A New Safe Space

The next morning, Ray sat alone at the breakfast table, sipping his coffee and trying to ignore the empty seat across from him and the feeling of loneliness he felt without his boyfriend's large doe eyes staring at him. Akk had stayed back at his apartment last night, insisting he was just tired after the long workday. Ray had been reluctant to let him go, but he could see the exhaustion in Akk's face. He even had to smile a little when Akk teased that maybe Ray's insistent attention the day before had contributed to it because he barely got himself a few hours of sleep.

But the emptiness gnawed at him more than he'd expected. Something felt off, even though Akk had brushed it off and claimed everything was fine.

As Ray let his thoughts linger on yesterday's event. After the meeting Akk had attended and the tension that had built up since Akk's strange departure. His reverie was broken by the unmistakable sound of his father's footsteps approaching. Kamon entered the dining room with a calm, almost casual demeanor, though Ray could sense an unusual edge beneath it. The fact that he decided to stay back to have breakfast with him doesn't bode well for Ray.

Kamon settled into the seat across from him, lifting a cup of coffee before his gaze fixed on Ray, clear and sharp. "Ray," he started, his voice light yet unmistakably probing, "what exactly have you been up to in the office?"

Ray held his father's gaze, though he could feel his pulse quicken slightly. Kamon's tone was deceptively calm, but he knew this was the beginning of something.

"I'm just managing my responsibilities and learning," Ray answered evenly, setting his mug down with deliberate ease. "Why? Is there something I need to be aware of?"

Kamon leaned back, looking at Ray thoughtfully. "It seems like you've been focusing on... personal engagements rather than just professional duties," he said, keeping his tone carefully measured. "Now, normally, I'd assume you knew the boundaries, but I'm hearing whispers that suggest you may have... let your attention wander."

Ray's jaw tightened, recognizing the implication immediately. "If you're referring to rumors, they tend to be exaggerated, don't they?"

Kamon's gaze didn't waver. "Exaggerated or not, you're in a position where even the appearance of impropriety isn't just a risk—it's reckless."

Ray paused, measuring his words. "Father, I'm aware of the standards expected of me. But I'm also entitled to my own private life, even at work."

Kamon set his cup down, his expression shifting to one of open disappointment. "This isn't just about your private life, Ray. It's about your responsibilities as part of the family business, and the reputation we've built. I won't see that compromised for something... impulsive."

Ray bristled a spark of defiance in his eyes. "It's not impulsive. Akk's an important part of my life."

"And what of his position?" Kamon's tone hardened. "You know very well that his success here reflects on you. Yet from what I've gathered, he's now in the center of department gossip—something he hardly deserves. Are you sure he is up to dealing with this kind of situation?"

Ray straightened, his voice firm. "Akk's reputation isn't the problem. The problem is how people choose to see him because of some gossip, not because of anything he's done."

Kamon's gaze narrowed. "If you think I haven't noticed your stubborn and reckless streak, you're mistaken. You may be willing to throw your own reputation into the fire, but Akk's future here will be damaged by this... attachment. That's not something he can simply brush off, Ray. His career is just beginning. And neither can you."

Ray took a slow breath, steadying his resolve. "I won't apologize for caring about him. I don't see why what we have outside of the office should be anyone's business. He's earned his place, with or without me. You wouldn't let him mentor me if you didn't think he was capable, Dad."