[At Illuminate]

"Is that what they said?" – Faris furrowed his brow slightly, taking another sip of bitter coffee with a rather doubtful expression.

"Yes, they requested to re-negotiate the profit split between the two sides." - Gus leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, he was also quite dissatisfied with their terms - "They claim to have more experience in tourism and operations, while this is our first project in the field."

For years in the industry, Illuminate had established itself in the development of residential, commercial, and office complexes. However, recognizing the situation in recent years, the Thai government has made strong moves to support domestic tourism.

Seeing the immense potential, Faris aimed to partner with Dansiri to develop a mixed-use tourism complex in Doi Chiang Dao - Doi Luang, a place considered a promising destination and also a completely new challenge for him. Faris hoped this collaboration would become the largest project in the region in the last 10 years. With the aim of creating a diverse cultural mosaic, from night markets, trekking trails, bars, golf courses, and modern water parks, Dansiri would be an ideal choice.

Nestled among the greenery at the foot of the huge limestone mountain, Chiang Dao is sought after by many to escape the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai. The road to Doi Chiang Dao is quite difficult and dangerous, which is probably why people rarely choose this place. This highland region, 2,225m above sea level, had only recently been recognized for its tourism potential, yet it held undeniable promise.

"Alright, you re-negotiate with them..." - Faris deliberated for a while before making a decision - "Illuminate won't change the profit share. But, we will bear the full cost of maintaining the project's intelligent systems for the next 15 years."

"I understand, it's like being too generous to them!" - Gus nodded in agreement and went out to prepare for the next negotiation.

As the door closed, Faris slumped back in his chair. For the past two weeks, he'd been too busy with the new project launch to get any real rest. Opening a drawer, he gazed at the plush cat inside for a moment, then closed it, sighing deeply.

As usual, he opened Instagram and checked the familiar account, only to find some new updates: DMD had announced their first concert, DMDLAND, set for June 2022 at Thunder Dome.

"Hmmm... there'll probably be a lot of partner performances by then, huh?"

_

A few days later, on a quiet evening, Faris received a message from P'Aof, leaving him slightly surprised: "Do you know anyone at Thunder Dome?" - Isn't that the concert venue for DMD's upcoming show? It made him even more curious.

P'Aof called - "Hey, sorry to bother you so late, but can I ask you something? Does Thunder Dome prioritize certain connections? I've already booked the venue and announced it, but now they're saying someone else reserved it on the concert date. I don't know who's trying to steal my thunder!"

"Calm down first, have you made the deposit yet? What does the contract say?" - Faris wanted to know whose side the problem was on.

"Here's the thing—they delayed signing, so DMD hasn't transferred the deposit. But now they're saying someone else booked on the same day, it's ridiculous!" - P'Aof sounded very upset.

"Alright, I'll get back to you tomorrow... But..." - Faris reassured him, hesitating slightly.

"But what? You still want anything from me?" - P'Aof chuckled, sounding more relaxed as he joked with Faris.

"What do I get for this?"

"Anything you want!" - P'Aof replied confidently.

"Then... what if I want to go to the concert?"

"That's it?"

"Yep, that's all!" - Faris smirked, looking forward to seeing him again.

P'Aof hung up the phone and was very suspicious about why Faris wanted to go to a concert of his 'kids'.

By noon the next day, P'Aof received a call from Faris, confirming the issue was resolved, with DMD even receiving a 15% discount on expenses.

"Oh, my benefactor, I'll arrange a VVIP spot for you that night!"

.

[Concert Day]

Faris arrived directly from a previous event to the concert. His chic look—a black turtleneck under a sleek dark brown blazer—perfectly complemented his tall, fit frame, catching everyone's eye. As a former Mister, he never neglected to take care of his body. He looked like he'd stepped out of a magazine. His seat on the second floor, in the VVIP area, was enough to make him the center of attention.

Murmurs of curiosity surrounded him. Who is he? Is he a new member? No one else gets this kind of treatment! Is he a sponsor? If so, why hasn't DMD announced it? A few fans quickly took pictures and posted them on social media, fueling speculation about the "mysterious" and outstanding person at the concert. However, the amount of information following this matter was not too much. Amidst all the concert buzz, their "discovery" went unnoticed.

Today, watching James perform on stage, Faris felt lucky to witness another side of him. Despite the distance, he sensed James's powerful energy and dedication to his craft.

His charisma, whether on screen or in real life, couldn't compare to the moments of sublimation he was bringing to the audience right now. Every look and every gesture was filled with passionate intensity, capturing the spirit of a true artist—a magnetic force that drew Faris in.

But somewhere at that moment, the most confused person was Mali. Despite knowing her boss well, she couldn't find a reason for him to be at the concert today, and she even asked to come along. But it's okay, wasn't she watching the concert for free and in a VVIP room?

As the concert was nearing its end, Faris decided to meet and say goodbye to P'Aof. He spotted P'Aof watching the DMD members line up for a commemorative photo on stage. Among the crowd, Faris easily recognized James, his eyes always shining so brightly.

"How was the show? Are you leaving now?" - P'Aof asked cheerfully.

"It was great, full of youthful energy."

"Hey, you're only just past 30, Faris!"

"All right, I'm heading out too... Wait, is James okay?" - Faris's tone shifted suddenly as he noticed James looking unsteady, gripping his head before slumping down. Faris' eyes turned to worry immediately, about to rush out to the stage but stopped when he saw the staff and P'Aof had already come to his side.

James looked pale, with sweat on his forehead. Faris observed for a while, then saw him shake his head to signal the staff that he was okay. Probably, he was dizzy from overworking. They urged him to rest but he insisted on continuing.

'Stubborn kid! If you rested, it wouldn't be you anymore!' - Faris muttered to himself.

After a while, when he saw James was better, Faris left the concert.

On the way home, he couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. Accidentally knowing and unconsciously following him these days, but the feelings of worry and restlessness just now, how to explain it? It was hard to put into words, yet it filled him with turmoil.

He'd given it a lot of thought. He realized that his feelings for James weren't just simple admiration anymore...

'Amidst the hustle and bustle of the outside world, you appear like a vibrant butterfly, free in space. That beauty both makes me cherish and want to protect you, and at the same time, it holds me back, and hesitant. Because I know you need freedom to soar, to explore the world.

I quietly learn about you, observing from afar, treasuring every moment you're near. I know this feeling will grow stronger with time, but I keep my caution and patience. I understand that the "reflection of the moon on the water" is a beautiful illusion, yet one that can never be held...'

_