As Jason stepped through the entrance of the building, he was greeted by the warm smiles and cheerful chatter of the staff. The familiar hum of activity enveloped him like a comforting embrace as he navigated the hallway. His eyes wandered ahead, landing on Fai, who was about to turn the corner. A wave of reluctance washed over Jason; he wasn't quite in the mood for a conversation. Yet, as if guided by an invisible force, he called out.
"Fai!" Jason's voice rang through the corridor, slicing through the ambient noise as he tried to close the distance between them.
Fai paused, his arms crossed defensively over his chest. "I came to see you," he began, his voice cool and measured, "but I don't think there's really any point, since I'm not your biological brother."
Jason let out a resigned sigh, feeling the weight of their past words and misunderstandings hanging heavily in the air.
"Fai," he said softly, his tone sincere, "I'm sorry. I know I've said things that can't be taken back, but I truly regret those words." He locked eyes with Fai, desperation evident in his expression as he conveyed his remorse.
Fai turned his gaze away, clearly still hurt. "Oh, you don't say?" he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Listen," Jason pressed on, his voice earnest, "I didn't mean what I said. I was just angry, and I let those feelings get the better of me." He felt the urge to go down on his knees as a gesture of his regret but resisted the impulse.
"Stop right there," Fai interjected, raising a hand to halt him. "There's no need to kneel to me. I'm your little brother, remember?"
With a breath of relief, Jason straightened up, the tension beginning to ease between them.
A moment of silence lingered before Fai finally spoke. "I'm sorry too. I said things I shouldn't have, but you overdid it a bit."
As Fai loosened his stance, a flicker of understanding passed between them, bridging the gap that had widened in recent times.
"Do you forgive me?" Jason asked, his voice barely above a whisper, vulnerability etched on his face.
"Of course!" Fai exclaimed, his features softening. With a broad smile, he opened his arms wide, inviting Jason into a warm embrace, signalling the beginning of healing in their relationship.
Jason and Fai found themselves engaged in an unexpectedly profound conversation that evening, peeling back layers of their thoughts and emotions. They covered a wide range of topics, from their professional challenges to their personal aspirations. By the end of this heartfelt exchange, Jason felt a renewed sense of connection with Fai, something that lingered in his mind as he headed to his bedroom afterwards. Meanwhile, Fai returned to the peaceful solitude of his villa, reflecting on the meaningful dialogue they had shared.
The next day at the office began with a palpable tension in the air. Jason sat at his desk, immersed in work as he typed intently on his computer. Yet, despite his focus, he couldn't shake off the unease that bubbled within him. He frequently stole glances at the clock on the wall, noting with increasing concern that Chan had yet to arrive. As the minutes ticked by, the pile of work on his desk loomed larger, and Jason realised how much he needed Chan's expertise to tackle some critical documents. The pressure mounted as anxiety threatened to disrupt his concentration.
Finally, just when the tension was becoming unbearable, Chan walked through the door. As he approached Jason's desk, Jason couldn't hide his irritation; he shot Chan a frustrated look, his emotions spilling over.
"Can you explain why you're arriving so late today?" Jason demanded, crossing his arms tightly against his chest to reinforce his displeasure.
In response, Chan offered a sincere apology, his expression reflecting genuine regret. "I sincerely apologise, Sir. I missed the bus this morning and didn't have an alternative way to get here," he explained, hoping to convey how sorry he was for disrupting the day.
Jason found himself slightly irritated, but he tried to keep his tone calm as he advised Chan to arrive early or consider taking a cab next time. Chan nodded in acknowledgement, but Jason couldn't help but glare at him, narrowing his eyes slightly. He then decided to test Chan's abilities by asking if he knew how to make a good cup of coffee.
Chan sheepishly admitted he didn't, which prompted a sharp click of Jason's tongue as he folded his arms in frustration. "Tch, useless... I expected more from the newbie," he remarked, watching as Chan's expression shifted at the insult.
"Sir, with all due respect, please do not call me useless," Chan replied, surprising Jason with the boldness of his request. Jason raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the defiance. "Oh? And why should I listen to your request?" he countered.
Chan took a breath and responded earnestly, "I just don't like being called useless. I'd prefer you call me by my name." Jason sneered at his response, testing Chan's resolve. "Or what? What are you going to do if I keep calling you useless?"
"Nothing, but please don't call me useless," Chan reiterated, trying to maintain his composure.
After a moment of contemplation, Jason finally relented, crossing his arms. "Fine, I'll call you by your name. But one wrong move and you're gone, got it?"
Chan nodded gratefully, replying, "Yes, sir."
With that settled, Jason shifted his focus back to his computer, instructing Chan, "Now that we've got that out of the way... I want five coffees—three with sugar and two without." He glanced sideways at Chan, questioning if he could handle the task.
"I will try," came Chan's hopeful response.
Rolling his eyes, Jason simply urged, "Just make the coffee."
As Chan exited the office to carry out the order, Jason watched him leave, a small, unexpected smile creeping onto his face. He couldn't help but think, "Why does he have to be so damn cute?" as he returned to typing away at his computer, the annoyance momentarily fading.