The Boeing 747 glinted in the sunlight, as Namtarn shaded her eyes from the glare. She saw the doors open and two men walked down the steps to her..

"Sawadee kha Khun Chan, thank u for making time to see me." She gushed over the Millionaire..

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't worth my time Namtarn, shall we go?"He said impatient to go see his dream..

"This way please,"she said leading the way to the private helicopter she had chartered especially for an aerial tour around Silverwood..
The other man with him had been simply introduced as khun Rob..

Once they were buckled in the copter took off, flying over phuket.. earlier Namtarn had gone with the pilot to familiarize him to the spots where she needed him to concentrate, while flying over the property.. So now when she was actually showing the property, she had not once used a 'maybe' or 'I think that'...

After they had seen all they could from the air, Namtarn tapped the pilot on his shoulder,signaling him to land in an open area.. She already had a jeep and driver ready at that spot..to begin with a ground level tour..

An hour later they stood in front of the house, a survey map spread out on the hood of the jeep. Khun Chan ignored the map, letting his eyes wander instead to the rubber trees towering over the house..

"Who owns this property?"he asked

"Krist Perawat. "

"Really?"he asked brows raising in amusement..

"He inherited it after his father's death 8 months ago she explained..

"Is he here?"

"No,he said something about a tennis match with Earth and his production manager's. I have found that it's awkward to have owners present, when I am showing the buyers around.."she added.

"Of course ".

Namtarn thought that he would take this chance to affirm his interest in buying the place, but khun Rob chose this exact second to call for his attention..

Khun Chan walked towards him eagerly, as though he had been waiting for the man to say something...they stood together talking as they pointed around, with Rob doing all the talking and pointing while khun Chan nodded attentively..

After their talk, Khun Chan walked back to Namtarn,

"Who owns that part of the land beyond that ridge?"he asked..

"Why?"Namtarn didn't like this question..

"Khun Rob here specializes in adventure resorts and in designing adventure sports and rides..he tells me that ridge s the best choice for paragliding in this area..so if u can get the owner to sell that part, I ll take the whole lot.." he said with finality..

"But I don't think the owner would sell over there..if u see plans, u can see that the ridge area could be used for building villas and residences similar to Millionaire's Mile.." Namtarn desperately tried to convince him.

"Who would want to buy million dollar homes in adventure resorts without the proper amenities? If Rob says we need that land we need it Namtarn, so can u get that guy to sell or not?" he asked finally.

"That land belongs to Singto Prachaya..and I can tell u surely that he won't sell.. "

"The lawyer?"she nodded.."Well he's a tough nut to Crack.. but tell u wat, get him to sell and I ll give u 10 percent of the profits and an exclusive contract with ur company to sell all the residential and commercial establishments in the project.."

Namtarn gulped at the offer, it was highly generous and he knew she would jump at it..so she stuck out her hand to shake...

"Challenge accepted Khun Chan. " she said tightly..

He smiled triumphantly, "I trust your abilities as a business woman Namtarn. We both know that we can persuade anyone with the right motivation. So good luck with Singto."

"True". But how? The question was still running through her head when she reached Fah lahwy half an hour later..as she parked her car and got down,she heard a voice calling out to her..She turned towards the voice and saw Waan running towards her in shorts, t shirt and a boy's jacket thrown over. That's when it struck her..Waan - she was Singto's weak link..he would have to buckle of she used his daughter...her eyes gleamed as she smiled and waved back towards the little girl...

They walked hand in hand towards the corral, where Singto was with the horses. Seeing the two walking hand in hand, he smiled at his daughter.

"Wat are u wearing to the Halloween party daddy?"She asked hoping to get a clue from him..

"Well it's a surprise honeybee.."he said grinning at her disappointment..

She looked at Namtarn with a pout.."I wish I could go to. It does sound so fun.."

"Have u finished rubbing down the horses honeybee?" Singto asked diverting her thoughts to her next favorite topic..

"Yes daddy, may I take the pie for a ride in the meadow?"she asked giving him her best puppy eyes..

