Beyond Us [Bangchan] [Finished]

Chapter 52

"What's what you have to talk with me?" Asked Richard sitting at his desk. I sat in front of him.

"You know what I came to talk with you". I stared at him.

I knew he had a meeting with the Korean publisher on Monday and he had been avoiding me the whole week since then. I asked how things went a couple of times and he always managed to get somewhere else.

The publisher, since I made the first contact, had already told me that things were not smooth on that meeting and they couldn't get to an agreement because Richard had a terrible attitude since the moment they mentioned I would go to Korean quarters. Everything went well at the other meetings, why did he change his attitude toward them?

I had a hunch that things were not going well when he started to change the date of the meeting again and again. But I couldn't wait any longer, it had been more than a month since Chan stayed with me after that concert, and I felt I was wasting my time.

"I think you already know, so why do you bother asking me?" He replied getting moody quite quickly. I sighed.

It was a Friday afternoon; I was already tired because of all the work that I had that week and I had stayed up until very late almost every day talking with Chan on the phone. I didn't have the ability to deal with a moody Richard in my current state.

"Because you're my boss, and I thought you liked the idea of working with them".

"Your boss?" He flicked his tongue, his tone a bit bittersweet. I sat back in my chair; I knew that mood of his. "I thought we were friends". I kept looking at him, waiting for his words to come since he looked like he wanted to add something. "You are quite different since you came back".

"Us knowing each other from before we worked together doesn't mean we are friends, Richard. And I'm not the type of person who stays friends with exes, you know that". His face darkened. "And how come I'm different?" I asked but he replied with silence. "I haven't said or done anything special, it's all like always".

"What's the matter with working here now? Why are you so eager to leave? You know you're more helpful being around here". Chan's face crossed my mind instantly.

"You know why". I said softly, and he looked at my wrist. "And, if I'm honest, I prefer working out of the office. It's true that there are things that are easier to solve being here, but I stress way less, concentrate better and I'm more productive being out. I waste too much time-solving non-work-related stuff here too".

"What do you mean non-work-related stuff?" We exchanged a look, he knew I had been trying to draw a line between us from way too long ago. He swallowed hard, annoyed. "Isn't it too much?"

"Richard, why are you so upset about it? Yeah, I don't want to be your freaking assistant anymore, it's not my job. And yes, I got a boyfriend there, and I miss him freaking bad, that's why I want to go back". My voice cracked, maybe I was getting emotional because I was too tired, or maybe it was because I was feeling the same cold attitude Richard had with me when we broke up. "But I've been doing my work properly anyway, haven't I? If I go to work abroad with them, I will still be working for you, I will be doing the same stuff as now and even more. So, what's the problem?"

"The problem is that you'll not be here!" He exclaimed, almost shouting. I looked at him stupefied.

"What?" I muttered not being able to fully understand his words.

"Just what I said. And you know? You have been different since you came back. At first, I thought it was because your grandfather was ill and then he passed away but I was wrong. You've been down because of that dude, there are days I've seen you almost crying looking at that damn screen!" I didn't know what to say, I was still processing the whole situation. "You didn't look this sad even when I left you".