The afternoon sun painted a golden glow across the city when Karan walked out of his college campus, shoulders drooping from exhaustion. He had pushed himself hard all day to keep his mind off the one thing he could not stop thinking about—
**Arthit.**
His touch.
His words.
His confession.
"I chose you."
Karan pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the echo of that night still burning inside him.
---
Meanwhile — The Kim Restaurant (Afternoon Rush)
The restaurant was buzzing with business executives, celebrities, and elite families. It wasn't just famous—it was *the* restaurant of the city.
Mr. Kim stood near the counter, discussing menu updates with the head chef. But when he heard his wife whispering anxiously on the phone, he frowned.
Mrs. Kim spoke quietly:
"Yes, yes… I heard. Arshiya's photoshoot… canceled? Again?
And media waiting outside her company?"
Mr. Kim's brows knitted together.
What media attention?
What was happening?
He stepped closer.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
Mrs. Kim ended the call and sighed.
"It seems Arshiya is under pressure. The media wants answers about her broken engagement."
Mr. Kim stiffened.
Engagement? Broken?
He felt a strange twist in his chest.
"Do they know the reason?" he asked slowly.
Mrs. Kim shook her head.
"No… she refused to explain anything."
Mr. Kim inhaled deeply.
Something was not right.
And he wanted answers.
---
Arshiya — Facing the Cameras Alone
The front steps of Arshiya's fashion company were crowded with reporters.
"Miss Arshiya! Did the Sakda heir end the engagement?"
"Was there a scandal?"
"Are you planning to sue?"
"Is there another woman— or man—involved?"
Cameras flashed aggressively.
But Arshiya stepped forward calmly, dressed in a soft beige coat. Her expression was collected, almost gentle.
She raised the microphone.
**"Please stop making assumptions."**
Her voice was steady.
"Arthit and I were engaged for business reasons. We both agreed to end it mutually. There is no cheating, no scandal, and no third party involved."
Reporters froze.
Arshiya continued smoothly:
"Arthit is an honorable man. There is no conflict between us.
Please respect our families and stop spreading harmful rumors."
She bowed respectfully.
"Thank you."
The crowd murmured in confusion.
She protected Arthit.
She protected Karan.
She protected everyone except herself.
As Arshiya walked back inside, she finally let out a breath.
"…I hope this is enough, Arthit."
---
Evening — At the Sakda Mansion
Anant found Arthit in the study room, staring at documents but clearly not focusing.
"You heard about Arshiya?" Anant asked casually.
"Yes."
Arthit set the papers aside.
"She didn't have to defend me."
"She did worse," Anant smirked.
"She protected your little chef too."
Arthit's eyes softened.
"She's kinder than people give her credit for."
Anant sat beside him.
"Our father is furious. But the media won't blame you now. Arshiya handled it."
He paused.
"But Father… will act soon. He won't tolerate you destroying business alliances."
Arthit's jaw tightened.
"Let him do whatever he wants. I'm not letting him touch Karan."
Anant's stare sharpened.
"If you want to protect him, then be smarter. Not emotional."
"I *am* smart," Arthit muttered.
Anant raised a brow.
"You confessed, didn't you?"
Arthit froze.
"…That has nothing to do with—"
"It has EVERYTHING to do with this."
Anant leaned closer.
"You love him—fine. I accept it. But protect him *properly*."
Arthit clenched his fists.
"I will."
Anant placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Good. Because our father… he already suspects who the 'third party' is. And he will watch Karan soon."
Arthit's entire body tensed.
"Not if I move first," he whispered.
Anant smirked slightly.
"That's the spirit."
---
Night — Mr. Kim Overhears the Truth
The kitchen was closing when Mr. Kim walked toward the cold storage room to check inventory—only to freeze at the doorway.
He heard voices.
Familiar voices.
"…Karan," a deep voice murmured.
"I miss you."
Arthit.
Mr. Kim leaned forward quietly.
Karan whispered back, flustered:
"You can't say things like that in the dark storage—someone might hear."
Arthit chuckled softly.
"That someone… would be very jealous if he knew."
Karan protested weakly:
"Arthit, stop teasing me—"
Mr. Kim's eyes widened.
**Teasing?
Calling each other softly?