"Sure, but be careful and come back in time for lunch.."he reminded her as she skipped towards the stable.

He turned smiling at Namtarn acknowledging her presence, his eyes holding the silent question asking why she was in the neighborhood..

"She reminds me of Neen, and her love for parties...." she sighed.."I brought over a client to visit the Perawat plantation..and they asked for something you won't like...they have expressed an interest in ur land along the ridge adjoining Silverwood.."she said getting to the point.

"You know my answer Namtarn,"he said turning cold immediately..

"You haven't even heard his offer P'Sing..You can practically name your price..1 million,2 million..think of wat that could do to Waan's future..u can give her wat she wants. Clothes, things, her education..the repairs at the house, better yet u can build a new one"she persisted..

"With a tennis Court and pool??I can manage my daughter's needs Namtarn. I don't need to sell my land to do it.."

"But it's just a 100 acres. Wats a 100 when u have 4000??" She tried to reason with him..

"Tats how everyone starts Namtarn..by selling small chunks until they have nothing left..no thanks"

"Do you think that after you, Waan would be able to manage the farm?she ll do wat Krist s doing now..sell it for the better price."she knew tat would hit the nail in the head and paused her attack...her words had unsettled him..for now tat was enough..

"Goodnight "she said softly, kissed him in the cheek and left, eyes gleaming.

********

Giant jack-o-lanterns in gap toothed grins and lopsided smiles were adorning the drive. Near the pool was a crowd of people around a barrel watching and cheering those who bobbed for apples with their teeth. Krist was taking his turn now. He removed his fake fangs and put them in his pocket, then twisted his hands behind his back. He then bent over aiming for an apple but got a face full of ice cold water. He spluttered and took a break to get his breath back. Then he went back in, this time bagging the prize apple..

The crowd cheered as he resurfaced with the juicy fruit between his teeth. Singto watched Krist's carefree smile as he displayed his prize. Chants of bite..bite...began around the group and he obliged taking a bite of the juicy apple. He licked the juices running down to his chin by darting his tongue around his lips.

Krist saw Earth looking at him with a hungry look and offered the half bitten apple. Earth shook his head and instead pulled Krist into his arms and claimed his juicy lips..Singto's face darkened in anger as he turned around and stormed into the house.

Namtarn, stood just inside watching his reactions through the window and she didn't like it one bit.. Her lips thinned in disapproval as she saw Singto head to the bar and order a drink. She walked towards him..

"That little scene upset u Singto, u don't hide it well. "She said looking at him critically..he pushed the empty glass aside and picked up the entire bottle.

"It's common knowledge that they are having an affair. Earth always dates his leads. He's been doing that for years. Surely u heard tat.
Or did u choose not to believe it?"she guessed her eyes narrowing. "How do u think a b- rate actor who only did a bunch of series and mv's got to be a lead in a top movie?"

"Namtarn!" He said his voice grating and his hands gripping the bottle in a vice like grip.

"You don't like the implications of that?women are not just the ones who make sacrifices to go to the top P'Sing..sometime men do too. Men desperate enough for fame. Earth gave him a chance and he took it. You live too much in the past. Open ur eyes, P '. The past s no more. It's gone.." she said angrily and turned around and walked off before she said her sister's name...

Half way through she turned back and looked at the bar, but Singto was nowhere to be seen. She panicked. He couldn't have left so soon!! Her eyes darted around the area, searching for him. Then she spotted him leaning over the rails in the shaded dark portion of the sun deck...she sighed in relief, and turned around to go check on the caterers...

Earth had gone to get a drink and some snacks, so Krist wandered around alone. As he came towards the doors, he saw a familiar figure leaning on the bars of the sundeck..hesitating a bit, then making up his mind, he walked over to the elder man..

"Wadee P'Sing, here again u prove ur lack of excitement in life..seriously? Of all the different costumes u pick a cowboy? "He admonished..

"It's a genuine costume. Original to the last tear."he defended himself..the words were harmless but the tone was slightly cold..

