The air inside Nai Mong Hoi Tod buzzed with quiet sophistication—the soft hum of conversation, the clinking of cutlery, the muted shuffle of waiters moving gracefully between tables. It was the kind of place where people wore tailored suits and elegant dresses, not a university uniform like mine.

The moment I walked in, heads turned. Whispers followed, and I could feel eyes scanning me from head to toe. My Suzuran University uniform might as well have been a flashing neon sign that said, "Out of place." My heart pounded harder with every step, but I kept walking, determined not to let their stares unnerve me.

In the far corner of the restaurant, I spotted him—Mr. Myoui, Mina's father. He sat calmly, sipping from a crystal glass of water, exuding an air of effortless authority. When he noticed me, he stood and waved, a small, polite smile on his face.

I approached him, trying to muster a confidence I didn't feel.

"Thank you for joining me for an early dinner," he said smoothly as I reached the table.

I bowed slightly, forcing a polite smile. "It's my honor, sir."

To be honest, I had been on edge since receiving his text earlier that morning. He hadn't given any details, just an address and a time, with one final instruction: Don't tell Mina.

I'd spent the entire day overthinking it. Why did he want to meet me? What did he want to discuss without Mina knowing? I'd even shown the message to my friends Gin and Hyuga, hoping for insight.

Gin had joked, "Maybe he's going to propose a business deal. Or maybe... he'll ask you to disappear."

Hyuga laughed, but his tone was serious when he added, "Be careful. Expect the unexpected."

The waiter arrived, serving dishes that had clearly been ordered before I got here. Every plate looked like a work of art, each detail meticulously placed. I wasn't sure if I was more nervous about Mina's father or accidentally embarrassing myself with unfamiliar food.

"How's school?" he asked, breaking the silence.

I cleared my throat. "It's going well, sir. Same as always."

"You're an Arts major, right? Literature?"

"Yes, sir," I replied. "Thai Literature."

He nodded approvingly. "So, you're planning to become a professor?"

"That's the plan," I said.

"That's good. A stable, respectable career. I'm sure your sister would be proud to see you graduate."

"Thank you, sir," I said, bowing slightly.

Then the conversation shifted, and the air between us grew heavier.

"Chaeyoung," he said, his voice lower now, "you know Mina is our only child. With Kai gone, she's all we have left. We want the best for her. You're aware she's going to inherit all our businesses, right?"

I nodded, unsure where this was going.

He continued, his tone taking on a subtle but unmistakable edge. "We're planning to send Mina abroad for her education. Somewhere where she can be prepared for the responsibilities ahead. I don't want anything—or anyone—standing in the way of her future."

His words hit me like a hammer, but I tried to keep my face neutral.

"Sir, I want Mina to have the best opportunities," I said cautiously.

He didn't let me finish. "Good. Because I don't want you interfering. Mina might ask for your opinion, but I need you to step aside and support our decision. She has a bright future ahead, and your presence... complicates things."

I stiffened. His meaning was clear now, but he wasn't done.

"Please stay away from her," he said, his voice cold and firm. "I've known about you for a long time. Your... past."

My stomach sank.

"I know you were involved in gangs, Chaeyoung. I've kept quiet because Mina insisted she was happy. But I've seen what men like you bring—danger, instability, and heartbreak. What happens if one of your enemies comes for her? Or worse, what if you're only with her because of our money?"

My fists clenched under the table. His last words stung like poison. I didn't care about their wealth. Mina wasn't just someone I liked. She was someone I loved. But now, that love felt like it was being used as a weapon against me.

I couldn't hold his gaze any longer. The coldness in his voice, the authority in his tone—it was like the walls were closing in around me.

"Excuse me, sir," I muttered, standing abruptly. I couldn't stay there any longer.

I left the restaurant, my chest tightening with every step. As I walked through the parking lot, my thoughts spiraled into a storm. Was this the beginning of the end for Mina and me? Her parents clearly didn't see me as good enough for her. And if they pushed her to leave the country... what chance did we have?

I reached my bike, gripping the handlebars like they were the only thing anchoring me. My mind was racing when I heard familiar voices.

"Hey, there he is!"

I turned to see Gin and Hyuga leaning casually against their bikes, grinning.

"What the hell are you two doing here?" I asked, confused.

"We figured you'd need some backup," Gin said, shrugging. "And if not, at least we could laugh at you from a distance."

Hyuga smirked. "So, how'd it go?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I swung onto my bike.

Gin raised an eyebrow. "That bad, huh? Guess we're drinking tonight. My treat."

