Accidentally Married

54. Intern

Sak's heart raced as he followed Wick down the long glass corridor of Bluesky headquarters. His first day at the company, his dream company, and he couldn't believe he was finally here. Bluesky was the pinnacle for anyone who studied aeronautical engineering. Just stepping through the front doors earlier had filled him with awe—gleaming floors, walls lined with aircraft models, the kind of place he had fantasized about while grinding through long nights of study.

Wick, his assigned senior for orientation, had been kind enough to walk him through the basics, explaining policies, procedures, and office culture. Sak had listened intently, committing every word to memory. But when Wick finally paused and asked if Sak had any doubts, only one question slipped out.

"Who will be my mentor, P' Wick? You didn't mention it yet."

That was the crux of it. At Bluesky, mentors weren't just guides—they were lifelines. A mentor's influence could shape an intern's entire career, determine how far he went and how quickly he rose. Sak prayed silently for someone sharp, respected, willing to invest in him.

Wick gave him a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Right... about that. I almost forgot. You are kind of a special case, Sak. Bluesky doesn't usually hire fresh graduates. All the current mentors already have their hands full. So..."

Sak felt his stomach sink. The horror must have shown on his face because Wick immediately rushed to reassure him.

"Don't worry, really. There is nothing to be afraid of. You won't be left floating. In fact, the CEO himself will be your mentor."

Sak blinked. "The CEO?"

"Yep." Wick nodded with emphasis, as though the word alone should put Sak at ease.

But Sak frowned. The old CEO, Khun Dechathon, had stepped down two months ago due to health issues. The new CEO's identity was still a mystery to him. "Who... who's the new CEO, phi?"

"The Chairman's son," Wick replied casually.

Sak's brow furrowed deeper. Nepotism, perhaps?

Sensing his skepticism, Wick hurried on. "I know what you are thinking, but don't. He is good. Seriously. He has been working here since he was a teenager. Paid his dues. Everyone respects him. He even made key contributions to the latest aircraft design we launched." Wick's tone was practically glowing with admiration.

But Sak only half-listened. His mind drifted back to something Sailub had once said years ago—how he had worked at his father's company since he was twelve to gain experience. Was this a thing among rich families? Forcing their kids to work while other teenagers went to parties or crammed for exams? The thought pulled him somewhere he didn't want to go. He mentally scolded himself. Stop thinking about Sailub. Stop dragging him into everything. He is the past.

A tap on his shoulder jolted him back. Wick gave him a curious look, and Sak mumbled an apology for zoning out.

"Come on," Wick said. "Time to meet the CEO."

The words made Sak's pulse spike. He followed Wick down another corridor, his nerves rising with every step. They stopped before a tall wooden door. Wick knocked, got a muffled permission to enter, and stepped inside.

As Sak reached for the handle, a strange, sinking feeling hit his gut. An ominous whisper in his head told him he wasn't ready for what lay beyond. He forced it aside and pushed the door open.

And froze.

Sitting behind the polished desk, in the CEO's chair, was Sailub.

The air left his lungs. The world blurred for a second. So that's what the feeling was...

Sak stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, while Wick chattered away. Sailub didn't even look up at first, his attention fixed on a document he was signing.

"Khun Sailub, I have brought the new intern," Wick announced cheerfully.

"Right, I almost forgot he was starting today," Sailub said, his voice calm, familiar, infuriatingly steady. He lifted his head at last, and his eyes collided with Sak's.

For a moment, both men froze. Surprise flickered across Sailub's face, though he masked it quickly.

"This is N' Sak," Wick introduced. "He will be working under you. And also your mentee."

Sak forced himself to wai politely, his voice even though his chest was in turmoil. "I am glad to receive your guidance, Khun Sailub." His smile felt unnatural, stretched too thin.

Sailub nodded, his expression unreadable. "It's nice to have you on board, Sak" He turned to Wick. "You can go now."

Wick gave Sak a discreet thumbs up as he slipped out, leaving them alone.

The silence roared in Sak's ears. He swallowed, gripping the file in his hands like a lifeline. Sailub, without sparing him another glance, reached for a new stack of papers.

"You can sit down," Sailub said, gesturing absently to the chair opposite him.

Stiffly, Sak obeyed. The office was sleek, minimalistic, elegant—so unlike the Sailub he had known, who once loved clutter, vibrant colors, and cozy mess.

Finally, Sailub spoke, still flipping through the file. "I didn't plan this, Sak. I didn't even know who the intern would be. I only volunteered because all the other mentors were already swamped. Don't overthink it. I won't mix personal matters with work."

Sak stared at him, then whispered, "Okay." It was all he could manage.

Sailub finished the file, signed his name with practiced ease, and stacked it neatly. Then he pulled a heavy binder from his desk and slid it across to Sak.

"Your first assignment. Memorize everything in this file. Company history, products, ongoing and upcoming projects. You will need it to understand the work we do. Ten days should be enough."

Sak nodded quickly, clutching the file.

"Once you have got that down, I will give you more complicated tasks," Sailub continued. "For now, you will follow me and Secretary Thap to meetings. The first one is with the design team. If you are my mentee, you need to know the details."

Again, Sak nodded. Words lodged in his throat.

Sailub pressed a button on his desk, and moments later, a sharp knock sounded. "Come in," he called.

A man in a tailored suit entered. "Secretary Thap," Sailub addressed him, handing over the signed documents. "Take Sak with you, show him his desk. If he has any doubts, he can ask you."

Sak looked at Thap—professional, composed, every inch the reliable right hand a CEO needed. "I will," he said softly.

"You can leave now," Sailub dismissed them. Thap reminded him, "The meeting starts in fifteen minutes."

"I will be there after a quick breakfast," Sailub replied.

Thap inclined his head and walked out, Sak trailing behind. The moment the door shut behind him, Sak let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His chest still felt tight, his mind whirling. Of all people... why Sailub?

As they walked, Thap spoke briskly. "First task—get breakfast for Khun Sailub. Here's the company card." He handed it to Sak without slowing. "Ground floor cafeteria. Don't forget the mocha iced latte. He always wants that."

Sak blinked, taking the card. Of course. Intern errands. He forced a smile and nodded. "Understood."

But inside, his thoughts churned.

He had told himself Sailub was the past. He had promised he wouldn't think of him again. And yet, here they were, tangled in the present.