💌 Author’s Note

From: Khun Phuying

Before anything else, I want to sincerely apologize to everyone

who has been waiting. I know I kept you waiting for a really
long time.

A lot of things in my life have been quite chaotic—so hectic, in

fact, that I lost the spark to write many times. But I always
managed to bounce back thanks to the encouraging comments
and words of support from all of you.

I honestly didn’t think it would take this long to finish, but it

truly did. I have no excuse.

As for NOPE! I Don’t Love You—it all started because I

suddenly fell in love with the names Eiffel and England. They
belong to the children of someone I know, and I just thought
they were incredibly cute. That’s what sparked the idea to write
this story.

The character P’Tam came later, created entirely from my

imagination—just like in my usual writing style.

If you’ve ever read my work before, you’ll know that I’m not a
fan of heavy drama. Light drama, I can handle—but if it gets
too intense or emotionally draining, I stop right away. So, my
stories tend to follow that same tone.
The language might be a bit off in some parts, with
inconsistencies, strange details, or typos that I may have
missed. I sincerely apologize for those. I do everything entirely
by myself, so I can’t make it 100% perfect—though I truly wish
I could.

But from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

In the end, Eiffel and P’Tam’s story is finally complete.

Thank you for still loving them and waiting patiently.

For those waiting for the story of P’Saow—it’s definitely coming!

But I can’t give you a specific time frame yet because, honestly,
I’m not the most consistent person. Some days, I want to write;
other days, I just don’t. It happens a lot.

That’s one of my flaws. But I believe that when we create

something, we should be happy while doing it. I don’t want to
pressure myself just to finish something for the sake of it.

When I write with happiness, I believe you’ll feel that happiness

too when you read it.

Finally, if this story made you smile, feel something with the
characters, laugh, or cry—then I consider that a success.

See you again soon.

With love,

Khun Phuying :)
 💌 Intro

Loud music, flashing lights, and dazzling colors pierced through

the dimly lit space—the perfect setting for a woman with a
slender frame to unwind with her close friends.

Thansikorn hadn’t felt this kind of buzz in a long time. It

wasn’t the alcohol—it was the lights, the energy, the mood.

Since she graduated and took on the role of Vice President to

support her family, her life had been all image and
responsibility. The fun parts—the joy and spontaneity—had
quietly slipped away without her realizing it.

That’s why tonight, she let herself go completely, releasing all

the pressure that had been bottled up inside her. She didn’t
even notice that she had become the center of attention for
many people in the room.

Laughter, conversation, and the upbeat rhythm of the music

were the last things she remembered before everything went
black.

That—and the faint scent of a familiar perfume.

She couldn’t place where it came from… or whose it was.

“Once upon a time…”

That’s how stories often begin, right?
But for Thansikorn Tantiviroj—or Tam, the beautiful vice
president of a renowned Thai company— maybe her story
would start more fittingly with the words:

“One morning…”

Thansikorn woke up in an unfamiliar room.

The only thing she vaguely remembered was going out for
drinks to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
Glass after glass of fine wine had gone down her throat, and
she had no idea when she lost consciousness.
But one thing she was sure of—this definitely wasn’t the place
she passed out in.

And…

She was absolutely certain she didn’t have any friends who
decorated their rooms like this.

Looking left and right, trying not to panic, she slowly looked
down at herself to examine her body and clothes.

Something was off.

This wasn’t the outfit she had on last night—and to make

matters worse, her underwear was missing.
That made her already uneasy heart pound even harder.

Never before in her life had she lost all awareness to the point
of not remembering anything completely.

Where were her clothes?

"Finally awake, huh?"

A voice called out from the right. Thansikorn whipped her head
around and saw—

A tall, slender woman with fair, healthy skin and soft pink lips.
Her light brown hair was tied into a high ponytail, and she was
dressed in a white bathrobe.
She sat in a relaxed pose, resting her chin in her hand on an
armchair, her long legs crossed.

Her gaze?
Not to be trusted.
But her lips curled into a faint smile—like she was clearly
enjoying the situation.

That face… it looked strangely familiar.

But Thansikorn couldn’t quite place who she was.

“W–who are you?”

“Hmph.”

The woman scoffed. She seemed annoyed but kept a neutral

expression. She walked past the bed without answering, which
only irritated Thansikorn more.

What, is she mute or something? She’s clearly not—so why

won’t she just answer?

“You really don’t remember me?”

“Of course not! Why else would I be asking?”

Thansikorn snapped, clearly growing frustrated.

“Grumpy in the morning,” The tall woman cursed under her
breath, her face now clearly annoyed.

“You know P’Eng, right?”

"Eng?" Thansikorn thought, and in her entire life, she only

knew one person.

"England!?"

"Yes, what are you surprised about?" Thansikorn received

another sigh in response, and the stoic person looked utterly
bored to be asking such questions.

However, the curious one was not interested in that; what

mattered was wanting to know what had happened to herself.

"What is your relationship with Eng?"

England was her best friend.

That beautiful girl—her best friend from school—had just
returned from the country that happened to match her name.

In fact, the reason her parents named her England in the first
place was because it was the country where they had their
honeymoon—and where, as the story went, their hearts became
permanently intertwined.

This time, instead of a sigh, the woman leaned her face in so

close that Thansikorn instinctively jerked back, startled.

What kind of crazy person sticks their face in like that?

They were practically nose-to-nose, and yet she still wore that
totally expressionless face!
“Take a good look. Who do I look like?”

That made Thansikorn study the face in front of her again.

An oval-shaped face.
Neatly arched, dark eyebrows that needed no makeup. Big,
round, sparkling eyes. A sharp, defined nose that hinted at a
strong, willful personality. And lips—small, firm, and naturally
pink.

For a moment, Thansikorn thought of her best friend again.

The face… the eyes… they really did resemble her.

But something tugged at her mind.

No… England never looked at her like this.

Not with that intense, almost desperate gaze.

Not with this strange blend of longing and tension.

“If you still can’t remember… I’ll just kiss you and bring
the memories back myself.”

“Wha—?!”

Thansikorn blinked rapidly, trying to process what she’d just

heard.

But before she could even say whether or not she remembered
anything, those soft pink lips had already pressed against her
own.

The kiss was gentle.

Not forceful, not demanding.
But it sent an electric shock through her whole body.
What the hell is happening?!
How could she be kissed… by a woman?!
She continued nibbling and softly biting on Thansikorn’s lips
for what felt like a full minute before suddenly pulling away.
Their eyes met—her gaze unreadable.
What the hell does that look even mean?!
“You—You!”
“I’m about to tell you, so listen carefully, my love.”
She pointed to herself calmly, expression unreadable.
“I’m Eiffel.”
“How could you not remember the name of the person you
were calling all night long?”
Eiffel gave a small smirk—one of those crooked, teasing smiles
that was equal parts infuriating and irresistibly charming.
“Don’t be so shocked. Just look at the state you’re in.
Don’t you wonder who changed your clothes? Or more
importantly... who touched you while doing it?”
Thansikorn wanted to scream—really let out a full-on shriek—
but no sound came.
She was frozen, stunned, still overwhelmed and confused.
She stayed like that—silent, trembling—for a long moment…
Until Eiffel’s lips pressed down on hers again.
Only then did her mind snap back into focus.
 CHAPTER 01
Eiffel

Eiffel Aphiwatmontri is the youngest daughter in her family.

She has a tall and slender figure, with fair skin that looks like
it has never seen sunlight. Despite this, her body and health
are surprisingly strong because she exercises regularly. Her
hair is a soft caramel color, and the corners of her lips have a
faint pinkish hue.
Her sharp eyes and stubborn expression resemble her two
older siblings, but her personality is quite different. Eiffel is a
sensitive and gentle person who tends to overthink and worry
about little things. She often retreats into herself to quietly deal
with her emotions without making a fuss or asking for help.
Even when she feels hurt, she tends to keep it inside.
At the same time, Eiffel is a complex person—difficult to
understand and caring deeply beneath her quiet exterior. She
can be manipulative and quietly harsh if she wants something,
but she knows exactly how to get what she wants without
much effort.
Eiffel graduated with a degree in interior design from a
prestigious foreign institute, whose reputation is as well-known
as her own family name. Her parents are romantic, often
openly expressing their love and dancing to nostalgic songs
that remind them of happy memories. That is why they named
their children after places in Europe.
Her younger brother is named Italy, or “It” for short, which is
quite a unique name. But he’s pretty self-absorbed and
independent, often going his own way.
Eiffel prefers to keep a low profile. Her older sister, who is
gentle and kind, is named England or “Eng.” However, the
reality is quite different—Eng is not as soft or lovable as her
name might suggest.
She is just someone who wouldn’t hurt anyone first and is
quite difficult to make angry.
If anything, she’s really strict about manners. But to be honest,
Eiffel would often say directly that her sister is full of tantrums
and very troublesome. Still, when it comes to what she wants,
Eiffel always gives in to her.
England (her older sister) often loses to her childish ways, even
though she knows exactly why she’s so demanding.
Inside the coffee shop, the sound of people calling out the
owner’s name was loud, and conversations filled the air. But
Eiffel just sat quietly, staring at the phone lying on the table,
uninterested in anything else until the person sitting across
from her started fidgeting.
“Hey, why do you keep asking me to be quiet? I have work to
do, not all day to just sit quietly with you.”
The young woman, with a well-proportioned figure and
naturally flowing hair, was wearing a casual long-sleeve shirt
and dark blue jeans. She looked tired and frustrated thinking
about the unfinished work she had to do. Yet, she insisted on
leaving with her friends who were all crowded around the work
table.
“Just a moment, I’m waiting for a call.”
Eiffel turned to tell her friend in a calm voice, then returned
her gaze to the phone on the table. The way she stared at the
phone was like she was hoping to send a mental signal to
someone waiting on the other end.

“I have work,” Kanda or Green reminded her friend again,

emphasizing so she’d understand.

“Just a moment.”

Eiffel nodded and checked her watch. Seeing that there were
only a few minutes left before her break, she quickly shifted her
position to sit upright and continued staring at the phone with
disinterest in the conversation from the person sitting across.

“Ten more minutes. If you still don’t talk to me, I’m leaving.”

Green’s voice sounded uneasy but agreed with her friend’s

frustration.

Soon enough, the thing Eiffel had been waiting for appeared—
the phone vibrated and rang sharply. Then a loud, desperate
voice shouting “England!” echoed from the phone’s speaker,
causing Eiffel to smile slightly before—

She immediately answered the call right after the phone

vibrated three times. Green looked at her friend with
confusion—what was going on? Why was her friend pressured
to stop working just to sit and wait for a phone call in a coffee
shop? What was she thinking?

“Hello, P’Eng.”
[What trouble did you cause, huh, you brat!!!] The voice on the
other end immediately jumped into the topic.

"What did I do? Specify, please."

[Oh, should I explain that I've been scolded by my friend since I

answered the call this morning because of what you did?]

Eiffel relaxed her smile, recalling her older sister's friend sulky
face, which amused her.

So rebellious, it was hard to resist.

"Why did someone have to scold you?"

[Well, what else? Maybe because someone kissed her and then
claimed to be my little sister!!]

“Ouch, P’Eng, why are you so grumpy? You’re making my ears

hurt.”

Eiffel raised her eyebrows, sighed, and then asked, “Did your
friend just say it was ‘just a kiss’?”

[Eiffel, this is no joke. Tam is about to lose her mind. This is not
just a small thing—it’s serious! And on top of that, it’s a ‘red
code’!]

Eiffel muttered, “What’s this red code anyway? And I am not

joking at all.”

[So why did you do it?]

“Because I want to do it.”

[Eiffel, don’t annoy me!!]
The scolded girl sighed. “Your friend’s lips are seriously
tempting. When she starts ranting nonstop. I just…… lost
control a little.”
Eiffel recalled the moment of the kiss—soft, sweet, and
unforgettable—so tender she almost forgot her sister’s
existence for a while. The warmth and the low, lingering sound
remained deeply engraved in her mind to this day.
[Eiffel!] The voice at the other end called again because there
was no response.
“Um…”
[That’s not an answer! You can’t just go around kissing people
and saying it was an accident. I know you too well, don’t lie to
me!]
“Give me your friend’s number. I’ll call and clear things up
myself.”
[“No.”]
“Why not? This morning your friend hurt Eiffel’s body too, you
know?”
Eiffel furrowed her brows, pointing out that she wasn’t the only
one at fault.
Thansikorn wasn’t exactly innocent either—she had slapped
her the moment she regained her senses, hard enough to make
her head turn. Not to mention, she even ordered her to find
clothes to wear afterward. So tell her—who was really the
victim here?
[That’s beside the point. You should be glad Tam only slapped
you and didn’t storm over to your house. Now tell me the truth,
Eiffel. You know you can’t lie to me. Stop dodging the question.
I promise I won’t tell anyone, just be honest with me.]

Eiffel sighed, knowing it was pointless to deceive her sister.

“Not right now.”

[Then when?]

“I don’t know how to tell you yet. I’m not even sure about
myself.”

[Eiffel… hey… this isn’t funny. Don’t mess with someone’s

feelings like this.]

“P’Eng, have I ever played around before?”

England let out a deep breath, rubbing her temples. She had a
feeling this was about to become a huge mess, one she
wouldn't be able to avoid. If Eiffel had gone this far, it couldn't
be something simple. And Tam If only she were the type to
back down easily. By now, she was probably cursing Eiffel out
with all her might. Or worse, Eiffel might end up getting
dragged into Tam's family matchmaking games.

Just the thought gave her a headache. Her best friend was
already considering sending in a decoy to meet her mother.

Now her reckless little sister, who never thought things

through, had to go and kiss Tam of all people?

[When you get home, don’t answer any questions. Just show
your face and that’s enough for me to understand, okay?]
If her little sister didn’t answer, it wouldn’t matter much. Eiffel
didn’t seem to care much either. Eng sighed again after putting
down the phone, laying back on the chair. If this whole thing—

It’s something I don’t even want to think about—how I would

show up or act if she really likes Thansikorn. Would she be
able to handle it? I mean, could she actually stand it? Sure,
Tam looks so beautiful, but who would know that underneath,
she has such a fiery temper? Not just fierce, but hot-hearted
and quick to anger.

Only those close to her had seen that side, because on the
outside, Tam carried herself with grace and manners that made
many elders adore her.

Then someone with a sharp tongue, stuck in a crazy state like

Eiffel, how could she possibly survive? If she wants to stay
close to the hot-tempered Tam, she’s going to have a rough
time. Eiffel is stubborn and strong-willed, and if she refuses to
back down, this pair is definitely going to be at each other’s
throats. You can bet on it.

England couldn’t even begin to imagine what the future held

for them- nor did she dare to guess.

“Hey, are you still mad?” Green asked.

“Yeah.” The girl twisted her hair, raising her hand to her head
because she wanted to scold her friend but didn’t dare.

“You should tell the truth, not just mumble and dodge me. Why
did you call me here anyway?”
Green wanted to bang her head in frustration because Eiffel's
behavior made no sense to her.

Eiffel looked at her friend first, then bent down and glanced at
the phone.

“I kissed Phi Eng’s friend, and…. It didn’t just stop at a kiss.

Things kind of…. got out of control. When she woke up, she
thought we’d slept together. That’s how it is.”

Green’s eyes widened in shock at her friend’s words, but she

didn’t finish because, “Who… who is it?”

At that moment, Eiffel sent an annoyed look to her close friend.

“Phi Eng’s friend. The gorgeous one. You met her the other day
when she was out partying with her friends?”

“Wait, don't tell me it was the one you carried out of the club?”

“Hmm.”

Green’s eyes widened as she thought, "Eiffel! That's

Thansikorn! The one on the cover of all those high-fashion
magazines! The designer that has their eyes on! The woman
every rich guy dreams about! Her house must have suitors
lining up at the door!"

"Yeah, that one." Eiffel's voice was flat, completely

unimpressed. So what if she was famous? So what if she
graced the covers of magazines? Eiffel couldn't care less. To
her, Tam was just... Phi Tam. A fiery woman who was fun to
challenge, nothing more.
“So why did you kiss her? And what exactly is your deal?”

“Well… we kissed, but it was just a little. She was drunk and
clingy, but nothing really happened. She misunderstood.”

“That’s not normal. Why did you suddenly kiss her? What are
you thinking?”

For the first time, the usually indifferent Eiffel hesitated, as if

she had been walking confidently only to suddenly trip over an
unseen rope.

Her mind wandered back to that night, the delicate frame, the
slender waist, the intoxicating scent, the smooth, bare
shoulders, and the soft skin beneath sheer fabric the way those
curled locks cascaded down her back. The slurred, drunken
voice, the hazy, sultry eyes. The red-stained lips...

Why hadn't she just let her go that night? Let her slip away like
all the other fleeting moments in her life?

Was it because of the way so many eyes in the club had

lingered on her, filled with hunger and desire? Because of the
men waiting for the right moment to sweep her away?

Or was it because, for some reason, when Eiffel claimed that

she had been sent by Phi England, no one had questioned her?
She knew Thansikorn was close to her sister, but she hadn't
expected the name alone combined with her own appearance
as a seemingly respectable woman to be enough to make those
people back off so easily.
Jealousy? She couldn't say. They weren't anything more than
acquaintances, the younger sister of a friend.

Worried? That was probably the best excuse she could give
herself at the time.

“Hey! I’m asking you!”

Eiffel flinched a little before answering in a low voice, “I don’t

know.”

Green was about to scold her friend. Doing something like that
to a woman and then just saying I don't know there was no
way that was true! People don't just kiss someone for no
reason. It's impossible! Especially someone as reserved and
hard to approach as Eiffel. For her to let someone get that close
to the point of locking lips and taking things even further it had
to mean something! Saying I don't know was just a way to
avoid the truth.

"I remember her. When she went to France with Phi Eng, I saw
her. When she visited our house, I saw her. When she came to
the family party, when she laughed with Phi Eng, when she
went swimming, when she worked out I was always there, in
the background, like some creepy stalker who never revealed
herself. But that night, I really saw her. I saw the way everyone
else looked at her. I saw her smile, looking happy... but I also
saw the sadness hidden underneath. I knew that her family
was trying to force her into an engagement with some guy she
didn't even know. And that night, I couldn't just let her slip
away like all the other times."
Eiffel turned to her friend, eyes filled with confusion.

"Why, Green? Why couldn't I just let it go like before?"

"I don't know why," Green admitted, "but what I do know is

that Thansikorn isn't the type to give in easily. Do you really
think she'd agree to this engagement?"

"Her mother is sick. She might agree to it... for her mom."

Eiffel nodded, knowing very well Thansikorn’s character. But

she also knew how much she loved her family. If her sick
mother begged or cried, Thansikorn might go against her own
heart just to make her happy, even if it hurt her deeply. Eiffel
knew that if it were her, she’d do the same. And many people
would come searching for every possible way to find out
Thansikorn’s weak spot.

And once people caught wind of this weakness and her love for
her mother there would be no shortage of suitors doing
whatever it took to win her over. Not to mention her immense
wealth, her effortlessly elegant beauty, the way she could make
anything she wore look stunning. A slender waist, porcelain
skin, everything that fits the ideal Thai standard of beauty. A
prize, just waiting to be claimed.

Even though she had fallen willingly, deliberately, she couldn't

even look Thansikorn in the eye now. Thansikorn had brushed
it all off without a second thought, walking away with
unwavering resolve. So cold, so ruthless – it was terrifying. How
could she ever breach that wall and reach the woman beneath
the armor? She had no answer.
"You know I don’t get involved with people who already belong
to someone else. No exceptions."

Green nodded. It was an unbreakable rule for Eiffel, one forged

from her own pain. She, more than anyone, understood just
how much it hurt to be entangled with someone who had
another.

"So, you’re just going to let her go? Let her be tied down, let her
officially belong to someone else?"

"Mmmm.."

"And what will you do?"

Green chose to ask what she wanted to hear, rather than

why—because she knew that if she asked why, Eiffel would just
say she didn’t know. Eiffel looked away, leaving her friend
waiting for an answer. After a while, she finally replied in a soft
voice with steady eyes:

"She loves her mother, and I will make her mother love me."

This was the best solution. Eiffel had always been drawn to
older people not in a romantic way, necessarily, but because
she liked taking care of them. She liked listening to their
stories, having new perspectives open up her small world. It
was a way to build connections, to offer encouragement, to
remind the elderly that they were still valued, still important.

Green opened her mouth, blinking frequently. "What do you

mean? I’m confused."

"I’m going to be the best choice for Phi Tam’s mother."

"What...?"
Green could only sigh because she didn’t know what to say
that would make her friend think or decide. But there was one
question she wanted to ask before her friend chose which path
to take.
"So why would you do that?"
She tried not to ask, but couldn’t help herself.
"I don’t know."
Eiffel felt lost again. If someone asked why she was doing this,
she'd say she didn't know. But if someone asked why she
couldn't let Thansikorn go – why she insisted on getting
involved when Thansikorn had her own life, free of any
connection to her – Eiffel would have an answer: because if
Thansikorn ever chose to belong to someone else, the woman
she often found herself watching would become unreachable.
“You can’t say I don’t know!” Green snapped. “You’re going this
far already to figure out your feelings, Eiffel! Be clear about
what you want!”
.
.
.
In France.
Eiffel dressed up to go pick up her sister from a banquet.
England was here for some business related to their family and
had decided to take the opportunity to relax with her younger
sister, who was about to graduate soon. This time, she had also
brought her close friend along.
Eiffel walked at a leisurely pace since it wasn’t yet time for their
appointment. She arrived at the restaurant ahead of schedule.
There was a car service available, but her beautiful sister had
insisted that she come pick her up personally. England wanted
to introduce her friend after a long time apart. Eiffel already
had a good idea of who it was, England had only a handful of
close friends. And among them, the one who had disappeared
for so long that she almost felt like a stranger was none other
than Thansikorn.

Eiffel buried her face into her coat as a cold gust of wind blew
past. She glanced at her watch and it was almost time.
England was never late, so instead of going inside to look for
them, she chose to wait outside.

At the scheduled time, England came out accompanied by a

slim, delicate body. Seeing her, she hurried to help.

"Ei, help me, please! Tam is heavy as hell."

Eiffel approached at an unhurried pace and took her sister’s

friend into her own arms. As if instinctively knowing she had a
new source of warmth, Thansikorn nestled into her embrace.
The cold outside was nothing like the warmth inside the
restaurant, so she wrapped her arms tightly around Eiffel,
pressing her full weight against her.

Eiffel had to quickly steady herself, instinctively wrapping her

arms around Thansikorn in return to keep them both from
toppling over.

“You’re so warm… and you smell nice too.”

Eiffel ignored the mumbled words near her ear and turned to
her sister with an expression of mild annoyance.

“Why is she drunk?”

“She got challenged to a wine duel, of course. You think she

would ever back down?”

“And why didn’t you take care of your friend?”

“Oh, come on, look at me and Tam. If I tried, she would’ve

crushed me! You’re taller and not drunk. Just hold onto her for
a sec while I call the car.”

“Hey... I thought you were going to introduce me? At this rate,

there’s no introduction needed. She's already a mess.”

“You’re Nong Ei, right?” The woman slurred, her drunken gaze
lifting to meet Eiffel’s.

“How do you know?”

“Eng said her little sister would be picking her up.”

Eiffel sighed. She still didn’t understand how Tam knew she
was the one.

“You’ve grown up so fast… I used to help Eng make your milk

when you were little.”

“I don’t drink milk anymore.”

“Then what do you drink? Wanna have a wine contest?”

“You’re drunk. Just be quiet and stand properly, or you’re
going to fall over.”

“Ugh…” Thansikorn whimpered, nuzzling into Eiffel's neck as

the taller woman's warmth enveloped her. Tonight, her four-
inch heels brought her to Eiffel's height, maybe even made her
taller. Overwhelmed by cold, tiredness, and heartbreak,
Thansikorn wanted to disappear into this warm body, letting go
without words – a choice she made only with strangers,
without overthinking.

“Eng and Ei’s family is so good, they don’t force you to do

anything you don’t want to.”

Eiffel raised an eyebrow. “And what, you’re being forced into

something? From what I see, you’re living a pretty fun life.”

“Fun but not happy.”

The taller woman sighed, spotting her sister walking back

toward them. She wanted to ignore the woman in her arms, but
that was impossible when Tam kept talking non-stop now, it
sounded more like she was rambling to herself.

“Why won’t Mom let me choose for myself? I don’t want to be

with someone I don’t love.”

“P… what are you saying?”

“Nong Ei, help me.”

Eiffel frowned, confused. “Help? Help with what? What’s wrong

with you?”
“Don’t let me marry him.”

“Who?”

“Eiffel!” Green called out loudly to her friend.

“You can’t just brush me off. If you can’t give me a real answer,
I’ll do everything in my power to stop you.”

Green wasn’t joking—she seriously wouldn’t allow her friend to

be in someone else’s chosen position without a good reason,
especially if it wasn’t out of love. She wanted to tell her friend
this, but would Eiffel accept or understand so easily?

“She asked me for help.”

“What?”

“And I agreed.”

“I don’t get it. What is this? Can you at least explain it to me?”

“If I help her, she will agree to be mine.”

"Who?!"

“She won’t be with anyone else.”

“And what do you get out of this?”

"I don’t know... I don’t see anything worth asking for."
.
.
.
"Help me. And I’ll be yours." She said,

“You said you don’t want to be with someone you don’t love. So
how did you end up choosing me?”
"Make me love you, isn’t that possible?"
Eiffel sighed. There was no point in talking to a drunk person
too seriously, so she decided to go along with it.

"Alright, I’ll help you."

"Promise?"
The taller woman remained silent, refusing to answer because
she didn’t want to make a promise she couldn’t keep. She was
someone who valued her word, so the half-hearted agreement
she had just given was nothing more than empty words that
would never come true. That was until Thansikorn cupped her
face, turned her head, and pressed soft lips against hers.
The taste of expensive wine still lingered in her mouth when a
warm, eager tongue slipped in without warning. Eiffel tried to
push her sister's friend away, but those hands held her face
firmly in place, and the relentless tongue curled and teased
inside her mouth, leaving her no escape.
Her ears burned as the drunken woman kissed her senseless.
Instinct took over as Eiffel wrapped her arms around the
slender waist, flipping Thansikorn against the wall partly to
shield them from the cold and partly to escape her sister’s gaze.
One hand gripped the curve of her waist, while the other
cradled the back of her head, deepening the kiss. A low moan
rumbled in Thansikorn’s throat.

Lost in the heat, the cold air seemed to disappear. Eiffel found
herself pressing in again and again, unable to resist the
sweetness of the lips against hers. She only pulled away when
the need for air became undeniable. The older woman’s eyes
were glazed, her lips swollen and inviting. Eiffel couldn’t help
but steal another kiss, this time softer, less demanding, but
still filled with the desire stirred by her unknowingly tempting
partner.

"If I promise, will I get to kiss you every day?"

Thansikorn smiled and nodded, her cheeks turning red. "Every

day."

"But there’s one condition,"

Eiffel flinched when sharp nails lightly grazed her neck. A

condition? Why did she suddenly sound so serious and why
did she have to glare like that?

“If you promise, you can only kiss me.”

Eiffel laughed lightly before kissing her again.
"Alright, I promise."

"I’ll help you until you find someone you love, or until you’re
sure you really love me."

“The promise will be void if you find the one you truly love. If
that happens, I’ll leave.”

Eiffel gently stroked Thansikorn’s cheek. “Do you understand?”

“…Hmph. I understand,” she huffed.

.
"But you can’t take a drunk person’s word as a promise!"

Green snapped back after hearing the whole story. But Eiffel
just shrugged.

“I already gave my word.”

“Eiffel, this isn’t a joke! Just answer me with one word: do you
like her or not? No dodging, no running off to France or
England!”

“I don’t know… Can you choose between your left and your
right arm?”

A clear attempt to change the subject, but Green wasn’t falling

for it. She shot her friend a sharp glare, her voice firm.
"You don’t know, huh?"

Eiffel sighed, avoiding her friend’s gaze before finally

answering. “I like it when she holds me. I like how warm it feels
when I hold her. The cold French winter didn’t touch me at all.”

".........."

"I never wanted anything before because I already had

everything."

"I don’t really understand, Ei. Answering my question isn’t that

hard, is it? You don’t have to choose left or right—just from
your heart." Eiffel turned back to face her friend, her
expression so serious it made Green uneasy.

“My first kiss… was with Thansikorn. Did you know that?”

But even that wasn’t the answer Green was looking for.
 CHAPTER 2
My Dearest

Thansikorn remembered that just before she left Eiffel, she had
slapped her little sister so hard her head turned and her right
cheek bore a red, hand-shaped mark. She even barked an
order at her to find some clothes to wear before storming out of
the room without a single word.

Eiffel looked shocked, but she still complied, handing over

some clothes with a stunned expression, lightly rubbing her
cheek as she did. She must not have expected to be slapped
like that.

"Do you enjoy slapping and kissing like in those melodramatic

soap operas or something?" she had the nerve to ask.

"I'm your older sister, Eiffel."

"I know that!"

"Don’t get cheeky," she warned in a stern tone.

"I wasn’t being cheeky. You’re the one who hit me for no
reason."

And then Thansikorn recalled—she had slapped her little sister

on the other cheek too, leaving another matching red
handprint. Just like Eiffel had said: she slapped her… and got
kissed!
This time, it wasn’t just a peck. The one who got slapped
retaliated with a kiss so deep, so intense, that it made her
whole body feel hot, her ears go numb, her tongue tingle. That
kiss invaded her mouth, stroking and tasting until she didn’t
even know when or how it happened. All she knew was that it
made her knees weak and her voice slipped out in a soft moan.
She had raised her hand again, ready to slap her once more—

"If you slap me again, I’ll make sure you won’t be able to leave
this room."

"Don’t threaten me!"

"Go ahead, try me."

In the end, she couldn’t do anything except quickly change her

clothes and leave without even saying goodbye to the little
troublemaker. She was furious—furious that she couldn’t win.

The only way she could vent her frustration afterward was by
calling her best friend, England, and ranting about what that
little brat had done. And she swore—it wasn’t going to end like
this. She wouldn’t just let Eiffel get away with it. Think she
could do that and walk away like nothing happened? Dream
on!

And there won’t be a next time either!

“Brace yourself, England! Your little sister will pay for this!”

[Oh my god, Tam, my head hurts. What are you going to do

now?]
"I don’t know yet! Your sister pulled some crazy stunt, took me
back to her room, and then had the audacity to k-kiss me! A
lot! Don’t think I’ll let this slide!"

[Sigh… I’m tired just listening to you. Fine, I’ll call Eiffel later.]

“What for? Don’t you dare take her side! I was the one who was
assaulted! You have to be on my side!”

[Ugh… I’m not taking sides. But how can you expect me to
choose when I’ve only heard your version of the story? You’re
not even giving my sister a chance to explain!]

“What’s left to explain? Your sister already stripped me!”

[Tam!! My head really hurts now. Just give me a little time—I

promise I’ll bring that brat to you so you can do whatever you
want. Will that satisfy you?]

Thansikorn huffed. “Fine, deal.”

[By the way, where are you? Why do I hear a car?]

“Driving back to my mom’s place. She called.”

[Again? Poor you. Why don’t you just tell her you’re not ready for
this yet?]

“You know Mom never listens. I don’t even know who she
wants me to meet this time. Whatever. Let’s get back to your
sister... Don’t forget!”

[Ugh, you’re impossible. If you’re so mad at my sister, why not

use her as a distraction to fend off all those men your mom
keeps pushing at you?]
“What are you talking about? Your sister’s a girl.”

[Yeah, but she likes girls too. These days, gender doesn’t matter.
Just tell your mom you’re ‘exploring things’ with my sister. My
family isn’t exactly low-class. We’re close enough already. Your
mom probably still remembers Eiffel. That should buy you
enough time to find someone real. And maybe you’ll finally stop
being so hopelessly picky! At this rate, you’ll be alone forever!]

England only suggested it half-jokingly, but from what she

knew, Eiffel never made a move on anyone she wasn’t serious
about. For her to go that far, there had to be a reason. And if
that reason was what England suspected, then helping her
sister make a move—subtly—wasn’t such a bad idea.

Honestly, it might even be fun to see her best friend fall in love.

Part of it was concern—if the two people she loved ended up

liking each other that would be wonderful. And she’d be
helping both her little sister and her best friend at the same
time.

She just hoped Thansikorn would give it a chance. And as for

Eiffel, she didn’t think it would be too hard to get her to open
up. With the right touch, she might even treat Thansikorn like
a princess—if she didn’t keep fighting with Tam all the time.

Surely that fierce little sister of hers had a soft side too.

“Your sister, England! With her sassy attitude and nerve—do

you really think she’ll help me just because I ask nicely? If I tell
her why, she’ll probably just laugh in my face! And anyway, I
don’t need her help. I’ll handle it myself!”
[No way. Eiffel is not like that. She’s a softie, really. Have you
even tried being nice to her instead of shouting all the time?]

England tried to get Thansikorn to see Eiffel’s real personality.

Because everything Eiffel was, Thansikorn would have to see
and understand for herself.

Who knew which version of Eiffel she’d be dealing with next?

When she was with her friends, she probably acted spoiled—
she could just imagine it.

“Ugh, whatever. I don’t want to think about this right now. I

need to focus on driving. And don’t forget to bring your sister to
meet me!”

England sighed before ending the call. She found herself

picturing her friend's moody face alongside her sister’s
emotionless expression, which made her sigh again without
realizing it.

What kind of fate is this? Why did it have to be her stuck in the
middle?

But the real question was Eiffel’s feelings. Her sister wouldn’t
have done what she did if she didn’t feel something. The only
thing left to figure out was whether she’d admit it or not. Love
was such a headache. Relationships were even worse, so
complicated that England had never wanted to be in one.
Little did she know, the future might throw love right at her,
and then she’d realize just how much of a headache it could
really be.

Eiffel yawned while driving to pick up her older sister. Before

parting ways with Green, she’d been scolded so much that her
ears were ringing. She tuned out, nodding half-heartedly just to
get through it—her ears were too numb to care what her friend
was ranting about.

The traffic was maddening, but Eiffel did nothing more than
stare blankly at the red light and switch the radio station to
avoid the news.
Though irritated, she didn’t show any signs of it—other than
letting out one more big yawn.

“Miss Ei,”

Several employees respectfully raised their hands in greeting

toward the youngest daughter of the Aphiwatmontri family.
Even though Eiffel was younger than them, her position
warranted it. That only made her face even more
expressionless.

It was exactly this kind of situation that made her hate coming
here.
Why should they bow to her? She didn’t even work here. Some
of them were older than her too. What was this, a competition?

A simple verbal greeting would’ve been enough.

Eiffel wanted to greet them back, but all she could manage was
her usual blank stare.

Seeing how the group waiting for the elevator parted to make
way for her only irritated her more.
These people—what were they so afraid of? She wasn’t a ghost.

“You can take the executive elevator, Miss Ei,” one of the staff
offered politely.
But Eiffel turned to her with a blank expression.

“That’s alright. I want to go up with everyone else.”

Then came another strange phenomenon: everyone in the

elevator made room for her, without any crowding.
They all held their breath as if making a noise would get them
kicked out.

Eiffel idly thought, if someone got nervous enough to let one

rip, no one would notice—since no one was breathing anyway.

“What’s with your staff? Why does everyone bow to me?”

Eiffel asked as soon as she stepped into her older sister’s office.

“Well, you’re the boss’s younger sister. They have to show some
respect. What, do you want them to bump into you in the
hallway or something?”
“They’re older than me. They don’t have to bow. Ugh. And they
look at me like I’m a ghost.”
England looked at her sister’s annoyed expression and smiled.

“Maybe try smiling once in a while instead of keeping that

deadpan look. People say you’re like Elsa—cold and
unapproachable, as if you’ve cursed the world into isolation.”

She grinned playfully.

“It’s the same as not smiling—you’d be seen as unwelcoming

too. When people greet you, you should respond.”

“Whatever. Fine. I’ll stop complaining.”

Eiffel replied wearily. Sending smiles to everyone like her sister

did would drive her insane. That wasn’t her. She’d smile only
when she truly wanted to—and that should be enough.

“Let’s get to the point, Eiffel. This is about Tam.”

“Your friend? What about her?”

Eiffel glanced at her sister’s serious expression, then lowered
her gaze.

“You said you wouldn’t ask.”

“I’m not asking.”

“Then what is it?”

England looked at her sister, who was avoiding eye contact and
glancing elsewhere. Then she took out her phone and called a
friend, assuming she had already arrived home. She put the
call on speakerphone.
The ringing tone caught Eiffel’s attention, and she turned to
look at her older sister with confusion.

[Hello, Eng.]
Thansikorn’s voice on the other end sounded much softer than
usual—no longer as harsh or aggressive as before.

“Are you home now?”

[Yeah, been home for a while. Why? What’s up? I have to go see
Mom soon.]

“You sound tired.”

England responded, while also observing her sister. She
noticed Eiffel was watching her phone unusually closely, eyes
sparkling and a small smile tugging at her lips.

[Same old. I’m waiting in the living room. Mom’s being dramatic
again.]

“And you don’t dare defy her.”

[Yeah… The doctor said upsetting her too much wouldn’t be

good.]

England sighed. “I don’t want to say this, but sometimes I

wonder if her condition got worse because of how stubborn you
are.”

[How am I stubborn? I just haven’t met the right person yet.]

“So what exactly is 'right person' for you? You’ve been looking
for years. Found anyone yet? Or just piles of laundry and
sketchbooks?”

[Hey! Laundry never betrays me! It always does what I want—

left or right, never complains. Why would I go looking for
something that won’t cooperate with me?]
“And that is why you keep giving people false hope.”

Eiffel furrowed her brows and tightly pressed her lips together,
glaring at the phone like the person on the other end was
standing right in front of her.
[I give myself chances, okay? It’s not about a lot or a little. I
just try. And once I realize it’s not right, I tell them straight.
You can’t accuse me of giving people false hope when that’s
just not true!!]
“My sister likes you.”

“Huh!?” / “What!?”
This time, both Eiffel and Thansikorn exclaimed in unison.
England turned to glare at her sister, warning her to keep
quiet—she hadn’t told Thansikorn that the speaker was on. If
she had, this little secret wouldn’t have slipped out so easily.
That was the best she could do. If Eiffel kept pretending
nothing was going on, England was ready to toss her into
Tam’s lap to be dealt with once and for all. Let her go live with
the guy and see how long her stubborn heart could stay
hidden.
If she really liked Thansikorn, she’d have to admit it eventually.
If she didn’t, well—she’d definitely reject her, no doubt about
that.

[Did your sister told you that?]

“No. I figured it out myself.”

Thansikorn sighed.

[You’ve got it all wrong, Eng. If she liked me, how could she be
so emotionless? Not to mention she pulled that whole push-
and-pull act with me! Honestly, my first impression of her was
way below zero.]

England looked at her sister again, about to speak, but Eiffel

quickly raised her index finger in warning, silently mouthing:
Don’t.

“That’s just how she is. Below zero can go positive. Give my
sister a chance.”

[Not funny, Eng! Your sister’s a girl!]

“Since when do you discriminate based on gender? Haven’t you

been searching for the right person for years? Do any of those
rich men feel like your precious fabric to you?”

[England, you idiot! I’m not discriminating! But what if I can’t

like your sister, how the hell would I ever face you again?!]
"Tam... there wouldn’t be any problem at all between you and
me, trust me."

[I don’t know anything, because what you said is just your own
assumption. I choose not to believe it.]

England fell silent, praying her younger sister would deny it—
say she didn’t like Tam, that England had misunderstood.
But instead, Eiffel just sat quietly, staring at the phone with
unreadable eyes and the same calm expression as always.

"Fine then, it’s up to you. I just wanted to tell you that."

[Mhm. Don’t forget to bring your sister to see me.]

"When?"

[Tomorrow. I’m staying home tonight—it's not convenient.]

"Tam."

[Hmm?]

"Eiffel is very possessive. Be careful—if you kiss my sister,

don’t let that mouth touch anyone else again."
[England!! You crazy woman! Shut up already!]

The call ended, but the beautiful older sister still looked at
Eiffel with a pleased smile. She was enjoying herself, playing
matchmaker for everyone else, even though she herself never
considered having someone of her own—too much of a
headache.

"Not answering but also not denying... do you think you’ll get
away with this, Eiffel?"

"Why would your friend want to see me?"

"Probably wants to slap you again."

"That’s not funny, P’Eng."

"I’m not joking. Get ready to face the consequences of your

actions, Eiffel. Whatever your reason was, I won’t let you off the
hook just because you say you ‘didn’t know'."

"P’Eng, I’m your sister!"

"Exactly! That’s why I’m worried."

“……”
"Normally, if you kissed someone, I wouldn’t care. Because I
know it doesn’t happen easily. But this is Tam. I’ve known her
since we were kids. There’s no way you’d do something like
that unless you really meant it. More importantly, she’s my
friend. You wouldn’t kiss someone unless you truly wanted to,
right?"

Eiffel looked at her sister, let out a sigh, and after carefully
thinking it over, finally said:

"I like P’Tam."

“…….”

"Is that clear enough? So are you going to help or not?"

Don’t let P’Tam find out I like her.

That was the hard part—because England had already blurted
out that Eiffel liked her.

“Don’t worry about that. If I don’t admit it, what can your
friend do?”

"You better mean that. And hopefully your cheek won’t end up
with another mark."

"Mhm. If your friend wants a kiss, she can try."

"But I have something important to tell you—about Tam’s

mom."
Eiffel shook her head, picked up her sister’s bag, walked to
close the curtains and turn off the air conditioner, then said:

"I already know."

"Know what?"

"I know what her mom wants. I’ve got a plan, okay? I’m not
walking into the lion’s den without a weapon."

England sighed and let her sister lead her out of the office.
That’s just like Eiffel—quietly taking care of everything,
speaking little, but showing everything through action.

Even when England dressed a little revealingly, Eiffel wouldn’t

complain but would stand watch like a hawk. Even at events
she didn’t like attending, if she thought England’s outfit was
too sexy, she’d still go with her, standing nearby looking bored
until the event ended—sending daggers with her eyes at every
guy who tried to approach.

It was no wonder England was still single, and not planning to

date anyone. If someone couldn’t take care of her like Eiffel
could, then she’d rather just stay single and let her sister take
care of her instead.

"Phi Eng, what do you want to eat today? Let’s sneak out and
eat together, just the two of us. I’m tired of the food at home."

"Invite your girlfriend instead."

"You complained the other day that you wanted Chinese food,
and today no one at home is cooking it."

"How did you know?"

"I just called and asked."

“So, are you staying over at home tonight? If you take me out,
you have to stay over. You’re getting way too rebellious.”

“I work better outside. I can’t think properly at home. But fine,

I’ll stay tonight. You’re getting too skinny again, P’Eng. Why do
you eat so little when I’m not around?”

"Stop nagging. Are you trying to butter me up for something?"

"Phi Tam’s number."

England let out a soft laugh and shook her head. Knew it. You
always have a plan.

"If you're sleeping here, you have to promise me one thing

first—don’t call her yet."

"Hmm. I promise."

The tall girl hugged her sister’s shoulders and swayed playfully.
It looked like a tease, but really, it was exciting. England
laughed—her mood seemed to be improving now that her
matchmaking plan appeared to be working.

Eiffel confessed to Thansikorn, and now she could use her little
sister to help escape an arranged marriage. Two birds, one
stone. Nicely played, England!
The next morning

Eiffel was woken up early. Her face didn’t look too good—she
had stayed up late last night thinking about a new job she’d
just taken, one that came through Canada.

Because of that, she didn’t want to disappoint her friend or

tarnish anyone’s reputation. She wanted to do her best on the
project, which explained her current state. She had talked to
England until late and, once she was back in her room, spent
more time brainstorming. In the end, she didn’t sleep until
after 3 a.m.

“You stayed up late again, Ei,” England scolded her younger

sister.

“Mhm. I got caught up thinking about work last night,” Eiffel

replied.

“Well, you’re meeting Tam today. Don’t go with that grumpy

face—it’ll ruin the mood.”

“Why not? I’m tired.”

“Because don’t you want Tam to see you in a better light? You
keep saying you like her, but just look at what you’ve done—
dragging her out of a club, taking her to your place, and even
kissing her. You should be glad all she did was slap you. Most
girls wouldn’t be so forgiving!”

“Keep your voice down, P’Eng. Someone might hear you,” Eiffel
muttered, frowning as she glanced around nervously.
She didn’t want anyone else to know about this, but she wasn’t
going to hide it from her sister either. After all, England was
the only one who could possibly help her. Without that help,
Eiffel figured she’d be in serious trouble.

England chuckled.

“Well, at least act like a decent person. I don’t even know how
to help you right now. Tam’s never been interested in women
before, and she’s never seriously dated anyone either. It’s going
to be tough, Ei. I’m being honest with you.”

“She hadn’t met me before. How could she have a girlfriend?”

Eiffel replied deadpan.

Honestly, it was probably a good thing Tam had never liked or

dated anyone before—because it meant no one else had gotten
into her life. Eiffel had been circling around her for so long, and
if that night in the French club hadn’t gone the way it did—if
Tam hadn’t been drunk and let her approach. Eiffel might have
kept watching from afar forever. But when she realized that
feelings don’t go anywhere unless you take action, she made
her move, even if it meant getting misunderstood. It gave her a
chance—even if it left her with a two-inch red mark on her face.

“Eiffel, tone down that attitude of yours—like you always get

what you want. That’s my friend you’re talking about,” England
warned.

“Mhm. I know. I wouldn’t do anything to your friend,” Eiffel

said.
“Except kiss her,” England snapped.

Eiffel rolled her eyes and walked away.

“What time’s your appointment? Get going already,” England

called after her.

“I’m meeting P’Tam this afternoon. It’s only nine,” Eiffel

answered.

England laughed, seeing her sister change direction—heading

toward the TV room instead of out the door.

When the meeting time finally arrived, Thansikorn appeared at

the coffee shop in a loose white T-shirt and short denim jeans.
Her right hand held the strap of her shoulder bag as she looked
around. She spotted her close friend seated in the café’s private
corner—and across from her sat someone whose expression
didn’t reveal much... or actually, maybe it did.

Because at that moment, that very person was starting to glare

at England.

To make matters worse, England had even pushed her drink

over to her sister’s side of the table!

Thansikorn walked quietly toward them, close enough to hear

the conversation, though no one had noticed her presence yet.
“Don’t make P’Tam sit on your side,” England said.

“…..”

“Ugh, Eiffel, I told you to let her sit over there.”

“Why should she sit next to you? Why can’t she sit next to me?”

“Just stop arguing already, Eiffel. Sit quietly.”

“But P’Eng—” Eiffel pouted.

Thansikorn wasn’t scared of anyone in this room. She plopped

down in front of the infamous cup of coffee with a huff.
Stretching her legs out, she leaned back against the bench,
arms crossed and her purse slung so low it almost smacked
Eiffel. The only reason it didn’t was because Eiffel shifted away
just in time.

The earlier tension on Thansikorn’s face vanished instantly.

She shot her friend’s younger sister a look and sighed in
frustration, making it clear she was not in a good mood.

“You’re seriously annoying, you know that?”

“Watch your mouth!” Eiffel snapped.

Before she could react further, Thansikorn smacked her hard

on the arm, then slid over to sit beside England, leaving her
bag in its original spot. Eiffel had to reach over and move it to
the table.

“Just leave it there.”

“I’ll go talk to Mom’s doctor and your sister is coming with me,”
Thansikorn said, turning to her friend at the end of her
sentence—prompting Eiffel to raise an eyebrow.

“I’m sitting right here. If you’ve got something to say, face me

when you say it.”

“You heard me, didn’t you?”

The taller woman let out a sigh, fixing her gaze on Eiffel’s pretty
face across from her, and suddenly felt an irritating urge to
grab and kiss the defiance out of her. She could be so clingy
when drunk, but now? Now she was acting all tough.

“So, what do you need? If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

“Didn’t I just say you’re coming to the doctor with me? Were
you not listening?”

“I heard, I just don’t want to go.”

Thansikorn narrowed her eyes at Eiffel , her expression calm,

but her tone turned sharp and cutting—even though it was
barely louder than a whisper.

“So you’re not going to take responsibility?”

That was all it took for Eiffel to fall silent. She let out a long
breath and leaned her back against the soft bench, speaking
softly.

“Fine. Whatever you want.”

England watched the interaction, eyes wide, taken aback by
how ready Thansikorn looked to pounce on her younger sister
at any moment. What even was Eiffel's Love language? She
acted like she didn’t like Tam at all, while Tam ordered her
around like she owned her—“Do what I say, or else.” The whole
thing was strange. But England couldn’t help being curious
about what Eiffel was really planning… and what Tam actually
wanted from her.

“I have a meeting about that river cruise event in the South.

You two can talk things out,” England said, rising to leave.

“Hmph. P’Eng, don’t go yet,” Eiffel muttered.

“Stay and do what? Tam wants to talk to you. Own up to what

you did, Eiffel.”

Eiffel’s headache was starting to kick in. Why did she get
herself tangled up like this? Could she still undo it somehow?

And why did it feel like Thansikorn was the one with the upper
hand—when really, she should be the one shaken up after
what happened between them? Even if it had only been a fake
act, it had been intimate.

Back when Eiffel was just the younger sister of England and
Tam’s close friend, everything was fine. But now, she’d become
the girl who took Tam to her room and played a round of
slapping and kissing.

