Secret Admirer

13. Cheat

June was waiting in the office lobby, leaning against a column, tapping his phone absentmindedly. His expression was unusually tense, and every so often, he glanced toward the door. 

When Kayu finally appeared, June straightened up instantly, his eyes lighting up. He walked briskly toward Kayu, arms outstretched, and wrapped him in an embrace before Kayu had even had a chance to register what was happening.

Kayu, caught off guard by June's sudden enthusiasm, stiffened for a brief moment but then relaxed, returning the hug. It was a strange gesture for June, who wasn't typically so physically expressive in public. 

There was something different in the way June clung to him, and though Kayu didn't fully understand it, he didn't pull away. He smiled faintly, brushing it off as just one of June's rare bursts of affection.

"You okay?" Kayu asked, pulling back slightly but still holding June by the shoulders.

June forced a smile. "Yeah, I am fine. I just... there's something important we need to talk about. That's why I came to get you."

Kayu raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Alright, let's head back to my place."

The drive to Kayu's apartment was brief. His place wasn't far from the office—a small but beautifully arranged apartment that reflected Kayu's taste.

The soft pastel colors and neutral tones on the walls created a calm atmosphere, while sleek, minimalist furniture gave the space an air of simplicity and elegance. Despite the minimalism, the plush cushions and soft carpets gave it a cozy, lived-in feel. 

The apartment was always neat, with a few indoor plants scattered about, adding a touch of life to the place. Kayu was particularly proud of his plants; they made the space feel more vibrant, more like home. 

Huge glass doors led out to the balcony, letting in a flood of natural light that bathed the room in warmth.

On one wall hung a few framed photos of Kayu with his family, reminders of a simpler time. He always liked to keep the place well-organized—everything had its place, and that brought him a sense of peace, especially on chaotic days like today.

Once inside, they ordered takeout, and Kayu set the table in the living room, where they could eat casually. June was quiet, more so than usual, and Kayu could sense that whatever June wanted to talk about weighed heavily on him.

When the food arrived, they sat down to eat. Kayu glanced at June, waiting for him to start the conversation. June fiddled with his chopsticks for a moment, his fingers shaking slightly. He stared down at his plate, struggling to find the words.

"Kayu," he began slowly, his voice almost a whisper. "I need to tell you something, and I don't know how you're going to react."

Kayu paused mid-bite, his eyes narrowing slightly in concern. "What's going on, June? Just tell me."

June swallowed hard, staring at the table as if it might offer him the courage he needed. "Last night... after we got engaged..." He trailed off, his voice trembling, and then continued in a rushed, pained breath, "I slept with Hia Buri."

Kayu didn't react immediately. His chopsticks hovered over his plate for a beat before he slowly set them down, leaning back in his chair. 

His expression wasn't angry or shocked, as June had feared. Instead, there was a strange calmness to him, almost as if this revelation hadn't surprised him at all.

June looked up, expecting a storm of emotions—rage, hurt, betrayal—but instead, he found Kayu studying him, his lips curving into a teasing smile.

"So... how was it?" Kayu asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp.

June blinked, stunned by the response. "What?" His voice wavered with confusion.

"How was it?" Kayu repeated, leaning forward slightly. "I mean, you cheated on me literally the night after our engagement. I would think it must have been something pretty intense to risk everything like that."

June's mouth fell open. He was so taken aback by Kayu's reaction that he couldn't form a coherent response for a moment. "Why... why aren't you mad?" he stammered. "I thought you would be furious."

Kayu sighed and leaned back in his chair again, crossing his arms over his chest. "June, before I became your fiancé, I was your friend. And as your friend, I have known for a long time that you weren't really over P' Buri."

June's eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn't expected Kayu to be this perceptive. "That's not... I mean, I thought I was over him, but—"

"But you are not," Kayu interrupted softly. "And that's okay, June. You can't just shut off feelings like that. It's why I haven't really... reacted the way you thought I would. If you and P' Buri have unfinished business, and if this is something you need to figure out, I am more than happy to step aside. I won't hold it against you."

June shook his head vehemently, his voice breaking. "No, no, it was a mistake. A stupid, terrible mistake. I regret it so much. It won't happen again, I swear."

He slumped forward, covering his face with his hands. "I hate myself for letting him get to me. I thought I was done with him. I thought I was stronger than that."

Kayu reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on June's shoulder. "June, you are human. We all make mistakes. This doesn't have to define you."

June lifted his head, tears brimming in his eyes. "I saw him with her, Kayu. Yen. The woman who ruined everything between us. Hia was laughing with her like nothing had ever happened. It tore me apart. I don't know why I let it get to me, but it did. And then Hia... he just said all the right things, made me feel... weak again. I hate that he still has that power over me."

Kayu's expression softened as he listened to June's pain. "June, Buri didn't take advantage of you. You are not weak. You are hurt. And it is normal to act out when you are hurting." 

He paused, searching for the right words. "But you can't let him control how you see yourself. You are stronger than you think."

June let out a shaky breath, wiping his eyes. "I should have known better. I should have known Hia wouldn't change. He will always be that same person who broke my heart. Seeing him with Yen, laughing like they were some perfect couple... it just got to me."

Kayu nodded, understanding more than June realized. 

He knew what it was like to hold on to something that was already gone, hoping that it would change, hoping that the past could be rewritten. "It's hard to let go of people who once meant the world to you," Kayu said quietly. "But you deserve better than what P' Buri can give you. You always have."

June sniffed, leaning into Kayu's hand, finding some comfort in his touch. "I know. I just... I hate myself for last night."

"Don't," Kayu said gently. "You have already paid for it enough."

June nodded, his eyes red and puffy but clearer now. "Thank you, Kayu. For not hating me."

Kayu smiled softly, a small sadness in his eyes. "I could never hate you, June. I just want you to be happy."

They sat in silence for a while after that, the weight of the conversation settling between them, but something had shifted. June no longer felt trapped in his guilt, and Kayu, as always, was the steady hand that guided him through the storm.