[T/N] I apologize for grammar mistakes and incoherencies
Chapter 2:
Today, Ai'Hin came and woke me up early in the morning...
Certainly, I have to control my anger not to rise up and grab a knife to stab it to the best of my ability. After angrily rushing out of bed in confusion, I took a quick bath and changed my shirt before heading out from the condo.
Last night, I spent the whole night typing the new story. It took me more than six hours to finish it and only a few hours of sleep. I am not someone who writes novels quickly, maybe because of my habit that if it's not good enough, I will not be satisfied and will have to stop, so I just delete and rewrite until it's good. At most, I would take a break to drink coffee and rest my eyes, but if it's not finished, I have to go back to work.
I sat in front of the computer all night and only finished half of a chapter... And I could only sleep for about three hours.
Ai'Hin dragged me and put me in the car, then stepped on the accelerator without saying anything. In the end, I had to speak and ask, and then it turned out that I could not open the door and rushed back out in time.
“Don't act up, Phii Gene.”
I rolled my eyes, “Act up about what? What I've been saying all along is that I'm not okay, I don't have the energy right now.”
“But I already accepted his invitation. When I called to confirm last night, you agreed.”
“Joke! I didn't...” Wait a minute.
Last night... I thought back and felt like Ai'Hin would call at the same time, but at that time, I was typing the original manuscript, saw a phone ringing on one side, grabbed it, and typed again.
Suddenly, I opened my eyes wide, “You know, when I work, I don't care about anyone speaking, do I?”
The driver blinked rapidly, but it was an action that seemed extremely provocative, “Oh well, then I guess I don't know.” he replied confidently.
“Ai'Hin, you better be clear with me.” I pointed at him, sounding somewhat annoyed, “I shouldn't share my password with you at all.”
It's true that I'm feeling a bit irritated even though I'm both sleepy and tired for only a few reasons.
My series of meetings for the novel.
After meeting the director for the first time several days ago during the casting, both Ai'Hin and the director brought up the meeting. However, I have been preoccupied with a new project, causing me to forget some things. I intended to let Ai'Hin take care of it and inform me later. This meeting mostly involves informing the actors of different details. The participation of the writers isn't very significant, but now I've been dragged into riding in a car to the meeting venue smoothly.
Ai'Hin might get an elbow jabbed into him one day.
The meeting venue is the luxurious double-U condominium that we've been to before. Although the distance from the condo to here isn't very far, it takes time due to the somewhat congested road. Even though it's not rush hour, the traffic isn't light at all. I adjusted my seat and put on headphones to sleep in my own private world during this course period.
I don't know how long it took to travel because just as I started feeling comfortable, Ai'Hin violently shook my shoulders to wake me up.
I shook my head to rid myself of sleepiness and confusion and followed Ai'Hin into the building. Initially, I wasn't thinking much as my brain wasn't functioning fully, but as I got into the elevator and waited for it to take me to the target floor, my consciousness started to return.
“Ai'Hin, did they inform you of the meeting topics?”
“He provided the main details, Phii. The day they start filming, the information, and the briefing to the actors. The channel wants to quickly open and close the camera so they can start playing without much delay. Especially during this trending period.”
“Oh, I see.” I said, dragging my voice, “You know the details well, so why don't you go in and replace me first and then inform me.”
“You're a writer, how can your input be lessened?”
Confused, I listened.
I had previously told Ai'Hin repeatedly that I didn't care much and signed over my responsibility to the channel. To be honest, I trust the channel and the director more than myself. They are more experienced in this field. If it's not an important meeting, then what is it?
Recently, I have been working on a new original draft. Whenever I do something, I focus on it so much that I hardly have the heart to do anything else.
“The meeting is about to start in ten minutes. Let's go in and wait inside.”
The person led me to a room, the door was frosted glass. Ai'Hin knocked lightly and asked for permission before pushing me in. I followed, but had to pause for a moment when I saw the atmosphere in the room clearly.