Honestly, her dear darling Tam was starting to scare her a

little. This woman…
 CHAPTER 3
I'll Fix It

Once England left the café, the atmosphere between the two of
them fell into complete silence. Eiffel didn’t know how to begin.
Everything had happened so quickly. She had to admit—she
had a plan. She wanted to help, wanted to get closer, wanted to
win Thansikorn’s heart.

But she lacked experience in relationships. She needed time—

something Thansikorn never gave her, not even a little.

Thansikorn was strong—far stronger than most women, who

would usually be distraught and run away when they realized
they’d lost their virginity unwillingly. That had ruined any time
Eiffel could’ve used to put her plan in motion.

Thansikorn was beautiful—beautiful and proud. Her face alone

could make people stop in their tracks and stare. But when she
was soft and tender, she could disarm you completely.

Eiffel only knew what Thansikorn allowed others to see. Still,

her feelings for the woman went far beyond what anyone else
knew. She had tried not to fall in love—but in the end, she not
only got her heart broken but was also left with emotional
scars, making her afraid to get involved with someone already
taken.
"Eiffel." the older woman finally called out, unable to tolerate
her blank, emotionless expression any longer. She had no idea
where Eiffel’s mind had wandered perhaps to someone else
entirely.

“Are you daydreaming about someone while you're here with

me?”

"Huh?"

"Forget it. But tell me—why did you take me there that day?"

Eiffel stared into her eyes, trying to make sense of both

questions but found nothing. She really didn’t know anything
more than that. That was what scared her—scared that one
wrong move might make Thansikorn slip away into someone
else’s arms. Scared that she wouldn’t be able to keep her
promise.

"I was worried about you."

"Worried—but you still hurt me like that?"

Eiffel fell silent. She didn’t know what to say anymore. It was
true. She wasn’t a good person—not when she had taken
advantage of Thansikorn while she was drunk and unaware. It
had already happened once before, and yet when it happened
again, she still took advantage of her.

And it was all because it was this woman—Thansikorn. Eiffel

was willing to be seen as the bad guy in anyone’s eyes…
Thansikorn let out a sigh and pushed her slender frame off the
couch. She stared at Eiffel with a look that conveyed nothing
but tired resignation.

"Just be responsible, that’s all."

Eiffel wanted to shout, “Responsible how?” but Thansikorn was

already walking away, leaving her handbag behind as if to say,
‘Follow me’.

"Hmph. Of course I’ll take responsibility. It just depends on

when you’ll stop giving other people a chance."

She muttered under her breath, then stretched out her long
legs and followed. Eiffel knew it was only because of her
mother’s pressure that Thansikorn had to date this guy and
that guy—to please her mom, to show she was obedient and
good.

So many people thought they had a chance with her. Rumors

even spread that her older sister was sleeping around
indiscriminately. Eiffel had almost marched into the publishing
house to find the person who wrote that ridiculous gossip. How
could someone write something so completely untrue?

But she couldn’t do it. She reminded herself—what right did

she have to cause a scene?

She didn’t even know what kind of game Thansikorn’s mother

was playing, calling them there just to make her follow along
like this.

"You're slow."
Thansikorn was waiting in front of the café, wearing
sunglasses. She turned around, her soft lips visibly pursed—
probably because she hated the heat of the sun.

"You didn’t call me. I had no idea how fast you wanted me to
come out."

“You know I was going to wait, so why didn’t you hurry?”

“If you were in a hurry, why didn’t you say so?”

“I did say it! I said I was in a rush!”

Eiffel sighed softly at the moody person in front of her. But it

wasn’t like she disliked it—it was actually nice that they could
talk more than just basic greetings like before. Even if they
were arguing, it was better than having no progress at all.
And Tam still only saw her as her close friend’s younger sister.

“Come on, follow me. My car’s parked over there.”

“Didn’t I say I wasn’t going to ride with you?”

“You don’t like driving, and today you had someone drop you
off. So, follow me.”

“And how do you even know that?”

“I just know. Don’t ask—I’m not telling.”

Thansikorn frowned.

“Fine. Since you ‘know,’ then know this too—being with me

comes at a price.”

Eiffel looked at the petite girl and gave her a cheeky smile,
almost as if to emphasize something—
afraid she’d run away, maybe.

“How about my whole life? Is that enough?”

She said, then grabbed her slender wrist and pulled her along.
She knew this stubborn girl wouldn’t give in easily—unless
forced. And if you asked how she knew that? Well… just let her
know. Don’t question it.

Hospitals weren’t places Eiffel liked.

She disliked the smell, the atmosphere—because it all meant
someone you love is sick or in pain.

She walked behind Thansikorn, who strode ahead confidently

like she knew exactly where to go. She let her handle all the
discussions about her mother’s condition and the risks on her
own— knowing well that it wasn’t her place to interfere unless
Thansikorn asked for help herself.
All Eiffel could do was wait—either standing or sitting outside.

Not long after, the slender girl walked back out, her expression
weighed down with worry. She glanced at Eiffel briefly before
walking over with a heavy sigh—not tired physically, but clearly
emotionally drained.

Eiffel simply stood beside her quietly, unsure what to say or

how to express her feelings.

“Take me to buy something. I want to get a gift for my mom.”

“P’Tam.”

“Hmm?”

Eiffel wanted to comfort her with some words—anything

really—but all that came out was:

“Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you.”

At The Department Store.

Eiffel, as usual, carried Thansikorn’s bag for her.

She wanted to just wander around, carefree, not knowing what
she even wanted to buy. As for someone who didn’t like
crowded places, Thansikorn was starting to get a bit annoyed,
though it was still mild.

Other frustrations were erased simply because she was with

someone she liked.
“What are you planning to buy?”

“What do you think a sick person would want?”

“Encouragement, obviously.”

Eiffel answered as she thought, but that made Thansikorn stop

walking and turn to look at her.

“Was that the wrong answer?”

“No. Let’s go. Go see my mom. I have to go talk about

something else afterwards.”

“I want to buy flowers for your mom.” Eiffel said casually as

she followed behind.

“Why flowers?”

“Flowers have meaning on their own. You don’t have to say

anything. If you pay enough attention, you’ll understand what
they mean. Besides, your mom probably has everything else
already. I wouldn’t even know what else to get her.”

“Are you trying to flirt with my mom?”

“I’m giving your mom a yellow rose and giving you a white rose.
Just one each. Who do you think I’m flirting with?”
Thansikorn paused for a moment, a trace of confusion crossing
her beautiful face before it faded.

“I don’t understand the meaning of anything, regardless of

what your intention is.”

The slender woman stopped walking and turned to look at

Eiffel directly.

“Just know this—nothing comes easily without effort.”

“I know there’s a price I have to pay for you. So just tell me

what it is, and I’ll do whatever it takes except…” Eiffel’s voice
softened at the end, deliberately making her point clear.
“Except giving my own wife away to someone else.”

If Thansikorn wanted her to be a shield against others, she

would be that. But in return, Thansikorn would have to stop
giving hope to anyone else, stop searching for someone better.
That choice had already been taken from her the moment she
kissed Eiffel.

“Eiffel!”

“I’m telling the truth. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it—
but I will never let anyone else have you.”

“But I’m not yours!”

“Are you sure about that?” Eiffel raised her eyebrows. “Do I
need to remind you who you belong to?”

“Do you think I’m afraid of what you might do? This is my life—
I choose who I want to spend it with!”
“You’ve never actually chosen, P’Tam,” Eiffel countered, her
voice sharp with irritation. “Because no one understands your
world. And besides, you lost the right to choose the day you
went to France.”

Her words came out more forcefully than intended. Frustration

boiled inside her at the thought of Thansikorn acting as if she
could love someone else. But she had already let it slip that
something had happened between them in France.

“If you want to try someone else, go ahead. I won’t stop you.
Just don’t complain when I take back what’s mine.”

“Eiffel, you’re my friend’s younger sister!”

Thansikorn shouted, irritated by the younger woman acting as

if she had a claim over her. But deep down, she felt something
strange and unfamiliar stir inside her. She had never felt this
way before when she was with Eiffel. The main reason was
because she had never seen Eiffel as anything more than her
close friend England’s little sister.

So the title Eiffel claimed now—the way she said it—made Tam
feel like a kettle about to boil over. Her face burned hot, from
her cheeks all the way to her ears. And the next thing Eiffel
said only made it worse, making it impossible to see her as just
the quiet girl who used to secretly glance her way.

“Ask me then—do I want another big sister or not?”

That ended their conversation.

Eiffel didn’t want to argue in public any further. She sighed in
defeat and gently pulled Thansikorn’s hand to get her walking
again. Even though Tam tried to pull away, she couldn’t.
Especially once Eiffel shifted her grip to tightly clasp their
hands together.

Tam, stubborn as she was, began to tire from the struggle. She
knew she wouldn’t win this time—not in a battle of physical
strength.

“You are so demanding.”

“Are you talking about yourself?”

“…”

“What are you buying? Once you’re done shopping, you can be
as stubborn as you want. I won’t say anything. Weren’t you
here to buy something for your mom?”

“Did you just call me stubborn, Eiffel!?”

“Was I wrong? Because you are.”

The taller woman was pinched several times on her arm,

leaving red marks. Eiffel winced from the pain but didn’t cry
out for attention. Still, the burning sensation stirred something
fierce in her—an urge to tame this difficult, cold-talking
woman.

“That hurts, P’Tam!”

“Good! Serves you right!”

Sigh...
Eiffel stopped walking, glanced left and right, then tugged Tam
into a firm embrace. Her free hand gently stroked Tam’s back.
Because of their height difference, Eiffel’s lips were perfectly
aligned with Tam’s forehead. She pressed a kiss there—just
once—because she couldn’t help herself.

She couldn’t take the sweet scent anymore and instinctively

tightened her hold. The more Thansikorn struggled to get away,
the tighter the embrace became. If she was going to be that
stubborn, then Eiffel would just keep holding her like this. She
wanted to see just how long the older woman could keep up
her defiance. Was Thansikorn free enough to be held like this
for a lifetime?

"Stop being stubborn and I’ll give you what you want."

"I’m not being stubborn! I’m not a child you can manipulate
with promises of giving in."

Thansikorn snapped, her voice firm.

"Then stay still and stop struggling. If not, I won’t let go."

Thansikorn surrendered, standing still and letting Eiffel hold

her. The more she struggled, the tighter the arms around her
became. And this crazy girl still dared to hug her like this in
public—right in the middle of a shopping mall where people
kept walking by and staring.

"Let me go."

"Shh. Just stay still for a moment."

"Hey!!"

"Being stubborn isn't cute, you know?"

"I'm not— / Quiet."

Thansikorn wanted to hit her. Why was she acting like she was
a kid needing to be comforted—hugging her and cooing like she
was calming a child, telling her not to be naughty, not to
struggle? She was three years older than Eiffel! How could the
younger woman treat her like a little girl like this? She wanted
to fight back even more—but the soft scent from Eiffel helped
calm her. Somehow, she actually felt herself relaxing. The
burden in her heart seemed to melt away in the warmth of that
embrace.

Only now did she realize—it wasn’t so bad to have someone to

hold on to sometimes.

.
.
.

Thansikorn wore a visibly displeased expression when she

returned home to find Phongsakorn waiting in the living room.
The man was conventionally handsome by Thai standards—
tall, broad-shouldered, clean-shaven, and with neatly combed
black hair. His dark eyes, however, carried an undercurrent of
something... unspoken.

Thansikorn didn’t understand what her mother saw in this

man—she herself didn’t find anything appealing about him. His
manners weren’t exactly commendable either.
He would come and go from her house as he pleased, even
called her once after getting her number from her mother. She
had to block him to get away from the nuisance. Eventually,
she even had to speak directly to her mother about the issue
and reluctantly unblocked him just to avoid more conflict.

How could she ever come to love someone like that?

"I'm here waiting to have dinner with you, Tam."

Eiffel looked at the man with clear irritation. If the information

she had found was correct, this man was a driven young
businessman with an impressive way with words. It was no
wonder he could charm older people with his silver tongue.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Phongsakorn, but you didn’t inform me in

advance. I’m not available."

Her words were sharp and unyielding—making it very clear she

had no intention of building any kind of relationship. She
didn’t even bother softening her tone or using a nickname.

Still, Phongsakorn didn’t seem to mind. He had the support of

her mother and knew she wouldn’t dare oppose her too
harshly. He was confident because he had already discovered
this weak spot. His relationship with Thansikorn's mother had
already progressed beyond the halfway mark.

The woman, being concerned about her daughter’s future,

wanted her to have someone to care for her—and at this
moment, he believed he was the best candidate.

"I already spoke with your mother," he added.

There it was—using her mother as an excuse again.

Eiffel noticed the discomfort on Thansikorn’s face and

instinctively reached out to gently grasp her wrist, drawing
attention both from her and the man watching them.
Phongsakorn looked surprised and visibly displeased, as if
Thansikorn’s body belonged to him. He didn’t want to see
anyone else touch her.

Thansikorn was equally surprised, and curious about Eiffel’s

intentions behind such a gesture.

Eiffel squeezed her wrist gently, a silent promise that she was
there for her. Though she said nothing, her actions conveyed
his intention: she would no longer have to face this kind of
trouble alone.

“Apologies, but P’Tam already has plans with me,” Eiffel said
smoothly. “If you didn’t schedule an appointment with her
directly, then I’m afraid you’ll have to accept that she’s
unavailable.”

Her words were polite, well-mannered, yet aimed directly at his

lack of etiquette. And to top it off, she flashed a sweet,
saccharine smile.

“Besides, I also planned to speak with Khun Ying today, so

P’Tam really won’t be free,” she added.

Phongsakorn’s face fell. He nodded, pretending to understand,

though it was obvious he was frustrated. Usually, Thansikorn
never had any real obligations at least, none that she couldn’t
be pressured into rescheduling.
But today, she had an actual reason to turn him down. Worse,
he couldn’t even use her mother as leverage because he had
been lying the whole time. He had never actually asked for her
mother’s permission; he had just been exploiting her illness to
manipulate Thansikorn into doing what he wanted. And it had
worked several times, in fact. She never questioned it, never
confronted her mother, and he had taken advantage of that
weakness.

“In that case, I’ll call you directly next time, Nong Tam,” he said
with a forced smile.

Thansikorn let out a weary sigh and replied halfheartedly,

“Alright.”

That brief encounter made Eiffel immediately realize that no

matter how much Thansikorn disliked or wanted to avoid
something, she couldn't refuse Phongsakorn outright. He knew
exactly how to pressure her—just a mention of her mother was
enough to reduce the once-proud, defiant woman into a
princess trapped in a castle, forced to obey.

This man was dangerous. He knew how to make her his

possession.

No wonder Thansikorn often had that stressed, unhappy look

on her face.

How long had this man been troubling her?

Eiffel blamed herself for not stepping in to help her sooner.

Even though P’Tam didn’t love her now, Eiffel was confident
that she wouldn’t hurt her.

If one day P’Tam found someone she truly loved—someone who

wasn’t her—she would willingly step aside.

As long as it brought her happiness.

Our story began with a misunderstanding.

The truth is, Eiffel might be just as terrible as Phongsakorn—
perhaps even worse. She never tried to correct the
misunderstanding; instead, she used it as an excuse to get
close to Thansikorn. Worse yet, her intention was to win
Thansikorn’s heart and claim it as her own.

She couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at the thought—
because, when she truly compared them, Eiffel wasn’t any
different from Phongsakorn in terms of intent. But unlike him,
Eiffel wanted to win Thansikorn over with sincerity, with love
given freely. The only question that remained was how quickly
she could replace Thansikorn’s sorrow with happiness—for
both her and her mother. Could she do it? Would she ever have
the chance?

The patient’s room was positioned in the best part of the house,
airy, well-ventilated, and decorated in a calming way. Even
after Phongsakorn had left, Eiffel still hadn’t let go of
Thansikorn’s hand. No matter how many pointed looks she
received, she refused to release her grip. Thansikorn, for her
part, seemed too drained to argue like she had back at the
mall.
Now, Eiffel fully understood how much pressure Thansikorn
was under. No wonder she had let everything out back in
France. It should have been a good thing that she loved her
mother and wanted to care for her, yet that love had become
the very thing stripping her of happiness, something that
should never have happened.

Thansikorn wasn’t some fragile object that could be broken,

but when it came to emotions, Eiffel wasn’t sure how much
damage had already been done. She was brilliant, beautiful,
and capable. She had spent her whole life reaching for the
things she loved, and she was succeeding. But her mother’s
love rather than being a source of strength had become a heavy
rope, tripping her up over and over again.

Eiffel wasn’t a mechanic or a doctor. She had no real skills in

fixing anything. But she had made a promise—to care for
Thansikorn the best she could. She would gather up all the
pieces Thansikorn had dropped along the way and follow
behind to remind her that she hadn’t truly left herself behind
anywhere.

She would prove that there is nothing love can’t heal.

Even if it takes a lifetime. And if Thansikorn couldn’t love her—
or didn’t want to love anyone but her mother—then Eiffel would
simply do whatever it took to mend her heart until that smile
returned. A genuine smile, filled with happiness—not the
forced one hiding all her sorrow like now.

You don’t need to know when love began.

Just knowing that it won’t go away… is enough.
.
.

“P’Tam.”

“Hmm?” The other woman answered softly.

“I can change light bulbs, fix sockets… even cook.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you ever want something fixed, you can tell me.”

“There’s nothing I need you to fix, Eiffel. And even if there were,
I’d just call a technician.”

Eiffel gently tugged her hand, prompting Thansikorn to look at

her.
She gave her a soft smile—free of flirtation, calm and sincere.
At the very least, when Thansikorn was exhausted, she
wouldn’t be a burden.

“But I want you to call me.”

“Can you really fix everything?” Thansikorn raised an eyebrow

and walked ahead, as they were nearly at her mother’s room.

“If it’s about you, then yes. I can fix anything.”

“You’re so dramatic.”
“If I can’t fix it today, I’ll find a way. Just call me when it
breaks—that’s all I ask.”
Thansikorn looked at Eiffel for a long moment, then squeezed
her hand for the first time.
She turned her gaze to the door.
Behind that door lay the person she loved more than life itself.
“There’s nothing that needs fixing today. I don’t even know if
there’s anything you can fix.”

“I know.”

“Know what?”
Eiffel smiled. "I want to talk to your mom now. Open the door,
please."
"Do you even know why I brought you here?"
Thansikorn asked, since Eiffel hadn’t asked even once why she
was brought along.
Eiffel shook her head but replied,
"I don’t know—unless you tell me. But I won’t ask if you’re not
ready to answer."
"How many versions of you are there, anyway?"

"I’m just me. If you want to find out, I’ve got a lifetime for you
to learn. Is that enough?"
"I don’t know…" Thansikorn muttered, shaking her head and
averting her eyes.
Eiffel reached up with her other hand and gently lifted
Thansikorn’s chin so their eyes met.
"I know you don’t. That’s why, while you still don’t know, I’ll be
just as clueless too—how about that? Then at least you’ll have
someone to not-know with."
"Ugh… you talk too much."
"Just be careful not to say something you shouldn’t, that’s all."
Suddenly, Thansikorn changed the subject.
"Like what?" Eiffel asked lightly.
"The part where you woke up and saw me? Or the part where
you slapped me? Or… the part where we kissed?"
This time, Thansikorn’s tired expression shifted immediately
into one of warning—she looked like she meant business.
"Say that again and I’ll slap you."
Eiffel laughed softly and rubbed the back of Thansikorn’s
hand, trying to calm her down.

"Just don’t take that version of you into your mom’s room."
"What?" Thansikorn blinked, confused.
"Just remember this, P’Tam… The white rose belongs to you."
Thansikorn paused. "What are you even talking about? That
doesn’t make any sense."
 Chapter 4
THAT NIGHT

Eiffel had been invited by her high school friends to hang out at
a pub. Her expression remained neutral, revealing no emotion,
but it was clear she was displeased when her friends allowed a
strange man to join their conversation. To make matters worse,
he didn’t just chat with them—he also sat with the group,
drank, and joined in on their discussions. Eiffel had never been
one to mingle with strangers, and her friends’ actions only
added to her irritation.
Green noticed her friend’s discomfort but didn’t know how to
help. The people they were with weren’t close enough for her to
discreetly tell them what was appropriate or not. She had been
the one who insisted on coming to this gathering and had
practically dragged Eiffel along. That was the only reason the
sharp-featured, seemingly indifferent woman had reluctantly
agreed to join.
“What’s your name?”

The good-looking young man finally asked after watching her

for a while. His friends had encouraged him to introduce
himself, having noticed how the woman remained
disinterested, and quietly sipping her drink without ever
putting the glass down. When she finally set it down, he saw
his opportunity and decided to strike up a conversation. Since
the others had accepted him into the group, he figured it
wouldn’t be too difficult to get to know the beautiful woman.
“Eiffel!”
Green called out to her friend when she noticed that the
woman hadn’t been paying attention to anyone or answering
any questions. Instead, she kept frowning and staring intently
at a particular spot in the pub. She hadn’t called her name just
to get her attention—it was more to check if something was
wrong.

“Eiffel, do you want to dance with me?” the young man quickly
asked, seizing the moment.

Eiffel sighed and slowly turned to look at him, meeting his eyes
directly. The gaze that once sparkled with sweetness when she
wanted to focus on something now looked more like a sharp
glare, intense and emotionless—bordering on intimidating.

“Does it look like I feel like dancing right now?” she asked
bluntly.

“Uh...” The handsome young man glanced left and right,

unsure of what to do. Eventually, he backed off, realizing that
the beautiful woman had no interest in humoring him. Not
wanting to waste more time—or risk further embarrassment—
he wisely chose not to push his luck.

“You’re going to get yourself scolded. Don’t go messing with

someone’s nerves,” Green warned her friend. No matter how
good-looking she was, if things escalated and turned physical,
there was no way she could come out on top.

“I’m annoyed,” Eiffel muttered, her eyes scanning the darkened

corners of the pub once more.
Finally, she spotted a slender figure swaying her hips in the
middle of the dance floor, dancing with a group of friends who
clearly knew each other. Without hesitation, Eiffel stood up.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?!” Green managed to grab her arm just in
time.

“Do you see that woman?” Eiffel asked, pointing.

Green followed her gaze, then gave a small nod.

“Do you know her?”

Eiffel paused for a moment before answering, “I think I do.”

With that, she stood and walked straight toward her target
without a second thought.

The tall woman weaved her way through the crowd, dodging
one person after another, until she reached the spot she had
been eyeing—a shadowy corner of the pub. She leaned her
back against the cold cement wall, half-hidden in the dimness,
her gaze fixed on a certain young woman who was clearly
enjoying herself, drinking and dancing with a group of friends.

Eiffel’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for her older sister.
Normally, wherever Thansikorn went, England was never far
behind. But not seeing her tonight made Eiffel uneasy. She
quickly sent a message to check—maybe England had just
gone to the restroom, or perhaps she hadn’t come at all. Either
way, Eiffel needed a clear answer. She was worried.
Thansikorn, when drunk, became unusually sweet and
flirtatious—something Eiffel had seen firsthand. And she
definitely didn’t want Thansikorn doing that with anyone else.
What if someone tried to take advantage of her when she was
out of it? When drunk, Thansikorn never remembered anything
the next day.

Eiffel still remembered vividly the dazed look on Thansikorn’s

face that night—the night they kissed. The kiss had slipped out
with the alcohol, completely forgotten by the one who gave it.
That memory haunted Eiffel, and she feared history might
repeat itself tonight.

If there was no one trustworthy here, who would look after her?
Worried, despite having no real right to be, the words from that
unspoken promise still echoed in Eiffel’s heart—words the
other woman likely had no memory of.

Eiffel knew she was cowardly. She didn’t dare to show her
feelings or get involved beyond being “just a close friend” or “a
friend’s younger sister.” That’s why, after returning from
France, when rumors started spreading about Thansikorn
dating one guy after another, giving men false hope just to
boost her social clout, Eiffel tried not to care. She tried hard.

Still, the gossip was everywhere—tabloids, events, whispers at

parties. And what really got under her skin was hearing
England complain that Thansikorn’s mother had taken a liking
to a particular guy—so much so that wedding bells might be
ringing soon.
Eiffel had tried, truly tried, not to feel anything for Thansikorn
beyond friendship. She knew it was a dangerous path. She’d
even tried falling for someone else. But whether what she felt
was really love or not, she wasn’t sure.
All she knew was that it hurt.
Especially after the woman she had tried to love stabbed her in
the back by dating someone else—behind her back. Eiffel had
been the “other woman” without even knowing it. People said
she was the one who “won,” but emotionally, she’d lost
everything.
The pain built a wall in her heart. And that was why she vowed
never to get involved with someone who was already taken. She
knew how much it hurt.
And now, watching Thansikorn—seeing the signs that she
might finally be settling down with someone—made Eiffel feel
like she was on fire.
She didn’t look away, her eyes never leaving the petite figure. A
message came back: England hadn’t come tonight because she
had an early meeting tomorrow and didn’t want to show up at
work exhausted.
So that meant… someone else might be taking Thansikorn
home tonight.
Eiffel clenched her fists. She could already hear Thansikorn’s
soft, sweet voice, maybe even tears. Could picture someone else
holding her, touching the body Eiffel had always yearned to be
close to.

She couldn’t stand it.

Without hesitation, she stepped closer—close enough to hear
the conversation, though not close enough to be caught. She
was ready to act if needed.
“Tam, Tim’s asking for your number. Are you giving it to him or
not?”
The voice snapped her attention to the young woman
approaching Thansikorn, who had just gotten up from the table
she’d been sitting at. The men still lingering there—and the
way some of them acted—left little doubt that they wanted
more than just friendship.
Eiffel’s gut twisted.
Who had Tam been sitting with earlier? Had anyone held or
touched her in a way that claimed ownership? And why did she
always drink like this? If she wanted to party, why didn’t she
wait until England could come with her?
Thansikorn didn’t hesitate. She shook her head and said no,
then went right back to dancing in rhythm with the music.
The guy who had asked frowned, clearly displeased. He got up
and walked directly over to her, undeterred by her indifference.
Thansikorn was caught off-guard when he tapped her shoulder
mid-dance. She turned, confused. Perhaps the alcohol had
already begun to cloud her judgment…
The look in her eyes, which should have shown displeasure at
being touched without permission, instead softened into a gaze
of intoxicating sweetness. And the slightly furrowed brows only
made Thansikorn seem even more harmless—like a gentle
woman who could easily be taken advantage of at any moment.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I want your number, Tam,” the man replied. “Earlier, I sent
my friend to ask, but maybe you didn’t know who I was.”

“And who exactly are you?” she snapped back. “Why should I
give it to you?”

Thansikorn spoke sharply, exactly how she felt. She didn’t care
about saving face—she had only come to enjoy herself, not to
get tangled up with anyone. After an exhausting, stressful day,
all she wanted was to let go, not start something with someone
she’d never see again.

“I know you’re not looking for anything serious,” he pressed.

“Just casual fun, right? We’d probably get along.”

“Just because I’m not seeing anyone doesn’t mean I’ll talk to
everyone,” she shot back, her voice ice cold.

That was the end of her good mood. No longer in the mood to
dance, Thansikorn turned sharply on her heel, brushing past
him and returning to her table where her friends were seated.
She grabbed a glass of whiskey and took a long drink, trying to
calm her rising irritation.

The man, however, didn’t take rejection well. With his looks
and social status, he wasn’t used to being turned down—
especially not by a woman with a reputation for being fun and
flirtatious. Her blunt refusal, without a trace of interest, only
bruised his ego further. And where there’s bruised pride,
there’s a need to reclaim it.

“Playing hard to get, huh?” he muttered under his breath.

“Just wait—I’ll make sure I get what I want.”
After being embarrassed—first by sending a friend to ask for
her number and getting nowhere, then by approaching her
himself and still being brushed off—the man was more than a
little provoked. In his mind, there was no way he was leaving
tonight without making her his. This wasn’t the first time he’d
run into Thansikorn on a night out, and he had no intention of
walking away empty-handed again.

Eiffel exhaled deeply. She had seen and heard everything. But
she still hadn’t decided how to approach Thansikorn. There
were so many reasons holding her back—fear of competing
with someone else, fear of losing, fear that things between her
and her sister would never be the same again if she got
involved.

And above all, she feared that she wouldn’t be able to keep the
promise she once made—to always protect Thansikorn. Worst
of all, she feared that if Thansikorn didn’t love her back, her
own heart wouldn’t be able to take it.

Eiffel knew she was a coward when it came to love. She never
knew how to begin. But seeing all this unfold, she decided to
set her fears aside—for now. Because she finally realized: if she
didn’t step into the ring, she’d never have a chance at winning.
Staying on the sidelines was a guaranteed loss.

She didn’t overthink it. A beginner’s desperate plan took shape

in her mind—just make Thansikorn hers, and everything else
would follow naturally. She had no idea that this first step, the
one she was about to take to claim Thansikorn into her
embrace, would be the reason no one else would ever be able to
hold Thansikorn again for the rest of her life.
Eiffel kept watching, making sure no one slipped anything
strange into Thansikorn’s drink or tried to touch her when she
was too drunk to defend herself. The chance she had been
waiting for came when Thansikorn got up to go to the
restroom—staggering, unsteady, but still waving off help from
her female friends and insisting she could make it on her own.
The tall woman followed, keeping close behind until she saw
Thansikorn safely enter the restroom. Then she waited just
outside, stepping inside once she confirmed it was secure. She
caught sight of herself in the mirror—eyes wild with emotion,
face clearly showing panic and nervous energy—but all of that
melted away when she heard the restroom door creak open
again.
Thansikorn emerged, her slim frame clearly on the verge of
collapse. There was no time to think. Eiffel stepped forward in
one swift motion, wrapping an arm around her slender waist to
steady her.
“You never take care of yourself, do you?” she couldn’t help but
scold gently.
“Who…?” Thansikorn squinted, trying to make out the figure in
front of her. But the light from the restroom ceiling hit her eyes
just right, blinding her slightly. The image before her blurred—
but the scent... the scent was unmistakable.
“I never remember anything,” she murmured.
Before Eiffel could even get another word out or decide where
to take her, they had barely made it out of the restroom when
she realized how completely Thansikorn was leaning on her—
completely giving in.
She went completely still. Just as Eiffel was about to call her
name, she suddenly leaned in and pressed a deep, firm kiss on
her lips. The drunk woman’s lips landed precisely on target, as
if perfectly calculated.

The taller woman’s eyes flew wide open in shock, instinctively

trying to pull away, but her lower lip was gently bitten—making
her let out a soft protest. That reaction only made the person
kissing her feel encouraged, and so Eiffel let herself go,
returning the kiss.

Their mouths moved together, slow and deliberate, tasting each

other. The expensive liquor still lingered on their tongues,
mingling as their lips and tongues danced with increasing
fervor. It was as if one was chasing and capturing the other like
a cop chasing a fugitive.

Eventually, the two of them parted, breathless. Eiffel didn’t

even know when she had wrapped her arm tightly around her
waist or when she had spun them so that her bare back was
now pressed against the wall.

And it wasn’t even her who kissed first—it was the beautiful
woman who had done so on a whim.

"You always kiss me when you’re drunk," the younger woman

said in a husky voice, clearly tempted to go in for another but
managing to restrain herself.

"Mmm… You smell like French cologne," Thansikorn mumbled

in response.

"And after testing… you still taste the same, too."

"What are you even talking about?" Eiffel asked, confused.

"Where… where am I?"

"You’re drunk again. You always get like this. Can’t you take
better care of yourself?"

"Mmm… don’t nag. French people don’t nag," Thansikorn

replied, clearly out of it.

Eiffel frowned, not understanding what the drunk woman was

trying to say, but still somewhat relieved that she was willing to
stand still and let herself be held, to let Eiffel cuddle her like
this. When the older woman tightened her arms around her,
Eiffel whispered,

"I’ll take you home."

"Mmm… Eiffel, is that you?"

Eiffel laughed softly. "We’ve been talking this whole time, and
you're only just realizing it’s me?"

"You left me…"

"Huh?" Thansikorn looked up at her with a hurt expression,

eyes brimming with tears that were ready to fall.

Eiffel was totally confused now. She had no idea what she had
done wrong to make the older woman look like she was about
to cry—especially after the kiss they just shared, which had felt
fine just moments ago.
"Don’t cry, okay? Who hurt you? Tell me," she gently cupped
her tearful face with one hand and used the other to pull her
even closer, not wanting to see her cry over anything.

Eiffel didn’t know how to react. This sudden emotional swing

threw her off.

"You left me. You said you’d help me… then disappeared!
Where did you go?" She thumped Eiffel’s chest in frustration.

But that only made Eiffel smile.

So… she remembered. She remembered who Eiffel was. She
remembered what had happened.

Or maybe, she only remembered things that happened while

she was drunk?
Next time, I should just record a video to show her how clingy
she gets when she’s drunk.
So much for the cold, elegant woman with all that pride.

"You’re mad I left you, but you don’t even remember me, do
you?"

Eiffel chuckled, gently stroking her soft cheek with her thumb.
The loud music around them didn’t matter at all anymore—the
only thing she could hear clearly now was Thansikorn’s drunk
whining.

"Don’t remember what?"

"Mmm… I do remember. Eiffel, I’m sorry." Thansikorn

swallowed a sob before speaking again in a soft voice, "Don’t
disappear again. Don’t leave me."
"I won’t. But please don’t be mad if I did something wrong,
okay?"

"I’m sleepy now…"

Eiffel laughed again.

"Alright, I’ll take you home. I mean… to my place."

And with that, the secret mission of getting as physically close

to the beautiful older woman as possible had officially begun—
starting right then and there. Their only audience? A row of
pathway lights and some decorative potted plants outside the
restroom.

Eiffel stiffened slightly as she stepped into the room and found
that—

Sick and lying still on the bed, yet staring intently—Eiffel had
learned that P'Tam’s mother suffered from heart disease along
with a few other minor complications. That made her health
rather fragile. Even the slightest exertion could leave her
exhausted, and any emotional distress that caused her heart
muscles to pump too hard was absolutely forbidden. That’s
why Thansikorn always gave way to her mother when it came
to such matters.
And for someone like Phongsakorn, who knew just where the
weaknesses lay—if he could somehow push Thansikorn out of
the picture, Eiffel would consider it a massive victory. She’d
have helped not just the woman she secretly loved, but also
that woman’s mother—giving her peace of mind that P'Tam had
someone who truly wanted to care for her, not because of her
social status or her looks.
“Tam!”
The ill woman cried out joyfully, extending her arms to gather
her daughter into a hug. Tears welled up in her eyes from
missing her. As someone who had believed she had no one
left—her husband having died in an accident—her daughter
was all she had left to depend on. She cherished and worried
over her dearly.
“Hello, Auntie,”
Eiffel greeted politely with a wide smile after waiting for the
mother and daughter to finish embracing. Unlike when it was
just the two of them, her demeanor now was completely open
and proper. That made the person watching her momentarily
stunned. They had never noticed before how bright and fresh
the world looked when Eiffel smiled so widely.
The ill woman squinted her blurry eyes, vision unclear. Eiffel
noticed and stepped closer. “It’s me, Eiffel. Do you remember?”

“Eiffel, dear!”
She remembered immediately. The little girl from the
Aphiwatmontri house—how could she forget? She used to run
and play in their garden all the time.
“Yes, it’s me, Auntie,”
Eiffel smiled and gently grasped the offered hand,
understanding the woman’s need for closeness—to feel she still
mattered. Her heart ached with sympathy… For someone who’s
feeling hopeless, nothing is more important than emotional
support.

And in that moment, Eiffel understood completely why

Thansikorn always gave in to her mother’s wishes.
If she were in her shoes, she’d do the same—because time
waits for no one.

“How did you get here, dear? You’re studying so far away—have
you graduated already?”

“Yes, I’ve graduated. My parents send their regards. They said

that if you’re free, they’d love to bring you to visit them. They
live upcountry, and I thought you’d enjoy the fresh air.”

The woman smiled faintly. “I’m too sick to travel, dear. Doctors
won’t allow it.”

Eiffel smiled even brighter. “A sick person can go anywhere—as

long as someone is there to take care of them.”

“Tam is busy with work.”

“I’m free,” she replied to the ill woman, then turned to look at
the daughter who had been quietly gazing out the window.
“It’s a burden, dear…” The woman still seemed resigned to her
physical state.
“I want to take care of you, if you’ll allow it, Auntie.”
She didn’t know who she was really saying it to, but everyone
in the room snapped their attention toward her at once.
“Too soon,” Thansikorn murmured softly. She understood the
deeper meaning behind Eiffel’s words but didn’t dare accept
them so easily. Too soon was dangerous. If she truly wanted to
take care of her mother, she should be willing to wait. Let her
prove it first—prove that she wasn’t just another pile of clothes
that would end up causing her mother heartache.
Thansikorn tore her gaze away from Eiffel and looked back at
her mother with concern but she couldn’t help feeling
frustrated, too. Her mother always said she never had time for
her, yet somehow, she always found time to push her toward
someone else.
“You told Phongsakorn to wait for me again, didn’t you, Mom?
This is practically forcing my hand!” she complained. It wasn’t
the first time something like this had happened. But instead of
looking guilty, her mother only frowned in confusion.
“Phongsakorn is here? I didn’t know about that. Where is he?
Call him in to talk.”
That was when Eiffel’s face went completely stiff.
Not because the sick woman called for someone else—but
because Tam’s mother had no idea that Phongsakorn had been
using her name to bargain and pressure Tam into things. Her
indifferent tone…
Wasn’t this outright manipulation?
“He already left,” Eiffel replied. “Didn’t he say he wanted to see
you, Mom? Why does he always end up meeting someone else
instead?”

The sick woman smiled. “I didn’t know he was coming. When a

guest visits, I have to be a good host.”

“You’re always like this, Mom. What is it that you like so much
about him?”

“Tam…” her mother said in a low voice, her expression clearly

showing she wanted to scold her daughter.

“Let it go, Mom. How about we cook together today? I’ll be your
assistant.”

So sweet… Eiffel thought, even though she wasn’t very good at

managing her own displeasure. Still, Thansikorn always placed
her mother’s feelings first. Eiffel believed that someone who
took such good care of his family would also be a good partner.

And Eiffel didn’t want anyone else. No one at all, if it wasn’t

this woman.

Eiffel separated from Thansikorn with a clear goal in mind:

from now on, it wasn’t just about winning over Tam’s heart.
She wanted to share the burden, to help take care of her as
well. Both of them. She wanted to take care of them.

So, she reached out to someone she trusted to ask for

information on the man whose artistic talent had managed to
charm the patient—so much so that he shamelessly used that
to bargain with her loved one.
The first problem she needed to handle was making sure he
wouldn't have time to show up again or cause trouble while she
was building a relationship with the two women from different
generations.
Everything else could wait.
All she needed for now was to remove him from her path while
she earned points with Tam’s mother.
Then, Eiffel received a message from her sister. The key point
was that Thansikorn would be going out again tonight, and she
wanted her to come along.
This was something she never fully understood. Whatever Tam
wanted her to do, the message always came through England.
She had her number, even her chat ID—yet never reached out
directly.
So Eiffel pretended not to notice, reading the message and
choosing not to reply. It wasn’t that she wasn’t concerned, but
the fact that Thansikorn was going out with her sister put her
mind at ease.
She placed her phone on top of a pile of papers on her desk
and threw herself into her work.
Eventually, the light outside dimmed to darkness, and she had
to turn on the lamp.
She stretched out her arm and flipped her watch over—nearly
10 p.m. already. She had been so absorbed in her work that
she hadn’t realized how late it had gotten—until her stomach
growled.
The layout was already more than halfway done; just a few
final details were left, which could easily be completed once
she’d spoken to the client. The next steps would all be on the
computer anyway.

Once her mind was free, her thoughts drifted to someone who
was probably out enjoying drinks with friends somewhere.

She couldn’t help worrying.

Thansikorn often drank until she was drunk and unable to

take care of herself.

Even though England was with her this time, somehow that
just made her more worried—because now she was worried
about both of them.

Both her sister and her sister’s friend.

That was double the concern.

Eiffel dialed her sister’s number, and the call was picked up
almost instantly, as if she’d been waiting for it.

“Come quickly, Eiffel! Tam’s starting to get drunk!”

“Are you drunk, too?”

“How could I be? There are so many unfamiliar people here

tonight. I’m scared.”

Just that one word—"scared"—was enough to make Eiffel drop

everything and rush to get dressed as quickly as possible to
head to her destination.
“I’m on my way. Take care of yourself and Tam.”
“Mm-hmm, got it. Hurry!”
Now she understood what her sister meant by “scared.”
Because the moment she stepped inside, she found the
atmosphere dim and shadowy—normal for a club.
What wasn’t normal was the crowd surrounding England’s
table.
There were too many people, and far too many eyes fixed
intently on the two beautiful women she cared about.
It made her furious—how there were always people like this in
our society.
No matter what we do, they’re always watching...
Eiffel didn’t like it—being ogled or spoken to suggestively by
strangers, especially by men she had no desire to know or
become friendly with.
“P’Eng," the tall girl, sat down beside her older sister.
Thansikorn, however, hadn’t gone out to dance like Eiffel had
assumed. She was just sitting there, leaning on England’s
shoulder and casually sipping her drink. No one knew how
drunk she was exactly, but from what she could gather, she
was definitely tipsy by now.
"Why are there so many people here?" Eiffel asked.
"I don’t know. Friends of friends, I guess. I have no idea where
they came from. If I’d known it’d be like this, I wouldn’t have
come. I wouldn’t have let Tam come either. Look at the way
those guys are staring." England grumbled.
The tall woman, already naturally stoic, swept her eyes around
the room. The more she looked, the more familiar faces she
spotted—especially a guy she recognized as Tim. He was clearly
among them, and from the look in his eyes and his demeanor,
he was determined... about something.

Something—or rather, someone—that belonged to her.

That someone who was now sitting there, totally at ease,

swaying to the music and sipping her drink without a care in
the world for her surroundings.

"Just like always," Eiffel muttered under her breath.

"What is?" England asked, turning to her younger sister.

"Tam... it’s like she has this magnet that draws in all the wrong
kinds of people, especially guys."

"Huh?"

Eiffel sighed. "You too. Next time, if you’re going out drinking,
at least let me know who’s going. Some of your friends aren’t
exactly trustworthy."

"Let’s go home," England whispered. Sure, she liked to drink

and party when she had free time. She wasn’t a recluse or
antisocial, but when things got out of hand or started to feel
unsafe, she knew when to back off. Seeing the situation now,
she felt just as uneasy as her younger sister.

"Tam’s drunk. Help me out."

Just before getting up, she whispered to her sister again. Eiffel
nodded in understanding, moved to Thansikorn’s other side,
and gently nudged her on the arm to wake her.

Who knows what she was going through—was it stress? Or

something else? Every time they ran into each other, that sad
look returned to her eyes. Had she forgotten that Eiffel was
already in her life? That Eiffel wasn’t about to let her belong to
anyone else?

So why not live your life the way you want—with me?

"Tam, it’s me, Eiffel," she said gently, her voice soft and tender,
unsure of what emotional state Thansikorn was in.

"Hm? Where are we going?" the drunk woman asked, lifting her
gaze. The expensive alcohol must’ve hit harder than wine
because her eyes softened into a smile that caught Eiffel off
guard. As her slender frame wobbled slightly but allowed Eiffel
to pull her close, it was obvious how drunk she really was.
Otherwise, someone as stubborn as Thansikorn wouldn’t let
Eiffel near her so easily.

"We’re going home. You’re drunk."

"I don’t want to go home..."

She murmured faintly. Eiffel sighed and turned to her older

sister. The music wasn’t too loud, but it still didn’t sit well with
her. And that outfit Thansikorn wore tonight—definitely not
modest. Why did she always have to wear those deeply
backless tops? From her slightly taller vantage point, Eiffel
could still see faint red marks above her chest.
Was that why she wore a backless top instead of one that
showed cleavage?
Should she just mark her entire body so she’d stop dressing
this provocatively?
"Eng, is Tam going home already?" Tim approached again, his
intentions still obvious—he wanted Thansikorn for himself.
"Yes," England replied.
"Want me to take her?"
"It’s alright. My sister’s here to pick us up," she quickly
declined, causing Tim to frown slightly in disappointment.
"Then I’ll at least walk you out. Come on, let me help you with
Tam."
"No need," Eiffel said flatly. "I can take care of my fiancée
myself."
Her calm voice stunned everyone within earshot. No one had
expected that. Fiancée? Tim laughed out loud in disbelief.
Everyone knew Thansikorn didn’t have a boyfriend. No one
serious had ever been mentioned. So a “fiancée” was just a
hollow claim.
Or was it?
The familiar scent, the recognizable voice—it all made
Thansikorn instinctively curl into Eiffel’s embrace, just like
always. That small gesture made Eiffel smirk at Tim before
wrapping her arms around the warm, soft figure and leading
her away from the suffocating atmosphere.
Little did she know that those simple words, spoken to protect
and help, would become a chain she could never shake off.

Fiancée.

The next morning, when Thansikorn woke up, her phone was
flooded with messages. Even a small column in the newspaper
mentioned how she had been embraced and supported out of
the club by someone—Eiffel.

No mention of England.

The article hinted: Could this mystery woman be the reason the
iconic fashion designer has never publicly dated anyone?

Rumors swirled that “Khun Eiffel,” England’s younger sister,

had accompanied her and declared her claim loud and clear in
front of their entire social circle.

With a shaky hand, Thansikorn massaged her temple and

immediately scrolled through her contacts to call her fiancée.

"Eiffel!! You've got some nerve!"

 CHAPTER 5
When Time Doesn’t Disobey

Eiffel let out a sigh as she scanned the headlines in the

newspaper. If Green hadn’t called and insisted she read it, she
would have never known how fast some journalists could be—
or how her own words could trap her so tightly that it was
suffocating. And worse, she might have dragged her older
sister’s best friend into it as well.

She just wanted to create some kind of bond—any kind of

commitment—but not like this.

Eiffel was scared… scared it would make P’Tam feel so

uncomfortable that she wouldn’t even want to look at her
anymore.

She was acting no differently from Phongsakorn. The only

difference was that she took advantage of P’Tam directly, while
he did it through a sick patient. The trembling voice on the
news was followed by the name of her beloved woman
prominently displayed on the screen. No need to explain why—
just seeing the name said it all. Someone who had her number
but had never contacted her suddenly decided to call.

Eiffel tapped her index finger on the table, staring at the phone
vibrating and blinking repeatedly…
But she had no intention of picking it up.
Just give me a little more time.
She didn’t even know how she’d answer if asked why she had
claimed to be her fiancée. It simply wasn’t time for her to know
how she truly felt. Words meant nothing compared to actions.
That was what Eiffel believed.

She planned to drop hints, little by little, until she could sense
it herself.

Normally, Eiffel wasn’t the kind to bottle things up. She was
the type to speak her mind. But with P’Tam… she couldn’t
bring herself to do that. Everything about this felt wrong. From
the very beginning, something had been off. So, some parts of
her had to be hidden—until the right time came… and if P’Tam
ever came close enough to truly see her.

When she didn’t answer the call, a message followed. Short,

but the tone was colder than the ice caps.

"Be at my workplace this afternoon. Don’t show up and then

disappear."

She was good at threatening... and honestly kind of scary,

especially when Eiffel knew she was in the wrong. She couldn’t
even ask for help from P’England. She had been shocked when
she told her what had happened—and even cut off the
conversation last night with:

“Take responsibility for everything you’ve done, Eiffel. I can’t

help you. When you throw something hard at a wall,
remember—it always bounces back.”
Eiffel wanted to argue that she had never meant to throw
anything in the first place. But some things turned out just as
expected.

Like when she always did something ridiculous whenever she

was around P’Tam. It felt like she became someone else—like
she lost herself entirely.

Being near someone who could make your heart pound like
crazy…
It was exhausting just thinking about it, especially when she
had no idea how to explain herself.

She could only pray—please, just don’t let P’Tam ask her
how she felt. Because the answer… was already obvious. She
just had to look at her not as her little sister’s friend, but as
something more.

And if she did ask, she knew she wouldn’t be able to answer.
So please… don’t ask. She was afraid she’d just snap and say
something she couldn’t take back.

Eiffel slowly slid down, resting her back against the chair, her
legs stretched out onto the floor. The work on her desk
suddenly seemed meaningless compared to the mess she was
in—and compared to the soft, delicate body she had just
managed to put to bed.

She had just realized something:

There was only one time when P’Tam was truly adorable—
when she was drunk.
“If you act too dignified, I’m just going to kiss you. That’s it—for
today.”

That, she figured, was the best way to shut her up that she
could think of right now.

Eiffel pressed the gas pedal slowly, unhurried, though she had
left early… very early. Her eyes kept glancing at the time on the
console, worried she might be late and get scolded. One
complaint was enough to make her ears ring—she already
knew how things would go. That’s why she tried to avoid giving
her more reasons to scold her.

She hated how much she knew—where she was, what she was
doing, which part of the city her office was in, which floor her
condo was on, how many houses were in that big family estate.
Because the more she knew, the more it meant she cared.
And that meant… she felt deeply.

It seemed that being the Vice President under P’Tam gave her
plenty of free time to chase her own dreams. The main
responsibilities of the company were shared among relatives.
The President was her father’s elder brother, so heavy
responsibilities rarely fell on her shoulders.

