Guon - T1 Empire: Mischievous Games

Chapter 40

The day felt interminable for both of them.

For Oner, every tick of the clock was accompanied by a fresh round of whispered comments and stolen glances. The walls of the office seemed to close in on him, amplifying every word. "Did you see what he's wearing today?" "Guess we know how he got that promotion..." "Poor Gumayusi, blinded by infatuation." Each comment felt like a cut, whittling away at his self-worth. A position he had earned through hard work and diligence was now being belittled and seen in a new, demeaning light.

Gumayusi, in his cabin, was battling a tempest of his own. He could sense Oner's reticence, the distance that had suddenly sprung up between them. He missed the easy camaraderie, the shared laughs, the quiet moments. The domesticity of the morning now felt like a distant dream, overshadowed by the events of the day.

Lunchtime, usually a reprieve, became a reminder of the chasm that had opened up. Oner would typically bring in the meal, and they'd share it, often with Oner feeding Gumayusi as they both worked or discussed a project. But today, Oner simply placed the lunchbox on Gumayusi's desk with a quiet "Here's your lunch," and left.

Gumayusi stared at the closed door long after Oner had exited. The untouched food on his desk grew cold as a sense of frustration and helplessness welled up inside him. The chittering of the office grapevine, the hurt in Oner's eyes, and the sudden coldness between them seemed insurmountable.

He missed Oner-missed the genuine smiles, the light teasing, the comfortable silence. But more than that, he was pained to see the hurt he inadvertently caused to someone he had grown to care deeply about.

Slumping in his chair, Gumayusi pressed his temples, willing away the headache that was forming. He needed to find a way to bridge the gap, to restore their bond, to stand by Oner. The challenge was figuring out how to do it in a way that wouldn't further fan the flames of the rumors.