"Yeah, yeah, I know tat..."Krist rolled his eyes...he knew Singto had seen Earth kiss him near the apple barrel and he had seen the elder stalk into the house jealous of wat he had seen. A part of him perversely happy that he still had that kind of hold on him.

"Did Namtarn mention tat someone was interested in buying Silverwood?"he asked picking a neutral ground to talk..

"She mentioned it."

"She brought someone over to see the place and she thinks they may make an offer soon" he tried to sound matter of fact but couldn't keep the regret out. He looked out to the rows of posh mansions lining the area.."I hate to think houses like this would be built there..."

"Why waste ur energy?? You ll be leaving soon anyway..back to a life tat suits u better.."

"Does it?"his doubts of late cropping up..

"Isn't it a bit too late to be asking urself tat now Kit??"

"I guess it is.."he rubbed his arms feeling a bit too cold..

"I think u had better go back in where it's warmer"

Krist nodded as he walked back towards the doors..leaving Singto alone to continue his brooding..

He spotted Mike and walked towards him, feeling warmer already. Belatedly he saw that he was talking to their hostess, Namtarn..he kind of hesitated then continued upto them.

"Where's P'Earth?"he asked his friend.

"Khun Chan cornered him and P'Jane for some talks.."Mike replied.

"I didn't know he was here" Krist said surprised..

"He arrived late about a few minutes ago.." Namtarn said as a waiter caught her eye and motioned for her.."Excuse me".

"I would watch myself around her Krist, if I were u?" Mike said once she was out of earshot..

"Where did that come from?"Krist asked looking surprised at his friend..

"From watching her watch u, when u were talking to Singto.. If looks could kill, I would be planning ur funeral by now.." he said continuing to watch Namtarn..

"You're exaggerating Mike. " Krist shook his head...

"I wish I were Krist, but unfortunately, I am not.."Mike said seriously. "She hates u... violently .."

Krist shrugged,"Everyone has their dark side, I guess.."

"But in some its darker than the others. "

"I suppose.."Krist spotted Earth walking towards them, 2 glasses of wine in his hands and his head bent towards someone he was listening to intently..the shifting of the crowd revealed Khun Chan and P'Jane..

They looked quite amicable, walking together..maybe those rumors that he had heard about the disagreement on the script was a fake...he was glad. Working on a set where ppl didn't get along was a pain...

"By the way, I had a chance to read through the changes in the script..they're great..we have a winner now..everyone else at the studio thinks so too..u're one helluva writer Jane..good job" Khun Chan said patting him in the back..

"I am a helluva director too" Jane said raising his chin aggressively, challenging the Millionaire..

"Well that still remains to be seen.."he said smirking before he walked away...he had seen Namtarn and wanted to ask her of developments on his proposal..

"Marvelous party Namtarn, I am surprised Disney isn't here taking notes.."he said complimenting her...

"Hahaha...thank u Khun Chan..that's quite generous, coming from you.."she said basking in the praise..

Now that the pleasantries were over,he got right upto the point.."How are you progressing on that land Namtarn?Singto showing any signs of selling..?"

"He's not a person to buckle easily, Khun. It might take a little longer while. "She said giving him the truth..

"I don't like deals to drag out Namtarn.."

"You made no mention of a time limit before..are u placing one on me now?"she asked narrowing her eyes at his implications..

"60 days..if u haven't convinced him by then, chances are u won't. So you ll only be wasting our time by waiting. There ll be other deals anyway. " he said drawing the limit..

Namtarn fought the urge to scream out..that was too less a time limit..and he may get other deals,but for her this was the one. She couldn't let a deal this size slip from her..She let none of her tension show as she inclined her head.." Very well 60 days it is.."she accepted..

"Keep me informed of any progress. "

"Definitely. "

The minute she was alone, Namtarn felt panic rising. She suppressed the urge to go seek out Singto and start talking to him. Trying to convince him to sell, by begging or tears..but she could not. It would only make matters worse.. She had to wait. Letting this pressure to change her original plan was a mistake she didn't want to make. She had to give Singto a few more days before she talked to him again....