Thansikorn’s office was a townhouse in the suburbs—not far

from the condo, but far from Eiffel’s home. She wasn’t sure
what had been bothering her lately—new collection launch?
Stress from endless problems? Too many things to guess, and
without talking to her, she’d never get it right.
P’Tam’s daily routine was too unpredictable.
But now, Eiffel was hoping. Hoping to place herself into even
just a sliver of her world. A tiny orbit would be enough—for
now. And she would slowly expand that little space.
It was only 5 PM, but Eiffel had already arrived at Thansikorn’s
office. She didn’t know if she was there yet, but afternoon is
afternoon. She chose to wait rather than call and ask where she
was or what she was doing.
The tall woman turned off the engine, locked her car, and
walked to a nearby café. This area had restaurants, cafés, even
convenience stores—many housed in converted office-style
townhomes like Thansikorn’s, though none quite like her.
Whatever the case, if P’Tam was going to be in the office all
day, she wouldn’t go hungry.
She hadn’t even gotten her drink yet when Eiffel jumped in
surprise. While she stood waiting in line, P’Tam walked
through the door—sunglasses on, hair flowing sleek and loose,
a crisp white T-shirt tucked into form-fitting black pants, high
heels clacking with an intimidating presence.
Aside from her eye-catching beauty, what annoyed Eiffel was…
That bra—was it… bigger? She couldn’t remember how it
looked before, but it was definitely larger than hers. By a lot.
Eiffel’s eyes peeked out from under her lashes, then she
exhaled deeply—trying to release the irritation still simmering
inside. Yet part of her was secretly pleased that she had arrived
early. Eiffel appreciated punctual people. It showed manners.
And she was that kind of person. That gave her a small sense
of pride. She was a clean white sheet—slowly revealing the
colors she liked.
She smelled the same familiar scent.
And every time she did, she liked it just as much—maybe even
more. It made her want to lean in and bury her nose close…
But she was afraid she’d get slapped in the face, so all she
could do was take a deep breath of the shared air.
That little sniff earned her a puzzled look from the slim woman.
What the hell? Sniffing at me? I showered, I wore perfume—
what, you don’t think I smell good enough?
“What are you doing?”

“You smell nice.”

“Coffee?”

Eiffel shook her head. “P’Tam—”

The beauty paused, distracted by the menu, and momentarily
lost interest in Eiffel. But Eiffel still worried about her.
“Have you eaten anything yet?”

“No.”

“Get some bread too.”

“What’s with you?”

“Eat something before drinking coffee. Don’t drink it on an

empty stomach.”
“And you still drink it.”

“I got chocolate.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Then let’s order together.”

Eiffel sighed in defeat.
"Who said I was going to eat?"

Seriously… this woman—Eiffel wanted to snatch her up so

badly, but all she could do was accept the drink she handed
her, walk over, and sit on an empty chair. She let out a sigh,
not knowing what to do. She was good at being annoying, not
at showing concern. So, her words came out more like
commands.
As for the slim woman, when she saw her younger counterpart
walk away, she simply ordered two sandwiches in a soft voice—
one for herself and one for the person sulking over there. She
told the staff to serve them at the table, then confidently flipped
her gorgeous hair, walked out the door, and left Eiffel
mumbling to herself before falling silent when the staff
approached and served… the sandwich.
That was all it took.
The once-grumbling lips turned up into a small smile at the
corner—something that caught the attention of someone who
had been standing outside watching. That person smiled in
response and entered the office earlier than scheduled—there
was something that needed to be resolved. And Eiffel? Yeah, it
was only right that she waited.
By early afternoon, Eiffel had been sitting in the coffee shop
scrolling through her phone, waiting. She finally received a call,
answered with a simple reply, and hung up.

“Come into the office.”

So bossy… but Eiffel had no other choice but to follow orders
obediently. She smiled at the barista, dropped her plastic cup
into the trash, and walked out, stopping in front of the shop
named Tam.

She didn’t want to guess why it was named that, especially not
in her current mood. But Tam—Tam’s brand—was quite the
trend among teens to working adults, known for its classy yet
affordable fashion.

Eiffel wanted to say that to her face, just once. But she never
had the chance. And now, the best she could do was come up
with a proper explanation for what she did last night. She had
only just realized the damage was far more than just breaking
a guy’s heart—it had affected social circles, and even Mr.
Phongsakorn was fired up enough to possibly say something to
Tam’s mother that might stress her out.

She wanted to apologize but had forgotten that she had

intended to. What she should really do now… was take
responsibility. Own it. If she’d already slipped the noose
around her neck, then she might as well tighten it all the way—
just hope it wouldn’t choke her in the process.
“Ms. Tam will see you upstairs.”
Eiffel raised an eyebrow—she hadn’t expected anyone to come
fetch her. She thought she’d have to go on her own again.

“Thank you.”
The housekeeper escorted her right to the door.
When she walked in, she saw the slim figure resting her chin in
one hand, sketching something like a pencil design on the
worktable. Her posture suggested she had no energy left for
anything, though her hand was still moving.

“Explain.”
Thansikorn spoke briefly, her hand not stopping, her gaze not
lifting from the paper. But her mind wasn’t on it anymore.
She’d been tired since the call from Phongsakorn, who’d shown
his jealousy, claimed his “ownership,” and lectured her.
Tired of personal matters constantly being undermined by
people who didn’t love her.
Tired of never knowing what to do to please her mother—
without causing stress.

“Tam shouldn’t have done that. You shouldn’t have let that girl
into the house that day. Right? Stop seeing her. She’s not right
for you. She speaks carelessly—I don’t like it.”

“Since when do I need your permission, P’? To date someone?

To do anything?”

“I’m just concerned. If Tam’s mother finds out—” His voice

softened slightly, trying to take back control, but not without
dragging the sick woman into the conversation as leverage.
“Then let her know. So she’ll also know Tam has plenty of
options.”

“Can I ask you out for dinner tonight? So we can talk.”

“I’m not free. I already have plans—with the girl in the news.”

“Okay then. I’ll see you at home.”

And with that, he just hung up.

Home?
Whose home? His or mine?
Where did he get the nerve?

Thansikorn wanted to ask but was too exhausted.

“Then before I explain, I want to ask just one thing.

Out of all the people you've given chances to… has there ever
been anyone you truly felt something for? Someone you
thought could be part of your future?”

The slender young woman sighed, set her pencil down, and
looked up at her younger sibling, who was leaning on the desk
across from her. Tired of putting on a front, she dropped the
pretense, her voice flat and emotionless.

“If it weren’t for you, would that day have even happened?”

“I just wanted to protect you,” Eiffel replied honestly.

“Protect me? By doing that?”

“I acted impulsively, but I meant well. That guy’s dangerous.
He’s not sincere with you—his eyes, his behavior, all of it. He’s
testing boundaries because he thinks you’ll give in, just like
the rumors say you do with everyone.”

“Disgusting. Who even says things like that?”

Tam was exhausted—again—with people’s mouths. Thansikorn

began to wonder: Had something happened to their way of
thinking? Or had she done something that made people say
such thoughtless things—just because she didn’t love them?

“You told me to take responsibility. I am.”

“Because you got what you wanted from me?”

Her voice was starting to brim with emotion, but Eiffel stayed
calm, her tone gentle. She hadn’t come to argue today—she
could see how drained her beloved woman looked. If people had
energy bars above their heads, Tam’s would be nearly empty.
The bar for her happiness and brightness was flashing red—a
warning it was almost gone.

“Tam, if you’re tired, just rest. Please don’t fight with me

today.”

“I’m not a kid. And I’m angry at you for getting me into another
ridiculous scandal. I’m not being stubborn.”

“But my foolishness could’ve caused someone else to lose their

temper, you know.”

Thansikorn raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“Besides you, there are plenty of people who want to know if
the rumors are true.”

“……………”

“P’Tam…”

“What now? I’m too tired to talk to you, Eiffel. You’re not
making any sense!”

Eiffel cracked a small smile. “No more stubbornness today. I’ll

do whatever you say, okay?”

“I’m not being stubborn! I’m just angry! Why can’t you
understand that?”

But she wasn’t lashing out like Eiffel expected. That made Eiffel
believe maybe the anger didn’t run as deep as the exhaustion.
She walked around the desk, spun the chair so Tam had to
face her, and with her height, gently pulled Tam up from her
seat. Since Tam wasn’t wearing heels, their heads were just
about level.

“You want me to slap you again?” Tam frowned.

Eiffel smiled. “Go ahead, if it’ll make you feel better.”

“What are you doing, Eiffel?”

There was no reply, only an arm wrapping around her waist

and pulling her into an embrace. Eiffel didn’t know why, but
she hated that tired, worn-out look on Tam’s face. She wanted
it to disappear, but didn’t know how. This was all she could do
for now—but from here on out, she would do even more.
…She would.

“If you’re tired, just rest. Please don’t be stubborn with me

today.”

“I told you, I’m not being stubborn!”

Tam struggled, trying to pull away, but Eiffel locked her arms
around her waist, holding her close so her cheek rested against
Tam’s shoulder.

Thansikorn was beginning to hate how this girl knew exactly

what she needed—quiet comfort, no judgment, no questions,
just a place to rest. Why did Eiffel know she needed that?
Today, her heart felt so worn out, fragile, like it could break at
any moment. No one had ever asked or tried to understand
whether she was tired—or how tired she was.

That’s why Eiffel’s actions right now left such a deep

impression.

“I won’t be difficult today, okay? As long as you’re not difficult

with me either, Phi Tam.”

“…Hmph.”

“Rest, okay? Your face is practically shouting that you’re tired.

Just don’t fight me for five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”

“…Fine.”

So adorable…
Because the once-defiant woman gave in, following her request
without complaint, snuggling quietly into her embrace.
She didn’t say anything—just let out a few soft sighs until she
finally calmed down. Eiffel gently ran her fingers through the
older woman’s hair, moving slowly and softly.
It was strange.
The anger and sharpness that had been in Tam earlier were
now completely replaced by exhaustion. And just like that,
Eiffel had managed to pull her into a hug and hold her there.
Strange… but good. It was the first time Eiffel had ever
managed to calm the storm that brewed inside her older
sister’s body.
"P’Tam..."

"Mmm?"

"A lot of work today?"

"Yeah... the season’s changing."

Now she understood why Tam seemed so tired. A change in
season meant designers had to work double-time, racing
against the clock. A new season determined whether a brand’s
designer was worth watching or would fall behind the trend.
It was a crucial time for Tam.
Eiffel didn’t press further.
She understood what Tam was worried about.
"I’ll go check on your mother for you."

"Why?"
"Because you’re worried, aren’t you? I’ll go take care of her."

"Since when is that your responsibility?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?"

"Why don’t you answer them?"

When Eiffel didn’t respond, Thansikorn slowly wrapped her
arms loosely around the taller girl’s waist and softly murmured
a question—gentle, unsure, and confused. It felt strange… but
in a good way. The concern was real—genuine and warm—and
not something that added to her stress.
"Since when?"

"Hmm?"

"Since when did my life become your responsibility?"

There was no answer to that risky question—only arms
tightening around her waist, extending the quiet embrace of
the once-stubborn girl for several more minutes.

Eiffel eventually pulled away from Thansikorn, her feelings

changed from before. It wasn’t just about wanting to break her
defiance anymore. It was something more—a desire to care for
someone, to make sure she could smile every day without
feeling drained.

Tam wasn’t as strong as she thought she was.

To Eiffel, she wasn’t scary at all.
In fact, she looked fragile, vulnerable—even delicate. Like a
dying tree that had been watered with boiling water—no
wonder the leaves were withering. All the cheerfulness and
vitality were just a mask.

That’s why Eiffel was angry at anyone who had ever made her
P’Tam feel that way. It wasn’t fair that someone who should’ve
been full of life was left hollow by the pressure of others’
expectations—her own included.

But she also believed that the person Tam was heading toward
now might just be the right one to help that tree grow again—if
only she knew how to water it the right way.

.
.
.

The house door opened to welcome her warmly.

Eiffel respectfully greeted the elderly housekeeper she
recognized from her childhood, asking after the patient.

She was told the woman was reading in her room.

As the door creaked open, the sick woman looked up just in
time, her pale face breaking into a wide smile when she saw
who it was.

"N’Eiffel! What brings you here, dear? Did you come with Tam?"

She looked past Eiffel toward the hallway as she asked.

"No, I came alone. I dropped by to see P’Tam earlier this

afternoon, and I figured I’d come visit you too."
Upon hearing that Thansikorn hadn’t come with her, the sick
woman’s smile faltered slightly.

It was just like any older person—often believing no one cared,

that their time was limited, not knowing if they would live to
see tomorrow. All she wanted was peace of mind before she left
this world—especially knowing her only daughter had someone
to look after her.

Thansinee was a middle-aged woman in her early fifties,

around the same age as Eiffel’s mother. But unlike her, Tam’s
mother lived a carefree life in the countryside, tending her
gardens in peace and comfort. She rarely came to the city, only
for social gatherings or charity events in her role as the wife of
a high-ranking military officer.

"Is Tam busy again? Did you see if she’s eaten yet?"

"I stayed until she finished her meal, Auntie. Even had a cup of
coffee afterward. Honestly, it’s becoming a bad habit—she
drinks coffee all the time. First thing in the morning, then
again after lunch."

The patient laughed. "That Tam is addicted to coffee just like

his father. She always says she can’t work without it."

Eiffel smiled softly at seeing the patient in better spirits, then

sat down beside her, glancing at the book in her hands. She
was a bookworm too—reading helped expand her own little
world.

"What are you reading? Looks interesting."

"A novel, dear. Nothing serious. Light reading to relax the mind.
Tam won’t let me read anything stressful."
"He really worries about you, Auntie."
"I don’t want to be a burden to her, Eiffel. I just want Tam to
have a family of her own, to be happy and cared for. That way,
I could pass away in peace."
Eiffel’s brow furrowed. She immediately reached out and held
the woman’s hand.
"Please don’t think like that. Sometimes, someone’s happiness
doesn’t have to come from ending up with anyone at all. Maybe
it just means having you around for a long, long time."
Thansinee chuckled and squeezed her hand gently.
"You have such a sweet tongue, my dear. You're so lovely. That
Tam never says things like that—she only scolds me when I
forget to take my medicine or when I want her to date a good
man."
"You know how Tam is, Auntie. That’s how she shows she
cares."
The patient was quiet for a moment, her eyes gazing upwards,
as if recalling memories. Then she smiled faintly.
"You're right. That’s Tam’s way. Always nagging, but never
leaving my side." She added playfully.
"Right? Anyway, I came by today to let you know my parents
will be visiting Bangkok next week. Would you like to come
chat with them? They've been saying they miss you. Or if you
prefer, I could have them visit here instead. Just let me know."
"Would it be too much trouble for you to come pick me up?"
"Not at all! I'd be happy to. And if you’d like to show off your
baking skills, I’d love to be your assistant."

"No need to trouble yourself, dear. Just picking me up is

already enough."

"Please don’t worry, Auntie. I truly mean it—if you're happy,

you’ll feel more energetic too. I really believe that."

Thansinee looked at Eiffel fondly. For a moment, her thoughts

wandered to her own daughter. That girl wasn’t nearly as
sweet-tongued—more blunt, really, even cold at times when it
came to expressing affection. As a mother, she often worried
that no one would ever truly accept her daughter’s
temperament and self-centered tendencies. That’s why,
whenever she met someone who seemed like a good match,
she’d try to nudge things along. Out of every ten suggestions,
just one needed to stick—someone who could love her daughter
for who she was, just as Tam truly was.

"If you were a man, I’d tell you to go to court Tam this instant,"
she joked.

Eiffel nearly choked on air. She blinked a few times, trying to

find a response, before deciding to speak her truth. There was
no benefit to sugarcoating something like this—not if she
wanted to be taken seriously in the long run.

"I could court Tam myself... if you’d allow it."

"What did you say, dear?"

"If you could overlook the fact that I’m a woman, wouldn’t I be
a good choice?"

The patient nodded slowly. She had known Eiffel since she was
a child. She knew the girl's personality—responsible, kind-
hearted, and honestly, both her looks and social status weren’t
lacking in any way. She might even outshine Thansikorn in
some areas.

"I like Tam, Auntie."

She had finally said it. And she could immediately see the
surprise register on Thansinee’s face.

After that, the sick woman went quiet.

"Is it because you like Tam that you started talking to me?"
She asked because that’s what she thought. Phongsakorn had
been the same—approaching gently, speaking nicely, so much
so that she couldn’t help but wonder if her daughter had
developed feelings for him. She had never asked, only gave
advice. And Thansikorn had never said anything either, only
showed signs of displeasure but didn’t dare go against her.

The sick woman didn’t feel glad at all to be in a position to

influence her daughter in this matter. Not one bit. But she
didn’t know what else to do—only did what she always thought
was best.

Eiffel quickly shook her head.

"No, that’s not it. At first, I didn’t dare approach P’Tam because
I knew my place—I’m just her friend’s little sister. But… I heard
that you wanted someone to take care of her, someone to be
family to her. So I wanted that chance. But I never told P’Tam
how I feel."

"Honestly, I’m shocked, N’Eiffel," the sick woman said.

"I understand," Eiffel replied softly. She tried to observe

whether what she’d said had caused the woman’s heart to beat
too fast or made her breathing irregular—but the patient's
condition remained stable, and that was a relief.

A sigh escaped before the older woman spoke again, voice slow
and tired.

"Phongsakorn once said the same thing. He told me he liked

Tam very much and said Tam seemed to go out and have
feelings for him too. I’ll be honest—I was hoping she’d end up
with him because I’ve never seen anyone stick around for this
long before.”

“………”

"But I’ve also been watching closely. I know who’s who, and I
could tell it was stressing Tam out. I don’t know how much
longer I have left… Phong asked for a chance, just like you.
And since you’re brave enough to ask me outright, wouldn’t it
be unfair if I said no?"

"You mean… I can?"

"If you're asking me, then yes. But if you're asking Tam… I
can’t answer that for her, dear."

"I have a favor to ask," Eiffel said seriously.

"Please don’t tell P’Tam about this conversation. I want to take
my time, to keep pursuing her like this—slowly, taking care of
her. I don’t want her to feel pressured or obligated just because
I made my intentions clear to you."

The sick woman chuckled.

"How odd. Most people would try to earn as many points as
they can—so they don’t lose, like Phong."
She paused and reflected—yes, the difference between the two
was stark. Not just in gender, but in approach.

Eiffel laughed too.

"I don’t want to be a burden to P’Tam, Auntie. I just want to see
her less tired… and smiling at me once in a while. That’s
enough."

Thansinee had to admit—she liked what Eiffel said. More than

anything Phongsakorn had ever said. Because this girl
prioritized Tam’s feelings, putting her own second, even though
she didn’t have to.

The patient could only watch, knowing full well how deeply all
this affected her daughter. But she had to come to terms with
the fact that she couldn’t leave Thansikorn alone—not if that
unexpected day came. There was no way she could ever stop
worrying about her.
"And after all that, you still want to score points with me?" the
woman teased.

Eiffel laughed and nodded.

"Of course, Auntie. You’re P’Tam’s heart. Taking care of her
means taking care of everything—not just her. If she chooses
me, then you’ll be gaining another daughter too."

"Are you trying to bribe me now?"

Eiffel grinned wide.

She ended up chatting with the sick woman for hours—long

enough that she could even take her on a walk around the
house. She promised to bring new plants to the garden, and
even said she’d drag P’Tam along to help one day.

"That one? She doesn’t like the heat."

"Then I’ll hold an umbrella for her," Eiffel replied.

"She’ll probably throw a fit, you know."

"But if she throws a fit and still helps the plant, then it’s worth
it, isn’t it?"

The two women of different generations continued their

pleasant conversation, and Eiffel felt glad that she hadn’t
hidden her feelings from the woman in front of her. Not only
did she get to speak from the heart, but she also felt it was
respectful to let her know her true intentions.

“When will you come again, dear?”

Now that they were closer and more comfortable with each
other, the older woman dared to ask. Eiffel’s friendly manner
and radiant smile were heartwarming.

“In two days. I’ll bring P’Tam along. Tomorrow I have to deliver
a client’s work to a friend.”

“I’ll prepare ingredients to make some desserts, then.”

Hearing that made Eiffel beam with joy. It felt like another step
closer—like the door to the woman’s heart had opened even
wider.

Today, Eiffel felt as if she had spent her entire day revolving
around Thansikorn’s world. In the morning, she checked in on
the daughter. In the afternoon, she visited the mother. And by
evening, she was already driving back to see the daughter
again.

Because she had been entrusted with these words:

“Tam doesn’t like eating dinner. Keep an eye on her, will you?”

So she made her first call to the person who had her heart.
To her surprise, there was only silence after the call
connected—so quiet that Eiffel thought the line had been cut.

“Why did you answer if you weren’t going to say anything?”

[Then why call and not speak?]

“I thought you hadn’t answered yet.”

[Well, I have now.]
Eiffel sighed, but a small smile lingered on her lips. “Are you
still at the office?”
[Haven’t gone anywhere yet. My friend hasn’t made plans.]

“Planning to go drink again?”

[Well… I’m not going.]

“I’m hungry.”

[And why are you telling me?]

“Your mom wants to plant trees with you.”

She switched topics abruptly. Just knowing where she was,
enough—she would go pick her up herself. If she refused, she’d
carry her to the car, or if she was really stubborn, she’d just
order food and eat it with her right there at the office.
[You actually went to see her?]

“Why would I lie to you?”

[So… what did my mom say?]

“She didn’t say anything—just looked at me like she thought

you’d come with me.”
[I’m busy.] Thansikorn sighed.
“I told her already—you're busy, and she understood. Don’t
stress about it, I’ve taken care of it.”
[Where are we going to eat?]

“Huh?”

[You never call me, and today you call to say you're hungry?
Aren’t you planning to take me out?]
“Why are you agreeing so easily?”
[I’m not being difficult today. You said you were hungry, didn’t
you?]
Eiffel chuckled softly. “You’re so sweet today.”
[Stop babbling. I’m not that soft-hearted.]

“You are—because you’re kind.”

[Say one more word and I’ll hang up.]

“I’m on my way now. Please wait for me.”

[Drive safely.]
“You said that like you care, P’Tam.”
The line cut off right then. Eiffel laughed as she took off her
Bluetooth headset and tossed it onto the passenger seat before
accelerating. She was eager to see what expression would be on
her face when she showed up after teasing her like that.
The restaurant was Tam’s favorite—something England had
once whispered to her little sister. That made it their
destination tonight. The slender figure turned to squint
suspiciously at Eiffel, as if wondering how she knew. But when
she realized that this tall girl was her close friend’s younger
sister, she could only sigh. If she knew, she must’ve heard it
from that friend.

“Are you not going out drinking tonight?”

“I don’t drink every day—only when I’m stressed.”

“So… you’re not stressed today?”

“……”

Eiffel smiled faintly. “That’s good.”

Dinner went by easily. They ordered just what they liked—

nothing excessive, no food piled across the table. Eiffel was
acting strangely well-behaved tonight, enough to make
Thansikorn suspicious. From the moment they met today, she
hadn’t said anything irritating. Not one single word—something
that normally wouldn’t pass without a sarcastic remark or two.

“Do you want to go buy plants together?”

“You’re inviting me?”

“I don’t talk to strangers,” Eiffel replied sweetly.

“I’m a stranger to you?”

Eiffel folded her arms, pretending to be annoyed. “You’re my

wife.”
“Stop.” Thansikorn cut her off immediately, glaring at the girl
who was smiling mischievously in front of her. “Don’t bring
private things into public like that.”

But it seemed the warning didn’t do much.

“Let’s go buy plants, please? Your mom wants to plant them.”

“…………”

“Don’t you want to do something together with her? When was

the last time you baked with your mother?”

Thansikorn sighed. “I’ve been busy lately—I can’t take time off.”

“I’m not rushing you. I just want you to come along.”

“Eiffel.”

“Yes?”

“Tell me honestly—are you doing all of this just because of that

one time?”

Eiffel shook her head. “I’m hoping for the next time… one where
you’re not drunk.”

Thansikorn’s expression darkened. She abruptly grabbed her

purse and stormed out of the restaurant.

The mood shift hit Eiffel hard. She stood up quickly, dropped
more than enough money on the table, and rushed after her.

“Don’t follow me!”

“Are you mad?”

“The things you say are disgusting. What makes you different
from anyone else, Eiffel? What makes you different?”
The more she looked at her, the angrier she got. “You made me
feel good all day just to throw that line at me? So you could
have your way with me?”

“You don’t understand. That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean? How else am I supposed to take

that?”

“P’Tam…” Eiffel called softly, reaching out to touch her arm—

but Thansikorn jerked away.

“If it was just that one time, then stop getting involved with me.
How about that?”

“Why are you saying that…?”

“Who started it!?”

“P’Tam…” Eiffel called again, and then—on impulse—grabbed

her hand and pulled her toward the car.

That’s when she noticed a man nearby raising his phone to

take a photo.

“A reporter,” she whispered urgently.

“What?” Thansikorn frowned, turning slightly to look—but

Eiffel cupped her cheeks with both hands.

“Listen to me first.”

“You’re taking advantage of the moment.”

“I’m not denying it. I am taking advantage… because you’re
sober.”

“Disgusting.”

“If you say that again… I’ll kiss you.”

“I’m your older sister, Eiffel! When will you stop being so
inappropriate!?”

“I never saw you as a sister,” Eiffel shot back. “Or do you want
me to?”

“Shouldn’t it be like that?”

“I only hoped that next time, you wouldn’t be drunk—because I

wanted you to truly mean it. That’s different, isn’t it? Do you
understand now? I’ve never once looked down on you. Not even
a little. I haven’t even thought about it.” The tall girl explained,
but the other only let out a heavy sigh.

“Your words sound nice, but your actions…”

“What did I do?”

“You took advantage of the moment!”

Thansikorn snapped and tried to walk away, but Eiffel wasn’t
going to let her go that easily. She quickly pulled her to a quiet
corner, away from public eyes—and especially away from the
journalist who could stir up trouble.
“Eiffel!”

“Let me say this one last time—with good intentions. I won’t

hold anything against you about that night. But if you ever
cross the line between siblings again, I won’t be so kind. I’ll
consider you as someone who chose to be that way. I never
asked you to see me as just your little sister.” Eiffel said
calmly. “But since you’ve made this clear, thank you—for
caring. I won’t hold it against you either, no matter how you
choose to see me… as long as I can still hold you like this.”
“I’m your older sister!” Thansikorn struggled in her arms,
frustrated that Eiffel wasn’t even a little afraid of her tone.

“Right now, you’re just being stubborn.”

“Eiffel!”

“If you think I’m just someone you chose, then let me prove
something.”
Her slender arms wrapped firmly around the older woman’s
waist, pulling her close. Thansikorn’s eyes widened as she
stared at the opportunist, always too bold. She tried to shove
her away, lifting her hands to push, but Eiffel’s embrace only
tightened until their bodies were flush. All she could do was
hold her hands mid-air, trying to maintain a safe distance.
“What are you trying to do!?”

“You always say you like the scent of French cologne when
you’re drunk, remember?”

“What are you—”

Confused, she still tried to escape from the clingy octopus-like
grip.
“I’m going to prove whether I’m someone you chose... or not.”

“Stop, Eiffel!” she warned in a low growl. But Eiffel believed in

one philosophy: if you're stubborn, I’ll be stubborn right back.
With that, she lifted a finger to tilt Thansikorn’s chin up.
“Don’t be stubborn.”
You brat!
Thansikorn wanted to scream those words, but she never got
the chance. Eiffel leaned in close and pressed her lips down
firmly before she could say anything at all. The kiss was tight,
leaving no space between them. Her heart raced, heat rising to
her ears.

As Eiffel’s arms pulled her even tighter, the other woman’s

body went slightly limp from the overwhelming pressure. She
tried to fight, smacking Eiffel’s shoulder, but when that didn’t
work, she simply beat her fists lightly to catch her attention.
In truth, Eiffel wasn’t skilled at this sort of thing. But when it
was with her, everything came naturally—almost like it had
always been there inside her.

She cupped the back of Thansikorn’s head to deepen the kiss,

adjusting for the height difference. Their mouths moved in
sync, and when their tongues brushed, Thansikorn’s eyes
fluttered shut, lips moving hesitantly, responding almost
instinctively to the sensation.

“Mmm…”
The soft moan that escaped only encouraged Eiffel, who smiled
mid-kiss and slowly pulled back when she felt the other needed
air.

She wasn’t doing this because she was experienced. Not at all.
She just knew that when it was with the right person,
everything flowed… like it had always belonged.

"Tell me…" Eiffel whispered, pressing their foreheads together,

her eyes locking onto Thansikorn’s. "Tell me you wouldn’t feel
anything if I did this with someone else."

It was a test. If she lied, Eiffel would have no choice but to

push harder. But if she answered truthfully, then she’d be
unbearably sweet instead.

After all, if she had kissed back this much and still claimed she
didn’t feel a thing, then Eiffel would make sure to be
heartbroken about it.

"You just took advantage of the situation, Eiffel," Tam said.

 Chapter 6
Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Eiffel was slapped hard across the face, the sting radiating
through her left cheek. It was obvious the person who’d struck
her hadn’t held back in the slightest. When she turned to look,
she saw the woman glaring at her with fire in her eyes.

“Go ahead and try. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Try? Try what?

Eiffel wanted to ask, but the woman didn’t give her the chance.
She shoved her handbag into Eiffel’s hands and stormed off
toward the car park with a dramatic swish of her hips.

Still, Eiffel was smart enough to know what that meant —

permission to drive her. Otherwise, there was no way that
precious handbag would’ve ended up in her hands.

The luxury car glided smoothly along the road, unhurried.

Eiffel kept glancing at the older woman beside her, noticing
that the slow speed and the light traffic seemed to be making
her increasingly drowsy. She yawned several times before
finally crossing her arms, turning to face the window, and
falling into a deep sleep. Eiffel could tell she was really asleep
by the steady rise and fall of her chest.
So, she became even more cautious behind the wheel,
determined not to let anything disturb the nap of her beloved
woman.

The upscale condo complex soon came into view, standing

elegantly before them. Eiffel had no trouble gaining access
thanks to the status her luxury car suggested. She parked in a
temporary visitor’s spot and sighed in relief, proud that she’d
managed to bring Thansikorn here safely — without waking her
up mid-journey.

“P’Tham, we’re here now.”

Though she honestly wanted to keep watching her sleep, she

figured it’d be better to let her rest on a soft bed and get the
sleep she clearly needed. Her P’Tam would be fully recharged
and ready to deal with her clingy antics again another day.

The woman stirred and nodded easily — perhaps because she

was a light sleeper, or maybe because the car seat hadn’t been
all that comfortable. Either way, she woke the moment Eiffel
called her name. Thansikorn opened her eyes and sighed, the
grogginess still evident from her lack of proper rest, a result of
working overtime to meet the new season’s launch.

“Have we been here long?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

Eiffel handed her a bottle of room-temperature water she’d

apparently prepared beforehand. Thansikorn took it without
protest and drank.

“We just got here. Go on up and rest, okay?”

“Mm.”

“I won’t be coming by tomorrow, by the way. I have to take a

client furniture shopping.”

“You didn’t have to tell me that,” Thansikorn mumbled, staring

at the younger woman for a long moment.
She didn’t understand why Eiffel had said that out of the blue.
Their relationship was still so undefined, teetering somewhere
in the gray area. It wasn’t exactly romantic — bound instead by
the long-standing bond of a younger girl she’d watched grow
up. That’s how she’d always seen Eiffel. How could she
suddenly start thinking of her differently? These things take
time.

That’s why, in their situation, slow and steady was best.

“I’m just letting you know — so you don’t think I’m playing
hard to get or anything.”

“Do whatever you want,” she replied softly, unsure herself why
things between them had become so tangled and confusing.

That sweet little girl who used to beg her for milk cartons was
now acting like she wanted to drink it from her body instead.
She didn’t even know where Eiffel got the nerve to be both bold
and bossy like this.

Just the thought of being with her—she’s still just a little girl—
not afraid in the slightest to let her kiss me… Ugh… the more I
think about it, the more it gives me a headache.
Thansikorn didn’t understand why Eiffel had done what she
did. Was it because she felt something? Or was it only out of a
sense of responsibility for what happened that day?
Still, she couldn’t deny that, since they were close and she
knew her personality from childhood, she hadn’t put her guard
up all that high.
That’s probably why she had let herself be swayed when that
tall kid came in, trying to be understanding—playing with her
already worn-out heart like that.

“I’ll come pick you up after work… okay?”

“Didn’t you say you were busy and couldn’t come?”

“But by the time you get off work, I’ll be free. I’ll make sure I
come.”

Thansikorn frowned but didn’t say anything. Instead, she

moved to open the car door, unsure what else to say. Her head
was full of questions she didn’t want to ask—afraid of the
answers. Afraid, too, that if she asked her something in
return… she wouldn’t know how to answer, or even if she had
an answer at all.

“I know you don’t like driving,” she added. “So I want to drive
for you.”

She didn’t respond.

“You work hard. It’s better not to drive when you’re tired. I’m
worried about you.”
That was it…
She had been trying to get out of the car without feeling
anything more than she already did.
But Eiffel just had to ruin it all—with that sincere face and the
caring words that made it obvious she was worried about her.

“Fine, come if you want. But I don’t know what time I’ll be off.”

“P’Tam…”

“Hmm?” she muttered, interrupted again just as she was about

to step out.

She turned and saw Eiffel smiling gently at her. That sweet face
of hers suited every kind of smile perfectly—so much so it was
unfair. Her thick eyebrows made her look effortlessly attractive,
like she didn’t need to do anything to look good.

Maybe she had stared at that sweet face for too long without
realizing it, because the next thing she knew, she had leaned in
and pressed a warm kiss to her cheek, whispering softly—
nervously, she could tell.

“Sweet dreams…”

You brat!
You adorable little brat!
How dare you act so cute after sneakily kissing me like that!?
Was Eiffel planning to leave her with no room to be mad at her
today?

Thansikorn blinked rapidly. No way was she going to let this

kid keep getting the upper hand!
If she could do something to her, then she could do something
back too!

“Close your eyes,” she ordered, voice calm even though her ears
were burning.

That got a confused look from Eiffel.

“Huh?”

“I said, close your eyes.”

“Ah…”

She nodded and slowly closed her eyes, though she could see
the hesitation, the guardedness. Well, she didn’t need to
worry—if she wanted to slap her, she could do that with her
eyes open.

She leaned in, her hand resting lightly on the back of her seat.
Then she tilted her head and precisely pressed her lips to the
corner of Eiffel’s mouth.

“Don’t open your eyes,” she commanded sharply when she

flinched.

Thansikorn drew back, unlocked the car door, and added

before stepping out:

“Just for today… because you were being cute.”

“…”

“Sweet dreams.”
And then—slam!—the car door shut, leaving Eiffel sitting there
as her eyes flew open.
She watched her petite figure quickly walk into the building.

She didn’t even realize how wide her smile had gotten.
But her heart—her heart was pounding so hard she worried
she might actually have a heart condition.

The Next Morning

Eiffel wore a white shirt tucked into slim-fit black pants, paired
with canvas sneakers. She didn’t feel the need to add any
height today. The tall young woman had arranged to meet a
friend and a client at a shopping mall, which had a well-
stocked home décor section. The client was an attractive young
woman looking to decorate a condo for herself.

Eiffel greeted her with a polite smile, knowing they were the
same age and that this woman was a friend of Green’s friend.
She furrowed her brow slightly—her client’s smile was overly
wide, and her eyes sparkled in a way that was hard to describe,
and constantly so.

Eiffel tried to maintain professionalism, offering suggestions

and keeping an appropriate distance. But the client kept
circling back, touching her arm or shoulder to ask unnecessary
questions. Green, sensing things were going a little too far,
discreetly tried to intervene when she could—though not
always successfully.
“All of this should be enough for what you need,” Eiffel said
politely, her tone composed though firm. She reminded herself
it was her responsibility to take care of the client.

“Okay then, I’ll go with whatever you suggest, Eiffel,” the

woman replied with a bright smile.

“Oh, and I’d like to take you out for a meal, as a thank-you.
Who knows—we might work together again in the future. My
friend and I are planning to open several places: condos,
restaurants, cafés. So if it’s alright, could I get your contact
info for personal follow-up?”

Eiffel blinked, glancing over at Green, who gave her a subtle

nod, encouraging her to share. Reluctantly, she gave the
woman her work phone number and professional email—
everything but her private messaging app, which she reserved
for only a few close people.

“No private messaging app?” the client asked with a tilt of her
head.

Eiffel shook her head, her tone firming slightly. “I prefer email.
The messaging app is only for family—I don’t really use it much
otherwise.”

The woman nodded in understanding. She was a bit shorter

than Eiffel, with soft curves, fair skin like someone of Chinese
descent, and delicate features. With her permed hair framing
her face, she was undeniably attractive.
But Eiffel was not the type to be easily swayed—especially not
when her heart already belonged to someone, and she was
clearly moving toward that person.
“Well then, I hope I’ll get the chance someday,” the woman said
with a coy smile.
Eiffel frowned, about to say “there’s no chance,” but Green
quickly widened her eyes and signaled her not to. This client
had many more potential projects with significant budgets, and
for a new designer like Eiffel, this was a golden opportunity to
build her name and reputation in the field.
“Let’s have lunch, then. I’ve got another meeting coming up,”
Eiffel said, cutting the conversation short.
After parting ways with a client who seemed more interested in
her than the project, Eiffel found herself driving to
Thansikorn’s office almost unconsciously. She hadn’t planned
to go, hadn’t even thought it through—she just wanted to see
her.
Thansikorn, frowning, looked out from her office when the
housekeeper called to say a guest had arrived. The moment she
saw the familiar car, she understood. Her housekeeper had a
surprisingly good memory, even remembering the license plate
and the fact that this particular car had picked her up before.
Though she hadn’t made any appointments that day, it was
clear who had come.
Truthfully, she had no idea what Eiffel wanted. Neither of them
spoke, and she didn’t feel the need to ask. Thinking it over, she
realized she had no clue why Eiffel was suddenly drawing
closer—becoming so affectionate. After all, her little sister had
never acted this way before.
Or maybe... she just hadn’t noticed.
Siblings… don’t kiss each other.
And if they do kiss, it’s not supposed to feel like that.
Certainly not the way Eiffel had kissed her.
After thinking it over, she just shrugged. After all, she had
already warned Eiffel that if she crossed the line of being just
“siblings,” she wouldn’t be seen any differently from a romantic
option. Tam gave her the chance quietly, never intending to
voice it aloud.
She stood watching for a while, but Eiffel still showed no sign
of getting out of the broken-down car. So Thansikorn walked
back to focus on her own work. She had already wasted almost
ten minutes just standing there in silence.
She got so absorbed in work that she didn’t realize how much
time had passed. It wasn’t until she looked up at the sky and
saw that night had completely fallen that she turned on the
desk lamp. A moment later, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Come in."
"Khun Tam, I’d like to ask for permission to leave early. My
grandchild at home isn't feeling well," the housekeeper said
with a slightly uneasy expression. Her job included overseeing
the office, and typically, if the boss hadn’t left yet, it wasn’t
appropriate for her to go. But Khun Tam often gave her a small
token of appreciation when she had to stay late, so working
overtime was never a burden. In fact, many times, her boss
even told her to go home first.
Still, she was worried. Other staff had all gone home at the
usual time. Only her boss stayed late alone. If anyone found
out, it could be dangerous. But with today’s emergency, there
was no way she could stay.
Thansikorn smiled and nodded, opening a drawer and pulling
out a grey banknote to hand over.
"I already told you, there’s no need to stay late, see? Something
urgent always comes up."
"I can’t accept that, Khun Tam. It’s only been a little over an
hour past work time."
"This is to help with your grandchild’s medicine."
The middle-aged housekeeper accepted the money hesitantly,
but before she left, she added, “Your guest—the tall young
woman from the other day—I saw her pacing back and forth in
front of the coffee shop. She didn’t come in to see you. Why
didn’t she?”
Thansikorn frowned in confusion. If she had come to see her,
why hadn’t she come inside and waited properly? Just quietly
staying out there this whole time? It made her feel conflicted.
She didn’t want to care, but she couldn’t help being worried.
"In that case, could you invite her in to wait here? Tell her I’ll
be down shortly."
"Yes, ma’am."
Not even an hour later, Thansikorn came downstairs, bag in
hand. The lights in her office were already off. She saw the tall
figure sitting on the sofa, rubbing her hands together. For some
reason, just the sight of that face irritated her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, out of nowhere. The tall
girl flinched and turned to face her.

"Nothing..."

"The housekeeper said you’ve been here a while already."

"Yeah." Eiffel nodded.

"If you weren’t just passing by, then why are you here? I
thought you said you were busy."

Eiffel looked up at the beautiful woman standing with her arms

crossed, clearly pressuring her for an answer. She gave a faint
smile and replied softly, "Next thing I knew, I was already in
front of your office. No reason... I just wanted to pick you up."

"With that clueless look on your face? You think I can’t tell
what’s going on in your heart?"

"I really don’t know… I just knew I wanted to see your face."

"Save those cheesy pickup lines for someone you actually want
to date."

"Well, it’s my mouth, I’ll say what I want."

"Hey! I’m your older sister, you know."

Eiffel pretended not to hear. She didn’t dare say anything more
suggestive that would make her “sister” give her that weird look
again. So she stood up and snatched the bag from
Thansikorn’s hand, then walked toward the door.

"Let’s go."
"I’ll go by myself!"

"But I’m taking you home."

"Do you think you can pull this off?"

Eiffel froze and turned to look at the beautiful woman, flashing

a sly grin.

"I was hoping you’d be stubborn," she said. "I actually enjoy
breaking people’s pride."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Are you satisfied now that you came to take me home?"

"I didn’t come to hear your answer. Give me my bag."

The tall girl sighed. "You’re being stubborn, P’Tam."

"And who was being stubborn first?"

"I wasn't."

"That’s your business."

"Are you coming back or not?"

"Is that a threat? Do you think I’m scared?"

"So, are you coming back or not?" Eiffel asked again, turning to
face her directly and walking up to stand right in front of the
older woman. But Thansikorn showed no sign of being shaken.
Her sharp eyes bore into Eiffel’s before she responded in a
calm, cold tone.
"In case you didn’t know, I’ve had to deal with plenty of people
trying to order me around in my life. And I hate being ordered. I
hate being controlled. You knew that, and you still did it
anyway?"

"…"

"In that case, I’ll leave first."

"P’Tam—"

"Don’t call me. You wanted to give orders, didn’t you? Then do
it."

Eiffel looked stricken but held tightly onto her bag. Her other
hand reached out to lightly grip the sleeve of the older woman’s
shirt as she spoke in a softer, gentler tone, without provoking
or trying to stir Thansikorn’s emotions further.

"I wasn’t trying to control you."

"But what you did felt like control."

Eiffel pressed her lips together, refusing to explain how long

she’d been sitting in the car, waiting, or how much she missed
her. She wasn’t the kind of person who knew how to express
herself well, especially in front of someone she liked. She didn’t
think caring about someone would be seen as annoying. She
didn’t realize that not saying anything could come across as
manipulative. So when she finally spoke, her voice was soft,
barely above a whisper, and slightly trembling—if one paid
close attention.
"I’m bothering you, aren’t I? I’m sorry… Please ask the driver to
come get you. I’ll just wait in the car until your car arrives."

Eiffel had no excuses for her actions. All she could do was stay
quiet and avoid escalating the situation. The tall girl extended
the bag back to her and quickly turned toward the exit, her
hand trembling as she opened the car door. She wasn’t sure
where the wave of emotion was coming from. Normally, she
wouldn't be so shaken by P’Tam’s harsh words or cold
demeanor.

But today… why did it feel so overwhelming?

Maybe it was because she realized how someone had once

pursued her so openly, so persistently—even when she didn’t
like them at all. And the result? She found it irritating. Deep
down, she wondered…

Was she becoming that same kind of annoyance to

Thansikorn?

Sigh…

Thinking about it and wallowing in self-pity wouldn’t help

anything. It would only hurt more. Eiffel let out a slow breath,
pulled out her phone, and started typing a message—planning
to tell the cold-hearted beauty that she would be taking her
mother plant shopping the day after tomorrow, and she
obviously wanted P’Tam to come along.

But before she could finish typing, the opposite door suddenly
burst open. A bag came flying in, landing right against her arm,
nearly falling into her lap.
Then came the woman herself—graceful, fierce—and the sound
of the door slamming shut behind her.

What kind of mood is this...

“What’s with you...?”

Eiffel asked, her voice cautious, still startled and confused

about when this woman had transformed into a full-blown
depression hurricane—blowing hot and cold at lightning speed.

“You were waiting for me for an hour. Why didn’t you say
anything?”

“……”

If you don’t speak up, no one’s going to know what you’re

thinking, you know? Actions only say so much, Eiffel. Remember
that.

Eiffel blinked. “How did you know?” she asked softly.

“Then why were you waiting?”

“Why do you always answer my questions with more

questions?”

“Because I feel like it.”

Eiffel let out a sigh. “I was waiting because I wanted to see your
face.”

“Then drive. I’m hungry.”

“What?”
“Are you slow or something?”

“Why are you being mean to me?”

“Why do you always say things that don’t make sense, Eiffel?”
Thansikorn sighed and leaned back in the seat, buckled her
seatbelt, then turned her gaze toward the driver.

“When I say I’m hungry, what do you think that means? Do I

have to translate Thai to Thai for you?”

Eiffel froze, like an old computer that couldn't process fast

enough, her sweet face delayed in reacting.

“O-oh… okay. Let’s go get something to eat.”

“Exactly. You get it now.”

“Were you tired today?” Eiffel asked as she stepped on the gas.

Thansikorn sighed again, as if she were a withered plant being

watered for the first time—an unexpected gesture of care from
someone she never thought would give it. And from a
relationship she never thought would become anything real. It
was complicated, unclear—but she was tired. That didn’t mean
Eiffel was off the hook for being the one to throw her life into
chaos and make everything more exhausting.

“I’m more tired from arguing with you than anything else.”

Eiffel smiled at that. Her earlier frustration suddenly felt small

and petty. Just knowing she wasn’t the burden Thansikorn
made her seem—that she wasn’t truly unwelcome in her life—
was enough to lift the weight from her heart.
Thansikorn, the taller woman, was beginning to hope that
maybe, just maybe, she could become the reason behind
someone’s smile and happiness someday.
The question, “What do you want to eat?”, was brushed aside
by Eiffel. Not only because she probably wouldn’t get a real
answer anyway, but because she knew she'd likely get a death
glare in return. That’s just how this woman was—always
testing, always expecting you to guess right to earn her
approval.
“Where do you think I’m taking you?”
“Same place as before, I guess.”
That answer meant she wanted to go back to the restaurant
Eiffel had taken her to last time. Eiffel smiled, saying nothing
in return, but her mind was already calculating the quickest
detour to get there fast.
Lately, she hadn’t been keeping in touch with her older sister.
She knew her sister had been busy with a massive cruise ship
project down south. So instead of calling, she opted to text—
just asking when she’d be home and whether she’d eaten yet.
But before they got far, Thansikorn’s inner chaos seemed to
sense perfect timing—as her phone rang loudly, and the name
flashing on the screen made her instantly irritated.
Again.
So many times, she’d chosen not to answer. And the result was
always the same—a text message asking if she was home with
Mom, or if she wanted help picking something up, or just
fishing for what they should buy for Mom.
Excuses. Always excuses.
She didn’t want to use her mother as an excuse again, fearing
it would only make Thansikorn feel more burdened. So, she
decided to simply answer the call briefly and claim she was
busy with work. Better that than let him vent his frustration to
her mother or say something odd like, "Phongsakorn is actually
quite charming," or "Phongsakorn wants to invite you over for
dinner."

She was just about to answer the call when—without realizing

when it had happened—the car stopped at a red light, and
suddenly her face was gently cupped by a pair of hands. Then
soft lips pressed against hers. Eiffel’s lips lingered slightly,
while her fingers, which had been resting on Thansikorn’s
cheek, softly caressed back and forth. A moment later, she
pulled back and spoke in an unusually gentle tone.

"Why answer if it’s only going to upset you?"

Thansikorn blinked rapidly, still confused and unsure what to

do next. Should she slap her cheeky little sister like usual?
Should she answer Phongsakorn’s call? Or should she just let
everything happen the way it’s supposed to?

"Taking the opportunity."

Eiffel kissed her again, just a short one, then pulled away,
silently wishing the red light would stay on a little longer—just
enough to enjoy the sound of her sister’s soft scolding and see
that blush on her cheeks linger a bit more.

"Eiffel!" Thansikorn exclaimed.

"What is it, pretty lady?" the younger girl replied playfully.

Thansikorn pressed her lips together, afraid she’d fall into her
sister’s trap again. She used the hand still holding the phone to
push Eiffel’s grinning face away, then tossed the phone onto
the younger girl’s lap. Eiffel hugged it to her chest protectively,
as if to shield herself, and turned to look out the window,
unsure how to describe what she was feeling.

Was this really happening?

This kind of pink-hued, flirtatious atmosphere between them—

wasn’t it a bit too soon?

How had Eiffel managed to create this in such a short time?

Just earlier, they were arguing, and Eiffel had even sulked and
pouted so much that Thansikorn had to soften and drag her
bag into the car herself. This girl was in trouble.

