In the morning, Ton ran into the room and shouted, "Good morning!"
He jumped onto the bed and gave both Chak and me a big hug.
We both yawned almost at the same time. I looked at Chak and smiled gently. He softly stroked my head and kissed my forehead. Meanwhile, Ton was rolling around on the bed, shouting, "I'm hungry! So hungry!"
"Go get changed, I'll come help you," I told him.
After Ton left the room, Chak pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear, "Good morning, my artist. Did you sleep well?"
"I did," I nodded, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
From the hallway, we heard Ton's voice: "Where are you, Uncle Chak?"
"I'm coming!" Chak called out as he left the room.
I headed to my room to get dressed, then walked into the kitchen. Ton was sitting on the counter while Chak laid out fruit.
"We're having smoothies for breakfast," he said.
While we prepared everything, we laughed and joked.
After breakfast, Ton suddenly exclaimed, "Let's go swimming in the pool!" and ran toward the stairs.
"Come on," Chak said, taking my hand.
We changed into our swimsuits and helped Ton with his floaties.
"Who's jumping in first?" Ton shouted and leapt into the water.
Chak followed him. As he turned, I saw the eagle tattoo on his back the very one he had asked me to draw for him on canvas. My heart fluttered.
I quietly slipped into the water and swam toward him. I gently traced the lines of the eagle with my fingers. Through the water, he found my hand and gave it a soft squeeze.
He leaned close and whispered, "Tonight, you can take a closer look... or draw it again."
Ton suddenly splashed us. "Enough talking! Let's play pirates!"
We all laughed and played together until Ton fell asleep on a lounger. Chak carefully carried him to the couch inside and covered him with a blanket.
I followed. We sat beside him and watched him sleep in silence. I rested my head on Chak's shoulder and closed my eyes. His hand ran slowly through my hair.
About twenty minutes later, Chak quietly said,
"Go make lunch—something you're best at. I'm heading to the office. Come get me when it's ready."
I got up and went to the kitchen. I already knew what to make—something quick and familiar: Pad Thai.
Once it was cooked and the table was set, I quietly knocked on the office door. When I walked in, I found Chak deeply focused on some documents.
"Lunch is ready," I said softly.
"I'm coming," he replied and stood up.
As we ate, he suddenly asked,
"How long were you with your ex-boyfriend?"
I looked at him, surprised. My heart skipped a beat.
"Two years," I said quietly, glancing away.
Chak fell silent for a moment after I answered. I could feel his eyes on me, studying my expression.
"Two years, huh?" he repeated, trying to sound casual but something in his voice felt off.
I looked up. His lips were pressed in a thin line. Was that... jealousy?
"You okay?" I asked gently.
"I'm fine," he replied quickly and forced a small smile.
"Just didn't expect it to be that long."
Before I could say anything more, we heard quiet footsteps. Ton rubbed his eyes sleepily as he entered the room.
"Hungry," he mumbled, climbing into a chair.
Chak stood up and ruffled his hair.
"Good timing. Lunch is ready."
After we all ate, Ton dragged me to the living room.
"Come play with me!"
I smiled and followed him. We built towers from pillows and pretended the couch was a pirate ship. Ton laughed loudly, full of energy again.
But then, as he jumped up to grab a toy from the shelf, his elbow hit something—a small sculpture on the nearby cabinet. It wobbled once, twice… and then crashed to the floor with a loud shatter.
My heart stopped.
I stared in horror at the broken pieces. The base was engraved with a gold plaque: "Best CEO of the year." Oh no. That was Chak's prize.
"Ton…" I whispered, trying to stay calm, even though my pulse was racing.
From down the hall, the office door opened. Heavy footsteps approached.
Chak appeared in the doorway. He didn't speak at first just looked at the shattered award. His jaw clenched.
Ton froze, then slowly turned to face him.
"I didn't mean to…"
Chak didn't raise his voice. His tone was cold and controlled.
"Ton. Go to your room. Now."
"But"
"Now."
Ton nodded silently, lowered his head, and left the room.
Then Chak turned to me. His eyes locked onto mine.
"You know what this means, don't you?"
I swallowed hard. My mind flashed back to the contract I had signed when I first moved in.
Part B agrees to replace anything they break or damage.
"I… I'll fix it," I said quickly, kneeling to pick up the pieces, my fingers trembling.
"No," Chak said sharply. "Don't touch it."
I froze.
"You know I don't tolerate carelessness," he continued, his voice like ice.
"You'll be punished accordingly."
My heart pounded. How much would this cost? I didn't have that kind of money. I looked up at him, panic beginning to creep in.
He didn't blink.
"You'll be punished tonight for your carelessness"
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the room with the broken pieces and a heavy knot in my chest.
I stayed in the living room long after Chak had left, staring at the broken shards, still shaken. I wanted to fix it, to explain, to say something. But I knew that icy tone in Chak's voice when he switched it on, it meant there was no room for discussion.
Later that evening, the smell of food drifted through the house. Ton came into the kitchen, clearly having already forgotten the earlier incident. His cheeks were glowing, and his stomach growled as he climbed onto his usual chair.
I hesitated at the doorway, unsure if I was even welcome. Chak was already setting the table.
In front of Ton: a plate full of warm rice, crispy chicken, and grilled vegetables. A small bowl of soup on the side. His favorite.
In front of me: few grilled vegetables and little bowl of soup.
I looked up at Chak.
"Can we talk?" I asked quietly, stepping closer. "It was an accident, Chak. I..."
But he cut me off without looking at me.
"You'll eat what you've been given. And we'll talk when I say we talk."
My throat tightened. I sat down silently and started eating.
Ton, meanwhile, was already halfway through his meal. "Mmm! This is so good, uncle Chak!"
Chak smiled at him. "Glad you like it."
After dinner, Ton leaned against my arm. "Can you tell me a bedtime story, Niran? Please?"
I glanced at Chak, who didn't react just kept clearing the table.
"Of course," I whispered.
Ton curled into his bed, his eyes already drooping. I sat beside him and began to spin a soft tale about a sleepy little tiger who had a secret garden in the sky. Halfway through, Ton's breaths slowed, and he fell asleep.
I gently pulled the blanket over him and walked out of the room, closing the door behind me.
Chak stood waiting in the hallway.
"The story was sweet," he said coldly. "Now… about your punishment."
My stomach turned.
"Chak, please listen to me ? I didn't mean for it to happen. I take responsibility, I'll pay for the sculpture, I'll...."
He held up a hand, silencing me.
"I'm not interested in excuses," he said flatly. "You signed the contract. You knew the consequences."
I clenched my fists. "Then tell me. What is my punishment?"
Chak stepped closer, his gaze locked on mine. "You'll find out soon"
Then he turned on his heel and disappeared into his room, leaving me standing alone in the hallway tense, confused, and more afraid than I wanted to admit.