Chapter 3: Khun Tardthep
Chaat stares over at Lin as she places her order. Kaew looks from Chaat to Lin and back again. He's quiet and seemed to be studying her intently. Kaew looks at Nee and Nee shrugs her shoulders.
"P'Chaat," says Nee.
Without a word Chaat stands up and heads over to Lin's table.
"Oooo...P'Chaat!!" says Nee standing up after him as Kaew follows.
Lin had just sent the waiter on his way when a man approached her followed by a girl and Kaew.
"Sawatdee krup," said Chaat.
Lin looked at Kaew and then back at Chaat, "Sawatdee kaa. Do you have a problem I can help you with?"
Chaat stares at her, "I heard from Linkaew that you're looking for a job. An interior designing job."
Lin nodds her head slowly, "Kaa..."
"I'm sorry, do you have a resume on you?" asked Chaat.
Lin shook her head, "I left it in my apartment."
Chaat nods his head in understanding, "Then, may I join you for dinner?"
Nee tugs onto Chaat's arm, "P'Chaat...what are you doing?"
Chaat ignores Nee and without waiting for an answer from Lin, Chaat calls the waiter over.
"P' krup, move the orders from table 13 over here," said Chaat taking a seat across from Lin.
The waiter nods and walks away. Nee and Kaew stare at each other and Lin smiles akwardly, "Um...sit down."
Nee and Kaew take their seats quietly as Chaat begins, "So, did you just graduate?"
Lin nods, "Kaa. From Chulalongkorn University."
Chaat nods, "A very good school."
Lin returns the nod, "Kaa."
"So, how's the job hunt going then?" asks Chaat as their food arrives.
Lin sighs, "Difficult. Doesn't seem like many people need interior designers."
Chaat smiles," Maybe I can help. I'm currently looking for some interior designers for a company. Would you be interested?"
Lin stares at Chaat and turns to Kaew who nods her head, "Sure."
Chaat takes out his wallet and hands her a business card. Nee makes a confused face and looks at Chaat, "Visit this place and properly hand in a application and your resume. The sooner the better."
LIn looks at the card and thanks him, "Sure. I'll give them a visit. THanks. And you are?"
Chaat smiles, "Surachaat."
Lin smiles, "Ahh..Khun Surachaat. Should I tell them you recommended it to me?"
"No...that wouldn't be necessary," says Chaat digging into his steak dish, "No recommendations required."
They eat together and talk some more until Lin leaves, remembering she still had tons to do tomorrow. As Nee, Kaew, and Chaat begin to leave, Nee looks at her brother.
"P'Chaat," says Nee.
Chaat turns around, "What's the problem?"
Nee sighs, "Why did you give her dad's business card? Why didn't you just give her yours?"
"Cause if she knows I'm the current president, then do you think she'll actually show her true potential? She needs to feel pressured," said Chaat.
"But it's already been broadcasted across the news that you've taken over. How could she not recognize you?" asked Kaew.
"It's the same reason no one recognizes you here Kaew," said Chaat, "No one knows you here because they are too busy trying to make money for themselves. She's been too busy looking for a job," said Chaat.
"Newspaper?" asked Nee.
"Well, it doesn't seem like she reads that either does it?" asked Chaat, "I want to see what she's really worth."
Nee sighs, "Okay...I"m going to head out first. P'Chaat,are you sleeping at home today? I'll have Aunt Nor tidy your room for you."
Chaat shakes his head,"I'll stay at the condo today. Thanks. Come on Kaew, I'll drive you home."
"Bye P'Kaew. Remember to attend my graduation!" says Nee walking away.
Meanwhile, Lin closes the door to her room and taking a deep breath, she gets on her bed and jumps up and down with a huge smile on her face.
"Oh my god! What luck is this?! Lin, you better make it worth it! Don't screw this up!" says Lin to herself happily.
Chaat pulls up in front of Kaew's apartment building and waits for her to get off.
Kaew turns to face Chaat, "Um...P'Pang-"
"Forget it," said Chaat interrupting her, "Pang is just an employee and I won't do any favors."
Kaew nods, "I know. I know you don't do favors. But I'm just asking that you give her a little more recognition. She works hard at what she does."
Chaat shifts his car into 'drive' mode, "I'll have Tim pick you up tomorrow morning."
Kaew sighs, "Chaat..."
Chaat turns to face her, "Your mom left you in my care and I'm going to do my best to take care of you. If that is all you want to talk about, I suggest you go inside and take some rest instead."