There's only a minute left before the meeting starts... I thought it was time for everyone to gradually come in together, but where did I get that from? There were already many people sitting inside before us. It was me and Ai'Hin who just arrived.
“Oh, hello Khun Gene~ And Nong Hin too.”
“Hello.”
We raised our hands to greet the person who greeted us, she was the assistant director whom I had met during the casting day. She was the only person who knew me and introduced me to others in the meeting room.
I tried to maintain the utmost courtesy and formality that I could. I introduced myself to everyone in the room. Many people had already introduced themselves and discussed my novel as a formality, and of course, there were some scrutinising looks coming my way as well.
“Nong Sib has already met Khun Gene during the casting day. Next up after NongSib will be Nong Aey, who will take on the role of Namchaa.”
My gaze followed the woman's hand guiding automatically.
In the first few seconds, my eyes met the sharp eyes that I just realised were still in the deep recesses of my memory since yesterday. I hesitated for a moment and Nubsib stared back at me, then slowly revealed a smile and still looked like the prince as always. Each glance seemed to make it hard to breathe, so I just straightened my face and looked towards the person sitting on the other side.
“Hello Phii Gene.”
The other person greeted me warmly with a wide smile. The slight pouting lips made the dimples visible. The large round eyes were lively and clear, portraying a person who looked adorable and likeable.
Looks suitable for the male protagonist’s co-protagonist in my novel.
I smiled back and warmly responded to the counterpart who called me big brother, “Hello, Nong Aey.”
“Next up, Nong Saymok will take on the role of Tawan. Nong Kla has the role of Mel, it will be Nong Amp with the role of Rain.”
“Um, hello.”
I turned to greet the other main actors who raised their hands... feeling like I had suddenly turned into an elderly person.
“Please wait for the producer for a moment. Sit down first, sit down first.”
I moved to sit down on the chair opposite to the one indicated, it was the position opposite to the lead actor Nubsib and the co-actor Nong Aey. As for Ai'Hin, since he came as my assistant, he had to reluctantly sit on the long chair at the back. I turned to signal to him to be the one preparing to take notes or record important information.
Just ten minutes later, a man pushed the meeting room door open and came in. He must be the producer as the assistant director informed us. As for Phii Mai, I did not see you today, maybe it's not necessary to attend the meeting or something, I don't know.
“We have scheduled to start filming the series 'Savage Engineering Husband' on September 14th. All the scripts are ready as explained by the team yesterday. As you all know, filming will not be in sequence. Scenes during set-up and briefing will be done first. I will have the team contact the personal managers of each actor for scheduling. As for the title, the series itself will have to change to fit the television broadcast.”
I listened to the producer flipping through the document.
“The series has already garnered interest, but there may be additional promotions such as small events or store opening interviews. It would be great if everyone could cooperate. Oh, another thing... The ‘The Savage Engineering Husband' series itself will not deviate much from the novel.”
I shifted slightly as someone spoke and turned to respond.
“For this part, I thank the writer very much. Other things I would like your help with, maybe the characters of the children who will be playing. Khun Gene is the author, naturally he can relate to the characters more than anyone else, and the actors will play them with more dimension. If the series goes well, the ratings may also be good. Small promotion matters on social media will be handled by the people of the channel.”
I felt a twitch at the corner of my mouth. How can I respond to being spoken to like this?
“Make sure you include them too, please.”
“Of course...”
Other writers may be happy to be involved and listen to feedback, but I... I might struggle. One thing that worries me is I don't know if I can help as much as they want.
I don't conform to the entertainment industry. From what I heard, once a contract is signed, it's set. And the development of the plot belongs to the organisers, even if the author's opinion is asked, if the production doesn't want to follow it, they have the right not to.
After a while, the producer moved on to discuss other matters unrelated to the writer like myself. Sitting quietly in the cold, air-conditioned room like this makes me drowsy. Trying to sleep for three hours has become a torment for me. Without my phone to play with, my eyes feel heavy, and I might just close them and wait.