Despite the tension in my chest, a small, bitter laugh escaped me. They always knew how to show up, even when I didn't realize I needed them.

As we rode into the night, I tried to outrun the weight of Mr. Myoui's words. But deep down, I knew this wasn't over. The battle for Mina's future had just begun—and I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to fight.

The vibrant chaos of Khao San Road felt like a blur. Neon lights flickered against the humid Bangkok night, and the street buzzed with the sound of music, laughter, and distant conversations. My friends Gin and Hyuga sat across from me, their expressions caught somewhere between concern and curiosity as I downed my second bottle of beer and lit another cigarette.

"So, what are you gonna do?" Gin asked, leaning closer.

"Are you seriously considering breaking up with her?" Hyuga added, disbelief laced in his voice.

I let out a hollow laugh, exhaling smoke into the air. "I don't know. What the hell am I supposed to do? Her dad basically told me to disappear. And the worst part is..." My voice trailed off, my chest tightening.

Gin nudged me. "The worst part is what?"

I sighed, staring at the amber liquid swirling in my glass. "The worst part is, I think he's right. I don't deserve her. I'm just... me. And she's Mina."

Hyuga shook his head. "You're an idiot. Mina loves you. You're not gonna find another girl like her who puts up with your crap."

"Yeah," Gin chimed in, grinning. "No one else would put up with you."

Despite their teasing, their words weighed heavily on me. Could I really stay in Mina's life without ruining it? The thought made me gulp down another drink, trying to drown the gnawing ache inside me.

The night spiraled on as we drank and smoked, reminiscing about simpler times before life became so damn complicated. For a moment, I forgot the weight of it all—the expectations, the judgment, the fear of losing Mina. But the moment didn't last.

My phone buzzed, jolting me back to reality. Mina's name lit up the screen.

I swiped to read the message:

Why aren't you answering my calls?
There's someone following me.
I'm still on campus.

My heart stopped. It's 10 p.m. Why is she still at school?

Without a second thought, I stood, grabbed my helmet, and bolted for the door. Gin and Hyuga barely noticed as I left them amidst the chaos of Khao San.

I called Mina as I straddled my big bike, my hands trembling as I shoved on my Bluetooth headset. "Keep the call on. Don't hang up. I'm coming to get you," I told her.

The city blurred around me as I sped through the streets, ignoring traffic lights, weaving through sparse cars like a man possessed. The only thing that mattered was reaching her. Every second felt like a lifetime.

"Mina, are you okay? Are you still there?" I asked through the headset, my voice tight with panic.

"I'm outside the gate," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't see him anymore, but I'm scared."

"I'm almost there," I promised, pushing the bike even faster.

When I arrived, the sight of her standing alone by the gate made my chest ache. I parked the bike haphazardly, ran to her, and cupped her face with my hands.

"Mina, are you okay? Did you see who follows you? Where is he?" My questions tumbled out as I scanned her face, desperate for answers.

She didn't respond immediately. Her eyes met mine, her gaze steady but unreadable.

"Why do I have to lie and make up stories just to see you?" she said softly, her words hitting me like a punch to the gut.

"What?" I stammered, caught completely off guard.

"I lied," she said, her voice breaking. "There's no one following me. I just wanted to see you because it's clear that you've been avoiding me."

I froze, guilt crashing over me like a wave. "Mina, I—"

"You smell like alcohol," she cut me off, her voice rising. "You were out drinking while I was here, worrying about why you wouldn't call me back!"

Her anger was palpable, and for the first time, I saw a side of Mina I had never seen before. She hit my shoulder in frustration, tears brimming in her eyes. "Liar! You keep saying I'm important, but you're not here when I need you!"

I grabbed her shoulders as she tried to walk away. "Mina, wait! Please, listen to me."

"Why?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "Why should I listen?"

"Because I love you!" I said, the words coming out more desperate than I intended.

She froze, her lips trembling as she searched my face. "Then why are you pulling away from me? Why, Chaeyoung?"

I hesitated, knowing I couldn't keep the truth from her any longer. "Your father asked me to stay away from you," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "He doesn't think I'm good enough for you. He... he wants to send you abroad. He wants me out of the picture so you can have a better future."

Her expression softened, confusion and pain swirling in her eyes. "He said that?"

I nodded, my throat tight. "I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you."

Silence settled between us, heavy and suffocating.

Finally, she spoke, her voice quiet but firm. "Do you love me, Chaeyoung?"

"You know I do," I replied. "You're my life, Mina."

"Then take me away," she said, her words steady and resolute.

I blinked, unsure if I'd heard her correctly. "What?"

