6
Rebecca POV
The next morning…
I hold my head, massaging my temples as I think back to last night’s celebration. I should’ve known that Billy would go all out. I don’t know how Babe puts up with him.
Bastard doesn’t even work today. I pout.
P’Gun huffs at my expression. I turn to glare at him.
But he isn’t scared of Rebecca Patricia Armstrong. Not when he’s seen me as Becky the highschooler and was there for my awkward growing phases.
He discreetly passes me a painkiller and bottled water.
I smile brightly as I quickly swallow the medicine and chug the water.
In a few minutes, we pull up to the curb and P’Gun holds the car door open as usual.
As I’m about to walk in through the double doors, Fay pulls me aside. She holds her hand up to P’Gun and I nod in affirmation. He grunts and steps away, a nod to the others in my security detail to do the same.
“I have updates on the internal investigations I’ve been conducting,” Fay says, keeping her voice low in case those around us want to be nosy. “And someone pushed your secretary the other day...”
Fay explains the circumstances of the incident yesterday.
I pull out of her grasp immediately. “Who?”
Fay blinks at my intimidating tone. “Mr. Gon.”
“I want everything on him. Don’t miss any little detail.” If he thinks he can get away with bullying my Freen then he’s in for a rude awakening.
“Yes boss,” Fay nods.
“Fay.” I stop her in her tracks. “I want it done by the end of the day.”
Fay nods again, hurried in her steps.
I let out a breath that I didn’t realize I was holding. I know I can leave the matter in Fay’s hands. But I also prefer getting my hands dirty.
“P’Gun.”
“Yes Miss Rebecca.” He answers my summons promptly.
“Set up a lunch meeting with Toh.”
“Yes Miss Rebecca.”
“Let him know it’s urgent and for him to bring along Khaojao.”
“Anything else, Miss Rebecca?”
“That’ll be all, P’Gun.” I nod my thanks and head into the office with a wicked grin.
Oh, Gon you really should have picked on someone else. Anyone else. Now you get to deal with me.
Freen POV
When I head into the office, Becky is already at our desk. Her glasses lay forgotten on the table and her eyebrows furrowed. She rests her chin on her folded hands, intently focused on the papers in front of her.
I rap my knuckles against the open door. “May I come in?”
Becky’s eyes lighten up when she sees me. “Yes, please.”
I smile at her enthusiastic response.
“How has your morning been so far, Freen?”
“It’s been great!” I gush excitedly. I let Becky know in great detail about the breakfast I prepared this morning. “…I got the eggs just right-”
GRUMBLE
Becky turns red, holding onto her stomach. “-I’m sorry, contin-”
I try to hold it in but I can’t help the laughter bubble out of my mouth.
“I’m sorry for laughing.” I wipe at the tears on the corners of my eyes. “Are you hungry, Becky?”
“I wasn’t able to eat breakfast this morning.” Becky pouts. Oh…na rak. She’s so cute.
Freen. No.
That’s your boss.
“Why don’t you eat now?” I speak softly, trying to soothe her.
“I can’t. I have a lunch meeting in a couple of hours.”
“Why don’t I get you something small then?”
“And a cup of coffee,” Becky sounds so hopeful. Who am I to deny her a cup of coffee?
“And a cup of coffee.”
Becky smiles. “Thank you Freen.”
“You’re welcome, Becky.”
…
On the hunt for something delectable for Becky, I run into P’Nam and her colleague.
“Oh N’Freen! Hi,” P’Nam waves me down, pulling her colleague over with her. “Heng, this is Freen Sarocha Chankimha. Nong, this is Heng Asavarid Pinitkanjanapun.”
I wai toward the man. “Hi P’Nam. It’s nice to meet you, P’Heng.”
“Oh I get it now.” The two of them share a lot I’m not privy to.
“Right!” Nam smiles triumphantly. “What are you up to, Nong?”
“I’m getting Becky something small to eat.”
“Oh you let me worry about getting that for you. I know just the thing to lift N’Bec’s spirits.”
