Veil

Everyone stands in shock as Reis lifts her head slowly. Felix stands firmly, devoid of emotion or guilt in front of Prim after his palm strikes the girl's cheek, trying to knock some sense into her.

When Seth attempts to grab him by the neck, Felix casually brushes his hands away. Instead of focusing on the boy, his eyes glare at Reis.

"Miss Ratchana, are you okay?" Felix's voice softens.

Reis nods, her voice caught in her throat. Felix carefully helps her back to her feet and hands her over to Daou. The youngest Ratchana quickly embraces his sister, while Rames and Gi take their positions, forming a protective shield around her.

"How dare you slap me! Who do you think you are? Even my mom never touches me! Not even a strand of hair!" Prim shoots an angry glare at Felix, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Your mother never hits you, but that doesn't mean you're always right, Miss Sawati. Violence is never the answer. By now, every eye is on you, judging your actions," Felix replies calmly.

"I don't care if they judge me! They need to know this bitch—" Prim points her finger at Reis. "She's the one who wrecked this family!"

Felix glares at Reis, his gaze softening momentarily. But when he looks back at Prim, it turns steely.

"Your actions right now prove nothing but your childishness and stupidity, Miss Sawati. Unconsciously, you tarnish the reputation of this family," says Felix. "Miss Ratchana has a good public image. Though she often finds herself in scandals, she handles the situations accordingly. Thus, it's hard for others to judge her; they may see her as a victim and hate you for victimizing her."

"Don't try to teach us, you peasant!" Seth retorts, his voice laced with venom.

"I'm just pointing out the flaws in your sister's actions, Mr. Sawati. If you two continue acting like this, it brings nothing but shame to your parents and this family—"

"You know nothing about us!" Seth grabs Felix by his collar.

Gi tries to intervene, but Felix stops him, maintaining his cool.

"You have no right to teach us! You're not our father! Even he never really cared about us!" the boy pierces his gaze deep into Felix's eyes.

Felix can see how hurt this boy is. It's more than just a strain of anger against his dead father; it’s layered with an emptiness he can't explain. The longing and thirst for a true father figure who abandoned them have planted a deep-seated hatred within him for years. Felix is unaware of the situation between these two families behind the veil, but he can see how much the past affects Tony's children.

"I don't know what justifies your actions, but at least grow up for your mother. Can't you see how she's crying in the back?" Felix calmly whispers to Seth.

The grip on his collar loosens. Seth glances at Madam Sawati, who is holding hands with their housekeeper, sobbing hard. Her grief is palpable.

"Lhuk... Please... Whatever happened between us and Ratchana, let it be bygone. We already lost Pa. How can you take care of us if you behave like this?" Madam Sawati cries between her words.

Prim quickly dashes to her mother and hugs her tightly. Seth wipes away his frustration, silently tearing up. He slowly walks toward his family, and Madam Sawati envelops him in a hug. Her body shakes with sobs, creating a heartbreaking sight for everyone present.

It affects Reis the most, knowing how much it hurts to lose someone. The image of her 15-year-old self, crying while holding her mother's picture, flashes through her mind. At least Seth and Prim have their mother to share their grief. Unlike her, who had to bottle up everything for the sake of her little brothers, with zero to no support from her father.

In silence, Reis walks away, leaving her brothers behind so they won't see her broken like this. On her way out, she meets Tan's cold, indifferent eyes. No sympathy, nothing.

It breaks her heart even more.

***

The flow of the crowd at the funeral continues despite the small drama that just unfolded. By now, the Ratchana siblings are busy with their own affairs, but they keep an eye on Reis from time to time. As much as they worry about her, giving her space is the best choice for now.

Felix leans against the wooden door frame, facing the lake behind the funeral hall. He has been watching a figure who is enjoying the scenery right before his eyes. In the midst of the crowd, she remains there, unhinged.

