The morning sun in Phuket had that golden warmth that made even laundry hanging from a balcony look cinematic. Ranee looked like she'd stepped out of a resort brochure fresh, glowing, and perfectly put-together for her first official day at De Haven.
Hair tied in a soft bun, light makeup with a hint of peach on her cheeks, and her go-to white blouse tucked into neat beige trousers. Classic. Clean. Hire-me-again kind of look.
Nia, of course, looked just as radiant beside her. "You know we're just going to stand behind a desk, right? Not join a beauty pageant," she teased as they both fed a meowing Thao, who circled their legs like a hungry orange tornado.
"He deserves breakfast more than me," Ranee said, dropping a scoop of wet food into Thao's bowl. "I'm nervous. He's not."
"Because he doesn't have to face Aunty Tida," Nia said, smirking. "You, on the other hand…"
"She's not on shift till tonight, remember?"
"Thank God."
With giggles and nervous excitement, they put on their helmets and hopped onto Ranee's pink scooter a ridiculously cute, well-maintained thing that practically sparkled under the morning sun. Ranee drove; Nia clung on behind her, still fixing her lip gloss in the rear-view mirror.
The road to De Haven was familiar but suddenly felt new. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, tuk-tuks honked in the distance, and the scent of coconut oil lingered in the air.
Once they arrived, Ranee parked neatly and took a deep breath.
"You got this," Nia said, squeezing her hand. "Now go make a first impression that doesn't involve tripping over your own feet."
Inside the grand lobby, the shift had already begun. Staff moved smoothly through routines like a well-rehearsed orchestra: soft smiles, pressed uniforms, practiced greetings.
Ruby the morning manager spotted them first. Her heels clicked sharply on the marble floor as she approached, dark hair pulled back so tightly it could cut glass. She wasn't exactly warm.
"Raneethida," she said crisply. "New receptionist. Come. Introductions."
No "good morning," no smile just straight to business. Classic Ruby.
Ranee followed obediently, trying not to fidget.
"This is Joe," Ruby gestured toward a housekeeping staff member folding towels nearby.
Joe turned, hands on hips, eyes sparkling. "Oh, hello, sweetheart," he beamed. "I love your blush! Is it the coral one from that local brand with the tacky ads?"
"Uh… yes?" Ranee blinked.
"You're going to fit right in," Joe winked, then leaned in to whisper dramatically, "Don't tell Ruby I said this, but her heels are from last season."
Ruby glared, but didn't argue.
Next was Rambo, the morning security guy. Tall, built like a tank, but with a smile that could melt steel.
"Good morning! Don't worry about anything, okay? Everything's gonna be amazing!" he said, flashing a double thumbs-up.
Ranee chuckled. "Thank you. I hope so."
Ruby led her through a few more introductions bellboys, spa staff, even the café barista who nodded with a sleepy grin. Aunty Tida was mentioned, of course, but wouldn't appear until the night shift.
As for the big boss?
Nowhere to be seen.
Ethan Alexander didn't have a schedule. He came when he pleased sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes not at all. He was like a tropical storm: unpredictable, powerful, and usually left things slightly disheveled after he passed through.
After the whirlwind of introductions, Ranee finally settled behind the front desk, heart still racing but lipstick still perfect. Nia was right next to her, sliding into work mode like she'd been born behind a check-in counter.
"Okay, let's get you in the flow," Nia said, clicking through screens with the speed of a seasoned receptionist-slash-office ninja. "Check-ins, check-outs, guest requests, room transfers, VIP alerts... and yes, that room."
"That room?" Ranee echoed, scanning the layout on the monitor.
Nia leaned closer and whispered dramatically, "The VIP suite."
Ranee blinked. "The one that's blocked off today?"
"Mhm," Nia nodded. "Always is when he uses it."
"He who?"
Nia smirked. "You'll see."
Before Ranee could ask more, Joe peeked into the front from the pantry like a nosy cat sniffing drama.
