The sun was barely peeking over the skyline of Bangkok when the grand Veerayut mansion lit up with the early hustle of the household staff. The sprawling home, with its polished wooden floors and sprawling garden view, buzzed with quiet activity as breakfast was being prepared. But inside one particular room on the third floor, a tall figure stirred awake with practiced precision.
Rithvik Veerayut sat up in his king-sized bed, his sleep tousled hair falling slightly over his eyes. The room was minimalistic and elegant—dark mahogany shelves lined with books, a few prized business awards, and a single photo frame of his younger self with his brothers. No pictures of love, no flowers. Just quiet solitude.
He slid off the bed, walked to the bathroom, and began his usual morning routine. He washed his face with cold water, letting the icy splash ground his senses. Then came brushing, shaving with clean, precise strokes, and a hot shower to melt away the tension that had somehow gathered in his shoulders overnight.
After dressing in a crisp grey shirt, tailored navy pants, and a luxury watch that matched his sleek demeanor, he stepped into his walk-in closet, selecting the perfect cologne. Subtle. Expensive. Like him.
Downstairs, the scent of freshly baked bread, jasmine tea, and spicy omelet filled the air. The Veerayut family always gathered for breakfast, and this morning was no exception.
At the long glass dining table sat Mr. Vichai Veerayut, the patriarch, in his reading glasses scanning a business report. Across from him was his graceful wife, Mrs. Sasiprapa Veerayut, arranging fruits on a platter with a peaceful smile. The two younger sons were already there—
Thanwa Veerayut, the middle child, in a half-buttoned shirt and pajama pants, yawning with no care in the world.
Pakorn Veerayut, the youngest, in an anime T-shirt, scrolling through his phone, his hair still pointing in all directions.
Then came Rithvik. As always, sharp and perfectly put together.
"Good morning," he greeted in his deep voice as he sat down.
"Good morning, son," said Vichai without looking up.
"Morning, Mama's favorite," Thanwa added, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh look, the CEO has graced us with his divine presence," Pakorn teased, dramatically bowing.
Rithvik rolled his eyes and poured himself some jasmine tea. "Try waking up before 9 a.m. sometime, and you might actually become useful humans."
"Ouch," Thanwa clutched his heart. "Wounded by my own brother. How will I ever recover?"
"Don't worry, hyung. I'll write a ballad about it," Pakorn said, swiping through his phone. "Title: Scolded Over Eggs and Toast."
Sasiprapa chuckled, placing more toast on the table. "Eat before the food gets cold. Pakorn, no phone at the table."
"Yes, Mama," Pakorn sighed, but didn't move.
As everyone settled into breakfast, the room was filled with casual clinks of forks and warm family chatter. But just as Vichai folded his report and cleared his throat to speak, Sasiprapa shot him a look. A very specific look.
Vichai hesitated, opened his mouth, then shut it again.
Rithvik glanced between his parents. "What?"
"Nothing," they said in unison, both waving their hands slightly.
Thanwa leaned toward Pakorn and whispered loudly, "He was about to bring up the M word again."
Pakorn gasped in mock horror. "Not marriage! Quick, someone change the topic!"
"Maybe we can distract him with a business merger instead," Thanwa added.
Rithvik exhaled heavily and narrowed his eyes at them. "You two have too much free time. Maybe I should assign you extra work at the office."
"Hyung, please, anything but actual responsibility!" Pakorn wailed dramatically.
Thanwa, grinning, nudged him. "Let's confess. We were only waiting for breakfast so we could hear about her."
Rithvik paused, mid-sip of tea. "Her?"
"You know… the girl you called last night?" Thanwa smirked.
"Twice," Pakorn added, counting on his fingers. "Once in the taxi, and again after she reached home."
Rithvik put down his cup slowly. "Were you two eavesdropping on my calls again?"
Thanwa held up his hands innocently. "We just happened to pass by your room and heard a female voice. You know how rare that is in your space. We were... concerned."
"Very concerned," Pakorn nodded with mock sincerity. "We thought maybe someone broke into your phone."
Sasiprapa looked amused. "Rithvik, who is the girl?"
"Just an intern," Rithvik replied curtly.
"A very special intern," Thanwa mumbled.
"With plant-related trauma powers," Pakorn added.
Rithvik shot them a glare so sharp it could've shattered glass.
"Okay! Okay! We're done!" Thanwa said quickly. "No more questions, right Pakorn?"
"None at all. Zero. Absolute silence," Pakorn nodded, but then turned to Rithvik with a sneaky grin. "But hyung, just a thought. If you're going to scold someone in front of the whole office, maybe don't call them cutely afterward like a teenage boy."
