Mhok's pov
"I think... I've had enough, Mhok."
Rome doesn't raise his voice when he says it. That's how I know he means it.
We're standing under the half-lit corridor near the back stairs of ARSENI, the place people use when they don't want to be seen lingering. Somewhere far away, someone laughs. It sounds misplaced here.
He doesn't look at me when he says my name. His eyes are fixed on the railing, fingers resting there like he's anchoring himself.
I don't answer.
Not because I don't have anything to say. Because if I open my mouth now, something ugly will come out. Something desperate. Something I'll regret.
He is waiting for me to say something. Like He always does.
"I'm not angry," he adds, like he's anticipating a defense I haven't made. "I just don't want to do this anymore."
Do what?
That we are yearning for eachother and hiding it within ourselves that we have nothing? The pretending we don't circle each other every time we're in the same room?
I shift my weight from one foot to the other. The floor is cold through my shoes. It's grounding. I focus on that instead of the tightness crawling up my throat.
"You don't have to explain," I say finally. My voice sounds steady. That surprises me.
He exhales, slow and controlled. He turns to face me then, really face me, and for a second I see it. The tiredness. The decision already made hours ago, maybe days.
"That's the thing," he says. "I think I do."
I stay quiet.
"I kept telling myself that if I waited long enough, things would become clearer," Rome continues. "That you'd say something. Or I would."
He lets out a small breath that's almost a laugh, but not quite. "It hasn't."
"I don't want to keep hovering around you," he says. "I don't want to keep hoping you'll turn around one day and suddenly choose me."
That word lands heavier than everything else.
Choose.
"I'm not asking you to," I reply. Too quickly. Defensive.
"I know," Rome says gently. That gentleness feels worse than anger would have. "That's exactly why I'm stopping."
I cross my arms, more to keep myself together than anything else. "So what now?"
He considers me for a moment. Really looks at me. I wish he wouldn't. It makes it harder to pretend this is mutual.
"Now I leave from ," he says. "And you don't have to worry about me waiting around anymore."
I swallow. So hard that it pains.
"You make it sound very simple." my voice was hoarse but I managed to make it less constricted.
"It isn't," he admits. "But it's necessary."
I nod again. I'm good at nodding. It's easier than asking the question clawing at my ribs.
Rome hesitates. There's a pause, thick and heavy, the kind that begs to be filled. I don't fill it.
"I did like you," he says quietly. "Still do. That doesn't just disappear."
My jaw tightens at his sudden confession. It feels like my vision is getting blurry with my tears. But I do need courage to do this. "You don't need to say that."
" I wanted to." he took a step towards me and looked into my eyes.
Silence stretches between us.
He stepped forward again to which I moved a step back. He seized his actions and I looked at his face which was clearly hurt. Ain't him the only one hurting?
The corridor light flickers once, then steadies. Somewhere below, a door slams shut.
Rome straightens, like he's preparing himself physically now that the emotional part is already done.
He gives me one last look. There's no accusation in it. No blame. But That might be the cruelest part. Am I the one to be blamed?
Then he turns and walks away.
I didn't go after him.
Mostly, I'm afraid that if I take one step after him, I won't stop.
The building feels louder once he's gone. Every sound sharpens, presses in. I stay where I am for a few seconds longer than necessary, staring at the empty space Rome just occupied, as if he might come back and say he changed his mind.
He doesn't.
I eventually head toward the CEO office, where khun Thee and Nong Plub are. Their voices reach me before I see them, light and animated. Nong Plub is in the middle of a story, hands moving dramatically as Thee laughs, shaking his head.
For a moment, I thought not to distrub them.
But my feet carry me forward anyway.
"Mhok," khun Thee says when he notices me. "You disappeared."
"Yeah," I reply. "Just needed air."
Nong Plub grins. "i think Rome was looking for you earlier."
My chest tightens. " he came here?"
Khun Thee glances at Nong Plub, then back at me. His smile softens, cautious now. "He already left. He would probably be in airport by now"
I blink. Once. Twice.
"Oh," I say. It comes out flat.
"He said he had something to take care of," khun Thee adds. "Didn't say much."
I nod slowly, processing. Already left. Of course.
Nong Plub seems to sense the shift and clears his throat. "I'll... go check on something." she excuses herself quickly, leaving me alone with khunThee.
He studies me for a moment. He's always been good at that. Seeing what people don't say.
"You okay?" he asks.
I hesitate. Then shrug. "Yeah. Just tired."
He doesn't push. I appreciate that more than he knows.
"If you want to talk, I can talk with you," khun Thee offers.
"No need" I say, maybe a little too fast. I soften it. "I'll stay for a bit."
He nods. "Alright. I'll be around."
When he steps away, the space feels too open. Too empty.
Rome already left.
The words repeat in my head, over and over, each time sinking a little deeper.
I didn't expect him to stay. That's the truth. I told myself I was prepared for this. That whatever we had, or almost had, would eventually end like this.
So why does it feel like I misjudged the timing of my own heartbeat?
I lean against the wall, watching people move past, conversations overlapping, life continuing exactly as it should. No one knows something just ended. No one is supposed to.
And maybe that's what hurts the most.
Rome didn't make a scene. He didn't demand anything from me. He simply chose himself and walked away.
I press my fingers into my palm, grounding myself again.
I had my chance to say something.
But i chose silence and loyalty more than my own feelings.
And now, silence is all that's left.