I was supposed to help select the cast, but I wasn't allowed to go out and sit down with the rest of the people who were to choose the actors who would play with me in the new series, so I placed my chair at an angle that would allow me to see the entire room in which they were taking place.  I was hiding from the candidates' eyes behind a rather thick, dark blue curtain.  There was a screen in front of me on which I could take a close look at each candidate.  I put the laptop on my lap, using it as a pad for the white sheets of paper I was going to take notes on.  Next to it, there was a small, square, but rather low table, on which I placed two bottles of the sponsor's drink (such a habit that even when I don't record anything, I have products from sponsors with me, even if no one but me can use them in  view) and files with candidates' applications.

I wanted Max next to me at all costs, we had known each other for some time and I could safely call him my best friend.  I was also aware that if Max would be in cast, then Nat with him, because separating them made no sense, since they could bring the greatest benefits to the whole team by playing together.  There was only the question of the role of the second main character: Kuea Keerati, Kirin.  We needed someone who could be cute, funny and gentle and serious in one moment, and in the next scene transformed into a young man with a claw, who loves fast motorcycles and cars, is passionate about Formula 1 and someone who can sing at the same time.  It would be good to find someone similar to Natasitt, preferably his age and just as cute.  I would have liked to assign it to him myself, but I'm pretty sure Max wouldn't like it.  He is quite possessive and can be scary if he gets jealous.  As for me, I don't know that feeling, I don't even remember the last time I was in love or how I felt then.  It must have been a long time.  Since then, I have devoted myself entirely to my work.

More actors entered the room and left, but none of them showed anything special, some couldn't even remember their lines, others were capable but seemed too haughty and arrogant.  We needed someone with a lot of confidence, but not a narcissist.  I was slowly starting to lose hope that we would find someone like that.  Our requirements were quite high.  No wonder, at least this time we wanted to be successful.

With each successive candidate, I became more and more desperate, which reached the bottom of the moment when I realized that I had already drunk drinks from both bottles I had taken with me.

—Shit —  I rubbed my hands over my tired eyes.  It was getting late and I was getting hungry.

And then, quite unexpectedly, I heard that voice.  I looked up to see a young boy with his forehead hidden under a thick, not very evenly trimmed fringe of dark, almost black hair.  He sang the song that Kirin would perform on the show.  That voice ... He got my attention, I had to write it down for him.  I looked at the piece of information about him: Chawarin, his name was Chawarin, but he preferred to be called "New". He interested me. When I looked at him, I could tell by his eyes that he was completely lost in his role,  devoted to that one moment and he wasn't afraid to recreate the scene in front of the audience. I didn't have to think long, my only choice could have been one: I want him. I want him to play with me. Something weird was happening with my heart and I didn't know what it was. Suddenly this stupid heart skipped a beat just to start beating louder and faster second later.

Yeah, playing this role with this young cutie will be interesting experience for sure! I couldn't wait!

Before he left, I was watching him very carefully.  The notes showed that he was 9 years younger than me, which might have been a problem, but it didn't have to be.  After all, Nat is younger than Max, and they get along great.  It quickly turned out that no one else was able to even get close to the level of Chawarin.  Finally, the auditions were over and we all gathered for a conference.  Chawarin passed almost unanimously, and in addition to him, Max, Nat, Yim, Tutor and Poppy.  Poppy wanted to play the lead role, but after a short chat with him, we agreed that he would best play the role of Foey, Hia Lian's secretary.  Foey, although he didn't appear very often, was not an easy character to play.

We talked for a long time about who to cast in what role.  We had a few doubts, but they mostly concerned the supporting characters.

—I think Perth Nakhun has done pretty well and because of his Australian origins he is a great fit as Gemini, owner of this little bar where Kirin performs —  ​​our director said.  We all agreed with him immediately.  Who could play better than someone who comes across so naturally plugging in English words?  After all, Gemini was conceived as a foreigner.

— I agree and in addition he already has experience in playing in the BL series.  — Our screenwriter confirmed.

