Signed by desires

Unspoken Ties

The days after Noeul began adapting to his relationship with Boss Chaikamon were a mix of confusion, quiet exhilaration, and unspoken rules. He had started to understand that whatever was happening between them was far from normal, but he couldn't deny how much it consumed his thoughts.

The office buzzed with its usual efficiency until one particular afternoon. Noeul noticed something unusual—a ripple of excitement passing through the employees. People whispered in corners, their eyes darting toward Boss's office. Curiosity got the better of him, and as he passed the slightly open door of Boss's private office, his steps faltered.

Inside stood a woman—poised, elegant, and exuding confidence. She had an aura that commanded attention, her polished demeanor contrasting with the cold austerity of the office.

Boss sat at his desk, his expression unreadable as he spoke to her. A faint smile played on her lips as she responded, her tone light and casual.

Noeul felt something unfamiliar tighten in his chest. He couldn't place it exactly—it wasn't anger, nor was it hurt. It was more like a dull ache, a foreign discomfort that left him unmoored.

"Who's that?" Noeul asked one of the assistants walking by.

The assistant gave him a brief glance before whispering, "That's Khun Pailin. She's been Boss's fiancée for years. She was overseas for work, but I guess she's back now."

Fiancée.

The word sat heavily in Noeul's mind. His throat tightened as he walked back to his desk. He had no idea Boss was engaged. Should he have known? Should it matter?

Noeul tried to focus on his work, but his thoughts betrayed him, replaying the image of the woman in Boss's office over and over. The realization of how little he knew about Boss's personal life gnawed at him.

As the day ended and the office began to empty, Noeul was startled to find Boss standing near his desk.

"You've been distracted," Boss said, his voice calm but sharp enough to cut through Noeul's thoughts.

Noeul looked up at him, startled. "I'm just... tired."

Boss's piercing gaze didn't waver. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only Noeul could hear. "You're a terrible liar, Noeul. What's bothering you?"

Noeul hesitated, unsure how to articulate the unfamiliar emotions swirling inside him. Finally, he said, "You didn't tell me you were engaged."

Boss's expression hardened for a moment before softening into something resembling amusement. "And why does that matter to you?"

"I don't know," Noeul admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Boss leaned in closer, his eyes searching Noeul's face. "Pailin is part of the life I show the world, nothing more. What I have with you... that's what's real."

The words made Noeul's heart skip a beat, but he didn't respond. He wasn't sure he knew how.

The days that followed were strange. Noeul tried not to think about Pailin, but the memory of her lingered like a shadow. Boss, on the other hand, was unbothered, his behavior toward Noeul as bold and possessive as ever. He found excuses to touch him—a hand brushing his arm, a brief squeeze of his shoulder—small moments that left Noeul both flustered and reassured.

One evening, after most of the office had left, Boss appeared at Noeul's desk.

"Come with me," Boss said, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

"To where?" Noeul asked, standing hesitantly.

"My place," Boss replied, already walking toward the elevator.

The air in Boss's apartment was thick with tension the moment they stepped inside. Noeul barely had time to take in the elegant, minimalist decor before Boss turned and closed the door behind him.

Without warning, Boss stepped closer, his intense gaze pinning Noeul in place.

"You've been avoiding me," Boss said, his tone low and accusatory.

"I haven't—"

Before Noeul could finish, Boss's lips were on his, cutting off his words. The kiss was sudden, overwhelming, and left no room for hesitation.

Noeul froze for a moment, his mind racing, but the heat of Boss's touch soon melted his resistance. He kissed back hesitantly at first, then with growing fervor.

Boss smirked against his lips, breaking away just enough to whisper, "There you are."

Noeul's breath hitched as Boss's hands slid down to his waist, pulling him closer. His fingers clutched at the fabric of Boss's blazer, and before he realized it, he was pushing it off his shoulders.

Boss's smirk widened. "Getting bold, aren't we?"

Ignoring the teasing, Noeul met Boss's gaze with uncharacteristic defiance. Boss chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down Noeul's spine. Without another word, Boss scooped Noeul up effortlessly, carrying him toward the bedroom.

The night unfolded in a haze of heat and desire, the lines between them blurring further than ever before.

The next day, Noeul arrived at the office early, his thoughts a chaotic mess. He kept his head down, avoiding the knowing smirks from a few colleagues who had likely noticed his rumpled appearance.

As he settled into his desk, he felt Boss's presence before he saw him.

"Good morning, Noeul," Boss said smoothly, leaning against the edge of Noeul's desk.

Noeul looked up, his face heating under Boss's piercing gaze. "Morning," he mumbled, quickly looking back at his computer.

Boss tilted his head, clearly amused by Noeul's flustered behavior. "Avoiding me again, are we?"

"I'm not avoiding you," Noeul said, though his voice lacked conviction.

Boss leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You look tired. Didn't sleep well?"

The subtle implication in his tone made Noeul's cheeks burn. He tried to brush it off with a shake of his head. "Just had a lot on my mind."

Boss smirked, straightening up. "Well, try not to let it distract you too much today. I need that report on my desk before lunch."

With that, he walked away, leaving Noeul both relieved and exasperated. Noeul exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the lingering heat from Boss's gaze—or the memories of the night before.

For better or worse, Noeul knew this complicated situation was far from over.