Chapter 1: Leaving home
It was close to midnight and her parents were still out from a business related party. This would be her only chance to get away. Well there was only a problem. Aff was still up either reading a book or reviewing business cases in her study. How could she sneak pass the study without Aff knowing especially Aff got hearing sharp as a bat. Wait, was it a bat or a moth that had a better hearing? Taew stopped packing hearing herself debating between the two sharp hearing animals. Shook her head, Taew tried to focus on her most important business at the moment.
“Only with what you need, not what you want.” She kept on reminding herself. This had been the third time she unpacked and packed again since the last two times were unsuccessful. Finally, she put in a few necessary clothing items, cosmetic supplies that would last her a month or so. Checking her wallet, she took out all the credit cards and cut them up. One, she didn’t want her father to track down her whereabout. Two, she was too proud to spend another dollar after her father accused her of being useless and knowing nothing but spending money. “I will make it big time. You will see father. I will not need your support or name to build my own world.”
She sat down on her bed looking around her room for one last time. She sure would miss the luxurious life style, however, she would miss her home and her family more. But determined, Taew would not change her mind at the very last minute like most of her other decisions. “Hmm, perhaps I shouldn’t walk out in case I might run into Aff or someone.” She then smiled mischieviously.
“Hmm, that is so like you, Taew Sirijanya. You never do anything straight out do you?” Her sister, Aff Sirijanya was at the door with her arms crossed and looked just like their father, stern and authoritative.
Taew, one leg hanging out the window, pouted. “I know I know. I am nothing like you, so perfect in every way. You are a daughter that every parent wants to have while I am more of an extra baggage one has to carry.”
“You are going to break your neck sitting like that. Before you have a taste of freedom, I am afraid you are going to taste the pain of broken bones first.” Aff turned around walking away from her younger sister’s bedroom door. “Do not go anywhere until I come back.” She firmly ordered. “And come back inside. No Sirijanya will leave without dignity.”
Taew had no choice but to come back inside to wait for her sister to return. Though stubborn, Taew always respected and looked up to Aff. She never disobeyed Aff, not even once. She had fought with their father, argued with their mother but with Aff, she always listened. If Aff told her to stay put tonight, she would stay.
A few minutes later, Aff returned and went straight for Taew’s small suitcase. “I see. Packing light.” She flipped through a few items then turned around. “Where is your wallet?” When Taew handed over, Aff took a look then pulled out most of the cash. “It is not safe to have so much cash in your wallet especially when you are running away. The robber will go for it the first thing.” She then stuffed the cash she pulled out into one of Taew’s socks, then mixed it in with the rest of them. “Where do you plan to go? Do you have a destination? And when you get there, do you have a place to stay?”
Unlike Aff who probably had planned everything out, Taew was clueless. She didn’t think much except for the fact that she needed to leave home and to prove herself for her father to see that she could succeed on her own. So far, she felt she was still failure. “I…I don’t know. I haven’t thought about that yet.”
“Of course not. You are always impulsive and unorganized.” Her sister sighed. “You need to learn how to control yourself mostly your temper. It will do you no good when facing danger or a situation.” Aff then gave Taew a piece of paper with an address on there. “Go to this address and tell the owner I sent you. The place is very secluded, quiet and peaceful, perfect to get oneself together and get inspired. I trust my friend will take a good care of you. Plus, father would not know to look there for you if he decided to drag you back.”
“Oh, thank you sis.” Taew shot up from the bed hugging her sister tightly. “Though you always show that you’re distant and cold. But I’ve always known that you love and care for me deeply.”
Aff wrapped her arms around her sister’s tiny body, just for a second, to show emotion, to show her true feeling. She then let go of her arms. “Let go, before father came back. I have already called a cab for you.” She then continued knowing exactly what her sister would ask her. “And I will say good bye to mother for you and tell her how much you love her.”
