The sun was brutal in Los Angeles, and yet the chill of seeing Film again cut through the heat like ice. Faye sat in the backseat of the car, hands clenched in her lap as her brother's voice buzzed on the speaker.
"Faye, please, don't be late. We need you here with us. Tori's been asking for you all day." His tone softened. "It'll be good for you. We're family. You need this."
Faye closed her eyes, the familiar ache of family obligation pressing against the tension in her chest. She hadn't expected thisâbeing summoned to L.A. just days before Yoko's graduation. She had been in Paris, immersed in a project with Sonya and Namtan, planning to fly directly to Thailand for Yoko's big day. But then her brother called, inviting her to her sister-in-law's birthday celebration in L.A. She realized they had flown there last week, but she hadn't remembered it was for the birthday. She always tried to attend these events, if she could. She wanted to let her sister-in-law know that despite everything that had happened between her and her sister, she loved and respected her.
She obliged and told herself, she can still make it to Thailand after the birthday party which is today.
"Alright," she finally said. "I'll be there. Just... make sure Tori knows I'm bringing her favorite cookies."
Her brother laughed. "Got it. See you soon."
Faye sighed, her gaze shifting out the window to the streets of Los Angeles. The city felt different now, even after years of visiting it for business and leisure. It wasn't the city itself that had changedâit was her. Or maybe, it was Yoko.
Yoko.
Her mind drifted to her, unbidden. The soft curve of her smile. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. The way she always seemed to look right through Faye's carefully constructed walls and see the vulnerable heart beneath.
Faye hated that she hadn't told Yoko about Film yet.
Since their first FaceTime call, their conversations had been endless, flowing easily from one topic to the next. They talked about everythingâwork, family, dreamsâbut never about other people in their lives. It was an unspoken boundary they hadn't crossed, as if neither wanted to shatter the delicate connection they were building.
Faye had convinced herself it wasn't the right time, that there would be a better moment to tell Yoko about Film.
It wasn't that Yoko had anyone else in her lifeâor at least, Faye didn't think she did. Their conversations were open, vulnerable, and honest in so many ways. They had even talked about Lisa, a mutual acquaintance who Yoko loved to tease Faye about.
"You and Lisa," Yoko had joked once, "what's the deal there?"
Faye had smiled, brushing off the teasing but answering truthfully. "We're just friends. Nothing more." She had gone on to share the story of what had happened between her and Lisa during their time in Africaâa fleeting moment that never became anything more.
Yoko had been surprised but had believed her without hesitation.
But Film was different. Film was history. And Faye hadn't found the courage to tell Yoko about her yet. Maybe it was fearâfear that the truth would change things between them.
That Film Rachanun, her ex-girlfriend from years ago, just happened to be the sister of her sister-in-law.
The connection between them was laced with a cruel irony that Faye could never quite escape. It was Faye who had met Film firstâlong before the tangled web of their lives brought them all together. In fact, it was through Faye that her brother had even met Nicha, Film's older sister. Faye and Film had been inseparable back then, a whirlwind of youthful passion and shared dreams, their relationship burning bright and fast. It had been intense, magnetic, and ultimately destructive.
What they had felt for each other had been realâso real it consumed them. But it wasn't enough. Their love unraveled in a storm of misunderstandings, harsh words, and broken promises. Film had always been restless, craving something bigger, something beyond what they had. Faye had been content to dream together, to build a future grounded in their shared ambitions.
But Film? Film had other plans.
When her brother announced he was marrying Nicha, he had approached Faye cautiously, asking if she was okay with it. He knew the history, the pain, and the heartache. By that point, Film had already leftâfled, reallyâfor Hollywood, chasing the stardom she had always craved. And Faye? Faye buried herself in her work, determined never to look back.
Of course, she understood her brother's decision. He had found love, and he deserved happiness. Nicha wasn't to blame for the past. But understanding didn't make it any easier.
Especially now.
Family occasions like thisâholidays, birthdays, reunionsâalways brought everything back to the surface. The past she had worked so hard to bury clawed its way back into her chest, raw and aching. Seeing Film again, even in passing, was like ripping open a wound that had never quite healed.
It wasn't that Faye still had feelings for Film. The love they had shared was long gone, eroded by time and distance, by hurt and betrayal. But the pain lingeredâthe sting of abandonment, of being left behind by the woman who once promised they'd conquer the world together.
Faye had believed in that promise, in Film, in them. She had thought they were building something lasting, something that would carry them through the highs and lows of life. They had been each other's first loves, after allâthe kind of love that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.
But in the end, Film left.
