"She's not Niran's girlfriend."
All of us turned sharply toward Vikran. His words hung heavy in the air like the sudden crack of a whip. My stomach twisted as Chak's icy gaze swept over us and landed squarely on me. I froze.
Slowly, Chak turned his attention to Vikran, his voice calm but laced with a quiet, dangerous undertone.
"What do you mean… she's not?"
Vikran stepped closer, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smug smile that made my hands clench at my sides.
"They're trying to fool you," he said confidently.
"To make you believe she's his girlfriend. Just like they've fooled others before. But I'm not stupid enough to fall for their game."
Chak's jaw tensed as his eyes narrowed. The room felt like it had lost all its oxygen.
"If that's true," Chak said finally, his voice even, "I'll deal with them… privately."
Then he took two slow steps, his gaze never leaving Vikran.
"If that's all, you may go."
Vikran's smirk didn't falter. Instead, he added in a hushed, almost conspiratorial tone,
"There's more… but I'd rather not discuss it here."
Chak arched a brow, as though appraising him. His lips barely curved in the faintest semblance of a smile.
"Fine. Come to my house tonight at seven. We'll finish this conversation then."
"I'm coming" Vikran replied smoothly. He shot Anamarija and me a strange, lingering smile before turning and walking out, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence.
The door closed behind him with a soft click. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my heart pounding so loud I was sure Chak could hear it.
Chak's piercing eyes shifted back to Anamarija. This time, the sharpness in them had dulled slightly, replaced by something unreadable. He pressed a button on his phone.
"Rattan, come in."
Within seconds, the door opened again, and Rattan entered silently.
"Yes, sir?" he asked with measured calm.
"Prepare the car. In ten minutes, you'll take them home and make sure they're safe," Chak ordered, his voice low but firm.
"Yes, sir," Rattan said with a slight bow before leaving as silently as he'd arrived.
When we were alone again, Chak's eyes settled on the two of us. His tone softened, just slightly, but there was still that unyielding edge to it.
"You're going home. Wait for me there. Niran, cook something. Whatever she wants."
"Can I help?" Anamarija asked hesitantly, her arms crossing defensively.
"You may," Chak said, his expression almost gentle for a brief moment. "I'll be home soon. I promise."
Then he turned his gaze on me, and there was an unmistakable weight in his eyes.
"Take care of her."
"I'm not a child," Anamarija said quickly, her voice clipped.
Chak sighed softly, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I know you're not. But I don't want anything to happen to you… to either of you."
Anamarija rolled her eyes slightly. I placed a hand lightly on her arm and murmured,
"Let's go."
---
When we stepped out of the office, Rattan was already waiting for us. He nodded stiffly, his eyes scanning the hall around us like a hawk.
We walked back to our desks in silence. I grabbed my bag, and Anamarija gathered her things too, her movements brisk but tense. I could feel her frustration radiating off her.
As we walked toward the exit, Rattan followed closely behind, his footsteps silent yet impossibly present.
Anamarija shot me a look, her brows slightly furrowed. I knew exactly what she was thinking. She hates being shadowed like this. I didn't blame her—it was suffocating. But at the same time… I understood why Chak had insisted.
When we reached the car, Rattan opened the rear door with a perfectly polite gesture.
"After you, miss," he said.
Anamarija paused for a second, her jaw tightening slightly before she climbed in without a word.
I slid in after her, trying to shake off the tension. The car door closed with a quiet thud, and Rattan took his place in the driver's seat.
As we were driving, Anamarija glanced at Rattan in the rearview mirror and asked,
"Are you going to stay with us the whole time until Chak gets home?"
"Yes," Rattan replied shortly, his voice calm and steady, like he was completely unfazed.
Anamarija sighed softly and turned her gaze to the window. I could sense the faint tension in the air, but neither of us spoke.
When we arrived at the house, Anamarija and I went straight to the kitchen.
"What would you like to eat?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Something tasty and quick," she replied with a small smile.
"Got it," I nodded, already pulling out ingredients.
"I don't want anything spicy. I have a low tolerance," she added playfully.
"Alright. I'll keep it mild," I said, smiling back.
"I'll help," she offered, grabbing a knife and starting to chop vegetables.
As we cooked together, I noticed how her shoulders seemed more relaxed, her laughter a little lighter. For the first time, she looked like she was truly at ease.
When we set the food on the table, I realized she had left the room. Moments later, she returned—with Rattan following behind her.
I blinked in surprise.
"He needs to eat too," she said simply.
"You're right," I replied. I noticed Rattan looked slightly awkward, as if unsure whether he should really be there.
While we were eating, Chak walked in, his eyes moving from Rattan to me to Anamarija.
"I told him to join us," Anamarija said with a soft smile. "I didn't want him to go hungry."
Chak's gaze softened.
"Alright," he said calmly, taking a seat beside me.
When we finished eating, Chak turned to Rattan.
"You can go pick up Noon and head home."
"Yes, sir," Rattan said with a small bow before leaving.
Once it was just the three of us, Chak looked at Anamarija.
"That was a kind thing you did."
"Thank you," she replied quietly.
I started cleaning up the table.
"I'll help," she said.
"No need," I told her. She stifled a yawn.
"Go get some rest," Chak said gently.
"Alright," she agreed and left for her room.
I was left alone with Chak in the kitchen. I began loading dishes into the dishwasher. Suddenly, I felt his arms wrap around my waist.
"The dishes can wait," he whispered in my ear, his voice low and warm.
A shiver ran down my spine. Slowly, I turned to face him. Our eyes met, and for a moment, neither of us moved.
Cautiously, I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. My hands found their way around his neck, while his gripped my hips firmly, pulling me closer.
The kiss was slow and tender, his lips finding mine. It felt like for a few seconds, time had stopped around us.
Then—
"Niran… I found this in the drawer!"
We both jumped apart like guilty teenagers. My face burned with embarrassment. Chak, however, remained unreadable, his expression calm as always.
She was standing between the kitchen and the dining room, her mouth slightly open in surprise, her hands holding a document—the contract I'd signed when I first came to work for Chak.
"I… didn't mean to interrupt," she said softly, a tiny hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. I noticed a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She placed the contract gently on the counter. "I'll leave you two alone," she added with a small smile before quietly walking out.
I turned back to Chak, my face still hot with embarrassment.
"I should finish the dishes," I muttered.
"You're right," he said, pressing a brief kiss to my cheek. As he started to leave, he paused, picked up the contract, and looked back at me.
"I'll be waiting for you on the couch."
I only managed a small nod.
As I cleaned the kitchen, my thoughts were racing. She caught me… kissing her half-brother. What must she think? Will this change the way she sees me?
When the kitchen was spotless, I walked into the living room. Chak was sitting on the couch, skimming through the contract. I sat down next to him.
"Good thing she can't read Thai," I said nervously.
Chak's eyes met mine. Slowly, he turned toward me.
"You know you broke the rules," he said quietly.
"I know," I admitted, looking down.
"You owe me a million baht," he said in that calm, unshakable tone.
I snapped my head up at him, panic rising.
"I don't have that kind of money," I whispered. "But I'll work two jobs at once if I have to. I'll pay you back for the rest of my life."
Chak's lips curved into one of his rare, soft smiles.
"I know a better way for you to pay me back."
My breath hitched.
"How?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.