— Hey, Zee, who is that girl with brown/blonde hair? —  I asked my friend, with a gentle movement of my head pointing towards a not very tall brunette, whose hair was blond from the middle down, and dark brown above.  She was wearing a loose, dark navy knee-length dress and an unbuttoned flannel shirt with blue and black checks.

—  This one?  This is Annie, the author of the story we're going to play.  Why do you ask?

— Nothing, just out of curiosity.

— Sure, let's say I believe you —  Zee gave me a look that I knew he didn't believe me.  I shrugged, there wasn't much he could say about that.  I saw that he was talking to the French Formula 1 driver they came with, so I decided to go over and say hello.  All I heard was her calling someone gay.  I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows up.

— Who's gay?  — I asked and then she turned very sharply and almost fell over, instinctively I reached my arms out in front of me and grabbed her.  She leaned into my hands with a completely natural reflex, as if she trusted me from the beginning.  I looked at her carefully.  There was a large mole above her small but neatly defined mouth on the left side.  She seemed nice and rather calm.  Working with her will certainly not be difficult.  Cool!  For some reason, though, I felt quite shy, tense, and nervous around her.  Instead, she smiled serenely, as if nothing had happened at all, as if it didn't matter to her.

*.  *.  *

When I saw Saint leaving the table, I followed him.  I wanted to know what he and Annie were talking about, he seemed pretty depressed.  He walked forward quite slowly with his head bowed and did not grace anyone with his glance.  He gave the impression of someone whose whole world had collapsed.  I couldn't hear what they were talking about over the noise, but I decided not to care, if I played it right, Saint would tell me about it himself.

I followed him into the bathroom and saw him crying.  I moved back far enough that he wouldn't notice me and watched him.  He quickly wiped away his tears, washed his face with water, and began practicing his smile.  Then I came out of hiding.

What I found out later only confirmed my earlier suspicions, especially those related to P'Sky.  Saint looked so fragile and delicate and weak now that the slightest gust of wind could blow him away.  Seeing him in such disarray, I couldn't let him be alone, so I took him to my apartment, which was quite nearby.  The pallor of his skin, his pronounced cheekbones scared me beyond jokes.  I just felt so sorry for him.  Maybe I didn't know what he was going through, but I thought it was even too much for him.  He was strong, he was tough, but how much pressure can you handle?  Such burdens?

— You're staying with me tonight, okay? It'll make me worry less. —  I said truthfully, handing him a towel, bathrobe and unused pajamas.  I always had a few sets of clothes at home in case one of my friends suddenly and unannounced decided to stay here overnight.  I may be an introvert, but even so, I don't like being alone.

While Saint was showering, I contacted my detective friend and asked him to meet me the next evening.  Then I set about preparing a nutritious but light dinner.  I had a feeling that Saint hadn't eaten anything yet.  I may not have been a chef or master cook, but I could still prepare something simple.

—Eat at least a little, or I'll feed you myself — I threatened him with the spoon in my hand.  He smiled faintly and slowly began to eat.  Even if he was telling the truth that he wasn't hungry, I couldn't let him starve himself.  He was my friend, and you have to take care of friends.

*   *   *

The next day, Zee decided to take a longer walk around the neighborhood, for which he also invited me over the phone "as part of the integration", although his voice sounded suspiciously cheerful then, as if he had thought of something, as if he had created some brilliant plan, which he did not want to follow  I had no one to share, so dressed in comfortable and light clothes, I walked in the company of Zee, NuNew, Max, Nat, Pierre, Yuki and Annie.  ZeeNuNew was leading, of course, with Max and Nat walking leisurely behind me and Annie, closing the procession with our F1 drivers wearing expensive-looking private clothes and identical white-and-yellow Nike shoes.

— Do you always have bodyguards with you? —  Annie asked, looking around.  We were followed like shadows by people in black suits, sunglasses and masks on their faces so that no one could recognize them.  Their hairstyles were also identical.  They moved quite freely, as if they were our colleagues, but we knew that in fact they surveyed every millimeter of the area with careful eyes.  Not only their eagle eyesight was their advantage, but also their hearing and the strength of their muscles.