The tall girl smiled broadly, picked up the phone Thansikorn

had thrown at her, and pressed the button to end the call.
Then she muted it and shoved it deep into the pocket of her
cargo pants. Clearly, she had no intention of giving it back
until they were apart. After all, Thansikorn’s personal time
shouldn't be disturbed by anyone—and Eiffel didn’t think Aunt
Thansinee would be calling either, since she’d already spoken
to her earlier to confirm she’d be picking Thansikorn up for
dinner and taking good care of her daughter.

When it came to scoring points with the adults, Eiffel never

slacked off—but she had to try even harder with the daughter,
and that was the real challenge.
"If I don’t answer, he’ll just call again," Thansikorn said
casually as the car started moving again.

But this time, Eiffel let go of the gear shift and gently pried one
of Thansikorn’s crossed arms down, holding her hand loosely.
Even though she was met with some resistance, she kept doing
it until she finally heard a sigh—that was her reward. And
then, at last, she got to hold that soft, warm hand.

"Don’t worry about it."

"Oh, that’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’s tired
and stressed."

"He won’t bother you for long if he’s not someone you like. I
wouldn’t let him get to you if he’s not someone you care about."

Thansikorn frowned. "And what if he is someone I like? What

then?"

"Well... if he is," Eiffel pressed her lips together briefly before

answering, "Then I wouldn’t bother you anymore. Would that
be okay?"

"So you mean if I really liked someone else, you’d leave?"

"I guess so."

Thansikorn’s expression darkened. "You’d let me be with

someone else even after doing all this? Even if I didn’t like you
or feel anything for you—you’d still act this way, hoping for
nothing in return?"

"I never said I wasn’t hoping."

"But you’d still let me go to someone else?"

“That means only if you liked him, right?”

“So what are you hoping for, Eiffel?”

“……”

“Either answer me now, or don’t ever show your face to me

again.”

“Even if I told you… would it change anything, P’Tam?”

“……”

“If you knew—are you sure you could handle it?”

“Is there nothing in my life that I get to decide for myself? Who
I love, who I like, who I want to be with… do I get no say in any
of it?”

“Auntie didn’t force you that much, P’Tam. She’s not that
heartless.”

Thansikorn let out a dry laugh.

“Easy for you to say. You haven’t been through what I’ve been
through. I had to sit and eat with someone I couldn’t stand,
listen to him ramble about a future I didn’t even want to be
part of. I got judged, labeled a flirt, a girl who strings men
along, just because I was polite. They think all I care about is
jewelry and money—because that’s the image sweet, proud
Tam is supposed to have. But no one ever forced you to smile
when all you wanted was to cry. You can say those things
because you’re not me!”

“…..”

“I know Mom means well. That’s the only reason I’m still here.
But has anyone ever asked me if her good intentions make me
happy? If you want me to treat you like just another one of
those ‘well-meaning’ people… fine. I will. Just don’t come see
me ever again.”

Eiffel pulled the car over and turned on the emergency lights.
She gently cupped Tam’s tear-streaked face, trying to make her
look at her. Eiffel didn’t know how their argument had spiraled
into this. Maybe it had just built up for too long, and Tam had
finally exploded.

Maybe it was because Eiffel kept approaching her without

making her intentions clear. No wonder Tam kept asking over
and over. No wonder her eyes looked so uncertain every time.
And the more Eiffel acted like a teasing friend, a little sister, or
some past mistake-turned-lover, the more Tam couldn’t read
her—couldn’t bring herself to feel anything clearly. All it did
was stir up doubt and confusion.
“Why are you crying, hmm? You’re my strong girl,” Eiffel
whispered.

She knew this was just a breakdown waiting to happen. It had

been brewing for so long—it only happened to be with her when
it finally burst.

“If it’s still unclear… I’ll just say it.”

“……”

There was no reply—just a soft sob echoing in the car.

“I want your happiness to come from me. I want to see you

smile—really smile—and live your life freely, as you deserve. I
want your joy to be me, P’Tam.”

“………”

“This probably isn’t the time or place to say this, but…”

Eiffel sighed.

“I’ve always lost to your tears. I probably always will.”

“I want to be the only one you feel anything for.”

“Don’t cry, okay? My good girl…”

This stupid kid…!

Tam didn’t even know if Eiffel was trying to comfort her or
mess with her. But her face kept leaning closer and closer…
until the tips of their noses touched.
Her gaze had shifted—no longer mischievous or teasing like
before. And Tam had to admit, now that Eiffel had finally said
those words out loud, things were much clearer.
All those confusing moments—Eiffel had a reason for
everything she did.
“So what—are you going to kiss me every time you see me
now?” There was no reply—just soft lips pressing against hers.
Tam felt her whole body pulled under, embraced so tightly she
almost sank into the car seat. Every kiss Eiffel gave was gentle,
but they came one after another. Tam’s mind went blank—her
only awareness was of the soft, tender touch that was far too
sweet, far too overwhelming to resist.
Her lips finally parted after a kiss that lasted far too long—long
enough that Thansikorn thought their little lip war had finally
come to an end. And maybe it would have... if Eiffel hadn’t
shifted, her nose and lips trailing across Tam’s cheek,
breathing her in deeply, again and again, before moving toward
her ear.
Tam felt the goosebumps rise all over her skin. The lips that
should’ve been pressed shut to stifle any sound ended up
letting out a small, involuntary moan.

“Mmm…~”
From her ear, Eiffel’s lips had somehow wandered down to her
neck. Tam didn’t even know when it started—but by then, her
fingers were already digging into Eiffel’s arm.
Because that damn girl had the nerve to bite her—right on the
neck—sending a fiery jolt through her whole body. It hurt,
enough that she had to slap Eiffel hard across the back, certain
it would leave a mark.
And sure enough, when she glanced in the mirror, the spot
stood out clearly—making her feel more irritated than
anything.

“Eiffel, that’s enough!”

This stupid girl!

Tam couldn’t even control herself anymore.

“Ah—!”

She cried out again when Eiffel moved to a new spot, a little
higher this time, and did exactly the same thing.

“Hngh…!”
Tam pounded on her back repeatedly, trying to make her stop.
The sounds coming out of her mouth weren’t even words
anymore—and they were so embarrassing. Wet, heated, and
should not be happening. In a car, of all places!

Not to mention, they’d just been arguing. And now here she
was—being comforted like this? How was that even fair!?

Eiffel finally backed off, smiling smugly, clearly pleased with

herself.
Tam, on the other hand, had been completely reduced to a
flustered little kitten, especially when those lips had brushed a
spot she didn’t even know was sensitive.
A spot Eiffel had now found—and wasn’t about to let anyone
else discover.

Tam’s sweet scent, her slender waist, her smooth, soft skin—
none of it should belong to anyone else.
Now was a good time to make that clear. That way, the next
time she tried to pull away, she’d have no excuse.

“With me acting this possessive… do I really need to say what

it is that I want from you?”
 CHAPTER 7
An Umbrella

She knew what she was hoping for—she knew already! But did
she really have to sit there, grinning and staring at her like
that? That day, she had even gone out of her way to rush back
to the condo and didn’t go anywhere else, despite being so
hungry she felt like she was going crazy. She had to send her
junior to buy food and drop it off at the lobby.
She didn’t soften at her sweet voice asking if she could come
up and eat with her. She stayed firm for hours.

But when it came time for the appointment to take her mom
shopping for plants, Eiffel was already waiting in the lobby
early in the morning.
She stood out, leaning against the wall, one foot tapping the
floor, dressed in a black canvas jacket, fitted pale jeans, and a
crisp white shirt.

She didn’t even send a message or call to let her know she had
arrived. Did she not think to rush her even a little?
So instead of asking when she had gotten there, she chose to
let her know she was there by walking straight up to her.

“Ei…” she called softly—hadn’t even raised her voice yet—

when she looked up from her phone immediately. Seeing her
standing not far away, she quickly stood up, smiled faintly at
the corner of her mouth, and walked toward her.
“Don’t forget your hat, just in case the sun gets strong,” she
told her. But... the one giving the reminder didn’t have a hat
herself?

Thansikorn didn’t see Eiffel put on a hat or even carry one. She
glanced in the car and still didn’t see any sign of it.
So, while they were eating at her house, she couldn’t help
asking:

“Where’s your hat, Eiffel?”

“I forgot it,” she replied. “I’ll just buy one when we get there.”

“And what if they don’t have any?”

“I’ll use an umbrella instead. How’s that?”

“I meant the hat.”

“Then I’ll use the umbrella for myself, and you and your mom
can share one. Deal?”

“An umbrella isn’t big enough for three people, you know.”

“Then I’ll hold one for myself, and you can hold one for your
mom. How’s that?”

Thansikorn didn’t even know when their conversations had

started to turn out like this.
It was like they were talking about the same thing, but Eiffel
always managed to veer off topic into something else entirely.

“Do whatever you want,” she said, giving up.

And right then—just seconds after those words left her
mouth—her cheek was suddenly pressed by Eiffel’s lips and
nose in a fast, firm, surprise landing.

It startled her and made her heart race uncontrollably.

“Eiffel!”

“I wanted to do that,” she replied without a trace of guilt.

“What kind of kid are you, always jumping around doing wild
things like that?!”

Eiffel smiled at the corner of her mouth, leaned in, and

whispered softly in her ear:

“Phi Tam’s kid.”

Smack!!

Thansikorn’s hand landed hard on Eiffel’s arm, leaving a red

mark and a grimace on her face.

“That hurt!”

“Good. So you’ll remember it!”

“Pretty but cruel.”

Thansikorn glared at her and snapped, “Just eat properly.”

And that was her way of changing the subject—again.
The scorching sun was just what one would expect from
Thailand. Thansikorn furrowed her brows as she walked
through the plant market. Even though the sun wasn’t directly
hitting her skin, the heat still radiated enough to make her pale
complexion begin to flush red. As someone who didn’t like the
heat, the discomfort started showing on her face. Still, despite
her dislike, she wasn’t so self-centered as to be completely
intolerant.

Because when she glanced over and saw the person who said
she’d use the umbrella for herself now holding it over her
mother instead—chatting, supporting, and gently guiding her
with a warm smile—it made the heat seem like a minor
annoyance. Her body might’ve been irritated, but her heart felt
content. The heat, then, became nothing more than a pesky
fly—annoying but harmless.

Thansikorn had no idea what kind of plant to buy, how to plant

it, or how to care for it. Would Eiffel even have time to help her
take care of it long-term? Was this attention just a phase that
would fade once she got used to everything? She didn’t know.
She wasn’t brave enough... not confident about anything at all.

“There’s an air-conditioned drink shop over there,” Eiffel said,

suddenly appearing beside her.

Thansikorn didn’t even realize when she had quickened her

pace to walk beside the taller girl. Eiffel turned to her with a
concerned expression.

“Why?”
“Do you want to sit and rest for a bit? Your skin’s all red.”

Knowing how hot it would be today, Thansikorn had purposely

worn a sleeveless top instead of something flowy or impractical
for the mid-day heat of a busy market.

“You didn’t bring us all here just to go sit alone, did you?”

Eiffel didn’t particularly like seeing Thansikorn’s fair skin

turning red—not because it was charming, but because it
meant she was uncomfortable. She disliked the beads of sweat
dripping inappropriately down her body. She disliked the
lingering glances from other people staring at her beautiful
companion. She hated the kind of heat that made Thansikorn
restless and irritated.

And so, after politely asking for permission from Thansikorn’s

mother, Eiffel gently reached over and held Thansikorn’s hand.

“Let’s go sit. I already asked your mom.”

“And the plants?”

“The plants aren’t going anywhere. But you—”

“What about me?”

“You keep trying to run away from me. And I hate the way
people are looking at you.”

“Hey! I’m just standing here, minding my own business.”

“Mom’s hot too. I want to sit and rest.” Thansinee chimed in
softly. Even though she was happy to be outside doing
something different, her body couldn’t quite keep up with the
enthusiasm.
“I told you, didn’t I?” Eiffel murmured.
“Well, if you don’t like the heat, then why did you still come?
Why wouldn’t Mom be able to come too?”

“I came because I was worried about her, obviously.”

“I’m worried... about both of you,” Eiffel said.

She quickly cleared her throat, realizing she shouldn’t have
said something so sweet with a third party present—it made
her feel embarrassed.

The taller girl raised her brows when Thansikorn pulled her
hand away and turned to look at her, noticing the sheen of
sweat on her flushed face.

“It’s hot,” Thansikorn muttered.

“What should I do?”

“What?”
Eiffel’s face showed a mix of worry and concern. Seeing that
made Thansikorn decide to hold on just a little longer until
they reached the shop. Eiffel found a good seat and went to
speak with the shop owner. Not long after, a staff member
brought over an electric fan and pointed it toward both
Thansikorn and her mom.
“I’ll go buy a cooling towel,” Eiffel said.

Worrying about others but not taking care of herself—her shirt

was soaked with sweat just like mine. But before I could say
anything, she strode out of the shop.

"She’s really sweet," my mother said with a faint smile.

"Huh?"

"Your friend Ei is very sweet, dear—she cares about others

more than herself."

That crazy kid! Trying to win over my mom too, huh?

"Of course. She was the one who asked me to come, so it’s her
responsibility."

Thansinee still had a smile on her face.

"Exactly."

Even though she wasn’t completely at ease, she had to admit

Eiffel was impressive—managing to convince Thansikorn to
come walk around in the blazing sun.

The tall girl returned not even ten minutes later, holding
several cold towels, placing them on the table in front of me—
faster than the drinks we ordered had even arrived.
But what made me frown wasn’t that—it was the beads of
sweat on her flushed cheeks.

"Where did you go to buy them?"

"A convenience store. It was a bit far. I hurried as fast as I

could."
"Why did you run?"

Eiffel paused, lifting her head from the bag she was rummaging
through, and looked at me.
"I didn’t want you to wait too long."

Thansikorn let out a sigh. The cool air inside the shop had
already started to ease her irritation.
She even snatched the bag from Eiffel’s hands to check the
contents herself.

"Someone who doesn’t take care of herself can’t take care of

others," Tam said with a small cough, interrupting.

Eiffel responded with a soft smile.

"Taking care of you and your mother first. Doesn’t mean I’m
not looking after myself."

There was a brief silence.

Thansinee just smiled quietly.

At first, she thought Eiffel was only pretending to be sweet to
help cover for her troublesome daughter. She didn’t want her
paired off with Phongsakorn or anyone else her relatives tried
to match her with. But after seeing it with her own eyes—the
way Eiffel acted, the things she did, and the way she said
them—it was clear this wasn’t an act. She couldn’t help but
smile, seeing someone genuinely willing to care for Thansikorn
in her own way.
The cold towel was placed gently on her skin.
Eiffel was quicker than the person who had originally intended
to do it. And the next sweet words didn’t come from her
daughter’s mouth, but from this new “daughter” instead.
Thansikorn just sat and listened, still using a cold towel to
wipe her mother’s right arm while letting Eiffel take care of the
other side.

"The weather’s really hot today. Maybe we should come back

another time? Your skin’s just as red as Tam’s. I don’t want
you to walk around anymore."

She felt genuinely guilty for not considering just how hot the
weather would be today.

"I’m not that hot, dear. I just haven’t been out in the sun much
lately—of course my skin would turn red. Tam’s the one who
might be worse off."

"Why’s that?" Eiffel asked, looking toward the girl who was still
wiping her mother’s arm.

"She hates the heat so much that if she’s out in it for too long,
she’ll faint."

"I’m an adult now, Mom. I’m not that fragile," Thansikorn

muttered in protest.

"I didn’t know that..." Eiffel said quietly.

"I haven’t even fainted yet! Don’t make that sad face. Mom’s
being dramatic again," Thansikorn added, turning her
grumbling toward her mother.
Just then, the bright and burning sunlight outside suddenly
vanished. Heavy raindrops began to pour from a sky that had
darkened to a deep gray.

"I knew it was going to rain," Thansinee said with a smile.

The air had been too stifling, the sky blindingly sunny but
unnaturally still, without even a breeze.

"I think we’ll really have to come back another day," Eiffel said,
letting out a sigh.

"Ms. Eiffel, what a coincidence, huh?" A voice rang out as

Nina’s figure appeared in sight—slightly soaked. Her thin white
shirt clung to her body, subtly revealing her shape underneath.
Eiffel blinked rapidly, staring at the woman who had taken it
upon herself to sit down beside her.

“Nina?”

“I’m so glad you remember! I wanted to give some feedback

about the condo, but email wasn’t fast enough. I was just
about to call you, actually.”

“Ah... you can contact Green about that,” Eiffel said, unsure
why she suddenly felt a chill run down her neck. Something in
the air felt off. She could sense a sharp pair of eyes staring into
her, intense enough that she didn’t dare look back, even
though she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Nina smiled, ignoring the suggestion to contact Green, and

shifted the conversation toward the two women sitting at the
table with Eiffel.
“Did you bring your mom out shopping? Hello,” she greeted
with a polite wai. When she turned to look at the other woman,
she hesitated slightly—the woman’s gaze was clearly
unwelcoming. Nina assumed it was her fault for sitting down
uninvited and not introducing herself first.

Thansinee returned the wai with a gentle smile, as though

today's events were unexpectedly entertaining to her.

“Is that your sister?” Nina asked.

Eiffel was about to respond, but Thansikorn beat her to it.

“A friend of her sister’s,” she said smoothly.

“Oh,” Nina nodded enthusiastically. “You brought your sister’s

friend shopping too? You’re so sweet, Eiffel. If you’re free, take
me out sometime too. Maybe I can give you some shopping
tips.”

“Uh…”

She froze, completely thrown off. It was like her brain had
short-circuited. Usually quick and sharp, today her mouth
wouldn’t move at all.

“Eiffel.”

“Y-Yes, P’Tam?”

“Your drinks are ready.”

Thansikorn was referring to the vibrating alert signaling that

their order was ready for pickup.
“I’ll go get them, excuse me,” Eiffel said quickly, grabbing the
device and turning to Nina. The woman also stood up and
followed after her. Thansinee chuckled softly—her daughter
was watching them like a hawk. The sigh she let out was so
dramatic it drew a laugh from the patient woman.

“What?”

“She’s quite the charmer—even though she’s a woman.”

“Ugh! It’s her who’s being flirtatious,” the daughter grumbled.

“Look at you—so flustered, it’s actually kind of cute,”

Thansinee teased, nodding toward the person who kept inching
away whenever Nina tried to get too close.

Thansikorn sighed and pretended to look out at the rain,

prompting the older woman to smile faintly and rest her hand
on her daughter’s elbow.

“I really liked today. I’m glad we all got to go out together,”

Thansinee said with a soft smile.

“Then let’s do it again—on a cooler day, okay?”

“Sure. Any day is fine, just make sure you bring Eiffel too.”

“Whatever you want, but I’m not inviting Eiffel,” she replied
with a smirk.

“I’ll lend Nina an umbrella to go find her friend,” Eiffel offered.

“Can’t you just walk Nina there? It’s only a few blocks.”

Eiffel made a face, clearly worn out.

“I’m not really up for that.”

“Then go bring the car around for Mom. The parking lot
connects to the main road, so you can pull up to the front.”

“Here we go, let’s head out together.”

Thansikorn gently urged herself up and walked over after

speaking with her mother. She had decided that it was better
to head home now—there was no reason to wait for the rain to
stop when there was no sign it would anytime soon.

The older girl tapped the taller one on the elbow and said
calmly,
“Ei, come with me. You can let her borrow your umbrella.”

“But…”

“I’m going with Eiffel,” Thansikorn interjected firmly, then

pinched Eiffel’s arm to make her speak up.

“…Okay. Nina, you can borrow my umbrella.”

“But we haven’t even discussed the condo issue yet. Can I call
you later?”

“You can go through Green.”

Then something unexpected happened—Nina suddenly leaned

in, intending to plant a kiss on Eiffel’s cheek. But Thansikorn
was faster, yanking Eiffel’s body back just in time. Nina lost
her balance, stumbling forward, and Eiffel instinctively raised
her hands to stop her from falling.

“Nina,” Eiffel said sharply.

Though Nina could tell the tone wasn't exactly friendly, she still
smiled sweetly and continued on.

“I heard you studied abroad, so I wanted to say goodbye the

international way. Hope you’re not mad.”

“…”

“But if we happen to meet again, I’ll definitely need your

personal number. No more going through Green.”

With that, Nina walked away after Eiffel handed her the
umbrella. Once the problem had moved out of sight, Eiffel
winced as her arm was pinched even harder by her sister.

“Ouch, P’Tam! That hurts!”

Thansikorn shot her a glare.

“So charming, aren’t you? Even had to give her an excuse!”

Eiffel froze, stunned by her sister’s sudden outburst, and then

Tam grabbed the umbrella and walked off without waiting for a
reply. When Eiffel glanced over at Tam’s mother, she was just
smiling and nodding, urging her to hurry and follow.

Eiffel, using her long legs to her advantage, caught up in four

strides. She slipped in under the umbrella beside her sister,
leaning close before mumbling:

“I’m soaking wet now.”

“That was the point.”

The taller girl sighed. She had no idea why Tam was so upset—
maybe it was just jealousy, probably because Eiffel had given
attention to someone else.

“Are you jealous?”

“What?”

“Possessive, then?”

“No!”

“Then what’s with the sulky attitude, pretty girl?” she teased,
reaching over to wrap her arm around Tam’s slim waist. Even
under the umbrella, she could feel people’s eyes on Tam—it
was frustrating that she couldn’t do more than these small
gestures.

She couldn’t dare show anything more than this.

“Hands off.”

“…”

“People say those with fast hands tend to fall in love quickly.”

Eiffel frowned.
“That has nothing to do with it. I only get handsy with you.”

“Oh really?”

“If I hadn’t pulled you back just now, your cheek would’ve been
smeared with someone else’s lipstick, you know?”
The taller girl paused for a moment to process that, then
tightened her grip around Tam’s slim waist, leaned down, and
gently pressed a kiss on the exact spot where Nina had tried to
kiss her.

"I only kiss you like that."

"You want to get soaked, don’t you?"

"Getting wet is fine. I just don’t want anyone else doing that…
unless it’s you."

"Then get soaked, by all means."

Thansikorn said that as she shifted away and moved the

umbrella to the side. But Eiffel didn’t complain. Instead, she
smiled—even as the raindrops ran down her hair and splashed
across her face, she simply continued walking, following
wherever Thansikorn moved.

Eventually, the slim girl couldn’t take it anymore and tugged

the taller girl’s arm to pull her under the umbrella.

"Stubborn idiot."

"..."

"You knew you'd get soaked, so why did you still step out
there?"

"Even if I got wet, if it showed you that I'm a good girl, then it's
worth it."

"Such nonsense," Thansikorn muttered, avoiding Eiffel’s gaze

as the latter tried to look her in the eyes.
"What kind of 'good girl' acts as wickedly as you do?"

Eiffel let out a soft laugh, still keeping a slight distance from
her sister. She was completely drenched and didn’t want to get
Tam soaked too.

"I'm both good and wicked, but only with you, P’Tam."

"…Right. Good my ass!"

Good with ghosts, maybe!!

Deep down, the conclusion was: Eiffel ended up soaking wet by

the time they got to Tam’s car. Seeing that made Tam feel a
little guilty—guilty for being so selfish. And yet, that brat still
smiled at her despite being completely drenched.

"If I get sick, it’s your fault. You’d better take care of me."

"Of course!" the slim girl snapped back.

Even though she said that, for the next two days, Eiffel
completely vanished. Normally, she didn’t text or call much
anyway, but this time, she was especially quiet. It was hard to
tell if there was a reason for her disappearance. Eiffel usually
showed up in person rather than communicating through
devices.

Tam couldn’t take it anymore and finally called her closest

friend. She wasn’t exactly worried… just curious why Eiffel had
disappeared.

"England."

[A miracle, Tam. I’m busy today—can’t go out drinking.]

"It’s not that."

[Then what is it? Don’t tell me it’s about your mom again?]

"No. Things are fine on that front. No stress, no one waiting

around the house anymore."

[Then what?]
Ugh… She didn’t even want to say it out loud, but she had
called England for this exact reason.

"Where’s your sister been?"

[...Am I hearing things?]

"Come on, England!" Tam groaned. England chuckled softly

before speaking in a quieter, clipped tone—like someone else
might be in the room, even though she was alone.

[She’s sick. Been resting at her condo. I checked on her this

morning—nothing serious.]

"Since when?"

[Two days ago. She called, all whiny, saying she was hungry.
So I’ve been sending her meals.]

"I see..." Thansikorn sighed.

[Tam… don’t be so mean. I know you know.]

"Your sister’s got a terrible attitude. I’m not that nice, you
know."

[Really? You, Tam?]

“I was just curious, because the other day when we went to
buy that plant, we didn’t even get anything done and she had
to leave early.”

[I didn’t even get a chance to say anything. I had no idea you felt
guilty for making my sister sick.]

“What are you talking about?”

[Well, Eiffel specifically told me not to tell you she was sick.
What else was I supposed to think? My sister ended up
confessing everything—she said she went out in the rain to try to
win someone over. Sound familiar?]

“I didn’t!”

[Oh really? Then why are you acting like you already knew she
was sick?]

Thansikorn bit her lip and replied in a soft voice, “Give me the
address.”

[Worried?]

“No. I just want to check if she’s dying or not.”

[You’re so dramatic. Should I even be telling you this?]

“………”

[She’s super needy when she’s sick, you know. Do you really
want to go? She didn’t want you to know. I don’t even know if I
should be telling you this. She already scolded me just for
mentioning it.]

“I told you—don’t take your sister’s side!”

[Then answer me!]

“Answer what?”

[Are you worried?]

“…Yeah.”

[Didn’t hear that, Tam.]

“England!!” Thansikorn really wanted to smack her friend but

couldn’t.

“Text me the room number and condo name. Also, call the
condo front desk and let them know I’m coming! And yes, I’m
worried! Happy now?!”

[Alright, alright. Got it.] England burst out laughing, clearly

satisfied with how well her teasing worked.
“That’s it!”
She was the one who said, “If I get sick, I’ll let you come take
care of me,” but now that it’s actually happening, she clammed
up and refused to tell anyone. Just wait until I see her—I’m
going to give her a piece of my mind. You don’t want me to
know? Fine, I’ll show up at your door!

Inside the four-wheel car—which Thansikorn rarely drove

herself—there was a medicine bag on the passenger seat.
Inside it were all sorts of remedies: drowsy and non-drowsy
cold medicine, painkillers, allergy pills, nasal decongestants—
anything a young woman could think of and tell the
pharmacist, who looked a bit puzzled at her excessive list.

The truth was, Thansikorn had no idea what symptoms Eiffel

had or how sick she really was, so she just bought everything
she could think of. And if it turned out Eiffel was seriously ill,
she’d just drag the girl to the hospital. That was her plan.
As she drove, she memorized the room number. She was
relying on her best friend to call the condo front desk to notify
them of her visit, since the condo was quite high-end and had
strict security. She couldn’t just waltz in or she’d be escorted
out by staff.

“You’ve arrived,” the front desk staff said, standing by and

waiting until she correctly entered the room code. Only then
did they allow her to proceed. Of course, no one would go to
these lengths unless it was someone like England, who sent
her a super detailed message:
Room 2929. Room code: 029029.
Once you're inside, give Eiffel an earful for me—about turning
the AC on full blast while she’s sick.
Oh! But don’t scold her too much, okay? My sister turns into a
whiny mess when she’s not feeling well.

Oh, I’ll scold her alright!

Sick, but turning the AC up like it’s a meat freezer?
Even someone who’s perfectly healthy would want to crawl
under a blanket in there. Thansikorn walked around inspecting
the room and found some half-eaten congee and rice porridge
in the kitchen, like Eiffel had only managed a few bites.
She opened the fridge and found that aside from plain water
and soda, it was mostly filled with snack foods—sausages,
bologna, and other quick bites from the convenience store.

Just hearing the name made her sigh again. The room truly
looked like a single girl’s space—completely uninviting. It
lacked anything that would make someone want to just sit and
relax. In her eyes, it felt barren, empty, lifeless.

The young woman picked up the leftover food and threw it in

the trash, set the dishes in the sink, and cleared away
whatever small bits of trash she could find. What caught her
eye, however, was an opened packet of medicine—only one pill
had been taken. She picked it up and read the label. After
confirming it was just for headache relief, she sighed again.

"Been sick for two days and only took one pill? Seriously?
When are you planning to get better?"
England said she was taking care of her—bringing food and
checking in regularly. Was that a lie?

She walked to the living area. Thankfully, this part of the room
wasn't as messy—no trash to bring her mood down, only a pile
of blankets dumped on the couch without any sense of order.
The TV was off. Scattered sheets of paper, probably notes or
drafts of her ideas, were lying under various items. Thansikorn
had no intention of touching any of it. There was just one more
room with its door closed.

In that small apartment, despite being the only one inside, both
the bedroom and the living room air conditioners were left
running. Where did this girl think she lived—a hotel? She
slowly turned the doorknob. A rush of cold air hit her face as
she looked around, searching for the remote. It was stuck to
the wall—she grabbed it and turned the AC off.

Something round poked out slightly from under the heavy

blanket at the foot of the bed. It looked like whoever was under
it didn’t quite fit on the mattress, their legs hanging off
awkwardly.

A sudden cough broke the silence.

Thansikorn sighed and turned back toward the kitchen. She

had seen a water boiler there earlier and turned it on. Soon,
she returned with a cup of warm water and a bag of medicine.
She set both on the bedside table, then slowly started pulling
the blanket off the figure on the bed. It wasn’t easy—she kept
tugging it back every time she tried. Finally, frustrated, she
yanked it away.
“Eiffel! Wake up.”

“……………”

Nothing.
The young woman sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Eiffel, wake up and take your medicine first.”

Her eyelids felt so heavy. Slowly, they fluttered open. At first,

her grogginess turned into confusion, then into shock.
Suddenly, Eiffel jolted upright—only to groan and fall right
back down from the intense headache.

This flu had hit her hard. Ever since the fallout with her sister,
her health had deteriorated until she'd finally collapsed.

“Don’t get up too fast.”

“How… how did you get here?” Eiffel asked with her eyes still
closed. That sudden movement had made her dizzy and her
head throb. She’d been truly sick this time—and clingy. She
had pestered her sister several times through texts and calls.
Maybe it was because deep down she wanted someone to care,
to fuss over her a little.

That’s why she hadn’t told the person who owned her heart
that she was sick. She was afraid she’d lose face, afraid she’d
show weakness. Even when she was drenched in the rain, she
still acted tough in front of her. And now that her facade had
crumbled, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
“I called your sister. That’s how I knew. If I hadn’t called, how
would I have known you were being so stubborn it made you
sick?”

“I wasn’t being stubborn... The weather changed, that’s all.”

“You sure it wasn’t because you got caught in the rain?”

“Mmm... Not your fault, right?”

“Don’t try to fool me, Eiffel. I’m your sister.”

“I don’t need another sister,” Eiffel mumbled, sick but still

sassy.

Sick or not, her mouth sure was working fine. Seeing her little
sister sulk, eyes closed with a pouty face, Thansikorn sighed
again.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”

“I’m the one who’s sick. How was I supposed to tell you?”

“You got sick from that rainy night, and I was the reason. You
said if you got sick, you’d let me take care of you. But instead,
you said nothing and disappeared. I had to call England to find
out. Is that okay?”

“…You were worried about me?”

Eiffel slowly opened her eyes, trying to understand the meaning

behind those words, including why her beautiful sister had
brought herself here. But she couldn’t figure it out, because
her beautiful sister avoided her gaze, and Tam had abruptly
changed the subject.
So the patient became grumpy.

“Why won’t you answer me?”

“Have you taken your medicine yet?”

“P’Tam...”

“What?”

“Why won’t you answer?”

“Answer what? I’m asking you right now—have you taken your
medicine yet?”

“I was asking if you care about me.”

“Well, what do you think it means when I ask if you've taken

your medicine?”

“It means I haven’t taken it yet,” Eiffel answered vaguely,

raising her eyebrows a little when she saw her frowning and
glaring at her.

“Then you have to take it.”

“P’Tam...”

“What now?”

“You’re beautiful.”

Thansikorn’s face tightened, eyes narrowing at her. “Even sick,

you still don’t make any sense—same as always. Not a bit
different.”
“………”

“I call you, and you don’t even say anything?”

Seeing the faint smile start to form on the patient’s face, the
beautiful sister grew confused. What’s the reason behind that
smile? What’s making her smile like that?

Until she realized—Eiffel’s hand had been clasped in the warm

grip of the patient’s own, pulled close and pressed gently
against her cheek. And then it became clear: the reason for
that smile was her. It was all her—because she was sitting
here, real and tangible.

“I dreamed that you came to me like this, but in the dream, I

couldn’t touch you.”

“………”

“But when I woke up and saw that you were really here, and I
could actually touch you—I just... I wanted to stay sick
forever.”

“You’re delusional.”

“P’Tam…”

“What now? If you call me one more time and don’t say
anything, I’m leaving.”

“Being concerned and asking if I’ve taken my medicine—they’re

different things, but they mean the same, don’t they?”
Thansikorn looked at her for a long moment before letting out a
soft sigh. Her feverish body, that warm skin—she just couldn’t
bring herself to be stern with her. Even though she told herself
she wouldn’t go soft, just one look at that face and… how could
she be cold to her?

Wasn’t this all because she had followed her heart?

So Thansikorn decided that if no one else knew she was soft-

hearted, it wouldn’t count as a weakness.

Therefore, just for today, she’d let herself be gentle with her.

“…I know. So why ask?”

The gentle tone in her voice made Eiffel smile. The bitter
medicine she hated so much—if it was brought by P’Tam, she’d
swallow it down without hesitation. Anything, if it came from
this woman’s concern, she would accept it all, gather it all up
and treasure it.

“Well, you knew I liked you, and you still asked, didn’t you?”
As soon as she said it, silence fell between them.

“If I eat and take my medicine… will you leave right after?”

“Why? You want me gone already?”

The patient pouted. “No… but I’ll eat my rice one grain at a
time, so you won’t be able to leave.”

“Such a brat.” Thansikorn muttered that under her breath,

then remembered—England had warned her already.

“She gets especially clingy when she’s sick.”

This was the first time she’d actually experienced it firsthand.
She wasn’t prepared at all for the sugary-sour, unpredictable
charm and whining. You could say she had no immunity yet to
this crazy kid when it came to matters like this.

"I just don't want to be alone."

Even though she was scolded and pouted in response, Eiffel
didn’t really eat one grain of rice at a time like she said. She
took normal spoonfuls into her mouth. Still, with Thansikorn’s
strict declaration that she had to eat everything, the girl—who
usually ate just enough to take her medicine—ended up sitting
at the table far longer than expected.

"So why didn’t you go home?"

"P’Eng isn’t here. She went down south."

"But she said she was delivering your food and drinks all the
time. Eiffel, don’t lie to me."

"P’Eng had her secretary deliver them, that’s all."

Thansikorn nodded in understanding. England had been

increasingly busy lately, possibly involved in some cruise
investment or something like that, so it wasn’t strange that
she’d be traveling often.

"My parents are in the provinces, so basically, there’s no one at

home except the housekeeper."

And It, her older brother, was probably off somewhere

backpacking in the cold north. That, Thansikorn already knew.
What she hadn’t expected was that a flirt like Italy (his
nickname) would actually have a moment where he chose to
travel like a normal guy. She hadn’t seen him in so long, she’d
nearly forgotten that at one point, her friend’s brother had tried
to hit on her quite a few times—and she hadn’t exactly rejected
him either. After all, aside from his playboy ways, Italy was
quite an interesting guy.

"It... Italy goes on trips like that too?"

Eiffel frowned, unsure why Thansikorn was asking, but she

still replied.

"Yeah, he said he wanted to experience nature instead of

partying all the time."

"Hard to believe," Thansikorn muttered, unintentionally

showing too much interest in Eiffel’s family, and maybe that’s
why the sick girl suddenly started acting even more whiny than
usual.

"Are you close with him?"

"Not really. We just talked a bit."

"Talked?"

"Well, your brother tried to hit on me. You get the idea."

Eiffel furrowed her brows deeply. She had never heard about
this before. During the time Thansikorn had been studying
abroad, Italy had already moved back to Thailand. She never
kept up with all the details or updates, so this was completely
new to her.
"Wow... both brother and sister like the same woman."
The patient muttered in a disgruntled tone. She wasn’t happy
at all that she liked the same girl her brother did. What made it
worse was that the woman she liked seemed more interested in
her brother—who wasn’t even here—than in the person sitting
right in front of her.
Being sick made her emotionally fragile, too easily swayed. The
smallest thing could send her spiraling into overthinking.
That’s why Eiffel felt like someone had taken a needle and
pricked the balloon named “Heart,” letting all the happiness
slowly leak out. She shoveled spoonful after spoonful of food
into her mouth, quickly finishing the plate before grabbing the
blister pack of pills Thansikorn had left for her. She swallowed
them down completely, then got up, knowing she needed to
support herself due to her physical condition.
As she walked past Thansikorn toward her bedroom, she
couldn’t help but speak in a cold, slightly sarcastic tone—
though she probably didn’t realize how it came across.
"Tomorrow, I’ll have a friend take me to the doctor. I won’t
bother you anymore. Thanks for your concern."
"……"
"I’ll see you out now. Don’t forget to lock the door."
Her body felt fragile and on the verge of breaking. Her eyes
burned more than anywhere else. Eiffel picked up the air
conditioner remote, turned it on, and dove onto the bed,
curling up beneath the blanket. She sighed before closing her
eyes.
So stupid...
She kept scolding herself silently, over and over again. It was
no surprise someone like Thansikorn had people constantly
trying to get close to her. But what Eiffel didn’t understand
was—why did her person... the one she loved... seem so
interested in where her brother went and what he was doing?

"What's wrong?"
A soft voice came along with the mattress dipping slightly on
one side, signaling that she hadn’t left like she thought. Eiffel
had assumed that since it had been quiet for a while, she
must’ve already gone. She quickly wiped the corners of her eyes
with the back of her hand, hoping she wouldn’t notice that she
had been crying like a child. How embarrassing.

"Do you have a headache?"

"Want me to help you wipe down?"

"I’ll feel better soon. I’m going to take a shower, no need to

help, thank you."

"Really?"

"……."

"You don’t want me to wipe you down, is that it?"

"……."

"Then choose—either let me wipe you down or just tell me

what’s wrong."

"Nothing’s wrong."
"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

"If nothing’s wrong, then get up, pack your things, and come
sleep at my place tonight."

Huh? Eiffel thought she had misheard. Did she just say… go to
sleep at her place?

"What did you say?"

"Your house is empty, so I called your mom earlier. She told me

to take you to stay with me."

"What? P’Tam!" Thansikorn frowned, placing a gentle hand on

her face and gently turning it toward her.

"Why are you so surprised? If you can go through my mom,

why can’t I use your mom too?"

"…….."

"If you don’t want to lose face, then pack up already."

Seriously? Eiffel questioned internally. She hadn’t expected

that she would figure out her little tactic—trying to get through
to her via her mother—and now she was throwing it right back
at her. No room left to refuse.

"You’re ridiculous."

"What is your deal?" Eiffel grumbled. Being bossed around was

one thing, but getting scolded on top of that?
"Who started acting sulky first?"

"I wasn’t sulking!"

"Oh really?"

"Well, if you think you’re going to lose anyway, then don’t tell
me you like me."

As the conversation bounced between sarcasm and jabs, Eiffel

began to realize she might’ve pushed the beautiful older woman
a bit too far. The sweet, romantic movie-style scene she was
hoping for clearly wasn’t going to happen. If she was sulking,
she’d have to get over it herself—because Tam wasn’t the type
to coddle.

"It’s not like I wanted to lose either. But why did you ask about
P'It in the first place?"

"What? I’m not allowed to ask? He’s your brother. We haven’t

talked in a long time. I was just curious, that’s all!"

Eiffel raised an eyebrow. "How long has it been exactly?"

"Since some brat at the French airport stole my first kiss,

probably."

Thansikorn said it with a teasing smile, and Eiffel froze in

place. She’d won this round, fair and square. Her voice rang
out again:

"Come on, pack your stuff. Want me to help?"

So bossy! she thought. I’m still sick, you know… Eiffel wanted
to protest but couldn’t find a way out. Instead, she tried a
gentler approach.

"You can pack the small stuff for me, if you want. I won’t
mind."

"Pack it yourself!"

Mentioning France meant that Tam hadn’t forgotten everything

after all. Eiffel had hoped she wouldn’t remember. Because if
she ever found out that Eiffel had made up that story about
that night… who knew what would happen?

And with how strict Tam was, especially when Eiffel was too
sick to fight back, she really didn’t want to find out.
 CHAPTER 8
Just A Jealous Person

Packing things, folding clothes, or doing whatever it takes to

make moving somewhere else as easy as possible. Personal
belongings, even the two small items that the beautiful older
girl pretended she wouldn’t pack when teased, ended up being
packed anyway. Eiffel could only blink repeatedly from where
she sat on the bed, feeling that if she moved to do anything, it
would be a major disturbance, one that could turn an angel
into a demon in an instant.

She looked at the small back move expertly through the room,
handling this and that she couldn’t help but wonder if P’Tam
wasn’t so sweet but was softer and gentler than this, what
would it be like? Would she have the chance to stay here longer
if P’Tam had fallen for someone before she found the courage to
step in? How would she treat and take care of the person she
loved? All of these thoughts made Eiffel’s heart flutter again, a
mix of pride and worry.

Even though these were just fleeting thoughts that never

actually happened, she had to admit it was a good fortune for
herself — that before now, the beautiful one wasn’t loved by
anyone enough to change status to a lover. Though she didn’t
completely close off her own chances, most of those people
would probably be categorized as
“Liked but not loved.”
Eiffel figured she had a much better chance than others
because she had P’England behind her.
The moment P’Tam told her to take responsibility, the door
opened even wider, even though she never elaborated on what
exactly that responsibility meant. But it was still a good thing it
gave Eiffel the opportunity to stay close. And most importantly,
P’Tam’s mother was especially fond of her. It wasn’t just
wishful thinking; she could tell. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have
invited her to stay over.
“Did you really tell your mom?”
Thansikorn raised an eyebrow, glancing at her briefly before
looking away.
“Want to check and see if I actually called her?”
The sharp tone carried a hint of irritation, making Eiffel pout
slightly. She slowly pushed herself up and walked over to the
older girl standing by the wardrobe. The taller girl didn’t seem
to know what else she was looking for, despite having already
stuffed several of Eiffel’s outfits into the bag. But right now, all
Eiffel knew was that hearing that sharp tone made her want to
snuggle up, to hug her, to be comforted instead of hearing that
kind of voice.
She also wanted to thank her for being worried enough to come
to see her. Even though she hadn’t wanted anyone to see her
looking like a mess, she had chosen to stay quiet and
disappear on her own. P’Tam didn’t have to come. But she did.
If that wasn’t something to be happy about, Eiffel didn’t know
what was.
“Don’t stare too much, I’m sick.”
She wrapped her arms gently around her waist without saying
a word for a moment. She stood still because she knew if she
showed too much emotion, she would definitely have
something to say about being spoiled or seeking attention.
But the touch of her hands on her skin, warm and sinking
deep into her soul, made her realize it was the right thing to do
— not to leave Eiffel sick and alone. And the reason she hugged
her was because her illness made her mind weak and prone to
clinginess, something she normally never did.
“I’m glad you care, but don’t shout so much, okay? Be kind to
me a little.”
She wanted to say that if she didn’t care, would she have come
here and stood still just to hug her?
"Is it really like this? But I know she’s probably still delicate
and fragile, like England once said. She’s not really that way—
she doesn’t put on an act or fake being weak just to get
attention. Normally, she would argue fiercely to make her point
clear. That’s why the girl fainted and left with a soft voice.
“Don’t be stubborn and just listen to what I say for once,”
“Hey, I’m not being stubborn with you, okay?”
“Then let go.”
“No way.”
“Why not?!” The tall girl leaned forward and buried her nose in
her hair softly because, compared to her body size, just
standing straight and touching the tip of her nose was enough.
Her hair wasn’t long enough to play with much.
“I want to hug you. I am not being stubborn.”
Sigh... she really acts stubborn, even more than I expected,
almost to the point of being ridiculous. Who would think that
being sick means you’d survive by being stubborn?

“I’m going to finish packing. And don’t start touching me while

I’m doing it.”

“But I’m just helping pack.”

“I’m not used to this kind of help. And stop bumping your lips
against my head.”

“……”

“You’re hot. Why don’t you sit and wait nicely?”

Eiffel was silent for a moment before letting out a soft sound of
pity, but her eyes glimmered with a hidden mischievousness. If
her beloved girl saw that, she’d surely think the ‘Angel Sister’
has really become a ‘Demoness.’

“Can I go to your place? Can I sleep with you?”

“That’s too much.”

“But I want to sleep with you.”

“How about the sofa? My room has one.”

Eiffel smiled. At least she wasn’t completely rejected.

“Anything is fine, as long as you’re there.”

Such a sweet mouth, this crazy kid.

“Please, beautiful?”
“…”

“Let me sleep with you, okay?”

“If you behave, I’ll consider it.”

“I am behaving! I’m not being stubborn.”

“Then let go and sit down properly. Can you do that?”

Eiffel immediately let go and walked back to sit cross-legged on

the bed without hesitation. Thansikorn couldn’t help but glare
at her.

“You’re such a brat, Eiffel.”

After a short time, Eiffel came to the beautiful person’s house,

and she was excited and happy because she knew that P’Tam
didn’t like driving herself and would prefer others to drive her
around. As an artist, she liked to jot down ideas whenever she
had inspiration. What mattered most was that she was a
warm-hearted person who’d get stuck in Bangkok traffic, so
most likely she would need a personal driver standing by all
the time, ready to go anywhere at any time.

Eiffel smiled without hiding it when she knew P’Tam drove

herself here, bought medicine for herself, and clearly showed
how much she cared for her today.

“Stop smiling so much.”

“If you’re happy, you have to smile.”

Thansikorn sighed, walking slowly so the sick girl could keep

up. Did she really think she didn’t see through her little act?
She knew exactly why Eiffel had asked to sleep in her room.
And she probably assumed that Thansikorn would be too
heartless to let a sick person sleep on the sofa. Fine, she could
sleep in the room. It would be a good chance to observe her
and see if she got any more handsy than this. If so, she’d be
deducting serious points for sneakiness.
“I was just joking. I can sleep in the guest room.”
Eiffel said it even though she desperately wanted to cuddle,
only now realizing that she was still sick. What if she ended up
passing the flu to P’Tam? Colds were ridiculously contagious.
And with how much her beautiful older girl had been working
and sleeping so little, she was probably an easy target for
illness. Better to save the cuddles for when she was healthy.

“Joking around? You were almost begging before, and now

you’re saying you can just sleep in the guest room?”

“Because I’m sick.”

“I know that.”

“I’m afraid you’ll catch the flu. Didn’t you forget that the flu
spreads easily?”

“My immune system isn’t that weak. Besides, stick to what you
say. I don’t like people who change their minds, it makes them
seem unreliable.”
“Can I owe you one? I really do care about you.”
Seeing P’Tam go quiet made Eiffel nervous, so she quickly
added,

“Just because you worry about me doesn’t mean I don’t worry

about you too! Being sick is miserable, and I don’t want you to
feel that way. I’ll be good, so you be good too, okay? I’m not
being indecisive, I promise!”

She gave her most pleading look before making her final
request.

“……”

“Can I save this for next time? Let me cuddle you when I’m not
sick, okay?”

Thansikorn frowned seriously, then smiled a little.

“If you’re waiting until you’re healthy… wouldn’t that mean

waiting until we’re no longer just siblings? Do you think I’d let
you sleep in my bed in that situation?”

“What? I’ve slept with you before…” Eiffel teased her, poking
her arm.

That earned her a sharp smack on the upper arm from

Thansikorn.
“Stop bringing that up! And besides, a cunning little girl like
you? You really expect me to believe you’d just sleep? If you’re
not sleeping here tonight, then there won’t be a next time.”

Eiffel furrowed her brows. “Then if you catch my cold, you can’t
blame me, okay?”

“I never planned on blaming you in the first place.”

“……”

“I’m this sick, do you really think I have the strength to do

anything to you?”

It felt like she had just been hit by a runaway sugar truck while
being provoked at the same time. Eiffel pressed her lips
together, feeling warmth spread all the way to her ears not from
embarrassment, but from sheer irritation. She wanted to show
P’Tam that she shouldn’t play around with someone completely
smitten with her.

That wasn’t fair play. She loved her, she adored her, but that
didn’t mean she wouldn’t take advantage of an opportunity if it
presented itself. Eiffel knew she wasn’t that good of a person. If
she were, she wouldn’t have used a drunk person’s state to
create a situation that had spiraled out of control to this point.

“You said it yourself. You can’t blame me later.”

Aunt Thansinee had fallen asleep early in the evening, so Eiffel

had no need to stop by and pay respects to the elder before
heading straight for P’Tam’s bedroom.
The beautiful woman had told her to just come in once,
tomorrow morning.

While waiting for the room’s owner to finish showering, Eiffel

suddenly heard the loud vibration of a phone ringing. She
leaned over to check the screen and immediately pouted when
she saw the name displayed: “Phongsakorn”

Short. Simple. No emojis. No extra symbols. Nothing. Eiffel

glanced at the time and sighed. Did this guy have no sense of
time? It was already late at night, and he was still calling?
Before she could dwell on it too much, the call ended, only to
be followed by a message popping up from the same name.

Phongsakorn: “Nong Tam, are you asleep? I just got back from
abroad and brought souvenirs for both Nong Tam and your
mother. I’ll stop by tomorrow morning. Sweet dreams, smart
girl.”

