Guilty as Gorgeous | Chapter 15
"My father guarantees this man is the real deal. Any woman who lands him must have saved a hundred nations in her past lives," Wikrant said with a flourish, utterly indifferent to the actress's mounting fury. "He guards his bachelorhood like a treasure. Never a single scandal with a woman. More importantly, he's not the lecherous beast you think he is. That 'Virtuous Leading Lady' has tried to lure him time and again, but she hasn't had a bite. All she can do is get her ex-flings to write gossip to create a buzz, while her fans cheer them on, blocking other women until people actually think they're a real couple."
"You mean Methas? Those two broke up ages ago, didn't they? After the incident?"
The rift between Manika and the Thanaphatwanich family was nearly impossible to mend since the former had tried to blackmail her into dropping the charges so her son could go free. At the time, Bancha had insisted on pressing charges, but Phutphitchaya had changed her mind for the sake of everyone's peace, after a talk with her mother.
'...He is a man of justice, but regardless, he would suffer because Nisakorn is his daughter,' Prayong had reasoned.
"Broke up, my foot! People have seen her going up to that Methas guy's condo whenever she needs a favor. Those two still 'indulge' in one another from time to time, while both pretending to be single. If she actually lands Phanthakant, she'll undoubtedly cuckold my Mr. Wes."
"Maybe they're a perfect match."
"No way. I don't believe for a second that Mr. Wes would fall victim to that 'fake-sweet' actress. My father praises him for being sharp and knowing people's true colors—so much so that Lord Anant dotes on his grandson. Women from every rank—socialites, beauty queens, daughters of the elite—have practically offered themselves up on a silver platter, and he hasn't spared them a glance. You're incredibly lucky he was tipsy enough to lose control and try to ravage you. It means he's truly taken with you."
Wikrant shot her a look of envy mixed with weary exasperation.
"So, stop acting like a hen that found a Koh-i-Noor diamond and just take the job. I want shopping money for Europe for half a month during your annual leave this year."
"If those 'A-Plus-Plus' women you mentioned—the ones your 'descended deity' rejected—couldn't get him, then what part of your brain thinks he'd ever be serious about a scandal-ridden actress like me, huh!?"
"You never know, darling! This might be a case of 'Merit Leading, Destiny Shoving.' Eros himself might be playing matchmaker. So many good men have fallen for you and you've rejected them all; maybe you've been waiting for this 'Mr. Right.' Especially once he finds out that you're still..."
"I'm not taking this job!"
Phutphitchaya cut him off, her phone ringing from her private bag. She huffed and walked away to answer it.
Wikrant leaned back, crossing his legs comfortably on the sofa and tapping his foot nonchalantly. Hearing her response, he knew the caller was likely the actress's youngest sister, so he picked up his tablet to check the work schedule while he waited.
Nearly ten minutes later, Phutphitchaya returned, her expression slightly improved. But she immediately raised a hand in a 'halt' gesture as he began to open his mouth.
"I am standing firm. I am not taking it."
Wikrant froze for a moment, then spoke up with a coy, bashful tone.
"But... I already told him you'd accept!"
The listener's jaw dropped at the confession—the very reason her meddlesome manager had refused to discuss this over the phone, instead summoning her here to corner her. He believed his 'Golden-Tongued Salika' charm, blessed by a five-row yantra, could talk anyone into anything.
But a moment later, the actress closed her mouth and let out a smirk.
"Then you've made a mistake."
"Don't be like this, Paan. The shoot won't take more than two or three days. You'll be even more famous, looking as radiant as if you'd had a stem-cell injection if you take this job. I've weighed every detail of the process before deciding to accept—it's not just about the money." The last part was spoken in a low, meek voice.
"Since you've already given your word, I suppose it's fine."
"That means you agree!? Eeeeeee! Marvelous! This is why you have me as your—"
"It means that since we haven't signed the contract, we can still cancel. Which is your responsibility, since you were the one who gave the word. Didn't you say the Master gave you a 'Golden-Tongued Salika' and that any negotiation you lead will succeed?"
Phutphitchaya cut him off with a sweet voice, stepping forward to pat his shoulder mockingly. Her manager was obsessed with the sacred; beyond merit-making to boost his luck, he traveled far and wide to anywhere rumored to have powerful charms, even to neighboring countries.
"Try finding a reason to cancel it yourself. I have faith in your skills."
"They're currently submitting the matter to the board. A client of this caliber—if we refuse and they're offended, they'll spread the word to other agencies. We'll lose all credibility. DP Group's businesses have a monopoly on everything from upstream to downstream. They have enough influence to ensure an actor never works again if they so desire. Please, Paan... do this for me, just this once."
Wikrant explained with full reasoning, his playful mood gone. But Phutphitchaya merely picked up her handbag from the edge of the sofa.
"If he's as 'good' as you claim, he wouldn't destroy my future career."
Having said her piece, she walked toward the door. Wikrant barely managed to catch up and intercept her with a thin piece of paper.
"Fine! If that's how you want it!"
The young woman arched an eyebrow, not understanding his meaning, until her manager held something out in front of her. Accepting it in confusion, she saw it was a check for a seven-figure sum...
The check was made out in her name.
"What is this? Speak!"
"I... I accepted the deposit beforehand because I thought if you saw it, you'd change your mind. You said you were saving up a lump sum to pay back Sia Bancha. You'd feel less guilty when you finally 'deliver the strike' to get back at that leading lady," he said with an awkward stutter.