They walked out together in silence. Taew held her suitcase in one hand while the other was still holding on to her sister’s hand. “Thank you for everything, especially for being a wonderful understanding sister. I love you sis.” She then kissed Aff’s cheek then headed toward the cab parking right on the other side of the iron gate.
Watching her sister get in the cab, Aff whispered. “I love you too Taew. Fly my sweet golden songbird, find your freedom and your dream.” She slightly waved back when she saw her sister waving at her through the rear windshield.
“Good bye Aff. Be strong. One day the sweet lovely dove will get its wings and will fly to whereever it wished to be.” Taew loved her sister and felt sorry for her at the same time. Aff was perfect, almost too perfect even when it came to giving up her freedom and her dream to lock herself in the road their father had drawn out for her. Being the oldest child, Aff didn’t have a choice but to take after the family’s business. Being a very smart woman, Aff exceled in everything she set out to do, of course as expected by their father. But some times Taew wondered if Aff was ever happy. Taew was a different story, completely opposite of her sister. Since young, their father tried to mold them into perfect ladies from look to behavior. They had to have the best school. Their schedules were packed with extracurricular activities. As expected, Aff did an exceptional job pleasing their parents with her outstanding performance while Taew fairly passed. Eventually, their father gave up on Taew and focused all his energy into Aff while Taew gave up on trying to earn their father’s approval. She went from an obedient child to a rebellion to a shadow. There were times she was jealous of Aff but since she knew she could live up to her sister, she learned to accept who she was and be happy with herself.
“Why can’t you just be like Aff? I had everything set up for you yet you still defied me. Some times I wondered if you were really my daughter.” Her father’s exact words when he found out she enrolled in the music department.
“I can’t be like Aff because I am not Aff. When will you understand that father? When will you stop comparing one daughter to another and just treat them as an individual.” She sure was upset but not because her father favored one over another but at the fact that he couldn’t keep an opened mind to accept her as herself. “And please do not insult mother.” She then stormed out of the house and didn’t come back until the day after which put them both on a non-speaking term until this very day.
Without the pressure from their father and from herself, Taew gradually found her love for music and planned to explore the only talent she had. However, she wasn’t fortunate like some of her student fellows who had found available position right after graduation. Taew, still an unemployed musician, became a huge disappointment in the Sirijanya family. She had taught piano lessons to kids at a local community center while looking for an opportunity with one of the music production company. It was a wonder that she could keep her dream of performing in an orchestra alive with all the pressure coming from different sources.
“Here we go. To the new world and new life.” She said to herself.
A day later at the Sirijanya residence, the news of Taew leaving home broke out. No one said a word afterward, not even the head of the household. He quietly left the dining room and went to his study. The lady of the house sighed not knowing what to say to her husband. She waited for him to leave the room then asked her oldest daughter.
“Don’t worry mother, Taew is safe. I think this is a good opportunity for Taew to experience life. She will ask for help when it is needed.” Aff held her mother’s hand tightly comforting the older woman. “Plus, I sent her to my friend’s place. I will ask him to look out for her.”
“I know I can’t protect her in the bubble forever. Let just hope she is safe and sound.”
Meanwhile, far away from the city Taew was walking on a small path leading to the rural country side dragging a luggage behind her. It wasn’t wise of her to wear high heels leaving the house, but then again, the ladies of the Sirijanya never wore anything but heels when they reached age. Posture and appearance over comfort, her trainer told her. “Where the heck am I? Why is Aff sending me to the rural countryside?” She looked around hoping to see someone to ask for direction as she had been walking for hours. She didn’t see anyone along the way but heard some rustling noises behind her. Awared that she was alone, Taew took out her phone and pretended to be having a conversation. “I am almost there. Give me a few minutes.” Suddenly out of no where, someone ran by snatching her purse. “Hey, give me back my purse.” It was a stupid thing to say when someone had already aimed to rob you but it was just a natural reaction. Though of course she was no match for the robber, Taew still gave it her best and chased him for a bit then picked up one of her heels to throw it at him. It did hit him in the head. She stopped in her tracks when the guy decided to stop and turn around. Run Taew, run she told herself but her shaking legs wouldn’t pick up. Lucky for her that a pick up truck passed by and stopped a few feet away from them which chased the guy away and prevented him from attacking her person.
