When Yoko woke up, it was already 10 p.m. She quickly jumped out of bed, rushed to the bathroom to freshen up, and then headed out. Her family was gathered in the suite's living room, and Nana immediately noticed her.
"Yoko, you're awake!" she said, clearly relieved.
Her mom walked over and asked, "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat?"
But Yoko wasn't focused on food. Her only concern was whether Faye had returned. She was too shy to ask, but her mom, always perceptive, picked up on her unease.
"By the way, Maye came earlier and brought your bag," her mom said. "She said to tell you that you're going to be okay."
"Thanks, Mom," Yoko replied, her mind already on Faye. "I'll text her."
Yoko grabbed her bag and phone, then sat next to her mom and dad. Luke was already asleep, and Yoko opened her phone only to find it was nearly out of battery. She exhaled, frustrated by her bad luck. Nana, clearly amused by Yoko's frustration, laughed and said, "By the way, P'Faye was here earlier."
Yoko's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why didn't you wake me up?" she said, her disappointment clear.
Nana shrugged. "She said not to wake you because you needed rest. She just told me to let you know to call her once you woke up."
Without waiting for more, Yoko rushed to her room to charge her phone.
As the battery slowly charged, she opened her phone to find a flood of notifications. But one number stood out â Faye's. Yoko winced when she saw that Faye had called her 50 times while that day. Without wasting another second, she dialed the number.
"Yoko?" Faye answered on the first ring, sounding a bit breathless.
"Hey," Yoko said. "You're back?"
"Yes, I'm back," Faye replied, her voice a little hurried. "How are you?"
Yoko was about to ask why Faye sounded breathless when she heard a woman's voice in the background.
"Faye, are you ready to eat?" the woman asked.
A silence was heard after, sounds like Faye has muted the phone.
Yoko froze. It wasn't Namtan or Sonya. The voice had a British accent.
"Yoko? Hey, are you still there?" Faye asked, sounding concerned.
"Listen," Faye continued, "I just need a quick shower. I'll come to your room in a bit, okay? I'm only two floors up."
"Okay..." Yoko said, her confusion mounting.
Who the hell was that!? As soon as the call ended, Yoko quickly changed into a shirt and shorts, fixed her hair, and rushed out of her room. Her family, still in the living room, was surprised by her sudden rush.
"What's going on?" her dad asked.
"Nothing, I'm just going to see Faye," Yoko replied nonchalantly, though her insides were in turmoil.
Nana and Bambam, clearly confused, quickly caught up with her. "Why are you going to see Faye?" Nana asked.
"We're just going to talk," Yoko said calmly, though she was desperate to find out what was going on. "Let Bambam come with you," her mom suggested.
Bambam immediately nodded. Yoko, not wanting to waste time arguing, agreed and pulled him along, much to her parents' confusion.
While waiting for the elevator, Yoko impatiently pushed the button repeatedly, much to Bambam's amusement.
"Really, Yoko? What's going on? Is something wrong with P'Faye?" Bambam asked.
"No, why would something be wrong with her?" Yoko replied, still annoyed.
Bambam raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you look like you're about to punch someone? You look worried, angry... like when that maniac kissed you."
Yoko froze, staring at Bambam, who immediately regretted his words. "Oh my god, I'm sorry, Yoko," he said quickly.
"It's okay," Yoko said, shaking her head. "I just wanted to see Faye."
Bambam nodded, apologizing again as they finally reached Faye's floor.
When they arrived at the door, Bambam rang the doorbell, but Yoko hesitated, unsure what to do. Bambam looked at her and shrugged.
They heard footsteps approaching, and both Yoko and Bambam were stunned when a woman wearing a robe opened the door. Yoko was about to ask her what was going on when Bambam quickly said, "Sorry, I think we're at the wrong room."
The woman smiled and asked, "No, it's okay. Which room are you looking for?"
Yoko almost blurted out, the room where I heard your voice, but she kept silent.
"We're looking for P'Faye's room," Bambam answered.
Yoko was about to turn away when the woman spoke again. "Oh, this is her room."
Yoko felt her stomach drop as the pieces of the puzzle started to click. Bambam, too, seemed to be putting it all together. Just as he was about to respond, another voice called out.
