The garden felt different tonight.
Maybe it was the way the lights were wrapped around the trees, or the way the air carried the scent of flowers and something softer — something that felt like change. I stood next to Chak, my fingers brushing against his, pretending I wasn't hyperaware of every little movement he made.
From where I stood, I could see the path leading from the side of the house. Chak suddenly straightened.
"Anamarija!" he called out.
His voice carried across the garden — calm, firm, protective.
A moment later, she appeared.
Anamarija walked toward us with that natural elegance she didn't even try to have. Vikran was beside her, leaning slightly closer as they talked quietly about something. I couldn't hear the words, but I saw the way she listened — focused, thoughtful — and the way Vikran's expression softened when she smiled.
They looked… close.
Closer than before.
As they approached, Chak's gaze swept over all of us. Protective. Calculating. Big brother mode fully activated.
"In the house, dinner is waiting for us," he said calmly. "After dinner, we go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a very intense and dramatic day."
There was something in his tone that made my chest tighten.
Instinctively, I reached for his hand.
I don't even know why. Maybe because tomorrow sounded heavy. Maybe because I needed to remind myself he was here.
Our fingers intertwined.
Chak glanced down at our hands, then at me.
And before I could even process what he was about to do, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
In front of everyone.
It wasn't long. It wasn't dramatic.
But it was enough.
My face burned instantly.
I could *feel* myself blushing.
Chak pulled back just slightly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles like nothing unusual had happened.
I couldn't even look at him properly.
When we entered the house, the scent of food welcomed us immediately. The dining table was completely covered — dishes after dishes, colors, steam rising from warm plates. It looked like a celebration on its own.
As we took our seats, I noticed something.
Vikran stepped slightly ahead of Anamarija, gently pulling out her chair for her. Not in a showy way. Just… naturally. She gave him a small nod before sitting down, and he took the seat right beside her.
I caught that.
Chak caught everything.
Once we were all seated, he looked around the table.
"Niran, Kit, Taeng, Vikran, Amara, Non and Pim," he began.
His voice shifted — no longer soft. It was firm. Strategic.
"Tomorrow, you will stand by Anamarija's side. Do not let her out of your sight. I'm certain the media will follow her every step. Stay with her at all times. And if necessary, form a circle around her. I want her safe."
The room went quiet.
"There will be a separate room. Only for us. No one else will have access."
"But why?" Anamarija asked gently, looking at him.
Chak met her eyes.
"At the wedding, there will be a massive number of journalists. Maybe one percent will care about the wedding. The rest will care about you. They'll follow you everywhere."
He paused.
"There will be many security guards. But I'll feel better knowing you're surrounded by people with whom you are truly yourself."
For a second, her expression softened.
"Thank you, Chak," she said quietly, smiling at him.
"I'll be beside you," Vikran added without hesitation.
Chak continued, "There will be around two thousand guests. These aren't people who simply attend weddings. Most of them will be more interested in you than in the ceremony itself. And believe me, my mother will do everything to prevent you from being under the spotlight of curious guests."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"For her, it's about honor. And this situation with you… hurt her pride. She believes all attention will shift to you. No one expected that you are my sister."
The air grew heavier.
"Orasa will be there too," Vikran added. "She just texted me."
Chak gave a small nod. "She and my mother are friends."
Anamarija took a slow breath, then smiled again — but this time, it was stronger.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, let it happen. Today, we enjoy. We don't think about tomorrow."
She lifted her glass slightly.
"She's right," Vikran said softly.
Before the atmosphere could turn too serious, Non suddenly leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
"So… how do the newlyweds feel?"
Taeng immediately chimed in, "Amazing."
I nearly choked.
Chak and I looked at each other at the same time.
There was something in his eyes — warmth, amusement, and something deeper I couldn't name.
Without saying a word, he leaned closer and kissed my cheek.
Soft.
Deliberate.
Non, Amara, and Pim all reacted at once.
"Oooooh!"
My face burned all over again.
I swear my heart almost stopped.
Chak just smirked slightly and continued eating like nothing had happened.
But under the table, his fingers found mine again.
And tomorrow suddenly didn't feel as terrifying anymore.
Dinner slowly came to an end, though the laughter lingered a little longer at the table.
