Chapter 3 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

That weekend, Diem Tram moved to the 15th floor apartment of the Zenith building with only two suitcases containing clothes and a few precious souvenirs. The spacious, luxurious apartment with a panoramic view of the city overwhelmed her compared to the small room behind the bakery that she had been familiar with for many years.

"Your room is at the end of the hallway," Khang said, leading her through the apartment with his usual calm expression. "We'll sleep separately, of course. This is purely a business arrangement."

"I understand that," Diem Tram replied, trying to keep her voice calm even though she couldn't help but feel tense in this completely unfamiliar living space. "I won't bother your private life."

Khang nodded, then pointed to a file of documents placed on the dining table. "Here is a list of upcoming family events we need to attend together, along with basic information about my family members that you should know in advance. The first meeting with my grandmother will be tomorrow night."

Diem Tram held the document and flipped through pages of meticulous notes about each member of Khang's family - from hobbies, personalities, to taboos to avoid when talking. She couldn't help but be surprised at the thoughtfulness and carefulness that was almost cold in the way he prepared for every situation.

***

The next night, Diem Tram stood in front of the mirror in the apartment, adjusting the evening dress that Khang had brought, her hands shaking slightly because of nervousness before the first meeting with his family. Khang walked into the living room, looking at her from head toe with professional eyes.

"Okay," he commented shortly. "You look very fit." Then he suddenly realized that his sentence was somewhat dry, so he added more. "I mean, you look beautiful. Grandma would be pleased."

Diem Tram slightly raised her eyebrows at Khang's rare clumsiness, but didn't say anything more, just nodded and followed him out to the car. On the way to Mrs. Cam's house, Khang took the opportunity to once again review the important details that the two had agreed upon - the story of how they met each other through the cake ordering business, gradually developed feelings during their collaborations, and decided to get married after careful consideration.

"Do you remember everything?" Khang asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

"I remember everything," Diem Tram replied, trying to hold a deep breath to calm her mind. "But I have to be honest, I never thought I would have to play such a big dramatic role in my life."

"As long as you do exactly what we agreed on, everything will be fine," Khang replied, his voice softening somewhat, like a rare reassurance.

***

Ms. Luong Thi Cam's villa is located in a quiet, luxurious area, surrounded by a meticulously maintained garden. When Diem Tram and Khang entered the living room, an elderly woman with a noble appearance and sharp eyes was waiting on the armchair.

"Is this the girl you told me about?" Mrs. Cam asked, her eyes scanning Diem Tram with a careful but not unpleasant assessment.

"Yes, ma'am," Khang replied, his voice becoming more formal than usual. "This is Ngo Diem Tram, the person I want to introduce to you."

Diem Tram bowed politely, trying to stay calm under the sharp eyes of the older woman. "Hello, grandma," she said, her voice shaking slightly but still maintaining the necessary politeness.

"Sit down, child," Mrs. Cam said, pointing to the chair opposite. "I want to hear your story. Viet Khang has never introduced anyone to her before, so I'm really curious."

***

The conversation was more tense than Diem Tram imagined, with Mrs. Cam constantly asking sharp questions about how they met, and about Khang's hobbies and habits that a true lover should know well. Diem Tram had to use all her improvisation ability, combined with what she had observed about Khang in the past short time, to answer as smoothly as possible.

"What do you think about Viet Khang moves you the most?" Mrs. Cam asked, her eyes never leaving Diem Tram's face, as if trying to find some sign of deception.

Diem Tram hesitated for a moment, then suddenly remembered the moment Khang tasted her passion fruit tart, his eyes were filled with rare sincerity. "I think it's his dedication to his job," she replied, trying to inject a bit of truth into her answer to make it sound more authentic. "I've never met anyone who treats their career so seriously, so passionately."

Mrs. Cam was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, a warm smile that made her face become much gentler. "That answer sounds sincere," she said, making both Diem Tram and Khang secretly breathe a sigh of relief inside even though on the outside they still maintained the necessary composure.

***

When the meeting was about to end, Mrs. Cam suddenly grabbed Diem Tram's hand, her eyes became serious and sincere. "I don't care much about whether this boy inherits the restaurant or not," she said softly, loud enough for only Diem Tram to hear. "What I really want is for her to find someone who really cares about her, not just for fame or money. Can you promise me that?"

Diem Tram felt a heavy sense of guilt rising in her heart at that sincere question, but she still nodded, trying to keep her voice steady. "I promise, ma'am," she replied, although inside she couldn't help but wonder if that promise was really a lie, or had begun to contain a part of the truth that she herself had not yet dared to admit.

***

As soon as the intimate conversation ended, the living room door opened, and an elegantly dressed middle-aged man walked in. His eyes immediately stopped at Diem Tram with an undisguised look of scrutiny.

"Uncle Phat," Khang spoke up, his voice becoming visibly tense. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

"I heard that you have a new fiancee, so I stopped by to say hello," Luong Dinh Phat replied, the smile on his lips never touching his cold, calculating eyes. "You must be the person who will help Viet Khang inherit our entire family property?"

Diem Tram immediately felt the hostility hidden behind those seemingly polite words. "Hello," she replied, trying to keep her voice calm. "I'm Diem Tram."

"Diem Tram," Mr. Phat repeated the name, his eyes sweeping over her as if evaluating an item. "A beautiful name. But I'm curious, how long have you known Viet Khang to get married so quickly?"

"Long enough for us to clearly understand our feelings for each other," Khang replied, walking to stand next to Diem Tram with a clearly protective look. "You don't need to worry about my privacy."

Mrs. Cam, observing the entire tense conversation, spoke up with a rare stern voice. "Dinh Phat, I didn't come here to interrogate your future niece-in-law. If there's nothing else, you can go home."

Mr. Phat shrugged, gave a forced smile before leaving, but the last look he threw at Diem Tram before leaving contained a wariness and calculation that she couldn't help but feel. When the door closed behind him, Diem Tram allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief, even though in her heart she began to have a premonition that the road ahead would be much more challenging than she initially imagined.

On the way back to the apartment, Khang broke the silence in the car. “You did very well tonight,” he said, his gaze still looking straight ahead. "Both with my grandmother and uncle Phat."

"Your uncle doesn't seem very sympathetic," Diem Tram commented, still feeling the coldness in Mr. Phat's eyes as he left.

"He's been waiting for the opportunity to take over the restaurant chain for a long time," Khang explained, his voice becoming thoughtful. "Since my father passed away, he has always thought that he is more deserving of the inheritance than me, even though grandmother never had that intention. I need you to be especially careful when interacting with him in the future."

"I will remember that," Diem Tram replied, feeling more clearly the complexity of the family relationships she had just entered, not simply a work contract as she had thought.

When the car stopped in front of the Zenith building, Khang turned to look at her, his eyes were a bit different from his usual cold look. "Thank you," he said softly. "For agreeing to participate in all these complications."

Diem Tram nodded, not knowing how to respond to that unexpected thank you, just quietly stepped out of the car, carrying in her mind chaotic thoughts about the uncertain journey that had just begun.