The pilot announced tat they had been cleared for landing and the 'fasten ur seat belts' sign came on.

Krist unfolded his legs, and put on his slip ons that he had left below the seat..

P'Jane closed his eyes tightly, bracing for the descent. Mike took the seat next to him, patting his hand in assurance. Jane grabbed Mike's hand and gripped it tighter..

"Poor P'Jane " Krist commented making Earth turn to look at him..

"He ll be fine..he's a big boy.."he said not unkindly..his voice filled with amusement...

Krist nodded at the perfect description of Jane, he indeed looked like a big boy with his hair in a pony tail and soft looks..he wondered at his relationship with Mike..sometimes they fought like brothers, at other times they were friendly, yet a few times he suspected they were lovers..

It was odd tat though he was Mike's friend, he didn't know the truth behind them.

"Will you also hold my hand?"Earth asked Krist

"Why are you scared too?"Krist looked at him curiously..

"I may be."he replied thoughtfully..

"And I am the queen of England" Krist snorted, thinking of the total unprobability of it, yet he slipped his fingers through the elder's palm, the touch more comforting to him than the other..it seemed to give him a strange sense of support, reassuring him tat he was not alone..

At the table, P' Yui packed the papers she had been studying into her bag and settled down into her seat..

Tutah grabbed a handful of jelly beans and slipped into the seat opposite her. He was an avid eater and was always muching on something. His expanding girth the living proof of it. But his sense of style and dressing covered up for the fault in size.

"Don't forget the reporter from Kazz magazine, I don't want him blocked as paparazzi," he reminded Yui..

The publicist rolled her eyes.."yeah I was the one who arranged for him so I am not likely to forget am I?"she retorted..she was pissed off with his constant hankering for attention for his star, the guy needed to understand tat Krist was still a new comer and he couldn't get all the attention yet...

Tutah just munched on, ignoring her snappy reply..If u wanted to survive the rat race u sure needed thick skin here..

"When were you back here last?" P'Yui asked turning to Krist..

"Hmmm for more than a weekend? It's been ten years actually..I always meant to come back, but I guess I was too busy to do so.."he replied

"I totally understand. I am from Chiang mai and I haven't gone back in ages. Along the way I even lost a few good friends..It can't be helped,  we chose our path.."she sighed..

Krist nodded sadly, thinking of his best friend, Off Jumpol..They had once been a notorious pair much to the dismay of all the parents at school. They had kept in touch on and off, but lately it was more off than on..this time he resolved he'd make time for his best mate..maybe have another drinking binge and grouse about his latest ex..he wondered wat number he was currently at, recalling how notorious a playboy his best friend was..

"Do you realize Krist you are living everyone's dream?Returning to your home town a big success.." Yui broke into his thoughts..

Krist laughed nervously "Don't you think tat s a bit premature P'. We haven't even started the shooting yet."

"That may be but I read the script and saw u in action at the screen test and I guarantee that when the movie hits the screen, u ll soar so fast you won't know wat hit you..Krist Perawat s going to be a name on everybody's lips soon."

Krist blushed taken aback at her confidence,  he remembered Earth's producer,  Ice Ittikorn, had also said something similar after the screen test, but he hadn't taken it seriously.

Looking back Krist was surprised tat he had never wanted to be ambitious in the industry..Acting was his passion and he was happy tat someone actually paid him to do it..Fame didn't excite him as much as the plot of the story and challenge of the character.

He remembered the moment he had read the script for "Love and Lies"..he was at a set, shooting for his series. He had a short break and had walked into the dressing room he shared with Mike..he pulled open the small fridge taking out a pink milk from the packs stocked there and settled into the swivel chair in front of the mirror..

He twisted open the particularly stubborn cap, causing it to bounce off the table at the force he used. He took a long swig before diving down to search for the cap. It had rested on a bulky manuscript, peeking out of Mike's bag. Seeing tat it looked like a script, Krist pulled it out wanting to see wat new drama Mike's boyfriend had written this time..

Mike walked in just then, finishing his scene.

"Hey can I read this?" Krist asked him holding up the script..

" Sure man, be Jane's guest..He keeps complaining I don't read his works, so be a good boy and make sure to tell me the gist after u're done ok? So tat I can pacify him this time." Mike said..

