Autumn is a second spring

137. Scandal

Boston sat at the edge of the hospital couch, his tablet balanced on his knee, scrolling through a feed that seemed to get worse the longer he looked. His thumb hovered over the screen, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he muttered, "Couldn't they just give us a day off? Just one day?"

The comment was half to himself, half to anyone listening. But the frustration in his voice was clear.

Earth, who had been leaning against the wall, sighed softly. "P' Ton, don't overthink it. The PR team already got things under control. I had gotten the photos and articles taken down. It will blow over soon."

Boston gave a weak laugh. "You think so?"

Kao, sitting beside him, shook his head. "This doesn't look like it's dying down, to be honest. The comments section is still on fire."

The air in the room grew heavier.

Boston turned the tablet so the others could see. On the screen were the images that had stirred the storm online—Boun, Prem, and Bew walking out of a café, smiling naturally, completely unaware of the paparazzi's lens following them. The pictures had spread like wildfire, followed by a mess of theories and hateful speculation.

Some posts claimed Bew was Boun's illegitimate child. Others said Boun and Prem were secretly together and raising a child in secret. Solo fans were tearing into each other—Prem's fans demanding Boun stay away from him, and Boun's fans calling Prem a fame leech. And amidst it all, shippers were convinced their long-time fantasy had just been confirmed.

It was chaos.

Earth rubbed his temples. "I just wish Bew didn't have to get dragged into all this. He is just a child." He turned his head toward Sammy, who was sitting on the bed, eating her meal with genuine enthusiasm.

She had been through a lot—months of dietary restrictions, doctor's warnings, and anxiety over the early delivery. Watching her finally eat what she wanted brought a small smile to Earth's face. "At least someone is happy," he murmured.

Sammy smiled through a mouthful of food. "I earned this."

"You did," Boston said gently, glancing at her. The exhaustion in his voice was replaced with warmth. His wife had just given birth to their first child a week ago. The baby, born almost a month premature, was still in the NICU—healthy, but under observation. Sammy had been strong through all of it, but Boston knew how much it had taken from her.

Kao broke the silence. "P' Ton, don't worry too much. P' Yacht and the PR team are handling the online situation. You should take your paternity leave. Be with Sammy. She needs you right now."

Boston hesitated, looking from Kao to Earth. "But—"

"No buts," Kao cut in. "Yoon will cover for you. He will manage both Boun and Prem until you two return from your leave."

Boston sighed and nodded. "Alright. Thank you, Khun Kao."

As he helped Sammy lie back comfortably, Kao and Earth stepped out of the room. The hospital suite—booked by Fluke—was as luxurious as any hotel room, with soft lighting and warm wood tones.

Just as they were about to leave, Fluke walked in, tablet in hand, looking composed but curious. "You two are still here?" he asked.

Earth didn't answer right away. He just walked toward Fluke, his expression serious. "You shouldn't have done that."

Fluke blinked. "Done what?"

Earth folded his arms, his tone measured but cold. "You had good intentions, I know. But there were better ways to go about it."

Now Fluke looked genuinely confused. "Earth, what are you talking about?"

"Stop pretending," Earth said. "We all know those pictures of Boun and Prem came from you. You could have at least left out Bew."

"What?" Fluke's brow furrowed. "Wait, P' Boun and Prem's photos got leaked? And you seriously think it was me who had leaked the photos?"

Earth's silence said enough.

Fluke stared at him, incredulous. "Earth, I didn't even know there were photos. I have been in meetings with the board since morning! I didn't even know of the incident till now!"

Kao, sensing the tension spike, stepped between them. "Hey, enough. Let's not turn this into an argument."

Earth looked away, clearly still skeptical, while Fluke took a deep breath, visibly calming himself. "What is the situation then?" he asked Kao.

Kao exhaled. "Not great. It exploded in just a few hours. There are some positive comments, but the negatives outweigh them."

"And what do you plan to do about that?" Fluke pressed.

"For now, we are letting the PR team handle it. If things escalate, the legal team will step in. Yoon will manage Boun and Prem in the meantime."

Fluke frowned. "P' Yoon?"

Kao nodded. "What's wrong with that?"

Fluke's voice was firm. "I just don't trust him. No offense, but P' Yoon couldn't even manage one artist properly. Remember when P' Ohm got into that car accident? He was drunk, Phi. That shouldn't have happened. P' Yoon should have seen the signs. He is not careless, but he is not proactive either. And now you are giving him two artists, both under pressure?"

Kao listened quietly, then nodded. "I will discuss it with P' Yacht. Maybe we will reconsider. Anyway, I need to get to the office."

He leaned down to kiss Earth's forehead before leaving. "Don't stress too much, okay?"

When Kao was gone, Earth turned to Fluke with a pout. "You didn't have to be so harsh about P' Yoon."

Fluke chuckled and reached out to pinch Earth's cheeks. "Don't make that face. I am just being honest.  By the way, weren't you supposed to go to the spa today?  Why are you still here?" 

Earth gestured helplessly. "How could I? Everything is falling apart. You expect me to enjoy a massage while the whole internet is on fire?"

Fluke laughed softly. "If I said I would handle it for you, would you go?"

Earth froze, eyes widening. "Wait, you would really do that? But you already have a lot on plate."

"Don't worry about that," Fluke said, smiling. "I have already cleared my schedule. The new hospital director has taken over, and I have wrapped up everything at my company. I am free until your wedding."

Earth stared at him, touched. "You... actually planned that?"

Fluke nodded. "You and P' Kao are part of my family. You deserve a break before the big day."

Earth's expression softened. Then, without warning, he jumped forward and wrapped Fluke in a tight hug. "Thank you na," he said, his voice muffled against Fluke's shoulder.

Fluke chuckled, patting his back. "Just relax, okay? Let your favorite butler deal with this one."

Earth nodded against him, pulling back with a grateful smile. "You are seriously a lifesaver."

"Yeah, yeah," Fluke said teasingly. "Now go to that spa before I book it for myself."

Earth laughed for the first time that day. "Fine. But if anything happens, you are answering my calls."

"Deal," Fluke said. "Now get out of my sight and go enjoy your day."

As Earth finally left, the hospital room grew quiet again. Fluke exhaled, glancing down at his tablet, the headlines flashing across the screen. The situation was a mess—but he ha'd meant what he said.

He would take care of it.