Chapter 1
This is how it started
Three years ago
I was running out of breath as I pulled myself to the surface. The waves pushed me to the shores while I hung onto my surfboard.
I’m still alive! I thought happily as I try to catch a breath. It wasn’t a dream at all; but more like a memory that happened yesterday. Two years ago of June 21st, 2008, I got my first surfboard from dad for my sixteen birthday that I'd been longing for it ever since I first started surfing. He planed to take me to the surf city, Huntington beach for the first time.
Shouldn’t this be the most exciting sweet sixteen birthday ever? It was the worst; I was abandoned by my mother a month before my birthday and dumped by a boyfriend just a week ago. I felt like my world was crashing; I didn‘t feel like doing anything anymore. But I had an obligation to go since dad already planed it. Those waves didn’t do anything to me, no excitement, no nothing. Just because I was already there and just wanted get over with; so I could go home. I was paddling down to the ocean; I stood up when I found my balance, and surf into the waves. I didn’t realize I went too far and the waves were too big for me. I lost self controlled and felt down in the ocean, all I could feel was water gushing through my nostrils and in my mouth. Even though I could swim pretty well, but at that moment I was incapable of swimming when the water was deeper than me. I couldn't breath, I thought I was going to die.
While trying to fight for my life in the deep water, the old memories of mom and Mike haunted me again.
“Mom, It’s you!“ I said with joy, putting my arms around the lady in front of me when I accidentally bumped into her at the mall one day. It been months since the last time I saw her; every time I asked dad where did she go, all he said, “she was out of town for work.”
She didn‘t look happy when she saw me; her eyes were cold. “Sam, what are you doing here?”
“I miss you so much mom. I‘m counting everyday for you to come home” I cried, holding on her hand.
She let go my hand,” I’m sorry Sam; please forgive me. I have to go now,” she said and left me there crying by myself. “Come back mom.” I begged, but she’d never return. I decided to ran after her; but didn’t expect to see what could hurt me the most like someone stabbed me in the heart. I saw her…kissing a man; who looked nothing like my dad. I was shock, hurt, and my heart break into pieces.
Dad lied, mom left us. She doesn’t want me anymore.
“Sam, I want to break up.” That was the last thing he said to me. Mike was my first boyfriend, first kiss, and first love; and the one taught me how to surf. We dated about almost a year; and I thought he was such a nice and sweet guy I had ever seen who came to rescue me when I was going through a tough time. It turned out to be he was a real jerk; I wasn’t the only girl he dated. But he talked to many girls at the same time from different schools. I was devastated by what was happening in my life.
What’s the different whether I live or die, either way I’m suffocating. I don‘t want to feel anything anymore. I felt like I was trapped in the terrifying nightmare; where I had to run for my life. I tried to run as fast as I could but my legs became slower and slower. Everything became darker and darker that when I thought I no longer live.
I’m sorry dad.
I felt like a new person after surviving from that nearly death experience. People called me rude, cold, and bad. They could judge me whatever they wanted, I could careless.
I don’t do anything to anyone first, unless they do something to me. I used to be naïve and dumb by letting that jerk fooled me; I learned my lesson. I would never let anyone step on me, never again. First time in two year that I stepped on this surfboard again; I kept falling down and I realized my skill got worst. I was lost in my own thought for a long moment; I finally reached the shore.
Why those memories still haunted me? should I really quite surfing? For dad…He grounded me from surfing forever after that incident; but surfing was the only way I could be in my own world and escaped from reality.
Crazy traffic, hopefully I get home before dad does. I pulled out my ipod as soon I got on the bus, “complicated” by Avril Lavigne started playing as I turned up the volume. Staring out the window, I found myself wandering when the bus drove pass Hollywood Senior High school. I was relieved school was finally over, no more drama, no more homework, and no more Sunday school. Dad joined me at the graduation ceremony a week ago at my school. It was probably the first day in a long time that I could put a smile on his face. After my mom left us I stopped caring about everything; and I did really bad in school. I lost self esteem, and I felt worthless when Mike dumped me. Once I tried to smoke, but I didn’t like it, so I never do it again. The past couple years I felt like living in hell, but I was glad it was over.
When I got home, I hided my surfboard under my bed, and rolled myself into the bathroom to take a quick shower. The hot shower quickly woke me up and I felt refreshed as I got out. I threw a towel around me, and walked back to the bedroom to get dress. “What to wear?” I said while looking through my clothes in the closet. I had a dinner with dad tonight for my 18th birthday and graduation. I told him to just order a takeout and eat at home, but he insisted to take me out to a nice restaurant in downtown.. Fifteen minutes passed by, still digging on my clothes; but couldn’t find any nice to wear. All I found was my old girly dresses back in freshman year. The frustration ran through my head when I heard the phone rang; I knew it must be him as I glance at the clock. I quickly put on whatever I could find there and walked down stair.
