" Arrival "

( In the Night 12 PM , At the "Ratanawong Mansion" )

( At the Ratanawong Mansion grand entrance )

...As the car pulled into the driveway, Siri gazed out the window at the familiar sight of her home.

The warm glow of the outdoor lights illuminated the lush greenery surrounding the mansion, creating a serene ambiance that immediately put her at ease. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her shoulders begin to dissipate as the car came to a stop.

The driver, attentive as always, glanced at Siri through the rearview mirror and spoke in a gentle tone, "We've arrived , Nong Siri."Siri nodded in response,

Siri then opened the door and stepped out onto the driveway, reaching for the bag of desserts on the seat.

Her gaze briefly fell on the stuffed rabbit sitting beside the desserts, but she deliberately shifted her attention back to the bag, lifting it out of the car. With the desserts secure in her grasp, she closed the car door behind her, leaving the Rabbit behind.

As she ascended the grand, sweeping staircase, the soft squeak of her sneakers echoed off the marble. Wirot maneuvered the car away from the entrance, driving off to park in a designated area elsewhere on the grounds.

Siri continued on walking towards the entrance, her eyes scanning the opulent foyer. The sound of soft chatter and clinking dishes drifted from the kitchen, where a few maids were busy preparing dinner.

Two maids, polishing the banister and dusting the ornate vases, respectively, caught sight of Siri and immediately stopped what they were doing. They bowed their heads politely, their hands pressed together in a respectful wai. "Sawatdee, Nong Siri," they chimed in unison, their voices soft and melodious.

One of the maids quickly ran down the stairs to greet Siri, taking the bag of desserts from her hands with a warm smile. "Let me help you with that, Nong Siri," she said, her eyes sparkling with kindness.

Before Siri could respond, a high-pitched voice yelled out, "P'!" Yot, who had been patiently sitting on the luxurious dining table, had caught sight of his sister.

Siri caught Yot in mid-run, sweeping him up in a warm hug. "Hey, little brother," she said, smiling as she held him close,

( NB :The Thai word "P'" (ป์) is a shortened version of "Phee" (พี่), which means "older sibling" or "older one". In Thai culture, it's a term of respect and affection used to address someone older or in a position of authority. )

Yot wrapped his arms tightly around Siri's neck, burying his face in her shoulder. "I missed you, P'," he exclaimed, his voice muffled.

Khun Yai, who had been busy in the kitchen, emerged with a warm smile, which quickly turned into a gentle scold. "Nong Fah, you're late. Dinner is already cold ."

Siri apologized, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, Khun Yai. I got held up." Khun Yai's expression softened, and she nodded.

"Apologize to Yot, Nong Fah. He's been waiting for you." Khun Yai responded

Siri looked down at Yot, who was still clinging to her neck. "I'm sorry, Yot. I promise I'll make it up to you."

Yot's face lit up with a smile. "I forgive you, P'. But you took too long! I missed you!" Siri smiled.

"Next time, I'll make sure to be on time. But if I'm late again, you should eat without me, okay?" Yot shook his head. "No, P'! I want to eat with you."

Siri's heart swelled with affection. "That's so sweet of you, Yot." Yot grinned mischievously,

"I have a surprise for you, P'." Siri's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?" Yot just giggled. "You'll see soon." Siri looked at Yot's outfit and smiled.

He was wearing a casual white shirt and beige shorts, his hair slightly messy from playing.

"You look like you've been having fun, Yot," Siri said, smiling. Yot nodded enthusiastically. "I was waiting for you, P'."

Siri smiled. "Why don't we both go freshen up, and then we can eat together?" Yot grinned.

"Okay, P'!" Yot carefully ran towards the staircase, his footsteps echoing off the marble floor. He grasped the intricately carved banister and began to ascend the stairs, his eyes shining with excitement.

She turned to the maid. "Please store them in the fridge for now."

The maid nodded and smiled, "Yes, Nong Siri " She then turned and hurried off towards the kitchen, the bag of desserts securely in hand.

Siri turned to Khun Yai. "I'm going to go freshen up, Khun Yai."Khun Yai smiled. "Take your time, Nong Fah. We'll warm up dinner and have it ready soon."

Siri nodded and began her ascent up the luxurious staircase, adorned with intricate carvings of traditional Thai motifs, such as the naga serpent and the garuda bird.