The café was buzzing with the lunchtime rush. Phawin moved carefully among the tables, serving drinks and pastries with his usual shy smile. Yet today, there was a subtle tension in the air, one he couldn’t quite shake.
130Please respect copyright.PENANARQSqgum8sw
Achin had arrived earlier, leaning against the counter casually as always. But his dark eyes kept flicking toward the entrance every few minutes, and Phawin noticed the faint crease in his brow—a look he hadn’t seen before.
130Please respect copyright.PENANApL2HAOebza
It wasn’t long before the source of the tension appeared. Kael, Achin’s rival, strolled in with his signature confident smirk, scanning the café until he spotted Achin.
130Please respect copyright.PENANAU0wAYzarOd
“Well, well… fancy seeing you here,” Kael said smoothly, leaning slightly toward Achin. “And… is this the cute guy I’ve heard so much about?”
130Please respect copyright.PENANA2wK0AclEYO
Achin’s expression hardened slightly. “Kael,” he said coldly. “What do you want?”
130Please respect copyright.PENANAn9D3rdUIc1
Kael’s grin widened. “Just checking in on my favorite rival… and maybe meeting the guy who’s stolen your attention.” He glanced at Phawin, eyes lingering a little too long.
130Please respect copyright.PENANAfT2vJ7JrII
Phawin’s heart sank. The familiar warmth of Achin’s presence suddenly felt shadowed by Kael’s confident charm. His cheeks flushed pink, and he instinctively stepped behind the counter, hoping to go unnoticed.
130Please respect copyright.PENANA34yBQ653i5
Achin noticed immediately and stepped closer, subtly shielding Phawin. “Phawin isn’t someone to worry about,” Achin said quietly, his voice calm but firm.
130Please respect copyright.PENANAMCjpstI7Rh
Kael raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh? I think he’s very interesting… maybe too interesting to ignore.”
130Please respect copyright.PENANAF9UvqbWGfa
The subtle tension escalated as Kael made small, flirty remarks, causing Achin’s friends to roll their eyes and Phawin’s friends to exchange worried glances. Phawin, shy but determined, tried to focus on his work, yet every word Kael spoke made his stomach twist with anxiety.
130Please respect copyright.PENANAIsd0f1iH1R
“Phawin…” Achin said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let him get to you.”
130Please respect copyright.PENANAi6leBPJZpN
Phawin looked up, meeting Achin’s intense gaze. “I… I’m okay,” he whispered, though his hands trembled slightly.
130Please respect copyright.PENANARYulEI3Bde
Kael smirked knowingly and leaned closer to Achin, speaking just loud enough for Phawin to hear: “I think he’s cute… but does he really deserve you?”
130Please respect copyright.PENANA7eslbdw39a
Phawin’s heart ached at the insinuation. Jealousy, embarrassment, and fear swirled inside him. He wanted to speak up, to say Achin only had eyes for him—but his shyness held him back.
130Please respect copyright.PENANAFphtmWwQFN
Achin’s expression darkened slightly, but then he relaxed, a small smirk forming. “He’s mine,” Achin said firmly, voice low but unwavering. “No one else matters.”
130Please respect copyright.PENANA3wwWCFYDmi
The rest of the café seemed to fade around Phawin. Achin’s words wrapped around him like a shield, and his nervous tension eased slightly. Even though Kael continued to linger, teasing and smirking, Phawin felt an unshakable warmth—Achin cared.
130Please respect copyright.PENANATgZ2uCSHWa
Later, after Kael finally left, Phawin and Achin shared a quiet moment in the now-empty café. Achin gently held Phawin’s hand. “You don’t have to prove anything,” he whispered. “Just… stay with me.”
130Please respect copyright.PENANAvVLgyN5Y40
Phawin’s blush deepened, and he nodded, feeling a mixture of relief, happiness, and a quiet determination. Despite the rival, despite the teasing and chaos, their bond was growing stronger—and nothing could easily shake it.
130Please respect copyright.PENANAI7eCb45mv6
And somewhere deep down, Phawin realized that even Kael’s interference had a strange purpose: it was making both him and Achin confront their feelings, solidifying the trust and connection between them.
ns216.73.216.33da2


