Namtan's eyes shot open to the sound of a loud knock on the door. Her heart skipped a beat, and her mind scrambled to make sense of the sudden disturbance. She had barely fallen asleep in the guest room where she'd been staying, her thoughts still swirling from the events of the night before. She wasn't expecting any disturbanceânot at this hour, because she was only with Film.
Confusion and concern gripped her as she swung her legs out of bed and quickly walked toward the door. She hesitated for just a second, but with a swift motion, she swung the door open, only to be greeted by a sight that made her momentarily lose her breath.
There, standing in front of her, was Filmâsweaty, flushed, and radiating an aura that seemed to glow in the morning light. She was dressed in running shorts and a spaghetti strap top, looking like she had just come from a run. Despite the exhaustion apparent in her movements, there was a strange sense of satisfaction and peace that radiated from her. Her face, illuminated by the soft sunlight pouring through the window, seemed almost ethereal. Even though Film wore an expression of irritation, she looked... beautiful, in a way that took Namtan by surprise.
Before Namtan could properly process the scene before her, Film reached up and her finger push Namtan's forehead. The touch was firm but not harsh, and it made Namtan flinch a little at the sudden pressure. She instinctively reached up to rub the spot where Film's hand had landed, a slight ache throbbing there.
"What the hell?" Namtan said, bewildered, staring at Film, who was now scowling at her.
Film didn't even seem to acknowledge Namtan's confusion. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest, still looking irritated but in a strangely content way. "You said you'd do anything for me," Film said, her voice stern, though tinged with an undercurrent of smugness. "How can you do that sleeping? I want breakfast when I'm done showering."
With that, Film turned and walked off, leaving Namtan standing there with her mouth wide open, still processing what had just happened. What the hell was that about?
A few minutes later, Namtan found herself in the kitchen, flipping pancakes with a quiet sense of bewilderment. She found herself making breakfast, but the situation still felt surreal. She wasn't entirely sure what had prompted Film to demand breakfast in such an abrupt manner, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips as she focused on the task at hand. Maybe it was the way Film had stood there, looking so self-assured, that had sparked something in Namtan.
She plated the pancakes and set them down on the table and she's pouring a hot coffee just as Film emerged from the bathroom, her skin still glistening from the shower, hair damp and wild. Film's eyes quickly darted to the pancakes, though her face remained impassive. She sat down at the table, not acknowledging the effort Namtan had put into the meal.
"Here," Namtan said, still unable to quite get her thoughts straight. "Breakfast."
Film glanced at the pancakes and then back at Namtan, but she didn't say anything at first. There was a long, awkward silence between them. Namtan waited for some form of recognition, but all Film did was pick up her fork, cut a piece of pancake, and bring it to her mouth without a word.
Namtan watched intently, almost holding her breath. Film chewed slowly, her expression still unreadable. Namtan couldn't help herself. "So...?" she ventured, trying to get a reaction.
Film chewed a bit more, her lips pressing into a thin line as she swallowed. Finally, she set her fork down, but she didn't make eye contact with Namtan. "It's fine," she said flatly.
"Fine?" Namtan raised an eyebrow, trying to stifle a grin. "Just fine?"
Film scowled. "What do you want me to say? It's... good. Okay?" She finally met Namtan's gaze, her expression still guarded. "Now stop asking."
Namtan chuckled softly, unable to suppress the warmth that had begun to settle in her chest. At least she didn't completely hate it.
But the moment didn't last. Namtan cleared her throat, glancing at Film, who was now finishing the pancakes in silence. "So," she began, unable to resist the question. "Are you leaving soon? I said you're free to go whenever you want."
Film didn't look up from her plate as she took another bite. "I leave when I want," she muttered, her tone almost casual. "For the meantime, though, you're going to do whatever the hell I want."
Namtan blinked, still processing. "What?"
Film looked up, her gaze sharp and confident, locking onto Namtan's. "You said that last night," she said, her tone laced with a challenge. "Or are you just blabbering, not really meaning any of it?" She paused, her voice shifting to one of unexpected authority. "Because right now," she continued, "I want to go to the beach."
Namtan froze, staring at her in disbelief. "The beach? There's no beach around here. Just farms."
Film didn't seem to care. Her lips curled into a small smile, and she stood up, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "Then let's go somewhere with a beach."
Namtan stared after her for a moment, still in shock. She had no idea where Film was headed with this, but she was already moving toward the door. "Film, there's no beach nearby," she repeated, as if hoping that would change things.
Film was already reaching for her third pancake, not sparing Namtan a glance. She took a bite, her tone casual but challenging. "Then find one," she said, her voice brimming with playful defiance. "I'm not spending the day in this boring place. You're the one with the car, right? Drive me somewhere with water."
