Soulful (TayNew)

part-29

Author Pov:-

After a few weeks of rest, New began feeling restless. He had enjoyed the downtime, but he was ready for something more—something that would challenge him again. He missed the rhythm of work, the sense of accomplishment that came with it. But there was one thing he was sure of: he didn’t want to work at Tay’s company anymore. As much as he loved being near Tay, New wanted to prove himself without the influence of his husband’s reputation.

One evening, as they sat down for dinner, New nervously brought it up. “Tay,” he began softly, glancing at his husband, “I’ve been thinking... I want to start looking for a job.”

Tay looked up, surprised. “A job? But I thought you were taking a break?”

New nodded. “I was. But now I’m ready. I want to get back out there, do something for myself.” He hesitated before adding, “But not at your company.”

The shift in Tay’s expression was immediate. His relaxed demeanor tensed, and his brows furrowed. “Why not? You were doing great there, Hin.”

“I know,” New replied, “but I want to prove that I can make it on my own. I don’t want people thinking I got the job because of you.”

Tay’s jaw clenched slightly. “You didn’t get the job because of me. You earned it.”

New sighed. “I know that, Tay. But other people don’t. And I don’t want to spend my career constantly having to prove that.”

Tay’s eyes softened with understanding, but he couldn’t let go of his own feelings. “I just don’t understand why you can’t stay at the company. I miss having you there, Hin. I like knowing you’re close. And... I don’t want anyone else to hurt you like before.”

New looked at Tay, his heart aching. He knew Tay’s protectiveness came from a place of love, but he also knew that he couldn’t live in his husband’s shadow forever.

“Tay, I love you,” New said gently, “but I need to do this for myself. I want to show the world—and myself—that I can succeed on my own, without your name behind me.”

Tay’s lips pressed into a thin line. “So you’re saying you don’t want to work with me?”

“It’s not that,” New replied quickly. “It’s just... I need my own space to grow.”

The tension between them lingered for the rest of the evening, neither willing to fully give in. Tay felt conflicted—he understood New’s desire for independence, but the thought of New being out of his reach, where he couldn’t protect him, filled him with unease.

---

For the next three days, they barely spoke. Tay, stubborn and hurt, withdrew into himself, focusing on work to avoid the emotional storm inside him. New, on the other hand, felt guilty but also firm in his decision. They loved each other deeply, but this was a matter of principle for New, and he couldn’t back down.

The silence between them was heavy, and each night, they slept facing opposite directions, the space between them in bed feeling like an ocean. It was the first real argument they had had in a long time, and it weighed on both of them.

On the fourth day, Tay came home from work earlier than usual. He couldn’t stand the distance between them anymore. He found New in the living room, curled up on the couch with a blanket, staring absently at the TV.

Without saying a word, Tay sat beside him, close but not touching. They sat in silence for a few moments before Tay finally spoke, his voice low and vulnerable.