Chapter Text
The atmosphere inside the Stratosphere Records recording studio was a mix of tension and boredom. The producers rested their heads in their hands, slouched in their chairs. Leaning against the back wall, arms crossed, was Rami, the manager. His serious expression, combined with his slightly bowed head, cast a shadow that gave him an even more somber look. Everyone in the room had their eyes fixed on the young blonde singer in the recording booth. She scribbled something in her notebook, then erased it. Wrote a little more, and erased it again...
The day had started out promising, but now, after nearly six hours of absolutely no progress, the waiting had become unbearable. The producers had run out of small talk, and the ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to grow louder and slower by the minute.
Rami sighed, running a hand through his neatly trimmed black beard. “Enough,” he thought, but just as he was about to say something, the booth door swung open.
"Okay, guys, I think I’ve got something!" The young singer exclaimed with a faint, sideways smile, hiding the composition notebook behind her back.
Everyone in the room turned their eyes toward her, and suddenly, after hours of nothing, there was a spark of surprise and anticipation. “Well, what are you waiting for? Show us!” one of the men said with excitement. Rami’s eyes showed a brief flash of relief, but his body remained rigid, arms still crossed.
The young woman cleared her throat and moved toward the digital piano in the room, sitting down in front of it. "Well, this piece is called... actually, I don’t have a name for it yet, but here it goes..."
The piano melody began with a low A chord, followed by a soft arpeggio. The gentle rhythm seemed to wake up the ears of everyone in the room. The singer briefly glanced at the attentive gazes, then turned her eyes back to the instrument, taking a deep breath before starting to sing...
“When the day feels heavy, and I’m dragging my feet...
I crave the warmth of dumplings... Oh! it can’t be beat.
...With every bite of noodles, my worries unwind...
In a bowl of sweet soy sauce, my peace I will find...”
The silence that followed was almost deafening. The producers exchanged glances, blinking rapidly as if trying to process what had just happened. Though none of them spoke, it was clear that someone was trying very hard not to laugh, with faint nasal snickers being stifled, though it was hard to tell exactly who.
Suddenly, a loud stomach growl broke the absolute silence of the room.
“Oops, sorry, guys, I think I’m a little hungry…” the singer said with a playful tone.
"Orm! Is this a joke to you?"
For the first time, all eyes shifted to the opposite side of the room, where Rami stood, still with his arms crossed, but his previously serious look of attention had been replaced with one of disbelief.
“Sorry, I don’t get it, P’Rami,” Orm replied casually.
“We’ve been here for what? Five hours? And this is what you give us? A verse about... food?”
"Uh... it’s not just any food, it’s Chinese food."
“I couldn’t care less what kind of food it is! What matters is that we’ve been here for hours, for days, trying to get a new song out of you! And this…” he uncrossed his arms and pointed sharply at Orm’s notebook, “...isn’t anywhere close to what we need. Do you get that?”
“It’s still a work in progress...” Orm’s smug smile slowly faded, giving way to a slightly embarrassed look.
Rami pushed off the wall and stepped toward the center of the room, rubbing his forehead as if trying to summon whatever patience he had left.
"Orm, we’ve been here for hours. The label is expecting something from you, a new hit." His tone grew progressively harder, though still measured. "Something that will blow up, put you back in the spotlight. If this is all you have to offer... I’ll have to bring in professional songwriters. They’ll give you your next success."
This lit a spark of anger in Orm, who shot up from her seat, her eyes narrowing and burning.
“Professional songwriters, Rami?” she repeated with disdain. “I’ve always written my own songs, and that’s why people love my work. They can feel it’s real, that my lyrics come from the heart. And now you want to ruin that by turning me into one of those porcelain dolls who only sings soulless crap written by strangers?”
The producers in the room held their breath, glancing nervously between the two as they argued. Rami, however, wasn’t fazed. He continued to stare at Orm, his expression cold and stern.
“Then give us something real, Orm. Something worth the investment the company… no, that your father is making in you. Because right now, your career is hanging by a thread. You don’t have the luxury of delivering anything mediocre anymore.”
With that, he spun on his heels and walked out of the studio without looking back, leaving Orm standing there, fists clenched, feeling as though her world was falling apart.
