The Calm Before the Storm

Some time later, Namtan returned to the condo, her mind still swirling with the emotions from her intense conversation with Sonya. It had been a necessary talk—raw and emotional—but ultimately it left her feeling exhausted. Yet, as she stepped into the living room and saw Film lying on the couch, peacefully asleep with the cat curled up next to her, all of that tension seemed to dissipate. The sight before her was so tranquil, so ordinary in the most comforting way, that Namtan couldn't help but smile.

There was something incredibly endearing about the way Film looked at that moment—her features softened in sleep, the cat snuggled up beside her, its nose twitching in contentment as it slept soundly. The cat, as always, was its usual snobbish self, but it seemed to have taken an immediate liking to Film, its small, content purrs adding a layer of calm to the atmosphere. Namtan stood quietly at the doorway, taking in the scene, a rush of affection filling her chest.

Her mind flicked back to her conversation with Sonya—how hard it had been, how emotionally charged. But Sonya had been right; everything she had said made sense.

When Namtan arrived at the Faye City building, she made her way straight to Sonya's office. Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly on the door. At the sound of Sonya's gentle invitation to come in, she stepped inside, her movements slow and hesitant. Her hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together, a feeble attempt to steady her nerves. She had dreaded this moment—the moment of confession—but she knew it was unavoidable. The truth could no longer remain buried.

Sonya immediately stood from her desk as soon as she saw Namtan, her concern apparent in the way her gaze softened. Without a word, she opened her arms, embracing Namtan gently. "Hey," she murmured, her voice warm, as if to offer comfort. "Take a seat, please."

Once Namtan had settled into the chair, Sonya sat across from her, her expression filled with quiet concern. "How are you?" she asked, her voice gentle but filled with an underlying intensity, as though trying to read the storm brewing behind Namtan's eyes. "What's going on?"

Namtan could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she opened her mouth, struggling to find the words. Finally, she let out a shaky breath and whispered, "I kidnapped Film."

Sonya's eyes widened in shock, her brow furrowing, disbelief written across her face. She blinked a few times before leaning forward, her voice steady but edged with confusion. "What do you mean, you kidnapped Film? Why would you do something like that?"

Namtan swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. "Because I thought Film was going to try to stop Faye's wedding. And I couldn't let that happen. I was trying to protect Faye. I thought if I could just keep Film away for a little while, she'd leave Faye's life for good, and everything would go back to normal."

Sonya stood motionless for a moment, her eyes searching Namtan's face as she processed the words. She then shook her head slowly, disbelief still evident. "So you kidnapped her... because you thought Film was going to stop Faye's wedding?"

Namtan's voice wavered as she nodded, her guilt evident in her every word. "Yes. I thought Faye deserved a chance at happiness, without any more drama. I thought if I could just remove Film from the picture for a while... if I could make sure she couldn't interfere... everything would go back to normal. I thought I was doing the right thing, protecting Faye."

Sonya's face twisted in disbelief, a mix of concern and frustration clouding her features. "Namtan, you don't think that kidnapping someone... taking them against their will... wasn't the wrong way to go about this?" Sonya's voice was soft, yet tinged with a quiet disappointment that cut through Namtan like a knife.

Namtan's heart sank at Sonya's words, the weight of guilt heavy on her chest. She lowered her gaze, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know it was wrong. I know. But I was scared. Faye's been through so much with Film and I thought if I could just keep Film away—just for a little while—it would be better for everyone.

Sonya sighed deeply, her eyes softening with concern. She leaned and took a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking, her voice gentle but filled with disbelief. "Namtan, I get that you care about Faye and want to protect her, but this... this is not the way to do it. You know better than this. You're studying law—you understand what's right and wrong. What has gotten into you? And even if Film was going to try and stop Faye's wedding, do you really think Faye would let that happen? Our friend was madly in love with Yoko. Film and Faye are over. You should've known that."

Namtan's gaze dropped to the floor, a deep shame washing over her. She nodded slowly, as if she had already begun to understand the depth of her mistakes. "I didn't know what else to do," she whispered. "I thought I was doing the right thing. But now... I see how wrong I was. I didn't mean to hurt Film. I just... I thought if I could just keep her away—at least until after Faye's wedding."

Sonya's voice became firm, yet still full of quiet disappointment. "Namtan, kidnapping someone is never the right thing to do. Where is Film now?" she asked softly.

Namtan swallowed hard, the tears threatening to spill as she replied, "She's at my condo."

Sonya's expression turned confused as she processed the information. "Your condo? Are you still holding her there against her will?"

"No! No, it wasn't like that," Namtan hastily replied, shaking her head. "There was a situation... it wasn't what it seemed."

Sonya's eyes narrowed. "What situation?"

Namtan closed her eyes tightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I like her."

Sonya froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What do you mean, you like her?"

Namtan's shoulders slumped, and she took a deep breath. "We kissed. And now she's waiting for me in the condo because we are going to talk."

Sonya's frustration reached its peak. "What the hell, Namtan? You kissed her? And first of all, is Film not mad at you for kidnapping her? Is she not suing you?"

Namtan closed her eyes tightly, her hand massaging her temple in a futile attempt to ease the storm brewing in her mind. "She was angry at first. She threatened to sue me, but... now I don't know. She kissed me. We kissed. And I told her I liked her."

