Crossroads of Destiny

Under the veil of night, Niloy, Techno, and Merry found refuge in the humble servant quarter of the cafe. The room, though far from grand, provided a sanctuary with its two beds, a modest bathroom, a solitary table, and a smattering of inconsequential belongings. As he settled into this makeshift abode, Niloy couldn't help but exhale deeply, a gentle smile playing upon his lips.

"A mere few hours ago, I had no place to call my own," he reflected, his heart brimming with gratitude, "but now, I've found a sanctuary to call home."

In the quiet of the late night, beneath the dim glow of the moon, they gathered on their beds, and Niloy unraveled his dreams to his newfound friends. He confessed his fervent desire to become a BL series actor and sought their guidance in navigating the vast city of Bangkok, with its labyrinthine streets and hidden studios. Techno and Merry, their hearts touched by Niloy's dreams, shared a list of addresses, each one a stepping stone toward his aspiration.

With heartfelt gratitude, Niloy accepted their kindness, determined to embark on the audition trail in a few days. But before the drowsiness of night took hold, he lay in the dimly lit room, thoughts drifting to his distant family, particularly his mother and sister. The weight of longing bore down upon him, and silent tears welled in his eyes, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of his dreams.

In the stillness of the night, Stranger sways across the ceiling as insomnia grips tightly. Tossed and turned in tangled sheets. A sudden, unbidden surge of tears welled in his eyes. Brushing a gentle hand against his own cheek, he whispered to the quiet of the night.

''In the boundless expanse of this world, whose burden weighs so heavily that his tears carve a path straight into the depths of my soul?''

With the dawn's arrival, a new sun painted the world with fresh energy and endless possibilities. Niloy moved with graceful efficiency behind the counter, attending to the needs of his patrons with unwavering dedication. With a fluency in Thai that flowed effortlessly from his lips, he engaged in seamless conversations, effortlessly bridging the gap between himself and his customers. Their appreciation manifested in the form of generous tips, a testament to Niloy's exceptional service.

As Niloy's gaze fell upon the familiar figure, his eyes widened in astonishment, the sudden recognition sparking a whirlwind of emotions within him. His brows furrowed, accentuating the intensity of his gaze, as a fleeting tremor quivered across his lips. "Is he...?" he whispered, his voice barely audible amidst the ambient chatter of the café.

The figure sat amidst the warm glow of the café's lighting, his angular features softened by its embrace. A chiseled jawline framed a pair of full lips, slightly parted as he focused intently on the screen of his phone. Dark, expressive eyes, flecked with curiosity, were ensconced beneath thick, sweeping brows that arched elegantly above them. A straight, defined nose added to the symmetry of his face, while a hint of stubble along his jawline lent a rugged charm to his otherwise polished appearance.

Draped in a perfectly tailored platinum-colored blazer, his broad shoulders were accentuated, hinting at the strength beneath. A cream-colored shirt beneath added a touch of sophistication to his ensemble. With one leg casually crossed over the other, he exuded an air of effortless grace, his posture relaxed yet poised. A sleek Bluetooth earpiece nestled in one ear spoke to his modern sensibilities, while his fingers danced deftly across the screen of his phone, his expression focused yet relaxed.

Despite the bustling ambiance of the café, he remained unfazed, radiating an aura of quiet confidence that drew admiring glances from passersby. Women nearby couldn't help but steal glances, their admiration evident in their lingering gazes.

Niloy's lips parted in awe, a single word escaping in breathless wonder, "Stranger..." he murmured. Closing the distance, Niloy approached the table where the figure sat, his hand coming to rest gently upon the man's shoulder. "Stranger..." he began again, his voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and excitement.

Slowly, the figure turned to him, his expression initially stiff with surprise.

At that moment, a mischievous glint danced in Niloy's eyes, his thoughts drifting to a poignant line from the beloved 'TharnType' series, a show that had once ensnared his heart.

"A person always gets something they never wanted from fate," he mused, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he reminisced.

The shock was palpable in Stranger's expression as recognition dawned upon him, realizing Niloy now worked as a waiter in the café. Seeking to diffuse the tension, Niloy greeted him with a playful jest.

Niloy's lips curved into a teasing smile as his hand rested lightly on Stranger's shoulder. "Ah, Stranger... why the early arrival? I'm afraid I've no funds to repay you at the moment. But fear not, once I ascend to BL stardom, every penny spent on me shall be repaid in full."

Stranger remained seated, his gaze narrowed with simmering anger as Niloy continued his playful banter. "Don't call me Stranger..." he bit out, the frustration evident in his tone.

Undeterred, Niloy pressed on, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "My memory fails me... You once divulged your name to me. And pray, where did you acquire such fine attire, such a luxurious vehicle? Were they earned through honest means, or do they perhaps carry the taint of ill-gotten gains? My mother always warned me of the perils of theft."

Eyes from nearby tables flickered with curiosity and gossip as the tense exchange unfolded, whispers circulating about the waiter's boldness in addressing the distinguished patron.

Stranger's temper ignited at the implication, and he rose from his seat with barely contained fury, his voice reverberating through the café. "You..."

