Caught in the Crowd, Lost in the Heart

Chapter 2

""Nani, old place?" Bright asked after their last class in the evening. The "old place" they were referring to was Nani's club.

"Yep, why? Got a plan?" Nani nodded, gathering his things to put in his bag.

"No, just asking if you want to change the place. I heard there's a new spot that just opened," Bright pretended to inquire, but it was a trap—he was setting Nani up to walk into a meet with Sky, who had a party there with his classmates.

Sky got to know Nani and F4 through Prim, Prim is also an actor who he used to work with at events. Win and Prim are always together, like chopsticks, which is how Win got to know Sky through Prim. In no time, Win also started inviting Sky to parties and hangouts, giving Sky and Nani a chance to meet.

Sky still clearly remembers their first meet. By the time he arrived, Nani was already drunk, taking his favourite doll out of his bag, My Melody, and talking to his doll like a little cute kid. Before Dew could stopped him, Sky had already seen it. From that moment on, Sky couldn't help but keep an eye on Nani every time they met.

Curiosity got the better of him. Sky started to wonder why Nani acted so distant, why he seemed to push people away. There was something about Nani that was different from his usual playboy image—more sensitive, more complicated. The more Sky observed him, the more he felt drawn in. Every interaction, every moment of vulnerability only deepened Sky's feelings. He couldn't resist the pull to get closer, to understand the real Nani better.

"Okay, new place then," Nani nodded in agreement.

"Nani, I can see right through you," Groya said, pointing directly at Nani's face. "Don't even think about finding new people to play with again."

"You know me too well, Groya. But sorry, not sorry," Nani replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Nong Sky, your owner is on act again." Groya teased loudly, pretending to shout, even though Sky wasn't anywhere near them.

Nani groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Groya, stop."

Groya let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking her head as though she were burdened by the situation. "Sweet Nong Sky, I don't know how to save you. You're too pure for this world... You don't even realize your so-called owner is playing you like a toy."

"Groya," Nani said, his voice dropping lower, as if warning her to quit while she was ahead.

Diol lop Club

Nani and his friends are having fun at the club. Since this place just opened recently, there are a lot of people, especially students from Bangkok University, as it's located near the campus.

The music thumped through the air. Nani leaned back against the bar, a confident smirk on his face as he surveyed the scene.

" Nani." His eyes flickered across the crowd, spotting familiar faces waving in his direction.

"Prim." Nani greeted Prim with a warm hug, pulling her tightly into his arms. He lifted her slightly off the ground, her small frame light and doll-like in his hold, earning a surprised laugh from her.

"Enough, enough! Both of you always act like children around each other," Win said as he watched them cuddle like they hadn't seen each other in a hundred years.

Prim giggled as Nani finally set her back down. "You're just jealous, P Win. Admit that!"

Win scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Jealous? Of what? Watching you two act like kindergarteners? No thanks. I'm good."

Nani grinned, slinging an arm casually around Prim's shoulder. "Come on, Win. Don't act so grumpy. You're just mad you don't get hugs like this."

Win raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Trust me, Nani, I'm perfectly fine without you lifting me off the ground."

The group burst into laughter, the teasing bouncing back and forth effortlessly.

The club's energy swirled around them, music pounding, lights flashing, and people dancing—but in their little circle, it felt like the world outside didn't exist.

A few moments later, a drink appeared in front of Nani. The bartender placed it on the table, sliding a small folded note beside it with a faint, knowing smile.

Nani arched an eyebrow, his lips curving into a sly smirk as he picked up the note. His gaze flicked toward the bartender, who look at others table that have order this drink for Nani.

Nani followed the gesture, his eyes landing on a table across the room where someone—a little too inconspicuous—pretended to look elsewhere.

No words were exchanged, but the message was clear—both Nani and bartender knew exactly what this was about.

Nani placed the note back on the table with a soft tap, the playful glint in his eyes saying everything.

Nani lifted the drink to his lips, taking a small sip. That simple gesture was all it took—the woman who had ordered the drink knew it was her signal. With confidence, she walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Nani turned toward her, his hand sliding to her waist as he pulled her in close. She know it is her chance, With a teasing smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself just a little closer, her intentions perfectly clear.

Before anything could happen further, the doors to the club swung open, drawing the attention of a few people nearby. A group of students walked in, the lively chatter and laughter signaling their arrival.

Among them there is also Sky, his bright, a wide smile stretched across his face as he spoke to someone beside him. As they walk to the table that the class monitor already booked.

Sky casually scanned the room, taking in the sights. His gaze landed briefly on a woman, arms wrapped snugly around someone's neck. But as Sky continued walking and glanced, his steps slowed slightly. His bright smile wavered for the faintest second when he clearly saw who the woman was clinging to.

Sky pushed himself to walk away and act like nothing had happened. Each step felt heavy, and his chest felt tight. When he and his classmates found their seats, one of his classmates noticed that Sky didn't seem his usual cheerful self.

"Sky, what happened?"

"Uh, no, nothing happened," Sky replied, trying to force a smile.

Before they could talk, Prim and Groya walked out of the restroom nearby. Prim immediately noticed Sky as they walked past.

"Sky, you're here too?" Prim stopped Groya by holding her hand near Sky's table.

Sky smile and nod but doesn't say anything.

"Now I understand why P. Bright wanted to come here," Groya said with a sly smile.

Prim and Groya noticed that Sky seemed a bit off. Normally, he had so much energy and talked non-stop, but right now, his face was dark as a cloud about to rain.

