Rule No. 1: Don’t be too emotional : Chapter 39

At last I can’t resist my heart at all.

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That day, P’Ram suddenly appeared at the temple. He took me inside to pay my respects to Khunying Sakuna and MP Suphareuk, and even gave me a ride home because my car had broken down. The next day, I came down with such a severe flu that I had to take two days off work.

P’Ram was the one who wrote my medical certificate and even prescribed my medication-which, of course, I bought from my dad’s pharmacy. Two weeks have passed since then. P’Jane has likely returned to America already. He left behind nothing but a black umbrella, an expensive suit, and a memory etched unforgettably in my heart.

Even so, I had the suit professionally cleaned, wrapped it in plastic, and tucked it away in my closet. I felt a small pang of regret that the cleaning process inevitably caused P’Jane’s scent to fade. I acted as if I might actually have the chance to return it to him one day. What a delusional dream.

“Whoa, what’s all this? Who put these on my desk? Why are there so many folders?” I cried out after returning from lunch with Chassy. I rummaged through the files, my brows furrowing. None of it had anything to do with my job. I didn’t have to wonder for long before P’Sao’s syrupy voice rang out.

“It’s work, dear! Well, you were out sick for two whole days, weren’t you?

The work just piled up like this. And it just so happens there’s a little part I wanted you to help me with, too.” Chassy scowled in anger, her mouth opening to strike, but this time I didn’t need her help. I spun around to face P’Sao immediately.

“P’Sao, please take back the work that isn’t mine.” P’Sao looked stunned; I had never rejected her before. Once she regained her footing, she stammered, “Oh, right… well, you already have a lot on your plate. Fine, I’ll take one folder back then.”

“Not one folder. Take all the work back that isn’t mine.” I scooped up about four or five folders and thrust them back at the middle-aged woman, speaking bluntly.

“From now on, I won’t be doing your work anymore. I am not your servant. After Chassy spoke up for me, I thought you’d realize that, but no-you haven’t let up at all. I helped you out of courtesy, but you used that courtesy to exploit me without end. I think you should stop being this kind of person. Try being a slightly better version of yourself.” P’Sao was beyond shocked. I hadn’t just explained myself; I had unloaded a lifetime of suppressed frustration all at once. Chassy wore a look of pure satisfaction before snapping at P’Sao, “You heard him, right? From now on, everyone handles their own work. Go on, your desk isn’t even in this section. Please go back to your cubicle-or should I say, your stable? Come on, Jane, let’s get back to work. Some people around here should actually try working for once-if they even know how.”

We sat back down. I ignored P’Sao completely. What I said was clear enough; if she wasn’t a fool, she’d understand. You have to protect your own rights. If you don’t stand up for yourself, you shouldn’t complain. But we hadn’t been working for even half an hour when a colleague named Angun walked over.

“Chassy, Jane… P’Phakphum wants to see you.” Chassy and I exchanged surprised looks. P’Phakphum was our boss.

“Right now, Angun?” Chassy asked .

“Yes, right now. Hurry up, both of you.” Angun looked uneasy. We walked into P’Phakphum’s private office, only to be even more surprised to find P’Sao sitting there with bloodshot eyes. P’Phakphum looked furious.

“Jane, Chassy. Sao tells me you both spoke to her using language too foul for her to accept. Jane, did you tell her she needs to learn to be a better person? And Chassy, did you call her ‘old and brainless’?” We were stunned by the barrage of questions. P’Sao sobbed loudly into her handkerchief.

“It’s terrible, Khun Phakphum. I’ve worked here for twenty-two years, since the time of your father, Khun Prasit. I never thought I’d be insulted by children like this.”

“I’m asking if it’s true that you both insulted her,” P’Phakphum said sternly.

“The thing is… I did say that, yes,” I admitted. Without letting me explain further, P’Phakphum acted as if I had confessed to everything.

“Jane, I never thought you were this kind of person. This is a workplace; you can’t behave like this. Besides, Sao is much older than you.

Have I completely misjudged you?”

“P’Phakphum, aren’t you going to ask us what actually happened first?” Chassy cut in.

“We aren’t crazy. We wouldn’t just insult her for no reason. This isn’t fair.”

“Chassy, I am speaking. How dare you interrupt?” P’Phakphum snapped.

“I’m not being ‘daring, ‘ but l admit I did insult her. However, there’s a reason. Ask us what happened first!”

“Fine. What happened?”

“P’Sao loves to dump her work on Jane while she goes home early or wanders around nitpicking others. Sometimes Jane has to stay until 7: 00 or 8: 00 PM just to finish her work. And I know that the other day she complained to you about P’Nee spilling canned rambutans on some documents-a total non-issue-yet she still reported it! P’Nee finished her work anyway. Don’t you think this is ridiculous?”

