Next day, Kongpob sat on the couch, his fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest as he stared at the ceiling. The afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. Arthit, seated across from him, was absorbed in his book, oblivious to Kongpob's restless energy.

Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, Kongpob turned to Arthit. "Thit," he called out, his voice tinged with urgency. "Tell me a fancy word for something that lives for a very short time."

Arthit looked up from his book, blinking in confusion. "Momentary?" he offered, his tone uncertain.

Kongpob shook his head, frowning. "Not that one. I need something different—something eye-catching, a word that exudes sophistication. Something that gives off a sense of fleeting grace, something people want even if they know it's temporary."

Arthit raised an eyebrow, setting his book aside. "Kong, these are just words. They're non-living. Their sincerity and grace depend entirely on the user."

Kongpob leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "While that's true, words have their own character too. The right word can change everything."

Arthit could see that Kongpob was on edge, his usually composed demeanor cracking under the pressure of whatever was on his mind. He decided to probe further. "Kong, the impression and effect of words totally depend on the user's intention and aim. What's your intention behind trying to choose such a word?"

Kongpob's face lit up with a mischievous glint. "I want rich people to spend an extravagant amount of money on the art I'm going to exhibit online."

Arthit's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Kong, that's extortion!" he cried out, his voice laced with concern. "What on earth are you cooking?"

Kongpob chuckled, a devilish grin spreading across his face. "Not cooking...thinking...mind cannot cook—"

Arthit interrupted him with a sigh, knowing that if he let Kongpob get off track, they might never return to the original topic. "Not now...we'll discuss the nuances of those words later. Right now, let's focus on the main discussion."

Kongpob nodded, his expression growing serious once more. "Yeah, main discussion. Why would you call it extortion? How is it extortion? Doesn't every person want to earn a profit from their goods? And luxurious goods and hobbyist artistic collections are costly...when big brands do it, it's an excellent business strategy, and when I do it, it's extortion?"

"Well, yeah!" Arthit retorted. "People will call it extortion because you said yourself that those artworks aren't even going to last."

"That's the beauty of it," Kongpob replied, a twinkle in his eye. "I'm going to make a new trend. Since those arts will perish, I can arrange another exclusive exhibition after a few months or a year. Excellent, isn't it?"

Arthit nodded slowly, understanding the logic behind Kongpob's plan but still feeling uneasy about the approach. "Yeah, but you can't word it like that. You can say you want to contribute to the spread of art or something."

Kongpob shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "But I'm speaking the truth...I don't care much where that art goes as long as they are paying money."

"You can't say it like that, Kongpob!" Arthit exclaimed, exasperated. "Think of what quality you want to add to your customers' lives."

Kongpob's expression softened, his eyes losing some of their earlier intensity. "I want some of their money to fund the educational and health well-being of children denied by society. I've created a trust for that. But people aren't very enthusiastic about putting money in it."

Arthit's gaze softened with understanding. "When did you make it?"

"Yesterday," Kongpob replied matter-of-factly. "There's only one investment from my grandfather—I had to blackmail him for that. I'll get my mother, father, sisters, and their husbands to invest in it too, but that's only six people. Asking Wayo is useless because he always short of money and P'Forth is always roped in to lending him ...oh, and there's P'Gun and P'Off too...only eight."

Arthit sighed, feeling a mix of admiration and concern for Kongpob's earnest efforts. "It's been only 24 hours, Kong. You need to be patient."

Kong nodded solemnly, his usual confidence waning. "I know. But I want to help as fast as possible. That's why I found another way to earn money for the cause. I will exhibit and sell the art that is not so permanent."

"And whose creations are those?" Arthit asked, his curiosity piqued as he remembered he had given Kongpob free rein over his artworks.

Kongpob's eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and secrecy. "The people whom society has given momentary attention—maybe negative, maybe positive. Everyone knows they exist, but their existence has always been denied."

Kong was proud of how he told everything but did not divulge any particular information. He was learning art of keeping trade secrets.

Arthit frowned, sensing that Kongpob was holding back. "No riddles, Kongpob. Who are these artists? And how do you have their consent? What did you promise them?"

Kongpob leaned back, a satisfied smile on his lips. "I had this idea in my mind since you gifted me beacon of hope "

" That's lady of night "

Kong shook his head " my painting my name. You told me to focus on main discussion, don't distract me now...So..There is a varied artist base. You can take a look at the list I prepared. Some are kids and teens from orphanages, some are children from brothels, some are children of sex workers. Some are just poor artists. The common thread binding them is a loss of hope, a feeling of betrayal from society, and an undying desire to drag themselves from the streetlights to the limelight. I have purchased some of their arts and I will pay them additional amount as commission if their arts sell well..."

