Personal Manager

1- He looks like my ex

 

After Gunapong's previous manager went on maternity leave, he immediately got a new one. Unlike before, it wasn't a woman; Kawinpat, the nephew of G. Modelling's owner, took on the role of his personal manager. He's been working for one day now, and Gunapong wants to speak. To be honest… Terrible!

 

Everyone said the chairman's nephew was incredibly spoiled. He graduated over three years ago, but had no intention of working; he spent his life just partying. His family forced him to take any position at this modelling agency, as long as he had a job. It's unclear how he became a personal manager for a male model, despite having no prior experience in the field.

 

"Ugh..." To be honest, Gun is still upset about yesterday. He had a commercial shoot, but his manager was unreasonably late. Let's forgive each other and then review their behaviour again today.

 

Ringgg...

"Yeah, what's up?" Gunapong answered his friend's call, putting the phone on speaker while driving. ("Want to meet up? Haven't seen you in a while, model guy.") It was Tin calling.

 

"How did you end up free?" He was a little surprised. It had been a long time since they'd had a drink together, because they'd both been so busy with work. ("Today, Man's older brother is celebrating the opening of his shop. Tin has already agreed. It's just you left.")

 

"Why didn't Man invite us himself? It's his brother's restaurant."

 

("They invited you to the group chat. You must have turned off notifications. When I saw you hadn't replied, I called immediately. So, what do you say? Are you going or not?") Tin asked again.

 

"Oh, right, I forgot to turn it on."

 

("Why are you keeping it a secret? Even Bom, who's in Australia, knew before you did.") Bom flew to Australia to pursue a master's degree.

 

"I'm too lazy to read. Man always brings up nonsense." ("Yeah, you jerk, you are an easily annoyed person") Tin said, and Gun admitted that he really was easily annoyed.

 

"And what about Nan?" he asked, referring to their other friend.

 

("He took his girlfriend to Korea. Do you know anything about this? Do I have to tell you everything about my friend?")

 

"I don't know! What are you complaining about so much?"

 

("Hmph!")

"Why don't you take Toey out sometime?" Gun asked in return.

 

("That guy has just as much work as you. What's up with these male models?") The voice on the other end sounded feigned resentment, knowing full well what Tin wanted. I asked my boyfriend to quit the entertainment industry.

 

"Why don't you cut back on Toey's work? Since you're managing the modelling agency now, reduce his workload and spend more time together," he suggested. ("He'll never agree with me. He sees right through me.")

 

"His wife figured him out, he's scared, huh?" The young model chuckled to himself after teasing his friend. ("He's as small as a puppy, who would be scared?") That's Tin for you. He says he's not scared, but he's probably already cowered.

 

"Damn, I'm going to see what time you'll excuse yourself to go home tonight." ("Let's meet at Man's place.") He's really good at changing the subject.

 

"Then share your location as well."

 

("It's in the group! Go check it out yourself, you idiot!") He hung up immediately after saying that. Every time he teased Tin about being henpecked, he'd get annoyed because he was actually stating the truth. 

 

It was past nine o'clock when Gunapong arrived at the set, but Kawinphat still hadn't arrived. He was starting to get irritated, wondering why he had to be the one waiting. Besides, it's really not okay to be the first manager I work with. It feels more like a trial period than a real job.

 

"Nong Gun, has Khun Kel still not arrived?" a staff member asked politely.

"Not yet," Gun replied, feeling disappointed at his lack of preparedness.

 

"For this project, Mr Kel needs to be informed of the agreement before filming begins."

 

"Okay, I'll expedite it." Finally, Gun was the one who called his personal manager, who didn't seem to value time much. The chairman's nephew is acting completely out of character, and it's only the second day! ("Mmm...") He sounds like he's still half-asleep.

 

"Where are you, P'? Do you know I have a photoshoot at ten o'clock today, and..." ("Oh, oh, oh, Gun!") The person on the other end interrupted before Gun could finish speaking.

 

"No excuses. Get out of bed and go take a shower." It's like our roles have been reversed somehow. Why does Gun have to keep calling to wake people up? Manage it personally.

 

("I have a slight headache, can I take some time off?") Kel is such a smooth and deceitful person. Even though he just started working, he's already causing trouble for Gun. My head is spinning. I was late yesterday, but I'm asking for the day off today.

