Denied Love

03.The Embrace of Someone Without Rights

Tonight, light rain drizzled down, accompanied by soft thunder. A white European car slowly pulled into the garage. Inside the house, the lights

were still shining brightly, as it was usual for their family to turn them off gradually as the night went on.

Paenarin stepped inside and immediately noticed a familiar figure. She paused for a moment before greeting him naturally, as a daughter would.

“Dad, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

She glanced at the clock—it was already past 9 PM. Normally, her father was very strict about his bedtime, always going to sleep at exactly 9 PM. But now, he was still in his pajamas, sitting on the living room sofa instead of being in bed.

“I wanted to talk to Khem first. I called, but she didn’t pick up. I thought she was with you.”

“No, she had a plan to hand out wedding invitations with her friends.” “She’s not home yet. I’m worried about her.”

Paenarin rolled her eyes. What a great father—forcing his daughter to get married in exchange for her inheritance but worrying more about someone else’s child.

“She’ll be back soon,”

She said, about to walk away, but her father stopped her.

“Wait a second. Since you’re here, I have something for you to see.”

He picked up a large tablet he had brought along to pass the time and handed it to her.

“Khem wrote down her conditions. Take a look.”

Paenarin lowered her gaze and took the tablet. The document on the screen looked very formal. The title clearly stated that these were the conditions

for her and Khemjira’s marriage, which would last for two years.

The first condition was that, after the time period ended, her father must transfer all his assets and the position of company president to her immediately.

She scanned the text until she reached the important part—Khemjira’s personal conditions that Paenarin had to follow.

.

First, after marriage, they must act like a real married couple, even if they didn’t legally register their marriage.

She must also allow Khemjira to call her "wife" and "wife." Second, they must sleep in the same bed and share the same room.

Last, she must allow Khemjira to act affectionate at times, which could include physical contact. But that wasn’t a big deal since it was already covered under the first condition.

.

After reading everything, Paenarin frowned and let out an incredulous laugh. There was no doubt—these conditions must have been written by that crazy little girl herself. What kind of bizarre agreement was this?

“This is insane! These conditions are way too much.”

“If you don't want to, that’s fine. It just means there won’t be a wedding. As for the company president position you want, you’ll just have to wait until I step down—which might be in, say, twenty years after retirement.”

By then, she’d be old already. If Khemjira could set conditions, then so could she.

Paenarin pulled out the pen hidden inside the device and signed her name before handing the tablet back to her father.

“I’ll get married, and I’ll do it willingly.”

She deliberately emphasized the words with sarcasm.

“But you have to promise that once the time is up, I will become the company president as agreed. I once told Mom that I would do it and make her proud. Now that I’m ready, I hope you won’t play any tricks, Dad.

Don’t force me to be the one to cut your chair’s legs myself.”

Her last words were serious. When her mother was alive, she had wanted Paenarin to follow in her father’s footsteps. Back then, she wasn’t ready, but now she was. Even though her mother was no longer here, she believed that she would still see and be proud of her.

“I always keep my word.”

“In that case, I’ll set my own conditions. I’ll send them directly to my ‘future wife.’ No need for you to be the middleman, Dad.”

Wasin sighed at his daughter’s confrontational attitude. He knew she was gearing up for a war with his future daughter-in-law.

“Just keep it reasonable. Khem has loved you for years—don’t be too cruel to her. You might end up falling for her one day, and you won’t want to regret your actions later.”

“Sure, I won’t do anything reckless to your beloved daughter,”

She retorted sarcastically.

Just as she finished speaking, she caught sight of someone approaching. “Speak of the devil—here she comes. Not that it would make much

difference if I did anything to her… Where have you been, troublemaker? You had my dad worried sick. He couldn’t even sleep, you know?”

Paenarin put her things down on the sofa and crossed her arms, taking a firm stance. She wanted Khemjira to realize that she was about to be scolded for coming home late and making the elders worry.

