THE SAME

Chapter twenty-seven

"That is an Attias on your finger. You would probably never have seen one... ever. Attias is very selective in who he designs for. It took my grandfather years to secure his family as the family jewellers."

Yeah, we ain't seen the last of this bitch.

After we officially got engaged, Chai's family went absolutely bananas. The grandmas wouldn't stop crying on FaceTime looking at the ring - grandma Anurak kept sending me Thai weeding dress ideas and when I said I'd wear one for pictures on the weeding day, grandma Kim pleaded for me to do the same with a Korean traditional one. And I folded.

Gifts were being delivered left and right. I'm sure everyone was just competing because... why have we officially only been married for a week and I have a gift from each grandparent for every day of the week?

Grandpa Kim brought us a penthouse as an engagement present too for after the weeding. He said he wants us to relax as newlyweds and not worry. Him and grandpa Anurak went half and half on some land for us so... we can start thinking about building our dream house.

We're not supposed to move in until we're officially married though. It's a weird fixation but the grandmas cannot stomach the idea of co-habitation.

But at this point, can I even complain? I went from a 9-5 to owning a penthouse and a ring that is worth my apartment building.

Look at us, who would've thought?

"I bet you never even had Caviar before, poor thing."

Ahhh, here she is, still bothering me.

Somchai's dad wanted to formally introduce me as his fiancé to a few family friends. He organised a whole event and everyone showed up, even had people begging to come... literally calling Chai in the middle of the night. I almost lost it because I thought he had hoes.

Almost thumped his ass up.

No one would comment but you could tell they were... surprised. A black girl of no social standing being introduced as the newest addition to the Kim-Anurak exclusive empire. Mr Kim took me around to everyone, introducing me like his pride and joy.

Some of the girlies were really turning red with jealousy... I bet they were the girls Chai's mom had planned for him. I know how they feel, poor pookies just mad as hell.

Buy their life, good night.

"Caviar huh? I mean when we were in Japan, Hawai and Dubai as Chai got me to try it but i don't know Mrs Kim... not my favourite."

Just as Mrs Kim was going to speak, another side character choose to introduce herself.

"Mrs Kim, how are you doing?"

Is that a forced smile I am seeing from Mrs Kim... ohhh this is some hot tea.

"Mrs Park, yes, amazing to see you today."

"Yes but... Somchai has not been returning Harin's request to meet... I thought we had agreed that you'd talk to him."

Harin?

Meet who? Somchai who?

And then, I couldn't help but notice the woman at the side of Mrs Park...

You have got to be kidding me!

She was competition. Just an absolute classy babe... gorgeous beyond belief. Her skin was blemish free, just perfect face with pouty lips and innocent eyes and a petite body that filled out just enough in her two piece channel set. And she carried herself with class. I bet she was the standard for Korean women.

"What is the meeting with Chai about? I'll relay the message Mrs Park."

Yeah, your daughter ain't meeting my fiancé. She can talk to me, thank you.

"It's private Naylee."

Oh so her daughter got heart?

"I believe you meant Nayla, Harin darling," Mrs Kim interjected, "as Somchai's future wife I believe she is a better point of contact."

"Oh Minjun, so you are accepting this," Mrs Park inquired with an undertone of judgement.

"You know Haeun," Mrs Park started softly so that we can hear, "I do not think your daughter could ever be a Kim... Harin is too... soft and timid. Our Nayla would never have had her mother come speak to me. It takes a certain kind of women to stand beside a Kim and your Harin is not her."

"Min-"

"Mrs Kim to you Haeun, let's not get too comfortable especially when that little food business your family started has barely lifted off the ground. We wouldn't want it to perish before it grew, even if the forecasted growth is a few measly thousands," she smiled softly. "Come on Nayla, accompany me to the ladies room."

Wow, wow, wow.

I followed her to the ladies room quietly and when we were alone together she started speaking.

"Wow, Mrs Kim-"

"It was a D-. As a future Kim, I was expecting you to finish her Nayla but you did good with Haerin."

"Mrs Kim, thank you."

"You know Nayla, I can't stand you but... every time, I talk to you, I see it. I see the Kim in you. It's the sharpness in your rebuttals, your defiant spirit... it's been a while since I've had someone who didn't kiss my ass. You're... a breath of fresh air but very poor and new to this. I can't believe I'll be forced to teach you."

"Why did you defend me?"

"Oh Nayla," Mrs Kim started softly cupping my face, "it will be a cold day in hell when I let Haeun Park disrespect a Kim. Not when she is wearing off the rack Gucci from three seasons ago."