Reis makes Felix wonder: how much can that brave heart take? Her life seems perfect—she has everything that everyone dreams of—but it feels like a facade, a veil that conceals the reality beneath. Facing a public that judges her, with a father who keeps gatekeeping her in the wrong way, her shoes and her path are not filled with bubbles and kisses.

She has everything, yet her life feels empty.

***

Before The Funeral

"Did you sleep with my sister?" Felix halted as his gaze locks with Gi. The man stood firmly in front of the door to Reis's bedroom, where Felix was getting ready for the funeral. The frown on Gi's face deepened as he let out a slow sigh.

"That's how much distrust you have in me, Mr. Parapat?" Felix casually adjusted his black long sleeves while looking at Gi. The man stepped into the room, towering over Felix and piercing deep into his eyes.

"Just answer my question!" Gi's stern voice echoed throughout the room. It wasn't too loud or thunderous, but for someone with a weak heart, it might cause a cardiac arrest.

But not for Felix. He's used to this.

"I remember nothing," Felix replied. "I was too intoxicated—"

"How could you get drunk while working?! You're supposed to take care of her!"

Felix pat Gi's shoulder. "Hear me out, Mr. Parapat..." He checks the room, ensuring they are alone, and Gi quiet himself, trying to calm down.

"I didn't even touch a glass, except for a drink that was meant for Miss Ratchana..." Felix explained. "I saw Mr. Sawati spike the drink and instruct the waiter to send it to Miss Ratchana."

"How sure are you? How did you know it was meant for her?!"

Felix sighed before he arranged the next sentence. "It's a strawberry juice. Non-alcohol drink among those booze at the party. Miss Ratchana doesn't drink, so obviously, it's for her."

"How did you know she doesn't drink?" Gi askes, curiosity piqued.

"I overheard her conversation with Mr. Nitthitorn. I also saw an untouched wine bottle in her car. I believe it was a gift for her, but there was no sign she intended to consume it," Felix replied earnestly.

His answer made Gi halts and less hostile. He loosened up a bit before taking some time to talk again.

"She quit drinking a long time ago. She isn't a drinker, but after something happened, she channeled her frustration through alcohol," said Gi. He walked towards the side table, looking at the picture of his sister attentively.

"She kept getting wasted, abandoning her studies, her friends, even us. My brothers were concerned about her, so we urged her to quit. Daou even cried his eyes out while begging. I don't know, maybe that was the turning point for her. She eventually signed up for counseling and told me she wanted to follow me to Milan. Por seemed upset, but I told him she would follow me, whether in a good or bad way," Gi explained.

Felix listened attentively, collecting all the information that might be useful for Jupe later.

"She isn't like the other rich girls out there. She's a wise woman with a high level of dignity. A top student at her former faculty, a role model for her juniors, and she leads a healthy lifestyle. She hates parties; if she has to attend one, she does her best to stay safe. But people tend to take advantage of her kindness. She has been hurt quite a number of times, even Por never treated her well..."

Gi's voice grows gloomy, clearly upset.

"Mr. Parapat..." Felix finally broke the silence. Gi looked at him, eyes glistening with tears. "I may seem unreliable, but believe me... Taking advantage like a coward is not my style. Miss Ratchana is my boss, and it's my job to protect her. I will do my best; just trust me."

Gi hung his head low, staring at the beige carpet under his shoes. After a moment, he nodded softly, patting Felix's shoulder as he gritted his teeth.

"I hope you can walk the walk instead of just talking the talk," he said before leaving the room.

***

Felix sighs, his heart feeling heavy. The more he tries to fulfill his mission for Jupe, the more he learns about Reis. The more he feels sorry for her.

How can I hand her over to Jupe; knowing what kind of man he is, while pledging to her brother that I'll protect her? It seems like the more I want to find her flaws, the more I see a broken girl who needs someone to shield her from this harsh world. I feel like a traitor now, a sinner who sells her to the devil...

Felix curses himself, staring at Reis with a guilty heart. Slowly, doubt fills his mind.

God, what should I do?