The landscape of love was harder to navigate compared to my career.

I could say that I wasn't lucky when it comes to matters of the heart.

Eloise, the woman that Anueng was jealous of, was my first love.

I was young but I thought we had a shot.

The articles about it were true.

My meteoric rise to fame, her success in the modeling world and the distance between us were the perfect recipe for its demise.

The breakup was amicable.

There was none of the drama or cheating that other articles alleged.

We truly cared for each other.

It was the reason why we remained friendly and why my family still treated her with love.

***

No one told me that Eloise would attend the event.

She was vacationing in the country and have known about my planned retirement.

Eloise apologized for showing up unannounced but she pulled some strings.

She told me that since it was my final hurrah, she wanted to be a part of it.

"I never doubted that you would make it big in this business," She whispered.

It made me proud to hear her say that.

What I never expected was for Anueng to be jealous.

No wonder she kept grabbing glasses of champagne whenever the waiters pass by her seat.

I was worried but couldn't do anything to stop her since I was tied up with talking to the guests.

She was also with her family.

I thought Piengfah would notice but she was captivated with everything going on around her.

Her grandmother spoke with her but by then it was too late.

***

Anueng's insistence to come with me after the party was a clear sign that there was something she wanted to discuss.

She didn't look too happy when I came over after the event wrapped up.

If anyone else notice the change in her usually friendly demeanor, no one said anything.

It was only when we got to my place that everything became clearer.

The girl I loved was jealous of my old flame.

Hearing her assert that I was hers would have been flattering under a different circumstance.

But alcohol was involved so I had to take everything in stride.

I believed what she said, there was no doubt about that.

She didn't need to worry about anything anyway.

When I said I was all hers, I meant it.

***

Those two words solidified the months of longing and internal struggle of whether I should pursue my feelings or not.

After I said it, Anueng pulled me in for a longer kiss that turned into something more.

We unleashed the desire that had been building for a long time.

The two of us played around the fire but never truly fully committing.

On my part, I didn't want to rush her.

I was Anueng's first relationship.

I wanted to take it at her pace and not mine.

Last night was the culmination of all the days spent thinking of how we were going to traverse this newfound love.

***

Anueng was giving and willing.

I took the lead but was careful not to do anything she wouldn't find pleasurable.

In her breath and moans I sensed a hesitation and I would hold back.

But she always knew what she wanted.

She would pull my hand back and let me touch the places that only I was allowed to explore.

When the soft moans turned into an impatient plea for release, I obliged.

The way she held on tightly as her climax took over made me smile.

When Anueng finally opened her eyes to look at me, I saw myself reflected in those dark orbs.

I have fallen in love before.

But what I felt for Anueng could never compare.

I would risk everything to have her in my life.

***

Lying face to face as we waited to come down from the high, Anueng gently traced my lips with her fingers.

"Are you okay?" I whispered.

"Yes. I am more than okay."

"You're not going to regret this tomorrow?"

"No."

"Good."
"There's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I don't want to hide anymore."

"But what about your family?"

"I'm going to talk to them."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes. When I saw you tonight with your ex, I realized I don't want to hide anymore. I want the world to know that I'm yours and you're mine. I don't want us to be stealing glances at each other. I want to look at you in the eye and not think of other people. I want to hold your hand in public and let everyone see how safe I feel around you. I want them to see my love for you."

"But what about your privacy? I thought you don't want people all over our business."

"You always said everything was fixable. There's a way around this, isn't it?"

"Yes. They will only be given access to our lives with what we put out there. The rest is for ours to keep."

"I'm all in then."

I took Anueng's hand and kissed it.

She got up and laid on top of me holding my hands in a tight grip as she explored my body.

I surrendered to her kiss and touch and gave her freedom to do what she wanted.

***

I woke up with Anueng sleeping in my arms.

The warmth of her back against my body was comforting.

I pulled her closer and kissed the soft skin of her shoulder.

Anueng moaned and the sexy sound fired up my desire.

My hand reached down until I found the spot that drove her crazy.

She bucked her hips and I increased the pressure until I felt the wetness in my fingers.

I bit the side of her neck and Anueng moaned louder.

Last night I discovered that this was what gave her immense pleasure.

It didn't take long before her the delicate body quivered in satisfaction.

When she called out my name, the joy I felt overflowed.

***

"Are you really sure about this?"

We were parked in front of Anueng's house.

I drove her there without my driver and bodyguard.

Anueng was against it but I wanted us to talk in private.

"I'm sure. If I don't do this now, I will regret it."
"What if they're against it?"

"Khun Nueng, if I let others dictate how I'm going to live my life, when am I going to start living it?"

"I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"Those things are beyond my control. I have to do what I feel is right for me," She looked me in the eye and the determination I saw in there made me proud of her.

"You're right for me, Khun Nueng."

I squeezed her hand tight.

She unlocked the door and I watched her go inside.

I was very nervous of what she was about to do but I couldn't deny the pride I felt.

She was taking charge of her life and her destiny.