Vegas Theerapanyakul is wealthy, powerful, cold as ice, and haunted by a past betrayal that left him wary of love. When Pete Phongsakorn, a hopeful and warm-hearted architecture student, steps into his world, sparks fly-but not the kind that ignites...
Pete reached his seat, heart pounding so hard it echoed in his ears. He pressed a shaky hand to his chest, struggling to calm his breaths. Sky wandered over, eyebrows raised in concern.
"Hey, Pete," Sky greeted, scanning him up and down. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost. You're practically pale!"
Pete tried to wave it off, swallowing the nerves that threatened to betray him. "It's... it's nothing, Sky," he stammered. "Just—uh... long morning."
Sky didn't look convinced, but he let it go as the clock chimed three, signaling the start of the afternoon meeting. Lena's voice rang through the room, herding everyone toward the conference room.
"Alright, everyone, let's head to the conference room. The manager's joining us today!"
As Pete followed the group, his nerves were back, his heart racing faster with each step. They filed into the large conference room where a long, polished table awaited, each seat equipped with a sleek microphone. Just as Pete scanned the room, he froze, his gaze locking onto a familiar figure. Vegas. He was already seated, eyes piercing as he looked directly at Pete, gaze unwavering and intent. Pete felt a surge of panic rise, barely able to look away without giving himself away.
But it didn't end there.
To Pete's horror, as he glanced to the other side of the table, he noticed Lena speaking with a tall figure—someone with a striking presence and a certain undeniable charm. And then it hit him. The man from the elevator, the one he had just been trying to avoid, was now standing right there.
Pete's eyes widened in shock, his stomach flipping as Lena's voice echoed through the room, her words confirming his worst fear.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Mr. Day Rattana, our manager."
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Oh no. Pete's mind raced, struggling to catch up with what he was seeing. The same suited man from the elevator, with that confident smile and easy composure, was now standing right here, introduced as his manager.
Day's gaze swept across the room, settling on Pete with a flicker of recognition that felt way too intense for comfort. He gave a small, polite nod, but his gaze lingered, just long enough to make Pete feel completely and utterly pinned to the spot. Pete's cheeks burned as he nodded back stiffly, the weight of Day's gaze making him feel like he was the only one in the room.
And then, as if things weren't bad enough, Pete caught Vegas's eyes fixed on him from across the room. His look was unreadable, but there was something intense there—something that made Pete want to melt into the floor. He tried to look away, but he could still feel Vegas watching him, adding to the embarrassing tension coursing through him.
Pete swallowed hard, feeling trapped between Vegas's silent stare and the almost amused, knowing look from Day. He forced himself to look down, trying to steady his breath and pull his thoughts together. This is fine. Just an internship. No big deal, he chanted in his mind, hoping his cheeks would cool down.
