Late afternoon, the golden sunset poured over the Phuket beach like liquid honey. Everyone stood in a line on the sand, sea breeze tossing their clothes and hair as they admired the result of what they'd been working so hard on for the past few days.
The view was truly something to be proud of—every stage frame had been set up sturdily, the lighting tests painted a dazzling spectrum of color. Surrounding the area were flowers in white and seafoam green tones, blending perfectly with the evening ocean, creating a sense of harmony, calm, and understated elegance.
-"After all that hard work, it's finally done…" Chirawan stretched, hands on her hips, face weary but eyes gleaming with relief.
-"Yeah. Who knew organizing an event ourselves would be this exhausting?" Faisal said from beside her, his tone a mix of complaint and laughter, clearly still basking in pride as he surveyed the finished setup.
-"But I didn't see you doing much though? Yod was the one running around—coming up with ideas, even doing hands-on stuff." Chirawan narrowed her eyes and teased him with a smirk.
-"Hey now… who says I didn't do anything?" Faisal shot her a sharp look. "Who negotiated to secure this stunning beach venue, huh?"
Chirawan folded her arms, pretending to ponder. "Oh… that was you? I thought it was Ying…"
-"You think Ying has time for that?" Faisal rolled his eyes, almost laughing at her playful ignorance.
-"Miss Chirawan is only joking, Mr. Faisal," Isra interjected calmly as always. "We all saw what you've done."
-"Isra always knows what's up," Faisal said, patting his shoulder approvingly. "Not like someone who only knows how to tease."
-"Who are you talking about?" Chirawan tilted her head innocently, then turned to Yod—her tone suddenly gentler. "Anyway, Yod's clearly the MVP here. Gave up his flower shop to come help us. That's serious dedication."
Yod ducked his head, a faint blush on his cheeks. "It's nothing, really. I actually enjoy doing this stuff. Thanks to you all, I had a chance to try it… I should be the one saying thank you."
-"Well, then we won't be shy about taking that gratitude!" Chirawan laughed, slinging an arm around Yod's shoulder naturally. Yod laughed too, the atmosphere relaxing—no more lines between hosts and guests, bosses and staff.
-"Are you bullying Yod, Miss Chi?" Jay's voice came from a distance as he jogged over, waving.
-"Jay, you little brat! Watch that mouth!" Chirawan scolded playfully, raising a hand to swat him.
-"Just kidding," Jay grinned, shielding himself, panting slightly, sweat dotting his forehead but his face glowing with excitement.
-"Did you come alone? Who brought you here?" Isra asked with his usual gentle smile.
-"Ying did. He's parking the car." Jay pointed toward the distant parking lot.
Faisal, who had been watching Jay with something mischievous in his eyes, raised an eyebrow and teased:
-"I heard Director Ying's little Felix here agreed to sing at the party?"
Jay put his hands on his hips and raised his chin with mock arrogance.
-"That's right. But did he tell you I'm expensive? Think you can afford me?"
-"Money's not an issue." Faisal smirked, glancing toward the parking lot. "Director Ying's footing the bill."
-"…I never said that." Ying's voice suddenly cut in from behind Jay, making the group jump slightly. He walked up with one hand in his pocket, shooting Faisal a deadly side-eye.
Faisal laughed and waved it off.
-"I handle organizing, you handle paying. Win-win, right?"
Ying sighed, clearly exasperated but didn't argue further.
Jay looked at Ying, lips pressed together as if holding back laughter. "Hear that? Your friend's taking advantage of you."
Yod, eyes bright, grabbed Jay's arm affectionately:
-"This is amazing! I finally get to hear you sing live, not just on livestreams. I'm so happy!"
-"You're exaggerating. I'm not that famous," Jay said, blushing and scratching his head with a sheepish smile.
Chirawan gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder.
-"Don't be so modest. Everyone's really looking forward to it."
Ying then spoke up firmly:
-"Everyone done? Let's grab something to eat. My treat."
