CH-02

"Lingling Sirilak Kwong."

Orm's eyes widened as Kwang mentioned the name, nearly choking on the brownie she was eating. "Cough... Are you serious about working as her assistant?" Orm asked between coughs.

Seeing Orm choke, Kwang quickly handed her a glass of water. "Eat slowly and don't talk while you're eating. It seems your habits haven't changed at all."

Orm took the glass and drank to soothe her throat, then placed it back on the table. "Answer my question, are you really working as her assistant?" Orm asked again, staring intently at Kwang.

"I'm serious. I've been working with Khun Lingling for the past two years," Kwang replied, furrowing her brow. "Why are you asking like your eyes are about to pop out? Is something wrong?"

Orm, who had been sitting across from Kwang, now moved to sit beside him. "You said Khun Ling is looking for a new assistant, right? I want to try applying for the job," Orm said, grabbing Kwang by both shoulders. "And you have to help me."

Kwang leaned back as Orm moved closer, "Huh? Didn't you say you didn't want to be an artist's assistant because it's too complicated? Now you suddenly want to apply?"

"After thinking it over, I want to try something new. Working with a famous artist like Khun Lingling would really add to my experience," Orm responded enthusiastically.

"Add to your terrifying experiences..." Kwang muttered, trying to spook Orm. "I'm telling you this upfront so you can reconsider. Khun Lingling isn't like what we see on TV. She's extremely perfectionistic and unpredictable."

"It's okay! It might seem difficult at first, but I'll learn to be a good assistant for Khun Ling," Orm replied confidently.

"Are you really serious about applying? What about your studies? You need to get permission from your parents first before I recommend you to Khun Ling," Kwang asked, wanting to be sure of Orm's intentions.

"I'm serious. I can manage my time with college, and I'll get the permission soon," Orm answered with conviction.

"Alright then... I'll recommend you to Khun Ling after you get permission, and if Khun Ling hasn't found the right assistant yet. She's very picky, so working with her can be challenging," Kwang said.

Orm immediately wrapped her arms around Kwang in a tight hug. "You're such a good friend! I'll make sure to get permission as soon as possible," she exclaimed.

Kwang didn't resist the hug and simply resigned herself to the situation. "Don't get too excited just yet; your expectations might not match the reality," Kwang warned.

Orm released her hug and looked Kwang in the eye, speaking with renewed determination. A confident smile spread across her face. "I'll prove that I can make it as Khun Lingling's assistant."

••••

The clock struck five in the afternoon as Orm finally arrived home. As soon as she stepped inside, the rich aroma of food immediately filled her senses, urging her to head straight toward the kitchen, where the enticing scent was coming from.

"Khun Mae~" Orm greeted Koy Naruemon, her beloved mother.

Mae Koy, who was busily preparing dinner, turned to her daughter with a warm smile. "Oh, you're home, dear?" she asked.

"Yes, Mae. I don't have any evening classes today," Orm replied, placing her bag on a chair. She then moved closer to her mother, eyeing the dishes being prepared. "Let me help you, Mae."

"Wait." Mae Koy gently patted Orm's hand, stopping her from touching the ingredients. "Have you washed your hands yet?"

Orm grinned widely and shook her head. "I'll wash my hands first, then I'll help you."

"You should take a shower first and then come back to help me," Mae Koy suggested kindly.

"Yes, Khun Mae!" Orm replied enthusiastically. She grabbed her bag and hurried off to her room to take a shower before assisting her mother in the kitchen.

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After taking a bath, Orm quickly left her room and headed back to the kitchen to help her mother. But to her surprise, all the food was already laid out on the table, and her father was already seated with her mother.

"Khun Phoo..." Orm greeted her father warmly, giving him a brief hug. "I thought you were still in Chiang Mai, but it turns out you're home already. I didn't even see your car," Orm said as she took her seat at the dining table.

"I decided to come home early. As for the car, well, the tire went flat on the way back," explained Tanakorn Sethratanapong, her father.

"Ah, I see..." Orm murmured with a smile. "I'm glad you made it home safely."

"Let's eat first. It's always nicer to chat over a meal," Mae Koy said as she began serving rice.

