Chapter Text
Love, 25, is the quietly brilliant CEO of TwentyWendy, a rising local cosmetics brand she built from the ground up. Since its founding in 2020, the company has remained intentionally small, with just 15 employees managing everything from product design to marketing. Her team calls her “CEO boss,” but they say it more as a term of endearment than a title. The products—sourced directly from South Korea—are tailored for sensitive skin and Thailand’s humid weather, blending sustainability with affordability. Despite her role, Love is never one to flaunt success. She prefers staying behind the scenes, working quietly, passionately. She listens more than she speaks and always brings back snacks when anyone’s working late.
Outside the office, her heart belongs to animals. She’s a long-time animal enthusiast. No matter how hectic her schedule gets, she always finds time to support animal rescues. She donates much of her personal income to shelters and spends weekends volunteering—helping organize adoption drives, working in shelters, and joining many TNR missions. She might be a CEO, but she still gets dirty chasing after stray animals like a cute, scruffy kitten.
Milk, 29, believes happiness smells like fresh bread at 7 AM. She runs Bearary, a snug little bakery nestled in a cozy Bangkok neighborhood, alongside her best friend Ciize. With a degree in business marketing and years of part-time jobs under her belt, Milk poured every ounce of her savings—and her parents’ gentle support—into her dream.
The shop isn’t big—it’s a modest space—but it’s always buzzing with soft chatter, warm light, and the scent of butter and sugar. Schoolchildren stop by for cookies after class, and regulars know Milk by name. Her croissants are flaky, golden, and always sold out by noon. But her signature cookie box—a mix of almond, cornflake, pretzel, and dark chocolate—is the real star. Wrapped in hand-tied ribbon, they’re a popular gift, often passed between friends and maybe, just maybe, secret crushes.
It was Saturday, 9 a.m., and as usual, Milk was in the kitchen, busy with her second batch of croissants. The warm scent of butter and fresh dough filled the little bakery like a hug. Ciize was out on a delivery run to a nearby kindergarten hosting a family day event.
The bell above the door jingled softly as Love stepped inside, only to find no one at the counter. She looked around the quiet shop, taking in the cozy atmosphere and the delicious smell of bread baking in the background.
She had been going door to door all morning, visiting local business owners to get their consent for an upcoming charity drive scheduled at the end of the month. The event would take place in the open field right across the street and might cause some congestion—so she wanted to make sure everyone was notified beforehand.
“Hello?” Love called out, her voice soft but clear. No response. She glanced around again and noticed a small pet bowl and a dish of water placed just outside the door.
Looks like the owner’s an animal lover too, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“Anyone here?” she called out again, a little louder this time. Still no movement. Only the comforting hum of the ovens and the rich scent of pastries.
Dejected, she turned to leave—just as the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the back.
“Hey! Sorry, I was a bit caught up—how can I help you?” came a voice, slightly breathless.
Milk appeared from the kitchen, her hands still gloved and dusted with flour. There was a small smudge right on her forehead. She wore a faded denim apron with a cartoon bear on it, her soft black hair tucked neatly under a hairnet. Though her mask covered her mouth, her eyes crinkled warmly in a friendly smile.
Love let out a soft chuckle. “Hi, sorry to barge in. Are you the owner? Do you have like… five minutes?”
“Yeah, I’m the owner. Is there something I can help with?” Milk tilted her head, curiosity in her tone.
Love introduced herself and explained the charity event—how it aimed to support stray animals, how the field would be used, and why she was asking for shop owners’ understanding. She gently placed a flyer on the counter for Milk to look at since her hands were still full.
“Oh, so you’re not from around here. No wonder I haven’t seen you before,” Milk said, warm and casual. “I usually know all the regulars.”
Love gave a small nod, smiling. “Yeah, this is the first time we’re holding the event here.”
“About your event—I’m totally fine with it! It might even bring in more customers if there’s a crowd,” Milk said cheerfully.
“Thank you, you’re so easygoing,” Love replied, clearly relieved. Her eyes drifted toward the door. “And I noticed the pet bowl outside… do you have a pet?”
“Oh, that’s for Mimi,” Milk said with a smile. “She’s a little orange cat that hangs around here. Not officially mine, but I’ve been feeding her for a few months now.”
Love’s eyes lit up. “So you love animals too?”
“Yeah, I do. I don’t have one at home right now, but Mimi comes by every night like clockwork. She knows where to find her food.”
“That’s really sweet of you,” Love said softly, her smile lingering just a little longer than necessary.
