Aira tugged the brim of her cap lower over her eyes, glancing around the grocery store. Despite the casual disguise of a cap and oversized sunglasses, she couldn't help but feel exposed. It had been a while since she'd gone out like this, and though the thrill of doing something normal was exciting, she was grateful for the comforting presence of Tawan by her side.
Tawan, who had somehow managed to look effortlessly cool and composed even in a simple T-shirt and jeans, was focused on picking out fresh vegetables. Aira watched her for a moment, smiling softly. There was something endearing about the way Tawan moved with such quiet confidence, even while doing something as mundane as grocery shopping.
Unable to resist, Aira sidled up to her, slipping her hand into Tawan's back pocket with a mischievous grin. "Hey, bodyguard, are we having a healthy dinner tonight?"
Tawan turned, raising an eyebrow as she tried to keep a stern expression. "We're trying to. Someone needs to eat more greens."
Aira feigned a pout, leaning into Tawan's side. "But I want ice cream."
Tawan sighed dramatically but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Fine, you can have some. But you're eating all your vegetables first."
Aira beamed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're too good to me, you know that?"
Tawan's eyes softened, and she reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair away from Aira's face. "I just want you to be happy and healthy."
Aira's heart fluttered at the gentle touch, and she found herself leaning closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You make me happy."
Before Tawan could respond, Aira stood on tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. Tawan blinked, her cheeks flushing a light pink as she glanced around nervously. "Aira, people might see..."
"Let them," Aira said playfully, enjoying the rare sight of Tawan looking flustered. "I'm proud to be here with you."
Tawan's gaze softened further, and she let out a quiet laugh. "You're going to get us in trouble."
"Trouble's my middle name," Aira teased, squeezing Tawan's hand. "But really, I'm just happy to have some normal time together."
They continued down the aisle, Aira clinging to Tawan's arm and chattering about what they should cook for dinner. Tawan listened patiently, occasionally adding her own suggestions, but mostly just enjoying Aira's light-hearted enthusiasm.
Unbeknownst to them, a few aisles over, a group of young fans had spotted them. They exchanged excited whispers, recognizing Aira even through her disguise. One of them pulled out her phone, discreetly capturing the couple's sweet interactionsâthe way Aira laughed, the way Tawan looked at her, the casual, affectionate touches.
The fans quickly uploaded the pictures to social media, captioning them with heart emojis and speculation about Aira's "mysterious" companion. The images spread like wildfire, and within minutes, they were trending, with fans buzzing about whether Aira was finally revealing her romantic side.
Meanwhile, oblivious to the storm brewing online, Aira and Tawan made their way to the checkout. As they paid for their groceries, Aira squeezed Tawan's hand again, her eyes sparkling. "Can we get flowers too?"
Tawan raised an eyebrow. "For you?"
Aira shook her head, smiling sweetly. "No, for you. I want to get you flowers."
Tawan looked genuinely taken aback, her expression softening. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to," Aira insisted, reaching for a bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers. "Because you're amazing, and you deserve to have flowers."
Tawan's eyes warmed as she accepted the bouquet, her fingers brushing against Aira's. "Thank you, Aira."
Aira's smile widened, and she leaned in, her voice soft and playful. "I told you, I'm proud to be with you."
Tawan's heart swelled, and she felt a surge of affection for the woman beside her. She squeezed Aira's hand gently. "And I'm proud to be with you too."
They left the store, hand in hand, unaware of the chaos their simple grocery run had sparked on social media.
---
Aira flopped onto the couch, a content smile on her face as she watched Tawan carefully unpack the groceries. There was something comforting about these small, domestic moments with herâsomething that made everything feel a little more real.
She picked up her phone, intending to check her messages, but her smile faltered as she saw dozens of notifications flashing across the screen. "What theâ?" Aira muttered, her eyes widening as she opened her social media app.
The photos from the grocery store had exploded online. There were images of her holding Tawan's hand, smiling up at her, and even one of her playfully leaning on Tawan's shoulder. Fans were speculating wildly in the comments, many congratulating her on "finally finding love" while others were still trying to guess who the "mysterious woman" was.
"Tawan..." Aira's voice was tight with shock as she held up her phone. "We're trending."
Tawan paused in the middle of arranging vegetables in the fridge, her brow furrowing. "Trending? What do you mean?"
Aira handed her the phone, and Tawan's eyes widened as she scrolled through the posts. "They recognized you," Aira continued, her voice a mix of disbelief and worry. "Or at least, they recognized me."
Tawan's lips pressed into a thin line as she took in the comments, her shoulders tensing. "It was bound to happen eventually," she said quietly, handing the phone back. "We knew going public was a risk."
Aira glanced at her, biting her lip. "But we didn't mean to go public like this."
Before Tawan could respond, Aira's phone buzzed with a call from Somchai. Aira quickly answered, her manager's voice coming through loud and clear. "Aira, what is going on? You're all over social media!"