Side-glancing at Ai'Hin sitting behind, he had a bright and clear face, which made me feel a bit envious. I turned back and pretended to be indifferent by picking up a pen to draw a small drawing in the corner of the paper, making sure no one saw it.
I drew Ai'Hin being stabbed with a knife.
Since I couldn't actually stab him, I used the drawing to add a few drops of fake blood to make it more special.
“Huh...”
“...”
...But as I lifted my head, I had to pause.
The pen in my hand stopped moving when I noticed the tall figure sitting opposite, who had been staring at me for who knows how long.
Nubsib looked at the drawing I made, then raised his eyebrows, looking more charming as he gazed at my face.
At first, I thought I was being judged because of my habit and the appearance of number eighteen in my eyes, but instead, I received... a smile. Yes, I received a smile from the other side instead.
I am being laughed at by a kid.
My eyebrows accidentally moved together, I pretended to clear my throat softly and put on a serious expression, then slowly moved my hand to cover the picture I had drawn. I could only imagine myself feeling annoyed in my heart that my seemingly inattentive expression had been noticed by a younger child.
Dammit...I let go and went back to rest.
Finally, the meeting ended.
I continued talking with others in the meeting room for a bit. As they left one by one, I quickly excused myself and went into the bathroom, quickly washing my face and leaving before anyone noticed that I actually wanted to talk longer. However, as no one saw me make my exit, I grabbed Ai'Hin's shirt and quickly pulled him away in the opposite direction...so sleepy that I was about to collapse.
“Oh, Phii Gene, my throat is going to be sore.”
“Let it be sore, that's fine.”
“Are you still in a bad mood? The meeting is already over.”
“I am in a bad mood because of you, remember that.”
I looked at him reproachfully, grabbed my wallet and took out some coins, then inserted them into the automatic water dispenser in front of the bathroom to choose a special sweetened coffee brand to drink before heading over to press the elevator button to go home.
Waiting for a few minutes arrived and we both waited for the people in front of the meeting room to disperse.
“Anyway...they seem to be immersed in the story. It's about time to stop, isn't it? You are lucky to have someone to help promote like this.”
“Really?” I muttered to myself as I leaned against the wall before lifting the coffee can to drink.
“The writer who has the right to express opinions said that listening clearly is not as easy as it seems.”
A breathless voice came out softly from my mouth, “Me.”
I was also criticising myself for not investing more in it, even though I had been given full opportunity.
“You should follow that. If this series comes out with your pen name and input, then it may become more easily recognizable.”
“Hold on.” my eyebrows raised, “What you're saying, does it mean you intend to make me write only in the boy love genre?”
“Oh, no, anywhere, but actually... I have forgotten that before this, you were writing in the horror genre.”
“You are an asshole.”
“Phii, the man-to-man love genre is much more popular.”
He made a look like he was not wrong and tried to explain, picked up his phone to check the time and said he had already sent the notes from today's meeting room to be arranged and opened the camera to take pictures.
I didn't answer, I just glanced at him slightly and chose to close my eyes. I focused on finishing this coffee can quickly and then hurried back to rest. I must wake up again at three or four in the morning, then eventually continue the original ending.
I planned to be in a scene, but as I opened my eyes again, I shivered.
“Damn!”
Bang!
“Ow!”
“Khun Gene.”
I frowned, raised my hand to grab the back of my head automatically.
Feeling dizzy like seeing stars while being sleepy.
“What's wrong or not? Are you hurt?”
Our eyebrows touched. After forgetting to open my eyes and seeing a tall figure of Number Eighteen standing in front of me, just a step away, the handsome face on the other side moved closer as if observing, but it made my heart almost stop beating. I intended to step back automatically, but forgot that I was leaning against the wall, so my head hit it hard.
Nubsib's face now looked just as shocked. As soon as he saw my reaction, he moved closer.