"Let's leave," she said, stepping closer to me. "Let's go somewhere far away, where they can't find us. Where it's just you and me."

Her words left me speechless. The sheer determination in her voice was both terrifying and exhilarating.

"Mina, are you sure?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I don't care about anything else. I just want to be with you. Forever."

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. I pulled her into my arms, holding her as tightly as I could. "Okay," I whispered. "Tomorrow, we'll leave. We'll go somewhere they'll never find us. Just you and me."

She looked up at me, her tear-streaked face breaking into a small, fragile smile. "Promise?"

"Promise," I said, sealing it with a kiss.

And just like that, we made a plan to leave everything behind. It was reckless, desperate, and crazy—but for Mina, I would risk it all.

The early morning air at the park where we first met carried a crisp freshness, the kind that hints at new beginnings. I parked my bike, the engine's hum fading into the background, and sat on a bench beneath a tree. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground with golden patches, but my mind was elsewhere, spinning with nerves and hope.

It was just past 7 a.m., and Mina wasn't here yet. I tried to keep my thoughts in check, but they were unruly, running to worst-case scenarios. Had she changed her mind? Did her father convince her to stay?

I checked my phone for the millionth time. Nothing. Sitting there, I was tempted to light a cigarette, a habit Mina despised. She'd once threatened, half-jokingly, to shove an entire pack into my mouth if I didn't quit. That memory, and the thought of her disappointed face, stopped me.

Just as I was about to spiral further into doubt, a gentle tap on my shoulder startled me. I turned to see her—my Minari. Her dark hair framed her face, her eyes sparkling with determination and a hint of mischief.

She poked my dimple with her index finger, her smile soft and playful. "Were you starting to think I wouldn't show up?" she teased, her voice like a melody that instantly calmed my restless heart.

"You took your time," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but my relief must have been written all over my face.

Mina looked around briefly before whispering, "I need to change out of my uniform."

We headed to the parking lot, where she found a restroom to change. When she returned, she was wearing simple but comfortable clothes. She looked radiant, even in her casual outfit. I handed her the helmet and helped her secure it.

Before starting the bike, I paused and asked her, "Are you really sure about this? About leaving everything behind to be with me?"

Her answer came without hesitation. She nodded eagerly, her smile never faltering. Then, as if to reassure me, she tightened her arms around my waist and said, "Let's go before someone sees us."

The ride to Chiang Rai province was exhilarating, the wind rushing past us as we sped away from the life we had known. Mina held onto me tightly, and every now and then, I could feel her resting her head against my back. It was a kind of intimacy I hadn't expected—a quiet affirmation that we were in this together.

When we arrived, Hyuga's cousin, Fong, was waiting for us. He greeted us warmly and guided us to a small apartment he had arranged. The building was modest but well-kept, nestled in a quiet neighborhood. The moment Mina and I stepped inside, it felt like a sanctuary.

The apartment was simple—a single bedroom, a small dining area, a living room, and a tiny kitchen. The furniture was basic but functional, and the appliances were all there. Fong explained that the owner had moved to Vietnam and was renting it out for an affordable price.

"Thank you, Fong," I said, bowing deeply. "We owe you."

He waved it off with a grin. "Just take care of yourselves, okay? And let me know if you need anything."

After he left, Mina began exploring our new home. She checked every corner, opening cabinets and testing light switches. I stood by the doorway, watching her with a mix of amusement and awe. She looked so at ease, as if this tiny apartment was the grandest palace.

When she entered the bedroom, she sat on the edge of the bed, bouncing slightly to test its comfort. I followed her, leaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed, unable to suppress a smile. She noticed me and patted the spot beside her.

I sat down, and she leaned into my touch as I gently caressed her cheek with my thumb. Her eyes closed for a moment, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"Do you miss your family already?" I asked softly, worried about how she might be feeling after our sudden departure.

She shook her head, her gaze steady and full of conviction. "No. I don't regret this, Chaeyoung. Not for a second."

Her words made my chest tighten with emotion. "Tomorrow, I'll start looking for a job," I said, my voice firm. "I'll make sure you're happy, Mina. I'll make this life everything you dreamed of."

She smiled, the kind of smile that felt like the sun breaking through clouds. "I don't need anything else as long as I have you. You're all that matters to me, Chaeng."

Her words felt like a blessing, a promise that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we'd face them together. I pulled her close, holding her tightly as if to shield her from the world outside.

In that moment, sitting on the edge of a modest bed in a small apartment in a quiet neighborhood, I felt richer than I ever had in my life.

This wasn't just a new chapter; it was the beginning of a love story we would write together—one day at a time.