Chapter Text
Set in: Modern Bangkok. A world of flashing cameras, sold-out concerts, and stressful job hunts.
> TEETEE (23): A recent college graduate with a degree in communications. He is bright, hardworking, and slightly chaotic. Most importantly, he is the world’s biggest fan of the solo artist Por.
> Por (25): The nation’s favorite pop-rock singer. To the world, he is a cool, flawless god. To his close friends, he is just a normal guy who works too hard and forgets to eat.
TEETEE'S POV:
If you opened my brain and looked inside, you would find three things: 80% Por’s music, 15% stress about my bank account, and 5% random knowledge about how to fix a jammed printer.
My name is Teetee. I am twenty-three years old, I have a degree that currently feels like a very expensive piece of paper, and I am desperately looking for a job. For the past three months, my daily routine has been exactly the same. I wake up, check my phone for any email starting with *"We are pleased to inform you,"* get disappointed, and then spend the next hour scrolling through fan edits of Por on TikTok to feel better.
Por is not just a singer. He is *the* singer. He has the voice of an angel, the jawline of a Greek god, and a smile that can cure sadness. I have been to three of his concerts, bought every single version of his albums, and my bedroom wall is practically a shrine dedicated to him. My friends say I have a problem. I say I have taste.
"Teetee! If you don't turn off that music, I am going to throw your speaker out the window!"
I blinked and looked up from my bed. My best friend, North, was standing in the doorway of our tiny shared living room. He looked exhausted, holding a coffee mug like it was a lifeline. Behind him, our other best friend, Wave, was sitting at the small dining table, staring intensely at his laptop screen.
"It’s not just music, North,"
I argued, holding my phone to my chest.
"It’s Por’s new acoustic version of 'Summer Breeze'. It heals the soul."
"It’s seven in the morning,"
Wave called out without looking up from his laptop.
"My soul doesn't want to be healed yet. It wants to sleep. Also, didn't you say you had a big interview today? Shouldn't you be getting dressed instead of worshiping your idol?"
My eyes went wide. "The interview!"
I tossed my phone onto the bed and scrambled toward the closet. In my defense, the job hunt had been so brutal that I had mentally prepared myself for another rejection. This interview was with *G-Vibes Entertainment*, a huge entertainment agency. I had applied for an entry-level assistant position weeks ago, completely forgetting about it until they emailed me for a final online round today.
"What should I wear?" I yelled from inside the closet, throwing clothes behind me. "Does a blue shirt say 'I am professional' or 'I am trying too hard'?"
North walked into my room, sighed, and picked up a neat white button-down shirt from my chair.
"Wear this. And please, try not to look like you just survived a storm. This is a big company, Tee. If you get this, you can finally pay your share of the rent on time."
"Hey! I paid on time last month!" I protested, grabbing the shirt.
"You paid me in coupons and fifty-baht notes, Tee," Wave chimed in from the living room. "We need actual money."
I quickly changed, brushed my hair until it looked presentable, and sat down at my desk. My room was small, but I liked it. It had a nice window, a messy bookshelf, and, of course, a huge poster of Por smiling down at me. I looked at the poster and gave it a small bow.
"Wish me luck, Khun Por," I whispered. "If I get this job, I can buy your next limited-edition vinyl."
"Stop talking to the paper guy and open the Zoom link!" North shouted.
I quickly opened my laptop. My heart started beating fast. I logged into the video call just as the clock hit 8:00 AM.
The interview felt like a blur. There were two people on the screen—a serious-looking woman named Kanya and a younger man who looked like he hadn't slept in three days. They asked me standard questions: *How do you handle stress? Are you good with schedules? Can you handle difficult personalities?*
I put on my biggest, brightest smile. I told them about my university projects, how I organized the entire college festival, and how I am excellent at multitasking. I didn't mention that my multitasking skills mostly involved streaming Por's music videos on three different devices while studying for finals.
