EPISODE 8
1835 Words
At home, Liang was waiting in the living room.
“Where did you go off to?” he asked. “I’ve been waiting for hours.”
“Sorry,” Noah muttered, slumping onto the couch. “I had something to sort out.”
Liang studied him closely. “Everything okay?”
Noah gave a hollow laugh. “Let’s just say I made a huge mistake… and in the process, I hurt someone I really care about.”
“You mean the guy you were seeing?”
“Yeah.” Noah sighed, rubbing his temples. “I thought he was Chen’s lover, so when Eden Global offered me a deal and I found out he worked there as the designing director, I took it. I wanted revenge.”
Liang’s eyes widened slightly. “Adrian Lee?”
“Yeah. So I flirted with him, got close, made him fall for me. And when I thought I’d succeeded—I ghosted him. But then I found out he wasn’t Chen’s lover. He was Chen’s cousin. Chen’s aunt’s child.”
“Why would you go that far, Noah?” Liang asked quietly, disbelief in his voice.
“Because I loved you,” Noah said, his voice trembling. “For years, Liang. And when someone hurt you, I wanted to hurt them back. I thought I was doing it for you.” He swallowed hard. “But now I realize I wasn’t avenging you—I was destroying myself.”
Liang’s gaze softened. “Do you still love me?”
Noah looked up at him, eyes red. “No. Because in the end… I fell in love with Adrian.”
A small smile touched Liang’s lips, though it was tinged with sadness. “Then you should make it up to him.”
Noah shook his head slowly. “I wish I could. But he says he’ll never trust me again.”
Liang placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “If he truly had feelings for you, he’ll forgive you someday. But only if you keep showing him you mean it.”
“Thanks, Liang.” Noah looked down at his hands. “And about Chen… if he ever comes to you, give him a chance to explain. He probably has his reasons.”
Liang nodded, silent for a moment. “And you, Noah—make sure you find yours.”
Noah didn’t reply. He just sat there, staring into nothing, wondering when exactly he’d lost the one thing he didn’t even know he’d been searching for—love that was real.
---
The Truth Behind JoJofax
It had been a week since everything crumbled.
A week since Noah’s confession.
A week since Adrian Lee’s heart had shattered into silence.
And somehow, little by little, he was getting back on track.
The ache hadn’t gone away—no, it still lived beneath his ribs, quiet but constant—but Adrian had learned to breathe around it. To smile, even when the smile never reached his eyes. To work, even when his mind wandered back to Noah.
Noah Reid had called, texted, even shown up at his workplace, but Adrian never answered. Every message left unread, every call ignored. He told himself it was better this way. That letting Noah go was the only way to stop hurting.
But late one night, when the loneliness began to claw at him, Adrian found himself sitting alone in a dimly lit bar downtown. He wasn’t there to socialize or to drown his sorrows—he just needed silence, the kind that came with soft jazz and dim lights.
He swirled the liquid in his glass, watching the amber reflect the warm light above. He thought about how strange it was—how you could love someone so much and still not want to see them again.
And then… a familiar voice cut through the buzz of the bar.
Adrian turned. His breath caught.
It was Noah—but this wasn’t the composed, confident man he’d fallen for. This Noah was drunk, his shirt half unbuttoned, head lolling as some stranger tried to guide him toward the exit. The woman’s arm was around his waist, her expression a little too smug, her hand a little too low.
Something in Adrian snapped. He didn’t think—he just moved.
He rushed toward them, grabbed the woman’s wrist, and yanked her hand away from Noah. “Let him go,” Adrian said sharply, eyes blazing.
The woman frowned, defensive. “Who are you to—?”
“I’m someone who’ll make sure you end up in a cell if you don’t leave right now,” Adrian interrupted coldly. His tone was low, deadly. “So unless you want to spend your night explaining why you were dragging a drunk man out of a bar, I suggest you walk away.”
Her face paled. Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Adrian turned back to Noah, who blinked at him groggily, trying to focus. “Ad… Adrian?” he slurred softly, voice thick from alcohol.
Adrian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “You’re unbelievable,” he muttered, slipping an arm around Noah to steady him. “Come on.”
Noah was taller, broader, heavier—helping him to the car was an exhausting struggle. But somehow, Adrian managed. By the time he got him into the passenger seat, his arms ached.
The drive home was quiet except for Noah mumbling Adrian’s name over and over like a prayer. Every time Adrian heard it, his heart cracked a little more.
