Today, the CEO and the Chairman convened an all-staff meeting to introduce someone new. Just the other day, she had chaired a board meeting where the board members voted on passing her title to a deserving successor, with an impressive 80% approval rate.
In the waiting room beside the conference room, the air conditioner was blowing at full blast, yet Zee felt like he was burning up from nervousness. He anxiously waited for his name to be called, knowing that soon he would step into the meeting where his fate and future responsibilities would be unveiled.
"How are my eyes?" Zee anxiously inquired of his secretary, who was currently dabbing his eyes with a wet washcloth. He had just returned from a tearful encounter with Saint at the emergency exit.
"They'll be back to normal in a few minutes, sir," the secretary reassured him. "But why did you cry so hard?"
Zee sighed, knowing he could confide in Jan, who had become more than just a secretary since joining his team along with his two bodyguards. "You know why, Jan," he replied, having shared his feelings about Saint with her on numerous occasions.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it, sir. I'm glad you finally talked to him, but I never took you for a crybaby," Jan teased, earning a light smack on the head from one of Zee's bodyguards.
"Don't eavesdrop on conversations," Zee chided playfully, attempting to rise to give Jan a gentle scolding, only to be restrained by his vigilant bodyguard.
Jan had been waiting outside the emergency exit with Zee's bodyguards, ensuring no one interrupted their emotional reunion earlier. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't help but overhear the tearful conversation.
After a few minutes, a staff member from the conference room came to summon Zee. "It's time, sir," they informed him. Jan quickly removed the washcloth and gave Zee's eyes a final check.
"You're good to go, sir," she confirmed with a reassuring smile.
Zee took a deep breath, nodded, and stood up. "Thanks, Jan." He straightened his suit, took another calming breath, and headed toward the conference room to face his new beginning.
There were about twenty-five people inside the conference room. Zee felt incredibly tense, as if he could faint from the pressure. However, a few staff members smiled warmly at him, offering some comfort. Others glared at him, their expressions filled with suspicion and hostility.
Standing beside the CEO, who was explaining his miraculous return and the circumstances surrounding it, Zee tried to steady his nerves.
"I will step down from my position in a month," the CEO announced with a smile. "Zee will take over as the new CEO. During this transitional period, he will be working closely with us to prepare for his new role."
The room erupted in a mix of applause and murmurs. Zee glanced around, taking in the range of emotions. He knew he had a lot to prove, but he was ready to take on the challenge.
"I am excited and looking forward to working with you all," Zee said in his most polite tone, flashing a bright smile that could melt anyone's heart. His eyes scanned the room and widened when they landed on Saint Suppapong, sitting in the corner of the conference table, who was the first to clap. Seeing Saint's proud smile made Zee suddenly feel shy.
After the introduction, the CEO announced that the meeting was adjourned. On their way out, a few of the staff congratulated Zee on his comeback and the CEO for having her son alive.
"Congratulations, ma'am," Mr. Wayar said, reaching out his hand.
"Thank you, Joss. I told you I was right," the CEO replied with a smile.
"Welcome back, Zee. I thought... I mean, I'm glad you're alive," Mr. Wayar said, offering a handshake.
"Yeah, thank you," Zee replied dryly, forcing a smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone who caught his attention. Quickly excusing himself from the CEO and the General Manager, he ran towards Saint and grabbed his hand.
"Wait," Zee said, panting slightly.
"Hey," Saint replied with a sweet smile.
"I didn't notice you back there."
"Yeah, because you looked so fucking tense and nervous."
"Your eyes are still puffy, Saint. Did you not apply anything?" Zee tenderly touched the area under Saint's eyes.
"I had no time for that."
"Let me take care of that later."
"You will come back home... with me?" Saint hesitantly asked.
"Can I?"
"Of course. If you want."
"Hi, gentlemen. Sorry to interrupt your moment," the CEO approached them with a knowing smile on her face. Saint immediately wai'ed to her.
"So, you two are back together now?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
Saint looked at Zee, letting him answer the question because Saint could not lie anymore.
"Uhmm, we're good," Zee answered instead. Zee was also unsure what to say because, technically, Saint wasn't his boyfriend.
"That's good news. Zee, let's go. I have something to discuss," the CEO told him.
"I'm going back to work then," Saint said, wai'ing to both of them before leaving.
As Saint walked away, Zee and the CEO made their way to her office.
___
"Saint...are my feathers...still inside?"
Fighter asked as they stood at the front door, about to enter the penthouse. He suddenly remembered the mess he left behind that day and had no time to take care of his fallen feathers.
