The soft hum of the airplane engines filled the business-class cabin, a subtle backdrop to the playful banter that had carried over from the boarding gate. They were flying business class, a rarity for Faye, whose private jet had been used by Namtan for a critical project to New York. Namtan was overseeing the setup of their first flagship store there, a major milestone for the company.
Despite the slight inconvenience, Faye didn't mind. She had insisted on staying in Thailand until the wedding, which they had agreed would take place in two months. Faye was determined to immerse herself in the final preparations and spend uninterrupted time with Yoko.
Namtan, ever the professional, promised to join them in Thailand as soon as her work in New York was completed. Meanwhile, Sonya would be following them next week, needing to ensure everything in Faye's city was taken care of before she left. Sofia would be with her, as Nana had specifically requested her presenceâthey had become fast friends.
Yoko reclined slightly in her seat, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the armrest as she turned to Faye, who was scrolling through her phone with a calm demeanor that belied the bombshell she had just dropped.
"What do you mean you've been invited as one of the Miss Grand International judges?" Yoko asked, her tone caught somewhere between disbelief and exasperation.
Faye looked up, blinking in confusion. "I mean exactly that. They sent me an invitation last month," she replied, her voice steady, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "They think my background in fashion and branding makes me a good fit to judge who wears the dress best and carries herself confidently."
Yoko stared at her, processing the information. She had no doubt that Faye was more than capable of being a judgeâif you asked her, she was more than qualified. But something about this still didn't sit right with her.
"And you agreed? Just like that?" she asked, her brows knitting together in disbelief.
From the row in front of them, Dr. Lingling and Prof. Engfaâseated together for reasons Yoko suspected had more to do with their shared love of gossip than mere seating arrangementsâburst into quiet laughter. Yoko rolled her eyes and extended her leg to subtly kick the back of their seats. The laughter only grew louder.
Engfa turned around, a wide grin on her face. "Oh, come on, Baby Yoko. You're just upset because Faye's going to be judging the most beautiful women in Thailand," she teased. "It's killing you, isn't it?"
Yoko glared, cheeks flaming. "That's not it," she said defensively, though her tone suggested otherwise.
Lingling joined in, her chuckles unabashed. "Oh, it's totally that. I mean, imagine being engaged to someone like Faye and then watching her judge a pageant. The pressure's unreal." She shot Yoko a mischievous glance.
Faye leaned back, seemingly unfazed by the teasing. "What? You think I'd even notice anyone else when I'm engaged to the most beautiful Thai woman I've ever met?" she said, her voice casual but tinged with sincerity as she turned to Yoko.
Yoko's blush deepened, and her gaze dropped to her lap. "You're just saying that," she murmured.
Faye reached over, adjusting her seat closer to Yoko's and taking her hand gently. "No, I'm not," she said firmly, her voice quieting the laughter in the row ahead. "But if it really bothers you, I won't go. Simple as that."
Yoko's head snapped up, surprise flashing in her eyes. "What?" she asked, her voice soft.
"I mean it," Faye said. "If being a judge makes you uncomfortable, I'll turn it down. The wedding is more important, and so are you." Her thumb brushed soothing circles on the back of Yoko's hand.
For a moment, Yoko just stared at her, words caught in her throat. "No," she said finally, shaking her head. "It's fine. I trust you." Her voice softened. "I just... wasn't expecting it, that's all."
Faye smiled, her grip on Yoko's hand tightening briefly. "You sure?"
Yoko nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. "I'm sure."
"Good," Faye said, her voice warm. "Because the competition is only one night, and it'll give me more time to focus on you and the wedding preparation."
At the mention of the wedding, Yoko's nerves surged back in full force. Planning such a massive event was daunting enough, but going back to Thailand to immerse herself in the chaos made it feel even more real. After their dinner with Faye's parents, the couple had discussed dates for the wedding. While Faye had wanted it to happen within a month, Yoko had insisted they needed more time. There was so much to do, even with their friends Orm and Charlotte pitching in. Yoko knew the next few weeks would be a whirlwind of activity, emotions, and endless planning.
