Chapter 16: Rare

The soft glow of morning bled through the heavy curtains of Freen's hotel room in London, casting a dim, golden haze over the sheets tangled around her legs. The city outside was already alive—muffled horns, distant chatter, the faint hum of the world moving on without her.

But inside, everything was still.

Still, except for the slow, sleepy way Freen reached out toward the nightstand, fingers groping blindly for her phone.

Lifeless. Dead.Her brows furrowed.

She peeled one eye open, pushing herself up onto her elbow, searching through the scattered mess of scripts, a half-empty water bottle, and the charger she swore she had plugged in last night.

Her stomach twisted.

Not because she had early morning interviews. Not because P'Title would be knocking on her door in an hour. Not even because she had unread messages piling up.

But because the last thing she saw before she fell asleep—was Becky.

A quick rush of excitement lingered, but an unfamiliar anxiety prickled up her spine. She grabbed the charger, shoving it into the port with slightly trembling fingers, her pulse picking up pace as the screen remained black for a long, agonizing second.

Breathe, Freen.

There was no reason to be overdramatic.

Yet—Freen squeezed her eyes shut, trying to paint Becky's face from last night all over again in her head. They had talked for so long after a long workday, and Becky's voice had been so soft, tinged with exhaustion. "I just want you and nothing else," she had said, pouting slightly at the camera, shifting under her blankets and hugging freen's scarf.

Freen smiled as the memory of last night flushed back over her.But—Freen remembered the sadness in Becky's eyes.

Like something she wasn't saying.

And now—now, as the sun filtered through the skyline and the reality of distance pressed down on her, Freen felt it more than ever.

She swallowed hard, and while the phone charged again, she couldn't stop herself from writing the message she so badly wanted to send Becky right now. So she grabbed her notebook from the bedside table, flipping through pages of messy scribbles- and finally wrote her heartfelt words for Becky. Becky,

I don't know how else to say this, so I'll just write it here.

I miss you.

I miss you so much that some nights, it feels like I can't breathe.

I miss the way your voice softens when you're sleepy. I miss the way you roll your eyes at my bad jokes but laugh anyway. I miss the way you look at me.

I don't know what was in your eyes last night, baby. I don't know what you're not telling me. But I felt it.

And it scares me.

Because you were always the rarest thing I ever had.

What if I lose you?

I never want to lose you, bb.

I just want to be with you. I want to hold you, wake up next to you, not through a screen, not in a dream, but in real life.

I want to come home. To you.

Always to you.

-Freen.

Freen exhaled shakily, pressing the pen into the paper a little too hard.

Her phone screen lit up beside her.

A message from Becky.

Her heart jumped, fingers itching to grab it—to check, to reply, to tell her everything.

Instead, she closed the notebook.

She didn't send the written message.

She never did.

____On the other side Becky was even more confident in their relationship as ever.

For the first time in weeks, Becky felt light.

The kind of lightness that comes after an aching weight is finally lifted, after sleepless nights filled with doubt fade into something softer, something whole.

She knew it was ridiculous—how a single late-night call could settle all the fears that had gnawed at her heart for weeks. But that was the thing about Freen. Freen made her feel loved.

Not just in the grand gestures. Not just in the teasing words or flirtatious banter.

But in the way she provides Becky assurance.

In the way she always listened.

In the way she said, "You're everything to me, bb," like it was the most undeniable truth in the world.

And for the first time in weeks—Becky believed it.

So when she went to her law firm, Nop & office moots, as they called themselves—insisted on a small birthday celebration, and she didn't hesitate.

There was no second-guessing. No overthinking.

She was finally happy, confident, and counting days of freen's return.So she said yes to the party and celebrated her birthday at their go-to club.

She sang karaoke, belting out off-key notes between gulps of her cocktail, letting the fizzy warmth bubble through her veins.

She danced, arms thrown around Kade and Nam (office friends), twirling in circles under the neon club lights, giggling like she was nineteen again.

For once, she let herself be happy.

She let herself warped in Freen's love even from afar.

