Her Inconvenient Boss | Chapter 14
"Did Khun Watt tell you, Mother?"
"Khun Watt is a gentleman. He told me because he wanted to take responsibility and reassure me that the photos definitely didn't leak from his side, even though it was a party in his own penthouse."
"When I left that room, Khun Watt hadn't woken up yet. But I swear, Mother, nothing really happened between us."
"I believe you. A man like him would never use drugs to have sex with a woman. He told me he needs some time to find the person who took the photos and leaked them. When he invited you and your friends to celebrate, that suite hadn't been fitted with CCTV yet."
"That's true. That penthouse was just finished; it was being decorated as a show unit. Whoever took those photos had to be at the party. That night, Khun Watt invited dozens of people—his friends and actors... including Bharatee."
"Promise me first that you won't speak of this to anyone. Not a word."
"I... I promise," she murmured hesitantly. She didn't dare confess that she had already told Khakanang everything, trusting her more than anyone else and needing a place to vent her distress.
"What are they gossiping about, P'Oum?"
Unakarn quietly asked her supervisor a few days later, wanting to avoid joining the huddles of colleagues.
"It's about our Big Boss and Khun Ginny, the daughter of that banker who's about to be sued."
"What happened?"
"Do you really not know? That Khun Ginny has broken up with her boyfriend, Khun Isara."
Unakarn cast her eyes down uneasily. Since the day Ginjutha had nearly run her over, Isara had called her many times, but she refused to answer. Eventually, she had Supannika handle it by forwarding his calls to her sister's phone. She didn't know what the 'villain' had done, but it seemed effective, as Isara had stopped calling.
"I've heard a bit about it."
"Well, the scandal goes deeper than that. At first, people gossiped that the man was distancing himself because the woman's family was in trouble. But then the case flipped. There's an audio clip of them fighting in a restaurant and a leaked video on YouTube—though it was deleted quickly. Now, people are shifting their sympathy toward the man instead."
"What kind of video?"
"Khun Ginny in bed with a man who people are whispering is likely our Big Boss."
"And... is it true?"
"I wouldn't know. But it coincides perfectly with the news that the Boss just broke up with Khun Bharatee. That part seems to be true."
"I just saw her with Khun Wasawatt... on my first day of work." Which was less than two weeks ago.
"Apparently they broke up around that time. A few days later, there was news that the Boss is cultivating a new romance with Khun Chama, Kritsada Dittawat's beautiful daughter who just graduated from abroad. I know there's some truth to this because Jomnaree has been going around cursing Khun Chama for brazenly stealing her 'older sister's' lover." Phakaphan's face showed no sympathy for the parties mentioned, as she harbored a long-standing dislike for them.
"He certainly changes partners quickly," Unakarn remarked softly.
"How else would the Boss earn his 'playboy' title? But the peak was that video released right after the breakup. People are speculating if it'll become a love triangle. Both Khun Ginny and Khun Charm are high-society celebrities—sexy and spicy—exactly the Boss's type. Everyone is waiting to see who becomes the 'Real One'."
"If you find out more, please update me, P'Oum."
"I thought you weren't interested in this sort of thing."
"Since our Big Boss is at the center of it, I consider it an eye-opening experience."
"You've got a cheeky side to you, don't you?" Her supervisor laughed. "By the way, I wanted to consult you on something else."
"Yes?"
"Khun Natthawara asked me if I knew anyone skilled at cooking who could handle a medium-sized catering gig. The husband of her regular caterer was in a severe accident. They're suspending the business for a while because no one can take over. We have an executive meeting this Monday, and it's already Friday evening. They only just called to tell her."
"Hmm. There should be plenty of catering restaurants, shouldn't there?"
"There are many, but Khun Nat is incredibly meticulous. She has to sample several dishes herself before she gives the green light. Before using her regular provider, she tested many others. Those she trusts are already fully booked for other events."
"How many guests, how many meals, and what type of food do they need?"
"About thirty guests. Three meals over two days during the meeting, including snacks. Khun Nat drafted a sample menu herself and left it with me..." Phakaphan hurriedly printed the details for her junior to see.
