Ch 2
Thailand 4 years ago..
Prang graze down at the pool from the large window as she watch her father and several American men at a table discussing some sort of business plan and beside him is Chaiya, her father personal secretary and translator. It was rare for him to bring clients to the house but lately the company had some problem with oversea investor, as CEO of Thailand Engineering and Construction Co, he been under fire due to lawsuit file by employee , claiming unpaid work compensation. The company fires everyone in the payroll department for embezzlement and hires a whole new team afterward.
She wishes to be some help to her father someday but as the youngest daughter she was pamper most of her life while her two older sister was raise to handle the business world. If her mother was still alive perhaps the family wouldnt treat her like a glass doll. She was told not to go outside until the guest leave , not understanding why everyone is being so secretive and her English is not well enough to hold a decent conversation with the farang anyway.
A deep voice from behind startle her and she spin around from the window as if she was caught cheating. The man stood at the door frame as he stare at her with the most intimidating pair of blue eye she had ever saw. He spoke more rapidly when she began to look confuse and lost to the language. Does he expect every Thai person to know English? She could see his annoyance as he pace the room. He probably one of her father Americans client that came this morning. He ran a frustrated hand through his wavy brown hair that reaches to his neck and curly at the tip, his jaw line was unshaved which hide most of his mouth feature. Prang was use to clean shave Asian men or Korean pretty boys but this white man held no illusion of such , he was about 6'2 compare to her 5'3 , his tightly fit clothes against his body suggest extreme excise .
"Where Mr. Kannarun?!" he shouted
She was shaken by the tone of his voice and hearing the family name penetrates her mind as she realize the man was looking for her father. She spoke the English word she know," My d-dad". She pointed toward the window and he rushes there but there was no sign of anyone. He mummer curses. She frown, that, she understand clearly than anything. It must be true. American are pig.
He restrain his voice from exploding, "I need to talk to your dad. Where is he? Its very urgent"
Prang quickly took a few step away from him and call for the servant. When the housekeeper show up she ask where her father is right now.
"He left with the client already and forgot his phone at the pool" the housekeeper answer in Thai.
"Forget it" said the man and signal his arm lamely in defeat, "I cant understand Thai. You cant understand English. Here my business card. Tell your dad to call me as soon as possible" he does a phone expression with his hand, as if he was speaking to a deaf person. Prang was irritated.
When she didnt response back but stood there sulking, he unexpectedly reach for her hand and she can hear the housekeeper gasp in shock at the background. She momentary held her breath and eye width as he pry open her finger and slip the card in.
His head was bend down to her small frame and their eye meet. His thick brow was straight like his nose with cheek half cover with beard and his skin was too tan for a farang but his intense stare unsettle her and she pull away quickly . When the man left was when she breath again.
The next morning at the breakfast table, Prang told her older sister about what happen and hand the business card to her. Their father had left for an urgent business trip and wasnt able to get contact with.
"Vincent Donovan" Sanyo read the name on the card, "He our biggest investor. He was here for the contract signing a few days back" The Flooding Market Bridges project, it was all over the new in Thailand and there had been protestor by local residence to stop the project as well.
"You need to be more serious in your Englishs class" said Malina the second oldest sister, "At the company most of our clients are foreign"
"I doubt our dad will let me work at the company after college unlike the both of you. I see no reason why I should learn English. The class are so difficult and my pronunciation sound weird. I doubt I will marry a farang after meeting one so rude yesterday, beside, I love our country , there no place I want to live well maybe South Korean" Prang giggle with delight at the thought of being close to her favorite K-pop idol.
Malina and Sanyo shook their head in amusement. The Korean wave had capture heart on young generation in Thailand with their music and Korean drama. Prang was like every fan girl out there , she would plead and whine at their father to buy flight ticket to see her favorite idols concert. The family adores her too much to deny anything.
"You in luck then, starting today you dont have to attend class anymore until college start next month" said Sanyo, "You are not to leave the house as well"
"The company is having problem with the protestor. Until the problem is resolve we need you to stay put. You can be a target by our rival company" added Malina .
Prang nodded, she understand their concern but she hate the idea of being bore in the house while all her friend enjoy the summer till school start.
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Vincent Donovan was held at gun point by two Thai man as he turn the key to his hotel room. The man shove him violently inside and brought forward to their leader, who apparently enter his room while he was gone.
"What the hell ?!" he said angrily and turn to the side to see the man who held him hostage but was meet with the end barrel of a gun. The air flicker with violent and tension as he turn to their leader with gritted teeth.
"We have a propositional for you" said the leader with heavy Asian accent in English,"If you cooperate nothing will happen to you"
"What do you want? Money isnt it?" Vincent let out a disgusted snort and watch the two man switch gun to their other hand with a mock smile, they talk in Thai among each other and exchange glance.
"No money. We need you to have sex with a girl. It will be your pleasure" the leader grin wolfly, " I heard farang man love Thai woman"
"Is this some kind of sick joke?"
"No. No joke at all. She over there on the bed the leader point to the bed room." Vincent's eyes follow and were shock to discover the girl slumber body there. It was out of the question, this is crazy and why in god name would these bastards even suggest such an idea!
"Any of your man can do the job. I'm irrelevant"
One of the man swung several hard punches into the farang s stomach , then grip the shirt collar and jam the gun at his jaw while the other man held their victim arm to prevent him from fighting back. The blow knock the air out of Vincents lung and he strain to breath from the tight grip at his throat.
"My men will guard outside the door. You have 3hrs to complete the task or else say good bye to your dick. The phone line is cut off and the room is sound proof, any gunshot wouldn't be heard" the man let out an ugly laugh ," I be watching in the next room as well"
Vincent was shove hard to the floor as the men cross over him and left the room. He struggle to get up while holding his stomach in pain from the beating. Who are those crazy people? Suddenly there was a bang from outside the door to remind him those man are at guard. He slowly approaches the bed. He notice several professional studio light stand, stereo, speaker and camera in four corner of the wall. They are being film and those bastards are watching him right now. Its all a setup to ruin him. Suddenly anger erupt inside and he ball his fist. Not again. He so fucking tire of deception and money hugger, there are no friend in the business world.
Prang struggle beneath the drug state surrounding her headaches and slowly open her eye to an unfamiliar place. Her body felt heavy as if she drowning . She turn her head on the pillow and felt a firm hand at her cheek , through teary eye she couldn't make out his face and his feature was out of focus but there was movement where she lay .
Realization sunk in and she was swamp with fear as her chest rose and falls with her quick breath. She was lying on a bed and her mind bolt. The man face loom over her and their eye meet again .