"Found it!" Arthit cried out in joy, suddenly excited. "Yep..."

Kongpob looked perplexed. "What did you lose?"

Arthit beamed at him. "From streetlight to limelight. That should be the name of the exhibition."

Kongpob nodded in agreement. "Good name. Let me jot it down in my diary. I also need to fix a time for meeting with the artists and talk with our classmates and seniors who are helping. Since it's a digital art gallery and auction, I need a dedicated website and payment gateway. I'll also have to take out time for getting clearances. I'm not good at understanding legalese...I need a lawyer. I need to first search for good lawyers who are experts in cyber—"

"Kong..." Arthit put a hand over Kongpob's shoulder, feeling a surge of affection for the man who never stopped trying to make the world a better place. "Why don't you make a flowchart of tasks to identify a good sequence in which you can do them, and then make your schedule?"

Kongpob's eyes lit up with renewed energy, and he smiled brightly. "Good idea!" He eagerly ran to their study desk to grab a pen and paper, his mind already racing with plans.

Arthit watched him with a soft smile, his heart swelling with pride. Kongpob's passion and determination to make a difference in the world were qualities that had drawn Arthit to him in the first place. As he watched Kongpob scribble down his ideas, Arthit couldn't help but feel grateful to have someone like him by his side—someone who kept his belief in humanity alight even when it seemed to be getting swallowed by the murky reality of society's darker facets

..................................

Teenathat Residence 

The tension in the Teenathat residence was palpable, the air thick with unspoken accusations and simmering anger. All the parents of the bullies had gathered, their expressions ranging from frustration to outright fury as they discussed the scandalous pictures of Arthit that had been plastered all over the university and dormitory walls.

Nirans, his face twisted with barely contained rage, glared at Ton Teenathat, the father of Time and Tay. "How did this happen under our noses?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "You said you had it under control."

Ton's face flushed with anger as he turned to his wife, his eyes narrowing. "Those pictures were locked in my safe," he yelled. "Did you give the keys to your son?"

His wife, equally enraged, turned on their children, her voice laced with fury. "Which one of you released those posters of that wh*re-child?" she demanded, her eyes blazing.

"We did not!" Tay shouted back, his face flushed with indignation.

Their father pressed on, his voice dripping with suspicion. "Don't lie," he warned. "Do you even have an inkling of what you've done? What more evidence do you plan to publicly reveal?"

Tay's voice rose in a mix of defiance and desperation. "I already told you, it wasn't me!" he yelled, his fists clenched at his sides.

Ton's hand shot out, striking Ten across the face with a sharp crack that echoed in the room. Tay staggered back, his cheek burning from the blow, but his father wasn't finished.

"Do not lie to me!" Ton Teenathat roared, his voice filled with fury. " Don't think that I don't know who sent that envelope to Rojanapat at the university guest house.." Teenathat turned to Niran and Rattanakosin " ANd the brilliant idea was the brain child of your son" he pointed to Niran heir " and your grandson" he gazed at Rattanakosin and then his grandson Po Rattanakosin.

"We just wanted to coerce him to take the complaint back.." Pak NIran defended himself.

" And...Your incompetence has cost us the element of surprise. Now, we're left scrambling while Arthit and his sympathizers laugh at our misfortune." His father Asit NIran yelled at his son.

"What were you thinking while bribing the janitor to deliver that envelope outside Rojanapat's room ?" Ton raised his hand again, Tay flinched while Time sat, clenching his teeth. Arthit coming under the attention of all these vultures , especially Rattanakosin was not good. He must do something.

Tay's mother, who had been quietly observing the exchange, rushed forward, placing herself

between her husband and her son. "Enough!" she cried, her voice trembling with emotion. "He's just a child!"

Ton's face contorted with rage as he rounded on her. "A child?" he spat, his voice venomous. "A child who has embarrassed our family and jeopardized everything we've worked for! That lad is under Suthiluck protection. What do you think will happen when Suthiluck's investigate the matter?"

Tay, seething with anger and humiliation, pushed his mother aside and turned on his father. "You think I'm a failure? Fine! I'll show you what I'm capable of!" he shouted, his voice thick with emotion. "Arthit thinks he can escape? I'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget!"

"You will do nothing if you don't want to be thrown out of this house and Teenathat Family..." Ton Teenathat raged " You have created enough mess as it is. Now , you all" He turned to all kids " will sit quiet and let us adults handle the matter."

"Speak only if you have something valuable to add" Jaruji added.

"Besides selling assignment solutions, do you have any more information on Rojanapat Kid that will help us solidify the charges against him?" Rattanakosin asked. 

