Chapter 5: My Type Is Not Janevee

The sports car glided forward in near silence, its engine purring softly with the calm speed. City lights reflected off the windows, casting faint glows into the dimly lit cabin, adding to the heavy silence surrounding them.

Naphat sat with her arms crossed, a deep frown creasing her brows as she gazed straight ahead, lost in her thoughts. She hadn't even looked Janevee's way since they’d left her favorite Japanese restaurant.

She hadn’t said a word since they’d seen her ex-girlfriend, Nayika, with her supposed new love, Kwan-khao, her old friend, now appearing as the new flame.

Naphat’s heart still felt weighted by what she’d witnessed and overheard.

It wasn’t until nearly half an hour later that Naphat broke the silence.

“Drop me off at Serene Eclipse Bar & Restaurant in Thonglor.”

Janevee glanced at Naphat from the corner of her eye. She could tell Naphat was hurting from seeing her ex with someone new in the place they’d once shared. She figured Naphat was likely looking for a distraction, but she didn’t want her to resort to drowning herself in drinks or doing something to make herself feel worse.

“Going to drink your sorrows away? She’s not worth it.” Janevee’s remark only seemed to stoke Naphat’s irritation further.

“Just take me there, and then go wherever you want, Janevee,” Naphat snapped, her voice hard, not wanting her involved in her personal life.

“So you’re planning to go alone? That doesn’t sound too smart.” Janevee’s tone was playful, though her worry was genuine. But her teasing demeanor was starting to wear down Naphat’s patience. Her response was curt and sharp.

“Can you mind your own business for once?” she retorted without looking at her. “I haven’t even dealt with you yet, after you announced to P’Nuea that you’re my girlfriend.”

Janevee let a small smirk slip, finding some amusement in the memory.

“So what? Weren’t you satisfied? I thought it was pretty fun, especially when I threw cash at your ex’s face. I thought it made me look cool.”

Naphat turned to her with an icy glare.

“You think that was cool?” she challenged. “I think you looked like an arrogant brat showing off, making enemies for no reason. Honestly, it just makes your life look ridiculous.”

Naphat’s cold words stopped Janevee short. Her teasing gaze softened slightly as she took in the criticism. She was silent for a moment before answering, her tone more serious.

“I did it...because she hurt you.”

Janevee’s voice was flat, but the sincerity in her words was unmistakable.

“And I didn’t want you going to drink alone.”

Naphat paused briefly, sensing the genuine concern in her voice, but brushed it off.

“I’ll call my friends to join me. That bar belongs to one of them anyway; there’s no need to worry about me.” Her tone was steady and clear, as if to close any further discussion.

Janevee fell silent, turning on the signal before changing the route as Naphat had requested.

…

Serene Eclipse Bar & Restaurant was a luxurious rooftop bar in Thonglor, blending romance with modern elegance. The open design allowed guests a stunning view of Bangkok’s cityscape at night. Each table was spaced out, ensuring privacy for each guest while still exuding a touch of sophistication. Soft jazz music played in the background, adding a relaxed, cozy vibe—perfect for unwinding or chatting through the evening.

Naphat was seated with two close friends from high school: “Chat Parichat”, a fiery woman and daughter of a well-known politician, and “Tee Aratee”, a stylish tomboy and owner of a popular Korean restaurant franchise, who also happened to own the rooftop bar they were in.

Naphat had downed several cocktails by now. Parichat glanced at Aratee and then at Naphat, who seemed unable to stop drinking.

“Preme, maybe take it easy?” Parichat suggested with a concerned tone. “You don’t want to end up drunk as a skunk. that’s so not fabulous.”

Naphat just shrugged, ignoring her friend’s warning, and took another sip, her eyes hollow, as if trying to drown some inner pain.

Aratee shook her head slightly and chimed in, “Yeah, and what’s the deal? You came to drink but brought your ‘girlfriend’ to watch over you?”

.

.

All three looked over at Janevee, who sat at a nearby table, legs crossed, sipping only water and munching on French fries. Though outwardly calm, her eyes never left Naphat, watching her as she drank.

“Fake girlfriend, more like!” Naphat scoffed loudly, waving her hand as if to brush away the thoughts in her mind.

Parichat chuckled, sipping her cocktail, a hint of amusement in her voice. “I know, you’ve told me all about using your old school rival as a fake girlfriend. But I’m just wondering why she’d tag along to keep an eye on you?”

“I think Janevee’s got a thing for Preme,” Aratee teased with a laugh. “If she’s bold enough to fake-claim herself in front of P’Nuea, your ex, she’s got to like you at least a bit.”

“Ridiculous!” Naphat snapped, her tone sharp, as if wanting to shut down the conversation.

“I’ve known Janevee since kindergarten! We even did little pageants together. Elementary school? Same place. University? Ran into each other there, too. We’ve been rivals forever. Why would she ever like me?”