"Well, Teetee," Miss Kanya said, looking at her notes. "Your resume is good, and your energy is exactly what we need right now. The entertainment industry moves very fast. It can be exhausting. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Yes, absolutely!" I said, nodding so hard I thought my head might fall off. "I am very hardworking, and I don't mind long hours. I just really want to prove myself."
The two interviewers looked at each other and shared a mysterious look. It made me nervous. Did I say something wrong?
"Great," Miss Kanya said with a small smile. "We will let you know our decision by this afternoon."
The call ended, and I slumped back into my chair, letting out a long breath.
"How did it go?" Wave asked, walking into my room with a plate of toast.
"I think it went well? But they looked at each other weirdly at the end," I said, taking a piece of toast. "Like they knew a secret I didn't."
"Maybe they were just impressed by your bright eyes and desperate energy," North joked, leaning against the doorframe. "Don't worry about it. You did your best. Now, let’s watch a movie to kill time."
The afternoon crawled by like a lazy snail. We watched a movie, but I couldn't focus. Every two minutes, I refreshed my email inbox. My thumbs were literally sore from refreshing.
At exactly 3:15 PM, my phone buzzed. A new email.
> Job Offer: Junior Staff Position - G-Vibes Entertainment
I froze. My breath caught in my throat.
"What is it? Did they reject you?" North asked, noticing my sudden silence.
"No..." I whispered, my eyes scanning the text.
*"We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the position... Please report to the main office tomorrow at 8:30 AM."*
"I GOT IT!" I screamed, jumping up from the couch. "I GOT THE JOB! I'M EMPLOYED!"
North and Wave both cheered, jumping up to hug me. We did a chaotic three-man dance in the middle of our tiny living room. For the first time in months, the heavy weight of anxiety lifted from my chest. I was going to work at G-Vibes Entertainment! It was one of the biggest agencies in the country. Of course, they managed dozens of actors, models, and singers, so I knew I would probably just be making coffee or photocopying documents for random managers. But I didn't care. It was a start.
"We have to celebrate!" Wave said. "Shabu tonight. It's on me since you're finally going to be a productive member of society."
"Hey, I'm highly productive!" I laughed.
That night was filled with good food, laughter, and a lot of talk about the future. I went to bed early, feeling incredibly excited. I looked up at my Por poster before closing my eyes. *'Maybe one day, if I work really hard, I'll get to see him walk down the hallway at the company,'* I thought to myself. Just the thought of breathing the same air as him made my heart do a little flip.
The next morning, I arrived at the G-Vibes Entertainment building thirty minutes early. The building was huge—a towering glass skyscraper that shined beautifully under the morning sun. Inside, the lobby was sleek and modern, filled with stylish people rushing around with iced coffees and clipboards.
I checked in at the front desk, and they directed me to the 12th floor. When the elevator doors opened, I was met by Miss Kanya, the woman from my interview. She looked just as sharp and professional as she did on camera.
"Good morning, Teetee. Welcome to the team," she said, shaking my hand.
"Good morning, P'Kanya. Thank you so much for this opportunity," I said, bowing slightly.
"Follow me. We have a lot to cover, and your assignment starts immediately," she said, turning around and walking fast down the hallway. I practically had to jog to keep up with her long strides.
"As you know, G-Vibes manages a lot of high-profile talent," P'Kanya explained as we walked past various glass offices. "We usually put new hires through a training period, but we have an urgent situation. A prominent artist's manager suddenly had to leave due to a family emergency. We reviewed your profile and think your organizational skills and high energy make you the perfect fit to step in immediately."
My heart did a nervous flutter. "An artist? Like... an actor?"
"A singer," P'Kanya corrected. She stopped in front of a heavy wooden door at the end of the hall. "He is very successful, which means his schedule is packed. You will be responsible for his daily routine, making sure he gets to his bookings on time, coordinates with stylists, and stays fed. It is a tough job, Teetee. Are you ready?"
"Yes! I can do it!" I said, pumping myself up. This was amazing! I was going to be an actual manager for a singer! Even if it was a rookie singer, it would be such a cool experience.
P'Kanya smiled, a bit mysteriously again. She knocked on the door and opened it. "Let's introduce you."
