Jittaleela Holdings
Kim POV
Oh my! Am I entering the right room? I think I'm not wrong. I step back and look to the name on the door. Kimhan Jittaleela. Yeah right! This is my room, my office. But why it looks like this? So messy like it has been blown by a thunderstorm? A pile of files stacked untidily on the desk, some papers spread on the floor. Oh no! No! No! This is not Kimhan's room. I drag myself to my desk. Perhaps I was so busy lately to notice that I haven't tidy up my own office and the cleaners are so afraid to enter my room. They can't enter my room without my permission. Okay, I think I can handle this on my own. I throw my sight to the mess again. Alright, I can't. This mess made me feel dizzy. I push the intercom which connect me to my secretary.
"Suzy, could you please come to my office now? I need your help." My secretary is really a nice person. She is so efficient, modest and pretty too. Anyone who wants to tackle Suzy? I've her number. She is single and available. Wink! Okay, stop this. I would prefer Suzy more than the cleaners cause everything in my room is so private and confidential. Everything must be kept within us.
"Tok. Tok. Tok." I heard someone knocking my door.
"Come in." I know the person must be Suzy.
"Ms.Kimhan? Is there anything I can do for you?" See! I am right. She is Suzy. She walks to my desk. I can see, her eyes wonder around as she is observing each and every edge of my room.
"I think I know what to do." She smiles to me as she stands right in front of my desk.
"Hehehe.. Thank you so much Suzy." I grin widely to her while scratching the back of my head that isn't itchy.
"Would you like to have a coffee?" She asks me before she starts cleaning my room. See, she is so good.
"Nah, it's okay. I'll just sit here." I said to her while making my way to the couch. I might give her difficulties if I stay at my desk while she is tidying my place.
I sit on the couch and grab today's newspaper. It has been ages since I read newspaper. I usually read online news using my phone. I flip the pages of the newspaper but I wasn't paying any attention to it. As I lift my head to look to Suzy, my gaze caught a familiar figure outside my room. Well, some parts of my office is covered by transparent glass so I would see anything happened outside.
"Yam?" I put down the newspaper quickly and take off my butt from the couch. My legs spontaneously move themselves to follow the figure.
"Tok. Tok. Tok." I knock Yam's office door.
"Come in." She allows me to come in her office. I push the door and step in.
"Kim?" She is so surprise to notice my presence in there. I didn't give my response and just walk to her direction.
"What are you doing here Yam?" I lock my eyes with hers.
"Working?" She raises her eyebrows and stares to me with her astonished look.
"But you're sick." I say worriedly.
"Kim, I'm okay. Look, I can sit, I can stand, I can walk and I even drive my car to come here." She says confidently.
"Look, I can handle everything here. The project is almost finish too. There's no need for you to come to this office. Just rest and take your medicines." I come closer to her and cup her face.
"Kim, trust me. I am fine." She holds my hands and smiles to me. Yeah, she is smiling, but it's a faint smile. Even though she has put a light make up on her face, she still can't hide her weak expression. She is not alright.
"Besides, I come here to sign a few documents which need my signature." She removes my hands from her face and turns her gaze to a pile of document on her desk. Yeah, she is true. For some cases, I don't have the authority to make a decision on some agreement.
"Alright. If you need anything, just call me." I sigh. I know I can't stop Yam.
"Will do." She nods her head and winks to me. She still manage to be that cheerful even though deep inside, I know she is struggling with her disease.
I walk out from the room but before I close the door, I pop my head inside her room again.
"Yes?" She giggles a little as she looks to me. Perhaps I look like a sandwich at the door.
"Lets have lunch together. It's my treat." I say to her.
"Okay." She chuckles. Yeah, she never lacks of smile. The first thing that caught my attention to Yam is her smile. I really love to see her smile. Haish Kim! What are you thinking about. You have Pie! Stop it!
When I return to my room, I see Suzy is about to leave my room and she sees me too.
"It's done Ms.Kim" She bows her head to me. I think this girl has so much formality. Never mind, I like her to be that way.
"Thank you Suzy. This is for you." I take out a lollipop from my pocket and hand it to her.
"Thank you." She giggles to see what I give to her but still, she takes it from my hand.
"To prevent you from being sleepy." I winks to her and left. When I glance to her, I can see she shook her head. Hmm, seems like she doesn't affected with my charming smile. This woman is so weird. The other girls will go crazy if I do that wink to them but she is not. Men out there, she is so hard to be tackled.
Okay, I need to continue my works. There are a lot of tasks awaiting me.
Pie's house
Pie is staring blankly to the books that Kim bought for her. Kim is indeed right. She don't know how to read or even write. Well, she used to know how to read and write but it's a long time ago. When she lost her sight, Pie started learning how to use the braille. That made, she forgot to do the reading and writing like normal person.
