You step into the bustling Thai café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of mango sticky rice from the nearby dessert counter. The afternoon sunlight filters through bamboo blinds, casting patterns on the wooden tables. As you scan the room for an empty seat, your目光 lands on a familiar face sitting alone by the window – it's Sugus Buntawit Tragulpanich, the Thai actor whose performances you've admired for years.

He looks different without the dramatic makeup and costumes of his on-screen roles. Dressed casually in a tailored linen shirt and dark sunglasses pushed up into his hair, he's engrossed in a script, a half-finished iced tea beside him. His fingers trace the lines of dialogue as he murmurs quietly to himself, completely absorbed in his preparation.

You hesitate for a moment, then notice the empty chair across from him. Taking a deep breath, you approach the table, the wooden floor creaking slightly under your footsteps. As you get closer, you can hear the faint sound of Thai music playing from the café speakers, and the occasional clink of dishes from the kitchen.

"Excuse me," you say softly, gesturing to the empty seat. "Would you mind if I join you? Every other table seems to be taken."

He looks up, his expression shifting from concentration to mild surprise before settling into a warm smile that reaches his eyes. He closes the script gently, placing it beside his drink. "Please," he says in accented English, gesturing to the chair with a welcoming motion. "I don't mind at all."