She chose Hollywood, fame, and the glittering lights over the quiet, steady dreams they had once whispered to each other in the dead of night. She left without hesitation, as if their love had been nothing more than a passing chapter in her story.
And that was what still hurt the mostânot the loss of the relationship itself, but the realization that Film had walked away so easily. As if Faye had never been a part of the dreams they once shared. As if the years they spent together, the promises, the firsts, the love... meant nothing.
But now, here she was, back in the orbit of a woman who once held her heartâand it was the last place Faye wanted to be.
The car pulled up in front of her brother's house, a sprawling modern home nestled in the hills. She stepped out, adjusting her blazer and sunglasses, and made her way to the front door.
The door swung open before she could knock, and a small blur of energy launched itself at her.
"Auntie Faye!" Tori squealed, clinging to her legs. Her face was full of joy, her small hands clutching the cookie bag she held out to her.
"Hey, my princess!" Faye bent down, ruffling her hair. "Miss me?"
"Uh-huh! A lot!"
Her innocence made her heart ache. She scooped her up, letting her laughter distract her from the tension building in her chest.
Inside, the house was alive with conversationâher mom chatting animatedly with her brother, her dad engaging in conversation with Nicha's parents through the living room, and Nicha directing the kitchen preparations with calm efficiency. The atmosphere was warm and familiar, a comforting reminder of the stable foundation Faye had built with her family.
She greeted everyone, her heart swelling with affection despite the storm she'd weathered with Film. She was still close to their parents, and as always, Tita Gina, Nicha's mom embraced her tightly, telling her how much they'd missed her. Their dad offered similar greetings, their smiles warm and sincere. She returned the embraces, her heart grateful for their presence in her life.
Then, her eyes fell on her.
Film was standing by the kitchen counter, her hair perfectly styled, her smile radiant as she mingled effortlessly with the crowd. To everyone else, Film was the epitome of successâa star who had made it, effortlessly gliding through the kitchen as if nothing had changed. But for Faye, the sight of her was a complicated mix of emotions.
To Faye, Film would always be the woman who left.
The woman who once held her heart and walked away without looking back.
"Faye," Film greeted, her voice smooth and familiar. Too familiar.
"Film." Faye kept her tone neutral, her smile polite.
It wasn't the first time they'd seen each other since the breakup, but each encounter was a reminder of the past they sharedâa past Faye had tried to forget.
Nicha, ever the mediator, smiled brightly. "I'm glad you could both be here. It's rare to have the whole family together."
"Family," Faye echoed softly, her eyes briefly meeting Film's before she looked away.
The afternoon passed in a blur of conversation and laughter, but Faye felt the weight of Film's presence like a stone in her chest. Every glance, every word exchanged between them was a careful dance of avoidance and forced civility.
Her brother's house in L.A. was situated near the beach, the party set up outdoors with the sound of waves crashing in the distance. The evening was filled with the warm glow of string lights, laughter, and the clinking of glasses as Faye tried to enjoy the event. She mingled with guests, chatting with old family friends and keeping up appearances, all while her mind occasionally wandered, trying not to think about everything she was running from.
After finishing a conversation with one of the family friends, Faye turned to head back to her family, hoping for a moment of quiet. But as she made her way through the crowd, she found herself unexpectedly colliding with someone. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she caught Film, who had been walking in the opposite direction. Film had stepped into her path without noticing, and they both stumbled, almost losing their balance.
Instinctively, Faye put her arm around Film to steady her, pulling her back up. Film's hand gripped her arm in return, steadying herself against Faye's support. For a moment, they stood like that, a mix of tension and unspoken history hanging between them. Faye's heart raced as she made sure Film was stable, and just as she was about to pull away, she heard Film's soft voice by her ear. "Sorry," she whispered, the apology feeling too heavy for the moment.
Faye paused, her breath catching slightly, but instead of responding, she gently released her grip on Film's arm, stepping back.
Without another word, Faye turned away, her heart a tangle of emotions. Film stood frozen for a moment before watching Faye walk away, a sad, wistful look in her eyes.
It wasn't until later, when the house had finally quieted and the others were outside, basking in the golden hues of the sunset, that Film approached her again
"Still pretending we don't have unfinished business?" Film's voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of something unresolved.
Faye tensed, her shoulders stiffening. "We finished everything a long time ago."
"Did we?" Film leaned casually against the doorway, but her eyes were sharp, probing. "Because it doesn't feel like it."
Faye's jaw tightened. "I'm not here to relive the past, Film. I'm here for my family."
"And yet, here we are," Film murmured, taking a deliberate step closer. Her gaze didn't waver, the intensity of it making Faye's skin prickle. "Tell me... does she know? About us?"
