FIRST LOVE - Book 2

Chapter 11: Remnants of Us

Fon was hired back as the new Team Lead, taking over Khong Kwan's previous position, which had remained unfilled since Khong Kwan's departure after her operation. This new role brought Fon back into the environment she once shared with Khong Kwan, adding another layer of complexity to their intertwined pasts.

Nita stood at the front of the meeting room, her eyes scanning the eager faces of the team as they settled into their seats. With a welcoming smile, she gestured toward Mon, who stood beside her. “Everyone, I have a special announcement today. Some of you may already know her, but for those who don’t, I’d like to introduce our new Team Lead, Fon.”

There was a brief moment of silence before a wave of recognition swept over the team. Smiles spread across their faces, and a few excited murmurs rippled through the room.

Nita continued, her tone warm and encouraging. “Fon is stepping into the role that Khong Kwan once held, and I know she’s going to do an incredible job. She’s no stranger to our team, and many of you have worked with her before. Let’s give her a warm welcome back.”

As the team burst into applause, Fon felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her—nervousness, excitement, and a touch of nostalgia. She looked out at the familiar faces, some of whom she had worked with closely before, and others who were new since her last time here.

One of the team members, Noi, spoke up first, her voice bright with enthusiasm. “Fon! It’s so good to have you back! We’ve missed you around here.”

Yha, who was seated beside Noi, nodded in agreement. “Definitely! We’ve been holding down the fort, but it’ll be great to have you leading us again.”

Fon smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her at the warm reception. “Thank you, Noi, Yha. It’s really good to be back. I’ve missed working with all of you, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

Another team member, Chin, chimed in, grinning. “Looks like the dream team is back in action! Welcome back, Fon.”

The energy in the room was infectious, and Fon couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. She glanced over at Nita, who gave her a supportive nod, then turned back to the team.

“I’m looking forward to catching up with all of you and getting back into the swing of things,” Fon said, her voice steady and confident. “Let’s make this a great team effort, and I’m here for any support you need.”

The team’s applause filled the room once more, and Nita took the floor again. “I’m confident that with Fon back on board, we’ll continue to thrive and achieve our goals. Let’s all work together to make this transition smooth and successful.”

As the meeting wrapped up and the team began to disperse, Nita leaned in closer to Fon, her voice low but sincere. “I’m glad you’re back, Fon. This team needed someone like you to lead them. I have no doubt you’ll do great.”

Fon nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. “Thank you, Nita. It means a lot to me to be back here. I won’t let you down.”

With that, Fon walked out of the room with a renewed sense of determination, ready to take on the challenges ahead and reconnect with the people who had always believed in her.

As the team started to settle back into their work routine, Noi approached Fon with a playful grin on her face. She held up a stack of files, balancing them precariously in her hands. "Hey, Fon, guess what? I found these records of our old and new clients. Want to take a trip down memory lane?"

Fon chuckled, recognizing Noi's teasing tone. "Oh, sure, just go ahead and put them on my desk. I’ll get to them... eventually."

Noi shook her head with a smirk. “Actually, I was thinking I’d put them inside *your* room, you know, where the Team Lead is supposed to work?”

Fon quickly shook her head, her tone still light but with an underlying firmness. “No need for that, Noi. Just leave them on my desk out here.”

Yha, who had been listening from her desk, looked up and joined in. “Fon, come on. You’re the Team Lead now—you should be sitting in the Team Lead’s office. It’s only right.”

Fon’s smile faded slightly as she shook her head. “I can’t. There are too many memories in that room… memories of Khong Kwan and everything that happened.” The weight of her words hung in the air, casting a shadow over the lighthearted banter.

Both Noi and Yha exchanged concerned glances, understanding the pain behind Fon’s reluctance. “I get it,” Yha said gently. “But we want you to be comfortable and lead us. You’re back for a reason, right?”

Noi nodded, her voice softer now. “Yeah, Fon. We’re sad about what happened between you and Khong Kwan. It’s tough seeing you like this.”

Fon sighed, feeling the familiar ache of nostalgia swell within her. “I know. It’s just hard to walk into a place that holds so much of our past. I miss everything about it… about her.”

Yha stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Fon’s shoulder. “We’re here for you, no matter what. If you need to talk or just take a moment, we understand.”

“Yeah,” added Noi, her tone sincere. “We’re a team. You’re not alone in this.”

Fon looked at her friends, grateful for their support. “Thank you. I just need some time to adjust. But I promise I’ll do my best for all of you. I’ll find a way to make it work.”

With that, the trio shared a moment of understanding, a bond strengthened by shared memories and the unspoken hope of new beginnings.

As Noi and Yha returned to their tasks, Fon settled at her desk, taking a moment to breathe. She looked around the familiar space, memories flooding back as she prepared to dive into work. Her gaze fell on Mhee, who was surrounded by stacks of boxes and garbage bags, clearly overwhelmed.

Fon stood up and walked over. “Hey, Mhee! Need a hand with that?” she asked, noticing the clutter piling up around her.

Mhee looked up, her expression hesitant. “Oh, Fon, I appreciate it, but you really don’t have to. You’re the Team Lead now. It’s not really appropriate for you to be helping with this kind of stuff,” she replied, trying to downplay the situation.

Fon shook her head firmly. “Come on, I can’t just sit at my desk while you struggle here. We’re a team, right? Just let me help!” Her determination was evident, and there was no way she was going to walk away.

Seeing the sincerity in Fon’s eyes, Mhee sighed and relented. “Alright, if you insist. Just put those boxes upstairs in storage, and I’ll take care of the garbage bags,” she instructed, grateful for the extra help.

“Got it!” Fon replied, a smile returning to her face. She grabbed a few of the boxes and headed towards the stairwell, feeling a sense of purpose as she moved.

As Fon ascended the stairs, carrying the boxes, a wave of sadness washed over her. Each step echoed in her mind, drawing her back to the past. She recalled the first time she had seen Khongkwan three years ago, the moment she decided to return from England after five long years following her tragic accident.

It was in this very office that it had all begun. The memory flickered vividly in her mind. She had been distracted, when she accidentally collided with Khongkwan. The moment their eyes met, time seemed to freeze. Khongkwan had looked shocked, disbelief etched across her features as she took in Fon’s presence.

“Is it really you?” Khongkwan had asked, her voice a mix of wonder and disbelief, the tears glistening in her eyes like stars. Fon could never forget the way Khongkwan’s arms enveloped her, as if trying to convince herself that this was not just a dream.

Tears began to fall from Fon’s eyes as she recalled that day, the warmth of their connection palpable even now. The memory of Khongkwan’s startled expression, the way her voice trembled, and the overwhelming joy and confusion that had filled the air—everything came rushing back.

Fon wiped her tears, her heart aching at the thought of how much had changed since then. They had shared laughter, love, and moments that felt infinite, only to be shattered by circumstances beyond their control.

She placed the last box in the storage room, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The pain of remembering Khongkwan was intense, but it also reminded her of the love they had shared. Fon knew that deep down, she would do anything to reclaim that connection, to help Khongkwan remember who they were to each other.