The Bad Son (Book 2)

Chapter 41

Tul was dressing for the 50th Anniversary Party when Tul knocked on his door. "What is it?" 

"Tin, I'm scared." Tin noticed his hands were shaking. "I want a drink so badly right now." Tin walked over to Tul and lead him to the settee in his room. 

Taking a deep breath, feeling like he was entering a dark cave, "What's wrong?"

Tul whispered, "Gonhin called me. Told me he would like to see me and left his phone number. Did you see him already?"

"Yes, I did." Tin kept his voice flat. "Was this not what you wanted?"

"Yes, but now, I don't know. Why does he want to meet me now?" Tul's hands were cold.

"You read the police reports. You know what he's been through. Don't you think he had some issues to work through? Just like you? Grow up, Tul. I'm not your counsellor. I'm your brother. Your younger brother... look, I've got a party to attend. If you want, come with me."

Tin let go of his hand and picked up the startling white silk tie and swiftly tied a Windsor knot. "It's better than sitting at home, wondering what Gonhin will have to say when you meet him."

Tul nodded, "I think I will join you. What's the occasion? Do we need to bring something?"

Tin shook his head. "The Grand Hotel's 50th Anniversary."

Tul smiled, remembering. "You got lost in there, playing hide and seek. It was grandmother's favorite place to lunch. I see why, out of all the invitations you must be getting, you accepted it. Give me ten minutes."

Tin drove, in the bright red BMW X. The valet's mouth watered, as Tin handed him the keys. Tul patted the man's hand and whispered, "He marks down the mileage. Don't take it for a spin. You can't afford the lawsuit."

Tin was laughing as they entered the grand lobby. "Why did you scare that man? He was only admiring my baby."

Tul shrugged. "I hardly get to use that part of my character anymore. I know evil schemers, being one." His eyes scanned the crowded lobby and sighed. "Trust me, the minute all the guests are in, he picks out the best car and drives it, having it back in time for it to cool down." 

Pete, with Ae in tow, showed up just then. "Tin, Mother will be so pleased you could come."

Tin grimaced but shook Pete's hand. "Tul, This is Pete Pichaya and his partner, Ae Intouch, my brother Tul Medthanan." 

Tul greeted both men carefully. He remembered Pete from that disastrous incident that he had tattled to Father. Tin had lost to this... this short, dark haired commoner? How disappointing. Without thinking, he looked at Tin and snorted, "This is why you ran to England?"

Tin punched him in the upper bicep, hard. "Fuck off, asshole. I knew I should have left you home to stew." Meanwhile, Tul realized that Pete and Ae were laughing at them and blushed. 

"Please forgive us," He bowed slightly, hands clasped in front. "We do have better manners than we currently have shown." Tin also bowed.

Pete waved it away, "No, it's quite alright. It's nice to see Tin has a human side to him. Usually, all the outside world ever sees is the Prince of Ice." Ae snorted this time, that nickname still stuck in his throat. What was so princely about him?

"I need to give my greetings to your mother, Pete. where is she?" Tin had been casting his gaze around the lobby but still had failed to see her.

"Oh, she's in the bar. Do you want me to take you?"

"No, it's fine." He turned to Tul, "Are you coming with me or mingling?"

Tul surveyed the room. "I'll mingle. I want to stay away from alcohol." Tin nodded and strode to the bar. He stood still for a moment, taking in the festive decorations. His heart stopped, then stuttered before starting to beat rapidly. He turned around, pushing his way through, all of a sudden, throngs of people, to the exit.

"Tin? Where are you going?" Putch Pichaya's pleasant voice stopped him in his tracks. 

Taking a deep breath, he turned and faced Pete's mother. "Congratulations on the success of the hotel, Mrs. Pichaya." He held out his hand formally. He was shocked when Putch pulled him in for a hug instead. 

"Call me Mother." She whispered in his ear, then backed off. "I wasn't sure you would attend, even with the RSVP." She eyed him critically. "You've lost weight. Come and see me, I'll have to feed you, make sure you eat meals again." She nodded determinedly and gracefully drifted away. 

Tin stared after her, his nostrils still full of her floral scent. Head spinning, he still needed to escape before Can spotted him. Instead, just before he reached the exit, yet another woman stopped him. This time, Ma Kirakorn stood directly in his path to freedom.

"Tin Medthanan, you stop right there." Ma's voice was low and dangerous. "You think I don't know running away when I see it? I raised two kids. I didn't think you were a coward."

Tin closed his eyes. This was turning out to be a nightmare. If he kept them closed, he was going to wake up in his bed. Nodding, he was positive that was it. He was imagining these two meddlesome females. He opened his eyes and instead, Ma Kirakorn was even closer. 

"You will face my boy tonight or I will personally hunt you down and hurt you, rich or not. I'm a fucking mother!" With a swirl of her skirts, Ma disappeared into the crowds. 

Can noticed his Ma talking to a tall man in a black tuxedo. From the back, he sure carried himself the same as Tin. He shook his head and returned to the drink he was mixing. He sighed as the patron slipped him yet another business card. He now kept a small trash bin under the counter just for the purpose of disposing these unwanted advances.

"Can?" Pete's voice interrupted his musing. 

"What?" He failed to notice the glint in Pete's eye, that's how frustrated he was. "What do you want?"

Pete held up a tray. "Go clear out the tables in the lobby. You need a break." The look of sheer terror on Can's face was a sight of joy. Pete laughed. "You have to, it's part of the job. If anyone, male or female pinches your bottom, tell them you will sue them for harassment."

Can nodded glumly. If he knew wearing a fucking expensive suit made people forget their manners, he would have told the boss lady to fuck off! He sighed and took the tray. Heading out the staff exit, he walked down the short hallway and into the hallway. 

Entering the hotel lobby was an experience. It was crowded. It was also very noisy and empty glasses were everywhere. What were the other wait staff doing? Can sucked in his swearing and started to stack the dirty glasses on his tray. He had a full tray and was returning to the cart set up in the corner when the pinch on his bottom happened. 

The tray of glasses went smashing to the floor. Can spun around and punched the man, who was about 40, screaming, "I've had enough of this fucking harassment! Hey, old lady, take your fucking job, your fucking suit and shove it!" He ripped off the tie, dropped it to the floor, stomped on it, and stormed out of the lobby.

Ae collapsed in a fit of laughter, held up by Pete, who also had a hard time standing. The looks on both his Mother's and Can's, were priceless. Dad Kirakorn simply sighed. "Dear, THIS is what you get for meddling. You caused this, you fix it. I'm going home and getting out of this monkey suit. I wear one everyday. I hate it on my time off."

Putch sank into a chair. "Well, that was a disaster." Ma Kirakorn only nodded. A waitress walked by and Ma took a glass of champagne. 

"Putch?"

"Hmm?" 

"You wouldn't have a spare room here for me to stay tonight?" Ma sighed. "I don't think I want to face any of them tonight." 

Patting her knee, Putch sighed too, "I'll do one better. Come home with me."