Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 15

Kwanruetai rubbed her lips roughly to erase the kiss, feeling frustrated with herself for letting her guard down to a city man. He had kissed her in a moment of weakness, taking advantage while she was vulnerable, grieving over her mother. She couldn't help but blame herself, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

She had never known that a single kiss could hold such power. Her heart pounded wildly, as if it might leap out of her chest, and worse, it left her feeling weak and defenseless—a shameful feeling for her. She'd always scoffed at him, even questioning his masculinity, yet now he had turned the tables and taken advantage.

This insult would not go unanswered, but how could she get even, especially now with both Maik Seek and Samlee being suspicious? She remained silent on the way home, but once they arrived and she sent her mother inside, she called the two of them over to make things clear.

"Listen, you two are forbidden to tell anyone about what happened today. If I hear a word of it, you'll regret it," she warned sternly.

"Oh, come on, Tai! I swear I won't breathe a word. But really... why did that bare-chested fool and you... end up kissing?" Maik Seek said, puckering his lips to imitate.

"Stop it right now!" Kwanruetai snapped, pointing a finger in his face. "If you say one more word, you'll be sorry."

She shook her fist at him, though she knew full well she couldn't keep their curiosity at bay. Maik Seek and Samlee must have seen the whole thing with their own eyes.

Maik Seek turned pale at her threatening stance. "Alright, alright, I won't say a word."

"Remember this—nothing happened between me and that idiot! I just lost my footing, and our lips... just happened to..."

Samlee's eyes lit up, recalling similar "accidental" scenes from movies. "Oh, I get it! Like when the hero and heroine fall and accidentally bump lips. See? It wasn't a real kiss, was it? You're so dense, Maik Seek! How could you not understand something so simple?" Samlee took the opportunity to mock his friend and gave him a light smack on the back of the head.

Maik Seek rubbed his head, looking back and forth between their boss and Samlee in confusion. "But if your lips really bumped, wouldn't there be a bruise or something?"

"What's there to wonder about? I'm strong, so of course, I'm fine. If anyone should have bruised lips, it's that guy," she replied with a slight stammer, though even without a mirror, she knew her lips were likely swollen. It was that man's fault for pulling her into a marathon of a kiss, and she unconsciously raised her hand to touch her lips, making her two followers look on intently.

"Actually, Tai, your lips do look a bit swollen. You might want to put some ointment on them," Maik Seek suggested.

"That's enough from you two! It's late; go home. And don't breathe a word about today, or I'll deal with you harshly," she said, drawing a finger across her neck to emphasize. Maik Seek and Samlee nodded meekly.

"Got it, Tai. We'll keep it quiet."

"You better. Don't let me catch either of you talking about this, or I'll make you regret it," she threatened.

"Of course not. You're our boss; we'd never do that. But what are you going to do about that doctor? He really insulted you."

"Why don't we ambush him at the military hospital? Teach him a real lesson," Samlee suggested eagerly.

"No need. I have a much better plan," Kwanruetai replied with an edge in her voice. She was determined to make that man pay.

"What's the plan?" they asked in unison.