"Bam, Yoko?" It was Namtan.
"Oh, they're looking for Faye," the woman said, smiling.
"Yeah, they're Faye's friends," Namtan added, smiling as well.
Yoko winced. She looked at Namtan, utterly confused.
"Come on in," Namtan invited them, and Bambam quickly entered the room.
Yoko hesitated for a moment, but Namtan took her hand, pulling her inside.
As they walked in, Yoko noticed Sonya in the small kitchen with two other women. When Sonya saw them, she rushed over, smiling.
"Hey, Yoko!" she greeted excitedly, pulling her into a hug. "How are you?"
Still disoriented, Yoko tried to regain her composure. "I'm okay now, thanks to you," she said sincerely.
"It's nothing," Sonya replied with a smile. "We've always got your back, not just Faye."
"Thank you so much, Sonya," Yoko said, grateful. "That means more than you know."
Sonya hugged her again, and Namtan did the same. "I'm proud of you," Namtan whispered.
At that moment, the woman in the robe cleared her throat.
"Oh, by the way," Namtan said, "Yoko, this is BeccaâRebecca Armstrong. She's the client we went to Cambodia with but ended up coming back with us because she closed a deal with Faye's City. She'll be working here now. She's half Thai and half British."
"Hi, Yoko," Becca said, smiling and extending her hand. Yoko hesitated for a moment but then shook it.
"Sorry for letting you see me like this," Becca added with a laugh. "My luggage was in my room, and these idiots spilled soft drinks on me, so I had to shower first. When I heard the doorbell, I was the only one free to answer."
"Oh, no, it's fine," Yoko said, embarrassed.
Bambam, looking amused, rolled his eyes at Yoko, who shot him a look.
"By the way," Sonya added, "Faye's in the shower in her room. She just got from the gym downstair, so she's taking a quick shower first."
Yoko, now fully understanding the situation, felt embarrassed about jumping to conclusions earlier. Just as she was about to think more about it, another door opened, revealing Faye in a simple white hoodie and pajamas. Her eyes although surprised at first softened when she saw Yoko, and she immediately walked over and wrapped her arms around her.
Yoko melted into the hug, inhaling Faye's familiar scent.
"Hey, what are you doing here? I was supposed to go to your place," Faye said as they settled in. The others in the living room returned to what they had been doing before in the kitchen, including Bambam to probably give them privacy.
"I wanted to see you," Yoko said shyly.
Faye sighed and pulled Yoko back into a tight embrace. "Me too. I missed you," she said, holding Yoko even tighter.
"I was so worried about you," Faye murmured, her voice thick with emotion as she gently cupped Yoko's face. The words were soft but filled with a deep, unspoken weight that tugged at Yoko's heart.
Yoko's breath hitched as she felt the warmth of Faye's hands on her skin. She melted into her touch, her heart racing with each passing second. "I needed to see you," she whispered again, her voice barely audible, but full of longing. "I didn't want to wait anymore."
Faye's eyes softened, her grip tightening as if to pull Yoko even closer. "I didn't either," she confessed, her voice thick with vulnerability. "I missed you so much. Every minute without you felt like a lifetime."
Yoko felt a rush of warmth flood through her, the overwhelming emotions of the day starting to fade into nothingness. She leaned into Faye's touch, feeling safe in the space between them. There was something so intimate about this moment, about the quiet exchange of feelings that neither of them had to say aloud. Their hearts were speaking for them.
As Faye finally pulled back to look at her, their faces were mere inches apart, and Yoko could feel the warmth of Faye's breath brushing against her lips. Her pulse quickened, and she could see the vulnerability in Faye's eyes, the way they searched hers for somethingâanythingâthat would reassure her.
"You'll never face anything like that alone again," Faye promised, her voice firm yet soft, a vow that was more powerful than any grand gesture. "I promise, Yoko. I'll always be here."
Yoko's lips curved into a faint but genuine smile, her fingers brushing against Faye's cheek, a delicate touch that seemed to speak volumes. "You're always there when I need you," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
"I will try my best," Faye replied, her gaze unwavering, her tone filled with an intensity that made Yoko's heart flutter. "And even when you don't think you need me."
Their eyes lingered on each other, the weight of their unspoken words hanging in the air like a fragile promise.
