The following Monday, Phuwin thought the events of the coffee shop would be behind him. After all, what were the odds of running into someone like him again? The memory of Pond’s smirk still irritated him, but he pushed it aside. He had more important things to focus on—like preparing for a presentation at his company’s quarterly meeting.
Phuwin worked as a project manager at a rising tech startup, and his role was critical in securing new partnerships. Today’s meeting was particularly important, as a wealthy investor was set to visit. The team had been working for weeks to perfect their pitch, and Phuwin had spent the weekend fine-tuning the details.
He arrived at the office early, carrying his laptop and a folder of neatly arranged documents. His coworkers greeted him with cheerful nods, their usual chatter buzzing through the open workspace.
“Big day, huh?” his colleague, Kwan, said with a grin as she passed by.
Phuwin smiled nervously. “Yeah. Let’s hope it goes well.”
As the clock ticked closer to the meeting, Phuwin’s nerves began to build. He reviewed his notes one last time, ensuring everything was in place. When the receptionist finally announced the arrival of their investor, he straightened his tie and stepped into the conference room with the rest of his team.
And then he froze.
Sitting at the head of the table, looking as smug and self-assured as ever, was Pond.
Phuwin’s heart dropped into his stomach. He blinked, hoping he was imagining things, but there was no mistaking that face. Pond leaned back in his chair, his sharp suit tailored to perfection, and his lips curled into a faint smirk when their eyes met.
“You,” Phuwin whispered under his breath.
Pond tilted his head, clearly amused. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise?”
Phuwin’s jaw tightened, and he clenched the folder in his hands. This couldn’t be happening. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him?
“Is there a problem?” Pond asked, his voice loud enough to catch the attention of everyone in the room.
Phuwin forced a tight smile, struggling to maintain his composure. “Not at all,” he said through gritted teeth, taking a seat as far away from Pond as possible.
The meeting began, with Phuwin’s boss introducing Pond as the company’s potential investor. Pond listened with feigned interest, occasionally glancing at Phuwin with that same infuriating smirk.
When it was Phuwin’s turn to present, he took a deep breath and stood, determined not to let Pond get to him. He walked to the front of the room, his heart pounding in his chest, and began his presentation.
For the first few minutes, everything went smoothly. Phuwin spoke confidently, explaining the company’s vision and the benefits of their proposed project. But then he caught Pond’s gaze, and his rhythm faltered.
Pond was watching him with an expression of amused disdain, as if silently challenging him to mess up. Phuwin’s palms grew sweaty, and he stumbled over his words.
“Are you nervous?” Pond’s voice cut through the room like a knife.
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Phuwin.
“No,” Phuwin said quickly, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Pond raised an eyebrow. “You seem a little... distracted. Should we take a break?”
Phuwin’s fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to snap back, but he knew it would only make things worse. Instead, he forced himself to continue, ignoring the heat rising in his face.
By the time the presentation ended, Phuwin felt like he was about to explode. He sat back down, avoiding Pond’s gaze, and silently willed the meeting to end.
---
After the meeting, Phuwin gathered his things and hurried out of the conference room, hoping to avoid any further interaction with Pond. But, of course, Pond had other plans.
“Phuwin, was it?” Pond’s voice called out as he followed him into the hallway.
Phuwin stopped in his tracks, his shoulders tensing. He turned around slowly, his expression carefully neutral. “What do you want?”
Pond’s smirk deepened. “I just wanted to say you did... decent. For someone who looked like they were about to pass out.”
Phuwin’s temper flared. “Is insulting people your only hobby, or do you just enjoy making everyone around you miserable?”
Pond chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Only when they make it so easy.”
Phuwin’s hands tightened into fists. “You know what? I don’t care how rich or important you are. You’re a jerk, and I’m not going to waste my time on you.”
He turned to walk away, but Pond stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
“Careful,” Pond said, his tone suddenly colder. “You might want to watch how you talk to people. Especially people who can decide whether your little project gets funded or not.”
Phuwin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you seriously threatening me?”
Pond shrugged. “Not a threat. Just a reminder.”
Phuwin stared at him, his anger boiling over. “You’re unbelievable,” he muttered, pushing past him and walking away.
As he disappeared down the hallway, Pond watched him with a mixture of amusement and irritation. There was something about Phuwin’s defiance that got under his skin, and he couldn’t decide whether it annoyed him or intrigued him.
---
Later That Day
Phuwin sat at his desk, his head in his hands. The day had gone from bad to worse, and he couldn’t stop replaying the meeting in his mind. Every time he thought about Pond’s smirk or his condescending tone, his blood boiled.
“Hey, you okay?” Kwan asked, poking her head into his office.
Phuwin forced a smile. “Yeah, just a rough day.”
She frowned, stepping inside. “I heard Pond was a bit... intense in the meeting.”
Phuwin let out a humorless laugh. “That’s one way to put it.”
Kwan hesitated. “You know, if he’s giving you a hard time, you don’t have to deal with it alone. The team’s behind you.”
Phuwin’s chest tightened with gratitude, but he shook his head. “Thanks, Kwan, but I’ll handle it. He’s just... frustrating.”
“Frustrating or not, he’s the investor,” she reminded him gently.
Phuwin sighed. “I know. That’s what makes it worse.”
---
Meanwhile
Pond sat in the back of his sleek black car, scrolling through his phone as his driver navigated the busy streets. He couldn’t stop thinking about Phuwin’s fiery glare, the way he stood his ground despite the odds stacked against him.
“Interesting,” Pond muttered to himself, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“What’s that, sir?” his driver asked.
“Nothing,” Pond said, leaning back in his seat. “Just thinking about how some people don’t know when to back down.”
---
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Mistaken Identity |PondPhuwin
Romansa"A mistaken identity at a coffee shop turns Pond, a cold-hearted player, and Phuwin, a fiercely loyal dreamer, into sworn enemies. But as fate forces them together, hatred gives way to unexpected feelings-until family expectations threaten to tear t...
