Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 2

Mom Luang Pokketh gracefully approached and knelt before her great-grandmother, paying her respects with delicate movements. Her great-grandmother embraced her back, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"It's been so long, and my dear Ket has grown into such a beautiful young lady," she said warmly.

The Jutathep family gathered around, especially Mom Rajawongse Puttipat and Krongkaew, who were overjoyed to have their daughter home. Sitting to one side was Mom Luang Asira, with Mom Luang Phuthanet, Mom Luang Ronnajak, and Mom Luang Ronphum nearby, all gazing at her with pride. Only Mom Luang Chatklao knew how she had been before this transformation.

If he hadn't told her to change her clothes, the reaction might have been different. In a modest cream polka-dotted dress with a fitted waist, her look now suited her refined appearance as a fashion design student from France.

"This is the most modest outfit I had with me, you know," she murmured. Chatklao said nothing, just responding, "Then I suppose we'll need to go on a major shopping trip tomorrow. I'm sure we'll find many fitting outfits for you at JT Center."

Ket looked slightly dismayed at the lecture from her brother but didn't argue. The conversation soon drifted to lighter topics, with the siblings chatting away as the tension eased during their journey home.

"With all this praise, you're making me blush, Great-Grandmother," Ket said, smiling shyly and glancing back at her great-grandmother.

"It's the truth, my dear Ket, you're the prettiest, with skin as lovely as your mother Krongkaew's when she was young."

"I think Ket looks taller too! Or is it just the heels?" added Phuthanet, seated next to her.

"No, I'm the same height. It's probably just the skirt that makes me look taller," Ket replied.

"Great-Grandmother thinks you're a little too thin, my dear. While you're here, you'll need to eat well. Let your mother cook plenty of your favorite dishes."

"Oh no, Great-Grandmother! I already feel bigger compared to my friends in France. They're all so slender, if I eat any more, I'll feel like a walking dumpling!" she protested, laughing.

Great-Grandmother scoffed, "You can't just imitate foreigners! A thin child brings no pride to their parents. It's best to be healthy and strong," she said, playfully chiding her.

Ket hugged her great-grandmother's waist with a cheeky smile. "Well then, let Great-Grandmother make her special chili paste for me. I've missed it so much!"

"You've got such a sweet tongue, child! I'm too old to be in the kitchen, but your mother can make it for you."

"Don't worry, Great-Grandmother," Krongkaew chimed in. "From now on, I'll prepare all of Ket's favorite dishes every day."

Ket's mother gazed at her daughter with pride. Studying abroad had made Ket more confident, with a poise and grace that suited her fashion studies.

"Oh, Mother!"

"So, Ket, have you thought about what you'll do next now that you're back?" Asira, the eldest, asked with the family listening in.

"I have! I'd like to open my own clothing store."

"And where do you think you'd like to set it up?"

"At Uncle Lek's mall, of course. Now that I know JT Development's CEO, and we're pretty close, it's perfect!"

Phuthanet laughed at his sister's cleverness. "You're sharp, asking for a favor and cornering me all at once!"

"Are you sure about that, Phu?" teased Chatklao. "I doubt she'd last a month before customers stopped coming."