The room was a spacious private lounge with
comfortable leather couches, a large TV, and a digital keyboard in the corner. There were three people in the room.
Two of them were sitting on the couch, laughing about something on a phone. One was a tall, handsome guy with a friendly smile, and the other was a bit shorter, wearing a backward cap and a bright jacket. I recognized them instantly from social media—they were Thee and Otto, two very popular models and influencers who were known to be best friends with...
WAIT!!
If they were here... then who was...
My eyes moved to the far side of the room, near the large glass window. A man was standing there, looking at a tablet. He was wearing a simple black oversized hoodie and ripped jeans. His hair was slightly messy in that effortlessly perfect way. As the door opened, he turned around to look at us.
My brain completely short-circuited.
The room went completely silent in my ears. The world slowed down to a crawl.
It was Por.
THE POR!! The man on my bedroom wall. The man whose voice I listened to every single night. The man I had loved fiercely from afar for the past three years. He was standing less than ten feet away from me, looking directly at me with his deep, beautiful eyes.
"Por, this is your new personal manager, Teetee," P'Kanya announced calmly, as if she hadn't just dropped a nuclear bomb into my life. "Teetee, this is Por. I'll leave you guys to get acquainted. I have a meeting."
She patted my shoulder and walked out, closing the door behind her.
I stood there, frozen like a statue. I think my soul actually left my body for a second. *My manager? Me? His manager? I am Por's manager?!*
"Oh, the new guy is finally here!" the guy with the backward cap—Otto—said cheerfully, jumping up from the couch.
"Hey there! I'm Otto, and this is Thee. We're just hanging out before Por's recording session."
"H-Hello," I squeaked out. My voice sounded like a broken toy. I quickly bowed. "I'm Teetee. Nice to meet you."
Thee smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Teetee. Don't look so scared. We don't bite. Well, Otto might if you steal his snacks, but Por is harmless."
At the mention of his name, Por walked over to us. Every step he took felt like a drumbeat in my chest. Up close, he was even more handsome than on TV. His skin was flawless, and he smelled like expensive cologne and fresh laundry.
He stopped right in front of me and looked me up and down. His expression was calm, almost unreadable.
"Hi, Teetee," Por said. His voice was deep and smooth, the exact same voice that I had streamed millions of times. Hearing it directed at me in real life made my knees feel like jelly. "I'm Por. Looking forward to working with you."
He extended his hand for a handshake.
I looked at his hand. It was a very nice hand. Long fingers, clean nails.
(If I touch his hand, will I pass ouT????)
I mentally slapped myself.
(Tee! Be a professional! You are an adult! Do not act like a crazy fan! If he finds out you have a shrine of him in your bedroom, he will run away)
I forced my hand to stop shaking, reached out, and took his hand. His grip was firm and warm.
"Nice to meet you, Khun Por!" I said, a bit too loudly. "I will do my absolute best to take care of you! Please guide me well!"
Por blinked, seemingly surprised by my sudden burst of intense energy, and then a small, amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Okay. Just 'P'Por' or 'Por' is fine. No need to be so formal."
"Okay, P'Por!" I said, my face burning hot.
Otto burst out laughing. "Wow, Por, I like this one. He's got spirit. The last manager always looked like he wanted to cry when you forgot to check your schedule."
Por rolled his eyes playfully at Otto. "I don't forget it that often."
"You forgot your own album signing event last month because you were asleep," Thee pointed out calmly, sipping his coffee.
"That was one time!" Por defended himself, looking slightly embarrassed. He turned back to me, rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyway, Teetee, right? P'Kanya gave you the digital schedule?"
"Uh, yes! I have it right here!" I quickly pulled out my new work tablet, my fingers trembling slightly as I unlocked it. I looked at the screen, trying to focus on the text instead of the gorgeous human being standing right next to me.
"Um, today you have a vocal recording session at 10:00 AM on the 8th floor. Then a lunch break at 12:30 PM. After that, a fitting for the upcoming magazine shoot at 2:00 PM, and finally, a radio interview at 5:00 PM."