But as the taller woman stepped into the light, Paenarin noticed that she was soaking wet, like a drenched puppy. At least her clothes were starting to dry

—otherwise, the whole floor would have been wet, creating more work for the housemaids.

“Khem, why are you back in this state?”

Wasin immediately stood up upon seeing his future daughter-in-law’s condition.

Khemjira glanced back and forth between Wasin and Paenarin before answering in a small voice, as if feeling guilty.

“I took a taxi, but there was a minor accident, so I was delayed. Sorry for making you worry.”

“Are you hurt? Does anything hurt?”

The eldest in the house asked, his voice full of concern. Khemjira shook her head.

“No, I’m fine.”

She wasn’t hurt at all, even though the taxi she was in had rear-ended the car in front, forcing her to get out in the pouring rain to hail another one. The only thing she felt was shock. And now, Khemjira noticed something

unusual—her hands were trembling uncontrollably. She had never been this scared before.

“Why didn’t you call our driver to pick you up?” “I don’t have his number,”

She admitted.

“So I had to find another taxi, but it took a long time. I’m sorry for coming home late.”

“Then go get some rest. You too, Rin—you’ve been working all day.”

After the tall, model-like woman headed upstairs, Paenarin picked up the

paper bags she had brought and followed her. Just as Khemjira was about to open her bedroom door, a slender hand quickly grabbed her arm, stopping

her.

“Wait.” “What is it?”

Paenarin frowned slightly. Something seemed off about Khemjira. Her usual bright and energetic expression from earlier that day was gone. Was there something she wanted to say?

“Just now, when you looked at me… you weren’t blaming me, were you? For not letting you come home with me? You’re not thinking the accident happened because of that, right?”

“No, of course not. Why would I blame you? I just went to grab something to eat and then took a taxi home. It was just bad luck that there was an accident because of the rain.”

This time, Paenarin’s hand slid from Khemjira’s arm to hold her cold fingers. She had noticed from downstairs that the other woman was trembling. The weather wasn’t even that cold—so why was she shaking?

“Your hands are shaking. Are you scared?” “No.”

“Then why are they shaking? Your voice is unsteady too.”

“I’m sorry for not listening to you, Rin. Tomorrow, I’ll have the driver take me instead. Good night.”

Khemjira wasn’t sure what was wrong with her. She slowly pulled her hand away from Paenarin’s grip, feeling strangely out of sorts. Then, she slipped into her room just as Paenarin continued walking to her own.

As soon as the door closed, Khemjira opened her bag, taking out her belongings to dry them. She sank onto the sofa, staring at her trembling hands, whispering to herself that she was fine, trying to calm down.

She never thought she would be this scared over a minor accident. But the memory of that car crash—the one where she and her father lost control and went off the road—was still vivid in her mind, as if it had happened just yesterday.

.

Knock, knock, knock.

Barely a minute had passed before a few knocks sounded at her bedroom door. For a moment, Khemjira thought it might be Rin, still wanting to

continue their conversation. But before she could be sure, the visitor revealed themselves.

"Khem, it’s me. Can I come in?"

Khemjira quickly got up and opened the door, letting Phi Rin step inside.

The moment the door closed again, she threw herself into the older woman’s arms, seeking comfort.

"Khem…"

The person being hugged smiled softly at the sudden embrace. But that

smile slowly faded as she reminded herself that she shouldn't feel anything beyond what was appropriate.

Khemjira was about to get married in just a few days. No matter how much she, an orphan, had been lucky enough to receive an education and

Khemjira’s love like a real sibling, it didn’t give her permission to think of her as anything more than a little sister—or the daughter of her employer.

"I'm scared."

"It's okay. I'm here now."

Even though Phi Rin didn’t know what Khemjira was afraid of, she could tell that the person she cared about most was feeling vulnerable. So she gently stroked the younger woman’s hair, offering silent comfort. Several seconds passed before Khemjira finally spoke, without Phi Rin even having to ask.

"The taxi I was in had a small accident. It rear-ended another car. But I got so scared. I never knew I could be this afraid. Before, I was never like this."