“Are you sure?” I hesitate.
“I insist.” She assures me, already pulling out her phone to place a call. “Heng. Talk to her.”
“Treats me like her pet.” He huffs, rolling his eyes.
I wonder what’s going on with these two.
“So N’Freen..do you like N’Bec?”
I turn to him, wide-eyed. “Yes? I mean…she’s a kind boss.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” I square my shoulders getting ready to defend Becky’s honor.
“-ok, I placed the order!” P’Nam interrupts our conversation. “Should be arriving in 10-15 minutes.”
“Oh! I also need to grab a cup of coffee.”
“Heng can help with that,” Nam says, jamming her thumb at him. “He’s in charge of all the contractors in the office including the coffee carts.”
An idea pops into my head.
“Is there any chance I’m able to use the coffee cart?”
…
As I’m heading back to Becky’s office, carrying her coffee cup and a to-go bag, someone stands in my path.
He snorts disdainfully. “This kind of work suits you more.”
“Excuse me?” My mouth agape at this blatant disrespect.
“Are you deaf?” He narrows his eyes at me. “This is what happens when the company hires the uneducated.”
“You don’t get to speak to me like that.” I hold my ground because who does this jerk think he is?!?
Jerk…he’s the jerk who pushed me yesterday.
“I’ll speak to you however I want,” he spits venomously at me. His eyes rake over my body. “Don’t get cocky just because you have a pretty face and breasts.”
Before I can get another word out, he brushes past me.
“Bitch.” He huffs under his breath as other office employees round the corner.
I turn in time to see the man warmly greet his colleagues, not sparing me another glance.
…as much as I want to do something about that trash, it’s not even my first week here. And that man must have some good standing in the company to act this arrogantly.
I hastily make my way toward Becky’s office.
…
“I’m back,” I announce my arrival, holding up the coffee and bag.
“Welcome back.” Becky closes her laptop and makes her way over to the sofa.
I set her coffee down on an available coaster, placing the take out bag beside it. “P’Nam helped me with the snacks.”
“Thank you.” Becky smiles, wrapping her hands around the coffee cup. I hold my breath as she takes a sip.
“..where’d you get this coffee?” Becky asks, her eyes taking on a serious glint.
“I’m so-”
“It’s amazing!” Becky exclaims, drinking eagerly. Some coffee dribbles down her chin.
I lift a napkin up to wipe at the spilt coffee. “I’m glad.”
Becky blinks, staring at the napkin.
“Sorry.” My cheeks flare up. I can’t believe I did that. “You spilled some coffee and-”
“Thank you.” Becky grins, running her finger around the coffee cup lid. “Tomorrow, can you point out the coffee cart person who brewed this? I’d love to get their coffee tomorrow too.”
I beam at her. “Thank you!”
“…you’re welcome?” Becky looks confused.
“I made it.” I tell her, my smile growing. “P’Heng let me borrow one of the coffee carts.”
Becky looks at the coffee cup then back at me then back to the cup.
“..you made this,” Becky says, holding onto the cup gingerly. “Thank you.”
If she’s this happy about a cup of coffee...“I’ll make it for you tomorrow then.”
Becky is all smiles once the words leave my mouth. She clears her throat. “Let’s eat!”
She unwraps the bag and starts pulling out various small containers, each with a decadent looking cake. She hands me a fork and begins digging in. We share the small assorted cakes.
Rebecca POV
I let Freen know I’ll be out of office for the rest of her shift and she can see Nita about any work tasks.
“Ok. Then I’ll see you tomorrow,” Freen waves goodbye from the desk.
“See you tomorrow!” I wave back, feeling shy about returning the sentiment. The feeling leaves when I see Freen’s bright smile. I turn to leave when…
“Becky!”
“Yes?” I give her my full attention.
“Su su na.” She does a little fist pump in the air, tilting her head. I manage a small fist pump in response and then bow my head, trying to will the blush away from my cheeks.
…
Toh and Khaojao are already waiting for me when I get to the restaurant.