“Let me see.”
The other side spoke and reached out a hand to move closer, using their right hand to push my body away from the wall, then moving underneath the group of hair, running their fingers to the point of impact, holding onto me first. The hands touched each other but could not help but feel.
My face felt more numb than before. I tried to use the other hand to push.
“Wait a minute...”
“The impact was strong. You might get a bruise.”
“Um, maybe.”
“Anyway, use ice to reduce the pain.”
“Okay, I understand... Can I move away now?”
Finally, I said I was ready, flipped my hand to grab the thick wrist of the other side and pushed it away, as if Nubsib saw my confused face, he showed a clear expression of feeling wrong and moved away as I wanted in the end.
When there was no tall figure standing in front of me, I felt my throat loosen a bit and took a breath... I was not that short, but Number Eighteen was a second year college student who looked incredibly tall.
“I'm sorry.”
At first, my face was confused, but when I heard the apology, I tried to relax. I waved my hand and said, “It's okay.”
The pain from the impact started to fade, and I didn't want anything more.
As my senses returned, I had time to observe the other side more clearly, his worried face melding with the handsome appearance. Each finger movement of his did not make him look weakened, but rather more polite. The suit he wore today was not the bad boy look from the day before.
Even in a simple shirt, he still had a look as if he was preparing for a photoshoot... The concept of a prince secretly pretending to go outside the palace or something like that.
His sharp eyes still looked at me, even though I was a bit overwhelmed, I tried to send a smile.
Ai'Hin, where did you disappear to! This kid came to flirt with me again, didn't you see him at all!
“Are you going to the bathroom?”
“No.”
My eyebrows raised, looking left and right. To the right was a wall at the end of the hallway. As for the left.., “Oh! Did you come to get a drink.”
“No, I'm looking for you, Khun Gene.”
I paused, “Huh? Looking for me?”
“Yes. At first, I thought you had gone back. When I asked the staff, they said you had entered the room.”
“Oh! So, what's the matter? Are we discussing the script?”
When I asked that, the person in front blushed and hesitated, “Yes, I still don't understand some parts of the script and the character. So I wanted to ask you about Khun Gene.”
“Oh.” I sighed a little, turned and threw the coffee can into the nearby trash can and adjusted myself to be more composed, “What part exactly?”
“Not now, but I want to... ask for a way to contact you, is that okay?”
“No problem, I can help. Give me your number... No, LINE is better.”
I casually took out my phone from my pocket, opened the green app, and scanned my own QR code.
Initially, I thought of giving my number because it seemed more official, but I'm the type of person who gets confused about sleeping time. If Nubsib calls when I was asleep, I wouldn't be in the mood to advise him. If it's not urgent, leaving a message on Line might be more convenient.
“Sib!”
But just as I was about to approach the person in front to scan, I was interrupted by someone calling out loudly.
Both I and Number Eighteen turned to the direction of the voice at the same time, then saw a small figure of someone running towards us. The person rushed in and tapped the other's arm, shaking not too lightly.
“Looking for you for a long time. Will you return to the university again?”
The Nong Aey who acted as the protagonist’s co-protagonist in my novel.
“Hmm.”
Nubsib paused for a moment, his sharp eyes seemed to be covered with a thin layer of light ice.
I looked down at my phone and the intimate posture of both of them made me stop blinking.
Looking closely again, I found that he looked cute and endearing in reality. He was smaller than me by a few percent, with slender arms under a long-sleeved kitten wool overcoat that was half an inch longer.
“Oh, Phii Gene is here.”
At that moment, he turned to see me and greeted me in a surprised voice, “Phii Gene, you haven't gone back yet. I heard the director say you have already left. Initially, I intended to talk to you.”
I replied politely, “I'm about to go back.”
“Oh...”
“Nong Aey, are you friends with Nubsib.” I couldn't help but ask.
