Beyond The Shadows

whipped

uea ran down the stairs to the 2nd floor of his department. His legs were too wobbly when he finally reached his cabin and the dizziness was too much but the burning sensation of the anger was more at the moment.

He collapsed on his chair a bit loudly, almost falling on the floor but even with his blurry sight he grabbed the table edge. A file fell from the table due to his hand movements and finally, it got the attention of a few workers.

Lee quickly got up from his chair and rushed to him.

uea was resting his head on the table, one hand on the edge while the other clutching over his stomach. He was breathing heavily with closed eyes, not knowing that someone was standing right beside him.

"You ok? Anol??? ANOL?!" Lee called him but he had no energy to reply to him.

"Get some water, hurry up!" He heard lee telling someone and finally felt someone trying to make him sit properly on his chair.

"You're sweating dude, can you even hear me?" lee asked with concern, a very rare side of him. Other workers also got up from their seats to see what happened to the new boy.

When Mr. joong heard the commotion, he also came out of his office. "What's happening here?" He inquired noticing the little crowd near a cabin.

"Sir, the new boy is not feeling well. He looks so pale and sick." One of the workers replied and Mr. joong strode towards the table to see lee trying to talk with the other who had his eyes closed with a very sweaty pale face.

"Get away you all, let him breathe." Mr. joong shooed away the others who compiled, still interested in the matter, though.

"uea?" He called the younger as lee was wiping his face with the tissues.

When uea heard his boss, he used his remaining energy to open his eyes and to straighten himself but failed until lee helped him again.

"It's ok, it's ok." Mr. joong said calmly and patted his shoulder to make him calm as well.

"Here, water sir."

lee helped uea to drink water after which he was able to keep his eyes open a bit, but he was still looking so pale and tired.

"Do you even have your lunch, anol?" lee frowned, letting go of the other's arms.

uea bit his lip in embarrassment when he noticed the eyes on him, he felt self-conscious.

"I didn't see him in the cafe, honestly... I never saw him there after his first day." prim said with concern.

"uea, are you feeling any better or should I send you to the hospital?" Mr. joong asked but when uea heard that, he quickly shook his head in fear.

Hospital means bills and money- the thing he can't afford, not at least now.

"I- I'm fine sir." The words seemed all forced but he somehow managed to give a small smile as well to assure.

"Let me bring something to eat for you," prim suggested and Mr. joong allowed her to go.

"Take care of yourself, kid, I don't want some sick and weak ones here." Mr. joong huffed and left. Well, he wasn't a total jerk, but when it comes to money and profit, everyone is a jerk.

uea felt bad about the words but he was well aware of the situation. For crying out loud, he just joined at the start of the week, and now this?

lee sighed when the others started going back to their work, muttering something inaudible.

uea inhaled sharply to keep himself very much attentive all while lee was just looking at him with a blank face.