🄶🄾🄳'🅂 🄿🄻🄰🄽

2

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As the days passed, I completely forgot about my kidnap audition. It wasn’t like I was hoping to get the role, but still, I didn’t expect this. Today was makeover day for my room, and as I was cleaning, I got an unknown call.

“Am I speaking with Leng Thanaphon?” the voice asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“You’ve been selected for the role. Please come in today for further instructions.”

I stood frozen for a moment, processing the news. After a couple of minutes, the reality hit me. I quickly dialed Moonon’s number, and he picked up quickly.

“Leng! What’s up?”

“I don’t know, but I got a call saying I’ve been selected for the kidnap role. I don’t know what to do,” I said, still in shock.

“What?! Leng, I’m so proud of you! Have they given you any instructions yet?”

“Yeah, they said to come in today.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Go get ready!”

“But I’m cleaning my room after a decade. I can’t leave it like this!”

“Okay, clean as fast as possible, and come. Bye for now.”

I resumed cleaning, but as I was tidying up my study table, my favorite storybook fell. I picked it up, flipping through the pages until I found the photo I edited of me and my crush.

I stared at the photo, mesmerized by the innocence and beauty in it. Tears welled up in my eyes as memories flooded back. Even though I was 23, I still cherished my 12-year-old self, holding onto those moments like they were treasures—gold, diamonds, platinum. My thoughts were interrupted by Moonon’s voice.

“Hey, I’m outside your building. Come down fast.”

“What the heck? I’m not even ready. Come upstairs!”

“But we need to go on time,” Moonon insisted.

“They didn’t give me any specific time. Just come up. Don’t wait downstairs. Come eat something here. Hurry, I’m getting ready. Oh, and use the password to come in. I’m going to the bathroom, bye!”

I quickly got ready and went back to my room, only to realize I left the photo on the bed. Moonon was holding it.

“You’re still not over it, huh?” Moonon said, teasing me.

“Absolutely not. You’re wrong,” I replied, trying to brush it off.

“Then what’s this?” he asked, holding up the photo.

“Ah, that’s... I was cleaning my room and found it in the book,” I explained, but he didn’t seem convinced.

“Believe me,” I added.

Moonon raised an eyebrow. “How are you going to work with Ohm then?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“You’re not working with him? Even if you do, you’re going to ignore him? That’s going to be so awkward.”

“I’m not working with him, and even if I do see him, I won’t act like I know him. It’d be embarrassing, and I don’t want to make things weird for him,” I explained, trying to sound confident.

Moonon chuckled. “Let’s just leave it at that. You’re living in your own world. Gods know what will happen with that stubborn attitude. Let’s go now.”

We arrived at the GMM building, and I headed up to the third floor, where I was supposed to meet the casting director. As I entered the room, I recognized the director from the audition day.

“Hey, Leng. How’s it going?” he greeted.

“I’m good. I got the call this morning,” I replied.

“Right. Let me introduce you to your new manager, P'Yui,” he said, gesturing to a woman standing next to him.

P'Yui was a beautiful woman, with a perfect smile that made me feel at ease. “Can I call you Mae?” I asked.

“For sure! Getting to call me Mae from someone as cute as you is a delight,” she smiled, making me blush.

She then introduced me to the directors and other staff, and I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone was. But the mood shifted when Mae casually mentioned, “You’ll meet Ohm in a few days. He’s working on something right now.”

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