“Let the chef know we’ll have the eight course meal.” I speak in code to the waiter whose eyes widen as he scampers off. I close the door to the private dining area.
“P’Bec!” The two surveillance experts greet me warmly.
I wai. “I need a favor. You’ll be compensated for all and any expenses while looking into this matter.”
Khaojao leans forward in his seat. “What do you need?”
“Who are we looking into,” Toh grins maniacally as he takes out his laptop.
“Gon Worrapon Jintakoson.”
“He’s an AGI employee,” Khaojao raises his eyebrows. Usually Fay takes care of any internal reviewing but I’m desperate to stick anything to this trash.
“I have Fay looking into his work activities. I want to know what he does outside of work.”
Toh whistles. “He must’ve really pissed you off..”
“I want you to gather as much info as you can then cross reference with Fay.” I continue, ignoring Toh’s comment. “By the end of the day, you should know the most damning thing about this bug.”
KNOCK KNOCK
“Come in.”
“Hello ma’am,” the chef wais to us and we returned the gesture. “How many people are we serving today?”
“Four.”
“Yes ma’am.”
The chef sensibly backs out after confirming my order.
“Chef will provide you with any hardware you might need to conduct your search here.”
Khaojao’s eyes glitters. “Anything?”
I nod. “Fay should be joining us in a few hours.”
We get to work as the chef personally delivers plates of delicious food and hardware requested by Toh and Khaojao.
…
Fay arrives exactly on the hour she said she would. I can’t help but appreciate her punctuality on a day like today. She launches into her findings the minute she sits down.
“He’s openly flippant about his feelings on the new hires at AGI, especially someone working directly with the CEO. I got multiple reports that he’s coveted your position since he was promoted. A promotion that was the result of stealing another colleague’s work,” Fay holds up her tablet with the incriminating evidence. “Since Ms. Chankimha’s hiring, Mr. Gon has been spreading false rumors to other departments about her. I cleared up the misinformation and reminded the department heads that defamation has no place in the workplace.”
“Alright. You three pool your research together.” I say getting up from my seat. “I’m going to take a phone call.”
I step out of the restaurant, relieved to smell the fresh air. It helps calm my anger.
“P’Gun, I need a favor.” I speak into my receiver. “How quickly can you organize a coffee corner in my office? …After hours. I want it stocked with state of the art appliances and top shelf locally sourced ingredients.”
“I’ll have it done before dawn.”
“Thank you P’Gun.” I let out a sigh. “And remember after hours at the office.”
“Understood.”
Becky is still seething by the time she makes her way back to the room but slowly and diligently, her team gathers evidence of Gon’s nasty, illegal behavior to file a formal complaint.
Freen POV
I’ve been running errands for Ms. Nita since Becky left this morning.
She mainly has me delivering documents to the different departments so I can introduce myself as Becky’s secretary.
Unfortunately a fly has been constantly buzzing around.
Everytime I run into Mr. Gon, he makes snide comments about my appearance, education and finally…my family.
He blocks my path. “Your mother must’ve been a whore and your dad a deadbeat.”
“I’ll report you to HR.” I hold my head high despite the tremble in my voice. How dare this- this bastard talk about my Mae that way!
“Go ahead and try,” he sneers at me, crossing his arms. “I’ll have the complaint thrown out before it even reaches Becca’s desk. And I’ll sue you for defamation.”
He leaves.
I grab my forearms to stop my shaky hands.
What am I going to do?
Do I risk bringing this up to HR? What if he does as he said he would and retaliates? He’s worked here longer than I have..and I don’t have any physical proof.
Tears start to well up in my eyes and feel my breathing getting labored.
I can’t be seen like this. Especially not by him.
I barge into the nearest restroom, gripping the edge of the sink.
“N’Freen?”
I glanced up at Ms. Nita through the mirror and caught a glimpse of my own reflection. My eyes are red and my skin looks as pale as I feel.
“Are you ok?”
I attempt to answer her but the words don’t come out. I shake my head, drawing a deep breath in through my mouth.
