Chak was looking at the drawing like it was an invaluable treasure. In his eyes, I could see how he carefully examined every line and detail, as if each stroke held a deeper meaning.
"What should I make for dinner?" I quietly asked him.
He lifted his gaze, coldly stared at me, and replied, "You don't need to cook anything. There's enough left from lunch. Heat it up when you're hungry." He turned and walked out of the room.
I was left alone, my mind circling around his words. Why does he always act so cold? What is it about me that makes him keep his distance?
After a while, I decided to go to the kitchen. I left the art room and headed straight for the kitchen to warm up some food. I sat down at the counter, grabbed my phone, and called Taeng, setting it on speakerphone.
"How's the housekeeper?" Taeng asked when he answered.
"Come on, stop it," I replied, smiling even though I knew he was just teasing.
"How's it going with Chak? Has the Ice Man started to melt?"
"He's still the Ice Man," I answered. "But he's starting to melt, slowly." I smiled, recalling the moment when he had looked at the drawing and held onto it.
"I drew something today," I said to Taeng.
"So, what did you draw?" Taeng asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Guess twice," I said, playfully.
"You didn't draw Chak, did you?" Taeng asked, almost as if he already knew.
"You know me too well," I responded.
"And what did he say when you showed it to him?" Taeng asked, sounding genuinely interested.
"He didn't say anything. He just looked at the picture and asked if he could keep it," I told him.
"Hmm, interesting," Taeng said.
"But today, Chai—Chak's brother—came by and said that no one who works for Chak has ever been allowed into his house. That I'm the only one he's ever let in. That must mean something." I said to Taeng.
"Interesting," Taeng added, his voice thoughtful. "Maybe he just likes having you around."
"I highly doubt that," I replied.
"Maybe he's found someone he can trust in you," Taeng said.
Maybe, I thought.
Before I could respond, I heard a soft cough. I spin around, startled, and saw Chak standing in the kitchen doorway. His eyes were cold, emotionless, like a frozen glacier. He stood there, arms crossed, staring at me as if he wanted to erase everything between us, to pretend I didn't exist.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. His icy gaze didn't change.
Without a word, he walked closer, his movements slow and deliberate. He reached out, and with one swift motion, turned off my phone, ending the call with Taeng. The screen went dark, and the quiet hum of the kitchen filled the space, amplifying the sudden stillness between us.
His cold eyes were still fixed on me, unyielding, as if nothing could reach him. In an emotionless tone, he said, "Remember the contract."
Without another word, he turned and walked away. His footsteps echoed in the empty kitchen as he left.