--------------------
On the other side of the city, the sounds of camera shutters and reporters' murmurs filled the room. Seated at the conference table was the rising actress and singer, Lingling Kwong, with a flawless smile. Her long, dark hair shimmered under the intense spotlight. She maintained perfect posture, but the restless movement of her fingers in her lap betrayed a slight nervousness.
"Lingling, your debut album was a success. Did you expect such a warm reception from the public?" one of the reporters asked.
"Well... I knew people would like it, but of course, I didn’t expect this much love. I’m really happy my music has touched so many people," the young woman responded, smiling with a calm expression, though a subtle tension flickered in her eyes as she spoke the carefully rehearsed words.
A second reporter quickly followed up with another question. "And what about your acting career? Do you plan to continue, or will you prioritize your music?"
Lingling hesitated for a split second, then answered, following her mental script.
"I love acting, but for now, my main focus is music. There’s still so much more I want to explore in this world."
"Is there any news on a new album or single? Your fans are eager!" a third reporter chimed in from the back.
Lingling glanced briefly at her manager, who was standing nearby but slightly removed from the reporters. He gave a discreet nod. She straightened up and replied with a forced confidence.
"You can expect something very soon! I’m working on new material and can’t wait to share it with you all."
The press conference continued with more surface-level questions, Lingling maintaining her flawless public image throughout. When it finally ended, she stood up and waved, walking calmly toward the backstage area, where her smile faded, and she let out a sigh of relief as soon as the doors closed behind her. Waiting there were her mother, XiuYing, and Wirot, the label’s executive.
"You were perfect, Lingling—exactly what we needed. We’ve managed to keep the public’s expectations high while we work on the next steps in your career," Wirot said with a satisfied tone, sitting with his legs crossed.
Lingling sighed again, feeling she could finally lower her guard a little, though a slight discomfort still lingered in her chest.
"Thank you... but sometimes I wonder if I sound natural enough. It feels like I’m just following a script, like I’m in a movie…"
XiuYing, a somewhat controlling yet deeply concerned figure, approached her daughter and gently held her hands, trying to offer reassurance with a soft touch.
"You’re just doing what’s necessary, my dear. That’s how the entertainment world works—we always have to make sure everything is perfect."
"I know… I’m trying, Mom. I just hope it’s really worth it. Would you mind if I stepped out for a moment? I’d like to use the restroom."
"Go ahead, Ling. Splash some water on your face and relax for a bit. We’ll take you to the hotel soon so you can eat and rest. We’ve got a packed schedule in the coming days," Wirot said, adjusting his tie as he stood up.
Lingling nodded, feeling the weight of the label’s expectations on her shoulders, and left the room, her footsteps echoing in the now-empty hallways of the building. XiuYing watched her daughter leave, and when the sounds of Lingling’s high heels had faded, she sighed.
"Sometimes I wonder if we’re doing the right thing. This pace… these decisions… I just hope she’s okay with all of this," XiuYing said, her tone heavy with concern.
Wirot looked at XiuYing, a bit surprised by the rare glimpse of uncertainty from the usually composed woman.
"Trust me, Khun XiuYing. I know what I’m doing. We’re going to make Lingling a global star. Her public image is everything right now. Nothing can be allowed to slip out of control," Wirot said, cutting through the moment of concern with his cold strategic mindset. He placed his left hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze, and the two of them left the room together.
--------------------
A few hours later, Wirot enters an intimate bar in the Thong Lor area. He briefly fixes his long, straight hair, which had been tousled by the wind outside, and takes off his sunglasses. The executive, in his mid-thirties, scans the place, looking for a good spot to sit. Among the soft lighting and comfortable shadows, he spots a familiar figure sitting in a discreet corner.
Wirot hesitates for a second but decides to walk over to the individual’s table.
“Well, well, well! If it isn’t my good old... acquaintance, perhaps?”
Sitting at the table is Rami, Orm’s manager, who had been staring at his whiskey glass, watching the ice slowly melt, with an exhausted expression. He lifts his head, and the two exchange looks, a mixture of surprise and hidden tension.
“Wirot? I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“Neither did I, but it seems like fate has its own ideas, huh?” Wirot says in a playful tone, the tension easing a little.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Maybe we should toast to that.”
Wirot lets out a short, humorless laugh and pulls out a chair from the opposite side. “Why not? I could use a drink.” The executive signals the waiter and orders a drink.