Namtan's chest tightened at the words, a flash of hurt sweeping over her. Hearing Film call the place "boring" stung, even though she knew it was kind of true. The house, her grandmother's house, held bittersweet memories. Although this house was the witness on how his father abused her, she loved this place it was her grandparents house long before she was nor loved the echoes of her childhood here, the memories of her grandmother and the quiet comfort it had always provided when she needs it. It was more than just bricks and walls to herâit was home.
She remembered the day she had decided to buy the house, when the opportunity had come up. It had been such a strange mix of excitement and loss, as though taking the house meant she was holding on to something, but also letting go. Faye had been incredibly supportive when Namtan told her about the purchase. She had even offered to help with the renovations, but Namtan had politely declined. There was so much she still needed to do with the place, and the costs were mounting. All the money she had made from her job was being invested, just as Faye had advised her to, and it was paying off handsomely.
In fact, Namtan could probably call herself a millionaire by now, thanks to Faye's advice and the opportunities she'd been given. It had all started when Faye's parents treated her like their own child, offering her support and even gifting her a condo when she graduated, so she would have a place to call her own when they weren't staying in their penthouse or at their family house. The gift had been overwhelming, and Namtan had never fully known how to repay them. Their kindness had always felt like a warm embrace, a safety net in a world that often felt unstable.
That's when she remembered her grandmother's house. Thankfully, it had remained intact, and the bank hadn't sold it yet. It had been such a long time since she'd visited it, but she had someone living nearby who took care of everythingâcleaning, maintaining, making sure the place didn't fall apart while she was busy with her life and work.
Namtan's mind wandered back to the present, just as Film finished her pancakes and stood up. She barely spared Namtan a glance before saying, "Get ready." And without another word, Film slipped out of the kitchen, already on her way out. Namtan stood frozen for a moment, her thoughts still spinning. The reality of the morning's chaos had started to sink in, and she found herself questioning what exactly she had gotten herself into.
But before she could overthink it, she sighed in resignation and headed to get ready, following the strange sense of obligation Film's presence seemed to demand. A few minutes later, they were both in the car, with Film sliding into the passenger seat, her smug expression a clear sign that she was enjoying every second of the unpredictable adventure she had just thrown Namtan into.
The next few hours passed in a blur of winding roads and scrolling through beach resort listings on her phone. Film, sitting beside her, seemed perfectly content, her smugness unshaken as she scrolled through options, offering the occasional comment or suggestion.
After what felt like an eternity, Namtan finally found a beach resort about an hour and a half away, nestled along the coast. It wasn't the most luxurious place, but it had a decent stretch of sand, and more importantly, it had the water Film had been craving. There was also a small restaurant nearby and a few cottages, perfect for a day out.
When they arrived, Film didn't even wait for Namtan to park before leaping out of the car. Namtan rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. She was getting used to this whirlwind that was Film, the unpredictable energy that pulled her in without warning.
Film's steps were quick, almost eager, as she headed straight toward the beach. Namtan followed, not sure whether to laugh or shake her head. As they reached the edge of the water, Film paused for a moment, inhaling deeply, her gaze sweeping over the sparkling water.
"This," Film said, her voice a soft exhale, "this is what I needed."
Namtan stood beside her, the events of the morning slowly sinking in. For all the chaos that Film brought with her, Namtan couldn't deny that there was something soothing about this moment, something peaceful about standing here, on the edge of the ocean. The waves lapped gently at the shore, their rhythmic sound washing over her in a way that grounded her, made her forget about everything else, if only for a moment.
"Yeah," Namtan muttered, her voice quiet, "I guess this is fine."
Film shot her a smirk, clearly pleased with the turn of events. "Good. Now, let's enjoy the beach. I think you owe me a good time, after all."
Namtan rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face couldn't be hidden. There was something about this, about the unpredictability of it all, that was strangely comforting. It had been a long time since she'd allowed herself to enjoy something just for the sake of it. And as she stood there beside Film, the warm sun on her skin and the cool breeze from the ocean tousling her hair, she realized that maybeâjust maybeâthis was exactly what she needed too.
The chaos, the spontaneity, the laughterâshe could get used to this.
The day at the beach stretched out in front of them, the sun high and bright in the sky, the gentle waves rolling in with a rhythmic lull. But Namtan wasn't headed to the water. Instead, she walked toward a rented cottage that sat just a few yards away from the shoreline, a shady umbrella positioned nearby, creating a haven from the midday heat. She was more than ready to avoid the blazing sun, and the cool, quiet space of the cottage seemed far more inviting than the beach.
