LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU MY HEART

Chapter 5: Fifteen Baht

'Let's go meet my future husband.' Kinn smirked sarcastically walking out. Everybody followed.

They reached the lower floor and settled in the conference room. Pete volunteered to get Porsche. When he entered the room, he found Porsche standing in the corner a little scared. Pete was really feeling bad for this young guy.

'Hello, you must be Porsche? I am Pete.' Pete asked smiling warmly.

'Swadee Khrap Khun Pete.'

'Oh, please call me Pete or P' Pete. I will take you to meet some people now'

'Ok. Thank you, Phi.' Porsche replied. He looked scared yet determined.

As they walked down the hallway Pete said 'Porsche don't worry these are good people. Do you know about Kinn Theerapanyakun?'

Porsche nodded. Who doesn't know him?

'Ok. Be confident. You don't need to feel scared. Consider their offer properly it can change your life and Nong Porsche' they stopped before a large door, Pete turned to Porsche. 'As long as you work here that is if you decide to work here you can always come to me for any help you need ok.'

Porsche looked at Pete and smiled which finally reached his beautiful eyes. Pete could sense the gratitude. This guy was so busy taking care of others he almost forgot what it feels like to be taken care off. Even though Pete has just met him he felt a connection with him.

'Good luck Porsche.' Pete mentally decided even if Porsche refuses Kinn's incredulous offer he would try help him in some other way. But he hopes Porsche agrees or else they will be in a big mess.

Porsche entered the huge conference room followed by Pete. He was a bit shaken by the ensemble there. He thought he would be given a cleaner's job or a floor/shop assistant's job from what he heard. Why would there be so many people here for the interview? In fact, he can recognize a few people here, they were all rich and powerful people. He had seen their posters on bill boards and pictures in magazines.

May be Pete led him to the wrong interview room by mistake. But Khun Thankun was there too. He knows who he is. So why is he not saying anything. A lot of thoughts were coming to Porsche's mind.

'Come sit here Porsche' said Mrs. Rose Theerapanyakun smiling gently, pointing to a chair at the end of the table beside her.

Porsche walked forward slowly he could feel all the eyes were on him. As introverted as he was, he wanted to run and hide. But he couldn't. His family needs him. He needs the job. So, he took a deep breath and settled down in the empty chair at the end of the table.

Mrs Rose handed him a glass of water and smiled at him kindly. Khun Kun watched his wife's gestures and frowned a little, but he shook away any thoughts coming to his mind.

'I will be speaking to you directly. I won't sugar coat anything,' said Mr Korn in a cold unassuming voice 'You have lost one of your jobs. The other job only pays enough for your monthly rations. Not for your brother's schooling or your mother's medical expenses.'

Porsche nodded silently looking down. His eyes were filling up with tears. At that moment he felt useless. Kinn watched him intently. Looking at the innocent boy tearing up in front of him something clenched his heart. But he pushed back the feeling deep inside. He needs to think for the bigger picture and anyways his proposal would be beneficial to the boy in the end.

'I know son life is difficult and we need to keep fighting for what we love.' Mr Korn added. The curtness in his tone has vanished instead it was replaced with sympathy. 'You are a good kid Porsche. You and your brother deserve better. So does your mom. Therefore, I have a proposal for you. Are you interested?' Mr Korn added as a matter of fact.

Porsche stared back at Mr. Korn and replied sincerely, 'I will try my best to do anything you ask for Sir.'

'Good then let's talk about remunerations. You will be paid 100,000 baht a month and we shall be requiring your services for a year. After which your contract will be terminated and you will be compensated with 1 million baht as a severance package. The only condition is you have to keep the details of this deal a secret to the world for the rest of your life.'

Porsche looked at Mr Korn with wide eyed wonder. With this amount of money, he could even put his brother through college and afford all the medical expenses and care his mother needs.

'What do you need me to do?' he did sound a little desperate.

'We will get to that first let me introduce everyone in the room to you. You have met Thankun my eldest, this is Kinn my second son and heir to the Theerapanyakun group,' Porsche bowed his head, Kinn nodded without breaking his eye contact 'This is Kim my youngest son.' Porsche's eye widened when he looked at him, he was so nervous he didn't see Kim before, Kim nodded his head and frowned he seems to find Porsche a bit familiar. 'This is Vegas....' Mr Korn continued introducing everyone to Porsche one by one.

Finally, he said 'Porsche your assignment is to pretend to be my son's husband for one year. The marriage happens in two hours.'

Porsche froze, he could not believe what he was hearing. 'Pardon me. What?'

'I know its sudden and instantaneous. But it's not a real marriage Porsche. You just have to make some official and social appearances. Of course, you will be staying here however there no one will stop you from going anywhere or doing anything. Just that in this one year you can't work anywhere else or have a relationship with anyone. Once the contract is over you are free to work anywhere or date anyone and live your life anyway you want. Just that you need to stick to our narrative for this year for the rest of your life. Think about it Porsche'

Porsche stayed silent thinking hard. Everyone held there breathe in the room. Every minute seems like an hour. Kinn was staring at the boy in front of him and finally he was starting to panic if Porsche refuses, he needs to find another perfect target. Finally, Porsche spoke slowly

'Ok. I will do it.'

Everyone seemed to release their breathe.

'Ok but I have two conditions.'

'Tell me what do you want.' Kinn spoke for the first time ever since Porsche walked into the room.

'First every Monday to Friday excluding holidays I need to go home, between 10.00am – 03.00pm. That's when my brother goes to school, I have to stay at home to take care of my mom. Secondly, I would like to request an advance.'

'How much do you want? May I know the reason why? Do you feel you would be cheated out.'

'No. I don't. Actually, I need to pay my brother's school fees and pending electricity bill today. So, I need 2985 baht.'

Kinn stood up from his chair and walked up to Porsche.

'Ok. But you can't leave now. Give it to any of the assistants or bodyguards they will do the needful.' Kinn said handing Porsche 3000 baht. Pete stepped forward. Porsche gave it to Pete. 'Please let me know when it is done Phi.' Pete nodded with a smile.

'Aunty please draw the legal papers for our contract. Tay give him a makeover. Make him look like my groom. Can you do it in two hours?'

'Sure, Kinn you can trust my abilities. Porsche come with me.' Tay said smiling warmly at Porsche, extending a hand to him.

'Khun Kinn...' Porsche called softly.

'What?' Kinn frowned.

Porsche handed him one 10 baht and one 5 baht note and followed Tay out, bowing and muttering a thank you to everyone seated around him.

Kinn stared at the retreating figure of Porsche and then at the notes in his hand as a small smile appeared in his lips for a few seconds. He put the money back into his pocket and walked out with his aunt.