Smart girl? Smart girl, my ass. Since when did he get the
audacity to call my P’Tam that? And how long has he been
using this childish little nickname? This was unacceptable.
Eiffel needed to find out if this was just his thing or if P’Tam
had been shyly allowing it all this time.

Smart girl, beautiful girl, good girl—whatever it was, she was

the only one allowed to call her that. Not this slicked-back-hair
guy. And he was coming tomorrow too?
Good thing she’d be here to block him. Watch—she’d make
sure P’Tam was too busy with her to even spare this guy a
second thought.

“Ei.”

“….”

Eiffel’s ears perked up immediately. She could have sworn she

just heard her name being called from inside the bathroom.
She halted all her childish, petty thoughts and listened
carefully. Maybe she was just hearing things?

“Ei.”

“……”

“Eiffel!”

Ah… she really was being called, it wasn’t just her imagination.

The sick girl stood up to her full height, then clumsily made
her way toward the bathroom. Even though she couldn’t see
inside, she knew that P’Tam was naked behind that door. Her
face instantly heated up not from her fever, but from something
else entirely. The warmth spread all the way to her ears, as if
steam were about to escape. Her mind wandered, imagining
just how radiant and beautiful the figure behind that door
must be…
Because that night she had to admit when she had the nerve to
undress P’Tam, she had either kept her eyes closed or barely
squinted. It was like a flickering lightbulb—on and off, glimpses
here and there. But what she was sure of was the smooth, soft
skin… and the hidden curves beneath.

“What’s wrong, P’Tam?” Ei stepped closer to the bathroom

door, about two steps away, ready to ask.

“Open the wardrobe and grab my pajamas from the right side.”

“……”

“Don’t forget to bring them in.”

Swear on a power outage was P’Tam not teasing her? Eiffel

simply could not believe that this was just forgetfulness. If not
teasing, then today had to be the most bizarre day in history,
because there was no way the universe would allow her to be
this lucky while she was sick. She had no clue what P’Tam was
thinking, but she did know that her own heart was racing so
hard it felt like it might explode.

“Grab it, please. There’s only one set of pajamas.”

“Uh... and the small piece too.”

The beautiful girl in the bathroom was quiet for a moment
before answering softly, almost embarrassed, “Please bring it.”

Okay, here it is! Eiffel raised her hand and scratched her own
hair, feeling strange—as if she was dreaming somehow.
Maybe it was delirium or nervous excitement, feeling shaky and
weak, like dripping honey on fire.

“P’”

“Mm.”
It was strange that they had to talk through the bathroom door
like this.
“P’Tam.”

“What?” She murmured back, she sounded like the beautiful

woman Eiffel adored. Eiffel let out a slow breath, trying to keep
herself composed.
“Wait a moment.”

“Mm.”
Eiffel opened the wardrobe because she wasn’t a fashion expert
or anything meticulous about dressing up—she just wanted to
protect her own heart from trembling more than it already was.
She chose pajamas made of black satin. Although she tried to
look for other styles, she didn’t find any besides this satin set.
The pajamas had thin hanging strings and were all the same in
the entire wardrobe... nothing else. Besides, if it wasn’t
pajamas, then it would be outfits fit for going out — which she
would probably steal later to donate to whoever wanted to wear
them, but P’Tam must not wear those again.

As for those “two small pieces”… Eiffel scanned the wardrobe

but didn’t spot them. So she pulled open the top drawer— and
froze.

The heat was even stronger than before. This little thing, huh,
no one would see it anyway, so it didn’t have to be sexy.

Eiffel hesitated before carefully picking up a pair of black lace

underwear. Then, she opened another drawer, only to find
hmm…hidden layers within hidden layers.

They were so small, yet somehow had more details than regular
clothes.

She let out a long breath before quickly grabbing everything.

Wrapping the nightgown around the delicate pieces, she
rushed back to the bathroom door.

“P’Tam… I’ve got them.”

The sound of the lock clicking open sent her stomach into a
freefall. The door cracked just enough for a pale, water-dappled
hand to slip through, waiting to receive the clothes. Eiffel
swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as she handed them
over. The door slowly closed, followed by a soft voice.
“Thank you. You can go rest now.”

Well... how could she possibly sleep easily tonight?

Her mind was spinning. Even though she had a habit of being
playful and teasing P’Tam to the point of being scolded, at the
end of the day, she was just a girl who didn’t have much
experience in love but had overwhelming feelings for one
person. And now, when she wasn’t the one making the first
move, everything felt ten times more intense. Her emotions, her
thoughts chaotic and relentless, like a storm raging inside her.
But strangely, they weren’t scattered like the wind; they were
firm, unshakable. It surprised her. When she first admitted to
herself that she had feelings for P’Tam, she never thought it
would be this much.

The scent of bath cream wafted into Eiffel’s nose, making her
even more restless. Knowing her frail body was lying on the
bed, even though she faced away, her heart was uneasy,
wanting to turn back to hold and hug her tightly, wanting to
sleep hugging so it matched her thoughts.

She hadn’t seen her for two days, no contact, no

communication at all. She didn’t know if anyone had come to
sabotage or if she went out partying late at night and didn’t
take care of herself anymore.

“Did you put on the cooling patch yet?” Thansikorn’s voice cut
through the darkness.

“Not yet.” Eiffel was about to grumble, but before she could,
P’Tam spoke first.
“Wait, I’ll do it for you. You’re bad at putting it on yourself.”
“Wow, you’ve really done everything for me today, huh?
Comforted me when I whined, gave me whatever I wanted…
Don’t get too used to spoiling me, okay?”
“Then don’t be stubborn when you’re better, got it?”
“It’s fine! Dating you is like having everything I need anyway.”
“You’re delirious. Is the fever messing with your brain?”
Eiffel laughed, rolling over to face her. To her surprise, P’Tam
was sitting up, reaching over to turn on the bedside lamp. She
grabbed the cooling patch from the nightstand, peeling it open
with practiced ease.
“Move your hair out of your face.”
Eiffel obeyed without protest, lying back and sweeping her hair
away. She gazed up at P’Tam with sparkling eyes. The sight of
that beautiful face, carefully pressing the cooling patch onto
her forehead, made her heart swell. It felt unreal. Because it
was actually happening.
“Once you’re better, try being less stubborn and behave
yourself a little more.”
“Do I not behave well around you?”
“You behave well—but with an ulterior motive.”
Eiffel took P’Tam’s hand and placed it against her own cheek.
The air between them turned an unintentional shade of pink.
No one had planned this, just a sick girl and a soft-hearted
woman, staring at each other in a way that could easily be
misinterpreted.
“You’re the only one I want.”

“…”

“Someone called you earlier. He also messaged you and I read

it, but I didn’t like the way he addressed you.”

“…”

“So, am I the only one who gets to call you things like ‘smart,’
‘beautiful,’ or ‘good’?”

“…”

"I want to claim those words just for me, my wife. Just me,
okay?"

“Eiffel!!” Thansikorn’s face tensed as if she wanted to grab her

hand. It would have been better if she hadn’t spoken that
sentence. This crazy kid says whatever comes to mind without
thinking about how others feel when they listen.

“I’m your older sister!”

Eiffel pushed her down onto the bed, climbing over her. The
shock on P’Tam’s face made her grin.

“I never wanted an older sister. I already told you that.”

“Get off.”

“But you are my wife. What else should I call you? We’re not
even officially dating yet I’m still courting you. But we already
skipped a step, didn’t we? I got you first, then started pursuing
you. So doesn’t that give me the right to be possessive?”
“......” Thansikorn grew quiet, not knowing what to argue back.
Eiffel at this moment, when someone is sick, seems to have the
perfect excuse and words to corner her until she has no way
out.

Just because you got me it doesn’t mean I’m worthless.”

Eiffel smiled, lowering her head to press her nose against

P’Tam’s soft cheek.

“Exactly. I know how precious you are. That’s why I’m chasing
after you. Do you even realize how many people want to hold
you? So tell me how could I not be possessive?”

“Be honest, does your fever make you lose all your usual
pretense? Normally, you’d say something confusing.”

“I haven’t lost it. I’m just possessive.”

“Possessive over what? I haven’t even done anything, I haven't

even touched my phone yet!”

“......” Thansikorn stared at her as she pressed her cheek closer

and closer, then put a hand to cover the corner of her mouth
that suddenly moved as if it had a purpose.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want me to catch your cold?”

“I don’t but I still want to kiss you.” Eiffel admitted bluntly.

“I have to ask again, do you plan on kissing me every single

time we meet?”

“Well, you’re cute.”

“I’m literally just minding my own business.”

Eiffel grinned, pulling the resisting hand away before

whispering, “The more you stay still, the more I want to get
closer. Don’t you know that?”

“Have some decency. My mom is sleeping in the next room.”

But the feverish girl only smiled before pressing her lips down,
leaving no room for protest. The warmth of her breath sent a
flush through both their bodies, her lips hot and insistent. And
though Thansikorn tried to resist, Eiffel still managed to sneak
her soft tongue through, deepening the kiss no matter how
much she tried to push her away.

Eiffel grabbed her delicate hands, pressing them down against

the pillow beside her head she didn’t like being pushed away.
The more she kissed, the stronger she seemed to get. On the
other hand, the one being kissed felt her body weaken, as if all
her energy was being drained.

“Mmph!” Thansikorn let out a muffled noise, overwhelmed by

the intensity. The feverish heat of Eiffel’s body mixed with the
rush of her own blood, making her head spin.

And then there was that teasing tongue, never relenting, never
letting her escape.

She clenched her fingers tightly, digging her nails into the back
of Eiffel’s hand as the younger girl finally pulled away—only to
trail her lips to her ear, nibbling just enough to make her bite
her own lip, desperately holding back an embarrassing sound.
“Mmmh” But she failed the moment Eiffel exhaled a warm
breath against her ear.

“You smell so good.” As expected, once Eiffel got to kiss her,

she never wanted to stop. Thansikorn struggled to gather her
thoughts, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. She hadn’t
expected the younger girl to be this bold, taking advantage of
her weakened state. She’d played around, teasing her too much
while bathing, assuming Eiffel was too sick to retaliate but
clearly, that was a mistake.

“D-Don’t…” She knew exactly what Eiffel was doing to her

neck, but stopping her was impossible. This stubborn little brat
wasn’t listening at all! Instead of being weak from her fever, she
had the audacity to have enough strength to overpower her.

“Ah!” A sharp sting flared on her neck. She knew it wasn’t a

large mark, but it was enough that anyone who saw it would
know it wasn’t from a mosquito bite. She struggled to pull her
hands free, but Eiffel held them down too tightly. And the more
she turned her face away, the more it only gave the younger girl
more access to her long, vulnerable neck.

“Stop it, I say!”

“……”

“Eiffel, if you keep doing this, I’ll get mad.”

Eiffel finally stopped at the third mark on Thansikorn’s neck.

But even then, she lingered, inhaling the scent of her skin,
refusing to pull away. The closer she was, the more addicted
she became so addicted that she was utterly consumed.
“Why are you leaving marks?”

Eiffel didn’t answer. Instead, she pressed her lips against hers
once more, this time softer, more tender. Though she was
clearly filled with emotion, she never turned rough; she was
gentle, careful, and reverent. So when Thansikorn pulled away,
she bit down hard on the younger girl’s lip in retaliation,
punishing her for being too fast with both her words and her
hands tonight.

“I asked you a question. Answer me.”

“…”

”I am not a kid anymore. I can't just go around showing off

marks like that.”

“I don’t want you showing them to just anyone. Just to that

Phongsakorn guy, he’s the only one who needs to see them.”

“Why?”

“Even if I haven’t won you over yet, you’re still mine.”

“I’m not a thing,” Thansikorn said with a serious face.

“I just want him to know you’re off-limits. That I won’t let him
have you.”

“…”

“So, he will give up already because I won’t.”

Eiffel pressed one last soft kiss against her lips before
whispering sweetly,
“I like you, P’Tam. That means no one else gets to have you.”

Thansikorn pursed her lips before muttering, “You’re so

presumptuous.”

“And weren’t you worried about getting me sick? You keep

kissing me like this—what if I catch your fever?”

“Mmm, I’ll take responsibility,” Eiffel hummed without

hesitation.

“Then win me over first. Stop being so selfish, do you really

think this kind of behavior deserves any points?”

Eiffel’s expression dropped slightly before she shifted to lie

down beside her. But she still didn’t abandon her habit; her
hands found their way around Thansikorn’s waist, pulling her
close. Since when has her jealousy, possessiveness, and worry
turned her into someone so utterly affectionate? She had no
idea.

“There’s not much I can do to show how much I want you, even
though I do—so much.” Eiffel’s voice softened. “Because right
now, I know I still can’t. And my words don’t carry enough
weight for anyone who’s after you to listen or care. To them, I
don’t exist.”

“…”

“Just like how I don’t care about them either because they’re
nobody to me.” She tightened her hold just a little more. “But
you? You’re someone special. Just thinking about you is
enough to shake me.”
“…”

“Because it’s you… even something small, like someone calling

you in a way that feels off, suddenly feels so big to me.”

Eiffel tightened the hug. ‘Please don’t be mad at me for not

being cute even though I want you to love me.’

Thansikorn only blinked after hearing that and thought to

herself, “Is Eiffel really this sweet now that she’s sick? How can
she say something like this?”

“P’Tam.”

“……”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Don’t be mad that I’m not cute today.”

 CHAPTER 9
CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE
“Wake up already.”

A sweet voice called from nearby. The warmth that had

enveloped the sick person all night was now gone, leaving her
no choice but to open her eyes reluctantly.

“You’re up early,” a hoarse voice responded, still groggy from

sleep. Everything felt slightly out of place, but she noticed that
her fever and headache had significantly subsided—almost
back to normal. That made her wonder: was last night’s long
kiss the reason? And if so, would P’Tam catch her illness
instead?

With that concern, she quickly sat up and pulled the older
woman onto the bed, pressing a slender hand against her
forehead.
“Do you feel unwell?” she asked after confirming that P’Tam’s
temperature was normal.

The older woman was dressed in a black T-shirt and what

appeared to be dark blue sweatpants. Her long hair flowed
naturally over her shoulders. But when Eiffel glanced lower,
she couldn’t find the mark she had left on her neck last night.
Her brows furrowed in confusion.
“I’m fine. I don’t feel sick at all. Do you need help wiping down?
Does your head still hurt?”

Tam asked, slightly unsure. Aside from her mother, Thansikorn

wasn’t used to taking care of others. When looking after her
mom, she instinctively knew what to do—wiping her down,
feeding her, giving her medicine. But with Eiffel, everything was
new. She didn’t want to impose or act on her own accord,
especially since she wasn’t in a position to do so.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore. I think I can take a shower myself.”

“Alright, if that’s what you want,” the older woman said, before
adding, “By the way, Eng called this morning, complaining that
she couldn’t reach you. Didn’t you bring your phone?”

“I did, but I don’t know where it is. The battery is probably

dead.”

“That’s strange. These days, people are glued to their phones,

but you don’t even know where yours is? Aren’t you worried
someone might be trying to reach you?”

“A phone isn’t as interesting as you are,” Eiffel replied matter-

of-factly.

“Flattering me won’t get you any extra points,” Tam scoffed.

“But it won’t make me lose any either, right?”

Noticing that Eiffel was talking more and bantering again,

Thansikorn figured she must be feeling much better. With a
sigh, she reached over and removed the cooling gel patch from
Eiffel’s forehead.

She wasn’t sure why, but despite the fact that Eiffel was just
another person trying to win her over, she didn’t feel
comfortable leaving her alone. Something had changed. The
strong resolve she used to have was beginning to weaken—all
because she had been out of sight for a while.

“P’Tam.”

“Hm?”

“Where did the mark on your neck go?” Eiffel asked, voicing her
curiosity. She barely had time to process the sharp glare she
received before Tam instinctively shifted away.

“Since you brought it up, I haven’t even had the chance to hold
you accountable for acting so recklessly. How am I supposed to
face my mother with marks like that?”

“You didn’t stop me at the time.”

The more she argued, the harsher the glare she got in return.

“Do you think I had time to stop you? Even when I did, you still
managed to leave three marks. If I hadn’t stopped you, who
knows how bad it would’ve been?”
“You’re beautiful.”

“…”

“Who even complains first thing in the morning?”

“Why? If you don’t like it, I never asked you to put up with me.”

“Give me back the P’Tam from yesterday. Take this nagging

version away.”

“Eiffel!”

“Don’t you know that when you forbid someone from doing
something, it just makes them want to do it more? The more
you resist, the more tempting it becomes. But with you, even if
you hadn’t stopped me, I still would’ve done it anyway.”

“I’m your older sister! Show some respect!”

“I already told you—I don’t need another older sister.”

“You’re going to get one anyway if you keep acting this spoiled.”
Eiffel grinned at the beautiful but irritated woman, seemingly
unbothered by the warning. But deep down, she was terrified of
truly making Tam angry. After all, last night, she had pushed
things too far—leaving undeniable marks on her body, letting
her emotions spiral out of control. When given the opportunity,
she had indulged greedily, taking until Tam finally put a stop
to it—when it was already too much.

“P’Tam.”

Tam, still annoyed from being teased so early in the morning,

didn’t bother responding and simply turned to leave the room.

“I’m sorry.”

The taller woman got up from the bed, closing the short
distance between them in just a few steps.

“You’re not mad, right?”

Without waiting for an answer, she placed a light kiss on Tam’s

cheek before grabbing the bag Tam had packed for her last
night and heading into the bathroom without another word.

Tam stood there, trying to compose herself.

The fire of her irritation had been so easily extinguished—just
by a simple apology, just by a soft kiss on the cheek.

Maybe she had given Eiffel more chances than anyone else.
Maybe that’s why Eiffel had the power to shake her heart in a
way no one else ever had.
And she absolutely hated that.
Before heading downstairs, Eiffel grabbed her phone and
plugged it in to charge. When she turned it on, she was met
with a flood of notifications from both her sister and close
friends. However, the one that made her brow twitch was from
Green.

The notification read:

“I couldn’t reach you, so… I gave your number to Nina. I
mean… I couldn’t refuse. She bought so much that I didn’t
know how to help, and she used work as an excuse.”

Eiffel felt the urge to turn her phone off again, but instead, she
chose to call her sister to check in. England picked up with a
weary tone, likely exhausted from another late night buried in
paperwork.

Sometimes, Eiffel wondered if she should help out with her

sister’s business. At least then, England wouldn’t be so
overworked. But at the same time, she loved her freedom too
much to confine herself within that structure.

“It’s good that you’re staying with Tam. My work is a mess—so

many demands from the business partners, it’s giving me a
headache.”

“Why do you keep taking on more work? Isn’t this enough?”

“We just secured a new shipping route in the south. The

concession lasts a long time. If we get through this initial
phase, things will settle down. I just don’t want to waste the
opportunity. I want to try something new.”

“You should rest more. I worry about you.”

“You worry but never call.”

“I just don’t pay attention to my phone, that’s all.”

“Huh! You’re too busy with your girlfriend to remember your

sister.”

“P’Eng! It’s not like that! Besides, your friend is impossible to

figure out. When she’s kind, she’s unbelievably sweet—but
when she’s tough, she scares me.”

England laughed before speaking more seriously. If Eiffel truly

started to care for someone, it was a good thing. And even
better that the person she cares about is her friend. England
didn’t care what anyone else thought—if two people she loved
could love each other, she was happy.

“Tam doesn’t like being controlled or forced into anything.

Don’t push her, okay?”

“Ugh, that’s hard… I kind of like being in control sometimes.”

“Well, if Tam doesn’t complain, then you’re in the clear.”

“She slaps my cheek almost every time, though, P’Eng.”

The sound of a car pulling up made Eiffel quickly get up to

check, worried that it was Thansikorn returning early. But to
her surprise, it wasn’t her—it was another car pulling into the
garage.

A well-dressed man stepped out, then opened the back door

and started pulling out several bags.
It wasn’t until that moment that Eiffel remembered—last night,
this man had sent her a message saying he’d be coming over.

“P’Eng, I have to go. My competitor just arrived.”

“Huh? Who?”

“The guy P’Tam’s mom likes—he’s here first thing in the

morning.”

England laughed again.

“Phongsakorn must have maxed out his score with Auntie
Thansinee by now, Eiffel.”

Eiffel frowned before responding. “What should I do, P’Eng?”

“Do about what?”

“I want P’Tam so badly I can’t stand it.”

That answer fully woke England up.

“What the hell are you saying, Eiffel? That’s inappropriate!”

“I can’t control myself when I feel possessive or jealous. P’Eng…

I feel like a crazy person. When I get jealous, I act out. I act so
terribly.”

“…”

“P’Tam may not have said she was mad, but I know I messed
up last night.”
“Eiffel, listen… It was already too late to fix things the moment
you lied to Tam about sleeping together.”

“…”

“What you need to do now is stay calm. Go downstairs, be

sweet to Auntie, and take care of Tam. You’re sick, aren’t you?
Use that to your advantage.”

England added, “If you know something isn’t right, then don’t
do it.”

“But it’s… ugh.”

“Hard?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t really know what advice to give you since I don’t have
much experience myself,” England admitted. “But from being
Tam’s friend for so long, I can tell— you this. If you’re acting
out and she doesn’t scold you, you’re still in a safe zone.”

“…”

“So be cute, okay?”

“Mmm.”
“You can get jealous, be possessive, and even be protective, but
don’t do anything stupid. Got it?”

“Respecting the person you love is also respecting yourself. And

when you do that, your actions will speak just as loudly as
your words. Do you get what I mean?”

“A little.”

“Some people don’t love us just because we say we love them. A

person’s life has so many factors that influence who they
choose to let in. Love isn’t just about words—it’s about
everything else, too. So be nice, Eiffel. You’re grown now. You
want a girlfriend? Then don’t just grow in age—grow up. Get
it?”

“Yeah, I get it. Love you, P’Eng.”

“…”

“Oh? Saying that so sweetly—do I get love points too?”

“Eiffel.”

Eiffel chuckled softly at the scolding. She usually didn’t say

things like that, but seeing her sister so serious, she couldn’t
resist teasing to lighten the mood.
She didn’t know how long she could keep up being sweet, but
as she took deep breaths while walking downstairs and saw
him sitting at the dining table, she knew she had to try.

She greeted Auntie Thansinee with a respectful wai before

kneeling beside her chair, allowing the older woman to place a
gentle hand on her forehead, cheeks, and neck—then once
more on her forehead.

Eiffel couldn’t quite describe the feeling, only that it was warm,
like a genuine concern from a parental figure. It was different
from when Tam did this. So different that it made her realize,
without a doubt, that what she felt for Tam wasn’t just fleeting
infatuation.

“You’re not running a fever anymore. Why didn’t you tell

anyone you were sick, dear?”

“I was afraid I’d get taken to get medicine,” Eiffel answered with
a playful smile, standing up and looking for a place to sit. But
Phongsakorn had already taken the seat beside Tam. She
sighed—she disliked even seeing them sit together. No wonder
P’Ing said being sweet would be hard.

Breakfast wasn’t quiet. On the contrary, Phongsakorn talked

way too much.
“Nong Tam, this.” “Nong Tam, that” It was endless.

More than once, Eiffel let out an audible sigh. The porridge in
front of her didn’t seem appetizing, but she forced herself to
finish it.
“I brought some health supplements for you too, Mother.
They’re highly recommended for recovery,” Phongsakorn said,
presenting a bag to Thansinee.

“Thank you, dear. You didn’t have to go through the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all. You’re like a mother to me, so of course, I

want to take care of you.”

Thansikorn watched Eiffel closely. Last night, she had been so

possessive, but now that Phongsakorn was here, she just sat
quietly, focused on eating, not even looking up at her.

“Nong Tam.”

“H-huh?”

Lost in thoughts about Eiffel, Tam hadn’t even noticed

Phongsakorn calling her.

“I brought you a small gift and also wanted to discuss work.

Could we talk privately?”

The man was trying hard to fit into the family dynamic,
especially after seeing how Eiffel had been publicly linked to
Tam. He noticed how she remained stoic, but her once-straight
shoulders had subtly slumped. The fact that he could make her
feel uneasy only fueled his satisfaction.

“Sure,” Tam agreed, mainly because her mother was there. She
knew that whenever Phonsakorn brought up work, it was
usually just an excuse to talk.
As Tam led the way to a more private space, Thansinee turned
to Eiffel.
“You don’t mind, do you, dear? That I’m giving both you and
Phongsakorn a fair chance?”

Eiffel shook her head. “No, I understand that you just want the
best for her.”

Thansinee smiled. “Then, don’t you want to start calling me

‘Mom’?”

Eiffel choked on her water. She had been feeling a little down
about this but hadn’t expected to be called out so directly.
Were all the women in this family so perceptive?

“I… do want to.”

“Then call me Mom.”

“Mom is waiting for you so we can go make desserts at your

house, sweetheart.”

A smile finally broke across Eiffel’s face. At the very least, she
still had the support of the person who held the most influence
over P’Tam.

“I already told my mom—she’s waiting too. I’ll come pick you

up,” Eiffel assured her.

Thansinee nodded and asked Eiffel to help her upstairs so she

could take her medicine and rest. Before going, she reminded
Eiffel not to neglect her own well-being either.
Upstairs, standing by the window, Eiffel crossed her arms and
watched as Phongsakorn and Tam talked under a tree. She felt
relieved to see Tam keeping a careful distance between them.
But when she saw Phongsakorn step closer, reaching out to
remove a fallen leaf from Tam’s hair, her chest tightened. The
closer he leaned in, the tighter she clenched her fists.

Just as she was about to look away, Tam suddenly shoved his
shoulder hard, making him stumble back two steps. Her
beautiful face was full of anger as she scolded him before
turning to walk away.

But Phongsakorn quickly stepped in front of her, grabbing her

arm.

That was all it took for Eiffel to bolt from the room. She
thundered down the stairs, running outside without even
stopping for shoes, heading straight for the person she cared
about most.

“P’Tam!”

Eiffel forgot she was sick, forgot everything—except that she

couldn’t leave Tam alone in this situation. She reached them in
moments, stepping beside Tam and placing a firm grip on
Phongsakorn’s wrist, squeezing hard until he let go of her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“What the hell do you want? I’m talking to Tam.”

“Talking? Using force like that isn’t a conversation.”

Eiffel had been a university athlete and had even learned judo
as a child. Even while sick, she had enough strength to grip
Phongsakorn’s wrist so tightly that he winced.

“We just had a little misunderstanding.”

Eiffel pressed her lips together, her voice dropping to a low,

dangerous tone.
“Since when has there ever been a we between you and
P’Tam?”

Her tightening grip forced Phongsakorn to release Tam’s wrist.

He exhaled sharply, frustrated that nothing was going his way.
Just moments ago, the mood had seemed perfect—he had even
planned to lean in for a kiss. But he hadn’t expected to be
shoved and scolded like that, nor to have Eiffel show up and
interfere.

“I didn’t mean to, Nong Tam.”

Phongsakorn spoke softly, but Eiffel gave him no chance to

explain or make excuses. Without hesitation, she wrapped an
arm around Tam’s waist and leaned in to whisper gently,
urging her to comply.
“Let’s go inside.”

Before turning away, Eiffel glanced at Phongsakorn one last

time, silently mouthing the words:
She’s mine.

A quiet but unmistakable declaration of ownership. And she

knew it had already echoed loud and clear in his mind.
At that moment, Eiffel realized something—there was no need
to respect someone who didn’t deserve it. She would be sweet
to P’Tam, but no one else. If that was the case, then her actions
would speak louder than words—louder than simply saying I
like you.

“Does it hurt?”

“What?”

Tam shook her head before asking back, making Eiffel pause in
confusion.

“You’re different.”

“I’m fine, I just…” Eiffel pressed her lips together. “Never mind.”

“Eiffel.”

“I don’t know how to act, how much to show without going

overboard. I’ve never liked someone so much it drove me crazy.
I’ve never been this jealous. It’s all new. Do you understand?”

“…”

“I don’t even know what ‘cute’ is supposed to be or how not to

make you mad.”
“…”

“I don’t know anything.”

Tam fell silent before finally speaking in a quiet voice.

“Just be yourself. Don’t force yourself to be something you’re

not.”

“…”

“Because one day, you’ll become someone unrecognizable—

someone unhappy.”

“If I’m selfish, will you be mad?”

“If I act out, will you scold me?”

“What I meant when I told you to take responsibility was that I

need to see that your feelings are real and steady.”

“…”

“I want a strong, sturdy home, Eiffel. Not a tent in the middle of

the forest. If you still don’t understand—”

“I do.”

“Good.”
“Then I’ll be your home.”

Tam laughed softly, a small smirk playing on her lips.

“Get a handle on your emotions first.”

She added firmly,

“Don’t shrink back. Don’t feel like you’re less than anyone
else—because you’re not.”

She didn’t like seeing Eiffel like this. The girl she knew was
confident, with a bright, radiant smile—not someone weighed
down by insecurity.

Thansikorn gently cupped the younger person's face, pressing

a soft kiss to the corner of her lips before pulling away.

“I know what you saw. But you also saw that I pushed him
away. Have a little more confidence. You’re already way ahead
of everyone else.”

“…” Eiffel blinked rapidly, as if struggling to find her own voice.

Thansikorn chuckled before whispering something and walking
away to her room.

“Thank you… for running down to help, even when you were
sick.”

She was certain Eiffel had seen everything; otherwise, she

wouldn’t have made it in time.

It was as if someone had recharged her with newfound

energy—Eiffel recovered by the next day, just in time to learn
that Thansikorn would be buried in work.
With an upcoming gala for a prestigious magazine, numerous
celebrities were reaching out to have her brand design their
outfits. Since there wasn’t much she could do, Eiffel settled for
driving to the office, bringing food, keeping her company, and
then leaving late at night.

There were days she couldn’t visit, and that was when she
found out that Nina—one of the high-society celebrities—had
also requested an outfit.

But more importantly, Nina had also learned that Eiffel was
actively pursuing Thansikorn.

So naturally, she asked Eiffel to help her get in touch with

Thansikorn for a custom design.

Eiffel still remembered the sharp, scrutinizing gaze Thansikorn

gave her when she relayed the request.

“Then give it to her.”

“I’m not giving her your number. Just the office contact. I just
wanted you to know that I haven’t been in touch with her at
all.”

“Really?”

“P’Tam…”

“The office number is on my business card. It’s on my desk.”

“If she’s reaching out as a client, that’s fine.”

“…”

“But if she’s coming with other intentions, let me make this

clear: I don’t fight for anything. And what’s mine will never put
me in a position where I have to compete.”

“…”
“I’m not anyone’s option. Because if I’m not the first choice,
then I don’t want anything at all.”
Eiffel bit her lip, suppressing the urge to smile. She wanted to,
but she didn’t want to ruin the serious mood and get scolded
for it.
“I’ll handle myself.”
“I’m giving you a chance, but that doesn’t mean others don’t
have a chance. Don’t forget that.”

“…”

“Just because you have the advantage doesn’t mean others are
at a disadvantage.”
Eiffel furrowed her brows.
“I know you have choices, and I’m just one of them. But while
I’m doing my part to be clear about my feelings, you—who’ve
never truly prioritized anyone—say something like this so
easily? Did you forget something? That your ‘options’ have
feelings too?”
“…”
“You raised my hopes as high as a mountain, only to push me
straight into the ocean?”

“That’s cruel, Thansikorn,” Eiffel added, still confused about

how their seemingly smooth relationship had suddenly taken a
step backward.

“That’s just how I am. If you can’t handle it, the door is right
there.”

Thansikorn pointed behind Eiffel, but instead of walking away,

she did the complete opposite—stepping forward and pressing
a firm kiss against Thansikorn’s lips before pulling back. Then,
she simply sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone as if
nothing had happened.

By now, Thansikorn’s office had practically turned into Eiffel’s

personal resting space. It had been this way for over a week.

Thansikorn pursed her lips at the abrupt kiss but said nothing.
Instead, she ignored the younger woman sitting silently on the
couch and focused on her work.

Lately, her moods had been swinging wildly—probably due to

the overwhelming workload: the new season’s collection,
custom dresses for celebrities, and the upcoming gala hosted
by a top-tier fashion magazine.

If her designs gained recognition there, it would be a major

boost for her brand.

At this point, even minor frustrations could trigger sharp words

or the impulse to cut people out of her life just to feel better.
But she knew that wasn’t fair to the people on the receiving
end.

“I’m hungry.”

“…”

“So hungry.”

Seeing Eiffel still ignoring her, Thansikorn sighed, finally

setting aside her work. She walked over, sat beside her, and
exhaled again. She wasn’t great with words, but she tried
anyway.

“I’ve been irritable lately. Nothing is going the way I want. I

didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”

Sometimes, words came out faster than thoughts, leaving

people regretting them afterward. Right now, she was one of
those people.

“I didn’t push you into the ocean.”

Only then did Eiffel finally look up, sighing at the exhaustion
on Thansikorn’s face. She decided to let the previous
conversation slide.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hmmm?”

“Weren’t you the one who said you were hungry?”

These days, if Eiffel didn’t make the effort to be around, she
wouldn’t see Thansikorn at all. The woman was so buried in
work that she barely had time to go home, let alone eat.

So, Eiffel had taken it upon herself to look after Thansikorn’s

mother—taking her places and even bringing her to visit Eiffel’s
own parents. Spending time together had lifted the older
woman’s spirits, and their conversations flowed easily. Seeing
her happier, even just a little, made Eiffel feel accomplished.
She wanted to be a source of support, someone who could help
lighten Thansikorn’s burdens.

At least Phongsakorn had disappeared since that day. After

some digging, Eiffel found out through her father’s contacts
that he had left the country for work. It was unclear how long
he’d be gone, but judging from the constant apology texts he
sent, it wouldn’t be too long.

The bigger concern now was Thansikorn herself. She had

completely immersed herself in work, pushing herself to the
point of joylessness—despite working in a field she loved. Eiffel
didn’t know how to help, but judging from the meticulousness
of Thansikorn’s designs, it was clear that stress and love could
coexist. Every piece she created was impeccable.

However, the real problem started when her work became so

popular that word spread quickly. More people reached out—
including Nina and Teerapat (or Tim), who had persistently
tried to get close to Thansikorn before.
Nina wasn’t much of an issue, since she wasn’t causing
trouble. But Tim? He had been showing up every day, using
the excuse of checking on his mother’s custom outfit.

“My mom wants to see the dress soon, so I stop by every day.
Also… I just want to see Nong Tam at work.”

“Nong Tam, Nong Tam, Nong Tam!”

First, it was Phongsakorn. Now, it’s Teerapat. And Eiffel was

there every day too, keeping a close watch because she didn’t
trust this Teerapat guy. He seemed even more dangerous than
Phongsakorn.

At least Phongsakorn only used Tam’s mother as an excuse.

Teerapat, on the other hand, had already attempted to get
physically close several times.

“Hello, Nong Ei. You really gave me a shock last time—you

should’ve told me you were England’s sister.”

Teerapat believed that Eiffel was simply possessive over her

sister’s friend, which was why she had lied about being
engaged. And besides, Thansikorn was often in the gossip
columns of high society anyway, so he didn’t take any of those
rumors seriously.

He was more focused on getting closer to the beautiful woman

in front of him.

Eiffel gave him a polite wai out of courtesy, as he was older

than her, but her face remained cold.
She turned to look at Thansikorn, only to find the older woman
smirking. It was hard to tell what she meant by it, but Eiffel
had a feeling she was enjoying the jealousy she was causing—
especially since she knew Eiffel couldn’t do anything about it.

Even though neither Teerapat nor Phongsakorn were in the

room, Thansikorn’s assistants were constantly coming and
going. There was no privacy at all. Eiffel had no chance to steal
a hug or a kiss to remind the woman just how charming she
was being.

“The dress is almost finished. I’ll have someone deliver it to you

tomorrow.”

Teerapat smiled, stepping closer.

“No need. I’ll come pick it up myself. The event is the day after
tomorrow—who are you going with, Nong Tam? Should I pick
you up?”

“No need. I’m going with England and Eiffel.”

“Alright then, I’ll see you at the event. I’ll be waiting.”

Thansikorn returned her smile out of politeness.

“Sure.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t know his intentions. She knew exactly
why he was trying to get close. But as long as he stayed within
the boundaries she set, she saw no harm in letting him try.
Maybe it seemed cruel to Eiffel, but she wasn’t going to give up
her own opportunities—not when Eiffel wasn’t yet the home
she wanted or needed.

If Teerapat remained a gentleman, she would continue to treat

him with courtesy.

Truthfully, there was a big difference between Eiffel and

everyone else. If it had been anyone else trying to hug, kiss, or
touch her like that, she would have put an end to it
immediately. But maybe the reason she hadn’t done that with
Eiffel was because of the morning she woke up naked in the
younger woman’s bed. Or maybe it was because she had
already given her a fair share of push-and-pull moments in the
beginning.

“You’re pouting again.”

“You’re never this strict with anyone else.”

“Because they don’t act stubborn like you do.”

“That stings a little,” Eiffel muttered.

Watching someone else flirt with the person she loved—

someone she had real feelings for—felt like a thousand tiny
needles pricking her heart.

She looked up at Thansikorn, who had already turned her

focus back to work.

“How much do you think one person can endure?”

“What?”
“Until you unlove someone?”
“Eiffel…”
“Just one person is exhausting enough. But two, three, four,
five all at once? I don’t even know what to do anymore.”
Eiffel muttered to herself again. She hated how her emotions
were being tossed around like this. Was she trying to court
someone, or was she riding a roller coaster?
Just when things seemed to be going well, they would plummet
in an instant, making her feel like she was free-falling to the
ground. But in the end, somehow, she always managed to get
back up and return safely.
She knew that if Thansikorn ever truly developed feelings for
someone, she would step back without hesitation. Not because
she was afraid of losing, but because… if Thansikorn really
loved someone else, then staying at a respectful distance
wouldn’t be such a terrible thing, would it?
“I won’t be coming by tomorrow. I have to visit a worksite with
Green. See you at the event, P’Tam.”
Thansikorn paused, her hand hovering over the fabric before
nodding in acknowledgment.

The Day of the Event

Eiffel arrived with England, while Thansikorn—despite telling
Teerapat she would come with them—had already been there
for quite some time due to her direct involvement in the fashion
industry.
Tonight, she was dressed in an elegant white gown. Her hair
was swept over her right shoulder, exposing her neck,
collarbones, and flawless skin for all to see. A luxury-brand
purse hung delicately in her grasp as she greeted influential
figures from the fashion world—faces that Eiffel recognized
from magazines and newspapers.

Eiffel observed everything quietly until she noticed Teerapat

approaching Thansikorn. He gave a slight bow before extending
his hand to her in front of many high-profile guests. The
announcement came over the speakers: the dance floor was
now open. When Thansikorn finally placed her hand in his,
Eiffel clenched her jaw and looked away immediately.

She had spent the entire event avoiding Nina and sticking close
to her sister to prevent any unnecessary drama. But in the
end, all her efforts felt meaningless—because not once did
Thansikorn’s gaze search for her.

“What’s got you sulking?”

England asked upon noticing her sister’s pout. She handed

Eiffel a drink, urging her to take a sip.

“She doesn’t care. I keep looking at her, but she’s looking at

someone else.”

“Ah…” England nodded in understanding, her eyes following

her best friend as she moved gracefully across the dance floor.
“Well, that’s just how Tam’s social circle is. Even I barely got a
chance to say hi.”

“But I’m not just a friend, am I?”

England laughed before pulling Eiffel toward the dance floor,

hoping to lift her spirits. The girl had been sulking since the
day before—ever since she picked England up from the airport,
she had been quiet, refusing to smile or talk much.

“How many days have you been upset now?”

“I lost count,” Eiffel replied, before stealing another glance at

Thansikorn.

That was when she saw it—those slender arms of hers being
touched. One hand rested lightly on Teerapat’s broad shoulder.
As for her expression, it was unreadable. But Teerapat’s? His
face made it obvious that he was utterly delighted.

“If you’re that jealous, go ask her to dance before someone else
takes your spot.”

“I’m not jealous!”

“Ei, try to understand Tam’s social circle. It’s not like we can
just do whatever we want. Tam has an image to maintain—and
so do I. But instead of sulking and feeling sorry for yourself,
why don’t you step up? You’re just giving others a chance by
staying on the sidelines.”
“…”

“I’m not trying to scold you, but if you haven’t given up yet,
don’t let someone else take your place. Got it?”

“But even when I’m around all the time, there are still
chances.”

“Eiffel,” England drawled, “don’t act like a child.”

“I’m serious.”

“And which situation do you think is more dangerous—the

ones that happen when you’re there, or the ones when they’re
alone together?”

Eiffel pressed her lips together before sighing.

“Your friend is difficult.”

“Things that are hard to get tend to be the most valuable.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

“Then go. My sister isn’t the type to just give up.”

Waiting for the right moment—when the pair separated due to

a song change—Eiffel quickly walked over, lightly tapping a
slender arm to catch Thansikorn’s attention. The beautiful
woman turned to her, raising an eyebrow. But soon enough,
Eiffel caught sight of a smile forming on her lips.
“Finally decided to say hello?”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw you staring. Thought you’d just keep looking until the
event ended.”

“You looked busy.”

“Oh, really?”

“…”

“You’re not sulking, are you?”

“Why would I be?”

Thansikorn chuckled softly. “Good.”

Eiffel stared at her for a moment before stepping back slightly

and extending her hand.

“Can I?”

“If I say yes, will you stop sulking?”

“Why don’t you try and find out?”

Thansikorn sighed, watching the stubborn girl who refused to

lower her hand. Finally, Eiffel spoke again.

“I swear, I won’t let anyone get ahead of me again.”

“So this is you making up for it?” Thansikorn asked, before

finally placing her hand in Eiffel’s.
The music played softly, blending with the slow rhythm. Eiffel
tightened her grip on the slender waist, tempted to embrace
her completely but holding back because they were surrounded
by people.
“Can we leave after this dance?”
Thansikorn shook her head.
“Not yet. That would be rude.”
Eiffel bit her lip. “Then let me take you home.”
“…”
“Let me take you home, my love.”
“Who are you calling ‘my love’?”
“Well, who else am I looking at right now?”
“If you keep teasing me, I’ll just go home by myself.”

“P’Tam.”

“…”

“I’m so jealous I could die.”

“Not sulking anymore?”

“Just jealous.”
“What a possessive little girl.”

“I’m yours, P’Tam. How many times do I have to say it?”

“It’s late. You’re really going to wait?”

“If you tell me to, I’ll wait my whole life.”

“Nonsense.”

“Don’t dance with anyone else.”

“No promises.”

“P’Tam,” Eiffel’s voice turned firm.

“Then stay by my side so no one dares to ask me.”

“Ugh.”

“What?”

“I’m waiting, okay?”

“Mhm. Wait, then.”

 CHAPTER 10
Why Can’t I Kiss You on the
Dance Floor
Eiffel was happy to wait, as she had been told to, and she
stuck to Thansikorn like glue. No matter which way
Thansikorn moved, Eiffel was right there, as if she were her
personal bodyguard. Many times, Eiffel noticed wandering
eyes—watching and waiting, hoping for a moment when P’Tam
would be alone so they could approach her. But Eiffel had
already claimed her spot completely. She refused to give
anyone even the smallest opportunity today, because she knew
exactly where she stood. She knew her limits and acted
accordingly—but that didn’t mean she couldn’t lay claim to the
understanding that existed between them.
Eiffel had almost forgotten that she had the upper hand in this.
Despite being the one doing the chasing, they both knew that
what they had was more than that.
“Nong Tam, my mother wants to meet you,” Teerapat
approached, informing her. He didn’t feel intimidated by Eiffel,
assuming she was just the younger sister of her close friend.
Thansikorn looked at him, noting the flirtatious glint in his
eyes, then glanced at the quiet presence beside her. Eiffel said
nothing, only listened, but the sadness in her gaze was
apparent. Thansikorn knew she had been quite cruel to Eiffel
lately—giving her hope, only to pull away. She wanted to see if,
given other choices, Eiffel would still fight for her. Would she
let her go? That night, the night that had twisted their
relationship—was it just a fleeting moment of drunken
impulse?
“Taking responsibility.” Anyone could say the words, but
actions spoke louder.

Without a word, Thansikorn slipped her hand around Eiffel’s

left arm, pulling herself closer. She wanted Eiffel to look at her,
and when their eyes met, she gave a genuine smile—not the
kind used for business or politeness, but one meant just for
Eiffel. She wanted to encourage her, just a little longer, so that
this guarded heart might finally acknowledge its true feelings.

Eiffel had only just stepped into her world, and Thansikorn
wanted her to go all the way until she found what she was
searching for. If Eiffel had enough determination and
perseverance, she would get there one day. And along the way,
Thansikorn would be watching closely, hoping that Eiffel
wouldn’t leave too many scars on the path they walked
together.

“Let’s go,” Thansikorn said. “I’d love the chance to see the dress
on an actual person.”

She tugged Eiffel’s arm, urging her forward. But before they
could move, Teerapat extended his arm in front of them, his
handsome face breaking into a smile.

“My arm is free, you know. You don’t have to trouble Eiffel.”

Thansikorn pressed her lips together, then looked up at Eiffel.

“Am I troubling you?” she asked.

“…”
“Is what I’m doing bothering you, Eiffel?”

At that moment, Eiffel realized she wasn’t dreaming or

imagining things—this was real. It felt like a long-deflated heart
balloon was suddenly being filled with air, expanding
dangerously close to bursting if she didn’t say something.

“No, not at all. I’m happy to.”

And with that, Eiffel heard P’Tam laugh. It was soft, but for
someone standing so close, it was crystal clear—clear enough
that Eiffel’s heart memorized it, storing it away along with the
precious smile she had longed to see.

So cute… I just want to crush my lips against hers right now as

punishment for making my heart tremble.
Such a tease… I want to kiss her over and over as punishment
for making my heart ache.

And yet, despite everything, there wasn’t a single feeling inside

her telling her that she had chosen the wrong person to love.

“P’Tam.”

“Hmm?”

Eiffel pressed her lips together as she followed behind Teerapat,

not caring how flustered he looked after getting turned down by
the beautiful woman.

“I want to kiss you.”

“…”
“I want to kiss you so badly it’s driving me insane.”

“Eiffel!” A sharp scolding came along with a firm pinch to her

upper arm, but she barely noticed. Her focus was locked on the
soft, tempting lips in front of her.

“Hey!” Thansikorn scolded her again as Eiffel leaned in, looking

like she might actually steal a kiss right then and there.

But she didn’t. Of course she didn’t. She just wanted to. But
she knew she couldn’t—not yet. She just wanted to be the kind
of person who could lean in and kiss P’Tam, even in the middle
of a crowded space like this. She wanted the right to do that—
the right given freely, wholeheartedly. And more than anything,
she wanted that right with this woman, and no one else.

“I know I can’t,” she murmured, looking dejected.

“Not here.”

“What does that mean?”

“I told you, didn’t I? If you’re good, you’ll get a reward.”

“But if I wasn’t at least a little bad, a little stubborn, would I

have even made it this far?”

“Well, when you put it like that…”

“I want to kiss you.”

“Have some shame, will you?”

“Why? I only want to do it with you.”

“Oh my God! Are you really trying to woo me? Do you think
anyone else gets to do this?”

“But I’m not like everyone else.”

“No, you’re not. But you’re still sulking like crazy, worrying that
someone else might be better.”

“It’s you,” Eiffel muttered, her mood dipping slightly.

Her expression made it clear how she felt, but before she could
sink deeper into it, Thansikorn cut her off with a serious tone.
“Stop it. You’re the one making yourself upset—what do you
expect me to do? If you still don’t understand the things I have
to be, then this is going to be hard, Eiffel.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just a person—a normal human being who feels happy,

sad, lonely, and has my crazy moments. Sometimes I don’t
want anyone close, and sometimes I push people away. I have
both good and bad sides. If you can’t accept all of that, then it’s
going to be hard for us to be together.”
“…”

“Do you understand?”

“Does that mean you want to be with me?”

“When did I say that?”

Eiffel grinned a big, wide smile. She realized then that she
didn’t have to understand everything about P’Tam. She just
needed to be there—through the good times and the bad. That
was enough.

“I won’t ask you to stay. But if you want to, I won’t push you
away. Understand?”

“After the event is over, I’m going to kiss you so much your lips
will bruise. Just wait and see.”

Thanks to a few too many drinks, the beautiful woman was

now tipsy. Not even for a second did Eiffel dare let her out of
her sight. In the end, once the event was winding down, she
took P’Tam straight to P’England—despite the teasing smile
that greeted her the moment they arrived.

“You care about your girl but not your sister, huh?”

Eiffel scrunched up her nose at her older sister. “Of course I

care! But I know you can handle yourself.”

“And Tam can’t? Then why are you glued to her?”

“Because everyone keeps trying to flirt with her! How can she
be left alone?”

Eiffel’s frown deepened at the thought of all those lingering

stares.

England nodded knowingly. “Oh, so you’re jealous.”

“You guys are talking like I’m not even here.”

England laughed, stepping closer to her best friend and sighing

at the sight of her flushed cheeks, the redness creeping down
to her neck.

“You lightweight.”

“Ugh, everyone kept handing me drinks! How was I supposed

to refuse? You know how it is.”

“Then maybe you should start learning. You’re so busy sparing

other people’s feelings that you forget about yourself.”

