Starstruck Serendipity: When Fan Met Celebrity (MeenBabe)

Chapter 15: Whispers of Legacy

As Mr. Nawat, Aoom, and Ice waited for Meena to continue, the tension in the room palpable, Aoom couldn't bear to see Meena struggling. "Mr. Nawat, you can't put Meena on the spot like this," Aoom interjected, her voice firm with conviction.

But before Aoom could finish her protest, Mr. Nawat's sharp retort cut through the air. "And how can I trust someone who can't even tell me who she is?" he countered, his tone sharp and unforgiving.

Meena felt a knot form in her stomach as the weight of Mr. Nawat's words bore down on her. She knew she had to speak up, to assert herself in the face of doubt and skepticism. Gathering her resolve, she spoke up, her voice trembling with a hint of hesitation.

"I'm Meena Rina," she began, taking her time with each word. "As for what I do, I run a café with my close friend Charlotte, who Aoom has already met a few times."

Mr. Nawat's brows furrowed in thought as he processed Meena's response, a sense of familiarity nagging at the edges of his memory. "Meena Rina, why do I feel like I've heard your name before?" he mused aloud, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Meena's heart skipped a beat as she searched for a plausible explanation, her mind racing to deflect any further inquiries about her identity. "Um, well, my name is pretty common," she stammered, her voice faltering slightly. "So, uh, maybe that's why?"

But before Meena could breathe a sigh of relief, Mr. Nawat's next question caught her off guard, his sudden recollection sending a shiver down her spine. "Wait a minute," he exclaimed, his eyes widening in realization. "Are you related to RinaGroup by any chance?"

Meena's eyes widened in shock as she struggled to find her voice, her mind reeling at the implications of Mr. Nawat's question. She swallowed hard, her throat dry as she mustered the courage to reply. "Y-yes, Mr. Nawat," she admitted hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

As Mr. Nawat heard Meena confirm her relation to the RinaGroup, a whirlwind of thoughts stormed through his mind. RinaGroup—a name synonymous with wealth, power, and influence. The implications of Meena's connection to such a prestigious family were staggering. Suddenly, the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place—the familiarity he felt upon hearing her name, the aura of confidence that surrounded her despite her initial hesitation. It was clear now why Meena seemed so out of place yet strangely familiar.

But amidst his astonishment, Mr. Nawat realized the gravity of the situation. Meena Rina, a scion of the RinaGroup, was standing before him, her identity no longer a mystery but a revelation with far-reaching consequences. As the weight of this realization settled upon him, Mr. Nawat knew that the dynamics of their meeting had shifted irrevocably, ushering in a new era of uncertainty and intrigue.

As Mr. Nawat's demeanor softened, Aoom and Ice exchanged puzzled glances, perplexed by the sudden change in atmosphere. They were accustomed to Mr. Nawat's stern and no-nonsense approach, but now he seemed strangely accommodating, almost welcoming.

Their confusion deepened when Mr. Nawat pressed the intercom button, requesting coffee for Meena and the rest of the group. It was a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes about the shift in dynamics.

"Why didn't you just tell me right away?" Mr. Nawat's question hung in the air, directed at Meena, who now found herself at the center of attention.

Meena hesitated for a moment, grappling with her conflicting emotions. She knew that her connection to the RinaGroup carried weight, but she had hoped to be judged on her own merits rather than her family's reputation.

"I... I wanted to be judged based on who I am, not just my family name," Meena admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I didn't want anyone to think that I was using my background to gain favor or special treatment."