It had been a few days since the playful exchanges between Aira and Tawan, and although the rhythm of daily life had returned, an undercurrent of unspoken tension lingered. The upcoming event was significantâAira's first major public appearance since the announcement of her new project, and she needed to look every bit the star she was.
Standing in front of the mirror, Aira adjusted the straps of her dress, which revealed just enough to highlight her figure perfectly. The sleek fabric clung in all the right places, drawing attention to her curves. She knew she looked stunning, and tonight, she wanted to make sure Tawan noticed.
"Do I look pretty?" Aira asked, her tone playful as she turned slightly, showing off the dress. She didn't need validation from anyone, but teasing Tawan had become something of a habit. She caught the brief flicker of surprise in Tawan's eyes, though her bodyguard quickly masked it with her usual calm expression.
Tawan's response was measured. "You look... fine."
Aira smirked, stepping closer, clearly enjoying the effect she was having. "Just fine? You're hard to impress, Tawan. I'm feeling a little... irresistible tonight."
Before Tawan could respond, Aira's manager, Somchai, entered the room with his usual clipboard, a smile spreading across his face as soon as he saw her.
"Aira, you look incredible. You're going to stop traffic out there," Somchai said, his voice filled with pride.
Aira laughed softly, turning to face him. "That's what I was hoping to hear. Tawan here's trying to keep her cool."
Somchai gave Tawan a knowing look. "Well, if I were her, I'd be having a hard time staying focused too." He winked, then turned back to Aira. "The car's ready. Time to go shine."
Aira smiled, feeling more than ready for the night ahead. "Alright, let's go."
The excitement at the venue was palpable. Photographers, reporters, and fans lined the red carpet, waiting eagerly for a glimpse of Aira. As the car door opened, the flashing of cameras filled the air, along with excited whispers and shouts of her name.
Aira stepped out, her confidence radiating as she walked the red carpet. She moved with ease, knowing that all eyes were on her, from the cut of her dress to the way she smiled at the cameras. She felt the attention, and she welcomed it.
Tawan was right behind her, a few steps removed from the glitz but never too far away. Her focus was trained on the crowd, her gaze sharp and calculating. But Aira could feel her presenceâalways watching, always there.
As they made their way inside the venue, Aira shot Tawan a teasing glance. "You're being extra vigilant tonight. Don't tell me you're distracted."
Tawan's expression didn't falter. "Just doing my job."
Aira laughed softly, leaning in as they walked through the entrance. "You're good at your job, Tawan, but tonight's all about fun. Try not to look so serious."
Tawan's lips twitched ever so slightly, but she said nothing, maintaining her professionalism. Still, Aira couldn't help but notice the faintest shift in her bodyguard's demeanor.
The night had been going smoothly, with Aira effortlessly mingling with fellow celebrities and industry insiders. But as the evening wore on, she spotted someone familiar across the roomâKai.
Aira's heart skipped a beat as Kai made their way over, flashing that familiar, charming smile. Kai had always been magnetic, someone who could draw people in effortlessly. Their history with Aira had been casual, nothing too deep, but enough to leave a mark.
"Aira," Kai greeted her warmly, leaning in slightly. "It's been too long. You look incredible."
Aira smiled, the familiarity bringing an easy warmth. "Kai. I didn't expect to see you here tonight."
They quickly fell into conversation, exchanging memories and catching up on what had happened since they last saw each other. Kai's charisma hadn't faded in the slightest, and Aira found herself laughing more than she expected. But in the background, she could feel Tawan's steady gaze, always watching.
As they talked, Aira noticed the buzz of the cameras and reporters who had turned their lenses toward her and Kai. Flashbulbs went off, and she realized that the interaction was drawing more attention than she'd anticipated. The media had a way of twisting simple moments into gossip, and this would certainly fuel speculation.
The night was nearing its end, but the energy in the room hadn't dimmed. Aira was deep in conversation with Kai, an old acquaintance whose charm and easy-going nature still made conversations flow effortlessly. The cameras had already turned toward them, capturing the exchange between Aira and Kai, as if looking for a new story to spin.
"Looks like we're going to be trending tomorrow," Kai teased with a grin. "Guess we're giving them something to talk about."
Aira chuckled, shaking her head. "They'll talk no matter what. Let them."
As the conversation flowed, Kai leaned in with a more personal suggestion. "You know, we never really got that chance to catch up properly. How about we grab a drink after this? Just a casual catch-up, no pressure."
Before Aira could respond, Tawan approached, her presence as steady and grounded as ever. "Aira, it's time to go," she said, her voice calm but firm.
Kai's attention shifted to Tawan, curiosity lighting up their face. "Who's this?"
Aira glanced at Tawan, then back at Kai. "This is Tawan, my bodyguard. Things have been... complicated lately."
Kai raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and amusement crossing their face. "A bodyguard, huh? What's going on?"
Aira shrugged lightly. "Just a precaution, nothing too serious."