Por nodded, looking impressed. "Wow. You already know it better than I do. Alright, we have about twenty minutes before the recording session. Can you get me an iced americano? No sugar."
"An iced americano, no sugar. Got it! Right away!" I said, nodding fiercely. I knew his coffee order! Every true fan knew he hated sweet things, but hearing it directly from him felt like a victory.
"I'll go with you to show you where the company cafe is," Otto offered, jumping up. "I need a refill anyway."
"Thank you, P'Otto," I said.
As we walked out of the room, I took one last glance back. Por had sat down on the couch next to Thee, looking over some lyrics on his tablet. He looked so focused, the soft light from the window hitting his profile perfectly.
Once the door closed behind us and we walked a few steps down the hallway, I let out a massive breath that I didn't realize I was holding.
"Are you okay, kid?" Otto asked, chuckling as he looked at me. "You look like you just saw a ghost."
"I'm fine! Just... a little nervous," I lied, clutching the work tablet to my chest. "It's my first day, and P'Por is so famous..."
"Don't worry about it," Otto said, throwing an arm around my shoulder in a friendly way. "Por looks quiet and serious, but he's actually a big softie. He just takes his music very seriously. As long as you keep him fed and make sure he doesn't lose his favorite guitar pick, he'll love you."
"His favorite guitar pick?" I repeated, taking mental notes. "The blue one with the star on it?"
Otto stopped walking and stared at me, his eyebrows raised. "How did you know it was blue with a star? He rarely shows that on camera."
My heart stopped.
(Oh no. Big mistake. Huge fan behavior detected.)
"Uh!" I stammered, my brain working at lightning speed to find an excuse. "I... I think I saw it in a behind-the-scenes video! Yes! A vlog from last year! I watched it to prepare for the interview!"
Otto looked at me for a second, then laughed heartily. "Ah, wow! You really do your research. That's great. Por is in good hands."
I secretly wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead. *That was close. Too close. I need to be careful.*
We got the coffees and headed down to the 8th floor recording studio. The studio was state-of-the-art, with a huge mixing board and a soundproof glass booth. Por and Thee were already there, talking to the vocal producer.
When Por saw me walk in with the coffee, his eyes brightened. "Thanks, Tee."
He took the cup, his fingers brushing against mine again. I internally screamed, but externally kept a calm, professional smile. "You're welcome, P'Por."
"Alright, Por, let's start with the chorus of the new track," the producer said through the microphone.
Por nodded, took a sip of his coffee, and walked into the recording booth. He put on the heavy headphones and adjusted the microphone. The moment he stood in front of the mic, his entire aura changed. The casual, slightly sleepy guy vanished, replaced by the incredibly passionate artist.
The music started playing through the studio speakers. It was a beautiful, emotional ballad. Then, Por began to sing.
“Even if the wind blows away the stars... I will still find my way to you...~”
His voice was pure magic. It filled the room, rich and full of raw emotion. I had heard this song on streaming platforms before, but hearing it live, completely raw without any editing, was an entirely different experience. It sent shivers down my spine. I stood by the wall, completely entranced, staring at him through the glass.
"He's amazing, isn't he?"
I turned my head. Thee was standing next to me, watching Por with a proud smile.
"Yes," I whispered honestly. "He really is."
"He worked for years to get to where he is," Thee said softly. "Sometimes he works so hard he forgets to take care of himself. That's why he needs a good manager. Someone who actually cares about his well-being, not just his fame."
Thee turned to look at me, his eyes gentle but serious. "I can see it in your eyes, Teetee. You look at him with a lot of respect. I think you're going to be good for him."
I felt a warm wave of determination wash over me. I wasn't just a fan anymore. I was his manager. It was my job to protect him, to help him, and to make sure he could shine as brightly as possible without burning out.
"I will," I said firmly. "I will take good care of him."
The recording session lasted for nearly three hours. Por sang the same lines over and over, perfecting every single note until the producer was completely satisfied. By the time he came out of the booth, he looked exhausted, his throat clearly dry.
