Autumn is a second spring

129. Rejection

Linlalin froze, her painted smile slipping as if someone had knocked the wind out of her. Her lips parted, but no words came out. For a moment she simply stood there, blinking rapidly, as though she needed time to process what Ohm had just told her. Gay. He was gay. The word echoed in her head like a cruel joke she hadn't been prepared to hear.

She had expected rejection—Ohm had always been unreadable, distant even—but never this. Her fingers trembled against the sequined clutch in her hand, and she bit down hard on the inside of her cheek to keep from screaming. A thousand questions clawed at her throat, demanding to be spoken. Was he kidding? Was this some kind of excuse? Had all those years of watching him from a distance, waiting, really been for nothing?

"Ohm..." Her voice came out thin, strangled. She wanted him to laugh and say it wasn't true, that he had only been teasing. Instead, Ohm held her gaze with calm finality, his dark eyes unflinching.

"I'm not saying this to hurt you," he said gently. "I like men, Linlalin."

Her knees felt weak. Pride had kept her silent all those years, pride that told her she was too sought-after to risk rejection. And now, when she had finally swallowed that pride and confessed, she was met with something far more cutting than a simple "no." It was as though the ground had shifted under her.

Before she could gather her thoughts, movement drew her attention. Ann entered the corridor, her presence commanding even though she walked quietly. She stopped short when she saw Ohm, her expression unreadable, but her eyes softened the tiniest bit.

Linlalin's chest tightened. Without thinking, she strode toward Ann and blurted out, her voice high and sharp, "Khun Ann, did you know? Ohm—he's gay." The words came out almost like a child tattling, desperate for validation, for someone to share her disbelief.

Ohm didn't flinch. He stood rooted in place, watching as though none of this really mattered. His stillness only made her feel more exposed, more foolish.

Ann glanced once at her son before turning to Linlalin. "Yes," she said simply, her tone calm, almost resigned. "I know."

The answer hit Linlalin like a slap. Her eyes went wide, brimming with tears she refused to let fall. "You knew?" she whispered hoarsely. "And you don't care? He's your son!"

Ann's gaze lingered on Ohm, warm but firm. Then she looked back at Linlalin. "If that's who Ohm is, then I accept it."

Linlalin let out a bitter laugh, though it cracked halfway. "Of course you would say that. You raised Boun, who is bisexual. You supported Khun Kao and Earth's marriage. So it isn't surprising that Ohm turned out this way—and that you accepted it without a blink."

"Linlalin." Ann's voice sharpened, disappointment cutting through the air. "Must you be so homophobic?"

"I am not homophobic!" Linlalin's protest burst out, raw and trembling. Her chin quivered as she stared at Ohm, who still hadn't moved. "I'm just... I'm hurt that the man I had been in love with over a decade came out to be gay."

Her tears broke free at last, sliding down her cheeks in streaks of ruined mascara. She pressed her lips together, refusing to sob. She would not give him that satisfaction.

Ohm's expression softened, a flicker of regret passing over his face. "I am sorry," he said quietly. "If I ever gave you reason to think I felt the same way... I am sorry for that too. But there is someone I am attracted to, someone I genuinely love, and he is a man."

Linlalin's heart squeezed painfully, but she swallowed hard, refusing to crumble. "Of course," she muttered, her tone brittle. "Of course there is."

He hesitated, then added, "Please stay for the concert. " He knew that she had been working so hard and deserve to relax.

The suggestion made her laugh bitterly again. "Relax? After this?" She sniffed, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. "Don't worry, Ohm. I am not going anywhere. You paid for my VIP seat, the food, the perks. I'm going to bleed your pocket dry tonight."

She spun on her heel and stormed off, her perfume lingering in the air long after she disappeared.

Ohm watched her retreat with a faint smile, one filled not with mockery but quiet relief. She would get through it. Linlalin had always been resilient, and beneath her pride lay a steel core.

When the echo of her heels finally faded, Ohm felt the weight of Ann's stare. He turned toward her.

"How are you?" she asked softly.

"I'm fine," he answered, though the word hung between them, empty and unconvincing. Silence stretched, heavy with unspoken worry.

Then, awkwardly, he said, "Thank you... for taking my side back there."

Ann's lips curved, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of sadness. "I do wish you would said yes to Linlalin," she murmured. "Fluke wants to move on, you know."

The mention of Fluke made Ohm's chest tighten. His response was immediate, almost desperate. "I am not letting Fluke go. Anyone else, maybe, but not him. He is the only one who ever truly cared for me. I can't let him walk away."

Ann swallowed hard, her throat bobbing as she studied her son's face. His eyes burned with determination, raw and vulnerable. Her heart ached at the sight—she wanted to shield him from pain, yet she knew some battles were his alone to fight.

Before she could reply, footsteps approached. Boun appeared, his tall frame dressed in a striking black leather outfit studded with silver. His hair was slicked back, his makeup sharp, the perfect image of a performer. But his eyes betrayed exhaustion.

He stopped when he saw Ann, then shifted his gaze to Ohm. Slowly, he walked forward. "I will take you to the hospital tomorrow," he said quietly. His tone was casual, but the offer carried weight.

Ohm's arm was still bound in a sling, the fracture yet to heal. He shook his head. "No need." The words came out sharper than intended, and guilt pricked at him. After a pause, he softened his tone. "You will be tired after tonight's concert. You should rest. I can go myself."

Boun didn't flinch. "It's fine. The appointment's in the afternoon. I can rest in the morning."

Ohm hesitated. He wasn't someone who liked to rely on others, but he recognized the effort Boun was making. Things had been awkward between them since the breakup, despite how often they still crossed paths. Pushing him away now would only wound them both further.

"Alright," he murmured, humming his agreement.

For a moment, they just stood there, the distance between them filled with everything unsaid. Then Ohm nodded at Boun's attire. "You look good. All the best for your performance."

Boun didn't respond in words. Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Ohm. The hug was sudden, tight, desperate. Ohm froze briefly before returning it, his good hand resting gently on Boun's back. He could feel the turmoil radiating off him, the heaviness Boun carried.

He didn't mention Prem, though he knew. Knew that sharing the same makeup room with him was dredging up old wounds, knew that this night was harder for Boun than anyone realized. Instead, Ohm whispered, "Give it your all tonight. That's all that matters."

Boun nodded, his jaw tight. His phone buzzed in his pocket—a reminder from the staff. Reluctantly, he pulled back. "I should go. It's time."

Ohm gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Go. You will do great."

Boun's eyes flickered toward Ann, and he offered her a small nod before walking away, his figure swallowed by the shadows backstage.

Silence returned, heavier than before. Ohm exhaled slowly and looked at his mother. "Shall we?"

Ann nodded. Together, they made their way to their seats.