Chapter 6 Part 2
Nine months later…….
Soriya smiled, she couldn’t help the swelling of joy that filled her as she looked at her daughter. The baby frowned causing Soriya to frown as well.
“What is it?� She asked.
The baby giggled causing Soriya to shake her head, “Silly.�
She was amazed at Arisoya, every single day her daughter…no…their daughter amazed her, that was the only word she could use to describe it. It still was hard, everyday she watched her child grow a little more and she wondered…..wished Harit was there. He would be beside himself, full of pride because of his daughter. Soriya pushed back the tears. Since Arisoya was born, she promised herself she would never cry in front of her child. The only thing she could do was make sure Arisoya knew her father, knew what a wonderful man he was.
Both Chai and her mother helped, so much to the point that Soriya felt a little smothered but still she welcomed their attentions. Chai was a devoted godfather and Soriya could see it written all over his face…he wanted a family of his own.
She hoped he hadn’t begun to see she and Arisoya as his, the thought of hurting him made her sick to her stomach but she knew nature in the end worked everything out.
The pearl farm was doing very well, with Harit gone most thought the business wouldn’t survive but Soriya made sure it would. She knew all the workers needed their job and mostly she thought of all of them as family. Most the girls helped watch Arisoya when she would go over the farm and all the men were in love with the little girl. It seemed Soriya was blessed. After everything that happened to her, she still had all that was important to Harit. She had the island and the farm…but she didn’t have him. Again, Soriya fought her tears. She still dreamed of him, after all this time….she longed to hear his voice, his touch.
Arisoya made a noise which pulled Soriya out of her thoughts. “I’m sorry baby.� She sighed while pulling her daughter tight to her chest.
“Just like your daddy� Soriya teased while kissing her daughter’s forehead. “Tomorrow’s an exciting day; we are going to Coral Island Resort, Uncle Chai has some business and we are going with him.�
Arisoya smiled up at her mother, Soriya snickered, “You are too cute, just like your daddy. He could get anything he wanted with that smile.�
~~~~~~~
Taam stared out at the ocean, a soft breeze washed over him and he wished he would stop the feeling coiling inside. He felt empty, even though he shouldn’t.
“Taam?� he heard Namtip call out.
He turned to see her walking towards him; he offered a smile before turning back to the ocean.
“Are you alright?� she asked, she knew something was bothering him.
“I am fine� he lied, he couldn’t tell her that he wanted to leave. How could he tell her he wasn’t the right one for her? After everything she and her father had done for him, he couldn’t walk away.
It had been over a year since he’d washed up on shore and still he remembered nothing, all he had were images and dreams. Pruk could have thrown him out once he was well but the older man hadn’t, he’d open up his home and his family. Taam knew he needed to repay them but how? To make it worse was the fact that he knew Namtip had feelings for him, everyone knew, it was written all over her face. How could he not love her? She was pretty, kind and everything a woman should be but…..he cared for her like a brother would sister not how a husband would love a wife.
He owed her more and he knew that was why he asked Pruk he for her hand in marriage.
“Are you sure you are alright?� Namtip asked as she reached out and touched his shoulder.
Taam turned smiling weakly, “I am fine just lost in my thoughts. We should go back.�
Namtip nodded and watched as Taam turned and began walking towards home. She lowered her head, she knew he didn’t love her…she knew it and still she loved him. Her farther had told her to wait, that Taam would return her love but he never showed any loving feelings towards her. When he asked for her hand, she had been surprised…..and she should have said no but deep down she wanted to be his and his alone.
~~~~~~~~~
The following day, Chai along with Soriya and the baby went to see Coral Island Restort. Chai had a business meeting he needed to attend and thought it would be a nice day trip for Soriya and Arisoya. He made sure they were alright by themselves before going to his meeting. He made his way down a long breeze way towards one the fancy huts that the resort offered.
He picked up the pace after looking at his watch, he was about to round a corner when he ran directly into something.
“Owww� he heard and found himself on his back with a girl lying on top of him.
She leaned forward trying to move from atop him and froze when she saw his face. Her eyes widened and felt as strange spark run through her.
Chai couldn’t help but smile, a sly grinned filled his lips as he looked over her face. She was beautiful.
Namtip felt her cheeks reddened and she quickly moved off the side, making sure her body wasn’t in contact with his anymore. “You should watch where you are going!� She finally barked while standing.
She watched as the man slowly stood all the while staring at her, “What are you looking at?�
Chai raised a brow, “Nothing� He shook off the strong feeling gnawing at him. “Who walks while looking at their feet?� He growled, “How many have people have you knocked over today?�
Namtip huffed, she placed her hands on her hips, “You should learn how to be on time, you were practically running and you knocked me over!�
He chuckled, “Do you speak to all the customers this way?�
“I don’t work here!� She barked.
“Of course you would say that� Chai told her, she was feisty…he liked that! “You don’t want me to go to your boss and tell him you are a rude little girl!�
“Little girl!� She was pissed; Namtip had never in her life met a man like this before. No doubt he was some rich playboy meeting up with god knows who to do god knows what. “I don’t know who you think you are mister but I am not a little girl and I do not work here!� She raised her chin up at him.
Chai couldn’t help but smirk; he looked her over making sure to take his time. Her cheeks grew redder when he stepped closer, “You are right you aren’t a little girl!�
Namtip knew the intention of his words and could do nothing but slap him.
He didn’t see that coming, Chai cupped the side of his face for a moment before glaring down at her. He’d never been slapped before, not in all his life. But he usually wasn’t this forward with women, he reminded himself of some scoundrel from a romance novel.
When he said nothing, the girl, no the women rushed off. Chai turned and watched her escape and found himself smiling. He turned back and was about to continue on his way when he notice a bag….his mystery lady dropped her bag. This day was getting better and better.
TBC