Chapter 2
Amid the booming music that never seemed to stop, a pair of clean white sneakers came to a halt behind one of the doors.
Pandao raised her hand to knock on the door out of courtesy, then pushed it open without waiting for a response from the person inside, as was the usual practice.
"Oh! Pin, you're here already?"
"Hello, Pim."
"I thought you had a singing gig somewhere else tonight. You're later than usual."
"Almost late, actually." Pandao smiled at the attractive woman sitting in front of a large mirror, applying makeup. She placed a bag of bread she'd bought on the way on a nearby table. "I brought some delicious pandan custard bread and fresh milk for everyone."
"Wow, that's my favorite! Pin, you're the sweetest."
"Well, you only say that when there's food involved, Pim." One of their colleagues, who'd just emerged from behind the dressing screen.
Pimprapa glared at the owner of that teasing comment before walking over to grab her favorite treat without hesitation. "Honestly, Pin, you didn't have to go through the trouble. That place is always packed. I once waited so long that I gave up. How did you manage to get it?"
"It wasn't crowded today, probably because it was late. Plus, Vee dropped me off, so I took the chance to buy some since Lin mentioned craving it."
"Are you trying to make us all gain weight and lose our beauty?" Pimprapa jokingly scolded, though she couldn't help but swallow hard as her friend unwrapped the bread and took a big bite.
"If you're not afraid of gaining weight, I'll eat it all myself. Thanks for sacrificing your share."
"Who said that? Delicious food like this, who wouldn't at least have a taste?"
Amid the playful banter, Pandao chose to sit down at her usual spot in front of the mirror. As she began applying her makeup, she couldn't help but chuckle at the familiar exchange between the two women, a nightly occurrence that had become routine.
But tonight, she didn't have much time to get ready. Pandao hurriedly worked on her makeup. She was a regular singer at this upscale club, but she didn't perform every night like the others. Typically, Pandao had a schedule to sing at this club two to three times a week or more on special nights.
After finishing her makeup, she took out the outfit prepared for the night from her bag. She disappeared behind the dressing screen and reemerged in a black leather outfit—a short skirt and a crop top that revealed just enough skin to be tantalizing.
The ample, white bosom that peeked out from the edge of her shirt seemed a bit too generous compared to her otherwise delicate frame. Her flat stomach was devoid of any excess fat, and her long legs were clad in black boots.
From a sweet girl, she transformed into an all-black, spicy, and slightly sexy look.
"Pin, you have such a great figure. I'm so jealous. Even though I like men, seeing you makes me want to switch teams."
"Don't say that, Lin. You're pretty, too."
"Pretty, but not as much as you, Pin. Your face is what they call a divine gift. It's like God was biased and gave all the beauty to one person, leaving none for the rest of us."
Pimprapa joked while examining the younger woman's reflection in the large mirror.
The atmosphere in the dressing room was filled with laughter and chatter. But for someone as quiet as Pandao, she mostly listened and joined in with occasional laughter.
The Saturday night crowd was packed with partygoers dancing energetically.
The dazzling lights and pounding music created an exhilarating rhythm. Each partygoer's moves varied according to the amount of alcohol coursing through their veins.
Pandao stood by the side of the stage, ready to go. When it was time to change the atmosphere, the music from the DJ booth gradually lowered, replaced by a live performance from the front of the stage.
The solo music began, and the beautiful singer's voice rang out before she appeared. Pandao waited for the crowd to look for the source of the voice before stepping onto the stage and singing a popular hit.
Her melodious voice, combined with her captivating beauty, drew the attention of the partygoers, who couldn't take their eyes off her. Her seductive hip movements to the rhythm of the music were mesmerizing.
Phatthira was among those watching the performance with a pounding heart. Some emotion began to stir just from seeing the singer's alluring moves.
Gosh, she is too hot to handle...
"How long has it been since I last came here?" Phatthira mused, noticing the woman she'd invited to drink with her was giving her sidelong glances.
Just being forced to sit with me, does she have to look so reluctant?
"Almost a month."
"Exactly, almost a month. And you let my girl dress up so seductively?"
"Is your brain malfunctioning, Phat? Since when did Pin become your girl? Don't make things up."
