museboxonahill

There were still some days when Wren wasn't sure which way was up.  And that was the absolute best feeling, right now, never in her wildest dreams did she think she would find someone here in Thailand. She wasn't really looking, anyway, with most of the guys around here turning her all the way off with commenting on how alluring and 'exotic' she was being around here.  Ugh.  So fucking gross.

Besides, she was almost done with her studies and was cranking out her senior year.  Lately, it had been nothing but study, study, study.  Kimhan had been an absolute angel with it all. And she really meant that. It shouldn't have been that big of a surprise, considering he had graduated a couple of years before her, but still.  He provided the best backdrop of acoustic guitar and a word or two of encouragement when her brain was starting to leak out of her ears.  Their beginnings had been distinctly less than a fairy tale process, but right now, everything was pretty solid.  Okay, so there had been that one misshap where those goons had tried to take him out, but he stopped them.  But then his goons mistook her for a target and then... That was all they wrote.  He tried pushing her away, she said she loved him despite him being a stupid idiot, and then he fucked her against the wall of the safehouse they were dumped in.  Poetic, really.

Since then, they had been contemplating living places, but nothing solid was agreed upon.  It was her final year (honestly, it was two weeks, but Wren could feel years falling off her life), and Kim decided then that she should meet his brothers.  They were his only family left, really, and he didn't want her rumored to be a 'dirty little secret.'  Wren felt she only said it as a joke to get her mind off that one math equation that was stabbing her in the brain but she toed up to his prank and accepted.  Why not?  She had met a few of his bodyguards (useless things) and was fully aware that he was mafia.  It never scared her. After all, he knew about her magical tendencies and accepted them.  Which... come to think of it, was a little weird.  His face scrunched up when she confessed and he looked a little crosseyed before muttering, "of course you are." and just left it at that. Mysterious.

Having gotten the details of the dinner plans and an apology that he couldn't pick her up personally, but would have a car ready for her, Wren decided on a mandarin floral print dress for the occasion with her hair done up in hair pins just for her own peace of mind that she had a tiny bit of protection on her, complete with kitten heels and a small clutch.  The place the car brought her to was massive and she craned her neck all the way up to look at the skyscraper hotel.

"Miss Starfyr," the voice was smooth and mildy accented.  It was a middle-aged man who bowed to her in greeting.  "Mr Kim is in the midst of a meeting and asked that I escort you to the family dining hall."

"Oh!"  She blinked once and then offered a smile.  He was speaking in English? Maybe they thought she didn't know any Thai because she didn't look Thai?  "Thank you very much.  I appreciate it."  Flawless Thai.  It made the man pause just a heartbeat before straightening from his bow.  What she didn't provide was the wai.  That little bit of culture still confused her sometimes.  He was much older than her, so the respect should be given but he was an employee so he was doing his job so.....

The hesitation was hidden behind her smile as she bowed her head as the door was opened for her.  Wren walked through and slowed her steps to follow the man's lead to take her wherever she needed to be.  In the meantime, she could feel the hairs on the back of her neck prickle as she felt like she was walking into the lion's den.  Sure, the place was opulent, but why should she be feeling on edge?

While she wasn't religious, she did resonate with Buddhism. There were certain holidays where it was almost mandated that there were a few holidays that were observed by the family for appearances. Wren normally didn't do much considering Kim didn't but when Porsche himself asked her to attend this one ceremony, she felt it was time to start bridging the gap between families with a small step. There was even more convincing to have Kim join her, along with whatever security he wanted which was a ton of people. She didn't blame him one bit. Hawke would be there with them, which helped immensely. That was probably going to be the most surprising thing of all: Kinn's men seeing Hawke in his usual garb. While she wasn't around for the funeral, she could only imagine what they would look like to see Hawke in a sarong, sandals for the public, and leather bands around muscles for decoration.

( Read more... )

After three months and clearance about his diaphragm, Kim was due in for light work at the office.  Understandably, he didn't want to leave Wren and Anurak at home given what happened the last time.  Arista and Kohl had returned to their home after a few weeks but Roo and Hawke remained, mostly for Hawke's peace of mind that his sister and her family were safe and protected.  And he also wanted to make certain there was enough help around the property so that Wren could concentrate on the baby and not other trivial things.

With kisses and reassurance, Wren bid her husband a good day at work and she would have the cell on standby in case anything happened.  She too was nervous but did her best not to show it because she didn't want Kim to suddenly go into protection mode and call the whole thing off. 

Face timing at lunch went without a hitch with Wren being dozy because Anu was taking in his lunch as well. It was about an hour after that call that weird things happened.  First was Wren sitting on the front porch in the shade with the baby in the bounce bed.  Watching the leaves on the trees had become a favorite pastime for the child and Wren was going to keep him outside as often as possible, singing songs or telling stories to him.  Hawke was with her as was Roo, listening and joining in with the narrations.  Roo even pulled out his flute to try a few notes but it seemed like Anu was more into his father's music as he started to whine.  Wren could only smile and soothe Roo's pretend 'hurt feelings' as she lifted the baby out of the bouncer bed to cuddle.  That was when Hawke stood and looked out over to the long driveway, eying the dust plume.  "Are you expecting someone?" he asked, his voice low and words in faunlyn.  