"Thank you, Mae," Orm replied as she received the plate of rice from his mother.

"Eat plenty, dear," her father said, placing more food onto Orm's plate. As their only child, Orm cherished the affectionate care she received from both her parents.

"Khun Mae... Khun Phoo..." Orm spoke up in the middle of her meal, her eyes meeting those of her parents, who looked back at her, waiting for her to continue. "There's something I'd like to talk about..."

"What is it? Just tell us," Tanakorn said gently, encouraging his son to speak.

Orm spoke candidly, getting straight to the point with her parents. "Today, I met Kwang, my friend from middle school, and he offered me a chance to replace him as a personal assistant to an artist. And I want to try this job."

"Huh?" Tanakorn looked puzzled by his daughter's sudden declaration. "Are you serious? What about your studies?"

"Orm can manage both college and work, Phoo. I want to gain new experiences," Orm replied confidently.

Mae Koy, who had already given her approval, added, "I don’t see any problem with it. Being an artist’s assistant doesn’t seem too hectic, and Orm can still focus on her studies when the artist isn’t busy."

"Thank you, Mae," Orm smiled at her mother, but her gaze quickly shifted to her father, who still seemed hesitant. "What about you, Phoo? Will you allow me to do this?"

Tanakorn hesitated, weighing his daughter’s request. On one hand, he wanted her to focus on her studies, especially with the family business in mind. But on the other hand, he saw her determination.

With a heavy sigh, Tanakorn finally said, "Alright, I’ll allow it, but only if you promise to keep your grades up and not let them slip."

"Aaaa… Thank you so much, Phoo!" Orm immediately hugged her father tightly. "I promise I’ll stay focused on my studies."

Tanakorn nodded as he returned his daughter’s embrace, knowing he ultimately wanted her to be happy. He understood that when Orm was determined to try something new and positive, it was hard for them to say no.

*****

Today, Ling decided to spend her free time searching for a new assistant. Accompanied by Kwang, her current assistant, and Saint, her manager, Ling sat down in one of the chairs, conducting interviews and asking various questions to the candidates.

With a heavy sigh, Ling could only lean back in her chair, exhausted. For several days, she had been interviewing applicants, yet not a single one had met her strict criteria for a personal assistant.

"Are there any more candidates?" Ling asked Kwang.

"There are still a few left, Khun Ling. Should we finish the interviews now?" Kwang replied, sensing the confusion in Ling's expression.

"Let's get it done now," Ling responded, her eyes fixed on the papers she held.

Kwang nodded and called in the next applicant. He was still hoping to find someone suitable to replace him before suggesting Orm, his close friend.

Although Orm had already tell Kwang about permission from her parents, Kwang doubted whether she could handle Ling, whose personality was unpredictable.

However, as the last applicant left, it became clear that none met Ling's criteria. Her standards were so high that even she seemed unsure of what she was looking for.

"Can't Khun Kwang just extend his contract? I'll pay you three times as much if you stay," Ling offered, still trying to persuade Kwang.

"I'm sorry, Khun Ling, but I can't," Kwang replied, bowing his head in guilt for declining Ling's offer multiple times.

Ling rubbed her temples, sighing heavily for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

"In that case, let Phi find someone else," Saint said patiently, trying to calm her.

"Um... I'd like to suggest someone. She's been my friend since middle school. If Khun Ling wants to meet her, I can contact her now," Kwang said hesitantly.

Both Saint and Ling looked at Kwang simultaneously. Ling, in her frustration, nodded in agreement.

"Alright then, I'll go ahead and call her," Kwang said as he stood up and left the room.

••••

"Enemy on the left!"

"Quick, shoot!"

Orm shouted enthusiastically as she played a game with Milk and Prikhing, while their other friend, View, sat quietly enjoying her food. The four friends spent their breaks like this every day, bonding over games and food.

"This is all your fault! That's why we lost!" Prikhing protested, glaring at Milk.

"I tried my best! The enemy was out of sight," Milk defended herself, refusing to take the blame.

"Enough, you two. We can just start over," Orm interjected, trying to mediate the frequent arguments between Prikhing and Milk.