All the youngsters present shook their heads " Only that he sells commisioned artworks." he added.

"I don't understand one thing....Isn't it good that someone revealed those photos?" Po Rattanakosin asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "Now everyone will know what kind of slut he is."

"Bad publicity is still publicity, Po" Rattanakosin, (Po's grandfather) drawled, his voice carrying a note of condescension. "It plants a seed in the public psyche, and even the smallest good deed can look monumental, turning the narrative in their favor. It's basic PR strategy-the reason people are drawn to bad boys."

The Nirans nodded in agreement. "The surprise and shock factor of those evidences are lost now."

"Exactly," the Jarujis agreed. "Whoever released those is not working in our favor."

"Do you think old Suthiluck did this?" one of them asked, suspicion evident in their tone.

"He's old school," Rattanakosin denied, shaking his head. "This isn't his style. Besides, he values reputation too much to risk it in any case."

"Arthit Rojanapat," Tay spat, his voice dripping with venom. "He did this. He doesn't know the meaning of shame."

"Shut up and let us concentrate on finding the real culprit," Tay's father chided, his patience wearing thin.

"Do you think Arthit is in any position to damage his reputation further?" Time who had remained quiet till now, asked.

"Does he even has a reputation?" Tay spat. "Whoever did that stunt, shall be rewarded for his services to mankind"

"Last warning Tay..." His father fumed, making the vengeful young man zip his mouth shut.

"Is it Aroon Rojanapt?" Jaruji asked. "It's totally his style...Rojanapt's have never feared playing dirty. The way his grandfather ruined Runrot's (Rattanakosin's son) career after what happened to his daughter..."

"After what I did with Rojanapat princess...he wouldn't dare..." Rattanakosin growled " And this matter is not for the children's ears...let the kids rest while we get to real discussion."

Every adult nodded and the room fell silent. All the students were hurriedly rushed out of the rooms for adults wanted to strategize alone. While all the youngsters were dying out of curiosity to know the secret. 

.................................................

Time and Tay were taken to their mother's study. 

Tay, nursing his bruised pride and his stinging cheek, felt his mother's protective hand on his arm. She looked up at him, her eyes full of concern. "You have to be more careful," she whispered urgently. "Your father's right-we have to be careful from Suthilucks, we can't afford any more mistakes. But there's still a way to turn this around."

Tay's eyes flickered with renewed determination. "How?" he asked, his voice low. She leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Arthit's biggest strength right now is that boy, Kongpob Suthiluck. He's the only one standing by Arthit despite everything. We need to remove him from the equation. Make him hate that whor*e child."

Tay's lip curled in disdain. "Kongpob Suthiluck is a freak. No one cares about him. He has only two friends in the entire university. Why should we bother?

"His mother shook her head, her expression serious. "You underestimate him. Drive a wedge between them, if Kongpob looses interest in him; Suthilucks will loose interest in this case. Rattanakosin mentioned there's something about Kongpob that the Suthiluck family is hiding-a weakness. We need to find out what it is and use it against him. If Kongpob is engulfed in a scandal and out of the picture, Arthit will have no one left to turn to."

"You are right mother. There's indeed something off about that freak Suthiluck, something they're keeping under wraps. I've heard whispers about mental illness, something they're desperate to keep hidden. If we can expose that, we can ruin Kongpob and isolate Arthit completely."

Time who has been silent and disinterested so far perked up in attention. His initial reluctance began to waver. The idea of digging into Kongpob's past, uncovering a secret that could destroy him, appealed to his vindictive nature. Suthiluck had stole his lover Arthit from him. He had filled Arthit's head with nonsense of his bloodline being as reputable as anyone else's. He was giving him promise of a fake world where Arthit had a fighting chance against the society. Time could do that too but he did not want to fool Arthit.

How can anyone walk beside Arthit in broad daylight after knowing who his mother was? Although, Time loved him a lot- he knew their love was doomed for darkness. He had offered Arthit his heart- but Arthit was more interested in fake promises of light.

"I'll find out what it is," he promised, his voice hardening with resolve. "I'll make sure Kongpob is out of the way, and when he is, Arthit will be all alone. "

"Then, we'll make him pay for what he's done." hos mother nodded approvingly.

No. Then Time will offer him his hand.  Time will hide him in a safe place. He will not let his family kill or ruin Arthit. Arthit will be his secret- his love.

" We'll strike when they least expect it. " His mother kept babbling "But remember, Tay, no more reckless moves. Everything we do from here on out must be precise, calculated. We cannot afford another mistake."

