Guilty as Gorgeous | Chapter 27
"Wes's advertising manager called Fon in for a casting the moment I went to return that check. They finished filming a week ago; it'll be on air any day now." The Queer Manager spoke, then shot a pointed look as she saw a radiant smile spread across Phutphitchaya's face, bright as a sun-drenched field of flowers.
"I'm not exactly thrilled, mind you. It's good we didn't lose the fine, but I missed out on my commission because someone turned down a massive gig."
"Fon deserved that job more than I did."
"Is that why? You just handed the job over to Namfon?"
"I had nothing to do with it." Phutphitchaya tilted her head, fanning herself with her script, playing the part of the clueless observer perfectly.
"Hmph. I might believe that if I hadn't known you for six years. Are you still going to be stubborn and claim the man isn't serious about you?"
"You're delusional as usual. But don't you dare go filling Namfon's head with this and making her misunderstand me again."
"Fine, fine. My Lady Villainess, the one who does good deeds in total secrecy. By the way, have you heard the news? Wes is coming back today."
"I'm not his personal secretary. How would I know?"
"He didn't call to report in? Given how many 'tributes' he's sent your way?"
The young woman shook her head, staring intently at Wikrant. "I should be the one asking how you know."
"Well, in my line of work, connections are everything. One must befriend everyone to stay in the loop. But I have to run; I've got a date with a young thing."
If she hadn't been in her current mood, Phutphitchaya would have teased her about the 'young thing.' "Fine. See you at the shop tomorrow morning." She referred to the boutique they co-owned.
Once Wikrant left, Phutphitchaya pulled her amber-tinted sunglasses down. She tried to focus on her script, though her mind was far from settled.
Since the day his friend delivered those flowers to the catwalk, Panthakant had vanished into thin air. Yet, he remained busy making trouble for her every day by sending gifts to whichever location she happened to be at, as if he knew her schedule by heart.
When she pressed her Queer Manager, Wikrant stubbornly insisted she knew nothing, maintaining a perfectly innocent facade.
The gifts ranged from flowers to enough snacks to feed the entire crew—which she had to distribute or take home, as returning them would be wasteful. There were entire season collections from international fashion houses and dazzlingly expensive jewelry, all of which Phutphitchaya returned. Every day, she felt a jolt of anxiety whenever a stranger or a delivery man approached, fearing another 'surprise.'
Crucially, everyone on set knew. The whispers were everywhere: 'Nisakorn's man' was making a move on her.
At the recent opening day of filming, her rival's gaze had been murderous whenever she thought no one was looking. It was suffocating. In the past, even when men had meddled between them, the leading lady had never shown such overt hostility; she had never lost her composure like this.
Yet, there had been no chance for a direct confrontation since the fashion show a week ago.
"Is this seat taken?"
The question nearby made Phutphitchaya look up. She smiled broadly at the newcomer. "Namfon. Sit down. How have you been?"
"Fine. I just booked a condo and put a down payment on a new car. The car is here, but the condo needs some interior work before I can move in."
"Wan Hom told me you've been getting more work. I'm happy for you."
Wansachon stole a glance at her former best friend before looking away toward the filming area. "Mhm..."
"Do you have plans this evening? Want to stop by the house for dinner with me?"
"I'd rather not. I don't want your sisters looking at me strangely."
"You're overthinking it. Both Pae and Mai have been asking about you. It's been almost two years since you visited."
"For nearly two years, I've cut contact with almost every friend and relative I have. Not just you."
Phutphitchaya fell silent, unsure how to respond, until Wansachon stood up.
"The director is calling."
"Can we go back to how we were?" the actress asked quickly.
"Some things, once passed, are hard to restore. But I'd be very grateful if you'd stop looking at me with pity and just treat me like a normal human being for once." She finished with a sharp, angry tone and turned away, walking off.
Phutphitchaya sat still for a moment, but a small smile of hope began to form. And because she was watching Wansachon walk away, she accidentally caught sight of a 'visitor' entering the set.
The production had rented a large house for both interior and exterior filming. Dozens of crew members and actors scurried about, as they needed to film several scenes through to the finale.
Filming wasn't done in chronological order. Some actors had limited availability, and Anima wanted to save on location costs, so multiple scenes were swapped and finished rapidly. Today, the producer and crew had summoned several actors who weren't in the current scene to rehearse and clarify the script. Consequently, close fans, photographers, brand reps, agencies, and social media spies were all present to capture photos and wait for interviews.
Naturally, Manika's people were among them. But Phutphitchaya hadn't expected Methas to actually show up himself.
Every time she saw this man, her skin crawled with disgust. She thanked whatever higher power had allowed her to escape the clutches of this demon in human form. He was currently looking for someone. Phutphitchaya raised her script to hide her face, pretending to be absorbed in her work so as not to see him. Her sunglasses helped, but they couldn't block the revulsion she felt when Methas looked her way.
His gaze lingered on her like a venomous snake, almost unbearable, before he found his target and signaled to Nisakorn—unnoticed by anyone else—and retreated to wait near the back garden.
Once the leading lady finished her scene, she walked off set, casually greeting her fans before excusing herself, claiming she needed the restroom.
Her slender figure passed through the back door into the garden, her emotions having built up to a breaking point over the past week. Nothing helped her relax because Methas had refused to deliver the 'goods,' claiming he needed to see her first.
The realization that he was a dealer, not just a user, made her skin crawl enough to want to cut ties completely. But the tension at home grew worse by the day; she was in a constant state of war with her older brothers, who berated her upon learning she was still seeing Methas.
The actress sneered at the thought.
Did they think she didn't know both brothers had financial problems? They were only picking fights because they knew their mother was helping her.
Baramee had squandered his money on a mistress until his wife found out, and his teenage son caused endless trouble. As for Buraphon, while not a womanizer like his brother, his wife was stingy and selfish, making him paranoid toward his own family.
Every child of Bancha received a regular salary from the family business and their work. Any special expenditure beyond that had to go through Khaekhai and Banphot, the lawyer, who was as straight as a ruler.
If a large sum of money was spent, Bancha would know immediately.
Khaekhai remained silent, but Nisakorn knew her mother was deeply distressed. Sasithorn had never been one for conflict; she was the only one in the house who didn't cause trouble or fight with anyone—infuriatingly so.
As for her, she felt like a stray dog that no one wanted. Especially her father.