Self Rival • Completed

xxxiv. the truth

Kongpob knew the people around him were clapping for him with expectant faces, cheering for him to go on stage and shared his first speech as the new C.O.O. but Kongpob couldn't hear them.

The only thing he could hear was the loud pounding of his chest. The only thing he could be bothered with was Arthit and his betrayed expression.
At this moment of time, only the two of them existed in his world.

Arthit looked closed to tears but he's obviously controlling it. Kongpob was in the same state as well.

"Kongpob, come on the stage, son," The C.E.O called again when a few seconds passed and Kongpob remained to stare at Arthit. Kongpob's father's always kind voice now laced with authoritarian reserved for Kongpob.

It meant he's still controlling himself because he's in front of his employees but if Kongpob still continued to embarrass him, he would no problem showing his true color for a second.

"P'-"

"Your father's calling you."

Kongpob sighed and with one last stare at Arthit, he slowly walked towards the stage. The claps were mixed with murmurs and awes of recognition when Kongpob passed each table.

As soon as he got on the stage, his father started introducing him, proudly sharing his notable achievements in life.

His father shared to everyone Kongpob's genius idea of disguising as Kong to observe how the departments work. And when his father started sharing all the achievements he did from working undercover, especially the scandal with the senior accountant, a whisper in his head told him to look at his former department just to be entertained at their obviously gobbsmacked expression. He wanted to see them perishing after all the works he had to endure from them.

But Kongpob couldn't be bothered. He continued to stare at Arthit who was looking up at him as well, with only anger visible on his face but Kongpob knew he's feeling more than that, as he should.

Kongpob was only shaken out of his stupor when his father handed him the microphone to say something about his experience working undercover. "All I could say was it was very eventful. Probably the best months in my whole life,"

Kongpob sighed. "I met a lot of people, some the worst, some were good... But it was when I met the best person I had the fortunate chance of meeting,"

Arthit shook his head and ran away.

Kongpob knew he had to end the speech there and then so he gave a polite bow. "I look forward to working with all of you."

"Don't do anything to embarrass the company."

Kongpob only swatted his father's hand away. He needed to chase Arthit.

/

Arthit ran away from the place, with his body trembling. He felt weak from Kongpob's betrayal but he still forced himself to leave, he didn't know where he'd go as well. But he couldn't stay there anymore and stood like he wasn't dying inside while Kongpob hurt him more with every bit of his double life exposed to Arthit.

He sobbed and angrily wiped his tears away but with every step he took away from Kongpob, the quicker his tears fell, the more sobs wreck his body, the more he felt his heart crushing, the more his feelings got heavy, and the more everything around him crumbled.

Arthit didn't want to cry where Kongpob could see him but just the realization of both K and Kong talking to him knowing they're the same person. Every single thing he shared with K... and Kong...

Kong...

It was probably better for him if he found out that Kongpob was cheating on him instead. But no. Kongpob did the worst to him. He made him believe a life that's entirely false. Kongpob made him fall in love with someone who didn't exist.