'The moon is only one, yet its beautiful reflection exists in countless places; whether on the vast seas or winding rivers, the moonlight reaches everywhere.

I'm not foolish enough to wade through waters to reach the moon. I know that if I tried to drain every drop of water, the moon's reflection would eventually still disappear. I choose to stand from afar, untouched and undisturbed, to fully appreciate your beauty and radiance. Just this once, allows me to be selfish to keep that unique light within my sight and the deepest part of my heart. Only I will know.'

_

Mali entered the office and placed an orange coffee on Faris's desk, a drink that had been changing for over half a year.

"Sir, we've received all 300 BlackDaisy T-shirts today. Shall I arrange them as usual?"

"Yes, but this time, find a shelter a bit farther from the city center to donate them to!"

"Yes, sir!"

Becoming a "fan" of James was something Faris never anticipated, yet it had been nearly a year since he first discovered him. When had the habit of keeping the little one within his sight become an addiction he couldn't resist?

This strange and dangerous habit came to him unexpectedly, quietly, like a simple glass of water. At first, he felt no need to guard himself—who would be wary of a glass of plain water? And yet... in his hand now was the very same orange coffee he'd learned to enjoy simply because James liked it.

This new habit had slowly changed him. From someone who cared about nothing but dry market news, he now found himself watching James' online chats with fans on his drive home. Sometimes James was talking about skincare, and he didn't have a clue what he was saying. But when the little one drew with his fans, he craved to see it firsthand, and even during his live streams with James' partner... sigh.

Finally, the time had come for the premiere of the Bed Friend The Series, the movie all their fans had eagerly awaited. On screen, James was perfect as Uea—a young designer with a resilient spirit, whose wounds were hidden beneath a strong facade. Somewhere in that character, he saw a bit of James in Uea.

While not a stranger to the entertainment world, Faris'd found it more suitable to focus on business. Promotional activities between on-screen couples were essential for actors, boosting their recognition and ensuring the best possible reach for future work. He understood it well, yet even he struggled to keep his feelings in check while watching their movies or promotions.

'They're both talented actors! This is what they should be doing! It's just promotion!!!!' – He thought to himself, trying to quell the turmoil in his heart...

Returning to his strange habits, P'Aof was the biggest beneficiary. Faris would often "find concert tickets" to see James' performances by helping P'Aof with venues and studio arrangements for DMD. Strange, indeed, that he still managed to buy tickets on his own, yet would it not be stranger if P'Aof caught him at one of their concerts?

As for P'Aof, after receiving so much help from his younger brother in exchange for just a few concert tickets, how could he not suspect anything? Faris had once explained his intent to invest in the entertainment industry, needing firsthand experience at concerts.

Well, he'd believe Faris's words for now! P'Aof knew his younger friend fairly well, but he would just have to wait and see if his gut feeling was right...

Meanwhile, Mali, who worked most closely with Faris, was the one who truly understood. She was there beside him at every concert, arranging film crews to record every performance of James. Or, how she'd gotten used to ordering new BlackDaisy releases with over 10 accounts to avoid detection for bulk orders. Not to mention the change in his coffee drinking habits; or the way he would endlessly watch someone's IG story and this time.....

"What the hell!" - Faris exclaimed in a meeting, staring at his phone before quickly turning off the screen.

"Sir... uhm... I'm analyzing their financial report for the first six months of this... year..." - The Finance Manager replied timidly, facing the curious gazes of over 20 people in the meeting room.

Quickly regaining his composure, Faris responded - "Right, you're doing great. Please continue."

But in his mind: 'Why did you post a shirtless selfie, showing off your abs like that? Are you teasing me?'

Or on more special occasions, Mali would always feel a cold chill emanating from the CEO's office whenever her OTP had a new activity...

Yes, even Faris didn't know that his secretary was a die-hard couple fan. Mali's thoughts at the moment were - 'Should I follow my heart or protect my job? But my boss is so perfect. WHAT SHOULD I DO!!!'

_

Quietly watching James from afar, Faris thought he understood him more and more through his public appearances, until around April 2023. James announced a new IG account named @Isolatedblvck. He was eager, hoping to glimpse a new side of the little one. However, after seeing many of his drawings, he felt differently.

James used surreal and abstract images, combined with strong contrasting colors, to continuously express his turbulent inner state. Once again, Faris saw himself in James - a sense of emptiness and loneliness, seeking solace and connection in a world full of uncertainty.

Faris spent hours studying each drawing, trying to find clues about James' soul. He joined art discussion groups, asking questions and listening to various opinions. Gradually, he realized that these paintings were not only merely works of art but also a silent cry for help.

Faris decided to create an anonymous account to follow James. He liked, commented, and shared James' drawings, hoping James would notice his presence. In every comment, he sincerely expressed his thoughts, in a few short lines that closely resembled what James might want to convey.

Every time James read a comment from that anonymous account, he felt a certain empathy—a sense that someone was there with him in those lonely moments.

.

Speaking of Faris's loneliness, it was partly due to his early success, which had made him somewhat of a loner on his career path. Intelligent, talented, and surrounded by achievements.

By 11th grade, he'd achieved one of the top 0.05% scores nationwide in a college entry mock test. As a freshman, he was recruited by the nation's second-largest real estate corporation for a talent-nurturing internship but stayed only a year. In his second year of university, he and his team won first place in a Sustainable Urban Development competition, and he developed this project for Illuminate for over 10 years. Early success had left him feeling out of place in the outside world.

Looking at these enigmatic paintings, which seemed to reflect his own feelings, like a mirror reflecting the hidden corners of his soul, he wondered:

'What are you losing, James? Why are there such complex conflicts in a 24-year-old boy who always smiles so brightly? It makes me uncomfortable.'

Or perhaps, you were anxious about an upcoming role—the challenge of playing dual characters from different eras, Love Upon a Time Series (LUAT). It's going to be a tough journey! But I believe you'll do your best, James!'

_

At the foot of a vast hill, the strong wind swayed the grasses violently. James stood there, small and unsteady amidst the majestic nature. He looked up, only to see the distant horizon blurred like a watercolor painting, misty in the fog.

Squinting his eyes to see better, he saw a bright light in the distance, dotted with small white flowers on the top of the green hill. The enchanting light drew him forward, though the path to the top remained dark and foggy. The little one couldn't see his way, feeling only the rough, unsteady ground beneath each step.

As he was about to take another step, a loud, sharp noise startled him awake from the strange dream.

This was the second time he had seen the same scene in his dream. He only remembered the previous picture being more airy, but he had no intention of going there. He just stood still, drawn to the magical, with no intention to approach.

Could this dream be a sign of something to come, a challenge, or a reward that he had to choose for himself? Did it have anything to do with his current plans? Confused thoughts swirled in his head, but perhaps... maybe everything would become clear gradually.

'I've often asked myself: if I know the depth of my feelings for you, why do I choose to follow you quietly rather than confess? There are times when I wonder if my presence would become an obstacle. But I know... the right moment to reveal these feelings has not yet come.

Yet, it doesn't mean the quiet waves hidden beneath the calm surface aren't growing with each passing day. Though I have chosen not to reach out, not to disturb, I won't let anyone create ripples in this peaceful lake.

Silently supporting you is the way of keeping my "moon's reflection" on the water shining untouched.'

_