She was enjoying it so much that she barely even noticed Nop's presence.

Didn't notice how his arm slung a little too easily around her shoulders.

Didn't pay attention to the way he kept pulling her into photos, tilting his head too close, grinning as if they shared an inside joke.

She was too busy living in the moment. Too lost in the lingering warmth of Freen's voice still wrapped around her heart.

___________Freen was busy in interviews, press conferences, and flashing lights.

By the time Freen got back to her hotel room, exhaustion clung to her bones like second skin. She kicked off her shoes, collapsing onto the bed, before instinctively reaching for her phone.

1 New Message — Becky ❤️

"Hey babe, I'm throwing a small b'day party for my office moots just 'coz they insisted.. if I don't pick up your call, don't panic. The music must be loud but I'll be home around 12, I promise."

Freen smiled, her heart warming at the thought of Becky finally enjoying herself.

Then—just for fun—she scrolled through social media.

And stopped breathing.

Clip after clip. Photo after photo on nop's social media profile. Becky laughing, dancing, letting go in a way Freen hadn't seen in months.

At first, it made her happy finally seeing Becky that much happy.

Until she noticed something else.

Nop.

Nop, standing too close. Nop, draping an arm around Becky. Nop, whispering something in her ear as she laughed.

Freen's stomach turned.

What if Becky wasn't just happy because of her?

What if she was happy because of Nop? Because he was always there, always looking after her?

Freen spiraled into worst-case scenarios, unable to think of anything but what could go wrong in their relationship.

Her grip on the phone tightened. She wanted to shake off the thoughts of Becky & nop. 🎶 'Cause there we are again when I loved you soBack before you lost the one real thing you've ever knownIt was rare, I was thereI remember it all too well.....🎶

Then, in the last video.

Nop was taking a selfie video, laughing into the camera. But in the background, slightly out of focus—

Becky.

Head bowed over a table. Her body slumping forward.

Then—turning just in time for the camera to catch it—Becky throwing up, vomiting.

Freen shot up because that was her limit.

Everything else faded. The doubt. The jealousy.

Only one thought remained:

"She's not okay, she was not safe."Freen called Becky's cousin, Jamie, and urged him to check on Becky and ensure she got home safely. Jamie immediately understood and handled everything as instructed.

Without a second thought, Freen booked the next available flight home. There were still two days left in for movie promotions, but none of it mattered anymore. All she cared about was getting back to Becky.

Freen exhaled. But the fear didn't leave her chest.

Her hands were already dialing the next number.

P'Title.

"P'Title, I need to go home. Tonight."

"Freen—"

"Find an excuse. Make up an emergency. I don't care."

"We have two more days here—"

"I DON'T CARE!"

Silence. Then, a sigh.

"Fine. I'll handle it."

Freen closed her eyes. I'm coming, baby. Just wait for me.

___________

A dull ache throbbed in Becky's head as she groggily made her way down the stairs, her body sluggish from last night's unintentional indulgence. She scrunched her nose, rubbing at her temples. Never again, she thought, swearing off drinking for the hundredth time.

But then—

A scent.

Something warm. Familiar. Comforting.

Becky stilled mid-step, her senses waking up faster than the rest of her. The unmistakable aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air, wrapping around her like a memory. A memory that shouldn't have been here. Not in her empty apartment. Not when Freen was so far away.

Heart pounding, she followed the scent, her bare feet padding against the wooden floor as she reached the kitchen doorway.

And there she was.

Freen.

Standing by the stove, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy from travel, stirring a pot of pasta like she belonged there. Like she'd never left.

Becky didn't think. She didn't stop to question it.

She ran.

Straight to her.

Her arms wrapped around Freen's waist from behind, almost knocking the breath out of her. Freen barely had a second to react before Becky buried her face against her back, inhaling deeply, as if trying to convince herself this wasn't just another dream.

"You're here," Becky mumbled against the fabric of Freen's hoodie, her voice cracking.

Freen turned off the stove, setting the spoon down with shaky hands before covering Becky's arms with her own.

