Chak entered the office with quiet authority. He gave Chai and me a brief glance before leaning casually against the desk, arms crossed over his chest though the tension in his shoulders betrayed how tightly wound he was inside.
"I didn't expect that kind of behavior from Mrs. Orasa," he said, his voice low but steady. "Today, I saw what it's like... when someone has to hide who they really are just to feel safe."
His gaze shifted to Chai, and his tone changed gentler, edged with regret.
"I can't imagine the things people must've said to you after you came out. You just wanted to be seen for who you truly are... but instead, you were met with judgment and silence even from those who were supposed to protect you."
Chai kept his eyes on the floor, his fingers curling into fists in his lap. His jaw clenched, his lips trembling with restraint.
Chak's voice softened further, almost cracking.
"You didn't deserve that. Not from strangers. Not from her. And not from me."
"I should've been there for you," he added, quieter now, like a confession he'd been carrying for years. "Back then, when you told me your truth... I stayed silent. I pretended it wasn't my fight. But it was. It always was."
Chai inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling with effort. Then, slowly almost cautiously he stood.
He looked straight at Chak. His voice, when it came, was fragile but unshakably sincere.
"Even if you weren't there before…" he whispered, "I want you to know... I'm still here for you. I always will be."
There was no anger in his voice. No blame. Only a quiet offering forgiveness without conditions. A bridge, built from everything unspoken.
Then, just as Chak was about to respond, Chai added one more thing softly, but with strength.
"I waited a long time to hear you say that. And I'm glad you finally did."
His eyes locked with Chak's for a moment longer, as if to say, You matter to me. Still.
Then, with a small nod, he turned. His steps were soft, slow as though walking through a memory. At the door, he hesitated, leaving it just slightly ajar.
I felt my chest tighten.
Without thinking, I stood up and walked toward Chak. He didn't look at me at first, his eyes still lingering on the space where Chai had stood. But when I reached him, he turned. Our eyes met.
I reached out, wrapped my arms around him, and pulled him into a firm, grounding hug.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The weight of what had just happened still hung thick in the air. Then, softly so softly he might've missed it I whispered:
"Thank you, my Chaky... for being there. For him. For me."
He tightened his arms around me slightly, and I felt his breath hitch near my ear.
When we pulled apart, I looked up at him and said with a quiet smile,
"I'm proud of you. What you said to Chai... it was really beautiful."
He didn't speak right away. Instead, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my neck. I blinked in surprise, my hand still resting on his arm.
"Why did you take my hand earlier?"
I asked softly.
His reply came with calm certainty.
"Because I needed you to know: stay strong. I'm here with you. Always."
A warmth spread through my chest. I rested my forehead briefly against his.
"Thank you for standing up for us… my Chaky," I whispered again.
His lips curved into a rare, soft smile.
"From now on, I always will."
I gave him a final, short hug, then stepped back.
"I should get back to work," I murmured gently.
He nodded without a word, watching me go.
As I returned to my desk, I took a deep breath, trying to settle the emotions still swirling inside me.
Amara and Non were already there, waiting like gossiping siblings who could barely hold back.
We leaned on the desk together, and Amara gave me a knowing look.
"So… the boss really stood up for Chai?"
I nodded.
"He really did."
She blinked a few times, shaking her head.
"Wow. Do you think… maybe they'll finally fix things between them?"
"I hope so," I said with a small smile.
Non wrinkled his nose.
"Okay but seriously… what is with Mrs. Orasa? She's so weird."
"Very weird," I replied instantly.
"I don't like her. And honestly? I'm going to stay far away from her from now on."
I leaned in a little, lowering my voice.
"And when she started trash-talking me and Pim... the boss shut her down. Told her not to speak that way about his people."
Amara let out a soft gasp.
"Wait, really? I never expected this from the boss."
Non chuckled.
"And did you see her just sit herself at the head of the table like she owned the place? The boss looked so confused, I swear he was two seconds away from asking her if she was lost."
I grinned.
"Oh, I noticed."
And then just as we were about to keep going a soft cough echoed behind us.
We turned slowly…
Chak was standing behind us, arms crossed, his expression serious. His gaze was sharp, almost piercing, as if silently measuring us.
"If you need to talk about personal matters, do it somewhere else. And not during working hours," he said sternly.
"If I catch you t chatting again instead of working, all three of you will be staying overtime with me. And trust me, you won't have a second left to talk."
His eyes scanned each of us one last time before he turned on his heel and walked away without another word.
I let out a breath and turned to Amara and Non.
"We'd better get back to work before he catches us again. I really don't want to be stuck doing overtime with him."
"Me neither,"* Amara muttered quickly.
"Same," Non agreed, and the two of them returned to their desks.
Left alone, I sat down and tried to focus on my tasks again. But my thoughts kept drifting back to Chak to the way he looked at us.
Strict, yes… but also almost protective?
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a new message.
Chak: Come to the car. Now. Hurry I won't wait for you.