Guilty as Gorgeous | Chapter 16
"I've told you countless times to just call me Win, yet you never do. You're actually hurting my feelings here, Shanya."
The young executive, in his early thirties, gestured toward the wooden lounge chair beside her, silently asking for permission. The actress quickly motioned for him to take a seat.
"I'm not part of your inner circle, so I wouldn't dare be so familiar."
"I want to be closer than just an inner circle friend. It's you who won't grant me the permission."
She let out a soft laugh, expertly redirecting the conversation as if she hadn't heard a word. "Are you here for work today?"
"A major client is holding a seminar here, so I had to come and oversee things personally. I didn't expect to be lucky enough to run into you." His sharp eyes gazed at her with their usual warmth, his voice softening. "Have you been well?"
"A bit tired, but otherwise everything is fine. And you, Mr. Anavil?"
"The same, I suppose. Though more 'physically well' than 'spiritually happy'."
"I recently read The Socialite..." She named a major social media publication known for profiling celebrities and tycoons. "They voted you one of the men to watch this year. In the interview, you mentioned you were quite happy."
"I'm glad you're still interested in my affairs."
The young businessman's eyes sparkled with clarity as he looked at her heart-shaped face with an admiration that could be interpreted in only one way.
"You were kind enough to accept me as a friend," she replied gently, her eyes friendly. "Friends should naturally take an interest in each other's lives. No heavy burdens on your heart, I hope?"
"Nothing catastrophic, but I am a bit discouraged. One of our major clients is considering renewing their contract with another partner. I've learned that Sia Maitree submitted a very competitive bid—one we can't quite undercut. He has the advantage in both capital and personal ties."
The name of the other businessman was mentioned casually, but it caused the listener's eyes to narrow with an instinctive disgust that flared every time she heard it.
"Would it be a significant loss for you, if this client moves elsewhere?"
"In monetary terms, quite substantial, if I can't find a replacement. Mr. Wes's company has used our services for years, dating back to Lord Anant's time. But I'm more concerned about our reputation. People might think our brand has issues if such a key client jumps ship." Anavil shook his head, feeling comfortable enough to share anything with the woman before him. "Besides, with the economy in a downturn like this, a new client isn't easy to find."
"Mr. Wes?"
"You must have heard of Phanthakant, Lord Anant's only grandson from DP Group. They say he's even more brilliant and decisive than the Lord, but just as ruthless. He just stepped in to handle this project himself."
"I've heard the name," she managed to reply, suppressing her internal reaction. "But I didn't know he was close to Sia Maitree."
They must be birds of a feather then, to be so well-acquainted, she thought, her lingering rage causing her to generalize.
"Many of their business lines are complementary. Mr. Wes is actually here for the meeting today, which is why I followed."
The realization that that wicked man was nearby caused her heart to skip a beat, yet she maintained a forced smile for Anavil.
"I wish I could help you, but I can offer nothing more than moral support."
"That alone is enough to fill my heart."
Phutphitchaya looked at him with sympathy. She knew he was a good man and a respectable gentleman, even though Bancha had once told her: 'It's a shame that a gentleman might not make a great businessman. Mr. Anavil is too soft.'
"Mr. Anavil is over here, sir."
A voice called out, causing the pair who were locked in conversation to startle.
The actress followed the sound and her eyes widened; her heart jolted as she saw a large, commanding figure in casual attire following the man who had called Anavil's name. His eyes narrowed when he saw her, before the corners of his masculine, well-defined mouth deepened into a faint smirk.
"Mr. Phanthakant said he wanted to speak with you ahead of schedule, Mr. Win, but you didn't answer your phone. Reception mentioned seeing you walk toward Miss Shanya, so I came to fetch you."
"Thank you. I forgot to turn the ringer back on after leaving the boardroom." Anavil stood up, shaking hands warmly with the man who was his major client. "My apologies for making you come looking for me, Wes."
"Think nothing of it. Talking out here on the beach is better anyway—less stressful."
Anavil hesitated for a moment, realizing the other man had come for business, so he glanced down at her, hurrying to make the introduction as the newcomer was also watching the actress.
"This is Miss Shanya, Phutphitchaya... and this is Mr. Wes, Phanthakant."
"We are well-acquainted," the deep voice said with a low chuckle. His sharp eyes held a particular glint that made even another man pause. "Are you staying here for several days, Paan?"
"I'm returning tomorrow," she replied stiffly, not wanting to arouse Anavil's suspicion.
She shot him an icy glance for using her private nickname—one reserved only for close friends and family. However, it seemed to only make his sharp eyes grow more amused. He probably thinks I'm going to accept that job.
"Has Wan Hom called you yet?"
"Your manager doesn't have my mobile number."
"Then I'm certain he'll be returning the check within a day or two."
Phanthakant arched a single eyebrow slightly in acknowledgment, showing no sign of surprise.
"You shouldn't have such a busy schedule if you change your mind mid-air this often, Paan."
"That's precisely why I never do," she finally snapped back, unable to endure it further. She then turned to Anavil, who stood looking confused despite his polite silence. "Please, carry on, Mr. Anavil. I'll excuse myself to go for a swim with my sister."
