Nine years later
Present Day
"Is everything set?" Off asks and everybody answers with a very enthusiastic 'yes!'. "Alright, are you all ready? If yes, then let's go!"
They board Off's private plane and before taking off, he makes sure that everyone is already on the plane. When he is positive that everybody is safe inside already, he gives the pilot a go signal and they watch Thailand below them fade into nothingness.
Off and his team are about to go on a business trip. Off, after turning down the royal position, finds his true passion years later. He realized he liked preserving memories and capturing them, and he became a photographer. Tay helped him during his first baby steps. At first, he became popular because he was known as the prince-turned-into-photographer hottie but later on, people were able to recognize him for his amazing works. He received multiple awards throughout the years and was even labeled as "The most famous photographer" in the whole world.
He had already built his own company and together with him today are his own staff and some interns that also wish to be what Off is at that moment. When he was still a prince, he had planned a lot of things for charities and the like because he always had a soft heart for those people in need. Now that he is a successful photographer and businessman, he, together with his mother and father, built their own charity company which helped hundreds of orphanages and homeless people. Off is proud of what he had become.
Two years ago, Chat, his cousin, was crowned as the new king of Thailand. Surprisingly, he married Lai. It turns out that the reason why Lai didn't want to marry Off before was because she was in love with someone else, and that person is Chat. Chat has ruled ever since and Off knew he was doing great. Chat would sometimes reach out to Off and ask him if he needed help with his charity. Off found the same fiery eyes and brave expression he had on Chat, but the perseverance to be king is the only difference. He was grateful he gave way to his cousin.
Off would sometimes shake his head in disbelief as he walked down in his own memory lane. Looking back, he knows that everything happened for a reason. He won't be where he is now if all of those things didn't happen. He had patched things up with his father already and his parents, who are now retired from their royal duties, are running their own restaurant and are also doing good in their business.
All of this happened because of Gun.
Gun gave him the ability to fly, and Off refused to do it at first. After months of curling on one corner, Off finally took a brave step and chose to live again. His best friends, Tay and Arm, supported him along the way. Even Mook, Lee and Sing were there for him. He was thankful to every single person that helped him get back up again.
But he still can't forget about Gun.
He had been on numerous dates with both girls and boys before but it never feels right. He was looking for that feeling that Gun gave him every time he smiles or laughs, but Off never saw or felt it with those people. He tried hooking up with someone but it would only remind him of Gun's glorious body underneath him. He even drowned his body in beer but it only worsened the scenario since all he could see was Gun.
Gun left a massive impact on his life and Off will forever treasure what they had. He had long accepted that maybe all they would be to each other is a long, sweet memory, a reminder that people come into your life but not all are meant to stay. But there was always that tingling feeling, a feeling that would sometimes keep Off's hopes high that maybe, just maybe, they'll meet again.
They never did.
He is content and happy now, all those fears he once had bottled up inside him before long gone. He looks at his interns and sees potential professional photographers. One day, they will also make a name for themselves, even greater than his.
"Wake up everybody!" He announces. "And welcome to America!"
Everybody cheers as they prepare their things. He is hired to do a photo shoot with Asia's biggest magazine, Salud Magazine. When he received the invitation, he almost laughed. It was like his past was coming back to haunt him again. But it is also the best way to show his staff and interns about the reality of a photographer's life so he agreed to the invitation.
"I can't believe it, it's really you," says a very familiar face as she walks to Off. "It's really nice seeing you again after almost ten years!"
Off laughs and kisses her cheek. "It's nice seeing you again too, Julia!"
He is introduced to the people he will be working with for the next few days. They are two of the most famous actors in the Philippines.
"And guess the fucking what?" Julia whispered. "They're in love too."
Off raises an eyebrow at her and gives her an interesting smile. Julia just laughs and winks. Off thinks that Salud Magazine will be a really great center for LGBTQ movements.
They spend the next few days working on the photoshoot. Off shows his interns the best he can to teach them about the reality of a photographer's life and work. They have fun watching Off work.
Off will sometimes blink and see someone who looks like...Gun, but then he'll blink again and he's gone. He figures that must just be tired and is just imagining things.
One time, Off bumps into someone when he is on his way to the elevator of the hotel they are staying in. And fate really seems to be playing a joke on him because they were staying at Arm's hotel.
"I'm sorry, P'! I wasn't looking-" The woman gasps. "P'Off?"
Off doesn't recognize the woman, but he gives her a small smile. It isn't unusual that people know him. He was the prince of Thailand after all and besides, that girl looks Thai so it isn't impossible that she recognizes him in the hallways of an American hotel.
"Pim! Hurry up because your brother is waiting!" Someone called out to the woman.
"Yes, mother!" She says and turns to Off. "I'm sorry again, P'. I-I'll go ahead."
They spend another week in America and Off is enjoying his stay. On the last day of his business trip, he visits the places he had loved when he was in college. Unconsciously, his feet bring him to the Central Park of New York. He can remember where exactly he and Gun did the photo shoot, and where they shared their first public kiss.
It was a moment to remember.
He passes by the breakfast restaurant where he and Gun ate and also the street food dessert that they had enjoyed. Memories come rushing into him and all Off can do is give himself a sad smile.
When the sun is slowly setting down, he feels tired and weak but his body alerts upon the familiar smell of coffee. He follows the smell and there he is, outside the coffee shop he was in almost twelve years ago. It didn't change. It still has the same antique vibe, but it is a little livelier now and more people line up on the counter. The place seems smaller too, and Off figures that maybe it is because there are more tables and chairs placed inside to accommodate the growing number of customers.