 

"If you quit, you don't need to take care of me anymore. I don't want a manager like you anymore," Gun replied in a decisive tone. And now I'm about to lose my patience with this person who's good at making excuses.

 

("Oh, don't be so harsh.") It was obvious from the voice that the person on the other end felt no remorse whatsoever. They probably didn't even think about Gun's displeasure.

 

"Are you coming or not?" the deep voice asked again.

 

("Okay, okay, I'll hurry there as fast as possible.")

 

The tall man hung up the phone, his emotions seething. He was furious at having such an irresponsible personal manager. If this happened again, he'd have to request a change of manager. Gun was usually very patient, but Kel had driven him crazy from the very first day they worked together.

 

A luxurious Porsche arrived at the film set around 10:30 a.m., setting a new record for the fastest time ever. Beautiful legs stepped out of the car, under the watchful eyes of a team of ten people, led by a boy who was always a fashionista and brimming with confidence in his attire—like today's striped shirt with knee-length jeans showing off his slender calves and sneakers—was heading straight for the male model under his care.

 

Gun glared at his personal manager, not knowing what to say because he was utterly exasperated.

 

"You've waited a long time, haven't you? My apologies to the staff," the slender figure apologised to everyone present, offering a smile.

 

"Let's start discussing the work."

 

The brand representative began explaining the job details to Gun and Kel again. Normally, they would inform them before signing the contract, but since Gun was under the care of his previous manager, and Kel has only recently taken over that role, he should know everything in detail.

 

"Okay then, let's get to work."

 

"Yes," the petite manager nodded in response with his usual cheerful smile, while the young model maintained a neutral expression as before Gunapong felt like he didn't want to be there at all. He was tired of seeing the faces of older people who acted like immature children as they listened to the project details. Just a moment ago, he was behaving inappropriately. I saw him sigh several times heavily.

 

"Why are you following me? Go away," the tall figure said when he realised someone was following him.

 

"Are you angry with me?"

 

"What would I be angry with you about?" He turned to face me.

 

"I woke up late, so I'm late for work."

 

"You're aware of that?" His dark eyebrows raised in question.

 

"Gun, I'm sorry..."

 

"I'm going in front of the camera now. I don't want to get in a bad mood," the young model interrupted immediately, not wanting to hear any more unnecessary apologies. Is it truly from the heart?

 

"Then work hard," Kel said, feeling awkward since he’d never done anything like this before. Besides, he’s never had to look after anyone in his life. Importantly, after graduating from university, he never even drank before ten o'clock." Gun sighed again and was about to walk away for the second time.

 

"Let me check if everything's in order," a slender hand reached out to touch his strong arm.

 

"Leave it to the team," he said, quickly withdrawing his hand after just a light touch because the other man wouldn't let him check anything. 

 

"Okay then... let's go have dinner after the photoshoot," Kel said, not knowing how angry Gun was, but wanting to make up for being late.

 

"Don't you have any friends?" the tall figure asked back, annoyed.

 

"Yes, but they work for companies that require them to start work at eight in the morning and finish at five in the evening. So how am I supposed to get them to..."

 

"Talking too much is annoying."

 

"Oh, I saw you asking."

 

Yes! he asked, but he didn't need such a lengthy answer.

 

"Nong Gun, please come this way."

 

Gun immediately walked away when the crew called him to be on camera. Kel then ran after him, acting as his personal manager, closely following him from the sidelines of the set. Even though he was bored, he had to endure it because he was afraid his parents would disinherit him. He sat watching the models posing for photos. After a while, what was boring became interesting. He couldn't help but admire how handsome Gun was.

 

"Are you tired?" Kel hurried over to Gun during a break on set, as he was usually quite talkative.

 

"No," but Gun remained irritated.

 

"And is it hot?"

 

"Go wait at the usual spot," the tall figure sighed again.

 

"I was worried, that's why I asked," the sweet face flushed slightly. He knew Gun was annoyed with him, but he didn't want to stay silent anyway.

 

"I'm not hot, and I'm not tired either."

 

"That means you're still angry." Judging from the sarcastic tone of the reply, it wasn't hard to tell.

 

"I'm not angry," his sharp eyes flicked over, a stark contrast to his answer.

