i've got my eyes on you

I

They had been working non-stop for the last two years—fan meetings, photoshoots, commercials, and back-to-back filming for their hit series. Lingling had grown accustomed to it, the constant movement, the shared schedules with N'Orm, the way their lives had been intertwined by the demands of fame. But after months of juggling endless appointments, Khun Dew, their executive producer and friend, had offered them a private retreat.

Just a three-hour drive from Bangkok, the villa was built for moments like these—a sanctuary designed to let them breathe, away from the city and the scrutiny. Secluded, green, and nestled near a stream, the place promised peace.

The morning had started with a phone call Lingling wasn't expecting.

"Ling, I'm really sorry," P'Mam, her manager's voice crackled through the line, sounding strained. "I've come down with something. I'm going to have to sit this one out."

Lingling paused, the phone pressed to her ear as she stared out the window of her apartment. Today was the trip—three hours out of Bangkok to the villa. N'Orm, Mae Koy, and their team had all been scheduled to go, but Mae Koy had already delayed her departure due to a filming conflict. Now this.

"I can manage," Lingling replied, a little more calmly than she felt. "I'll just drive N'Orm myself."

"You sure? I could send someone else—maybe N'Orm's team could help coordinate—"

"It's fine," Lingling said, already feeling a bit restless. "We'll be okay. You just rest."

Her manager hesitated. "Alright. You take care, and call if you need anything."

After hanging up, Ling got into her car and began driving, thinking about the road ahead. She was about to pick up N'Orm from her house—a small, two-story white building in a quiet suburban part of central Bangkok. Ling had never been inside, but she felt like she knew it already. N'Orm had shown it off on her Instagram story once, taking fans through her aquarium setup and pointing out the university nearby where she had spent her student years.

It was strange, this familiar-yet-distant feeling she had about N'Orm's life outside of their shared schedules. Ling had seen pieces of it—little glimpses through stories and photos—but today, driving up to the house herself, felt different. More personal.

Lingling sat behind the wheel of her newly purchased car, her hand resting on the steering wheel, waiting for N'Orm to come out. She hadn't anticipated this situation, but now that she was here, a subtle nervousness settled in. Driving alone wasn't new to her, but driving with N'Orm beside her—without their usual entourage—felt like uncharted territory.

Mae Koy stepped out of the house and waved. "Ling, why don't you come in for breakfast? N'Orm needs a few more minutes to get ready."

Ling smiled politely but shook her head. "I can wait outside, Mae. I don't want to intrude this early."

Mae Koy laughed lightly, her eyes soft. "Don't be silly, Ling. Come in, please."

Feeling a blush rise to her cheeks, Lingling nodded and followed Mae Koy inside. The house was cozy, filled with the comforting scents of home-cooked food and the soft hum of an aquarium pump. Family photos adorned the walls, capturing moments of joy and milestones.

"Make yourself at home," Mae Koy said, guiding her to the dining table where a steaming bowl of jok—traditional Thai rice porridge—awaited her.

Mae Koy excused herself to check on N'Orm, climbing the stairs with the casual authority of a mother who had done this a thousand times. She knocked softly on the bedroom door before stepping inside.

"You have ten more minutes, Orm. Ling is having breakfast downstairs, but if you don't hurry, you'll be stuck in Bangkok traffic."

N'Orm, perched at the edge of her bed, was sorting through an indecisive pile of clothes scattered across her gaming table and closet. "I'll be quick, Mae."

Mae Koy watched her daughter with a small smile, noticing the slight fluster in N'Orm's movements as she finally settled on a green knitted sweater paired with white shorts.

She couldn't help but recall the TV interview years ago when she had joked, "I'll even give a rice bag to the person who wins N'Orm's heart!" The audience had laughed, but Mae Koy's amusement was genuine. N'Orm had always been so free-spirited, never tied down to anything serious. But with Ling, something was different. Ling was calm, steady—everything Mae Koy admired in a partner for her daughter. More than once, Mae Koy had thought to herself, If anyone could help N'Orm settle her heart, it would be Ling.

When Ling had offered to drive them to the villa, Mae Koy had seen the opportunity. So she'd claimed a filming conflict, insisting she would join later. N'Orm had pouted at first, but Mae Koy waved it off. "I wouldn't feel right holding everyone up. Besides, it's good for you to have some time alone."

She descended the stairs in time to see Ling looking curiously at a photo of N'Orm in her school uniform. "She's grown, hasn't she?" Mae Koy said, her voice warm.

Ling blinked, then smiled. "She has," she agreed, the words catching in her throat a little.

Mae Koy watched Orm finally dashed down to greet Ling. There was an energy about her daughter that Mae Koy couldn't quite place, but she had seen it in the lingering glances and unspoken words between the two for some time now.

N'Orm leaned against the counter, her smile easy. "P'Lingling—want to meet Uni and friends?" she teased.

From her spot by the door looking at how Orm is introducing the members of her squad one by one to Ling, and Ling trying to remember their name. Mae Koy couldn't suppress a grin. The fans weren't the only ones shipping these two—she had been the captain of that ship for a long time.

"Ahem....you would be running into traffic at this rate, Orm" - Mae Koy nudged them a little.

Ling thanked Mae Koy for breakfast and walked to the car, where someone had already helped load N'Orm's luggage.

"Take care of Ling, okay?" Mae Koy teased N'Orm who is now putting on her fav off-white sneaker, brushing an imaginary piece of lint off her daughter's sweater. "And remember, no distractions while driving."

Orm rolled her eyes playfully but grinned. "Me? Distract her? Impossible."

Mae Koy chuckled, watching as her daughter walked out, and climbed into the passenger seat. "Have fun! I'll see you both soon."

Ling let her eyes linger on N'Orm for a moment, watching the way she moved, her energy so different from her own. N'Orm's gaze flicked toward the car, catching Ling's for a brief second before looking away, and Ling's chest tightened. It was a look she had come to recognize but never dared to address. The same look that had passed between them countless times—on set, in hotel rooms late at night, during fan meetings. A look that said everything and nothing at all.

The sound of the car door opening pulled Ling from her thoughts as N'Orm slid into the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt with a soft click.

"Ready, N'Orm?" Ling asked, her voice calm as she glanced over to make sure N'Orm was settled.

N'Orm smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "Wow, you really dropped a dime on this one, P'Lingling, Orm remarked, running her hands over the sleek interior of the new vehicle. "I love the new car smell."

The engine hummed softly as Ling turned the key. "You're my first passenger, princess," she teased, catching the faint peach tint on N'Orm's cheeks.

Ling counted silently in her head: Ling 1, Orm 0.