Like The Water That Sustains Me

Twinkling Crystals

Khun C makes a motion with his fingers to signal him to approach. Jay subtly studies the elder's face and sees that small twitch in his eyebrows. He looks at him, eye to eye and it's moments like these that Jay feels a little tremble in his chest.

Either from fear of making a mistake or fear from something else. Something he's worked hard on hiding.

"Yes, Khun Tan?"Jay says as he's only a mere meter away from the tanned man.

Khun C folds his arms towards his chest and looks at Jay sternly, something he can only combat with a seemingly innocent smile and the sincere curiosity in his eyes.

"What did I tell you about talking with the staff?" Khun C says.

Jay was about to scrunch his face but stopped at the last minute. He turns around slightly to look back at the staff listening to them. He genuinely forgot about it. But- 'I don't think this warrants the behavior,' Jay thinks.

"I didn't know it pertains to the staff here as well, Khun Tan. And I'm supposed to be working with them, right?" Jay says, implying a more thorough explanation.

"I never said you were going to be working with them," Khun C says.

Jay raises his left brow but says nothing.

"And I don't think you need to smile when talking to them either," Khun C adds.

Jay raises both his eyebrows this time, in genuine surprise but he says nothing still.

They stubbornly look at each other, neither one willing to back down. Jay doesn't speak a word, waiting for the elder to waver, and the elder keeps his sharp eyes on Jay, unwilling to concede.

It was the sound of someone clearing their throat that broke the muted strife, and they both keenly turned to the side to look at who interfered, and Jay is amused to see it was the front desk guy from earlier.

"I'm sorry to disturb your... conversation, Khun Tan and Khun Naang, but someone's in the front gate insisting to come in. Someone named Khun Linda? She says she's your lover, Khun Tan," he said.

Jay looks at the elder and sees his face contort to look outright fierce and angry, and Jay is confused. "Why is he angry with the news that Khun Linda is here?"

"This is your fault, Jay. I'm holding you responsible for this. Get inside the house and wait for me," Khun C says.

He brushes past Jay and walks with the front desk guy towards the front gate. The older women ask him, "Are you alright, Khun Naang?"

Jay is confused about where all this is coming from. But most especially, what was his fault, exactly?

Jay shakes his head and assures the older women, and tells them, "What did I say about calling me that, Khun Par? Your Khun Naang is coming, and you shouldn't let her hear that. I know you're just teasing me, but Khun Naang wouldn't take it that way. It might get us in trouble,"

The rest of the staff look at each other and nod. "We're sorry, Khun Na- Khun Jay."

Jay nods and replies- "Don't be sorry, please. It's okay. We just need to be careful around Khun Naang. I'll do my business in the house then come back here to help you serve Khun Tan and Khun Naang, okay? I'll be quick,"

"Take your time, Khun Jay. We're fine," they assure him.

"Thank you," Jay says.

Jay nods and continues to walk in the direction of the house. He slows down for a minute to take a look at the high sun. He goes towards the left side of the house, where the path leads to the sea from the patio.