Tay and New

A Bridge To Be Crossed

New kept on fidgeting in his seat despite the comfort provided by Tay's hand holding his. They could feel the secretary discreetly stealing glances at them since the time they arrived.

Earlier that day, each received a letter summoning them for a meeting with one of their company's executives. The letter was vague on the reason for the sudden consultation but from reading between the lines, Tay and New realized that it was about their relationship.

"This company has been our family for years. For the most part, they have treated us quite fairly. I don't think they would just throw away everything we have accomplished over matters that they should have no concern over in the first place" Tay tried to assure New by squeezing his hand firmly.

New sighed and tried to smile comfortingly at Tay. He could feel the coldness of the other's hand in his and know that he was feeling just as nervous.

They have been in the entertainment industry long enough to know that despite the inclusive image that it has been trying to portray to the public, the reality behind closed doors tells otherwise.

Several more minutes passed before the secretary's voice echoed through the walls of the cold office as she called upon them to enter the door adjacent to where they were seated.

New let out a long breath before unwinding his hand from Tay's and heading to the inner office without saying a word nor sparing another glance at the man beside him. Tay followed somberly.

He wanted to grab New's hand as he felt an overwhelming dread envelope him when he saw the other's resolute stance but he knew that the impulsive boy has just arrived to a decision and, stubborn as he was, will not easily back down. Tay felt his protective instinct for the boy kick in.

Inside the office, they were greeted by a man they have met several times over the years through company gatherings and the like. He was one of the more likable ones amongst their many bosses. He always had a warm smile on his face as he approached them to offer a praise or an advice. To know that he was the one tasked to tie a rope against their necks was not surprising and yet no less disappointing for Tay and New.

"The management has heard about the escalating rumors circling your personal relationship. I would like to hear your opinions about it" the man opened after their initial greetings. 

"The rumors are true. New and I are in a romantic relationship" Tay replied without skipping a beat.

New looked at Tay like he knew that this was how the older man was going to react. This small gesture did not skip the attention of the man behind the desk.

"Oh, that is good news. Congratulations" he said in a mild manner. "I assume that your relationship is still new because the last time we spoke, New here had a girlfriend" he smiled at the couple as he spoke.

Tay almost shivered from the calm facade that the man before him was showing them. He looked at New and found him looking right back at him. They braced themselves for what was to come after "the calm before the storm".

"Well, we have no right to dictate what you should do with your lives. As you know, it is unethical for a company to pry on their employees' personal lives" he eyed them gravely after both remained silent.

"However, you two have been with this company for years now and I believe that it's my responsibility to provide with you with the wider picture" The man leaned closer and put his hands on the table coolly.

"No one has the right to stop you from revealing the true nature of your relationship to the public but I cannot assure you that everyone would be accepting. Your value as artists depends on the public's opinion about you. If this value deteriorates, there will be critical changes and certain plans can be derailed" he gestured to a pile of papers that Tay and New assumed were scripts and project proposals.

"The world has become more accepting of our kind of relationship" Tay muttered.

"Oh, you mean the LGBTQ thing? Are you saying that to convince me or yourself Nong Tay?" the man sneered "You know that the entertainment industry is still being run by the traditionalist old dogs whose skins would prickle over the slightest mention of gay and lesbian rights. They don't even know what bi-sexuality is!"

"And those fans of BL dramas? A lot of them likes pairing two men together for the novelty of it but would turn their backs on them once they learn that their homosexuals" he added.

He turned his attention to New who has remained quiet since the time they've entered the office "Nong New, you love acting in diverse roles. Do you think that you won't be typecast to play only specific roles if you come out?"

New looked at the man squarely, "I clearly understand all the points you've made. Please give us time to think about this. We assure you that we will not do anything without the company's knowledge"

"New! There is nothing more to think about. We should tell them once and for all that we will not be sacrificing anything!" Tay exclaimed as New got up from his seat.

The younger boy looked at the other calmly, "Let's go Tay". He bowed to the man before them who simply offered a humorless smile in return.

Tay reluctantly bid the man a grim goodbye before hurriedly following New who was already out of the door.

"So, how did it go?" the secretary asked her boss long after Tay and New left.

"For starters, this job sucks. I'm thinking about retiring early" the man sighed as he leaned back on his chair and smiled at his secretary. "I trust that those two will make the right decision"