"Yeah. I kept them all in a basket,"
Saint replied as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Fighter stood there quietly, unsure if he could enter the house. All the moments they had shared together in this little home played in his mind. He hesitated, knowing that stepping inside might make him burst into tears again because of those memories. He missed it so much and wanted it back, hoping to create new memories together again.
Saint noticed Fighter's hesitation and turned back, offering a reassuring smile. "Come in, Fight. It's still your home too."
The nervousness vanished in an instant when Saint smiled lovingly at him. It was refreshing and healing, making Fighter's heart flutter in his chest. Saint led him inside, and Fighter followed as if it were his first time there. He checked every corner, looking for any changes, but everything looked exactly the same. He knew every little detail of this house because during the four months he had lived there, Fighter had nearly changed the styles, decorations, and the arrangement of things. Yet now, everything was in its place.
As they walked through the living room, Fighter noticed the familiar sofa where they had spent countless evenings talking, laughing, and sometimes just sitting in comfortable silence. The memories flooded back, overwhelming him with a mix of joy and sadness.
"I kept everything the way you left it," Saint said softly, reading Fighter's thoughts. "I wanted it to be ready for you, in case you ever decided to come back."
Saint awkwardly made his way to the living area and sat on the couch. Fighter watched him silently, his eyes following Saint's every move as he hung his remote car key and house key on the key holder shelf. After a moment, Saint walked toward Fighter and unexpectedly dropped to his knees in front of him. Fighter was startled by the sudden gesture, unsure how to react.
Saint placed both hands on top of Fighter's knees and looked at him with a fretted expression. Fighter felt panic rising within him, uncertain of what to do next. Saint's eyes were now sparkling with tears, on the verge of falling.
"Fighter," Saint began softly, his voice trembling slightly. "I... I don't know where to start. I've missed you so much. I've regretted everything I said and did. Can you forgive me?"
Fighter's heart raced. He hadn't expected Saint to express such vulnerability. The sight of Saint on his knees, looking up at him with pleading eyes, stirred a whirlwind of emotions inside him.
"Saint.." He reached out and gently placed his hands over Saint's, offering reassurance.
Fighter listened quietly as Saint poured out his apology, tears still streaming down his face. He struggled to find words, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions and memories flooding back. Saint's confession about lying to him for his mother hit him hard, bringing back the hurt and confusion he had felt during their separation.
"I'm so sorry that I...I lied to you," Saint repeated, his voice breaking with regret.Fighter remained silent for a moment, processing Saint's words. His heart ached at the thought of Saint dating someone else because of his mother's pressure. He reached out and gently wiped the tears from Saint's cheeks, his own eyes reflecting a mix of pain and understanding.
"Why?" Fighter managed to ask, his voice soft and filled with hurt.Saint took a shaky breath, trying to compose himself. "I should've not done that, but... but my mom. She wanted me to... to date her. I'm sorry, Fight."
Fighter listened, his brows furrowing in confusion and sadness. "Your mom... why?" he asked softly, struggling to comprehend why Saint would lie and date someone else.
"She thought that... I am not happy or something, that I should be dating somebody already," Saint explained, his voice choked with emotion. "She kept insisting to date this girl... and I did. But that was only for a week, and then... and then I lost you. I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
Fighter closed his eyes briefly, trying to process everything. He took Saint's hands in his own, holding them gently. "Saint, I understand," he said finally, his voice wavering. "But it hurt... a lot. I felt so betrayed.
"Saint nodded, tears still falling. "I know, Fight. I regret it every day."
Saint removed his hands from Fighter's knees, placing them on his own to steady himself. The weight of the memories, the pain of losing Fighter, and the torture of his own mistakes were almost too much to bear. He knew he deserved the suffering because he had caused it all.
"And... and because of me... you... you almost died. I'm so sorry," Saint burst out, unable to hold back his sobs.
Fighter joined Saint on the floor, holding both of Saint's hands firmly on his thighs.
"I should have not lied to you... I'm sorry, Fight," Saint said, his voice trembling.
"I was really dying, Saint. But I left so I could come back to you. Though it was breaking my heart leaving you here and suffer alone. If you had talked to me right away..." Fighter's voice was soft, filled with a mixture of sorrow and understanding.
"I was afraid that if... if I told you, you'd be mad or you'd hate me... and leave me. But still, I made you leave... I'm—" Saint's voice broke, but Fighter cut him off gently.
"Shhh. Saint, even if you hurt and lie to me countless times, though I hate liars... I will still come back and find you."
"I will never do it again... but w-why?" Saint looked at him, his eyes pleading for understanding.
"Because my heart told me so... even if it led me to death."
"Fight..." Saint shook his head, not happy hearing about Fighter risking his life for him. "Why?"
"Because I love you," Fighter said simply, his eyes full of unwavering devotion.
