10
Freen POV
After Nat’s daycare drop-off, I call Ms. Nita to let her know I’ll be taking a sick day. Then I shoot off a text to Becky.
Can we talk?
My phone rings immediately.
“Hello-”
“Where are you?”
“At May’s-”
“P’Gun will pick you up in 5.”
“Ok-” the call disconnects.
Puzzled, I stare at the phone in my hand. Then I glance at my watch, looking down at my casual outing clothes. Well…I don’t suppose our meeting needs an outfit change.
I lock up and meet P’Gun at the curb.
“Miss Freen.” He holds open the door, looking at me expectantly.
“P’Gun.” I frown, crossing my arms.
“Miss Freen?” He looks at me confused.
“Khun Gun.” I raise my eyebrows.
“Ah. N’Freen.” He looks back, checking his answer.
“P’Gun.” I smile warmly, hopping into the car. “Thank you!”
His mouth quirks up briefly before falling back into that neutral look of his. I’ll get you to smile yet, P’Gun. And if not me then surely Nat.
…
Becky POV
I nervously tap my fingers on the dining table as I wait for Freen to arrive.
Richie and I agreed this would be the best way to keep our involvement in the mafia under wraps. Especially with nosy flies curious about AGI’s multitude of real estate investments across Chiang Mai.
A knock sounds at the door. “Miss Rebecca?”
“Come in.”
The door slides open to reveal Freen in casual wear. She could wear a rice bag and she’d still be as radiant as a lotus flower.
I motion to the seat across from me. “Have a seat, Freen.”
She thanks the hostess and takes her seat. I pick up one of the menus on the table, glancing down at words I hardly read.
“Are you hungry? I heard their pad thai is really good. Or if you’re in the mood for something else, I’m sure they could manage-”
“Becky.” Freen gently takes the menu out of my hand.
I take in a shaky breath and meet her expressive eyes.
My worries seem to melt away when I’m faced with such honest, clean eyes.
“Is everything ok?”
I shake my head. Everything is actually on fire.
“P’Gun’s…associates looked into Gon and let’s just say, things are worse than I initially thought.”
Freen takes a deep breath. “Ok.”
“Ok?”
“We’ll get through this together, right?” I can hear the tremor in her voice.
“That’s right.” I grab her hand on the table and give it a comforting squeeze. “Here’s the solution we came up with-”
“We?”
“Richie and I,” I absentmindedly rub my thumb over her hand. “Richie’s my older brother. Only a three year difference.”
“Ok.” Freen nods slowly. “So this solution…”
“Right.” I know I’m stalling.
“Becky?” Freen knows I’m stalling.
“…we get married.”
“…”
“My family has as much if not more influence than the Jintakoson’s-”
“Becky-”
“You and Nat would have a security detail and they can be as discreet as possible. You won’t even notice them-”
“Becky-”
“You’d move into my home but there’s a lot of space so you’d be doing me a favor-”
“BECKY!”
I jolt in my seat. “Yes!”
“This all sounds beneficial for me.” She chews slightly on her bottom lip. It’s a welcome distraction to how I’m going to explain myself. “But what’s in it for you?”
I sigh. Then I sigh again, dropping my head. I lift my eyes and lower my voice.
“Richie and I are conducting an internal investigation. I can’t say too much but Gon was a pawn. And I don’t want to tip anyone off that we’re onto them.”
“And marrying me would be a cover up for the Gon situation.” Realization dawns on Freen. I’ve always loved smart women. “How do you know you can trust me?”
I crack a smile. “Even ignoring your background check AGI’s already run, the company you keep and your character makes me confident my trust isn’t misplaced.”
Freen flushes under the praise. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Ok. Let’s get married.”
…
Freen POV
P’Gun drives us to a courthouse after the meeting. Becky takes off her blazer and rolls up her sleeves in an attempt to look more…casual.
“You don’t need to do all that.” I tell her, picking at the loose strands on my sweater.
“I was getting hot.” Becky pops a couple buttons on her dress shirt.
I quickly avert my eyes, opting to stare at the safer road view.
“P’Gun, keep watch, alright.”
“Yes Miss.” His response is gruff but I notice the warmth emanating from his eyes even through the rear view mirror.
…
When we arrive, BillyBabe are on the steps of the courthouse waiting for us.
Billy greets us with a knowing smirk. “Nongs! Are you ready to get married?”
He throws an arm around Becky’s shoulders and pulls her along into the building.
Babe links arms with me, whispering, “Billy told me he needed witnesses for a wedding. I didn’t realize it’d be my best friend’s wedding?!?”
“It’s a long story…” I trail off, my eyes tracking Becky.
“Sounds like a whirlwind romance,” Babe snorts. “I have eyes, Freen. I just think you’re moving a little too fast. What’s the rush?”
