Signed by desires

The Silent Confrontation

The evening arrived with a heaviness that Noeul couldn't shake off. Dressed in his best formal attire, he followed Boss into the luxurious restaurant, his nerves steadily climbing as they approached the private dining room. The soft glow of chandeliers bathed the space in a warm, golden light, and the scent of freshly prepared dishes lingered in the air.

Thanawat was already seated, his poised demeanor and neatly tailored suit a testament to his authority. He glanced up at their arrival, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Chaikamon. Noeul." His tone was even, polite, but it carried an undertone of expectation that made Noeul's chest tighten.

Boss inclined his head slightly, taking the seat directly opposite his father, leaving Noeul awkwardly sandwiched between them.

Dinner began smoothly, with polite conversation flowing primarily between Boss and his father. Their exchange of words, though seemingly casual, carried a subtle undertone of formality that left Noeul feeling like an outsider. He nodded politely when addressed and focused on his plate, but the weight of being caught between these two composed men was suffocating.

Occasionally, Noeul would glance up, catching Thanawat's piercing gaze. Though the chairman's face remained neutral, it felt as if he were assessing him, calculating something that Noeul couldn't grasp.

"Are you adjusting well, Noeul?" Thanawat asked suddenly, breaking the flow of casual conversation.

Startled, Noeul nodded quickly. "Yes, Chairman. Thank you for asking."

"Good," Thanawat said simply, his tone giving nothing away. "Chaikamon speaks highly of you."

Noeul blinked in surprise, unsure how to respond. Boss, however, continued eating, entirely unaffected by his father's words.

Halfway through the meal, Boss stood abruptly, excusing himself. "I'll be back shortly," he said, his voice as detached as ever.

Noeul watched him leave, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach as he realized he was now alone with Thanawat. The silence that followed was deafening, and Noeul found himself fidgeting slightly, unsure where to look.

Thanawat leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You've been with Chaikamon for a while now, haven't you?"

"Yes, Chairman," Noeul replied hesitantly. "Almost two years."

"And in those two years," Thanawat continued, his tone calm but deliberate, "you've managed to earn his trust. That's not an easy feat."

Noeul shifted uncomfortably. "I'm just doing my job, sir."

Thanawat's lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Which is why I'm asking for your help."

Noeul froze, his heart pounding. "Help?"

Thanawat's gaze sharpened. "Chaikamon is set to marry his fiancée. It's a union that will benefit both families and the company. But my son..." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "He's being unreasonably stubborn about it."

Noeul swallowed hard, unsure of where this was going.

"I believe," Thanawat continued, his tone dropping slightly, "that you are the one person who can make him see reason."

The weight of those words hit Noeul like a truck. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Thanawat said firmly. "You've spent more time with him than anyone else. He listens to you. He values your opinions—whether he shows it or not. If you ask him to agree, he will."

Noeul's mind reeled. The chairman's request was absurd, yet his tone left no room for argument.

"Chairman," Noeul began cautiously, "I'm not sure I have that kind of influence over him..."

Thanawat leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. "You underestimate yourself. And you underestimate the impact you have on my son."

The room fell into a heavy silence, and Noeul felt like the air had been sucked out of his lungs. The chairman's words lingered, their implications echoing in his mind.

Before Noeul could gather his thoughts, Boss returned, his presence immediately restoring the delicate balance in the room. He took his seat, his expression as unreadable as ever, and the conversation shifted back to neutral topics as if nothing had happened.

As the evening wound down, Noeul felt like a storm had been unleashed inside him. The chairman's words played on a loop in his mind, each repetition weighing heavier than the last.

On the ride home, seated beside Boss in the back of the sleek black car, Noeul couldn't bring himself to look at him. His gaze remained fixed on the city lights streaming past the window, his thoughts a chaotic mess.

Why me? he wondered. Why would he think I could convince him of something so personal?

More than that, Noeul couldn't ignore the pang of discomfort in his chest at the thought of Boss marrying someone else. It wasn't jealousy, he told himself—at least, it couldn't be. It was simply the strangeness of the situation, the blurred lines of their relationship complicating everything.

As the car pulled up to their respective destinations, Noeul forced a polite smile, bidding Boss goodnight before heading inside. Yet even as he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the chairman's request and its implications refused to leave him.

What does he really want? Noeul thought. And why do I feel so conflicted about it all?