What Yoko didn't anticipate, however, was that the wedding preparations wouldn't be their only challenge. She was utterly unprepared for the storm of fans waiting for them at Suvarnabhumi Airport. They were ushered to a corner when they went out the plane and informed them of a crowd that is waiting for them outside.
As an artist, Yoko was accustomed to being greeted by fans at public appearances and this should not be surprising because after Yoko's Tiktok Live, they had been the talk of everyone, even trending worldwide. But since this wasn't her scheduled flight, she was puzzled by how anyone even knew about it. It wasn't until later that she learned a fan in the Philippines had spotted her and Faye at the airport and tweeted about it. The post had gone viral, prompting an overwhelming crowd to gather in anticipation of their arrival.
The airport officials were just as overwhelmed as Yoko when they realized the extent of the gathering. Fans buzzed with excitement, waving signs and shouting cheers for the couple whose love story they had followed obsessively on TikTok. Reporters were scattered around, cameras flashing incessantly, eager to capture a glimpse of the pair.
As soon as Yoko grasped the situation, she immediately called P'Chai for help. When P'Chai returned her call, he reassured her that her father and Bam were already at the airport with some of her bodyguards, working with officials to arrange an escort for them. As they waited, a group of officers arrived to guide them outside.
When they finally exited the terminal, Yoko was stunned by the sheer volume of people. The cheers and screams were deafening, with some fans shouting Faye's name, others calling for Yoko, and a few even jokingly yelling, "Faye, marry me instead!"
"Omg, is that the real ring?" one fan shouted as Yoko accidentally brushed her hair. The crowd went wild, whistling and exclaiming, "Wow, that looks expensive, Yoko! And perfect for you!"
The energy was electric, but for Yoko, it was overwhelming. Even P'Lingling and P'Engfa, who were usually composed in public situations, seemed caught off guard by the frenzy. Yoko's heart raced as she worried about Faye, who wasn't accustomed to this level of public attention. Reporters crowded around them, their cameras flashing rapidly, adding to the chaos.
Amid the madness, questions from reporters flew in all directions.
"Yoko, how do you feel about the overwhelming support from your fans?" one reporter shouted.
"Faye, how does it feel to be in the spotlight with Yoko?" another asked.
"Are you two planning any public appearances together soon?" a reporter pressed.
"How do you handle the pressure of being in such a public relationship?" came a quick follow-up.
Through it all, Faye remained composed, her calm demeanor unwavering. She smiled warmly at the fans, occasionally waving when being called while keeping a protective arm around Yoko. Faye gently guided Yoko, Lingling, and Engfa, shielding them as best she could from the crush of people. Despite the chaos, her steady presence was like an anchor, grounding Yoko in the storm of excitement around them.
Yoko caught snippets of the crowd's enthusiasm.
"OMG, Faye is even prettier in person!" someone yelled.
"I can't believe it's them together!"
And, of course, there were the bold proclamations of, "Faye, marry me!"
Yoko's cheeks burned as she fought the urge to respond. She wanted to call out the more enthusiastic fans who's clearly flirting with Faye but held her tongue, knowing it wasn't the time.
The crowd was so thick that they had to stop multiple times. At one point, Yoko began to feel lightheaded from the overwhelming noise and flashing lights. Sensing her distress, Faye immediately wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "It's okay," Faye murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Yoko's temple. She fanned Yoko gently, her concern evident as she made sure Yoko was steady before continuing. At the same time, Faye didn't neglect Lingling and Engfa, occasionally glancing back to ensure they were okay.
When they finally reached the car, Bam was already waiting, her sharp gaze scanning the crowd as she opened the door. "Quick, get in!" he urged, assisting Yoko first, then Lingling and Engfa. Faye followed last, pausing briefly to wave at the fans to their delight before sliding in beside Yoko.
As the car doors closed and the noise was muffled at last, Yoko leaned back with a heavy sigh. Her head was spinning, and her heart was still racing from the chaos.
"You okay?" Faye asked softly, her hand resting on Yoko's knee.
Yoko nodded, her voice slightly breathless. "That was... intense."
