Love Through the Veil (KimMacau)

5 - Stay (18+)

Chay

Macau and I faced each other in the middle of the living room, an unspoken tension hanging heavily between us. The anguish in Macau's eyes was palpable; I could see he longed to race after P' Kim and beg him to stay, to halt his departure to France. Yet, there was an unmistakable fear etched across his features, a dread that P' Kim might ignore him after their argument the previous day. The weight of the silence grew unbearable, and finally, I couldn't endure it any longer.

"Macau, I understand your fear that P' Kim might not hear you out after the deception yesterday," I spoke gently, though my heart was anything but serene. "But you owe it to yourself and to him to speak honestly about how you truly feel." Macau's eyes widened in confusion, and it became clear why. Unbeknownst to him and P' Kim, I had been just outside the door during their conversation the previous day, absorbing every word. I had quietly slipped away only when P' Kim had asked Macau to leave.

"How on earth do you know what P' Kim and I discussed yesterday?" Macau inquired, his brow furrowing in bewilderment. Before I could respond, P' Vegas and P' Pete joined us, their eyes brimming with anticipation. The trio's gazes locked onto me, each one reflecting a mix of curiosity and urgency, eager to unravel the mystery.

"I came to visit you and P' Kim yesterday morning. Just as I was about to unlock the penthouse with the key P' Kim gave me, I overheard your conversation. I stayed by the door until P' Kim asked you to leave. I deeply regret listening in without your permission," I confessed, my voice trembling with remorse. Macau's eyes softened as he regarded me, his nod reassuring me that he held no grudge. I offered a grateful nod in return, my heart lightened by his understanding.

"But how did you come to know about my feelings for P' Kim?" Macau inquired, his voice laced with deep curiosity and a hint of vulnerability.

"A few days after your stay at the Major Family House, P' Porsche and P' Tankhun ended up drinking more than usual while engrossed in a drama series. I was there with them, but I abstained from drinking. In their inebriated state, their conversation took a turn toward discussing the drama, and their chatter eventually veered into a revelation about your feelings for P' Kim. Curiosity led me to probe further, and they, in their tipsy candor, unveiled the entire story. Once they had spilled everything, they succumbed to sleep almost immediately, leaving me alone, grappling with a whirlwind of shock and frustration."

As I looked over, I saw Macau's eyes filled with sadness, and the reason for his distress became clear. Before he could utter a word, I interjected, "Macau, please don't look at me with such sadness. My anger wasn't directed at you. I was furious with myself for failing to see something so clear. The way you gazed at P' Kim, the flush of your cheeks whenever he spoke to you or praised you—these were undeniable signs that your feelings for him went beyond mere friendship or familial affection. The shock and hurt in your eyes when I revealed my own feelings for P' Kim should have been my wake-up call. But I missed it, and for that, I am deeply remorseful. I hate that I inadvertently caused you pain."

As I finished, I saw the tears welling up in Macau's eyes, his silent anguish mirroring the turmoil I felt inside.

"It's not your fault, Chay. How could you have ever known about the depth of my feelings for P' Kim?" Macau's voice trembled with raw emotion, his eyes glistening with unspoken pain.

"Macau, please hear me out," I implored, taking a steadying breath before continuing. "Yes, I have feelings for P' Kim, and perhaps I even love him. But those feelings pale in comparison to the depth of your devotion. You've loved him far longer than I've known him, and your love for him is something I can barely comprehend. I can walk away from my feelings, but I know you could never truly let go." Macau's gaze met mine, and his silent agreement was evident in the sadness that clouded his eyes. We locked eyes in a poignant silence, both of us feeling the weight of unspoken words.