Just the beginning

The clock ticked close to 9 a.m., and his curiosity nagged Noah. Questions flooded his head in their thousands, but no answers. How was he selected for a job that he had never applied for?

He couldn't ponder it any further before his phone rang aggressively against the table. Not thinking twice, he picked it up and held it against his ear.

"Hello?" His tone was laced with annoyance.

"Are you talking to Noah Natasit Chanraiwang?" A melodic, polished voice spoke. 

"Yes, I am."

"Swadee krub, Celine Saniswang, New Entertainment manager here."

"Swadee krub," Noah responded, adjusting himself slightly. 

"You're being called because you were recommended for an art tutor position. I presume Pong has already contacted you?"

"Yes, she said so." His voice cracked a little.

"Good. We would like you to come in for a short interview. The address will be e-mailed to you shortly. If everything works out, you can begin tomorrow."

"Sure, but—"

The phone cut off before he could say more. Noah scowled at the phone. "What the heck?" The more he heard, the less he knew.

Putting his phone down, he sat there quietly, deep in thought. Time went by without him noticing, and before he knew it, the sun was already setting below the horizon. He stretched his arms, looked at his paintbrushes scattered on the floor, and then saw his phone flashing again.

Pong.

Noah sighed wearily before picking up. "What is it now, Pong?"

"Hey, wanna hang out tonight? I'm bored."

Noah rolled his eyes. "Mi-shai, I won't."

"Please, krub. Please, Noah-shi, please—"

"Fine," he interrupted her.

"Love you, phi-Noah!"

Noah hung up without another word, threw his phone on the floor, and headed back into his apartment. He flopped onto his bed, gazing blankly at the ceiling until fatigue dragged him under.

---

Light poured in through the curtains, heating his face. His eyes opened suddenly, and he realized something.

"Shit. Hang out."

He hastily reached for his phone, calling Pong frantically.

"Hello? Pong, I'm sorry I didn't turn up last night."

"It's okay, I get it. Best of luck with your interview today."

"Interview?" Noah's eyes cut to the clock. 8:40 a.m.

"Shit—the interview! Pong, I'll call you later!"

He hung up, hopped out of bed, snatched the first half-respectable garment he could think of, and ran out of the door.

---

New entertainment hummed with chatter and life. Noah stopped at the reception desk and asked for Celine's office location.

As he strolled down the corridor, four men walked toward him from the other side. His eyes unwittingly met one of theirs—keen, piercing eyes staring at him above a black mask. A curious shiver ran through his body, but before he could catch up to it, they passed by one another in silence.

He arrived at a modern wooden door and knocked.

"Come in."

Pulling open the door, he went inside. Celine was behind her desk, engrossed in her computer. She did not even give him a moment's glance. 

"Please, take a seat, Mr. Chanraiwang."

He sat down, noticing how she finally took off her glasses and regarded his full face. 

"Let's get straight to the point. "Do you know anything about Neon Hype?"

She pinned him back in his chair with her steely gaze.

"No, I don't. To be honest, I don't even listen to T-pop." 

For a brief second, something unreadable flickered in her eyes before a small smile curled at her lips. 

"Good enough. How much pay do you expect?" 

"Not much—just whatever you think is fair." 

Celine nodded. "$50,000." 

Noah's head snapped up. "Wait—what? Are you serious?" 

She simply nodded again.

He gulped hard, resisting the temptation to leap out of his seat in shock. That was the highest salary he had ever received for tutoring.

"You may begin tomorrow. We will provide you with the address tonight."

Noah bowed low. "Thank you very much, Miss Celine."

"You may leave."

Still in awe, he stood and left. The moment the door clicked shut behind him, Celine picked up her phone and dialled a number. 

"Hello, Kai. We've secured a tutor for your sister. Congratulations." 

---

When the second Noah arrived home, he was bursting with excitement, capering around his apartment like a lottery winner. He picked up his phone and immediately dialled Pong. 

"What? Seriously? I told you you'd get it! Congratulations!"

Pong genuinely sounded pleased to hear that Noah had gotten the job after everything he had gone through.

"This is all because of you! Let me take care of you."

"Fine, fine. Tonight at 8, Fine Dine."

Noah finally remained still as the call ended, his mind catching up with him.

"Wait. Who am I working for, exactly? And why did Celine ask if I was aware of Neon Hype?"

A weird discomfort settled in his gut.

Little did he know—this was only the start.