Lingling chuckled from the back seat. "Intense is putting it mildly. I've never seen anything like that."
"Neither have I," Engfa agreed, shaking her head in disbelief. "I thought they were going to swarm us."
Faye's lips curved into a small, reassuring smile as she reached for Yoko's hand. "You handled it well," she said, her voice filled with quiet pride. "I know it wasn't easy."
Yoko turned to her, the tension in her shoulders easing as their eyes met. "I think you handled it better than I did," she admitted, her tone soft. "You're not used to this, and yet... you were amazing out there."
Faye gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I had one priority: making sure you were okay." Her gaze was steady, filled with sincerity. "That's all that mattered."
Yoko felt her heart swell at the words. Despite the chaos, Faye had remained her calm, steady selfâher rock in the middle of the storm. As the car drove away from the airport, Yoko couldn't help but smile, a quiet sense of gratitude settling over her. No matter what the next few weeks threw at them, she knew they'd face it together.
---
The preparations began almost immediately after they arrived at the hotel. Yoko's mom greeted them warmly, her affection for Faye obvious as she fussed over her like she was already a beloved daughter-in-law. Faye handled it all with grace, her charm shining through as always.
But the surprises didn't end there. Charlotte and Orm was there already to help, and Faye had apparently commandeered the entire penthouse suite, transforming it into a temporary wedding headquarters. The walls were covered with mood boards, fabric swatches, and printed seating charts, all meticulously organized.
Orm immediately pulled Yoko into a hug. "Finally! We thought you'd never get here," she exclaimed. "Congratulations, girl!" she added, stepping back to give Yoko a quick once-over. "Wow, Yoko. You look stressed already."
"Thanks," Yoko said dryly, dropping her bag onto the floor. "Exactly what I needed to hear."
Charlotte grinned from her spot on the couch, where she was sifting through invitation samples. "Don't mind Orm. She's just projecting. She's been freaking out about the to-do list since yesterday."
"I have not!" Orm protested, though the blush creeping up her neck gave her away.
Faye chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe. "You'll both do great," she said, her voice calm and reassuring.
Charlotte shot her a playful glare. "Easy for you to say. You just have to show up and look pretty."
"That's debatable," Faye replied with a teasing smile, her lips curling in amusement.
As the group settled into the suite, Orm's eyes suddenly fell on Yoko's hand. "Wait... is that THE engagement ring?" she gasped, her voice suddenly full of awe.
Yoko looked down, a nervous blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Uh, yeah, it is."
Orm's eyes widened as she leaned in closer. "Oh my God, that's beautiful! Is that a diamond orâ?"
Before Yoko could answer, Charlotte jumped up from the couch, eyes sparkling. "Let me see!" she practically lunged for Yoko's hand, her excitement contagious. "Yoko, that's a freaking masterpiece! I can't believe it!"
Yoko smiled awkwardly, not used to all the attention, but she was touched by their genuine excitement. "It's... it's perfect, right?" she said quietly, looking at Faye for reassurance.
Faye stepped forward, a soft smile on her lips as she nodded proudly. "It's exactly what I knew she'd love."
Charlotte, her voice still filled with admiration, turned to Faye. "You really outdid yourself. This is the ring! It's so Yoko."
"Yup," Orm added with a teasing grin, "If this doesn't seal the deal, I don't know what will."
Yoko's mom, who had been quietly watching from the side, stepped over and took her hand in hers. "Oh, sweetheart," she murmured, her eyes shining. "It's stunning. You both have such a beautiful future ahead of you."
As the night went on, Yoko felt overwhelmed but deeply grateful for the love and support surrounding her. Faye, of course, remained her steady anchor through it all, never once letting go of her hand. With every passing moment, Yoko couldn't help but feel more certain: this was just the beginning of something beautiful.
---
On the eve of the pageant, as Faye prepared for her judging role, Yoko couldn't help but watch her fiancée with a deep sense of admiration and awe. Faye stepped out, impeccably dressed, exuding an air of confidence that made her impossible to ignore. Every movement was poised, every glance from Faye radiated assurance, and when their eyes met, Faye offered Yoko a smile that seemed to hold all the warmth in the world.