“Enough.” P’Phakphum silenced Chassy and turned to P’Sao. Internally, he likely agreed that the rambutan story was ridiculous.” Is it true, Sao?”

“Sao was just trying to mentor him! I saw he was a bright kid, so l wanted to train him to be skilled, to practice multi-tasking. I didn’t want him stuck in his comfort zone because I saw leadership potential in him. But it’s my fault, Khun Phakphum, for being too well-meaning. If Jane didn’t like it… he could have just told me nicely. He didn’t have to use such harsh words.” Chassy and I were speechless. Our survival skills in the workplace were like kindergarteners compared to P’Sao. P’Phakphum fell for it

immediately.

“Exactly. Why use such harsh language? What Sao says makes sense.”

“Honestly, I don’t understand what Chassy has to do with this,” P’Sao added.

“I’ve never asked her to do a single thing.”

“So why did you insult her, Chassy? You really aren’t involved.”

“But Jane is my friend!”

“And is Jane a toddler who can’t speak for himself?”

“He did speak for himself, P’Phakphum! And look what happened when he did. Who would want to speak up?”

“Stop! Don’t raise your voice at me. Both of you, as subordinates who have done wrong, apologize to Sao right now.” Chassy and I were forced to give a reluctant wai and apologize. I saw a glint of triumph in P’Sao’s teary eyes.

“Can we go now?” Chassy asked irritably.

“So we can get back to work.”

“Go. But let me teach you something: when there’s a problem, you can talk about it, but you must speak politely. You shouldn’t use foul language. Anyone with a proper upbringing knows that. This is an office; don’t bring your ‘base nature’ in here. Your words reflect how you were raised at home. How could you tell someone to ‘be a better person’?”

“When you talk about ‘upbringing, ‘ are you insulting me, Khun Phakphum?” I couldn’t take it anymore.

“What’s wrong with my upbringing? And how ‘noble’ are you to look down on others? Just because you have some royal lineage? And then you bring my parents into this? This woman dumps her work on me every single day. I never complained.

But the one day I demand justice, I’m the one being scolded? You’re a smart man with multiple degrees from abroad-I know you know I’m the one doing all that work. But you turn a blind eye because the company benefits. You’re scolding me for this?” “Scolding me for what? I’m speaking the truth. This company will surely thrive-thrive straight into the ground-by discouraging hardworking staff and catering to brown-nosers.”

“You stop right now, or I will fire you!”

“You don’t have to fire me, because I quit!” I pulled off my employee badge and slammed it onto his desk. P’Sao and P’Phakphum looked shocked; even Chassy’s jaw dropped.

“I’m done with a company that doesn’t respect its employees, uses them like slaves, pays overtime whenever it feels like it, and lets us breathe in moldy air for years. The career path is non-existent. When I’m sick, you say private hospitals sell medical certificates. What kind of talk is that? Anyone who wants to stay can stay, but I’m out. And I have no pending work because it’s all finished. You can wait for it, Khun Phakphum, because I’m taking all the illegal things about this place to the Labor Department. And that part where you insulted my parents? I recorded the whole thing. Goodbye.” Oh no, what have I done? I sat at the bus stop, clutching my head. I didn’t want to go home early because I was afraid my dad and mom would ask questions.

In that moment, I just thought I couldn’t take it anymore, and if l didn’t protect myself, no one would. I couldn’t stand P’Phakphum dragging my family into it. But I hadn’t considered that I’d end up unemployed in such a terrible economy. I should have stayed calm as usual. I shouldn’t have exploded.

But he insulted my upbringing! Who could stand that? Was I so desperate that I had to let him trample on my humanity? I have savings… Even though I tried to comfort myself, I still felt terrible. Also, when I said I recorded the conversation? That was a total lie. But it seemed to work, because as I was packing my things, P’Phakphum called me back in.

He promised to give me a glowing recommendation for future jobs and even pay my full final month’s salary-if only I wouldn’t release the “audio clip” or report the company to the Labor Department. He practically begged me. P’Sao looked the palest of all; now she’d have to do all her own work. She probably thought P’Phakphum would just scold me into submission; she never expected me to quit.

“Take it easy, man. It’s been a month. Your dad and mom already know, and they didn’t say a single bad thing to you, did they?” Gap said this as he choked on instant noodles.

It was Saturday, and I had been staying at his place since Friday night. He couldn’t believe I had made up a whole story about recording the boss. He said P’Phakphum must have been scared senseless.

“Do you think I did the right thing?” I asked.

“Asking now is useless, Jane. It’s done. You can’t go back.”

“Sigh. True.”

“But it’s not like you have no work.”

“Being an assistant at my dad’s pharmacy? I’m not a pharmacist. It’s not the job I want.”

“Then apply! You’ve only been unemployed for a month. You’re acting like it’s been half a year.”

