It's suffocating.

The silence from everyone was deafening, making it hard to breathe. I tried to laugh off the question, but it came out awkwardly.

"Well..." I started, but the words wouldn't come.

Sensing my struggle, Anda jumped in. "This is my first time sharing this, but during our audition for Cosmos, I noticed Praewa staring at Noon intently." She revealed, smiling.

My eyes widened as I looked at Anda. First, I didn't remember that happening. The audition day was so nerve-wracking that I barely recalled anything specific. Second, was she really trying to help me? It didn't seem like it.

"Ahem." Noon's fake cough forced me to address Anda's comment.

I turned to the influencer and put on my best celebrity smile. "Well, to be honest, I remember P'Noon looked really pretty that day. I bet it wasn't just me who noticed." I widened my eyes at Anda, silently warning her, which made everyone laugh.

Fortunately, the influencer didn't push further, and the topic shifted back to Anda and Lookkaew until the interview ended.

"Thank you, ladies, for coming and agreeing to shoot this vlog. You're all so sweet and lovely." The influencer gave each of us a hug and handed out gifts and flowers.

As she was about to leave, I gathered my courage and asked for her autograph. I had been meaning to do it earlier but couldn't just find the right timing. To my surprise, she asked for my socials after and followed me. I followed her back and even took a selfie with her.

Elated, I practically hopped back to where the others were.

"You like her?" Lookkaew asked when I rejoined them, having witnessed my fangirl moment. I nodded happily.

"Isn't she cool? She's so pretty, rich, and successful. But despite that, she's still down-to-earth and so kind! She even followed me on my socials!" I gushed, and Lookkaew smiled, sharing in my happiness.

Not long after, Ms. Pram arrived with our ride, and we said our goodbyes to everyone before leaving.

---

In the van, Ms. Pram informed us that we'd stop by the company as she needed to pick up an important document. Since she would drive us home afterward, we didn't mind the stopover and agreed.

We arrived at the company's basement parking after 30 minutes.

"You ladies want to come inside with me?" Ms. Pram asked after hopping out of the van.

Lookkaew was napping, so she obviously wouldn't. Anda shook her head. When Ms. Pram's eyes turned to me, I nodded and prepared to hop off. "I gotta pee, so I'm coming," I said, opening the door. I heard no response from Noon, so I closed the door behind me.

Inside the building, me and Ms. Pram parted ways. After washing my hands, I left the bathroom and headed back to the basement. While waiting for the elevator, I got a call from Pammu.

"Hello, Pam," I answered.

[Hey. I heard you guys are in the building. We're halfway through the choreography for our upcoming performance in two months; would you want to see it and give your insights? It'll be quick.]

"Really? Sure, but I'll inform Ms. Pram first."

[Oh, don't worry about Ms. Pram. She was called by the chairman and will probably be delayed. She was the one who told us that you guys were here. Check your inbox; she must have messaged you already.]

I checked my inbox as she asked, and she was right. I had a text from Ms. Pram from two minutes ago. "Oh, right. She did text me. We'll be there. I'll call Anda to tell the others to come up. I went to the bathroom, so we're not together right now."

[All right. See you soon.] Then the call ended.

I quickly dialed Anda's number and relayed the details. She said she'd wake Lookkaew and come up. My brows met in curiosity when Anda didn't mention Noon. Wasn't she with them?

Well, she must be there, and Anda just forgot to mention her.

*Ding!*

I readied myself to enter the elevator and was surprised to see Noon among the passengers. That explained it.

After the other passengers exited, I stepped in and pressed the 7th-floor button.

"Aren't you going back to the basement? Why the 7th floor?" Noon asked, noticing what I did.

"Pammu called. Ms. Pram will be delayed, so she called us to the rehearsal studio to check our choreography for the Pop Festival," I answered without looking at her.

"I see," she replied shortly.

I silently prayed someone else would join us in the elevator, but the doors closed with just the two of us inside. I wanted to ask why she came into the building and where she was going, but I didn't want to talk to her, so I stayed silent.

'Why is this elevator ride taking so long?' I thought. It felt like forever.

*Ding!*

I almost jumped in relief when the elevator bell sounded. I stepped out, but Noon's hand on my arm stopped me. She pressed the close button and then the top floor button.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

She looked me in the eyes before answering, "Let's talk."

---

Noon led me to the rooftop.

She walked ahead while I followed silently. When she reached the railing, she turned to face me.

"This won't do, Praewa," she began.

I was genuinely confused. "What are you talking about, P'Noon? And why did you bring me here?"

She was silent for a moment before speaking again. "This. Us. And the tension between us. Don't you think you're getting obvious these days?" She asked, looking a bit annoyed.

Things became clearer to me upon hearing her question. "Is this about earlier?" She must have been referring to what Anda shared during the shoot this morning. "Look, Anda brought up that audition years ago. To be honest, I don't even remember looking at you that day. Maybe she saw it wrong or made it up. I don't know. I just went along with it because I had no choice."

"Besides, we were in front of the camera. Shouldn't I just agree rather than deny it?" I asked her, making her understand my intentions.

"But..."

I was expecting her to agree with me instantly but then her face showed an expression that was different than usual. However, it quickly went back to blankness so I dismissed that thought. I must have seen it wrong. "All right. I thought... I thought that it happened for real so I just got worried that you have a deeply rooted feeling towards me. It would burden me so much if it was. So, thank you for clarifying that." She said, looking so relieved.

I looked away. I knew it. Why does she hurt me like this?

"Well, now you know. I'm going to go. Pammu is already looking for me." I showed her my phone with Pammu's name on the screen, calling. "You can come later. That way, we won't be teased by the girls. Pretending to like me the entire must be tiring." I murmured the last part so she couldn't hear. I turned to leave.

"Wait." She stopped me again. "I'm not done yet."

"What more would you like to clarify, then? Yes, I still like you. But you do not need to worry about that anymore. Because I am now much more driven to stop myself from falling deeper. It won't be so soon but I promise, I will get there. Happy?"

She opened her mouth trying to say something but got buffered for at least 3 seconds before words came out, "Well, that's good then." She finally said. "And while you're at it. Try to stop yourself from flirting with other girls as well. Especially when people with cameras are around. I want YOU, to stop liking me, but not the actress Praewa. Don't be confused with that." She firmly warned me before walking past me and leaving me behind.

My head spun, making me dizzy. What did I even get myself into?