Meeting secretly?**
He covered his mouth as he listened.
His heartbeat grew louder.
Arthit spoke again—gentle, but sincere:
"I meant what I said. I chose you.
And I'll prove it… every day."
Karan's breath caught.
"…I still don't know why you chose me. But…
I'm glad you did."
Mr. Kim almost dropped the inventory files.
His son…
And the Sakda heir…
Together?
He stepped back silently, heart heavy with confusion, worry, and shock.
---
Later That Night — Arthit's Message
Karan arrived home after closing the restaurant. Before he even took off his shoes, his phone buzzed.
**Arthit:**
*"Wear something nice tomorrow. I'm taking you on a date."*
Karan nearly swallowed his tongue.
"DATE???"
He typed back furiously:
**Karan:**
*"Are you insane?! Your family— your father— the media—"*
**Arthit:**
*"It's a private place. No cameras. No guests. Only us."*
Karan felt his heart flutter.
Why was Arthit like this?
Why was he so good at breaking defenses?
Karan exhaled.
**Karan:**
*"…Fine."*
**Arthit:**
*"See you at 7."*
---
The Secret Date
The next evening, Arthit arrived in a sleek black car, dressed in a dark shirt and blazer. When Karan stepped outside…
Arthit forgot how to breathe.
Karan wore a simple white shirt tucked into dress pants, looking elegant and shy.
"You look…" Arthit whispered, staring.
"…perfect."
Karan blushed hard.
"Shut up and drive."
Arthit smirked.
"I love it when you're shy."
—
He drove them to a private rooftop garden restaurant owned secretly by the Sakda group—closed for the night, lit only by soft fairy lights and gentle music.
Karan looked around, stunned.
"This place is… beautiful."
Arthit walked behind him, brushing his fingers along Karan's back.
"Not as beautiful as you."
Karan turned red again.
They sat at a private table with wine, candlelight, and a breathtaking night view.
For a while, they ate quietly.
But Arthit kept staring.
Karan finally asked,
"What are you looking at?"
"You," Arthit answered simply.
Karan choked on his wine.
"Wh—WHY? Stop staring at me like that—"
"Can't," Arthit said softly.
His voice held something deeper.
Something vulnerable.
Karan looked away, his heart pounding.
"Arthit… don't look at me like you'll fall in love again."
Arthit leaned forward.
"That's exactly what's happening."
Karan froze.
Arthit continued gently:
"You make me feel something I've never felt.
Not even once in my life."
Karan swallowed.
"Arthit… don't say things like that unless you mean them."
"I do," Arthit whispered.
The wind blew softly between them.
Karan lowered his gaze.
"You scare me."
Arthit's expression softened immediately.
"I know.
But I'll hold your fear too.
Just… let me stay."
Karan closed his eyes.
"Why me?"
Arthit stood, walked over, and knelt beside Karan's chair.
Karan gasped softly as Arthit took his hands.
"Because when you smile at me…
I finally feel human."
Karan's eyes glimmered.
"Arthit…"
"And when you look away shyly…
I want to kiss you."
Karan's cheeks turned crimson.
"And when you doubt yourself…"
Arthit squeezed his hands gently.
"…I want to prove to you that you're everything I want."
Karan's voice trembled.
"Then… why does your world make me so scared?"
Arthit leaned closer — close enough their breaths touched.
"Because it's powerful.
Because it's dangerous.
And because… I want to protect you from it."
Karan blinked, surprised by the softness in Arthit's voice.
"And I will," Arthit whispered.
"No matter what."
Karan felt warmth spread through his chest.
"…I believe you," he said quietly.
Arthit lifted his hand and kissed it gently.
"That's all I wanted to hear."
---
Their First Public Confession — But Only For Each Other
After dinner, they stood by the rooftop's edge, watching the city lights.
Arthit turned to him.
"Karan," he whispered.
"I'm in love with you."
Karan inhaled sharply.
His heart nearly stopped.
"Arthit…"
Arthit stepped closer, brushing their fingers together.
"So… are you ready to let me love you?"
Karan hesitated—
his breath shaky—
eyes softening.
Then he whispered:
"…Yes."
Arthit pulled him into a gentle, emotional embrace.
Their first public confession—
but only the stars witnessed it.
---
END OF CHAPTER 17