"You can do this Pie. You've learnt this when you were still a kid. It won't be that hard." Pie talking to herself while flipping the books.
"It would be better if someone can guide me. Mom! Yes Mom!" Pie quickly closes the books and takes them downstairs. She is looking for her mother.
"Mom? Oh Mom?" Pie's mother is nowhere to be found.
"Pie honey, I'm here. In the kitchen." Pie hears her mother's voice.
"Mom, I've to relearn how to write and read. Teach me please?" Pie pleads to her mother with her puppy eyes. Mom looks to Pie with her tearful eyes.
"Mom? Why are you crying? Is there anything wrong?" Pie pulls a chair and sit across her Mom.
"No, there's nothing wrong. See, I'm chopping this onion." Mom sheds the tears from her eyes.
"Oh... You scared me." Pie pouts.
"What are you asking me just now?" Mom asks as if she didn't hear what Pie told her earlier.
"Teach me to write and read. I need to relearn everything." Pie says word by word to her Mom.
"Write? Read?" Mom stares to Pie with her shocking face.
"Yup..I've the books." Pie shows the books and place them on the table.
"Oh my God! How come I forgot about this important thing." Mom bites her lower lips.
"Pie dear, I'll cook our lunch and we'll learn that after we eat okay? You bring these books to the living room and practice on your own first." Mom continues to chop the onions.
"Okay." Pie drags herself lazily to the living room.
"Today gonna be a boring day." She sighs.
After lunch
"Okay. All set up." Mom drags an old white board to the living room. She just found it from the store.
"Alright dear, let start our lesson." Mom says cheerfully.
"Mom, are you kidding me?" Pie looks to herself and then turn her gaze to her Mom.
"What's wrong honey?" Mom stares to Pie with her innocent face.
"Mom, I'm not a five — years — old kid. Why do you give me all of these?" Pie pouts. She turns her gaze to herself again. Mom ties her long hair using a ribbon which makes her looks like a Minny Mouse. At the right side of the desk, Mom puts a a Daisy Duck water bottle. Yeah it's really cute cause it is a replica of the real Disney character with a straw stucking out from it's head. Now lets look to the stationery. Pie got a Mickey Mouse stationery set! Oh that's so 'great'.
"Why my baby Pie? Don't you like it? I found them in the store just now. All of these are your stuff back then." Mom says and pinches Pie's cheeks.
"Oh Mom! I'm not a baby. What if our neighbours see me with all of these? I might die of embarrassment." Pie pouts even more.
"No one will see us dear. And you'll always be my baby." Mom chuckles.
"I have some sweets and lollipops here. If you're doing well, all of these are yours." Pie can see her Mom puts a pouch on the desk in front of her. Mom really treat her like she is a little girl.
"Now stop complaining and learn this. It won't be that hard. This is just a re-learning process." Mom starts to write something on the white board.
Few hours later..
"Good my baby Pie. I know you can do it. You're a fast learner since you're kid." Mom praises her older daughter. Pie smiles proudly to hear the compliment.
"Mom, what's next?" Pie asks excitedly while enjoying her lollipop. Now Pie is the one who seems so overjoy with her re — learning process while Mom never fail to spoil that big baby Pie.
"Hmm.. Now you've to practice how to write the alphabets." Mom says while choosing the right book for Pie.
"Kim is really responsible and care about you honey. He is choosing good books for you." Mom puts her choice of book in front of Pie and flips the pages.
"Yeah." Pie rolls her eyes.
"Do this. Just follow and connect the dots. I'm sure you'll remember everything." Mom orders Pie to write the alphabet starting from 'A'.
Pie follows her Mom's order obediently. At first she feels so awkward to write those alphabets. If she can compare her handwriting, it is really looks like a child who just learn how to write.
"Practice makes perfect." Pie is so determined to improve her handwriting. Mom don't know how many times Pie did correct her writing but she feel so sleepy of waiting Pie to finish all of them.
"Pie, seeing you connect all of the dots make me think of something." Mom covers her mouth as she yawns. She do some stretching to move her numb body.
"What is it Mom?" Pie glances to her Mom and focus on her writing back.
"Tie the knot." Mom props her elbows on the desk and facing Pie.
"Huh?" Pie seems didn't understand with her Mom.
"Did Kim ever proposed to you?" There Mom threw her golden question to Pie.
"Uhukk..Uhukk." Pie chokes hardly.
"Pie, are you okay?" Mom caresses Pie's back to lessen her choking. She feels worried to see her daughter condition.
"Yeah. I'm okay Mom." Pie rubs her own chest but still in her shocking expression. Mom can be so unpredictable.
"Pie, I'm serious about that matter. When will you bring your Kim to meet us?" Here she go again. Asking Pie about Kim.
