Photo Gallery

The phone rang, slicing through the tranquility of the morning.

Time groaned as he rubbed his eyes, the bright morning light flooding into his spacious apartment. The serene atmosphere was abruptly disrupted by the persistent ringing of his phone.

"Hello?" he answered, his voice still heavy with sleep.

On the other end, Rak let out an exasperated sigh. "P'Time, do you even realize what time it is? Are you really going to miss my opening?"

Time glanced at the clock, noting that it was 9:55 AM, and Rak's grand opening was scheduled to kick off at 11 AM.

He groaned again as he pulled himself upright. "I'm awake, I'm almost ready, I swear."

Rak chuckled softly, her tone lightening. "I'll be waiting for you then."

As she ended the call, Rak took a moment to survey her surroundings. Everything appeared to be nearly in place for the event.

An employee approached, handing her a document to sign. "Khun Rak, we've completed all preparations as you instructed. The pieces are displayed and ready for viewing. However, we still have some works stored away. What would you like us to do with those?"

Rak signed the paper, her mind already made up. "Leave them there for now; I'm not prepared to showcase those pieces just yet."

A smile spread across Rak's face as she admired her photo gallery, a delightful mix of older works and recent captures. She had also included art pieces from local university students, offering them a platform at her grand opening in hopes of providing them with valuable opportunities.

"Rak," came a familiar voice as Vorapat patted her on the back.

Her smile widened at the sight of her brother, and she enveloped him in a warm hug. "How was your trip? Did you manage to rest well, P'Pat."

Pat gently stroked Rak's hair, a gesture of affection. "I got some rest, but you... don't overwork yourself, okay?"

Rak smiled appreciatively in response.

As the clock struck 11:00 AM, the opening ceremony commenced. A crowd had gathered, all present except for Time, who had a notorious reputation for being late.

"Wait—" Time called out, rushing towards Rak, breathless from his sprint just as she was about to cut the ribbon.

Rak shook her head, amused. Despite his name, her brother had a knack for being anything but punctual.

At last, everyone had arrived. The ribbon was cut, and the room erupted in applause, with congratulations echoing throughout the expansive space.

In the vibrant ambiance of the event, Anupong made his entrance, impeccably dressed in a gray-black suit. His hair was styled neatly, and his demeanor exuded an air of nobility. Just a single glance at him was enough to convey his affluence; every aspect of his presence seemed to radiate wealth.

Kaew, who arrived slightly later and narrowly missed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, anxiously scanned the crowd for her target, Time. 

Her eyes fell upon a cluster of affluent women gathered around him, engrossed in conversation.

With a snort, Kaew remarked, "What a popular guy! If it weren't for his name, I wouldn't even be here. What's so special about him? All he has is his looks."

"Excuse me?" came a voice from behind her, startling her.

Kaew turned to find Anupong standing there, his handsomeness striking her speechless. "Uh, me? I'm sorry?" she stammered.

Anupong initiated a conversation, "I noticed you've been staring at him for quite a while. Do you have a crush on Khun Time as well?"

Kaew scratched her head, feeling flustered. "Oh no, I was just... he happened to be in my line of sight. Um, who are you?"

Anupong cleared his throat and introduced himself, "My name is Anupong Phatipatanawong. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Kaew smiled warmly and extended her hand for a handshake. "I'm San Kaew Kamwilaisak, but you can just call me Kaew."

"Are you a close acquaintance of Khun Mayura?" Anupong inquired.

Kaew responded, "You could say that. I'm one of her clients. You must also be one of her clients?"

Anupong smiled back, "You could say that."

As Rak wrapped up her conversations and greeted the guests, she took a moment to survey the scene, ensuring everything was proceeding smoothly.

Soon, her eyes caught sight of Anupong and Kaew engaged in a lively discussion, and a sense of relief washed over her, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Rak!" Time exclaimed, approaching her with a drink in hand.

Rak's face lit up with joy as she graciously accepted the cup from him.

"You appear to be enjoying the atmosphere," Rak remarked, casting a glance at the throng of fans eagerly waiting for Time, their eyes shimmering with admiration.

"Well, what can I say? I was blessed with a handsome face," Time replied with a smirk, exuding a hint of arrogance as he flashed a smile.

"There you two are! I've been searching for you," Namnung, Rak's mother, said as she approached them.

"Mom," they both chorused in unison.

Namnung sighed, "Rak, darling, you should have waited a few more days. None of my friends are available; some are even overseas. (sighs) Now, I won't have anyone to brag about you to."