Normally, I don't interfere in anything. But both of them coincidentally played in a series adapted from my novel, and they seemed to use my characters well. Even though the younger sibling was a bit small compared to Nubsib, many people liked the small protagonist and heroine to be protected and adored like kittens. Seeing them getting along made me feel a little happier than before.
“Yes. I'm friends with Sib from the same faculty.”
“Oh! You came to the casting together.”
“Actually... not really.” Nong Aey smiled shyly, “I overheard his manager talking to Sib about casting, so I decided to sign up. Normally, I just do ads for fashion magazines a little bit, but this is my first time acting in a series.”
... and that's it.
I nodded with a light smile, “It's good to be close friends when acting together. It's less awkward.”
Nong Aey made a cute face, “Sometimes it can be more embarrassing, though.”
“Haha, but it's better than being embarrassed with someone else.”
“Thank you so much.”
I smiled and showed a mature and kind demeanour, “Okay, see you later. I have to go back now.”
I raised my hand to wave goodbye to Nong Aey, but when I glanced over at Nubsib, I hesitated for a moment upon seeing his gaze, so I decided to turn and walk away immediately.
I heard both of them talking behind me, but I didn't pay attention. I thought of someone else.
But... Damn, Hin you asked for my help and so where did you disappear to?
The meeting was over. Don't think it's all over just yet. Shooting a drama or series has many complicated steps. After the meeting is done, the next step is... the camera rehearsal.
This time, I told Ai’Hin to inform the team that I can only attend the second half of the event due to some urgent matters. The excuse of having urgent matters is not just an excuse. I've returned home from the condo since yesterday. I haven't done any work because I will have to stay overnight at the hospital to monitor the post-operative condition of my eyes.
As I drove back home, I coincidentally received a call from Ai’Hin.
“You're right on time.” I answered, lowering my voice.
[Phii, you said that and I knew I would finish my work by this time. I had set the alarm and woke up early. Now you've arrived home safely, right? How are you doing?]
“Um, it's okay. Nothing serious. If you don't count this time the eye issue, I'm still strong.” I replied, adjusting my earphones and reaching to change gears to reverse the car out of the village lane.
[It's good already, how about you? Are you okay now?]
“If I say I can't take it anymore.”
[If you can't take it, you still have to come. The day before the fitting, you didn't come.]
I made a sound in my nose, indicating to move to one side, “Uh, I'm about to leave soon. In about twenty minutes.”
After hanging up with Ai'Hin, I began to concentrate on driving to the meeting place.
In fact, I had told Ai'Hin many times before that if it wasn't important and necessary for me to be there or there is no need for input from the actual writer, I didn't need to go. But he kept insisting that he would come pick me up every time. So, whenever there’s a hint, it seems like I should go and see it. From the fitting day to the event rehearsal.
I drove to the location where Ai'Hin pinned the location online. As soon as the message let it be known, he rushed out to pick me up immediately. He was in a white suit, hurrying to give me a spot to park the car.
“They are getting ready to pray, Phii.”
I looked straight ahead at the event area. My eyes squinted due to the intense sunlight at noon.
Large sunshades were set up to protect my eyes against the sun. I could see several tables for ceremonies with golden clothes laid out fully. The smoke from the incense made the view slightly blurry. Each participant was dressed in white, showing respect with their folded hands. People holding cameras ready to capture images, possibly for promotional purposes.
“Let's wait until they finish and then we can enter together.” I decided.
“Alright then, Phii. Wait here for a moment. I'll go in and bring back some water. Would you like a sandwich?”
“Just plain water is more than enough, thank you very much.”
Ai'Hin then hurried off to get some water. As for me, I sipped from the plastic cup he brought me to cool off. I scanned the surroundings – there were several blue plastic chairs scattered around, but I chose to stand under a tree which seemed cooler. If I got bored of looking around, I would switch to playing with my phone.