The two men raise their glasses and drink in silence, exchanging evaluative glances as if trying to read each other’s thoughts.
After a few minutes, Wirot decides to break the silence, though the atmosphere remains thick with cautious, measured conversation.
“And how is Khun Sethratanapong? And your big star? It’s been a while since I’ve heard much about her in the media…”
Rami lets out a heavy sigh and leans back in his chair.
“Khun Sethratanapong is fine, always busy with his businesses. After all, the record label is just one of many branches of Stratosphere Company. As for Orm… she’s going through a bit of a rough patch. She’s hit a creative block. Her last single was a disaster, and if I don’t turn things around soon… it could be the end for her. Her career might be over by 22.”
“Well, young artists are always volatile, you know that. Everyone expects too much from them, and when they don’t deliver as expected… they fall fast. My artist, Lingling, isn’t all that different, to be honest,” Wirot replies with an enigmatic smile.
“I didn’t imagine Blue Horizon would push her music career forward so quickly. She seemed so established in the acting industry.”
“Oh, once I found out she used to sing as a hobby, I had to do something about it. The girl’s got talent; it couldn’t go to waste. But every step is still closely monitored. The music industry is a bit different from what she’s used to, and any mistake could be a disaster. Sometimes I wonder… how long she’ll be able to hold on.”
The two men continue their conversation, sharing their feelings about the pressure of managing careers more fragile than they appear. After a while, and several drinks later, they both notice a TV in the corner of the bar broadcasting news about a young actress couple.
“Actresses Ira and Tawan, who recently went public with their romantic relationship, were seen smiling together at an event. The announcement shocked everyone, but the fans’ response has been positive. They now have over 5 million followers on social media, and expectations for their next drama together are only growing, expected to break viewership records.”
“Wow… Thai audiences embracing a homosexual couple this well? I didn’t see that coming,” Rami says, pensively watching the TV.
Wirot chuckles and raises an eyebrow. “Times are changing, Rami, and the public never get tired of a good celebrity romance, do they?”
Rami stares at Wirot for a few seconds and gives a slightly provocative half-smile. “I guess so… nothing sells more than a good love story, even if it’s just for the cameras.”
Wirot leans forward slightly, a different glint in his eyes.
“You’re thinking what I’m thinking, aren’t you?”
“…If Orm and Lingling were… a couple. Just imagine the buzz…” Rami said slowly.
“It would be a controlled scandal. Something that could catapult both their careers.”
Rami hesitates for a second, looking down at the table in front of him with a furrowed brow, remembering the rivalry between the labels. The two companies were never exactly partners…
“Wirot… Our labels have a history of competition. I’m not sure they’d approve of this collaboration… And there’s another issue—Orm is difficult. She’s stubborn and doesn’t like anyone messing with her life, especially not with something like this. I’m not sure I can get her to agree to this kind of farce.”
Wirot listens intently but shrugs, his smile never fading.
“All artists have difficult egos, Rami. But I’m sure you’ll find the right way to pitch this to her—you’ve always been good at handling tricky situations… haven’t you? You wouldn’t let a little rebellion ruin her career… or yours.” Wirot smiles sharply, his confidence unwavering. “And as for the labels, you know how it works—money, careers, success… they’re all great motivators. This partnership wouldn’t last forever, just long enough for them to hit the top.”
“And why should I trust you?”
“Because… I’m the only one here who understands how you feel.”
Rami offers a weak smile, but there’s tension in his eyes. He knows Wirot is right, but dealing with Orm won’t be easy.
“I hope you’re right. It’s not like I have many options left… we’re almost backed into a corner. I just hope she agrees… because if she doesn’t, I don’t know what else to do.”
“She’ll agree, and when she does, it’ll be such a huge success that no one will remember the difficulties.” Wirot raises his glass, ready to toast. “Save my number, and I’ll send you the contract details. We can schedule a meeting between the two labels.”
“No need, I still have it saved.”
Rami raises his glass, and they toast, sealing a temporary alliance for a risky plan that could either save or destroy their young stars.
--------------------
A few days later.