Tay met his mother's gaze, a spark of cold determination lighting up his eyes. "I won't fail, Mother. I'll make sure Arthit regrets the day he ever crossed the Teenathats."

............................

Meanwhile, across town, the atmosphere at the university had reached a boiling point. Arthit's scandalous pictures were the talk of every corridor, every classroom, dividing the student body and faculty alike.

In the heart of the university, it had also caught interest of June and Jane, best friends and final-year journalism students. Since the start, the scandal had smelled fishy to them. So they were investigating, asking around, hanging out with agricultural and engineering student to get the inside scoop. 

Under condition of remaining anonymous, an engineering student Tew (Knot's boyfriend) had tipped them to dig a little deeper, in to the past of Arthit Rojanapt- according to him roots of this scandal lies in Arthit's past- espescially around his expulsion. SO, they were now huddled together in a secluded corner of the library, pouring over old newspaper clippings they had unearthed from the archives.

"This is huge," June muttered, her eyes scanning the yellowed pages of a years-old article detailing Arthit's expulsion. " Those agris were speaking the truth. Arthit was indeed expelled from his old school. "

"Arthit Rojanapat-expelled for indecent exposure and illegal activities. It is true that he had been expelled in a disciplinary action , but look at this -he was charged for consuming drugs in school premises and carrying out indecent activities, offering physical services in exchange of money and being wrong influence on impressionable youth.

Yet there was no police involvement, no follow-up investigation. They gave fictious reason like Arthit being from unprivileged section of society was bedazzled by money and they hope this strict disciplinary action will put him on right path. It's like the whole thing was swept under the rug."Jane frowned, her brow furrowing in thought.

"It doesn't add up. If he was indeed doing sex work in school...Why would a school cover up something like this? And why is Arthit's name surfacing again now, tied to such a huge scandal where he is a victim rather than perpetrator? There's more to this story, June, I can feel it."

June nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. "We need to dig deeper, find out what really happened back then. And we should start by talking to Arthit's old classmates. If anyone knows the truth, it's them."

Jane agreed, her curiosity piqued. "And while you're doing that, I'll try to find out who leaked those photos. Someone wanted to hurt Arthit, but they might have underestimated the backlash. If we can figure out who's behind this, we'll be one step closer to uncovering the truth."

As they packed up their materials and left the library, the two friends knew they were onto something big-something that could shake the entire university to its core. And mark the beginning of their journey as journalists!

...........................................

Kongpob sat at his desk, surrounded by papers and sketches, trying to bring his ambitious plan to life. But despite his earlier enthusiasm, a shadow of doubt had begun to creep into his mind. The conversation with Arthit kept replaying in his head, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something crucial.

Arthit's warnings about the potential backlash from the public had unsettled him. Kongpob had never been one to care about societal judgment, but he realized that this was more than just about selling art—it was about the lives of the vulnerable artists he was trying to help. If the project backfired, it could do more harm than good.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. "Am I really ready to take on something this big?" he wondered aloud. "What if I'm not as prepared as I thought?"

Just then, Arthit entered the room, carrying two cups of coffee. He placed one in front of Kongpob and sat down beside him. " Aim sent coffee...You're overthinking again," Arthit said, his voice gentle but firm. "It's normal to have doubts when you're doing something that matters. But you've put a lot of thought into this, and you're not alone. We're in this together."

Kongpob looked over at Arthit, grateful for his presence. "What if it fails? What if I can't get the support we need?"

Arthit took a sip of his coffee and smiled. "Failure isn't the end, Kong. It's just a step in the process. If something doesn't work, we'll adapt, we'll find another way. And as for support, you have me and my work for your next exhibition , and I know you have others who believe in you too. We'll figure this out. "

Kongpob nodded, feeling a bit of the weight lift off his shoulders. "Thanks, Thit. I guess I just needed to hear that."

Arthit placed a reassuring hand on Kongpob's shoulder. "You've got a good heart, Kong. That's what matters most. People will see that, and they'll support you because they know you're doing this for the right reasons."

Kongpob felt a swell of emotion at Arthit's words. He leaned in and kissed Arthit softly on the lips, a silent thank you for always being his anchor. Arthit smiled against his lips, kissing him back briefly before pulling away.

"Now," Arthit said, turning his attention to the mess of papers on the desk, "let's figure out how to present this idea in a way that will resonate with people. We'll highlight the positive impact it will have, and we'll make sure the artists' stories are front and center. This isn't just about the art; it's about giving a voice to those who have been silenced."

Kongpob nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With Arthit by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they spent the next few hours refining the concept, brainstorming ways to market the exhibition and ensure that it would draw the attention—and the funds—needed to make a real difference.