Bad Guy [My Boss]

Chapter 2

The meeting dragged on tediously. Elis listened with half an ear, the high-quality graphics on the screen failing to capture his attention. His deep grey eyes were instead fixated on Patt's pale face, unable to look away.

Why was he so obsessed with this guy?

When had Patt become someone he couldn't bear to lose?

All he knew was that when Patt was near, he felt at ease and could be himself, not having to pretend to be the perfect person everyone thought he was. Everyone saw him as a perfectionist, but he wasn't.

He had his flaws, but he chose to keep them hidden from everyone except this assistant, who saw him in every light and was the only one he trusted to show his true emotions.

No matter who it was, he never felt shaken—except for one person who had shattered his trust beyond repair.

That person had crushed his heart into pieces, leaving him unsure if the damage had ever healed. All he knew was that it'd turned into a numbness that, over time, developed into a feeling of being 'emotionless.'

But Patt was different. He knew this person would never betray his trust like the other had. Instinctively, he knew Patt wouldn't hurt him.

But now, he wasn't so sure.

For the first time, he felt fear...

Theeranai's involvement with Patt stirred something dark within him. He hated this insecurity, this fear of losing Patt, which made him restless and not himself.

He'd never been cruel to Patt, even if he was sometimes overbearing or selfish. He always treated Patt with respect, seeing him as important, as a subordinate, a friend, someone he could laugh and be close with. So, he never did anything to demean the other.

...except for this morning.

When the boring meeting finally ended, Elis exhaled. He turned to Patt, who was efficiently packing up documents and a laptop, seemingly unbothered by anything, which was far from how he felt.

You should feel something!

Even a little shake or tremor would be good...

As everyone started to leave the room, Patt knew he had to hurry out as well, although, for the past three years, he was always the last to leave.

Patt would let his boss leave first out of respect and wait for the other to signal what he wanted, ready to comply with every word.

This time was no different. Patt waited for Elis to rise from the table, but Elis remained seated, arms crossed, watching him with a cold gaze.

"Are you having lunch here? I'll let the housekeeper know to prepare it," Patt asked calmly, adjusting his glasses slightly and waiting patiently for a response.

"Yes, I'll eat here," Elis replied.

"Okay."

"Hold on."

"Yes?"

Patt responded and turned back with a faint smile that seemed normal, not betraying any sign of the heavy heartache he felt inside.

Elis's eyes twitched at the sight of Patt's icy demeanor, which involuntarily provoked his darker side. He didn't like Patt's indifference towards him, especially since they never had to hide their feelings from each other, always speaking their minds.

He hated that something was coming between him and Patt, but if Patt wanted to play games, so be it.

He wanted to play games, too.