At the top of the hill, a girl, her dark brown hair gleaming in the sun, stood gazing out at the vineyard. The mysterious girl is the sole proprietor of the Paksukcharem plantation. Her name is Aff Taksaorn Paksukcharem. She attended both her freshmen and sophomore year at Cambridge University but failed to finish her studies. While there, she met a man named Stephen who's enrolled in the British Army and whom loves her unconditionally even after all these years.
[In the kitchen of Aff Paksukcharem house]
Sorapong was sitting on the table drinking coffee as he was reading the newspaper. He looked up and saw Aff walking into the kitchen. "Good morning, child." He greeted her
"Good morning." She answered
"Did you hear?"
She cleared her throat before proceeding, "About what?"
Sorapong throws the newspaper across the table. "I think it’s best for you to see for yourself." His eyebrows rise as he reach to pick a few grapes off the platter.
Aff picked up the newspaper and her eyes were immediately drawn to the picture of a naked man in bed-and an almost naked girl on the floor. "Om Pholdeeakapan? .....
Caught in bed-With Ch.7 N'ek Sammie P! ... ?" [Looks up from newspaper]. "What is wrong with this family??" She ponders
"Continue. It gets better." Sorapong smiled
Aff continues to read the article. "Known for his fathers' pearl farm and his nocturnal behavior, Om Pholdeeakapan;one of the two Pholdeeakapans sons was caught in bed with Ch.7 TOP actress Sammie Puwijaan." [looks up from newspaper] "Wait, why does this include me?"
"What do you mean does this include you? Was your father not brutally murdered 8 years ago mistress? Or did I raise the wrong child?"
Aff tries to defend herself. "Well of course I am. But he is the stupid one out of the two brothers. Why should I care about him?”
Sorapong smirk. "And why shouldn't you?? He stands up and walks towards her with his chin held high. "The reason why I wanted you to see this is because, I think this is the perfect time to introduce yourself to the Pholdeeakapan." Aff takes a deep breath. "If you continue reading, you will know why the reporters were there at their house."
Aff sighs and throws the newspaper back onto the table. "Just get to the point Sorapong. I dont have time for these childish games.. You of all people should know that I especially hate guessing games." She purposely sighed out loud.
He takes a step towards the french window and gazes out the window. "Sometimes I wonder if you were adopted.. you're nothing like your heroic father, you know.. They want to know how Om has been handling the pearl farm ever since Khun Yai passed away. Since he was jsut caught in a scandal.. if you
want to get revenge, then you better do it now. You have been hibernating for almost a decade miss. If I don’t force you to do it now, i know for certain that you won’t do it later. Remember. It was you who reached out."
God! She hated the sight of him whenever, wherever! His self-assured tone and his slow gestures and pathetically cocky smirks! Unfortunately, he was correct. And to deny it was damn-right ridiculous. Aff rolled her eyes and answered, "When?!! Where?! And what!!?" She forced her lips to move.
Sorapong knew from.the getgo that she never liked him. But Sorapong was the closest thing to a family besides Aff to Khun Kid. And to disrespect him would be as if disrespecting Khun Kid. With this in mind, he didnt care about any limitations. But the reason behind these wonderful 8 years was simply because her confidence level was not up to his expectations, at least until now.
[In Taksaorn bedroom]
She sat on her vanity staring into the mirrorrealizing how fast time has flown by. She stood up and made her way to the doorway of her closet. With a single push, both doors slide open. She walked into the walk-in closet her father specifically designed for her when they first bought the house. Though the house has been the same, her wardrobe has been updated dramatically to ensure the best of her capability to accomplish her goal. She pulled out a black dress and a red cardigan and a pair of black shiny heels. She calmly slid everything on as she stared into the mirror that hanged on the wall. But something was missing she realized. She took a few steps back and pulled out a case. The shiny black pearl laid undisturbed for many years.
-At the patio
Sorapong was sitting out on the patio drinking a glass of champagne when aff approached him. "What do you think?" She ask.
He turned around and raised his glass in the air. "Cheers,” He sips on some wine then asked, "Why red?"