“That’s what your little sister is for,” Thansikorn replied

smoothly, turning to Eiffel.

“Or can’t she handle it?”

Eiffel shook her head furiously. “Of course, I can! You saw it
yourself.”

“See? I’ve got someone taking care of me.”

England rolled her eyes and sighed again. “You’re annoying.”

“But you love me.”

“Ugh! Eiffel, take her home! She’s drunk!”

“I’m not drunk!”

A drunk person who insists they’re not drunk—but the one

taking care of them can always tell the difference.
It was obvious that P’Tam was getting more physically
affectionate with her. First, she clung to Eiffel’s arm while
walking, then wrapped her up in a tight hug. Even when
accepting drinks from socialites, she refused to let go. And
when Eiffel supported her by the waist, there was no scolding
or protest.

Eiffel concluded without much difficulty— she was definitely

drunk.

Maybe not as much as usual, but still tipsy. And every time
alcohol was in her system, she somehow became even more
adorable in Eiffel’s eyes.

“You’re drunk, you know that?”

Eiffel spoke softly as she guided her out of the venue. Earlier,
Mr. Teerapat had offered to take her home—this time making
his intentions even clearer than he had at the pub. Eiffel didn’t
think he was just like all the other men who desired P’Tam. No,
she was certain he actually had genuine feelings for her elegant
sister.

“I’m not drunk.”

“No drunk person ever admits they’re drunk.”

“I told you, I’m not drunk!”

“Fine, fine, you’re not drunk.”

“I—”

“Hm?”

“Eiffel.”

“Yes?”

Thansikorn had to tilt her head up because her younger

companion was taller.

“Be cute for me, just once.”

“…What?”

Eiffel was caught off guard. The sudden request left her
flustered, probably looking so comically confused that P’Tam
burst out laughing.

“Silly little thing,” P’Tam muttered before continuing to walk,

leaving Eiffel scrambling to catch up. Despite her claim of
sobriety, Eiffel was worried she might stumble in her high
heels.

After buying a can of soda and some snacks, Eiffel paid and
quickly returned to the car—only to find that the supposedly
drunk person, who should’ve been asleep by now, was staring
right at her as soon as she got in.

“Took you long enough.”

“I hurried as fast as I could!”

“If I say it was long, then it was long.”

Her sudden change to a sweet, polite tone threw Eiffel off.

Avoiding the sharp gaze, she focused on pulling the car out of
the gas station and heading toward their destination—a
riverside bridge where people liked to sit and enjoy the night
breeze.

“Is the road really that interesting?”

Oh no… Now she was sulking.
“Well, I’m driving. What else am I supposed to look at?”

“Then look all you want—just don’t look at me.”

“P’Tam, you’re sulking.”

Eiffel smiled as they waited at a red light. With the car stopped,
she turned to fully take in the beautiful woman beside her.

“What do you want?”

“Eiffel.”

“???”

“I want you to pay attention to me.”

Oh, so this is how she got when she was drunk?
Should Eiffel start getting her tipsy every day?

“Don’t say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“What if I can’t hold back and take advantage of you right

now?”

“So what?” the smaller woman shrugged.

“It’s not like you don’t kiss me every day anyway.”

Oh god.
Eiffel slammed her foot on the accelerator, determined to reach
their destination as fast as possible. If P’Tam was going to tease
her like this, she had better be prepared to face the
consequences!

The moment the car stopped, Eiffel unbuckled her seatbelt and
lunged at the little minx in the passenger seat. She caught the
brief flash of surprise in P’Tam’s eyes before the woman’s
fingers dug into her shoulders as their lips met.

Eiffel pressed in, kissing her with all the pent-up frustration
she’d been holding back. The muffled protest that came from
the other woman only made her pull back slightly to check on
her—only to find P’Tam’s face flushed deep red in her arms.
Her expression was adorably pouty as she scolded in a soft
voice,

“You scared me!”

“Well, you were teasing me!”

“I was not!”

“Oh, really?”
With a straight face, Eiffel leaned in again, savoring the
sweetness of P’Tam’s lips once more. The lingering taste of
champagne made her head spin as she deepened the kiss,
playfully tangling their tongues together. From her lips, she
trailed soft kisses down to her cheek, inhaling her scent, then
continued down to her ear, gently nibbling at the lobe.

A low hum rumbled from P’Tam’s throat—and suddenly Eiffel

felt a sharp sting on her neck.
Damn, she pinches hard.
She only realized just how strong when her lips barely reached
the base of P’Tam’s neck, drawn in by the faint, intoxicating
scent of her skin.

“I… Eiffel—”

“…?”

“Stop.”

It was a simple command, yet it carried enough weight to make

Eiffel halt instantly—even though she had just barely grazed
P’Tam’s neck with her teeth.

“No marks.”

“What? That’s not fair,” Eiffel grumbled.

But this time, the drunken woman wasn’t as completely lost in

her intoxication as she usually was.
“What? That’s not fair.”
Eiffel pouted, but the drunk woman wasn’t completely out of it
this time.

“I thought you brought me here to enjoy the view.”

Getting kissed like that had sobered Thansikorn up—at least a

little. Though honestly, she felt like her energy had been
completely drained instead. This girl always kissed as if her life
depended on it. She couldn’t help but wonder what would have
happened if she hadn’t stopped her in time.

“You’re getting so spoiled,” she scolded, tugging on Eiffel’s ear,

because even after being told to stop, she still looked like she
was about to devour her.

“Well, it’s your fault!”

“My fault, how?”

“Who told you to be this beautiful?”

“Get out. It’s hot in here.”

“The night dew is heavy—why did you even want to stop here?”

Eiffel grinned. “If I kiss you here, do you think someone will
take pictures again?”

“Hey! As if what just happened wasn’t enough!”

“I need encouragement! I lost a lot of energy when you were
being mean.”

“Watch your words.”

Eiffel chuckled, setting her soda can down on the car trunk
before pulling P’Tam close. Their lower bodies pressed together
as her thumb traced the soft curve of the older woman’s cheek.
Thansikorn, caught off guard, could only place her hands on
Eiffel’s shoulders, trying to keep some distance. But when this
girl decided to get touchy, she moved so damn fast.

“Do you think someone will take our picture again?”

“How should I know?”

“If they do, that’s great. The pests buzzing around you will
finally get the message that you’re already taken.”

“And who said I was taken?”

“Since the moment I first kissed you.”

“You’re so full of it.”

“Well, I’m also full of love for you.”

Eiffel’s thumb trailed lightly over her lips, and the sweet face
before her leaned in just a little closer.
“One last time—do you think someone’s watching?”

“If it’s in the news tomorrow, then we’ll know.”

The moment the words left her lips, they were sealed by
another kiss.

This time, instead of pushing her away, Thansikorn wrapped

her arms around Eiffel’s neck, pulling her in. Their lips
adjusted, angling to fit perfectly against one another. Eiffel’s
arms tightened around her waist, wanting to hold her as close
as possible.

She kissed her slowly, deeply, until a soft moan escaped when
their tongues met and tangled in a heated dance.

They lost track of time—of how long they stayed like that,
chasing each other in a breathless rhythm.

All Eiffel knew was that when they finally broke apart, P’Tam’s
face was flushed.

And for the first time, she had kissed her back—not just
accepting the kiss, but giving one of her own.

Eiffel pressed a series of kisses on lips that were already

beginning to swell.

“Your lips aren’t bruised yet.”

“Hey! You—”
She silenced the protest by swiftly capturing those lips again.
“Mmph!”

This time, P’Tam was caught off guard. Her response? She
smacked Eiffel’s shoulder repeatedly. But even then, the
stubborn girl refused to let go, continuing to invade, explore,
and tease. She deepened the kiss, savoring the intoxicating
sweetness.

The more she thought about how cruelly P’Tam had spoken
earlier, the more fiercely she pressed forward.

What started as a gentle melody of a kiss had turned into a

passionate, fervent clash. Heat rose all the way to her ears. And
when soft moans escaped those lips, one after another, it only
spurred Eiffel’s desires further.

The more she had, the more she wanted. The more she
indulged, the harder it was to stop.

But she was forced to halt when a sharp pain seared through
her lower lip.
P’Tam had bitten down hard.

The metallic tang of blood spread in her mouth, confirming just

how much force had been used.
“You’re bleeding,” P’Tam noted, unfazed.
“Serves you right! Is my lip bruised enough for you now?”

“Mmm.”

Eiffel swallowed the taste of her own blood before pressing one
final, firm kiss onto those lips.
“Eiffel!”

“There. I’m satisfied. I won’t do it again.”

“You better not!”

Eiffel smirked. “And don’t let me catch you doing this with
anyone else.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said I want to go home.”

“That’s not what you said a second ago.”

“Well, you heard me now. Take me home.”

Eiffel chuckled, finally releasing the arms that had kept P’Tam
locked in place.
“I only do this with you.”

“…Good.”

.
The next morning, there were no scandalous headlines like
Eiffel had imagined.

Instead, she simply sent a good morning text to P’Tam, who

was likely still asleep since it was her day off. Then again, did
someone like her even have real days off? Even if she wasn’t at
the office, she was still working from home.

As for P’England, she had left for the south early in the
morning. That woman sure was obsessed with shipping routes.
Hopefully, she hadn’t fallen for some sailor or something—
because if she had, no matter how far she ran, Eiffel would
track her down just to see the guy’s face.

Today, Eiffel had plans to meet up with her close friend. The
moment Green approached, she was greeted with an icy stare.
There was only one explanation for why Green looked so guilty.

“Is my number public property now? You’re just giving it out to

whoever wants it?”

“Ugh, I knew it,” Green groaned. “She used work as an excuse!

Do you know how much she spent on that condo? She bought
the whole damn thing, had it designed and decorated, and even
picked out her own contractors. We’re talking millions!”

“Oh, so you sold me out,” Eiffel said flatly.

Green immediately pressed her hands together in apology.

“I’m really sorry! I had no choice! She was so persistent, and I

was under a lot of pressure.”
Seeing her friend’s pitiful expression, Eiffel relented with a
sigh.
“Just don’t do it again. That’s my personal number. I won’t
pick up unknown calls anymore.”

“Good idea.”

Green felt relieved. If Eiffel stopped answering unknown

numbers, it meant she wouldn’t have to deal with this problem
again. But if that person showed up at the office or tried to
arrange another meeting, even someone as charming as her
would have to figure something out.

For some reason, despite her aloof demeanor, Eiffel always

seemed to attract persistent admirers. And Nina wasn’t even
the first. Given her influence, Green had no choice but to “sell
out” her friend this time.

“So, why did you call me here? If it’s about that project, I’m still
working on it.”

“It’s not about that. It’s about a new project. Let’s go check the
site.”

“Don’t tell me…”

Eiffel sighed in frustration as Green gave her a guilty nod.

What was with Nina and her obsession with seeing her? Always
wanting to call, meet, talk… Maybe she should just be blunt
and say it outright—it was pointless.
There were no extra points, no hidden rewards, just the work
that needed to be done.
“Just don’t go and embarrass her, okay?”

“What?”

“She’s a client! Keep that in mind.”

Eiffel exhaled sharply before standing, leaving her half-finished
coffee on the table. Green quickly grabbed it and hurried after
her.
“When did you get this annoying, Green?”

“Just help me out! The commission is huge.”

“I could take it from you, you know.”

“Not everything is about money!”

“Think of it this way—if you do a good job, it’ll be great for your
portfolio,” Green reasoned. “The design industry’s small. If you
impress someone like Nina, word will spread.”
“Enough already, Green,” Eiffel grumbled.
Green just grinned and handed Eiffel her coffee. As she took a
sip, Eiffel’s thoughts drifted to someone else—the one who’d
been strangely quiet all day. She sighed. Maybe she wouldn’t
mention this meeting with Nina. Better to keep it to herself.
Eiffel felt a sudden wave of exhaustion the moment she stepped
into the condo lobby. Before she could take a full step inside,
Nina’s face appeared right in front of her—full body, full
volume, full HD. That wide smile, those syrupy-sweet eyes—
Eiffel could do nothing about it. She had no choice but to put
on a polite business smile, especially when Green pinched her
waist and whispered desperately,

“Smile a little, sis.”

“Do I look like your sister?”

Eiffel muttered back, annoyed that her friend was treating this
awkward situation like some kind of joke. Once this job was
done, she’d make sure Green had a hard time finding her way
home.

The site inspection dragged on longer than expected—Nina

seemed keen on going over every little detail. Eiffel understood.
It was an investment for her, after all. And since Nina wasn’t
bringing up any personal topics, the tension eased slightly.
Eiffel focused on the work, often separating from Green to
measure areas and ensure the layout matched the design.
Precision was key to minimizing issues once the project was
handed over to contractors.

With a pen tucked behind her ear and blueprints under her
arm, Eiffel busied herself with a measuring tape, taking notes
directly on the plans. She moved efficiently, adjusting her
measurements and calculations for each section. Meanwhile,
Nina stood by watching with a small smile.
She had liked this tall, slender woman from the moment she
saw her. That calm, indifferent face—so distant, yet so alluring.
Unlike others, Eiffel never spoke to please or flatter. And maybe
that’s exactly why Nina was drawn to her. The more
disinterested Eiffel seemed, the more Nina wanted her
attention.
So, she used work as an excuse.
The condo? She’d decorate it, then sell or rent it out later. As
for Eiffel’s designs—she liked them. She liked her work, her
talent, her personality… and, of course, her face.
“Need some help?”
Nina placed her hand over Eiffel’s wrist, making the taller
woman flinch. She instinctively pulled away, turning to face
her with slightly furrowed brows.
“No, thank you. I’m almost done. You can help Green instead.”
“But I’d rather help you.”
Eiffel sighed. She wanted to refuse outright, but Green had
already begged her to be nice. So instead, she gave Nina a faint
smile and handed her the pen and blueprint.
“Fine. Just take notes as I dictate.”
“Where should I start?”
Nina feigned interest, asking where to write, what section they
were measuring, and which part of the blueprint it
corresponded to. Seeing how focused she seemed, Eiffel set
aside her initial bias. Having an extra pair of hands did speed
things up. She leaned in, explaining without much thought—
her only goal was to finish quickly.
“All done,” Eiffel finally said, reaching for her pen and plans.
But instead of handing them back, Nina placed her hand over
them and held them firmly.

“You… I’m asking for my pen and blueprint, not your hand.”

“Hold on a moment. I don’t want you running off. Let me treat

you to dinner.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Eiffel replied, trying to pull away—

but Nina tightened her grip. The discomfort must have shown
on Eiffel’s face, because just then, Green stepped out from
another part of the condo. Eiffel immediately shot her a look—a
clear message: Do something. Now. If Green didn’t intervene,
Eiffel would stop cooperating with the request altogether. Client
or not, there were limits.

Green’s mouth fell open. But after catching Eiffel’s piercing

gaze, she quickly rushed over and gently pulled her friend’s
arm away.

“I’ll take the designs for now, Ms. Nina. There are a few
inaccuracies I need to correct. I’ll send them back to Eiffel
later.”

“Here you go.” Nina handed them over. She knew Eiffel wasn’t
a fan of physical contact—but what else could she do? If she
didn’t take the initiative, she’d never get close. She had to
create her own opportunities. After all, she was confident in her
charm. If Eiffel truly liked women, Nina was sure she wouldn’t
be able to resist forever. She hadn’t misread things… or so she
believed.
Eiffel’s phone rang just after she sat down at the restaurant—a
small place near her condo, where Nina had insisted on
treating the designers to a thank-you meal. The sound caught
Nina’s attention. She realized she’d forgotten to ask why Eiffel
never picked up her calls. No matter when she called, Eiffel
never answered—or called back.

“Hello?” Eiffel answered softly, prompting the two women at the

table to tune in more closely. Green had a good guess who it
was, though she hadn’t expected Eiffel to use such a tender
voice. As for Nina, a sharp pang of jealousy stabbed her.
Whoever was on the other end got to hear that softness.

[Where are you? Are you free?]

“I’m at a site inspection. I’m free now.”

[Can you come over? I have a terrible headache.]

“Did you take anything? I’ll come right away. Where are you?”

[It’s not that kind of headache. It’s about work. Can you pick
me up? I’m at the condo.]

“Work again? It’s your day off.”

[I know, but what can I do? I’m the team lead. If there’s a
problem, I have to fix it.]

“What kind of problem? Can I help?”

[Just come pick me up first. I’ll explain everything. So… you’re

coming, right?]

“I’m on my way. Wait for me.”

[Okay…]

“I’m hanging up now.”

[Eiffel.]

“Yes?”

[Come quickly.]

That was all they said before hanging up. So cruel—leaving

Eiffel not only restless but feeling strangely teased. It was
ridiculous how flustered she got when the person she had
feelings for acted like this. If it had been anyone else, even
saying the sweetest things a thousand times over, Eiffel was
certain she wouldn’t be blushing like this.

“I have to go now.”

“Stay and have dinner with us first.”

“Someone important to me has a problem. I’m sorry. Green, I’ll

leave it to you.”
She gave her friend a quick nod before standing and walking
off—leaving Green behind to face Nina on her own.

“Is your friend Green not going to spare me a second glance?”

Nina frowned, turning to Green.

“I told you—Eiffel already has someone she’s interested in.”

“They’re not dating, though. That means she’s still single. I still
have a chance.”

Green sighed. “If you want to keep hoping, be my guest.”

Eiffel hadn’t been waiting long in the condo lobby when the
beautiful woman came down. She was already dressed neatly
for work, which made Eiffel ask without thinking, “Didn’t you
say you had a headache? Why are you all dressed up?”

“I told you—it’s a work headache. I have to go deal with a

problem on the project.”

Sigh. “One day I’m going to drop you off on a deserted island
just to get you to stop thinking about work.”

“That’s impossible,” Thansikorn replied matter-of-factly. “The

moment I wake up, I’m already thinking about work.”
Her life revolved around her job, her mother, and… oh, right—
the kid standing in front of her.

“Can you help me with something?”

“Help with what?”

Thansikorn pressed her lips together before answering softly.

“Help design a set for a promotional shoot. The previous
designer left for another brand.”

“They got poached?”

“Something like that.”

Eiffel smiled and gently took her hand. “You just had to ask—I
would’ve said yes right away. No matter what it is, if you ask,
I’ll do it. If it’s something I’m not good at, I’ll get better. If it’s
something I’m already good at, I’ll give it my all. Just don’t
bring anyone else in to help.”
“You’re being dramatic,” Thansikorn muttered, trying to pull
her hand back—but she couldn’t.

“I’m being serious.”

“Big words. Let’s see how long before you get tired of me.”

“Then you’ll just have to wait and see if I ever do.”

“You really know how to tie yourself down with words.”

Eiffel smiled, stepped closer, leaned down beside her cheek,

and whispered softly into the ear of the fragrant, beautiful
woman.

“My reward? A sweet kiss… without getting slapped.”

Instead of a slap, she got pinched. But even then, Eiffel

couldn’t stop smiling. She held the beautiful woman’s hand
and led her to the car, grinning so widely it was almost
annoying. She smiled so much that, at some point,
Thansikorn’s headache from overthinking work had completely
disappeared—without her even realizing it.

“What are you smiling about so much?”

“Someone once told me that when you’re in trouble, feeling

uneasy, or even happy—if the first person you think of is
someone in particular, it means they’re important to you.”

“…"

“So I’m just really, really happy.”

“You’re that confident I didn’t call someone else before you?”

Eiffel leaned in, one arm braced against the car, trapping
Thansikorn in place. Her sweet face turned intense—serious—
until Thansikorn reached out and gently patted her cheek.
That broke the tension immediately.

“Don’t make that face. I’m not scared of you.”

“Then I’ll just kiss you instead, for saying something so

unpleasant.”

Thansikorn shot her a sharp glare. “Are you seriously going

to—?”

“Yes. I’m going to kiss you every time I see you.”

Her lips pressed down, sealing her promise with action. Slow
yet deep, teasing yet affectionate. Her tongue moved—not to
punish, but to please, coaxing, indulging. Eiffel’s playful tongue
danced with Thansikorn’s, engaging in a long battle—until the
older woman surrendered, pulling away with a breathless
expression.

“Why do you have to kiss so much?”

“Well, it’s your fault for being so sweet.”

“Shameless!”

“You’re really good at kissing, huh? Guess that French

education paid off.”

Eiffel smirked, her heart skipping a beat at the word French. “I

told you—I’m just really good at loving you.”
This damn kid… Thansikorn cursed internally, biting her lip
before turning to look out the car window to avoid her gaze.

“Now you’re getting out of hand.”

“P’Tam.”

“…"

“P’Tam, hey.”

“What?”

Eiffel pressed a kiss to her cheek again before pulling back with
a grin.

“Now that was a shy response.”

“Who’s shy?”

“You, beautiful,” Eiffel chuckled. “You’re adorable when you get

shy.”

“Enough nonsense. Just drive. My team is waiting.”

“When will you start calling me Nong again?” (Nong is a Thai

honorific for a younger person.)

“Depends on my mood.”

“But I’m not being difficult.”

“Really? You’re not being stubborn?”

“Mhm.” Eiffel nodded enthusiastically, backing up her words.

“Don’t just say it—show me.”

“I am showing you. Can’t you see?”

“I can see—but not clearly enough. Stop kissing me whenever

you feel like it, and maybe I’ll believe you.”

“In that case… I’d rather be difficult.”

“Just drive already!!”

“Yes.”
 CHAPTER 11
I WILL BE RIGHT THERE

Since she had promised to help, Eiffel now found herself sitting
awkwardly in P’Tam’s team meeting room, feeling a bit
flustered. Some team members sent her—

Teasing looks were exchanged at first, and before long, the

playful glances turned into full-on teasing remarks.

“Oh, isn’t this the person from the news with our boss?”

“She’s even cuter in person than in the photos.”

“Boss, so is the news true? My boyfriend’s heart is breaking if it

is!”

Laughter erupted around the table. Even P’Tam let a small

smile slip. Eiffel now fully believed that this team really worked
like a group of friends. Her beautiful boss neither confirmed
nor denied the teasing. Instead, she simply smiled and turned
to gauge Eiffel’s reaction before smoothly shifting the meeting
into serious mode.

The teasing smirks faded away as the discussion turned to

business. The atmosphere became focused, and Eiffel found
herself swept up in the momentum. Watching P’Tam’s
expression shift into something serious only deepened Eiffel’s
determination.
She didn’t want to see that beautiful face look stressed. So she
concentrated harder, letting her thoughts revolve entirely
around work—the set, the concept, and every detail they
discussed. Even after the meeting ended, she remained deep in
thought, so much so that she was gently pulled out of the room
without a single smile.

P’Tam noticed. With a light touch, she poked the space between
Eiffel’s furrowed brows.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, unable to resist the worried

expression on the younger woman’s face.

“I’m thinking about your work. It’s really stressful knowing

we’re racing against time. The concept in my head isn’t quite
there yet. I’m anxious about competing with experienced
professionals while I’m just a fresh graduate. P’Tam, are you
sure you want me to handle everything on my own? I’m afraid I
might mess up your project. I think—”

A slender finger moved from between her brows to gently press

against her lips. The beautiful face in front of her softened into
a faint but reassuring smile.

“I’m sure you can do it. So have a little more confidence in

yourself.”

“You’re not worried? Not stressed at all?”

“I’m used to it,” P’Tam replied simply.

Normally, she never let anyone she was casually seeing get
involved in her work or personal matters. No one had ever been
allowed to cross that line before. But Eiffel was different—she
was the first person P’Tam had let in. And the result? A strange
but warm feeling settled in her chest. A sense of comfort. It felt
like Eiffel was the morning sun: unfamiliar, but undeniably
good. Because what she could feel from this girl was something
genuine. Something real.

But those words—“I’m used to it”—made Eiffel frown in

disapproval. Stress shouldn’t be something anyone got used to.
Even if it wasn’t constant, it shouldn’t be normal.

“No way. I won’t let you get used to this. If you were before,
then from now on, I won’t allow it anymore. After work today,
you’re coming with me.”

“To where? I’m busy, you know that. There’s so much work to
do.”
But the stubborn girl wasn’t one to give up easily. If P’Tam
thought she’d just back down, she was sorely mistaken.

“Just come with me. I’m not taking you to be sold or anything.
If that were the case, I’d buy you for myself.”

That earned Eiffel a dramatic eye roll from the older woman.
And true to her word, Eiffel stayed—watching, waiting, and
applying just enough subtle pressure until the end of the
workday. She observed as P’Tam tidied up her documents,
organized her desk, and finally took her hand to lead her out.

“I can walk on my own, you know. Did you forget?”

“I didn’t forget. I just want to hold your hand. Just in case
there are any reporters around.”
“Oh? Do you want to be in the news?”
Eiffel shook her head—then nodded. “I just want people to
know you’re not single.”
“W-what?!”
“I’ve already claimed you. How could you be single?” Eiffel
replied with a straight face.
“You little—”
Thansikorn pressed her lips together, then sighed—too drained
to argue with this stubborn girl. It felt like her level of
possessiveness had leveled up ever since the night of the party.
“Well, you are my wife now, aren’t you?”
“Eiffel!”
No matter how many times she heard it, she just couldn’t get
used to that title. She didn’t argue—but she did pinch. Hard.
Twisting her hand free, she landed a firm slap on the lips that
had just spoken such embarrassing words. Eiffel flinched and
tried to dodge, but the hit had been so forceful it nearly
brought tears to her eyes. Clearly, P’Tam hadn’t held back.
“Ow! That hurt, P’Tam!”
“Good!”
“Don’t run, Eiffel! Stop right there!”
The firm command froze Eiffel mid-step. She turned back
hesitantly, caught between fear and defiance, but she obeyed.
“But it hurts…”
“Then why did you say it? Do you think that was appropriate?”
“Ugh… Don’t frown, okay?”
“…"
“I won’t say it anymore.”
“…"
“I’ll just save it for when we’re alone.”
“You’re still going?!”
“But P’Tam—”
“What about me? I don’t remember anything! So it doesn’t
count!”
“What?! No way, P’Tam! I won’t accept this!”
“And why not? It’s my body, my memory. If I don’t remember
and I don’t acknowledge it, what are you going to do about it?”
Eiffel frowned, letting out a deep sigh to show just how
displeased she was.
“When you tie a knot, you have to do it properly. Step by step.
Carefully, so there won’t be any mistakes along the way. And if
there is a mistake, you can still fix it. A well-tied knot will be
strong enough to bear weight and serve its purpose.
Relationships are the same. Why are you in such a hurry when
I’m not? Why should we rush when we can carefully weave the
bond that’s forming between us? Don’t you want our feelings to
be strong and secure?”
Thansikorn’s voice was calm but serious, her expression
unwavering.
Eiffel went quiet, her thoughts stirring. She had to admit—she
was used to getting her way. Spoiled, really. So whenever she
was denied something, or whenever she felt possessive, she
reacted on impulse. But now, hearing P’Tam’s reasoning, she
understood. While she was ready to sprint forward, P’Tam
wanted to walk—carefully, intentionally.

P’Tam wanted their feelings to be built on something solid.

“I won’t rush.”

“…"

“But I won’t wait either.”

“What I mean is, I won’t rush things—but I also won’t just

stand by and let other people openly flirt with you anymore.
And you should know by now that you can’t lead anyone else
on. Only me.”

Thansikorn pressed her lips together. “This kid…”

“Or am I wrong?”

Fine! Say whatever you want. She wasn’t going to argue and
drag the conversation out any longer.

The car continued to move steadily along the road. Eiffel

wanted to roll down the window and let the wind in, but the
atmosphere outside wasn’t exactly inviting. So she just kept
driving, heading toward their destination—but not into the city.

“I’m not that free, and I don’t even like driving, you know.”
“I didn’t know that—but now I do. You can sit back and relax.
I’ll drive. Just tell me where you want to go,”
Eiffel said softly.

“You work all the time. Why don’t you take a break and find
some time for yourself?”

“Working is a form of relaxation too.”

“But doesn’t it give you a headache?”

“Staying still gives me more of a headache than that. Another

way I relax is by going out for drinks.”

“Every time you drink, I worry. Don’t drink until you’re drunk.”

“I’ll try.”

“Are you thinking too much about Mom?”

Thanakorn turned to look at her and smiled. “How did you

know? If there weren’t so many stressful things to tell her
about, it wouldn’t be so bad. Lately, I’ve actually been in a good
mood.”

“And lately, no one’s been bothering you, right?”

The beautiful girl turned to look at her before asking, “Who do

you mean?”

“Anyone or anything that gives you a headache.”

She shook her head. “Not right now—and that’s a relief. I’m
tired of forcing a smile.”
“If you don’t like him that much, why not just say it directly?”

“Some people want to win more than they care about the truth.
They don’t care how I really feel—they just want to possess me.
To tell everyone they’ve succeeded. That they were able to
conquer someone people say is hard to get.…That’s all it is.
They just want to feel like they’ve won by having me in their
grasp.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t know how society perceived her. She
simply chose not to care too much.
But did it hurt? Of course it did. Even if she acted like the
nicknames or whispers behind her back didn’t matter, she had
never told anyone that sometimes, those words stayed with her
so much… she would cry herself to sleep alone.

“But I want to lose to you.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I mean, if the person winning is you, then I don’t mind losing.”

“Oh, really? That’s funny, considering you’re always trying to

beat me.”

Eiffel smiled and let go of the gear shift to take the beautiful
woman’s hand in hers.

“You know what I mean.”

“I don’t.”

And that was it. Eiffel took her “I don’t know” as an admission
that she did.
The door to the house creaked open gently. Even in the dim
glow of the outdoor lights, signs of a lived-in home were clear.
Then, as the homeowner flipped the switch, warm light spilled
into the space.

A deep warmth struck Thansikorn in the chest—a feeling that

this place… felt like home. Everything about it spoke of life,
care, and comfort. It was nothing like the abandoned or eerie
house she had imagined. In fact, it was so perfect that she
almost feared the thought forming in her mind might actually
be true.

She had known England long enough to remember that her

best friend’s parents lived out in the countryside, drawn to a
simpler way of life. And this place—it was exactly that. A quiet
retreat, a peaceful sanctuary. And judging by the details... it
belonged to a woman. One who clearly preferred solitude and
calm.

“This isn’t your parents house, is it?”

“You can call them Mom and Dad, you know. I don’t mind.”

Thansikorn shot the taller girl a glare. “I mind!”

“You’ll have to call them that eventually.”

“Yes, eventually. But not now.”

“Oh? So that means you’ll call them that someday, right?”

Thansikorn blinked, realizing what she’d just admitted—then

sighed long and deep. She had walked straight into Eiffel’s
trap.
“Don’t change the subject. Answer my question.”
“You changed the subject first.”
“And you didn’t even tell me you were bringing me here! I don’t
have any clothes to change into. Why are you always so
stubborn?” she grumbled.
Come to think of it, this whole situation wasn’t much different
from being kidnapped—except she had willingly come along.
Even if she’d been tricked, there was no point in complaining
now. That little troublemaker of hers wasn’t going to turn the
car around and drive back to Bangkok tonight.
“Complaining too much makes you age faster, you know.”
“Oh yeah? Well, even if I am aging, there’s still a certain
someone chasing after me.”
“You—”
“What?”
Eiffel let out a dramatic sigh, too tired to argue. No point
wasting energy bickering. If sweet-talking didn’t work, she’d
use persuasion. And if that didn’t work… she’d just be direct.
Now that she’d brought her here, Thansikorn shouldn’t expect
a peaceful night’s sleep.
“So, are your parents staying in this house too?”
Eiffel shook her head. The truth was, this was a small private
house where she and England would be staying together. As for
It, she had her own small place—typical for a girl who valued
her privacy and preferred not to get caught up in her younger
sisters’ lives. Their parents weren’t far, but still at enough of a
distance that visiting required some effort.
“Well, that’s good. I didn’t bring anything with me. Feels rude
to just show up like this.”

“Just having you here is good enough.”

“What?”

“Nothing. I was asking if you wanted to go up to your room

now?”

“Lead the way.”

Thansikorn glanced around cautiously. She wouldn’t deny that

she was a little nervous—this was an unfamiliar place, and
outside, the nighttime sounds of small animals echoed loudly,
as if competing to see who could make the most noise. The
door to the bedroom on the left was opened for her, while the
room opposite had a nameplate that clearly belonged to her
best friend.

“I can sleep in Eng’s room.”

“You’re really brave enough to do that? Not scared?”

“What would I be scared of? Is there something to be scared

of?”

“There are a lot of things you don’t know.”

“Don’t try to scare me!!”

Shhh. Eiffel pressed a finger gently over her lips.

“Keep your voice down. Sounds echo in quiet places like this.”
“Then why are you saying weird things?”

This time, she didn’t respond aloud. She just moved her lips,
exhaling softly so that if Thansikorn really wanted to hear,
she’d have to lean in and pay attention.

“Country houses at night can be pretty creepy. I wasn’t saying

anything strange—you asked if you should be scared. Are you
really sure you can sleep alone?”

“Ugh, fine! If you want to sleep together, just open the door
already.”

Eiffel chuckled lowly. Look at that—claiming not to be scared,

yet somehow inching closer. Their shoulders were almost
touching now. Just a moment ago, she’d been her usual
confident, graceful self, but the moment they stepped into
unfamiliar territory, she’d transformed from a fierce tigress into
a timid kitten. If Eiffel had known this would happen, she
would’ve brought her here a long time ago.

The bedroom door opened gently. Eiffel switched on the lights

and waited a moment for them to fully illuminate the space.
The room was neat and tidy, as if someone regularly cleaned
and maintained it. Not too big, not too small. A clean white bed
sat in the center. The curtains on the window were drawn
open, letting in a soft glow from outside. A desk stood in the
corner near the head of the bed, and Eiffel’s collection of
keepsakes lined the shelf above it. A framed photo of the Eiffel
Tower hung above the bed, and a family photo rested on the
bedside table.
“You’re the first person I’ve ever brought here.”
“W-What?”
She instinctively moved away when Eiffel whispered those
words right by her ear, letting warm breath tickle her skin. One
moment she was scanning the room, and the next, Eiffel had
somehow appeared behind her without her noticing.
“Other than my family, I’ve never brought anyone here. Even
Green has never been here.”
“Who’s Green?”
Eiffel raised an eyebrow, then realized she’d never mentioned
her close friend before. It seemed like she knew everything
about Thansikorn, but Thansikorn still knew so little about
her.
“Green is my best friend.”
“I see.”
“I know we’ve known each other since we were kids, but there
are still personal things about me that I want to share with
you—little by little. Don’t worry, it won’t just be me getting to
know you. I want you to know me too.”
“I never said anything about that.”
She might not have voiced it, but her expression made it clear
that she appreciated the sentiment.
Eiffel decided to let her act tough—for now. More than
anything, she just wanted to cuddle her beautiful, stubborn
companion already. She was tired of standing and talking. She
wanted to lie down and talk instead. Not for anything
mischievous, of course—she just wanted to hold her, to steal a
few affectionate moments.
...With her head slightly lowered, speaking softly—it was an
endearing sight.

But making a move wouldn’t be easy just yet—not until the

setting was right. Like… when they were both on the bed.

“Do you want to shower first? I’ll get the warm water ready for
you.”

“I can do it myself,” the older woman replied. There was no

need for Eiffel to do everything for her—she was perfectly
capable of handling something as simple as adjusting the water
temperature.

But Eiffel simply shook her head with a smile. “It’s a bit tricky.
The system’s old. It’ll only take me a second.”

“Then just tell me how to do it.”

“Nope. If I do, you’ll figure it out.”

“What?! Hey—”

“Shh, keep your voice down.”

Eiffel chuckled at the sight of her sister’s irritated expression,
then took long strides into the bathroom to sort out the water,
not wasting any more time arguing.

When she returned, however, she couldn’t resist teasing her

again.

“Hurry up and shower. It gets pretty spooky around here late at

night.”

“…”
“Even the workers don’t dare shower at this hour.”
Thansikorn pursed her lips, glaring at the smug-faced younger
woman before reaching out and pinching her waist. Serves her
right for always saying things that made her overthink. She
knew she was easily scared—yet Eiffel kept trying to spook her
anyway.
“I don’t have anything to change into. Get me some clothes.”
“In that case, wait here a moment. I’ll grab something from
Eng’s room.”
“Wait!”
Thansikorn grabbed the hem of Eiffel’s shirt, then murmured
in a soft voice, “I’m coming with you.”
“What was that?” Eiffel leaned in closer, pretending not to have
heard her properly.
“I said I’m coming with you.”
Adorable.
Eiffel took in the sight of the elegant, usually composed woman
tugging on her shirt, head slightly bowed, voice hushed. It was
rare to see her act this way—and frankly, it was absolutely
adorable.
Her ears gradually turned red from embarrassment as she
tucked her hair behind them. Seeing this, Eiffel decided to stop
teasing her. She didn’t want to scare her any further. Gently,
she removed the older woman’s hand from the hem of her shirt
and replaced it with her own, squeezing lightly in
reassurance—a silent promise that she would, of course, take
her along.
“Let’s go,” she said, giving a small tug before leading the way
out.
.
.
.
After much debate over which outfit to pick, Thansikorn finally
settled on a simple nightdress. It was the safest choice,
considering the rest of the wardrobe was filled with outfits far
too inappropriate to wear while alone with Eiffel.
Once they returned to the room, she rushed straight to the
bathroom. Fortunately, there were still two unused pieces of
underwear that England had left behind. She quickly grabbed
one—deciding any size would do. It was certainly better than
wearing the old one. Besides, judging by the size, her chest and
England’s weren’t that different anyway.
“You’re really going to wear Eng’s underwear?” Eiffel teased.
“You’re about to sleep anyway. You don’t have to wear one, you
know.”
“Keep dreaming if you think I’m sleeping braless next to you.”
“I’m not that kind of person.”
“You are exactly that kind of person!” she snapped.
Eiffel only grinned in defeat. “If you say so.”
Finally, the moment Eiffel had been waiting for arrived—the
time to actually get into bed. But to her amusement, her
beautiful older companion was pressed so tightly against the
edge of the mattress, she looked like she might fall off.
Seeing this, Eiffel couldn’t help but laugh.

When push came to shove, her fierce, confident Thansikorn

was really just a timid kitten. She must really be scared of
what Eiffel might do. And honestly? She wasn’t wrong to be.

Because if the opportunity presented itself… well, Eiffel wasn’t

about to let it go to waste. Though how far she would actually
go—that remained to be seen.

“You don’t have to sleep all the way over there,” Eiffel teased.
“I’m not going to bite.”

“You’re not trustworthy.”

Eiffel let out a quiet chuckle before inching closer. She wrapped
an arm around Thansikorn’s waist and gently pulled her
toward her own body.

“Eiffel!” Thansikorn snapped, her voice sharp with warning.

“I’m just making sure you don’t fall off the bed,” Eiffel replied
smoothly. “Come closer. I won’t do anything to you… unless
you want me to.”

“What?!”

“You can even put a pillow between us if it makes you feel

safer.”

“Who said I was scared?”

“Oh? Then who was the one nearly falling off the bed just
now?”
“I’m not scared of you. I just don’t trust you, you little
trickster.”

“Me? A trickster?”

“Of course. You tricked me into coming here, didn’t you? That’s
hardly something an innocent kid would do.”

Eiffel laughed softly. Well, if Thansikorn already thought she

was cunning, she might as well live up to the title. No more
holding back—if she got slapped, she’d just kiss her like in a
drama. She was curious to see whether either of them could
actually stop things from escalating if it went too far.

“If I’d told you outright, you wouldn’t have come.”

“I had work.”

“Hmmm… Can’t you forget about work for just a little while? I
brought you here to relax.”

“Then let me sleep,” Thansikorn muttered, trying to shift away.

But Eiffel’s grip only tightened. The small gap that had existed
between them at first was disappearing little by little with every
second.

“Didn’t you say I wasn’t trustworthy?”

“When did I ever say that?”

“Haven’t we kissed yet today, P’Tam?”

“Who keeps track of something like that?”

“Well, I do. And I remember we haven’t kissed today yet.”

“And who ever gave you permission to kiss me every day?”

Thansikorn protested, raising a hand to block the sweet face

leaning closer. The situation was getting dangerously intimate.
Eiffel had one arm around her, one hand resting beneath her
neck, and the other holding her slim waist securely. In
response, Thansikorn pushed against her chin with one hand
and braced her shoulder with the other, trying to keep the
mischievous girl at bay.

“I give myself permission every day.”

“Not today!”

Eiffel raised an eyebrow. The hand on Thansikorn’s waist

loosened slightly, then began moving—gently squeezing before
slowly sliding upward, trying to remove the hand blocking her.

“You can’t stop me, P’Tam.”

“You’re so spoiled!”

“Mmm… but only with you. I only like you. I like you so
much… I feel like I’m going crazy.”

“You always sweet-talk me whenever you want to take

advantage.”

Seeing how determined Eiffel was to steal a kiss, Thansikorn

bit her lip and resolved not to say another word. She wasn’t
going to let her lips be claimed so easily. But… she had
miscalculated. Badly.
Instead of looking disappointed, Eiffel simply changed her
target. Rather than going for her lips, she began pressing soft,
repeated kisses to her cheek, letting her lips and nose leave
warm imprints again and again.
Whatever protests Thansikorn had melted away the moment
Eiffel’s mouth moved lower, brushing against the sensitive skin
of her neck. She inhaled deeply, breathing in her delicate scent.
The slow, deliberate tenderness of her touch sent unfamiliar
sensations rippling through Thansikorn’s body.
Goosebumps rose along her arms. A strange, heated sensation
pooled low in her stomach—different from anything she’d felt
before. Each time the tip of Eiffel’s nose grazed her skin, a
quiet whisper followed.
“You smell so good.”
“…”
“We use the same body wash… but how does it smell better on
you?”
“…”
“Maybe I should just let you be the only one who uses it.”
“St-Stop…” Thansikorn tried to protest, but even speaking felt
like too much effort. The tremors shaking through her body
were intense. She didn’t know where this girl had learned such
skill, but one thing was certain—resisting her was incredibly
difficult. Especially with one of her hands pinned gently to the
bed like this. Her other hand wasn’t much help either, fingers
digging helplessly into Eiffel’s shoulder every time she nipped
softly at her skin.
“I won’t take it too far.”

“…”

“I promise.”

Thansikorn bit her lip before asking in a shaky voice, “Are you
sure?”

“…”

“Eiffel…”

“I’m sure.”

And when Eiffel finally let go of her hand, their lips met.

Soft petals brushed together, parting slightly to allow Eiffel’s

warm tongue to slip in—tasting, savoring. Their movements
were slow and deliberate, melting away any lingering
hesitation. Their faces tilted and shifted into perfect alignment,
their kiss sweet, intense, and impossible to separate—like they
had been made for this moment.

Every touch was brimming with raw emotion—a flood of

feelings that had long been simmering beneath the surface.
And above all else, there was the deep, aching desire to show
Thansikorn just how much she was wanted.

Eiffel’s palm moved downward, brushing lightly over the swell

of her chest. After a brief moment of hesitation, she placed her
hand fully down, gently squeezing and kneading, which drew a
low, involuntary moan.

“Uhh…”
But their lips remained locked in a slow battle, and no protest
followed. It didn’t seem like Thansikorn wanted to be the one to
surrender in this sweet war—not when she’d never managed to
beat this younger girl at anything before.
Taking full advantage, the spoiled one moved her hand behind
Thansikorn’s back, fumbling to unhook her bra with one hand.
She moved slowly, not wanting to be caught. It took some
effort, and she was cautious not to alert her partner to what
she was doing.
It wasn’t until Eiffel had slowly slipped the straps off
Thansikorn’s arms, one side at a time, that the obstruction was
finally removed. Now, with only the thin fabric of the nightdress
between them, her palm could feel every soft, delicate curve.
“Ah… Ei…” The breathless voice came just as Eiffel finally
pulled her lips away, though her hand was still kneading her
chest.
“Y-yes?”
“Th-that’s enough…”
But Eiffel shook her head, looking at Thansikorn with a weak,
kitten-like expression that only made her want to tease her
more. She leaned down, parting her lips to nibble on the
already-sensitive nipple through the thin nightgown—not that
the fabric posed much of a barrier.
“Ah… uhh…” Thansikorn slapped Eiffel’s shoulder lightly
before gripping the blanket tightly, overwhelmed by the torment
on both her skin and her heart. The spoiled girl quickly
switched sides, making Thansikorn feel as though her entire
body had melted.
“Ah… Ei…”
“...You already promised,” Thansikorn murmured faintly.
Everything felt unbearably hot—so much so it felt like steam
might burst from her ears. Her body was in turmoil, like water
simmering in a pot, ready to boil over at any moment.
“I know,” the younger one whispered. Still, she didn’t stop. And
that’s exactly why Thansikorn knew—if this continued, she
wouldn’t be able to hold herself back either. So instead, she
tugged down the collar of Eiffel’s nightshirt and bit down softly,
needing some way to express the storm of emotions swirling
inside. She tried not to go too far—not deep enough to bare too
much or lose complete control.
“Ah…” Thansikorn groaned when she felt the sting of those
teeth on her chest. “It hurts.”
“You’re so difficult.”
Eiffel finally pulled away from her lips, pressing gentle kisses to
the mark she’d left behind—dark on pale skin. “It’s so hard not
to love you right now,” she whispered as she lay down and
wrapped her arms around her tightly. She wanted to be just a
little more selfish, just do what she wanted and be done with
this aching restraint. It was so hard not to be consumed by her
love for the one person no one else had ever touched like this.
Thansikorn lay still, letting herself be held as she tried to calm
the chaos inside her—wondering what might happen if this
storm between them were ever truly unleashed. Because even
now, with so much unsaid and undone, it was already so hard
to contain her heart.
Eiffel was adorable—so terribly adorable—but she came on too
strong. She did everything too fast, too directly. Their
relationship was moving at a frightening pace, fast enough that
it made Thansikorn fear one day it might all vanish just as
quickly.

That was why she wanted everything to slow down.

“Don’t… don’t make me waver more than this. I’m barely

holding myself together,” she whispered.

“Tomorrow,” Eiffel said suddenly, “let’s go see my parents.”

“…”

“I want to tell them that I love you.”

See? That was just like her. Faster than a speeding plane. How
could Thansikorn not be scared that this love might burn out
just as quickly as it had ignited? She needed more certainty.
She needed time—time for the foundation Eiffel had poured
into her heart to settle, to dry, to harden.

Once that happened—once it was solid—then no matter what

Eiffel wanted, she wouldn’t say no. And she’d make sure Eiffel
could never live without her again.

“Whatever you want, you crazy kid.”

 CHAPTER 12
THE WAY YOU LOOK AT ME

The unusual stillness was filled only by the natural sounds of

the countryside. Last night, Eiffel hadn’t even turned on the air
conditioning. She had boasted that the weather here was so
pleasant they could sleep soundly without wasting electricity—
and she had been right. The gentle chill in the air had made for
the most restful sleep.

The sun was already high; this was no longer early morning.
They must have overslept—understandable, considering how
demanding Eiffel had been last night. That girl always took so
much from her, so easily and so shamelessly. And yet, it was
always done with such tenderness that Thansikorn could never
bring herself to refuse.

Today, she’d woken up first. She wasn’t sure what time Eiffel
normally got up, but judging by how deeply she was sleeping
now, it wouldn’t be soon. Her limbs were sprawled across the
bed in an ungraceful mess, as though she had mistaken
Thansikorn for a body pillow and clung to her all night without
shame.

Even when Thansikorn shifted from discomfort, turning her

back to her, Eiffel had acted like a magnet. The moment any
space appeared between them, she instinctively moved back in,
closing the distance again.
Her face was now nestled in the curve of Thansikorn’s neck. At
first, she had panicked, thinking Eiffel was up to her usual
mischief again—especially when her warm breath brushed
against her skin, raising goosebumps. But in the end…

It was nothing more than that. Eiffel hadn’t done what she
feared—there were no signs of her taking advantage of the
situation. She was merely sleeping, holding on to her.
Oh, and of course, even in sleep, Eiffel’s habit of being all
hands and arms like an octopus remained as consistent as
ever.

Carefully, she tried to pry the younger girl’s arm off without
waking her. She wanted to stand by the window and take in
the morning view, which seemed to be inviting a city girl like
her to step outside and greet the peaceful countryside.
Fortunately, Eiffel was deep enough in sleep not to wake and
interfere with her small escape.

The house was nestled in a quiet orchard, peaceful and serene.

She noticed people moving about in the distance, and it seemed
there was an animal shelter not too far from where she stood.
There was also another house on the property—one that looked
important, situated right at the heart of the estate.

That reminded her that if Eiffel’s parents were here, she should
go and properly greet them. It wouldn’t be polite to let too
much time pass without paying her respects. Otherwise, she’d
seem like a rude and thoughtless guest.
But before she could do that, she needed to escape from Eiffel
and take a shower in England’s room. It would be much safer
to freshen up before the younger girl woke up, or else she’d
have to deal with endless whining and complaints.
She had already sent a message to England, asking to borrow
some of the clothes she’d left at the orchard house. She had no
idea when her friend would read it, though.

They hadn't seen each other much lately—England was busy

with work, and she was overwhelmed with her own
responsibilities. Any free time she had was completely
consumed by Eiffel’s demands, leaving her with almost no
space for herself.

She hadn’t even had time to stress about her mother or the
man her mother seemed to favor. It felt as if all of them had
disappeared. She wasn’t sure if they were avoiding her—or if
they actually believed the rumors about Eiffel being her
fiancée.
Even her mother had stopped introducing new prospects to
her.