There was a pause—comfortable and warm. In the soft light of the bakery and the lingering scent of fresh croissants, something unspoken hovered. Not quite anything yet, but just enough to make both of them feel a little curious.
“By the way,” Love added, “Your bread smells amazing.”
“Thank you! We bake everything fresh daily. Do you want some? The first batch sold out earlier, but the next one will be ready soon.”
Love glanced at the time and shook her head gently. “No, it’s okay. I’ve got a few more stops to make. But I’ll definitely come back. My colleagues love bread.”
“Oh, sure~” Milk replied with a cheerful nod. “When exactly is the event again?” She leaned forward and scanned the flyer on the counter.
“It’s on the 26th and 27th of April. You should drop by if you’re free!”
“That sounds like a plan,” Milk said, her eyes curving into a crescent moon smile beneath her mask.
Love reached into her bag once more and placed a small name card on the counter. “My name is Pattranite. But you can call me Love.”
“Nice to meet you, Love. I’m Pansa—though most people just call me Milk.”
They exchanged one last smile before Love turned to leave, the bell above the door giving a soft chime as she exited.
Milk stood there for a moment, watching the petite woman with the bright smile disappear from view. Something about her lingered—something gentle but quietly captivating.
Curious, Milk glanced down at the card still sitting on the counter. She removed her gloves and picked it up to read the name properly.
TwentyWendy CEO
Pattranite Limpatiyakorn
Milk blinked.
CEO?
Before she could finish the thought, she remembered the croissants.
“Oh no—my bread!” she yelped and dashed back into the kitchen, the card still tucked in her hand, flour smudges trailing in her wake.
*****
The bakery stayed busy throughout the week, and soon enough, it was the day before the event.
As Ciize wiped down the glass door, she glanced out and noticed trucks unloading tables and chairs. Staff moved quickly, setting up tents and bustling around in all directions.
“I wonder what’s going on,” Ciize murmured.
“Oh! The event!” Milk suddenly remembered. She rushed to the counter and grabbed the neatly stacked flyers, flipping through them until she found the one she was looking for.
“It’s happening tomorrow,” she said, scanning the details.
“What is it?” Ciize walked over and read the flyer over Milk’s shoulder. “Stray Awareness Program?”
“It’s a campaign for stray animals—like Mimi. They’re raising awareness and collecting donations. I think they’ll even have animals up for adoption.”
“Sounds interesting!”
“Should we drop by tomorrow? We could close early and visit for a bit.”
“Yeah, sure, sounds like a plan. But you better put up a notice—your regulars will riot if they find the shop closed without warning.”
“Ha! True. Can you help me with that? I’ll go clean up the kitchen.”
*
The next day finally arrived. The field across from the bakery was already lively. Roads starts to get busy as expected, it was bussing with people.
It’s a big day for Love and her team of people. They had been preparing for the event from months ago, squeezing all the time they had from their regular work. No one was paid for the work, but her team was full of heart—everyone wanted this event to succeed.
Love and her team had been there since early morning, overseeing the venue setup. As the event coordinator, she was in charge of logistics and communication with vendors and volunteers. She moved from booth to booth, checking that everything was running smoothly. Despite the chaos, the energy was good.
Meanwhile, back at the bakery, the air was still thick with the scent of warm sugar and browned butter. Milk stood near the counter, tying the last ribbon on a small paper bag filled with golden croissants and a few of her signature cookies.
It was just after lunch hour but they are closing for the day.
Ciize, wiping her hands on her apron, tilted her head at the bag. “Who’s that for?” she asked casually, though her eyes were sharp with curiosity. She then removed the apron and left it aside.
Milk held the bag a little closer, brushing a crumb off the top with unnecessary care. “It’s for the organizer. Of the animal event.”
Ciize leaned against the counter, arms crossed, a playful smirk already forming. “You know them personally?”
Milk hesitated, then gave a tiny shrug. “Well… just one of them.”
“Oh?” Ciize’s eyebrow arched, interest fully piqued now. “When did that happen?”
“She came by weeks before. Dropped off the flyers. Gave me a heads-up about the road closures. Petite lady. Wears her hair kind of loose. Nice eyes,” Milk added before catching herself. “I mean—she was polite.”
Ciize gave her a look that said uh-huh, sure, her grin widening. “Must’ve made an impression, I guess?”
Milk clicked her tongue and narrowed her eyes at her best friend. “Can we go before I change my mind?” She walked to the entrance before Milk flipping the "Closed" sign on the glass door. The soft clack of the wooden sign echoed slightly in the stillness of the shop.