She didn't even grant the other man a nod as she rose and walked down the beach toward Suphanniga, who was treading water and watching her. The younger girl looked at her sister teasingly until she saw the thunderous expression on her face.
"What's wrong, P'Paan? Weren't you just talking with P'Win?"
"It has nothing to do with Mr. Anavil. Shall we go up and shower so we can go get Mom?"
"And that incredibly handsome man talking to you... was that Phanthakant?"
"You know him?" her sister asked, startled.
"Dr. Phachara, his father, is a guest lecturer at my university. Whenever he opens a course for registration, it fills up in seconds because he's an executive at DP Group—the dream public company everyone wants to join. And!" The younger sister wrinkled her nose in boredom. "Most of the girls in the faculty know the professor has a premium-grade, gorgeous son, so they attend his classes religiously. As if the man would have time to drop by the faculty to see his father all the time."
"What else do you know?"
"Besides him being handsome, rich, and a businessman so talented he's hard to catch? He's single. He rarely makes the news with women, aside from the occasional high-society socialite. There are rumors he only 'uses the services' of a few high-born young ladies. Otherwise, he flies off to indulge with girls in America because he has businesses there too, so there isn't much scandalous news in Thailand. He's not the type to 'eat the temple chicken' or parade actresses around."
"And the news with Nisakorn?" The actress, who had nearly been ravished by the man they were discussing, was bewildered.
"Aha!" Suphanniga snapped her fingers. "So you're interested in that too, P'Paan? Someone was bold enough to ask Dr. Phachara in class about his son and that actress last week. He made a strange face and said it was likely just a rumor, then lectured them to focus on their studies instead. The girl who asked was mortified."
Phutphitchaya shook her head at the boldness of today's youth. "He might just not have wanted to give an honest answer."
"But I think it's true. Think about it—how could a man that sharp and discerning choose a 'fake' like that leading lady as his girlfriend?"
"She's beautiful, educated, and from a good family."
"But her personality is wretched! There isn't a shred of goodness to be found; she's just an expert at crafting a fake image," the young girl ranted with relish. "My friend is the younger sister of one of her former classmates. She said that girl skipped classes constantly and never helped with group projects. She relied on her child-star fame and her family's massive donations to the school to graduate. When she was a student, she only associated with the wealthy and looked down on everyone else until they were sick of her. When she went to study in America, she acted like she was totally Westernized, moved in with a guy, and didn't even attend classes. All that talk about graduating from abroad? In reality, she never finished."
Phutphitchaya blinked rapidly at the news she never expected her little sister to know. Among the three Sukonthi girls, she already knew the youngest was the brightest, the craftiest, the sharpest, and the most 'dangerous.' Unakarn had inherited the homemaking virtues from their mother; her grades were good, though not exceptional like Suphanniga's, but she compensated with meticulousness, patience, and a deep love for her sisters.
"You might be exaggerating. Maybe your friend's sister is just jealous."
"Tao never lies to me," Suphanniga named a close friend who also knew Phutphitchaya. "Tao's family is poor and lived in the same alley as that leading lady. Her sister might not like Nisakorn, but she isn't jealous. The things she knows come from her own time in school, from the servants in that house who shared stories, and from that girl's own 'inner circle' who gossiped about her."
"Friends selling each other out, then? And have you gone around telling anyone else?" Phutphitchaya asked apprehensively.
The girl shook her head vigorously. "No. It's not our business. I'm only telling you because you asked, P'Paan. We're family; we should have no secrets."
Having said her piece, she clung to her sister's arm affectionately before asking a question that made her listener jump.
"But wait... how do you know Mr. Phanthakant, P'Paan?"
"I've only seen him before."
"I don't think it's 'only' that..."
The little villainess leaned over her shoulder, offering a wide, pearl-white smile as she waved vigorously behind them, followed by a graceful wai.
When the actress looked back, she slapped her sister's arm, seeing that she was waving to Anavil and offering a wai to Phanthakant, who was graciously returning the gesture.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"Who told you to speak such nonsense?"
"If it were nonsense, he wouldn't be standing there staring without blinking like that. He hasn't looked away since you walked down here. P'Win looks incredibly awkward... poor guy."
The young girl summarized the situation with a peculiar smile.
"Are we standing this far away and yet you know too much?"
"My eyes are excellent; the only thing they can't see is Chiang Mai," she replied cheekily, but she had to rub her arm and wail when her sister raised a hand for a second round.
The slender figure ran back to gather her things on the beach, turning to give a teasing look before darting back into the hotel like quicksilver, not forgetting to leave a final word.
"I'll just rinse off quickly, otherwise we'll be late to pick up Mom!"
The actress exhaled sharply through her nose, shaking her head. Her mood lifted only slightly when she saw both men turn to walk side-by-side back into the hotel.
It gave her the chance to watch them from behind. Both tall, broad-shouldered figures looked masculine and refined, but the mixed-race young man held the advantage—taller and more ruggedly built due to his heritage, making Anavil's nearly six-foot frame appear less imposing by comparison.