Chapter Text
Mon stood in the parking lot nervously. She checked the time of her watch -6:45 am. She had 15 minutes to get to her new boss's office. She took a deep breath in a very failed attempt to calm her nerves. She hurried towards the building. She swung open the large glass doors and trotted in as fast as possible. she sped up her pace even more, not wanting to be late on her first day and rounded a corner.
'' Woah.''
Mon collided into someone who has been walking towards her in the opposite direction. She lost her balance and fell down on the hard floor, her purse, phone and papers raining down beside her. The other woman stumbled but managed to catch herself in time.
'' I'm so sorry. '' Mon quickly appologized to the woman. She pushed herself up and started gathering her stuff.
The woman standing in front of her chuckled, brown eyes glimmering from over the brim of her sunglasses. '' It's your first day at work and you're already making an impression, miss Mon.'' The woman knelt down and scooped up her purse, phone and I.D.
'' How do you know my name ? '' Mon stood up with her and brushed off her skirt.
'' I was the one who hired you.''
'' Oh ... T-Thank you. You must be from the HR department.'' Mon let go of the breath she was holding '' Thank you for helping me with my things.''
The woman nodded '' Sure, what floor ? ''
'' Nine.''
The elevator doors started up with a squeak, closing as the woman pushed the button '9' and stepped back.
'' You're going to the CEO office as well ? '' Mon asked.
The woman tilted her head '' Something like that. '' She closed her mouth and smirked '' So what made you apply for this job ? You're over-qualified for this position.''
Mon clutched the strap of her purse as she turned to the woman '' I don't think i'm over-qualified, i want to gain more experience but i heard a lot of good things about this company.''
The woman nodded '' Did you hear good things about the CEO too ? ''
Mon bit her lower lip '' Not really and that's the reason i'm feeling nervous ! Someone told me ' how could a successful corporation be run by someone so cold'.''
'' Oh '' The woman's face suddenly looked dejected '' And you believe what they said ? ''
'' I don't like judging and concluding about someone i haven't even met. '' The doors opened on floor six, whoever rang the elevator had left. Leaving the open elevator to hang awkwardly for a few seconds as it waited for no one '' I wouldn't be here if i believed that.''
The woman lowered her head with a faintly amused grin '' Do you really not know who i am ? '' She turned to smile softly at Mon. Her eyes seemed to glow from behind dark lenses, a radiance that warmed Mon's face.
'' I'm sorry but have we met before ? '' Mon didn't notice how the woman stared at her, only looking away when Mon's face whirled back to her '' What's your name ? '' The elevator bell rang as it stopped at the ninth floor.
She blinked '' I'm Sam .... Sam Anantrakul. Does the name ring a bell ? ''
'' Nice meeting you, Sam. I'll catch you around! '' Mon waved as she stepped out of the elevator '' I'm sorry i have to cut our conversation short. I don't want to be late on my first official meeting with the CEO.''
'' Nice meeting you too, Mon. '' Sam replied as she also stepped out of the elevator '' Good luck with your meeting.''
Sam walked towards the CEO's office. She opened the door to the office, an empty desk waiting in the middle of the room, she stood back and prompted Mon to enter. '' What are you waiting for ? '' She smirked '' We have a lot to talk about.''
Mon's eyes widened and her heart froze '' You're the CEO ? ''
'' That's Khun Sam to you, Mon.''
Sam walked around her desk, plopping into the chair and removing her sunglasses '' I suppose we don't need to do introductions.'' She said calmly '' Take a seat, i don't have all day.'' She motioned to the chair.
Mon stayed glued to her spot. She was going to get fired on her first day at work, wasn't she ?. Sam has been watching her all along, listening and bearing with all the things she had to say in the elevator.
'' Mon ? ''
Mon nodded as she sat down avoiding the CEO's gaze after the stunt she pulled.
'' I already made a bad impression '' Mon looked down '' Are you going to fire me after what i said ? ''
'' Can you look at me ? '' Sam stood up and rounded the desk. She held her hand out to Mon who looked at it before she took a hold of it, not understanding what was happening.
'' Mon, i'm not going to fire you. What made you think that ? '' Sam squeezed her hand.
Mon stared at her '' I literally badmouthed you. That's reason enough to fire me.''
Sam shrugged '' How did you badmouth me exactly ? You said you don't like judging someone you haven't even met. How is that considered badmouthing ? ''
Mon softened as she let out a sigh of relief '' Thank you so much Khun Sam. ''
Sam shook her hand firmly as they stared at each other '' How's teacher Phon ? ''
Mon stared at her silently '' How do you know my mother ? Did we actually meet before ? I'm sorry but i moved to England after high school so i don't know many people. Was my mother your teacher ? ''
'' Forget i said anything. It wasn't important.''
Mon could have sworn Sam had looked briefly hurt when she caught her expression but that quickly changed to her normal, blank facial expression once she realized she was looking.
Sam cleared her throat as she sat down, looking at her computer screen. Mon took this moment of silence to stare at the CEO. Her features were more than gorgeous. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn't remember meeting Sam. Maybe the CEO mistook her for someone else ? But she knew her mother ? She also seemed upset when she asked her if they met before.
'' You resume is impressive.'' Sam broke the silence. '' I'll tell you a few things about this job.'' She added '' You do not approve of anything without running it by me first. Making a flexible timetable and making sure everything is aligned to the minute is your top priority. You have to make sure everything is ready beforehand. Do you have any questions for me ? ''
'' What are the hours exactly ? ''
'' Unfortunately i don't have a printed copy but ... '' Sam turned the computer screen as much as she could and motioned for Mon to move forward. '' You have thirty-eight hours, if you look here ... '' Sam trailed off as she turned to Mon who was fully concentrated on the screen '' Your schedule has tendency to change but you get paid double your hourly wage for over-time.'' She explained.
'' Understood.''
'' Good luck on your first day at work, Mon. '' Sam smiled softly.
'' Thank you, Khun Sam.'' Mon broke the eye contact first as she tried to keep her composure.
Sam sighed after Mon left her office. She couldn't blame her for her reaction but it still hurt. It hurt knowing the one person she kept thinking about from her childhood didn't remember her. She didn't even remember her name. It made Sam feel hopeless. She recognized Mon the moment the HR brought her resume and was looking forward to their meeting. She didn't really understand why she felt disappointed.