REN'S POV
I had a problem.
Actually, I had several problems.
First, I had barely slept last night.
Second, I couldn't stop thinking about a strange dream involving rain, a tree, and a young man whose face I couldn't remember.
And third?
Kim.
Yes. That Kim.
The annoyingly handsome, unnecessarily sarcastic, and incredibly mysterious man who had driven me home last night.
I stared at my bathroom mirror while brushing my teeth.
"Aren..."
The name escaped my lips.
I frowned.
Why did it sound so familiar?
I'd never met anyone named Aren. At least, not that I could remember.
And yet, whenever I heard that name in my dreams, something inside me felt strangely heavy.
I rinsed my mouth and grabbed my phone.
7:48 AM.
"Oh, no!"
I hurriedly got dressed, grabbed my bag, and rushed out of my apartment.
I was going to be late.
By the time I reached the office, Peach was already sitting at his desk, happily drinking his coffee.
I dropped my bag beside my chair.
"Good morning."
He looked up.
"Someone looks terrible."
"Thank you. Your compliments always make my day."
"You're welcome."
I rolled my eyes and switched on my computer.
Peach leaned towards me.
"So..."
I ignored him.
"How was your evening yesterday?"
"Fine."
"Just fine?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
I slowly turned towards him.
"What?"
He smiled.
"Nothing. I was just wondering whether your future husband was a good driver."
I closed my eyes.
Not this again.
"Peach."
"Ren."
"Don't."
He laughed.
"Come on! You didn't even tell me properly what happened yesterday."
"Kim drove me home because it was raining."
"How romantic."
"It was transportation, Peach. Not a romantic movie."
"Did he open the car door for you?"
"No."
"Did he ask whether you reached home safely?"
I paused.
Unfortunately, I remembered his message.
"Maybe."
Peach's eyes widened.
"HE DID?"
"Keep your voice down!"
He covered his mouth, trying unsuccessfully to hide his grin.
"Oh, Ren. This is getting interesting."
I threw a pen towards him.
He caught it.
Annoying.
"So, did anything else happen?" he asked.
I hesitated.
Then I remembered something.
"Actually, something strange happened."
His expression immediately changed.
"What?"
"I had that dream again."
"The rain dream?"
I nodded.
"And I heard that name again. Aren."
Peach tilted his head.
"Aren?"
"Yes."
"Do you know anyone by that name?"
"No. That's the problem."
I explained how I'd suddenly felt as though I was somewhere else while sitting in Kim's car.
I also told him about Kim's reaction when I'd mentioned the name.
Peach listened quietly.
When I finished, he frowned.
"That's strange."
"Exactly."
"Maybe Kim knows someone named Aren?"
"That's what I thought. But when I asked him, he avoided the question."
Peach rested his chin on his hand.
"Maybe you should ask him again."
I looked at him.
"You think?"
"Definitely."
Then his lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Or maybe you're just finding excuses to talk to him."
I stared at him.
"You're unbelievable."
"And you're blushing."
"I'm not!"
Peach laughed.
I turned towards my computer.
I seriously needed new friends.
Around ten thirty, I was carrying some documents towards Prapai's office when I noticed Kim standing near the conference room.
He was speaking to another employee.
His expression was serious, and he was holding a tablet in one hand.
As if sensing someone watching him, he turned.
Our eyes met.
I immediately looked away.
Why?
I had absolutely no idea.
"Ren."
I looked back.
Kim was now standing in front of me.
"Yes?"
"These documents need to be delivered to Mr. Prapai."
"Oh. Right."
I handed them over.
He glanced through the pages.
"Did you finish the report from yesterday?"
"Yes. I sent it before leaving."
"Good. I reviewed it this morning. Everything looks fine."
I smiled.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
I waited.
He waited.
And then he simply turned to leave.
Seriously?
That was it?
I cleared my throat.
"Kim."
He stopped.
"Yes?"
"About yesterday..."
His expression remained neutral.
"What about it?"
I shifted the documents in my hands.
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Have you ever heard the name Aren?"
For a moment, something changed in his eyes.
It was so brief that I almost missed it.
"Why?"
"Because I keep hearing it in my dreams."
Kim looked at me silently.
"And you reacted strangely when I mentioned it yesterday," I continued. "So I thought maybe you knew something."
He placed his tablet against his side.
"Ren, dreams can be influenced by many things."
I frowned.
"That's not what I asked."
"I know."
"Then answer me."
Kim looked at me for a few seconds.
"I don't think discussing your dreams during working hours is a good idea."
I stared at him.
"You're avoiding the question."
"Perhaps."
"At least you're honest about it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Try not to overthink it."
And with that, he walked away.
I watched him disappear into Prapai's office.
"Unbelievable," I muttered.
Why was he so mysterious?
And why did I have the feeling that he knew much more than he was telling me?
The rest of the morning passed uneventfully.
Well, almost.
At lunchtime, Peach dragged me towards the cafeteria.
We had barely collected our food when a familiar voice interrupted us.
"Mind if I join you?"
I looked up.
Kim.
Of course.
Peach immediately smiled.
"Not at all! Please sit."
I gave Peach a warning look.
He ignored it.
Kim placed his tray on the table and sat opposite us.
For the next few minutes, we ate quietly.
Well, Peach and Kim ate quietly.
I was busy pretending that I wasn't aware of Kim sitting directly across from me.
"So, Kim," Peach began.
