Chapter 5: Close Encounters
The next day, Lin Yue arrived at the studio earlier than usual, hoping to get some quiet rehearsal time before the chaos began. But the moment he stepped in, the air felt heavier , the rival from yesterday was already there, chatting with assistants and casting sharp glances in his direction.
Lin Yue's stomach twisted. He forced a smile and tried to ignore him, but every instinct screamed caution.
"Good morning, Lin Yue," the rival said casually, as if yesterday had never happened. "Ready to make today interesting?"
Lin Yue's pulse quickened slightly. Professional. Keep it professional. He nodded and headed toward the rehearsal area.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Krit entering with a calm, measured stride. Even in the busy studio, Krit's presence drew attention without effort. His eyes scanned the room, noting every detail, every potential threat , including the rival.
Lin Yue felt a flutter he didn't quite understand. It wasn't just admiration; there was a subtle awareness in his chest, a spark he had barely noticed before. And when Krit glanced at him briefly, just for a second, it was enough to make his heart skip. That fleeting glance carried nothing explicit, yet somehow it made Lin Yue acutely aware of the man standing nearby.
As rehearsal began, Lin Yue tried to focus on his lines, his movements, his voice. But every so often, he felt Krit's attention on him , precise, calculated, and yet, occasionally… lingering just a fraction too long. He shook his head, telling himself it was only protective instinct. Professional. Keep it professional.
Halfway through the session, a small incident occurred. A camera cable had been left loosely on the floor, and Lin Yue nearly tripped over it. Krit reacted instantly, stepping forward and catching him with a firm hand on his arm.
"Be careful," Krit said, calm but firm.
Lin Yue's face flushed, not from the near-fall, but from the unexpected proximity. He felt the warmth from Krit's touch linger slightly longer than necessary, a spark igniting quietly inside him.
"Thanks," he murmured, looking anywhere but at Krit's golden eyes.
Krit simply nodded and stepped back, returning to his watchful position. But Lin Yue couldn't shake the feeling that Krit's subtle awareness , the way he seemed to notice everything about him , was slowly becoming more personal than purely professional.
The rival, oblivious to the tension he had stirred, left for a brief meeting, leaving Lin Yue alone with Krit for a moment. Lin Yue exhaled, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
Krit's gaze softened for just a moment as he checked Lin Yue's schedule notes. It was fleeting, subtle, almost imperceptible, but Lin Yue caught it. That brief shift , a look that wasn't entirely professional , sent another small spark through him, and he realized, with a mix of confusion and anticipation, that Krit might notice him more than he had first thought.
By the time the rehearsal wrapped, Lin Yue felt exhausted yet oddly aware. His heart raced not just from performance nerves, but from the small, subtle tensions that Krit's presence continued to create. He hadn't understood it fully yet, but that spark , fleeting, restrained, professional yet strangely personal , was growing slowly, quietly, in the spaces between rehearsals, glances, and touches.
And Lin Yue knew, somewhere deep down, that this calm, watchful man would continue to occupy his thoughts in ways he couldn't control.