Changing the Air
... ... ... ...
That night, Kangsadan sensed that her husband—in-name-only—was troubled by something he could not quite say.
"I need to ask you to sleep in the small room… tonight," he said, studying her face as if weighing his own thoughts.
"All right," she smiled softly. "I was about to ask you the same."
"I'm exhausted. I was up all night yesterday."
"Oh? I thought that was just this morning."
"Don't think I'm asking something silly," she added lightly. "If you want a mistress… You don't have to tell me."
"No," he replied at once, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I don't want to lose money for free before the contract ends."
"Are you joking, or serious?" She felt that sometimes he deliberately held something back.
"Or do you want me to date Daisy?"
"Bold choice," she replied, calm on the surface. The kind of woman who makes others uneasy
"Go ahead. For relaxation. So, you won't be fixated on just one person." Even as she said it, her heart sank—afraid he might actually take her words seriously.
"Then tomorrow, I'll go to the gym alone."
Kangsadan stopped at the door of the small room. She turned back and caught his gaze, still fixed on her. She lifted her hand and waved goodbye playfully. He looked away, faintly embarrassed.
… … … …
The next morning was Saturday. He didn't go to work. Kangsadan slept in, rolling lazily on the bed until she suddenly remembered—it was Rin's wedding day. She sprang up at once, rushed to the bathroom, and hurried downstairs to the dining room, where Grandma was already there.
"I thought I'd have to send Jaem up to wake you," the old woman teased.
"Your husband left early," she said.
"He said to me to tell you he went to the gym." Gramma told her Vishpan's messages.
"Oh? I'm going to Rin's wedding today."
"Yes, let's go together," she suggested.
"How will we get there?"
"By taxi," Kangsadan said, already calling one online.
The luncheon followed the church ceremony. Grandma and her granddaughter, Kangsadan, attended Rin's wedding in high spirits. Kangsadan felt oddly lighthearted—free, for once, from Vishpan, her husband in name, who probably wanted some distance as well.
"Rin, your foreign husband looks quite impressive," she smiled at the groom.
"Hey, don't look at him like that—I'm jealous," Rin teased. "Oli's easily swayed." The groom, who understood a bit of Thai, looked confused.
"And where's your man?" this relative asked Kangsadan.
"He probably wanted some personal time."
"What do you mean? That sounds strange," Rin frowned.
Kangsadan stepped outside—and froze. Grandma was sitting at a table with him.
"Oh—how did you get here?" she blurted out. "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you…"
"I figured you'd forget," Vishpan reproached her, both eyes and expression.
"How did you come…?" her voice softened.
"Oli's my friend."
"Why is the world so round only for you?" she muttered sarcastically, avoiding his eyes.
"Grandma told him," The old woman said calmly. "You must've forgotten to tell him."
Rin approached, surprised to see Kangsadan's 'hero' sitting with Grandma. Only then did she realize he was the groom's friend.
"I heard you're going to Sydney next week?" Rin greeted him.
"We're going on our honeymoon," the groom said cheerfully. "See you there."
"Yes. See you there, Oli," Vishpan replied easily, clearly close to him.
Kangsadan leaned in and whispered reproachfully, "See? They're going on honeymoon. You're still working. You really should find somewhere to unwind."
"Who said I am?" he murmured, careful that Grandma wouldn't hear. "I'm going to see a doctor."
"I see."
"This morning at the gym, Daisy said Aunt Rapi is going to contact Uncle Anupan there. She'll fly after them."
"Good," Kangsadan said without thinking, her words edged with irony. "You'll get some distance… change the atmosphere."
"Tonight," he whispered darkly near her ear, "we need to talk."
After dinner, he worked privately on his laptop—planning the coming week, scheduling online meetings. Kangsadan retreated to the small room, reading on her phone. It had become her private world—quiet, comfortable, happy.
Without having to talk too much, without having to deal with each other's personal matters,just having some space.
A soft knock sounded. "Are you asleep? May I come in and talk for a bit?" His voice was gentle.
"Please."
"I… on this trip, I'll find you a place to study. You'll stay there and take care of my father. He needs a kidney transplant. We'll be there for almost a year."
"Take care of yourself, too," she laughed lightly. "I'll be there for all 365 days!"
"At least, you'll have something to do. You won't have to ask me again."
"Don't forget—we have to video call every day."
"That serious? Afraid someone might flirt with me?"
"I'm not afraid," he said coolly. "I know you don't want me reclaiming the money—with interest."
"Hey, that's insulting. If I catch a rich boyfriend, I'll free you immediately."
"Why? Do you hate me?"
"No… You don't like women, do you?" she ventured, half-joking, half-serious.
"Who said that? You imagine too much."
"You always make me out to be a scammer, like I'm running a con or something."
"Sorry, Mr. Vice President," she said, rising to hug him.
"Better not come too close," she warned softly. "You won't get any sleep tonight."
"Oh? I thought you said you were tired?" he countered.
"I want some distance," she said—her own words making him bristle.
"Come to bed with me. We need to talk."
He pulled her hand, drawing her onto the bed, and began in a firm, serious tone.
"How did Aunt Rapi and Uncle Anupan find out about us?"
"How would I know? I don't even know them."
He frowned. She was unlikely to tell anyone. Aunt Uma was good at keeping secrets—she didn't want to upset his father.
"Your grandma…?" she guessed.
He nodded slowly. It made sense.
"You had the lawyer draft the contract, didn't you?" she recalled the company file from that day.
"I had our company lawyer do it," he said, already messaging him.
"Tomorrow we'll know how far this has spread."
"I don't like associating with people who thrive on gossip."
"Just call it gossip," she corrected gently. His face was tense, unsettled.
"Forget it. Why care?"
"I do care," he snapped. "Daisy will end up being my mistress. Do you like that?"
"Why not? Everyone in this house has one. What's strange about it?" she laughed softly.
"I don't like that kind of thing. I want to change the culture," he said seriously.
"When the contract ends, I won't renew. You'll be free. No need to overthink."
"Or—if you're feeling generous—we break the contract. Tear it up. You can marry her for real. Grandma will be happy too, right?"
"Who taught you to think like this? I'm stressed."
"Didn't you see? The first day we met your grandma—what did she say? Why not date Ditsaya? She's more suitable than I, someone so shabby."
Kangsadan had seen it clearly—Grandma Srinuan had looked down on her from the very beginning.
"If you really want an answer, it's simple. We act. Keep our distance. I'll make space for Ditsaya to enter your life. Try dating her—so when the contract ends, you'll have a backup woman." She said it calmly, yet her heart trembled at the thought of it becoming real.
"Huh! I thought you'd be jealous."
"Oh, I have no right," she said lightly. "We're married in name only. Don't forget."
"Yes… I wish I could forget," he smiled dryly.
"Get some sleep. I'll go back to my room. Good night."
"Wait," he said softly. "Let me kiss your cheek. I can smell your powder—it gives me feelings instantly."
Before she could rise, he wrapped his arms around her. His lips pressed down on hers without warning. The sweetness was there—warm, intoxicating—yet laced with a faint bitterness that seeped into her breath.
"Don't cross the line too often," she whispered against his mouth. "When the contract ends… will you be able to forget?"
"Bell," he murmured, voice low, "will you be able to forget?"
"I don't know," she replied faintly. "Excuse me."
Her voice sounded hollow as she pulled away and left him behind.