Tides Turn
678 Words
Thursday – 9:00 AM
Nebula Group, 14th Floor
Win walked into the office like he wasn’t walking through fire.
Every look felt different.
Too sharp. Too knowing.
People didn’t whisper outright, but he felt the glances that lingered a moment too long. The subtle shift in energy as he passed by clusters of coworkers. The small smirk on Tee’s face when their eyes met by the copy machine.
Something had changed.
And Win knew exactly what it was.
---
10:43 AM
Slack Message from HR
> 🧷 “Hi Khun Win, could we ask you to come in for a short meeting this afternoon at 3:00 PM? Nothing urgent—just standard check-in.”
The pit in his stomach hardened.
Standard, his ass.
---
Meanwhile – Executive Office, 18th Floor
Phuchit—no longer just Phu—stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of his private suite, arms crossed.
His assistant, Jane, stood beside him. “It’s spreading, sir. I’ve already seen the forum posts. Staff are speculating.”
Phu stayed silent.
“They don’t know the truth. But… they’re guessing close.”
“How bad is it?” he asked quietly.
“Right now, whispers. But the board has eyes everywhere. It’s only a matter of time before they ask for confirmation.”
Phu turned to her, jaw tight.
“Prepare a full internal PR response. I’ll handle Win.”
Jane nodded and left the room.
Phu looked out again at the skyline.
He’d promised to protect Win. Now he might be the very thing that destroys him.
---
3:00 PM
Human Resources, 12th Floor
The room was overly bright. Artificial calm. Neutral decor masking landmines.
Across the table sat P’Aom, head of HR, expression unreadable.
“Thank you for coming, Win,” she said.
“No problem,” he replied evenly, though his throat was dry.
She leaned forward. “We’ve received a few concerns from staff. It seems there’s a perception of… special treatment. You and Khun Phuchit have been seen leaving the office together late at night. And one employee claimed to see you enter his car on Monday.”
Win’s pulse pounded in his ears.
He said nothing.
P’Aom continued. “You’re not in trouble. Not yet. But we have to ask: are you currently in any sort of personal relationship with a superior?”
Lie or tell the truth?
Protect him or protect yourself?
Win took a slow breath. “I’m not receiving any favors. I’ve earned everything I’ve worked on.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
“…I know.”
Silence.
P’Aom softened a little. “Look, Win. You’re smart. Talented. But office relationships—especially with senior leadership—have to be disclosed. If there’s something to report, now’s the time.”
“I understand,” Win said quietly.
But he didn’t give her an answer.
---
Later That Evening – Parking Lot
Phu was waiting by his car. No glasses. Tie loosened. Sleeves rolled to his elbows.
Win walked straight up to him.
“HR called me in,” he said.
Phu’s face didn’t change, but his eyes darkened. “I know. I asked them not to escalate.”
“Someone saw us. It’s out.”
Phu’s jaw flexed. “I’ll protect you.”
“You keep saying that,” Win snapped. “But you don’t get it. My career is new. Yours is built. If this goes south, I lose everything.”
Phu reached for him. “Then let me fix it.”
Win stepped back.
“No. Not this time.”
The silence between them crackled. Heavy. Sharp.
“I need to figure out what I want,” Win said. “And who I am—without being someone’s secret.”
Phu’s hand dropped to his side.
“Are you walking away?”
“I’m… stepping back.”
His voice wavered.
Phu nodded, slow and pained.
“If you need space, I’ll give it.”
Win turned to leave.
But before he did, he looked over his shoulder and whispered:
“…Don’t stop waiting.”
- Writer