Come to think of it, no one had ever directly asked her what
exactly she and Eiffel were to each other. She hadn’t even come
up with an answer herself. She had no idea what to call their
relationship—no name seemed to fit just right.

The moment she stepped out of the bathroom, she startled

slightly—because there, sitting cross-legged on the bed with
her arms braced against the mattress, was Eiffel, staring at her
with a sharp, almost scolding gaze.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”

“You were asleep. Why would I wake you up?”

Eiffel frowned, sat up, and walked toward her beautiful older
sister.

“You could’ve woken me up. I would’ve allowed it.”

“Excuse me! I didn’t need your permission. I just let you sleep.”

Thansikorn was relieved she had already gotten dressed before

coming out. If she had walked out in just a robe, there was no
doubt Eiffel would have stolen another kiss.
It wasn’t arrogance—just certainty. There had never been a
time when Eiffel didn’t seize an opportunity when it presented
itself. In fact, she always made sure to take full advantage of
every single one.

“Don’t make that face. I didn’t disappear; I just took a shower.”

“You don’t know how scared I was! Waking up and not seeing
you there… If I hadn’t heard the shower, I would’ve dragged all
my cousins out to search for you.”

Thansikorn laughed, though there was a hint of exasperation

in it. Just look at her—pouting, frowning, and rambling on with
that stormy expression. And yet, the panic that had flashed in
her eyes earlier was already gone.
How dramatic.

“You’re being ridiculous. I just took a shower. I wasn’t going

anywhere.”
“While we’re here, if you ever go anywhere, you have to tell me
first. Okay?”

Hearing that, Eiffel finally dropped her frown. “Okay.”

“Since you were so busy looking for me, have you even
showered yet?”

“Wait for me a minute, okay? I’ll take you to the main house
after.”

Of course. Just as she had expected. This little troublemaker

had already planned everything in advance.

"I am going to introduce you as their future daughter-in-law to

the family, huh?"

"…"

"Well, we’ve come this far, haven’t we?" Eiffel said, looking
completely serious. "I want you to know I’m not playing
around."

Then she looked straight into Thansikorn’s eyes. "Let’s go see

my parents."

Thansikorn pressed her lips together in deep thought before

sighing and nodding. It was just as she had expected—she was
bound to meet them sooner or later. But what she hadn’t
anticipated was that Eiffel would introduce her as someone
important, perhaps even as a lover. She wasn’t sure how to
compose herself, having spent her entire life as just a friend to
Eiffel. And now, today, Eiffel has decided to introduce her in a
different light.
"Fine, I’ll go meet them. But that doesn’t mean we’re officially a
couple yet," Thansikorn stated.
Eiffel chuckled softly. "That’s fine with me."
"But this means I have already claimed you, haven’t I?"
"Huh?! If you want to claim me, go ask my mother first. She’s
incredibly picky, you know," Thansikorn teased.
Hearing that, Eiffel laughed even harder. "I actually asked her
for permission before I even decided to court you. You just
didn’t know," she said before abruptly turning away and
heading back to her room, fearing that further conversation
would lead to more questions she’d rather not answer.
"Wait a minute! When did you talk to my mother?" Thansikorn
called out.
Eiffel pretended not to hear and quickened her pace to her
room. If she stayed any longer, she was sure to get her ear
pinched for being too forward. She had barely started courting
Thansikorn, yet she had already sought approval from her
mother. It was the perfect strategy—her mother had always
been the gatekeeper. Wasn’t it suspicious that every time Eiffel
invited her somewhere, there was never any resistance? In fact,
she had already called her Mom to inform her about today’s
meeting. The way everything seemed to be working in her
favor… well, it wasn’t a coincidence.
"Wait, wait—where are you taking me?" Thansikorn asked,
noticing that instead of leading her toward the house she had
expected, Eiffel was taking her in a completely different
direction.
"I’m taking you to meet your kids."
Thansikorn frowned. "My kids?"

"Yes! They’re absolutely adorable," Eiffel said excitedly.

"I think meeting your parents is more important than meeting

whatever kid you’re talking about," Thansikorn said firmly.
How could a child be more important than meeting the elders
at a time like this?

"I promise you’ll love them just like I do."

It was like they were talking about two entirely different things.
Even so, the older one still allowed the younger to lead her
forward. They kept walking until they finally stopped in front of
an animal stable. Inside, a pristine white horse and a striking
black one stood out. Both were engrossed in their meal, heads
lowered as they ate from the trough.

Eiffel grinned widely, letting go of Thansikorn’s hand. She

clung to the wooden railing, then turned around to introduce
them—just like a child proudly showing off her favorite thing to
a parent.

"P’Tam, meet Beauty and Beast. Beauty, Beast, this is P’Tam."

The two horses seemed to recognize their names, lifting their

heads from their food at the familiar voice.

"What?" Thansikorn blinked. Was Eiffel seriously introducing

them like this?

"Beauty is the female, and Beast is the male. They’ve been

together since they were little."
From the names to the introduction, everything was stated so
casually that Thansikorn wasn’t even sure which was which.
How was she supposed to know the gender of each horse just
by looking at them? But now that she understood what "the
kids" actually were, her voice returned to normal.

"So… do I need to bend down and check the horses’ genders or

something?"

That made Eiffel pause, as if only just realizing how overly

excited she had been. No wonder Tam was looking at her so
strangely.

"The white one is Beauty. The black one is Beast."

"You named them after a movie?"

Eiffel’s grin widened when Tam caught the reference—or maybe

she had just guessed. Either way, it was the right answer, and
Eiffel was pleased. Her sweet smile lingered for a moment,
leaving Tam momentarily dazed. She wasn’t used to seeing this
side of her. Usually, Eiffel was mischievous, teasing, and far
too touchy for comfort. And even when she smiled, it always
seemed like she was holding something back.

"Exactly! Just like in the movie—a princess and a prince."

"Then why did you bring me here?"

"Because today, I’m taking you to meet my parents… with

Beauty."

"What!?"
And that was how Thansikorn ended up sitting stiffly in Eiffel’s
embrace on the back of Beauty, her gorgeous white horse. The
gentle mare was surprisingly cooperative, letting them mount
without any resistance.

Thansikorn could feel how tense her own body was, but Eiffel
had already decided this was the best way to help her relax.
Before meeting her parents, she wanted Thansikorn to get
comfortable with the animals she loved. If things went well, she
might even teach her to ride Beauty on her own.

Trying something new could be a form of relaxation too, right?

It would keep her focused on the present—too occupied to
worry about anything else.

"Don’t be so tense. Beauty won’t let you fall."

"I’ve never ridden a horse before."

"I’ve never taught anyone before either," Eiffel whispered,

adjusting the reins to guide Beauty forward. She kept the pace
slow, carefully watching Thansikorn’s reactions. Once she
noticed her companion wasn’t as afraid, she nudged the horse
into a slightly faster walk.

"Do you want to try riding Beauty on your own?"

Thansikorn shook her head. "No way."

"But if we stay like this, I’ll have to keep holding you."

"…I didn’t say that was a problem."

"So… you like it when I hug you?"

"I never said I didn’t."

Eiffel grinned and tightened her embrace, pressing herself more

firmly against Thansikorn’s back.

For safety’s sake…

"Beauty seems to be in a really good mood."

"How can you tell?"

"Look at her ears, P’Tam. They’re swinging back and forth like
this—that means she’s really happy. She must love being
outside, running around."

"It’s that easy to tell?"

"It’s not hard at all! When her ears swing, it means she’s
happy. If they’re pinned back, she’s angry. If they’re pointing
forward, she’s curious or cautious about something ahead. And
if one ear tilts to the side, it means she’s focusing on something
in that direction. Simple, right?"

Thansikorn laughed. Simple? The way Eiffel explained it had

already made her head spin. But fine—if Eiffel said it wasn’t
hard, then she’d take her word for it. After all, without her,
there was no way she’d dare ride Beauty or Beast on her own.

Eiffel dismounted first, waiting to help Thansikorn down before

turning to instruct a stable worker to take Beauty for a rest
and some water.

"Do you know why I brought you here?"

"Wasn’t it so I could relax?"

"That’s part of it. But the other reason is... I don’t want to be
just someone in your life. I want to be the one. That’s why I
need you to see how serious I am."

"So you just dragged me to meet your parents without giving

me time to prepare?"

Eiffel scrunched up her nose, caught red-handed. But she

didn’t want to wait any longer. She knew it wasn’t the best
approach—springing this on Tam without warning—but she
just couldn’t hold back. She wanted the world to know that
Tam was her future.

"Are you mad?"

"At first, I wanted to be. You didn’t even consult me before

making this decision. But… what’s done is done. You’ve
already talked to my mom, haven’t you? So it wouldn’t be
strange if I talked to your parents too."

"You know what kind of conversation it was?"

"Whatever it was, just don’t be like the others."

"You mean… has someone done this before?"

"If I tell you, will you get upset?"

Eiffel furrowed her brows, her expression turning displeased.

"P’Tam, I’m serious."

"You think you’re the first one who wants to claim me as

theirs?"

"..."
"Don’t worry, I haven’t agreed to be anyone’s daughter-in-law
yet."

"This is a code red, P’Tam. Why do you always talk about these
things like they’re a joke?" Eiffel muttered, her smile fading as
the implication hit her—that someone else had tried this
before.

"I met them at events, not at their house. Do you think I’d just
go that easily?"

"But you came to my house."

"Exactly."

“So that means you’ll accept my family, right?”

“I don’t recall saying that.”

“But I’m still going to tell my parents that I’m courting you…
And how am I supposed to know if I’m just like the others?”

“Listen, Eiffel. I want you to love me in the way you truly want
to. Express yourself in your own way. You don’t have to be
anyone else or try to be better than anyone. That’s all.”

“And when did I become ‘like the others’?”

“When you try so hard to make everything perfect, without a

single mistake.”

“…”

“No one in this world can be perfect at everything, you know.”

“I’m not even trying to be perfect. I just want to do things well.”
“It’s already good enough. You don’t have to be better—just
don’t let it fall apart.”
“That’s the most confusing thing you’ve ever said, you know?”
“Tam!”
A middle-aged woman’s voice interrupted their conversation.
Thansikorn turned toward the voice, flashing a broad smile and
raising her hands in a respectful wai. She stepped forward to
greet the familiar figure, leaving Eiffel standing there.
“How have you been, Auntie?”
“Auntie? Call me Mom, dear. Eiffel already told me everything—
she’s been working hard to bring you into our family.”
“What?”
“Mom!” Eiffel cut in, horrified. How could her mother spill
everything like that? Now she was definitely going to get
scolded. Her sister had just told her not to act like everyone
else, and now her mom went and said this. How was she
supposed to recover?
“I’m just joking, dear. She only told me she likes you, that’s
all.”
“Oh… I see.”
Lady Aruna pulled Thansikorn into a warm embrace, clearly
delighted. Whether it was because Eiffel liked her or for some
other reason, she didn’t know. But growing up alongside
England, she had come to understand Aruna’s personality well.
So even if Eiffel didn’t love or like her, Aruna still adored her
regardless.
“Sinee—how is she doing, Tam?”

“My mother is ill, but she’s stable. She’s undergoing

continuous treatment.”

“I heard about that. We were just talking about inviting Sinee

to stay here with us so she wouldn’t feel lonely.”

Thansikorn raised an eyebrow. “Auntie—uh, Mom—you talked

to my mother already?”

“Yes, we spoke when I went back to Bangkok last time. Eiffel

took me to see Sinee.”

“Oh. I had no idea about this.”

She replied before turning to glare at Eiffel, who hadn’t

bothered to say a word. That was her mother! Couldn’t she
have at least mentioned something? That foolish girl. Sure, she
knew Eiffel often visited her mom when she was too busy...

...with work to go herself, but she never imagined they’d grow

so close—close enough for their mothers to discuss moving in
together.

“Well… My mom wanted to make some desserts, so I started

chatting with your mother, and somehow we ended up
planning for her to come over when my parents got back
home.”

“But you didn’t say anything to me?”

“You were busy at the time.”

Eiffel’s shoulders slumped, intimidated by the calm yet piercing
gaze of her older sister. She quickly signaled to her mother,
asking for some privacy. The older woman simply chuckled,
amused that someone was finally able to keep Eiffel’s
stubbornness in check.

“Well then, I’ll go fetch your father. When I’m done, meet me at
the pavilion in the garden, alright?”

“Yes, Mom.”

Once her mother left, Eiffel wasted no time stepping closer to

her beautiful but clearly upset older sister.

“Eiffel….”

“…?”

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“I feel terrible… like I have no say in what Mom is planning.

Like she’s making decisions without me. But at the same time,
you knew everything and didn’t think to tell me.”

“I didn’t forget you, P’Tam. No one forgot you.”

“You didn’t forget, but you didn’t tell me. So I don’t matter—is
that it?”

Oh no. This was spiraling out of control. Eiffel wanted to slap

herself for keeping quiet earlier. She knew how sensitive P’Tam
was when it came to her mother. She should have said
something—anything—before things reached this point.
The one and only person left in her world—the most important,
in a way no one else could ever be.

“So what possible reason could there be for me not to know?

My mother is talking about moving, Eiffel. This isn’t just some
shopping trip.”

“She hasn’t decided yet. She just doesn’t want to be a burden

to you.”

“If I’m important, even the smallest problems should be shared

with me. And Mom has never been a burden to me.”

“I know.”

Eiffel pulled the trembling figure into a tight embrace, blaming

no one but herself for making her feel like she wasn’t
significant in her own family.

“You hid this from me.”

Her sister’s voice wavered, tears spilling from her eyes without
warning.

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“You can be mad at me, but please, don’t be mad at Auntie.

She just worries about you too much, that’s all.”

“Oh, I am mad at you!” Thansikorn huffed, wriggling in her

younger sister’s arms, only now realizing how tightly she was
being held. The closer Eiffel got, the harder it was to stay
angry. So she had to keep her distance—she needed to make a
point. Eiffel had to learn not to keep things from her.
“You can be mad! But can we press pause for now? Just until
we get back?”
“Are you crazy? You think I can just schedule my anger?”
Thansikorn snapped, trying once more to pull away but failing
miserably. “Let me go!”
“Huuuuh… I didn’t mean to hide it, my love.”
“…"
She tightened her arms around her sister and rocked her back
and forth like a wobbling doll. Only after receiving several
pinches and bites did she finally let go—because honestly, the
pain was unbearable. How could someone be so strong-handed
in everything?
“When we get back, you have to help set up the stage, carry
props, buy drinks, drive me around, and be my mannequin
while I tailor my outfits. That’s your punishment for keeping
things from me. And if you ever do it again, I’ll ban you from
seeing me for three months.”
“P’Tam… Three months is way too harsh.”
“Oh? So you are planning to do it again?” Thansikorn asked,
her voice sharp.
Eiffel blinked rapidly before shaking her head vigorously.
“Nope! Not at all. I was just complaining for the sake of it. Let’s
go—we should wait for Mom and Dad at the pavilion.”
“P’Tam, you’re amazing, you know that? Running your own
brand, designing and tailoring your own outfits, and even
modeling them yourself,” Eiffel praised nonstop as they walked,
her eyes shining with pride as she shared her sister’s
achievements with her parents.
“Oh, really now?” Thansikorn chuckled.
“I mean it! Someone like you can do anything you set your
mind to.”
“You’ve been singing her praises this whole time, Eiffel,” her
father laughed lightly.
Meanwhile, the one being praised sat there, blushing beside
Eiffel’s mother. The entire pavilion was filled with Eiffel’s
enthusiastic chatter, as if she was the only one speaking. Not
that it was necessary—her parents already knew everything
about Tam’s work. But it was obvious that Eiffel wanted to brag
about her sister’s friend. She was terrible at hiding her
excitement in front of them.
Thansikorn watched as Eiffel continued boasting about her to
her mom and dad—listing all her projects, awards, and past
achievements with overflowing enthusiasm. It was so blatant,
so unrestrained. And there was something about the way she
looked at her—something different from before.
She had never really noticed it before.
Maybe it was because she had never taken the time to watch
the younger one interact with others. But now that she did, she
saw it clearly—the way Eiffel’s eyes looked when talking about
her, compared to when she spoke to others. The way she gazed
at friends, or even at Beauty and Beast, their beloved pets.
Eiffel always expressed her feelings through her eyes. When
looking at others, her gaze was warm, but never soft. When
looking at Beauty and Beast, there was love—but it was still
different. Different from the way she looked at Tam.
Thansikorn only realized today that she received a gaze that
Eiffel never gave to anyone else. The same went for her actions,
her expressions. No wonder that look made her heart tremble.
The walls and rules she had built up over time felt insignificant
under that gaze. Because when Eiffel looked at her like that, it
made her feel as if she could be anyone, do anything, succeed
or fail—and still, still those eyes would remain the same.

It made the world feel incredibly small.

Not even a day had passed since returning from the

countryside when Eiffel received a call from her beautiful
sister. The team needed meal boxes, drinks, and desserts. The
set crew needed a creative lead on-site. Having just settled onto
her couch, she had to spring up, shower, dress, grab her car
keys, and rush out the door.

Her punishment had begun.

What kind of woman was this? Impossible to forget.

Yet, the so-called punishment from her beloved sister felt more
like a gift. Eiffel was being called to help constantly—so much
so that she had to bring her MacBook and start working from
Tam’s office full-time.

P’Tam walked back and forth, her perfume lingering in the air.
One moment, she was measuring fabric on a mannequin; the
next, she was jotting down notes at her desk. Then she was out
inspecting the team’s work, then back again, crossing her legs
gracefully on the sofa across from Eiffel. Every single thing
about her was captivating.
Eiffel watched. Until she completely forgot she was supposed to
be working. Yet, just when she finally managed to focus, as if
on cue, P’Tam would call out. Always calling her to do this and
that.

“I’m hungry—”

Thansikorn squinted at the person who was focusing intently

on her work, seemingly unaware of her earlier remark. The
beautiful woman got up from her seat, glanced at the time, and
sighed. It was already past noon, yet Eiffel hadn’t shown any
signs of stopping to take a break, not even acknowledging her
hunger.

Thansikorn was the one constantly checking the time, worried

that her own bad habits might make Eiffel miss her lunch.

She walked over, sitting down next to her, their shoulders

brushing. Her hips were resting on Eiffel’s legs—half-sitting on
her lap, but not quite. It was more like a way to nudge her to
pay attention to something other than work.

Eiffel, still holding her MacBook, froze in place, shocked by the

sudden proximity. Anyone would be surprised, after all. But
once she regained her composure, Eiffel shifted, pulling
Thansikorn fully into her lap, wrapping her arms around her
waist and resting her chin on her shoulder, holding her firmly
so she couldn’t get up.

“Hey, let go.”

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to sit on my lap?”

“No! I was just going to say I’m hungry.”

“But you called me to sit on my lap earlier.”

“Did I even get to sit? I was fine on the sofa, and you’re the one
who likes to use force.”

“I’m just worried you won’t sit comfortably.”

“I’m sitting just fine. So let go. I’m hungry.”

“Well, I still haven’t gotten close enough to you today.”

“How close do you want to get? I’m already right here.”

Eiffel shook her head and pressed her chin down on her sister’s
shoulder, causing the beautiful woman to shift away, trying to
escape the tickling sensation. But Eiffel didn’t give up—
persistently following her, moving around and avoiding each
other—until finally, Thansikorn fell off her lap.

However, as she lost her balance, her back almost hit the sofa,
but Eiffel managed to catch her just in time, holding her
steady.

In the end, Thansikorn still ended up with her back resting on

the sofa, as Eiffel exerted enough pressure to push her down.
When it came to quick reflexes and taking advantage of the
situation, Eiffel was always fast. And now that Thansikorn was
at a disadvantage, it was clear just how much Eiffel
appreciated it.

“Why are you pressing me down like this?”

“Is the work okay? No problems, right?”

She didn’t answer the question—just changed the subject
instead.

Thansikorn shook her head, biting her lip. The tension between
them seemed to happen too often. She didn’t want Eiffel to
think she was too easy or anything like that, but every time
they were close, it felt like two magnets—always pulling each
other together.

The punishment of having to help with work nearby—she

wasn’t sure if it was meant to be serious discipline, or if Eiffel
just wanted to see her face while working.

It seemed like the strict rules she set for herself were starting
to soften.

“Don’t kiss me. I told you.”

“I’m not going to kiss you. I’m just asking about the work.”

She wasn’t going to kiss her—but she still leaned in, and their
noses lightly touched. Eiffel often glanced at Thansikorn’s lips,
coated in a soft, sweet lipstick, though she still hadn’t decided
what to do next.

“Well, there’s no problem. You’ve helped a lot. Now answer and

let me go.”

“I told you, the one who can do everything is my talented one.”

“Well, I know now. Get up.”

“Can you say something sweet and pull me up, please?”

“What? I told you, no kissing.”

“I’m not going to kiss you. I just want to hear something like,
‘Eiffel, my dear, Eiffel…’ like that.”

“Are you dreaming or something? Why would I need to say it

like that?”

“Well, right now, I’m too weak to get up. What should I do?”

Eiffel tightened her arms around her sister. “No kissing on the
lips, so can I kiss somewhere else?”

Her sweet face lowered, and her lips gently pressed against the
fabric. Luckily, even though Tam wore two layers, the inner
layer was just a tank top covered with a business suit, so her
exposed skin showed more than usual—giving the sly girl an
advantage.

When Eiffel’s lips landed just above her sister’s chest,

Thansikorn jumped in surprise. She bit her lip before letting
out a heavy breath, both frustrated and flustered by the
unexpected tingle. She couldn’t believe she’d let Eiffel take
advantage like this again. Every time they got this close, it
always ended up the same.

“Eiffel…”

“I’m exhausted. I think I have to lie on top of you because I

can’t get up.”

“Ugh!” The beautiful woman smacked Eiffel’s shoulder several

times, tugging at her face and body, but no matter how hard
she tried, she wouldn’t budge.
“You said you couldn’t move, but this is some serious
strength!”

“Eiffel…”

“…”

Eiffel smiled, her lips still resting gently against her sister’s
skin.

“Eiffel, get up. Now.”

Upon hearing the words she’d been waiting for, Eiffel chuckled
softly. Not wanting to be scolded any further, she gently kissed
her sister’s forehead and finally pulled away. She helped her sit
up, then stood up herself.

“What do you want to eat? I’ll order for you.”

“You’re such a naughty kid.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Salmon.”

“Woof.”

“How are we going to eat salmon? Are you losing your hearing?”

“How about we save that for dinner? It won’t fill you up for
lunch.”

“It comes with rice. I’m not just eating fish.”

Seeing the beautiful woman frown, Eiffel figured it was better
not to argue about how she wanted to eat. If the mood shifted
from playful to prickly, she might just turn into a fierce tiger
who would scratch anyone who got too close. So, in this
situation, Eiffel decided it was best to indulge her beautiful
sister. Maybe—just maybe—she’d even earn a sweet kiss before
going home, especially after being worked so hard all week:
setting up the scene, buying things, picking this up, grabbing
that.

If you asked whether she liked it, the answer would be yes. But
she’d like it even more if her sister would let her have that kiss.
“Okay, but when will the punishment be over?”
“Why? Don’t want to help anymore?” the beautiful sister asked
sternly.
Eiffel immediately shook her head. “I’d come every day even
without the punishment. But… I really want to kiss you.”
Thansikorn pushed her sister’s shoulder and stood up, walking
away. She ran a hand through her hair and tucked it behind
her ear, heading back to her desk.
“All you think about is stuff like this.”
“I only think about it with you,” Eiffel pouted, raising her brows
and giving a look of longing, forcing Thansikorn to turn away—
despite only just glancing over. She hated this pink, fluttery
atmosphere between them. It made her feel like she was
eighteen again, falling for someone like a fool. This was so
inappropriate for someone who was supposed to be a leader, an
older sister. She should’ve been more composed—not like this.
“You could punish me for life. But don’t forget to reward me
too,” Eiffel added.

“This is a workplace. If you want to kiss or do anything, pick a

proper place.”

Since she didn’t know how else to respond, she used the
location as an excuse. She just hoped Eiffel would take the hint
and back off. But of course, Eiffel only got more excited.

So does that mean somewhere private, out of sight?

Not at all!

Eiffel smiled widely, stood up, and walked toward her, while
Thansikorn felt as if it were the height of summer—her ears
burning with embarrassment and panic, eager to escape the
room. She reached out to the doorknob and turned it, but
before she could open the door, Eiffel pulled her slender body
into a tight embrace, gently pinning her against the wall. One
arm wrapped around Thansikorn’s waist, drawing her in, while
the other tilted her chin up to meet her eyes, taking advantage
of their height difference.

“So here is fine?”

“I never said it was.”

Eiffel raised an eyebrow, pretending to think, though her face

was already inching lower. She had a clear destination in
mind—she was just waiting to see if she could land it.

“I didn’t say that. You did.”

The petals of their lips met at just the right angle, and Eiffel
was pleased to finally claim her kiss. Thansikorn’s lips pressed
tightly together at first—still resisting. The hand that had tilted
her chin moved to the back of her neck, gently massaging it
while Eiffel’s kiss softened, coaxing her to slowly part her lips.

Eiffel didn’t wait. She deepened the kiss immediately, capturing

the sweetness she had long desired.

“Mmm…”
That low moan signaled a surge of emotion.

Many times, they had stopped halfway—because of their

status, because of uncertainty. But everything had built up like
a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode. Every time they
touched like this, the emotions grew more intense, the desires
more undeniable. Even if their minds kept denying it, their
bodies betrayed the truth.

Thansikorn opened her eyes, lifting her hands to wrap around

her younger sibling’s neck. She tilted her head back, allowing
the kiss to deepen—because this wasn’t just affection anymore.
It was a subtle competition.

Eiffel’s hand slid from her waist to her hips, gripping firmly.

“Hmmmm.”

And everything would have spiraled even further out of

control—if not for the sudden knock on the door, followed by
the voice of the man Eiffel despised.
The slightly ajar door made both of them freeze. Had the person
outside pushed it open? Or had it been slightly open the whole
time?
If so—
Did he see anything?

Eiffel sighed after pulling away from the kiss, lifted a hand to
fix her hair, and gently used her fingertips to wipe the lipstick
smudges from both their lips. Then, with a tense expression,
she whispered to her older sister:

“I really don’t like him.”

“Stop whining.”

“Yeah, but he likes you—I can tell.”

“Don’t overthink it. It’s nothing. He said he came here for

work.”

“Fine.. then I’ll work while I wait.”

Thansikorn stroked her younger sibling’s cheek before nodding

and watching as Eiffel returned to her original seat. Then, she
opened the door to welcome Teerapat, who had come to visit
 CHAPTER 13
FALL DOWN

Eiffel sat back on the sofa, trying to calm the turmoil in her
chest. The work in front of her seemed trivial compared to the
presence of someone who felt like a rival—appearing with an
annoying smile and a deep, soothing voice. He was completely
different from the aggressive young man she’d once
encountered at the pub, who had seemed more like a hungry
tiger than a gentleman. He was so skilled at putting on a show
that she couldn’t help but wonder what else someone like him
might be capable of.

She had just found out that he was the same son who had
grown close to her mother and sister, acting as a mediator to
discuss various matters—her mother’s charity events, her
sister’s social engagements, and anything else he could find to
strike up conversation. And he acted as if she didn’t exist. The
first sentence he said to her after treating her like air the entire
time was, “Oh, is Eiffel here?”

She swore he genuinely didn’t see her—his gaze seemed to pass

right through her. All she could do was smile politely; she
didn’t want to behave badly in front of Tam. Even though his
words always came off sarcastic, her beautiful one—her Tam—
was another story entirely. Tam smiled and chatted with him
naturally, as if she had no idea how annoyed and
uncomfortable Eiffel felt watching her giving attention to
everyone but her.
“Um, I would love to meet your mother, you know? Since she’s
not feeling well, it might not be convenient…”

“Nong Tam, I’d really like you to come to my house,” Teerapat

interjected, immediately seizing the opportunity and dragging
work into the conversation as an excuse. He played the role of
the charming son trying to impress the elegant woman in front
of him. If things went his way, what he desired wouldn't be out
of reach. His mother and Thansikorn’s mother were in the
same social circle, and if the two older women spoke, the
connection might become even stronger.

He had also heard from Mr. Phongsakorn—or someone close to

him—that the young woman, spoiled by her ailing mother, was
incredibly appealing. So, he had to proceed with subtlety and
finesse. Besides, with Phongsakorn forced to stay abroad for an
extended period, Teerapat finally had a real chance to score
some points.

But he had one major problem: Eiffel.

That woman clung to Thansikorn like a shadow, in every way.

They had even appeared in the news together once, and not a
single person had come forward to deny the rumors. He didn’t
dare ask about it outright for fear of being impolite or losing
face with the woman he was pursuing. Still, he had already
guessed the truth—he just pretended not to see it.

“These days I’m quite busy. Could we talk over the phone
instead?” Thansikorn replied calmly.
She wasn’t the type to easily agree to a meeting. Though she
told Eiffel it was nothing, she hadn’t mentioned any names.
Teerapat had no idea what the woman in front of him truly
intended. Tam had already told her younger sister that she
wasn’t the kind of person who’d go out of her way to meet
someone privately just to make them feel special. But if
someone didn’t take the hint, she wasn’t about to explain it
either. She expected it to be obvious—expected Eiffel to
understand without needing to pout in front of her computer.
She wasn’t insecure about her place in Tam’s life.
“All right then. In that case, may I have your number?”
That was exactly what he wanted. Eiffel sighed. The work on
her computer became meaningless—her focus was entirely on
their conversation.
“And what about lunch?” Teerapat asked with a faint smile.
Thansikorn glancing at the sulky child beside her. Sometimes a
little flaw could be forgiven. In truth, Tam wasn’t wrong at all—
but if Eiffel didn’t know how to apologize, she might as well
keep pouting.
“Eiffel already ordered the food,” she said casually.
Teerapat glanced sideways at Eiffel with a displeased
expression before his face returned to its usual composed
demeanor. He continued to bring up work, trying to stretch his
time with Tam as long as he could. It wasn’t like he hadn’t
noticed the hug or the kiss between the two women earlier. He
saw everything. Still, he believed he stood a chance—equal in
status, looks, and background. In his mind, that gave him the
upper hand.
Besides, there had never been any confirmed rumors that
Thansikorn liked women. So if the paparazzi he hired did a
good job, and he could plant seeds of doubt in their budding
relationship, his chances might grow.

“You’re looking all sulky,” Tam teased her younger sister with a
soft laugh after Teerapat had finally left. Eiffel still hadn’t
stopped sulking.

“He’s totally flirting with you.”

“Really?”

Eiffel sighed, about to open her mouth and tell her beautiful
older sibling just how jealous she really was. But then she
remembered—they weren’t anything yet. He had every right to
choose where to give her heart. Maybe the hope she gave her
was nothing more than the kind offered to one of many passing
options.

“Never mind. I ordered salmon online. I’ll go downstairs to wait

for it,” Eiffel said quickly, rising to her feet and walking out of
the room.

Thansikorn frowned, parting her lips to call out—but it was too

late. Eiffel’s long legs carried her swiftly away. In just a few
quick strides, she was gone. And Thansikorn chose to remain
silent, sulking. She disliked that sarcastic tone Eiffel often took
when upset.
Running away like that—refusing to listen, refusing to be soft
or charming. Not even a little. It made the day feel heavier.

Today, Eiffel’s world felt dull. They both went their separate
ways, each carrying some quiet weight in their chest. Like a
cloud of dense cream fog rolling in—gentle but suffocating. It
wasn’t thunder or wind, but a silent storm nonetheless. A test
of hearts. Maybe even both hearts.

The next day, Teerapat arrived at Thansikorn’s office early in

the morning. Dressed casually, he stood waiting beside his
sleek car. The moment he saw the young woman step out of
hers, he walked up eagerly to greet her, smiling and chatting—
close enough that any outsider might think they had just
arrived together.

Of course, an expensive camera, fitted with a high-resolution

lens, easily captured the moment. Perfectly timed. Perfectly
framed. Enough to make anyone wonder what happened after
the shot was taken.

“You’re here early. Is something up?” Thansikorn asked coolly,

taking a small step back when he got too close.

“Nothing really. I just wanted to see you before heading to

work,” Teerapat replied smoothly.

“Huh?”
He smiled and gently took her hand. “Make sure to work hard,
okay? I just came to tell you—my mother wanted me to invite
you to the upcoming association party.”

“If it’s that event, I’ll definitely be there. I have to oversee the
guests’ outfits, so I can’t miss it.”

“Then I’ll see you there.”

Thansikorn returned a polite smile.

But just then, the roar of another expensive engine echoed in.
A car pulled up.

And Teerapat, sensing the timing, decided not to leave. He

pushed forward again, stepping directly into the space where
the other vehicle would soon stop—intending to declare himself
fully, to stake a claim.

He wasn’t just going to compete quietly. He wanted his rival to

see—clearly—who he was up against.

“Actually, Tam, I’d like to ask for a chance,” he said, gazing

intently at her. “I want to get to know you better.”

Without waiting for a reply, the young man reached for her
hand again. Taking advantage of the moment—of her stunned
silence—he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to the back of
it before pulling away.
The moment lingered in the air, heavy and uncomfortable. It
wasn’t rage she felt. Just a sudden ache, a sharp exhaustion,
like she'd been running down a path that had no clear end.

She couldn’t explain it. It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t even

about him.

Maybe that was the problem.

Maybe it was because she had so many options… she was

never the one who was chosen.

Eiffel frowned when she saw the look on her sister’s face as she
stepped out of the car. She wasn’t sure if Tam had seen what
happened earlier—Teerapat stealing that moment—but judging
by her expression…

It was obvious.

Something was definitely over.

“Why didn’t you wait for me today?” Eiffel asked, unable to hold
it in. When she had gone to pick her up that morning, Tam had
already left the house without a word.

She had sped up to follow her. Yesterday they had parted with
so much unresolved, and today she’d wanted to make it right—
maybe even win her back.

But maybe it was too late.

Maybe she’d left early... because someone else had beaten her
to it.
“You didn’t say you were coming to pick me up,” Tam replied
calmly.

“I usually pick you up every day.”

“Today, I wanted to come on my own.”

“Did you want to come on your own—or did someone else pick
you up?”

Thansikorn furrowed her brows.

“Don’t go looking for trouble, Eiffel, especially when you don’t

even know what you should or shouldn’t say.”

“Is it true or not? I saw it, Tam.”

“So what if you saw it? Did you hear what I said to him?”

“Isn’t it obvious what I saw? He did the same thing that I did to
you.”

“Did what?”
Thansikorn felt a wave of anger rise within her. Eiffel’s words
cut deep—insulting, careless. How dare she imply that
someone else could do what she had done?
No one had ever done the things Eiffel did.
Had she made it too easy for her? Easy enough for Eiffel to
believe she’d let anyone touch her that way?

“Go back.”

“…”
“If you’re going to act like this, then just go back. Don’t stay
here.”

“…”

“If you don’t even realize what you just said, then leave. Right
now.”

Thansikorn turned and stormed away, opening the office door

and stepping inside without a backward glance.

“Wait, Tam!”
But it was too late.

As Eiffel stepped forward, her hand still on the frame, the door
slammed shut—right onto her hand. The sharp thud was
followed by her involuntary cry of pain.

The culprit didn’t even turn around.

Even though she heard it.
Even though she knew.

Eiffel looked down at her trembling hand and back at the

retreating figure. She took a shaky breath. The pain shot
through her fingers, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as what she felt
in her chest—an ache born from uncertainty, from confusion,
from the fact that only a moment ago, everything had felt fine.
Like nothing could go wrong.

But then…
The bad day—the unexpected one—arrived without warning.
“Miss Ei, would you like to ice your hand? It might bruise,”
said the housekeeper, who had seen it all. Her voice was gentle,
tinged with concern for the regular guest in this house she had
come to recognize.

The kindness of someone who wasn’t even close brought tears

to Eiffel’s eyes.

She quickly wiped them away before they could fall.

“It’s fine. I’ll just head back,” she said quietly.

“Will you be able to drive? Do you need someone to take you

home?”

Eiffel forced a stiff smile, trying to reassure her. “I can drive.”

The car engine started. She glanced up at the second floor of

the office one last time, sighed, and then slowly pulled out of
the driveway. The place where everything had just fallen apart
disappeared behind her, piece by piece.

Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
“Coffee, Miss Tam.”
1

“Thank you.”
The housekeeper sighed as she observed her boss. After all
these years, she could easily tell when Tam was upset. Her
boss had a notoriously bad temper—stubborn, quick to anger—
but that edge had softened ever since Eiffel entered her life.
Today, though, it seemed that old version had returned.
There was no need to investigate. Anyone could guess that the
same person who made Tam smile was the one who made her
angry. And perhaps only that person knew how to soothe her
now. If only they both could put their pride aside…

“Miss Ei—she’s injured,” the housekeeper said gently.

Thansikorn raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

“Just now… Miss Tam accidentally closed the door on Ei’s

hand,” she explained quietly.

“Th—Tam didn’t even notice,” Thansikorn murmured, her voice

tinged with guilt.

As someone who had seen the world, the housekeeper could

read between the lines. Beneath Eiffel’s strained expression
and clipped tone earlier, there had been concern. Real concern.
No matter how angry she was, once that anger faded, the truth
was clear: the feelings between them were genuine.

To be honest, the housekeeper never really liked that other

man. But it wasn’t her place to speak up. All she could do was
quietly watch as a third party. Still, if there was anything she
could do to help—even just a little—she wanted to try.

“Miss Eiffel probably didn’t expect the door to close that hard,”
she added. “She was trying to chase after you, so she grabbed
the frame and got caught.”

“…”
“I wanted to help treat her hand, but she wouldn’t let me.”

“…”

“Madam…” the housekeeper said softly, her voice filled with

genuine concern. “No one goes through a relationship without
stumbling. What matters is whether you’re able to get back up
again. Fighting is normal, but holding onto pride… that doesn’t
help anyone.”

“Thank you, Auntie, but Tam is fine,” she replied, folding her
arms. “If that kid chooses to believe something that isn’t true,
there’s nothing I can do.”

“…”

“Auntie, I’m not the kind of person who needs to explain myself
to others.”

The housekeeper smiled faintly and shook her head.

“I’m just worried… about Miss Eiffel. Will she be able to drive
like this?”

She left those final words lingering in the air before politely
excusing herself, feeling she had meddled enough. As she
walked away, she glanced down at her phone, debating
whether to call. But no—Tam was still too upset to make that
first move. Instead, she poured herself into her work, trying her
best to stay focused and block out the lingering emotions.

She wasn’t thinking about that sharp-tongued girl.

She was too busy for that.
Meanwhile, Eiffel sat in her room, hand throbbing, emotions
heavy. Despite being scolded and sent away, she bore no
resentment—not toward Tam, at least. She knew she had only
herself to blame. Her careless words had hurt someone
important.

If anyone should be angry, it was Eiffel.

Still, that didn’t make the pain go away.

The tall woman sat in silence, hand aching so much she didn’t
want to move it. But she refused to let anyone see her like this.
No one needed to know how ridiculous the situation had
become.

It was her fault.

A few thoughtless words had ruined everything.

She never imagined her own voice would end up hurting her—
physically and emotionally.

Sigh.
She couldn’t stay in this state forever. As much as she wanted
to sit in silence like a heroine in a sad music video, she had
responsibilities to take care of.

So, with her uninjured hand, she started sending inquiries to

Tam’s team—handling her duties, one task at a time.

Her close friend. Nina’s project was progressing steadily, too.

When Eiffel had time away from Tam, she focused on her own
work, determined not to disappoint anyone, fall behind, or
waste their time together.
She didn’t get much sleep these days, and she wasn’t still
happy.

Thinking about it now, though, made her feel low.

She shouldn’t have said those thoughtless words.
She didn’t even know how to apologize, not when Tam seemed
genuinely angry. Eiffel had never seen her like this before. She
wasn’t exactly known for her charm, but this... Had she
awakened a side of Tam she hadn’t meant to?

“Green, the work is almost done. Should I send it to you first,

in case there’s anything to fix?”

[Sure, sure. Are you free during the day? Let’s discuss it. I’ll
buy you coffee.]

“I don’t like coffee.”

[Alright, whatever. I’ll pay.]

Eiffel sighed and replied softly, “Can you come pick me up? I
don’t want to drive.”

[My car’s at the shop. It’s a taxi today, my friend.]

“That works.”

[Hold on, Eiffel... Uh, Nina’s coming along too.]

“Again? Are you always with her? Why is it that whenever I see
you, I have to deal with her too?”
Eiffel grumbled, scrunching up her face at the thought of that
troublesome girl who always seemed to get on her nerves. But
then it hit her—this feeling of disliking someone yet still having
to deal with them...

Was this how Tam felt?

“Eiffel! What happened to your hand!?” Green asked the

moment she saw her, voice filled with concern. The bandage on
Eiffel’s hand was hard to miss.

“Oh my goodness, Eiffel!” Nina rushed over and grabbed her

injured hand, inspecting it closely before looking up at her with
a worried expression. Despite being usually guarded, Eiffel
couldn’t help but accept the sincere concern. That touch wasn’t
about anything but genuine care.

“It was the door. I wasn’t careful.”

“Have you taken any painkillers? When did it happen?”

“It just happened earlier, when I came in. I already applied

some ointment. It’s fine.”

“No, you need to take anti-inflammatories too. In my family, the

kids get hurt all the time. At first, it seems fine, but the next
day it always gets worse. It’s better to prevent it now.”

Nina spoke from experience.

“Uhm…”

“Here’s the plan,” she continued. “Let’s put work aside for a bit.
I want to take you to the doctor.”
“Nina—Green, can you help me out here?” Eiffel turned toward
Green, hoping for an out.

But Nina wasn’t backing down.

“Please, I’m really worried,” she said, turning back to Eiffel with
gentle insistence.

“…Alright.”

It was because of the words “I’m worried” that Eiffel ended up

agreeing—without even realizing when it happened. All she
knew was that the round-faced girl was now smiling wider than
usual. Green was just as concerned for her friend, though she
wasn’t as eloquent as the little round-faced girl, so she simply
observed, her eyes filled with quiet amusement.
This girl really had persistence.

She’d been asking about Eiffel every day, and now she finally
had the chance to make an impression. It was clear that Eiffel
didn’t like anyone getting too close, but now Nina was doing
just that. Hopefully, she would get whatever it was she
wanted—then stop bothering Eiffel. That way, Green’s peaceful
life could return to normal.

Although this might’ve been a “score-boosting” moment for

Nina, she was still thankful.
Whatever sadness had opened the door for her to get even a
little closer—she appreciated it. Normally, she wouldn’t have
had the chance to be near her like this. And even if it was just
a little, it was better than nothing.
“The doctor said it’s badly bruised. What are you going to do
tomorrow?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.
The physical pain was one thing, but there was something
more behind Eiffel’s silence—something that hinted at a deeper
kind of hurt.
Nina had noticed it even before they arrived. Eiffel had sounded
irritated over the phone, and after that, she’d gone completely
quiet. No matter what Nina asked, there was no response—so
she turned to Green for help.
“Eiffel,” Green nudged her friend gently. The persistent little
round-faced girl just wouldn’t stop worrying.
“Mm,” Eiffel murmured.
“What’s wrong? The doctor said you’re free to go now. Let me
take you home.”
“It’s fine. I’m not going to the condo. Just heading straight
home. I’ll take a taxi.”
“Let us give you a ride.”
Nina quickly added the “us,” changing it from just me to me
and Green, hoping it would make Eiffel more comfortable. It
didn’t matter if Eiffel didn’t like her—Nina just didn’t want to
see her looking so sad. It would be better if she could return to
being the sweet yet proud woman she usually was.
She had fallen for a woman who felt as distant and
unreachable as a high wall. Now, seeing her like this, she
couldn’t help but worry—even though they weren’t that close
yet.
“Thank you,” Eiffel said quietly.
“Just a moment,” Green said, then turned to Eiffel and dragged
her aside for a private conversation.

“What’s wrong?” Green asked, glancing at her friend, then

sighing. Her eyes looked as if they were about to spill over, but
she held back. She knew it was her fault—that the closeness
they once shared had become distant.

“Tam,” she whispered.

“What happened?”

“It seems like she’s been getting too close to some guy lately.”

“And?”

Eiffel told her everything, leaving nothing out. After hearing it

all, Green patted her on the shoulder and said:

“What are you getting discouraged about now? It’s too late for
that.”

“…”

“You’ve already gotten so much from her. Why act like a loser
and let that guy gain more ground? Do you think he’s going to
get what you already have?”

“…”

“If you’ve done something wrong, fix it. Making a sad face like
this—do you think that’ll make her stop being mad?”

“Go apologize!”
“Before you went to her, you didn’t care about anything. Just
be yourself. Don’t act like a loser. That’s not who you are.”

“…”

“You said you wouldn’t let anyone else have her. Now, after one
little argument, you’re sulking like a loser. Should I go tell your
sister how pathetic you’re being?”

“Then how should I apologize?”

“You said you’d win over her mom, right? Then do it. Ease your
way in. You’re smart, aren’t you? The one who’s great at
planning? So how is it that after a tiny fight, you can’t even
come up with a solution?”

Eiffel stood silently for a moment, thinking—before a smile

slowly formed across her face, like she’d just figured something
out.

“Okay. I know what I have to do.”

“Good! That’s what I wanted to hear!”

“By the way, what about you? You’ve been getting pretty close
to Nina lately.”

“It’s nothing. She came to me on her own.”

“Not planning to kick her out?”

Green looked at her friend seriously. “Listen closely, Eiffel:

clients are like gods. As long as she’s a client, she’s exempt
from all my usual annoyance policies. Got it?”
Eiffel laughed. “If she suddenly starts liking you, I’ll laugh so
hard.”

Green made a face. “No way!”

Even though Eiffel told Green she had a plan and knew what to
do, deep down in her lonely heart, she still felt discouraged. So,
even while she promised and acted normal to ease her friend’s
worries, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of defeat.

“Don’t forget to rest, okay?”

Nina reminded her before leaving. She was clearly disappointed

that she didn’t get to drop Eiffel off at her place, since Eiffel
had insisted firmly on going home by herself. Eiffel smiled at
the concern—it felt good that someone cared. But it would’ve
felt even better if it wasn’t in a romantic way. She’d be happy if
Nina could become just another friend, because honestly… she
didn’t plan on liking anyone else again. Not when she already
had Tam.

The next morning, Eiffel planned to visit her beautiful sister

at work, using work as an excuse. But her intention to patch
things up was crushed when gossip from high society leaked
photos of Tam and Mr. Teerapat looking far too close—like a
public slap before she even had a chance to explain. It wasn’t
that she didn’t trust Tam… it was just that there wasn’t
enough to make her feel secure. There was nothing proving
that what she had with Tam wasn’t being shared with someone
else—or that someone else didn’t have a right to it too.
If she really wanted clarity, she would have to ask. She’d have
to confront the truth and stop waiting for it to unfold on its
own. It would be better to address that night directly—to make
things clear once and for all.

But since she couldn’t approach the daughter, Eiffel turned to

the mother instead. After all, her beautiful sister would have to
go home eventually. Mr. Teerapat could keep racking up points
for now… but Tam would know—sooner or later—that no one
could love her the way Eiffel did.

If her apology wasn’t loud enough, she’d make it clear through

actions. She’d show that from now on, there would be no more
careless words to hurt her again… if only she got the chance.

“Tam, did you see the news? I’m sorry—I didn’t know there
were reporters following you,” Teerapat said.

“It’s okay. It’s not the first time I’ve been in the news,”
Thansikorn replied flatly.

She wasn’t really affected herself… but she couldn’t help

wondering if that crazy kid would lose it even more after seeing
the headline.

“Now that it’s in the news, I want to take responsibility. I’ve

caused you harm,” he said.

“You don’t have to. I’m not bothered by it. News can be both
true and false.”
“Making up stories isn’t as important as the truth—that there’s
nothing going on. But the more you feed into it, the more
people believe the wrong thing for no reason.”

“But I like you, Tam. Can’t you give me a chance?” Teerapat

asked in a soft voice, though it was clear he wasn’t happy with
Thansikorn’s indifferent tone.

The money he’d spent hiring journalists to fabricate the story

wasn’t small. Yet this proud woman responded as if none of it
mattered—as if he held no value. That only stoked his
frustration and increased his desire to possess her. She had
become a challenge, a game he was determined to win.

“I’ve never closed the door on anyone,” she replied. “But

whether or not I like someone… that’s a different matter.”

“…”

“Since you brought it up—your feelings—I’ll be straightforward.

Is that alright? As for work, I hope we can keep it separate from
personal matters. If I’ve upset you in any way, I’d rather we
talk it through like adults.”

Teerapat smiled. Just hearing that there was a chance was

enough for him. If kindness wouldn’t work, he was prepared to
use force. No matter what it took, he was determined to
succeed.

“Of course. We’ll talk like adults.”

“In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

“Alright. Let me treat you to lunch later. See you.”

He ended the call before she could respond. Thansikorn sighed.
Just like Eiffel had warned her—she didn’t want to overthink
things and end up with a headache. She had just managed to
settle things with Phongsakorn, who was now preoccupied with
a major family project abroad. But now, a new problem had
surfaced—one that came with leverage she couldn’t ignore.

It wasn’t about love or emotions—it was about work. And that

was something she had to protect for the sake of the bigger
picture.

