In Lines Of Love ~ Kimchay

3. Mr. Ceo

#Jeffcode Drabble

( I'm so happy and Proud that my imagination couldn't wait—I had to let it run wild immediately. ASAP. )

Barcode lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, exhaustion creeping in from the long day. 

It had been huge—he had finally done it. At 20, he’d opened his own Company, His label, Taintis Studio. It was surreal, after more than two years of struggle and pain in the Entertainment industry. 

He’d been treated like he was nothing, just because he was young. People had tried to break him, pushed him aside, even crossed lines that still haunted him. 

But now, he was free.

He shifted under the covers, trying to relax, but something was missing. 

No matter how much he tried, there was a familiar ache in his chest, a longing for someone who had been there through it all—P'Jeff. 

The one who saw him when others didn’t, who protected him from the ugliest parts of the industry. Without Jeff, the room felt too quiet, too empty.

He sighed, closing his eyes. Maybe sleep would take the edge off this feeling.

Just then, a soft knock on the door made his eyes snap open.

"Come in," he called, voice heavy with fatigue.

The door creaked open, revealing Creamy. She was grinning, holding something behind her back. "I thought you might like a little surprise," she teased.

Barcode raised an eyebrow, sitting up slightly. "What is it?"

With a flourish, Creamy brought out a bouquet of sunflowers, bright and full of life.

 Barcode blinked in surprise as she walked toward him, holding the flowers out with a smile. 

Nestled between the sunflowers was a small note.

“What’s this?” he asked, taking the bouquet from her.

“It’s from someone who knows you pretty well,” Creamy said, her tone playful as she sat on the edge of his bed, watching him expectantly.

Barcode pulled the note free and opened it carefully. His heart fluttered the moment he saw the familiar handwriting.

“To Mr. CEO, from your P'Jeff.”

A smile spread across his face, warmth blooming in his chest. Jeff. Of course, it was from him.

“I knew it,” Barcode muttered under his breath, his smile growing as he read the note again, savoring the simplicity of the words. 

Only Jeff could make something so small mean so much.

“He’s proud of you, you know,” Creamy said, nudging him gently. “More than anyone else.”

Barcode nodded, eyes still on the note. “I know. He’s always been there for me. Even when it was the hardest... he stayed.”

Creamy watched her brother quietly for a moment before standing. “Well, I’ll let you get some rest. But you should call him tomorrow. He deserves to hear how much this meant to you.”

Feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the petals. Jeff always knew how to reach him, even when they were apart.

Barcode glanced up at her. “Yeah… I will. Thanks, Creamy.”

She gave him a soft smile before leaving the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

Alone again, Barcode placed the bouquet on his nightstand, fingers lingering on the note. 

He picked up his phone, hesitating for a moment. He wanted to call Jeff right now, to hear his voice, to thank him for always being there. 

But it was late, and Jeff had his own busy schedule. Still, the urge was strong. Just to hear him say something—anything—before sleep took over.

He stared at the phone, torn, before deciding to send a message instead.

Barcode: Got the flowers, P’Jeff. Thank you... you always know how to make me feel better. You don’t know how much I needed this.

He hesitated, then hit send. A few seconds later, the screen lit up with Jeff's reply.

Jeff: You’ve earned everything, Nong. I’m proud of you. Sleep well, I’ll see you soon.

Barcode smiled, feeling the familiar comfort settle in his chest. 

He placed the phone down and lay back against the pillows, the sunflowers catching the dim light from his lamp. 

Jeff might not be here physically, but his presence was all around him, in every word and gesture.

As he closed his eyes, sleep finally came—calm, warm, and full of the reassurance that, no matter what, Jeff was always right there with him.