Ploy's Yearbook: Secretly Love (English version)

1 Homeroom

The reflection in the mirror showed a woman Pa-ploy hardly recognized. Thanks to the skills of a professional makeup artist that Ploypang, her close and assertive friend, had arranged for her, Pa-ploy's ordinarily plain face was transformed into something strikingly beautiful.

Yet, it still wasn't as beautiful as she'd hoped.

What could she do? Pa-ploy told herself, as she had many times before, especially during the tumultuous past month when her life had turned upside down. She'd always known she wasn't beautiful and probably never would be, especially when compared to that woman—it was like they were worlds apart.

Did 'he' ever compare her to his ex-lover, a woman of stunning beauty? Confusion made Pa-ploy's thoughts race. There must've been some comparisons, but it didn't matter now. He'd chosen to marry her, so he'd have to accept her as she was.

But what if he couldn't truly accept her and only pretended because of 'that incident'?

Pa-ploy shook her head vigorously as if to cast out those distracting thoughts. Her action startled someone pushing the door open, who exclaimed loudly,

"Oh, Puen, shake your head like that, and the flowers will fall right off!"

The voice came from 'Ploypang,' Pa-ploy's best friend from high school. It was a coincidence that both their real names contained 'Ploy.' Moreover, 'Puen' was also Pa-ploy's nickname. During their school days, to differentiate between them—since there were five girls named 'Ploy' in the same class—they were teasingly called 'Phra Puen and Phra Pang,' after characters from the Thai literature 'Phra Lo[1]' Because they were so close, Pa-ploy was the only one who called Ploypang 'Pang.'

Pa-ploy was about to shake her head in denial, but remembering the other's comment about the flowers, she instead replied,

"It's nothing. Just had something on my mind."

The other raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Still can't make up your mind? How about this—if you're still hesitant, we can swap outfits, and I'll be the bride instead. Or we could enter the bridal chamber together, true to the name 'Pra Phuen Pra Pang.' I don't mind at all."

Pa-ploy grimaced while the makeup artist, a man with a woman's soul, laughed heartily.

"Oh my, or you could just let me take over, darling. I'd be more than happy to step in for the makeup fee. Such a handsome and delectable groom you have."

Ploypang laughed, but seeing her friend's slightly embarrassed expression, she swiftly changed the subject.

"Don't tease her too much, Dan. She mightn't be as quick to keep up with your joke, but you've done a stellar job with the makeup, as always. Truly skilled."

"Please don't think I'm over-flattering you, dear. But you see, your friend is quite the beauty—delicate skin, every feature lovely. No wonder she managed to snag Kram amidst all the girls vying for his attention. He's real hot, so there are girls all around him."

"That's true," Ploypang nodded. "My friend is beautiful. She just doesn't wear much makeup. I bet the groom will be thrilled when he sees her."

"And how did you two fall in love?" the makeup artist inquired with interest. "I've never heard any news about it before. Was it a quiet relationship without a public announcement?"

Pa-ploy scowled slightly, and Ploypang glanced at her friend before answering on her behalf.

"We were classmates with Kram before. When we met again, it didn't take long before he proposed to my friend. It was quite sudden."