Rithvik picked up a piece of toast, looked at Pakorn… and threw it.
Pakorn ducked with a squeal. "Violence is not the answer, brother!"
Vichai sighed and folded his arms. "And they say I'm the one who needs to retire."
Sasiprapa shook her head with a fond smile. "At least they're all under one roof."
As laughter echoed around the table, Rithvik leaned back in his chair. His face was composed, but his eyes softened slightly. Somewhere deep inside, despite the teasing, despite the emotional walls… something was beginning to shift.
Even if he didn't admit it aloud, her smile had lingered in his thoughts far longer than he expected.
---
Scene 2: Operation Love Begins
As Rithvik adjusted the cuff of his sleeve and prepared to leave the dining area, he paused to collect his briefcase from the console table near the entrance. The calm confidence in his stride was typical of a man who had a full day's control ahead of him—until suddenly…
"Brother! Wait a minute!" came a loud call, simultaneously from two directions.
He turned, blinking slowly, finding both Thanwa and Pakorn rushing toward him like a scene from an overacted soap opera.
He narrowed his eyes. "What now? Did you two crash another car or need money for some nonsense again?"
Pakorn feigned offense while Thanwa placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "Brother! How can you say that?"
"Yeah," Pakorn nodded vigorously, "Don't underestimate the power of your younger brothers! We want to come to the office with you today."
Rithvik blinked. "What did you just say? Office? Did I hear it right or has my brain stopped functioning?"
Thanwa held up a hand like a monk swearing an oath. "We're serious. We want to learn… so that we can help you in the future, you know? Become responsible men."
Pakorn added, "Also, we can make the interns laugh. Morale is important, right?"
Rithvik gave them both a deadpan stare. "You're not fooling anyone. What's the real reason?"
Before either could answer, Vichai Veerayut emerged from behind his newspaper. "Take them."
Rithvik raised an eyebrow. "Dad, seriously?"
Vichai shrugged. "It's rare for them to say they want to attend office. Who knows? Maybe a miracle's happening."
Rithvik groaned but gave in. "Fine. Thirty minutes. If you're late, don't bother coming at all."
"Yessir!" both chorused, saluting him like soldiers and bolting upstairs.
---
Upstairs in the Brothers' Room
As they rummaged through their wardrobes, tossing shirts and holding up ties to each other's necks, Thanwa whispered, "Do you think it'll work?"
Pakorn fastened his belt with a smirk. "How would we know if we don't try? We need to find out who that intern is. What's so special about her that she got our robot brother to smile?"
Thanwa nodded, pulling his blazer off the hanger. "Exactly. If she can crack the code of our emotionless iceberg brother, then maybe… just maybe… she's The One."
Pakorn grinned, raising an imaginary microphone like a reporter. "Mission: Operation Love. Objective: Investigate the Intern."
They both burst into laughter before Thanwa quickly composed himself. "No seriously, Pakorn. We've seen how broken he's been since… you know. That girl."
Pakorn's smile dimmed a bit. "Yeah. He acts like nothing's wrong, but his eyes… he's lonely. If this girl can pull him out of that past, we'll owe her."
Just then, a loud voice echoed from downstairs.
"If you two aren't down in two minutes, I'm leaving you both behind!"
"Coming, bro!!" they shouted in unison, grabbing their bags and dashing out of the room, shoes barely tied, hair still being combed mid-run.
Pakorn called out while bounding down the stairs, "Operation Love: Phase One—Initiated!"
---
Cliffhanger:
As the car pulled into the Veerayut Enterprises tower, Rithvik stepped out with his usual stoic grace, buttoning his blazer, unaware of the two shadows trailing behind him with gleaming eyes full of mischief and mission.
Thanwa whispered to Pakorn, "Target in sight."
Pakorn smirked, "Let's observe and collect data. Operation Love is now in motion."
Just as they stepped into the elevator, the doors slid open on the 15th floor—and there she was.
Aarohi, walking toward them with files in hand, accidentally bumped into Rithvik. Papers scattered, eyes widened.
Before anyone could react, Rithvik instinctively caught her by the waist to steady her. Time slowed. Thanwa's jaw dropped. Pakorn almost dropped his phone trying to record.
And then… Aarohi looked up into Rithvik's eyes, stunned.
Rithvik blinked—once, twice—and for the first time, didn't look away.
The air felt heavier.
Thanwa whispered with wide eyes, "Did you see that? HE DIDN'T BLINK LIKE A ROBOT!"
Pakorn muttered, "This girl's dangerous…"
To be continued...