I nearly dropped my spoon.
"What?"
Peach ignored me.
"Are you free this weekend?"
Kim looked up.
"Why?"
"I was thinking of organising dinner with everyone."
"Who is everyone?"
"Me, Prapai, Ren..."
He paused dramatically.
"And perhaps you."
I kicked his foot beneath the table.
He kicked me back.
Kim noticed.
"Something wrong?"
"No," I answered quickly.
Peach smiled innocently.
"Ren just seems unusually energetic today."
I wanted to disappear.
Kim looked at me.
"Have you recovered from yesterday?"
I nodded.
"Yes. I'm perfectly fine."
"Good."
His attention returned to his food.
For some reason, that single word made me feel strangely pleased.
I hated it.
I really did.
Later that afternoon, I went to the records department to collect some files.
When I returned, I noticed a woman standing beside Kim's desk.
She looked elegant, with neatly styled hair and a beautiful smile.
"Kim, it's been such a long time," she said.
Kim looked up.
"May."
She laughed.
"You still remember me?"
"Of course."
I slowed my steps.
Oh.
They knew each other.
Very well, apparently.
May leaned against his desk.
"I heard you're still working too much."
"Someone has to."
"You're never going to change."
Kim gave her a small smile.
And then something happened.
Something incredibly unreasonable.
I felt annoyed.
Why?
I had absolutely no idea.
I quickly walked towards my desk and placed the files down.
Peach, who had apparently noticed everything, leaned closer.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Really?"
"Yes."
He followed my gaze towards Kim.
Then he smiled.
"Oh."
I frowned.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Peach."
He took a sip of water.
"You're jealous."
I nearly choked.
"WHAT?"
"Shhh!"
I lowered my voice.
"I'm not jealous!"
"Then why are you staring at them?"
"I'm not staring!"
"Of course."
I turned towards my computer.
This friendship was becoming a serious threat to my mental peace.
KIM'S POV
I knew Ren was watching me.
He wasn't particularly subtle about it.
Every few minutes, his attention drifted towards my desk before he quickly returned to whatever he was doing.
I found it difficult not to smile.
Especially when I noticed the expression on his face after May arrived.
May was also a vampire like us, a female vampire, she was a very good friend of mine and Prapai.
She was with us for the last 900 years, that's why she was so close to me
and I was comfortable in talking with her.
"Is something amusing?" May asked.
I looked at her.
"Nothing."
She followed my gaze towards Ren.
Then she looked back at me.
"Oh."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
She smiled.
"Nothing. I just understand now."
"Understand what?"
"Why you've been looking so distracted lately."
I gave her a warning look.
"May."
She laughed.
"Relax. I won't say anything."
I returned my attention to the documents.
But my thoughts had already wandered elsewhere.
Ren.
He had asked about Aren again.
I had hoped the dreams would remain distant memories for a little longer.
But perhaps fate had other plans.
It was almost seven when most of the employees finally left.
I was reviewing some documents when I heard footsteps approaching.
"Kim?"
I looked up.
Ren stood beside my desk, holding his bag.
"Yes?"
"Are you going home?"
"In a few minutes."
He nodded.
"Okay."
He didn't move.
I closed the document on my tablet.
"Do you need something?"
He hesitated.
Then he looked directly at me.
"Can I ask you something?"
I already knew what he wanted to ask.
Still, I nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Who was that woman talking to you earlier?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"May?"
He nodded.
"She's an old acquaintance."
"Oh."
He looked down at his bag.
Then, after a moment, he added,
"Are you two close?"
I studied his expression.
There was something almost curious about the way he asked.
"Why do you want to know?"
"No reason."
"Then why ask?"
He frowned.
"Forget it."
I almost smiled.
There he was.
The same stubborn boy I'd known in another life.
Different face.
Different name.
But the same little expressions that made it impossible for me to look away.
"Ren."
He looked up.
"Yes?"
"May and I are just friends."
He blinked.
"I didn't ask that!"
"Of course you didn't."
His cheeks turned slightly pink.
I had to look away before my expression betrayed me.
He cleared his throat.
"Anyway, goodnight."
"Goodnight, Ren."
He turned to leave.
But before he could take another step, the name slipped out.
"Aren—"
I stopped.
My own voice seemed to echo inside the nearly empty office.
Ren turned around slowly.
"What?"
For a second, I couldn't speak.
His eyes were fixed on mine.
"Did you just call me Aren?"
I forced myself to remain composed.
"No."
"Kim."
He stepped closer.
"I heard you."
I looked at him.
"Sorry. I was distracted."
"But why that name?"
I had no answer I could give him.
Not yet.
"Goodnight, Ren."
He stared at me for another moment before finally walking away.
I watched him disappear down the corridor.
My fingers tightened around the edge of my desk.
I had made a mistake.
A small one.
But perhaps a dangerous one.
For the first time in this life, I had called him by the name he once carried.
And he had heard it.
I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes.
For twenty-one years, I had waited for him to return to my life.
I had imagined countless ways our paths might cross again.
But I had never imagined how difficult it would be to keep the truth hidden when he was standing right in front of me.
I whispered the name once more.
"Aren..."
This time, there was no one around to hear it.
And somewhere deep inside me, an old memory stirred.
A memory of rain.
A memory of promises.
And a boy who had once asked me to find him again.
I opened my eyes.
Perhaps the past was finally finding its way back to us.
To be continued...