"What are you doing?"

"What?"

"This seat is the passenger seat!" - Tawan frowned at the person who had just gotten into the car and chose to sit in the front seat instead of the back.

"So what?"

"Normally, shouldn't you sit in the back?"

"I don't like it. I prefer sitting here!" - Ira lifted her chin with a feisty expression.

"Suit yourself!" - Tawan gave up. - "Hey, put on your seatbelt!"

"You do it for me!" - Ira glanced at Tawan with a teasing smile.

"Don't you have hands?"

"Nope!"

"...."

"Go ahead and buckle it for me. If not, then forget it!" - Ira gave Tawan a rebellious look.

Tawan narrowed her eyes at the woman in front of her. At this moment, she truly felt helpless against Ira's stubbornness. Letting out a sigh, Tawan leaned over the passenger seat to pull the seatbelt across.

As Tawan reached over to fasten the seatbelt, she unintentionally leaned onto Ira. Her beautiful face seemed magnified in Tawan's line of sight, causing her to freeze for a few seconds. Those rare amber eyes were staring straight into hers, and Tawan felt as if she was entranced. She had noticed earlier from a painting that Ira's eyes were stunning, but facing them at such close range, their captivating vibrance seemed to pull at her very soul.

Ira simply wanted Tawan to pamper her and hadn't expected the other to slip and end up leaning on her. The beautiful face she had longed for over the past five years was now within inches of her own, and the cool, refreshing scent of the woman enveloped her. Ira felt as if time had stopped, leaving only the two beating hearts beginning to race for each other.

Tawan gazed intently at the captivating face before her, her eyes slowly drifting to Ira's delicate lips, which seemed to move as if wanting to utter something. A sweet, intoxicating fragrance surrounded her, drawing her closer to its owner. Tawan felt her mind go blank, as if emotions were the only thing that existed. Her heart screamed at her to claim those lips. It was as though she couldn't control herself, letting the irresistible sweetness guide her closer to Ira. Ira, sensing the anticipation in the air, lightly closed her beautiful eyes, awaiting a soft touch from the other.

[Ring~~]

Just as their lips were about to meet, the ringing of a phone abruptly broke the moment, pulling the two from their trance. Ira's eyes flew open in surprise, while Tawan quickly jerked back, distancing herself. Both turned away, faces flushed with embarrassment.

The phone continued ringing, and Ira realized it was hers. Flustered, she rummaged through her bag for the phone, took a deep breath to compose herself, and answered the call.

"P'Sushi!"

"Hi! What took you so long to pick up?"

"Oh... nothing." - Ira glanced at Tawan, who was staring out the window. Although she couldn't see Tawan's expression, the faint redness of her elegant ears betrayed her. Ira smiled lightly. So, this person isn't as cold as she seems.

"The schedule has changed. Go to the recording studio first, then head to the filming location."

"Got it!"

Ira ended the call and turned to Tawan to inform her of the new schedule. Tawan nodded, started the engine, and drove off. This time, Ira fastened her own seatbelt. She knew if she teased Tawan about it now, she might end up taking a taxi to work instead.

***

"Oh... who is this? She's stunning!" - Sushi beamed brightly as she looked at Tawan.

"Hey! P'Sushi, back off! She's my personal bodyguard!" - Ira quickly moved to shield Tawan.

"Your bodyguard? Or are you her bodyguard? Why are you so quick to block her?" - Sushi pouted playfully.

"P'Sushi, we're late!"

"Oh... hurry up then!

Ira chuckled as she watched her adorable manager gesturing frantically for her to move faster.

"Aren't you coming in, too?" - Ira turned to Tawan.

Tawan didn't reply, only nodding slightly with her usual cold and stern expression. Ira felt more nervous than usual, as this was her first time singing in front of the person she missed so dearly. Tawan's focused gaze on the recording booth made it difficult for Ira to maintain her composure. She had to ask for a few minutes to calm herself down before continuing the session.

"What's up with you today?" - Sushi asked, handing Ira a bottle of water as she sat beside her.

"What do you mean?" - Ira feigned ignorance.

"Normally, it only takes two or three takes, but today it's taken over five!"

"Maybe I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm not fully focused" - Ira quickly made up an excuse. She couldn't admit that Tawan's intense gaze made her too flustered to concentrate.

"Are you sure you'll be okay for the filming later?"

"I'll be fine. Just give me a little break, and I'll be good to go!"

"Alright, I'll go get the car ready".

"P'Sushi, I'll ride with Tawan!"

"Oh, I forgot! Alright, I'll head there first and wait for you. Make sure to rest in the car. The ride to the filming location is long enough for you to catch some sleep." - Sushi reminded her kindly.

"Got it! Thank you, P'Sushi!" - Ira yawned sleepily. The truth was, she hadn't slept well the night before because she was too excited to see Tawan again and had spent the entire night eagerly anticipating their reunion.