Sensing the escalating tension, Techno swiftly intervened, bowing respectfully before addressing Stranger.

With a calm demeanor, Techno sought to elucidate the situation to Niloy, guiding him aside to explain.

"He is one of our esteemed regulars, Kao Neptune," Techno explained in hushed tones. "The CEO of Neptune Music."

The revelation left Niloy stunned, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as he approached Stranger once more, this time with contrition in his eyes. Yet, before he could utter an apology, Stranger's demeanor shifted as he ordered his meal.

Trembling with nervousness, Niloy returned with a bowl of steaming soup. But in his anxious state, the bowl slipped from his grasp, its scalding contents splashing onto Stranger in an unfortunate mishap.

As the scorching soup splashed onto Stranger, Niloy's immediate concern was for his well-being. With a flash of panic, he instinctively grabbed a nearby jug of water and tossed it over Stranger, fearing that he might have been burned. Their sudden commotion drew the attention of the surrounding customers, who quickly gathered around, some even capturing the unforgettable scene with their cameras.

Stranger, drenched and bewildered, wiped the water from his face, his voice rising in the midst of the chaotic moment.

Stranger, drenched and bewildered, wiped the water from his face, his voice rising in the midst of the chaotic moment

"Are you kidding me?" Stranger exclaimed in frustration, his words laced with anger and embarrassment.

Uncle Tham, ever the peacemaker, swiftly arrived to offer an apology on Niloy's behalf. However, as Stranger's eyes bore into Niloy, he couldn't bring himself to forgive so easily. With a deep sigh, Uncle Tham turned his back to the young waiter, leaving him with no meal for the day.

Niloy, realizing the gravity of his actions, spoke up in earnest.

"He won't make this kind of mistake again," he offered, but it was clear that the damage had been done.

After a while, Niloy approached Uncle Tham, who was engrossed in a pile of paperwork. With a countenance shadowed by regret and embarrassment, he began, "Uncle, I must offer my sincerest apologies..."

"But I truly had no intention of causing offense. I had previously met him in Chiang Mai, but never did it occur to me that he would be 'Kao Neptune.'"

Turning his attention to Niloy, Uncle Tham offered a reassuring smile. "It's alright..."

"You're still finding your way here, and mistakes are bound to happen."

Though comforted by Uncle Tham's understanding, Niloy remained rooted to the spot. Sensing his curiosity, Uncle Tham leaned in, his expression filled with knowing.

"Are you perhaps intrigued to learn more about Kao...?"

Surprised yet intrigued, Niloy nodded.

Uncle Tham's sigh echoed softly in the room as he carefully set his pen down, intertwining his fingers atop the desk. "To the best of my knowledge," he began, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity, "he is the scion of 'Neptune Music,' the son of Aroon Neptune. Endowed with remarkable talent as both a singer and composer, Kao's journey has been painted with hues of fleeting contentment."

Niloy stood in silence, absorbing the narrative unfolding before him.

"His mother's departure, shortly after his birth, left an irreplaceable void in his life," Uncle Tham continued, his gaze drifting to a distant memory. "As a child, he graced my café with his father, Aroon, affectionately calling me Uncle. However, fate dealt him a cruel hand when his father remarried, welcoming a daughter named Achara into their lives."

A profound silence hung in the air as Niloy processed the tale.

"Tragedy struck once more," Uncle Tham's voice trembled slightly, "when Aroon's life was abruptly taken in a car accident, leaving Kao to shoulder the burdens of adulthood at the tender age of nineteen. With the weight of responsibility pressing down upon him, the vibrant spirit he once possessed seemed to fade into the shadows, replaced by a solemn veil."

Niloy's heart weighed heavy with empathy as he listened intently, grappling with the depth of Kao's tribulations.

A deep sigh escaped Niloy's lips as he wrestled with the remorse gnawing at his conscience. "I... I even ridiculed him for his mother..."

His voice trailed off into the silence, punctuated only by the faint echo of regret.

"I should never have done that."

Other hand, Kao decided to move forward and headed to a shopping mall to purchase new attire. He discarded the now-soiled clothes, tossing them unceremoniously into a nearby dustbin. As he carried on with his day, unaware of the brewing storm, he couldn't escape the notoriety that awaited him on the internet.

The cafe incident had already gone viral, with the trending hashtag "#NiloyKao'', Niloy named waiter throws a jug of water on ''The Kao Neptune." His day continued with an unshakable sense of humiliation in the air.

Upon arriving at his office, his employees, who had likely seen the online spectacle, had all ceased their laughter and gossip as Stranger made his grand entrance. Their voices fell silent, replaced by respectful greetings of "Good morning, sir." But Kao, his expression unreadable, simply acknowledged them with a nod and proceeded to his office.

Kao's inner circle was a small and exclusive one, comprised of just two individuals - Shian and Lava, his only friends in the world.

Shian, his dedicated personal assistant, was more than just a colleague; their connection ran deep, forming an unbreakable bond of friendship and trust.

Lava, on the other hand, was an intern at the office, harboring feelings of affection for Kao that she had yet to summon the courage to reveal. Her heart held a love for him that, for now, remained a cherished secret, hidden in the recesses of her soul.