"I would gladly do other work ten times harder than this to find the money to pay back Uncle. But not this job." Phutphitchaya handed the check back with a calm expression. "Take this check and return it to him. Because I will never do it."
With that, she pushed her tall manager out of the way and walked out the door, leaving the man responsible for the deal to clutch his head in distress, having already promised he could persuade his actress to accept the job.
The young woman returned home shortly before noon, finding her mother and youngest sister already sitting with their bags packed. They set off for Pattaya, arriving before 2 PM to check into a hotel—she had been so annoyed with Wikrant she'd forgotten to bring the keys to his condo.
"Is the hotel a bit too grand, dear? A night must be very expensive," Prayong asked as her daughter led her into the lobby.
"It is expensive, but I have a discount card because I used to work for them. I got the room at half-price, Mom."
"Is it P'Win's hotel? I remember the pictures from the commercial P'Paan did," the youngest sister leaned forward to ask. When she received a confirming nod, she beamed.
While checking in, several Thai tourists noticed her and pointed Phutphitchaya out to one another. They recognized the station's busiest villain actress, even though she wore large amber-tinted glasses, no makeup, and was dressed simply like any young girl.
"Is that Nong Shanya?"
"Heavens! I didn't think she'd look so young in person. Her face is so clear, her skin so flawlessly white it practically glows."
"Great figure, too. On TV, she looks a bit more 'curvy' than in person. I was jealous of her then, but seeing her in person, she's even more beautiful."
"Thank you," the villainess laughed clearly, agreeing to pose for friendly photos with each of the women until she became the center of attention. She then excused herself.
"My mother just arrived and she's a bit tired. I'll take her up to rest now."
Everyone agreed readily, watching the three women of different ages with a significantly increased sense of admiration.
"She's so beautiful that even as a woman, my heart's fluttering. It's a shame there are such bad rumors, isn't it?"
"They might not even be true. Being this beautiful and having this much work, I doubt she'd agree to be anyone's mistress. I've heard her interviews; she seems like a very smart, thoughtful woman. I've been a fan for a long time."
"Her face is so radiant and fresh; who could believe she's using drugs?"
"But P'Ni's makeup artist insisted on it. They say those two don't get along because Shanya became his father's mistress..."
The voices of the gossiping group continued for a long time—typical of the public's interest in celebrities as public figures. The more 'trendy' one is, especially with scandalous news, the more drama there is and the more interest they draw.
Suphanniga collapsed onto the single bed she had been granted as her exclusive domain, as her sister and mother were sharing the queen-sized bed. She let out a long sigh, her dark eyes sparkling with happiness.
"I'm so glad to finally be at the sea. I'm going down for a dip and then I'll come back to swim in the hotel pool."
"Alright. But we have to go for lunch first. There's a place around here that's said to be delicious."
"I was about to suggest the same thing. I'm absolutely famished."
"Didn't I just see you washing a plate of rice and another bowl of sweets before we left the house, you little glutton?" Phutphitchaya rolled her eyes.
"It's all digested already! I'm at an age where I need my food and my sleep," the 'villainess' used her old slogan.
Her sister shook her head, busy organizing her mother's clothes into the closet as Prayong explored the room with interest.
"Go wash your face, Mom. Then we can head out."
"I'm not quite hungry yet, but my back aches a bit and I want to lie down. Can you go with just your sister, Paan?"
"Oh!" Both sisters exclaimed simultaneously, turning to look at each other.
"Are you unwell, Mom? Did I drive too fast?"
"I'm fine, dear. Don't worry so much."
"Then we can wait until you're hungry and go out together. Mai, can you wait?"
"Mom probably just doesn't want to wait around while P'Paan has fans coming up to ask for photos," the young girl said, seeing through her mother's intent.
"I'm just not used to crowds, dear. But it's Paan's profession, I understand."
"Oh, it's just that?" Phutphitchaya hung the last piece of clothing and walked over to embrace her mother's waist as she sat on the edge of the bed. "You can tell me directly, Mom. I forgot that you don't like a fuss."
"I didn't say anything because it's not a problem. Besides, you girls going out together would be more fun. But I think I'll go see a museum around here; at my age, I'm not really up for a swim, dear."
"Then I'll go with you, Mom."
"Nonsense. I'd rather go alone," Prayong laughed. "Even if I don't go out much, I won't get lost. Mai, you too. Go play in the water like you wanted. We'll have dinner together later."
Phutphitchaya wanted to protest, but seeing her mother's serious expression, she nodded.
"Then we'll order food up here. I'll drop you at the museum first and then come back to swim with Mai. In two or three hours, I'll pick you up."
"It's already late afternoon. By the time lunch is finished, it'll cut into your rest time. I can go by myself."
"It's no trouble at all."
The young woman insisted and proceeded to call in a food order first, choosing a single-dish meal everyone liked. Then they took turns washing up.
They finished their simple lunch shortly after. The actress then drove her mother to Underwater World Pattaya and returned to sip a drink while watching her sister play in the water in front of the hotel beach at 3:30 PM. She planned to pick up her mother at 5:30 PM, as the attraction closed at 6:00 PM.
"The reception called up to say Miss Shanya was here. I'm truly surprised."
A familiar, deep voice spoke up near her. The actress, who had been drifting off, opened her eyes and smiled widely.
"Mr. Anavil. I didn't expect to see you either."