Chapter 2
"Sonya, listen." Film's sigh of exasperation filled the crisp evening air, and it was music to Namtan's ears.
Well, perhaps not the self-deprecating tone of the conversation, but Film's low, even voice was just...something else.
Namtan Tipnaree was not an eavesdropper.
Okay, so maybe she liked to listen in on the drama her friends would dish every now and then, but a fully-fledged eavesdropper? Certainly not.
Namtan just happened to be airing and drying out some paintings on her balcony.
At the same time Film was out on hers, bothering Sonya on the phone.
It was all just a coincidence.
It especially wasn't because Namtan had gotten frustrated after knocking on Film's door several billion times without a response. That definitely wasn't it.
"Sonya, I'm not giving up." Film sighed. Namtan quietly took in her beautiful figure, leaned over the railing, phone in hand as she gazed off into the distant horizon. "It's just...It's going to become difficult to make ends meet. I mean, pretty soon...I think I'll have to move."
Namtan felt her heart drop. Move?
Okay, now she was eavesdropping.
"No, Sonya...I don't need your handouts. You've invested enough in this company." Film sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Namtan bit her lip when one of her paintings began sliding over.
Her cover was blown.
She caught it, but not before it hit the balcony railing with a loud ding, causing Film to whip around in surprise.
Namtan's cheeks burned as Film's brown gaze found her own in surprise.
"Sonya? Can I call you back?" Film asked gently, an amused smile on her full lips. She hung up after that, coming over to the far end of her balcony, so that she was right beside Namtan's.
"I have never found 'dork' to be a more fitting title for you." Film mused, folding her arms over the railing as she watched Namtan salvage the painting sheepishly.
"Sorry for uh...ruining your call." Namtan mumbled, glancing at the now very ruined rose she'd painted out of sheer boredom while Film hadn't answered her door.
"Sorry for ruining your painting." Film responded wryly. She knew she had a little hand in that.
Namtan rolled her eyes. "We both know it was my amazing hand eye coordination. Well great, guess I have to make a trip to the dumpster."
Film smirked. "Couldn't you just...stack it, like you do with all the other trash in your apartment?"
Namtan stuck out her tongue childishly. "I'll have you know, I cleaned it out this morning."
"And you haven't invited me over?" Film teased in a faux hurt manner. "I'd love to see your...new place."
Namtan bit her lip. "Well...actually...I've been trying to get a hold of you like...All day."
Film glanced up in surprise, her lips forming a gentle frown. "Really?"
Namtan nodded awkwardly. "Yeah...I uh...called, but I think you're busy with work stuff."
"Did you knock?" Film asked in surprise. Namtan usually just walked in with leftover pizza whenever she wanted to hang out.
Namtan watched the way the breeze gently tossed strands of Film's brunette hair behind her. She was glorious in the early evening glow. She wanted nothing more than to freeze that moment in time and capture her essence with the paints she had.
She could never truly capture Film's essence, but she always wanted to try.
"I did. But..." Namtan shrugged, feeling suddenly very lame. "It's no big deal. I just wanted to chat, but I know you have work and stuff..."
Film shook her head. "I must have been on the phone with a few investors."
Namtan raised a brow, voice gently chiming in "You...going through a hard time with work?"
Film looked mildly disappointed.
"Not that I'm a stranger to that...starving artist and all." Namtan added with an amused smile.
Film sighed, offering Namtan a melancholy smile. "Yes. I...lost my major investors, and they were really keeping things going. I think...something about a family accident and having to withdraw funds..."
Namtan nodded, eyes meeting Film's in a comforting gaze. "Well...from what I know, you're a hell of a business woman. You'll turn it around."
Film nodded slowly. "I. Thank you. It's just...tough, sometimes. I'd hate to move again after just settling in. I need...I need to think of a solution. Soon."
Namtan nodded, leaning against the railing dejectedly at the thought of Film leaving.
The two remained like that for a while, only a gap between their respective balconies separating them.
