Chapter 8

8:45 AM

​Lena had hit rock bottom.

​Rock bottom, specifically, was the leather sofa in the lobby of Taechamongkalapiwat Manufacturing.

​She had tried to sleep in the Toyota Corolla, but the sun turned it into an oven within minutes. So, she had dragged herself and a weeping Nut back into the lobby. She was currently lying horizontal on the sofa, using her Chanel handbag as a pillow, while Nut slept sitting upright in a plastic chair, snoring softly.

​”Khun Lena?” The receptionist whispered, poking Lena’s shoulder.

​Lena swatted the hand away. “No… no more lotion… go away…”

​”Khun Lena, wake up! The CEO is here!”

​Lena shot up. Her back cracked. Her hair was a bird’s nest. She looked down at her white suit-it was grey with dust and wrinkled beyond recognition.

​”Oh god,” Lena gasped, frantically smoothing her hair. “Nut! Wake up! The target is here!”

​She grabbed her sunglasses and shoved them onto her face to hide the raccoon eyes. She stood up just as the automatic glass doors slid open.

​A man walked in.

​He looked expensive. That was Lena’s first thought. He was tall, wearing a charcoal grey suit that was definitely bespoke Savile Row. He moved with the quiet confidence of someone who owned everything in the room.

​This was Thanawin “Win” Taechamongkalapiwat. The Interim CEO.

​He was followed by two assistants carrying briefcases. He looked tired-deep shadows under his eyes-but immaculate.

​”Sawatdee krub,” Win said to the receptionist, his voice deep and polite. “Any messages?”

​”Sawatdee ka, Khun Win,” the receptionist bowed low. “Uh… yes. We have visitors from Schuett Cosmetics. They have been waiting… since yesterday.”

​Win turned. He saw Lena.

​Lena tried to strike a pose, but she swayed slightly from exhaustion. She held out the jar of cream.

​”I have the sample,” Lena rasped. “And I have the contract. Sign it, and I leave.”

​Win blinked. He looked at the disheveled woman in the dirty luxury suit, then at the sleeping assistant (Nut) in the corner. He didn’t look impressed. He looked confused.

​”Schuett Cosmetics?” Win frowned. “I thought my sister said we were full.”

​Sister?

​Before Lena could process that, the side door opened.

​Miu walked out.

​She had showered and changed. She was now wearing a fresh, crisp white shirt (sleeves rolled up) and clean navy slacks. She held a steaming mug of coffee. She looked annoyingly perfect.

​”Miu,” Win said, his face softening instantly. He walked over to her.

​”Hey, P’Win,” Miu said casually, taking a sip of coffee. “How was the BoI meeting?”

​”Exhausting. They want more environmental compliance documents,” Win sighed, rubbing his temples. He gestured toward Lena. “Why are the Schuett people sleeping in our lobby?”

​Lena watched them. The dynamic was undeniable. The respect. The familiarity.

​Miu glanced at Lena over the rim of her mug. Her eyes danced with amusement.

​”Oh, them?” Miu said lightly. “They’re stubborn. Khun Lena pulled an all-nighter on the Emulsifier 4 just to get a sample.”

​Win looked back at Lena, his eyebrows raising in surprise. “You operated the emulsifier?”

​”I supervised,” Lena corrected quickly, straightening her jacket. “And I have the sample. It’s perfect.”

​Win took the jar from Lena. He opened it, sniffed it, and checked the texture. He nodded slowly.

​”If Miu let this pass QC, then it’s good,” Win said. He handed the jar to his assistant. “Come to my office, Khun…?”

​”Lena,” Lena said. “Lena Schuett.”

​”Right. Come up. We can discuss the capacity issue.” Win turned to Miu. “Are you coming, Miu?”

​”No, I have a meeting with the packaging team,” Miu said. She started to walk away, then stopped. She turned to look at Lena.

​”Good job on the night shift, Khun Lena,” Miu said, a small smirk playing on her lips.

​Win looked between them. “Wait. You two met?”

​”Briefly,” Miu said.

​”Khun Lena,” Win said politely. “This is Miu Taechamongkalapiwat. My sister. And the head of this facility. I assume she took good care of you?”

​The world stopped spinning for Lena. It just crashed.

​Taechamongkalapiwat.

​The name echoed in her empty, hungover skull.

​Taechamongkalapiwat. One of the top 5 wealthiest families in the country. The family that owned half the real estate in Thong Lor. The family that donated wings to hospitals.

​And Lena had told her to take out the trash.

She had told her she smelled like manual labor.

​Lena looked at Miu.

Miu was looking right back at her, that smirk finally breaking into a full, triumphant grin.

​”Oh, yes,” Miu said softy. “We got along famously.”

​Lena felt the blood drain from her face. Her knees gave way, and for the first time in her life, Lena Schuett fainted.