PHUWIN'S POV
I shut down my computer and stretched. My back and hips were sore from sitting all day. I had been fixing a lot of things on the company's main website, which kept me glued to my chair with no time to stand up during breaks. The only real break I had was for lunch.
"Finally, you're going home," Dreep said, smiling as he looked at me. He was teasing me again.
In the five months I've been working at this company, I've seen how quickly rumors spread. How employees are eager to dig into each other's personal lives over the smallest issues. In the span of just a weekâor maybe even lessâeveryone found out that I'm dating the company's heir.
It all started when Aimee was transferred to Chiang Mai. Pond's request took a week to process before it happened. There were some steps that needed to be taken for the transfer. But I was okay with it. What mattered was that she was being moved because she was like a walking leech to me and to everyone in the company. She'd flirt with every good-looking guy she saw at the company, even those who were married or in leadership positions. In just a week, her name became well-known, and not for good reasons. She quickly gained a bad reputation because of her actions.
Everyone in our department, except for me, was shocked by Aimee's sudden transfer, but they were all happy about it. Aimee had become an eyesore to everyone in the company. But on her last day, she declared that she would return to the building soon, and everyone would bow down to her because she claimed she would soon marry the company's heir. By that time, Aou arrived to pick up Aimee and personally take her to the airport, where a private helicopter was waiting to fly her to Chiang Mai.
Aou's presence was like a bombshell to all the employees, as he owned 5% of the company's shares, and Pond's father had given him authority over the branch I was working at. Pond had told me that Aou was strict. When it's work time, everyone is expected to work. No unscheduled breaks unless absolutely necessary. Being late is unacceptable unless there's a valid reason, but even then, there are still limits. Gossip is allowed among employees, but if it gets out of hand, Aou will step in. He'll get to the bottom of it and fire anyone involved. No warnings, just immediate termination. Aimee knew all of this. It had been discussed during our orientation. So, when she saw Aou, she immediately paled and went silent.
Aou glared at Aimee before telling her not to even dream of becoming Pond's wife, because that would never happen. Not even in her wildest dreams.
Aimee, undeterred, dared to ask Aou how he could be so sure. That's when Aou dropped the bomb that Pond's lover was one of the employees at the company. He didn't name anyone, but his words immediately sparked the detective instincts of the staff. In no time at all, everyone found out that I was Pond's boyfriend. Rumors even started spreading that Pond and I were about to get married, and I had no idea where that came from.
From then on, Dreep and my other colleagues kept teasing me whenever I was in a rush to leave or if Pond was the one picking me up. Not to mention the time when Pond's father himself came to pick me up because that's what his son had asked. Pond was in Rome at the time, and he had insisted that I be picked up regularly. I never expected that it would be Pond's dad who would be the one to pick me up. I thought their driver would be the one to do it.
I didn't know how to hide my embarrassment at that moment. I might've been okay if Pond's dad had just waited outside the building, but noâhe came straight to our department to get me. He even told my supervisor that I wasn't allowed to work overtime until Pond returned from Rome. I was completely confused at the time because Pond and I never discussed anything like that. I called Pond when we were on our way home, not knowing whether to laugh or feel awkward about it. Pond's dad wasn't allowed to work overtime due to health reasons, and I was dragged into it. If he wasn't allowed, then neither was I, that was his dad's word. Of course, I had no choice. He's my boss in the company, and his word is law. I didn't work overtime. And almost everyday, for a week, Pond's father picks me up at the office. So, to make up for not being able to work overtime to my colleagues, I stopped taking breaks. I only took a 30-minute lunch break to make sure I could get everything done before leaving for the day.
"Is someone picking you up?" Dreep asked with a smile.
"Mm."
"Who's picking you up? His son or his father?" Hailey, one of my colleagues, chimed in.
"Of course, his son. Boss Pond have returned from Berlin already."
I chuckled. They're quite updated, I must admit. But they're a bit ahead of themselvesâPond hasn't returned yet.
"His mom will pick me up," I replied, surprising the both of them.
"Wow! As in, wow! From father to mother. The crown is yours, Phuwin," Dreep said dramatically.
