Fifteen

•DEMI•

(POV)

Our condo smells like a a bottle of perfume since the different congratulations bouquet of flowers I received yesterday scattered around my place. Like my own mini garden. I couldn't believe they give me this much. I'm honored.

The sad thing is my allergies. I love flowers. They are lovely. It's just that sometimes have a sensitive nose to pollens.

Wiping my runny nose with a tissue as i read a newpaper my mom woke me up for. Sitting in the couch with my unkempt pajamas and sleepy eyes.

Reading the Lifestyle section of the famous newspaper here in Chiang Mai feature me and my painting.

I expected to be featured for 2nd time around. We had a brief interview about my paintings beforehand but the problem is; it's not about me.

The article is more focus on my guests. They are gushing about why the Brightwin couple and some of their friends went out to support me.

They also took photos of them looking at the paintings and one of it is where Win and Bright was teasing each other and i'm in the middle smiling amusedly wearing Bright's blazer. Putting it largely enough to make an headline.

Mom is in front of me spacing out; going ballistic why I didn't told her that Bright was a famous actor here in Thailand and why she didn't met Win last night. Such a drama queen.

I yawn covering my mouth with my forearm.

She removed the newspaper from my hand and face it in front pointing the large photo of us three."

Here she goes again.

"Demi Marie, honey can't you see? What if you're dad see's this?? What's that BL Couple stands for? Bad Luck? Bright has a boyfriend and they're are famously known?"

"Ma, calm down. BL is Boy's Love. They are actors. They are only doing their job and We don't judge their sexuality. We don't have the right too. You taught me that. You're blowing things way out of proportion again. Relax please. It's 6 in the morning." I said calmly

"Why are you wearing his Blazer then? Are you hiding something again from me? Demi Marie?"

She said sassily putting the newspaper harshly in the coffee table and the other hand on her hip.

I sighed in frustration.

My head hurts.

I remove my eye glasses and massage my temple.

"Bright is Moi's cousin ,Ma. I invited them to my Exhibit because they are my friends too and i far as i know letting someone use your clothes with the approval from the owner is ethically acceptable."

She pause and looked at me with fiercely eyes.

I forget how scary my mom is.

My dear life.

"You and your smart mouth. Just because you're old enough now you're disrespecting me? Huh? Demi Marie?"

This is one of hundreds reason why i left home. My mom is a control freak. Although i love her dearly there are times her love for me is overwhelming it can kills me.

My freedom. My own mind and My sanity.

She wants to know and control everything. She treats me like i'm not capable of handling my own life.

I need a large cup of espresso.

"Ma, We can talk about this again after breakfast. Okay? I'll make you favorites." I smile sweetly at her while massaging her back to calm her then I hurriedly walk fast to the kitchen.

"Oyy! Comeback here Demi, I'm not done talking" She sighed loudly.

She picked up her phone and called someone.

—

"Hey Dee, Why are you here?"

Charlie asked dryly and sits beside me in their living room while Mace is busy watching cartoons on the ground with his toys scattered everywhere.

"You said i dropped by here anytime i want." As i munch Mace unfinished snacks.

She face me with her elbow resting on the top of backrest and her hand on her left cheek.

"Where is auntie?" Charlie said curiously

"She's hanging out with Auntie Maria at the mall." I said casually

"That's strange. You're usually stuck with her went she visits" she looking at me with her creepy cheshire cat eyes.

"Spill it out"

I stop eating at look at her pouting . "She's mad about the newspaper feature"

She laughed as she covers her mouth with the back of her hand and said "Typical Auntie Snooky"

"She's forcing me to say something about Bright which is not true and i far as i know we're just friends" i said with gritty teeth. Watching the cartoon show in front of us.

"But you said he wants to court you"

I sighed and looked at her.

"I don't know Chai. I don't want to assume things. You know his famous now. And people will hate me Big time. I'm scared to even check my social now. How prude i am. I'm their fan. And what if his just curious?"

She disagrees

"That's not what i saw yesterday Dee. I think he really fancy you"

I make a ugly face at her as i grab another snack.

She smacked my hand

"Ahw!"

"Enough with my child's biscuits and

Go home. Make peace with Auntie"

"Can i stay the night?" I pleading at her

"No" as she removed plastic container on my lap and put in the side table.

I sighed as lay my head closed my eyes on top of the backrest.

I heard Charlie's curious voice and asked.

"Anyway, Have you check your twitter Dee? MeiMei O. is trending"

I felt like my body got electrocuted and open my eyes widely.

Oh No!

—

•BRIGHT•

(POV)

"I let it slide the last time and now you let it happened again?" Manager P'Tha said sternly.

He put down the newspaper on the table. Where a large photo of Win, Demi and I on a article page of Lifestyle section as I'm sitting in front of his office table.

I'm currently at GMM Building. Manager P'Tha who is my handler wants to talk about what happened yesterday at Demi's exhibit. They are making it a big deal on why we all post it on twitter and insta's story.

"Not only that you post it in your social media? You know you're influence have a huge impact to your fans and Win's. People are talking about her now."

P'Tha sits the corner side of his office table in front of me as he pointed the photo on the newspaper with his index finger repeatedly.

I leaned back from my seat as i furrowed my eyebrows towards him.

"What's wrong of supporting an artist to her exhibit P'Tha?"

"Because of you she is trending on Twitter–" He stressing the Twitter.

I wet my lips and got frustrated. This is going nowhere. Why would i let the bashers hurt Demi.

People congratulated Meimei O. , The Figurative artist, for her amazing exhibit. She is famous on her field too. I've known her work for years. I have one of her paintings in my studio. A lot of celebrities knew her too and she's just clueless about it.

It happens she is trending because both Win and I are there supporting her.

"–She is my cousin's friend and Win too. We always post photos out with our friends in social media Phi. They are not talking bad about her besides the fans are more focus on Win and I" I said calmly

"They are getting curiously Nong. This is the 2nd time you're clothes hanging on her shoulder. Is she you girlfriend Bright?"

I close my mouth. I felt my mouth dry.

I swallowed an invisible lump in my throat and said

"To tell you the truth, I'm courting her, Phi."

P'Tha sighed in frustration.

"This will not end well. You know what will happen to her Bright. People will cancel her."

"I won't let them hurt her Phi. I won't let that happen"

–