FAYE
Despite the hot meal, Faye cannot help but pause eating when Yoko finally shows up on the screen.
The young woman was wearing a smile, but it was tight. As staff from the press arrange half a dozen microphones, Yoko is wiping her forehead.
Her boss is still stern-looking and beautiful.
Faye can’t help but notice how the woman loses a couple of pounds.
“For the past month, she’s been working harder than before,” Ice mutters between mouthfuls.
When the doctor caught her staring confusedly at her, Ice shrugs. “In case you are wondering why she looks thin. But don’t worry, we’re looking after her.”
“I’m not worried.”
Ice regarded her with a once over before shrugging again. “Sure,” she said.
Yoko’s voice brings her attention back to the screen.
“Thank you for coming.” Yoko’s already pale face became even lighter with the constant flashes of the cameras.
“I’m Yoko Apasra Lertprasert, heiress and representative of the Apasra Development Corporation. I’m here to address any public concerns regarding the acquisition and the upcoming development of our land at the heart of Thong Lor.”
Beside Yoko, Fourth is scanning the crowd. Faye sighs in relief seeing her cousin as Yoko’s head bodyguard.
The broadcast pans from inside the venue to the outside of the building where hundreds of protestors are gathered in an angry heap.
Faye’s forehead creased.
‘Don’t steal our home!’
‘Stop gentrification!’
‘Stop these Corporate assholes!’
Faye cannot help the growing uneasiness in the pit of her stomach.
Ice pats her thigh. “Big hired security details to guard the parameter of the building. Yoko will be fine.”
This time, Faye cannot even deny how worried she is, even though she caught glimpses of the said security details.
An angry crowd like this requires police standby as well.
She voices out her concern.
“I believe there is.”
The screen shows Yoko again, reading from a piece of paper.
“We’ve danced in this rhythm before. And despite the music being out of tune in the beginning, we managed to be in sync. Why stop now?”
“We believe that the two months given to the dwellers to clear the said perimeter were more than adequate. We’re not planning to delay any further.”
Yoko clears her throat before addressing the media more firmly. “What the corporation is planning to build will serve the public and will turn the land’s current state into a more valuable one. In this — you have my word.”
The screen shows the outside of the venue again. But this time, chaos ensues.
Potesters charges forward.
Faye can now see the police stationed outside, pushing the angry crowd.
The agitators push back in return, until a single line broke, creating a window for the protestors to come in.
And they did! Flailing their banners and fists to the enforcers.
Faye is on her feet.
Yoko’s voice was interrupted with shouts from the outside of their conference room.
YOU ARE READING
The Wish You Left Behind
RomanceCan Faye do her job as Yoko's bodyguard? Or is it her heart that needs guarding from the playgirl heir?