“My salary was 42, 000 baht. I think that’s why companies aren’t calling me back. Even if I get a job, they’ll probably lowball me. And I don’t want another ‘international only in name’ company. I want somewhere actually okay.” Gap told me about his company-located on the 39th-42nd floor of a luxury penthouse.

We checked their website together.

“Whoa! Look at this! They just posted job openings two hours ago. They’re hiring for several positions.”

“Cool! There’s a position I’m interested in!” I cried excitedly.” I’ll refer you,” Gap offered .

“It’ll get you an interview faster.” Gap gave me all the details about the company.

“Most of the heads are sent from the US, but Thais can become heads too, though they have to train in the US.”

“Who is the owner?”

“It’s a public company, so it’s run by a board of directors. But the person with the most power, the biggest shareholder, is Khun Lilac.”

“Lilac? That’s not the CEO I see in the new/ s.”

“No. She’s like the ‘Last Boss.’ This is a company secret: Khun Lilac never does media, but she holds all the power. She makes every major decision. Everyone who gets hired has to pass a final screening by Khun Lilac. Even if you pass every other stage, if Khun Lilac doesn’t approve, you don’t get the job.”

I applied, and four days later, they called me for an interview. I even used hair gel-something I hadn’t done since graduation. My mother sprinkled holy water on me for good luck. The first and second interviews went perfectly. My scores were high. Then, I got the call: “Come to the office tomorrow at 11: 00 AM.” Gap was sure I was going in to sign a contract.

I arrived at the luxury office, was served a hot latte, and saw documents on the table.

“I have to apologize for taking your time to come to the office, Khun Jenalee,” the HR head said.

“Not at all.”

“We have to inform you of the interview results… I’m sorry, you did not pass the selection process.” I was speechless. I felt like a deflated balloon. Gap said my scores were high-where did I fail? Then I knew: Khun Lilac. She must have decided I didn’t fit the organization. But then HR spoke again.

“However, Khun Lilac sees other potential in you. She was very interested in your psychological test results. So, she has a position outside of the company to offer you. Would you like to read the job description?” She handed me a piece of paper. I read it quickly: We are hiring a professional babysitter Salary: 80, 000-85, 000 baht Qualifications: Thai nationality, bachelor’s degree, fluent in English/ Thai, CPR/ First Aid certified… Benefits: Accommodation, three meals, international travel. 85, 000 baht?! Are you kidding me?! I had never wanted to be a babysitter, but that salary was dazzling.

HR explained that Khun Lilac liked my personality and my background of having younger siblings. They needed someone to teach a Thai-American child how to speak Thai.

“If you’re interested, I can send you to interview with Khun Lilac directly this afternoon. Interested?” I thought about it. No career path? But 85, 000 baht! And my dream of being a writer-maybe a quiet job like this would give me time to write. Plus, the child would eventually grow up.

“Yes,” I said.

“I’ll try.” A company car dropped me off at a five-star hotel. A front desk clerk took me up to the most expensive suite. He knocked and announced in English: “Khun Lilac, Khun Jenalee is here for the interview.”

“Send him in,” a powerful male voice replied with a clear American accent. Khun Lilac’s husband? | thought. I stepped into the room nervously. A tall man sat at the dining table, his hands clasped, head down. He wore a black short-sleeved shirt, his muscles fit and toned. On his wrist was a German luxury watch worth a fortune. I didn’t see a wedding ring on his left hand. As I got closer, a cool, familiar scent hit my nose-a scent from my memories. Wait, Khun Lilac’s husband looks young. How old is the kid? And wasn’t I supposed to meet Khun Lilac herself?

“Hello, sir. I am Jenalee. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” the man replied. He looked up. It felt like slow motion. My heart hammered against my chest until I felt like I might faint.

“P… P… P’Jane!” I nearly screamed, pointing at him. He had a tiny smirk on the corner of his lips. He wasn’t surprised at all, while I was a whirlwind of confusion. What is P’Jane doing here? Didn’t he go back to America? Wait, I must be in the wrong room.

“I’m sorry, I think I’m in the wrong room. I’ll take my leave.” I turned to go, hoping to finish the interview with Khun Lilac and come back to him as fast as possible. But his deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Weren’t you here for an interview with Khun Lilac?” I spun back around.

“Do you know Khun Lilac?”

“I’d say so,” he replied calmly.

“Then… where is she?”

“She’s right here.” He remained calm.

“Is she in the bathroom?”

“No.”

“Then where is she?”

“You’re talking to Khun Lilac right now.” He gave me a small, genuine smile. His sharp, beautiful eyes sparkled for a moment before returning to their neutral state. He finally solved the riddle.

“I am Khun Lilac.””… ”

“Lilac is my codename. It sounds a bit feminine, so people misunderstand it all the time.”

“Sit down. Let’s start the interview, Khun Jenalee.”