Faye had wanted Yoko to attend the pageant, but she politely declined. She wasn't sure if she could handle the swarm of fans around Fayeâlet alone the contestants from the pageant. But more than that, Yoko wanted the spotlight to be on Faye alone. The world needed to see how incredible Faye wasâhow brilliant, how beautiful, how deserving she was of every bit of recognition. She wanted Faye to shine on her own, without any distractions.
As the pageant night drew nearer, Yoko found herself in the living room of the penthouse with her family and friends, all gathered together to watch the event. Their support was unwavering, and everyone was excited for Faye. The lights dimmed, and the pageant began. When the judges were introduced, the camera panned to Faye, and the crowd erupted in a frenzy. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, and it was obviousâFaye was a major reason why the stands were packed. Every time the camera focused on her, the crowd cheered even louder, their admiration impossible to ignore.
Freen, sitting beside Yoko, couldn't contain her excitement and commented, "I've never heard a scream that loud before, not even on our fan meets! Faye's got the whole place going wild!"
As the pageant reached its Q&A portion, the energy in the venue was electric. Each candidate held their breath, waiting to hear who would ask the next question. When the host announced Faye as the questioner, the room seemed to buzz with anticipation.
The chosen candidate practically glowed with excitement, her reaction instant and effusive. "Oh my god, it's you!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with admiration. "I love your brand so much! I've been following it for years. And I love you, too!"
Faye, poised and professional, maintained her signature calm demeanor, but a soft smile broke through at the candidate's enthusiasm. The brief twinkle in her eyes as the camera zoomed in on her didn't go unnoticedânot by the audience, not by the candidate, and certainly not by Yoko.
And from the cozy living room, Yoko watched the screen, her hands gripping the edge of the couch cushion a little too tightly. The candidate's obvious infatuation, paired with Faye's composed elegance, sent a pang of jealousy straight through her chest.
Orm, curled up on the other side of the couch, was the first to notice. She raised an eyebrow, a devilish grin forming on her lips. "Uh-oh," she teased, her voice low enough for only their group to hear. "Looks like someone's got a fan club. How does it feel, Yoko, seeing your girlfriend get all that love?"
But apparently, Freen heard it and said, "Well, well," she teased, leaning closer to Yoko. "Someone's looking a little green right now. Jealous much?"
Yoko shot her a side glance, trying to brush it off. "I'm not jealous," she mumbled, though the pink tint creeping up her cheeks told a different story.
"Oh, really?" Orm pressed, clearly enjoying herself. "Because the way you're staring at the screen, I'm half-expecting you to jump through it and tackle that poor girl."
"She was just being nice," Yoko muttered defensively, crossing her arms.
Nana, sitting on the floor with a bowl of popcorn, chimed in with a laugh. "Nice? Did you hear her? 'And I love you, too!' She sounded like she was about to propose!"
Yoko huffed, trying to maintain her composure, but her friends weren't about to let her off the hook.
"You should've seen your face," Charlotte added, clutching her stomach as she laughed. "You looked like you wanted to yell, 'She's mine!' right there in the living room."
"Okay, stop," Yoko said, her voice sharp but her lips twitching with a reluctant smile.
"But seriously, Yoko," Nana continued, smirking. "That girl's got guts. Professing her love for Faye on live TV? Iconic. I mean, I'd be worried if I were you."
Yoko groaned, throwing a pillow at Nana, who dodged it with a laugh. "She was just fangirling!" Yoko insisted, though her voice wavered slightly.
Engfa leaned back, grinning from ear to ear. "Right, fangirling. Sure. Keep telling yourself that, jealous girlfriend."
Yoko grabbed another pillow, her face burning now. "I'm not jealous!"
BamBam, with a grin, couldn't help but comment, "Wow, that candidate's gorgeous. I'm telling you, she's got a good shot at winning." Yoko simply rolled her eyes, trying to hide the flutter of emotion in her chest.