“Who did I need to kick?” Ms. Nita’s eyes blaze into mine.
A watery laugh escapes me.
“Talk to me, Nong.” Ms. Nita places a hand tentatively on my shoulder. “If you don’t want to talk to me then please let me take you to someone else you can confide in.”
I take in another deep breath. “Mr. Gon.”
I pause. Then take another breath.
Ms. Nita waits. She doesn’t say anything but I feel her undivided attention on me.
“He’s been insulting me. Things I’ve heard before. Then he made a comment about my family.”
Ms. Nita waits, watching my face. There must be something she can read from it. “You don’t need to share any specifics, Nong.”
I shake my head. “He called my deceased mother a whore. And my dad a deadbeat..which he isn’t wrong about.”
Ms. Nita reassures me that harassment of any kind has no place in the company. “I’m glad you trust me with this.”
She hands me wipes for my face. And waits while I clean myself up.
“Would you like to go home early, Nong?”
“I’d like to finish out the work day. If that’s alright, Ms. Nita.”
“Of course that’s fine. Please call me Phi when it’s just us. We can afford a little informality, can’t we, Nong?”
I nod shyly. “Yes Phi.”
Ms. Nita smiles at me. “Let’s go then. You’re shadowing me for the rest of the day.”
“Yes Phi.”
Ms. Nita delegates her remaining work tasks to her associates. She introduces me personally to those I’ve yet to meet in the different departments. She shares her personnel notes with me on the people Becky works closely with.
Not once did Mr. Gon try to come close.
I breathe a sigh of relief sitting beside Ms. Nita as she goes over how to access internal files in the company cloud.
Rebecca POV
RING RING
“Rebecca speaking.” I don’t bother screening the contact, preoccupied with the sheets in front of me. Fay received written documentation that corroborates her reports on Gon slandering Freen’s name.
“Ms. Rebecca, I have something to report regarding Ms. Chankimha,” Nita begins.
“-what about her?” I interrupt, my heart rate picking up. “Is she alright?”
“She’s fine. Physically.” Nita corrects herself. Then she goes on to talk about Mr. Gon and the comments he’s made about her. “..he spoke ill about her family, ma’am.”
I’m fuming. Mr. Gon is really testing my patience.
“Thank you, Ms. Nita.” I keep my voice level, crumpling the papers in my hand. “I’ll handle it from here. Great job today.”
“Thank you, Ms. Rebecca.”
Oh this asshole is getting fired.
“Forget the formal complaint.” I tell Toh, Khaojao and Fay. “I want as much dirt on this insect to serve him his termination papers.”
Freen POV
I walk through a nearby park and settle on a bench. I can’t bring myself to enter the apartment where Nat is waiting for me.
I let the tears silently roll down my cheeks, hunched over my work bag.
“Excuse me.” A kind looking middle aged woman approaches me. “Are you alright, dear?”
She eludes such a motherly demeanor that I can’t help but cry harder. She reminds me of my own mother. The fact that she isn’t here with me. That Nat will grow up without her.
“Oh sweetie.” She wraps an arm around me, pulling me into a side hug. Her other hand rubs up and down my arm soothingly. She holds me tightly till my cries subside.
I relish in the comfort for a few moments longer. “Thank you Khun Mae.”
I lift my head from her shoulder, staring down at the tear stains on her elegant clothes. “Oh! I’m so sorry. Please let me pay for the dry cleaners-”
She waves me off and gently wipes my cheeks with her thumbs. “Let me give you some motherly advice, dear. Hold your chin high especially around those who belittle you.”
I gape at her. “How’d you know?”
“A mother always knows, dear.” She holds my hands in her own, smiling warmly at me.
Suddenly the words are flying out of my mouth as I recount the day I’ve had at work. “…I don’t know what tomorrow will hold.”
“Well let’s take it one day at a time,” she grips my hands a bit tighter. “At least that’s what I tell my kids.”
“Thank you again.” I give her hands a squeeze. “You’re such a wonderful person, Khun Mae. I know your kids are lucky to have you.”