Film, of course, had already made herself at home by the water. She had shed her clothes without a second thought, letting them fall carelessly onto the sand before dashing into the surf, her laughter carried away by the salty breeze. Namtan stood for a moment, watching the carefree woman she couldn't help but be captivated by. The sound of the waves, the warm sun, and the feeling of freedom in the air tugged at her, making her almost wish she could throw her responsibilities aside and join Film in the water.
But instead of giving in to the temptation, Namtan simply turned away, her feet carrying her toward where Film had tossed her clothes. She picked them up carefully, folding them into her arms before making her way back toward the cottages. She passed the restaurant nearby, noticing the familiar scent of grilled seafood wafting through the air. Deciding she needed to get everything sorted, Namtan stepped inside, briefly inquiring about renting one of the cottages with the umbrellas near the shore. After confirming the details, she placed her orderâseafood, all the best dishes she thought Film would enjoy, along with drinks and a request to have everything delivered to the cottage she'd rented.
With everything in place, Namtan headed back to the cottage, a small, secluded spot a short walk from the beach. The cottage had two recliners set beneath a large umbrella, with a small table nestled between them, perfect for the relaxing day aheadâor so she thought. As the sun beamed down more intensely, she unzipped the bag she had brought along, pulling out towels, sunscreen, and her sunglasses, all of which she set out meticulously. She didn't mind the sun, but it was getting warmer by the minute, and she preferred to keep things comfortable.
Once she was settled in her little oasis, she let out a quiet sigh. The peaceful surroundings were exactly what she had been needing, but there was always that weight in the back of her mind, the looming mountain of work that never seemed to disappear. Namtan grabbed her laptop from the bag and placed it on her lap, the soft sunlight casting a golden hue across the screen. She opened her email, her fingers already itching to get through the long list of tasks she had to attend to.
Despite the beauty of the beach and the serenity of the cottage, her focus was drawn back to the reality of her work. The emails piled upâclients to check on, meetings to arrange, deadlines to meet. With each new email, her sense of calm seemed to slip a little further away. It wasn't that she minded the workâshe was grateful for the opportunities she hadâbut sometimes, in moments like this, she just wanted to forget about it all.
Namtan pushed the thought aside and dove into her work. The gentle hum of the ocean and the occasional call of a seagull were the only interruptions to her thoughts as she worked through the list. It wasn't exactly the idyllic beach day she had imagined, but at least she was getting things done. Still, she couldn't help but glance up from her screen from time to time, distracted by the beauty of the scene unfolding in front of her.
And then, when she thought she might actually get through a few more emails, she heard the soft patter of footsteps approaching. Film was coming back. She was drenched, her skin glistening in the sun, and though her hair was a mess from the ocean, she looked like she was in her element, as carefree as ever.
As Film walked into the cottage, she gave Namtan an exaggerated frown, glancing at the laptop in front of her. "You're really going to work during all of this?" Film asked with a hint of disbelief, though there was no judgment in her toneâjust that casual teasing Namtan had come to expect.
"I need to get some things done," Namtan replied, trying to sound as if she wasn't completely distracted by the sight of Film standing there, her body still glistening with droplets of seawater. She forced herself to focus, but it was hard to ignore the way Film's presence seemed to fill up the small space, her energy just as infectious as the waves crashing just outside.
Film flopped down onto one of the recliners, letting her towel fall haphazardly over the side. "You're such a workaholic," she teased, but Namtan could hear the affection beneath the words. "I mean, we're at the beach, and you're working. It's kind of depressing, you know?"
Namtan chuckled softly, She glanced up, meeting Film's playful gaze, and shrugged. "Sorry, I've got a lot on my plate." she was careful not to let her gaze linger too long on Film's figure. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, but she quickly turned her focus back to her screen, willing herself to concentrate.
"Yeah, I can see that," Film said with a grin, her voice laced with sarcasm. "But you still found the time to kidnap me, so I guess you must have at least a little bit of time to enjoy the beach?"
Before Namtan could respond, the waiter arrived with a tray full of food and drinks, placing it on the small table between them. The smell of fresh seafood filled the air, and Film's eyes immediately brightened. She flashed a grin at Namtan, her sarcasm slipping back into her tone. "Wow, this is a lot!" she exclaimed, already reaching for the first plate of shrimp. She shot Namtan a playful glare, "Put the damn laptop away and eat."
