CHAPTER FIVE

Thanakorn POV

As soon as I got back to my room, I was slightly annoyed.

What gives him the right to snoop around my library?

The small space dedicated to books contained important information that had been concealed there, and he dared to go there?

I let out a sigh, trying to relieve myself.

“It was just a mistake.” I said to myself since that was the only way I could let it go.

But was I really pissed off because he had entered a private space? Or was it something else?

At that moment, my phone rang.

I looked at the screen and clenched my jaws.

It was my father.

“What the hell does he want?” I asked myself before clicking the answer button.

“Korn?” my father's voice said into the phone.

“It is Thanakorn, father.” I answered in a cold tone.

Nicknames were no longer my thing.

“Doesn't matter.” he said. “I have something important to discuss with you and I need you home at this instant.”

“I can't make it. I have a shoot later.” I lied, knowing fully well what his discussion was bound to be about.

Just then I heard him let out a heavy sigh. Something tells me he knew I was lying.

“I had my aide check out your schedule, and it says you are free for the next two days.” Then he passed before continuing, “You would be here, and I would not tolerate any excuse.” he concluded and hung up immediately.

I curled my hand into a fist and tossed my phone to the bed. Going home was the last thing I could imagine myself doing, but this was an order from my father, one I had to obey.

***

“I would be back late. You don't have to stay up waiting for me.” I told Chaiwat as I got out of my room.

Chaiwat glanced at me from the lunch he was preparing.

“Lunch is almost ready. I was thinking you would like something to eat before leaving.” he told me.

I looked at him for a moment without saying anything. There was this softness about him, I could not wrap my hands against.

Suddenly, I snapped back to reality. “That won't be necessary. I will eat out.”

After saying those words, I noticed his expression changed. But I couldn't care less, so I grabbed my phone and walked out of the building.

***

I arrived at my father's building almost thirty minutes later and as I walked into the modern architecture, I got immersed in the building that exudes my father's wealth and status in the society.

He was publicly one of the richest in Bangkok and an influential man on a global scale, but to me, he was a strict father who cared about nothing except his reputation.

Now I was about to visit him and the thought of it made my stomach churn. I was certain that whatever he was going to say was not going to end in my favour and this verdict was based on my past meeting with him.

“Good day, Mr. Thanakorn.” My father's aide greeted me.

Oh, cool! He addressed me by my full name this time because the last time he tried calling me “Korn”, I got mad.

“Where is my father?” I questioned, ignoring his greeting.

I had already assumed that the earlier I met my father, the earlier I would leave.

“He is inside sir. Mr. Phromrak has been expecting your visit.” the young man said.

I nodded and followed him as he led me to the building.

On entering, I caught sight of my father reading an article as he sat on the couch.

“You have come.” he commented without looking up.

“It wasn't out of my will. You ordered for me.” I told home, trying to sound as cold as ever.

Mr. Phromrak gestured to a seat opposite him for me to sit. I glanced at the couch for a moment before taking my seat.

“What do you want, father?” I dared to ask.

My father shot me a glare, then he let out a heavy sigh before setting his paper on the small table beside him.

When he looked back at me, I could see his face was slowly ageing, his forehead was now filled with slight wrinkles and even his hair bore some whiteness in them. A few years ago, he was a vibrant young man making waves in the industry, but now he was only dependent on caring for his health.

“You came back from Thailand a few weeks ago.”

“I am aware, father.”

I could see where this was leading to.

“Look here, Korn–”

“–Thanakorn, father.” I abruptly interrupted.

“I don't care what I call you. I gave you that name and I call you however I want to.” He paused and folded the article, “You don't abandon a nickname because you fell in love with some idiot back then.” he told me.

I clenched my jaws in anger.

“He was not an idiot.” I said through gritted teeth.

“Well, that is in the past. You have a girlfriend now.” my father said, his tone reducing. Then he cleared his throat, “when do you plan to propose to her? Do you think putting a ring on that finger would make everyone think you are married?”

I rolled my eyes secretly because I knew he had called me here for that.

“I don't care. You asked me to get a girl and I fucking did!”

“Mind your language, son. Spending time abroad doesn't give you the right to speak like that!” My father yelled back.

Just immediately, I withheld my remaining speech and got up. There was no way I could last another hour in such an atmosphere.

“I don't care if you are some actor or whatever, you will have to take over my companies someday and to achieve that you need to show me that you can handle the business as well as marital issues.” he told me.

“I did not ask for the company, father.”

Mr. Phromrak huffed angrily.

“And you think I'll sit and watch the company wither away without a successor?” he heaved a breath, “I think it's time I get my hands in this. I don't care what you have in mind, but you will get married, and it will be a lady!”

Without speaking, I turned towards the door and walked out, not forgetting to slam the door behind me.