Phi Rin reluctantly pulled away from the hug to check for any injuries, even though a part of her wished she could hold onto Khemjira just a little

longer. But what mattered more was the other woman’s feelings. She suspected that Khemjira was still deeply affected by the accident she had experienced not long ago.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" "No, I’m fine."

"I saw you come home soaking wet, so I brought you some medicine in case you catch a cold. Go take a shower, change into dry clothes, and get some rest. It’s okay now. You’re safe."

Phi Rin's warm hand once again ruffled Khemjira’s brown hair, offering reassurance. She smiled gently, as if trying to transfer her own strength to

the younger woman. This was all she could do for her. And after Khemjira got married, she probably wouldn’t be able to do even this anymore.

Khemjira met her gaze and nodded slowly. Phi Rin handed her a small packet of cold medicine before quietly leaving the room. Left alone,

Khemjira shook her head a few times, trying to clear her thoughts. She refused to let that accident leave scars on her mind.

She truly meant what she had told Win earlier. If she could just put aside her stubbornness and pride—just a little—and listen to her, letting the family driver take her to and from places, she wouldn’t have had to go through something so troublesome.

From now on, she would obey Rin like a loyal dog to its owner.

.

.

"Achoo!"

"Oh my! Khem, are you sick? That sneeze scared me!"

Balloon, who was sitting next to Khemjira, jumped in surprise and placed a hand over her chest. Jay, sitting across from them, was just as startled. Their loud exchange drew the attention of their coworkers, who briefly looked up from their work.

"I think I have a slight cold, but I already took some medicine, so I should be fine."

Khemjira dabbed her nose with a tissue and gave a sheepish smile. Ever

since she woke up, she had felt congested, and her nose had been running. It was probably from getting caught in the rain last night.

"I think the three of us should take a break outside for a bit. It’s way too cold in here, and you might get worse," Balloon suggested.

Khemjira nodded, and the two senior colleagues gathered their tablets and led her outside, bringing along an extra pack of tissues.

They ended up in the company’s facility area, a quiet workspace near the break room with a warmer atmosphere than their air-conditioned office. With a cup of warm tea in her hands, Khemjira took small sips while Balloon and Jay continued working beside her.

"Don’t forget, Mathuros will come to pick you up this afternoon. You have to meet Boss Rin. Make sure you wear a mask, or the boss might scold you,"

Jay reminded her.

Khemjira raised an eyebrow.

"Mathuros? Is that the boss’s secretary?"

"Yep, that’s her. But our boss is… well, a bit intimidating. Just try not to look too nervous, or you might actually pass out—especially since you’re already feeling unwell."

"Huh? Pass out?"

She set her cup down and raised an eyebrow again, confused. Her two colleagues exchanged looks before setting aside their work, shifting into gossip mode.

"Even I almost passed out once when I was alone with Boss Rin in the elevator,"

Balloon admitted dramatically.

"She’s the picture of elegance—impeccably dressed, smells amazing—so many G’s in that ‘gorgeous.’ But you can’t get within a meter of her. And

don’t even think about making eye contact! She’s so cold it feels like being frozen solid!"

To emphasize her point, Balloon hugged herself as if shivering. Seeing how entertained Khemjira was, she felt even more eager to spill office secrets.

"It’s true! People say there have been plenty of cases where employees nearly fainted during meetings with Boss Rin. I’m worried about you, Khem—what if you get hit by her deadly aura and end up feeling even worse?"

Khemjira chuckled at how the CEO of the company had become the star of office gossip. But she wasn’t entirely convinced. Stories got exaggerated

the more they were passed around.

Though one thing was definitely true—her fiancée was cold. That much, she already knew.

"Oh, and Khem, you probably don’t know this, but the employees here even gave Boss Rin a nickname."

"What is it?" "Queen Elsa." "Huh?"

"That’s what people call Boss Rin—cold as ice, freezing to the core. Even when wealthy and good-looking men and women try to pursue her, she shuts them down so hard they leave humiliated."

Balloon leaned in conspiratorially.