One problem has been solved.  By contrast, the roles of Nuer and Syn were the most difficult to cast.  We had a lot of talented actors with contracts with our label and those who had a chance to sign them, but they looked very good.  I don't even know how long we debated it, all I know is that when I got back to the hotel it was well past two in the morning.  I didn't even have the strength to eat anything.  I took a quick shower, changed, and fell asleep as soon as I lay down.

I dreamed something beautiful that night.

We were just recreating the Kuea Keerati wedding scene with Hia Lian. Hia Lian Kilen Wang was waiting on the beach for his chosen one, dressed in a very light blue suit, and in his direction was none other than New Chawarin as Kuea Keerati or Kirin.  NuKuea wore very posture, a white suit, and a gold tie that his dark black hair stood in stark contrast to.  He smiled happily, guided by Nat in his yellow and pink suit.  Max was standing next to me.  The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining, and a gentle sea breeze was blowing over our faces.

There were a lot of cameras around, but no one was standing by them.  There were actually only the four of us, but that was enough for us.  I felt happy.  I didn't want to wake up from this dream, which is why the sound of the phone ringing made me doubly sad.  Reluctantly I got out of bed, stretching.  Then I had a familiar routine: a morning toilet, a quick breakfast and I ran to the casting venue to announce the actors we chose and the roles we decided to give them together with the rest of the crew.  Before everyone else got together, I had some time so I looked on Instagram where I found the New account.  I looked at the posts he shared there for a while, looked at his Instastories, and smiled again.  The last report was about yesterday's return from casting.  New wrote: "I hope I did well, I did my best and now all that's left is waiting." The background for this description was his own photo in front of the building where we were casting.

— Nice, and you're already stalking him — Max's familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts, standing behind my back.  I almost jumped in place when I heard him.

— Max!  Come on! — I slapped my hand on the shoulder.

— Ouch!  What is this for ?! — He shouted, pretending I had hurt him very painfully.  I knew he was only teasing me because the corners of his mouth were trembling as if he was struggling to hold back a laugh.  — I'm not the one who looks for a strange boy on Instagram.

—Stop it, or you won't get any part to play — I shook my finger at him as I tried to murder him with my eyes.

- Oh do I even care? You think? So let me tell you this:  I don't care at all, fortunately you are not the only one who decides who is to perform.

I said nothing to that, instead stuck my tongue out at him.

We were professionals, that's true, but we were also best friends, I had no qualms about being myself in front of Max or Nat, I believed they felt the same way in my presence.

—Seriously, that Instagram boy of yours is really cute — He started teasing me again. I bet my face looked very weird when he said that, because he was smiling like he was crazy.

— How do you know?! — I shouted at him very loudly. Luckly there were no people around us, because if they were there, they might start wondering what the ugly duck is going on with these two men standing next to each other and yelling. They for sure would be curious. And I wouldn't be able to explain. What an embarassing situation! Good thing that it's only in my imagination. Sometimes I really can overthink things!

— Don't yell like that, or I won't tell you.

_How stubborn you are.  Talk what you know! — I ordered him in the firmest tone I could.

— We spoke to him yesterday, Nat spotted him in the crowd.  In fact, we were pretty sure he was going to get the role.

_ Oh, wait until you hear him sing!  Everyone was thrilled to the floor with excitement!

Max looked at me appraisingly.

—P'Zee, are you sure you're okay?  You don't have a fever or something?  — He teased me. He loves to tease me, he gets on my nerves at least once per day! But we still love each other, he's my best friend after all. He put his hand out towards my cheeks, but I slapped him on her, wanting him to leave me alone.

—Huh?  What do you mean?

_Nothing, nothing.  Just wondering what spell that boy put on you.

—He didn't have any spell on me, I just think he's fit for his role.  I am a professional and we are at work.

_ Sure, let's assume I believe you.  This time.

Our conversation was interrupted, to my indescribable relief, by the appearance of the director.  A moment later the others joined us.  Max and Nat took their seats in the back, right in the corner of the room, and I felt my friend's eyes on me the whole time.  I didn't understand what he meant at all.  What did I say?  Why is he watching me?  What did he want to see?  I decided to be careful around him and not to talk too much just in case.