I whip around to face him. “What?”
“What, what?” He replies, confused. “You and Becky are cute. Plus Nat likes her.”
“That- This isn’t- I’m-” I flounder, trying to find the words to explain the situation.
“…I don’t want to tip anyone off that we’re onto them.”
I shut my mouth, swallowing my words. I want to tell Babe. But we’re also in a public place and you never know who’s listening.
“Just…come on.” I tug us forward after Billy and Becky.
…
The marriage ceremony is brief and Becky handles everything. She pulls rings from her pocket, hands over the completed necessary paperwork along with an undisclosed cash amount.
“Mrs. Freen Sarocha Armstrong.” Becky takes my hand to slip on my ring. “Ready to meet your in-laws?”
“I’m sorry?”
…
Becky POV
While FayMay are coordinating the relocation of Freen and Nat’s belongings to my home, I figure it’s time to rip off the bandaid.
Dad has probably already gotten word about the marriage. And Mom will be pissed if she hears about it from anyone other than me. Richie says he’ll try to make it but I know the bugger isn’t coming.
P’Gun drives us to the nearest boutique branch that the Armstrongs are known to frequent.
“Miss Rebecca!” The store manager greets me. “How can I help?”
“Matching outfits for a meal with my parents. Please work your magic, Yae.”
“Of course.” She nods, circling us a few times. “Have a seat and I’ll bring over a few pieces.”
Freen and I take a seat on the plush couch.
“So I’m meeting your parents…” She trails off, picking at her sweater.
“Yeah.” I exhale. “My dad…most likely already found out about the certificate. He knows people who’d tell him these things right away.”
“Ok.” Freen ponders. “Do they know about-”
“No.” I rush to say. “No. Only you, me and Richie.”
“So everyone assumes we’re in love.”
“I’m sorry?” I cough in surprise.
“How else do we explain this?” Freen raises an eyebrow.
“Right.” I think it over. And she’s right. There is no other explanation that’d make sense to our friends and family. “Right. That makes the most sense.”
Freen leans in to whisper in my ear, placing a comforting hand on my thigh. “I say, we improvise. Just imagine me as your lover.”
My hand wraps around her waist and I tug her body closer. I dip my head to place a featherlight kiss behind her ear.
“Okay.” I murmur, taking in how amazing she smells. “If you feel uncomfortable at any point, grip the back of my neck.”
“Your neck?”
“My neck is pretty sensitive and a safe word might give us away.”
“Ok. Then if you feel uncomfortable at any point, pinch my collar.”
“Your collar?!”
“Like this.” Freen backs up slightly, her hands coming up to pinch the ends of my shirt collar. She gives it a gentle tug and I’m pulled into her. “Got it?”
I zero in on her lips then lift my eyes to hers. Her eyes are full of mirth and it's infectious.
I nod, splaying my hands over her thighs. “G-got it.”
“Ahem.”
We turn toward Yae and a few other associates who are holding up various outfits.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Miss Rebecca.” Yae schools her expression. I just know she’s giggling behind those steely eyes.
“That’s alright.” I tell her, leaning back against the couch. My arm curled possessively around Freen’s waist. “Let’s go with the white-brown set.”
“Good choice. Will you be wearing the outfits, Miss Rebecca?”
“That’s right.”
“Our associates will assist with the final look.” Yae beckons them forward. “If you’d follow me, Miss…”
“Freen.” She gets up, wandering over to Yae. Freen glances back at me, sending me a cute wink.
I turn toward the associates waiting on me. “A simple updo and minimal makeup.”
“Yes, Miss Rebecca.”
I change quickly into the trousers-blouse fit and let the associates do their thing. While I wait for Freen, I text Dad that I’m on the way to the house.
“Becky.” Freen calls me ever so sweetly. Oh..wow.
My phone slips from my grasp.
If the word ethereal had a picture…it’d be of her.
Freen smiles, bending to pick up my phone and place it in my hand.
“Ready to go?”
“With you, I’ll go anywhere.” the words leave my mouth, unwittingly. I'd be embarrassed if the statement wasn’t 100% true.
“Cheesy.” She snorts, grabbing my hand and leading us out.
Yae gives me two thumbs up and tells me she’ll bill the usual account. I nod, still awestruck by my beautiful wife.
Although the circumstances are strange to say the least, I’ve got a wife.
…
“Good luck, Miss.” Gun drops us off at the entrance of my family home. “Nong Freen.”
I raise my eyebrow at the title. Gun just shakes his head, shrugging. Seems like even tough Gun has a hard time saying no to Freen.
“Thanks for the ride, P’Gun!” Freen waves at him as he drives off. She scoops up my hand to lace our fingers together. “Ready?”
I give her a tight squeeze. “Ready.”
…
“Rebecca.”
