Chapter 7 - Secrets
826 Words
The next day
I went to hang out in Cha-em's room because it was lonely being alone. Meen also came to Em's room.
"Why doesn't the sponsor's son call me and Meen like he does with you?" Cha-em asked curiously. Meen added, "Yeah, I really want to see what the sponsor's son looks like."
Both Em and Meen looked at me simultaneously.
"Why are you two looking at me like that?"
"Is the sponsor's son handsome, girl?"
When asked that question, my mind wandered to the sharp-featured face I saw yesterday. Calling him handsome would be an understatement; he was extremely handsome.
Normally, I'm not interested in men, but there was something about him that felt like a spell had been cast on me.
"What are you thinking about, Aey? Answer quickly," Meen asked again, snapping me back to reality.
"Yes, he's very handsome."
"Wow, I really want to see him," Cha-em quickly said.
"He must be really handsome because I've never heard Eey compliment anyone like that."
"Then why did he call you to meet him alone, and even sent you roses that day?" Cha-em asked with curiosity.
"Plerng said that if he's free, he'll call both of you. He must be busy these days. As for the roses, I think he sent them to all the three of us as a welcome gesture."
"Oh, I almost forgot. Plerng will also recommend both of you for jobs at the hotel. ^_^" When I said that, my two friends were overjoyed.
"Are you serious, Aey? I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"I thought we'd have to look for jobs for months, but we are so lucky."
"He's super nice, even though he seems a bit stern and intimidating."
I chatted with my friends for a while, then returned to my room. I checked the time in Thailand on my phone before calling my grandmother.
"Grandma, Grandma, I miss you so much."
(How are you, dear? Have you started studying yet?)
"Not yet, Grandma. My friends and I came before the university term starts. We'll start studying next week."
(Is it cold there? If it is, make sure to wear warm clothes, dear.)
"It's not winter now, Grandma, but the atmosphere is really nice. I wish you could see how beautiful it is."
Ding dong~ The doorbell rang.
"Hang on a second, Grandma. Someone's at the door. I'll go open it."
I held the phone and got up to open the door. The person ringing the bell was the man who picked up my friends and me at the airport and brought us to the hotel.
"Is there something you need?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Mr. Plerng asked me to bring the employment contract for you to sign."
"Oh, yes, yes." I totally forgot that Plerng would send the documents.
"Please sign it now. Here's a pen."
(Oh man, that snake's back in the house again. Ohm, Ohm!)
My grandmother's voice on the phone startled me as I was about to read the document. I quickly scribbled my signature without even reading it, then handed the pen and paper back to the man and closed the door.
"Is there a snake in the house, Grandma? Is Ohm there? Please get out of the house first."
(Ohm chased it away. I'll hang up now and go check on Ohm.)
"Okay, Grandma, be careful. The snake might still be in the house." Then my grandmother hung up.
After hanging up, I sat down and thought about what I had just signed. I should have read it first and not rushed to sign it like that. I have no idea what kind of job it is. Sigh! I'll probably find out when I start work tomorrow.
The next morning
I woke up early because today is my first day at work. The job shouldn't interfere with my studies since Mr. Plerng likely understands I need to balance both.
I dressed in a white t-shirt and trousers and carried a bag that cost fifty baht from a market in Thailand. All my clothes are thrifted. I like buying them because they still look new and are cheap. Even my phone is second-hand. I have to save on anything I can.
Ding dong—the doorbell rang. Mr. Plerng's person must have come to pick me up.
I walked to open the door, feeling excited. It's my first day working abroad, and the salary is quite high. How should I behave? I also wonder if Meen and Cha-em have started working today as well.
"Please, Miss Aey," said the same guy who came to pick me up. It felt odd being called "Miss."
"Do you know where I have to work?" I asked him while walking to the elevator, but he just shook his head. "I'm not authorized to say, Miss Aey. You'll find out when you get there."
I whispered softly, "Is it really that much of a secret?"
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