After a few minutes in the car, Ira drifted off, her exhaustion catching up to her. Tawan noticed and quietly pressed the button to recline Ira's seat, ensuring she could rest more comfortably. Her eyes briefly lingered on Ira's peaceful, beautiful face as she slept. Tawan eased off the gas pedal, slowing the car to allow more time for Ira to rest.

When Tawan saw Ira frowning in her sleep, she turned on some soft music, letting a gentle melody fill the car. It was one of the songs that helped Tawan unwind after long, tiring days, and she hoped it would have the same effect on Ira.

Ira, struggling to sleep soundly, gradually felt the soothing melody envelop her mind, easing her restlessness. Comfort slowly washed over her, and she finally drifted into a deep sleep. Tawan noticed the tension in Ira's face melt away, and a rare gentle smile appeared on her normally reserved features. Her gaze softened as she looked at the sleeping woman beside her.

With one person focused on driving, occasionally glancing at the other, while the other sank into a peaceful slumber, the car moved slowly along the road. The soft music intertwined their harmonized emotions, creating a serene and intimate connection.

***

The car had already arrived for a while, but Tawan remained still. She glanced at the clock; there was still some time left, so she wasn't in a rush to wake Ira. Resting her hand on the window frame, her eyes lingered on Ira's sleeping face, and a gentle smile graced her lips. It had been a long time since she'd felt such peace.

As she looked at Ira's beautiful face, Tawan's thoughts wandered back to five years ago. It had been a mere coincidence—hearing someone call for help, she decided to intervene out of curiosity, only to find a petite girl with fierce, determined eyes that left a deep impression on her. What followed was a heroic rescue scene. She never expected, though, that the world was so small that they would cross paths again.

Is this really just a coincidence? Or could it be...?

Br...brrrr... Her phone vibrated with an alarm. Tawan had switched her phone to vibrate mode to avoid disturbing Ira's rest. She had carefully set an alarm to ensure Ira wouldn't be late for work.

"Ira" - Tawan called softly, but the other only frowned slightly, refusing to wake up. - "Ira!"

- ....

"Wake up now!" - Tawan's voice unintentionally softened more than usual.

"Mmm... Have we arrived"? - Ira stretched and sat up, only to find a suit jacket sliding off her. She glanced at Tawan, who was now only wearing a black crop top. - "Is this your jacket?"

"Yes." - Tawan nodded. On the way here, worried that Ira might feel cold, she had stopped briefly to drape her jacket over her. She extended her hand, waiting for Ira to return it.

"Ain't give it back!" - Ira grinned mischievously. So, she had slept so well because of Tawan's warmth?

" ..." - A line of distress seemed to appear on Tawan's forehead. Was this person really so brazen?

Ira chuckled at Tawan's frozen expression. She looked at the suit jacket, then at Tawan. To Tawan's surprise, Ira brought the jacket to her nose, sniffed lightly, then pressed her lips against the collar.

"Hey... what are you doing?" - Tawan was taken aback.

"Marking my territory!" - Ira replied slyly.

"Territory? What are you talking about?"

"Territory... that you're mine!" - Ira's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"What?" - Tawan thought she must have misheard and asked again.

"Oh... I mean, that you're MY bodyguard!" - Ira quickly corrected herself with a grin.

"You..."

"There's lipstick mark on the jacket now. You can wear it for now, and after work, you can stop by my place. I'll wash it and return it to you." - Ira leaned over to drape the jacket back onto Tawan, smiling all the while.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" - Tawan's voice turned cold.

"Yes." - Ira glanced cheekily at Tawan.

... - Tawan felt utterly defeated. She had never lost to anyone in fighting, shooting, or even arguments, but ever since meeting Ira, she found herself tongue-tied more often than she liked.

"Alright! As an apology, let me buy you coffee." - Ira held up a card.

"No need!" - Tawan snapped, annoyed, as she opened the door and stepped out of the car.

Ira, watching Tawan's irritation, said nothing. To her, annoyance, frustration, or even joy—all of these were emotions. And when someone felt emotions, it meant they had already made space for another person in their heart. Tawan knew she shouldn't have such feelings—whether they were frustration, irritation, or infatuation. She understood they were unnecessary, but she couldn't stop them from creeping into her heart.

Tawan glanced at Ira, her eyes flashing with a hint of wariness. Her rationality warned her that when it came to this woman, she needed to remain a thousand times more cautious than with anyone else. Why that was, Tawan herself couldn't explain. Up until now, she had always lived strictly by the rules her rationality dictated.

"I'll have matcha!" - Ira called out from the other side of the car.

"Fine!" - Tawan replied emotionlessly. - "Can you get inside on your own?"

"Of course! Only a few steps away, no problem!"

"I'll join you after getting the coffee."

Ira nodded without replying and turned to walk inside. Watching her go, Tawan felt assured and headed off to get their drinks.

Tawan carried a cup of Americano and a cup of matcha as she strode into the building. Suddenly, a figure dashed toward her. Out of instinct, Tawan sidestepped and, noticing it was a girl, reached out to grab her arm, preventing her from falling.