Thansikorn stepped forward, heading to the shared office

where everyone usually gathered. “Everyone” should have
included Eiffel too, but strangely, when she arrived, she found
everyone except the one person she had expected to be there—
or at the very least, the one who should’ve come to apologize.

“Where’s Eiffel?”

“I haven’t seen her today,” someone replied. “But it looks like

she sent Ratchaya Eka a message. Said she’d prefer to stay
updated online since she couldn’t come in.”

“She’s injured?”

The housekeeper’s words floated back to her. At first, she

hadn’t taken them seriously because she was still too upset.
But now, with Eiffel absent from work… worry crept in.

“Didn’t she tell the boss?”

“No.”
“She messaged yesterday, asking if there were any issues with
the work.”

“Really? What did she say exactly?”

“She just said if there was any problem, to let her know and
she’d fix it immediately.”

“Fix it—but not show up to work today? How does that make
sense?”

“Is she sick? Because when Ratchaya called her yesterday, her
voice didn’t sound very good. I heard she said her hand hurt.”

Thansikorn pursed her lips before sighing.

“Never mind. Let’s focus on work.”

She pulled herself together, trying not to think about the ill-
mannered kid, and quickly shifted her focus back to her duties.
It was the best way to separate personal feelings from work.
But after the meeting, her thoughts drifted back to that person.
No matter how hard she tried not to think about her, once
someone entered her heart, it was never easy to forget.

Not long after returning to her desk, her personal phone rang.
Her mother’s number lit up the screen.

“Yes, Mom?”

“Are you coming home today?”

“Yes, I am. Is there something you need, Mom?”

“Are you coming late?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“You’re coming late, aren’t you...”

There was a pause on the other end, as if her mother were
thinking.
“Well, never mind. I’ll have someone take you home. I don’t
want to wait anymore.”

“Wait, what’s going on? Where are you going?”

“I’m taking Eiffel to the doctor. Her hand is swollen and

bruised. She mentioned an accident. I’m worried—it might be
something serious.”

“Wait… Eiffel’s with you?”

“Yes, she came over when she saw no one was home.”

“Where are you going? What’s her condition?”

“Well… I’m not sure yet. We’ll let the doctor check. But it’s
really swollen. I’m afraid it might be a fracture.”

“In that case, I’ll head home around noon, okay?”

“What about your work?”

“It’s fine. Nothing urgent right now.”

“Alright. I’ll wait for you,” her mother replied, sounding

cheerful.

“And don’t tell Eiffel I’m coming, okay?”

“I know.”
Thansikorn muttered under her breath and ended the call. She
sighed, feeling emotionally drained. Glancing at the time, she
shut her work files, stood up, and grabbed her bag before
walking out of the room.
“Eiffel, you’ve really got some nerve. You messed up, and now
I’m the one carrying the emotional burden,” she mumbled to
herself.
That girl made it seem like she was the victim, like she was the
one suffering. Why was Thansikorn the one left feeling hurt?
And now, that brat was acting all sweet, trying to score points
with her mom? Well, that was still her mother—her real
mother. She wasn’t about to let go of her favorite-child status
just because Eiffel was trying to act cute!
Besides, that crazy kid still had a lot to make up for. She
overthinks everything and talks without thinking, so now it
was her turn to overthink—to the point of madness.
 CHAPTER 14
MISS RIGHT

Would it be better to call it forgetfulness or just indifference

toward Teerapat’s forceful words? Either way, Thansikorn had
already brought herself back home.
The beautiful woman glanced around the house, searching for
the person responsible for making her leave work early—the
same person who had also made her feel guilty for
unintentionally hurting her. If blame had to be assigned, they
could share it equally. She admitted she had been too
headstrong at the time, but Eiffel was also at fault for speaking
as if she didn’t even know her.
“Where’s Mom?” she asked the housekeeper when she saw no
one around.

“She’s in the garden with Ms. Eiffel.”

“Thank you.”
She quickly made her way outside.
The sight before her inexplicably cooled her simmering anger. If
she had to guess why, it was probably the warm smiles
exchanged between the two women. Eiffel rested her injured
hand on her lap while her other hand held Thansinee’s. Her
lips moved as if telling a story, and the moment she noticed her
arrival, she turned to her with a sly, unreadable smile—one
that felt oddly familiar, like something she had given her long
ago.
“Tam, come here.”

“Yes?”

“Little Ei was just telling me about Beauty and the Beast. Let’s
go together sometime. I’d love to see it and enjoy the fresh air.”

She had convinced her mother so easily, twisting the situation

to her advantage. What kind of kid was this, using words so
skillfully that even adults fell for them? Cunning beyond belief.

“Of course, if Mom goes, I’ll go. If you want to go,” she
emphasized.

“Well, that’s how it should be.”

It felt like Eiffel had found an ally. No matter what she did, her
mother always backed her up. With this level of approval, there
was no doubt—she had already passed the test. The real
concern now was for anyone else hoping to get close to her; no
one could use her mother as an excuse anymore.

She was annoyed, but there was nothing she could do in front
of her mom. All she could do was glare at her, silently warning
her. But the brat must’ve taken the wrong medicine, because
she didn’t seem bothered at all. In fact, she looked downright
smug.

“Take her to the doctor.”

“Yes.”
“After that, I have a lot to discuss with Eiffel. I might head
straight back to the office, so don’t worry about me, Mom.”

“But she’s injured. What could she possibly do?”

“Not much. I just need a mannequin for a dress fitting. Since

she can’t do anything else, standing still shouldn’t be too hard,
right?”

Thansikorn turned a sharp gaze on her.

“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I’m not forcing
you.”

Not forcing her—but she had no choice.

Sensing the shift, Eiffel quickly nodded in agreement, afraid of

losing her chance to be close to her—or worse, making her even
angrier. She had already opened the door this much; even if
she had to be stranded on an island with her, she’d gladly take
it.

“Well, get up if you’re going. Are you running here to find allies
after your wrongdoing?”

“What’s with you two?”

Thansinee frowned, but her eyes were filled with joy. The fact
that Eiffel hadn’t neglected or forgotten about her made the
older woman feel like she wasn’t abandoned or becoming a
burden to her family. It reassured her that she was still
important to her daughter.
“It’s nothing, Auntie. Don’t forget to eat and take your
medicine, okay? That way, we can go on a long trip together.
Once you’re strong again, the doctor won’t have many reasons
to stop you.”
The patient nodded happily. But when she glanced at her
daughter’s face, she saw her pouting—arms crossed, glaring at
Eiffel. She didn’t know what she was upset about.
“Leave some responsibilities for me, will you? You don’t have to
do everything in my place.”
“I’m not taking over, just doing what I always do. Ei’s just
helping out, not taking your spot. Or… are you jealous of your
mom?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Tam.”
“You don’t know, Mom—Eiffel is completely devious.”
“Devious? She’s adorable. If anything, it’s you who’s being
mean to her.”
“Mom!” the beautiful woman exclaimed with playful annoyance
before scowling at Eiffel. She didn’t know what she’d said, but
clearly, it had gotten her scolded. Just wait—she’d get her back
for this!
“I didn’t do anything,” Eiffel protested, quickly standing up and
whispering to her, afraid she’d misunderstood. But of course,
she already had. With her uninjured hand, she pulled her
slender waist closer, flashing a smile at the older woman before
excusing herself so her sister could take her to the doctor. She
feared that if her beloved girl got any angrier, her chance to
make amends would slip even further away.
“Let go! Who gave you permission? People will say I’m easy—
letting just anyone touch me.”

Ah, so that’s what she was mad about.

Eiffel sighed but refused to let go. Today, she was committed to
making amends—no matter what. But she would do it in her
own way, by making her realize that she was still the same
person, just with moments of vulnerability like anyone else in
an uncertain relationship. She wasn’t trying to become the bad
girl in her story.

“You can be mad, but you have to let me make it up to you.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?”

“I’m already doing it. I was really upset yesterday.”

“What did I do? I was just minding my own business. You were
the one who didn’t listen.”

“Well, he kissed your hand and smirked at me. I was furious.”

“…He did what? He smirked at you?”

Thansikorn frowned, repeating the words as she recalled the

events of the day before. Then she sighed. It seemed Eiffel had
realized what was really going on—that this wasn’t just a case
of a friend’s little sister lingering around. No, Eiffel was
someone fighting to claim her heart. That explained why his
behavior had become more obvious lately, even to the point of
attempting to bypass Eiffel entirely.
Before, she hadn’t paid much attention, hadn’t cared enough to
scrutinize his actions. But apparently, the one constantly
hovering around her had noticed all along what he was trying
to do.

“He kissed your hand, then turned around and smirked at me.
There was even a leaked photo—right at the moment we were
arguing. So now I’m really starting to think this is all too much
of a coincidence. Coincidentally, I saw it. Coincidentally, a
reporter was there. Coincidentally, it made the news.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for saying those things, but we’re not anything yet. I
was just scared he’d steal you away from me.”

The beautiful woman let out a quiet sigh before responding, her
steps quickening as she walked away.

“You never asked. So how am I supposed to answer what we

are?”

That left the listener frozen in place, unsure if she’d heard her
correctly. Eiffel stood still until she was certain she hadn’t
imagined it. Then, a wide smile slowly spread across her face.
Should she be thanking Theerapat for causing their argument?
Because without it, her beautiful sister wouldn’t have let
something like that slip.

Don’t be too mad just yet—because she had plenty more plans
to keep her attention. She was going to make sure she realized
whether the feelings she had for her were real or just
something she’d dreamed up.
“You don’t like driving, do you?” she asked, surprised to see
her getting into the driver’s seat. That meant she had to take
the passenger side instead—so much for sitting together in the
back.

“I don’t have the patience to wait.”

“Does that mean you rushed over… for me?”

“What are you talking about? Stop rambling and just sit
quietly.”

“You’re cute, though. Mad at me, but still taking me to the

doctor.”

“…"

“If you weren’t mad, you’d be even cuter.”

Eiffel teased her again, but this time, the normally evasive
woman turned to her with a serious look.

“If I weren’t mad, I might have offered to apply your medicine,

feed you, give you water. Or better yet, you wouldn’t have
gotten hurt in the first place. But since you’re so set on making
it up to me, don’t go flattering me just to smooth things over.”

“…"

“Especially since, just yesterday, you were criticizing me.”

“Do you know what I realized after that?” Eiffel said, voice
softer now. “I realized that if he wants to court you, if he wants
to ask for you, then let him. Let him like you. Let him chase
you.”
“…"

“But he’ll never love you the way I do. He’ll never get the same
affectionate look from your mother that I get. I’ll make sure he
never holds the same place in your life that I do. I’ll show him
that love matters more.”

“…”

“I’ll love you better than he ever could. I’ll care for your mother
like she’s my own. I don’t have to be a man to do that. I don’t
need to force you to love me just so I can love the people you
love.”

“…"

“While he’s busy trying to win you over, I’ll already be here—
loving you, taking care of you, and everyone important to you.”

“…"

“I don’t need to prove to him how much I love you, or what kind
of love this is. I just need you to understand it.”

“And yes—right now I’m telling you that I love you.”

Eiffel’s voice was firm, his expression sincere. Satisfaction
flashed across her face when she stiffened, cheeks tinting a soft
pink. Tam’s hands lingered on the steering wheel, suddenly
unsure. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, lips
pressing into a tight line. Her gaze softened; Eiffel could tell she
was pleased.

“You sure talk a lot,” she muttered, flustered.

Eiffel only grinned, noticing she still hadn’t started the car.

Bold before, bolder now, she told herself. With her uninjured
hand, she reached over and squeezed the one she’d left on the
gearshift.

“When I get better, I’ll drive for you. Okay?”

“Mmhmm.”

“When I get better, I’ll pick you up and drop you off—just like
before. Okay?”

“Mmhmm.”

“When I get better… let’s go on a date.”

“…"

“P’Tam?”

“…"

“If you don’t answer, I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Think whatever you want.”

That must be how fondness sounds, she thought, because

somehow every reply felt sweet in her ears. She wanted to stay
mad a little longer—but not so angry they drifted apart.

“So that’s a yes,” she declared, triumphant.

“Don’t forget—you’ve got plenty to make up for.”

“I’ll accept any punishment, for life.”

“…”

“As long as you don’t punish anyone else in my place.”

“Just follow the doctor’s orders. Don’t be stubborn,”

Thansikorn said, eyeing the paper bag of medicine dangling
from her fingers. The injured girl wore a look somewhere
between smug and playful.

“Wouldn’t it be nice,” Eiffel coaxed, “if someone kind helped

apply my ointment?”

“Sorry to disappoint—I’m cruel and mean-spirited,” she

retorted.

“Whoever said that, I’ll straighten them out myself,” Eiffel shot
back, earnest enough to make her sigh. Impossible—yet
endearing.

“You can’t put it on yourself?”

“I can, but… I want someone to do it for me.”

“Then go ask Nina. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to help.”

Eiffel flinched slightly, suddenly worried Tam might find out

she’d already gone to the doctor with Nina earlier—then had
the nerve to act innocent and drag her along again. If she
found out… who knew what would happen?

“What does she have to do with me?”

“Well, she likes you, doesn’t she?”

“But I like you. How many times do I have to say it?” Eiffel’s
voice turned serious. If she kept talking like this, she might
just kiss her on the spot.

It wasn’t like she was the only one who had made mistakes.
She had her faults too. Why did she always have to speak so
harshly?

“I get it already.”

“Get what?”

“I get that you like me. Okay now?”

“What do you mean by okay? My wound or my heart?”

“…”

“If it’s the wound, it won’t take long. But if it’s my heart... I
guess it’ll only heal when you stop seeing me as just your
friend’s little sister.”

“Why are you so clueless about the things that matter?”

Thansikorn muttered, letting out a long sigh. But as the words
settled, she realized maybe she was the one to blame. Maybe
her hesitations, her silences, had made Eiffel doubt. Had she
not shown her that, no matter what step she took—left or
right—she’d still find her way to her?

“I heard that, you know.”

“That’s your problem.”

She started walking away, but of course, Eiffel caught up
immediately, falling into step beside her like she always did.
Was it the long legs, or did she just know exactly how to close
any distance between them?

“And what about my medicine?” she asked.

“I already told you, didn’t I?”

“Told me what? If you don’t say it, how am I supposed to

know?”

Annoyed but slightly amused, Thansikorn gave in. Her voice

softened, unexpectedly tender in a way that might become
more familiar from now on.

“Eiffel, I’ll apply your medicine for you. Every day. Okay?”

Eiffel froze.
That tone. That name. The way she said it—how could it not be
adorable?

“O-Okay.”

“I’ll take care of you until you’re fully healed. Alright?”

“O-Okay.”

“So hurry up and get better.”

“Don’t you know? The more you act like this, the more I want
to stay sick forever.”

“Then don’t get hurt because of me again. I’m not good at

taking care of people,” Thansikorn frowned, her tone suddenly
serious again.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to take care of me? Why would you
want to stay sick forever?”

She wasn’t going to play along anymore.

Who would ever want someone to be sick forever? That was
just cruel.

“Then I’ll get better quickly… so I can take care of you instead.
I think I like this version of you—the one who calls me Eiffel
like that. I feel like you’ve turned into a little cat or something.”

Thansikorn started to feel a bit flustered. She wasn’t used to

being affectionate—not because she didn’t want to be, but
because she had never really had anyone to share that side of
herself with.

“I’m hungry.”

“It’s already noon, huh?”

“Yeah. Let’s go eat together.”

The beautiful woman lifted her gaze to meet Eiffel’s, and just
like that, the younger woman completely lost her composure.
She held Thansikorn’s hand tightly—only to be surprised when
the older woman gently squeezed back.

At that moment, even if she were to fall into the deepest pit of
hell, Eiffel would go willingly—just to keep feeling this warmth
in her heart.

“Does this count as making up?”

“Think whatever you want.”

“Then I’ll just assume it does.”

“But don’t forget you were at fault too.”

“I’ve taken it to heart. I won’t do it again.”

“Do what?”

“I won’t say things like that again. Because you belong to me…
and me alone.”

“You’re really talking nonsense today,” Thansikorn said,

tugging Eiffel’s hand and leading her toward the parking lot.

After lunch, Thansikorn brought Eiffel back to the office. They

hadn’t been sitting for long when Theerapat arrived. He had
called her earlier, but she hadn’t picked up—too busy fussing
over Eiffel with anti-inflammatory cream, pre-meal and post-
meal meds, cold compresses, warm compresses, and whatever
else the younger woman requested.

Honestly, it felt like they had returned to the office just so she
could continue taking care of her. She hadn’t even considered
that anyone else might be trying to reach her. At that moment,
all of her attention had been on Eiffel.

But, of course, she eventually found out.

The housekeeper came upstairs to inform her that a young

man was waiting downstairs. At least this time, he had the
decency not to barge in like before.
Meanwhile, Eiffel’s expression had already darkened the
moment she heard who it was.

“Go on, then. Go do your job.”

Thansikorn’s voice was indifferent, unaffected by the situation.

She didn’t care how Teerapat felt. She only cared about Eiffel.
And if, after everything, the younger woman still thought she
was worried about someone else, then maybe she should stop
caring about her too.

How clueless could she be?

“What job?”

“Getting rid of someone I don’t like from my life.”

Eiffel furrowed her brows. “You see me as a guard dog?”

“I don’t know what you want to call yourself. All I know is—I’ve
never given this role to anyone before. Are you going to do it or
not?”

A slow smile spread across Eiffel’s face. “Of course. I’d be

happy to.”

Thansikorn smirked. “Good. Don’t take too long.”

“Miss me already?”

“Figure it out yourself. You’re good at this kind of thing.”

Even though Thansikorn hadn’t explicitly said anything, Eiffel

could tell she was trying to make up with her—in her own way.
And that alone made Eiffel happy. It meant she was important
enough for Thansikorn to put in the effort.

“But don’t forget—you were in the wrong too.”

“I won’t forget. I’ll come back later for my punishment.”

“Hmm.”

Eiffel headed downstairs to meet Teerapat. As always, he was

dressed sharply—his hair neatly styled, the scent of cologne
lingering in the air, his button-up shirt rolled at the sleeves,
and crisp white slacks that complemented his frame. She had
to admit, he was an attractive man. But he’d be much more
appealing if he weren’t constantly meddling with her beautiful
sister figure.

“Thansikorn isn’t available to see anyone,” Eiffel stated flatly.

“But I have an appointment with her,” Teerapat shot back, his

tone firm. He glanced up toward the office, and upon not seeing
any sign of Thansikorn, he no longer felt the need to act polite
toward a romantic rival. There was no point in playing nice.

“I don’t know what kind of arrangement you two had, but she’s
unavailable. She has someone injured to take care of,” Eiffel
said, subtly glancing at the bandaged back of her hand, freshly
treated with medicine.

“Can’t you take care of yourself? No need to use an injury as an

excuse to keep her around.”
“I can make whatever excuse I want. As long as she chooses to
stay with me, no one has the right to say what’s right or
wrong.”

“You haven’t seen the news? Thansikorn and I are getting to

know each other.”

“Then are you blind, or just stubborn? Can’t you see she
doesn’t like you?” Eiffel shot back. “Are you really that clueless,
or are you just being deliberately obtuse?”

“Watch yourself. I’m not here to play games.”

“Good, because I never saw you as a friend to begin with.

You’re just a nobody in my life. And I wouldn’t waste my time
arguing with you if you weren’t bothering someone who belongs
to me.”

“‘Belongs to you?’ Wow. Kids these days really know how to

delude themselves.”

Eiffel didn’t respond—she just gave him a smirk.

“You really think Thansikorn would take a relationship with

another woman seriously? Women are naturally meant to be
with men. Besides, social status still matters. Do you honestly
believe she’d choose someone of the same sex? Stop
daydreaming.”

His condescending words sent a rush of anger through Eiffel.

“What era do you think we’re living in? Who’s meant to be with
who? Or do you just assume you can always get whatever you
want?”
“Well, we’ll see, won’t we?”

Eiffel pressed her lips together, holding back her frustration.

“Just because she’s being polite doesn’t mean she has feelings
for you.”

Teerapat slid his hands into his pockets and stepped closer,
meeting her gaze with a cold smirk.

“Then we’ll see whose persistence wins out. After all, you and I
aren’t so different—you’re just using the whole ‘childhood
friend’s little sister’ angle to get close to her. We’re both playing
the same game, aren’t we?”

“…"

"I have everything Tam should want—advantages, social status,

and the means to push her further in life. And you? What do
you have?”

“…"

“A fresh graduate with no stability. You should at least try

harder if you want to be considered in this competition.”

Teerapat’s words hit Eiffel hard. He had struck her weak spot—
something even she had overlooked. Compared to him, she had
nothing. Her gender, her lack of stability, her uncertain
future—nothing that could assure Tam that choosing her
would be the right choice.

“You’re right... If we compare, I don’t have anything to compete

with you.”
Teerapat smirked, sensing victory.

“But why should I compare myself to you? Everything you just

listed—I can build it for myself.”

“Then do your best,” he said through gritted teeth, frustrated

by how difficult it was to corner her. With a scowl, he turned
and walked away, annoyed that things weren’t going as he had
hoped.

Not long after, Teerapat called Thansikorn again. This time, he

wasn’t going to give up so easily, forcing her to finally answer
with a sigh.

“Hello?”

[Can we meet?]

“I’m not available.”

[You said you’d give me a chance, but then you sent Eiffel to
drive me away with insults. That’s not fair.]

“I didn’t close the door on you, but that doesn’t mean I have to
do everything you want. I have my own life. If you can’t accept
that, then so be it. You have every right to be upset—and I
have no intention of holding onto anyone who doesn’t want to
be here.”

[So everything I’ve done to win you over—all my efforts—they

mean nothing to you?]
Thansikorn sighed, glancing at Eiffel, who was sitting on the
couch, staring at her. That brat—if she had fangs, she’d
probably be baring them right now.

“I’m grateful for your feelings, but have you ever considered
that if you were truly the right person for someone, you
wouldn’t have to try this hard?”

Teerapat clenched his jaw, trying to control his emotions.

[I’m not giving up that easily. I’m not like that saint
Phongsakorn, who plays the nice guy just because he knows
you’re swayed by your friend’s little sister.]

“Watch your mouth, Tim,” Thansikorn snapped, her voice

sharp. “Don’t drag others into this just to badmouth them.”

[And I also know that your mother wants us to get married.]

“…”

[So how can you say my efforts are worthless? I already know
all your weak spots. If being polite doesn't work, how about I
show you my ruthless side instead?]

“Tim, that’s disgusting! Don’t you dare use my mother to

threaten me!”

[Why not? Even your so-called hero Phongsakorn has done it

before.]
At this, Eiffel stood up. She walked over to Thansikorn’s desk,
took the phone from her hand, and turned on the speaker. She
didn’t care about manners anymore—she refused to stay silent
while someone tried to intimidate the person she loved.

[Hopefully, you’ll be free for dinner with me tonight, Tam.

Otherwise, I’ll see you at your house.]

The call ended just like that, but Thansikorn’s tense expression
didn’t fade. Meanwhile, Eiffel kept staring at the phone, as if
she could freeze the man on the other end with her glare.

“Ei,” Thansikorn called out, gently rubbing Eiffel’s arm.

“It’s okay. It’s nothing.”

“That man can’t be trusted. He’s scarier than you think.”

“What do you know?”

“I know he tries to take you home every time you go out

drinking with your friends.”

“…"

“I know he won’t stop until he gets you.”

“This is insane,” Thansikorn muttered. She had never realized

any of this before. Why did a man as terrifying as Teerapat
pretend to be good—when he could just as easily be cruel?

“I shouldn’t have provoked him,” Eiffel admitted.

“This isn’t about you at all. If someone doesn’t like another
person, they just don’t like them. Why doesn’t he understand
that?”

“Because he thinks women being together is unnatural. That a

man should be with a woman. That you should be with him.”

“Ridiculous,” Thansikorn scoffed.

Eiffel began to calm down, relieved that Tam wasn’t as

frightened by the threats as she had feared—just irritated.

“You’re not scared?”

“Why should I be? You already told my mother everything,

didn’t you?”

“…"

“There’s only one person in this world that I truly care about. If
she understands me, then there’s nothing left to fear.”

“And tonight?”

Thansikorn smirked, looking up at Eiffel with a glint in her

eyes.

“He wants me to go, doesn’t he?”

“Then you’re coming with me.”

Evening

Teerapat had sent the location—a famous restaurant and

lounge in the heart of the city.

Thansikorn changed into a black dress with an open back, the

fabric dipping nearly to her hips. Her long hair, curled into
loose waves, cascaded down her back. She moved confidently
in four-inch heels, unfazed by Eiffel’s repeated protests for her
to change. She had simply responded:
“Your punishment starts tomorrow.”
What was that supposed to mean? Was she still mad?
Eiffel had thought everything was back to normal. She had
even set aside her own schemes. But now—did she have to dig
them up again?
“You’re not too sure how I feel, are you?” Thansikorn suddenly
asked as they neared the table where Teerapat was waiting.
“Where is this coming from?”
“Just answer me.”
Eiffel hesitated before replying, “A little… I can’t really read
you.”
“Oh?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think there are any reporters around here?”

Eiffel frowned, scanning the area before shaking her head. All
she saw were other diners and, of course, Teerapat’s familiar
face.
“I don’t think so.”
“Good.”
Thansikorn cupped Eiffel’s face in her hands. The heels Eiffel
wore erased their height difference, making it effortless when
Tam leaned in, tilting her head just slightly before pressing
their lips together.
It was soft, delicate—like a feather brushing against her lips—
yet it carried a depth that left a lasting imprint in Eiffel’s mind.
Her hands, unsure of where to rest, instinctively wrapped
around Tam’s slender waist. Then, as if drawn by an invisible
force, she responded, her lips moving against the softness of
the woman she adored.
Sweet. Deep. Thrilling.

More meaningful than any moment before—because this time,

Thansikorn was the one who started it.
It wasn’t as intense as past kisses, yet it set her whole face
ablaze. When their lips finally parted, Thansikorn’s hands
remained on Eiffel’s face. Her voice, a gentle whisper, echoed
through Eiffel’s heart.
“If this still isn’t enough for you to be sure, then go love
someone else.”
And how could she ever?
 CHAPTER 15
LOVING YOU WAS A RED
Two stunning women stood kissing not far away—and one of
them was the woman he wanted. Needed to have. Teerapat
couldn’t sit still. He shot up to his full height, striding toward
them with urgency.

The reporters he had hired weren’t supposed to capture this.

The image should have been of Thansikorn sitting across from

him, in a perfectly romantic atmosphere. After that, he
would’ve used those headlines to win over her mother—
painting himself as the ideal gentleman, forcing her hand,
making her his.

Eiffel would be out of the way once and for all, and high society
would naturally push Thansikorn into becoming his partner.

He had everything: wealth, status, influence.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

“This is a public place! What the hell do you think you’re

doing?”

His voice was sharp, demanding answers. But Thansikorn only

smiled sweetly, as if she had expected this all along. She
wanted him to see—to understand, once and for all—what was
what. That he should stop chasing after her. That her choice
had already been made.
She smiled so widely that Eiffel couldn’t help but pull her close,
arms wrapping securely around her waist, as if to declare
ownership. Slender fingers tightened around Thansikorn’s hip
as she waited, curious to hear the reasoning behind that kiss,
out in the open for all to see.

“Well,” Thansikorn began, tone light, teasing, “I just thought

the reporters you hired should finally get some pictures that
actually reflect reality.”

Theerapat’s face darkened.

“You think you’re the only one who knows how to play dirty?”
she continued, tilting her head. “If you did, then you clearly
don’t know me at all.”

“If you really understood me, you wouldn’t have done this in
the first place.” Her voice was calm, unwavering. “Yes, it’s
true—if my mother were involved, I might have given in. But if
you think that’ll work forever, then you’re the one who’s
mistaken. Things have changed. I have changed. Haven’t you
ever heard the saying? Time changes people.”

She had Eiffel to thank for that. If Eiffel hadn’t come into her
life, she might have continued playing along, sacrificing her
own desires just to keep her mother happy. But not anymore.
Not when the person her mother had taken an interest in
happened to be the same person she cared about the most.

Teerapat gritted his teeth, barely holding back his anger.

“Fine,” he spat. “You want to declare war against me?”

His eyes raked over Eiffel from head to toe before a smirk
twisted his lips. To him, she was nothing—a minor obstacle,
easily crushed. If being the good guy wouldn’t get him what he
wanted, then maybe it was time to take a different approach.

“Let’s see how far Eiffel can really take you,” he sneered. “And
that beloved designer career of yours—will you really throw it
all away for some nobody with no future? We both know our
worlds are very different.”

Thansikorn sighed, shaking her head.

“You really should learn to control your temper,” she said, voice
laced with exhaustion. “You don’t even know Eiffel, so don’t act
like you do. And no matter who she is, you have no right to
look down on her.”

“Oh, so I’m the one being disrespectful?” Teerapat snapped.

“You’re the one who humiliated me first. So don’t expect me to
play nice anymore.”

Thansikorn looked at him, eyes filled with something close to

pity.

“You were a good brother, you know.”

Her voice was soft, tired. She hated seeing a friendship turn
into something bitter. But the truth was, even if Eiffel had
never existed, she still wouldn’t have chosen him. Some things
just weren’t meant to be.

“But that’s all you were ever going to be.”

His jaw clenched.

“That’s not all I wanted to be.”

The young man spoke stiffly before storming off in frustration.

Eiffel glanced at Thansikorn’s expression and sighed. She

understood—no one wanted to make enemies if they could help
it. But if the so-called friendship was never real to begin with,
then wasn’t it better to have nothing at all?

And if he thought she was nothing, then she wouldn’t just sit
still and let his words become true. She wouldn’t drift along
passively anymore. At the very least, she needed to start doing
something real.

“Are you scared?”

Thansikorn shook her head.

“Not scared. Just… tired. How many more times will it have to
be like this?”

“Because they all think you’ll be exactly what they expect. Just
like in the headlines, just like the rumors. No one ever actually
tries to know you. So it’s not surprising when their
disappointment turns into anger.”

“…”

“They just don’t want to accept that you chose me.”

Eiffel’s voice was teasing, as if trying to lighten the mood. And

it worked—Thansikorn snapped out of her fatigue, turning to
glare at her with mock irritation.
“I never said that.”

“But your actions already did. Loud and clear.”

At that, Thansikorn averted her gaze, pressing her lips together

before finally speaking, her voice softer now.

“Let’s go eat. We came all the way to a nice place, after all.”

“I’ll treat you,” Eiffel offered.

“Oh? You rich?”

Eiffel smirked. “Rich enough to take care of you for life. Want to
test it out?”

“Ridiculous.” Thansikorn scoffed, turning away and revealing

her flawless bare back as she walked off. That sight alone sent
Eiffel hurrying after her, quickly positioning herself at her
side—no way was she going to let anyone else feast their eyes
on that.

“Shouldn’t you cover up a little?”

“No.”

“I don’t like it. I get jealous.”

Thansikorn chuckled. “They can look all they want. But have
any of them touched me the way you have?”

“…”

That shut Eiffel up.

“If you have an answer, then stop being jealous. This dress was
designed to suit the wearer—why would I cover it up?
Otherwise, what’s the point of wearing it?”

Eiffel sighed, defeated. “The way you talk, I can’t even argue.”

“Then don’t argue.”

“And don’t forget,” Thansikorn added with a sly smile, “Your

punishment starts after this.”

Eiffel let out a dramatic sigh, but it wasn’t out of frustration—it

was out of pure affection. No matter how much Thansikorn
pouted, argued, or threw little tantrums, she still looked
adorable in her eyes.

Was this what being whipped felt like? If it was, Eiffel didn’t
mind one bit.

The elegant restaurant turned into their private dinner date,

with Eiffel resting her chin on her hand, watching her beautiful
companion scan the menu with a smile. Just like that, she
found herself mesmerized. Beautiful beyond words. Not only
did her personality hit all the right notes, but her face was just
as captivating.

How was Eiffel supposed to escape now?

She couldn’t believe it—she had spent years secretly admiring

Thansikorn without ever making a move.

“Are you going to eat, or just keep staring at my face?”

“You’re more appetizing than the food.”

Thansikorn let out an exasperated sigh, which only made Eiffel
chuckle. Sweet talk didn’t seem to suit her at all, and yet…

There was something about her actions today that lingered in

Eiffel’s mind—something she wanted to understand.

“How did you dare to kiss me like that?” Eiffel asked suddenly.
“Weren’t you afraid of the reporters? That someone might take
a picture?”

Thansikorn glanced up from the menu, locking eyes with her.

Then she smiled—soft and knowing—like an adult humoring a
child’s question, yet with complete honesty in her gaze.

“Weren’t you unsure about how I felt?”

Eiffel fell silent.

“Do you still think I was just playing around? That I’d do the
same with anyone?”

Eiffel shook her head, answering without words.

As Thansikorn lowered her gaze back to the menu, Eiffel

realized she was grinning so widely that her eyes crinkled at
the corners. The reflection on the glass beside them showed her
a face that might just be the happiest in the world.

“You can’t keep being this cute, you know.”

“What now?”

“How is my heart supposed to handle this much work?”

Thansikorn scoffed. “Says the one who ran crying to my mom,
complaining about how awful I am. ‘Tam is this, Tam is that’—
until I got scolded.”

Eiffel gasped. “Oh no! Auntie scolded you?”

“Of course she did.” Thansikorn sighed dramatically. “She told

me to take better care of the person important to me.”

Eiffel froze. “W-what did you just say?”

Had she heard that right? Did that mean she was important to
Thansikorn?

“If you didn’t hear it, that’s your problem. I’m not saying it
again.”

Eiffel let out a quiet laugh, leaning back in her chair. “I heard
you. I heard you loud and clear.”

After dinner, instead of heading straight back to her condo as

planned, Thansikorn found herself locked in a silent battle with
Eiffel.

No matter what she said, Eiffel refused to let her drive home
alone. She even went so far as to suggest driving Thansikorn to
her condo first, then taking a taxi back herself. But Thansikorn
wouldn’t allow that either. She was worried about Eiffel, too—
did she really think she was the only one allowed to be
concerned?
But when Eiffel changed tactics and said she’d just stay the
night instead, Thansikorn immediately relented, insisting she
take a taxi home. There was no way she’d be safe if she let
Eiffel stay over alone with her in such a… risky setting.
As for the so-called “punishment” Thansikorn had promised, it
wasn’t much. She simply made Eiffel model for her again, just
like before. The only difference was that this time, Eiffel had to
balance it with her actual work.
She had a major opportunity coming up—a project she planned
to submit to a prestigious company. If she could secure a place
there, then maybe, just maybe, Teerapat wouldn’t be able to
look down on her anymore. Not that she cared what he
thought, but still…
His words hadn’t broken her, but they had left their mark. That
was all. Just words. And they would never be enough to make
her step away from Thansikorn like some tragic drama heroine.
“I have an event with a client tonight,” Thansikorn said, not
looking up as she jotted something down in her notebook. “Do
you want to come?”
She had just returned from a team meeting—one Eiffel hadn’t
needed to join this time, since their last collaboration had
already wrapped up successfully.
“So sudden?”
“Yeah. Pear just got back from abroad. She’s been one of my
regular clients for a while now, and she had to attend an event
last-minute. She invited me along—at least to help with outfit
coordination. Plus, she just wants some company.”
Eiffel frowned but nodded.
“Alright, I’ll go. No way I’m letting you go alone, especially if
Teerapat is there. He’s scary. I don’t want you running into
him.”

Thansikorn glanced up at Eiffel’s grumbling, laced with

jealousy, and smiled slightly. She didn’t know why, but Eiffel’s
straightforwardness—almost childlike in its honesty—always
put her at ease. It made her feel like she didn’t have to put up
walls or play games. With Eiffel, there was no need for
defenses.

“So what if I run into him? What could he possibly do?”

“Better safe than sorry. You never know what someone is

capable of. These days, you see all kinds of crazy things in the
news. Some people do things you’d never expect.”

“And what about those elite soldiers under your father’s

command? Can’t they do anything?”

Eiffel’s brow furrowed.

“How do you know about that?”

“Oh, please. Seeing the same guys tailing you at a distance

every day for the past week? Not exactly subtle. Wasn’t hard to
guess who sent them. What, are you abusing your power now?”

“Of course not! I’m just worried about you. I told you, I don’t
trust anything or anyone when it comes to your safety. And
don’t be stubborn—let them watch over you. Besides, they’re
retired soldiers who chose to stay on with my dad. It’s not like I
forced them.”

“Sounds like a mafia setup to me.”

Eiffel groaned, resisting the urge to grab Thansikorn and hug
her just to shut her up.
“Mafia? Seriously? Isn’t it more like… I’m just a lovestruck
slave at this point?”

The moment those words left Eiffel’s mouth, Thansikorn tucked

her hair behind her ear and went back to her work, completely
ignoring her. As always, she had no defense against Eiffel’s
sweet-talking. And today was no different.

For the next thirty minutes, they sat in silence—not

uncomfortable, just quiet.

Eventually, Thansikorn looked up from her papers to find Eiffel

stretched out on the floor, back resting against the couch, head
tilted in deep sleep.

She wasn’t sure when Eiffel had dozed off, but lately, she’d
noticed how sleep-deprived she was. Whenever she asked,
Eiffel would just brush it off, saying she had urgent work. And
yet, she still made time to come see her—to “get punished,” as
she put it, though Thansikorn knew it was just an excuse to be
around.

But if she really was that busy, she shouldn’t be exhausting

herself like this. She could’ve just said something—Thansikorn
would have understood. It wasn’t like she was unreasonable.

Her gaze flickered to the fading bruise on Eiffel’s hand. Almost

healed. The swelling was gone, no longer painful—just faint
traces of the injury remained.
The last-minute event turned out to be the launch of a high-
profile fashion magazine, spearheaded by a renowned figure in
the fashion industry. It was—

It was actually a huge opportunity—one that Thansikorn had

agreed to attend. Pear, after all, wasn’t just anyone—she was a
highly respected fashion blogger, both internationally and
domestically.

Thansikorn had a hunch that Pear hadn’t invited her just for
companionship. More likely, she wanted to introduce her as a
trusted fashion brand owner—someone she relied on for image
consulting.

“I didn’t realize you had a personal assistant now.”

The comment was directed at the tall woman beside her, now
sporting a black tank top layered with a faded denim jacket.

Earlier that day, on a whim, Eiffel had dragged Thansikorn to a

salon and walked out with a drastic change—her once dark
hair now a striking shade of blonde.

She even cut it to shoulder length. And yet, after cutting it

short, she still wanted to tie it up.

“My hand hurts, P’Tam. Can you tie my hair for me?”

She had been whining like that since the evening. As for her
outfit, it wasn’t that she was disrespecting the event or the
venue—it was just that she insisted on wearing something she
felt more comfortable in. It was more practical, easier to move
in, rather than dressing up in a gown like Thansikorn,
who was already used to wearing elegant outfits for such
occasions. That’s why Eiffel’s look truly made her seem more
like an assistant than just a guest.

“Just a temporary assistant. Normally, I do something else.”

“Hmm… you look familiar.”

Eiffel smiled at the tan-skinned woman in front of her before

introducing herself.

“I’m Eiffel. If I look familiar, it might be because I’m England’s

younger sister.”

She knew very well how often her sister used to attend events
with Tam before fully dedicating herself to building her
shipping business. She had always been the one driving her
sister around, so there was no way she wouldn’t know. Back
then, she could only watch Tam from afar. But now? She was
close enough to hug… if only she were allowed.

No hugging, no kissing—unless given permission.

That was the punishment she always got. A cruel one,
considering how close they were, yet she was forbidden from
everything. And it wasn’t like Tam teased her by getting close
anymore. Lately, she had been so busy with work, attending
event after event. Eiffel worried about her health, though she
found some relief knowing that when it was time to rest, Tam
actually did rest, and when it was time to work, she gave it her
all. At least she wasn’t overworking herself to the point of
harming her health—unlike Eiffel herself…
“England?” Pear thought for a moment before snapping her
fingers. “Oh, I remember now! The one who always went to
events with you, right, Tam?”

“That’s right.”

“Is she coming today? Or did she just send a representative?”

Pear smirked and turned to Eiffel.

“Now that I think about it, I rarely saw you at events alone
before. England was always with you. Looks like she’s been
able to let go lately… maybe because she found someone else to
take care of you?”

Hearing that, Thansikorn suddenly realized how true it was.

Normally, England and Eiffel never let her go anywhere alone.
At the very least, they always made sure to know where she
was and what she was doing. England, in particular, treated
her like both a friend and a younger sibling—keeping an eye on
her and making sure she didn’t do anything inappropriate.
They were that close.

“That look on your face—you’re missing your friend, aren’t

you?” Pear teased, but Thansikorn simply nodded, serious for
once. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen England
in over a month. Sure, Eiffel was around all the time, but a
friend and… well, it wasn’t the same thing.

Without realizing it, she turned to Eiffel with a pleading

expression, prompting the younger girl to immediately move
closer, leaning in to whisper, “Are you seriously thinking about
finding P’England right now?”
“I miss her,” Thansikorn whispered back, her face unusually
forlorn—something Eiffel rarely, if ever, saw from her.

“I’ll take you to see her, but not right now, okay?”

“Mmm…”

“She’s probably still on the ship right now. I can’t reach her
either. We have to wait for her to contact us, since we don’t
know when she’ll be available—or even have a signal.”

“When will you take me?”

Eiffel chuckled softly at the sulking woman. Seriously, if she

were whining when they were alone, she would’ve comforted
her and said a lot more. But in a public place like this? She
was afraid it wouldn’t look appropriate—especially in an
environment she wasn’t familiar with. That made it even
harder.

“Can’t you wait to whine until we’re alone? I don’t know how to
comfort you like this,” Eiffel whispered. She was dying to just
hug her and sway her back and forth—it would definitely make
her happy. Just imagining it was enough to make her smile
nonstop.

“I don’t want you to comfort me. I want you to take me to see

England.”

“Then… let’s wait until you have some free time, okay? That
way, we can take the opportunity to relax too.”

“Mmm, that works.”

“It seems like no matter where I go, I always run into you.”

A familiar voice—followed by the appearance of someone Eiffel

least wanted to see.

She didn’t know why they couldn’t just be done with each
other. If he would only understand, he’d realize that acting like
this wasn’t doing anyone any good. Tam would never feel
anything positive from threats disguised as affection, and he
himself wouldn’t gain anything from behaving this way.

Thansikorn turned and gave a polite smile to the man greeting

her, as if rejecting him outright last time had only made him
angrier. But it seemed like he hadn’t had the chance to make
his move yet, so he remained quiet. She wasn’t sure if he was
here with a new plan in mind, or if he had something else
weighing on him.

“I was just about to call you, actually. I wanted to set up a

meeting.”

“I don’t think we have anything to discuss.”

“Oh, but we do. My mother isn’t very happy with the design you
came up with. She thinks it’s outdated and too old-fashioned.
Other fashion houses have done similar designs, but theirs
look much better. So she’d like you to revise it.”

His voice was deliberately louder than usual, as if he wanted

the people around them to hear. Because of that, a well-known
fashion blogger nearby couldn’t help but be curious. And since
she wasn’t one to keep her questions to herself—and also
wanted to help Thansikorn—she decided to speak up.
If anyone overheard and spread these discrediting words, it
wouldn’t be good. Especially at an event like this, where
everyone knew each other. That would make it even worse.

“Excuse me, I just have to ask—when you say ‘outdated,’ what

exactly do you mean? I’ve trusted Tam with my wardrobe for
years, and I’ve never once felt out of style or that my outfit was
too similar to someone else’s. On the contrary, I always feel like
I’m ahead of the trend.”

“…”

“So I’d really like to know—what do you consider outdated? Do

you have any pictures?”

“No, I didn’t take any.”

Teerapat answered reluctantly. At the same time, Eiffel couldn’t

just stay quiet after hearing such words. She had to do
something to help salvage Tam’s reputation—and push
Teerapat back.

“I can show you, Khun Pear. I always save photos of all the
outfits P’Tam designs on my iPad, in case she needs to review
past work.”

“That won’t be necessary, Pear. Eiffel, we can look into that

later,” Thanisakorn said, before looking up at the man with an
expression of complete indifference.
No emotions. No respect. No regard for him as an older brother
figure anymore.
“If your mother truly isn’t satisfied, she can return it, and I’ll
make adjustments. But let me be clear—I designed it exactly as
agreed upon.”

She had already specified all the details of what was needed
before the final production. Before sending the designs, Tam
had provided all the necessary information for review, and they
had been approved with satisfaction.

“…”

“If the revisions are truly because of a flaw in the work, I’d be
happy to make adjustments. But if it’s just for the sake of
making changes, I don’t think my office would welcome that
kind of client.”

Teerapat smirked, though it was clear he wasn’t pleased with

being talked back to. He couldn’t do much about it now, but at
least he had another chance to get close. He swore that if he
got even the slightest opportunity this time, he wouldn’t let it
slip away.

He just hoped Eiffel wouldn’t keep getting in the way. But no

matter—he had a plan to get Eiffel out of Thanisakorn’s path
for a while, and no one would be able to blame him for it. He
hadn’t come back unprepared. Tomorrow, Eiffel had a work
appointment with a woman, and he would use that moment to
make his move, ensuring she was too occupied to interfere.

“See you later. I’ve got plenty of things planned,” the man said
before walking away, leaving behind only a tense atmosphere
from his provocation.
“I can’t stand that guy. Seriously, Tam, how do you even know
him?”

Thanisakorn sighed, unsure how to rid her life of this man.

“He came to pick up clothes for his mother, so we ended up

talking. But over time, he went from being a gentleman to…
well, what you see now. Just because I didn’t want to take
things any further.”

The Next Day

Eiffel called early in the morning, saying she would come over
before noon. She had a scheduled project handover in the
morning before the contractors continued with the interior
work.

“You can’t go to the office right now.”

“The office is full of people. What could he possibly do to me? If

I’m not going to work, where am I supposed to go?”

“Go visit your mom first. I’ll come pick you up later. If he
comes, let him wait.”

“Eiffel, it’s really nothing.”

“No way. I’m worried about you, Tam.”

“…”

“Please, just do this for me? If you go to work, I won’t be able to

focus at all.”
“…”

“All right, all right. I won’t go.”

Thansikorn agreed and called for the driver to take her to her
mother’s house, as Eiffel had suggested. When she arrived, she
found her mother digging in the garden, preparing to plant
some trees. It was a small physical task she could still manage,
but as her daughter, Thansikorn couldn’t help but worry. So
she asked for gloves and took over, much to her mother’s
surprise.

However, she hadn’t even finished planting half of them before

her phone rang. The caller ID showed Eiffel’s number, but
when she picked up, it was Green’s voice on the other end.

“Tam! Eiffel got hit by a collapsed scaffolding at the site. She’s

in the hospital right now!”

Thansikorn didn’t even know how fast she drove. She quickly
informed her mother before rushing out.

At the hospital’s emergency room, she spotted Green sitting

anxiously with another man, whom she later learned was the
contractor in charge of the site.

“How did this happen?”

Thansikorn asked Green, but before she could answer, Nina—
who was sitting there pale-faced—stood up and explained
instead. This was, after all, part of her responsibility.

“Ms. Ei jumped in to help me.”

“Help?”
“I had walked into an area where the workers were setting up
scaffolding. I wanted to check every part of the site according to
the plans. But I was careless—I was wearing high heels in a
place like that, so I lost my balance and accidentally knocked
into the scaffolding. Ei, who was the closest, pulled me away,
but everything happened so fast. Before I knew it, the
scaffolding collapsed on her. Honestly, I should have been the
one injured. If Ei hadn’t shielded me, she wouldn’t have taken
the hit instead.”

Hearing that made her ears burn—not from anything else, but
from anger at Eiffel for getting hurt… again. The thing she
hated most was seeing her in pain. Did Eiffel even realize how
it felt to watch her twist her face in agony?

“Tam…” Nina called out softly. “I’m really sorry for being the
reason your… sister got hurt.”

The petite woman pressed her palms together in apology, her

eyes welling up with tears, on the verge of spilling over. Green
instinctively stepped forward, handing her a handkerchief and
softly comforting her.

“It’s okay. No one wanted this to happen.”

“I’m not angry at you at all, Nina,” Thansikorn assured her,

then added, “And Eiffel isn’t my sister. I’m an only child—and
she never wanted to be my little sister either.”

Even though she said she wasn’t angry, the moment the doctor
stepped out of the emergency room and allowed visitors,
Thanisakorn was the first to stride in.
She found Eiffel lying on the hospital bed, scrapes and bruises
scattered across her body. A gauze pad covered her head, with
a faint stain of red seeping through. Seeing that, she quickened
her pace, stopping abruptly by the bed.

“You really take good care of people—so good you end up

getting hurt!”

“…”

“If you’re reckless enough to get hurt while hugging someone

else, then don’t come hugging me anymore.”

“I’m sorry,” Eiffel mumbled meekly.

She didn’t even know where this anger was coming from. The
moment they met, she got scolded harshly. She was injured, for
heaven’s sake! Not even an ounce of concern.

“Does saying sorry make your pain go away?”

“…”

“Do you have any idea how it feels to see you like this, Eiffel? If
you can’t even take care of yourself properly, how can you take
care of me?”

Eiffel pursed her lips, then slowly reached out to loosely grasp
the angry woman’s hand. Her voice softened.

“Then take care of me too, okay? I promise I won’t let anyone

else take care of me—only you, for the rest of my life. So
please… don’t be mad anymore.”