"No," Wren responded in turn, also looking at the plume.  "Roo, take the baby inside.  The guest room."  She was already opening the door and pulling out the hand gun out of the table drawer and checked the safety.  After dealing with Korn bullshit, she did learn how to use one under her father's and then Kim's guidance but it was more for warning people off than actually shooting them.  She still hesitated.  Hawke hadn't moved from his position at the top of the porch stairs, his entire body still.  "And call Kim," Wren added, handing Roo her phone.  "We're okay, but not expecting people here and his brothers know not to stop by unannounced."                   
In fact, that was the only reason why she knew that whoever was driving up wasn't family.  Or delivery considering they kept track of their package orders.  Wren moved to stand beside Hawke, both of them murmuring to each other about who could possibly be coming.  Her frown deepened as she didn't recognize the car rolling up and she moved only slightly closer to Hawke's side.  Without taking his eyes off the car, he wound his arm around her shoulders to give a comforting squeeze.  "You both are safe," he murmured low in Faunlyn.  "Breathe and let the fear roll off like water.  There is only one."

She tried to follow her brother's instructions but it wasn't much help.  After all, Kim hadn't been to work for this very reason.  Was someone trying something again?  The person who exited the driver's side was a woman, dressed in smart business attire, hair in a pony to keep off the back of her neck.  Wren tilted her head slightly, thinking she might be familiar.  Was it a secretary from Kinn's hotel?

"Are you lost?"  Wren called out, not breaking her gaze.  The woman looked almost comfortable here.  Actually, she was deceptively comfortable.

"I hope not," the stranger called back with a smile.  "This is Kimhan Theerapanyakul's residence, correct?"

"Perhaps," Wren said non committedly, her eyes searching for a weapon.  "Who's come to ask?  All business inquiries happen in the city in his office."

"All of them?  But you're here."  The woman remained on the ground at the foot of the steps when Hawke shifted his stance.  "You're his lovely wife, aren't you?"

Wren didn't answer that.  "I will ask this one more time:  Who has come to ask?"

"I know you wouldn't recognize me, dear.  That's alright.  I've been out of the picture way too long.  For that, I will accept the punishments of my children estranging me."  There was a pause as she waited a moment.  "I'm Kimhan's mother, Malai."

That reveal shocked Wren and confused Hawke, picking up enough words to comprehend.  He spoke in English now.  "Did he not say she was dead?"  Wren nodded.  "And now she is not?"  Wren glanced at her brother and lifted her shoulder slightly.  She didn't know.

"Their father insisted I needed to leave so that the boys could survive in the world they were born into," Malai began, looking saddened by that fact.  "I thought it was for their own good and that was my mistake.  And trying to get the upper hand on Korn is... not easy."

"He's dead," Wren answered flatly, not certain if she should trust this woman.  She hadn't lied yet, which was comforting and concerning at the same time.  It seemed more and more likely that the matriarch did rise from the grave.  "He's been dead."

"So I heard.  At great peril to Kimhan."

"And everyone else."  Wren wasn't backing down, but she wasn't escalating it, either.  There was a pregnant silence between them.

"Your Thai is very good," Malai started, working to change the subject.

"Thank you," Wren responded, not offering anything else.

A small smile crept on Malai's face.  It was genuine and not malicious.  "Does your guardian know much?"

"My brother is learning.  But today isn't a lesson day."  Another long silence.  Wren wasn't good with that part.  "Ms Theerapanyakul.  Why are you here?  If you are who you say you are?"

"Restitution," Malai answered with a somewhat remorseful tone and expression.  "I've missed out on so much, and I should have dealt with Kornwit long before it got this bad-before Tankhun decided to hide in delusions, before Anakinn felt the weight of world on his shoulders, before Kimhan decided that being as far away from the family as possible was the best way to save himself.  I'm happy he found you, and he found happiness.  And I thought that starting here would be the best way to begin the reparations."

Wren stood there for a long time, watching the woman, studying everything about her.  Was she genuine? Was she trying to get in to cause harm?  Could she be trusted?  Before Wren could finish her internal study, she heard the tell tale cry of her son finally fed up with whatever was happening.  And that perked Malai's attention.  Wren had to make a decision quick.

"Hawke, would you mind bringing Malai into the sun room? I will be there with you in a moment."  She trusted Hawke to keep Malai under control should she get out of hand but she didn't think that anything would happen.  There were no warning bells in her head, just caution.  And the one 'sun stone.' that was hanging on the porch was still a lovely amber color.  No danger.

