Rule No. 1: Don’t be too emotional : Chapter 20

Tommy clears throat. “Did Arthur explain?”

” He said it’s God’s will.” Charlie stands up, facing his father “But you’re not God!” Charlie runs away after shouting.

Tommie turns his head to the other side “No, I’m not God.”

Tommy speaks to himself while picking up a cigarette “Not yet.”

– Peaky Blinders, Season 5, Episode 1 “Black Tuesday”

I practically prostrated myself to apologize to P’First the next day. Having cooled down significantly, he let it side but warned me that if any of my friends caused a scene like that again, he wouldn’t hesitate to report it to the main branch.

“I promise it won’t happen again, sir.”

“Yeah, I know it wasn’t your fault, Jane. But they are your friends, so you have to take responsibility.”

“Yes… and about the damages… ”

“He already paid for everything.”

“Huh?” I looked up, surprised. Last night, P’Win told me he would take care of it all. When did he come by to pay?

“Your other friend. The tall one with the large eyes. He settled the bill. If the guy who was chasing you wants to split the cost, you guys handle that yourselves.”

“I see.”

“Actually, wasn’t he the one being harassed? It’s not a great look,” the manager added. I could only give a weak, awkward smile.

“Whatever. Go clear it up among yourselves. Jane, go check the cake stock.” As I counted cakes, I couldn’t help but wonder how furious P’Win would be knowing P’Jane had overstepped him like this. Money had always been a sensitive point for P’Win. Around 1: 00 PM, after the lunch rush, my/ phone rang. It was P’Jane.

[I was afraid if I waited for you to pick a topic, we’d fall behind. I chose one and emailed you the outline. Take a look. ]

“Fine… I’ll check it.” I realized then that I couldn’t escape Jane Patrick-not this semester, anyway. We shared two classes. No matter how I dodged him, fate seemed to pull us together. I decided to just accept it and treat him as a senior, as long as he didn’t cross the line.

[I’m coming over now. I’ll bring the work. ]

“What? Again? There was just a huge scene yesterday!”

[I wasn’t the one who started it. And I’ve already spoken with Khun First. He didn’t say a word against it. ] I sighed.

“Fine. Do whatever you want.” Half an hour later, he appeared. To my shock, P’First greeted him warmly. How had he befriended my manager so quickly? A sense of dread washed over me. P’First seemed… indebted to him. He is a favor monster. And that’s never changed. While P’Jane worked at a table, I stayed behind the counter. Later, he approached me to go to the bathroom and asked me to watch his things. After ten minutes, I got worried someone might steal his MacBook (and our project), so I went to move it to the counter. As I picked up his notebook, a small scrap of paper fell out. I picked it up. It was the slip from Professor Samantha’s drawing.

“BOOM” I froze. I remembered the day P’Pui drew my name-the slip said “Nong Jane”-and ended up partnering with P’Boom. The professor thought she’d made a mistake and written my name twice. But she hadn’t. P’Jane hadn’t drawn my name at all. The cunning bastard. My heart raced as I stared at the paper. Suddenly, it was plucked from my hand. P’Jane was standing there, smiling slightly. He didn’t even flinch now that I knew the truth.

“Thanks for watching my stuff. There’s a crowd at the counter.” I turned to see three customers waiting. Terrified of upsetting P’First again, I rushed back to work. How could I ever get this man out of my life? He was dangerous, and I was trapped. Two weeks of psychological warfare passed. I avoided P’Jane by using Google Docs and swapping shifts. But a much bigger storm was brewing. One evening, while taking out the trash, I saw a disheveled student wandering near the shop. It was my brother, Jet.

“Jet!” I yelled. He tried to run, but I caught him. When I forced him to turn around, I gasped. His face was a map of bruises-a black eye, a split lip, and a hematoma on his head.

“Jet! Who did this to you?!” He broke down in tears.

“I can’t go to the police, P’Jane… I can’t.”” Why not?!”

“I… I have gambling debts.” The words hit me like a lightning strike. Jet explained how he started with football betting, got hooked, lost everything, and eventually took out a loan from loan sharks.

“They beat me because I couldn’t pay the interest. They said if I don’t pay in three days… they’ll kill me.” I tried to stay calm. I had savings-40, 000 baht. I’d give it to him. I’d cancel my Japan trip.

“It’s okay, Jet. I have forty thousand. You can have it all.” Jet sobbed harder.

“P’Jane… it’s not enough.”

“What? Forty thousand isn’t enough? How much do you owe?” Jet whispered , his voice trembling.

“1. 2 million.” I didn’t know it was possible to feel your soul leave your body while still standing. 1. 2 million baht.

Our family was ruined. The following days were a nightmare. I was a ghost at work. I messed up orders, forgot to store ice cream, and lived in constant fear for Jet. P’Win sensed my distance and grew resentful, but l couldn’t tell him. Then, the final blow came. P’First had had enough of my mistakes.” That’s it, Jane.

I’m letting you go. Get out.” He snatched the cup from my hand.

“Go! Now! Only employees are allowed back here!” I walked out of the shop into the night, tears blurring my vision. I felt like a hollow shell. I wandered toward the main road. The headlights of a massive logging truck approached-bright as a second sun. If I step out now, it all ends. No more debt. No more shame. I took several steps toward the oncoming beast. Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye, Mom. Suddenly, a powerful force jerked me back. I slammed into a solid chest as the truck roared past, missing me by inches.

“Jane! What the hell are you doing?!” It was P’Jane. I collapsed to my knees, strength deserting me. He knelt in front of me, his face a mix of shock and confusion.

“Jane, what happened? Where are your shoes?” In my absolute darkness, a legend about Jane Patrick echoed in my mind: He can help anyone with anything… no exceptions. 70% of the people at Uni have asked him for help… and no one ever leaves without getting what they asked for.

“P’Jane… ” I grabbed his shirt, unable to look him in the eye.

“What? What is it?”

“Help me… please help me.””… ”

“I have a favor to ask.” Silence fell. He cupped my face, forcing me to meet his lion-like gaze.

“Jane, it is 10: 02 PM. Are you fully conscious and aware?”” Yes… ”

“Then tell me, who are you?”

“My name is Jenalee Thanapatpibul. I am twenty years old.”

“You are not drunk? You know what you are saying?”

“Yes. It is my own wish. I am not being forced.”

“And you will repay me?”

“Yes.” We were forming a verbal contract. The moonlight hit his face as he let go of my cheeks. His voice was deep and resonant.

“Very well. What is your request?”

“I need… can I have 1. 2 million baht tonight?”

“Check, credit, or cash?”

“Cash… cash.” I was trembling with shame. Who could find 1. 2million in cash at night? He pulled me up. He reached for his padlock pendant, revealing a hidden needle inside.

“Ah!” I cried out as he pricked my finger. He took my blood and smeared it onto his right cheek-drawing a symbol. Not a plus sign. Not a cross. An inverted cross. The mark of Satan. He smiled, my blood still wet on his face. “1. 2 million. Cash.” “Your request is granted.” That was the day I made a deal with a soul hunter. And after that… my life would never be the same.