Page 58 of Baby Love

“I doubt it. Some people just like to stir up drama.”

“Do you think Prince deserved to be fired?” I ask after a moment.

“Yes. That was a stupid move on his part. I don’t know if he and Book are involved or it was just a hookup, but couldn’t they have waited until after they left the Love Lounge to fool around? Now they’ve ruined their ships. Well, Prince has. Ban and Book may be able to salvage theirs if they’re careful. Prince’s voice is clearly audible in that clip, and it’s all over the internet. No way would fans forget about that. Book may have been seen leaving the bathroom, but fans are already making excuses, claiming that Book and Ban are real, even though many have heard rumors that Ban has a girlfriend. Gift is seen as the injured party, and the producers are right to ship him with someone else as quickly as possible. Even if it is Daeng.”

And now SPPT is counting on us to be their most popular couple. As we head through an alley two streets over to the ramen place we like, I ask, “P’Park, why do you think Khun Hom and P’Big decided to put Khao and Boom back into the beach scenes?”

“I’m sure they think adding the more elicit NC scene will give our ship a boost and help distract fans from what happened. Do you remember that scene in the novel?”

I shake my head. “I was in a hurry to read the book and skipped that part because I knew they’d taken it out. What happens? What can be steamier than the scene we’ve already filmed?”

“In the book, our characters have just gotten back together after their misunderstanding, and they enjoy themselves for the most part. The sex scene is on the beach.”

“On the beach?“ I repeat.

P’Park nods. “Are you worried about it? I think we did pretty well with the other scene, don’t you?”

“Yeah. But …”

“It will be fine. We’ll get through it together.” He ruffles my hair. “Don’t worry. The scene may just be considered steamier for small reasons, like if they show the top of my ass or if we make simulated fucking motions or something.”

I try not to show my shock at that.

After lunch, I walk into Khun Hom’s office feeling like everything I just ate is about to make a reappearance on her beautiful blue carpet, although I didn’t consume much between worrying about “simulated fucking motions” and what she wants to talk to me about. My sweaty palm slips on the door knob when I turn it.

“Nong. Did you have a good lunch?” Khun Hom asks, looking up from her work when I walk in.

“Yes, thanks, Khun.”

She motions for me to sit in one of the chairs, and when I do, she regards me steadily for a moment, making me even more nervous.

“Did I do something wrong, Khun Hom?” I finally ask.

“No, of course not. This is about your father.”

My eyes go wide and my heart starts hammering. “What has he done now? I haven’t heard from him. I hoped he’d left town.”

“After you explained the situation to me, I had a talk with him. I told him to leave you alone until after the week at Love Lounge, and then perhaps we could come to an agreement. I have since spoken with the other producers at SPPT, and it’s been decided to present you with an offer. SPPT is willing to pay off your father. He will have to sign an agreement that he will not contact nor harass you in any way, and he will receive a one-time monetary offer. In exchange, you and Park will sign five-year contracts with SPPT as a shipped couple.”

Shocked speechless, I can only stare at her.

“Spin?” Khun Hom prompts.

“Sorry, but…wouldn’t it be easier just to fire me?”

Khun Hom smiles—something she hasn’t been doing a lot of since the scandal. “Nong, you are an asset to this company. We are very happy with the work you’re doing and have every confidence that you and Park will be something special. In the long run, this deal will be worth it. That is, if you agree to it.”

“Of course I agree, but I don’t want P’Park to feel he has to do this to help me.”

“I understand.” Regarding me, Khun Hom rests her chin on steepled fingers. “How about this? I will offer the contract to Park without telling him about the agreement with your father. That way, he will make his decision without feeling an obligation to you.”

I nod. “That sounds good. Thank you for doing this for me, Khun Hom. And I’m sorry for the trouble my father is causing you.”

“Nevermind, Spin. If you and Park become as popular a ship as we think you will, it will be well worth it to us. Now, could you please send Park in to see me?”

I find P’Park in the main room of the studio and give him her message. He looks at me questioningly but doesn’t say anything before heading for Khun Hom’s office.

Sitting on one of the couches, I nervously fiddle with the hem of my shirt, thinking how lucky I am that Khun Hom has so much faith in me. I only hope I can live up to her expectations.

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