It was one warm winter afternoon. In the province of Chiang Rai, somewhere in northern Thailand, stand a cozy resort, hotel at the popular places for tourists.

The cozy resort was own by Bhuwakul family. The business was doing profits enough for the family to live comfortably up to these days.

Kunpimook Bhuwakul, was enjoying the winter wind in room up in the highest floor of his own resort, at the balcony. It was good winter in Thailand hardly go under 10°C. Just then he heard a knock at the door. As much as, Kunpimook was disappointed from getting interrupted from cherishing his favourite weather, he went to open the door.

It was the hotel manager.

"Master Kunpimook...umm...umm...!"

"Yes... Master Somchai...!"

Kunpimook looked his hotel manager.

Finally, Somchai said..."There is one difficult Chinese customer whom complaint all about our services here and there...and..one of our waitress in lobby restaurant pilled a juice on him...he seemed very mad about it.... and he said he must see you. I was so surprised that he knew your name ..yet he said that if you don't go and clear the matter with him yourself, he said he will make our resort get very bad reputation. ...

Ah...but master he all do best on our services .... "

"Bad reputation..!" Kunpimook said.

Then the young man laugh. But the middle aged manager seemed still upset.

They were still standing in front of Kunpimook room.

Finally, Kunpimook said., "No worry..I will go meet this weirdo right now....!"

************

Kunpimook Bhuwakul came downstairs to the lobby of the hotel.

He saw a man, dressed up quite causal with his temporary clothing hotel worker shirt and Jeans,sitting comfortably on sofa and reading an English newspaper. He did not seem to be worrying anything.

"It's him!"

Manager Somchai said.

"Mister....!"

Kunpimook began.

The man put down his newspaper and looked at the young master.

Kunpimook's mouth just opened and fell with surprised..

"Mark.....big brother...how come you are here..!"

"I come to visit you.!"

Mark look around the hotel ..and said...

"Your resort is really comfortable and cozy. The services are great here..Yep I'm enjoying Thailand.!"

Somchai was definitely very confused now.

The two men went to hug each other and went away from the Somchai's sight. They seemed to be very happy.

Kunpimook turned to Somchai, his manager.

"I'm really sorry Somchai. But this is my friend from Taiwan. Dong Yi Eun!"

Somchai was still shocked.

"Hello," Mark said..."I'm really sorry making all the fuss here. I was just wanting to try out Kunpimook's business place. It's was actually really nice. You really managed here well"

"Thank you!"

It was all the poor manager could say.

"And sorry Kunpimook for ..I might really have scared you all here..!"

He was looking at the manager.

After that then... Kunpimook and Yi Eun went away from the lobby.

"Whatever is happening!" Somchai told himself standing still there.

*********

"I just know that your family such a cool resort..It's really better than your family house in Bangkok!"

Mark told his junior friend.

"But why you tell me that you are coming...so..I can prepare..and what if I happened not to be here?"

Kunpimook said.

"Well...it wouldn't be surprised then...and I don't worry because you are here...!"

"Oh ok...Man...!"

The two young men were walking in the garden of "Dok Kaew Resort" (Orange Jasmine Flower Resort) own by Kunpimook's family.

Thailand is in the southern part of Asia. And it was a tropical country. Even in winter it isn't so cold. Mark or also known as Dong Yi Eun liked it very much but it was his first time to the northern part of the country. Mark and Bam Bam( Kunpimook's nickname) had been friends while they were studying abroad (in Switzerland) at the same University and same major although different year. Although, Bam Bam was younger than Mark... they came to get along and became friends very easily. Mark was a senior who always helped Bam Bam and his other friend of same class..called Kim Yug Gyeom, their Korean friend.

After all the studies had been done and they all graduated. Bam Bam didn't get to see much of his friends. Everyone was busy with either farther study or family work. He especially missed Dong Yi Eun whom he admired as a real big brother back then. Although they only had been friends for one or two years before Mark finished his studies there, their bonds was quite strong.

"You look even more manly and mature now....big bro...!"

Bam Bam said. They were still walking.

Mark nodded at Bam Bam 's remark.

"Yep....and maybe that's because I'm near to engage!"

This shocked Bam Bam....

"Wait...Wha...Wh...what...How come... we met every year and yet... you always exclaimed you are single...and who was she...do I know her...?"

Mark still was trying to make easy going manner.

"Hmm....I don't think you know her because I even not know her yet..

"WHAT!"

"Yes...! I actually told I was betrothed since young by my father and mother before they passed away years. I was forgetting it as I grow old...and my memory was awakened by my uncle not so long ago."

