Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 11

Mom Luang Pokkhet decided to keep the incident with Attavit a secret. She asked Pakratch not to tell Grongkaew, worried it would shock her mother. Pakratch agreed on the condition that she wouldn't work late anymore and would be more cautious. They arrived at Khun Ying Ampai's house almost an hour late, and as soon as they parked, Grongkaew rushed out to greet her daughter.

"Are you okay, Kate? I was so worried."

Pokkhet lied, saying she'd gotten stuck in the bathroom and that Pakratch had come to help her. Though it wasn't the whole truth, it was enough to ease the elders' concerns.

"I'm fine, Mom, just a little shaken."

She glanced at the young man, catching him with a slight smirk, which only annoyed her more. Pakratch was incredibly old-fashioned. After a small argument over her outfit, she had remained silent on the ride, occasionally sneaking glances at him without meaning to.

Pakratch was undeniably handsome. His long, slender fingers on the steering wheel were as delicate as a woman's, with impeccably trimmed nails showing his attention to detail. While he drove, he was silent, and now, standing in front of Khun Ying Ampai, he composed himself like a perfect gentleman. She couldn't help but think, What kind of man is this, so stiff and robotic? Has he ever even smiled, or is he just programmed to follow orders?

"Oh... it's all right, dear. Perhaps tomorrow, you can tell Aunt Arada so she can fix the door lock," Grongkaew suggested.

"Yes, Mom, don't worry. I'll talk to her tomorrow. But it's late already. Why don't we have dinner? I don't want to keep Khun Ying waiting."

She bowed politely to Khun Ying Ampai, who smiled warmly, glancing from her son back to Pokkhet, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable. However, she brushed it off, still irritated.

"No need to be so formal. Your mother and I already had a little something. But you and Pak must be starving," Khun Ying said.

"I'm so hungry my stomach's growling," Pokkhet admitted, laughing.

Khun Ying Ampai smiled, amused by her honesty. "Shall we go inside? Standing here, we'll be carried away by mosquitoes," Pakratch suggested.

The four of them moved into the dining room, where a spread of dishes awaited them, prepared by Khun Ying Ampai for Grongkaew and her daughter. Pokkhet excused herself to wash her hands, returning soon after, and the housekeeper served the meal. They ate while chatting.

"I heard you're working as a manager at Arada's boutique, Kate?" Khun Ying Ampai asked.

Pokkhet nodded. "Yes, yesterday at the party, I met Aunt Arada. She invited me to work at her boutique."

"But doesn't she have two daughters? Doesn't anyone want to learn the family business?"

"I don't know the details. I only know that Orrawan has a stable job at the bank, and I'm not sure about Orrawi. Aunt Arada mentioned her health isn't great, so she needed help. That's why I accepted quickly."

Pokkhet chose not to delve into family matters. As an employee, it wasn't her place to comment on Arada's family relationships.

"Kate studied fashion design, Khun Ying. She's admired Aunt Arada's boutique for a long time, so when offered, she couldn't pass it up."

"I've had clothes made by her before; she's incredibly skilled, especially with Thai designs or modernized Thai fabrics. Everything she makes is beautiful."

Pakratch raised an eyebrow at Pokkhet, making her recall his earlier remark.

"Why not try designing simpler styles, Kate? Imagine if foreigners started wearing Thai fabrics. They'd look elegant, without needing to show too much, inviting unwanted attention," he said.