Kai seemed intrigued by the situation but didn't press. "Well, that makes my offer even more interesting. Think you can sneak away for a bit without your shadow following you?"
Aira hesitated for a second, her gaze shifting to Tawan, who stood with her usual composed but alert posture. The question hung in the air, and Aira could sense the tension in Tawan, though it was difficult to tell if it was strictly professional concern or something deeper.
"Well... yes, I think we can make that work," Aira finally replied, her tone friendly as she agreed to Kai's invitation. She smiled at Kai, but her eyes stayed on Tawan, trying to gauge her reaction.
Tawan's expression remained stoic, but Aira noticed a subtle tightness in her posture. "With your current security situation, it's not wise to be alone, especially in public."
Kai gave a light-hearted chuckle. "I promise I won't let anything happen to Aira. We'll just have a quick drink and catch up."
Tawan's eyes flickered with something Aira couldn't quite place, and the tension between the three of them felt palpable. Aira stepped in, sensing things were getting a little too intense.
"Tawan, it's just a drink," Aira said softly. "Kai's an old friend. We'll be fine."
Tawan didn't argue, but the firmness in her stance didn't soften. "I'm responsible for your safety. It's not just about trust."
Kai raised their hands in surrender, still smiling. "Hey, if it's going to be a problem, we don't have to make a big deal of it. I'm around for a few more days. Just let me know."
Aira, trying to keep things light, placed a hand on Tawan's arm, giving her a reassuring look. "It'll be fine, Tawan. We'll sort it out."
Tawan remained silent, but the tension between her and Aira was thick. Aira wasn't sure if Tawan's reaction was purely professional or if something more personal was brewing beneath the surface.
As Kai walked off, Aira glanced at Tawan, trying to read the guarded expression on her face. The weight of the moment lingered between them, and Aira couldn't help but wonder what exactly was behind Tawan's unease.
The car ride back was filled with an uneasy silence. The excitement of the event had worn off, leaving a heavier atmosphere between Aira and Tawan. Aira's thoughts kept circling back to the interaction with Kaiâand more specifically, Tawan's reaction to it.
After a few minutes, Aira couldn't take the silence anymore.
"You know," Aira began, her tone softer but tinged with frustration, "you were being too much back there with Kai."
Tawan's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, her expression unreadable. "I was doing my job."
Aira let out a small sigh, shaking her head. "Tawan, Kai doesn't have any bad intentions. We were just catching up. You don't have to jump into defense mode every time someone talks to me."
Tawan's jaw tightened, though her voice stayed controlled. "It's not about Kai's intentions. It's about keeping you safe."
"Safe from what?" Aira shot back, her frustration rising. "From an old friend who just wants to grab a drink and talk? You can't keep treating everyone like they're a threat."
Tawan finally turned to face her, her eyes sharp. "You're in a vulnerable position right now, Aira. Your father's enemies have already made you a target. I'm not going to take chances with your safety just because you want to pretend everything's normal."
Aira's heart pounded, the tension between them thickening. "That's the thing, Tawan. I want to feel normal! I can't keep living like I'm always in danger, like I'm constantly being watched. I just wanted to have a normal conversation with a friend without being reminded of how fragile everything is."
Tawan didn't respond immediately, her silence more telling than words. Aira could see the conflict brewing behind her eyes, the battle between professionalism and something deeper.
"You don't understand," Tawan said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "If anything happens to you, it's on me."
Aira's gaze softened slightly, but the frustration still lingered. "I get that you take your job seriously. But I can't be locked away from the world just because it's risky. I need to live, Tawan. I need to be able to laugh with friends, grab drinks, and feel like... like I'm not a prisoner in my own life."
Tawan's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her knuckles white. "It's not that simple."
Aira leaned in closer, her voice low but intense. "Is it really just about the job for you?"
Tawan turned to meet her gaze, something flickering in her eyesâuncertainty, maybe even a hint of something moreâbut she quickly looked away, her professional mask slipping back into place.
Tawan's grip tightened on the steering wheel as she glanced at Aira. "I will make sure we get to the bottom of this. I'll do whatever it takes so you can have your normal life back. But until then, your safety comes first. That's my job, and I take it seriously."
Aira could hear the professionalism in Tawan's voice, but there was a sincerity beneath itâa promise that went beyond duty. It should have reassured her, but the truth was, it only made her feel more distant from the life she once had.
She wanted to respond, to acknowledge Tawan's words, but she felt too drained, too tired of the constant vigilance. Instead, she slumped back in her seat, staring out the window once more, her sadness deepening. The reality of her situation felt heavier than ever, and she didn't have the energy to fight it anymore.
Tawan glanced at her briefly, as if waiting for a response, but when none came, she refocused on the road, her expression unreadable. The silence in the car was deafening, the tension between them unresolved.
The city lights blurred past the window as they continued their drive, but neither spoke again, leaving the air between them thick with unspoken emotions.