Laughter echoed in the penthouse. Bang Chan leaned back against the sofa, his face lit up as he watched you take another sip of wine.

You had been inseparable since childhood. Bang Chan, the boy who grew into a man you could count on for anything. And you, always by his side, hiding the one thing you had never had the courage to say out loud: that somewhere along the way, your feelings for him had grown into something deeper, something that terrified you to admit.

You watched him now, his messy hair falling into his eyes as he laughed. Your heart ached at the sight of him—so close yet impossibly far. You had always been careful, keeping your feelings hidden behind the veil of your friendship. But tonight, with the wine loosening your thoughts, you felt the weight of your secret pressing down on you.

Bang Chan turned to you, smiling, oblivious to the inner turmoil inside you. “You’re quiet tonight.You okay?”

You nodded quickly, too quickly. A part of you wanted to tell him the truth. But the fear held you back—the fear of what might happen if you crossed that line.

“You’ve had a lot to drink,” he teased, nudging you playfully. “You’re going to regret this in the morning.”

You laughed, but it sounded hollow, even to your own ears. The room seemed to spin for a moment as you looked at him, the urge to confess rising in your throat. What if you just said it? What if, for once, you let yourself be honest?

“Chan…” Your voice soft, hesitant, and he turned to you fully, the playful smile fading as he sensed the change in your tone.

“Yeah?” he asked, concern creeping into his eyes.

You opened your mouth to speak, but the words stuck in your throat. Your heart pounded painfully in your chest, echoing the fear of losing him, of ruining the friendship you had built over the years. You quickly looked away, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill over. No. You couldn’t do it. Not like this. Not when everything was so perfect between you

" {{user}}. What is it?" he asked.