"Good morning, Ms. Faye, Ms. Sonya, Ms. Namtan," the pilot greeted us warmly as we stepped onto the tarmac. The hum of jet engines filled the crisp morning air, and the glow of the airport lights illuminated the private jet waiting for us. Our driver had just dropped us off, and the reality of the trip ahead began to settle in.
It's Wednesday.
Yet, it feels like it should already be Fridayâor the end of the week entirely.
I'm drained. Every part of me feels itâphysically, mentally, emotionally. The sleepless nights have piled up, and no amount of caffeine or willpower can fully mask the exhaustion. I've been running on fumes, and it's beginning to show.
"Good morning, Captain," I replied softly, offering a faint smile before making my way up the steps into the aircraft. My team followed closely behind, their presence a quiet, supportive force.
I took my usual seat near the window, pulled out my laptop, and immediately buried myself in work. It was easier this wayâeasier to focus on something tangible, something productive.
Anything to distract me from thinking about her.
For two days now, my mind has been caught in an endless loop, thoughts of Yoko swirling endlessly. I've been asking Sonya and Namtan constantly if Yoko has gone live. Each time, the answer is the same: she hasn't.
Sonya tried to reassure me. "Sofia set up notifications for you," she had said. "As soon as Yoko goes live, you'll know."
But no notifications have come. No live streams. No signs of her.
The uncertainty gnaws at me.
I distract myself by focusing on the reason for this trip: the streetwear collection we've been working tirelessly on. We're heading to New York to attend a prestigious fashion show, one that could open countless doors for Faye City. This could be a turning point for our brandâa chance to break into the U.S. market in a big way.
As the plane prepared for takeoff, I noticed Sonya and Namtan exchanging glances, their eyes occasionally flicking toward me. I could feel their concern, but I pretended not to notice.
I didn't have the energy to reassure them.
There was too much on my mindâwork deadlines, investor meetings, the fashion show... and Yoko. Always Yoko. The ache in my chest hadn't dulled, and the restlessness kept me on edge.
"Fy?" Sonya's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I blinked and looked up, realizing she had been speaking to me. "The flight attendant is asking if you'd like coffee," she repeated gently.
For a moment, I was disoriented. "Oh..." I glanced at the flight attendant, who stood patiently nearby, a polite but slightly embarrassed smile on her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't hear you."
"It's okay, ma'am," the attendant replied with a soft smile. "Would you like some coffee?"
"Yes, please. Thank you. And... I'm sorry again," I added, offering an apologetic smile.
Her eyes lit up with understanding. "No problem, ma'am. I'll bring it right away."
As she walked away, I noticed Sonya and Namtan still watching me with quiet concern.
"Are you okay, babe?" Sonya asked, her tone softer now.
I let out a long sigh, leaning back in my seat. "I don't know, Sy. I hate feeling like this."
Namtan moved from her seat to sit beside me. "You should talk to her," she said gently. "I think... you're restless because you don't know where you stand with her. You don't know how she feels about what happened."
I looked at her, my chest tightening. "I don't even know how to start that conversation."
Sonya leaned in from the other side. "Is it that you don't know how to talk to her... or are you afraid to?"
The question hung in the air. I considered it carefully before answering. "Both, I think." I exhaled, frustration evident in my voice.
At that moment, the flight attendant returned with my coffee. We thanked her, and I took a sip, the warmth offering a brief moment of comfort.
"Do you want me to ask the captain to redirect us to Thailand?" Sonya teased with a playful smile.
I managed a small laugh. "It's going to happen, Sy. I just don't know when... but it will. I'll make sure of it."
"That's the Faye I know!" Namtan cheered, laughing. "So... what's stopping you now?"
I shook my head slowly. "I don't know where to begin. I want to call her, but every time I try, I freeze. I can't find the courage."
Sonya raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you're waiting for her to go live? Please don't tell me you're planning to talk to her during a TikTok live."
I hesitated. "Maybe... Maybe I just want to test the waters. See if she still wants to talk to me."
"Are you stalking her on social media?" Namtan asked, smirking.
"No! Why would I do that?" I replied, confused.
"So you can stay updated on what's happening with her," she said, shrugging.
I frowned. "Why? What's happening with her?"
Sonya chimed in, her expression more serious now. "She's busy promoting her new series. Sofia keeps sending me TikTok clips of her. She and her co-star... they're so close. Honestly, it's easy to see why their GL series is blowing up in Thailand. Their chemistry is undeniable."
I stared at her, sulking. "Why would you tell me that?"
Sonya laughed. "You asked!" She leaned closer. "And I get why Sofia's obsessed. They're both gorgeous, and I watched the trailer... It's intense."
"For real!" Namtan added, grinning. "I saw it too. But boss, don't watch it. It'll only hurt you."