Aff smiled, "
Latrodectus."
He smiles, "You have been listening." Though she hates his guts, you gotta admit-they're both rockin in the same boat. And they're rockn it good.
Aff forced a smile and answer, "Hahem..... Sure! .... -.-” Her heels tip taps as she made her way towards the table. Sorapong sees that shes holding onto something. He continues to watch her as she pour herself a glass of wine. "I've been wondering.. I've been wondering all these years what type of girls Pholdeeakapans go for. But now I know." She hands over dozens of pictures of Ch.7 n'ek Sammie Puwijaan. "Maybe it won’t be so hard after all Sora." She takes a sip of the aged wine.
She lowered her glass in reminiscing. "You know when you're calm you're a lot like dad. I hope you know you're not that different from him."
"Thank you for finally realizing my worth after all these years, child. It's been an honor. "
Sorapang laughs. "Thank you, child. It's a pleasure to be able to work with you. Like father, like daughter, Aff."
-Meanwhile at the Red Jewl Harbor..
Tik closed his eyes and spread his built arms outward like wings of an eagle. The wind was just right and the sun was just perfect for sailing. The fresh breeze made his worries disappear and reminded him of nothing but mother nature. His mood was ruined when Plai started pounding...
"Urghh. Ah! Eh Oh! So close, No!!"
Tik grabs the chain from his hands and gently pushed him aside. "I'll do it Plai, since you're a bit weak."
Plai blushed. "Ow. Dont make fun of me sir. I may be small but I am pretty fast behind closed doors. hehe"
Tik grosses out a bit. He force an awkward smile and replied, "Sure :\ .Ew. Uh, did you call Om yet?"
Plai [Excitedly] "Yes i did! .. But he said he's busy and probably can’t make it."
Tik sighs. "Of course...” [Disappointedly]
"Where are you going sir?"
"To escape from this mad place."
Plai and his big mouth, "From Om?"
Tik thinks before replying, " …. Yes! You’re right. Dad gave him the title as boss. He created this mess; he can deal with it himself. He doesn't need me. I'll only be in the way- have been...”
"Ow! Sir dont think like that. Though Khun Yai and Khun Om might not like you as much, but we servants do."
Tik frowns. "Thanks. But that makes me feel even worse."
"Ow.. Will you be going to the pearl farm sir?"
" ... You know what Plai? Thats a great idea." [Tik throws the anchor aboard]
"Until when?" Plai yells out. "It's not safe for you to be out too long sir!" He stares off into the gray clouds hoovering in the sky.
Tik climbed onto the boat and turned on the engine. He turns back to look at Plai who looked as innocent as a child. He yelled out, "It won’t be long. I just need some time alone."
"But your health!" Plai exclaimed. "It's not safe for your health! You haven’t even taken your inhalant yet!"
Tik stepped on the pedal and yelled back, "It's okay! I have one over at the island! I'll see you tomorrow morning! If not, come find me at the Spirit Island. Somewhere!"
-Meanwhile back at the Plantation, Aff is bidding her farewells.
Aff gave a short humorless laugh. "Sure. If things doesnt turn out as planned, i will leave town in a heartbeat and come back home." She turned towards the house and took one last glimpse.
Sorapongs hand reached for her shoulders and patted her head. "We will pray for you to be safe."
"With moves like you and father, i will succeed in anything. You didn't spend 30 years serving in the royal family for nothing Sora... Let's just hope that hopefully it doesn't take long." She whispered.
"Kids' 20 years of being a bodyguard for the queen went into good use. Eight years ago, i thought i will have to start from scratch. But its a good thing he has taught you majority of it. He will be proud of you young mistress."
Juang slowly walked up to her and got down on her knees and began to cry. "Chao Ying Takasorn, please be cautious. Bangkok is a really big place and the people there are not like here. Please buddha temple, look over our chao ying!"
Aff had tears in her eyes but held them back. She bent down and pulled Juang up and laughed it off. "I promise i will be back. But I won’t come back unless i have everything they've stolen from us. Take care of the house while im gone, Okay?" She asked Sorapong.