“Hey dad” I greeted, stepped in the car which parked in front of the apartment.
“Hi Sam, you look beautiful tonight.” he said with a grin on his face. By the way my name is Samantha, but I went by Sam.
Jenny came to my rescue, I wore a white casual dress that she gave me as a birthday gift. I almost forgot all about it.
“ Thanks dad. How was work?” I asked, tried to started the conversation. My dad was a mechanic at a small shop in downtown.
“Busy, but I managed to get the work done so I could take you out tonight.“ he said, stopping at a red light on Hollywood Blvd.
“It’s just like every other birthdays.” I responded, looking through the window, noticing a big group of tourists were walking and taking pictures around Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“It is special for me because it’s your eighteen birthday and you finally finish high school. I‘m so proud of you Sam.” he responded, the car was moving as soon the light turned green.
We went inside the restaurant; and the host walking us to the table. It was a busy evening; most of the tables were filled but fortunately there was an empty table right by a big mirror window, which I could see a busy street of downtown.
Minutes later, a waitress came by our table with two menus on her hand and he gave us couple minutes to decide on what we want.
“Happy birthday and congratulation Sam.” he said with a big smile on his face.
“Thanks dad, you don’t have to do this.”
“My pleasure.”
The waitress returned and took our orders. I decided on lemonade, salad and chicken teriyaki. Dad ordered teriyaki steak and miso soup with hot tea
When the waitress left, my dad started looking more serious as he looked at me.
“Have you thought about what you want to do?”
I paused for couple minutes before I opened my mouth. “Hmm…Kind of”
The waitress returned with the drinks, setting them down on the table. I took a sip of my lemonade, dad poured a cup of tea for himself before continuing on our conversation.
“You are stronger than I thought Sam and I think you are ready to start a new journey on your own”
He been acting weird since we got here, I couldn’t help but wondering what was on his mind.
“Dad, just get straight to the point.” I suggested.
“What do you think about vacation in Thailand?”
“Hmm…I don‘t know I‘ve never been there before”
I twirled the straw in my drink, and then looked at him. “Are you thinking of going there for summer?” I added.
“Not me, you”
“Wait, Why me? I don’t know anybody there.”
“Do you still remember my friend Panu that visited us a year ago with his wife? I already talked to them they said you can live with them.” he explained.
“You talked to them first before asking me? I don‘t wanna go”
“Sorry Sam, but this is going to be an eye opening experience for you and I know you will be just fine.”
“I don’t need that kind of experience. I don’t know anybody dad” I repeat.
“Panu and Napa will take care of you”
Before I could finished our conversation, the waitress brought out the foods and set them on the table. Dad politely smiled at her and said thank you.
With no hesitation, “Come on Dad, I thought I can do whatever I want since I‘m legal now.” Although the food looked and smelled delicious, but I have lost my appetite because I couldn’t get over this.
“Sam, I never ask you to do anything. This is the only time I want you to do it for yourself and for me” he begged. He looked desperate, the guilt ran through me when I saw the expression on his face. The memory of him crying for me at the hospital when I awoke from drowning incident hit me in the stomach. I promised myself I would do anything for him if he want me too; I guess it was about time.
I slowly took a deep breath, and glanced back at him, feeling a bit more composed.
“I‘ll go if you want me too. But I hope you have a good reason for this”
“Thanks Sam, you know how much I love you and I want the best for you” he said, his face finally lighten up.
“I know”
After we finished the dinner, dad handed me a tiny square box with a pink tiny bow wrapped around it, I knew right away it must be a jewelry because I used to see these kind of boxes in mom make-up table. I was speechless when I saw a sterling silver necklace with a diamond initial “S” in that tiny box.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you so much Dad.” I said and smiled at him.
“I’m happy you like it. I want you to know that I‘m always by your side wherever you go.”
Later that night, it was only a quarter after 9 pm when we got home as I glanced at the clock that hung on the wall. Dad found a comfortable spot to sit, picked up the phone and started dialing the number. I didn’t care to ask who he was calling nor pay any attention to his conversation. I walked straight to my room and decided to call, Jenny, she was the only best friend I had . Jenny and I were different in our looks; she had an oval face shaped with a bubbly personality, light skinned and slender about 5’5. I was a brunette and even shorter than her 5’2 with heart shaped face, not too light and not too tan. Our style was totally opposite as well, Jenny was all about bright color and very girly. Me, very simple just t-shirt and jeans. She was very smart, graduated with highest honor. A lot of guys liked her, unlike me, guys scared of me.