-"Nice! Let's celebrate the finish then!" Chirawan cheered right away.
-"100% on board!" Faisal raised his hand and stepped between Jay and Yod, deliberately breaking their link. "Let's go, but keep the PDA to a minimum, alright? Don't want any drama."
-"Jealous?" Jay tilted his head and whispered with a teasing grin, making Faisal glare immediately.
Yod chuckled at Faisal's childish antics and suggested:
-"How about hotpot? There's a really good place nearby."
Ying nodded in agreement, then turned to Jay.
-"What do you think?"
Jay smiled as bright as the sunset over the sea:
-"No objections here."
-"Then hotpot it is!" Ying clapped once to finalize the decision. The whole group cheered in unison, cheerful as the cool sea breeze. Together, they began packing up, their laughter echoing across the beach under the golden twilight…
———————————————————
At the hotpot restaurant, the group sat huddled around the steaming pot, the cheerful chatter blending with the bubbling sounds of food cooking in the broth. The atmosphere was warm and lively, as if it had been ages since they last met.
Ying sat close to Jay, his eyes frequently glancing over as if to check on him. Jay, who always maintained a refined and elegant image, completely lost his poise in front of delicious food. He ate rapidly, his cheeks puffed out like a hamster, making Ying both helpless and worried.
— "Jay, slow down, or you'll burn yourself," Ying said gently, holding a glass of water ready.
— "Yes, I got it," Jay replied obediently, then slowed down a little, his mouth still stuffed. He looked at Ying with the gratitude of a child being gently reminded.
— "Yod, you eat too. Here, don't be shy," Faisal said with a kind smile, dropping meat into Yod's bowl like taking care of a younger brother.
— "Mm…" Yod chuckled softly, discreetly glancing at Faisal before slowly starting to eat.
— "Oh, Jay, how's Uncle Sakda doing?" Chirawan asked, putting down her chopsticks.
— "He's better now, sis. He might be discharged next week," Jay answered with a light smile, as if a burden had lifted.
— "So when are you going back to France?" Chirawan continued, curiosity in her eyes.
— "Probably once everything settles… but it'll be soon," Jay said pensively, as if sorting through his thoughts to make the right decision.
— "You've never considered working in Thailand? I think the entertainment industry here's been doing well these past few years. Someone as talented as you could easily make a name," Yod said seriously, a hint of concern in his tone.
Jay paused for a second, then nodded slightly, his voice calm:
— "I started everything in France, so I want to continue building my career there. Besides… I've never thought of living in Thailand again."
— "Is there something — or someone — in France that you can't leave behind?" Isra asked, his eyes fixed on Jay's face as if trying to read something.
— "Yes, Isra. There's someone very important to me in France," Jay replied, a dreamy smile playing on his lips as a rare glow of pride shimmered in his eyes.
— "So there's no one important to you here?" Faisal jumped in, half-joking, half-pouting.
— "No, that's not it, Faisal. Everyone here is very important to me too. I see you all as family," Jay said quickly, flailing his hands a little, his face looking panicked, afraid of being misunderstood.
— "What if someone… doesn't see you as family?" Faisal raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking toward Ying with a teasing but oddly serious look.
Ying glared at Faisal in warning.
— "Not as family? Then what? Someone hates me?" Jay asked innocently, making everyone stifle their laughter. His clueless cuteness always appeared at the worst times.
— "No, I mean… more than family," Faisal tried again, now sounding like he was solving a riddle for a child.
— "More than family? Oh! Like a soulmate? If that's the case, it depends on who the person is…" Jay responded matter-of-factly, his eyes sparkling as he genuinely tried to analyze the idea.
Chirawan narrowed her eyes at Faisal and asked coldly:
— "Faisal, what are you implying? Do you have a thing for Jay?"
— "Oh my God! No! I was just giving an example! I swear, no hidden intentions!" Faisal panicked, waving his hands as if trying to ward off lightning.