Ciize laughed, grabbing her phone and sliding it into her back pocket. “I’m just saying, you’re packing bread for someone you met once. That’s adorable.” She paused near the door. “I wonder if they’ll have food booths. I hope there’s grilled pork skewers or something. I skipped lunch.”
Milk rolled her eyes but smiled anyway, adjusting the strap of her tote bag. “You're always thinking about food.”
“And you’re suddenly thinking about someone not made of flour,” Ciize teased.
Milk shoved her lightly with her shoulder as they stepped out into the sun, the bag of bread tucked protectively in her arm like it carried something a little more personal than pastries.
*
It just took Milk and Ciize a 5 mins walk to the open field. The event venue was already alive with movement and color. From one end of the field to the other, tents stood proudly like small islands of hope. Families wandered from booth to booth, kids tugged at their parents’ hands, faces painted with whiskers and paws. A mascot in a dog costume with orange cat ears danced to upbeat music, handing out little paw-shaped stickers to giggling children.
When they both arrived, Milk’s eyes roamed the venue, scanning through the crowd with a sense of quiet anticipation. She didn’t say anything, but her heart was beating a little faster form the music. Ciize had already split off toward the food vendors, leaving Milk to wander.
After a few minutes of searching, her eyes landed on a familiar figure near the information booth—Love. She was standing in the center, her posture upright but not rigid, talking to two staff members with a calm intensity that seemed to center everyone around her. She was gesturing toward something on a clipboard, her voice firm but kind.
Milk stopped in her tracks, watching her. Even in the middle of all the commotion, Love radiated a kind of quiet leadership. Her face looked a little flushed from the heat, and there were shadows under her eyes from what must’ve been days of preparation—but there was light in her gaze. Purpose.
Milk hesitated. For a second, she considered turning back. Maybe she’d just leave the bread and go. But then, Love turned—and their eyes met.
And her whole expression changed.
“Hey! You came!” Love beamed, her voice rising above the noise. She took a few quick steps forward, genuinely surprised and glad to see her.
“Hi… Khun Love,” Milk said softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice had a quiet shyness to it, something hesitant but sincere. “Do you still remember me?”
“Of course I do! And please—just call me Love,” she said with a smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. “You’re the bakery owner, right? Khun Milk?”
Milk nodded, the corner of her lips tugging into a small smile. “You remembered my name.”
“Of course,” Love said warmly. “You made quite an impression.” She remembered the smudge flour stain on her forehead.
Milk lowered her eyes for a second, her smile deepening. “Just call me Milk.”
“Okay, Milk.” There was something gentle in the way Love said her name. “Did you come alone?”
“No, I’m with my friend. She’s probably getting food somewhere,” Milk replied, glancing around. Then she remembered the bag in her hand and held it out, her eyes flicking back to Love. “Oh—this is for you.”
“For me?” Love’s brows lifted in surprise as she took the bag.
“I thought you might like to try them. You haven’t come by the shop, so…” Milk trailed off, a bit embarrassed. “I packed a few from today’s batch.”
Love peeked into the bag, her eyes widening. “You brought me bread?” she said, half-laughing. “That’s honestly the nicest thing anyone’s done for me today. I haven’t eaten since morning.”
“Then you should eat them,” Milk said, gently. “They’re best when they’re warm… but they’re still good after a few hours.”
Love looked up, eyes softening. “Thank you, really. That’s so thoughtful of you.”
Milk shrugged, downplaying it. “It’s nothing. Just bread.”
“No,” Love said firmly. “It’s kindness. And today… that goes a long way.”
There was a short silence. The hum of the crowd became a backdrop to the quiet moment between them.
“Your event looks really successful. I saw a lot of kids smiling. The booths are really well done.” Milk said breaking the silence.
“Thank you,” Love said, exhaling as if she hadn’t had a moment to stop all day. “It’s been hectic, but I think we’re getting there. We’re mainly doing this for our little furry friends. They deserve homes.”
“You have such a big heart,” Milk said softly, watching her with a kind of quiet admiration.
Love glanced down for a moment, her expression modest. “I’m just a small part of a bigger effort. My team did most of the magic. I just helped tie things together. But we need more people to care”
Milk’s eyes lingered on her. “Well… if you ever need help again, I’d love to join. For the next event, or anything like this.”
Love looked up quickly, caught off guard. “Really? You’d volunteer?”
Milk nodded. “I might not be good with crowds, but I can help with food. Or… any labour work. Or something behind the scenes.”
Love’s smile widened. “That would be amazing.”
Then, as if it came naturally, she reached into her back pocket and pulled out her phone. “Here.