"I'm here, Becbec," she whispered, voice thick with emotion.

Becky squeezed tighter. Holding onto her like she might disappear again. But just as she was about to nuzzle closer, Freen shifted abruptly, peeling Becky's arms off her waist.

"Nope," Freen said, stepping forward and out of Becky's reach.

Becky blinked, confused. "Huh?"

Freen turned, crossing her arms, a teasing yet stern look on her face. "You think you get to hug me after what you pulled last night?"

Becky frowned. "What?"

Freen scoffed, grabbing a glass of water and placing it on the counter. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe the part where you got so drunk you puked your guts out? Or the part where I had to call Jamie in a whole other city to make sure you didn't pass out in a ditch somewhere?"

Becky winced. "I wasn't that bad..."

Freen arched a brow. "Oh really? So if I go to social media right now, I won't find a video of you practically throwing up in the background of his video?"

Becky groaned, pressing her hands to her face. "Oh my god."

Freen tsked, shaking her head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at you. And you think you can just throw yourself at me like nothing happened? Nah, baby. You're on punishment."

Becky gaped at her. "Punishment?"

Freen turned back to her pasta, casually stirring as if she wasn't actively torturing Becky. "Mm-hmm."

Becky narrowed her eyes. "So what, no hugs?"

"No hugs," Freen confirmed.

"No kisses?"

Freen smirked. "No kisses."

Becky gasped dramatically. "You monster."

Freen shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. "Should've thought about that before drowning yourself in alcohol."

Becky groaned again, stepping forward, but Freen swiftly dodged, moving to the other side of the kitchen island.

"Freen," Becky whined.

"Uh-uh," Freen wagged a finger. "Actions have consequences, becbec."

"You literally abandoned me on my entire birthday, and you're mad that I drank a little?"

"A little?" Freen scoffed. "Bec, you were throwing your stomach out in that video."

Becky sighed, leaning on the counter, staring at Freen with big, pleading eyes. "I'm sorry."

Freen didn't budge. "Not good enough."

Becky bit her lip, thinking. Then, with a dramatic sigh, she clutched her chest. "Freen Sarocha, the love of my life, the light of my world, the very air I breathe—"

"Oh my god." Freen rolls her eyes with smirk

When Becky continued "—I have made a terrible mistake. A grave, unforgivable mistake. I was blinded by the illusion of fun and drinks, and I let myself stray from the righteous path of being your perfect girlfriend."

Freen bit back a grin.

Becky pressed on. "Please, my love, forgive me, or I shall perish from heartbreak and longing."

Freen tapped her chin, pretending to consider it. Then, with a smirk, she leaned in slightly.

"Mm. Nah. do you have any idea how much i was worried, and it's not safe bec"

Becky groaned in frustration before lunging at her, but Freen dodged again, laughing as she ran toward the living room.

"Freen!"

"Actions! Have! Consequences!"

Becky chased after her, determined. "Come here!"

"Nope!"

She lunged again. Freen dodged. Again.

Becky panted, hands on her knees. "You're really gonna make me work for this, huh?"

Freen grinned, still a few feet away. "Baby, you gotta earn it, you are not being a good baby at all."

Becky rolled her eyes but smirked. "Alright, fine."

Then, she changed tactics.

She stopped chasing. Instead, she plopped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh, flopping over like a lifeless doll.

Freen narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing?"

Becky exhaled deeply, voice weak. "I'm thinking, my birthday won't matter to you but if i drink or puke a little that is sooo great of a deal with you, that you quit everything and fly home, it's that matters to you more"

"Oh god."

Becky peeked up at her, her lip jutting out in the softest pout. "And now that you are here...I just... I really thought you'd be happy to see me."

Freen's expression faltered just a bit.

Becky sighed again. "Guess I was wrong."

Freen groaned, running a hand down her face. "You are such a brat."

Becky stayed limp on the couch.

Freen sighed. "Fine."

And then—

She grabbed Becky's wrist and pulled her up into her arms.