"But Khem, don't go repeating this anywhere. If the department heads hear, we’ll all get a scolding."

"Got it."

"We’re just telling you for fun, though. Don’t get too scared of the boss."

Khemjira put on a bright smile, pretending to enjoy the conversation. But in reality, she wasn’t paying much attention to the gossip about Rin's coldness.

What caught her interest was the mention of men and women pursuing her.

People actually come to the office to flirt with her?

It wasn’t surprising. Rin was stunning. It would be weirder if no one was interested.

"Don’t worry about me," Khemjira said confidently.

"I’m strong-willed. I won’t faint in front of Boss, I promise."

.

.

12:50 PM, after enjoying a meal in the company’s five-star cafeteria, Khemjira returned to her desk. Her teammates hadn’t come back yet—

Balloon and Jay had gone out to buy bubble tea from a shop in front of the building. They wouldn’t be back until a little after 1 PM.

.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of someone tapping on the glass door caught her attention. She quickly turned and saw a neatly dressed woman standing outside, looking more formal than usual.

Khemjira immediately stood up and smiled politely. "Miss Khem?"

The woman, who seemed to be in her forties, addressed her. "Please come with me."

Understanding that she was being summoned by her soon-to-be wife,

Khemjira grabbed a notebook and pen, just in case Rin had work instructions for her. She also took a face mask, worried about spreading her cold.

When the elevator doors opened on the CEO’s office floor, Khemjira was led to a private room separated from the outer hall by solid walls. It was much more secluded than her department’s open workspace. From the large, thick office door and the nameplate, she knew exactly whose office this was.

"This is Boss Rin’s office," Mathuros explained.

"I came to escort you today since it’s your first visit. But next time, I’ll just call you when the boss needs you."

Khemjira nodded in understanding, then took a deep breath and knocked a few times before pushing the door open.

Inside, the office’s owner was seated in a sleek, modern executive chair, gazing out of the tall windows overlooking the city. At the sound of the door opening, Rin slowly turned her chair around, locking eyes with

Khemjira before furrowing her brows. "Why are you wearing a mask?"

"Uh… I caught a bit of a cold. I didn’t want to spread it to you."

Rin’s sharp eyes flicked over Khemjira’s face before she deliberately picked up a document and began flipping through it with practiced ease.

"Before we discuss anything else, I have something for you to see."

She handed over an important-looking document. Khemjira took it and started reading from the top. It was another formal agreement, complete with the owner’s signature at the bottom. She began reading it out loud:

"Clause One... If Khem cancels the wedding or breaks off the engagement, Rin will immediately gain the chairman position and everything that belongs to her father."

"Clause Two... The marriage must remain a secret. No social media posts, no telling anyone. If Khem reveals anything to the public or anyone else without permission, the agreement will be null and void."

"Clause Three... There will be no official marriage registration. And Clause Four... Rin can mess with Khem anytime she feels annoyed—wait, what?!"

Khemjira’s eyes widened. The first three conditions weren’t surprising, but the fourth one? That was completely unfair! It was like giving the guilty party free rein to do as they pleased.

"If you don’t like it, don’t get married." Rin smirked, tilting her head slightly.

"Just tell my father you don’t want to, and that’s the end of it." She looked so smug, as if she held all the power.

Khemjira pursed her lips, then smiled sweetly in return. Two can play this game. Without hesitation, she picked up the pen she had prepared and signed her name, officially agreeing to the terms. Then, she handed the document back.

"I accept, Rin."

She maintained her polite tone.

"So, did you call me here just to sign this, or is there something else you need me to do?"

Rin glanced at the signed document and smirked slightly, pleased with the outcome. But deep down, she felt a twinge of disappointment. She had expected Khemjira to be scared enough to back out.

Well, this will be a lesson for the stubborn girl.

"Sit down."

Rin gestured to the chair across from her. "What did your trainer teach you yesterday?"

Khemjira obeyed without complaint, her demeanor turning serious.

"They explained the company's workflow, particularly what my department handles. I was also given a small task to complete with the team."