The silence was comfortable. The plants on either balcony danced a little with the same warm breeze that carried the scent of Film's perfume to Namtan's attention.
Namtan watched the way the sun began to set over the horizon, pulling with it all the light it bestowed during the day, leaving behind an orange glow.
She watched the way the wispy clouds, coming from different sides of the horizon met perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle that were lost and reunited once more.
Namtan's head shot to Film with an idea. Her features brightened, her grin was full and bright. Her eyes twinkled.
Film seemed to realize they'd done nothing in the last few minutes. She spoke up apologetically. "I'm so sorry Namtan. I'll go around and unlock the door now."
Namtan took a long stride to the edge of the railing, pushing against it, nodding with satisfaction as it failed to waver under her considerable strength.
She plucked a flower from her vase of roses she'd so (desperately) put out to make it look like she had order and cleanliness in her mess of an apartment. She bit down onto the stem, and carefully lifted her leg over the edge of the railing.
Film's eyes widened. "Namtan!" She snapped to attention, body stilling. "What the hell are you doing?"
Namtan grumbled something unintelligible as she eyed the short distance between the balconies.
"No." Film shook her head. "Namtan...." She warned, fear penetrating her tone.
Namtan grinned, rose still in her mouth.
"No. Namtan." Film's pleas were for naught. She readied her arms as if to catch Namtan.
Honestly, it was only a few feet.
But in midair, it seemed like a few yards.
Namtan took the leap of faith, landing somewhat gracefully on Film's side, in a squatting position.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Film demanded, eyeing the drop below. That would've resulted in at least a few broken bones.
Or brain damage. (But maybe Namtan already had that.)
Namtan smirked, rising, taking the rose out of her mouth. "I wanted to visit." She said simply.
"Are you drunk?" Film asked wearily, heart hammering in her chest. "You could've used...I don't know...the door."
"Ah, but I couldn't." Namtan grinned. "Not for such a dramatic, romantic gesture such as this." She spoke in a faux pompous tone, kneeling on one knee.
Film froze, eyes widening. "Ro...romantic?"
What the hell was going on? Sure, she'd thought about Namtan at night, maybe once or twice, but... this...
Her heart was frantic now, her hands curling into fists at her side. Namtan looked golden in the orange glow, her grin telling a tale Film was just dying to hear.
"Film Rachanun..." Namtan puffed out her chest as she announced it loudly, with a great sigh of drama and theatrics. "Will you be my fake girlfriend?"
Film let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in, and suddenly felt chills. When had it gotten so cold?
"I...uh..." Film felt what Namtan called her "inner nerd" coming back to haunt her. "...What?"
"Just take the rose." Namtan rolled her eyes and Film obliged, careful to avoid the thorns.
"Care to...explain?" Film asked, feeling her heart return to its normal rate slowly, but surely.
"You're gonna love this." Namtan smirked, leaning against the railing.
"Does it involve more acrobatics?" Film raised a sculpted brow, curiosity piqued.
"No, it's much, much worse." Namtan sighed, shaking her head. "I have a family reunion to attend."
Film cocked her head curiously. "And this is a bad thing?"
"That's right." Namtan nodded, turning to Film dramatically. "Oh, Namtan!" She clasped her hands together, overly acting the part of one of her relatives, no doubt. "Are you married yet? How's that Metawin boy, hmm? I want grandchildren, Namtan!"
Film allowed her lips to curl into an amused grin, watching Namtan's antics.
She certainly knew how to put on a show.
"It's disgusting." Namtan continued. "Which is where you come in."
"I come in at the disgusting part? Namtan, you sure know how to woo a woman." Film's response was teasing.
Namtan loved seeing this side of her. After a year of getting her walls down, Film had finally let her in as a friend.
God, friendship with Film was beautiful.
God, Film was beautiful.
Namtan glanced at her lips, licking her own. "That's uh...that's not what I meant. You know that."