Bam Bam shook his head.

"So you are getting married to unknown lady?"

Mark nodded.

"But how come you don't know her..if your families are friendly then...you should have met her already."

"Hmm...Maybe because after my parents death, I was only a kid... and mostly abroad ...my uncle look after all family business....and I was never interested in my fiance or her family.. never get to meet them... almost forget about it !"

"Arrange marriage is something..... indeed...."

"Yep...I know. I sometimes also think why parents would arrange such things. Why don't they let us go with our own destiny...!"

Bam Bam looked at his senior friend. "Hmm..I never know you were engaged..hehee..I see why you were not interested in any ladies at all at university..I hope you and your fiance fall in love... please introduce me to her too..I bet she must be very beautiful."

"I don't know.. love is something..I have no clue of it..well..I will go see her myself first !"

Bam Bam nodded.

Then the young man looked at his senior with joyful eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that!"

"I am just happy... your aura is shining even though you wearing our workers' uniform."

"Am I...." Mark seemed to be satisfied by it and it seemed Mark was thinking about something or planning about something.

Bam Bam seemed to guess about Mark's thinking.

"You must be planning something about your fiance right?."

"Maybe.."

"How will you do it?"

"Can't tell!"

************

The next morning came. Mark slept in the same room with Bam Bam.

The sunlight shown straight to Mark eyes. He woke up and open his eyes. Bam Bam was still sleeping.

Mark got up and went to balcony.

The weather was sunny although the cold wind flew by.

Mark noticed that there was a beautiful grape farm not so very far from the hotel. Somehow, Mark seemed to be interested in it.

Bam Bam now wake up and came to balcony. He was still sleepy.

"I just know there is a beautiful grape plantations near your resort.!"

"Oh.. that one... Yep it's great one there. If you still have time I can take you to there. I am friendly with the owners!"

"Next time when I come. But now need prepare to flew to Macau . My uncle's waiting there."

*************""""

In Macau in Dong mansion.

In the dining room, a chief housekeeper lady was preparing meal with other maids.

After preparation, she went to the living room where her master was sitting.

Dong Min Si was enjoying looking at his tablet screen.

"Master, the meal is ready..!"

The middle aged man about 40 looked at his housekeeper.

"We will wait for my nephew. We need to talk a lot about his engagement and wife to be....!"

"Master Min Si...do you think young master will fall for Miss Tyuzu."

"He must be! She's very adorable."

Dong Min Si looked at his tablet screen again to a beautiful lady who was holding her gold medal which she won from her arrow shooting sports at her university.

"I mean she is not only beautiful but also smart and generous."

"Master is saying like you have already known her!"

"Yes...I have met her before...my brother had some good friends who will such adorable daughter. Mark is lucky!"

"Fruits are sweet. Flowers are fresh...and the sunset is beautiful!!...and eating fruits is best of all!"

With those saying to herself, Lalisa picked up a grape from her basket to her mouth and enjoyed eating it.

She was at the edge of a small rolling river. She was sitting on a mattress and enjoying the sun that was about to be going down.

"It would be great if this is a big ocean instead of a very tiny river." She sighed down.

Just then she heard a loud voice from behind.

"Hey..Lisa... hey..!"

It was her classmate and best friend since high school. The girl was running towards her.

"Heyyy... .Malik...Im here....!"

"What are you doing here!"

"Enjoying the sunset!"

"What...this is not so Lisa like!"

"Why?"

Lisa asked backed. Her eyebrow up her face a little.

"Because I mostly found you either enjoying horse ride or climbing up tall trees...or dancing...Hehehe it's so surprised to see you sit so still!"

Lisa laughed.

"I do sit still sometimes. Different activities at different times...!!"

"Umm ..Yep!..Ohh by the way, a guy friend told me to give this letter to you"

"Letter? What letter? From whom!"

"A love letter of course!...it's one of our old classmate at 12th grade... You remember that Nat boy.."

"Oh..Natty boy...Ahh..yes..I get it now. Take that letter back and tell him I feel indifferent."

"Why not read first?"

"Well...I don't think so..by the way Why are you standing there. ..come here to sit...have some grapes... You see the sunset is very beautiful!"

At that very moment,Bam Bam or Kunpimook, another of Lisa's neighbour friend came near to river.

"Hello..good late afternoon girls...!"

He was laughing too.

"What news is making you this cheerful, gentleman!"

Lisa said.

"No...not really!" Bam Bam.

"I just can't help how you girls give news to each other by shouting here...aloud... hhehe..if I were that guy I will be embarrassed!"

