Her Inconvenient Boss | Chapter 7
Unakarn was introduced to every colleague in the department, and everyone gave her a warm welcome. This was especially true for several young men who watched the new hire with gleaming eyes, though none yet dared to behave in an overly conspicuous manner.
The trouble on her first day arose when she followed Phakaphan down for lunch at the company canteen—a space leased to various food vendors—and encountered Jomnaree along with some of her colleagues.
The senior woman approached, scanning her from head to toe without any intent to maintain her decorum, as usual.
"When I heard you were coming to work here, I thought the person who sent the news was just pulling my leg."
Unakarn guessed the 'news-bringer' was likely a fellow alumnus, as she knew from Phakaphan that many graduates from their university worked at Kent Industries.
"I just started my first day today."
"Hmph. Well, I wonder if the ladies with boyfriends around here are going to feel a chill down their spines."
"Eh?" A colleague standing beside Jomnaree asked curiously. "Why would they feel that?"
"My, you've clearly never heard the legend of the love triangle between Ginny and P'Isara."
"Your friend Ginny and that handsome Isara Lucknara?" The inquirer's eyes widened with curiosity.
"Exactly. Those two nearly broke up because a 'third party' suddenly appeared."
She emphasized the words 'third party,' casting a sidelong glance at Unakarn that left no room for outsiders to doubt her implication.
"P'Isara and Khun Ginny's relationship is fine now. Why would you resurrect the past just to let people dig into your best friend's business?"
"Ginny would probably be glad if I helped warn others about someone's behavior. Her coworkers should be on their guard!"
Jomnaree's voice was far from quiet. Combined with the fact that the canteen was packed with hundreds of employees from Kent Industries and other firms leasing space in the building, the trio drew significant attention. Unakarn, usually the picture of composure, felt her face heat up with shame, yet she remained unsure of how to handle the situation without creating a problem for herself on her very first day.
Luckily, Phakaphan noticed her junior had been gone for a while and followed her, sensing from a distance that something was amiss.
"Is there a problem?"
"Just greeting an acquaintance." Jomnaree looked at the senior who was only a year older but held a similar rank with utter disregard, fueled by an existing mutual dislike. "And wondering just who hired... ah... Unakarn to work here."
"I hired her myself, with the endorsement of the manager and HR. Prae graduated in the exact field we required."
"Oh! So she has a powerful connection, then."
"We interviewed several candidates following every protocol, but we selected the most qualified person." Phakaphan replied flatly, though her anger was beginning to simmer.
"I didn't realize the company only cared about qualifications these days while neglecting ethics."
"And which ethical code would that be? If you're referring to affairs, I am quite certain that Prae has never been anyone's third party."
"Oops! Where have you been hiding, P'Oum, to have missed the news?"
"Not nearly as close as you, Jom. That's why my perspective is accurate—it isn't clouded by prejudice. I saw that the man was the one pestering Prae. Even when the woman refused to play along, he wouldn't quit, to the point where Nong Mai had to step in more times than I can count. It's strange, though... instead of blaming the man for being unfaithful, those close to him choose to blame the woman who suffered a ruined reputation because of his lack of self-control."
"My, you say you weren't close, yet you speak as if you were under their bed." Jomnaree bit back sarcastically after being rebuked so bluntly.
"I have to speak up because you are misleading people. And unlike some, I don't care for the 'ethical' hypocrisy of those who say one thing but do another."
"What are you arguing about? I can hear you all the way at the door!"
"Khun Natthawara."
The opposing parties quickly separated as the Chairman's PA approached.
"Well? Is there something going on, Oum? Jom?"
"Nothing, ma'am," Jomnaree said, casting her eyes down as they sparked with resentment.
If there was anyone in the company she didn't dare cross, it was the Big Boss and his personal assistant. Most women at Kent Industries might harbor a crush on the playboy Chairman, but almost none dared to flirt with him. Those who had tried usually ended up fired, summarily transferred, or faced with questions so humiliating they couldn't bear to face him again.
"If there's nothing, shouldn't you all disperse?" Her voice was level but icy, making the listeners' faces stiffen. "Otherwise, people might gossip that our corporate culture involves employees standing around fighting over men like a primetime soap opera."
"I'm sorry, Khun Natthawara," Phakaphan said with a respectful wai and a sheepish tone. Unakarn quickly followed suit.
Nonetheless, the skeptical look the Chairman's PA shot at the new employee made the young woman swallow nervously, even though she wasn't the instigator nor at fault.
The incident in the dining hall spread among the staff in less than half a day. It morphed into a rumor that caused Unakarn to be met with strange looks from some colleagues in the department.
Initially, she didn't suspect anything until it was nearly time to clock out, when a man named Theerachai came to lean against her partition. She remembered he was the deputy head of a certain sales line within Kent Industries.
"Nong Prae."
"Yes?" She looked up curiously but offered a polite smile first.
"Work is almost over. How are you getting home?"
"I'll probably take the bus..."
"Let me give you a ride," he offered before she could finish.
"My sister is coming to pick me up."
"That's a shame. But surely your sister won't come every day, right?"
"She's still in school..."
The young woman didn't get to finish her usual explanation—that she actually drove herself. Today, Supannika was picking her up only because it was her first day. The two also planned to pick up 'Phi Nang Yam,' the Nissan Unakarn had taken in for a routine check-up but had to leave at the familiar garage while waiting for certain parts to be ordered. Her sister had volunteered to accompany her since both the company and the garage were on the way home.
"In that case, let me drive you home another day."
"That's alright, P'Chai. I can get back easily on my own."
"How can taking the bus be easy? People are packed in like sardines and the traffic is terrible. A small girl like you wouldn't stand a chance in that crowd." Theerachai's gaze swept over her as if she were a frail, helpless woman, which made Unakarn smile with amusement. However, he misinterpreted the look, and his eyes grew even more longing. "So, let me give you a lift, okay?"
"When you told me to take the bus home... I recall you saying it wasn't a problem at all!"
The voice of another senior in the department, Parichat, cut in. The two turned to look. Unakarn, still oblivious to the underlying tension, was taken aback to see Theerachai's face pale slightly.
"Oh, Chat. I only asked because she's new. She likely isn't familiar with the way home."
Parichat shot only a sidelong glance at her. "You certainly are generous with the ladies... Well? Are you going back with Chai or not, dear?"
"My sister is on her way. We're going to pick up my car at the garage and head home together."
"Oh? So you have a car to drive to work? Chai is going to be terribly disappointed, then."
"P'Chai was likely just offering out of politeness," the young woman tried to mediate.
But Parichat simply snapped her head away and walked off. Sensing something was amiss, Unakarn offered Theerachai a thin smile.
"If that's all, I'll get back to my training."
"I'm truly happy to drive you. Just say the word, Nong Prae."
Unakarn's smile faded until her face turned neutral. "Did someone say something to you, P'Chai?"
"Uh, no. Not at all."
This time, he beat a hasty retreat and excused himself to head back.