"Oh." Film nodded, deciding to bite. "So, let me guess from context, here. You want me to...lie. To your entire family. About being your...girlfriend." The words gave Film an odd, fluttering feeling in her stomach. "So you can shut your family up about questions that everyone else normally just...suffers through?"
Namtan nodded. "I knew you were a nerd. You're quick."
Film rolled her eyes. "Namtan. No way."
Namtan's smile turned into a pout, and Film felt her heart sting. Her big doe eyes were pleading.
But this was insanity, wasn't it?
"Babi." Namtan's use of that nickname was rare. It gave Film that same fluttery feeling.
"Namtan." Film responded evenly.
"Come on. You've never met my family and friends. It'll be good for you." Namtan encouraged desperately.
"No." Film sighed. "Namtan...you know I'd love to help you out..." her mind flew to Namtan's silent humming when Kapook left her. The way she stayed up all night on the other side of the wall, keeping Film's company without invading her space.
Namtan was, besides Sonya, her only friend. That also happen to give her fluttery feelings. This seemed like an ill-conceived plan. It couldn't end well.
"-The company is falling apart." That part was true.
Namtan nodded slowly. "Which is why I have this...fantastic idea."
Film turned around, eyeing Namtan with shameful curiosity. "...Oh boy."
"Film, you've never met my mom and dad, but...I'll let you in on a little family secret..." She motioned Film closer.
Film took an apprehensive step forward.
"They're loaded!" Namtan announced loudly, causing Film to roll her eyes. "They are the perfect candidates to support you. And they will, once they meet you! They'll love you!"
Film's response was sharp, her brain processing everything at a mile a minute. "Namtan, they'll just withdraw if they find out we broke up. Or worse, find out we've been lying to them this entire time!"
Namtan shook her head. "I know them, Babi. They'll never find out. We'll just say we...amicably parted ways."
Film looked unsure. "Namtan..." she began.
Namtan was adamant. "Hell, I'll even say I cheated on you if it comes to that. They'll support you, Film, I promise."
Film's eyes went wide. "You...You'd cheat on me?"
Namtan let out an amused chuckle. "Whoa there Film, we haven't even started yet. But for the record, never." She winked, and Film felt a blush rising up her cheeks.
"I...I don't know." Film admitted shyly. "This is all so...crazy."
"Film, I don't...I don't want you to move away." Namtan admitted gently. "The last year or so...we've gotten close. I don't want to lose that."
Film felt a warmth spread through her. She nodded, swallowing the tiny lump in her throat. She didn't want to uproot all she'd built here. The good memories, the bad. It was home.
Namtan Tipnaree was part of her home.
"When...when is it?" Film sighed.
Namtan nearly jumped in the air. "Is that a yes?"
Film held up a hand regally. "It's a maybe. Answer my questions first, and...I'll think about it."
"You got it, Kitten." Namtan teased excitedly.
"Why does everyone calling me that?" Film muttered as she turned towards the door to go inside.
"Lookmhee." Namtan replied, shaking her head in amusement. "It kind of fits, though."
"You coming?" Film motioned to the door.
Namtan glanced back at her balcony. "I should go get the invitation..." she murmured to herself.
Film's eyes widened as she tugged Namtan inside, by the arm. "Please, for the love of god, Namtan...use the damn door."
Namtan laughed deeply as Film guided her out of the evening air and into the warmth of her apartment.
*
"You're kidding me, right?" Sonya was relentless in her pursuit of Film's reasoning for not wanting to follow Namtan's plan.
"I don't know, Sonya." Film sighed, rubbing her temples as she leaned forward at her kitchen table, refusing to make eye contact with her friend on the other side.
"Film, Film, Film..." Sonya sighed, shaking her head. "Do this. Don't ask too many questions...just shut up, sleep with the pretty girl, lie and get yourself a big, fat check."
Film bristled at Sonya's words. "Don't...talk about her like that. It's not about the check."
Sonya smirked.
Film mentally slapped herself. Sonya wasn't like that. She'd been playing Film to see where her affections for Namtan were. And she'd just gotten a damn good idea.
