Confusion.

Boonmi

Hearing a disgruntled female voice I quickly pulled away.

God, this girl looked even more stunning in person than she did in the photo. Tiny, long-legged, black eyes framed by a lush fan of lashes.

And now she was faced with a very ambiguous picture. Her fiancé intimately held another man by the chin. The odds of me waking up alive tomorrow were decreasing by the hour.

"It's not like...," I started to justify myself as I was interrupted by Vago.

"Tana, honey, you're just in time, we need your reporter connections, you've already heard what happened!" - The bear spoke up affectionately.

"Wow, you can be like that too," my mind raced through my head.

The girl walked over to the couch, sitting down across from me in the chair next to Vago.

"So, where is this young gentleman, who took him to the hospital?" - The girl asked in a normal tone already.

"In front of you," the man across from me smiled, "It just so happens that the head of security was shot, we are still investigating the reasons."

The girl looked at me in disbelief .

"HE? The one who took Mr. Ison's place?" - Pointing her finger at me, Tana said.

"Yeah, I guess disdain runs in the family," I mumbled, sitting down more comfortably.

I was hurt that everyone felt it was their duty to belittle me, even shooting at my friend and not me. Even though I didn't like any of this and I wanted no part of it, but that didn't mean I could be neglected.

"Geez, what a doll, well I'm sorry, I'm really just surprised," the girl moved over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

Brushing off her hand I turned away from her.

"Boonmi, be polite," Vago immediately barked.

Resentment was bubbling up and my tongue was working faster than my brain.

"Yes, Daddy!" - I said wryly.

A cough was heard from Vien and the other subordinates, but for some reason it sounded like swallowed laughter. I dared not raise my head, feeling my cheeks burning. I felt ashamed and scared. I guess he'll probably rip my head off and feed it to the cattle for sure now.

"Vago, any information?" - Raon entered the room with a devastated look.

"Someone shot Trey on purpose, those morons thought he was the heir to the Enthil. I guess you'll get the information and the customer a lot faster now. You can get down to business," Vago said calmly, it wasn't like talking to a subordinate, more friendly.

"Until the operation is over and he comes to his senses, I'm not going anywhere from here," he said a little more and I think he'd fall at his boss's feet in pleading.

Vago nodded understandingly. Raon's voice didn't have that fury and fierceness in it anymore, only desolation and fear.

I wonder how great the power of love is to make such a strong man bow and beg. Such love has not happened in my life. While I was not limited in the attention of those around me, people of suitable status were sold to the pleasure of their parents' companies while they were still puppies, so that their capitals would later be pooled and multiplied.

Half of the people I went to school with were engaged while still in high school. During the summer of university and college enrollment, weddings were played almost every week. That's where parents showed their vanity. If dresses, then designers from across the seas and exclusively handmade, if rings, then scatterings of the most expensive stones, if appetizers, then exclusively delicacies. Entertaining the guests? World stars and Asian idols. I doubt the newlyweds could even choose the color of the napkins, let alone the outfit. If there is ever a person in my life that I want to call family, I would want a quiet family celebration. Better yet, just us. Perhaps in the mountains, or a forest chalet.

"Mr. Supalai has entered through the central gate, estimated arrival five minutes," an unfamiliar voice brought me out of my musings.

"Mmm, jackals run to the smell of blood," Tana snorted.

"No word on what happened, Boonmi is here to discuss matters of the main company, but I don't think it interests him. Rattana, Boonmi, let's move so we don't sit next to you. Raon! You'll have to stay here," Vago spoke, calmly, but the desire to argue with him was abruptly gone.

At that moment, I was really scared. The man didn't show it, but you can read a lot in his eyes. An artist is no worse than a psychologist, sees and reads faces, I can determine even by the wrinkles of the eyes, whether a person is happy, by the nasolabial folds, how often my model smiles. Years of practice and observation, the best teachers in understanding emotions and reading people.

The concern and contempt I saw in the green of his eyes. Those eyes, which shone with tenderness and joy with the colors of fresh grass, became like two shining Verdelites*.

*(Author's note:*Verdelite- The stone is a jeweler's variety of tourmaline of dark green color. The mineral has the property of pleochroism, changing shade from light green to dark green when turning the stone. Inlays made of this stone are used in their products by world jewelry brands).

"Boonmi?" - Startled, I looked up at the man.

"Well why are you scaring the kid, see he's uncomfortable enough as it is," Tana said with concern.

"I'm listening, what's required of me?" - I said quietly and stammered.

The man looked into my eyes with surprise but still said : "Nothing much, we are waiting here for Niran. Tana invited you today, so we were leaving at the same time, we are discussing about building an apartment complex somewhere in Taiwan"

"Okay," I nodded.

" Are you really scared?" - He asked back.

