Noon almost jumped into his seat as Jake's voice resonates in the room.
"WHO TOLD YOU TO BUY THESE KIND OF LUNCH?"
Jake throws him the bag of takeout Noon just bought.
Noon shivers.
"I-I thought you m-might like c-curry" Noon stutters as he responds.
Jake looks at him in disbelief.
"Why would I like such disgusting thing? The hell would you know I might like curry? You don't even know me"
Kit barges in, trying to calm down Jake who is close to pulling Noon on his collar.
"Okay. Calm down, it's his first time buying you lunch so we can sort this out. I'll call delivery, what would you want?" Kit interferes, standing between Jake and Noon.
"Never mind, I lost my appetite" Jake mumbles as he glares at Noon.
"You" the superstar points at the newbie who can't even look at him in the face.
"Don't act as if you know everything about me"
He then turns to Kit.
"What's my schedule after the script reading?"
"You're free after this, you can take a rest, tomorrow there's gonna be a press conference about your upcoming drama. Then we'll continue the shoot this week" Kit explains.
"Good, cause I'm planning to freshen up tonight. There's so much stress around me. I'm going to use my car when I leave"
"We have a press conference tomorrow, you can't go out tonight and go attend tomorrow's event late or even worse, with a hangover" Kit warns him, which he only shrugs off.
"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with having fun. I promise I won't get drunk"
"The last time you told me that words you were all over the internet kissing someone. You're not sane when you are drunk" Kit reminds him.
"I'm young, if you want me to hook you up, call me. I'll be more than happy to introduce you to my friends" Jake jokes, trying to lighten up the mood because he can sense that his manager is quite serious at the moment.
"No thank you. I don't want to add another problem in my life"
Jake fakes a cry and dramatically punches his chest.
"That hurts. But you know you can't stop me. Now, I'll be heading back to practicing my script"
When Jake left, Kit asks Noon if he was alright, apologizing on behalf of Jake's behavior.
"I forgot to tell you he hates curry. I don't know why, he's not even allergic or something. He always looses his cool whenever there is curry"
//
It was almost 2 PM when Noon woke up from the loud ringing of his phone.
He searches for his phone with his eyes closed and groans when he sees Kit's name on the caller ID.
"I'm really sorry for interrupting you sleep but can you pick Jake up in the bar? Use the company card and get a taxi, I'll send you the address and Jake's address"
Noon can only agree. He doesn't have a choice. He quickly changes his clothes and heads out.
//
Jake was dead drunk when Noon entered the bar. The girl beside him was casually drinking as she holds Jake's arm like a leech.
He taps Jake's shoulder to wake him up, but with no avail.
"You really need to wake up, you have an early schedule today"
"Jake!" He stared to shout, making the girl beside Jake annoyed.
"He's having a good time, why are you trying to send him home?"
Noon looks at the girl in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, but the company sent me here to accompany him home" he politely explains.
"Hey" the girl tried to wake up Jake, but failed. Realizing that Jake is deaddrunk, she detached herself and stood up.
"He's all yours, he's a lost cause anyway" she tells him and leaves.
Noon was starting to feel embarrassed with how he was trying to wake up Jake. No way he'll be able to carry the big guy with his small frame.
He tried to shout and nudge the superstar but it was really hard, he's insanely wasted.
He paused for a bit, whispering a small prayer. I hope Jake won't remeber anything. He then flicks Jake's forehead, which miraculously makes him flinch and open his eyes.
"Stand up now. You have to go home and get a decent sleep in a bed" Noon didn't waste a second as he takes advantage of the sudden consciousness of Jake.
Noon was surprised on how Jake was unusually obedient as he stood up and started to walk out of the bar.
He nearly stumbled but Noon was quick to help him stand up properly. But Jake slaps Noon's hands away and proudly walks up.
"I don't need your help" He coldly tells him as he wobbles his way out.
Just as they made it out, Noon gestures Jake the taxi that has been waiting for them.
//
Noon was fighting hard for his life as he helps Jake stand on his own feet on the elevator.
He covers his nose, trying to block Jake's scent- alcohol and sweat. The elevator door opens and Noon drags Jake out, checking if he should turn left or right.
It was his first time coming to Jake's condo. All Kit sent was the address and the door number and he also had to take the door key from Jake's jacket by force (which he really fought through)
He checks the number of the doors and after a minute of searching, he finds it and unlocked the door. He carries Jake in and throws him hard on the couch. Well he deserves it, Noon thought. But the. Jake suddenly opens his eyes and looks at him blankly.
"I said I don't need your help. I don't want your help and I'm never gonna need your help" Jake suddenly becomes sober as he leans on the wall to balance himself.
"You're really not giving up huh? Look at yourself. Your body and mind is weak. Just so you wait, I'm gonna make your life a living hell" he warns Noon who looks back with him with an unreadable face.
"Look at you, you can't even defend yourself"
"You can do that, I'm gonna take as much punishment as I can. If that what makes you happy. You can be so hard to me" He swallows a lump, trying to look strong.
"But you can't disrespect me like you know everything. Yes I am weak. But you don't know why I'm holding myself up. You can blame everything to me all you want. I'm not doing this because I want to work with you"
And with that, Noon walks out of the condo. But as soon as he gets put of the building, he felt his legs gave out and he found himself seated by the driveway.
And all the tears he was holding up started to flow uncontrollably.
What does Jake know?
That snob superstar knew nothing about what I was going through.
I did not do it because of you Jake. I did it for my family. And you have no right to tell me I am weak when I've been keeping the weight of the world on my shoulder for years.
I may not be strong for you. But I am strong because I have a deeper reason why I have to be one.
YOU ARE READING
The Last String
RomanceA story where Jake is a famous singer in Thailand and Noon is a striving fresh graduate from the countryside trying his luck in Bangkok. Jake is a reckless idol who doesn't care about rumors because people love him nonetheless because of his voice a...
