Chapter 3 - Hurts, can’t heals

Lalin spent the night at Irene's condo for the first time. Although their relationship had reached the level of being 'girlfriends,' they trusted each other enough to visit and stay over without crossing any boundaries. Despite the early morning grogginess, Irene quickly got up from bed to see Lalin off at the parking lot. The soft morning sunlight bathed the usually quiet space in a warm glow.

"I wish your condo was closer to my university," Lalin murmured with a small smile, ruffling Irene's messy hair.

Irene laughed lightly. "Then I'd have to transfer to your university," she joked before shifting the conversation to something they discussed the night before.

"By the way, if you change your mind about modeling for my brand tomorrow, just let me know," Irene added, still hoping Lalin would reconsider being a model for her clothing line. Lalin had declined, saying she had gained weight, even though Irene thought her waist was still incredibly small. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment that Lalin wouldn't accept her offer.

"No way, I'm still too fat," Lalin refused again.

"Fat? Where? You're practically tiny!" Irene protested.

"Nope, I think you'd look better modeling your own clothes," Lalin teased, making Irene pout in frustration.

"But I want you to be the model," Irene insisted, sulking.

Lalin laughed and pinched Irene's nose playfully. "Nope, but I'll help out behind the scenes tomorrow, okay?" Lalin smiled one last time before getting in her car and driving off.

Though their morning conversation was brief, it was filled with warmth and a budding affection between the two. Irene watched as Lalin's car disappeared from sight, then turned back towards her condo, fully aware that this relationship wouldn't be easy. Deep down, her heart still belonged to Kunlaphat, and she could only hope that starting anew with someone else might finally help her move on from her close friend.

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As soon as Lalin's car left the condo, the smile on her face gradually faded. The cheerful expression she wore turned into a tight line as she drove, not towards the university as she had told Irene, but to a different location where she had arranged to meet someone—Kunlaphat, the person she needed to settle her unfinished past with.

At an upscale restaurant in a bustling Bangkok mall, Lalin sat waiting in a corner, her mind restless at the thought of the upcoming confrontation. When Kunlaphat finally arrived, Lalin's nerves only grew more frazzled.

"What's so important that we have to meet face-to-face?" Kunlaphat asked coolly, sitting across from Lalin. Her exterior seemed calm, but inside, she was a whirlwind of confusion and pain. Lalin's request for a meeting could only mean one thing—it was about Irene.

Lalin still looked as charming as ever, with her sharp, cat-like eyes and bright smile that made her seem innocent and radiant. But Kunlaphat knew that smile was no longer hers.

"I wanted to talk about Irene," Lalin began.

"What's the matter? Are you afraid she'll find out we used to date?" Kunlaphat replied, her tone flat but her eyes betraying the pain and the unspoken questions she had kept hidden.

Lalin looked away from Kunlaphat's piercing gaze. "That's all in the past now," she said, her voice even. But her words cut deep, like a knife reopening old wounds.

"I just want you to forgive everything that happened, and please don't tell Irene about us," Lalin pleaded.

Kunlaphat closed her eyes for a moment, memories of her time with Lalin flooding back along with the pain of betrayal. What was once a beautiful love had turned into thorns piercing her heart.

"Don't you think you're being a bit selfish?" Kunlaphat's voice was icy, bitterness seeping through her words. "Do you really think it's that easy to forgive and forget?"

Lalin looked down, tears falling onto the table. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I know I hurt you deeply."

Kunlaphat turned her face away, tears stinging her eyes, her heart aching. She wanted to ask Lalin if she would have apologized had Irene not been involved. Lalin had left her to drown in her tears and struggle through the pain of betrayal, without so much as an apology until now.

"Do you still love me, Phat?" Lalin's voice wavered, asking the one question Kunlaphat didn't want to hear.

Kunlaphat didn't answer, instead releasing her frustration. "Have you broken up with Tiwa, or are you still dealing with your family's disapproval of dating women?"

Her tone was filled with bitterness and sarcasm, unaware that she was pushing Lalin's buttons. Lalin's gaze hardened as Kunlaphat's words hit a sore spot about her family.

Lalin clenched her fists. "Things can change, Phat. I've grown up," she replied firmly, her voice shaking slightly from anger and hurt. "Including the situation with my family."

Kunlaphat laughed mockingly, the sound laced with bitterness and an attempt to hide her pain. "Grown-ups don't go around announcing it to everyone," she sneered. "That's what kids do."

Lalin glared at her, offended. "You still can't forget me, can you?" Lalin's quiet words hit Kunlaphat right where it hurt.

Kunlaphat froze as if slapped in the face. She glared at Lalin before abruptly standing and storming out of the restaurant, leaving Lalin alone.

Lalin watched Kunlaphat's retreating figure, her emotions a mix of anger, sadness, and disappointment. Kunlaphat's spiteful words echoed in her mind, and although she knew she was at fault for hurting Kunlaphat, she couldn't help but feel slighted by how much Kunlaphat still despised her.

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A gentle breeze blew across the small pond at the university, brushing against Irene's face as she swung her legs back and forth on an old wooden bench. She playfully stole Kunlaphat's drink, taking a sip before asking, "What's wrong, Phat? You look more sour than spoiled milk."

Kunlaphat crossed her arms tightly, as if trying to contain the storm of emotions brewing inside after her secret meeting with Lalin. Bitterness gnawed at her heart. She tried to brush it off, but her eyes betrayed everything.

"Nothing, I'm fine," she snapped, her voice curt as she avoided Irene's gaze.

Irene raised an eyebrow, studying her friend before setting the cup back on the wooden table. "I'm asking because I care, you know," she said sincerely, her eyes hinting at something more than friendship.

Kunlaphat looked at Irene, her gaze filled with mixed emotions—guilt, pain, and lingering affection. "How are things with you and Lalin?" Kunlaphat asked evenly, trying to mask her hurt with a calm demeanor.

"It's going well. She's taking me to meet her mom tomorrow," Irene replied with a bright smile, unaware of how deeply her words pierced Kunlaphat's heart.

Kunlaphat's eyes widened. "What?" she asked, her voice trembling in disbelief.

Irene frowned. "Why are you so surprised? She told me she's never introduced anyone to her mom before—I'm the first."

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