“What the hell were you think you doing standing there like a block of wood when someone was about to attack you? “ Taew heard a loud angry voice behind her but didn’t get to see his face before she fainted. “Damn it. Why did she pick this moment to pass out on me?” The man grumbled as he caught her in time. “Hey Miss.” He tried slapping lightly on her cheeks to wake her up, still no sign. “Double damn.” He said when her hair fell away from her face revealing her face. He first picked her up and put her in the passenger seat then turned around for her luggage.
“Master Mario, the girl is awake.” The housekeeper announced after he invited her into his office. Mario shot up and walked away from his working desk so fast that the housekeeper thought he had the speed of light. But for some unknown reasons, he stopped at door hesitating a bit then slowly almost dragging himself out of the small office. When he reached the small bedroom at the end of the hallway on the other side of the cabin, he waited for the housekeeper to knock and go in first. Mrs. Sirisuka brows went up noticing her employer’s strange behaviors. He was worried about the girl but also complained about her bringing him troublesomes. He was anxious to see her up and about but hesitated to face her. The man was full of contradictions and that could only mean one thing. Could it be? The housekeeper smiled.
“Miss, your knight in shining armor is here.” The housekeeper had to pull Mario into the room as she spoke.
Taew turned around from window. She narrowed her eyes thinking for a short period then pointed her finger at the man and almost shouted. “You!”
She recognized him, Mario was happily thought. But when she was staring at his face a moment longer, he frowed and turned away hiding the right side of his face from her. She was probably disgusted by his ugliness. Still dazed in his own thoughts, Mario jumped back when the girl popped out right in front of him. She stood there with her arms crossed and her eyes pierced. “What are you doing here? Came to taunt me again?”
Did she know that her eyes couldn’t hide anything? Was that tenderness he saw? He wondered. Though she wore an upset expression but her eyes said otherwise. They were so bright and clear looking at him with a hint of caring. “I live here.” He walked away from her not wanting to have a face to face conversation.
“Master brought you here Miss. You were out for a while from dehydration and tireness. I hope you are well enough to eat some porridge.” The housekeeper jumped in stopping them from bickering with each other.
“And well enough to leave after you eat.” Mario didn’t bother hiding his irritation at her presence.
She glared at his. “Such a hospitality.” She said to him then turned to the housekeeper. “Do you think you can call me a cab? I don’t want to stay here either.”
Before the housekeeper could respond, Taew heard a rich rumbling laugh. Could the man just stop provoking her for one minute? But then she couldn’t really tell which annoyed her more, his laughing at her or the effect his laugh had on her. “Go ahead Mrs. Sirisuka. Perhaps you could even get her a helicopter.” He left the room still laughing.
“Oh ignoring him Miss. He always likes to tease people.” The housekeeper took Taew’s hand and led her out. “Come on dear, let get you something to eat to rebuild your strength.” She might come from a rich family and was of course spoiled by her mother, but Taew would never treat people differently because their social status. Warm caring concerns were always welcome. With her sincerity and her down to earth personalities, she was very popular among the hires working for her father. The cook always let her have the first taste, and there were always fresh flowers every week from the gardener. Taew smiled at the good old memories then hook her arm around Mrs. Sirisuka’s arm. The old woman patted her her arm.
After she ate a bowl full of chicken porridge, Taew sat back rubbing her stomach. Never had she have a comfortable moment with no restrictions and rules like this. She was grateful for meeting the grandmotherly housekeeper when she was out in the world all by herself. She was grateful for the …eh, he was so mean to her though. But still, he saved you her other self argued defending the man. Her mind then wandered back to the owner of the cabin. He was still handsome as ever even with the long ugly scar running across his right cheek from the forehead down to the jawline. The scar didn’t do much damage to his look, in fact it enhanced his look giving him a rough, dangerious manly vibe which most women digged. Gone the baby face, replaced it now a rugged looking one.
