I went back to my desk, repeating to myself, "So Chak hates gays." How will he react when he finds out about me? I felt incredibly sad. Why did I have to fall in love with him? The office door opened, and Chak and Chai stepped out. They were talking about something, but for a moment, I caught Chak's gaze lingering on me. Then they left. I tried to continue working, but I couldn't concentrate. Non came up to me and said, "Chak is calling you to his office."

  When I entered his office, Chak watched me closely.

  "Sit, Niran," he said.

  "What's wrong? Tell me."

  "Nothing, sir," I lied.

  "I'm just tired, that's all."

  He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

  "Go home," he said.

  "But sir, I haven't finished yet…"

  "Go home and get some rest," he repeated firmly.

  "Alright, sir," I said, my voice trembling. I stood up and slowly made my way home.

  I stopped at the market to buy some fruit. When I reached the pedestrian crossing, the light turned red. Suddenly, I felt someone hug me and kiss me on the cheek. I pushed him away and realized it was my ex-boyfriend, Lun.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Lun!" I exclaimed.

  "What are you doing?"

  "What, can't I hug you?" he asked.

  "You can, but don't kiss me on the cheek."

  "I just wanted to greet you," he said.

  At that moment, I saw Chak watching me from his car. His eyes were filled with intense anger. "Oh no," I thought when I saw him. "This is definitely not going to end well." Chak then drove off.

  "Lun, please go," I said.

  "Why?" he asked.

  "I just want to be alone," I replied, crossing the street. When I got home, I gave Leo fresh food and water then I collapsed on the couch and fell asleep from exhaustion. I woke up late in the evening. I ate some yogurt, and while checking my phone, I saw that Chak had messaged me to come to his office tomorrow. A lump formed in my throat. I went to bed, but I couldn't sleep. The thought kept running through my mind: what if he fires me after seeing me with Lun?

  The night passed quickly, and I went to work the next morning. Non told me Chak was already in the office and in a very bad mood. I went to see him, feeling nervous. Before I knocked on the door, I took a deep breath and exhaled. I knocked, and Chak's cold voice said,

  "Come in."

  When I entered, I found him reviewing documents.

  "Good morning," I said in a nervous voice. Chak looked up and froze me with his cold reply,

  "As if for anyone."

  "Sir," I said, my voice shaking, "about what you saw yesterday..." Before I finished, he interrupted me with a raised hand.

  "I don't care," he said.

  "You're working with me today," he added.

  "But why?" I asked.

  "Because I said so," he replied.

  "You'll review these documents and enter them into the spreadsheets. Understand?"

  "I understand, sir," I answered.

  "Everything needs to be done today," he continued, handing me a large stack of files. "And if you think that's all, you're wrong."

  He pointed to the other boxes still on the floor. I felt a wave of nausea looking at the pile.

  "Go get your computer and come back," he said.

  "Alright, sir," I replied.

  As I went to get my computer, Non asked why I needed it.

  "I'm going to work all day with Chak, sorting documents," I told him.

  "With Chak, who is in a really bad mood. Good luck," he said.