Pharima couldn't help but roll her eyes at her beautiful friend. Despite the calm demeanor, her friend's words were irritating.
"Why are you so possessive? She's just a singer we hired. She's an employee, and you're the club owner, with me as your partner."
"Don't use that as an excuse, Phat. Because we hired her, I have to protect the gem of my club. Seriously, when will you stop messing with and being interested in Pandao?"
"Well... Until I get her."
Saying it with such a straight face...
Pharima stared at her friend's beautiful face, then sighed deeply, feeling exasperated by her friend's determination.
"Can't you just let this one go, Phat? No matter how many times I tell you, you never listen. I don't agree and won't support you messing with Pandao, understand?"
Phatthira remained expressionless, unaffected by her friend's serious tone and look.
When she wanted something, she always got it. She'd never been disappointed in matters like this.
"And do you have a good enough reason to stop me?" Phatthira finally turned her gaze from the stage to look at her friend. "Because if you do, I might consider it."
"There are a hundred reasons. I've told you time and time again. Don't you get it already?"
"Not one bit."
"Phat!"
Pharima rolled her eyes in exasperation. Her friend was the type who never gave up easily. She always got what she wanted, and this stubbornness made Pharima sure that her warnings had fallen on deaf ears.
"Even if you're interested in her, Pin mightn't like women."
"And how would you know? You don't have a taste for women either, Pharima. Why are you so protective? Are you more worried than a boss should be?"
"And if I told you I liked her, would you stop messing with Pin?"
"When that time comes, we'll see."
"See? No matter what, you won't stop. Whether I like her or not won't change your mind."
"You already know that, so why try to stop me?"
"Ugh, fine. If you won't listen to me, do whatever you want."
Pharima's tone was firm, intending to mock her friend, but inside, she felt worried and couldn't help but be angry.
"Are you really mad at me over this?"
"I'll try not to be mad, but let me tell you for the hundredth time, Pin is a good girl. She's only twenty-three. If you're not serious, don't hurt her."
"Twenty-three isn't a child. She might be more experienced than you think."
"Don't judge all women by your standards. The reason I keep asking you not to mess with Pin is that she's not like other women."
"Whether she's like others or not, I have to find out for myself. The woman you think is so good mightn't be what you think. And it's not just up to me. If she doesn't play along, what can I do? We're both women."
"Because you're both women, you're more dangerous for Pin."
Pharima snapped, feeling frustrated. The more she tried to stop her, the more it seemed to encourage her. But letting it go mightn't be the best either.
She knew that the young woman she cared for like a sister wouldn't stand a chance against Phatthira's cunning ways. Even though Pandao worked in a club, she wasn't like other women, as outsiders might think.
But since her friend had no intention of backing down, Pharima was at a loss on how to stop her. Everything depended on Pandao herself, and she could only hope that Pandao wasn't attracted to other women, as she feared.
The beautiful club owner stared at the female singer on stage, her eyes reflecting concern that she couldn't hide. Pandao was a pretty woman with a small, high nose that complemented her full lips. She always flashed sweet smiles at everyone.
Her sweet face was enhanced with makeup, making her look striking. Her slender body was alluring and captivating. Even though she didn't have an eye for admiring other women, she couldn't help but appreciate the other's beauty.
How could her friend possibly overlook such beauty?
Beauty was like a double-edged sword. It offered many benefits, but at the same time, it could always come back to hurt you.
"If possible, I really don't want you to play around with this girl, Phat," Pharima muttered that sentence again. However, it still couldn't penetrate the listener's consciousness.
"If that woman has something more than just a beautiful face and body that I like, I might consider it or even think about taking care of her seriously."
"Is that all you think?" Pharima raised an eyebrow at her friend's beautiful face, feeling a bit annoyed on behalf of the person being talked about.
Phatthira would never be committed to anyone. This was something every woman who thought about getting involved with her should know.
"Let me warn you, Phat. Nothing is certain. Being too confident isn't good because if one day you fall in love with her and she doesn't want you, you might be the one sitting there heartbroken. And on that day, I'll laugh at you."
"Never going to happen!"
Besides her full confidence, Phatthira barely paid attention to her friend's words, unlike Pharima, who saw things quite differently.
She really wanted to see what it'd be like whensomeone as confident as Phatthira had to chase after love for real...
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