Flicker (BossNoeul AU)

Chapter 6

The entire car ride to the pier was unbearably awkward. Noeul had waited in the lobby of the apartment complex as instructed by Boss Chaikamon, only to be told to go outside because Boss Chaikamon didn't want to be seen by too many people. It was a frustrating celebrity problem that Noeul knew he would never experience in his lifetime.

The silence in the car was thick, suffocating almost, as neither Noeul nor Boss Chaikamon seemed willing to break it. Noeul fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat, stealing glances at Boss Chaikamon every now and then, but the man remained stoically silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

Noeul sighed, his eyes wandering around the car's interior. It was the latest model of Range Rover, a vehicle Noeul secretly wished to own. The interior exuded elegance, but what caught Noeul's attention was a pack of sweets-jellies, to be exact-that he used to enjoy back in South Korea. It was his favorite brand, sitting on the dashboard in front of him. Noeul couldn't help but wonder if Boss Chaikamon actually ate those, considering his strict demeanor and the likelihood of being on a strict diet.

"Do you want that? You can have it if you want," Boss Chaikamon's sudden break in the silence caught Noeul off guard. It was the first sentence Noeul had heard from him since they met, and it made him blush.

Was it that obvious that he wanted the sweets? He thought to himself.

"N-no, but thank you," Noeul stammered, tempted by the offer but too shy to accept. The particular sweet wasn't available in Thailand, where he now lived, and he longed to taste it again.

"It was given to me by a fan during a fan meet in Korea. I have plenty of them at my apartment. You can have it," Boss Chaikamon offered once more, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead. Noeul hesitated but eventually decided to accept one. He couldn't resist the urge to taste the familiar flavor again.

A smile found its way to Noeul's face as the sweet treat melted in his mouth, triggering a wave of nostalgia he had longed for. It brought him genuine happiness, making him feel like a child again. Noeul smiled as he gazed out the window, the sweetness of the treat easing the tension of the car ride and infusing it with a sense of relaxation.

As they finally reached their destination, the tension in the air returned. Noeul glanced outside, observing the bustling pier filled with boats. Silence enveloped them, broken only by the calm yet strong sea breeze. When the engine stopped, so did the silence.

"Here," Boss Chaikamon's voice broke through the quiet, drawing Noeul's attention to the bouquet of flowers in his hand. Noeul shyly regarded it, unable to comprehend why Boss Chaikamon was handing him flowers.

"It was given to me by a fan this morning after my shoot. I must've forgotten it and left it here. I didn't want to throw it away, so I'm giving it to you," Boss Chaikamon explained, shattering whatever excitement Noeul had felt. Noeul sighed inwardly, resigned to the situation. He didn't want to waste the flowers, so he reluctantly accepted them from Boss Chaikamon.

"Well, thanks," Noeul muttered, his disappointment palpable. Despite the gesture, he couldn't shake the awkward feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Shall we?" Boss's voice broke the silence once again, prompting Noeul to get out of the car. Noeul nodded and opened the car door, greeted by the refreshing sea breeze. The scent of the sea somehow calmed his nerves. The pier stretched out before him, bustling with activity. Noeul could see a variety of boats and yachts, from small fishing vessels to larger vessels for leisure.

A smile spread across Noeul's face as he took in the scene. It had been a while since he had visited the sea, and everything about it brought him joy.

"We should go now," Boss Chaikamon's voice interrupted Noeul's trance. Noeul agreed, and they began to walk along the dock.