 

"Ah... I guess we don't need to talk about this anymore."

 

The work continued. The short man sat waiting until Gunapong finished his photoshoot. To be honest, he didn't seem like a personal manager at all. In fact, it's because I don't really do anything besides sit and watch.

 

"Or is this job usually just about following a model everywhere?" he wondered to himself. The moment the crew told Gun to go change, Kel immediately ran after him, silently following until they passed the doorway. This was the dressing room for the photoshoot, filled with clothes everywhere you looked.

 

"Why did you come in?" Gun asked without turning around.

 

"Let me take care of you. Do you want some water?" The smaller figure walked around to the front of the taller person and offered a small bottle of water. It's a good thing I brought it with me. Otherwise...Then there's no excuse.

 

"no"

 

"But Gun just finished a photoshoot and hasn't even had any water yet. People are bound to be tired, right?" The sweet face spoke playfully, winking. His eyes were as if he knew everything.

 

"Put it down and leave."

 

"Gun, can't I take care of you for a while?" Since arriving, Kel hasn't yet fulfilled his duty to care for the young model.

 

"All I ask is that you arrive on time for my meeting with the team, that's all. I don't need you to pamper me. I can take care of myself when it comes to eating and drinking. The reason I need a personal manager is so that things won't be complicated or troublesome when there's work to do." But why does it seem like everything has become so chaotic since Kel came into his life?

 

"Go change your clothes. I'll wait here." The slender figure didn't want to listen to any more complaining.

 

"Do you want to see me naked?" The handsome face raised an eyebrow and asked.

 

"Just fix it, don't take it too seriously."

 

"If you want to look, go ahead."

 

I didn't want to look, I just wanted to be in this room, that's all. I don't know any of the staff, and I don't need to get to know them. Around here, Gun is the only one I can really talk to.

 

"I'm not coming to eat with you. I have an appointment," Gun said after changing his clothes.

 

"Oh, but I have a work meeting this afternoon," the person sitting and playing on their phone quickly looked up and said. He remembered his schedule for today.

 

"See you at the modelling agency."

 

"No, how could we join the modelling agency at different times?"

 

"Oh, so you're afraid the chairman will find out you don't care about me, huh? Anyway, I still have to report to him about you being late for work two days in a row."

 

"Stay well."

 

"Calm down first. You have plenty of time to improve," Kel didn't want Gun to judge his work based on the first two days.

 

"I'm not your guinea pig. I'm already exhausted from work." I don't know what other words would make it sink in. The other party finally understands.

 

"That's not it at all. Okay, from now on, I'll be on time." The shorter person stood up to their full height, displaying a confident expression.

 

"You said the same thing yesterday."

 

"Oh, there was a slight mishap this morning."

 

"I'm so tired, man." Tired of empty promises. I don't want to expect anything from this manager anymore.

 

"Let's go eat, babysitter." Look at that, changing the subject so casually.

 

"No!"

 

"Nong Gun," that tone of voice is a plea for sympathy.

 

"See you at the modelling agency at 2 PM. Please be on time."

 

"Wait!" Just as Gun was about to leave the room, Kel blocked his path, his face almost touching his muscular chest.

 

"..." Gunapong closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

 

"Um..." The sweet face looked up at the other's chin at close range. After a moment, Gun looked down as well. Neither of them backed away.

 

"Speak," the deep voice stunned the person looking at it for a moment, and then the words of his two close friends flashed through his mind.

 

"How are you going to take care of him without falling in love with him?" My first friend warned me because he was obsessed with Gun. He thought that if Kel got close to a handsome guy, he would definitely be smitten.

 

They were quite excited when they found out they would be taking care of this model; they were jumping for joy and wanted to take care of him themselves.

 

"Yeah, he looks exactly like your ex-boyfriend." That's what my second friend commented. At first, I didn't think much of it, but now I'm starting to feel something. Yes, that's right: Gun really does look like Ohm.

 

"If there's nothing else, then back off." They look alike, but their words are completely different. Kel's ex-boyfriend spoke so politely, but the person in front of him was harsh at every turn 

 

The little Kel immediately stepped back, forgetting what he was going to say. His head was spinning and confused. Now he just wanted to go find his two friends.

 

It's too much. I want to tell you everything.