Glasses were half empty, plates nearly cleared, and yet none of us seemed ready to stand up first.
Until Vikran did.
He pushed his chair back calmly and stood, adjusting his jacket.
"I have to go," he said. "I need to find new clothes for tomorrow."
Taeng raised an eyebrow. "New clothes?"
Vikran exhaled softly. "I had beige prepared. But I'll change it to black."
For a second, the room grew quiet.
Chak looked at him, understanding without asking more.
"Alright," Chak said simply. "That works."
Vikran stepped around the table and stopped in front of Chak. For a brief moment they just looked at each other — not rivals, not strangers. Just two men who understood the weight of tomorrow.
Then Vikran pulled him into a firm hug.
It wasn't dramatic. It wasn't long.
But it was respectful.
"Take care of her," Vikran said quietly.
"I will," Chak replied just as quietly.
Then Vikran turned to Anamarija.
He didn't hug her immediately. He stepped closer first, his expression softer than it had been all evening.
"See you tomorrow."
She held his gaze.
"Goodbye," she said gently.
There was something unspoken there. Not romantic in the loud way people imagine it. But real.
Vikran nodded once, then walked out.
The door closed behind him.
The house felt slightly quieter.
Chak turned his head toward Non, Amara and Pim.
"Your transport is already waiting."
They blinked.
"And tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., the driver will pick you up in front of Love Food."
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
They all nodded immediately.
Non stood up first. "Yes, boss."
Amara laughed lightly. "We'll be ready."
Pim gave Anamarija a reassuring smile before they all moved toward the exit.
One by one, the house emptied.
Soon it was just us.
The atmosphere shifted again — less crowded, more intimate.
Kit leaned slightly toward Anamarija, resting his elbow on the table.
"So," he asked gently, "did you talk with Vikran?"
I watched her carefully.
She didn't hesitate.
"Yes," she answered.
There was no embarrassment in her voice. No avoidance.
Just honesty.
Kit studied her expression for a moment longer.
"And?"
She exhaled slowly.
"We talked. That's all."
But I noticed the small softness in her eyes when she said it.
And I wondered what tomorrow would change.
For her.
For Chak.
For all of us.
Silence settled softly after Kit's question.
The house felt warmer now — more private, like the walls themselves were holding tomorrow's tension outside for just a few more hours.
Chak suddenly turned toward me.
"Niran."
I looked up.
"You have to choose my outfit for the wedding."
I blinked once, then smiled slightly.
"Of course, Mr. Phanprasit."
A small teasing tone slipped into my voice.
Chak's eyes narrowed just a little — not annoyed, but deliberate.
"Niran Phanprasit," he corrected calmly.
The sound of my name with his surname attached to it made my stomach flip.
Before I could react, he stepped closer.
"I can't wait for the day when you'll truly carry the Phanprasit name."
The air shifted.
It wasn't said as a joke.
It wasn't casual.
It was certain.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
Instead of answering with words, I leaned into him, resting my head lightly against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat — steady, strong.
"I hope that day comes soon," I whispered.
His hand slid gently to the back of my head, and he pressed a soft kiss into my hair.
Not possessive.
Not rushed.
Just… promise.
My chest felt warm in a way that had nothing to do with the temperature.
Anamarija cleared her throat softly, though there was a smile on her face.
"I think I'll just go to bed," she said. "See you all tomorrow morning."
She looked calmer than earlier — stronger somehow.
"Good night," Chak said gently.
"Sleep well," I added.
She nodded and disappeared down the hallway.
Kit stretched his arms dramatically.
"Well," he said, glancing at Taeng, "I think we should go to bed too. Wedding night is waiting."
Taeng froze.
Then his entire face turned red.
"There will be no wedding night," he muttered quickly.
Kit grinned shamelessly. "We'll see."
Taeng avoided everyone's eyes.
I couldn't help but laugh quietly.
For a brief moment, the heaviness of tomorrow disappeared.
It was just us.
Just teasing. Just warmth.
Chak's arm was still around me.
And even though tomorrow promised drama, media chaos, two thousand guests, and tension with his mother…
Right now, all I could think about was the way he said my name.
Niran Phanprasit.
Like it already belonged to me.