Sky tried his best to hold back his tears. He knew that Nani was a playboy at heart, but he always hoped that things would change. Besides, they weren't anything, so he didn't have the right to say anything. Still, he couldn't help but feel hurt.

Prim nudged Groya, her voice lowering as she whispered, "Something's wrong with Sky. He's not himself tonight. Normally, he's all smiles and talking a mile a minute."

Groya nodded in agreement, concern in her eyes. "Yeah, I noticed too. His usual energy is completely gone. Even his smile looks forced."

Prim stepped closer to Sky, gently touching his arm. "Hey, Sky, are you okay? You seem a bit... off tonight."

Sky forced a small smile, trying to hide how he was really feeling. "I'm fine," he lied, the words barely leaving his lips.

Groya frowned, not buying it for a second. "Come on, Sky, we know you better than that. What's bothering you? You can tell us."

Sky hesitated, staring down at his drink before finally admitting, "I... I just saw something that hurt me more than I expected. but maybe it's better I keep it to myself." Sky still does not want to talk, leaving Groya and Prim no choice but to come back to their table.

As Prim and Groya were leaving Sky back to their table, they saw him still flirting with that girl—the same one Sky had seen earlier.

" Now, I know why our Sky is about to cry." Groya said to Prim. Prim make a sound enough to make Nani notice their presence.

Nani glanced up and noticed Groya and Prim standing nearby, sensing something was wrong.

Groya couldn't hold it any longer and walked beside Nani, hitting him on the shoulder. "You are an IDIOT, Nani," she said, frustration and concern evident in her voice.

"What is wrong with you?" that woman said, suddenly grabbing Groya's hand.

But Nani sent a glare and pushed Groya away from that woman's grasp.

"Who said you could touch Groya?" Nani demanded.

The woman looked shocked at the sudden change in Nani's behavior.

"Walk away," Nani said firmly.

The woman hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard by Nani's protective stance.

"I... I didn't mean to..." she stammered, obviously taken aback. Nani's jaw clenched as he stepped closer to the woman, his voice low and commanding. "I said, walk away."

The woman bit her lip and took a step back, clearly feeling the weight of Nani's intensity. With a hesitant nod, she turned and walked away.

Even though Nani is known as a playboy, but he doesn't like anyone that bring trouble. especially when it comes to his friends. He has a protective side that emerges when someone crosses a line or causes discomfort for those he cares about.

" If you care about Sky feeling a little bit as you care about us, Sky wouldn't have to make a sad puppy face right now."  Groya said sharply, her voice cutting through the music like a blade.

Nani finally snapped out of his carefree demeanor, turning to face Groya. "What are you talking about?" Nani asked, his tone quieter.

Prim crossed her arms and gave him a pointed glare. "Don't act clueless, Nani. You know exactly what we're talking about."

Nani frowned, glancing between them. "Yep, I know you are talking about that guy, What happened to him?"

Groya scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Are you serious? He saw you just now—flirting like it's nothing."

Nani's brows furrowed deeply  "I've already told you—this is impossible between him and me," he said, his voice low but firm. "So whoever I flirt with is my own business, not his."

"Impossible? That's just an excuse, Nani. You're the one pushing him away, not because you can't care about him but because you're too much of a coward to admit that you do." Prim said with her disappoint tone.

"You can pretend all you want, Nani, but you're not fooling us. If Sky didn't mean something to you, you wouldn't let him follow you around for the past few months." Groya

Nani opened his mouth to argue, but Groya wasn't finished. "And don't even try to act like it's none of his business. Sky isn't just some random person—he's someone who cares about you. And whether you like it or not, you care about him too. That's why this bothers you so much."

Nani's jaw tightened, his gaze darting away as if trying to escape their words.

Nani let out a frustrated breath, The weight of their words clung to him, suffocating, and he needed to escape. But just as he moved , his gaze collided with a familiar pair of eyes across the room—Sky.

Sky was sitting quietly at his class's table, a glass of beer in front of him, untouched. He wasn't his usual cheerful self. His bright, sunshine-like energy seemed muted, his shoulders slightly slumped. Sky's eyes locked onto Nani's for a moment too long, and in that brief connection, Nani felt something crack inside him.

There it was—that look. Sky's face was calm, composed even, but his eyes gave him away. They were soft, pained, as if they were asking a question Nani didn't have the courage to answer. Sky wasn't angry or glaring at him—he just looked... disappointed.

It hit Nani harder than he expected.

Sky's gaze didn't waver, but after a moment, he looked down, as if to shield himself from seeing anything more. That single motion—looking away—made Nani's throat tighten.

For a playboy like Nani, seeing that look from anyone else wouldn't have mattered. But this wasn't just anyone. It was Sky. And Nani couldn't deny that it hurt even thought he doesn't know why. This giant guy has been following him around like a puppy until he got used to his presence.

Nani bit his inside cheek. He didn't like this feeling—it made him vulnerable, weak. And the image of Sky's face stayed stubbornly in his mind.

Prim and Groya, who had been watching from a short distance, exchanged looks. Groya' s voice rang out softly but pointedly. "What's wrong, Nani? Can't run away so easily this time, huh?"

Nani shot her a glare over his shoulder but said nothing. He glanced back toward Sky's table again, Sky had turned away now, laughing half-heartedly at something one of his classmates said, but Nani could see through it—it was forced. That laugh wasn't his laugh.

Nani swallowed hard. For the first time in a long time, he didn't know what to do.