Beneath the Billionaire's Gaze

Episode 2: An Unlikely Connection

The Dinner Invitation

The next evening, Bee stood nervously in front of his mirror, adjusting his collar for the hundredth time. The sleek black car that Ming had arranged was already waiting outside, and he was moments away from stepping into a world he knew nothing about.

"Why am I doing this?" Bee muttered to himself, half-considering canceling. But curiosity won out. He wanted to know more about Lee, and something deep inside urged him forward.

Finally, he grabbed his phone, took a deep breath, and walked out the door. The driver greeted him with a polite nod and opened the door for him. As the car moved smoothly through the streets of Bangkok, Bee’s mind raced with thoughts of what the evening might hold.

The Dinner with Lee

The car pulled up in front of a luxurious restaurant with an understated elegance that oozed exclusivity. Bee stepped out, feeling more out of place than ever. Inside, the restaurant was all warm lighting and quiet sophistication. A hostess led him to a private dining room where Lee was waiting.

Lee stood as Bee entered, a slight smile on his lips.

"Bee, I’m glad you could make it.

"Bee managed a small, nervous smile in return. "Thanks for inviting me.

"They sat down, and for a moment, the silence was overwhelming. The private room only heightened Bee’s awareness of how different this was from anything he had experienced before.

"Relax," Lee said, sensing Bee’s unease.

"I just wanted to get to know you better."

Bee nodded, trying to relax as waiters quietly served their first course. The conversation started slowly—small talk about the university, Bee’s studies, and his friends.

But as the evening wore on, the tension began to ease. Lee had a way of making Bee feel at ease, his tone always calm and considerate.

"So, what made you invite me here?

" Bee finally asked, curiosity getting the better of him.Lee looked at Bee thoughtfully for a moment before replying,

"There’s something about you, Bee. You’re different from the people I usually meet. I wanted to understand that difference.

"Bee wasn’t sure how to respond, so he simply nodded, letting the conversation flow naturally.

By the time dessert was served, the initial awkwardness had faded, and Bee found himself genuinely enjoying Lee’s company.

As the dinner concluded, Lee walked Bee to the car.

"I hope this isn’t the last time we meet," Lee said softly.Bee, feeling a mix of emotions, nodded. "Me too.

"As the car drove him home, Bee couldn’t help but think about the strange connection he felt with Lee—a connection he couldn’t quite explain.

Ming and Tay’s Unexpected Encounter

While Bee was at dinner with Lee, Tay found himself unable to stop thinking about Ming, Lee’s assistant. Something about the man had caught his attention, and Tay couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths would cross again.

And cross they did, sooner than Tay expected.

The next day, as Tay was grabbing a coffee at his usual spot, he noticed Ming sitting alone at a table, absorbed in something on his phone. Without really thinking, Tay walked over.

Mind if I join you?" Tay asked, trying to sound casual.

Ming looked up, surprised, but then smiled. "Not at all."

Tay sat down, his heart beating a little faster. There was something about Ming—his calm demeanor, his sharp looks—that drew Tay in.

You’re Ming, right? We met briefly yesterday," Tay started, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected meeting.

Yes, I remember," Ming replied, setting his phone aside. "And you’re Tay, Bee’s friend."

That’s right," Tay confirmed, then hesitated before asking, "What’s it like working for Lee?"

Ming’s expression softened, and for the first time, Tay saw a hint of something beyond the professional façade. "It’s… challenging but rewarding. Lee is a good man, though his life is far from simple."

Tay nodded, sensing there was more to the story but not wanting to pry too much. Instead, they shifted to lighter topics, and soon enough, they were laughing and chatting as if they had known each other for much longer.

As they parted ways, Tay felt a strange excitement. There was definitely something about Ming that intrigued him, and he couldn’t help but wonder what might come of this unexpected connection.

Reflections

That night, Bee and Tay found themselves in Bee’s room, talking about their respective days. Tay was uncharacteristically quiet at first, lost in thoughts about Ming, but eventually, he opened up.

I ran into Ming today," Tay said casually, though his tone was anything but.

Bee looked surprised. "Ming? Lee’s assistant?"

"Yeah," Tay replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "We had coffee together. He’s… interesting.

"Bee raised an eyebrow. "Interesting how?"

"I don’t know," Tay admitted, leaning back on Bee’s bed. "There’s just something about him. I think I want to get to know him better."

Bee smiled at that. "Seems like we’re both getting involved with some pretty unexpected people."

Tay nodded, sharing a moment of mutual understanding with Bee. Both of them were stepping into unfamiliar territory, guided by curiosity and something deeper—something they were only just beginning to understand