Dad is skimming the newspaper in front of him but I know it’s a ruse.
“Becky!” Mum walks in from the kitchen, wiping her hands off on her apron.
“Oh Mum-”
“..Khun Mae.” Freen’s surprised to see my mother.
I’m surprised by her surprise.
“Oh! Hello dear.” Mum beams, taking in our interlocked hands. “You came right on time.”
“Rawee, you know her?” Dad asks, flabbergasted. I share the sentiment.
“You know my Mum?” I turn to Freen. She nods, shyly.
“I told you, Robert,” Mum sighs, patting Dad on the shoulder. “She’s the young lady from the park.”
The room envelopes into silence. Of course, Freen is the lovely girl Mum was talking about.
“Come with me, dear.” Mum wraps an arm around Freen shoulders to pull her into the kitchen.
“Mum!” I protest.
“Don’t start, Rebecca.” Mum turns her fierce gaze on me. “You think I wouldn’t notice the ring on your hand.”
“I-” I gulp.
“And…” Mum looks expectantly at Freen.
She wais. “Freen Sarocha Chankimha, Khun Mae.”
“Let’s not be so formal, Freen.” Mum tsks. “You’re an Armstrong.”
“Then…Mae Rawee?” Freen tries again.
“Better.” Mum smiles, linking arms with Freen and pulling her along.
“-Becca. Rebecca!”
“Hm?”
“Do you want to explain to me why I had to find out about your marriage from my friends at the courthouse?”
“I’ll tell you later.” My tone is unmistakably business so that should help ease some of his concerns. “Just know…the circumstances may be strange but I’ve definitely married the right person.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“You heard Mum. I didn’t ‘find someone as lovely as the girl in the park.’ I caught her.” I smile mischievously.
Dad throws me a lopsided grin. “There’s that Armstrong charm.”
…
“So how’d you two meet?” Mum asks, spearing a sliced cucumber.
Freen is mid-chewing so I answer, “On the street. She came up to my passenger side window to check on me. After I almost ran someone over-”
“Rebecca!” Dad chastises, wiping his mouth with the cloth napkin. “We’re always telling you and Richie to be careful on the road.”
“Almost. I didn’t run him over-”
Freen rests her hand on my thigh, ever so slightly shaking her head. I shut my mouth, bowing my head.
“Sorry.” I mumble. “I’ll be more careful.”
The smile Freen gives me in response is worth the knowing looks my parents are sending me.
“I was running late to my interview so there wasn’t time to exchange contact information,” she continued, her hand firmly planted on my leg. “Imagine my surprise when I saw Becky in the interview panel.”
“…a surprising interview candidate,” Dad remarks smugly.
“Robert.” Mum scolds him. “Does that mean you work at AGI, dear?”
“I’m Becky’s secretary.” Freen smiles, tracing shapes on my thigh. It’s distracting.
I watch Freen converse with my parents. She’s polite when she’s expected to be but unexpectedly she’ll crack a joke that makes Dad guffaw. Mum’s infatuated with her and the feeling is mutual.
“-ecky. Becky?”
“Hm.” I turn to my concerned wife.
“Are you alright?” Her eyebrows scrunched in worry. “We lost you for a while.”
“Just tired.” I cover her hand with mine, giving a light squeeze. “What were you saying?”
“I was telling Mae Rawee and Phaw Robert that I should get going.” Freen glances at her watch. “Don't want to keep Nat waiting-”
“Hey Boss! Boss Lady!” Billy barges in with Nat tucked into his side like Superman. Babe follows closely behind them with Nat’s backpack hanging off his shoulder and his shoes dangling at his side.
“Mae!” Nat shouts, wiggling out from Billy’s grip.
“Babe said he’d get him after the courthouse, remember?” I whisper in her ear, dropping a quick kiss to her shoulder.
“Woah nephew!” Billy skids to a stop, depositing Nat slowly onto the floor. “Your Mae isn’t going anywhere.”
He flies from his grasp, falling into Freen’s arms. “I missed you.”
She cards her hand through his hair as he binds his arms tightly around her waist.
“Mae?” Mum and Dad look at me, wide-eyed.
Oh.
Right.
Shit.
“Nat, this is your Yai Rawee and Dtaa Robert,” Freen pulls him onto her lap, turning him to face them.
“Hi Yai and Dtaa!” Nat grabs at Freen’s arms to wrap around him. He rests his chin on her forearm, turning his head to look over at me. “Hi BecBec!”
“Who’s BecBec?” Dad teases, his tone unmistakably lighter in Nat’s presence. Pfft, what a softie. “What do you like about BecBec, Laan Chai?”
Nat tilts his head, thinking. “BecBec makes Mae smile. A lot.”
Freen ducks her head, hiding her face in Nat’s hair.