Aratee narrowed her eyes and smiled knowingly. “Enemies-to-lovers vibe, don’t you think? Why else would she be here, watching over you?”

“She just doesn’t want me to have any fun! And for the record, she’s not my type at all!” Naphat’s voice grew louder, shaking off the thought. “If I had a type, it’d be a cute, cool girl with short hair. not some beautiful, glamorous, long-haired diva like her.”

Parichat leaned in, whispering to Aratee, “Is she insulting or complimenting Janvee right now?”

Aratee shrugged, as if she wasn’t sure either.

Naphat continued on, undeterred. “My type of girl is someone who has cool and short hair. not a high-class beauty like Janevee.”

Parichat laughed out loud. “So you admit, your type is someone like your ex, P’Nuea, that cool race car driver?”

Naphat shot her a look. Aratee chimed in, “If you go back to your ex, I’ll call you a fool. She cheated on you, remember?”

Naphat grumbled, “I’m not thinking of going back to her, okay?”

Parichat seized the moment to tease her again. “Well, how about Tee, then? Short-haired, cool girl, and charming. She even owns a famous restaurant!”

Naphat rolled her eyes. “Oh, please! Tee? I’d rather stay single. She spends all her time pressing the liking button IG on her favorite actress.”

“Hey, Preme! Watch your mouth. Insult me all you want, but keep your claws off my sweet baby!” Aratee feigned indignation, but Naphat just laughed, enjoying the banter.

“Well, let me tell you something, Preme,” Aratee shot back playfully. “You’re so not my type either. My type’s got to be adorable, sweet, soft-spoken, and way younger than me. Not a person who has foul-mouthed like you!”

Naphat gave her an incredulous look. “Wait, did you just call me foul-mouthed?”

“Oh, Preme, your mouth’s like a breeding ground for all breeds of dogs,” Parichat added with a laugh.

Their laughter filled the bar, drawing glances from nearby tables.

…

Naphat sat at Aratee’s rooftop bar until nearly two in the morning. Her bright face had turned pale as the drinks piled up—cocktails, wine, too many to keep track of. She was on the verge of losing her balance from all the alcohol.

Unable to watch her in this state any longer, Janevee stood up and walked over to her table, greeting her friends, Parichat and Aratee, with polite formality before formally introducing herself as Naphat’s girlfriend and offering to take her back to her condo. Initially, Parichat offered to join them, but a very tipsy Naphat protested, demanding that only Janevee take her home. Seeing her insistence, Parichat and Aratee finally relented, leaving Janevee in charge.

At the condo, Janevee helped Naphat into the living room, gently lowering her onto the sofa. She went to get a warm towel, then carefully wiped Naphat’s face as her breathing gradually slowed.

“Why…?” Naphat murmured in a low voice. “Why are you taking care of me like this?”

Janevee paused, hand freezing mid-motion. She met Naphat’s eyes, her gaze softened, revealing a moment of tenderness—fleeting, but enough for Naphat to notice. Then Janevee quickly covered it up and returned to her usual demeanor.

“As drunk as you are, how could I not?” Janevee replied with a teasing tone. “I don’t want a girlfriend who looks like a drunken mess. It’s embarrassing.”

“Ugh, there’s that sharp tongue again!” Naphat rolled her eyes, exasperated.

“Sharp tongue maybe, but I didn’t drink myself into a stupor like someone here,” Janevee shot back, her tone challenging.

“Oh, of course, because you’re the ‘responsible one,’ sticking to water and French fries all night. Probably too cheap to buy a drink at Tee’s overpriced place,” Naphat retorted.

“I just don’t like alcohol, or bars for that matter,” Janevee replied flatly.

Naphat scoffed.

“It’s true. I don’t drink, I don’t go clubbing,” Janevee said firmly, her tone taking on a rare seriousness. “And I don’t like people who drink until they’re senseless. It’s not my thing.”

Naphat fell silent, eyeing her as if reading between the lines. She then straightened up, snatched the towel from Janevee’s hand, and soaked it herself, refusing to back down.

“Then why were you at the bar watching over me?” Naphat challenged.

“Why do you ask?” Janevee replied nonchalantly.

Naphat stared at her intensely, as if digging for the truth. “Could it be that you like me, just like Tee said?”

The question made Janevee’s heart skip a beat, but she forced herself to keep her composure and smirked.

"Preme... you’ve had too much to drink, and suddenly your ego inflates. Now you’re turning into a full-blown narcissist. Ever heard of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?"

Naphat narrowed her eyes, a hint of irritation lifting the corner of her mouth. She got up, pushed Janevee back onto the sofa, and leaned over her deliberately. Naphat’s face was so close to Janevee’s that their breaths almost mingled.

“If you don’t like me,” Naphat said in a low, daring voice, “then look me in the eyes…and kiss me.”

…

Hojicha Studio Writer

You can rea Full Ebook at Meb application or read by chapter at lunarwrite.com

Lies Between Us by Hojicha Studio