In the editorial group, there was a caption with a tagged tweet of my novel with the photo. It was a picture of the ongoing event that was currently being organised. I resisted the urge to enlarge the picture out of curiosity and saw the photographer and organisers, along with Nubsib and other main actors standing together in clean white suits. The accompanying message was all about those actors in the show.
I read the line that popped up next saying, “We must thank Nubsib for playing the lead role, the trend of retweets has surged even more. Book purchases on the web have increased by several orders. The nose feels itchy...”
“Gene...?”
“...”
“Gene Gene, is it you!? Ai'Gene!”
While I was typing a response in the group chat, I heard a voice calling my name faintly.
When I looked up, I saw a man in a white suit with thick-framed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He didn't look nerdy because of his messy hair on his head. On the other side, a man was standing staring in my direction a few steps away.
“Um.” I raised my eyebrows, “Yes?”
“It's really Ai'Gene! It's me, Tum.”
“Tum?”
The owner smiled widely, showing his teeth, and stepped quickly in front of me, “Hey, can't you recognize me? Don't act like you have forgotten me. It's been less than ten years since graduation, so don't act like you're old.”
The thick hand of the other party touched my shoulder and slapped lightly while I was still focused on staring at the other person's face.
“Tum... Tum? Are you Ai’Tum!?”
“Haha, yes, it's me.”
My eyes widened, my mouth slightly agape, looking blankly from head to toe at the person in front of me.
Back when I was in university, I had a friend who was not as close to me but we sat near each other in class, Tum or Ai’Tum as he would be known. He wasn't the nerdy type, nor was he the introverted type. Even though he wore glasses and carried a messenger bag, he was into drinking, smoking and partying. When he wanted to quit smoking, he even came to me for advice on how to stop since I had quit successfully since the end of high school.
Because we weren't close. After graduation, we didn't keep in touch or anything, as if we weren't close friends in the same group. After a year or two of keeping in touch after graduation, we slowly drifted apart. Different people, different environments. It's a common thing.
I thought as I used my eyes to look up and down, surveying the person in front of me, all while my mouth remained closed.
“What do you mean by looking at me like that?”
“Nothing... just thinking that if you're Ai'Tum, then whether you change or not, it doesn't matter.”
The words made him chuckle, “It's been many years already, you're still the same old you. Your face still looks young, but your skin is much whiter than before.”
“I don't really go out of the room.”
“Don't really go out of the room? Don't tell me you just eat and sleep and let your parents provide for you.”
I rolled my eyes, wanting to reach out and smack this friend from my college days.
If it were someone else, they might have been angry, but because I know a little bit about this guy's personality, and I know that what he says is just meant to tease and increase familiarity just like before, and maybe even more so when we haven't seen each other for a while.
“Funny. Not going out of the room is my job.”
“Job?” At first, he seemed confused, but then the gears in his head turned, and a conclusion was reached. He blinked several times, almost stunned, “Wait. You mean...Khun Gene, the one who wrote this series they're talking about...”
I looked at the person who left a pause in the middle of the sentence. Despite feeling a bit embarrassed, they maintained a neutral expression, as if nothing was wrong, while casually scratching their head, “Um, it's me.”
“Oh...”
“...”
“I've heard the name Khun Gene before. My friends talk about you all the time. Never thought that Gene, who I thought was just an author my boy is talking about, was actually this influential. It's such a round world.”
The sentence seemed ordinary, but it caught my attention at one point.
“Wait. What about you? Your boy talks about me?”
“Uh, the one auditioning for a novel. He just got cast.” They said, laughing, but this time I felt my eyes widen instead.
This guy...is he dating one of the actors?
“Is Nong Aey your boy?”
Tum raised his eyebrows, “No, this one you must've talked about before. Ai’Sib, right? Nubsib.”
“Nubsib!?”
“Uh, why are you yelling?”
“Do you manage Nubsib?” I blurted out, feeling like an idiot. Almost two or three minutes later, I managed to control my thoughts and squinted at them. Surely this time, I observed the person in front of me even more discreetly than before.
