Autumn is a second spring

83. Move in

It had been a long, grueling week since Ohm's surgery. 

The hospital room had become a second home to Boun, who refused to leave Ohm's side, his worry and guilt eating at him constantly. 

Ohm still hadn't woken up, and Boun's days blurred together in a haze of waiting, hoping, and an unshakeable fear gnawing at him. 

Finally, Kao stepped in, urging him to take a few hours off each day to handle his work. If he didn't, the mountain of files awaiting him at the office would soon become a mountain range.

As Boun walked into his office that morning, he couldn't ignore how strange it felt to be back. It was the same familiar space—the comfortable armchair, the polished desk, the organized stacks of files—but something about it felt... distant. 

James entered, balancing a stack of documents that needed his immediate attention. 

Boun looked up and caught sight of him, noticing the layers of foundation and concealer thick on his face.

"Whoa, James," Boun said, raising an eyebrow, trying to lighten his own mood. "Are you all dolled up for a date or something? Trying to impress your boyfriend, huh?" He gave a friendly grin, expecting James to blush or laugh it off.

James offered a faint smile, one that seemed more forced than genuine. "Oh, uh, not exactly, Khun Boun," he replied, his tone too controlled. He quickly looked down at his papers, fidgeting with the edges.

Boun's grin faded. Something was off. James was usually shy and bashful when asked about his boyfriend, not tight-lipped and uncomfortable. 

Before Boun could press further, James glanced at his watch and cleared his throat.

"Actually, Khun Boun," he said, his voice a touch too brisk, "you have a meeting with Khun Patrick in an hour. I just wanted to remind you to look over the briefing before that."

Boun's curiosity piqued, but he nodded. "Right, thanks, James." He watched as James ducked his head, mumbling a polite excuse, and hurried out of the office.

Left alone with the files, Boun sat back in his chair, thinking over James's behavior. He knew his secretary well enough to sense something was amiss. 

James was usually transparent, his emotions easy to read, but today, his posture was tense, his words clipped. Whatever it was, Boun couldn't turn a blind eye. After a few moments, he pressed the intercom.

"Meg, could you come to my office for a second?"

Meg entered the office shortly after, her brow creased with curiosity. "Is everything alright, Khun Boun?"

Boun glanced up, a soft smile on his face. "Yeah, yeah, everything is fine," he assured her. He leaned back, trying to keep the conversation casual. "Just wanted to check in since I have been out of the loop. Anything interesting happen around here?"

Meg chuckled, her shoulders relaxing. "Not really, Khun Boun. It has been pretty quiet. Everyone has mostly been worried about you and Khun Ohm, hoping for the best."

Boun's heart warmed at the thought of his team's support. "Thanks, Meg. It means a lot."

He hesitated, wondering if he should even ask, but he couldn't shake his concern for James. Finally, he leaned forward, his tone dropping to something more serious. "What about James? Has... anything been going on with him?"

Meg's smile faltered, and her eyes darted down, betraying a flicker of hesitation. She fidgeted, biting her lip, and Boun knew she was debating something in her mind.

"Look, Meg," he said softly, hoping to reassure her, "if there is something going on, it might help if I know. I just want to make sure James is okay."

After a tense moment, Meg exhaled and looked up, her eyes sad. "Alright, but you didn't hear this from me, okay? I don't think James wants anyone to know."

Boun nodded, his face serious. "You have my word."

Meg took a deep breath before speaking. "James broke up with his boyfriend," she said quietly. "It's... it's complicated. His boyfriend is... well, he is getting married to someone else—a woman."

The news stunned Boun, and he felt a wave of sympathy for James. "He is getting married to a woman? And James just found out?"

Meg nodded, glancing at the door to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "Yeah, James only found out recently. But there is more." She hesitated, then continued, "I wasn't planning on telling anyone, but a few days ago, I ran into them... outside a supermarket."

"What happened?" Boun asked, his voice low and tense.

"At first, I thought they were just arguing," Meg said, her voice almost a whisper, "so I didn't step in. But then... things got out of hand. His boyfriend started getting physical—he hit James."

Boun's hands tightened into fists as she spoke. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Did James call the police?" he asked, barely keeping the anger out of his voice.

Meg nodded. "Yes, the police got involved, and his boyfriend was arrested. Since then, James has been staying at a hotel. He... he didn't want anyone to know, so he has been putting on a brave face, trying to act like everything is normal."

Boun nodded solemnly, letting the information sink in. It was heartbreaking to think of James, usually so cheerful and dedicated, going through such a traumatic experience alone. After a moment, he gave Meg a reassuring nod. "Thanks for telling me, Meg. I will keep it between us."

Meg nodded, looking relieved, and with a quick smile, she excused herself.

Once Meg had left, Boun sat quietly, thinking through everything. The thought of James staying alone in some anonymous hotel didn't sit right with him, not after what he'd been through. 

With Ohm still in a coma, Boun's mind was already stretched, but he couldn't ignore his concern for James.

After a few minutes, he pressed the intercom again. "James, could you come to my office, please?"

James entered, looking surprised to be summoned twice in one morning. He clasped his hands in front of him, his usual polite expression on his face, though Boun could see a trace of nervousness in his eyes.

"You called for me, Khun Boun?"

"Yes, James," Boun said, keeping his tone light but purposeful. "I wanted to ask you for a favor."

James's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Of course, anything."

Boun leaned back, choosing his words carefully. "You know I have been staying at the hospital with Ohm, and Prem is out of town on business. Bew's nanny, P' Koi, has been taking care of him, but it's hard for her to manage him alone."

He paused, watching James closely. "I was wondering if you would be willing to stay at my place for a little while, just until I can be around more. Bew needs a bit of extra attention these days, and I think he would benefit from another familiar face."

James's face softened. "Oh... I would be happy to, Khun Boun. I mean, if that's really alright with you."

Boun nodded, meeting James's gaze. "More than alright."

For the first time in days, Boun saw a genuine, grateful smile on James's face. "Khrab, Khun Boun," he said softly.

Boun smiled back. "Good. Take the day to get settled, and if you need anything, just let me know. P' Koi can show you around, and I am sure Bew will be thrilled to have you there."

James nodded, his voice steady but filled with gratitude. "Of course, Khun Boun. I won't let you down."