Arthit's POV
Looking at the other diners and not Kongpob, seemed like the best option. The arrival of our order only aiding my evasive actions. I dived at the blueberry cheesecake as soon as it was placed on the table.
"You can't dodge it forever. I am not leaving, until you tell me what exactly the matter is."
"You're imagining a mountain while all there exists, is a mole hill." Gobbling a mouthful, I continued with a shrug. "I am simply under family debt. My father was an inveterate gambler and only stopped when he was diagnosed with lymphoma a couple of years ago. All his gambling arrears naturally passed on to me. And now his dues and hospital bills are constants. Add my sister's school fees to that. See? It's nothing too grand."
"This- is nothing? How much more before it becomes 'something'? This trivialisation is utter rubbish and you know it." He grabbed the spoon out of my hand and placed it down. "Look me in the eye and say that the situation doesn't break you."
I had never expressed what I was going through to anyone, for the fear of being pitied and appearing weak. Until now. The sincerity in his eyes was overwhelming and the tears couldn't help but well up. They cascaded as my eyes shut close. "You're right. I am far from being okay. It shatters me each time my father has an episode. I want to be there for Mae and Siri but I need to work to make all the ends meet. And it's suffocating me by the day. Even a wink of sleep misses by me. The two jobs have taken their expected toll and running away looks way too appealing. Voicing out the agony is not an option cause I need to pretend to be strong. But I am not, Kongpob. I am drained, physically and mentally." The anticipated pity never appeared on his face as he listened to my outburst. The hand on his lap was laid on mine and I gripped it. The intimacy of the touch should have been unsettling, but all it provided was security.
"You're doing good kid, way too good for a 24-year-old. Most would have fortified to the suituation. How can you not see the strength in you, that is so obvious to me? Also, voicing out your troubles helps. Don't keep it to yourself. I am here for you and so is everyone who loves you. Not one will blame you for expressing." How does he say all right words? As much as I wanted to hold back my tears, it wasn't possible. This was the validation that I was unknowingly seeking.
"Thanks." My smile was returned.
"About the earlier incident. I am not letting you pay Mr.Worranit."
"Why not? You can pay it back to me instead of him. That'll ease at least one of your issues, hassling loan sharks."
"Are you sure you'll be okay with it?"
"It was my idea in the first place."
"A thank you wouldn't do justice to how grateful I feel right now. But I'll say it regardless. Thank you."
"It's nothing.Don't worry about it. Also... I think you should quit working at the bar."
"I can't. It pays better than other part time jobs. And working as a bartender is not as bad as you think."
"No, I meant you should completely stop juggling two jobs now. Just work for us. You'll get a raise, more than what the bar pays you."
Is he crazy? "This is too much Kongpob. It's unethical and no, I don't accept it."
"It's not unethical. You had a promotion coming your way anyhow. The appraisal team thinks you deserve one."
"I don't believe you."
"Come on Arthit, give yourself some credit. You work twice as hard as any other person in the department. Don't believe me, but believe your value at the least." It sounded like the truth.
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Always You
FanfictionAn office romance owing to Kongpob's colossal crush on his secretary. ~ A short SOTUS fanfiction. AU. All the characters belong to the wonderful BitterSweet. Credits to the owners for the picture ~