— "I don't believe you. I'm keeping an eye on you from now on," Chirawan said with an icy tone, her eyes sharp as blades.
— "Jay, help me…" Faisal turned to Jay in desperation, as if clinging to the last life raft.
Jay chuckled and looked at Faisal before slowly saying:
— "He doesn't have feelings for me, Chirawan. Besides… I already know he has someone in his heart."
Jay subtly glanced at Yod, who was focused on his food, a mischievous smile curling at the corner of his lips.
— "Jay…!" Faisal froze, then hurriedly clamped a hand over Jay's mouth, his face blushing bright red.
— "Alright, eat. Keep talking and the food will get cold," Ying said helplessly, picking up his chopsticks to steer the attention elsewhere.
— "Someone in your heart…?" Yod mumbled softly, just loud enough for Faisal beside him to hear. Faisal's hand trembled, nearly dropping his chopsticks. He quickly turned and began piling more food into Yod's bowl, like trying to cover something up.
— "Don't think too much… Here, eat," he muttered, still dumping food into Yod's bowl like a machine.
The lively atmosphere resumed, with laughter and eating filling the table again. But then…
From a table in the corner of the restaurant, a girl stood up. It was Kanya. The sound of her heels echoed steadily, her eyes sharp like blades as they swept over everyone at the table. When her gaze landed on Jay, she paused slightly.
Jay saw Kanya too. His expression shifted — the smile vanished, replaced with wary eyes tinged with discomfort.
Kanya said nothing. She walked past the table, proud and cold like a winter breeze. Then disappeared through the door of the restaurant.
A sudden silence fell, the once-busy table now subdued, as if a boulder had crashed into the middle of the feast.
Jay sat motionless, saying nothing. His face no longer bore the joy from earlier, his hand frozen above his chopsticks.
Ying glanced at Jay, seeming to understand something, and said gently:
— "Jay, don't overthink it… eat while it's still warm." Ying softly placed some food into Jay's bowl, a silent gesture of comfort.
— "Okay…" Jay smiled faintly, but the smile was so fragile it could vanish any second.
— "Seriously… what kind of bad omen did I step on this morning? Totally ruined my appetite," Chirawan muttered with visible irritation.
— "Alright, Ms. Chirawan, let's keep eating. We shouldn't let small matters ruin our meal," Isra spoke calmly, like dousing a flame.
— "…" Yod still looked puzzled, glancing at Faisal as if seeking answers. But Faisal just shook his head slightly, as if to say: "Just eat. Don't ask…"
——————————————————
After finishing the meal, everyone slowly made their way to the parking lot. The night breeze was cool and gentle, still carrying a faint, spicy aroma of hotpot in the air.
Ying stood by his car, tilting his head slightly as he asked:
—"Jay, come home with me?"
Jay nodded, a small smile blooming on his lips:
—"Yes…"
Faisal turned to Chirawan, half joking, half serious:
—"Chirawan, need a ride? My car's AC can adjust to the mood, you know."
Chirawan chuckled and waved him off:
—"No need. Isra and I still have another stop. Thanks though."
—"Oh… what a pity." Faisal shrugged, then immediately turned to Yod, eyes lighting up like he'd just found an opportunity.
—"Then, can I take you home, Mr. Yod?"
Yod looked at him for a moment, lips curling slightly:
—"Mm, sure."
Jay waved at everyone, his voice calm and gentle:
—"Take care on the way home, everyone."
Then he stepped into Ying's car, and the soft sound of the engine starting echoed right after the door closed.
Yod also got into Faisal's car. Before doing so, he didn't forget to bid a quiet farewell:
—"Goodbye, everyone."
—"Bye-bye, drive safe!" Chirawan waved, calling out after them, her eyes following each car as it slowly pulled out of the lot.
Once everyone had left, Chirawan turned to Isra.
Isra gave a small nod, saying nothing, and together they walked off, their figures gradually disappearing into the faint glow of the night.
EndofChapter28