"Oh Mom! It's already 5 p.m.! I have to get ready to go to work." Pie says while tidying her stationery and books. She is actually finding a way to avoid from answering her Mom.
"Thank you for today Mom. We'll continue this tomorrow." Pie kisses her Mom's cheeks and goes upstairs. Mom shakes her head to see Pie's reaction. She knows Pie is avoiding from being investigated by her.
Meanwhile at Jittaleela Holdings..
"Finally it's over!" Kim stretches her body and glances to her wristwatch. The office hour just ended.
"Ah, I need to pick Pie." Kim fixes her hair and shirt. She grabs her car's key and leaves her room.
"Yam is still here?" Kim has to walk pass Yam's room before she can reach the elevator. She sees that Yam didn't go back yet.
"Is she all right? Perhaps I should take a look on her for awhile." Kim thinks and heads to Yam's room.
"Yam?" Kim enters the room slowly when she got no reply from Yam. Yam is still there but she is sleeping? Kim doesn't really sure about it. Yam slouched her head on the desk and Kim can't see her face.
"Yam?" Kim calls her name again but she didn't give any response.
"Yam, are you alright?" Kim moves closer to Yam and strokes her hair.
"Oh Kim, what time is it?" Yam lifts up her head and looks to Kim. Her face is so pale.
"Oh my God! I know you are not okay. Look, your face is so pale!" Kim sounds like she is mad but Yam knows that Kim is so caring towards her.
"I'm fine." Yam forces to curve a smile of her face.
"No! You're not! Now, let me drive you home." Kim helps Yam to tidy up her stuff and then guides Yam to her car. Yam still manage to walk on her own even though Kim insisted to carry her on her back.
Kim POV
I know Yam is not all right. She didn't eat neither talk that much when we ate our lunch together this noon and I don't even see she comes out from her room after that. Fortunately I have an instinct to look to her before I went home. She must be in tremendous pain. When she tried to stand just now, she was unsteady. It seems like she forced herself to stay alert and alive. I guess she didn't take her medicines for today. She is really stubborn. I told her to stay at home and rest but she insist to come to the office. Now, I am driving my car with Yam beside me at the passenger's seat. I know she can't drive on her own with her sick condition. She is sleeping. It's most probably because she is trying to hold her pain. The traffic was quite packed. It took some times for me to reach Yam's house. The path to Yam's house is opposite to Pie's or even mine. I'm sure I'll be a little bit late to fetch Pie later. I hope she didn't mad at me. I need to send Yam home first.
When my car finally reached Yam's place, the gate of her bungalow automatically open. She is now moving to her family's house. Even when her parents are not around, there are still somebody to look after her. The maids. Pity Yam. Her family didn't stay here. They are all in Australia but I think Mr. and Mrs. Kluidom will come back here soon. I parked my car to her garage and glance to her. She is still sleeping. I didn't bear to wake her up. It seems I have no choice. I have to carry her inside. I get off from the car and open the door at her side. With all my strength, I tote her body and carry her like bridal style. Well, she is not that heavy. I guess she lost some weight because of her illness.
As I enter the house, a maid approach me with her shocking face.
"Ms.Kimhan, what happen to young master Yam?" She asks me. Still with her worried look, she tries to look to Yam's face.
"Oh, she just sleeping. Aunty Sue, please help me to open her bedroom's door." Finally I remember her name. She is the first maid that I met at Yam's house and mostly she is the one who is responsible to look after Yam. She is about in her forty of fifty, a loving and caring woman.
"Thank you Ms.Kimhan for taking Ms.Yam home." Aunty Sue says to me as I put Yam on her bed. Aunty Sue removes the heels from Yam's feet and put them aside.
"It's nothing Aunty Sue." I smile to her.
"Aunty Sue, could you please cook some porridge for Yam? When she is awake please ask her to eat." I ask politely to her.
"All right Ms.Kimhan." She nods her head,walks out from the room and shuts the door. I'm the only one who left in the room.
I sit at the edge of Yam's bed and scan her face. She is sleeping peacefully. She is still beautiful even though her illness has took away some of her beauty. She is quite skinny now as I can see her cheekbone clearly. Before this, you can pinch her chubby cheeks and it felt like you had touched a marshmallow. So soft and looks even cute when it become redder as she mad or blushed. Without my notice, my hand caress her face softly. Nothing can explain my truest feeling. I feel so sad on seeing her condition. I can't bear to see her suffer like this. This is just too much.
"Please be strong Yam. Don't be sick. Get well soon." Again, I don't know what happen to me. I lean closer and kiss her forehead. She moves a little. I'm afraid that I might awake her and yes, she is awake.
"Kim.." She calls my name weakly.