Not that Film knew it herself, of course.
"Kitten." Sonya mirrored her sigh with one of exasperation. "You know I love you, right?"
Film glanced up in confusion. "I'm...hoping so?"
"So then you'll know what I mean when I'm saying you're a complete idiot." Sonya replied with a smirk, leaning back in her chair.
Film threw her a glare. "That's not necessary, Sonya."
"It is. What you need is a good hard slap, Film." Sonya pressed on relentlessly.
"Oh, please..." Film mocked. "Enlighten me."
"Mockery is not the product of a strong mind, Film." Sonya reminded gently, putting on the 'older sister' figure even though she's the younger one.
Film sighed, leaning back. "It has been a while since I've heard that."
"Look." Sonya glanced around the table, frustrated only to find a salt and pepper shaker. "Ugh. Fine. Take these."
"They're supposed to represent Namtan and me, aren't they?" Film sighed.
"Yes. Now, shut up." Sonya snapped. She pushed the salt towards Film "This is you."
"Why not the pepper?" Film asked wryly, deciding to buy into Sonya's little act.
"Because you're salty." Sonya replied matter-of-factly.
"Salty?" Film questioned with a grimace.
"Yes. Cat, it means you're...bitter, upset...kind of abrasive.... salty." Sonya wore a shit eating grin.
"Have you been hanging out with Lookmhee again?" Film rolled her eyes. "She's happily dating, you know."
Sonya blushed a little and pressed on. "Namtan is the pepper."
"Because she's spicy?" Film blurted out, covering her mouth when Sonya's grin widened.
"Now you're getting it." She offered Film a wink.
"What is the purpose to this...delusion you're experiencing?" Film demanded, lips pressed in a thin line. That was embarrassing.
Sonya shrugged, pushing both the shakers away. "I'm just saying, your life is boring as hell. Why not try...spicing it up a little?"
"Honestly, you're such a loser." Film flipped her hair indignantly. "I can't believe you would condone this. I'd be lying. To her family."
Sonya shrugged once more. "So...?"
Film's frown deepened. "I...that's not right."
"Cat, I know you're morally sound...but this is for the business." Sonya pointed out mildly. "I mean, look at it this way: A couple of months cozying up to this...not-so-shabby Namtan..."
Film rolled her eyes. Sonya was such an awful influence.
"And one week of showtime..." Sonya was referring to the actual reunion. "In a nice resort. And then...do what you do best. Be a callous heartbreaker."
Film took a swing at Sonya's arm, missing as she moved to the left effortlessly. "You're mad because I'm right."
"I'm mad because this is never going to work."
*
"Hell yeah!" Lookmhee grinned as she tossed Namtan a beer. "This is so going to work."
The marble counter reflected bright lights and Lookmhee's cheeky smile right into Namtan's view.
"You think?" Namtan asked, muttering her thanks as she pried the can open.
"I wouldn't lie." Lookmhee nodded. "You just need to get...Sexy Film to be a little...loose."
Namtan cringed at the old name. "I called her that one time! I was drunk!"
Lookmhee wore a telltale smirk. "Drunk people don't lie."
Namtan shuffled in her seat uncomfortably, grateful she was at Lookmhee's and not her apartment, where the walls were so thin Film would surely hear. "Where's Ek?" Namtan piped up after a moment of silence.
Lookmhee glanced away. "He is out of town."
Namtan's brow furrowed. "Hey, Mhee...everything good?"
Lookmhee put on her best fake smile, nodding. "You know it. Just...getting pumped for our trip to L.A."
"So you've invited yourself?" It wasn't really a question. Namtan knew there was no way in hell Lookmhee wouldn't come.
Lana and Keith adored Lookmhee like she was their own. It was as much her family as it was Namtan's.
"Obviously." Lookmhee's cheeky tone was back, and Namtan forgot all about her melancholy tone from before.
"Hey...is...Sonya coming?" Lookmhee asked curiously, quite obviously pretending to glance at her phone, eyeing Namtan from the corner of her eye.
