Guilty as Gorgeous | Chapter 25
"Ni, why aren't you picking up? The organizers are losing their minds. We're going to be hit with a massive penalty this time." Ramida, the leading lady's manager, spoke with frantic urgency the moment she picked up.
"What time is it?"
"It's already two in the afternoon! You had work since ten. I've tried calling you a hundred times since eight this morning."
"Ugh... keep your voice down. My head is splitting."
"Are you unwell, Ni?" The question softened, as she knew her ward's temperament all too well. "If you had just called to let me know, I could have informed the client."
"Just forget it, Da. It's a missed opportunity; we'll just pay them the fine."
"I'd love to just 'forget it'—if they hadn't called Wansachon to fill in for you."
"What!? They called Namfon to replace me!?"
"It couldn't be helped." The other party's voice was weak, yet she couldn't help but feel a sliver of internal gratification after dialing until her fingers went numb, only to be buried under a mountain of client complaints. "They called every available star at nine because you wouldn't show up for hair and makeup. Apparently, they called the Queer Manager, and she personally escorted Wansachon to the set. I was left looking utterly humiliated."
"Stop whining. It's annoying!"
"My apologies... and as for the corporate party celebrating Ms. Si's birthday, will you be attending?"
"We'll see. Let me shower first." The young woman let out an irritated sigh, feeling as if her entire day's luck had been tainted.
Awake now, she glanced at the clock with a fleeting sense of guilt, but soon dismissed it with the entitlement of someone who rarely faced consequences. She disposed of the paraphernalia first before heading in to bathe.
The leading lady sat down to ponder her next move and, once decided, dialed Methas.
"Well, hello, Ni. You've quite vanished."
"I've been busy. How are you?"
"Not particularly great, having to help Mother with work, but it's not too bad."
"Are you actually becoming a man of industry now?"
"I'll have to take over from her eventually, won't I? But tell me, Ni—what do you need help with?"
"Do you remember your old flame? The one you kept a 'private collection' of live-action films of?"
"Namfon..." Methas said thoughtfully, falling silent for a moment. "I remember. Why?"
"Are you still finding amusement in her?"
"I'm bored. She lies there like a cadaver; there's no thrill in it."
"And what about her former best friend?"
"Ni, you know the kind of threats your father leveled at me..." He paused, his tone shifting to one of realization. "Don't tell me you're calling because you're jealous of Panthakant and Shanya."
"Don't pretend you know everything."
Methas laughed, leaning back in his oversized chair and spinning it as he spoke. "How long have we known each other, Ni? You're beautiful, sexy—everything is perfect... except for that relentlessly vindictive streak of yours."
"Are you coming to my sister Si's birthday party? We can talk there."
"Will your father even let me in the door?"
"There are hundreds of guests to manage, not to mention the staff. He won't even notice you."
"Why don't you just come to my condo like usual, Ni?"
"I'm not in the mood," she replied callously. "Are you coming or not? I can always invite someone else."
"Don't be like that. You're always my priority... What time should I be there? And where shall we meet?"
Nisakorn smiled and provided the details. The other party agreed readily, layering on several more empty endearments before hanging up. Even though she knew his sincerity never extended beyond himself and that he flirted with every girl in sight, she didn't care or take him seriously. They had maintained this long-standing association precisely because they understood each other's true nature so well.
"Oh! Thank you so much, Father! For buying this for Si!" Sasithorn gazed at the small, red-plated British car she adored after the cover was pulled back. She reached out to stroke the polished metal in her favorite custom-ordered shade.
"This is the best gift I've ever received. But it's so expensive; I haven't even done anything to make you proud enough to deserve something this lavish."
"Si, you're a dutiful child. You never cause trouble. That alone makes me proud."
"Thank you." The young woman threw herself into her father's arms. Tears welled in her eyes with joy, amidst the gazes of Baramee, Buraphon, Ratee, and Banphot, along with the various daughters-in-law and children in the private parking lot adjacent to the staff banquet hall. There was no sign of the eldest daughter.
