I took the plates and cutlery and carried them to the kitchen. "When you're done, come to the office," Chak said in an icy tone.
"Yes, sir," I replied and started washing the dishes and tidying up.
--30 minutes later--
When I finished, I walked past the living room, heading straight down the hallway where four doors stood. Which one was Chak's office? What if this was a test? What if he was testing me, and if I chose the wrong door, he would fire me? I took a deep breath and chose the door directly in front of me. I knocked, but there was no answer.
Maybe he didn't hear, I thought, gripping the handle. I was about to open the door when I heard Chak's voice behind me:
"You are not allowed to touch that door."
I let go of the handle and slowly turned toward him. Chak was leaning against the door with one hand, the other resting at his side. I slowly looked into his eyes and felt my heart start to race.
"What's behind it?" I asked cautiously.
"That's something you may never find out." He turned away and added, "Come, let's sign the contract."
We walked to his office. It was spacious, with a large panoramic window overlooking the back of the house. Through the glass, I could see a huge swimming pool. Chak sat at his desk, facing the outer courtyard. He gestured for me to sit across from him. Nervously, I took a seat. From a drawer, he took an envelope and pulled out two contracts. He handed me one.
I took it and started reading. The very first line surprised me:
--Contract Terms:--
- Part B must be available to Part A 24 hours a day.
- Part B must keep everything they hear and see confidential; otherwise, consequences will follow.
- Part B is available to Part A from Monday to Saturday; Sunday is free unless needed by Part A.
- Breakfast must be on the table at 8:00 AM every day; lunch and dinner will be arranged with Part A.
- Part B has access to everything in the house except for the doors in the lower level.
- Part B agrees to replace anything they break or damage.
- Part A will ensure that Part B has everything they need.
- Part A will teach Part B to cook three times a week.
- No romantic interactions are allowed.
- No one must find out about this contract.
-If Part B violates any of the above terms, they will be required to pay a penalty of 1000000 baht and will be immediately dismissed from their position.
- If Part B follows all agreements, they will receive 100,000 baht weekly.
With every line I read, I felt a weight growing in my chest. I looked at Chak, but his face remained unreadable. The contract was cold, impersonal—like I was an object rather than a person. The number of rules, restrictions, control… This wasn't just an employment agreement; it was complete control over my life.
When I read the last part of the contract, I felt my heart leap into my throat. "Punished with 1000000 baht and immediate dismissal," I repeated to myself, as if those words drowned out all other sounds around me. My entire body went numb. "Is he crazy?" I thought to myself, my mind racing. "How could I possibly get that much money?" The idea seemed absurd, impossible even. How could a person like me be given such a vast sum? It felt unreal, like something out of a dream—something that couldn't possibly happen to me. The weight of it all hit me like a ton of bricks.
"If Part B follows all agreements, they will receive 100,000 baht weekly," I repeated to myself.
"I can't accept this much money," I blurted out before I could stop myself. My voice was quieter, uncertain. "What is the value of money if I'm just trapped in a gilded cage?"
Chak raised an eyebrow slightly. "Then what do you want instead?"
Everything inside me tensed. I want him. His attention. His affection. Everything I shouldn't want. But I swallowed those words, locking them deep inside my mind and pushing them away.
I quickly diverted my gaze back to the contract and carefully replied, "I'll think about it."
Chak observed me silently for a moment before leaning back in his chair, fingers interlaced. "Fine. But you don't have much time."
I glanced at the contract again and then asked, "What does it mean that you'll be teaching me how to cook?"
Chak furrowed his brow slightly, then replied calmly, "It means I'll teach you how to prepare food that's at least somewhat decent. If you're going to cook for me, it should at least be edible."
His words stung a little, but I just nodded. "I understand."
For a moment, silence filled the room. I glanced around the office, my eyes stopping on an empty wall. Something clicked in my mind.
"Where's my drawing?" I suddenly asked, looking directly into his eyes. "I drew your tattoo, but I don't see it anywhere."
Chak gave a faint smile, but his gaze remained enigmatic. "It's safely stored."
His answer gave me no real information, but I knew better than to press further. Instead, I simply nodded and looked at the contract again.
Once I signed it, Chak stood up and said, "Follow me."
For a moment, I thought he was going to take me to the secret room. My heart skipped a beat as I saw him step toward those doors, but just before reaching them, he turned and opened another door—the one opposite the office.
I followed him inside and was completely taken aback. The room was filled with various canvases, pencils, colored pencils, brushes, and a large table covered in papers.
"All of this is yours," Chak said calmly.
I stared at him in shock. "Mine…?"
He nodded. "You like to draw, don't you? This is your space. Use it whenever you want."
I looked around at the colorful supplies and felt something shift inside me. I didn't know what to say. It was all too much…
"Thank you," I finally managed to say, my eyes still fixed on the art materials.
Chak didn't say anything more. He simply stood there, watching me, as if waiting for me to decide what I would do next.