As the candidate continued, she flirted openly with Faye, saying, "And you're just as beautiful as your brand." The crowd's reaction was immediate, a loud roar of excitement filling the air. Faye, caught off guard by the sudden attention, managed to smile and wave her hand gently to calm the excited crowd.
"Thank you for loving my brand," Faye said graciously, her voice light and measured, even as the energy around her surged.
The candidate didn't stop there. Blushing deeply, she added with a sly smile, "And you too. I love you, I really do." Her voice dipped into a flirtatious tone, soft but unmistakable. "Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable."
The audacity of the statement sent a ripple of murmurs through the audience, and back in Yoko's living room, chaos erupted.
"Oh my god!" Freen shouted, doubling over with laughter. "That girl is persistent! Yoko, do you want me to grab the car? Let's go get your girl out of there!"
Her comment set off a wave of laughter among their friends, and even Yoko's parents couldn't help but chuckle.
"I mean," Freen continued with a cheeky grin, "I wouldn't blame Faye if she blushed at that. That girl was hot."
Yoko glared at Freen, rolling her eyes so hard it was a wonder she didn't see the back of her skull. But the teasing was starting to get under her skin, and as ridiculous as it was, she was seriously considering Freen's offer to go to the venue and drag Faye out of there.
Before Yoko could make a decision, however, the cameraâwhich had lingered on Faye for far too long, much to the audience's delightâcaught something that immediately silenced the room.
Faye, ever the picture of composure, had remained poised throughout the entire exchange, but the faintest tinge of pink dusted her cheeks. The audience, noticing this subtle reaction, broke into delighted whispers before quieting again, their eyes glued to her every move.
Yoko's glare hardened, and her friends burst into another fit of giggles. "Oh, she's blushing! Yoko, she's blushing!" Lingling teased, throwing a pillow at her.
"One more word from that girl," Yoko muttered darkly, her voice low but deadly serious, "and I'm actually driving over there."
The room dissolved into laughter again, though Yoko's gaze stayed locked on the screen, her lips pressed into a thin line as she watched Faye intently.
Faye flashed a warm smile, her composure exuding effortless grace. "No, it doesn't make me uncomfortable," she replied, her voice light and playful. "I once heard someone say, 'You have the right to feel what you feel.'" She paused, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at the camera. "But that someone, the love of my life, might be the one feeling a little uncomfortable right now," she teased, her tone affectionate yet mischievous. "And we wouldn't want that, would we?"
The crowd burst into laughter and applause, captivated by Faye's charm and wit. With a sly grin, she added, "I still want to marry her, so let's move on with the questions."
Her playful words sent the fans into a frenzy, and Yoko couldn't help but feel a mix of pride, amusement, and a touch of possessiveness. Faye had a way of turning every moment into a celebration of their love, and Yoko was entirely captivated by it.
The room filled with uproarious laughter and applause, as Yoko's family and friends couldn't help but tease her relentlessly. "I can't believe she just said that!" P'Lookmhee exclaimed, laughing heartily as she nudged Yoko.
"Wow, Yoko, you must be feeling so pretty right now,"Â Charlotte said with a mischievous grin.
Yoko's friends all laughed, exchanging knowing looks. "Faye's subtly flexingâshe's only loyal to you!  P'Engfa teased with a wink.
Yoko's sister, Nana, grinned widely. "P'Faye's got you figured out, sis," she teased, playfully raising an eyebrow. "She knows exactly that you'll get jealous over that."
Yoko blushed, tryingâand failingâto hide her embarrassed smile. "I'm not jealous," she insisted, her tone indignant as she pouted. Her friends, delighted by her reaction, burst into laughter once more.
"I bet you didn't expect that kind of answer, huh?" Orm teased, winking at her.
On the screen, Faye had just finished asking her question, her eyes scanning the room briefly before landing on the camera. It felt, for the briefest moment, as though she was looking directly at Yoko.
Lingling caught the subtle softening in Yoko's expression and smirked. "Oh, look at that. One glance from Faye, and suddenly you're all melty again. Pathetic."
Yoko's cheeks turned red, causing everyone in the room to laugh even more.
