Unwritten Melodies

Chapter 21

"Thank you so much for agreeing to do this!" the YSL creative director said with excitement clear in his voice.

Offroad smiled politely, nodding. "And I'm glad you thought of me, sir," he said.

"Why wouldn't I think of you? You're the best at what you do!" The director laughed heartily, giving Offroad a firm pat on the back.

They chatted briefly, their conversation touching on the brand and Offroad's own ventures. The director seemed genuinely interested, nodding with approval as Offroad spoke about his clothing line and perfume launch. After a few minutes, the director excused himself, flashing Offroad a quick smile before disappearing into the crowd.

"Hey..." Nu's familiar voice cut through the noise.

Offroad turned to look at her. Nu looked at him with exasperation, her clipboard tucked under one arm and a slightly tired look on her face as she handed him his phone.

"He's been calling you nonstop," she said with a sigh. "I'm so tired of you two always causing me trouble."

Offroad couldn't help but laugh, "You love me, Nu."

Nu rolled her eyes dramatically, shaking her head. "Ugh!" she groaned, throwing her hands up. "Don't test me." She walked away, muttering under her breath as she focused on the contracts and logistics that needed her attention for the runway.

Offroad watched her go, chuckling softly. 

He glanced at his phone, the missed calls flashing on the screen. His lips quirked into a small smile, knowing exactly who it was. Daou.

A few months ago, Offroad never would have thought he'd be standing here again, preparing to walk a runway after such a long hiatus. The creative director had extended the invitation not long after his return, but Offroad had taken his time to decide. Months of back-and-forth and weighing the pros and cons.

In the end, it wasn't just the opportunity and the connections that might come that convinced him—it was Daou. When he had asked for Daou's opinion, his partner had been nothing but enthusiastic, encouraging him to go for it.

Offroad sent a quick voice message. "Still not done with rehearsals," he said. "I'll call you when I'm done."

--

When it was his turn to walk, Offroad stepped onto the stage, taking a deep breath. As soon as his foot touched the runway, he moved with confidence like he owned the stage.

The backstage quieted a little as the other models, both new and experienced, stopped what they were doing to watch him. Conversations paused, and heads turned. Some whispered to each other, while others simply stared in admiration at the way Offroad walked. His presence was demanding attention.

Offroad kept his eyes straight ahead, focusing entirely on the moment. His steps were steady, his body relaxed, and his expression was perfect. He didn't care who was watching, his focused was only straight on the runway.

He remembered his early days as a model when things hadn't been so easy. Back then, he had been nervous and awkward, always worried about the eyes watching him. He could still hear the voices of his instructors shouting at him during rehearsals, correcting his every move. He remembered how embarrassed he had felt, unsure if he would ever be good enough.

But now, he was here—one of the top runway models in Thailand. Even with the hiatus, he's still one of the most sought out models, and he wasn't just good at what he does; he's always owned it. Every step he took now showed how far he'd come.

When the rehearsal ended, Offroad stepped off the stage. His assistant handed him a water bottle, and he sat down to take a drink.

Nu walked over, looking tired and holding her clipboard. "Someone's waiting for you outside," she said with a sigh. "Don't get caught, please. I don't have the energy to clean up your mess today."