The one who guards his heart—
finds it stolen by the softest of hands.
—Nil
Kao opened the car door for Nil. As Nil set his first step on the grass, Kao leaned down to lift him into his arms.
"I can walk," Nil said gently, holding onto Kao's arms.
"Are you sure?" Kao asked.
Nil nodded. Kao took his hand, guiding him inside the main residence.
"Stranger... why did you bring me here?" Nil asked, uneasy.
"Neptune Sawan is yours too," Kao said, holding his gaze for a few seconds. "Are you nervous because of Ms. Nin? Nil, I've already told you—you don't need to think of anyone else."
"But she's your mother..." Nil pressed.
Kao's jaw stiffened, eyes flicking aside. "Stepmother."
As Nil's lips parted to speak, Ms. Nin appeared before them. Nil's eyes caught hers as she demanded, "Kao, why have you brought this Bangladeshi again?"
Nil murmured, "Aunt..."
Kao replied sharply, "None of your concern."
Ms. Nin frowned. "What do you mean by 'none of my concern'? I am your mother. I have every right to step in if you're going astray."
Kao exhaled sharply, muttering, "Ughh," but said nothing else. He grabbed Nil's hand and led him up the stairs.
Nil turned to Ms. Nin, bowed, and said, "Nice to meet you..."
"Come," Kao snapped, tugging him along.
Nil stumbled slightly, lowering his voice. "Stranger... at least allow me to greet her properly."
Kao didn't look back. "Keep up."
Meanwhile, on set, Than's solo shots were underway. The crew bustled—positioning lights, cameramen angling for the perfect shot. Kim sat rigid in his black chair, letting out a low, frustrated hum. Lamei slid in beside him. "Director, what's troubling you?"
Kim sighed, leaned back in his chair, tension etched across his face. "So much needless noise surrounds Nil. He works himself to the bone, yet with Kao..."
"...I don't know where it leads, if it leads anywhere at all."
Lamei said softly, "Director, you're overthinking."
Kim shot her a look. "I'm not. They're too different. Kao is responsible, disciplined, and unmoved by gossip. Nil, on the other hand—impulsive, insecure, always worrying about how others see him."
Lamei fell silent.
Kim exhaled, lowering his gaze. "I don't even understand how they fell for each other..."
She asked, "So what do you want?"
Kim's voice softened. "...Just that their personal struggles don't bleed into the performance of Forever You."
...
Steam curled lazily from the marble bathtub in Kao's room. Nil sank into the warm water, shoulders loose, while Kao sat behind him, hands kneading his neck with rare patience.
Nil let out a blissful sigh. "Stranger... ah, you're too good. Who knew you had this talent? If they hadn't kidnapped me that day, I never would have found out."
He laughed, head tilting back, "So the old saying was right after all—sometimes the worst disasters hide the best reasons."
Kao did not reply, only let his fingers trail from Nil's neck down to his spine.
"Stranger... if you always treated me like this after kidnapping, then maybe I'd want to be kidnapped once a week," Nil teased.
Kao's lashes lowered. "Don't talk nonsense."
"I'm not wrong," Nil protested softly. "In your usual schedule, we only meet at night. In the mornings, we can't even say good morning properly."
Still, Kao did not answer.
"Stranger..." Nil called again.
Silence.
Nil sat on the bed in a white robe, hair damp and clinging to his neck. Kao stood behind him, carefully running the dryer through each strand, his face pale and unreadable.
"How long will you keep that look?" Nil murmured.
He reached up, gently caught Kao's hand, then rose to face him. Standing close, he pressed a light kiss to Kao's forehead.
"Stranger, stop blaming yourself. It wasn't your fault."
Kao tightened his grip. "From now on, I'll buy you a car and assign a driver."
Nil gently withdrew his hand. "No... Stranger. I can't accept that. And it was just an accident."
Kao held his gaze, silent and intense.
"Stranger... don't look at me like that..." Nil murmured, but Kao stepped out of the room without a word.
"Stranger..." Nil called softly, but he didn't turn.
Nil's eyes lingered on the door. Why can't he understand that I'm happy just being next to him?
After a while, Nil had changed and was lying on Kao's bed. A knock came at the door, and his eyes lit with amusement. "Stranger..."
But when the door opened, Maid Pei entered, pushing a trolley laden with food. Nil's smile faltered. "Ah... just set it aside."
She nodded politely and placed the trolley beside the bed.
"Where's Achara?" Nil asked.
"Her exam is still going," Pei replied. "She should be back before evening."
Nil tilted his head, eyes curious. "And your Kao... sir?"
A smile tugged at her lips, cheeks flamed crimson, and she opened her mouth—but no words came out.
He stared, "Uh... " completely baffled, "...what did I say to make you smile like that?"
She finally managed, "He's not mine... he's yours."
Nil blinked, hesitated for a moment, then nodded awkwardly, still holding her gaze. "Right... he's mine."
A faint smile curved his lips. "You may leave now..."
Pei pressed a hand to her flushed cheek, cast one last glance at him, smiled again, and quietly slipped out.