Becky barely had time to react before Freen crushed her against her chest, wrapping her arms around her tight, pressing kisses against her hair, her temple, and her cheek.

"Your health & safety matters to me the most & You drive me insane you know that," Freen mumbled between kisses.

Becky melted. "Yeah"

Freen pulled back just enough to cup Becky's face. "Yeah. You're reckless, and dramatic, and you don't take care of yourself, and it kills me."

Becky swallowed, suddenly breathless. "I'm sorry."

Freen exhaled, pressing their foreheads together. "Just—take care of yourself, okay?

Becky smiled softly but then a terror creeped over. "You are not flying back, are you?."

Freen frown a bit and then smile. "No I'm not, the last two promotion days were still remaining but they had to manage without me, though I had to pay some professional penalty but good thing I'm not going back."

Becky giggled, and before Freen could roll her eyes again, Becky grabbed her by the collar and kissed her.

Not a soft, hesitant kiss.

A real kiss.

Messy, desperate, full of everything they had missed.

Freen groaned into it, hands gripping Becky's waist, pulling her closer, deeper, as if trying to make up for every second they'd spent apart.

Becky's fingers tangled in Freen's hair, pulling slightly, making Freen gasp before kissing her harder.

"Happy now?" Freen murmured against her temple.

Becky grinned, burying her face in Freen's neck. "So happy."

Freen gently cupped Becky's face, her thumbs brushing softly over her cheeks as she stared into her eyes—now intensely, seriously. Her voice was low, calm but tinged with something fierce underneath.

"And baby... what's going on with Nop?" she asked, leaning in just enough to let her breath graze Becky's lips. "Haven't you made it clear who you belong to?"

Becky blinked, startled at first, then sighed with a small, amused shake of her head. "What? Nop's harmless, babe. He knows about you—about us. But I think... maybe he thinks we're not on good terms or something, so he tries to shoot his shot anyway." She smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, I'll talk to him. Set him straight."

She leaned in to kiss Freen, but Freen turned her head slightly, dodging it. Her hands remained firmly on Becky's face, holding her there—not out of anger, but to keep her still. To make her listen.

"Bec," Freen said, her voice firmer now. "He films you without your consent. You're always showing up in his stories, his posts—like you're some accessory in his clout parade. And last night? That video of you vomiting at the afterparty? He posted that."

Becky's smile faded.

"You're not just some girl to mess around with," Freen continued, eyes darkening. "You're a star. A successful Thai actress. What does he think he's doing? Trying to make a name off you? He's a fucking clout chaser."

Becky softened, guilt flickering across her expression. She leaned into Freen's palm, voice quieter now. "My moodeng... my baby. I swear, I'll scold him for it. I'll make sure he takes that video down. I'll talk to him tomorrow."

Freen still looked at her, gaze stormy and protective, but she let Becky inch closer this time. Becky pressed her lips gently to hers—soft, slow, apologetic. Freen didn't resist.

Their kiss melted into something quieter. Forgiving. Reassuring.

Later that evening, the tension had dissolved, and the two of them were curled up on the couch. Freen had insisted on a blanket even though it wasn't cold—she said it was for emotional warmth. Becky didn't argue. She was nestled into Freen's chest, her legs draped across Freen's lap, fingers lazily tracing patterns on her thigh.

A cheesy rom-com played on the screen, mostly ignored. Freen absentmindedly played with Becky's hair, the room dim and peaceful. Every once in a while, Becky would glance up at her, and Freen would kiss the top of her head like it was just instinct now.

"Only one and a half months," Becky murmured, eyes closing. "Then we go back home... back to Thailand. It'll be just us again. Like Nop never existed."

Freen smiled, her heart finally steady again.

"Just us," she echoed softly, pulling Becky closer. "Always."

And in that small living room, wrapped in warmth and the soft glow of a television screen, they found their little peace again—where the world couldn't reach them.

🎶 Wind in my hair, you were there

You remember it all

Down the stairs, you were there

You remember it all

It was rare, I was there

I remember it all too well..... 🎶

P.S. Last four chapters are left guys :(