The sun began to set over Bangkok, leaving behind only the warmth and the gentle breeze that swayed the nearby trees next to the mirrored building of Blue Horizon Media Group. A luxurious black car approached the gates, and quickly, Rami, who was driving, was identified by security and allowed through to the parking lot. After parking, Rami stepped out and walked around to open the passenger door
The first to exit was Somchai Sethratanapong, Orm’s father, a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His suspicious gaze was hidden behind expensive sunglasses, but he nodded in thanks to Rami. Following him was Jihyun, Orm’s publicist, a young woman of South Korean descent carrying a clipboard. Finally, Orm stepped out, wearing a carefree smile. She removed her sunglasses and placed them on top of her head, securing her platinum blonde hair out of her face.
"Blue Horizon, huh? You didn’t tell me you were dealing with the enemies, Rami."
"Khun Sethratanapong, it’s nothing major, just a meeting to present some proposals. Besides, haven’t you heard the famous phrase? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer..."
"I’ve heard it plenty of times, and I always disagree. I prefer to keep enemies miles away..."
"Don’t exaggerate, Dad. There are no enemies here, it’s just another business meeting, like the thousands we’ve had before," Orm said confidently, walking slightly ahead. "I just don’t get why I had to be here in person. If this is something that could’ve been handled over email, I’m going to be pretty upset, you know, Rami..."
Rami suppressed an eye roll.
"Don’t worry, Orm. If all goes well, this will be quick."
The four continued walking through the sleek, modern hallways of the record label, the muffled sounds of other meetings echoing faintly through the walls. Ever formal and vigilant, Rami spotted Wirot from a distance and quickened his pace. Wirot noticed the group approaching and greeted them with a broad smile, waving enthusiastically with his right arm.
"Welcome to Blue Horizon!"
"Hello, Wirot... Well, you already know Khun Sethratanapong," Rami said, gesturing to the gray-haired executive beside him.
"Of course! How are you, Khun Sethratanapong? It’s been such a long time, I’m glad you could make it," Wirot said, his tone strategically warm, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Indeed, it has been a long time, young man. I’m doing well, thank you," Somchai replied, shaking Wirot’s hand, not intending to prolong the conversation.
"Wonderful! And you must be the young Orm, the rising star of Stratosphere! It’s an honor to meet you!" Wirot turned to the singer, pressing his palms together and bowing slightly in respect.
"That’s me! Thank you!" Orm said with a wide, charismatic smile, returning the same respectful gesture. "And this is Jihyun, my publicist. Rami mentioned her presence was essential today," Orm added, referring to the shorter woman beside her.
Wirot continued smiling and bowed again. "It’s a pleasure to meet you!"
"Likewise," Jihyun responded, more shyly but still warmly.
"I must admit, I’m surprised to see you here, Wirot. I didn’t expect our paths to cross again, especially for a business meeting. But Rami insisted you had a very intriguing proposal involving Orm and your new artist. I’m curious to know when you two started speaking so closely again," Somchai said, slipping his hands into the pockets of his custom-tailored trousers.
"Well, sir... It was purely coincidental that we met. Fate has its ironies..."
Wirot’s eyes briefly flicked toward Rami, who was already staring at him. The two exchanged a silent glance loaded with unspoken meaning. The room fell into a brief silence.
"Whoa, what’s with all the seriousness? You two look like you’re conspiring something," Orm joked.
"Well then, shall we get to the point? Follow me to the meeting room, my client is already waiting."
The group proceeded to the elevator, which ascended a few floors before the metallic doors opened into a spacious, modern room. A long wooden table sat in the center, and large windows offered a panoramic view of the city.
XiuYing and Lingling, seated side by side, quickly stood to greet the newcomers.
"Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to Lingling Kwong, an actress and now our newest singer! And this is her mother, XiuYing. Ladies, this is Khun Somchai Sethratanapong, one of the owners of Stratosphere, Orm’s record label, and Rami, her manager. And, of course, Jihyun from Orm’s team." Wirot said, gesturing to each person as he introduced them.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Khun XiuYing, and your daughter!" Sethratanapong spoke cordially.
"The pleasure is ours, sir! And to everyone here." XiuYing replied with a respectful bow.
Before Lingling could respond, Orm stepped forward with a warm tone, drawing the Chinese actress’s attention. "Finally meeting you in person, Lingling Kwong! And what a presence! I have a feeling whatever this is about, I’m going to like it." Orm said, extending her hand with a playful grin.