Nil exhaled, a trace of relief in his chest. Annoying... really? His eyes drifted to the mirror, catching the silver bracelet. She wasn't that bad. Honestly... Kao Neptune is truly mine.
By four o'clock, Nil had just come downstairs. Ms. Nin lounged on the sofa. "So sly..."
"Bangladeshi... you caught a big one."
Nil met her gaze politely. "Why do you keep calling me Bangladeshi? You could use my name and still say whatever you want."
Ms. Nin remained seated, lifting her green tea cup. "Ashamed of your roots?"
Nil smiled. "I'm proud to be Bangladeshi. Fine, I don't mind what you call me—my mother always said everything given by elders is a blessing."
Ms. Nin stared, her own smile fading.
Nil added gently, "After all, we're all family."
She slammed the cup onto the table, a few drops splashing around. "How dare you call me family! How could I belong to someone like you? Your country is a trash heap, and you... You're the filth that fell onto us."
"And I know exactly how to remove dirt." She added coldly.
Nil's smirk tugged one side of his lips, eyes glinting. He exhaled softly, "Hmph. If I were back home and a foreigner said this about my country, I would have said... 'I'd cut out your tongue and feed it to the stray dogs.'"
Ms. Nin's eyes widened. "..."
"I hope, in time, I can change your mind," Nil added calmly.
He bowed politely, then turned and left.
Kao was buried in work—signatures, deals, approvals—no room for distraction. Shian and Krit sat across from each other, Lava giving updates while Kao reviewed each.
Nil entered the cabin. Lava's eyes flared. Bastard... why can't he disappear?
Shian and Krit acknowledged him with a nod but kept their eyes fixed on the documents. At a subtle gesture, Shian motioned for Krit and Lava to step outside. Lava hesitated, unwilling, but Shian tugged her hand, irritation flashing across her face.
Kao glanced around; the room was empty except for Nil, holding two shopping bags and smiling. Kao said nothing, lowering his gaze to continue reviewing the documents. "Do you need something?"
Nil set the bags on the table and moved behind Kao's chair, gently wrapping his arms around his shoulders. "... still upset?"
No answer.
Kao's eyes stayed on the documents, unaware—until a warm, wet brush traced his neck. Soft... then sharper. A shiver raced down his spine.
He snapped his head back. "Nil..." His voice was low, taut, edged with warning.
Nil pressed his lips deeper into his neck, hot and demanding. Kao exhaled sharply, "Mmph—" before rising, lifting Nil onto the desk. Thighs parted, Nil's legs instinctively coiling around his waist.
Nil's breath hitched, a chuckle escaping. "Stranger... I never meant it to go this far."
Kao's teeth grazed his jaw, lips clamping over his, "No intention matters," he rasped.
"I decide how far,"
Nil stammered, voice fractured. "I... I... sorry..."
Kao's tongue traced along his jaw, down the curve of his neck. "My intention never meant to hurt you," he pressed on.
"...but...ended up hurting me," Kao's lips lingered, pressing against his neck.
Finally, he drew back. "If I am wealthy, is that my fault? Without money, I would only dream of giving you the life you deserve."
"But if I am capable, why shouldn't I spend that money on the person I care for and want to protect?"
Nil gulped. "Stranger... It's not that I don't understand. But I'll ask if I need anything. Right now... you're enough for me."
Kao's hands moved with heated intent, fingers brushing at Nil's belt. But he pressed his hand against Kao's, leaning close, voice low at his ear. "Stranger... I have another plan. We can continue this at night."
Kao exhaled, composing himself. Slowly, Nil slid down from the desk.
Lips still swollen, Nil dabbed Kao's with a tissue. "I got something for us."
He held up the clothes: plain orange T-shirts, matching black hoodies, two caps, and two masks.
Kao's gaze sharpened. "And what do you plan to do with these?"
Nil grinned. "Back home, my sister and I always wander the streets on holidays—eating street food, exploring together."
"Thanks to you, I'm off work today. I want to roam Bangkok's streets like that."
Kao rested both hands on his hips, eyes narrowing with curiosity.
Nil grinned. "Stranger, don't give me that look. Since I arrived in Bangkok, I've been so busy—I never had a chance to explore the lively streets of Bangkok."
"Let's go... please!"
Kao nodded faintly, "Mn."
After changing into the clothes, Nil turned toward him, heart softening. "Stranger... why have you never worn bright colors? This looks amazing on you. Please... no more pale shades."
Kao was about to step into his private lift when Nil tugged him toward the employee lift.
"Stranger... you're not the CEO today. We're just regular people—no VIP treatment," Nil said with a grin.
The doors closed, and they were surrounded by sixteen employees, none of whom recognized them.
Meanwhile, a phone rang. One of the employees answered.
"Yeah... how am I supposed to make time? Our boss, Kao Neptune, sees nothing but work. That's my third date canceled because of him!"
Nil and Kao both froze, eyes widening.
The employee continued, "That cold jerk... doesn't treat his staff like humans."
Nil leaned close to Kao, murmuring in his ear, "Stranger... is this really what your employees think of you?"
"You're so cruel, he's lost two dates because of you."