Filming for the music video was shot late at night on a cordoned off part of a major road.

Despite the ungodly hour, the fans and reporters were there eager to witness what was going on.

Anueng was shock to see the people rubbernecking.

"Are they seriously going to stay till we're done?"

We were sitting inside the tent and waiting for our cue to start.

"Yes. Most of them were here before us."

"Wow," She exclaimed.

"Do you know them?"

"A few, yes."

"Are they part of your fan club?"

I nodded.

"The KNuengs really are die-hard huh?"

"Yes. I am very lucky."

"Won't you be sad to leave them?"

"I am sad. But I'm not going to die or something," I chuckled.

"You'd better not. Mom said that they consider you a national treasure."

I laughed when I heard that.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing. I just remembered that time when I received an award for being that."

"Ah."

"So, it's not just a title bestowed on you by your fans. You really are a national treasure to be protected at all costs," She grinned.

"I guess I am."

A crew came by to tell it was time to start filming so our conversation was cut short.

***

In the scene, Anueng and I were crossing the road at the same time but we were going at opposite directions.

Once we reach each other, our fingers would lightly brush and I would turn my head to look as she kept walking but she wouldn't be there.

I would be disappointed and Chuck wanted me to show that by being teary-eyed.

It wouldn't be a problem because crying came easy for me.

I don't know how it just does.

I was excited how it would translate during the finish product because Chuck mentioned that the video had an element of fantasy and spirituality in it.

My darkness and Anueng's light were the focal point of the story and this was shown in the clothes we were wearing – I was decked in black from head to foot.

I wore a glossy long leather jacket and when I saw myself in the mirror, the only thing missing were dark sunglasses and I looked like Trinity.

I looked good though.

When Anueng saw me, I was pretty sure I saw her pause to take it all in.

Her mouth hung open but she quickly closed it to avoid being obvious.

She didn't look bad herself.

The wardrobe department outfitted her in a white dress with puffy sleeves that was above her knees and showed her legs.

If they gave her a wand, Anueng looked like a magical pixie.

I smiled then told her she looked great.

The blush that tinted her cheek told me she didn't expect the compliment.

Before the camera started rolling, Anueng said she was nervous.

It was her first time doing this.

"You'll be fine," I said in a calm tone.

"What if I mess it up? Chuck is going to kill me," Her eyes gleamed and it made me worry for her.

"You know how to cross the street, right?"

"Of course," Anueng grinned as if I asked a dumb question.

"Then you don't have anything to worry about. Just look at me and things will be okay."

"Is that what you always say to your partners?"

"No. Just you."

Another hint of blush covered Anueng cheeks and I smiled when I saw it.

***

We were standing on opposite ends of the street.

Anueng took a deep breath and when Chuck yelled action, we took a step forward at the same time.

The instruction was for us to take big strides with our arms swinging so Chuck could capture the exact moment our fingers touched.

Anueng was only a few feet away from me and she followed my advice.

She was looking at me.

It was me who fumbled because I wasn't supposed to smile but couldn't help it when I saw her.

Chuck yelled cut and I was quick to apologize.

"Khun Nueng, what was the smile for?" He wasn't pleased.

"Sorry," A laugh bubbled in my chest and it got away.

"And a laugh too? What is so funny?"

"Give me a minute," I gently tap my forehead with my fist to remind me to concentrate.

Anueng was staring at me with a frown on her face and her eyes were filled with questions.

"You did great, Anueng. Good job," Chuck tapped her on the shoulder.

"Thank you."

"Alright. Take two. You got this, Khun Nueng?"

"Yes," I said with certainty.

"Good."

We walked back to our spots and Anueng did the same thing.

She took a deep breath.

I prayed I don't fuck this up.

***

The second take went without a hitch.

I avoided looking at Anueng to prevent myself from making the same gaffe.

There was nothing complicated with the scenes we were making.

I was just distracted with Anueng.

When I gave her the advice, I wasn't sure if she was going to follow it but she did.

I was glad it was me who made the mistake.

Chuck wouldn't have been so nice to her.

***

It was five in the morning when we wrapped up everything.

I walked Anueng back to the parking lot where their van was parked.

She peered inside.

"They're still asleep."

"Oh no. They must be very uncomfortable."

"It's okay. I'll ask Grandma not to come to the shoot tonight."

"One sec," I held up a finger then took the phone from my pocket.

Anueng watched while I make the call.

A groggy Genie answered the phone.

She asked if everything was okay.

"Yeah. But later, can you make sure Anueng gets her own trailer?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Genie sounded confused.

"I'll text you so you don't forget. Good night," I hang up before she could protest.

"Why did you do that?" Anueng was confused.

"Why did I do what?"

"Call Genie when you could just text her."

"Because I can?"

"Just because you can doesn't mean you should bother those who are asleep. Besides, there was no need for a trailer. I could also ask my mom to just stay at home."

"We will pick you up then."

"Why? Genie said the company has a shuttle service. I could use that."

"Anueng, I have a big car and a driver. Sam and I could pick you up and drop you off."

"It's fine, really. You don't have to. Besides, where you live is the opposite of where I'm at. I don't want to bother you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright. If that's what you want then."

"Thank you though. That was nice of you to offer. Are you always this considerate?"

There was that grin again.

I still don't know if she was doing that to tease me or if she was just shy around me.

"I try. Besides, I want you to have the best experience. That includes your family too."

Anueng looked at me as if I have two heads.

"Why do you have that look?"

"What look?"

"The look that says I'm weird."

"Weird is not the word I would use to describe you."

A smile broke from my lips.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"Because it sounded like you were about to give me a compliment. Were you?"

"What?"

"About to give me a compliment?"

Anueng shrugged and my anticipation deflated like a balloon.

"Do you still need those? I mean don't you get a lot of praises from people. I bet if people could kiss the ground you walk on, they would."

"I don't but I've yet to get one from you."

She laughed, her eyes turning into thin lines.

"Fine. You're not the person I thought you would be."

"What made you say that?"

"I thought rockstars like you are insufferable."

"Ouch," I put a hand on my heart.

"I've seen your documentaries and I thought to myself, those are probably scripted and they picked the good parts of you to not turn people off. I thought, who you are in real life was very different from what I saw onscreen."

"You don't think that way anymore?"

"I don't know the rest of you so I'm going to withhold my judgment," There was a gleam in her eyes that told me she was serious and teasing at the same time.

"Why? Do you want to know the rest of me? Is that what you were saying?"

"Is that even possible? I mean, we are only working on one project. A lifetime is not even enough to know a person. We are always changing."

"But there are things that remain true."

"Like what?"

"Like the fact that I'm nice and kind and considerate," I grinned.

"You're very humble too. Why don't you add that to your list?"

"And humble," I held up a fourth finger.

"You're very funny, Khun Nueng."

"Should I add that to my list of good qualities?" I teased.

"Sure."

The door to the van opened and her mom got out.

"You're done?" She asked in a sleepy tone.

Anueng nodded.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"We were talking."

Piengfah said hello to me.

"I'd better leave so you can rest. See you later," I said to Anueng.

"See you," She waved.

***

"Are you okay, Khun Nueng?"

I looked away from the window and saw Sam staring at me.

She looked tired and sleepy.

The sky was already a mix of grey and pink as we passed the bright city streets.

"I'm alright. Why do you ask?"

"You were smiling. What was that about?"

"Is it a sin to smile?"

"It's not but it's weird. I haven't seen you smile like that in a while. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking of what happened today while we were filming the street scene and my conversation with Anueng."

"Oh yeah. A staff told me you mess up. How did that happen?"

"Well, you know. I'm human so I make mistakes."

"That doesn't sound like you. You're like a take one kind of person so everyone was shock."

"It's not a big deal."

"Does Anueng have anything to do with that smile?"

"She told me I wasn't what she expected."

"Why did she say that?"

"Because she thought people like me are insufferable."

"She said that?" Sam chuckled.

"Yup."

"That girl has no filter."

"I like that about her."

A slow and meaningful smile crept from her face.

"What was that smile for?"

"Nothing."

"I don't believe you. Come on. Say it."

"I was just thinking of the old Khun Nueng before you met you-know-who."

Since my breakup, I noticed that Sam and the people around me were careful to mention Wan Viva's name.

"You can say her name, Tua Lek. I'm not going to have a breakdown if you say Wan Viva."

"Fine. But I just remembered how before you met her, you were always linked with this and that actress. Nothing was serious but you were always having fun then."

"Are you saying I'm going to have fun with Anueng too?"

"I don't know? Are you?"

"Nah. She's young and she has her whole life ahead of her."

"Khun Nueng, you make it sound like she's a minor when she's already in her twenties."

"That's still young. People are going to crucify me. You know how it is."

"Mon is younger than I am but we don't have a problem."

"You and Mon don't have a big of an age gap like Anueng and I."

"People are going to say what they want to say. Why should you let them stop you from being happy? Besides, if she feels the same way about you and it's consensual, I don't see a problem with that."

"I don't know. I'm not looking to jump into another relationship right now. I just want to focus on this album."

"If you say so. But if love finds you, what are you going to do?"

I couldn't answer because I didn't have one.

Sam leaned on the seat and I looked out the window.

I felt the exhaustion from the work I did so I closed my eyes.

But no matter how I try to calm my mind, Sam's question hung in the air like a pendulum that kept swinging.