—  Unfortunately yes.  You know Yim and Tutor, right?  — This time I asked her the question.  Zee and NuNew ahead of us were engaged in lighthearted conversation, not paying attention to anything but themselves.  They knew the road perfectly well, they could walk on it with their eyes closed just like almost all of us.  Annie, Pierre and Yuki were new here, they didn't know much yet, they didn't see much, and many things still surprised them.  I was amused by their reaction when they saw our favorite mall: big, full of variety, expensive boutiques, jewelry stores, designer clothes and shoes stores, and even cafes and restaurants.  There is also a place for a pizzeria.  And in addition, the location was great, so it was close to everything: to our hotel and to the set where we were supposed to record a few initial shots and a few at the end.  We wanted the story to come full circle and end where it started, but the ending was completely different from the beginning.  It kind of reminded me of our beloved "Cutie Pie" that Zee and I played together.

When I saw Zee again after a long time, I found that I still haven't forgotten (or rather my heart).  His deep voice still gave me goosebumps at times, and when he asked me something, I had to make a good effort to look him in the eye without showing any embarrassment.  Zee was happy now, he had a boyfriend he loved, and I had no chance with him.  From Saint, I knew I wasn't the only one feeling this way.  Zee was easy to fall in love with, funny, handsome, helpful, and beneath his mass of beautifully sculpted muscles he hid the heart of a kind-hearted angel whose greatest purpose in life was to help people like him: people who had experienced trauma, tragedy, and  those who, like him, did not have the freedom and freedom to make decisions.  Zee, like me, hated the rat race that has spread to our industry.

I sighed softly, hoping no one heard me, shrugged and listened again to Annie's calm voice, so different from Zee's, more melodious.

— ... but you're not serious, are you? —  I seem to have missed some part of what she said.

— Excuse me, can you repeat what you said? I got stuck in my thoughts and didn't hear. I'm sorry!

— Perth!  How dare you?!  Don't you think that's mean?  Annie is our guest, it's good to listen to her — Zee interjected unexpectedly, putting his hand on my shoulder.  He was completely unaware that this small gesture was causing me a reaction he definitely didn't want to cause.  I stepped back, shaking off his hand.  He looked at me resentfully, frowning as if to ask, "What the hell is wrong with you Nakhuntanagarn?!"

— I was wondering if it's possible that Tutor and Yim are your bodyguards? —  Annie continued as if nothing had happened between me and Zee.  I thought maybe I was exaggerating, exaggerating.  Zee is my friend and that's the only way I can treat him.  I need to get rid of my feelings for him somehow, it never had a chance, we're too different.  Zee is loud, flashy, cheerful, has a slightly perverted sense of humor, tells bad jokes that only New laughs at (I suspect only New understands them), is a handsome extrovert who enjoys meeting people, loves performing in front of an audience and  there is no fear of showing your true face.  I'm different: I prefer to spend my time at home playing games, I don't mind my solitude, I even like it and enjoy it, at least my happiness doesn't depend on anyone else but myself.  I like acting in movies, my favorite thing is practicing new lines mostly with Talay, although I've also practiced with Saint and I was a bit surprised to see him audition.

— That's right, they're both our bodyguards — Zee confirmed, amused at Annie's reaction.

— Epic!  — Our new employer exclaimed happily —  After all, they look like actors, no one will guess their real roles.

— That's what it was all about.  Tor has a black belt in Taekwondo, both have completed special training, know everything about personal defense, protection of people, property and sensitive data.  They can make someone causing problems disappear without a trace and no one will even look for them —  Zee said proudly. — I am proud of them and consider them my adopted sons, because my main and only true son is Nat.

We laughed in unison, and Max pulled Nat to him in a very possessive gesture, as if he was afraid that his friend would take his beloved away from him.

Zee and Saint cut off all contact with each other, their worlds torn in half.  Some of the team followed Saint, who created a new job for them and gave them new opportunities, but most stayed with the same company.  Maybe because of Zee and Max?