"Hah! Lookmhee, she hates me." Namtan replied, thinking of all the embarrassing times she'd had with Sonya.
"It might make Film more comfortable." Lookmhee suggested.
"Since when do you care about other people's comfort?" Namtan asked teasingly.
"Since...Hell, I don't know." Lookmhee set her phone down with a sigh.
"I can...ask, I guess." Namtan shrugged. "She was at Film's when I left."
Lookmhee's eyes lit up. "Yes. Do that. I'll come with you."
Namtan raised a brow but said nothing. "Alright..." she drawled, standing to grab her coat. "Heard anything from Orm lately?"
Lookmhee shrugged. "Uh...she's with that damn fine woman...what's her name again? The one with the good ass?"
Namtan's eyes widened. "Uh...I don't know...How do you know what her ass looks like?"
Lookmhee's eyes lit up. "You should check out her Facebook. Or insta. Or something. He's like a model."
"I don't stalk people, Lookmhee." Namtan's clever retort was there in seconds.
"Yeah, just your neighbors." Lookmhee rolled her eyes, dodging a slap on the arm from Namtan.
"I wasn't stalking her." Namtan sighed. "I just...jumped onto her balcony for a few seconds."
Lookmhee spat out her drink. "You what?" Her voice was quite literally dripping with surprise.
"Yeah I wanted to make a grand gesture..." Namtan shrugged amusedly.
"Killing yourself is the fucking grandest gesture, Namtan!" Lookmhee couldn't shake what she'd just been told. "I thought you stopped doing stupid shit in high school."
"No, apparently I still do 'stupid shit', Lookmhee." Namtan rolled her eyes. "I made the jump too." She added the last part with a grin.
"Well damn, Tipnaree." Lookmhee smirked. "You sure you're not in love with her?"
It was Namtan's turn to spit out her drink in surprise.
"Nice." Lookmhee sighed, turning to grab some towels. "We've both watered my floor."
"Sorry..." Namtan winced, voice husky and scratchy from the little choking episode she'd just experienced. "You caught me off guard."
"Because it's true." Lookmhee shrugged absently.
"Because that's.... that's.... ludicrous!" Namtan immediately regretted that.
"Ludicrous, huh? Jeez, you even sound like her." Lookmhee's smirk was back as she wiped the floor.
"I don't like her...like that." Namtan clarified. "Besides...She kind of still seems...I don't know...hurt. From Kapook."
"Kapook...Kapook...Kapook..." Lookmhee murmured, pretending to seem forgetful. "Ahh is she the one you wouldn't shut the hell up about every day for like three months?"
"Hey!" Namtan reddened. "I didn't do that!"
Lookmhee grinned, taking the opportunity to mock her. " "'Oh, Lookmhee it's terrible! Film's happy, Film's laughing! Film has sex too much next door! It's so loud! Oh, Lookmhee. She's so tall and fit! Lookmhee, I exercise too! I'm so single. Oh blah blah blah.'" Lookmhee's voice was at least two octaves higher than normal.
Namtan stiffened, trying not to sound as hopelessly compromised as she felt. "I never said half of that."
"Yeah?" Lookmhee smirked. "Want me to pull some receipts?"
"Receipts?" Namtan echoed unsurely.
"Screenshots." Lookmhee grinned, brandishing her phone.
"No!" Namtan replied a little too quickly. "Ha! Look at the time, Mhee! We should go before Sonya leaves!"
Namtan nearly shoved her out the door.
*
Just as Namtan and Lookmhee had reached the top of the stairs leading to Namtan's apartment, all rosy cheeked and out of breath, they bumped into Sonya and Film outside Film's apartment door.
"Hey." Namtan smiled politely at Film.
"Oh, Hello Namtan." Film turned, mirroring her smile.
Their eyes meet, and for that moment, everything else was forgotten.
"Uh...." Lookmhee coughed after a minute of silence. "Earth to Namtan! We have some questions."