Kaew sighs, "Kaa."
She slowly gets out of the car and Chaat speeds away. At home, Nee skips into the house only to be called to the living room by her father.
"Yes dad!" says Nee sitting down next to him.
"Oh...Khun Kasermsaan's son, Veerawee, have you met him?" asks her dad.
Nee tilts her head to the side and thinks, "Veerawee...doesn't sound familiar. Why?"
"I hear he's just come back from overseas. Why don't you meet up with him sometime tomorrow?" said her dad.
Nee makes a face, "Dad...are you trying to set me up again?"
Her dad laughs, "No, since Khun Kasermsaan and I are friends, he's asked that Chaat show Rawee around, but Chaat's busy with the company so I'll have to bother you to do it."
Nee considers it for a moment and then nods, "Sure. P'Chaat wouldn't know where to take him anyways. All P'Chaat knows how to do is ready documents and textbooks."
Khun Suritiyaporn laughs and pets Nee on the head, "That's my girl..."
The next day, Lin skips to the company and fills out an application as well as turning in photos of some of her works she did in school. As she's heading out, Tim opens the door for Kaew and she steps out. Kaew notices Lin immediately and greets her.
"Oh! It's you Praipalin!" says Kaew walking up the steps to Lin.
Lin waves back, "Khun Linkaew."
Kaew smiles, "Just Kaew is fine. I think we can drop the formal talking too."
Lin nods, "Then, just Lin for me."
Kaew sees P'Ket and waves him over, "P'Ket!"
P'Ket walks out the door and over to Kaew's side, "N'Kaew kaa! You're here early! What about Khun Surachaat? Is he here with you?"
Kaew smiles, "Not today P'Ket. But P'Ket, this is P'Lin. She's applying for the interior designing job."
Ket looks at Lin and smiles, "Sawatdee kaa."
Lin smiles back, "Sawatdee kaa."
"N'Lin, if you're free later, let's go have dinner together, naa kaa," said Ket, "My treat."
Lin nods, "Sure, that'd be great!"
Meanwhile, Nid sets the applications on Chaat’s desk.
“These are the applications of the people who have applied today,” said Nid.
Chaat set his pen down and looked into the folder when he came across Lin’s application. Chaat smiled, “She really came to apply.”
“What did you say sir?” asked Nid.
“Nothing,” said Chaat. He looked at the photos she had submitted and her work intrigued his eyes. He smiled and looked at Nid and gave her Lin’s application, “Let this girl know she’s been hired and should start right away.”
Nid stared at Chaat, “Khun Surachaat kaa, you haven’t looked at any of the other ones yet.”
Chaat shook his head, “This is it. Her work is exactly what I was looking for. I want her in my office before I leave today.”
“Kaa,” said Nid taking Lin’s application and exiting.
After only a couple minutes, Nid’s voice came from the intercom.
“Khun Surachaat kaa, Khun Tardthep is here to see you.”
Chaat looked up at his door before pressing the button on the phone, “Let him in.”
Khun Tardthep walked into the room and Chaat motioned for him to have a seat across from him. Khun Tardthep eased into the seat comfortably with a smirk.
“So…have you made up your mind yet?” asked Tardthep.
Chaat smiled, “I believe I made my stand clear the last time we talked.”
Khun Tardthep shook his head, “Surachaat, you aren’t some hero in a movie that can save everyone. Don’t dream too big or you might fall short of it.”
Chaat sighed, “What you Khun Tardthep? If you dream too big, you might fall short of it as well. Anyways, I want to know why it must be Linkaew. Khun Tardthep, you already have so many to choose from. Even some who will throw themselves at you. Why must you seek out Linkaew?”
Khun Tardthep laughed, “That’s because she’s still pure.” Chaat’s face stiffened and he glared at Khun Tardthep as he continued, “Come on Surachaat. I know her body you haven’t even touched once let alone caressed. Such a rare and pure jewel has come before my eyes, how can I let it go so easily? You know the ones that come my way only want the money. They aren’t pure to begin with either. Khun Linkaew…she’s gold. Gold I’m willing to pay for.”
Chaat glared at Tardthep, “If this is all you’re here to talk about, I’d like you to show yourself the way out.”
Tardthep smiles, “I want her and I will have her so make sure she continues to stay pure for me. I’ll offer you the best price for her.”
Tardthep laughes and walks out of Chaat’s office. Chaat sighes and shakes his head.