"Did someone say VIP suite?" he sang, already holding a mug of something suspiciously colorful.
"Joe," Nia sighed. "Go mop something."
Joe ignored her completely and leaned on the counter, looking absolutely thrilled. "Guess whose room I cleaned this morning?"
Ranee raised an eyebrow.
"VIP suite," Joe stage-whispered. "Still smells like French perfume and last night's sin."
"Joe!" Nia scolded, though she was clearly trying not to laugh.
He waved a hand. "Oh please, it's practically public knowledge. Every time the Big Boss comes to town, there's always some sexy tourist magically upgraded to 'room with benefits' status."
Ranee glanced at the screen again. "Wait... the woman's still there?"
Joe grinned like a child who'd just found a secret stash of candy. "Still there. Still in bed. Still enjoying a breakfast set that costs more than my week's salary."
"Did she even check out?" Ranee asked.
"She doesn't check out, darling. She gets gently dismissed once she's... digested."
Ranee nearly choked on her own gasp, but Nia stepped in before Joe could get even more scandalous.
"Alright, gossip break over, Joe. Go before Ruby sees you slacking."
"Fine, fine," he said, sipping his drink. "But don't act surprised if the suite needs deep cleaning later."
Joe strutted off, leaving behind a scent of citrus spray and chaotic energy.
Ranee turned to Nia with wide eyes. "Is that... normal?"
"This is De Haven, babe," Nia said, typing casually. "Nothing's normal."
And as the morning went on, one thing became clear:Behind the luxury, the marble floors, and the spa music playing in the background, there were stories brewing in every hallway.
The front desk was buzzing.
Guests were checking in, checking out, asking for taxis, towels, tour guides, and strangely a specific brand of coconut water that no one could find. Ranee and Nia barely had a second to breathe, but they moved like a duo in perfect sync smiles ready, fingers flying across the keyboard, and heels clicking with purpose.
Suddenly, the glass entrance doors slid open with a soft whoosh and in walked a man who looked like he didn't belong in real life.
Tall. Blond. white in all the right places.His white linen shirt hugged his chest just enough, his walk was relaxed but confident, and his cologne it arrived ten seconds before he did.
Rambo, the cheerful security guard, straightened up and gave a small salute. "Morning, boss."
Ethan Alexander nodded, adjusting his sunglasses as he scanned the lobby like a man who owned it which, technically, he kind of did.
"VIP suite," Ethan said, not bothering with a full sentence. "She gone yet?"
Rambo smiled awkwardly. "Still there, sir. Enjoying the croissants, I heard."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Of course."
He had no interest in morning-after small talk with last night's company, especially when her perfume still clung to his thoughts like syrup. So instead of heading to the elevator, he made a sharp turn and strolled casually toward the café and resto connected to the lobby cool, composed, with just enough mystery to make heads turn.
He ordered a double espresso and the signature De Haven breakfast salmon, eggs, artisan toast, the works, and took a seat near the glass wall, where the morning sun spilled across the floor.
And that's when he saw her.
Not the waitress. Not another influencer guest.Her.
She was behind the front desk, laughing softly with the other girl dark eyes, graceful hands, a calm presence in the chaos. She looked new.Unfamiliar.Unbothered.
And something about that stopped Ethan cold.
He tilted his head slightly, watching her in a way he hadn't watched anyone in a long time. Not with hunger. Not with calculation.
But with curiosity. And something dangerously close to peace.
Who was she?
He didn't know.But instead of strutting over with his usual smirk and a line he'd used a hundred times, Ethan just stayed.
He sipped his coffee, watched her from a quiet corner, and let the world move around him.
For the first time in a while, he didn't want to chase.
He just wanted to look.
The chaos of the morning had mellowed into a lull. Guests were now lounging in the lobby chairs, sipping welcome drinks, scrolling their phones, or wandering around in beachwear pretending they weren't lost.
At the front desk, things had slowed just enough for Ranee to breathe and that's when she felt it.