Rak shook her head in response, "There's nothing to brag about, Mom."

Namnung shot her a disapproving glare, but her attention was soon captured by the sight of someone else—Anupong.

It appeared that Anupong and Kaew had finished their conversation, and Anupong was now examining the art pieces on display by himself.

Namnung leaned over Rak's shoulder, her eyes widening, "Isn't that Khun Anupong Phatipatanawong?" She then made her way toward him.

Rak attempted to intervene, but her efforts were in vain.

Time chuckled softly and continued on his way, leaving Rak to face her mother alone.

"Mom! Wait!" Rak called out.

Namnung approached Anupong, "Hello, Khun Anupong Phatipatanawong. My name is Namnung Karawoot."

Anupong smiled warmly, "Good morning, Khun Namnung. You must be Khun Mayura's mother; I've heard so much about you."

Namnung's face lit up with delight, "Oh, really?! (laughs) You must be joking."

"I've watched many of your films, and they've all been incredibly successful. You are truly a treasure of our nation," Anupong praised.

Namnung blushed at the compliment, "Oh, that's too kind of you," she chuckled.

"You must be an acquaintance of Rak, what a pleasure".

Anupong nodded.

"How did you and Rak meet?" she inquired.

Anupong smiled, "It was purely by chance; I needed her assistance with a little something."

"Oh, really? I must tell you, Rak is the best person to turn to if you ever need help. Just give her a call—oh, but I must ask, are you perhaps single, Khun Anupong?" Namnung asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Mom!" Rak exclaimed, eager to halt the conversation.

Anupong smiled gently, "I am single, but my heart..I'm afraid already belongs to someone else."

Namnung pressed on, "Really? May I ask who—"

Before her mother could continue, Rak swiftly interjected, pulling her away from Anupong, and whispered, "Mom, please! Can't you see he already has someone in his heart?"

"But he's not taken—"

"Mom! (sighs) I don't like him. It's impossible between us. Please don't even entertain the thought," Rak insisted, glancing from Anupong back to her mother, "I'm begging you to stop."

Turning her attention back to Anupong, Rak said, "Mom, could you kindly leave me and Khun Anupong alone for a moment? We have some matters to discuss."

"But—"

Rak gestured for her brother Pat to take their mother away.

Finally, Rak's mother relented and departed.

"Your mother seems quite pleasant, Khun Mayura," Anupong remarked.

Rak turned to Anupong, "You must have already met Khun Kaew?"

Anupong smiled, confirming her inquiry.

"I hope that in the future, you won't resort to such tactics just to flirt with a girl, Khun Anupong," Rak stated firmly.

Anupong chuckled lightly, "I must have left a negative impression on you with my previous behavior."

"Well, it was rather childish, don't you think?" Rak replied.

Anupong nodded, "I assure you it won't happen again, Khun Mayura."

Rak sighed, "Now that you've achieved your goal, I sincerely hope we won't have to cross paths again in the future."

With that, Rak excused herself.

As she walked away, Anupong watched her retreating figure and mused, "She doesn't seem particularly fond of my face, does she?"

Thiramon, who had been standing beside him, chimed in, "Well, I wouldn't be thrilled either if someone treated me that way."

Anupong shot him a sharp glare, his expression revealing his displeasure.

In a different corner of the gallery, Kaew was intently watching Time. 

"Ugh, he's been drinking for far too long. Why isn't anything happening?" Kaew grumbled to herself. 

At that moment, Time excused himself from the throng of people and made his way outside, likely intending to leave the gallery. 

Kaew decided to follow him all the way to his van. 

As Time opened the van door, Kaew caught a glimpse of a woman's hand adjusting Time's outfit. Time flashed a smile before stepping into the van and closing the door behind him. 

Seizing the opportunity, Kaew quickly snapped a few photos, thinking to herself, "Yes!" 

Once seated, Time let out a sigh and inquired, "What's on my agenda for the evening?" 

His manager, Lena, promptly responded, "You have a photoshoot followed by a brief mini event afterward." 

"Ah, right, with that actress... what's her name?" Time asked, trying to recall. 

Lena answered, "Pannie, a rising idol who's currently very popular." 

"Got it," Time nodded in acknowledgment. 

Lena then admonished him, "Time, you really need to be more mindful of your image. That lipstick on your shirt could lead to quite a few misunderstandings." 

With his eyes closed, Time opened one eye and replied, "It got on my shirt by accident. I bumped into one of the employees earlier, or it could have been from the crowd; I don't know." 

Lena shook her head in exasperation.