The Alpha's Second Chance

Chapter 4- 2nd Part

9:15 PM | The Dance Floor

The welcome mixer was still ongoing.

The ballroom lights had dimmed, and the DJ had switched to a romantic playlist.

Aylin returned to the main event after the dinner introductions.

Pim was waiting near the dance floor.

"There you are."

Aylin nodded.

"Sorry. I had to take care of something."

Pim smiled.

"Would you like to dance?"

Aylin hesitated.

Then nodded.

"All right."

Pim placed one hand on Aylin's shoulder, while Aylin gently held her waist.

They moved with the music.

Narin, watching from the side, immediately leaned toward Kin.

"Well, look at that."

Kin smiled.

"She's dancing."

"With Pim."

"Yes."

Narin glanced around.

"Where's Kiran?"

Kin looked toward the entrance.

"I think she's coming back."

And just then—

Kiran entered the ballroom.

She had returned from the private dinner, carrying her small handbag.

Her smile was back.

Her cheerful expression was back.

But her eyes looked a little tired.

Bea spotted her immediately.

"THERE YOU ARE!"

Kiran laughed.

"Hello to you too!"

"Where have you been?"

"Family dinner."

Mali approached.

"Everything okay?"

Kiran nodded.

"Of course."

Bea narrowed her eyes.

"You're sure?"

Kiran smiled.

"Yes. Don't worry."

Then her gaze drifted toward the dance floor.

And stopped.

Aylin.

Dancing with Pim.

For a moment, Kiran's smile faltered.

She quickly looked away.

"Well, look at that."

Bea followed her gaze.

"Oh."

Mali sighed.

"Don't."

Kiran laughed.

"Why? They're beautiful together."

Bea looked at her carefully.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course."

"Really?"

Kiran nodded.

"Bea, I'm fine. I told you. I'm moving on."

She reached for a glass of juice.

"Besides, she's allowed to dance with whoever she wants."

Mali smiled softly.

"That's true."

Kiran took a sip.

Then looked toward the stage.

"Come on. Let's enjoy the music."

And she did.

At least, she tried.

---

9:30 PM | The Unexpected Moment

The DJ announced the next song.

A slow, romantic number.

Couples began moving toward the dance floor.

P'Win appeared beside Kiran.

"Hey."

Kiran turned.

"Hi."

He smiled.

"Would you like to dance?"

Kiran glanced toward the dance floor.

Then toward Aylin.

Aylin was still dancing with Pim.

Kiran immediately looked away.

"Sure."

P'Win offered his hand.

She accepted.

And they stepped onto the dance floor.

From the other side of the ballroom, Aylin noticed them.

Her expression changed.

Pim was saying something, but Aylin barely heard it.

Her eyes followed Kiran.

The way P'Win held her hand.

The way Kiran smiled.

The way she leaned slightly closer as they moved.

Aylin's chest tightened.

She wanted to look away.

She couldn't.

Pim noticed.

"Aylin?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you listening?"

Aylin looked at her.

"Sorry."

Pim smiled faintly.

"You're distracted tonight."

"I'm just tired."

"Then perhaps we should stop dancing."

Aylin nodded.

"Perhaps."

But before she could step away, something happened.

Kiran's heel caught the edge of the dance floor.

She stumbled.

P'Win tried to steady her, but the movement threw them both off balance.

Kiran gasped.

And in the next second, someone caught her.

A strong hand around her waist.

Another supporting her arm.

Kiran looked up.

And froze.

Aylin.

Their faces were only inches apart.

The music continued around them.

But neither seemed to hear it.

Aylin's expression was tense.

"Careful."

Kiran blinked.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

Then she slowly straightened.

"Thank you, Senior."

Aylin didn't immediately release her.

Her eyes searched Kiran's face.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

Kiran nodded.

"I'm fine."

Aylin finally let go.

P'Win stepped closer.

"Kiran, are you okay?"

Kiran turned toward him.

"Yes. Sorry about that."

"Don't worry."

He glanced at Aylin.

"Thank you for catching her."

Aylin nodded.

"You're welcome."

But her gaze returned to Kiran.

"Be careful."

Kiran gave a polite smile.

"I will."

Then she stepped back toward P'Win.

Aylin's hand remained suspended in the air for a second before she lowered it.

Pim approached.

"Aylin?"

She turned.

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

Aylin looked at her.

Then toward Kiran.