A presence.
She didn't look up right away, but something in her gut told her eyes were on her. Sharp, focused. The kind that made your spine straighten and your heartbeat skip.
She glanced around casually.
And there he was. Sitting near the café window, coffee cup in hand, sunglasses pushed up to his hair, just watching. Not in a creepy way. More like he was reading her.
Ranee blinked and looked back at her screen, unsure whether to feel flattered or suspicious.
And just then because the universe loves drama he stood up.
Ethan walked toward the front desk with a calm, confident pace. Casual to everyone else, but inside his heart was slamming against his ribs like a nightclub speaker.
He didn't want to feel nervous. He was the CEO, for God's sake. This was his resort.
So, he switched to boss mode.
From the other side of the lobby, Ruby emerged like a scene from a well-timed soap opera. Normally as warm as a tax audit, she suddenly smiled politely when she noticed Ethan approaching.
"Good morning, sir," she said with a surprising softness.
Ethan gave her a short nod. "Morning."
Ruby turned to Ranee, who was still trying to act normal.
"Mr. Alexander, this is Raneethida our newest receptionist. Today's her first day."
Ranee looked up. Up. And up.Holy crap, he was tall. And better-looking than anyone had warned her.
She stood a little straighter. "Nice to meet you, sir."
Ethan cleared his throat, putting on his CEO voice a little deeper, a little colder than usual.
"Welcome to De Haven" he said, keeping his face unreadable. "We expect professionalism, punctuality, and discretion from all our staff. Especially at the front desk."
Ranee nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. Understood."
"Good," Ethan said. He didn't blink. "Make sure that's reflected in your work."
Nia, standing beside her, was frozen like a statue.
Ruby smiled again, clearly satisfied. "She's adjusting well. Very promising."
"Let's hope so," Ethan replied, then gave one last nod and walked off, just as calmly as he came.
Once he was gone, Nia exhaled like she'd been underwater.
"He's the CEO," she whispered. "Was he... intense, or was that just me?"
Ranee tried to keep her expression blank. "I mean... he's the CEO. He should be intense, right?"
Ethan was already halfway down the hallway, wondering what kind of spell this girl had just cast on him with nothing but a glance.
***
By midday, the lobby was alive again tourists with colorful hats and confusing accents wandered in and out, dragging suitcases and snapping selfies with De Haven's gold-trimmed welcome sign.
At the front desk, Ranee and Nia were in full swing.
"Check-out for Room 315?""Welcome, Mr. Zhang, your suite is ready.""Yes ma'am, we do offer floating breakfast. No ma'am, not in the fountain."
It was one of those half-chaotic, half-comical afternoons, where time passed quickly but brains slowly melted under the AC vents.
But somewhere on the upper floor, someone was… not busy.
Ethan sat in his office, pretending to review invoices and weekly reports while casually sipping a second espresso he didn't need.
His eyes kept drifting.
To the screen in front of him.To the staff database.To her.
Raneethida.
He clicked her profile again, like he hadn't already opened it twice.
Age: 27Marital status: SinglePosition: Front Office ReceptionistStart Date: Today
"Twenty-seven?" he mumbled under his breath. "She looks… twenty at most."
He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "Not married yet. Huh."
He wasn't judging. Just… surprised. Rare, these days. Especially around here. Most women that age already had a husband, a baby, or at least a tattoo of someone they regret.
But RaneeShe seemed… untouched. Like she'd been living in a quieter world before walking into his.
Bingo, he thought, still staring.
And then without fully thinking he copied her phone number from the database and saved it into his phone.
He didn't text.Didn't call.Didn't even label it under her real name.
Just:"Reception Girl - R"
Then he locked his phone and tossed it face-down on the desk, annoyed at himself for caring that much.
He had work to do. A business to run. A reputation to maintain.Flirting with the new receptionist was not on the agenda.
But her eyes…Her smile…
No.He shook his head.
He wouldn't cross that line.