TN: Khun is formal for mister/miss. Nong is for younger people, slightly informal.
Chada
I really had no idea what is happening today.
How did I even get here? I rubbed my temples in stress. Maybe I was just hungover or something, and now I'm running around with some pretty homeless people.
The halls here sure are luxurious! I rushed in, supposed to tell these strange boys how to navigate, but I have no idea what I'm doing here. It's my first time in the building!
What chance would I have had to step in Wasan Group.
Such prestigious international folk hardly would deign to mingle with a random countryside fisherman.
"I would like to check in this boy behind me for an audition. Name, Sarit."
The receptionist looked through her computer first before saying, "I don't see your name on any lists. The open auditions have already finished for the time being. Please come back if any new slots open up."
I turned to the 2 slender ones behind me, about to tell them oh well, we tried. When I saw Sarit get that little seductive gleam in his eyes, he walked up to the receptionist and trailed his fingers over the computer rim, smirking seductively. Instinctually I gulped. I wouldn't believe any of this was happening or remain this calm normally. The way he looked at me, the way he moved, something in his eyes just seemed to pull me in. It kept me calm. No, not calm enough. I had just met him, but the way he even breathed made me want to do things...
I shook my head trying to shake the thoughts from me. Focusing again on what Sarit was doing. He whispered a few things to the lady at the desk, a little giggle that sounded sing-songy, flirty, escaped his gorgeous round lips. I blushed a bit, looking down at the floor after the thought of our earlier kiss came into full view in my mind.
Abyss looked at me to the side with some skepticism. I could tell this boy was wary of me, much more than even Sarit, who had this undeniable confidence in his stride and demeanor. It seemed clear to me this boy Abyss was not my biggest fan. I didn't need him to be, however. I just needed them to finish whatever business they had and leave me alone to my boring life thereafter. We should be, presumingly, parting ways soon anyway.
"Right this way, sirs," I snapped out of my thoughts. I saw the lady suddenly seem really excited to escort us. What had Sarit done to her? I started following in confusion as she led the three of us in an elevator and up to one of the top floors. She knocked on a door there before a deeper voice in English said, "Come in."
I heard the sound of a beautiful rendition of Bach/Gounod Ave Maria playing in the room. I was looking around when the man asked, "What brings you all here, are you the new secretaries?"
"Ah, no sir," said Abyss, bowing slightly. I looked at him, finding his demeanor peculiar. Earlier he was practically staring me down and now was looking like a meek boy in front of this man.
Khun Onyx narrowed his eyes as if trying to puzzle out our intentions, his eyes settling on Abyss. "You, you're the boy from earlier who wished to be part of my company, are you not?"
"Yes sir," he said.
Sarit stepped forward now, looking like a gorgeous pearl with a sparkle of mischief in his elegant eyes.
"Did you procure a skillset so quickly to return in just mere hours? What exactly is your intention, Nong?" asked Khun.
"I greatly apologize for earlier. I had lost my bearing, but I brought my friend. His voice is good enough that the staff here felt it pertinent to let you hear for yourself. I can vouch for his talent if you allow him a moment of your time to hear it."
After a moment's thought the Khun decided it was permissible. "Very well, proceed."
The epitome of a hypnotic person, Sarit stepped forward. Compared to Abyss, who had slender, sleek, beautiful but edgy features that seemed to suggest a depth I did not comprehend, Sarit looked like a coral reef that had been woven with the grace of a pearl. His hair was not as long as Abyss's, falling short of his ears. For some reason I wanted to reach out and touch it. I wonder what it feels like. I didn't get enough time to notice in the water.
Sarit started to sing, his voice sounding like bells, clearer than my skin, clearer than the seas of our clearest beaches.
He danced in a way I am unfamiliar with. It was a bit awkward, as if he was still not sure how to move. But his voice made me feel things. I didn't feel like jumping into the water but getting closer, listening 'til my days finished.
Once his performance was over, the room filled with silence. Khun's face quietly staring, his expression hardly readable.
"Hmmmmm, I see. Very well," he said, Sarit and Abyss turning to each other to see if the other understood his words.
"You need some practice. Normally I don't hire people through such informal procedures, but your voice is good. I'll go ahead and take a gamble on you. You're hired for now, but I expect you to actively be working on those dance skills before we decide to debut you properly."
Abyss lit up looking at his friend. "You're hired!!" he said, giddily grabbing Sarit's arms.
Khun flipped through some papers as I stood there awkwardly.
"So, Sarit... what's your last name?"
Sarit seemed to hesitate, not knowing the appropriate answer. "It's, uh... Alaiwa." (TN: "what")
"What?" said Khun.
"...what?" quickly replied Sarit.
I stepped in. "His last name is Srasinmaanilsakul."
I paused, mentally smacking myself. Did I just give him MY surname? Am I crazy? One kiss and I have lost it so much I accidentally wedded him to me. Maybe drowning isn't so bad after all.
Sarit looked at me a little puzzled, half glaring, half smiling.
"Well, Mr. Srasinmaanilsakul, please proceed to register with my assistant; she will direct you how. May I know your manager's contact?"
"Sorry, Khun — I am not sure I am familiar with having one of those," Sarit said.
Khun glanced around looking at us and those in the room. He sighed, then said, "Alright then, for now, Abyss, I recall you said you were passionate, is that not so? Well for now you can fill the position as Mr. Srasinmaanilsakul's manager."
Abyss looked surprised but a bit happy. "Thank you, sir! I'll do my best."
Khun's gaze briefly softened before saying, "Now if you will all excuse me. I have other matters to attend to before I was interrupted for this peculiar matter."
My group and I shuffled towards the door now to let him resume his work and register.
Marking the end of my sea creature babysitting. Or, so I'd hoped.