Beyond the Stars

2

As they pulled up to the hotel, Norawan felt a rush of excitement despite Keith's lecture. She was slightly tipsy, and everything—the lights, the crowd, the buzz—felt thrilling.

"Nora... please," Keith sighed, "I know you're having fun, but this is serious." He turned, looking at her with a mix of concern and amusement. "There'll be a lot of paparazzi waiting outside. They're all ready for you." He pointed out the flashes reflecting through the tinted windows.

Norawan smirked and straightened her posture, flipping down the mirror to check her reflection. "I know, I know... I'll be good," she said, playfully.

Keith, unconvinced, looked back at his iPad. "You have to be at your best here. The people staying at this hotel are huge—high-profile, hand-picked. It's not just a fan crowd, these are people with influence. So I need Miss Treasure of Thailand to be as perfect and professional as ever." He swiped through a list on his iPad, raising an eyebrow. "Rumor is that a few big names are here, too... Ricky, that huge Chinese movie star; Tzuyu, the Taiwanese singer; Sana, the Japanese model, and even Nana, the senior Japanese actress. The attention's not just on you; it's on all of you."

Norawan glanced at the entrance and took a breath, the tipsiness fading slightly as she slipped on her sunglasses and flashed Keith a confident smile. "Got it. Time to show them the real Nora."

As the door opened and the flashes began, she stepped out with grace, already embodying the professional image Keith had reminded her of, ready to leave her mark among the stars.

The scene outside the hotel was chaotic. Paparazzi were more aggressive than ever, shouting over each other, pushing forward, cameras flashing in a constant stream. And it wasn't just paparazzi—fans had gathered in huge numbers, holding signs, calling her name, some even reaching out in hopes of touching her as she passed.

Norawan kept her composure, smiling and waving, grateful for their support despite the intense scene. Keith had anticipated the frenzy and arranged for a team of fifteen security guards, but he found himself wishing he'd hired at least twenty-five. They walked carefully through the crowd, guards forming a tight barrier around them, shielding her from the hands stretching forward.

The path narrowed as they got closer to the hotel entrance, and Norawan felt the press of bodies around her, but the security team was sharp and kept her safe. She turned to Keith with a playful grin. "Well, at least they like me," she laughed softly, the thrill outweighing any nerves. Despite the chaos, she felt the warmth of her fans' support and knew it came with the life she'd chosen.

"Yes, they like you a little too much," Keith replied with a forced smile. "I'm actually fearing for my life a little here."

Norawan shook her head, smirking. "You're supposed to be an elite manager... I don't know, Keith, but I think you really suck." She burst into laughter, giving herself a playful pat on the back.

Keith looked at her like she'd lost it. "Well, managing a narcissistic young woman isn't exactly a dream job," he sighed. "Sorry if I'm not 'elite' enough."

Norawan put on an exaggeratedly smug expression, raising her eyebrow. "Well... working with an incompetent alleged elite manager isn't exactly thrilling, either," she huffed dramatically.

"Ha ha ha," Keith said, rolling his eyes with a very flat laugh.

"Ha ha ha," Norawan joined, mocking his tone, both of them trying to hold back actual smiles.

Norawan and Keith finally made it safely to the hotel, only to find someone already waiting for them in the grand lobby.

"Greetings, my name is Viktor, and I'll be taking care of you during your stay in Hong Kong."