— We need security everywhere.  Our world has many dark secrets that should never come to light, don't ask if you don't want to get hurt.  "Don't ask too many questions, don't meddle in things that don't belong to you, and we'll all get out of this alive."  Understand?  This isn't just about you, just don't be too curious or we'll all die.

It sounded like a warning, and it was.

Ever since I got into this business, I've realized that I have to learn to follow orders from people more important than me without saying a word, that I'm not allowed to complain that if I'm too soft or refuse to do something, I'll regret it.  I still remember the burning pain in the left side of my back when one of P'Sky's thugs poured boiling water over me there as punishment for supposedly helping Saint.  I could never talk to anyone about it, Saint was only allowed to meet in public places where everyone could hear us, and private conversation was out of the question.  It wasn't until after the audition that I was able to get him at the bar.  I took him to my own house and let him stay there as long as he wanted.  I know I'm risking a lot, but I have no choice.  If I must die, let me at least die as a hero who tried to bring everyone the truth and justice they deserve.

I'd done a series before where I was one of the mob's bodyguards, but that was just a fiction invented to hide an even crueler reality.

The truth was that I didn't leave the house much, not because I didn't want to, because I didn't like crowds and I loved games so much.  Sometimes I really wanted to go out, but I was kept in the four walls by paralyzing fear, which I had to deal with with the help of appropriate medications prescribed by a psychiatrist.

The price for making dreams come true is very high.  For a while you're happy, you're on top, everyone loves you, cheers for you, they're your fans, and then the same people call you faggot and garbage, laugh at your failures, cheer every time you fall.  I saw it with Zee and Max.  They're both tough guys, but Zee is more gentle, affectionate, while Max is a true fighter who isn't afraid to get into a fight if he needs to protect a friend.  I would even say that Zee is much more childish and Max is more adult, serious, responsible.  And while we never talk about it, I'm pretty sure we've all "paid" in some way for our dreams to come true.  in the KinnPorsche series I was originally supposed to play Pete in. I ended up getting a much smaller role and went home disappointed and disappointed, but not surprised, kind of expecting some dirty play from this psychopath.

When Saint told me about his problem, there was a glimmer of hope.  I have been looking for a long time for someone else who would be able to summon up the courage to tell openly, loudly and clearly about what this tyrant was up to.  New once accidentally mentioned that P'Sky often kept them at work for two or three hours after everyone had already left the place and there was nothing to do.  He reportedly told New to clean the entire building, fetch food, and go shopping.

Annie looked terrified.  She stared at our faces as if she expected one of us to say the magic "I was kidding," but we didn't. We had bodyguards not only because of the "regular" thieves, crazy fans who might even accidentally hurt us, but also because  because of P'Sky.  As if that would help... After all, both Yim and Tutor are not very powerful, maybe they have enough physical strength, but they are rather small.

Suddenly I felt my phone vibrating in my pants pocket.  I took it out of there and looked at the display.  It was Mark, my detective friend who I was supposed to meet.

— Hi Mark —  I greeted, separating myself from our little group for a moment.

— Hi, Perth.  Where are you?

—  At the shopping mall, and you?

— Wait for me outside Cartier, I'll be right there.

— Okay, I'll be there."  See you later. —  I said and hung up.

— What's up?  — Zee asked with concern, stepping closer to me.  Of course, the whole team followed suit.

— Nothing, I just promised to meet a friend.  Forgive me for not accompanying you any longer, but you will certainly not get lost.

— Meh... It's a pity... —  Pierre looked genuinely disappointed.  Just why?  What was he up to?  — I was hoping you'd come with us.

For some reason, Pierre pushed Annie forward slightly, moving his lips as if he were silently saying the words "Ask him."  Ask, but what?  Annie, however, stood still, smiling.  I shrugged.  After all, what could I care about some of their stupid games?  I don't care.

- Unfortunately.  Sorry.  I made an appointment with Marek earlier than with you, I promised him that I would definitely come today, I can't cancel it.