CHAPTER ONE

Chaiwat POV

“I got the job! I actually got the job!!” I screamed as I rushed out of my room and into the living room.

“The house assistant job?” Woranut, my roommate and best friend asked as he stirred a cup of coffee.

“Exactly!” I said as I shove the phone in his face.

“Chai, take it back please.”

“Oh, sorry.” I said quickly and moved the phone a few distances from his face.

“This is good news. It calls for celebration.”

Celebration?, I asked myself as I glanced at Woranut, or Wut as I prefer to call him.

I sighed. There was going to be no celebration today, that was the least of things to engage in and the fact that I knew where the celebration was bound to hold made me disagree immediately.

“I don't think I'm in the mood for that, Wut.”

Wut rolled his eyes, it seems he had been expecting that answer. For the past weeks, it has always been like that. But honestly, I just wanted to stay home and away from prying eyes.

“This is a good opportunity for you to take in some air. You barely go out…after the news.”

I cast him a quick glance at his sculpted face.

“I don't want to.” I insisted and walked to a chair where I sat down.

Wut held his cup and took a sip, his brown eyes observing me closely.

“It is about him, right?”

I averted my gaze to him.

“Who?”

“The news. Thanakorn Phromrak.”

I rolled my eyes.

Who gives a damn about some guy?

“I told you not to mention anything about him. Whatever we had was a mistake and it ended when he moved abroad.” I told him, trying to sound stern even though my heart was racing at the mention of his name.

“He is back in Thailand.” Wut said, ignoring my words.

“I know.”

“He lives in Bangkok.”

I know. Jeez.”

“We live in Bangkok too.”

I shot him a look.

Where the hell was he heading to?

Wut sighed.

“Look if there is anything you are planning to avoid, I'm not sure he should be the one.” Wut said.

“You think I'm avoiding going out because the moment I step out I'll bump into some guy that barely knows I even exist?” I asked, my voice rising in annoyance.

Wut shrugged. “Maybe. Because I can't find any other reason.”

I tapped my feet on the floor, that was what I usually do wherever I found myself in a tight spot.

“That's insane.”

“But it doesn't provide an answer. Are we celebrating or not?”

I huffed and got up and approached him and poked a finger into his broad and muscular chest.

“I don't give a damn about anyone. If you want to celebrate, then fine. I'm up for it, after all I have been dying to get out of this house.” I told him, gesturing to the small apartment we both share.

A part of me knew I had lied. I didn't want to go out. In fact I wanted him to cancel it. I wanted to be all alone, but if I did that it would make him think his thoughts had won and the last thing I wanted was for him to think I was fantasizing over a mere actor.

Not just an actor, but–

“Cool. You should invite Thida too. Your girlfriend should be aware of your achievement.” Wut said as he headed for his room.

I froze.

“What? I mean, she doesn't care about my affairs and she's just a friend!”

He paused and turned to face me. “You made out twice, remember?”

Oooh, fuck myself for telling him! That was supposed to be a secret but he uses it to tease me at every interval.

“She made me do it. You know I am not into girls.”

Wut lips twitched, then he smirked. But said nothing.

Was it because he had nothing to say or he does not just believe me?

I took a deep breath to calm myself and decided to message Thida. She did not know I wasn't into girls and I did not want to break her heart by telling her. But if I didn't, we might end up together again and I did not want that to happen.

Or should I just tell her?

“Aarrgghhhh!”

I did not know what to do, so I just texted her about the celebration.

Maybe I could try telling her then. That's if she doesn't freak out.

***

The clubhouse was blaring with music. Colour changing lights filled the room where almost everyone was busy moving their bodies.

Suddenly I felt a hand over my shoulders and turned instantly. There I saw Thida smiling back at me.

“You look uncomfortable, Chai.” she said.

I quickly averted my gaze to where Wut was standing with a sexy girl, he winked at me and held the girl by the waist leading her to the VIP room.

I sighed deeply and turned back to Thida. I was on my own now.

“Hi, Thid.” I said with a little wave.

Instead of replying, she leaned in and kissed me, her tongue twirling in mine.

My eyes widened.

I wanted to hesitate, but I knew I couldn't without making her sad.

“I saw your message,” she said as we walked to sit. “Congratulations.”

“I did not think you'd come, but you're here anyway and thank you.” I replied with a slight smile.

When we were seated, I could feel Thida’s eyes staring at me.

“You look good in that polo.” she said, trailing her fingers on the little opening on the polo.

I tightened my fists at her touch, thinking of a way to tell her I wasn't interested.

“Thid, I–”

“–you don't like me.”

“What?! No! I like you.”

What the fuck?! I almost bit my lips at my response. I was trying to find a way to explain things, but now I had entered a very tight spot.

“Really? See, I am glad you invited me out.” she said with a sad tone. “Part of me was already thinking you were not interested in me.”

I took a deep breath.

This was not going to end well. As much as I wanted our relationship as friends to continue, I needed Thida for something important too. Her presence in my life was something I really needed at least for a disguise.

“I like you, Thid.” I finally told her, even though my heart disagreed with me.

“You do?”

I took her hands in mine and leaned in to her, bringing my lips to her.

“I really–”

Suddenly, I froze.

Then I straightened up and looked at Thid.

“Did you perceive that?” I asked her.

“Perceived what?” she asked with a slight disappointment in her tone.

That scent. That cologne.

All of a sudden, I stood up, looking around.

“Where are you going?” Thida asked.

“To get us some drinks. You want a beer?”

“Anything is fine.” she said sadly.

At that moment, I disappeared into the crowds, my eyes darting at every corner for him. My heart thudded within my chest as I twisted myself between the dancers.

I was sure it was him, the scent had confirmed it.

Just then I caught sight of a lady dressed in a sultry outfit approaching me, her eyes fixated on me with a seductive smile.

Oh shit, not now, please, I said in my mind as I turned to escape her.

Just then, I bumped into a strong wall.

No…

Not a wall…

This one was sturdy, but–

I felt my body become unbalanced and just as I wanted to fall, a hand wrapped around my waist to keep me steady. It was at that moment, it hit me. The same familiar scent I had been searching for!

I looked up abruptly to meet a pair of blue cold eyes staring back at me. I gulped hard in shock at the sight before me.

“Babe, we need to get going.” a lady I had not recognized beside him said.

I glanced at her and immediately untangled myself from the man.

“I'm sorry, I–”

“–watch where you are going.” he said in the coldest and sternest voice ever.

I gulped hard again and moved aside, watching them leave with his hand gripping the lady's waist firmly.

Did he not remember me or was I dreaming?

Suddenly, I felt a hand wrap my arm and turned to see Thid with her smiley face.

Nah, I wasn't dreaming.

“Did something happen? I sighted you from there and thought he wanted to fight you or something.” she said, pointing to the man as he left the building.

“It was nothing, Thid.” I told her, “you must have mistaken him.”

As I looked back at the man, it was clear that only I could decipher his gaze at me and I knew it wasn't anything positive.