Secret Admirer

22. Business

June pulled up to the front of Kayu's apartment building, leaning over with a warm smile as Kayu gathered the last of the shopping bags from the back seat. 

Both of his hands were full, each brimming with souvenirs June had picked up for him in Japan. A reminder of every thoughtful moment June had had for him while they were apart.

"Do you need help carrying those up?" June asked, eyes scanning the bags as if he had missed something important in them.

Kayu shook his head with a grin. "I am good. Really, they are not as heavy as they look." He balanced them in his arms, and his smile softened. "Go home, get some rest. You just got back from Japan; I don't want you overtiring yourself."

"Alright," June said, though his gaze lingered a moment longer, like he didn't quite want to leave. "I will call you tomorrow?"

Kayu nodded. "Of course."

With a final wave, Kayu watched June drive away, his heart light and happy, a renewed sense of ease filling him after their talk. All his worries and uncertainties had faded away, replaced by the familiar warmth that came from being understood and reassured. 

He headed toward the elevator, reliving moments from their night together and feeling a comfortable glow within. This time, they had both been honest. That was all he had needed.

The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open. He stepped out, his mind still half-drifting, his face carrying a smile that faded the moment he looked up. 

Ciro was standing at the end of the hall, hands in his pockets, his expression anything but friendly.

"Khun Ciro?" Kayu's smile vanished. He walked forward, cautious. "What are you doing here?"

Ciro didn't answer immediately. His eyes were dark, serious, and he studied Kayu, taking in the bags, the slight flush to his cheeks. Then, without preamble, he asked, "So, the family emergency you mentioned...was that to meet June?"

Kayu blinked, caught off guard. "I told you I needed to leave," he replied simply. "Why does it matter?"

Ciro's expression shifted, frustration darkening his gaze. "I was worried about you. You left so quickly, and I thought..." He looked away, jaw tightening. "I thought something had happened. I even left my friends to check on you."

Kayu sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. "It was more important to me to see my fiancé than to have dinner with your friends, Khun Ciro." He shifted the bags in his hands and walked past him to his apartment door, not in the mood to engage further.

But Ciro followed closely behind, stepping into the entryway as Kayu opened the door. Ciro's voice was low, and it bristled with a tense energy. "Buri is June's ex-boyfriend, you know that, don't you?"

Kayu turned, surprised by the remark but unwilling to give it much reaction. "I know," he answered evenly, placing the bags on the counter with careful precision.

Ciro's jaw clenched, his eyes searching Kayu's face for something he couldn't find. "Do you also know that June slept with Buri the night he proposed to you?"

Kayu's breath caught for just a moment, but he let it out in a long sigh. "Khran, I know," he said calmly. He wasn't willing to give Ciro the reaction he seemed to be hoping for. The truth no longer held the power to hurt him the way it had before.

The color drained from Ciro's face as he stared at Kayu in shock. "You know?," he repeated, disbelieving. "You know, and yet you are still...you are still planning to go forward with this relationship?"

Kayu looked back at him, eyes hardening. "Why do you look so disappointed, Khun Ciro? What reaction are you expecting?" He folded his arms. "Wasn't it you who encouraged me to leave him alone in the first place? You wanted me out of the picture to help push P' Buri and June back together."

Kayu scoffs mockingly "You went to the extend of lying about a non existent client meeting to drag me away to make way for you friend. Were you disappointed it didn't work out?"

A flicker of something flashed in Ciro's eyes—regret, perhaps, or shame. "I did what I thought was best for everyone," he said, his voice quieter now.

Kayu let out a hollow, bitter laugh, the sound breaking from somewhere deep within him. "You thought it was best to sabotage your employee's relationship? To meddle with something that wasn't any of your business?"

The hurt welled up in his eyes despite his best efforts to keep his composure. He had been loyal, dedicated, worked tirelessly for years—and this was the betrayal he was left with, from someone he thought he could trust. 

His voice was barely a whisper as he continued, "Do you even understand how much I have given to this job, Khun Ciro? And all along, you were trying to tear apart my relationship?"

Ciro looked down, visibly stung, though he quickly collected himself. "You are right. Maybe I shouldn't have interfered. But I know that June isn't the right person for you."

Kayu's patience wore thin, his eyes flashing. "And who gave you the right to decide that for me?" His voice quivered with anger, the restrained fury simmering beneath his words. "What, did you feel guilty? Is that why you have been giving me flowers, snacks, all those little 'gestures'? Was it some kind of warped compensation?"

Ciro's face hardened as he shook his head. "No. That's not what it was at all. I did it because I care about you, Kayu. I meant every single gesture. It had nothing to do with guilt."

Kayu's eyes narrowed, his hurt now tinged with disbelief. "You cared? You cared, and that's why you hurt me like this? That's why you kept pushing June and P' Buri together, knowing what it would do to me?" His voice cracked, and he looked away, blinking back the tears that had risen despite himself.

But Ciro didn't flinch. He met Kayu's gaze, steady, refusing to back down. "Yes, I care. And I also care about the fact that June wouldn't have done what he did if he had truly been committed to you. You deserve better than someone who would betray you that easily, Kayu."

Kayu took a breath, his voice a strained whisper. "That's my relationship, Ciro. It's none of your business."

Ciro took a step closer, his voice lowering, every word laced with a firmness that wouldn't be brushed aside. "As long as it involves you, it is my business."

Kayu's heart pounded as they stood there in silence, the weight of Ciro's words hanging heavy in the air between them. 

The question lingered, unanswered but electric, his mind torn between his anger and the undeniable tension that pulsed through the room.