Aira winced. "Yeah, I just saw. It's a bit... unexpected."
"A bit?" Somchai's voice was incredulous. "Everyone's talking about you and this... mystery woman. People are even digging up old rumors about you and Kai. You need to address this, Aira. It's getting out of hand."
Aira glanced at Tawan, who was watching her with a concerned expression. "What do you suggest, Somchai?"
"You need to release a statement," he replied firmly. "Something to calm things down. If you leave it too long, the media will start spinning their own stories. You don't have to give everything away, just enough to put some rumors to rest."
Aira sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Okay, I'll think about it."
"Think fast," Somchai warned. "And Aira... be careful. This could get messy."
Aira hung up, her gaze dropping to her phone. The comments were still flooding in, with fans speculating about everything from their relationship status to Tawan's identity. Some comments were sweet, others curious, and a few were downright invasive.
Tawan stepped closer, her voice gentle. "What are you going to do?"
Aira looked up at her, her expression conflicted. "I don't want to hide us. I'm tired of hiding. But I also don't want to throw you into this circus."
Tawan's eyes softened, and she reached out, taking Aira's hand. "I'm not afraid of what people think, Aira. I'm more concerned about you. If going public makes things easier for you, then I'm all in."
Aira squeezed her hand, feeling a swell of love and gratitude. "You always say the right things, don't you?"
Tawan gave a small smile. "I just want what's best for you."
Aira took a deep breath, her mind racing. "Okay, I'll make a statement. Something simple, just to let people know that... that I'm happy. That's all that matters, right?"
Tawan nodded, her grip on Aira's hand tightening slightly. "Right."
Aira turned back to her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. "I'll keep it short and sweet."
She opened her social media app and started typing. Her hands shook slightly, but she steadied herself, glancing at Tawan, who nodded encouragingly.
Aira's Post:
"Love and happiness are precious things, and I'm grateful to have both in my life. I hope you can share in my joy as I continue to live authentically and with love. Thank you for your support and kindness."
She attached a photo of them from earlierâa candid shot of them gazing into each other's eyes lovingly. Aira's hand rested gently on Tawan's cheek, their expressions so full of warmth and affection that it was impossible to misinterpret the emotion between them.
Illustration (copyright by IM Magazine):
After hitting "post," Aira let out a shaky breath, leaning back into Tawan's comforting presence. "There. I did it."
Tawan wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "You did great."
As they watched the responses pour in, Aira felt her anxiety slowly melt away. The comments were overwhelmingly positive, with fans expressing their support and joy for her happiness. A few were more curious, speculating on who the person beside her was, while others offered warm congratulations and encouragement.
And then there were the comments that made Aira laugh.
⢠"Omg, whoever she is, she's stunning! Aira has great taste!"
⢠"Protect this beautiful couple at all costs!"
⢠"Can we talk about how cool and gorgeous Aira's partner looks? They need to start a fan club for her, too!"
⢠"Wait... isn't that the mysterious bodyguard we saw before? She's definitely someone special!"
Aira read the last comment aloud, giggling as she looked up at Tawan. "Seems like you're getting quite a fanbase of your own. Everyone wants to know who my 'mystery woman' is."
Tawan chuckled, shaking her head. "That's not what I expected."
Aira's grin widened as she pretended to be indignant. "And I'm supposed to be okay with that? All these people swooning over my girlfriend?"
Tawan's eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against Aira's temple. "They can look all they want. But I'm yours, Aira. Only yours."
Aira laughed, her heart swelling with warmth. "Good. Because I'm not sharing."
She scrolled through more comments, her smile growing with each one.
⢠"Aira and her girlfriend are so cute together!"
⢠"Finally! Aira deserves all the love and happiness in the world!"
⢠"Her partner is so gorgeous. What a power couple!"
Aira's heart fluttered as she read each message aloud, her voice filled with joy and disbelief. "They're all so supportive. I can't believe it."
Tawan's gaze was soft as she watched Aira's reaction, her heart swelling with affection. She reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind Aira's ear. "You deserve all this happiness, Aira. You really do."
Aira turned to her, her eyes bright with emotion. "It's not just about me. It's about us. I'm so glad we're doing this together."
Tawan smiled, leaning closer. "So am I."
They shared a gentle kiss, Aira's heart pounding with a mix of excitement and relief. When they pulled back, she rested her forehead against Tawan's, her voice a soft murmur. "I love you."
Tawan's eyes shone as she whispered back, "I love you too."
Aira's heart felt like it might burst from happiness. "And just so you know, no one's going to hire you away from me. Not happening."
Tawan laughed, the sound warm and full of affection. "I'll make sure to let them know I'm taken."
Aira grinned, giving Tawan's hand a playful squeeze. "Good. Because you're mine, and I'm not letting go."