I immediately stepped forward, handing him a fresh bottle of water and a warm towel. "Great job, P'Por. That sounded incredible."
Por took the water, drinking half of it in one go. He wiped his face with the towel and looked at me, a soft, tired smile appearing on his face. "Thanks, Tee. You're pretty attentive."
"It's my job," I said, beaming with pride.
"What's next on the schedule?" he asked, handing the empty bottle back to me.
"Lunch break!" I announced. "I already ordered food from that healthy chicken and rice place you like. It should be arriving at your lounge in five minutes."
Por's eyes widened slightly. "You ordered from *that* place? How did you know I like it? I haven't ordered from them in weeks."
(Because you mentioned it in a radio interview two months ago, saying it was your comfort food,* my brain screamed!!)
"Uh, P'Kanya told me!" I lied smoothly, giving a quick prayer of apology to P'Kanya for using her name as a cover-up again.
"Huh. P'Kanya usually forgets what I like," Por muttered, but he didn't question it further. "Alright, let's go eat. I'm starving."
As we walked back to the elevator, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from the group chat with North and Wave.
> North: How is the first day going, corporate slave? Did you make coffee for some old director yet?
> Wave: Don't get fired
I smiled dynamically and quickly typed a reply.
Teetee: You guys are not going to believe this. I am not making coffee for an old director. I am the personal manager of POR.
North: ??????
Wave: Are you hallucinating from stress?
Teetee: I AM SERIOUS. I am walking next to him right now. He just told me I am attentive. I think I am living in a dream.
North: OH MY GOD. DON'T FAINT ON HIM TEE. ACT NORMAL.
I locked my phone and slid it back into my pocket. Act normal. Yes, that was the golden rule.
We spent the rest of the day running around the city. The magazine fitting was chaotic, with stylists throwing clothes at Por, but I made sure his outfits were organized and that he had his favorite snacks nearby. During the radio interview, I stood backstage, watching him charm the hosts and the listeners with his witty answers.
By the time we got back to the G-Vibes building, it was past 7:00 PM. The sun had completely set, and the city was glowing with neon lights.
Por's friends, Thee and Otto, had already gone home earlier. It was just the two of us in the private lounge. Por threw himself onto the leather couch, letting out a long, exhausted groan.
"I am dead," he mumbled into a pillow. "My feet hurt."
I walked over and placed a warm cup of herbal tea on the table in front of him. "Drink some tea, P'Por. It's good for your throat after singing and talking all day."
Por peeked out from behind the pillow. He looked at the steaming cup, then up at me. He slowly sat up and took the cup, taking a small sip.
"Ah... that's good," he sighed, the tension leaving his shoulders. He looked at me for a long moment.
"Hey, Tee."
"Yes, P'Por?"
"Thanks for today," Por said sincerely.
"Honestly, when P'Kanya said she hired a fresh graduate with no experience, I was a bit worried. The schedule is always crazy, and people usually get overwhelmed on their first day. But you did great. You anticipated everything I needed before I even asked."
Hearing those words from him—from my idol, the person I admired most in the world—made my heart swell with an emotion so intense it almost brought tears to my eyes. It wasn't just fan love anymore. It was the incredible feeling of being appreciated by someone you respect deeply.
"Thank you, P'Por," I said, my voice soft but full of emotion. "I promised I would do my best, and I meant it. I'm happy I could help you."
Por smiled. It wasn't the flashy, perfect smile he gave to the cameras. It was a small, genuine, tired smile meant just for me.
"You're a good guy, Tee. See you tomorrow at 9:00 AM?"
"See you tomorrow, P'Por!"
I said, bowing.
As I packed my things and walked out of the building into the cool night air, I felt like I was floating. My life had completely changed in twenty-four hours. Yesterday, I was just a fan looking at his poster. Today, I was the person making sure his day ran smoothly.
I knew it was going to be hard. I knew I had to keep my secret safe and never let him know how deeply in love with him I actually was. But looking up at the city lights, I couldn't help but smile.