"I will.” he assures her.
As her car drove away it left a cloud of dust in the air. she looked at the rear view mirror with tears flowing down her cheeks.
As soon as the car disappeared, Sorapong slapped Juang in the arm with an envelope in his hands. Sorapong then handed her the open envelop. She took a look at it and noticed it was written by a man named Stephen. "We shouldn’t have anything meddling her and her work. Or else she can’t concentrate. Whatever you receive from this man, i want you to give it to me. Do not send it to Taksaorn or else... Do you understand?" He turns around. "I dont think i need to say more, do i?" Juang shakes her head. "Good. Now hurry up and go clean the house! Just because mistress is gone, doesnt mean that you can go ahead and slack off. This place will remain the same with or without her. Whether she accomplish this goal of hers or not, we will stay here and wait for her. We must remain strong and supportive until the day she comes back to take care of Paksukcharem plantation."
The mysterious man named Tik pholdeeakapan was indeed a mystery waiting to be unraveled. Whether he was an angel sent from heaven or a man of the devil, the name pholdeeakapan means nothing but target. She knows that the man Tik has a love for nature and is often found at the pearl farm and at the
Ngam restaurant. With this in mind, she will use it to get close to Om Pholdeeakapan and take back everything they've stole from her and make their business suffer just like hers.
[Later that night at Aff new place]
The annoying alarm just got louder and louder. Fortunately, Aff was already awake. She made her way towards the night stand and turned off the alarm. Her snoozing days were definitely over thanks to Sorapong. Its 2 past 7 [7:02pm] and Ngam customers were just getting ready to make their reservations. Though the restaurant was hers, she will be working undercover as a dancer/singer at the 5 start restaurant-to entertain a specific someone. Whether he was going to show up or not does make a difference. The faster she gets to know him, the faster she can claim her belongings. Once she gets to know the Pholdeeakapans, she will get close to Om[Her main target now] who is now in charged of the pearl farm.
[A few days later on the stage of Ngam restaurant]
Somewhere far across the horizon
a woman awaits for her husband
As the sun slowly reach the edge,
her heart is silently aching.
Somewhere far across the horizon,
this woman is quietly falling apart.
Tik sat still staring at the singer. His heart began to melt the more she sang. He stares at her some more before taking a sip from his glass. The bartender immediately notice his affection. And he wasn't the only one on the floor. "You Like it?" the bartender asked.
Tik looked over and nodded and replied, "Yup."
"Today is her third day, and already the popularity of the restaurant has boosted dramatically. Well, i shouldn't say restaurant since majority of the guest comes for the dance floor."
"Isnt it owned by the same owner though?" Tik ask.
"Yes it is but Ngam is known for its diversity such as the restaurant, pub, and the house band."
"Oh.. Thanks, I guess. I've been visiting Ngam for the past 3 years and it never disappoint me.. Though, I've noticed that the place has changed."
"Oy! You're a true customer then! Ngam was sold about eight months ago but the owner recently did some remodeling to the place, which i thought was weird."
"Yes, why yes i am a true customer. But the service is still as great." Tik takes another sip of his wine. "What is the name of this?" He asked as he raised his glass in the air.
"
Paksukcharem Luxury Winery. The one you are drinking right now is called Bloody Marie(Muh-Ree). Its a well known wine that stopped selling about seven years ago. But about a month ago, the owner of Paksukcharem Winery contacted Ngam restaurant wondering if we were interested in stacking up their product.. Two weeks later, every ten minutes a bottle is corked open!"
"So.. Who's the lady singing?" Tik frankly changed the subject.
The bartender gave him a dirty smile and answered, "Her name is Mayuree. And that's all i can tell you." A man who sat opposite from tik waived his hand in the air for service. "Excuse me." The bartender walks away.
"
Paksukcharem? Why does that name sound so familiar??" He thinks but cant pinpoint where he had heard it from.....
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End of chapter 7! =D I added pictures to make it seem more REALER lol. Looking forward to chapter 8 EHH!! XD