Answering the truth? Disgrace was assured for life. Fear... How much of it had become a part of my life.

As if realizing something, Vago shook his head. He looked even more like a polar bear now, he even shook his head as if it was Nat Geo Wild footage, I wonder what color eyes bears have.

I thought about it again.

In general, thoughtfulness is my usual state. Learning, practical tasks, painting, all these processes require analytical work of the brain, planning, imaginative thinking, concentration. Over time, going into my thoughts, for full concentration I "Disconnect" from reality. Since my father's death, I haven't created a single painting, not even a pencil sketch.

Fear...

I'm afraid someone will come after me, afraid I'll miss something important, afraid of death and pain. A man who grew up in love and knew no cruelty could have such feelings?

A heavy warm hand rested on my shoulder, bringing me back to reality, and again I jerked in fear.

"You're in no danger in this house," Tana said in a whisper.

Her words didn't make it any easier. The front door opened and a new guest appeared on the doorstep.

"Sweet couple together, how nice to catch you in person," the man said smiling.

It was a nasty, hypocritical smile. When only the muscles responsible for the corners of the mouth and cheekbones are used. While leaving the eyes completely at rest.

"What brings you to my house?" - Vago asked in a calm tone.

He now resembles the man I saw him as in " Entheil." Impenetrable haughty gaze, flat emotions, not a man, but 1000 and 1 faces. Yes, if you take ral 6005 as a base* mix 2/8 ral6028 and make the veins ral6010, it would be perfect.

*(Author's note: * international classification of colors of art paints ral 6005 - moss green, ral 6028 - pine green, ral 6010 - the color of fresh grass.)

"The news, of course, plus the internet tabloids are trumpeting a new lover, I see you're putting together a harem in this house," the man pretended to joke.

"How shallow you are," Rattana shook her head.

"Bride, how do you allow that? Your husband carries other, albeit very interesting specimens in his arms and you don't even turn up your nose" a slippery look swept over me, but I held the mark.

"How unseemly Mr. Supanai, did your parents fail to give you a proper upbringing, or did you think that in the shadow of your brother, it is allowed to insult people?" - I asked looking him in the eye.

"Oh look here, children can talk and you are teaching me decency, as far as I remember, when adults talk, children are silent," the man said rudely.

"In decent society, yes. My father taught me to adjust to situations; if disrespect is tolerated in my presence by the person I'm talking to, then I can automatically assume there's no point in observing etiquette any longer."

"Puppy...," he started to rise in my direction as he was interrupted by his brother.

"Tong! My house is no place for quarrels. If you've come to exercise verbal battles with my fiancée and guest, the door is where you entered," Vago warned.

"I came to offer help, but you know having a word with Rattana is a special treat. It's unfortunate that my daughter-in-law so rarely visits her parents' villa, increasingly preferring overseas business trips. Are you doing well?"

"It is customary in our family to work, not sit in expensive suits in leather armchairs with a sleep break."

"Tana, dear, please. Tong, coffee? We were just about to have a cup, our cook made some amazing muffins today, I got to try them at a business meeting a while back and the cook was happy to share the recipe," I was shocked, when did he have time to figure out the recipe?

Or was it Trey who had blabbed it to him?

"Why not, you know we don't have that kind of food at home."

"Of course, you and your daddy are going to break if you don't have fresh seafood for dinner. And eating basil rice will kill you... Honey, what about food delivery? Remember that store with the fried pork and battered shrimp, why don't we send someone? Mr. Sansiri, would you do me the honor of staying for a late dinner, I have so much to discuss with you about the concept and the joint business trip," the girl's tone changed like patterns in a kaleidoscope, wherever her head turned a new picture.

"Sure, I'd love to keep you company," I smiled.

Teasing the bastard was really fun, so I added, "If you order me a bowl of noodles in chicken broth, I'd appreciate it."

Vago looked at us with obvious disapproval, but I couldn't help but cheer her on.

"Boonmi, are you really going to have noodles?" - He asked.

"Boonmi? Boonmi Sansiri? Ayson Sansiri's heir?" - The eyes of the man sitting across from me widened.

"Yes," it was my turn to be surprised now, since I thought he had prepared himself while he was on his way.

"Brother, are you so incompetent, you don't know your main competitor by sight?" - Tana laughed.

"Then, who was injured?" - He continued his questions.

"The bodyguard of course," Vago replied, and I glanced at Raon at that moment.

His gaze still didn't bode any hope of us being able to communicate normally. He was probably picturing the way he'd dealt with me in color and detail. What did he say about the DNA strands? I can't rule out the possibility of only the meat and bone mixture from my skinny body being brought home.

"So now, everyone's talking about how you saved this kid without knowing who he is?" - Tong looked at Vago.

The man nodded in response.