"Yes Yam?" I touch her face.
"Thank you." She smiles faintly to me and closes her eyes again.
"Most welcome pretty." I caress her face and pull up the blanket to cover her body. She didn't give any response after that. I think she has drifted to her dreamland.
"Why do I have to be too caring towards her? What happen to my heart?" I hold my left chest. I felt hurt to see her suffers that much.
"Haishh!! I've to fetch Pie." I was so shocked as I glance to the clock. It struck 6.30 p.m. I'm so late.
Aunty Inn's Bistro
Today Kim pick me late. I've been waiting for her almost one hour. Luckily she appeared in front of my house before I decided to take a taxi to go to work. I wonder what was she doing back then. When I hopped in the car, I smell something strange. It's a girl's perfume scent. I know Kim is a girl but I'm sure it is not hers. The scent is not a familiar one, besides Kim won't use that kind of scent too. Yeah, I am still mad at her but it doesn't mean I don't know nothing about Kim. I used to live with that LIAR for almost four years and I knew a lot of things about her. I were about to ask Kim what's with the scent of perfume but I pulled back my thought. She might think I do care about her or the worst thing is I don't want to sound like I'm jealous about it. I'm not jealous, I'm just too curious. Yeah, it's the right word. I am curious. Today Kim also didn't talk that much along the journey to Aunty Inn's Bistro. She remained silent and I do the same too. She was just too weird today. She usually will find any topic just to talk to me but today she is not. What happen to her?
"Aishh, I need to go to the washroom." I hold my stomach. I think my urinary bladder is about to explode. I really want to pee.
I quickly make my way to the washroom. The washroom is being clean by one of the crew. I didn't saw any figure of people cleaning the washroom but the person has put the caution board.
"I'm sorry, but I really need to use the toilet." I tiptoe slowly to enter the washroom. It's quite slippery. As I am about to take another step, I slip over the wet floor.
"Ahh." I scream out and close my eyes. I don't know what will happen to me.
"Eh? Why is my butt didn't touch the floor?" I think on my own still didn't dare to open my eyes.
"Pie?" I hear someone call my me. The voice is so familiar.
Slowly I open my eyes. He is staring at me. Our eyes met. Am I dreaming? Did I just entering a heaven or fairytale land? I saw a prince charming. A nerd prince charming? His hair is neatly combed. I can smell the scent of his hair gel. He locks his beautiful eyes into mine. That brown sparkling eyes can melt your heart even though they were covered by a thick glasses lens. I see he curves a smile on his face, revealing some part of his teeth. He is wearing a retainer which add the nerd image on his appearance. But who cares? His magical smile put me under his spell. He is no doubt handsome even a prince charming from a fairytale story couldn't beat his charm.
"Pie, are you okay?" He calls my name again and pulls my body upward so that I can stand steadily. It's mean he is the one who save me from bumping to the wet floor.
"Y- yeah. I'm fine. Thank you." I turn my gaze away from him. I hope he didn't realise my earlier action and reaction.
"You should be more careful. Why don't you ask anyone to help you here or at least use your cane?" He says while helping me to fix my dress.
I was utterly dumbfounded with his action. Does he know that I actually can see him?
"Tiger?" I call his name and he stops his movement. He looks to me with his innocent face.
"Yeah. I'm Tiger. Do you need to use the toilet? Err, I can guide you there but I can't follow you." He scratches the back of his head and his face turns red. He looks so cute. I think he didn't realise that I can see him. I wonder how he doesn't know that I have restored my sight. Perhaps he forgot that.
"Why is your face is so red like tomato?" I tease him. He stares to me with his shocking face.
"Pie? You can see me?" He waves his hand in front of my face.
"Of course silly boy!" I stop his hand and laugh. His facial expression is so funny! I can't hold my laughter anymore.
"Oh my God! How come I didn't know about this? I just heard that you went for that surgery but I don't know about its success. Oh, congratulations Pie." He pinches my cheeks. I blushed.
"So, this yummy Pie can see the handsome Tiger huh?" He nudges my arms with his elbow.
"Yek! Who said that you're handsome? So nerd!" Oh my God! Does he realise my reaction earlier. His charm really caught my heart.
"Nerd prince charming." He raises his eyebrows to me. Oh crap! Does he has a power to read another person's mind. My face become redder. I need to hide it before he could see my face. I'm so shy.
"Get out of my way. I need to use the toilet." I push his body and he move a little bit.
"Thank you for saving me earlier." I say to him before I enter the ladies' washroom.
"Prince charming is always there for the princess." He winks to me. I roll my eyes as if his words are so disgusting to me. I quickly shut myself in one of the toilet.
"Why do my heart flatter that much when he call me princess? What happen to my heart?" I hold my left chest. It's pounding widely.