Lingling, more reserved, shook Orm’s hand with a modest smile and nodded slightly. "It’s good to meet you too, Orm."
After the introductions, everyone took their seats—Orm, her father, and Jihyun on the left, while XiuYing and Lingling sat on the right. Rami and Wirot sat at the head of the table, exchanging glances before starting the meeting.
"Well, I’d like to thank everyone again for being here. Let’s get straight to the point: we have a proposal that could be groundbreaking for both of your careers." Wirot said, opening the meeting.
"We understand this might come as a shock, but we believe this collaboration could have a massive impact."
Curious glances were exchanged around the table. Orm raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, while Lingling side-eyed her mother, who pretended to remain calm.
Rami continued. "We want the two of you to fake a relationship for the media. A romance."
Silence. The reactions were immediate—Orm’s eyes widened, but instead of indignation, a mischievous smile crept onto her face. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. After briefly glancing at Lingling, Orm burst into laughter. Lingling, on the other hand, was stunned, her calm demeanor disappearing as she looked incredulously at Wirot and her mother.
The room remained silent as Orm laughed for a solid twenty seconds, tears forming in her eyes. She wiped them away, breathing heavily.
"Rami... you’re quite the character!" Orm said after regaining her composure, looking at the Arab-featured man at the head of the table. Rami merely stared back, arms crossed, with an expression of impatience.
"Wait... you’re serious?"
"More serious than ever, young lady. This deal has the potential to be extremely lucrative for both of you." Wirot interjected, secretly amused by the boldness of the young artist before him. "Rami was right—she’s not easy" he thought.
"Wirot, I’m not understanding. A relationship? Between two women? This can’t be serious... I don’t want Lingling involved in this kind of promiscuous relationship, especially not publicly," Lingling’s mother, XiuYing, said, trying to regain control.
"Geez! So you’re more concerned about it being a relationship between women than the fact that it’s fake, a scheme to fool the public for money?" Orm shot back, locking eyes with XiuYing. The two women stared each other down, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense.
"Everyone, calm down and hear us out." Rami said firmly yet gently, trying to ease the tension. He sighed before continuing, "Khun XiuYing, I know this may seem controversial, but please don’t take it personally. This 'relationship' between Orm and Lingling would be strictly professional. All we need is for the girls to appear to be building a romantic bond in the eyes of the media. This will draw attention to their work and give us material to produce more content. Neither Orm nor Lingling is required to have any sort of real relationship or feelings for each other in their private lives. It’s purely for show, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s a common marketing strategy in industries around the world."
"Rami, I’m still trying to understand the profitability part. How exactly is a relationship between these girls supposed to change their music careers? With how crazy fans are these days, couldn’t this potentially damage their personal lives instead of helping them grow?" Orm’s father questioned.
"That's where you're wrong, sir!" Wirot exclaimed, leaning under the table to grab a white tablet. "Of course, we didn’t expect you to just accept everything we said blindly. We’ve brought some evidence to show you how this strategy can work — and work well."
Wirot pressed a button on the device, and a large retractable screen descended from the ceiling. "Rami, would you do the honors?" asked the tall Thai man, bowing slightly and extending the tablet.
Rami rolled his eyes discreetly at Wirot's playful tone but approached and took the tablet from the other man's hands.
"Let’s be honest… these days, the public’s interest isn’t just about your talent. They want more. They want stories. And relationships sell stories better than anything else."
He tapped the screen, and the first headline appeared on the display.
"Here's a recent example from right here in our country. Remember the actress and singer Baifern Pimchanok? When she publicly revealed her relationship with the actor Nine Naphat, there was an explosion of interest. The two were everywhere — on magazine covers, on social media… and, not coincidentally, Baifern’s new film release broke box office records. Their relationship made the public care more about their work, which significantly expanded her reach."
A picture of Baifern and Nine together at an event appeared on the screen, accompanied by news articles praising the couple.
Rami glanced at Orm and Lingling before continuing. "This not only reignited interest in her work, but also in her personality. People began to follow her more closely, to buy everything she promoted, to watch her films and listen to her music."
Lingling briefly glanced at Orm, and the blonde quickly sensed the look from the Chinese woman. They shared a glance for a moment before both returned their attention to the screen.