He sits on one of the empty tables and watches as people come and go. Around five p.m, the shop is beginning to have fewer people and Off can breathe easier. He stands up to order his own cup of coffee when a familiar song blasted gently on the speaker.
There I was again tonight, forcing laughter faking smiles
Same old tired, lonely place
He doesn't know why it is familiar. He forgot where he had heard that song before but he knows he had listened to it at some point of his life. As he listens to the song, he slowly makes his way to the counter, contemplating as to what flavor of coffee he shall order.
"Hello, Sir! Can I take your order?" The lady on the counter asks.
"One Cinnamon Cappuccino please."
"One Caramel Macchiato please."
Off looks at the person who overlapped with what he was ordering. He wants to tell him to get in line properly but he is tongue tied.
Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face
"Gun?"
"Off?"
"Er, um, are you two together or should I order it individually?" The lady asks.
They both stare at each other for a while, their eyes acting like a magnetic field and they are helplessly drawn to it.
"Err, sir? Hello?" The lady interrupts them.
Gun blinks and turns to the lady. "Take his order first, h-he came here first anyway."
"No," Off says. "I'll order for us both. One caramel macchiato and cinnamon cappuccino please, medium. Thank you."
Despite Gun's protest, Off pays for both of their drinks. Off invites Gun to sit with him, and Gun agrees. Despite the almost vacant coffee shop, the air turns warmer and Off feels....sparks fly.
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you
"How are you, Gun?" Off asks after a long, awkward silence.
"I'm good!" Gun answers. "And you? Are you in another episode of royal escape?"
Off laughs and shakes his head. "I'm not a prince anymore, and I was never a king. I'm a photographer now."
Gun's face is full of confusion. "What?"
Your eyes whispered "have we met?"
Across the room your silhouette starts to make its way to me
"I...I pushed through my plans of giving up my throne, Gun. It's been nine years," Off explains. "I...Well, this is me now. I'm a photographer. I am currently working with Salud Magazine."
"Wait, what?" Gun says in disbelief, a smile forming on his lips. "Salud Magazine?"
"Yes," Off says. "I know, it felt like deja vu. I am even staying at Arm's hotel!"
"No way!"
"I know!" Off agrees, laughing.
"This is so insane!" Gun exclaims.
The playful conversation starts
Counter all your quick remarks, like passing notes in secrecy
"Tell me all about it," Off chuckles. "What about you? What have you been up to?"
According to Gun, he stayed in London for a while. His parents were trying to sell their old house but there weren't any buyers yet so he stayed in there. Then he transferred to Paris and studied arts and design. He said he had always liked clothes and dressing up, and he found his true passion when he landed a job as an assistant to one of Paris' most famous designer. Years later, Gun resigned and built his own clothing line. He is currently in America for a fashion show and his designs will be featured on that fashion show.
Even if it was awkward to bring the topic up, Off asks why Gun couldn't be found by the people he hired before.
"Maybe because I was known by my English name," He answers. "Nobody knew me as Gun Atthaphan there."
"Oh," Off says.
And it was enchanting to meet you
All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you
As Off sits across Gun, the actor-turned-designer can't help but bite back a sob. He had been yearning for him for the past nine years but he was afraid that if he went back to Thailand, he might see him and he might crumble away.
His parents followed him months after he disappeared. They built their own business too. Gun had a lot of savings due to his popularity as an actor so it wasn't hard to study jobless. Even his sister gave up her life in Thailand to see how he was doing in Paris.
He also wanted to see his friends Lee, Sing and Mook. They deserved a proper explanation than him telling them that he wanted to rest and have some space of her own. He badly wanted to apologize and make it up to them but the years that passed also faded his communication with them. He didn't know what to say first. He doesn't even know where they are now.
But Off tells him they're fine. Lee is now married and has also taken a break from show business. Sing is engaged and is already running his father's company since his father died four years ago. Mook already has her own agency company and is handling a lot of famous stars in Thailand. Gun feels relieved when he hears that they were all doing good.
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
When it starts raining, Gun faintly gasps and remembers that he needs to go back to the rehearsals of the fashion show and see how it goes. They stand outside the coffee shop and Off feels like he was back in time thirteen years ago as he watched Gun stretch his arm out, catching the rain drops in his palm.
"Gun?" Off calls out.
The designer looks up to him with his big, black eyes. "Yes?"
"I suppose you don't have my shirt and jeans anymore? You're wearing designer clothes now. In fact, you are designing clothes now. You would have disposed of them a long time ago."
Gun knows those words. He spoke those words twelve years ago when they were in the exact same position as they are now.
"You remember," Gun says, bewildered.
"It's hard to forget someone who stole my favorite white shirt," Off replies.
Gun bites his lip and Off waits for him to answer. Gun doesn't. He just laughs- a hearty, loud laugh that makes his eyes crinkle and his mouth wide open.
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you
Off joins him too, the sound of Gun's laughter being too contagious to be ignored. They hold their stomach as they gasp for air. There is something that night that made it magical. As Gun holds up his hand to run his fingers in his hair, the sleeves roll off a little and something catches Off's eyes.
"You still have the bracelet I gave you," Off whispers as he holds his own wrist where the exact same bracelet like Gun was. "Mr. Gun Atthaphan."
"I can't let go of something that's my only memory of you, your majesty," Gun replied.
Please don't be in love with someone else.
Please don't have somebody waiting on you.
Upon staring at each other's eyes, they know this was what fate has planned for them. Two hearts beating as one. The smell of coffee in their hands. Their deep eyes and their sparkling smiles.
They were both wonderstruck for each other.
- The End -