I rolled my eyes, sinking deeper into my seat. "I'm not interested in watching it."
Their laughter echoed in the cabin, and eventually, they excused themselves to get some sleep.
When we arrived in New York, exhaustion hit like a wave. We checked into our hotel, and after a quick shower, I collapsed into bed.
A loud knock echoed through my hotel room door, dragging me from the depths of a much-needed sleep. Groggy and disoriented, I blinked at the ceiling, trying to process where I was. My head throbbed slightly from exhaustion, and for a moment, I considered ignoring the noise and going back to sleep. But then, the knocking continuedâthis time, more insistent.
"Fy! Are you in there?" It was Sonya's voice, muffled but unmistakably concerned.
With a groan, I forced myself up from the bed, my body protesting every movement. I stumbled over to the door, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I unlocked and opened it.
The door swung open, and I was greeted by the worried faces of Sonya and Namtan. Sonya immediately stepped into the room, her eyes darting around as if she were searching for somethingâor someone.
"Faye! What the hell?" Sonya exhaled in relief, placing a hand over her chest. "You scared us half to death."
I blinked at her, confused. "What? Why? I was just sleeping."
Namtan, standing just behind Sonya, crossed her arms and gave me a pointed look. "You've been just sleeping for over ten hours. We've been calling you since lunchtime. You missed dinner! We were about to call hotel security."
I frowned, running a hand through my messy hair. "I... I didn't hear anything. I guess I switched my phone to silent." I walked over to the bedside table and grabbed my phone. Sure enough, there were a dozen missed calls and countless messages from both of them. "Oh. I'm sorry, guys. I didn't mean to worry you."
Sonya dropped into the armchair by the window and let out a dramatic sigh. "We thought someone kidnapped you or something."
"Yeah," Namtan added, her worry morphing into exasperation. "You never miss our calls. Even when you're super busy, you always answer."
I offered a sheepish smile. "I guess I was more tired than I thought. My head was pounding when we got here, so I took a shower, popped a Tylenol, and crashed. I didn't even realize how long I slept."
Sonya raised an eyebrow. "And you didn't eat?"
"Nope," I admitted, feeling my stomach growl at the mere mention of food. "I'm starving now, though."
"Well, we haven't eaten either because we were too busy freaking out about you," Namtan said, pulling out her phone. "Let's fix that. Room service?"
"Please," I said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I could eat a horse right now."
Namtan laughed as she scrolled through the hotel's menu. "Let's start with something less dramatic. How about burgers, fries, and a big salad?"
"Sounds perfect," I agreed, my stomach rumbling in agreement.
Sonya stretched in the chair. "And maybe some dessert. We need something sweet after that scare."
"Chocolate cake?" Namtan suggested.
"Absolutely," I said, already imagining the rich, decadent taste.
Namtan placed the order, and while we waited, Sonya leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Seriously, Faye, are you okay? I mean, really okay? You've been... off lately."
I sighed, looking down at my hands. "I don't know, Sy. I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Yoko?" Sonya asked softly, her eyes searching mine.
I hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah... Yoko."
Sonya and Namtan exchanged a glance. "Faye," Sy said carefully, "you're not going to find any answers by avoiding her."
"I know," I whispered, running a hand through my hair again. "I'm just... not ready."
Before either of them could respond, a knock at the door signaled the arrival of room service. Namtan sprang up to answer it, and soon, the room was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked food.
The server set the tray down on the small dining table, and we wasted no time digging in. The first bite of the burger was heaven, and I closed my eyes, savoring the taste.
"Better?" Sonya asked with a smile.
"Much," I replied, feeling a little more like myself with each bite.
As we ate, the conversation drifted to lighter topicsâour event, potential clients, and upcoming meetings. But in the back of my mind, Yoko lingered, her absence like a shadow over my thoughts.
Eventually, as the plates emptied and the chocolate cake was devoured, Namtan leaned back in her chair and sighed contentedly. "Okay, boss. Now that we've fed you and confirmed you're alive and well, what's the plan?"
I looked at her, then at Sonya, and finally at my phone. "The plan..." I paused, considering my words. "The plan is to finish what we came here for. And after that... we'll see."
Sonya tilted her head. "See about Yoko?"
I nodded slowly. "Yeah. See about Yoko."
The two of them smiled, offering their silent support. Whatever came next, I knew I wouldn't face it alone.
Their relief was palpable.
The fashion show was an overwhelming success. Every detailâfrom the lighting to the models showcasing our latest streetwear collectionâcame together flawlessly. The crowd was buzzing with excitement, and by the time the final model walked the runway, the applause was thunderous. Investors, fashion editors, and influencers were all eager to speak with us, and throughout the night, I found myself engaged in conversation after conversation, each one filled with potential opportunities for Faye City.