"Why?"

Bam Bam laughed again.

"Nothing lady.... your straightforwardness to this Natty guy is good!"

Was he meaning it?

Lisa did not want to think about it anymore.

"Now you guys. Just enjoy the winter wind on my farm. I mean garden...hmm the sunset will be gone soon...will you guys stay to dinner!"

"Umm...I need to go back home before dark...Hehe my parents are waiting!"

Malik said...

"And I need to go back to resort too...!"

"You guys are staying short!"

Lisa was disappointed.

"By the way, Bam Bam!! Where were you yesterday evening... you said you will visit here!!"

"Ohhh...I forgot ...but I'm really sorry Lisa."

Bam Bam looked a little sad and sorry!

"It's my senior friend....his visit was very sudden and...!"

"Hmm...I see ...it's this SENIOR FRIEND then.....that you missed to visit here then..I hate him....!"

Just at the time...the sunset went down.

"Nahh...but it's getting dark..let's go back to your house!"

Lisa packed up her things she brought here...a basket of grapes mattress, etc.

With some talking along the road.

Malik and Bam Bam did not stay for dinner. They would like to go back to their home quickly.

That left Lisa to say, "Well, let's go horse riding tomorrow...It's holiday....!"

"Okay...girl!"

Lisa went up to her room.

She felt everything boring at the moment somehow.

                      ********************

Manoban's family had been living in the edge of Chiang Rai Province for a little more than two decades.

Mr Chou Lei was from an upper class, rich family from Taiwan.

More than two decades ago, he fell in love with Rasa Manoban, a Thai lady who went to study at Taipei with scholarship. His family was against their relationship 

Nonetheless, the flames of young love was strong. Lei chose to run off with Rasa than doing as his wealthy family wanted him to which was to marry the lady of their choice. 

He had followed Rasa all the way to Thailand and her family welcome him warmly. Lei tried best to help Manoban family all the best he could. He learnt Thai quickly as native and doing business on grape farm was his joy. Soon, a daughter was born to Lei and Rasa. They called her Lalisa. She grew up to be a healthy, strong,  sharp tongue yet compassionate soul. She can be gentle when time comes.

When she was young, Lalisa (or Lisa as she was mostly called by her parents and friends,) liked playing both feminine and masculine ways. Yep, she liked to play with small pots making food, selling salad (popular with Thai female kids). She also loved running there and this, climbing up the trees and playing football. She was well known to be good at high jump.

                     ***************

That evening, Mr Chou Lei received a letter from his eldest brother from Taiwan.

Dear Lei

I hope you have been doing well. It's was all good all these years. Although you were in different place, we have been able to communicate.

Your daughter must be quite lady now. I'm sure she will be as beautiful and elegant as Rasa.

And....

I think it's time that perhaps the Chou family could reunite for once. You are Chou. We are brothers. Although, our mother seemed cold about you and your family. I'm sure it was only a surface. I'm sure she still really love you. If you just allow, I really want to support Lalisa in her farther studies. I want Lalisa to come to Taipei and soften our mother. I'm sure she can do it. Please brother, let's unite.

I will be coming to visit you this Sunday.

All the best of regards,

Your eldest brother Simon.

At that very moment, Lisa came up to the living room where Chou Lei was reading the letter. His wife was sitting beside him.

Lisa was cheerful for the day. But her cheerfulness was gone once she learned about what her uncle has written to her father.

"No, I'm not going. Papa and Mama..I don't want to be part from our Manoban farm yet. Im still enjoying learning about plantations here.!"

Her parents try to persuade her. But Lisa was so disappointed to leave her beloved place.

She would keep herself even from herself parents then who were encouraging her to go.

But when Chou Simon arrived, he seemed such a gentle uncle that Lalisa finally agree to go.

Lisa was looking at a big the Cupid ornament on the table of the big and extravagantly decorated living room of the Chou family mansion. The living room was filled with fine expensive furniture. All were the brand of Verserce. It must have been her grandmother's favourite.

Lisa Manoban, half Thai half Taiwanese had been in this household for a couple of months now. After her parents in northern Thailand got the invitation her father's brother invitation to the niece to come to live in Taiwan in order to grant her farther studies abroad in her another home country and in order to make the family union which was Lisa's uncle main plan. He thought the presence of Lisa would make her grandmother would be able to soften towards Lisa's family, who was still angry with her her son (Lisa's dad) running off with a Thai woman who was much lower class than Chou family.

Lisa was not very happy and missed her grape farm back in Thailand very much. Almost every one in here either cold or too classy for her. Lisa was sitting on Versace sofa and the smiling happy and aiming his love arrow to shoot. Lisa somehow felt annoyed by that.