---
By the time they reached his apartment, Noah was nearly asleep. Getting him inside was another battle—half dragging, half carrying.
When they finally reached the bedroom, Adrian gently laid him down on the bed, carefully removing his shoes, jacket, and shirt. His fingers hesitated at the buttons before deciding against it—he only loosened them, then pulled a blanket over him.
Noah shifted, mumbling again. “Adrian… I’m sorry…”
Adrian froze. His throat tightened. He couldn’t tell if Noah was dreaming or drunk-talking, but the words stung anyway.
He sat by the bedside, watching him. The soft light cast shadows over Noah’s face—the same face that had haunted Adrian’s thoughts for nights.
Even after all this, even after everything he’d done… Adrian still loved him. And that, more than anything, was what hurt the most.
---
The next morning, sunlight spilled through the curtains. Adrian was already dressed for work, crisp and collected. As he descended the stairs, he found Chen in the living room, lazily scrolling through his tablet.
“Good morning, cous,” Adrian greeted, adjusting his tie.
“Morning,” Chen replied absently.
Adrian grabbed his briefcase, pausing before the door. “Since you’ll be home today, please make a hangover soup for Noah. He’s still sleeping.”
Chen froze mid-scroll. His eyes shot up. “What did you just say?”
“I said, make him a hangover soup,” Adrian repeated calmly.
Chen’s expression hardened. “What is that piece of s**t doing in this house?”
Adrian turned sharply. “Shut up, Chen.”
Chen blinked, taken aback. “Wait—what? Why are you defending him? Have you forgotten what he did to you?”
Adrian’s gaze was cold but steady. “I haven’t. But I’m the only one who has the right to insult him. You don’t. And don’t forget the soup.”
He left before Chen could respond, the door closing with a soft but final click.
Chen stood there, stunned. “Is he sick or something?” he muttered to himself.
---
Upstairs, Noah stirred awake. His head throbbed, and his throat was dry, but the familiar scent around him made his eyes snap open. He wasn’t at his place. He knew this smell—clean linen and cedarwood. Adrian.
He sat up slowly, glancing around—and froze.
The room was filled with pictures of himself. Posters, photographs, magazine covers—all neatly arranged. His entire career, captured through Adrian’s eyes.
His breath caught as realization dawned.
No way…
He looked closer, scanning the small desk by the wall. His gaze fell on a framed name card—JoJofax.
His heart nearly stopped.
That name…
With trembling hands, he grabbed his phone, scrolling through his old fan messages—and there it was. The same name that had always been there, from the very beginning.
It had been Adrian all along.
Adrian was JoJofax—his most loyal fan. The one who cheered for him when no one else did. The one who defended him when the world turned its back.
Memories flooded him.
JoJofax’s comments on his early posts.
The messages of encouragement that came when he was at his lowest.
The way that fan once wrote, “Even if the world hates you, I still love you. Keep shining, Noah.”
Tears welled in his eyes. He remembered how JoJofax had created his first fan club, how he used to send him handmade cards and post every event update. And then one day, JoJofax said he’d gotten busier with work but would always be watching.
Noah had wanted to meet him so badly. He’d even sent a message asking to meet one day. But JoJofax never replied.
And now, here he was—standing in the house of the man he had hurt. The man he loved. The man who had loved him long before he even knew his name.
His chest ached as the tears spilled freely.
---
After washing up, Noah found fresh clothes neatly laid out for him. He dressed quietly, then made his way downstairs, each step heavy with guilt.
In the kitchen, Chen was cooking. When he saw Noah, his face soured instantly.
“Finally awake,” Chen muttered. “Here, drink this—and leave as soon as possible.” He slid a steaming bowl across the counter without meeting Noah’s gaze.
Noah didn’t argue. He took the bowl and sat down, the smell of ginger and spice rising. “Thank you,” he said softly.
For a while, they ate in silence until Noah finally spoke. “Chen… I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t mean to hurt Adrian. I just… made a lot of stupid choices. Please, give me a chance to make things right.”
Chen sighed, glancing at him briefly. “What can I say? As long as Adrian forgives you, who am I to complain?”
Noah nodded. “Liang still loves you, you know. He never stopped. You just have to show him you had a reason for what happened. I swear, he’ll listen.”
Chen froze, caught off guard. Then a faint, almost wistful smile crossed his lips. “I’ve heard you,” he said quietly. “Thanks.”
Noah smiled faintly in return. “Don’t thank me. Just… don’t waste your chance the way I wasted mine.”
---
- Writer