Faye hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering to Yoko's lips, and then back to her eyes. Without saying another word, she leaned in, her lips brushing Yoko's forehead in a kiss so soft, so tender, that it felt like time had stopped. It wasn't much, but it was everything. It was the comfort of knowing they were here, together, in this moment, with nothing but the unspoken love between them.
Yoko closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of Faye's touch against her skin. The kiss was simple, but it was filled with all the things they couldn't say aloud. Love, longing, reassuranceâall wrapped up in that one gentle gesture.
For the first time that day, Yoko felt at peace. The chaos of everythingâthe anger, the fear, the uncertaintyâseemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of Faye's presence.
The sweet moment between the two was cut short when Namtan called them over to eat. Faye didn't miss a beat, insisting that Yoko and Bam join them after Bam casually mentioned that Yoko hadn't eaten yet.
Around the table sat a lively group: Bamâwho waved Yoko over with barely-contained excitementâNamtan, Sonya, Becca, and two of Becca's friends. The dining room buzzed with energy, filled with laughter and the tantalizing aroma of thoughtfully prepared dishes. The cheerful banter was a welcome contrast to the earlier tension, and Yoko felt a deep sense of relief that no one brought up the events from before.
"You've barely eaten," Faye remarked softly, her voice carrying just enough concern to pull Yoko's gaze away from her plate.
"I'm fine, really," Yoko said with a small smile, trying to deflect the attention.
Faye wasn't having it. With a grin tugging at her lips, she picked up a fork and speared a piece of fish, cutting it into a bite-sized portion. "Humor me," she said, holding the fork out toward Yoko.
Yoko's cheeks flushed as the room fell silent, all eyes turning toward the exchange. Slowly, she leaned forward and took the bite from Faye's fork. The collective cheer and applause that followed broke the moment like a lightning strike.
"This is starting to feel like a proposal!" Bam exclaimed, his voice laced with mischief. The room erupted into laughter, Becca playfully clinking her glass in mock celebration.
Faye didn't skip a beat. Her expression stayed relaxed, though her eyes sparkled with something deeperâa playful confidence that made Yoko's heart race. "Not yet," she replied, her voice light but brimming with unspoken promise.
The laughter around the table rolled on, but for Yoko, time felt suspended. Faye's words hung in the air, their meaning clear only to her. As her pulse quickened, Yoko caught herself stealing a glance at Faye, who had already turned back to the food with a satisfied smile.
After the meal, Becca and her friends excused themselves, citing an early meeting the next morning. Namtan and Sonya followed shortly after, bidding warm goodbyes. Bam lingered a little longer, cracking jokes and snapping a few selfies with Yoko and Faye, before finally retreating with a playful wink.
"Don't have too much fun without me," Bam called as he left.
And then there were two.
The silence that settled between Yoko and Faye was comfortable, tinged with anticipation. They moved to the balcony outside the dining area, the city's skyline stretching before them in a tapestry of lights. Faye leaned against the railing, her hands resting casually on the edge as she glanced at Yoko.
"Thank you for tonight," Yoko began, her voice softer now, intimate, each word carrying a weight of sincerity. "For letting me come here, for the dinner... for everything." She paused, her gaze meeting Faye's with quiet intensity. "It truly means so much to me."
"I told you," Faye said, her tone light but filled with affection. "I wanted to see you. So, if anything, you were doing me the favor."
Yoko shifted to face her fully, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She reached out, her voice tender but certain. "You've always had this way of making everything feel right, just by being there."
The words hung in the air between them, a vulnerability neither could ignore. Faye's breath caught in her throat, a rush of warmth filling her chest. "Yoko..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, unsure if she could even begin to respond.
Faye stepped closer, her presence drawing Yoko in with an undeniable pull. The air between them seemed to crackle as she looked at Yoko with a mixture of longing and resolve. "I've been thinking about us. About what I want... about what we could be. And after everything today, I realized something. I want to be the one you call first, the one you turn to when everything feels too heavy. I want to be the person you can cry to, the one who's always there, without hesitation, without second thoughts."
Yoko's heart raced, every beat echoing the intensity of Faye's words. A swirl of emotionsâfear, hope, desireâchurned inside her. She swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. "What are you saying?"