Despite the teasing and the intense attention, Yoko's heart swelled with pride. Faye was effortlessly owning the moment, and Yoko couldn't be prouder of the woman she loved.
Orm, ever the jokester, leaned over to Yoko, smirking. "Does Faye have a sister? Because I'm ready to sign up."
The room laughed, and so is Yoko especially when she heard Dr. Lingling, sitting nearby, whispering mischievously, "Tell Faye's parents to adopt me. I need to be part of this family."
The lively chatter and playful teasing only added to the joy of the moment, as Yoko watched Faye steal the spotlight. Faye wasn't just her fiancéeâshe was a force of nature, and the whole world was finally starting to see it.
---
As the wedding day drew closer, Yoko's nerves, which had once been fraught with doubt and anxiety, began to slowly settle. With Faye's unwavering support by her side, Yoko could feel her worries melting away, replaced by a gentle excitement she hadn't anticipated. Faye had been her rock through the entire journeyâthe constant source of calm amidst the chaos of wedding preparations.
Late one evening, before the wedding, as they sat on the balcony of their hotel, the warm breeze of the evening wrapped around them, Faye turned to Yoko with a soft smile. The sound of crickets in the distance was the only thing breaking the peaceful silence. The city lights twinkled in the distance, casting a soft glow over everything, but all Yoko could focus on was Faye.
"You okay?" Faye asked, her voice gentle, as she reached over to take Yoko's hand in hers.
Yoko, looking into Faye's eyes, felt a rush of love. "I'm just... trying to absorb everything. It's hard to believe this is really happening. I mean, we're about to get married. Tomorrow. It feels like a dream."
Faye smiled, her thumb brushing over Yoko's hand in a soothing rhythm. "I know. It feels surreal to me too. But it's the best kind of dream, don't you think?" she said softly, her voice filled with warmth.
Yoko nodded, her heart swelling at the thought of spending forever with the person sitting in front of her. "I just want everything to be perfect," Yoko confessed, her voice tinged with a little uncertainty. "I want you to have the most beautiful day."
Faye's smile grew even softer, and she cupped Yoko's face, her touch tender. "Babe, I don't need perfection. All I need is you. You are my perfect day. Thisâeverything we're building togetherâthis is all I could ever ask for."
Yoko's heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in Faye's words. She leaned into Faye's touch, feeling the warmth of her love seep into her. "You make everything feel right. Every time I think about saying 'I do'... it feels like I'm finally home."
Faye's eyes sparkled with emotion, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. "I can't wait to say 'I do' to you too. It's the easiest decision I've ever made. You're the love of my life, Yoko. I'm so lucky to have you."
Tears welled up in Yoko's eyes at Faye's words, and without thinking, she wrapped her arms around Faye, pulling her into a tight embrace. "And I'm lucky to have you. You make my world so much brighter. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I promise I'll spend every day for the rest of my life making sure you know how loved you are."
Faye held her close, her heart full. "You already do," she whispered, "You already do."
They sat there for a while, simply holding each other, the world outside fading into the background. It was moments like theseâquiet, simple, full of loveâthat made the whirlwind of wedding preparations fade into the distance. The nerves, the stress, the busyness of it allânone of it mattered when they were together.
As the stars began to twinkle more brightly above them, Yoko whispered, her voice filled with a deep, contented certainty, "Tomorrow is going to be amazing, isn't it? The wedding... the start of forever with you."
Faye kissed the top of her head softly. "It's going to be more than amazing, Babe. It's going to be perfect. Because it's with you."
And in that moment, under the vast, starlit sky, Yoko knew that no matter what happened in the days ahead, the love they shared would be the foundation of their beautiful future.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Merry Christmas, babes! I hope this season brings you and your loved ones an abundance of blessings and happiness. ð
Waking up today, I felt so incredibly loved and grateful for all your reads, votes, comments, and the outpouring of love you've shown for this story.
Honestly, this has been one of the best Christmas gifts I could have received. Thank you for all your unwavering love and support.
I truly appreciate each and every one of you, and I love you from the bottom of my heart. ðð