( Still around 1 pm, at "Ely Mall". :;)
( Inside the mall, the atmosphere was lively, with shoppers bustling about );:
....As Nat trailed behind Siri and Thakorn, the crowded mall corridors seemed to shrink, suffocating him with every step. Why was Siri being so friendly with this guy? Thakorn's easygoing nature was infectious, and Siri's calm demeanor was a perfect match. Nat's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. Who was Thakorn, really?
As they walked, Thakorn pointed out a stall selling traditional Thai snacks. "Siri, have you tried these?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Siri smiled, and Nat's heart sank. He watched, feeling like an outsider, as Thakorn and Siri chatted about everything from music to their shared love of Thai cuisine.
Thakorn stopped in front of a small café and turned to Siri. "Want to grab a drink? I'm buying," he said, his face lighting up with a shy grin. Siri hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure, that sounds nice, P' Thakorn." Nat's instincts screamed at him to intervene, but he held back, observing from a distance as they entered the café.
The café was cozy, with soft music playing in the background and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Nat took a seat at a nearby table, trying to blend in. As he watched, Thakorn and Siri ordered their drinks and sat down, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Nat sipped on his drink, his eyes never leaving Siri's serene face. What was she thinking? Did she notice Thakorn's obvious interest?
As Nat sat there, Siri suddenly glanced in his direction. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Nat's heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the café's decor. But it was too late; he knew he'd been caught. Siri's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, but her expression remained enigmatic.
Thakorn, oblivious to the silent exchange, continued to chat with Siri, discussing everything from movies to their favorite TV shows. Siri responded politely, her voice calm and composed, never once acknowledging Nat's presence. Nat tried to blend in, sipping his drink and glancing around the café, careful not to meet Siri's gaze again. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that Siri knew exactly what he was doing.
As the minutes ticked by, Nat grew more agitated. He couldn't understand why Siri wasn't reacting, why she wasn't confronting him about his behavior. Instead, she continued to chat with Thakorn, laughing and smiling as if Nat wasn't even there. Thakorn's smile grew wider as he talked, and Nat watched, feeling increasingly irritated.
As the café started to fill with more customers, Siri glanced at her watch and stood up. "I should probably get going, P' Thakorn," she said, her voice polite but firm. Thakorn nodded understandingly and stood up as well. "Yeah, I should too. Since I'm picking you up on Saturday, maybe we should add each other on LINE?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with hope.
Siri nodded, and they exchanged LINE IDs, Thakorn typing away on his phone. "Added," he said, his face lighting up with a smile. "Looking forward to Saturday."
As Nat watched, a pang of jealousy shot through him. He couldn't help but notice the way Thakorn's eyes lit up when Siri smiled, the way his face glowed with a shy grin. Nat knew that look – it was the look of someone who was genuinely interested in someone else. And as a guy, Nat could tell that Thakorn was really into Siri.
As they parted ways, Nat felt a sense of unease. What did Siri think of Thakorn's obvious interest? And what did she think of Nat's own... antics?, A growing sense of unease settled in, as Nat wondered if Siri was playing a game he couldn't quite grasp.
As Nat continue to watch Siri from afar, his mind fixated on the casual mention of Saturday. What was Siri thinking, agreeing to meet up with someone she'd only just met? She wasn't the type to hang out with just anyone; Nat knew that much about her. The fact that she'd agreed to meet Thakorn, a virtual stranger, on Saturday sent a shiver down Nat's spine. What was she looking for? And what did Thakorn have that others didn't? The questions swirled in Nat's mind, fueled by a growing sense of unease. Saturday loomed ahead, a day that seemed to hold secrets and surprises.
Nat's anxiety simmered, his curiosity piqued. What would Saturday bring? Would Siri's guard finally drop, revealing the truth behind her enigmatic smile? Or would Thakorn prove to be more than just a casual acquaintance? The anticipation was almost unbearable, and Nat couldn't help but wonder what the next few days would unfold.....