"Whew... thank goodness, thank you!" - The girl, now steady on her feet, clasped her hands together in gratitude before looking up at her savior. Her eyes sparkled. - "Oh my gosh, you're gorgeous!"

... - Tawan was speechless. The girl, seemingly unashamed, covered her mouth with her hands while staring at Tawan as if she were a star in the sky.

"What's your name? Why are you here? Are you here to apply as an actress? You should—someone as beautiful as you should definitely be an actress!" - The girl rambled on without pause.

"I'm not—" - Tawan, uncomfortable with the close proximity, stepped back two paces. Before she could finish her sentence, a cold voice interrupted.

"Prigkhing!" - Another woman approached her gaze toward Tawan filled with hostility. Tawan, perplexed, wondered why she was being treated with animosity by someone she didn't even know.

"P'Ying!" - Prigkhing turned to look at the newcomer with a grin.

"I told you not to run. You nearly fell!" - Ying grabbed Prigkhing's arm, pulling her back to create more distance between her and Tawan. Tawan noted Ying's subtle actions but chose to ignore the provocations in her gaze—she wasn't here to deal with unnecessary drama.

"P'Ying, isn't she beautiful?" - Prigkhing, oblivious to the tension, added fuel to the fire, admiring Tawan.

"She's... alright." - Ying replied begrudgingly, unwilling to admit that Tawan was stunningly beautiful. The sour feeling in her heart made her deny Prigkhing's compliment.

"You haven't answered me! What's your name?" - Prigkhing, noticing Ying's jealousy, ignored her and turned back to Tawan with curiosity.

"I..." - Tawan was about to say, I'm busy, and walk away, but a familiar voice interrupted her.

"P'Tawan!" - Ira, who had grown impatient waiting for Tawan, came outside to find her. She immediately noticed Tawan helping Prigkhing and saw her friend gazing at her bodyguard with starry eyes. Ira couldn't contain herself and hurried over.

"Ira?" - Prigkhing and Ying exclaimed simultaneously.

"What's going on?"

"Why are you here?"

"I have a rescheduled shoot today."

"Really? Do you know this gorgeous woman?" - Prigkhing's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at her friend.

"She's mine." - Ira's voice dropped.

"What?" - Both Ying and Prigkhing stared in disbelief.

"My bodyguard. My personal bodyguard." - Ira clarified.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Prigkhing, Ira's best friend and colleague from the same company!" - Prigkhing enthusiastically introduced herself to Tawan. - "And this is..."

- ... - Ying remained silent, avoiding everyone's gaze.

"Hey!" - Prigkhing nudged Ying, shooting her a warning look.

"Ying. Nice to meet you." - Ying reluctantly greeted Tawan.

"Tawan kha", - Ira answered for Tawan, keeping things brief as usual.

Tawan, observing that the introductions were over, noticed Ying's lingering hostility toward her. Her intuition told her that Ying's discomfort stemmed from jealousy. But this wasn't her concern, and Tawan had no intention of getting entangled in such matters. However, when she glanced at Ira, she was slightly surprised to see a hint of wariness in her gaze. That wariness was directed at Prigkhing. Weren't they friends? Tawan felt a headache coming on. She couldn't understand the complexities of today's youth. Deciding it was too much for someone her age, she brushed the thoughts aside.

"Here's your matcha." - Tawan handed the matcha to Ira.

"Thank you!" - Ira's face lit up with a radiant smile as she accepted the drink. She loved the feeling of being cared for by Tawan.

"Is your scene done?"

"Not yet. We're waiting for the stunt team."

"An action film?"

"FBI My Love!" - Ira nodded with a smile, sharing the name of her project.

Tawan didn't respond further, simply nodding to show her understanding. She followed Ira inside the set but chose to stay in a corner where she could observe Ira and the surroundings without disrupting her work.

Tawan focused on Ira's performance, finally understanding why she had risen to fame so quickly. Ira was incredibly talented, full of energy and passion, and her sweet beauty was captivating. It would be a true injustice if Ira weren't a star.

Tawan watched attentively, her gaze never leaving Ira for a moment. Every glance, smile, or frown was recorded in Tawan's memory like a human camera. She sipped her coffee, her eyes soft and serene, until they suddenly sharpened. She placed the cup down, letting it fall to the floor and spill.

"Ira! Watch out!" - Tawan shouted, dashing forward without hesitation.

At her cry, Ira startled and looked around, then up. They were filming in a storage warehouse, and a wooden crate had come loose from high above, plummeting toward Ira. Frozen in fear and shock, Ira's pupils contracted as the crate grew larger in her vision. Instinctively, she crouched down and covered her head.

The crate wasn't large, but from that height and angle, it would surely cause serious injury.

"Crash..."

A deafening sound echoed through the set, plunging everyone into chaos.

"IRA!!!"

END CHAP 03