I just shook my head and laughed. I bid goodbye to them when I received a message from Mom saying she was already outside the company. Luckily, Mom is too lazy to get out of the car. She doesn't like causing a scene, unlike Dad, or else I'd be the topic of conversation again tomorrow.
We went straight to the airport. Dad had an emergency meeting, so he couldn't join us to pick up Pond.
Speaking of Pond, I don't know what's going on with him today, asking us to pick him up at the airport. I mean, he's been travelling in and out of the country, but this is the first time he's asked us to pick him up. He usually comes home on his own. We're always surprised when he arrives at the house because he often doesn't even tell me he's coming back. I've just gotten used to it since he's been travelling a lot lately. There are new hotel and casino opening in Germany, so he's been going back and forth to monitor everything.
"Here he is." Mom said, pulling me towards the exit door. Pond's height is something you can't hide even in a crowd, so it's easy to spot him, not to mention his overwhelming presence.
"I miss you, my son." If Dad is known for making a scene, Mom is often overacting. Just like now. Pond was only gone for a day. He just attended a conference in Berlin since Dad couldn't go due to his health condition. It wasn't like Pond could stay in Berlin for long because he had other things to do for the company. He had business meetings scheduled, and he couldn't leave everything to Dad.
In short, Pond is already acting as the CEO of their businesses. Dad is just assisting him now. If needed, Dad attends some meetings when Pond's schedule doesn't allow it or when Pond is overseas. Due to Dad's health condition, he mostly stays at home and goes to the main office only when necessary. He is still working, but from home. Mostly, it's paperwork. There are documents that require his signature. Pond also consults him from time to time when needed.
"Mom, I was only gone for 36 hours." Pond said, shaking his head.
"Really? But I still missed you."
"You're just overacting, Mom. Look at Phuwin, he didn't even miss me." Pond pulled away from his mom's embrace and pulled me into a hug.
"Pond, shut up." I whispered to him.
"How can he miss you when you two were on a video call all night? You didn't even call me when you arrived in Berlin."
I slapped Pond's arm and glared at him. It turns out he didn't even call Mom, even though I had told him to.
"Scold him for me, Phu." Mom said.
"I will, Mom, don't worry." I smiled at Mom while secretly pinching Pond's waist.
"You have my ears all night, baby." Pond whispered to me. I glared at him, giving him a warning. I will definitely scold him later.
We stopped by the main company first to pick up Dad. Mom had received a message from him before we even left the airport, asking to be picked up since his meeting was over and he wasn't feeling well due to stress. After that, we went straight home.
After dinner, Dad and I had a conversation. He asked me to become Pond's personal secretary because he plans to pass on his position to Pond. Due to his health condition, it's time for him to officially make Pond the CEO, and he wants me to assist him in this transition. I immediately agreed. If this will help ease Dad's mind and allow him to rest properly while focusing on his health, I'm all for it. Dad quickly called his secretary to arrange a meeting in two days for the official handover of the position to Pond.
After talking to Dad, I went straight to our room. I was ready to scold Pond for not calling his mom, but he was already asleep. I couldn't help but shake my head when I saw his wet hairâhe was sound asleep already. He was obviously exhausted. I decided to wait until tomorrow to scold him since Dad mentioned I didn't need to go to work. He would inform my supervisor about it.
I took a shower, changed into my pajamas, and then joined Pond in bed. I kissed him on the forehead before settling down next to him. Just as I was about to hug Pond to fall asleep, his phone on the bedside table lit up. I'm not the type of boyfriend to snoop through his phone. I never doubted him because I trust him. But this time, curiosity got the best of me. So, I grabbed his phone and checked who was messaging him at this hour. Usually, it's the secretaries of other company executives or shareholders. Although I was scolding myself for doing this, I justified it, thinking the message might be important.
I unlocked his phone using face recognition and immediately frowned when I saw Aimee's name. I quickly opened the message.
The message that appeared on Pond's phone sent a chill down my spine. Aimee's words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration and disbelief.
"I can't have your cousin, you, or Dunk. But I'm not the kind of woman who will give up easily. I choose you to be my husband, and I'll do everything to make you mine. By hook or by crook, Pond. You'll be mine, whether you like it or not."