Falling For You

Chapter 1: The Day It All Began

Gap had been driving through the crowded streets, his mind preoccupied with the upcoming business meeting. His thoughts were so scattered that he didn't notice the car in front of him until it was too late. With a loud screech and a dull thud, his car collided with the vehicle ahead. The sound of crunching metal snapped him out of his daze, and he slammed on the brakes, coming to a jarring halt. Anger flared in his chest as he cursed under his breath, unbuckling his seatbelt and swinging open his car door.

Gap stormed out of his car, ready to unleash his frustration on the driver who'd been careless enough to cause this mess. But as the driver's side door of the other car opened, and a woman stepped out, his anger momentarily faltered. She was graceful and calm, her face expressing genuine concern rather than annoyance. Her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and her eyes were soft, filled with worry as she approached him.

"Khun! Are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm, laced with genuine concern.

Gap blinked, taken aback. He had expected anger, irritation, maybe even a shouting match. But kindness? That was the last thing he'd expected. He felt his frustration deflate, replaced by an awkward sense of guilt for almost blowing up at her. "I... uh, I'm fine," he stammered, trying to collect himself. "Are you okay?"

She nodded with a small smile. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm really sorry about this. It looks like my brakes didn't work as they should have." Her calm demeanor caught him off guard, and before he knew it, they were exchanging apologies and insurance information. The tension from the collision had dissipated, replaced by a surprisingly pleasant conversation. Gap found himself smiling, something he hadn't done in a long time.

To make amends for the accident, Orm suggested they go for coffee at a nearby café to sort things out. Sitting across from each other in the cozy coffee shop, Gap found himself captivated by her warmth and grace. He was so used to the cutthroat world of business, where kindness was often mistaken for weakness. But here was Orm, radiating a kind of gentleness that made him feel at ease. They talked for what felt like hours, and by the time they left the café, Gap couldn't help but feel like he wanted to know more about this woman who had so effortlessly turned his day around.

Later, as Orm arrived at the elite school where she worked, the morning rush was already in full swing. Children were running around the playground, teachers were hurrying to their classrooms, and the day's energy was building. Orm quickly parked her car and hurried toward the building, only to be stopped by Jak, the P.E. teacher. He was leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed and a playful smirk on his face.

"Why are you late?" Jak asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're never late. Did you have a hot date or something?" His tone was teasing, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Orm laughed and shook her head. "No, just a small car accident on my way here. Everything's fine, though." She shrugged off the incident lightly, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.

Jak's expression softened, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his usual teasing demeanor replaced by genuine worry.

"I'm fine, Jak. Really," Orm assured him. "But I appreciate you checking on me." She gave him a grateful smile before heading to her classroom. Jak watched her go, his smile fading into something more thoughtful. His own feelings for Orm were a well-kept secret, buried beneath layers of friendship and casual banter. No one knew, not even Orm, and Jak intended to keep it that way. After all, his heart belonged to someone else, someone much closer than anyone would expect.

As the school day drew to a close, the usual chaos of dismissal began. Parents arrived to pick up their children, teachers packed up their things, and the hallways slowly emptied. Orm was tidying up her classroom when she heard a familiar voice.