FORTUNE: A FREENBECKY STORY

Chapter 41 🥶

Nam was the type of person who deeply cared for her friends and she showed that best through how much she took on their stuff as if they were her own.

"P'Namy stop shouting." Noey said
"People have already started coming in" Becky said
"Nam" Noey said
"Fine. Whatever, I'm going to get Freen's present" Nam rolled her eyes
"...It's MY birthday..." Noey said

The room had started to really fill up and there was a gentle buzz in the air. Freen entered with Heng in tow.

Freen was wearing a white dress. She looked so beautiful today. However, her expression was unchanged. She was still wearing that firm and cold look Nam and Noey had met a few days before. She had not softened her resolve or opinions and it was clear to everyone who knew her that she was suppressing her pain.

"Hey Fee!" Noey said
"Hi" She replied
"Heng!" Noey added
"Happy Birthday Buddy." Heng said
"Where's P'Nam?" Freen asked
"Oh I'm sure she's still causing trouble somewhere around here" Freen said

Freen looked around but could not spot Nam. Just then Noey noticed Freen was holding a gift bag.

"Oh, here. Happy Birthday." Freen said

Noey grabbed the bag and opened it up to see the packs of Kaya Jam. Noey's face lit up in excitement.

"Thanks Fee!" Noey said
"I know, I give the best presents" Freen said

There was a chill in the air. Then Becky walked into the hall. Becky was especially beautiful today because when she received Noey's invite she knew that there was a big chance she would be seeing Freen and she was right.

It was as if all the oxygen was sucked out momentarily when Freen turned to glance at the entrance when Becky walked in. The moment she turned back to continue her conversation as though she did not know or recognise Becky the room was filled with oxygen again. Becky took a deep breath in.

Freen had definitely seen her but Freen did not see her anymore. Freen did not care. Becky's heart sank but her drive rose. When Freen turned around if even for that quick moment, Becky was overwhelmed by her beauty. Becky knew in that moment that if she lost Freen she would never get over it. That was arguably what hurt the most. As well as the fact that she had hurt Freen in such a deeply unforgivable way.

"You forgot your gift in the car" Baitoey said tapping her on the shoulder.
"Oh thanks" Becky turned around
Becky was glad that she and Baitoey were okay again, it made her hopeful concerning the situation with Freen. Becky and Baitoey went to take a seat.

"They're just friends" Noey said
"Who?" Freen replied
"Becky and Baitoey" Noey said
"I don't really care" Freen said coldly
Noey did not believe her

-CLINK CLINK-
"Good evening friends and family, I have been selected as the best host in Bangkok. So I'm here to entertain you." Heng started
"Oh here we go" Noey said

For the first time that evening Noey laughed and the room laughed. Even Freen laughed. Heng had a gift of diffusing certain atmospheres and today it was needed.

"It's time to start the show! First up we have a video from Noey's closest friends and family" Heng said

The video started with Noey's younger sister who said some sweet words about how Noey was as an older sibling. Then Nam insulted Noey for a good 5 minutes in her video. Next was Freen...

"Hi Noey. Happy Birthday. You have been my friend since we were babies in diapers and I'm so grateful that you stuck around. You are one of the only people in my life that truly knows me and understands me and it's profound to be understood. You are the only one who can reprimand me and it change me. I treasure your presence in my life and will never let you go. You and Nam kept me sane when my parents were killed and were truly there for me. We're bonded for life. I'll always be here for you. I love you."

There were a few people after that but Becky was lost deep in thought. She had rarely seen that vulnerability in Freen. Becky thought about what it would be like to be loved by Freen, to be seen by Freen in that way and to understand her deeply in that way. Furthermore, Becky had no idea about Freen's parents and that hurt her heart too. Because more than anyone else, Freen would have been the one who understood Becky the most when she lost her father.

When the video was over the food section opened up and there was time allocated to mingling.

"Becky, are you okay?" Baitoey said
"Uh yeah..." Becky replied
"Let's go get some food" Baitoey smiled

Becky and Baitoey got in line for food and continued to chat about work. Becky asked about her former students and how the faculty was doing. Baitoey of course tried to convince Becky to come back but it didn't seem like Becky had plans of doing so even now, even though she knew Noey would love to have her back.

Baitoey and Becky heard a bunch of people join the queue behind them. She turned around and it was Freen, Noey and Heng.

"Baitoey! Becky! I Hope you're doing well." Noey said
"Yeah.. thanks" Becky said
"Happy Birthday Noey" Baitoey said
"Happy Birthday Noey, I got you a gift." Becky said handing it over.
"Thank you both. Becky, How are your family?" Noey asked
"We're doing much better" Becky confirmed

Freen was facing Becky but was looking past her. That was deeply painful for Becky. It was as if Becky was dead to her. The coldness in Freen's eyes was unbearable for Becky.

Just then Nam emerged at the entrance. "P'Namy!" Noey shouted
Nam caught sight of the group and smiled. Behind her was a tall woman in a black dress with red lipstick. Nam walked over to join them in the queue.

"Heidi, what are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming too!" Noey said