Sonya's tone softened, but the doubt was still present in her voice. "Did you really like her, Namtan?"

Namtan's mind raced, confusion washing over her. "Yes, why would you ask that?"

Sonya sighed deeply, her tone measured yet firm. "Because maybe this is just your way of trying to escape all this mess," she said, her gaze fixed on Namtan.

Namtan opened her mouth to respond, ready to defend herself, but Sonya raised a hand, cutting her off. "Don't get mad at me for saying this," Sonya continued, her voice steady but not unkind. "It's a possibility. And maybe Film is thinking about it too. You can't blame her, Namtan. The moment you took her like that, you planted a seed of doubt. Do you see what I'm trying to say?"

Namtan's face grew pale, and she slowly nodded, she fully understand everything Sonya was saying. Sonya continued, her voice gentle but firm. "If you really like her, this is going to be far more complicated than you think. Not just with Faye, but with you. Because if Film doesn't feel the same way, you're going to get hurt. And if she does, Faye will find out, and that's going to hurt you too—not because Faye won't understand, but because the pain it will cause her will destroy you as well."

Namtan's heart sank, her chest tightening with the weight of Sonya's words. Sonya placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, her voice softer now. "You've got to be honest with yourself. You have to come clean, Namtan. You need to tell Faye everything first before you act on your feelings with Film. And you need to let Film make her own choices.

Namtan nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I understand. But that doesn't mean I know how to fix this. Because I clearly don't."

Sonya gently squeezed Namtan's shoulder, her smile soft and reassuring. "You have me, Namtan," she said, her voice warm with understanding. "We'll talk to Faye when she comes back, but not now. They're heading to Europe for their honeymoon, so we shouldn't interrupt. But for now, go home. Talk to Film. Take a rest. I'll handle everything here."

Namtan looked at Sonya, her eyes a mixture of fear and determination. "Yes, thank you, Sy. I'm really glad I talked to you... before this, I was terrified of losing Faye because of what happened with Film. I know she'll be mad, but now... I just don't want to lose either of them."

Sonya smiled softly, her gaze filled with empathy and understanding. "Oh, Nam," she began, her tone tender but firm. "I can't speak for Faye, or how she'll feel about this. And most of all, for Film... she's hurt, Namtan. You owe her an apology. And then, you go about kissing her? That's only going to create doubts about your motives. You need to be sure about what you feel for her. It has to be the truth. If you're just doing this out of guilt, you'll only hurt her more. And you can't lean on the idea that just because Film kissed you, that means she feels the same. Prepare yourself, because as much as I don't want this for you, I know you'll end up hurt."

Namtan wiped away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. Sonya's words hit deep. She knew Sonya was right—no matter what choice she made, no matter how Film or Faye would react, it felt like everything was spiraling toward a conclusion she wasn't prepared for. This wasn't going to end well, no matter what she did.

Sonya hugged her again before she left, offering silent comfort.

With a deep, steadying breath, Namtan turned and walked out of Sonya's office. Her heart was heavy with the weight of the difficult conversations that lay ahead. Everything was about to change—and she didn't think she was ready for it.

---

Her mind returned to the present as she stepped softly into the room, careful not to disturb Film's peaceful sleep. But as she moved closer, her gaze locked onto the serene expression on Film's face. There was something about the vulnerability in that moment that made Namtan's heart ache with a longing she couldn't deny. Crouching down beside the couch, Namtan ran a hand gently over the cat's soft fur, her thoughts clouded by the weight of everything that had happened. Without thinking, she reached out, brushing a stray lock of Film's hair away from her face. She lingered for a moment, studying Film's features—her breathing slow and even—feeling the depth of her emotions settle in her chest.

If Sonya was right, and Film's kiss had been born from the heat of the moment, Namtan was determined to do everything in her power to make Film see her in a different light. She wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away without a fight—without trying, without giving it everything she had. She only hoped that Film would be open to talking about their feelings, and that Film would be willing to wait. Sonya was right: she had to talk to Faye first. She couldn't allow Faye to feel betrayed, but no matter the outcome of their conversation, Namtan knew she was ready to fight—for Film, for the chance at something real.

As much as she cared for Faye and as much as she owed her for shaping who she had become, Namtan knew it was time to prioritize her own happiness. It was time to fight for Film's happiness—and for whatever future they could create together.

But for now, she allowed herself a fleeting moment of peace. Watching Film sleep, the cat nestled against her side, Namtan quietly went to her room to grab a blanket. She returned to Film's side and carefully draped it over her, not wanting to wake her. She could tell Film needed her rest. They would talk tomorrow—there was time for that later.

Before leaving the room, Namtan pressed a gentle kiss to Film's forehead, her heart filled with tenderness. As she left, she felt a weight lift, knowing that she had taken the first step. She returned to her own room, took a shower, and as she dried her hair, the exhaustion of the day finally caught up with her. Sleep consumed her, and for the first time in a while, she let herself rest—her mind at ease, for the moment.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey babes!

Thank you so much for continuously supporting this story. I truly appreciate every thought and comment you share, it means the world to me! You know I absolutely love reading all your messages, and I'll do my best to respond to as many as I can.

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