The phone rang 3 times before she picked up.
“Happy birthday Sammie,” said Jenny
“Thanks”
“How was the dinner?”
“It was good until my dad made me going Thailand by myself”
“What? Why?”
“I had no idea but I had no choice”
“Vacation in Thailand sounds exciting Sam, I knew you will love it there like I did.”
Thailand? I had no idea what to expect.
There were no turning back, that was it; I landed at Suwannaphum airport in Bangkok. I walked down to the baggage claim to get my luggage, carrying my belongings down on the escalator as I tried to look for uncle Panu or someone who should be picking me up. My gaze caught my name on a sign with a man in his late 30’s , who stood by the lobby.
I walked up to him, “Hi, I’m Samantha.” I said.
“Miss, I’m here to pick you up on the behalf of boss Panu.” I heard he said. His name was Somsai, uncle Panu personal driver.
Personal driver?Is he rich or something?I thought to myself.
Holy shit, it’s so freaking hot. I felt like burning when I stepped outside the airport,
it‘s not this hot in L.A. Somsai put my luggage on the back of the trunk of a black Mercedes Benz, and opened the door for me to get in. It felt so much better to be in the car with the air condition on. However I’ve never ride a luxury car before and had someone treated me like this, it was kind of weird and new. I started to see cars and building when we got to highway. Bangkok was pretty much almost like L.A, which was quite surprising.
My jaw dropped as Somsai stopped the car in front of this huge white mansion, two big wrought-iron gates slowly slid open, and the black Mercedes drove slowly to park in the driveway in front of the house. He walked to open the door for me as I stepped out of the car, I stood there with my eyes wide opened.
You gotta be kidding me. They’re rich?
“Hi Sam, It’s nice to see you again” I heard someone said, her voice was calm and soft. I glanced at a lady in her late 40’s in her white cocktail dress, she looked so elegant. Napa hasn’t changed much from the last time I saw her, she greeted me with a warm hug.
“Thanks for having me” I said, released from her arms.
“You’re welcome. How was the flight?” she said with a smile.
“It was a long trip”
“I bet. Make yourself at home, if you need anything let me know.” She informed.
“Thanks you”
“I have to go, I guess I’ll see you tonight” said Napa, jumping in the car.
I stepped inside the house, I was amazed by the interior design. The house was in luxury contemporary European style, it combined of the classic and simple modern design. Downstairs, there was a grand stair in two story foyer, a large Master suite with sitting area/breakfast bar, and ample walk in closet, library close by, formal living room(two story)and dinning open to living room and foyer, family room with bar open to kitchen with butler pantry and breakfast room, 2 powder rooms, and secondary stair. Up stair, there were 3 bedrooms.
This is ridiculous.
“Who are you?” I heard a deep voice from behind.
I turned to follow a voice, I noticed a tall, light skinned guy wearing a black T-shirt which fit him perfectly that you could see his lean body who stood in front of me. Our eyes caught for a moment, I admitted his eyes were deep and mysterious, but I didn’t fool by his charm.
“I asked who are you?” he repeat.
“Sam”
“What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” I asked myself. ”To be honest, I don’t even know”
He looked confuse after what I said…
“What did you mean you don’t know?”
Why do I have to stand here and answer his questions like I‘m some kind of criminal.
“Are you a police or what?”
“I have to ask when I saw a stranger in my house”
“I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Dan.” he added.
I believed he is must be uncle Panu’s son.
“You didn‘t answer my question?”
“I forgot about your question”
“You said you don’t know why you are here?”
“My dad sent me here”
“You dad sent you here? Who is your dad?”
I crossed my arms and stared at him “Do I have to stand here and answer all your questions?”
“Yes, because you are in my house.”
“If you want to know anything about me, you should ask your parent.”
“Wait!” I heard he called from behind, but I didn’t dear to make another conversation. I walked up to my room.
This guest room was ten times bigger than my own room in L.A, it was well decorated. There was a large window wall on the side of my bed with a white linen window panel. I thought I would get a jet lag, surprisingly I didn’t. I put my stuffs in the closet and thought of what to do. Looking upon through a big mirror window, it was only 3 pm.
Why should I stay here and be bored. I grabbed my bag, and ready to start my journey.
“Can you take me to Siam Square?” I asked Somsai who was cleaning the car in front of the house. He stopped what he was doing and let me inside.
