The Niramai Holdings main branch is situated in the heart of the city, where commerce and industry flourish. The 900-foot building stands tall among its peers. It feels like a giant looking down at the ants scrambling from below.
The lone office situated on the topmost floor belongs to only one – Niramai's famed CEO, Yothasira Thanachai. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls encased three-quarters of the office, offering a picturesque panoramic view of the bustling city and the calm blue ocean. The room is filled with artisanal furniture, perfectly curated to complement the user's classical, opulent style.
Though the office was bathed in the warm afterglow of the fading sunlight, Phasuk felt a chill. She could not fathom where the chill was coming from, whether the lowered AC temperature or from the woman sitting behind the long blackwood desk.
It was the first time Phasuk had seen the CEO so close. She's heard many narratives about the CEO from others over the years she's been working there. But looking closely, Phasuk could write a two-page-long anecdote of what she's seeing right now.
'Yothasira Thanachai'
The lady before her stood high among various leaders in this economy. Appointed as Niramai Holdings' CEO at just 23 years old, she now holds 35% of the group's shares and wields most of the power. Who could have thought that a young lady like her would thrive in this position and amass power and wealth far surpassing those of her late father?
Unlike Surithae's angel-like appearance that radiates innocence and purity, Yothasira's face carries quite some refined features that often showcase her sharpness. Her dark, foxy eyes nestled perfectly beneath her straight eyebrows; a high, structured nose that other people would pay to achieve; her well-defined jaw; and her shoulder-length, straight black hair that framed her features and completed that sharp, feminine, and dominant look.
Phasuk was lost in her own little thought when suddenly Yothasira raised her head and straightened her gaze towards her.
The look that she gave almost made Phasuk drop to her knees. It was the first time she received a solid, enigmatic stare from someone, let alone the famed CEO.
"Phasuk Woratanakul, Surithae's personal secretary," said a clear magnetic voice.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Yothasira nodded, then she reclined graciously in her swivel chair. She scanned Phasuk from head to toe, as if assessing her worth.
"Is she adjusting well?" she asked.
"Yes. I think Miss Simueang has adjusted perfectly well." Phasuk chose her words carefully.
There was a flicker in Yothasira's eyes; Phasuk failed to catch its meaning.
"Good." She paused and continued.
"Don't let her overwork; just be with her every step of the way. If something happens that you cannot decide directly, you can directly inform me." Yothasira added.
"Noted, ma'am."
Silence reverberated in the office. Phasuk could sense Yothasira's gaze lingered on her a second longer than necessary before she shifted her gaze down the document she was reading prior.
"That would be all, Ms. Woratanakul. You are free to go." Phasuk heard the CEO's dismissal.
"Goodbye, ma'am," she said before retreating.
Unbeknownst to her, a gaze silently watched her retreating figure with hawk-like eyes, like a predator eyeing potential prey.
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One morning, Thanakorn appeared before Niramai Holdings.
He strolled into the office building like he owned the place – which, technically, he did not, but no one dared stop him when he entered the CEO's private elevator. Employees were already familiar with the company's unspoken rule – only four people are allowed access to that private lift. Thanakorn Prasertkul is entitled to that lift.
Thanakorn donned his tailored suit, looking immaculate. With his magnetic face that seems not to leave his face, he made his way towards Surithae's office.
He barged into the office the second his fist knocked on the door once.
"Kitten!" he called cheerfully.
Surithae froze; she slowly lifted her head.
And there he was, standing before her, the society's most eligible bachelor, a playful kind, one might add.
"Kuya Tan! What are you doing here?" asked a surprised voice.
"I'm here to visit my favorite princess. God, you look miserable." Thanakorn replied with a teasing tone.
"For starters, I'm your only princess, and second, I do look miserable," she replied, annoyed by the sudden teasing.
"Yeah, my princess was forced to work. This is modern-day slavery; we should report it to the bureau." Thanakorn is still not done with teasing Surithae.
Phasuk pretended not to exist, standing in the corner of Surithae's desk.
Thanakorn leaned against the desk, eyes heavy on the silent figure.
"You must be Phasuk, the famous secretary who keeps tabs on my precious kitten. I've heard of your name."
"I'm—I'm not keeping tabs—" Phasuk blinked.
"Kuya, enough. She's not." Surithae interrupted expressionlessly.
Thanakorn simply laughed while eyes were still trained on Phasuk.