Faye stepped even closer, her hand reaching out with a gentle tenderness. She brushed a strand of hair from Yoko's face, the touch lingering, soft and warm. It was a touch that sent a shiver through Yoko's body, igniting something deep within her. Faye's eyes held hers, steady and sincere. "I'm saying that I'm tired of wondering, tired of pretending we don't feel something real. I don't want to dance around this anymore, Yoko. I want us to be moreâto stop holding back, to stop pretending we don't want to be together."
Yoko's lips parted, but no words came. Her breath caught in her throat, the weight of Faye's confession settling over her like a blanket. Faye's gaze softened, her vulnerability laid bare, and Yoko felt her own walls begin to crumble.
"Yoko," Faye whispered, her voice soft but filled with raw emotion, "will you be my girlfriend? I know this is the most imperfect time to ask, given everything that happened earlier, and I'm not trying to be insensitive. I'm sorry if it feels that way, but I can't let this day end without telling you how I feel."
As Faye continued to ramble, her words tumbling over each other, Yoko raise her fingers and placed them over Faye's mouth.
"Yes, Faye," Yoko said with a small smile. "I will be your girlfriend."
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, a slow, radiant smile spread across Faye's face.
The relief and joy that flooded Faye's expression were undeniable. She leaned in and searched for Yoko's eyes, looking for any sign of hesitation. Instead, she found only warmth, understanding, and an honesty that made her heart race.
Slowly, Yoko leaned in, her lips brushing against Faye's in a tentative kiss. She felt Faye stunned for a moment but smiled after. It was soft, almost hesitant, as if both were testing the waters. Faye responded gently, her hand sliding to the back of Yoko's neck, pulling her just a little closer.
The kiss deepened, their movements slow and deliberate, savoring the moment. Yoko's hands found their way to Faye's waist, fingers gripping softly as if anchoring herself to something real, something she hadn't allowed herself to believe in until now.
Yoko and Freen had shared many kisses during her time actingâFreen was her first kiss. Darn the industry even labeled Freen as the best kisser in the business. She was skilled, yes, but this kissâthis one was different.
She had never imagined her first kiss with Faye would feel quite like thisâso intoxicatingly perfect, so utterly overwhelming. When their lips met for the first time, it was as if the world around them faded into nothingness. The muffled hum of the city beyond the window, the faint ticking of the clock in the corner of the roomâall of it dissolved into silence. In that moment, it was just them.
Faye's lips were soft, warm, and inviting, moving with a gentle confidence that sent a shiver down Yoko's spine. There was no hesitation, no uncertaintyâjust the perfect blend of tenderness and intent, as though Faye had been waiting for this moment as long as Yoko had. The kiss wasn't rushed or demanding, but rather deliberate, a quiet exploration that spoke of care, patience, and something deeper.
Yoko could feel her heart pounding in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears as Faye's hand gently cupped her face, her fingers cool against Yoko's flushed skin. Faye's thumb traced a soft line along Yoko's cheek, grounding her in the moment and making her feel seen, cherished, and adored. It was a touch that sent warmth radiating from Yoko's face down to her very core.
And then there was Faye's breathâsweet, intoxicating, and undeniably enticing. A delicate mixture of the wine they had shared earlier and the crisp, cool hint of mint lingered with each breath she exhaled. The scent was as mesmerizing as the kiss itself, enveloping Yoko in a heady, almost dizzying blend of sensations. She had never realized how something as simple as breath could be so captivating, so undeniably alluring. It was as if Faye had found the perfect alchemy of flavors to match her effortless charm.
Faye moved with the kind of skill and grace that only someone completely in tune with the moment could possess. Her lips explored Yoko's with a gentle rhythm, shifting between soft, lingering caresses and deeper, more passionate presses that left Yoko breathless. She was an expert in the art of kissing, and it was evident in every tilt of her head, every gentle pull that left Yoko wanting more, needing more.
Yoko's mind flickered to the countless daydreams she'd had about this very moment. She had imagined how Faye might kissâgentle, passionate, maybe even a little hesitant. But this... this exceeded every expectation. Faye kissed like someone who knew exactly what she was doing, yet still held enough reverence to make every second feel special, unique, and unforgettable.
