Meet The Ratchana

"Engagement?!" Gi slams his coffee mug on the marble table. The sound resonates with the kitchen like a gunshot. The air is sizzling hot after the news dropped.

Reis ignores that overreacting gesture; instead, she keeps her hands busy with breakfast.

"Who is that man, Hia?" another man joins them, his morning attire amusingly casual—a yellow giraffe pajama set with a matching earpiece perched on his dirty blonde hair.

"That shia man is the most notorious playboy in the country! His repo is not a joke! I wonder if Por just got crazy or what!" Gi grunts in anger.

In the midst of a storm brewing in the kitchen, Reis remains calm. She slides a plate filled with breakfast towards Rames; the second youngest of the family, born before Daou, the giraffe boy.

"Eat up, Rames..." Reid says softly, her voice remains calm. Rames lifts his hand, asking her to wait.

"Hia Rames, you better put aside your work so we can discuss this matter..." Daou sighs, resting his chin on his hand as he glances at Reis. "Cè, why are you looking so calm, huh? Don't tell me you've accepted the proposal already?!" he points his index finger at her.

"I tried to talk to Por about this... But, it's useless..." Reid sighs, swirling her coffer mug while leaning against the table. Her eyes wave aimlessly, filled with uncertainty.

"Jupe Nitthitorn, net worth: 200 billion dollars. Industry: cyber security, artificial technology, aeronautic engineering, investment and housing development... " Rames recites his findings from the internet. "The Most Richest Bachelor... And.. Also the infamous womanizer, according to gossip columns..."

All eyes are on Reis now, the weight of their scrutiny heavy.

"And Por chose this shia to be your husband!" Gi snap again, his anger boiling so deep. He abandoned his plate immediately.

Daou sighs. "That's so Por! The only thing on his mind is money. Imagine, if NitTech joins forces with Ratcha Development, it rains money... " Rames adds, brushing his palms against each other.

"So, he used our sister as a pawn! Wow!" Daou claps his hand, feeling amused. "With all those shitty treatment, he shamelessly exploit you for his own good! This man is not my father from now on, I swear to God!"

"Daou... Don't ever say that! If Ma hear this, she will be sad..."

"If she's still alive, she might share the same idea, Cè..." the boy rolls his eyes in annoyance.

"Daou is right. Even my Mae can't stands him! Why do you think I'm keeping my surname instead of Ratchana?" Gi adds, his tone turns bitter.

"I'm worry about you, Cè..." Rames pats Reis's shoulder softly. She offers him a vague smile, fixing his white shirt attentively, grateful for his support. Reis loves her brothers deeply. They are the hands that have helped her through thick and thin. Especially Gi–thought he is just a stepbrother–they are the pillars that support her when she needs.

"I can't let you marry that monster! If I have to hide you somewhere, I'll do it, no question ask!" Gi pledges fiercely, his determination unwavering. Daou pursues him from behind, lifting a scout's honor.

"Guys... Don't bother with my problem. Think about yourself first. Especially you, Gi..." Reis leans forward on the tabletop. "Your secret relationship will get leaked any time soon. Shouldn't you at least do something about it?"

Gi goes red, his cheeks flushing. He clears his throat while Daou giggles next to him, hanging an arm over Gi's shoulder. "That's what you get for secretly dating your artist, hia..." he smirks before Gi playfully smacks his head.

"Cè! Hia is bullying me!" Daou whines, running to Reis for refuge. She can only laugh along with Rames, who chuckles next to her.

"Er... Miss Ratchana..."

The family drama halts. They turn to see Felix, looking confused and out of place.

"Who... Are... You?" Daou asks, his eyes narrowing. They look at Felix— in nothing but a long sleeping pants— standing right in front of the door of Reis's bedroom.

"Cè! What is he doing, coming out of your room?!" Gi strides in anger, marching toward Felix and ready to land a fist on his face. Chaos erupts as both Rames and Daou try to stop him.

"Calm down everyone!" Reis snaps, her voice cutting through the tension. Daou locks Gi by the shoulder while Rames shields Felix with his body.

Reis walks toward them, gently pushing Rames aside and exposes Felix before her eyes. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Reis's question stuns not only Felix, but her brothers as well. Gi growls, holding his anger while the two younglings exchange shocked glances.

"Wait... Did you two—"

"Nong Daou, lend Hia Felix your shirt..." Daou's inquiry halted by Reis's order. "Meet me at the garden in five minutes..." she continues before she leaves the spot, heading to the garden on the balcony outside.

"Tsk!" Gi escapes from Daou before he goes back to the kitchen with Rames. Daou glares at Felix. "Ah.. Ah.. Come with me... Hia Felix..." Daou emphasizes the word 'hia' before asking the man to follow him to the unit next door.

***

After some time, Felix joins Reis in the garden—now fully dressed—as Rames generously serves them tea.

"Miss Ratchana..."

"Sit down. Have some breakfast..."

Felix obeys, sipping the tea before eventually locking eyes with Reis.

"How much did you drink last night, Felix?" Reis asks, her voice steady but laced in concern.

Felix goes pale. He remembers having a glass of strawberry juice, but for a good reason. When he was about to reach Tan's table, he saw a middle-aged man talking to a waiter. Then, he grabbed something from his pocket and laced a glass of strawberry juice before putting it back on the tray. Felix managed to stop the waiter and asked if the drink was for Reis. The waiter nodded, and that's when he grabbed the glass and took it with no hesitation.

"Some scotch. Maybe my body couldn't take it," Felix chooses to lie instead, for Reis's own good. But, he's not a good liar, because the awkwardness sits well in his face. Reis allows that, even though she is unconvincing.

'He must have a reason to lie,' that's what she thinks.

"And then, do you remember anything else after that?" asks Reis. Felix stares at her, eyes waver a bit.

"You know, what happened last night could risk your job as my PA... " Reis seizes a chance to tease Felix, as a lesson for lying to her. Felix stumbles in his chair, eyes looking at Reis in horror. His mind suddenly reminds him of something

'Can I land my lips against yours?'

His throat feels dry. "Are you suggesting that last night, we...?"

"You just came out of my room. What do you think?" Reis asks.

Felix is shaking, now that he learns about last night incident. He gulps the tea hastily until he spurs it a bit, coughing as he accidentally choke. Reis sneers as she hands him a napkin.

"Miss Ratchana, I am deeply sorry... I was too drunk and I have no intention to—" Felix winces, feeling sick of himself. "It won't happen again, I can guarantee that."

"Never mind. It happened already. There's nothing we can do except to just over it," Reis replies calmly.

But Felix feels uneasy. He is itching to find out the truth. As he is about to ask Reis, a phone call interrupts the conversation.

"Answer the call," says Reis. She calmly enjoys her breakfast, giving Felix a room to do his business.

"Yes, Ran? Me? I'm on my way to Miss Ratchana's condo..." Felix stares at Reis. All of a sudden, his face turns pale.

"Are you sure?" he pauses. "Fine, I'll let her know," Felix cuts the call before he stares at Reis in horror. "There's a bad news from Mr. Sawati's residents.."

Reis crooks up her brows.

"Mr. Sawati is dead."