chpt 9
Business took Chakrit away for a few days and he took this time to mull over Sister Miriam's advice. Maybe, he should try romancing his wife. This new Anne was practically a stranger and the thought of the challenge she presented excited him.
Beset with toys and sweets, along with a truck following behind with new books, clothes, equipment etc., Chakrit arrived at the orphanage. After a short exchange with Sister Miriam where thanks were exchanged, he set off with his new troupe of ardent admirers to find his conquest.
"So what kind of teacher is Mrs. Yagharat?", Chakrit smiled at the group of children tagging after him.
"Mrs Yagharat? oh...Ms. Itawat...she's wonderful!...", a child piped up but Chakrit wasn't listening. Ms. Itawat, huh? Its seems that you've forgetten that you're married, darling. Good thing I'm here to remind you, Chakrit thought ominously as he felt a familiar rage build.
But alas he didn't even finish counting to ten when he found his recalcitrant wife ...wrapped in the arms of some strange man. He didn't notice the Twister game board underneath their feet or the group of children cheering around them. All he saw was Anne's smiling face sparkling flirtatiously up at the stranger and the stranger's arms tightened around her waist.
It was an action scene that would have done the most hardcore Hollywood stuntman proud. Chakrit moved lightening fast to whip the stranger's hands off and twisted him around. Then Chakrit slugged his square in the face so that when the stranger fell to the ground, Chakrit's foot was positioned squarely on his carotid.
"OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD", Anne shouted. "What are you doing?". She tried to pull Chakrit off but it was like moving a stone. Her incessant pushing finally gained Chakrit's attention. He drew her wrists in an iron grip.
"Who the hell is he? Why the hell was he groping you?", Chakrit demanded roughly.
"He's a co-worker, a teacher...we were just showing the kids a game...I tripped, he caught me...I swear. Please let him go, please.", Anne pleaded.
Her words barely penetrated Chakrit's red fog of rage. But he saw the children's horrified faces and Anne's tears, so he removed his foot. But he didn't relinquish his hold on Anne's hands as he dragged her into the car.
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Anne looked at the familiar riverbank and shoke her head. What? Is this our meeting spot now?, she thought angrily.
"What the hell were you doing back there?", she demanded angrily. Shock was now being rapidly replaced with anger. Anne had never thought calm cool Chakrit of the starched prada suits and demure business meetings could be so...violent, so haphazard.
Chakrit regarded her coolly before he took long strides over and caught her in an embrace.
"What the hell..?", Anne sputtered.
"I might have overreacted. I just saw some man with his arms around you. I thought...i thought you might be involved so I just reacted. I'll make it up to him and the kids...anything they want...a whole damn new building if that's what is needed", he murmured into the top of her head. He finally felt at peace with her in his arms. This was were she belonged, with him.
"What if we are involved?", Anne questioned coolly. He was as arrogant and spoiled as ever! He came in and wrecked havoc, almost killing Tom and scarring the children. He didn't ask any questions, dragged her like she was some toy, an object that belonged to him. Fuck him, I don't belong to him or anyone else. I belong to myself and I deserve respect, Anne thought furiosuly.
Chakrit loosened his hold to look into her eyes. "What?", he muttered.
"Khun Tom and I are not currently involved but that might change when the divorce comes through. He is a great guy", Anne replied unruffled.
"The divorce will not be coming through and I don't care if this guy is Mother Teresa", Chakrit interrupted with a cold edge to his voice, "you belong to me. Me!"
"I belong to noone especially not you! Stop trying to win me because of your damaged ego or need to play games. I want to be happy! I want to meet a nice guy like Tom, date a while, fall in love, marry in a little church on the hill, have a little girl and a boy, buy a house on the seashore to retire. Leave me alone, please!", Anne seethed.
"We can do those things! I'll buy you an island if you want, build as many houses as you want! Two children, we can have 10!", Chakrit shouted.
"I don't want to do those things with you!", she screamed, "you're not sincere. just a spoiled brat with too much money and not enough heart. What will it take for you to leave me alone?"
Chakrit's mind and heart raced together. How could he win her? "One night", he whispered.
"What?", Anne asked.
"Spend one night with me. After that, if you still want, the divorce will go through", he promised.