"Where did it all go wrong…? Why would he do something like that…?"
Ayaan sat on the edge of his bed, staring blankly at the dark sky outside his window. The night felt heavy, like it carried all his sad thoughts. Faraway village lights blinked softly, but they didn't make him feel better.
He kept asking himself the same questions, over and over again. But no matter how much he thought about it, no answer felt convincing.
After all… Liam had been the one who confessed first. That memory alone made everything harder to understand.
If Liam had never said those words that day—if he hadn't spoken while drunk and open—Ayaan wouldn't have let his heart go so far. He would have kept his feelings carefully locked away, hidden behind the safe walls of friendship.
But Liam confessed, and Ayaan accepted it.
So why this sudden change?
Ayaan gripped the bedsheet hard, his fingers shaking. His chest hurt, like something inside was breaking. The more he tried to make sense of it, the more it hurt.
"Was it all… just a joke to him?" The thought alone was unbearable.
Tears slipped silently down his cheeks, one after another, leaving faint trails behind. He didn't bother to wipe them away.
His mind went back to the day they first met.
Liam had come into his life so suddenly—like a sudden storm, full of mess and thrill. At first, Ayaan just felt a bit curious about this guy trying so hard to get close.
At first, it was nothing more than a passing interest. But slowly, without even realizing it, that interest began to grow. It turned into comfort.
Then attachment.
And before he could stop it…
It became something much deeper.
Ayaan let out a shaky breath, his lips curling into a faint, bitter smile.
"If only… you hadn't said those words that day…"
If Liam had stayed silent, Ayaan would have never hoped for more. He would have been satisfied just staying by his side—as a friend, nothing more.
At least then… It wouldn't hurt this much.
Now, every memory felt like a blade.
Every laugh they shared, every moment they spent together—everything replayed in his mind, only to leave behind a deeper ache.
Ayaan slowly lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling as tears kept falling. The silence of the room felt suffocating, wrapping around him like an invisible cage.
That night, he didn't try to hold himself back. He let the pain consume him.
He cried until no more tears would come. After all, it was his fault, he shouldn't have given his heart to someone.
That day, deep in his heart, Ayaan made a quiet promise:
This would be the last time.
The last time he cried for Liam.
Seven years later.
The alarm clock began to ring at 6 a.m.
A hand slowly reached out from beneath the bedsheet, fumbling aimlessly across the table before finally finding the clock and turning it off.
Silence returned.
Seconds later, Ayaan bolted upright, wide awake. "The new CEO is taking charge today… Don't be late, Ayaan...." He muttered to himself. He jumped out of bed and rushed to get ready.
He wore his neatly prepared clothes and styled himself with a professional touch. Everything about his appearance was precise and composed.
Hearing faint sounds from outside, Ayaan stepped out of his room. In the kitchen, his roommate—and also the landlord—was busy making breakfast.
"Sister Mia, aren't you getting ready yet? We're going to be late…" Ayaan said, surprised to see her still in her pajamas.
"Don't worry, I just need five minutes," she grinned, unfazed.
"Go and get ready. I'll make the omelette," Ayaan said, taking charge of the kitchen.
Delighted by the offer, Mia tossed the apron into him and rushed to her room.
Ayaan finished the remaining tasks and neatly served the food on the table. Just then, Mia came out—half ready—and effortlessly managed eating and doing her makeup at the same time.
Ayaan shook his head slightly, used to her habits.
"Let's go!" she said as soon as she finished, grabbing her bag and pulling Ayaan along with her.
As usual, she dropped him at his office on her scooter.
"I got you here five minutes early. Now don't come back complaining, okay?" she said before speeding off toward her nearby coffee shop.
Ayaan watched her go, then hurried inside. He didn't want to get scolded by the manager, especially today. The new CEO was arriving.
The entire office buzzed with anticipation. Everyone was eager to see the rumored CEO. They said he was young yet possessed exceptional business skills. Every project he had handled so far had been a success.
And above all— he was the next heir of Lore.
Like everyone else, Ayaan was curious to meet him.
Soon, a call came. The manager and the department heads began heading downstairs. "CEO's here." someone said
"Everyone, make a good impression," one of the senior employees advised as they stood near the entrance.
"There he is…"
As people began to return, the glass doors swung open.
Ayaan leaned slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of the CEO's face. But suddenly, a colleague pulled him back and stepped into his place.
Because of the sudden movement, Ayaan knocked down an opened bottle and the water spilled right onto his shirt.
"Hey—"
"You're just a newbie. Learn to respect seniority… Stand back," she snapped, turning away.
Ayaan clenched his jaw but said nothing. He simply turned aside and began wiping the water from his shirt.
Just then—
"Mr. Liam, this is our team…"
The manager's voice echoed.
The name made Ayaan freeze. "…Liam?" Slowly, he turned.
And there— He saw a familiar face. One that he'd buried deep and never wished to see again.
His breath caught, and a wave of unease washed over him.
Before Liam's eyes could meet his, Ayaan quickly lowered his head. Standing behind two rows of employees helped him stay hidden.
'What is he doing here…? Is he the CEO?'
The thought was hard to process.
'Wait… why am I hiding from him? I didn't do anything wrong…'
Gathering himself, Ayaan straightened up.
But by then, Liam had already moved toward his cabin.
"Ayaan…"
One of his colleagues called him.
As Ayaan turned slightly in response, the name reached Liam's ears.
Liam paused.
He turned back, his gaze instinctively searching the crowd.
"What happened, sir?" the manager asked.
"…Nothing." Liam said coldly. Not finding any familiar face, Liam turned away with a hint of disappointment and walked into his cabin.
Unaware that the person his heart still searched for… was already within reach.