"Yes."

But she wasn't.

Not even close.

---

9:45 PM | A Question Without an Answer

Kiran stepped away from the dance floor and headed toward the balcony.

She needed air.

Just a little.

She placed her hands on the railing and looked out at Bangkok's city lights.

The cool evening breeze brushed against her face.

She closed her eyes.

Get yourself together, Kiran.

It was embarrassing.

She had promised herself she wouldn't care.

She had told Bea and Mali that she was moving on.

She had agreed to give P'Win a chance.

Yet one simple touch from Aylin had made her heart race like an i***t.

She laughed bitterly.

"Seriously?"

Behind her, footsteps approached.

"Are you always talking to yourself?"

Kiran immediately turned.

Aylin.

Of course.

Because apparently, the universe had decided that she hadn't suffered enough tonight.

Kiran straightened.

"Sometimes."

Aylin stopped a few steps away.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Kiran smiled.

"Yes, Senior. I already told you."

"You almost fell."

"But I didn't."

"That's not the point."

Kiran tilted her head.

"Then what is the point?"

Aylin fell silent.

She didn't know how to answer.

Kiran looked at her.

"Is there something you need?"

The question was polite.

But distant.

Aylin noticed.

"Why are you speaking to me like that?"

Kiran blinked.

"Like what?"

"Like I'm a stranger."

A small smile appeared on Kiran's lips.

"Well, aren't we?"

Aylin's expression changed.

"Kiran—"

"Senior, I think you should go back inside. Pim might be looking for you."

Aylin frowned.

"Why are you bringing her into this?"

Kiran shrugged.

"Nothing. I just don't want to cause any inconvenience."

"You're not."

"Then that's good."

Silence.

Kiran looked away.

Aylin watched her.

The girl who used to fill every silence with words was now standing in front of her, carefully choosing what to say.

And somehow, that hurt.

"Are you avoiding me?" Aylin finally asked.

Kiran looked back.

Then laughed softly.

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

Aylin's jaw tightened.

"I never said—"

"You didn't have to."

The words were quiet.

But they landed heavily.

Kiran took a breath.

"Look, Senior. I know I'm noisy. I know I'm clingy sometimes. I know I probably annoyed you when I kept trying to talk to you."

Aylin remained silent.

"But I got the message."

Kiran smiled.

"So don't worry. I won't bother you anymore."

Aylin stared at her.

"That's not—"

"Good night, Senior."

Kiran turned.

And walked away.

Aylin remained on the balcony.

She watched the younger woman disappear through the doors.

And for the first time, she understood the meaning of something she had never experienced before.

Regret.

Because Kiran hadn't shouted.

She hadn't cried.

She hadn't even blamed her.

She had simply accepted the rejection.

And that was somehow worse.

---

10:15 PM | The Girl Beside Her

Pim found Aylin near the balcony entrance.

"There you are."

Aylin turned.

"Sorry."

Pim studied her face.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Aylin nodded.

"Yes."

Pim hesitated.

Then smiled.

"Would you like to leave together?"

Aylin looked toward the ballroom.

Kiran was standing with Bea and Mali now.

P'Win approached her.

He said something.

Kiran laughed.

And Aylin felt that familiar tightening in her chest.

Pim followed her gaze.

Then quietly asked—

"Do you like someone else?"

Aylin turned.

"What?"

Pim smiled sadly.

"You don't have to answer."

Aylin looked at her.

Pim continued.

"I've known you long enough to recognize when your mind is somewhere else."

Aylin lowered her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Pim nodded.

"It's okay."

She adjusted her handbag.

"Just don't make someone believe they have a chance if your heart is already somewhere else."

Aylin said nothing.

Because Pim was right.

And she hated that she had no excuse.

---

10:40 PM | A Grandmother's Observation

Kiran was saying goodbye to her friends when her phone rang.

Grandma.

She answered immediately.

"Hello, Grandma?"

"Sweetheart, where are you?"

"I'm still at the hotel. I'm about to leave."

"Your grandfather and I are going home soon. Do you want to come with us?"

Kiran glanced toward the ballroom.

Then at Bea and Mali.

"Actually, I'll stay a little longer. Is that okay?"

"Of course. Just don't come home too late."

"I won't."

There was a short silence.

Then her grandmother spoke softly.

"Kiran?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you happy?"

Kiran smiled.

"Yes, Grandma."