'Why do they always train their eyes on me as if I'm a product worth noting?' Phasuk thought.
"Hard and vicious always, Su. Ms.Phasuk, I hope you'll take good care of her. She's a fierce kitten; she bites when bored." He said playfully, but Phasuk could hear the seriousness of the message.
Phasuk just smiled politely, unsure of how to respond.
From outside the corridor, Yothasira watched through the glass partition. Her gaze lingered on the three people inside. For the first time, Phasuk felt it clearly. A gaze far more innocent than it seems, and it was deliberate.
She located the source, but quickly averted her gaze as if she was burned. She quickly excused herself from the scene. With hurried steps, she went back to her desk, and she almost bumped into Yothasira along the way.
Yothasira just sent her a passing glance before making her way into Surithae's office.
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Yothasira joined the other two lounging in Surithae's office. She thinks it was long ago that she kept calm in the company of the two people. Being with Tan and Su was really calming and comforting for Yothasira.
She made her way to the velvety couch in the center of the office. Thanakorn was already sprawled over the chaise lounge, without bothering about his image as an heir of the Prasertkul Group that runs the chains of hotels in the country.
"What brings you into my territory, Tan?" she cooly asked Thanakorn.
"You always failed to ask for courtesy before barging your way into other people's lair," she added.
"What a way to welcome me, Sira," he replied.
"You did not answer any of my calls, so I had to force myself to come see you. You know that my time is very valuable, but you always reduced me to an errand boy," he added, acting pitiful.
"Valuable time, my ass. I can tell you are free, you philandering bastard." Yothasira scoffed.
"Watch your language, Sira, Su's still here," Thanakorn replied, softly chastising her.
Surithae just blinked her eyes. She's already familiar with everything; it always happens whenever the two are in the same room.
"I'm already twenty, kuya. I've heard far worse curses from other people. I'm not that naïve anymore," she said
"I know, but I just don't want you to hear those bad things from the two of us, got it?" he replied
Surithae just gave him a small nod, knowing that this would end his long speech about how he intends to keep raising her in a pure and simple world. She knows that's impossible, the world's deeply corrupted, and she thinks she's beyond saving, too. But who knows?
"What brings you here, Tan?" Yothasira asked, clearly and seriously, about the business he has with both of them.
"Mr. Simueang called. He wants to have lunch with the three of us next week, Saturday," he said, seriously, like dropping a bomb.
"Grandpa?" Surithae asked in a quiet voice.
"Saturday… It's the fifteenth, right? Time surely passed quickly." Yothasira mumbled under her breath, but it was still audible for the other two to hear.
"Yes, he wants us to gather in the old ancestral house on the outskirts of the city. We'll just be having a meal and catching up. I want to call to relay the news, but I guess I'm still on call restriction, right?" he smilingly said, easing the somber atmosphere in the room.
"Well, if you did not bring Su out in one of your clubs, leaving her on her own – I would not restrict you in the first place," she said
"Come on, Sira, will you keep holding that to my face? I know I'm wrong. It's been a month since it happened. Can we let bygones be bygones?" he started acting pitifully again, knowing Yothasira is not angry anymore.
"Remember, Tan, that would be the last time, and Su, you better not join your kuya Tan in all his antics," she said in a reprimanding tone.
That's how the subject shifted so fast. Surithae just watches the two bicker like kindergartners. She keeps on laughing at Thanakorn's lame jokes and Yothasira's faked contempt for him.
A low, soft stomach grumble broke the teasing atmosphere. Both Yothasira and Thanakorn locked their gaze on Surithae.
Surithae could feel a hot flush creeping upward, staining her skin with redness. She was so embarrassed because of her rumbling stomach.
"You're hungry, kitten? Tell your kuya what and where you want to eat, and we'll go there straight," he said, as if it were a matter of life and death.
Surithae, still blushing strongly, mumbled words on her breath.
"I want to eat turkey and hummus wraps."
"Good, I'm craving that too."
"I know a private kitchen that offers the best Mediterranean dishes, I'll let Narin book the spot. It's a short drive from the company." Yothasira added while she sent her instructions to Narin.
The three of them then boarded the private lift to have their lunch elsewhere. The lunch plan next week was quickly pushed to the back of their minds, buried beneath the thought of scrumptious Mediterranean delight.
Well, hopefully, by next Saturday, it will all turn out well.