The question caught Faye off guard. Her eyes narrowed. "Who are you talking about?"
Film's lips curled into a sad, knowing smile. "I'm in the business, Faye. I know you've been pursuing someone from Thailand." An actress too? She paused, the weight of her words settling between them. "Does she know about me? Hell, why won't you tell anyone about me?"
Faye's heart clenched, but her expression hardened. "Listen to yourself, Film," she said, her voice low but laced with anger. "You were the one who ended it. You were the one who wouldn't even acknowledge me publicly. Why would I tell anyone that I dated you, knowing you'd deny it the moment it threatened your ambitions?"
Film flinched, but she didn't back down. "That's not fair," she said quietly, though there was a flicker of guilt in her eyes. "You know why I had toâ"
"No." Faye cut her off, her tone cold and final. "You chose your career, your image, over us. I wasn't going to be a secret, Film. Not then. Not now. So don't stand there and ask why I won't tell anyone about you. You made sure there was nothing left to tell."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with everything they had left unsaid. Outside, the laughter of their family drifted in with the evening breeze, a stark contrast to the tension filling the room.
Film looked away, her shoulders slumping ever so slightly. "I never stopped caring, you know," she said, almost to herself.
Faye's eyes softened for a fleeting second, but she quickly steeled herself. "Caring isn't enough, Film. Not when everything else was more important to you."
Film opened her mouth as if to argue, but then closed it, knowing Faye was right. Instead, she took a step back, the sadness in her eyes more pronounced now.
"I'm sorry, Faye. I truly hope the actress you're pursuing will be someone unafraid to acknowledge you in public, someone who won't hide behind the fear of what others might think or say. I hope she'll have the courage to love you openly, even if it means facing judgment for being with a woman. I hope she'll be brave enough to let the world know she's yours.
"Because, I will always regret that I couldn't be that person for youâthat I wasn't strong enough to stand by your side without fear. I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you."
Her words hung in the air, a quiet storm of emotion. Each syllable was laden with the weight of years of unspoken pain and love lost. It felt as if time itself had stopped, the quietness of the moment echoing louder than any words. Film's gaze lingered on Faye one last time, her heart aching with the realization that some things were too broken to fix. With a final, shaky breath, she turned away, the distance between them now greater than ever.
Faye didn't respond. She just watched as Film turned and walked away, her silhouette framed by the fading light of the sunsetâa chapter she had long since closed, even if the echoes of it still lingered.
Faye turned away, the weight of Film's words pressing down on her.
Later that night, as she lay in the guest room, her phone buzzed with a message. She reached for it, expecting a text from Yoko.
But it wasn't.
It was a news alert.
Hollywood Actress Film Rachanun Spotted with Faye Malisorn in L.A.
The photo showed them at the beach earlier that day. Faye hugging Film and Film almost look like kissing her in her ear. The angle and timing made it look far more intimate than it was.
Her stomach dropped.
No...
Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Yoko.
"Faye... What is this? Were you not in Paris? Are you with Film?"
Faye's heart shattered as she read the words. She could almost hear the hurt in Yoko's voice, the betrayal she must be feeling.
Faye swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as she typed a response. But what could she say? That it wasn't what it looked like? That Film was just a ghost from the past who happened to be here now?
That despite everything, Yoko was the only one who mattered?
But before she could send the message, another one came through.
"I trusted you."
Faye stared at the screen, her chest tightening. The words hung there, heavy and final, and she realized in that moment that she might have just lost the one person she had fought so hard to win.
But this time, she wouldn't give up. She would do everything in her power to explain herself to Yoko, to make her understand. She couldn't lose the person who had become the very air she breathed.
She picked up her phone and dialed Namtan's number, her voice steady but filled with determination. "Namtan, can you have the jet ready? We're heading to Thailand."
Namtan, always efficient, didn't miss a beat. "Of course. When do you want to leave?"
"Tonight," she replied. "We need to get there without any delays."
"Understood. I'll handle everything and call you back with the details," Namtan said, her tone laced with reassurance.
She hung up, her mind already racing with thoughts of what awaited them in Thailand. Thailand wasn't just a destination; it was the next step in something that felt deeply significant.
Author's Note:
Wow, what else is there to say, babes? You really took on the 30 votes challengeâand then some! Hahaha. You've got me feeling all teary-eyed and grateful. Thank you so much for all the support, and to everyone who commented and appreciated the last chapter.
Special shoutout to @kTDOTC, @thirlwallslvr, and OhCrap6âthis one's for you guys!
And to the 38 people (as of this writing)who voted for the last chapter, I know it's because you're all hoping for a double update, haha! But seriously, thank you so much and of course my silent readers. I love you all! ð