Her grandmother was quiet.

Then—

"Don't always tell me you're happy just because you don't want me to worry."

Kiran's smile slowly disappeared.

"Grandma..."

"I know you, sweetheart."

Kiran looked down.

Her eyes began to sting.

"I'm okay."

"Then that's enough for tonight. But remember, you don't have to pretend with us."

Kiran swallowed.

"Okay."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Grandma."

The call ended.

Kiran stared at her phone.

For a moment, she wanted to cry.

Not because of Aylin.

Not entirely.

But because she was tired.

Tired of pretending that everything was fine.

Tired of being the cheerful girl everyone expected her to be.

Tired of missing a mother who would never come back.

Tired of wanting a father's attention.

And tired of pretending that her sisters' words didn't hurt.

She wiped the corner of her eye.

Then smiled again.

"Okay. Enough."

Bea approached.

"Hey. You okay?"

Kiran nodded.

"Yeah."

Mali gently touched her shoulder.

"Let's go home."

Kiran looked at them.

And this time, she didn't force a smile.

She simply nodded.

"Okay."

---

11:20 PM | The Beginning of Something Aylin Couldn't Control

Aylin was inside her car.

Pim had already gone home with her parents.

Narin and Kin had left earlier.

The driver waited patiently.

But Aylin wasn't ready to leave.

She was staring at the university's event photographs on her phone.

There was one of Kiran dancing.

Another of Kiran laughing with P'Win.

And one taken accidentally by the event photographer.

Kiran and Aylin.

On the dance floor.

Aylin catching her before she fell.

The photograph captured the exact moment their eyes met.

Kiran looked surprised.

Aylin looked worried.

It was only a second.

A single moment.

But Aylin couldn't stop looking at it.

Her phone buzzed.

A message from Narin.

Narin: Home yet?

Aylin: Not yet.

Narin: What's taking you so long?

Aylin: Nothing.

Narin: Is this about Kiran again?

Aylin didn't reply.

Another message arrived.

Narin: Listen, Aylin. You can't keep waiting for her to approach you. She's allowed to get tired too.

Aylin stared at the message.

Then locked her phone.

She looked out the window.

Bangkok was still alive outside.

Cars passed.

People laughed.

The city continued moving.

But inside her car, Aylin was trapped in one thought.

She won't bother me anymore.

And suddenly, that was the last thing she wanted.

She leaned back and closed her eyes.

"Uncle Somchai."

"Yes, Miss?"

"Let's go home."

The car slowly pulled away.

Aylin looked at the photograph one final time before putting her phone down.

She didn't know when it happened.

She didn't know how it happened.

But somewhere between Kiran's endless talking, her ridiculous attempts at friendship, and the silence that followed her departure...

Aylin had begun to miss her.

And the worst part?

Kiran was finally learning how to live without her.

---

11:45 PM | Kiran's Last Message

Inside her bedroom, Kiran was sitting on the edge of her bed.

Her heels were already off.

Her hair was loose.

Her makeup had been removed.

She looked at the photograph Bea had sent to their group chat.

A picture of the three girls together.

Bea: MY BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!

Mali: We survived tonight.

Kiran: Barely.

Bea: At least someone got a dance partner.

Kiran: Don't start.

Mali: P'Win seems nice.

Kiran: He is.

Bea: SOOOO?

Kiran stared at the screen.

Then typed.

Kiran: I think I'll give him a chance.

Bea immediately sent a string of excited messages.

Kiran laughed.

But after a few seconds, she opened another chat.

Aylin.

There were no new messages.

There hadn't been any.

Kiran stared at the contact for a moment.

Then opened the conversation.

The last message was still hers.

Good morning, Senior! Don't forget to eat breakfast!

Aylin had never replied.

Kiran's smile slowly disappeared.

She looked at the message.

Then locked her phone.

"Enough."

She placed it on the bedside table and lay down.

Tonight, she had made a decision.

She would stop waiting.

She would stop chasing.

She would stop hoping that someone who barely noticed her would suddenly decide she was worth knowing.

Because she deserved to be chosen.

Not occasionally.

Not when someone else was looking.

Not only when she was about to walk away.

She deserved someone who wanted her there.

Every day.

Without hesitation.

Kiran closed her eyes.

And across the city, Aylin was beginning to realize that she might have just lost the attention of the one woman she secretly wanted beside her.

End of Chapter 4.

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