Chak and Kit sat down on the chairs. He looked at me and quietly said:
"Don't be scared, Niran. I'm going to start yelling at you, because who working for Raeng will definitely report it to him."
I nodded nervously. Chak slammed his fist on the table and burst out loudly:
"Why did you do that?! Do you even realize how much damage you've caused?! Raeng has information he should never have gotten!"
I started playing my role. "I... I didn't know it would be published... I didn't—"
"SHUT UP!" Chak shouted, but there was no anger in his eyes. "Do you think you can just play with the company's secrets?! Trust the wrong people?!"
Everyone eavesdropping behind the door surely believed Chak was accusing me for real. But in reality... he was trying to protect me. He knew I wasn't the one who leaked the information. Someone else was guilty – but if I looked like the scapegoat, I'd at least be out of danger for a while.
Then the door opened, and Amara stepped in.
"Boss, there are reporters outside. They're asking about the news."
"Tell them we have no comment. And make sure they don't see Niran when he leaves," Chak said calmly.
After Amara left, Chak turned to me and Kit.
"Meet me at my car in five minutes. Act like you're both going separate ways. Understood?"
We both nodded. Chak disappeared from the room.
I stepped out of the conference room. Everyone was staring at me, but I didn't look at anyone. I just walk away.
When Kit and I got to Chak's car, he was already waiting inside. We got in and buckled up.
"Did anyone follow you two?" Chak asked.
"I don't think so," Kit answered.
We drove in silence toward Chak's house. On the way, my phone rang. It was Taeng.
I picked up. "Taeng?"
"Niran, what's going on? This can't be true, what they're writing in the news. I know you'd never betray Chak."
Then Chak took the phone from my hand and said:
"Taeng, come to my house. Make sure no one follows you. Niran will send you the address."
He hung up and gave me the phone back. I sent Taeng the location.
When we arrived, I went to the kitchen and made tea. I brought it to the living room, where Chak and Kit were already sitting. I sat down next to Chak. They both looked visibly upset.
"Don't worry, Niran," Chak said. "Everything will be okay."
"I know it will," I quietly replied.
I took Leo into my arms and gently stroked him. The doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Kit said and went to open the door.
When Taeng and Kit came into the living room, Taeng immediately asked:
"What's going on?"
Kit explained everything. Taeng stayed silent for a while, then said:
"So this man wants Niran... instead of the shares?"
"Yeah," Kit answered.
"Taeng, do you know how to cook?" Kit asked.
"Yeah, I do," Taeng nodded.
"He's really a good,cooker" I added.
Kit and Taeng headed to the kitchen. Chak and I were left alone.
My phone rang again. The screen said Lun.
I picked up. "Yeah, Lun, what is it?"
"What's going on with you..." he began, but I didn't get to answer because Chak took the phone from my hand and put it on speaker.
"Who are you and why are you calling Niran?" he asked coldly.
"I'm Niran's ex-boyfriend. I'm calling because of the news. Who are you?"
"Ex-boyfriend, huh?" Chak said, looking at me.
"I'm his boss. He'll be unavailable for a while. Please don't call or disturb him."
And with that, he ended the call.
For a moment, we were both silent.
"Chak..." I whispered, but he gently placed his hand on my knee.
"You're here now. And here, you're safe."
Chak handed me the phone when a new message appeared on the screen:
Unknown Number
If Chak doesn't sell his shares by the end of the week, you won't have anyone left to make coffee for. The choice is yours, artist.
I froze. My voice caught in my throat, and my hands began to tremble. I looked at Chak.
"Chak..." I whispered and showed him the message.
He read it. His expression hardened instantly. He said nothing. He just stood up, went into his office, and returned with an old phone with no internet access.
"From now on, you'll only communicate through this," he said.
"But Chak... this message—"
"This isn't the first time," he cut me off. His voice was deep and calm, but his eyes burned with fury. "Only this time, it involved you."
He gently squeezed my shoulder. "That's why you're under my protection now. And I swear to you – you won't be alone anymore.