The possibility of opening a flagship store in New York was no longer just a distant dream. It felt tangible, within reach.
After the show, our team gathered for a small after-party at a nearby lounge. The mood was celebratory, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and a collective sense of accomplishment. We toasted to the success of the event, to our hard work, and to the promising future ahead.
By 4 AM, exhaustion had begun to set in. The adrenaline from the night was wearing off, and one by one, members of the team began to head back to the hotel. Only Sonya, Namtan, and I remained, still riding the high of the evening.
When we finally returned to our hotel, I assumed we'd all head straight to bed. But as soon as we stepped into the room, Sonya spotted the minibar and grinned mischievously.
"One more toast," she declared, pulling out a bottle of wine. "We deserve it."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "You're relentless."
"You know you love it," Sonya teased, already uncorking the bottle.
"Come on, boss," Namtan added, grabbing three glasses from the minibar. "It's not every day we celebrate a show like this. One last drink before we crash."
I couldn't argue with that. So the three of us settled into my roomâSonya sprawled across the armchair, Namtan perched on the edge of the bed, and me leaning against the headboard. We poured the wine, clinking our glasses together.
"To Faye City," Sonya said.
"To New York," added Namtan.
I raised my glass. "To all of us."
We drank, savoring the moment, and soon, the conversation flowed easily. We talked about the show, reminisced about the frantic weeks leading up to it, and even speculated about which investors might reach out first.
The sky outside the window gradually lightened from deep navy to a soft pink as the sun began its ascent. Despite the exhaustion in our bones, none of us seemed ready to let the moment end.
At around 7 AM, just as we were beginning to contemplate finally calling it a night, a soft chime broke the quiet. It was my phone, lighting up with a notification.
I glanced at the screen.
"Yoko is live now."
The room went completely still.
Sonya, mid-sentence, froze. Namtan, who had been swirling the last sip of wine in her glass, set it down carefully. Both of them exchanged a glance before turning their eyes toward me.
I stared at the screen, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. My hands trembled slightly as I picked up the phone, the wine glass forgotten on the nightstand. The name on the notification seemed to blur for a moment, as if my mind couldn't quite process it.
"Fy..." Sonya's voice was soft, tentative. "Are you... okay?"
I didn't answer. My thumb hovered over the notification. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. I hadn't spoken to Yoko since... well, since everything. The thought of seeing her live, hearing her voice again, filled me with a mix of excitement and dread.
"Are you going to join?" Namtan asked gently, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "I... I don't know."
"You should," Sonya encouraged, leaning forward. "You've been waiting for this, haven't you?"
I nodded slowly, my throat tightening. "Yeah. But... what if..."
"What if what?" Namtan asked softly.
"What if she doesn't want to see me? What if she's still angry?
Sonya placed a reassuring hand on my knee. "You won't know unless you join. Maybe she's been waiting for you too."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. My fingers trembled as they hovered over the notification. Every second felt like an eternity. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting.
With one last glance at Sonya and Namtan, who both gave me encouraging nods, I exhaled and tapped the notification.
The screen shifted, and within moments, the live stream loaded. My heart pounded as Yoko's face filled the screen, her familiar features soft and radiant in the morning light. Her voice, warm and melodic, echoed through the room.
"I missed you too guys," she said, smiling at the camera.
My breath caught in my throat.
"She looks..." Sonya began softly, but she didn't need to finish the sentence. We were all thinking the same thing.
Beautiful. She looked beautiful.
I sat in silence, my eyes locked on the screen, watching her every movement, listening to her every word. And as I watched, the ache I'd been carrying for daysâweeksâintensified.
Yoko began answering questions from her fans, her laughter filling the air. It was a sound I had missed more than I cared to admit.
Sonya and Namtan remained quiet, giving me space. I knew they were watching me as much as they were watching Yoko, waiting to see how I would react.
Finally, Yoko glanced down at the screen, reading the comments scrolling by. For a moment, her smile faltered, and her eyes seemed to search for somethingâor someone.
"Is she...?" Namtan whispered.
I leaned in closer, holding my breath.
And then, as if sensing my presence, Yoko's eyes seemed to lock directly on mine through the screen.
My heart stopped.
Author's Note:
Thank you for your continued support, @Doryn25, @micarlene, @BelindaRea8, @ArgentRegal, @zxcvb1234q, @ditchObapial, @MarkinaElena198303, @OhCrap6, @Chumyoko2024, and @Zak_thesin!
This chapter is for all of you. Also, I've created a TikTok accountâif you'd like to interact, please follow me there @gl_otor_emz. I might be a bit busier this month, but I'll make sure you get to see the end of this story. Thank you so much for always voting! I may not always be able to mention you, but I see you all, and I truly appreciate the love! ðð