The Source

Part 28

Mela: Hey, I'm back! I didn't disappear just in case, but I wasn't a witness to the previous events of the story. I was only told what happened by Becky.  Now I will share my point of view. 

Remember I said at the beginning that I left the Philippines? Well, there were two reasons for it: one, I'd been fascinated by Thai culture for a while, so I moved to Bangkok to experience it firsthand and two, I was hired at a job I didn't even know existed other than what I had seen in movies or TV shows. You see I was hired months ago to become an undercover security guard at Lat Yao women's prison. Charlotte Austin hired me when she discovered her son's true plans for Ms. Freen. 

Mela Habijan? I stood up nervously. The boss is expecting you. Go upstairs, down the hall, second door to your right. I nodded. As I walked up the staircase, I wondered who had summoned me with such urgency. I hadn't been in Bangkok for more than two weeks and I got a weird-looking letter in my mailbox stating that my presence was needed at a specific address within two days. I observed the magnificent decoration that covered the house and wondered who this person was and what I did to catch their attention. I knocked on the door and heard a simple "Come in". 

Good morning, Ms. Habijan. Please have a seat. I did as I was told. Would you like tea or coffee? 

Water would be just fine. Not even 5 seconds later, a maid was standing beside me handing me the requested drink. Thank you. C-could I know what this is about? 

Let me introduce myself first. My name is Charlotte Austin Waraha. Who am I? I'm just a simple woman trying to correct a wrong. I was still lost, but I waited for her to continue. I want to hire you to become my inside woman at a prison. I looked at her bewildered. 

What? Why would you want to hire me for something like that? I don't even have any experience in security. How did you get my information anyway?! 

You ask a lot of questions, but it's understandable. What you need to know right now is that I have access to anyone's information. 

Do you work for the government or something? 

Something like that. My wife does and I'm her second in command. I relaxed a bit. Ok so they aren't criminals. Or so I thought. The reason why I want to hire you is simply because no one would suspect a foreigner who just came into the country. Charlotte started walking around the room. People can be bought Ms. Habijan if the price is good enough, but fealty is earned. I have a feeling that you will not betray me if you work with me. I looked at a file that was on her desk.

Is that what it says on your little file? I stood up. Look Mrs. Austin, I am an honest woman. I came to Thailand to learn about its culture, as simple as that. Nothing more, nothing less. What makes you think that I have the skills to become your inside woman? 

Honestly, nothing in your file gave me the impression that you could be. It's your attitude, your mannerisms and the way you speak to me. I know now I made the right choice. Charlotte sat down. I will tell you anything that you need to know to ensure that you feel comfortable working with me. 

Okay. Is this like the mafia of Thailand? Charlotte laughed wholeheartedly. 

Goodness no. I swear on my life that we have never killed a soul, at least not intending to do it, but mishaps happen sometimes. Any other questions? 

What do you do? 

My wife and I are changing Thailand one person at a time. We established a community years ago to help rid Thailand of poverty. I can show you the graphs and numbers to prove that our methods are working. It's not that I didn't believe her because you could tell just by looking at the streets and infrastructure that most buildings were being remodeled.