Rami swiped the screen again, and another headline appeared, this time international.
"And here’s an example from abroad. Everyone remembers how the relationship between the american singer Justin Bieber and the model Hailey Baldwin reignited his fame after a period of controversies and low popularity. His album, released shortly after they made their relationship official, was a massive success. Social media was flooded with the couple, and that led to more streams, more sales, and more tickets sold for concerts."
Rami paused for a moment, allowing everyone in the room to digest the information displayed.
This time, Rami looked at Orm’s father and Lingling’s mother, then emphasized, "Relationships have the power to humanize artists, to make the public feel closer to them. This can be as powerful a marketing move as releasing a new album or movie."
"But these couples are between men and women! A couple of women certainly won’t get a positive reaction. After all, most of our country is still conservative and traditional! It's not even legal for such people to marry — how can a relationship like that thrive?"
"Khun XiuYing, I understand that there’s still a lot of resistance to this topic here in Thailand, but times are changing — slowly, yes — but they are changing."
Rami once again picked up the tablet and showed another news article.
"You must have heard about these two actresses, Ira and Tawan. They starred together in a miniseries from a subgenre called 'GL,' which stands for 'Girls’ Love,' depicting romantic stories between women. The drama was a huge success, not just here but also in many parts of the world. And that’s been the case with many other dramas in this subgenre. Just last year, we've seen dozens of releases with millions of views. Recently, the two actresses revealed that they’ve fallen in love in real life, which tripled their follower count and raised expectations for their own projects."
Rami paused briefly to take a sip of water, his dry throat beginning to irritate him.
"What I want to show is that… the audience is opening up to new dynamics in relationships, and this is attracting a lot of attention and popularity, here and worldwide. A public relationship is a marketing strategy, but who knows? Maybe we could even be part of this change. Perhaps this bold step we’re taking now could become something big in the future, something that could make our country more open to these issues?" Rami spoke without fully reflecting on his words, his tone becoming dreamier.
Sitting across from him, Wirot watched with a half-smile, then silently mouthed, "You’re the best," giving Rami a thumbs-up. Rami smiled and lowered his head, slightly embarrassed.
Breaking the silence for the first time, Lingling timidly raised her left index finger, signaling she wanted permission to speak.
"Go ahead, Lingling." Rami said.
"About this 'public romantic relationship' you're talking about… what does that really mean in practice?"
"In that regard, I think Jihyun, our publicist, can explain it better. Jihyun, could you explain how a fake relationship would work?"
Jihyun pushed her long black hair behind her ears and cleared her throat, trying to mask her nervousness as all eyes turned toward her.
"Well… basically, we’d need you two to start being seen together, to build a public narrative. A conversation at an awards show, a meeting at a street café… After a while, maybe one of you could be seen entering the other’s house. Social media interactions are also important. These small public glimpses are enough to spark media interest. From there, the audience will do the rest, speculating and spreading the news."
"What madness…" murmured XiuYing, shaking her head in disbelief.
Wirot stood up from the table and returned to the center of the room, positioning himself next to Rami once again.
"Everyone, I just want to make it clear that what we’re proposing here isn’t just a stunt. We’re offering a chance to revitalize our artists’ careers, open new doors of opportunity, and attract even more fans. The public will want to follow your every move, and this will undoubtedly boost your work to the top, just like the examples we’ve shown."
"Well, kids..." Somchai began, adjusting his posture in the chair. "Honestly, the idea sounds promising, but I’m not sure I’m completely convinced it’ll be beneficial. After all, it’s common knowledge that Orm has been involved in controversies that haven’t left her in the best light with the general public, not to mention her music career has been stalled for over a year and—"
"DAD!" Orm exclaimed in embarrassment, slamming her hand on the table.
"I’m sorry, dear, but it’s the truth! You’ve been courting controversy, and I’m not sure we’ll be able to manage the damage of another one."
"Khun Sethratanapong, I understand your concern, but please also consider that…"
Suddenly, the discussions in the room became distant murmurs as the two girls, at the center of the conversation, got lost in their own thoughts.
"My God, just a short time ago, I was a theater student in a small neighborhood in Hong Kong… and now I’m about to fake a media relationship... what’s happening to me?" thought Lingling, lowering her gaze and biting her lip.