"Huh? Oh! Sorry!" Namtan's cheeks burned red as she shrugged off the strange haze she felt when her gaze connected with Film's.
"Questions?" Sonya smirked, folding her arms. "This ought to be good."
"Uh...can you come inside, for a minute?" Namtan offered, opening her door.
Film looked unsure, opening her mouth to say something.
Sonya cut her off. "We'd love to, Tipnaree." She tugged Film inside, giving Lookmhee a hungry once-over.
Lookmhee gulped audibly and she and Namtan stepped inside, shutting the door behind them.
"You weren't kidding; Namtan's place isn't a pigsty anymore." Sonya grinned, earning an actual hit from Film.
Namtan rolled her eyes. "Good to have you back Sonya."
Film nudged Namtan's shoulder gently. "That's not what I said." She assured quietly, smiling a little.
Namtan felt her insides melt. That smile. Wait. They spoke about her?
"I'm assuming this is about Tipnaree's proposition." Sonya declared as she sat at Namtan's table with a huff, Lookmhee joining her on the side.
Namtan whipped around at Film, who blinked in surprise.
"You told her?" She cried out in disbelief.
"You told Lookmhee!" Film accused defensively.
"Yeah but that's...that's...different." Namtan tried, and failed, to make her case.
"Hmm...She's got you there." Lookmhee commented aloud while she took a piece of popcorn from the bowl on Namtan's table.
She and Sonya gently brushed hands as they both went in for more popcorn, both recoiling immediately, blushing at the contact.
"What are we, three?" Sonya muttered, blushing harder under Film and Namtan's gazes.
"That's not what you said when I-" Lookmhee's retort was cut off by a handful of popcorn thrown into her face. "What the fuck?"
Sonya smirked. "I told you to shut up about that."
Film sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose like she always did in exasperation. She turned to Namtan, who shared an amused grin. "Do we need to give them time-outs?"
Namtan shrugged. "Kids will be kids." She teased, going to grab a few drinks from the fridge.
"So, what's the big news?" Sonya asked. "You getting cold feet on my girl here, Tipnaree?"
"Okay." Namtan sighed, setting down the drinks. "First of all, it's not a wedding. We're supposed to be fake girlfriends. Second of all...No, I'm not getting cold feet on 'your girl'."
Film watched her with a hint of amusement, but mostly anxiety.
"That's just what Namtan and I were talking about." Lookmhee smirked. "Easing your...anxiety."
Film looked defensive. "I'm not...anxious." She snapped.
"Right, Tiger. Easy." Lookmhee put her hands up.
Sonya snickered at the nickname.
"Would it help if...Sonya came too?" Namtan sighed.
Sonya smirked. "Oh, now this? I didn't see it coming."
Film looked horrified.
"Her face says no." Lookmhee muttered.
"Oh, what's the matter, Film?" Sonya smirked. "Afraid I'll embarrass you in front of Namtan's family and friends?"
"Yes, but that is....so far beside the point." Film shot back. "You can't...Sonya, it's on Namtan's parent's dime. You can't come."
Namtan shook her head. "It's not a problem."
Sonya grinned. "Wow, this keeps getting better and better."
"Sonya..." Film growled gently.
"Too late!" Lookmhee grinned, standing up. "It's settled. We're going to L.A!"
"I cannot believe this." Film rolled her eyes.
A chance with Namtan, however slim it might have been, was gone. Sonya would surely try to push them together with her delusional ideas about love and romance, and Namtan would be offended, and...oh god, this was going to be a disaster.
"Okay..." Namtan breathed, leaning back against the counter. "So it's settled? This is going to be...one hell of a trip."
"Buckle up, Film." Lookmhee smirked. "You two have a lot to learn about each other...in..." she glanced at Namtan's hanging calendar. "...very little time."
Film looked perplexed. "I thought we had months?"
Lookmhee's smirk was unsullied. "Yeah, but for the interrogation you're going to get? You'd probably need years of practice. Get kissing, ladies."