The Concealed Affair
All the while since Khaohom had become Alan's, the two of them meticulously concealed their private life from everyone around them at the hotel. It was only when they were outside together that Alan would openly treat her like his girlfriend, making Khaohom believe that his feelings for her were genuine. She had poured all her love and care into him, even during the months when Alan was back in his country and they could not meet. Khaohom never once whined or acted unreasonably enough to displease him. Alan, for his part, did not pay much attention to anything other than finding physical pleasure with Khaohom whenever he returned to Thailand.
Five Years Later
Alan had just returned from Austria today, after a year-long absence. He was so preoccupied with work that he had forgotten someone was eagerly waiting for him.
Khaohom knew he had arrived yesterday, so she prepared lunch for him, as she always did whenever he was back.
"Boss, regarding Ms. Khaohom, what would you like me to do?" Lolane, Alan's personal secretary,'s voice echoed from the hotel president's office.
"Hmm? Do what?" Alan, who had just finished signing a document, looked up and asked.
"Well, you are about to get engaged, aren't you? How should I handle Ms. Khaohom going forward? I'm afraid she might cause trouble for you and ruin things," Lolane explained.
"Hmph! She's just a toy for me when I'm here. Why concern yourself with her? The engagement, in any case, is happening in Austria," Alan replied dismissively. He had already provided Khaohom with a house, a car, and plenty of money. If she dared to mess things up for him, he would simply have to fire her.
"Understood, sir. In that case, I will go and fetch your lunch now," Lolane said.
Khaohom, who stood outside the office door with tears streaming down her face, immediately turned and fled the moment she heard Lolane's last sentence. Five years. Five years they had been intimate, no different from husband and wife. Khaohom never once thought that the affection he had shown her before was just an act, and that he saw her as nothing more than a plaything. She had given him her body and soul, leaving no room to love herself.
Khaohom hid on the fire escape stairs to weep. She had no appetite left. Today was Alan's first day back in Thailand, and she knew he would undoubtedly stay at her house tonight, just as he always did. But could she still manage to smile at him, now that he was about to get engaged to someone else?
Alan and Lolane were oblivious to the fact that Khaohom had overheard their conversation. They continued working as normal until it was time to leave. Truthfully, Alan had started to grow bored of Khaohom over the past year or two. He felt she was becoming too clingy and acting too much like his real lover. Alan did not want to love anyone else in this life. Even his future fiancée was merely someone his mother had found for him due to their suitable social standing. Alan didn't want to worry his mother, especially after being betrayed by his former Thai lover many years ago.
Khaohom took the afternoon off and returned to the house Alan had bought in her name three years ago. She gazed blankly at the objects in the house—memories between them. Khaohom did not understand what she had done wrong; why Alan intended to get engaged to someone else and discard her like this.
She cried until she unintentionally fell asleep. When darkness fell, Khaohom, who had not eaten all day, drowsily woke up to wash her face. She changed into her home clothes, trying not to think of Alan. She no longer cared if he would come to her house tonight. Her heart had been shattered the moment she heard about his engagement. Khaohom simply needed to prepare a simple meal to have the strength for work tomorrow.
Even though she was about to be abandoned, Khaohom still had her grandmother to look after. She could not resign yet, not until Alan left, as she feared he would send someone to find her. Deep down, Khaohom knew it was only a distant hope that he would search for her, but she clung to that tiny shred of possibility.
Khaohom distractedly reheated the food she had made this morning and ate it. She threw away all the leftovers, not bothering to save any for Alan as she usually did. She no longer wanted to hope he would come. After all, he thought of her as just a toy.
Khaohom went back to bed, trying to let go of Alan, who had dominated her life for five long years. There were many times she had wanted to break up with him because, in the last two years, he only visited Thailand once a year, and only for three days at a time. During those three days, he only visited her once. She had already begun to mentally prepare herself, but she never expected to hear such a devastating truth today. Throughout their time together, Khaohom never thought she would hear such hurtful words come from Alan's mouth, making it incredibly difficult for her to move on.