"The menu includes both Thai and Western dishes. A buffet-style self-service like this is easy to manage," Unakarn noted after looking it over. "If my mother and I help prepare everything on Sunday and Monday, we can serve it day-by-day. We have enough equipment and dinnerware sets for this number. However, we don't have service staff like a catering company."
"Khun Nat said if she can find the cook, she'll call in the household staff from both her home and Khun Ying Warinrampai's estate to help. These are old-money households; they host events often, so the staff is very experienced."
"Eh? Then why not just have the house cooks do it?"
"Khun Ying is abroad with the Tycoon. The house cooks are elderly and probably couldn't handle the load; they aren't very skilled with Western menus either. Normally, if Khun Ying is home, she supervises everything herself. When Khun Nat has events at her own place, she uses catering companies too."
"I know a few catering firms, but with Khun Nat wanting to sample so many dishes, would there be enough time?"
"That's why Khun Nat wants to know if you can help. You did volunteer your services to her once."
Unakarn's eyes widened as the objective became clear. "I can do it. But the question is whether Khun Nat will be satisfied with my cooking."
"Don't you remember that last week you sent a pinto up to Khun Wasawatt? To thank him for helping during the accident."
Of course she remembered! She had begged Phakaphan to deliver two large tiffins to the Big Boss's PA after secretly asking about his schedule. She knew Natthawara was responsible for arranging the young man's lunch on days he didn't have client meetings.
'P'Oum, just tell Khun Nat that Prae made it to thank the Chairman. But please don't tell Khun Wasawatt.'
'Wait! If you don't tell him, how will he know you wanted to repay him?'
Phakaphan had learned of the near-collision from Unakarn herself when the latter explained the reason for the pinto. Apparently, no one in the company suspected a thing besides those present, who had remained silent.
'He probably won't care,' the young woman had said with a sheepish smile. 'I'm just afraid Khun Nat and the Chairman will think I'm trying to flatter them.'
The senior had thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. 'Fine. I'll tell Khun Nat not to tell the Boss.'
The pinto was sent up, and the empty tiffin was returned that evening without a word of thanks or a critique of the flavor. Unakarn had run into the Chairman's PA in the canteen a couple of times since. Natthawara had merely offered an indifferent look when the new hire offered a wai, and Unakarn had quickly shrunk away.
'She probably doesn't like me...' That was the young woman's understanding. She felt a bit dejected but accepted it, as she never expected to be the center of attention or receive favor from top management. As long as she wasn't misunderstood, that was more than enough.
"But Khun Natthawara didn't say anything," the young woman told her senior tentatively.
"Then why do you think Khun Nat would call me to consult about a cook? My duties have nothing to do with that." Phakaphan offered an amused smile. "Khun Nat was captivated by the flavor of the food you made. That day, she sat with the Boss and they ate together. She came to grill me about whether you made it yourself or bought it. Apparently, the Boss ate much more than usual."
Unakarn was speechless. Her heart pounded, sending a rush of blood to her face.
"So I'm just testing the waters here. Bottom line: will you take the job, Prae?"
"I can take it. But the event is two days, Monday and Tuesday. I'd buy the fresh supplies and ingredients on Saturday, and prepare Monday's menu on Sunday. But for Tuesday's prep—which has to happen on Monday—I'm afraid my mother couldn't handle it alone."
"Khun Nat knows that, so she's giving you Monday off. It'll still count as a regular workday."
The young woman smiled broadly, revealing a charming dimple on her left cheek. "In that case, it's no problem at all."
"And how much will you charge?"
"Oh, I'm happy to do it for free. I'll just submit the receipts for the actual cost of the ingredients."
"Khun Nat won't allow that. Charge the standard rate."
"Then consider it a way to repay the Chairman for saving me," Unakarn insisted, shaking her head.
"You already sent him that pinto."
"A single pinto cannot repay the man who saved my life."
Phakaphan tilted her head as her junior spoke with such firm resolve. She knew that despite her gentle nature, once Unakarn set her mind on something, it was difficult to sway her.
"Alright, I'll try talking to Khun Nat as you suggested. But I can't promise she'll agree."