"So this is it… after years at the top, now these people are deciding the future of my life and what script I should follow to revive my career? Have I really hit rock bottom?" Orm wondered, staring off into the distance.
They snapped out of their thoughts and the voices in the room returned to their ears.
"...But I fully understand your concerns, and we know it’s quite a difficult decision. That’s why we’re not asking for an immediate response. Think about the proposal and get in touch with me if you have any questions," Wirot said, placing his hands in his pants pockets.
"So, what do you think, Orm? Do you at least want to consider the idea?" Somchai asked Orm, standing up and adjusting his suit.
Orm sighed. The young singer felt extremely uncomfortable having her life and career discussed like this by so many people, including strangers, in an office, as if she were merely a product or a character. But then, she looked at Lingling again, this time holding the gaze for a few more seconds.
"I can’t guarantee that I’ll accept, but… fine, I’ll think about it."
"And you too, right, Lingling?" Wirot asked Lingling with a persuasive look.
Lingling knew her manager well enough to know that if she said no immediately, he wouldn’t give up easily.
"I’ll think about it too."
"But keep your expectations low, Wirot. I still think this idea of a public homosexual relationship is absolutely crazy," XiuYing firmly stated.
Orm discreetly rolled her eyes. "How does Lingling put up with this woman and her bad mood all the time?" the singer thought.
"Can we go now? I can’t stand being in this room any longer. I need some fresh air. Let’s go, Jihyun."
"You can go to the car. I’ll be right behind you. I just need to grab some papers with Wirot, and we’ll meet in the parking lot." Rami said, picking up his bag from one of the chairs.
"You two can go too, Khun XiuYing and Lingling. I’ll call you tomorrow morning." Wirot said.
Everyone, except for the two managers, made their way out.
Inside the room, Rami placed the last item in his bag and approached the exit. Wirot followed closely behind, and the two men found themselves face to face.
"So, what do you think? Do you think they'll accept?"
"I'm almost sure they will. We did a great job. Who would’ve thought, after all these years, we'd still be a good team?" Wirot said with a soft smile.
"Yeah… I think so." Rami scratched the back of his neck. "But Lingling Kwong’s mother... I didn’t feel any openness from her. I never thought Orm wouldn’t be the hardest one to convince in the room..."
Wirot chuckled lightly. "Don’t worry, I’ll stick close to her. I know how to get her on board..."
Rami looked at Wirot seriously. "Wirot… don’t go overboard. Let them decide. I know how you can be annoyingly persuasive sometimes..."
"Leave it to me. I'll just talk to her a bit more and explain the details better. You do the same with Orm. Actually, just focus on the old man. Remind him how much money Stratosphere is going to make... he’ll give in pretty quickly."
Rami laughed more openly this time. "The worst part is, you're right... Anyway, goodbye. Talk to you later."
"See you... Oh! Rami?"
Rami, who was about to step into the elevator, looked back and faced Wirot again.
"Justin Bieber isn’t American; he’s Canadian. You’re still clueless and totally out of touch with pop culture."
Rami gave an incredulous smile and rolled his eyes. Then the elevator doors closed.
--------------------
On the ground floor, everyone heads toward the building's exit. Somchai and Jihyun walk a little ahead, engaged in a conversation about public relations, while XiuYing hurries toward the parking lot, still lost in thoughts about the meeting they just had.
Orm and Lingling, walking behind the others and lost in their own thoughts, lightly bumped shoulders as they tried to pass through the door at the same time.
"Sorry"
"Sorry"
The two young artists spoke at the same time.
Orm gave a sweet smile, and Lingling, now free from the tension of the meeting, took a moment to observe the taller woman more closely. Her silver-blonde hair was just as shiny as it looked on television, and despite the mischievous glint in her eyes, there was something comforting about her gaze...
Lingling returned the smile. "You can go ahead," said the shorter woman.
"Thank you." Orm walked through the door, but before heading on her way, she turned back once more and said, "I have a feeling we’ll see each other again. See you soon, Lingling Kwong."
Lingling looked into her eyes again, but before she could respond, her mother’s voice cut through the air.
"Lingling?" XiuYing called, next to a white SUV holding the door open.
"I need to go." And with that, the two parted ways, each heading off in different directions.