“It was more about the publicity shots, the workshops, the fan meetings and events. You’ll understand as we get more into it. For a while, we’re going to be a huge part of each other’s lives.”
For a few seconds, Rama appears uncertain, but his face clears and he visibly relaxes as I relate as much about filming a series as I can. By the time we finish eating and prepare to leave an hour later, he’s smiling openly, which I can only compare to having the full force of the sun turned on me.
We’re standing in front of the cafe exchanging LINE ID’s when a pretty, young woman stalks up to us and unceremoniously shoves a cloth sack into Rama’s arms.
Looking stunned, Rama says, “Kaeo.”
“Here are your clothes, you bastard. I’ve carried them around in my car for months in case I see you. I was getting ready to throw them over the fence of your house.” Turning on three-inch heels, she stalks away.
“Speaking of girlfriends,” Rama says with a resigned sigh before peering into the sack. “Why the hell didn’t she just bring these to my house or mail them to me? Why carry them around for so long? We broke up months ago.”
“She probably wanted the satisfaction of shoving them at you in public,” I say, amused at Rama’s discomfited look.
When he throws his head back and laughs, I’m immediately in love with the sound. I want to make him do it again and again.
CHAPTER THREE: Rama
Chinda’s squeal when I tell her about the upcoming workshop is almost as dramatic as the one she let out when I told her I got the part of Atid.
“For heaven’s sake, you would think it’s you and not me who’ll be going,” I say.
“Tell me all about Pravat,” my sister demands, plopping down on the gold sofa and pulling a fringed throw pillow onto her lap.
“You probably already know more about him than I do.”
“Did he say anything about your audition?”
“Just that I did well.”
Chinda grins. “You really did. It surprised me. Did you talk about anything personal?”
“Thanks, and you’re being silly,” I scoff. “We talked about the job.”
“Come on, Rama, there must be something. Please tell me.” She pouts. My sister and I have always been close, and I admit I cave to her wiles most of the time.
“He told me he’s still in university and that he’s gay but doesn’t have a boyfriend right now. He said boyfriends tend to get jealous of what he does. This is just between us,” I belatedly warn her.
“It’s not a secret that he’s gay. That came out sometime last year when he was outed by his co-star.”
I frown. “He was outed? That’s awful.”
Chinda nods. “Yeah. Especially since it’s preferred that bl actors be straight. His co-star claimed Pravat came onto him, which makes Pravat sound like a troublemaker. I think the guy lied because he was jealous of Pravat’s popularity.”
My mind snags on the first thing she said. “Why do they prefer the actors to be straight? I would think gay actors would do better in a gay romance.”
Chinda shrugs. “Less drama, I guess. Easier if there’s no chance of feelings getting into the way. I think, too, that viewers like the idea of two men falling in love against their natural inclinations. What else did you and Pravat talk about?”
I’m digesting the information and take a moment to respond. “He mentioned Y-couples, and I told him you’d bring me up to speed on them.”
“I can definitely do that.” Jumping up from her seat, my sister runs for her room, returning seconds later with her iPad. “As I’ve already explained to you, the term Y-couple comes from Yaoi, a popular genre in Japan that pairs two men together.” She pulls up a video. “This is the most popular Y-couple right now. ChaoFinn.”
I frown, looking at the thumbnail of two guys smiling at the camera. “What kind of name is that?”
“It’s their ship name. Their two names together, Chao and Finn. You and Pravat have already been dubbedPravma.”
I watch the video, taken at a fan meeting, of Chao and Finn holding hands, wrapping their arms around each other, and doing other romantic things that have their fans screaming and clapping for them. When Chao sits down and pulls Finn onto his lap, the cheers and applause get even louder.
“This is what you have to look forward to,” my sister says, smiling.