The Dinner Invitation

Being the newbie had its perks — and pressure.

After the successful shoot, Phi Tann announced a team dinner. Korean barbecue. Unlimited food. Drinks. Laughter. The kind of thing I'd normally dodge, but something inside me said, Go. You've earned this.

It was going to be my first social thing in a long while.

I nodded and said, "Okay, let's do this."

As I packed away the light stands and double-checked the gear, Nok, our ever-enthusiastic supervisor, called out from across the room.

"THANK YOU, IAN!" she shouted, already a bit buzzed from energy alone.

The others laughed. I gave a shy smile and a half-bow, "Thank you, P'Nok!"

From the corner of my eye, I felt it again — that stare.

I turned slightly. Phuwadon, leaning against the wall, one hand in his pocket, watching.

Our eyes met. Instantly, he looked away.

What is his deal…? I thought.

Right then, Phi Tann clapped his hands.

"Phu, you're coming too," he said, with that commanding-yet-casual tone he always had.

Phuwadon blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Who else?" Phi Tann grinned, and the team chuckled.

Phuwadon's eyes flicked to me. Smirked. Then said, "Sure, why not!"

That smirk again. Is he messing with me? Or is this just his default face?

I turned my focus back to winding a cable, pretending not to notice. But I could feel the heat in my ears.

Outside the studio, the group had gathered in a lazy circle, all talking at once — making dinner plans, debating who would sit where, teasing each other like old classmates. It felt… light.

Nok ran back in to do her final lock-up and equipment check.

We all stood around, waiting. Some smoked. Some scrolled their phones.

I stood at the edge, watching the sunset dip behind Bangkok's buildings, the orange glow brushing against skyscrapers and tuk-tuks rolling by.

And behind me, I felt it again. A presence. Not loud, not obvious — but there.

I didn't turn this time. Just smiled softly to myself.