“Daydreaming again kitty?” Her heart fluttered at the sound of his deep voice.
“I was just thinking of calling a cab and getting far far from here.” She lied. “And stop calling me kitty.”
“Only when you stop hissing and purring.” He sat down at the other end of the table waiting for dinner to be brought.
“I do not hiss.” She hissed at him. He raised his right brow and he looked so uncomfortable trying to control the laughter that was about to burst out loud. Before he did, she burst out laughing uncontrollably. “Oh all right, I do hiss but I do not purr. I am not a cat.”
He could finally swallow his laugh and cleared his throat pretending to be serious. “Of course you are not a cat.” Her lips slightly tilted at the corner. “You are still a kitty.” His later comment killed her good mood.
She really wanted to wipe off the smirk he had on right now but she would not satisfy him by acting immature. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and counted to 10. “Baltasar Gracian once said “Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.”. Please help me control my temper else I will commit a deadly sin.” She whispered, just a tiny bit loud enough for her opponent to hear.
He laughed . This feisty kitty sure knew how to bring out the tease in him. “Oh kitty, which sin were you thinking of?” Though he knew she was talking about wrath but still, he couldn’t help it. “I hope Lust was on your mind as I will not stop you from committing such great sin on my person.” He winked at her causing her cheeks to turn tomato red.
She ignored his remarks. She looked at the housekeeper who had been standing there smiling at the young ones’ teasing. “Mrs. Sirisuka, could you please help me call a cab?” Taew flashed the man a deadly glare at daring him to poke fun at her one more time. Expecting another laugh or some sort of a smirk, she was taken back by the gentleness in his eyes.
“Miss, this is the countryside, no cab would drive all the way from the city to this area just to pick up a customer, not to mention the difficulty of driving in the rocky narrow roads.” The housekeeper then pointed outside the window. “It is getting dark, why don’t you stay here for one night then perhaps, master Mario can give you a ride into town.”
“I sometimes wondered if I were boss or you were.” Mario gave a snort of disgust.
Taew was surprised at his demeanor but was more surprised that the housekeeper didn’t take it to heart, instead the older woman smiled as if she was used to it. “We both know too well that you hired me to keep you straight.”
Mario shook his head. “All right, she can stay for the night, but just one night. I want her gone tomorrow by lunch time.” He was too tired to drive the girl in town then drive back home. He needed his sleep which he missed a lot for the past few days.
“Who is going to take her into town?” The housekeeper asked.
Mario shrugged. “How am I supposed to know. I know that it will not be me. I have a lot of works to take care of both in the field and in the office. I need to gather all the invoices and receipts for the bookkeeper. Driving into town and back will take up a lot of my time and I have none to spare during the peak season.”
“It is all right. If I could walk here, I could walk back into town. Thanks but no thanks.” She didn’t need him to spare his precious time taking her to town. The man is dispicable, she thought.
Her pride was speaking again. Mario sighed. “Walk back into town? And faint a long the road somewhere? Do you know where this is? This area is full of wild animals. Do you want to be carried by one of them into the wilderness and become its meal for the day?”
He was only trying to scare her. Nothing could scare her. But to think again, Taew didn’t really want to become anyone or anything’s meal. The image gave her a shivery feeling. “By the way, where are we exactly? When I asked the man to show me to Freymeadow city, he gave me the directions to get here.”
“Freymeadow city? That is 50 miles from here. This is Frey Meadow but not Freymeadow city you were looking for.” Mario explained. No wonder this city girl looked out of place, she meant to head to the glamorous city, not a rural place like Frey Meadow.
“Poor dear.” The housekeeper comforted Taew. “We will get you to where you needed to be. Don’t you worry one bit, Mrs. Sirisuka will take care of everything.”
The girl was grateful but Mario knew his housekeeper better, the old witch was brewing up a plan, probably trying to hook him up again.