…
Rebecca POV
“Robert, you won’t believe what happened today at the park!” Mum brings up at the dinner table. She tells her story of meeting a young woman in the park. Then she directs her attention toward Richie and I. “I hope you two find someone as lovely as that girl.”
Dad’s got a curious look in her eyes but ends up humming along to what Mum said. Dad has always said that Mum knows best.
“Any chance you got her number, Mum?”
“Richie!”
…
Freen POV
When I walk through the front doors of the building, I spot Ms. Nita speaking with her colleagues. She flags me down when she notices me.
“I wanted to let you know before you went into the office,” she explains, guiding me into an elevator. “Mr. Gon no longer works for AGI.”
“Oh.” I’m surprised. “HR works fast.”
A few more employees join us in the lift, talking about Mr. Gon’s situation.
“-apparently he was embezzling from the company-”
“-not much but it’s definitely cause for concern. That along with the racketeering charge-”
“-let’s not forget how he’d treat the new hires. He acted like he owned the company-”
I’d come to learn that Mr. Gon’s sudden termination reached the ears of everyone in the company, whispers of his misdeeds from harassment to embezzlement to racketeering, etc.
When the elevator doors roll open, Ms. Nita guides me to her office.
“We’ve got an offsite work assignment today,” she explains, dropping her things off and carrying her purse. “You won’t need your work bag.”
I lay my belongings down on the side table next to the couch. “Where are we going?”
Ms. Nita smirks. “The mall.”
“The mall?”
She slides her arm through the crook of my elbow. “We’re going shopping.”
On the short drive over to the mall, Ms. Nita explains that we’re here to pick up some formalwear outfits to wear for some annual upcoming anniversary gala.
“We’ve arrived.” Khun Gun hops out of the car to open our car door. Then he waves off his subordinate who drives off.
“Are you also doing some shopping, Khun Gun?” I ask him as he follows Ms. Nita and I into the shopping center.
“I’m here to accompany you two,” he says, walking behind us like a bodyguard. “Call me P’Gun. Khun is too polite.”
“Ok, P’Gun.” I smile at him. His frankness reminds me a bit of Becky. “Could you walk beside us, P’Gun?”
He raises an eyebrow but compiles.
“It just feels like you’re escorting us.” My cheeks burn under P’Gun and Ms. Nita’s watchful gaze. “Let’s all walk together.”
P’Gun doesn’t say a word but he adjusts his stride to walk next to us.
I beam at him while Ms. Nita loops our arms together and guides us into a boutique. A very fancy boutique.
“Ms. Nita, this place is too expensive-”
“Nonsense!” She continues pulling me further into the store. “This is all going on the company card.”
“Still-” I look back to P’Gun with pleading eyes. He simply shakes his head.
“C’mon Nong,” she smiles, flagging down an associate at a nearby counter. “I’d like to see your selection of evening gowns and pantsuits. Anything classy for the annual AGI gala.”
“Yes ma’am.” She rushes away, calling on another associate to guide us.
“Please follow me.” We weave through the vast store and end up in a swanky looking area with a couch and several armchairs.
“I will be back with refreshments,” the associate leaves us.
“P’Gun have a seat,” Ms. Nita tells him, plopping down on the couch. “We’ll be here awhile.”
I follow suit and join Ms. Nita on the couch. “What are you looking for, Ms. Nita?”
She gives me a look.
“Phi.” I correct, smiling slightly. “What are you looking for?”
“-I’m here to take measurements.” A tall, straight-laced woman interrupts our conversation.
P’Nita smiles and points to me. “You’ll be taking her measurements.”
I stare at her. “Me?”
The tall woman towers over me. “Please follow me.”
“Go on, Nong.” P’Nita sends me a grin, making herself comfortable.
I get up and follow the lady to the curtained section of the room, we pass through several barriers before reaching the inner room with a wall length mirror.
“Change into these undergarments,” she points to the packaged white clothes atop the vanity. “And press the button on the wall when you’re finished changing.”
