Everything went silent. The whole world went silent.

We all stood there, awkwardly shifting on our feet, eyes glued to the van. Sky looked up at his dad, his little face filled with confusion and sadness. “Paa… did I do something?”

I almost felt bad for the kid. I think even the manager didn’t have an answer. He just smiled awkwardly, just as confused as the rest of us. As we were trying to process what the hell happened, the van door creaked open again. Thanathorn, who was looking like a hot mess before, now looked fresh as hell. His hair was neat, he was wearing a long jacket, and—no joke—he was glowing.

I blinked, trying to process how in the world someone could go from looking like a walking disaster to looking like the most handsome man in Thailand in a matter of seconds. Did he really just lock himself in the van to get ready?

"Uh… I’m sorry about that," Thanathorn said, rubbing his neck awkwardly. “Just... needed a minute.”

A minute? A MINUTE? Was he trying to pull off a superstar transformation or something?

The awkward silence hung in the air like the uncomfortable tension before a storm. Thanathorn then turned to Pim, smiling gently. “How are you, Pim?”

Pim's face lit up like a Christmas tree. “You remember me, P’Than?”

Thanathorn chuckled gently, his eyes softening. “Of course. How could I forget a cute kid like you?”

Pim’s smile grew ten times bigger, and then she looked at Sky like, “Did you hear that? I’m cute!” Sky, being Sky, just scoffed like he couldn't care less.

Thanathorn shifted his gaze to us, that faint smile still on his lips. He looked like he wanted to get out of the van, but with his superstar status, he probably couldn’t.

And then suddenly—Tan—yes, Tan, who was blushing until now has became a fanboy. He stepped forward. His eyes sparkled like a starved puppy in front of a feast.

“Uh... P’Than... could I... um, get an autograph?” Tan stammered.

Thanathorn’s smile politely. “Sure.”

Tan spun around like a tornado, grinning ear to ear. "Please sign on my shirt, P'!"

Thanathorn froze mid-blink. “On... shirt?”

Tan nodded so vigorously I thought his neck might actually snap off one day. “Yes, P’! Right here!”

I just stared, wide-eyed. Thanathorn took the pen from Tan’s shaking hand and, without hesitation, signed the back of his shirt with the flourish of someone used to signing autographs in the strangest places.

“Done,” Thanathorn said with a calm smile, handing the pen back like this was an everyday occurrence.

Tan, his smile stretched wide. Then, Thanathorn looked at me—or at least, I think he looked at me. It was hard to tell with his superstar aura. He opened his mouth slightly, like he wanted to say something, but before anything could happen... The school bell rang, loud.

“Oh... lunch break is over,” Tan said, his face dropping. 

I looked inside the van, “Pim... let’s go,” I called out, waving her over.

Pim pouted but hopped off, turning to wave at Thanathorn. “Bye-bye, P’Than!” she chirped brightly.

Thanathorn waved back, but there was a flicker of something—was that disappointment?—on his face. He glanced at me again, his expression unreadable... or maybe I was just imagining it—again.

I gave him a quick wai and said, “Goodbye, P’.”

Thanathorn nodded in response, his gaze lingering a moment longer before I turned and started walking back toward the school with Pim and Tan trailing behind me.

As we walked away, Tan kept mumbling. “Eh, do you think I can frame this shirt? Or maybe I should wear it every day, huh?”

I didn't even bothered to answer. My mind was somewhere else entirely. On Thanathorn. I thought this would be the last time I’d ever see Thanathorn Wachirayan—the superstar himself. Because let’s be real, crossing paths with a celebrity like that? It only happens in lakorns, not in real life.

But who would’ve thought, huh? Who would’ve thought that not only would I meet him again for the third time today, but that I’d end up being tied to him… forever.

Crazy, right? Life has a funny way of proving me wrong.

                                                                                              ***

Sirisuk Family, After School...

After school, I dragged myself into the house like a zombie. All I wanted was to relax for a bit—just me, and my peace. But I forgot one thing. I live with a dramatic mother.

I dumped my bag on the sofa, grabbed a glass, and poured myself some water. Before I could even take a proper sip, Mom came storming out of her room, grabbed my arm, and said, “Get ready!”

I casually took a sip of water and asked, “Why?”

With an excited smile, she said, “We’re meeting your fiancé!”

I choked. 

Water went everywhere—up my nose, down my throat, you name it. I coughed like I’d just inhaled a chili cloud, wiped my mouth, and sputtered, “What?!”

I mean, seriously! 

She just dropped the whole stupid wedding bombshell on me yesterday, and now we’re meeting the guy she picked out? Why is everything moving at light speed?

Then Pim, came running to her. “Ma! I want to go too! I want to meet my brother-in-law!” she said.

Mom, the ringleader of this circus, nodded enthusiastically. “Alright, let’s get you ready then!” she said, holding Pim’s hands.

And me? 

Standing there with my glass of water, still trying to process what just happened. Then Mom turned back to me. “Win, make sure you look good, okay?”

She didn’t even wait for me to nod or protest. Nope, she just issued the command, turned around, and whisked Pim off to get ready.

Now here I am, still standing in the middle of the room, shocked, stunned, frozen—whatever you want to call it.

And all I could think was: What the hell is going on here?