Leaving her brother to his task, she hurried into the guest room as the insistent wails became louder and louder.  Roo looked worried, pacing with the child in one arm and trying to speak into the phone at the same time.  Wren came to the rescue, reaching for the baby first and offering Roo a comforting smile.  "I think it'll be okay. Let me have the phone."

There was Kim's voice, cold and worried, all business at this time.  "Love, we're safe.  No one is here to take us.  But I need you to come home.  Don't race or get into an accident."  She paused, then sighed.  "Someone is here claiming to be your mother.  And she's not lying.  I see nothing that would say she is."

The house was perfect as the pasture and the space for two horses. One could never have just one horse, of course. So far, she had picked up two Thai ponies and that was a trip in of itself. There had been haggling, a demand of proper DNA screening and government registration (apparently, the government was interested in preserving the breed and what better way than to make a hobby of it!) It was cleared by Kim considering his background and the breeding couple was living on their land, spoiled rotten. They were smaller than what she was accustomed to riding but it didn't matter to her. Having them here was what mattered and it wasn't like she could ride for the time being, anyway: her belly was huge and her balance was out of kilter daily. The little goat who wanted to play, didn't help much, either.

It had taken some work to get the land ready but Kim had that all under control. And Wren was planning the Thai wedding there (without elephants she kept teasing her fiance about) Dandilion Estates boasted over 12 acres of land, fit for ten ponies if she wanted, but she figured any foals would be sold to continue the successful breeding program. Her parents visited briefly once the couple had moved in, setting up their own housewarming gifts of protection wards and warnings. Rutilated quartz had been used for the wards not only to cleanse unsavory past experiences but to follow with the theme of the place: Bright yellows and whites. There were also other stones tucked away for safe keeping in certain trees in case they needed help quickly. Those stones were connected to her parents and family, just in case. One could never be too careful when marrying the son of a famous Mafia man.

Even with everything in place, it couldn't protect them from everything. Wren, who stayed home this time to finish re-arranging the nursery to her liking, was alone, with 3 weeks to go in her pregnancy and doing little more than sitting, folding up baby clothes. She fought against the nagging worry that something wasn't right--nothing told her that there was anything that was wrong. After learning the gender of the baby, they decided to keep it a secret for themselves to keep Korn out of their business. In fact, it was imperative. If Korn ever found out...

Somehow, someway, he did. And when Kim returned home, he came home to a quiet house, no Wren, the ponies nervous but not really freaking out. And it seemed like there was nothing to indicate that she had left involuntarily with the exception that the house felt wrong and one of those crystals were bright red instead of clear and yellow.

The commotion at school was insane. Worse than insane! Wren had no idea what was going on at first but the crowd of people who gathered in the cafeteria, screaming someone's name warned her that she did not want to be there. As she walked by, she slowed down, looking in the same direction as everyone else, spotting the set up stage and a single man under a light, strumming a guitar and crooning. Oh. That's what all the commotion was about.

"And now, for our grand finale, the one person who can answer all of Mr Wik's trivia questions will win a band tee with his signature on it!"

Wren rolled her eyes, mentally going "and the crowd goes wild!" in her head while the crowd actually went wild. Along with a couple of her friends. "Wren! Wren, don't you know who that is?"

Turning to the girl who went by Tweet, she responded in a flat tone. "Another boy hell bent on stealing the hearts of thousands so he can pay the bills?"

"Oh my god, Wren! It's WiK! Don't be a spoil sport! He's soooooo cute! You have to look at him! Tell me he's not cute!"

"He's perfectly fine--for being a feelings moocher."

Tweet shook her head. "You don't get it, do you? He used to go to school here."

Wren turned her eyes to her friend. "And? Everyone goes to school in some fashion. There's nothing special about that. But you want to know what is special? Letting all these people believe that they have a chance with him. Hell, even encourages it because that's how he makes money. Sell the belief that you can be with him, and everyone is climbing hand over fist to buy the next new album. Or his Merch, or whatever guitar he says is good. He's an actor and he's playing to the crowd. So if you want to enjoy the fantasy, enjoy it. But don't buy into it, okay? You're smarter than that."

She went on to class, not even taking a second look.


*****

Having been convinced to go out to karaoke (as Tweet sadly, didn't win the shirt), Wren chose the blue halter-top maxi. It was hot out with no sign of relief yet in nighttime Bangkok. Cute and lightweight, she decided to pull her hair up off her neck and frame her face with a few ringlets. Ready for a night on the town, she joined her friends in one of the bar booths, filled with drink and food, they all took turns on the mic, making a bit of a game out of it. When it was Wren's turn, she decided to go with the Disney-themed songs and started her rendition of "Kiss the girl."

It just so happened that she caught sight of said pompous boy in the hall, strolling around the rooms. And there was some eye contact. Deciding to play it up since her friends hadn't noticed yet, she decided to sing to him and tease him as well. "My oh my! Look like the boy too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl."