"Was it you and Khun Nueng they were talking about on the podcast?"

Yui and I were walking downstairs to the ground floor.

She waited until the end of our classes to bring this up.

It probably took a lot of willpower for her not to say anything.

"Is Khun Nueng the only A-lister in the entertainment industry and am I the only newbie?"

"I don't know, Anueng, but who else is the very famous A-lister who was going to retire and was last seen at her house having a party with a newbie? Khun Nueng was the only person I know who was doing that and you are definitely a newbie."

"You know what bothers me?" I ignored her reply.

"What?"

"The only people who knew I was there were the cops."

"Really? But what happened though. I need context."

"She felt bad that my party was interrupted so she wanted to celebrate before the night ends. We went to her place and was having fun. But a neighbor of hers reported us for noise disturbance."

"If that's the case, is that even legal to disclose this information?"

"I don't know. But if one of them ratted us out, I hope someone gets fired."

"Does this mean you're famous now?" There was a twinkle in her eye.

"Yui, I did not sign up to make that music video for my personal life to be invaded by strangers."

"But you know that's going to happen right?"

"No, I don't."

"Then you are being naïve. Do you really have no idea that once you work with Khun Nueng, your life is going to blow up?"

"I was not thinking of that."

"Why sign up for it if you weren't ready for things like this?"

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Sure."

"Promise not to say anything to anyone."

"I swear on my ancestors grave," She raised her hand.

"When Khun Nueng talked to me about making the video, she told me that everybody wants me in it except for her."

"She said that?" Yui's eyes grew wide.

"I didn't know if I felt slighted or challenged that she didn't share the same interest so I said I'd do it."

"You did it because of your ego?"

"Maybe. I don't know. But once I said yes, there was no taking it back."

"Do you regret doing that?"

"To be honest, I don't. Khun Nueng was a revelation. She wasn't the person I thought she was."
"What did you think of her?"

"You know. The person who was the subject of my mother's obsession and my parents constant bickering."

"Are you a fan of her now?"

I offered a small smile and a shrug.

"Oh, come on Anueng. Would it kill you to say that yes, Khun Nueng is an amazing person?"

I held back from saying something that I know would lead to an I-told-you-so.

Yui and Folk knew of my lukewarm response to Khun Nueng before.

I was not going to give her the satisfaction that I finally succumbed to the charm of this woman who was not only wonderful onscreen but was an even more awesome human being once you get to know her.

***

Before Yui asked about the podcast, Khun Nueng called so I already have an idea of what's going on.

She advised that I ignore it.

There was no point in engaging because that was what those podcasters wanted.

The rumours were just that – baseless and untrue.

We weren't dating like what the podcast alleged.

But what was unsaid was more worrisome for me.

I enjoyed Khun Nueng's company.

That night at her house when we were dancing and having fun was the most memorable birthday I had.

It was my first time to drink.

Once I got over the better taste, I craved it more and more.

Khun Nueng kept reminding me to take it easy.

She told me there was no need to act so thirsty because not only do we have the time but she had more wine than I can consume.

But I didn't heed her advice.

I drank till I could no longer control my mouth, my body and my brain.

The conversations that took place that night was a blur but there were a few lingering memories that stayed in my mind.

There were also photos of us to remind me that everything was real.

I sent a few to her.

My favorite was of me sitting in front of her, my head on her chest and hearing the fast beating of her heart.

We were both smiling on the camera and I felt so at home in her arms.

I wanted to gatekeep that photograph so the ones I sent were wholesome and appropriate.

***

When I woke up to an empty bed with a pounding in my head, I swore to myself that I was never drinking again.

But I had so much fun that night.

Khun Nueng and I danced like the world was ending and we wouldn't wake up to tomorrow.

It felt so good to be free and to spend that moment with her.

What I never expected was this podcast to shatter the purity of that night.

When she called to tell me to ignore it, I could tell that she was worried for me.

I asked if she was okay and she said she was used to this.

But she was still disappointed that our privacy was invaded.

***

My phone pinged once Yui and I were outside the building.

The message was from Khun Nueng.

She told me to look straight ahead.

I did and saw the black BMW parked across the building.

There were a few students who checked out the expensive and very shiny vehicle.

"Is that Khun Nueng?" Yui was looking at my phone.

"Yeah. I have to go."

"Sure."

I ran down the steps and got inside the car.

The driver and the bodyguard nodded at me when I said hi.

"Is everything okay?" I asked Khun Nueng who looked so chill in white cotton tees, ripped denim jeans and white Nike's.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I'm fine. You?"

"Don't worry about me. I told you I'm used to this."

"But why do you have to come see me?"

"Aren't you happy to see me?"

I glared.

"I'm just kidding. We have a rush photoshoot."

"No one told me anything about a photoshoot."

"Well, I'm telling you now. I think you need a manager to help you with these things."

"I told you before. I'm only making one music video and then I'm done. Why do I need a manager?"

"Because someone would handle your schedule and you don't have to do everything yourself. They've been trying to reach you since this morning."

"I keep my phone off during class so I don't get distracted."

"Smart but Sam and Genie couldn't get ahold of you."

"So, you have to come all the way here to deliver the message?"

"Not only that. I wanted to make sure that you're okay after the thing with that stupid podcast."

"You already called to tell me about it. I think you miss me," I grinned then bump her on the shoulder.

Khun Nueng was caught off guard and rolled her eyes.

"Aren't you full of yourself?"

"Am I lying? I mean, you're pretty busy but you still found the time to come see me."

"I'm only doing this to get Genie out of my hair. She was worried that we'd be behind schedule if they couldn't find you."

"What's the rush anyway? We're done with filming."

"They wanted to start with the second video for the new single," Khun Nueng looked uneasy after she said it.

"But I'm not going to be a part of that anymore. We had an agreement."

"I know what we talked about, Anueng."

"Then why do I feel like you're not telling me the truth?"
I felt hot all of sudden despite the AC in the car being on.

The warmth spread from the back of my neck up to my cheeks.

"Hear me out, please?"

"Do you want to know why I agreed to do this the first time you asked me?"

"If it makes you feel better, go ahead."
"Because I wanted to prove to you that Bill was right when he picked me to do this. I wanted you to see what they see. You challenged me when you said that you didn't want me."

"It wasn't an ego trip, Anueng. I didn't know you then. But now that I do..." She paused to think of what she was going to say next.

"Now that you do, then what?"

"I saw what they saw in you. You're a natural. Our chemistry is there from the beginning though but I didn't want to admit it at first because you dislike me but that's not important. You were perfect for the part that's why they wanted you to do three more of this."

"But I don't want to. One is enough for me."

"Give me a good reason."

"Just look at what's going on right now. I'm a nobody and yet everybody is in my business. That night with you was very special to me but look at what happened? I was in a blind item."

"I'm sorry it happened, okay? Believe me when I said I would protect you from all these but I have no control over everything."

"You want me to trust and yet you want me to do three more videos."

"Anueng, I did the best I could."

"Did you really?"
"Yes."

"I find that hard to believe. Because if you did, you wouldn't be here to convince me to do this."

She let out a defeated sigh and leaned on her seat.

I asked the driver to drop me off at home.

"But what about the photoshoot?"

"I don't care."

"Anueng, you can't do this. You signed a contract."
"Sue me."

"Come on. Be reasonable."

"This is me being reasonable," The car stopped in front of the house.

I unlocked the door and got out.