Yoko's knees felt weak, her body tingling from head to toe, as if her entire being had come alive under Faye's touch. Her lips tingled from the contact, a lingering warmth that made her ache to press them to Faye's again and again. The taste of Faye lingered on her tongueâa perfect blend of sweetness and mint, like a summer breeze mixed with a secret promise.
When they finally parted, Yoko opened her eyes slowly, her gaze hazy with emotion and wonder. Her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps as she struggled to find words, any words, to express what she was feeling. But how could she? How could she put into words the way Faye had just kissed herâthe way it made her feel like she was floating, weightless and free?
Faye's eyes met hers, dark and luminous, filled with something that looked like both longing and quiet satisfaction. Her lips curved into a soft, knowing smile, and Yoko realized that Faye could sense it tooâthe spark, the connection, the unspoken promise that this kiss had sealed between them.
Yoko swallowed hard, her voice a whisper when she finally managed to speak.
"You're... a really good kisser."
Faye chuckled softly, her hand still resting against Yoko's cheek, thumb tracing small, comforting circles. "I've been told," she teased gently, her voice low and velvety, sending another shiver through Yoko. "But with you... it felt different. Better."
Yoko felt her cheeks flush, her heart racing again. She looked up at Faye, her eyes wide and vulnerable. "It felt... perfect," she admitted quietly, the words spilling out before she could stop them.
Faye's smile softened, her gaze filled with something tender, something that made Yoko's heart ache in the best possible way. "That's because it was," Faye said simply, her voice steady and full of truth.
When they pulled apart, Faye rested her forehead against Yoko's, her smile widening. "You have no idea how happy that makes me."
Yoko laughed softly, her cheeks flushed. "I think I have some idea."
Faye insisted on walking Yoko back to her room. The corridors of the hotel were quiet, their footsteps the only sound as they made their way to Yoko's door.
"Thank you for tonight," Yoko said, pausing in front of her room. "I really needed it."
"Thank you for saying yes, girlfriend," Faye said, her tone laced with playful warmth but underpinned by a sincerity that made Yoko's heart skip a beat. A teasing smile tugged at Faye's lips as she reached out, letting her fingers lightly brush against Yoko's, the touch lingering just long enough to send a spark through the quiet night air.
Yoko chuckled softly, her cheeks warming at the term of endearment. "Girlfriend, huh? I could get used to that."
Faye grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, you'd better. Tomorrow, I've got something plannedâa surprise. Something special, just for you."
Yoko's eyes widened slightly, curiosity flickering to life. "A surprise?"
Faye nodded, leaning in closer as though sharing a secret. "You'll see. But for now, you need to get some rest, okay?" Her voice softened, carrying a tenderness that made Yoko feel like the most important person in the world.
Yoko's smile deepened, her heart swelling with gratitude and love. "A surprise from my girlfriend. Now I definitely can't wait for tomorrow."
Faye laughed lightly, the sound like a melody, and placed her hand briefly over Yoko's, their connection grounding them both. "Patience, Yoko. It'll be worth it, I promise."
Yoko nodded, her gaze locked onto Faye's, her voice gentle but filled with emotion. "Goodnight, Faye."
"Goodnight," Faye whispered, her voice soft as a caress. She leaned in, pressing one last kiss to Yoko's lips, a kiss that was tender and unhurried, filled with unspoken promises. As she pulled away, her fingers lingered on Yoko's for a moment longer before she finally turned to leave.
Yoko stood there for a moment, watching Faye's silhouette fade into the night, her heart full and brimming with hope. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hello, babes! Yesterday, I posted a question on my note, and @Introvert_Vibes was the only one who answeredâhahaha! I guess she's the only one who actually read the note, huh?ð¤ Lol. Anyway, as promised, this chapter is for you, babe. Thank you for your support and for humoring me with your answer. ð
Of course, I also want to thank my ever-constant commenters who inspire me every single day:
@kTDOTC @thirlwallslvr @OhCrap6 @GrumpyOmega @bbookishbelle @meegraceee @Doryn25 @ zxcvb1234q @BelindaRea8 -  thank you, guys! ð
And to everyone who voted and my silent readers, I truly appreciate your support. I love you all dearly!