"Sir, some urgent information has come up, may I be excused?" - Raon spoke up.

Where did he get the information from, if he's standing right here by the boss, I wonder if it's about Trey...?

"Do we know yet who attacked the Sansiri heir?" - The guest immediately asked.

"Apparently so, since Raon is gone."

"Mr. Supanai, you obviously know more than we do, will you share the information?" - I asked, assessing his demeanor.

"Only what is written on the internet and broadcast on the news," he replied without hesitation.

"I dare say you're lying," I said calmly, looking my interlocutor straight in the eye.

Damn, I'm learning for a reason after all.

"Boonmi, that's a serious accusation," Vago turned to me.

"There's this wonderful science called Kinesics, which is the study of human appearance: mimicry - the movement of facial muscles, pantomimicry - body movement, gestures, gaze. So, in our university it is taught in the course of psychology, for better understanding and portrayal of characters. And I noticed, as soon as you heard who I was, your eyes went wide, assessing the situation, your hand movements became more erratic, which is a sign of fear. When Mr. Pattana hinted that the perpetrator might have been found, your pupils dilated, which is not just fear, but terror. As soon as I asked you about what you knew, you immediately gave an answer without thinking, which means you had prepared it in advance. You mentioned the media a few times, so that we would remember exactly that information. Your lips tightened, you also rubbed your neck with your hand, which I'm sure Mr. Supanai himself didn't notice, the change in your posture and confused breathing suggest that you're lying," I proudly displayed my knowledge of kinesics and physiognomy.

"Hahahaha, kid, throwing accusations like that, you definitely won't live long," the man laughed.

"You just rubbed your temples. Twice. And your neck retracted, which tells me you're very nervous. You also stood up and threatened me with your finger, trying to show your superiority. You're definitely lying," I continued to emphasize his behavior.

"Vago, I've seen it all too, damn, kid, you're a genius, teach me," the girl exclaimed.

"Tong, I think we should meet tomorrow and discuss everything. Boonmi went through stress today and it's better not to fight unnecessarily. I'll give you a call. You better go," the bear said looking at his brother point-blank.

"What color are bears' eyes?" - I suddenly asked Tana, even to myself.

"What?" - Vago interjected, thinking he'd misheard.

"Nothing, we're just talking about our own, feminine stuff," I immediately blurted out.

Damn, I wish I'd kept quiet...

"Vago, so you're kicking me out because some brat told you about gestures?" - the man started yelling.

"Do I have to say it again?" - this was the point where even Rattana was scared.

There was a loud slam of the door, taking the selective matting behind it, and silence hung in the room.

Vago sat back in his chair, leaning his arm on the armrest and propping his face up with his hand so that he was propping his temple with his index finger and rubbing his lip with his middle finger.

"Very sexy," my mind raced.

He looked me and Tana over carefully. Finally, he spoke.

"Vian," he called to the bodyguard.

"Yes," he answered immediately.

"What's up with Trey? Is Raon with him?" - He asked.

"Yeah. Surgery ended well, bullets were in the soft tissue, lots of blood loss. Anyway, got him out pretty much dry quickly, they're doing blood and plasma infusions now. There is no news about the customer yet, we are looking for him. The executors got the order over the Internet."

"So what do we have... the entire internet is trumpeting that I was unfaithful to my fiancée, flirting with a subordinate of Sansiri's company. Everyone in the country thinks the heir is injured and my brother is cheating me out of something. The child has suddenly turned out to be useful and brave. And I have absolutely no idea what to do about it all now. Tana?" - He turned to his fiancée.

"Boonmi will do an interview tomorrow, explain everything. Well, you'll speak, too. There's no way to take the photo, the internet doesn't forgive mistakes. I take it the guard is staying at the house?"

"Where he's going now, and Raon won't give him up," the bear confirmed the assumption.

"Then the question is, where will Boonmi sleep? Certainly not with me, the guest room is occupied. The boys have two of each as it is. Vago, you've got a bed like a flying carpet, take the kid to your place."

"I can go home," I said indignantly.

"My brother's gone, he knows you're unguarded, where will you go? The men Chakan gave you are looking for the attackers now. There's no one else to trust."

"M-huh, while we clear up this mess, we'll miss the tender as we go," the girl sighed.

"Don't worry, you take care of your business. I'll take care of the rest. It's no business for a girl to play shooters, your toys are cubes, we agreed," Vago said fondly.

Watching them, I tried to systematize the information I received. Warm and gentle communication without shyness. Bride and groom, but he calls her his deputy. Sleeping in separate rooms. It's very strange. And the news, the articles and the whole situation...

"Or maybe it's the attack and the fact that Trey was mistaken for me because he was digging up information on his father's death himself?", I remembered the original purpose of leaving the event together.