Only Khaekhai looked at the birthday gift with somewhat cold eyes, despite the smile practiced on her face.
"Where on earth is Ni? I don't see her here to congratulate her sister," Baramee asked.
"I caught a glimpse of her outside. Looked like she was escorted by Methas." Buraphon answered with a shrug, avoiding his mother's displeased gaze.
"What!? She had the audacity to bring that man here!?" Bancha was incensed.
"That was a long time ago," Khaekhai forced a soft tone with her husband, wanting to shield Nisakorn from trouble.
"I don't care how long ago it was—I haven't forgotten! A depraved character like that doesn't change overnight. How have you been watching our daughter to still let her associate with him? They'll end up dragging each other down into the abyss."
"What exactly is there to be so troubled about?"
"Word is, since the economy took a turn, Manika's son has gone back to the family trade—moving and consuming the very filth they sell," Baramee, the eldest son with eyes and ears everywhere, chimed in with a look of pure disgust.
"You mean... drugs?"
"Yes. His mother's generation ran it for years back when the print industry was booming, using delivery trucks to traffic the product. Later, when the police cracked down, they stopped, but they still help with other parts—eyes and ears, coordination for the syndicates. If they quit entirely, the big players probably wouldn't want to keep them around. I didn't think the son would be pathetic enough to dive back in."
"I've seen Ni asking Mother for money quite a lot these past few months," Buraphon exposed her for the second time.
"She's just been spending a bit much and found herself short. It wasn't anything significant. Let's not find reasons to make her feel slighted over rumors, Phon. She's stressed enough as it is," Khaekhai said, though her unease was beginning to mount.
"No matter how stressed she is, she shouldn't have brought that degenerate to set foot in our company! Does anyone know where they are?" Bancha wouldn't back down, his blood boiling, as he was well aware of what Baramee had mentioned.
"Last I saw, they were at the buffet table," Baramee said, giving his mother an apologetic look. "Don't be angry, Mother. Ni was in the wrong to bring an outsider in, especially one who has caused us so much trouble."
"I'm not entirely sure where the root of the trouble truly lies," Khaekhai countered before turning to walk out of the room.
Bancha frowned with displeasure... his two sons shared a knowing smirk. Sasithorn clung to her father's arm with concern.
"How much further is your mother going to indulge Ni until she's completely ruined?"
"Mother probably just pities her because P'Ni has problems with everyone," Sasithorn excused her.
"And so everyone has to adjust to her, rather than her fixing herself to fit in with others?"
"You're right, Father. Ni acts like a spoiled brat. The moment she's unhappy, she lashes out at everyone without a shred of respect for anyone's status." Baramee added, stoking the fire.
"You two, and Banphot and Ratee as well—go find where she is! If that man is still here, I'll deal with him myself!" Everyone dispersed to follow the command. Only the birthday girl and her father remained. Sasithorn urged Bancha to sit.
"Please sit and rest, Father. Calm down first."
"I don't understand. I have many children, yet none are as troublesome as Ni."
"Artists are sensitive, I suppose. With P'Ni... if you want her to understand, you probably have to use a gentle touch and a great deal of patience."
"And you're always the one taking the hit for her. Don't you ever get angry at her constant outbursts?"
"I don't see the point in being angry, Father. If I don't pay it any mind, the matter just ends." Sasithorn rested her head on her father's broad shoulder. "As long as I have you and Mother, I feel like the luckiest person alive."
"You're a total outlier in this family. Humble to a fault, just like Banphot."
"Forgive the interruption, sir." The family lawyer cleared his throat as he saw the two sharing a tender moment. "Ms. Ni is currently talking with Mr. Methas in the outer parking lot. Do you wish to go out, sir?"
"Of course! If I don't deal with him today, I won't be able to rest in peace!" Bancha stroด out of the room, with Banphot and Sasithorn hurrying after him in concern.