Krist nodded and settled down on the couch his milk in one hand and the script in the other..Within the first few pages it was obvious the male lead, Arthit was a scheming two timer and gold digger..half way through the story he wasn't sure anymore. Another ten pages in and Krist was captivated by the complex and fascinating character of Arthit Rojnapat..He didn't do it ... he murmured in astonishment as he closed the script.

It wasn't some rewrite of the clichéd plots. He had been fooled so thoroughly. Why? Cause Arthit's character was so believable, yet full of contradictions...

When Mike walked in again, Krist bounded up excited by the story he just read..

"Why didn't you tell me this was awesome?My God Mike,  your boyfriend s a genius. Arthit's character s to die for..no kill for..I 'd kill for it.."

"Well man no need to go tat far..You could just audition for it you know..they're still looking for the cast and P'Jane wants a new face for Arthit. So if u're really interested you could try out.."

Krist hugged Mike, nearly kissing him in joy.."Mike ur an angel..thank u for letting me know..I want this part so bad.."he said rushing out to look for Tutah.

He found him as usual munching something..

"Toots I need you to arrange an audition for me with whoever s producing this film..can you do it?" Krist asked showing him the script.

"Ok, who's the casting director?"he asked taking the script from his excited protégé..

"I don't know. I forgot to ask." Krist's face fell.

"It's ok I can find out.  I see it's under Lazada production..that's a big name Krist..are you sure?"

"I want the role Toot, I don't care if I have to kill for it, but I want the role. Just get me the audition and I ll do the rest. " he said with conviction..

"Ok baby, then we ll make sure u get it..My boy's got so much talent.. Lazada here we come..."he said getting up to make the calls..

Exactly two weeks later Krist had signed the contract and the role of  Arthit Rojnapat was his..He was still thrilled about it. But the prospect of fame was an entire different story which he didn't need...

The wheels of the flight dragged on the tarmac signaling tat they had landed. Jane let go of Mike's hand finally, making the man whine about broken fingers..

"Seriously P'Jane my arm hurts so bad I need a massage.."Mike scolded..

"No problem, you can use the spa personnel I have booked for Krist." Tutah said..

"Toots I don't need a spa session today.." Krist exclaimed.

"Ofcourse you do..u look like a zombie after all the workshops and publicity stunts. I want my star to look all relaxed and like a million dollars tonight, so ur getting ur spa done. End of discussion." Tutah huffed making to get down the lowered stairs..

"He's impossible "Krist muttered..

"Among other things.."Earth murmured, but didn't elaborate.

Krist didn't pursue the comment as he knew where it would lead. Earth's opinion of Tutah as an artist manager was not so great. True he hadn't got Krist anywhere in 10 years, but still Krist refused to  let him go. He was loyal to the last  bone.

Krist emerged from the jet,squinting at the sunshine bathing his face. He looked around at all the jets parked wing tip to wing tip at the private part of the Phuket airbase, he found the Boeing 747 and nodded to Earth pointing at it "Looks like Khun Chan s here already."

Mike overheard him "you mean that huge thing is his personal drive?"

"What else? The man always has to have the biggest and best. It's kinda a mania with him.." Jane retorted sarcastically..

"That's kinda rude P'.." Mike looked at him with a half amused glance..

"It's true though, the man wants everything larger than life. He's an autocratic ass, thinking he can control everything. " he continued mutinously.

"Now where would he get tat idea? Maybe it's his little cash stock tat gives him the confidence. " Mike laughed..

P'Jane huffed clamping his lips up.

"Careful Jane, it's not wise to snap at the hand which feeds you." Earth warned.

"And you bet the man never let's you forget it."

"Well ur not on his list of favorite people either".

"Then tat makes us even doesn't it."he retorted moving away from the pointless argument..

"Considering your mood and lack of filter between ur brain and mouth when drunk, stay away from khun Chan tonight Jane. " Earth warned after him.

"I ll try, but if he talks about the script again, make sure u move me away from him, cause I doubt I can control myself. "Jane shouted back..

Two weeks ago Krist had heard tat Khun Chan was demanding some changes in the script. Was tat wat P'Jane was upset about?

"Shall we go?" Earth gestured towards the line of cars waiting to escort them.

Krist was introduced to Earth's personal security team as they loaded their luggage and he got into the car with Earth. The others were coming in the other vehicles. Three years ago Earth had been attacked by a fan at an award function. From then the man had kept his own security not trusting others.