I’m left alone before I can thank her.
“Wha-” I sigh, mid-sentence. This isn’t how I pictured today going.
I quickly get undressed and slip into the thin undergarments. The tailor arrives within seconds of me pressing the button.
“Arms up.”
I mold to fit her instructions.
“Lower slightly.”
“Good. Stay still.”
After speedily taking my measurements, she leaves once again. I wrap the offered silk robe in the room around me.
In a few minutes, a couple of associates come into the room with a rack of clothes and cart of shoes and accessories.
The tailor comes back with another woman dressed from head to toe in glittering jewels.
“Hi, dear,” she greets me warmly, picking up my hand between hers. “Seo. I’ll be your stylist today.”
Immediately she started barking orders to the others in the room, organizing different outfits.
Seo guides me into the adjourning room to change into the first outfit of many.
After every outfit, Seo guides me by the shoulders over to P’Nita and P’Gun.
“Oh Nong, you look amazing in this one~”
“Stunning. Absolutely stunning!”
She snaps pictures and continues to sing her praises till I’m red in the face.
P’Gun nods along to P’Nita’s comments and simply hands me water or snacks after every 3rd outfit change.
My whole body is sore by the time we’re finished. I lay on the couch, letting P’Nita handle everything else.
“We’ll start on the alterations right away,” Seo assures her. “We’ll deliver the finished products to AGI per usual.”
“Thank you, Seo.”
“Of course! Nothing but the best for our VIPs.”
Rebecca POV
P’Gun updates me on how their dress outing is going. It’s reassuring to know that he’s accompanying them. I smile thinking about how shocked Freen must be about the experience. She doesn’t seem like the type to spoil herself.
Unfortunately my mood doesn’t stay high for too long when Gon barges into my office.
This guy doesn’t learn. I stare him down till he averts his eyes, quickly taking a seat.
“Boss.” He wais to me, head lowered. He blabbers on and on about how everything is at the fault of my secretary. He sounds like a broken record repeating that he’s been framed. “-trust me, Becca. We’re family, aren’t we?”
“Gon Worrapon Jintakoson.”
“Yes.” He jerks his head at the use of his full name.
“What are you doing in my office?”
“Huh? B-boss?”
“Ms. Rebecca.” Billy knocks on the open door, arms crossed as he stares down Gon.
“Please escort Mr. Jintakoson out of the building.”
“Becca, wait.” Gon pleads as Billy lifts him out of the seat. “B-Becca, please!”
"Gon." I call his name as Billy walks him to the door. "You will never step foot in AGI again."
Billy snickers, closing the door after lightly shoving Gon past the threshold.
I smirk after finally doing away with that trash when my work phone rings. A quick glance at the caller ID and I leisurely accept the call.
“I am terribly sorry, Ms. Rebecca.” Gon Sr. grovels over the phone. He repeats the sentiment a few more times with a variety of phrases. “...I didn’t raise him right. He’s caused such a disturbance at the company that I will accept any punishment.”
“I’ve already dealt with the matter, sir.” I tap a random pattern out on the desk. “You needn’t worry about it.”
“Thank you for your leniency, Ms. Rebecca. Know that I will personally discipline that disgraceful brat.”
I hum my thanks and say my goodbyes before clicking off the call. I wonder when Freen's coming back.
…
When Freen comes through the office doors, she looks exhausted from this morning's events. Nita must've had fun.
"Busy morning?" I ask Freen as she drags her feet to the desk, plopping down into her chair.
"Ms. Nita is very…passionate about fashion," she replies, laying her forehead on the cool surface of the desk. She sighs. "Let me lay like this for five minutes."
"Ok," I smile, lightly tapping the edge of the desk. "Do you want some coffee?"
Freen picks her head up at that, "Where?"
"Here."
"Here?"
Freen follows my gaze and makes an audible gasp of surprise.
"Becky!" Her eyes are shining with delight when I turn back to face her.
I simply grin in response, shrugging my shoulders.