I remembered Jenny used to tell me about Siam Square , a popular shopping area where most people especially teens like to chill and hangout. Also it was connected to other important shopping centers and links to the other shopping districts by Sky Bridge, such as Siam center, MBK center, and Siam Paragon.
I told Somsai to go home when we arrived at my destination, I didn’t want him to wait and it shouldn’t be that hard to get back home. I was scanning around the area, noticing most girls and guys colored their hair, and their styles were different. Korean trend? I guess according to Jenny, she loved K-pop and dramas. She always made me watching Korean drama with her, but I ended up falling asleep
As I walked around, I came across a logo sign “Mango Tango” which caught my attention since I was a fan of mango.I walked to the store to check it out.
This is pretty awesome. They made all kind of stuffs from mango, from mango smoothie to ice cream mango, mango pudding to dry mango and even mango sticky rice.
“What to eat?” I said while looking at the menu.
“Mango smoothie here is very good.” I heard an unfamiliar voice next to me, I turned to the side to look at the person, a tall, dark and pretty good looking stood next to me.
“I’m Ken. Nice to meet you” said Ken, extending his hand to greet mine.
I shook his hand, “Sam
“Is it your first time here?” he asked.
“ Ah huh” I said, didn’t feel like I should be talking to stranger, especially I didn’t know anyone here.
“Can I have a smoothie” I said to the cashier.
“Hopefully I didn’t scare you or anything.” he said.
“Don’t worry about it.” I said.
The cashier girl handed me my drink, I paid for it and left.
I heard Ken said bye from the back when I was about to step out the door, but I thought it was too late to turn back. I didn’t think it was a big deal anyways, he was just a random guy.
The weather was starting to feel colder, and the sky was darkening as I tried to find a way out. I wasn’t sure where I was going. I was frightened when I bumped into two stranger guys,and my instinct told I was up for no good. I didn't look at them, just kept on walking.
“Hey pretty, do you need help?” a tall skinny guy said,who didn't look approachable.
“No” I said, keeping on walking.
“Come on, we can take you home,” the other short skin guy said as he tried to grab me by the hand.
“Don’t touch me!” I warned.
“Don’t be scare, we just want to take you home”
They kept coming closer as I tried to stay away. I told myself to be calm because I started to see some lights ahead of me.
“Get away!” I yelled.
The tall skinny guy yanked on my wrist. “Help!!” I screamed as loud as I could.
“Let her go” I heard a familiar voice came from the dark
“Help” I screamed one more time.
I felt relieved when I saw Dan walked out from the dark.
“Who are you bitch?”
“It doesn’t matter, just let her go” Dan said.
I was relieved when I saw him.
“What are you gonna do?”
Dan threw a big, fast hitting punch at the tall skinny guy; he felt down right away.
I bit the other short guy arm when he lost his attention, and he let off my hand.
“Get in the car!” I heard Dan shouted.
Dan walked fast to the car after knocked the other guy down.
“You have no idea what you just put yourself into Sam.” Dan snapped as soon he climbed in to the driver seat.
“I was trying to get back to your house”
He turned to face me, “This is not L.A little girl, you can’t go wherever you want when you don’t even know where you going.”
I stared back at him, “Don’t you dare call me little girl.”
Our eyes met, “Stop acting like one then.”
“Don’t judge me when you don’t know me at all.”
“Oh my judgments always right.”
“We’ll see about that.” I challenged.
“Yep we’ll see about that.”
It was the end of our conversation, the whole 20 minutes left I was staring out the window, asking myself
what the hell am I doing here?
When the car pulled over to the parked at the driveway, Dan stepped out of the car without saying a word. I followed him inside the house.
“Hey Sam, are you okay?” Napa said as she walked up to me.
“I‘m fine”
“I was so worried, I’m glad you are okay.”
“I’m sorry, I’ll go to my room.”
“Okay Sam, get some rest.”
When I was about to walk to my room, I needed to call my dad to let him know that I was safe.
I dialed the number, it rang four times before he picked up.
“ Hey dad” I said.
He sounded happy when he heard my voice. I just told him I was safe, but I didn't about what happened earlier, I didn’t want to freak him out.
“Isn’t you suppose to be working right now?”
“I wasn’t feeling good today, so I took a day off”
“What’s wrong?’
“Just fever, nothing major. Don’t worry Sam”
“Don’t work too hard and take care of yourself.”
“Thanks Sam.”
“It’s late, I’ll head to bed now.”
“Take care Sam, behave okay.”
“I will. Take care dad.”
Why did me make me come here? Who will take care of him when he is sick? Sometime I really didn’t understand him. Anyways it was a crazy first day in Thailand.