“Oh?” Mum tries to stifle her giggling. I feel like gloating.
“Mae thinks BecBec is funny.” Nat adds, looking over at me. “And I think you’re cool. Mae, do you think BecBec is cool?”
Freen groans, turning ever so slightly to face me with rosy cheeks. I raise an eyebrows, trying to contain my growing smirk.
Yeah, Freen do you think I’m cool~
“Mae?” Nat tries to twist around in the embrace but Freen tightens her hold.
“Yes, she’s cool.” Her eyes locked onto mine with a coy smile on her face. I could melt.
BillyBabe bid their goodbyes despite Mum’s insistence they stay for dinner. Billy lets her know that next time they’ll stay. Babe wais to everyone and drops a quick kiss to the top of Nat’s head before leaving.
At the dinner table, Nat shares what happened today with his eager, captivated audience. His favorite part of the day was when his Uncles BillyBabe took him out to the arcade.
Mum is absolutely thrilled about being a grandma. With how often she badgered Richie and I about settling down, I’m surprised she isn’t pinching Nat’s cheeks. He has his mother’s cheeks.
“Freen,” I call out to her. She lifts her head in question. I reach out to touch her cheek, she leans into my hand. I gently pinch her cheek between my thumb and forefinger.
“Becky!” She startles, jolting Nat in her lap.
He turns to me, seriously. “Don’t tease Mae.”
I purse my lips to hold in my laughs. “I’m sorry, Freen.”
Nat turns to Freen, waiting. She pretends to consider my apology.
“I’ll accept your apology only if you let me pay it back.”
I raise my eyebrows. “And if I refuse?”
“No sleepover tonight.” She says with a finality.
“Becbec is sleeping over?” Nat is practically bouncing with excitement.
“We’re actually sleeping over,” Freen tells Nat, smoothing out his little hairs sticking up. “But only if Becky lets me pay her back for the pinching.”
Nat looks at me, expectantly.
Damn.
“Fine.” I grumble.
I glance over at Mum who’s got her phone out and Dad has on a shit-eating grin.
“Mum!”
Soft fingers draw me back in as Freen grabs my chin. Her thumb rubbing over my cheek before she pinches. Hard.
“Ow.” I hold my cheek, pouting.
Nat turns to her, frowning. “Mae don’t tease Becbec.”
“She teased first.” Freen crosses her arms.
“Mae~”
“Hmm?”
“Kiss it better.”
I sit up straighter.
“Nat-”
“A kiss would make me feel better.” I pout, still holding my cheek.
Freen glares at me but her smile gives her away.
“Fine.” She motions for me to get closer. I scoot to the edge of my seat, turning my ‘injured’ cheek toward her.
I feel the soft landing of her lips on my cheek for a second before it’s gone. I’m all smiles when she pulls away.
I’d take a thousand pinches if it meant I’d get to feel her soft lips.
“Better?” Nat asks me, patting my arm.
“Much better.” I fluff his hair with my free hand.
“Good-” Nat yawns, leaning back against Freen.
“Looks like it’s time for the little man’s bedtime.” Dad comments with a twinkle in his eye.
We all shuffle to the foyer where I pick up Nat’s backpack and shoes.
“Thank you again for having us,” Freen bows her head, adjusting Nat so his lolling head rests against her shoulder.
“Bye Yai, Bye Dtaa.” Nat wriggles his fingers from around Freen’s shoulders.
“Come back whenever you like, Nat.” Mum brushes his hair out of his eyes. “And you too, Freen.”
“And me?” I joke, helping Freen slip on her shoes.
“Even you, Rebecca.” Mum rolls her eyes, lovingly.
“Bye Mum, Bye Dad. Love you.” I guide Freen by the small of her back, over to where Gun is parked.
…
Freen POV
The car ride to Becky’s home is peaceful, accompanied only by the sounds of quiet piano instrumentals and Nat’s snores.
P’Gun drives us into a gated community, past multi-million homes I’ve only seen in magazines and on TV. He pulls up to a modest looking home with a sprawling garden scape.
“Thank you P’Gun.”
Becky mirrors my sentiments before hopping out of the car to open my door.
“Let me show you to your bedroom.” Becky leaves Nat’s things in the foyer, guiding us through the house.
“There’s an en-suite bathroom with any toiletries you’d need.”
Becky points to a nearby door. “That’s my room. Knock if you need anything.”
“Thank you Becky.” I’m honestly grateful beyond words.
“Thank you Freen.” She smiles, looking radiant in the dim lighting. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
I change Nat into the pajamas laying on the bed. It’s a cute dinosaur patterned set with its matching adult set beside it. I quickly change and tuck Nat into the covers. He blindly reaches for me, curling into my side.
“Goodnight Nat.” I give him a kiss on the forehead.