Namtan sighed but followed Film's command, reluctantly shutting the laptop. As she watched Film dig into the seafood with obvious delight, she couldn't help but smile a little. Film ate like she hadn't had a good meal in ages, her enthusiasm practically radiating. "I haven't been able to eat fresh seafood like this in forever," she said between bites, her voice light but full of satisfaction. "All I ever get these days is delivery or overpriced steaks and pork chops in fancy restaurants. Same bland stuff, no matter where you go."
Namtan found herself fascinated by how comfortable Film had become talking now. Despite the sarcasm that still colored her words, Film seemed much lighter, more at ease than she'd ever been before. Her face, once shadowed with tension, was flushed with contentment, and Namtan couldn't help but admire how alive she looked.
By the time they had nearly finished everything they ordered, Film placed her hand on her full stomach, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. Namtan's gaze inadvertently followed Film's hand, and her breath caught when she noticed Film's exposed stomach. The sight was enough to make her heart race, and she quickly averted her eyes, but not before her cheeks flushed.
Thankfully, Film didn't seem to notice, her sunglasses still perched on her nose, obscuring her gaze.
"I'm so full," Film said, stretching with a grin. "I've never felt this satisfied by food in ages." She stood up, rummaging through her bag for something. "Ugh, I forgot my sunscreen," she muttered in frustration.
Without thinking, Namtan stood up and handed her the sunscreen she had brought along. Film raised an eyebrow and smirked at her. "Wow, you're really prepared," she teased.
Namtan just rolled her eyes, ready to retreat back to her corner, but then Film's voice stopped her. "Now, please, put some sunscreen on my back."
Namtan froze, staring at Film in shock. "I don't think I should do that."
Film blinked, confused. "Why not?"
"I... I don't think it's proper," Namtan stammered, her voice suddenly quiet.
Film raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding. "Why not?"
Namtan sighed, unsure how to explain the strange discomfort rising in her chest. "It's just... not?" she said lamely, almost questioning herself.
Film's expression shifted, frustration creeping into her features. "Why wouldn't it be proper for a woman to put sunscreen on another woman?" she asked, still holding the bottle, her patience wearing thin.
Namtan remained silent, her eyes darting away, her mind racing. She didn't know why it felt so wrong. She just couldn't shake the feeling that something about the situation was... off.
Film's irritation morphed into a knowing smirk. "Unless... you have malice?"
Namtan's eyes widened slightly, her thoughts jumbled. Film's teasing tone, however, didn't let up. "Tell me, Namtan, are you gay too? Do you have a girlfriend who will get jealous?" she pressed, the challenge clear in her voice.
Namtan's silence stretched long. She didn't answer, feeling cornered by the line of questioning. She sat back down, reaching for her laptop in an attempt to distance herself from the awkwardness, but before she could open it, Film slammed it shut with a dramatic motion.
"Have you ever had a girlfriend, Namtan?" Film asked, a strange intensity in her voice.
Namtan's frustration finally boiled over. "No," she said sharply, "I don't have a girlfriend. I've never had one. And I don't have malice." She exhaled sharply. "It's just... I don't think it's proper because you're Faye's ex."
The words slipped out before she could stop them, and immediately, she regretted saying them. Film's expression froze, her face going pale with an emotion Namtan couldn't quite read. For a moment, there was only silence between them.
"Oh," Film said after a beat, her voice tinged with bitterness. "I see. I'm the ex that all of you despise." She threw the sunscreen at Namtan with a sharp motion, and without another word, she turned and walked toward the beach.
Namtan's heart clenched. "Film, that's not what I meant!" she called out, but Film didn't stop, her footsteps quickening as she made her way toward the water.
Namtan sat there, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air, the taste of regret bitter on her tongue. She knew she should follow, should explain herself, but something held her back. She simply stared at Film's retreating figure, feeling a strange ache in her chest that she couldn't quite understand.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
HEY BABES! I MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH! ð¤ I'm so sorry for the late updates and for not dropping any notes lately. I've been absolutely swamped. Life's been hectic, and my schedule is packed to the brim. I usually update in the mornings or early afternoons, but right now, my time's tied up, and work's keeping me busy until midnight. I hope you all understand. ðð¼
As promised, this chapter is dedicated to the amazing @HartilynEugenioâthank you so much for your support, babe. You truly mean the world to me! ð¤
And, of course, to my ever-consistent readers and voters:
@thirlwallslvr
@MarkinaElena198303
@jesjes_tan
@5hlovers007
@AIMV11
@Jayjayo01
@pnutsssss
@Hhhasel
@kitzie14
@HartilynEugenio (again, because you're amazing)
Thank you for being here, for showing up, and for supporting me every step of the way. You guys are the reason I keep going, and I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! ð¤ Let's keep this journey going together! â¨