The lobby of the GMMTV building was, as always, a microcosm of organized chaos. The air conditioning fought a losing battle against the mid-day Bangkok humidity creeping in every time the glass doors slid open. Staff members rushed past clutching coffees and schedules, and a small, dedicated crowd of fans hovered near the entrance, phone cameras poised.
Janhae Ployshompoo Supasap (@Janhae) stood near the reception desk, checking her reflection in her phone screen for the third time. She adjusted a stray strand of her highlighted hair and flashed a practice smile. Janhae was naturally the type who filled any room she entered, always ready with a greeting or a joke. Today, that energy was humming at a higher frequency. It was the first official workshop day for the special episode sequel, Married to My Enemy, the continuation of the unexpectedly massive hit, Enemies with Benefits.
She took a deep breath, the excitement warring with a subtle, persistent tension. EWB had changed everything. It wasn't just another acting job. The office romance GL series had struck a chord with viewers worldwide. Janhae loved the support, truly. She frequently posted heartfelt messages to her fans, the JANIVERSE, thanking them for singing along at SIZZY gigs and showing up at events.
But the success brought a different kind of pressure. The intense, undeniable chemistry she shared with her co-star, Jingjing Prariyapit Yu (@Jingjingyu364), had blurred the lines for many fans. The shipping culture was ferocious. While many supported Jingjing's actual, long-term relationship, an equally vocal contingent championed "JanJingjing," creating elaborate edits of their every interaction.
And that brought Janhae to the source of the tension: the "open secret."
Everyone in their circle knew about Gene. Ittirit Ratanadaros Umpujh was a young executive and corporate heir, sharp, professional, and undeniably devoted to Jingjing. Janhae had met him multiple times; they were civil, even friendly in a professional capacity. Gene respected the demands of Jingjing's career, and Janhae respected their privacy. But that didn't stop the avalanche of Twitter notifications every time Janhae posted a photo with Jingjing, with fans dissecting every look and gesture, often making unfavorable comparisons to Jingjing's quiet life with Gene.
"She's late," Janhae muttered, tapping her foot. "Typical model behavior, keeping everyone waiting."
Despite Janhae's own extroverted nature, Jingjing was an enigma to her. Jingjing was effortlessly cool and enigmatic, contrasting sharply with Janhae's bubbly openness. While Janhae wore her heart on her sleeve, Jingjing often seemed to hold hers in reserve. Even when she posted, like her touching message thanking fans after a small event, there was always a sense of something kept private, an inner world Janhae couldn't quite access. This mysterious quality only seemed to heighten her appeal-and the perceived chemistry between them. When they were in character, or even just doing promotional appearances, it was as if they shared a secret language.
Just as Janhae was about to text her, the glass doors slid open, and Jingjing walked in.
She looked as if she'd just stepped off a runway, even in simple vintage jeans and a white tank top. A dark baseball cap was pulled low, similar to the one Kapook had been spotted wearing recently.
"Sorry I'm late," Jingjing said as she approached, her voice soft. She adjusted her cap, casting a brief glance toward the fans gathered outside. "Traffic was insane near The Mall."
The Mall. Janhae knew Gene's family owned it. A subtle reminder, even without him being present.
"It's fine, I just got here myself," Janhae lied easily, offering a warm smile. She noticed Jingjing's phone pinging with rapid-fire notifications as she glanced at it. Probably Gene.
YOU ARE READING
The Gravity of You
Fanfiction"The problem wasn't just that the set was fun. The real problem was that it made it completely impossible for Janhae not to fall in love with her, over and over again, every single day."