Rin quietly folded the document and put it away. This was probably the first time she had taken the initiative to question Khemjira this much.

Normally, she never paid attention to anyone unless they genuinely interested her.

Even though Khemjira had been openly showing interest in her for months, Rin had never felt the need to learn more about her—until now. Now that they were about to get married, she pretended not to care.

"What was your major again? I don’t remember." "Fine Arts."

"Your father is a lawyer. Why didn’t you study law?"

"Well, I never wanted to be a lawyer. Why would I study law?" Khemjira replied matter-of-factly.

"Don’t tell me your memory is so short that you forgot who got me into this field in the first place."

Not wanting to let Khemjira turn the conversation back on her, Praenarin quickly moved on to the real reason she had called her in.

"Alright. The reason I called you here today is to assign you a task. A friend of mine hired a designer to create furniture for a condo. I want you to design two or three sets as a test of your skills."

As she spoke, she pushed a stack of documents across the table.

Khemjira accepted them, though her smile was tight with confusion. If the client had already hired someone, why was Rin the one approving the

designs? Normally, a salesperson would be the one relaying the job. And now the reviewer was Rin, too?

"Wait… shouldn’t the client be the one confirming the designs?" "I’m the CEO. The one who confirms everything is me."

Khemjira narrowed her eyes at her. This isn’t a real job from a friend, is it? It seemed more like a fake assignment with Rin as the actual client.

"That’s odd. Once I finish the designs, they’ll need to be reviewed by senior staff for structural mechanics, ergonomics, patterns, and materials."

She tilted her head.

"Normally, the client and the experts would evaluate them, so why are you the one approving everything? Do you even know about this stuff?"

"Did I give you permission to question me?"

Rin’s face betrayed her irritation, though she quickly masked it with an air of superiority.

"Oh, I wasn’t questioning you. I was just curious."

"Go do the work I assigned. You have 24 hours. By 1 PM tomorrow, I expect your designs on my desk. And one more thing…"

Rin leaned in slightly.

"Hand-drawn sketches only. No digital models."

Khemjira frowned as she glanced at the brief in the document. This wasn’t fair at all. Designing three living room sets, complete with sofas, by hand, in such a short time? That was ridiculous!

"If we’re counting actual work hours, that’s only eight hours. There’s no way I can finish that fast. I still need to learn the workflow from my team and consult my seniors about structure and materials. You can’t expect to approve or reject my work in just one day."

"Oh? Can’t do it?"

Rin’s smirk turned mocking.

"Then quit. This company only hires capable employees. If someone joins and can’t do their job, I see no reason to keep them."

Her condescending tone made Khemjira’s jaw clench. She’s so unreasonable.

But was Khemjira angry? Not at all.

In fact, the more Rin acted like this, the more she wanted to grab her smug fiancée and smother her with kisses just for being so adorably frustrating.

Khemjira suddenly stood up from her chair, planting both hands firmly on the desk and leaning in close with a teasing smirk.

"And what do I get if I finish on time? Something special, maybe?" Praenarin scoffed.

"I don’t need to give you anything special. You’re already getting paid.

Your only job is to complete the work within my deadline. If you can’t, then quit. But if you keep wasting time pestering me, you might not finish at all."

So ruthless. Khemjira stared at the elegantly arched brows that made Rin’s already striking face look even more intimidating. Her seniors weren’t wrong about her cold-hearted nature.

Fine, then. If Rin wanted a quality employee, she’d give her one. "Got it! I’ll get right to work, then."

Khemjira flashed a bright, cheerful smile, snatched up the documents, and practically skipped out of the room.

Praenarin was left momentarily speechless, watching the younger woman’s absurd enthusiasm.

Was she seriously this oblivious, or was she just pretending not to realize she was being messed with?

Either way, a small smirk tugged at Rin’s lips, accentuated by her perfectly applied lipstick.

That puppy-like girl was constantly hovering around her. But not anymore. With this task, she’d be too swamped to bother her.

There was absolutely no way she’d finish on time.