Tawan's gaze softened, and she leaned in, pressing a kiss to Aira's cheek. "I'm not letting go either."
They sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, as the world continued to buzz around them. For once, it felt like everything was exactly where it should be.
---
The evening light bathed the living room in a warm, golden hue. Aira and Tawan sat together on the couch, Aira still scrolling through the endless stream of supportive comments on her phone. Despite the initial anxiety, the positive response was overwhelming, filling her heart with a sense of peace.
"They're really supportive," Aira murmured, her thumb swiping through the comments. "I was so scared of this, but... I feel relieved. Happy."
Tawan nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched Aira's face light up with every new comment. "I'm glad. You deserve to be happy, Aira. You shouldn't have to hide who you are."
Aira glanced up at Tawan, her eyes shining. "We shouldn't have to hide. It's not just about me. It's us."
Tawan's smile widened, and she reached over, her fingers brushing against Aira's. "You're right. It's us."
Aira leaned back, letting out a long, content sigh. "I can't believe it. We're actually doing this."
Tawan's gaze softened, and she gently squeezed Aira's hand. "And we'll do it together."
Aira's heart fluttered, and she turned her attention back to her phone. As she read through the comments, her eyes caught on one in particular that made her laugh out loud.
"What's so funny?" Tawan asked, her curiosity piqued.
Aira showed her the screen, still chuckling. "Look at this one: 'Aira's girlfriend is drop-dead gorgeous! She's going to steal the spotlight at every event now. Watch out, Aira!'"
Tawan raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Stealing the spotlight? Me?"
Aira giggled, nodding. "Apparently. They're already obsessed with you. You're going to have a fanbase of your own soon."
Tawan shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
Aira's smile turned teasing as she leaned closer, her voice playful. "What? You don't want people swooning over you?"
Tawan's lips curved into a smirk. "I'd rather they swoon over you. I'm just the bodyguard."
Aira's gaze softened, her teasing replaced by a warmth that made her heart ache. "You're so much more than that, Tawan. You're my partner."
Tawan's expression softened, and she reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Aira's ear. "And you're my everything."
Aira's heart swelled at the sincerity in Tawan's voice. She leaned in, brushing her lips against Tawan's in a tender kiss, her hand coming up to rest against Tawan's cheek. When they pulled back, she let out a soft, content sigh, her eyes fluttering open to meet Tawan's.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," Aira whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Tawan's eyes shone with affection, and she gently stroked Aira's cheek with her thumb. "You don't have to think about that, Aira. I'm not going anywhere."
Aira's heart felt like it might burst from the sheer depth of her feelings. She had never felt this way beforeâso completely and utterly in love. It was as if everything in her life had led her to this moment, to this person.
They stayed in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying each other's presence. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in this small, perfect moment.
Aira's phone buzzed, breaking the tranquility. She glanced at the screen and let out a small groan. "Ugh, it's Somchai. He's been blowing up my phone since earlier."
Tawan chuckled softly. "He's probably worried about you."
Aira rolled her eyes, but there was affection in her voice as she spoke. "He's always worried about me."
Tawan's smile widened. "That's his job, after all."
Aira sighed, opening the message. "He wants to meet up tomorrow to discuss... everything, I guess."
Tawan nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That makes sense. There's a lot to talk about now."
Aira's gaze turned serious as she looked at Tawan. "Do you think... we should say something? Together?"
Tawan blinked, taken aback by the question. "You mean... like a public appearance?"
Aira nodded slowly. "Yeah. I mean, if we're really doing this... maybe we should do it properly. Show everyone that we're serious."
Tawan's heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in Aira's eyes. She had never been one for the spotlight, but for Aira, she would face anything. "If that's what you want, then I'm with you."
Aira's face lit up with a smile so radiant it took Tawan's breath away. "Really?"
Tawan nodded, her own smile soft and loving. "Really. I'll stand by you, no matter what."
Aira's eyes filled with tears of happiness as she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Tawan's lips. "Thank you, Tawan. For everything."
Tawan's heart melted at the emotion in Aira's voice. She wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. "I love you, Aira. More than anything."
Aira buried her face in Tawan's neck, her voice muffled but filled with love. "I love you too."
They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's embrace, their hearts beating in perfect harmony. Whatever the future held, they knew they would face it together.
Finally, Aira pulled back slightly, her eyes shining with determination. "So, tomorrow... we do this?"
Tawan nodded, her expression mirroring Aira's resolve. "Yes. Together."
Aira's smile widened, her heart soaring. "Together."
They shared one last kiss, a promise of everything that was to come. As they pulled back, their foreheads resting against each other, Aira whispered, "This is just the beginning."
Tawan's eyes sparkled with love and determination. "The best beginning."
Hand in hand, they looked out at the city lights, ready to face whatever the future heldâtogether.