"Come on," Freen gets up, suddenly looking like she's got the energy to spare. "Make some coffee with me."
"I've never made coffee before." I admit sheepishly, still I let Freen guide me over to the coffee corner.
"I'll teach you." Freen dons one of the aprons on the marble counter. She hands the other to me. "First, we wash our hands."
After handwashing, Freen starts fiddling with the different settings on the espresso machine. "Wow. This thing does everything…"
"Should I grab the user manual?" I joke, twisting my hands as I await my next set of instructions.
"Next time." Freen hums. She grabs a small appliance off the shelf and plugs it in. "Now let's pick our beans!"
I stare pensively at the variety that lines the shelves above the machine. "Can I choose just any?"
"Sure, it's really a matter of personal preference." Freen picks up one of the bags to smell. "Since we're using the espresso machine, let's choose an espresso roast."
I nod along, reading the labels and searching for one that fits 'espresso roast' and has an interesting flavor profile. I reach for a bag. "How about this?"
"Let's go with this one." Freen glances at the bag before opening it up and measuring the right amount of beans with the food scale. "Do you want to grind?"
My mind flashes with wildly inappropriate thoughts for the workplace. "Grind?"
"Mm, grind the coffee beans?" Freen tilts her head at me, a knowing smile on her face.
I huff, trying to hide my smile. "Sure. What setting should I put it on?"
"Fine." Freen says, filling the appliance she picked up earlier with the beans.
I grind the beans as Freen gets everything else ready. She adds filtered water to the machine and gets out a cute set of matching mugs. She places the mugs atop the machine and hands me what looks like a mini pot attached to a large handle.
"Here you go. You'll put the beans you just grinded in here."
"Right." My brows furrow when I think about how I'm going to move the coffee dust into that tiny container.
Freen giggles. "Let me help."
She steps behind me, her arms boxing me in as she wraps a hand around the grinder. She steadies my hand holding the handle, holding the grinder above it.
"Press this button and…" she whispers beside my ear. Chills running down my spine at the feeling of her breath grazing my skin.
The coffee grounds fall perfectly into the container. Right, coffee.
"Now we tamp." Freen presses into me, reaching for some stamp-looking tool. I get lost in the warmth emanating from my back.
Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coff-
"-Becky?" Her voice cuts through my hazy thoughts. "Are you alright? Are you uncomfortable? I'm sorry-"
"No!" I clear my throat, blinking back into focus. "Not uncomfortable. Super comfy. I'm a hands-on kind of learner."
Freen laughs, dropping her chin to my shoulder. God I love the domesticity of the moment.
She places the stamp atop the container and moves my free hand to wrap around the stamp's handle. "And push."
With her hand wrapped around mine, she pushes down on the handle. "Now we brew!"
Freen steps away and I instantly miss her body around mine. She gently takes the handle from me and fits it to the espresso machine. She moves the cups to the tray and we watch as two streams trickle down.
"Do you want a cappuccino?" Freen asks, pulling a carton of milk from the mini fridge built into the counter.
"Yes, please." I happily watch as Freen steams the milk and pours it expertly into one of the cups then refills the pitcher to pour into the other. She slides my cup over to me. "Thank you Kruu Freen."
"You're welcome, nak rian." She scrunched her nose then stuck her tongue out at me.
I smile at the cuteness overload, looking down at my cup. I might just melt into a puddle at the heart atop my drink. I take a sip, catching Freen's expectant eyes.
"Delicious!" I tell her, enjoying the moment her eyes light up at the comment. She takes a sip from her own cup, catching some milk foam on her upper lip.
"Messy." I half-heartedly scold her, sliding my fingers underneath her chin and wiping away the milk with my thumb.
Freen's eyes widen and her mouth parts slightly in surprise, her throat bobs as she swallows her coffee.
She's captivating.
"-Nong!" Nam bursts through the doors like the building is on fire. The building better be on fire.
Freen takes a subtle step back and my hand drops to my side.
"Yes," I grit out to face an amused Nam. Let's see how funny she thinks she is when I get my hands on her.