The whole world stopped

Chapter 2

— Offroad —-

This is why I was a big fan of Daou, his voice was enchanting, it took you in and surrounded you. You both feel like you were about to be hugged and transcended. I could have spent the whole day just listening to him sing.

"How does it feel to hear your boy crush sing live for the first time ? Did it make you fall in love all over again ?" Diamond teased as he slid in next to me.

"Lower your voice oh my god, someone might hear you. And he's not my boy crush, I'm just a fan of his music"

"Sure, say that to all the TikToks of him you've saved on your phone"

"Shut up"

"I'm just teasing you hun, but I think you've got a shot, He couldn't stop looking at you while you were on stage."

"You're imagining things and even if you weren't, you know I don't date and I don't want to"

"Offroad ..."

"Not now, please"

Not now and not ever. I wasn't looking for a relationship, I didn't trust myself to be in one anymore. When I was in love, I loved completely, wholeheartedly and unconditionally and I didn't want to be in that position again. I wanted to continue building my modeling career and take care of my mom and sister back home. Dating was just not in the cards for me.

The show began, everything was going great, the atmosphere backstage between the models and artists was as electric as the one with the public and before we knew it, it was already time for the finale. Daou started singing Counting stars and all the models were lining up for the final walk.

I started my walk on the runway and when I reached Daou, he gave me a dazzling smile and his hand to "help" me get on stage. The singers loved doing that when they were with models on a runway. When he got in front of me, we swayed together to the rhythm of Blinding lights and, weirdly enough, with his eyes on mine, for a few seconds, it felt like we were in our own little world.

When we got backstage, a group of models I knew and befriended last year approached Diamond and me.

"The energy was so great out there guys, did you enjoy it ?" one of the models, Jane, said "It's your first time doing the Tiktok Shop Runway right Offroad ?"

"Yes, it was my first time and it was amazing. I really enjoyed the show and the singers we incredible"

"Speaking of singers, you never told us that you knew Daou personally. You could have introduced us during the rehearsals. I would have loved to talk to him and film a Tiktok dance with him" said Peach

"Hmm, I don't know him personally. What makes you think that ?"

"Well, during the finale, he gave you his hand, he never does that, he dances around with the models but never more than that. Didn't you hear the public go wild once he touched you ?"

"I told you hun, you have a shot" Diamond teased.

"Totally" added Jane.

"You're all imagining things" I muttered, though my pulse quickened. As if Daou Pittaya would be interested in me. And even if, by some miracle, he was... well, all I had to offer was friendship.

— Daou —

"Look at you, causing a ruckus because of a little crush" I heard my manager Zaii say from behind me, her tone teasing.

"What did I do ?"

"Holding the hand of that model on stage Mister "I don't touch the models because I don't want them to feel uncomfortable", rings any bells ?"

Did I purposefully memorize the exact moment in the song when he was supposed to come out on stage ? Maybe. Did I plan to give him my hand when he approached me ? No, but when he got close, it was like there was this magnetic pull, something I couldn't resist. And the moment he did that little dance with that gorgeous smile of his fixed on me, I swear the whole world stopped for a second there.

"Hey Daou, stop daydreaming, you need to go talk to the press and take pictures" Zaii said while snapping her fingers in front of my face.

So, for the next 15 minutes, I was on autopilot—posing for photos and answering questions about the event and what I had lined up next. Once that was done, I stood off to the side, watching the other artists and models. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Offroad, surrounded by other models, getting ready for his interview.

"Offroad, it was your first time working with TikTok, how did it feel ?" one journalist asked.

"It was really great working this runway. I want to thank the organizers for this opportunity, I was surrounded by a lot of talented models and artists. The different items that were showcased were nice and I was glad to have the opportunity to model them." Offroad responded.

"What's next for you ? Are we going to see you on a runway soon ?"

"Definitely ! I have a lot of fashion shows coming up but also some photoshoots and public appearances. I'm excited about the future. I hope everyone will keep supporting my work."

He was so genuine. A ray of sunshine that I just wanted to wrap in bubble wrap and protect forever. It was weird, I knew it, I didn't even know the guy but it was just a feeling deep inside of me that kept telling me that, maybe, I've met the one.

I get pulled out of my thoughts by my manager who reminds me of the rest of today's schedule and duties before I could go home. Once she finished, I turned my head to continue watching Offroad but I didn't find him talking with the press anymore, he was walking towards the exit.

I guess today wasn't the day to properly introduce myself.

When I got home after the show, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw that there were several messages in the groupchat.

*Joong : Someone's got a crush ! I keep seeing your videos with Offroad all over X & Tiktok

Est : Did you see how he smiled so big ? He's goooone

Joong : Oh I saw!!! I even showed Dunk and guess what ? He knows him, they were in college together

Est : No way !!

Daou : Dunk knows him ? Can he introduce me ?????

Daou : I can confirm that I have a crush, a big one. I wanted to talk to him but by the time I finished my duties, he was already gone. Should I follow him on IG or something ?

Est : An excited puppy. Yes, follow him !!

Joong : Dunk said he'll contact him and invite him out and if he says yes, we'll make a group outing out of it

Daou : Omg Joong, I love your bf, tell him that I love him

Joong : No I won't *

I closed the chat and went on IG to start my little deep dive in all things Offroad. I didn't notice it earlier but he was already following me so I followed him back and began scrolling through his profile looking for any hints that he might have a significant other. I came up empty, but honestly, that doesn't surprise me. In this industry, not everyone was very open about their relationships.