View, meanwhile, could only cover her ears, trying to block out Prikhing's shrill voice as she yelled. Unlike her three friends, who were addicted to gaming, View had a deeper passion for food.

"Alright, let's go again," Milk said, flexing her fingers, ready to jump back into the game.

Milk, Prikhing, and Orm were all intensely focused on their screens, their eyes glued to their phones, with the only sound being the game's background music.

In the midst of the game, Orm's eyes widened as her phone rang, displaying an incoming call from Kwang.

"Ahh!!" Prikhing yelled again, frustrated as their team lost once more because Orm abruptly exited the game.

"Wait, I need to take this call," Orm explained as she quickly stood up to answer.

Orm swiped her screen and answered the call from Kwang.

"Where are you? Can you come to the CH3 building right now?"

"I'm at university, and my classes aren't over yet."

"Hurry to the CH3 buldings, Khun Ling wants to meet you."

"What? Why so suddenly? I haven't prepared anything!"

"There's nothing to prepare. Just get here quickly, or you'll miss this chance."

Orm stared at her phone as Kwang ended the call abruptly. She rushed back to her friends, hastily grabbing her bag.

"Huh? Where are you going?" View asked, noticing Orm's urgency.

"I have something to take care of. I need to leave now," Orm replied while packing her books.

"But we have another class after this. Are you skipping it?" Milk chimed in.

"Yes, something more important has come up," Orm answered, quickly gathering her things and leaving in a hurry.

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Lingling glanced at the watch on her wrist. Twenty minutes had passed since Kwang informed her about his friend. The seconds felt longer as she tapped her fingers lightly against her knee, a subtle sign of her growing impatience.

"Is she coming or not?" Ling asked Kwang once more, her voice edged with mild irritation.

"She will be here, Khun Ling. Please wait just a little longer," Kwang replied, trying to hide his anxiety. He, too, was waiting with bated breath, hoping that Orm wouldn't change her mind at the last minute.

A few moments later, a knock echoed through the room. Kwang immediately rose from his seat, his heart racing. He hoped beyond hope that the person behind the door was Orm.

Finally, Kwang sighed in relief as he opened the door and saw Orm standing there. "You made it..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"I told you, I want this job," Orm replied softly, her voice almost a whisper as well.

"Alright then, come in..." Kwang gestured for Orm to follow him inside.

Orm, still clad in her university uniform, followed Kwang into the room. As she stepped in, the first thing she noticed was Lingling, who had been engrossed in her phone just moments before. Ling now lifted her head, her sharp eyes scanning Orm from head to toe, taking in every detail as if assessing her worth in a single glance.

"Khun Ling, this is Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong, my friend from middle school. She's currently..."

"Kwang," Ling interrupted, raising her hand slightly to signal him to stop. "I want her to introduce herself."

The request took Orm by surprise, but she quickly composed herself. She bent slightly at the waist in a respectful bow, then spoke up with a clear, steady voice.

"Sawadeekha, my name is Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong. I'm turning 23 soon, and I am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Management." Although a hint of nervousness lingered in her chest, Orm managed to keep it from seeping into her words.

"Do you have any experience as a personal assistant for an artist? And how do you plan to balance your studies with assisting me?" Ling asked, her eyes fixed intently on Orm.

"I don’t have any direct experience, but I’m used to taking care of those around me, so it won’t be difficult at all. And as for managing my time, I can handle it, Khun Ling," Orm responded with enthusiasm.

"I recommended Orm for this job because I’m confident she can fill my role well," Kwang added, stepping in to support Orm and reassure Ling.

Ling continued to stare at Orm. The young woman still smiled brightly, an unusual sight during such serious conversations. Most candidates for this position struggled to even smile, especially under Ling's intense scrutiny.

Ling rose from her seat and approached Orm. "I’ll give you a three-month trial period. If you don’t perform well, I’ll have to let you go, Khun Orm Kornnaphat."

Orm smiled at Ling’s words. She bowed respectfully before extending her hand for a handshake. "I promise I’ll do my best in this job," she said.

Ling remained silent, her gaze shifting to Orm’s hand holding hers. She then looked into Orm’s eyes and replied, "I expect proof, not promises."