Chapter 3

Siri had a favorite bodyguard who was also his chauffer. This kind, tall and strong man, in his early 40s, was extremely fond of the young master of the house and he would be the one to let the heir of the Thanawat Enterprises sneak out at odd times. Tonight, was no different. Although it was rather awkward considering the heir had just taken the marital vows, this man, Chati, had seen enough of life to know when to question and when not to. Tonight, he had silently driven the young master to a worn down building in a not-so-friendly part of Bangkok and stayed guard until Siri had made his way back nearly four hours later. It was not a new place for Chati. The young master had visited this building and a particular apartment in this building countless times and by now the bodyguard had all the details not only regarding a particular resident but also regarding all the residents and businesses in the area. It was the way he worked and it was the only way he knew to do his job perfectly. Tonight though, something felt not right and Chati did a little prayer for the safety and happiness of his young charge, who had now snuck past the gates of the mansion.

Siri, wearing Pai’s black hoodie over his dress-shirt, took one last glance at his watch and sighed in relief when it was only few minutes past four am. He had made it just in time. The entire household and help, especially the kitchen staff, would be stirring awake by five am. The young master slowly unlocked the front doors that led to the huge hallway. He moved inside and softly latched the door back closed. He took off his shoes and tiptoed towards the huge stairwell that would lead to his newly renovated bedroom. He involuntarily flinched as he thought of his new wife who was in his room, probably very angry and wondering where her husband had gone off to.

Siri was just about to climb up the first stair when he was startled with the light being switched on. The young man froze, his one leg still mid-air when a hoarse voice spoke,

“Sneaking out on a wedding night doesn’t suit a Thanawat heir…”

Siri swallowed hard as he turned around to face the only woman he had ever respected and even loved. His grandma, the one who basically managed the entire business in the background, sat there on the cushioned couch, with a steaming cup of tea in one hand. The young man’s eyes dropped guiltily, although he had no regrets of what he had done. He was only feeling upset that his actions might have made the old matriarch concerned. It was not like Siri’s dad or this woman sitting in-front of him didn’t know his heart. The young man had been honest, brutally so, from the moment the talk of his marriage had been raised.

“Come have some tea with me.” It was never a request or a question, it was an order and Siri didn’t mistake it for anything else. He moved quietly to sit opposite his grandmother, fiddling his hands, never once looking up at the woman.

The lady leaned forward, pinched the young man’s chin and forced him to look up into her eyes. “You met up with that dirty rat, didn’t you? No wonder you stink!”

In an instant, Siri’s eyes stormed over with rage. It was one thing to not let him meet his Pai, but it was completely different to insult him.

“NANA!” Siri couldn’t control his outburst. He was not someone to act out because of his emotions or challenge his family in order to get his way. He had always been taught to speak frankly and have calm negotiation, not unlike a business deal. But when his grandma insulted his Pai, he had snapped. This woman knew everything, she had listened when Siri had talked. She knew how Siri felt about Pai, she knew her grandson was incapable of loving anyone else. Siri had thought his nana understood and if the circumstances had been different, she would have supported them. But this anger she had expressed tonight was something unexpected.

The two didn’t know how long they were glaring at each other, but the silence was broken when the lady abruptly stood up and started walking in the direction that Siri knew would lead them the study. It was the only soundproof room on this floor of the mansion and it looked like Siri was up for a loud confrontation. The young man followed the old woman without a single word as he awaited his repercussions.