Secret Admirer

16. Ring

Ciro hurried through the winding path toward the garden, his heart pounding harder with each step. The crisp evening air did nothing to cool the strange churn in his stomach—a combination of excitement, anticipation, and an underlying nervousness. 

Ever since his conversation with his mother, the thought of Kayu's possible feelings had been swirling in his head. What if Kayu had called him to confess his love? He couldn't help but wonder, even though another part of him immediately countered that thought. 

Kayu was engaged—to June, no less. If he really had feelings for Ciro, why would he agree to marry someone else?

His mind buzzed with questions as he approached the garden. Soft lights strung around the trees bathed the space in a warm glow, casting gentle shadows across the stone pathway. And there, standing near the edge of the garden, was Kayu, looking as if he was waiting for something—or someone.

Under the delicate light, Kayu's features looked softer than usual. His hair caught the glow, and his normally composed expression held a touch of uncertainty. 

For a moment, Ciro stood frozen in place, staring at him. His heart, inexplicably, skipped a beat. It was a feeling he hadn't expected, one that he couldn't quite understand.

"Khun Ciro," Kayu's voice broke the spell, pulling him back to reality. "I have been waiting for you."

Ciro blinked, shaking himself out of his daze. He forced a smile and walked over, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, sorry about that," he replied, his voice slightly breathless. "What is going on? Why did you call me out here in a hurry?"

Kayu looked nervous—more so than Ciro had ever seen him. His fingers fidgeted slightly, and Ciro's heart began to race again. Could this really be the moment? Was his mother right? Was Kayu about to confess?

Instead, Kayu pulled a white envelope from his pocket and handed it to Ciro.

Ciro frowned, confused. He took the envelope and opened it, his heart sinking as something small and metallic fell into his hand. It was a ring. Not just any ring—it was the one he had given to Kayu for safekeeping after he broke up with his ex-girlfriend.

"Why are you giving this back now?" Ciro asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Kayu took a deep breath before speaking, his eyes avoiding Ciro's. "I am resigning from my post as your secretary," he said quietly, almost as if it pained him to say the words aloud.

Ciro blinked in surprise, his mind reeling. "You... what?"

"I' would like to resign from the post of your secretary, Khun Ciro" Kayu continued, his voice steady but low. 

Ciro stared at him, the words not fully registering. "Why?" he asked, his voice strained. "Why are you leaving now? Why all of a sudden? Is this because of June? Did he ask you to resign?"

Kayu shook his head. "No, it is not because of June. It is something I have been thinking about for a while now. I just... I postponed it because you were going through a rough time with your breakup."

Ciro's lips curled into a sarcastic smile, though his chest tightened with frustration. "Oh, so you postponed your resignation out of pity? You could have just left when you wanted. Why care about my breakup?"

His words were sharp, cutting through the air like a blade, but Kayu remained calm. "I just didn't think it was the right time," he replied softly, his gaze still averted. "But I have made up my mind now."

The calmness in Kayu's voice only fueled Ciro's frustration. He couldn't understand why this was happening so suddenly. They had been close, hadn't they? Colleagues, sure, but also something more—friends, or so Ciro had thought. And now, Kayu wanted to leave him, just like that?

Kayu's voice interrupted his thoughts. "I will help you hire a new secretary and train them. I will stay for the three-month notice period and make sure everything is in order before I leave."

Ciro stayed silent, not sure how to respond. His mind was racing, his emotions a tangled mess of hurt and confusion. He wanted to say something, to fight back, but the words wouldn't come.

"I will be heading home now," Kayu said, glancing at his watch. "Goodnight, Khun Ciro."

And just like that, Kayu walked away, leaving Ciro standing in the garden, staring after him. His mind swirled with disbelief. How could this be happening? 

Kayu had always been by his side, and now he was walking away without a second thought. The realization stung more than he expected, and his bitterness surged. 

If Kayu truly cared, why hadn't he ever shared anything with Ciro? He hadn't told Ciro when he moved houses, when he bought a new car, or even when he started dating June.

The bitterness bubbled up inside Ciro, and before he knew it, impulse took over. He bolted from the garden, his legs moving faster than his thoughts. He reached the parking lot just as Kayu was pulling out in his car. Without thinking, Ciro stepped in front of the vehicle, forcing it to stop.

Kayu slammed on the brakes, his eyes wide with shock as he rolled down the window. "Khun Ciro, are you out of your mind? You could have gotten hurt!"

Ciro, panting heavily, waved off the concern and motioned for Kayu to get out of the car. "Just... get out. I need to talk to you."

Kayu hesitated for a moment, confusion clear on his face, but eventually, he got out of the car and stood in front of Ciro. "What's going on?"

Without saying a word, Ciro reached for Kayu's right hand, sliding the ring he had just returned back onto his finger. It rested there—on Kayu's right hand—where, according to Thai tradition, it signified marriage or being taken.

Kayu stared at the ring, his eyes wide. "Khun Ciro, what are you doing?"

Ciro leaned in, placing a soft kiss on the ring that now sat on Kayu's hand. His lips curled into a smirk as he looked up into Kayu's bewildered eyes. "I am going to compete, fair and square," he said, his voice low and teasing. "For my chance."

Before Kayu could respond, Ciro leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Sweet dreams, baby," he whispered with a playful smile before turning and walking away, leaving Kayu standing there in stunned silence.

Kayu watched as Ciro's figure disappeared into the night, his heart racing. His hand slowly moved to his cheek, the spot where Ciro had just kissed him. He stood there, frozen, unable to believe what had just happened. The kiss, the ring—it all felt too surreal.

Kayu had never imagined that Ciro might feel something for him, let alone act on it. And now, as he stood there alone in the quiet parking lot, he couldn't help but wonder if everything had just changed in the blink of an eye.