Let’s exchange contacts? I’ll buzz you next time we’re planning something.”
Milk took the phone, her fingers brushing Love’s for a split second. It wasn’t even a full second, but it was warm.
She entered her number, typed “Milk 🐻” next to her name, then handed the phone back.
Love smiled when she saw it. “The bear emoji?”
“Matches my apron,” Milk replied, her tone casual, but her eyes bright with amusement.
Love laughed, a soft, genuine sound. “You really are as cute as your shop.”
Milk looked down, cheeks dusting pink. “I think I shouldn’t hold you up. Enjoy the bread with your team. I will see you around?”
“I hope so,” Love said, clutching the bag close to her chest like a little treasure. “And thank you again… not just for this, but for showing up.”
Milk gave her a little nod and turned to walk into the crowd, her heart oddly lighter than when she arrived.
Love stood there for a few seconds longer, watching her go—feeling like, maybe, this was the start of something warm.
***
After a hot shower, Love slumped onto her couch, absentmindedly grabbing the TV remote and turning it on. She began drying her damp hair, eyes fixed on the screen, though her mind was elsewhere.
It had been a long day—waking up at 6 a.m. for the event, and only now was she finally getting a moment to rest. Still, it was all worth it. Many people had signed up for adoption, which meant more work ahead—family visits, interviews, and making sure each animal found the right home.
But the thought of the furry kids finally getting a forever home warmed her heart.
The feedback from attendees had been overwhelmingly positive, and during the post-mortem meeting, the team highlighted areas to improve, but overall, things had gone smoothly. Several had even registered as volunteers.
Then, out of nowhere, a thought drifted into her mind—Milk.
It caught her off guard, the way the memory of Milk’s soft smile and warm eyes lingered longer than expected. Maybe it was the way the bread had tasted—simple but thoughtful.
Love reached for her phone without a second thought, thumbs moving quickly as she typed.
[10:38 PM]
Love:
Hey Milk 🐻
This is Love from today’s event.
Just wanted to say thanks again for the bread today.
My team finished it in seconds 😅
She hit send, then tossed the phone gently beside her on the couch. The hum of the TV faded into the background as she resumed drying her hair, but part of her attention stayed with the message she’d just sent.
A few minutes passed before her phone buzzed again. The screen lit up softly, displaying a reply from [Milk 🐻].
[10:44 PM]
Milk:
5555 I’m glad they liked it :)
Hope you managed to eat at least one?
[10:45 PM]
Love:
Barely made it in time lol
I got the last croissant.
It was worth the fight. Its so buttery, and sooo good.
[10:47 PM]
Milk:
That sounds dramatic 😆
Glad it survived the battlefield. ;)
[10:47 PM]
Love:
Barely! You have no idea how chaotic event people can get when they’re hungry.
Anyway… thank you again. It was really thoughtful of you.
[10:48 PM]
Milk:
It’s nothing. And you looked really busy today.
[10:48 PM]
Love:
Yeah it was a lot. But seeing people smile made it worth it.
....seeing you there too, actually.
[10:50 PM]
Milk:
Oh…
That’s really nice of you to say. ☁️
I wasn’t sure if I should come, but I’m glad I did.
[10:50 PM]
Love:
I’m glad too.
We should hang out sometime—outside of events and bakeries. If you’re up for it.
[10:51 PM]
Milk:
Maybe…
If there’s good food involved 😋
[10:51 PM]
Love:
Deal.
I’ll find us a place worth skipping a croissant for 😎
[10:52 PM]
Milk:
I’m curious now.
[10:53 PM]
Love:
Then let’s call it a food mission 🐾
Operation: win over the bakery owner.
[10:53 PM]
Milk:
You’re already halfway there.
[10:54 PM]
Love:
Will hit you up when I booked a place.
We can talk more about the volunteer work too!
[10:54 PM]
Milk:
Sure, I am excited already.
[10:56 PM]
Love:
It’s getting late. I shouldn’t bother you anymore.
I still have another day to go.
[10:56 PM]
Milk:
Good night! And all the best for tomorrow too.
[10:57 PM]
Love:
Thank you. See you soon.
With a small smile, Milk set her phone down on the bedside table. Her heart felt light, almost giddy, at the thought of this new connection—unexpected, but welcome. She pictured the possibilities: shared meals, spontaneous food adventures, maybe even joining Love on a volunteer run someday. The thought warmed her, like the last sip of hot cocoa on a cool night. Her mind slowly wandered with those pleasant images, and before she knew it, she’d drifted off into a peaceful sleep.