It turned out that Khaohom's prediction was correct; Alan did not come to see her. The next morning, Khaohom made a simple meal and ate alone in the large, desolate house. She ate quickly and rushed to work, indifferent as to whether she would encounter Alan or not. Khaohom did not want him to think she was trying to trap him, as Lolane had implied. Though she was poor, she still had her dignity. She gave her body to Alan because she loved him, otherwise she would not have been his for so many years.
Alan, who had spent the previous night with a famous actress who was courting him, truly hadn't spared a thought for Khaohom. He simply liked trying new things periodically. Lolane, who had been with his boss for many years, knew this well. He could only feel pity for the women who fell for his cold-hearted master. Especially with Ms. Khaohom, whom he had seen trying her best for his boss—Lolane did feel sympathy, but as a secretary, he had no right to command his employer.
"We are flying back tomorrow, aren't we, Lolane?" Alan asked about his schedule.
"Yes, Boss. The flight departs at 2 p.m.," Lolane reported.
"Hmm… then let's stay at Khaohom's house tonight. It's been a while since I had her cooking," Alan mused, thinking of the food and desserts Khaohom always personally prepared for him during his stays in Thailand. It was strange that she hadn't brought him food yesterday, as always, but Alan didn't dwell on it. He simply assumed she must have been busy with work and hadn't had time to visit. He could always go to her house anyway.
"Understood, sir. I will inform the driver," Lolane replied.
"Hmm… what's for lunch today?" Alan asked about the meal unnecessarily. He only brought up the topic because he didn't want to lose face by asking about Khaohom directly.
"You can order anything you want, Boss. I will have the chef prepare it," Lolane answered.
"Ugh, just bring me anything. I'll eat whatever," Alan sighed, annoyed. He had deliberately given Lolane a chance to ask about Khaohom, but his secretary was utterly oblivious. Alan couldn't help but inwardly complain.
Khaohom got home at six in the evening. She made only a small amount of food for herself, but shortly after she began eating, the sound of a car driving into the house made her frown. She hadn't expected Alan to show up. News of the actress pursuing him had spread throughout the hotel during her lunch break, forcing Khaohom to silently swallow her unexpected tears for a long time.
"Hmm? You didn't prepare food for me?" Alan asked, his face immediately showing displeasure when he walked in and saw Khaohom sitting at the table eating only fried egg rice.
"I didn't know you were coming. What would you like to eat? I will make it," Khaohom asked out of courtesy, her expression flat. She was not in the mood to offer him a sweet smile.
"Hmph! Don't bother. Lolane, go buy me some food," Alan snapped angrily at his secretary, who had followed him into the house.
"Understood, sir. Please wait a moment," Lolane quickly walked out to tell the driver.
Alan turned and walked to the sofa in the living room. He had intentionally eaten very little at lunch so he could come back and have dinner with her, but Khaohom hadn't spared a thought for him.
Khaohom just sat there, bewildered by Alan's mood. He had never acted this way around her before. After she finished eating, Khaohom proceeded to wash the dishes as usual. She no longer wanted to worry about him. She took cold water from the fridge and brought it to him in the living room. Since he had come, all she could do was continue to look after him.
Alan remained silent. He observed Khaohom's face and saw nothing unusual. Alan could only frown in displeasure. Usually, Khaohom would engage him in general conversation, but today, she was unusually quiet, leaving him at a loss for words, except to engage in the bedroom activities Alan assumed Khaohom would enjoy.
Lolane and the driver returned shortly after. Khaohom rose to unpack the food bags and put them into dishes for Alan, knowing her duty. She waited for Alan to finish eating, as always, before taking the dishes to wash, without asking if he would stay the night. Khaohom did not want to hope anymore.
Lolane noticed Khaohom's strange demeanor but did not say anything that would displease his boss. In any case, his boss always had a way of making women happy.
Alan went upstairs to shower without waiting for Khaohom. By the time she followed him up, so much time had passed that he was nearly asleep.
As soon as Khaohom finished showering and changing, Alan pulled her to him, punishing her for not having prepared food for him today. By the time Khaohom finally got some real rest, it was already the next morning. Her small body ached all over, as it had been a long time since they had slept together.
After breakfast the following day, Alan left for the remaining work at his hotel without waiting for Khaohom. She simply drove to the hotel later to begin her shift. Their relationship continued to be a closely guarded secret.