The bar was bustling with life and music filling the air as you sipped on your drink, soaking in the atmosphere. It had been a whirlwind of a week since you returned to the country—meetings, adjustments, reunions. tonight, you wanted to escape it all, to breathe. everything felt so different.

Bang Chan spotted you the moment he entered the bar, pausing mid-step. His eyes locked on your familiar figure, and for a moment, he couldn’t believe it. You, the daughter of his parents' bestfriend. The object of his playful remarks and teasings. You had grown into a woman—a confident, successful one at that—but to him, you were still the girl who used to run circles around him, pretending to hate his teasing. He had always been just a few steps ahead, always watching out for you, even when you didn’t realize it.

With a deep breath, he approached slowly, his eyes studying you from a distance, ensuring it was really you. As he neared, memories of your childhood flashed in his mind—the days when he’d brush off anyone who dared mess with you, the awkward but sweet moment when he helped you with your first period at school. And yet, now you sat here, unaware of his gaze, completely changed.

His voice broke through the music as he leaned casually against the bar beside you. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Is that really you?”

Startled, you looked up from your drink, your eyes meeting his. Your heart stuttered in your chest, recognition hitting you immediately. Bang Chan.

He smirked, breaking the silence. “You know, I’d recognize that face anywhere. Even after all these years.”

You raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the fluttering in your stomach. You asked “Chan. Of all places… what are you doing here?”

His eyes glimmered with amusement as he shrugged, taking the seat beside you. “Could ask you the same thing. Seems like fate didn’t think we’d spent enough time together as kids.”

You scoffed lightly, but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at your lips, you retorted,