"Why you thing have to fool such thing, messing up with people emotions. ...." But somehow her spirit lighten up by the thought. "But maybe it's because of you then... that my dad met my mom...!" just as Lisa was starting to lose with her thought, she heard a voice telling her. "Lady Lalisa, the party will start soon. Please go to dress up yourself now. And you have 10 minutes to do so. Madam Chou doesn't like not being on time!"

It was Nini, the highest house keeper here.

Lisa nodded.

Nini had been training Lisa to become more lady like and classy since Lisa arrived here. Nini was such a strict person as Madam Chou and seemed cold. But Lisa somehow felt Nini some sort of warm and kindness underneath her cold strict outer sight.

Lisa can still remember how Nini allowed her to go outside when Madam Chou was not at home and teaching her how to cook as well. (Madam Chou did not know about it yet).

**************

The birthday party began on the second floor of the Chou Mansion where there was a big ball room. The classical music was on and many rich and important people came to party. Chou Liuyi Fei and Chou Tzuyu, the two other beloved granddaughters of Madam Chou were here. Liuyi Fei had just finished her doctorial program study from Boston, America and she was back here now to work for Chou's family business which was at the moment ran by Madam Chou and her two sons. She was the daughter of the eldest son. And her eldest granddaughter, Liuyi Fei showed the same fire. She was Madam Chou's favourite because of she reminded her of Madam Chou's younger self. Chou Tzuyu was another granddaughter. Tzuyu was still studying at university in second year. Tzuyu was well known for her gentle beauty and nice personality. She was crowned beauty queen for her faulty. But despite her gentle features, Tzuyu was skillful in archery sport at university. She had won in many competitions at university. Tzuyu mostly stayed at her condo near her university but she came back home for her grandmother birthday. Tzuyu was not very happy since she heard that she was engaged to a man she had never seen before but she could not rejected her grandmother. The grandmother also would have preferred this engagement to be Liuyi Fei but the Liuyi Fei already had a boyfriend.

Another important person that came to the party was, Dong Min Si. Min Si's father and Madam Chou husband, old powerful businessman when he was alive, were friends. They had long been wanted to be relationtives by marrying of their children which they could not, therefore it fell upon their grandchildren.

Lisa, dressed up in white dress and came into the party. She felt very bored by looking at all luxurious tables and rich people acting politely and talking about a lot of things she did not understand. Lisa had been compared to her two cousins as the least appealing and charisma among them. She was definitely not the standard beauty type here. She was quite cheeky and not possess a small V shape face and her skin was a little tan too.

Lisa went sit at the table where her grandmother, all her two uncles and three cousins and another man was also sitting.

As Lisa sat down, Madam Chou looked at her with disappointment as if she wanted to say, "what are you late!" But she did not say anything and turn to talk with Dong Min Si.

"It's a little sad that Yi Eun could not make today!" Madam Chou said.

"I must apologise you on behalf of my nephew. He really was stuck abroad due to so many things but he said he will definitely come to here soon to visit!"

But then the sight of Lisa caught attention of Dong Min Si as he wanted to know who she was. Therefore, her uncle Simon started to introduce her Dong Yi Eun.

"This is Lalisa, our family youngest niece here. She came here two months ago...."

"Well since her parents could not afford it so it becomes our responsibility!".

added Madam Chou.

Dong Min Si greeted Lisa with respect and friendly that made her feel a little warmer there. But then she had to feel out of place again when all others at the table began to talk about other things. Lisa was the only one who keep silent. She left the table to go to restroom.

As she was walking passed she could see a good looking man in black looking at Tyuzu straight. Tzuyu was a popular lady, so Lisa did not think it was anything strange and just walk passed.

After she finished at restroom, she happened to go to the balcony which was near there.

The lights were all around the garden that it the night did not seem any dark. Somehow, Lisa wanted to take a walk there which was a little far away from loud noises at the party.

Lisa walked down and walked along the garden filled with lights. There were only a few people who were workers then.

But then when she walked up to the middle of the garden she heard a sound along with the the sound of the wind which was blowing.

As she listened carefully, she realised that it was violin. Lisa found a man playing violin near the tree, which was decorated with little light bulbs, at one corner of the garden.

Lisa wondered why he did not play at the party but here.

When the man realised someone was watching him. He just stopped and looked back at Lisa. The eyes met.

It made Lisa uncomfortable somehow. But the man smiled and said..

"Good evening..Madam Lisa...how may I help you!"