Flicker (BossNoeul AU)

Chapter 7

The silence of the night enveloped them as they sat together on the deck, the fireworks show that Boss Chaikamon had prepared having ended some time ago. Noeul remained lost in a daze, still trying to process everything that had transpired in such a short span of time. The yacht, the lavish dinner, Boss Chaikamon's playful teasing, and, of course, the breathtaking fireworks display-all of it felt surreal, too good to be true. Yet, there they were, living in the moment that seemed straight out of a dream.

He couldn't quite wrap his head around the significance of these actions. Was Boss Chaikamon simply being generous, or was there something more to it? Noeul was hesitant to ask, fearing that he might disrupt the light mood that lingered in the air.

He couldn't help but wonder if Boss Chaikamon treated everyone he just met with such extravagance. Was it presumptuous of him to consider their shared experience special? Was he special? Why had Boss Chaikamon gone to such lengths for him? The questions swirled in his mind, but he couldn't bring himself to voice them, afraid of what the answers might reveal.

He sighed, recalling Pete's advice not to hope beyond his expectations. After all, Boss Chaikamon was a prominent figure in the country's art scene-why would he go to such lengths just to apologize for his manager's behavior?

"I appreciate it," Noeul finally broke the silence, his voice soft yet filled with genuine gratitude. "I mean, I really appreciate the things you did just now. I wouldn't even imagine someone bringing me on a yacht or arranging a private fireworks show."

His gaze drifted towards the dark expanse of the horizon ahead, his heart racing as he spoke, his hands clasped tightly together.

"Are you somewhat bragging about your wealth to me?" he teased, a nervous laugh escaping his lips at the irony of the situation.

"Well, I'm not," Boss replied, his tone light, a chuckle dancing in his voice. "You could say I wanted to impress you on our first date."

His heart skipped a beat as Boss uttered those words-date. So, was this really a date? Noeul brought his cold hands to his neck, rubbing it in an attempt to dispel the nervous tension coursing through him. The chill of the breeze and the coolness of his hands sent shivers down his spine, while a light hue of pink colored his cheeks.

"There you go again, with your teasing," Noeul muttered in a lowered voice, unable to meet Boss's gaze, fearing what he might find in those eyes.

"But I wasn't," Boss Chaikamon countered as he shifted on the couch, edging closer to Noeul, who now found himself fixated on his shoes as if they held the answers to all his questions.

"Oh, please. I'm not really good at interpreting things, you know. I might misinterpret your actions if you keep doing this," Noeul blurted out, unable to contain his mounting frustration any longer. His chest felt tight, overwhelmed by the proximity and the weight of the words hanging in the air.

"Then think whatever you want to think, Noeul," Boss replied softly, his hand finding its way to Noeul's, sending a jolt of electricity through him. Noeul stared back at the man before him, swallowing hard.

"W-what do you want me to think? How would I know? I don't-" Noeul began, his words stumbling over each other in his anxiousness.

"I don't do this often, Noeul. Scratch that, I don't do this to anyone," Boss interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle, his gaze unwavering.

And there it was-the assurance Noeul had been waiting for, the validation he had hoped for but dared not expect.

"What's this then, Boss? Because I have no idea-" Noeul trailed off, his voice barely a whisper, his heart pounding in his chest.