Chapter 4

The next afternoon, Jes sat at the café by the park, fingers wrapped around his usual cup of coffee. He checked his watch. 2:05 PM.

He wasn't surprised that Ngern wasn't exactly on time. Celebrities had their own schedules, right? He told himself he'd give it ten more minutes before leaving.

Just as he took another sip, he heard hurried footsteps.

"Jes!"

Jes glanced up just as Ngern slid into the seat across from him, slightly out of breath. A large paper bag sat on the table between them.

Jes raised an unimpressed brow. "Running late?"

Ngern ignored the jab, pushing the bag toward him. "Open it."

Jes hesitated, eyeing the bag as if it might explode. He could already tell it wasn't the exact same camera-he had made peace with that-but curiosity won over. He reached inside, fingers brushing against cool metal before he pulled out a vintage film camera encased in a worn leather strap.

He turned it over in his hands, checking the lens, the dials, the weight. It wasn't his camera. But it was close.

Too close.

Jes swallowed, setting it down carefully. "You actually found one."

Ngern smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Told you I would."

Jes exhaled, tilting his head. "It's not the same model."

"Closest thing I could get. The mechanics work the same," Ngern pointed out. "And before you ask-yes, it works. I had them test it."

Jes ran his fingers over the body of the camera, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. He had been ready to brush this whole thing off, to call it an empty promise. But Ngern had actually done it.

And Jes didn't know how to deal with that.

"...How much did it cost?" Jes asked, already reaching for his wallet.

Ngern clicked his tongue. "Don't even try. It's a replacement. My fault, my fix."

Jes frowned. "That's not how this works. It's expensive."

Ngern rested his chin on one hand, studying Jes with an amused glint. "You think I can't afford it?"

"That's not the point," Jes muttered.

"Then what is?"

Jes opened his mouth, then closed it. He wasn't sure what he was trying to argue anymore. Maybe it was just habit-keeping people at a distance, refusing favors he didn't ask for.

But as much as he wanted to stay skeptical, he couldn't deny the effort behind this.

He sighed, slumping back in his chair. "...You didn't have to go this far."

Ngern shrugged. "I wanted to."

Jes held his gaze for a moment before looking away. "Thanks," he muttered, barely audible.

Ngern grinned. "What was that?"

Jes shot him a glare. "Don't push it."

Ngern only laughed. And for the first time since they met, Jes didn't find it annoying.

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

Jes wasn't sure what to do with this feeling-the quiet warmth curling in his chest as he ran his fingers over the camera's surface. He had been convinced that Ngern wouldn't follow through, that the actor's life was too busy for something as trivial as fixing a stranger's mistake.

But now, here they were. And Ngern had done exactly what he said he would.

Jes exhaled, shaking his head. "You really went all over the place for this?"

Ngern grinned. "You make it sound like a bad thing."

Jes rolled his eyes. "It's just... unnecessary."

"Is it?" Ngern leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You love photography, right? That camera meant something to you. I couldn't just walk away after breaking it."

Jes blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in Ngern's voice. It wasn't what he expected-not from someone who spent his days under flashing lights, playing roles for a living.

For a moment, silence settled between them, broken only by the distant hum of the café and the occasional clatter of dishes.

Jes cleared his throat. "Well... since you went through all this trouble, I guess I owe you something."

Ngern raised a brow. "Didn't I just say this wasn't about payback?"

"Not money," Jes said, already regretting his next words. "A photo. Of you."

Ngern blinked. "Wait, really?"

Jes shrugged, trying to act casual. "You got me a camera. Might as well use it."

Ngern's lips curled into a slow smile. "Careful. That almost sounds like you don't completely hate me."

Jes groaned, rubbing his temples. "Forget it."

"No, no, I like this idea." Ngern's grin widened. "How about this? You take the best damn photo of me you've ever taken, and if I love it, we'll call it even."

Jes gave him a look. "And if you don't?"

Ngern's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Then I get to bother you until you do."

Jes let out an exasperated sigh, but for some reason, he was smiling too.

Maybe-just maybe-this wouldn't be the last time their worlds collided.