In the gripping tale of "Bonds of Fate," the paths of two worlds collide. On one side, there are Phuwin and Dunk, orphaned brothers, guided by their loving aunt in the warm embrace of a small-town restaurant. On the other, there are Pond and Joong...
The screech of tires sent shivers down everyone's spines as a sleek Ferrari pulled up to the dorm building in the pre-dawn light. Dunk, Lily, Phuwin, Ethan, and Daniel, faces etched with worry after a sleepless night searching for Emma, scrambled to the window. Their collective jaw dropped as they saw Emma climb out of the car, a dreamy smile plastered on her face.
The driver, a figure shrouded in darkness, leaned out and said something to Emma, followed by a lingering kiss that sent a blush creeping up Emma's neck. Bidding a final goodbye, Emma practically skipped towards the dorm entrance, a secret bouncing in her step.
The door burst open, and Emma practically flew into the room, nearly knocking over Dunk in her haste.
"Emma! Where have you been?!" Lily exclaimed, relief washing over her features.
Emma, her eyes sparkling with a concealed secret, stammered out some vague explanation about a late-night study session at the library.
Dunk, however, wasn't buying it. His gaze, sharp and observant, landed on a telltale mark peeking out from beneath Emma's collar – a hickey, bright red and unmistakable.
A mischievous glint entered his eyes. He nudged Lily with his elbow, a silent signal that instantly had the whole room buzzing with curiosity.
"Well, well, well," Phuwin drawled, a teasing lilt in his voice. "Looks like someone had an eventful night studying."
Ethan, ever the instigator, chimed in, "Spill the tea, Emma! Who's the lucky scholar who kept you company all night?"
Emma's cheeks burned scarlet. She darted a nervous glance towards Lily, silently pleading for help. But Lily, with a mischievous grin, decided to fan the flames of her friend's misery.
"Actually," Lily said, enunciating each word carefully, "I think we all know who it is. Don't we, Emma?"
A collective gasp filled the room. Emma's eyes widened in alarm.
"V-Victoria?!" Dunk exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
The name hung heavy in the air. Emma shrunk under the weight of their stares, her secret laid bare. But before she could even attempt a denial, the room erupted in a cacophony of teasing.
Phuwin started the charade, adopting a haughty tone, "Oh, Emma, you simply must tell us all about your 'study session' with the gorgeous Victoria!"
Ethan joined in, mimicking a lovestruck Emma, "Oh, Victoria! You're so amazing! Kiss me again!"
Daniel, the quiet one, even ventured a low chuckle. Lily, practically rolling on the floor with laughter, mimicked a moaning Emma, sending shrieks of laughter echoing through the room.
Emma, mortified yet secretly thrilled, swatted at them playfully. The night may have been a whirlwind of emotions, but the memory of Victoria's touch and the promise lingering in the air warmed her heart. Her friends, though relentless in their teasing, still held a supportive glint in their eyes.
As the sun began to peek over the horizon, casting its golden light across the room, a new chapter in Emma's life unfolded. The secret date with Victoria was just the beginning, and Emma, despite the teasing, couldn't wait to see where it would lead. . . . .
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Dunk: (Eyes wide) Did you see that?
Phuwin: See what? Can't you chew with your mouth closed?
Dunk: Over by the window! Emma and... isn't that Victoria?
Phuwin: (Squints) Whoa, you're right. What are they doing together?
Dunk: They were holding hands! And then Victoria leaned in and... kissed her!
Phuwin: (Raises an eyebrow) Hold on, Emma? You mean the Emma who practically faints whenever Victoria smiles at her? What's going on?
Dunk: I have no idea, but it looks like our shy friend has a secret life.
Phuwin: This is juicy! Do you think they're dating?
Dunk: Maybe. But wouldn't everyone know if Emma was dating Victoria?
Phuwin: Maybe they're keeping it a secret. Like a forbidden love kind of thing.
Dunk: (Smirks) Now that would be a story. Imagine the gossip if this got out!
Phuwin: We should keep it under wraps for now. Emma seems happy, and who knows, maybe Victoria is her ticket into Joong's good graces.
Dunk: (Scoffs) As if Joong would care about Emma. The guy flirts with everyone.
Phuwin: You never know. Maybe a little competition is just what Dunk needs.
Dunk throws Phuwin a playful punch as they continue their conversation, their encounter with Emma and Victoria sparking speculation and adding a new layer of intrigue to their own college lives. . . . . . . . .
A peal of the phone pierced the silence of the empty classroom, shattering Dunk's train of thought. He glanced at the caller ID – an unknown number. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face, but with a shrug, he pressed the answer button.
"Hello?" he said cautiously.
"Hey there, stranger," a familiar voice purred on the other end. It was Joong, his flirtatious tone unmistakable. Dunk's cheeks burned a faint pink, though he tried his best to mask it.
"Joong? Why are you calling me? Shouldn't you be in class?"
Joong chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down Dunk's spine despite himself. "Are you missing me already, Dunk?"
Dunk sputtered, flustered by Joong's constant advances. He was about to retort with a sarcastic remark when Joong's next words stopped him short.
"Actually, I am," Joong admitted, a hint of weariness detectable in his voice. "Stuck at the office dealing with some client issue. Dad dumped the task on Pond and me. Feels like forever since I last saw you."
Concern flickered in Dunk's eyes. "You haven't eaten anything all day?"
Joong chuckled again, a touch strained this time. "Oh, I could have some things delivered. But," he paused, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "I wish you were here to feed me instead."
Dunk's jaw dropped. Joong's blatant flirtatiousness never failed to leave him speechless. He mumbled a half-hearted, "You're impossible," under his breath, already reaching for the end call button.
Just as he was about to press it, Joong's laughter filled his ear. "Okay, okay, I apologize. But seriously, can you bring me lunch? I'm starving."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Dunk's lips. He couldn't resist Joong's pleading tone, even if he tried to play hard to get.
"Can't you just order something from your fancy office cafeteria? You are the son of a business tycoon, the future CEO, after all," Dunk teased, enjoying the playful banter.
Joong's voice took on a teasing edge. "Of course I could. But the reason I'm asking you is so I can see your beautiful face. Can't bear to go another minute without it."
Dunk could practically feel his face burning red. His heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He cleared his throat, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Fine," he conceded, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'll be there in thirty minutes."
He hung up, a wide grin spreading across his face. Across the room, in his luxurious office, Joong leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He could practically picture Dunk's flustered expression, and the image sent a thrill coursing through him.
The prospect of seeing Dunk, even for a brief lunch break, was a welcome distraction from the mountain of paperwork that awaited him. Perhaps, Joong thought, this wouldn't be just a lunch break after all. Perhaps, it would be an opportunity to inch a little closer to the captivating Dunk.
