The one for me

Chapter 9: Agency Leashes Tighten

The morning after the TV show triumph felt like walking into a lion's den. Win's phone had blown up overnight—clips of their water-soaked bickering, Juju's megawatt win-smiles, and Win's perfect allergy recalls trending everywhere as #WinJuForever. Fans raved about their "22-year family bond deeper than love," burying the Winlex ship in irrelevance. Juju, oblivious as ever, scrolled the comments at breakfast, laughing. "Look, V! They love us more than Alex's fake chemistry.

Win forced a smile, heart aching . Juju saw brotherhood; Win saw t*****e. Tanthira bustled with khao tom, winking. "Fame suits you boys. But agency calls non-stop?"

She was right. By 10 AM, Coco's summons arrived: "CEO office. NOW. Sea Entertainment HQ." Win hugged Juju goodbye—Juju clingy-hugging, "Crush 'em, V!"—and drove tense through Bangkok traffic.

Sea Entertainment's glass tower loomed cold, top agency in the industry. Receptionists nodded wary; Coco waited elevator-fidgety, tie stained coffee-like always. "Boss is livid. WinJu killed Winlex narrative."

Penthouse office: CEO Mr. Virote paced like a caged tiger, face purple, screens blasting #WinJu clips. Alex slouched corner, eyes dark jealousy from yesterday. "Sit," Virote barked. Win obeyed icy-calm, Coco hovering.

"That TV disaster!" Virote slammed desk. "Winlex was gold—fans ate your couple image. Now? Juju clips everywhere, 'family deeper than love.' Trends tanked 40%. Contract demands image control—no 'bestie' stealing spotlight!"

Win's voice sliced cold. "Juju's my best friend. Private. Not your puppet."

Virote laughed bitter. "Two-year contract binds you tight. Famous in one year—singer, actor—but rules rule. Fix it: public PR date with Alex tomorrow, 8PM rooftop. Cameras, posts, fanservice full throttle. Or penalties: no solos, fines, early termination."

Alex leaned forward, gaze too-warm on Win. "We make great pair onscreen. Offscreen too?" Hand brushed Win's knee 'accidental.'

Win jerked away, frost thickening. "No."

Coco stammered. "Win, think career—"

Win stood steel. "Termination it is." Walked out alone, no glance back. Agency leash snapped—his choice

Home, tension simmered. Juju sprawled couch, BigEye piled. Win entered, jaw set. Pulled Juju into tight hug, burying face in ginger hair. "Terminated agency contract."

Juju froze, blue eyes wide guilty. "Because of me? Yesterday's program? I sort it—call Coco, fix PR. You love spotlight, V—always wanted this."

Win cupped Juju's face firm, stopping him. "Hate that agency. Leashes, fakes, Alex push. No spotlight worth losing us." Brown eyes burned possessive. "My decision. No further discussion."

Juju searched face, platonic worry raw. "But your music—"

"Suk Studios board waits. Real power." Win's hand lingered jaw, heart thundering unspoken. Juju hugged back oblivious-tight: "Stuck with chaos-me then." Warmth intimate, devastating—Win's pining peaked hooded.

Evening Suk call: "Board meeting soon—main seat yours." Win nodded dark. Alex text deleted: "Date?" Win's resolve hardened: Juju untouchable.

Juju grinned clueless. "Smile like TV win, V. Alex jealous—let burn." Oblivious dagger. Win grinned pained, war loomed—Juju his alone.