some top-secret information.

“Why not? What are you—”

I glanced around nervously, lowering my voice to a whisper. “Uh… I’m with Thanathorn. As his representative.”

There was a moment of silence on the line, and for a second, I thought maybe he’d fainted or something. But then—

“WHAT?!” Tan’s voice exploded so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

“Shhh! Keep it down!” I I hissed into the phone, barely audible.

“You’re with Thanathorn? THE Thanathorn?!” Tan’s voice was still loud, and I could practically hear him hyperventilating on the other end.

“Yes, yes, THAT Thanathorn,” I whispered again, like I was spilling state secrets. “Can you not yell now?"

"Win! You’re with Thanathorn, and you didn’t tell me?!” Tan's voice exploded so loudly.

I sighed, lowering my voice. “Even I didn’t know! The principal just ordered me out of nowhere.”

Before Tan could start his dramatic monologue, Thanathorn walked back in, freshly changed, looking like he’d just stepped out of a high-end fashion shoot. He sat down in the dressing chair with a casual grace.

“Oh, uh… I gotta go. Bye,” I blurted out, cutting the call before Tan could scream my ears off again. I shoved my phone into my pocket and gave an awkward smile to Thanathorn’s manager, who nodded back politely.

“I will go and check when the event will start,” his manager said, his voice smooth and professional.

I jumped up from the chair, eager to show some initiative. “I can go and check for you, phi.”

His manager just smiled and shook his head. “It’s okay, Teacher Win. I have some work too, so I’ll just go and come back fast. Until then, please look after Thanathorn.”

I nodded, sitting back in the chair, and watched as his manager left the room.

Then... silence.

Like that weird, awkward kind of silent where you can hear the air conditioner hum. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

I cleared my throat and broke the silence. “Do you want something, Phi?”

Thanathorn glanced up at me, his expression as unreadable as ever. He didn’t say anything for a moment before giving a small shake of his head. “No.”

And just like that, the silence returned. I squirmed in my seat, unsure what to do with myself, and then... suddenly, Thanathorn spoke again.

“So, being a teacher... was good?”

I blinked. That was random. “Uh, yes... it’s good,” I replied. “Pays well, so it’s good.”

Thanathorn nodded thoughtfully. Meanwhile, the makeup artist was glancing between me and Thanathorn like she was trying to piece something together. She then asked, “Are you not Than’s fan?”

I looked at her, confused. “What?”

She raised an eyebrow and continued, “You’re not screaming and bugging him for autographs like others do, that’s why.”

I smiled awkwardly. “I’m not like others, Phi,” I said, trying to sound casual.

Thanathorn glanced at me, his gaze curious, almost as if he was studying me. Then he spoke, his tone a little teasing. “So, you’re not my fan, huh?”

I froze. Wait, what do I say now? Should I say 'Yes, I’m not, because... you made me work like a slave without extra pay?' But that would be a little too honest, right?

“I’m not even an anti-fan, Phi,” I replied, trying to sound as polite as possible. I mean, what else was I supposed to say? That was the obvious answer.

And then, there it was again... that small twitch at the corner of his mouth. A tiny, almost invisible smile. I swear, I could almost hear him mumbling under his breath, “That’s good to hear.”

Before I could say anything else, someone knocked on the door. I quickly stood up, all business-like, trying to shake off the awkward tension. “Looks like your manager is here. I’ll get the door,” I said and Thanathorn nodded.

I walked towards the door, expecting to see Thanathorn’s manager standing there. But when I opened it, I saw...

“Pim?”

There she was. My little sister, standing at the door, glaring at me with her arms crossed like she was some mini boss. Her little hands were planted firmly on her hips, and she looked at me like I was the biggest disappointment in her life.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, completely caught off guard. This was definitely not what I expected.

Without missing a beat, she marched inside, yelling, “Brother, how can you leave me with Daddy? Do you know that because of him, I was almost late today?” She shot me a look like I had personally ruined her whole morning. But that's not what important.

I flicked her head lightly. “You... didn’t I tell you to call teacher to me at school?” I said.

She groaned, rubbing her head dramatically. “I forgot,” she mumbled, like I was supposed to understand that.

Then, her eyes landed on Thanathorn, who was sitting quietly in the room. Suddenly, her entire attitude shifted and she grinned like a little gremlin who had just found treasure and before I could stop her, she dashed over to him, almost like a kitten on a mission.

And then...PAUSE.

She circled him like a cat, head tilted, studying him, those big eyes flashing with intrigue. Thanathorn just sat there, amused, his makeup artist looking on, clearly entertained.

And then—Oh, God—she touched his cheek with her finger, the way you’d stroke a fluffy kitten. Then, she looked back at me, smilling wide.

“Brother... he is real.”

Oh, my god.

That was... so embarrassing.

But you know what? It wasn’t embarrassing for Thanathorn. No, he didn’t even blink. In fact, he seemed... amused. Like he was enjoying this. His makeup artist, meanwhile, was quietly chuckling to herself.

I rushed over to Thanathorn, hoping to rescue whatever shred of dignity I had left. I grabbed Pim by the arm and tried to pull her away, bowing slightly in front of him.

“I’m really sorry, phi. Please don’t mind her,” I said, voice strained with embarrassment.

Pim, still clueless, looked up at me with wide eyes, whispering, “What?!”

I whispered back, "You’re embarrassing."

“It’s okay,” he said, his voice warm and patient. “I don’t mind her.”

Then, he turned to Pim, and I could see his expression soften. A genuine smile spread across his face. "In fact," he said, his tone light and playful, "I’m happy to see my little fan here."

Pim giggled, obviously thrilled. And in that moment, I saw his warmth, his genuine kindness, and it made my heart feel a little... soft.

Then, he asked, "Do you want to take a picture with me?"

Pim’s eyes practically sparkled as she nodded eagerly. Thanathorn looked over at his makeup artist, “Nan... take our picture,” he said with ease.

Thanathorn handed her his phone with a casual smile. "Click from my phone."

In a flash, Nan clicked the picture of Pim and Thanathorn. It was just a simple photo, nothing too special, but the moment... it felt unexpectedly warm. And then, just like that, Thanathorn turned to me.

"Join us," he said, his voice smooth and inviting, that easy smile of his making it hard to refuse.

I could’ve said no.

I should’ve said no. 

But somehow, I couldn’t.

Our eyes locked for a brief second, and before I even realized it, I found myself walking over, smiling and standing beside Pim. And just like that, I was part of this small, fleeting moment with Thanathorn. A moment I hadn’t expected, yet here I was—locked in time with him.

But little did I know...that this wouldn’t be the end of it. 

No, this was just the beginning.