Ai'Tum was a normal man with a manly charm. With a height that was similar to mine to the naked eye, that meant Nubsib was definitely taller...Even though it is said that height doesn't affect who is the top and who is the bottom, this did make me a bit surprised.
“Wait a minute, you jerk, where is your mind going? You really are a writer with that weird imagination.” he shrugged his head, “Not like that, man. The kids here are the ones I take care of. I work as a personal manager for celebrities. What's with that attitude?”
“Celebrity manager...”
I sort of felt relieved. Once the clarification was processed, I felt a slight relief. It's not that I have any aversion or anything towards same-sex relationships, but once you know, it just feels awkward when you see both of them together. Thinking of my friend and the handsome Number Eighteen eating each other together is just strange.
“And don't be thinking I'm always thinking like that.”
“Haha.” he laughed again, seeming to be joking.
“So, how did you become a celebrity manager? You didn't even let me know.”
Ai'Tum shrugged, “You know my older sister is a model. I didn't want to do anything after finishing university, but she begged me to help out. Helping out turned into a profession in the end.”
“Oh, that's good. It's nice to help out at home.”
“I help, but I don't really like it.”
“But your plans seem to be smooth sailing, believe me. There won't be any problems going forward.”
“Smooth sailing? That's what you think?” He raised his eyebrows before smirking, “That kid over there is definitely smooth sailing... It's scary to think about it, but you; never in a million years would I ever think that you would become a writer. And on top of that, you're writing so much that it's becoming a soap opera series.” The person speaking smiled mischievously, raised his hand to slap, and I added, “I read the script of Ai’Sib for real. So hot.”
“Shit.” I muttered, “Why did you have to go read it?”
“Yeah, I manage Ai’Sib's personal affairs, so I want to know some things about what kind of roles my kid gets to play.”
I rolled my eyes, not saying anything further.
Ai'Tum seemed to realise that I was embarrassed, so he laughed and sent a teasing look my way, but he was wise enough to change the subject. We hadn't seen each other in a while, so we talked and talked about everything under the sun. In the end, it all came down to the upcoming party.
At first, I was a bit tired, but once I realised that at least Ai'Tum was going with me, I managed to muster up some cheer.
“We haven't seen each other in a while. Tonight we talked for a long time and now we're here. I'll give you my line and number, we can exchange them later. Next time we'll...”
“Phii Tum.”
Ai'Tum and I turned towards the soft voice simultaneously. It was not hard to guess who it was...
Number Eighteen was wearing a clean white suit, a handsome face that doesn't need any additional features to stand out, he looked very dignified even though his eyes were a bit arrogant.
“Finished, Ai’Sib?”
“Um.” the tall man nodded slightly before turning towards me with a small smile, “Khun Gene.”
Oh... Ai’Tum’s boy, has a very striking appearance.
I smiled inwardly, but outwardly I just smiled back politely, “Hello.”
“Have you been waiting long, right?”
“Well yeah, but I happened to meet a friend before you.”
“A friend...” Nubsib muttered, then turned his gaze to his own personal manager, “Khun Gene, you and Phii Tum are friends?”
“Yeah!...”
“Well, Ai’Gene used to be my buddy from college. I just met him and found out now.” Ai'Tum replied in my place.
I gently tapped Nubsib on the shoulder as he remained silent. I turned to look at my friend standing next to me, who was already waving his hand to grab the shirt in front of his chest, “Come on, let's stand here for a while, it's getting hot. We should go that way, the event is almost done. There is no need to follow him.”
Ai'Tum raised his hand and used his arm to pat my shoulder on the other side of Nubsib, then gestured for us to walk. I followed easily. When we saw an old friend, Ai'Hin was completely forgotten as we quickly greeted the team and then went our separate ways to sit down. I beckoned for Ai'Tum to come and sit with us.
At least in the film crew filled with unfamiliar faces, I didn't feel as crowded as I did at first...