Chapter 12

Jes stayed seated across from Ngern for a while, watching as he drank his tea in slow, deliberate sips.

There was something quieter about him now. Jes wasn't sure if it was the warmth of the tea, the ice pack numbing the pain, or simply the fact that they were sitting in the corner of a mostly empty café, away from the chaos of the outside world.

Either way, Jes didn't move.

Ngern glanced at him. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

Jes shrugged. "My shift's almost done."

Ngern raised an eyebrow. "So, what, you're just gonna sit here and babysit me until I finish my tea?"

Jes smirked. "Depends. Are you planning on sneaking out and getting into another accident tonight?"

Ngern huffed a laugh. "Not if I can help it."

Jes gave him a long look. Then, after a beat, he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "So... why are you actually here?"

Ngern tilted his head. "I told you. I needed some air."

Jes didn't buy it. "You have a whole apartment for air. And I'm sure you've got about five different managers who wouldn't be thrilled about you sneaking out alone with a bruise on your face."

Ngern chuckled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He lowered the ice pack from his cheek, running a hand through his hair. "Sometimes, I just need to be somewhere no one's expecting me to be."

Jes paused.

He thought about that for a moment, about the weight behind those words. Ngern wasn't just talking about tonight—he was talking about his entire life.

Fame. Scrutiny. No privacy. No room to breathe.

Jes wasn't famous, but he understood the feeling of wanting to escape the world's expectations.

So, instead of pushing, he just nodded. "Well. You picked a pretty good place to hide out."

Ngern smirked, tapping a finger against his cup. "Yeah? You recommending this café?"

Jes shrugged. "I mean, the service is questionable, but at least the staff is generous with ice packs."

Ngern snorted. "I'll be sure to leave a five-star review."

Jes rolled his eyes, but before he could respond, a voice called from the counter.

"Jes! Your shift's done. You heading out?"

Jes turned to see his coworker waving at him. He nodded and stood, stretching slightly.

When he turned back, Ngern was watching him, something unreadable in his expression.

Jes picked up the now-melted ice pack and shook his head. "Go home, Ngern. Sleep."

Ngern grinned. "You sound like my manager."

"Maybe your manager has a point," Jes quipped.

Ngern just chuckled, lifting his cup for another sip. "Night, Jes."

Jes hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then, he gave a small nod. "Night."

And with that, he turned and walked away, telling himself he wasn't thinking too hard about any of this.

Or the fact that, for some reason, he had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time Ngern found his way into his world.

.....................................................................

[Two Days Later]

Jes was in the middle of editing some photos when his phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

[Unknown]: Jes, it's me.

Jes frowned.

[Jes]: Who's me?

[Unknown]: Ngern.

Jes raised an eyebrow. New number? He hesitated, then typed:

[Jes]: Why are you texting me from a different number?

[Ngern]: ...Lost my phone.

Jes blinked.

[Jes]: How??

[Ngern]: I'd rather not say.

Jes sighed. He could already imagine the exact scenario—Ngern probably misplaced it somewhere ridiculous, or worse, it got knocked out of his hands in some kind of unnecessary stunt.

But before Jes could press further, another message popped up.

[Ngern]: But hey, I still remembered your number. Impressed?

Jes paused. He wasn't expecting that.

[Jes]: ...You actually memorized my number?

[Ngern]: Yeah. I have a good memory.

[Jes]: ...Or you just texted me way too much before.

[Ngern]: That too.

Jes huffed, shaking his head. He still wasn't used to the way Ngern could so casually say things that made Jes pause. Why remember his number at all?

Before Jes could overthink it, another text came through.

[Ngern]: So. About that photography lesson...

Jes narrowed his eyes.

[Jes]: What about it?

[Ngern]: Can we do it at my place again?

Jes immediately knew something was up.

[Jes]: ...Why?

[Ngern]: My niece is with me again. Can't leave her alone.

Jes frowned.

[Jes]: Is she staying with you full-time or something?

[Ngern]: Just for a couple of days. My sister's out of town.

[Ngern]: But hey, we can use her as our subject again. Good practice, right?

Jes stared at his screen.

Something about this felt off. Ngern was way too enthusiastic for someone who supposedly just wanted a lesson.

But before Jes could think of a way to decline, another text came through.

[Ngern]: You coming or not?

Jes exhaled. Something about this guy was just...

[Jes]: Fine. But I'm not babysitting.

[Ngern]: Of course not. Just "photography practice." 😉

Jes rolled his eyes.

He wasn't entirely convinced this was just about photography. But for some reason, he was already grabbing his camera bag before he could change his mind.