Chapter 1: The Gun Between Us
"Kai... I'm scared. You're pointing a gun at me."
River's voice trembled, low and uncertain, like a wound freshly reopened. He stood still at the center of Kai's office, eyes wide, chest rising and falling too fast, hands slightly raised in surrender.
The barrel of the gun didn't lower.
Kai's fingers were steady, wrapped around the cold weapon like it belonged there — like it was a part of him now.
"Why should you be scared?" Kai asked, voice flat. "You're the one who disappeared."
The room was silent. Too silent.
River's throat moved as he swallowed. "Please, Kai. I didn't come here to fight. I didn't even know I'd see you again."
Kai's brows twitched. His hand didn't move. But his heart? It slammed hard inside his chest.
"Wrong answer."
He took a step forward. River's foot moved back—just one. But it was enough.
Kai slowly lowered the gun, but his glare remained.
"I should shoot you," he muttered, voice cold. "But I've got too much to lose."
Kai tossed the gun onto the table beside him with a soft thud. His eyes never left River's face.
Ten years.
Ten years of silence. Ten years of not knowing if River was dead or alive. Ten years of wondering if he ever meant anything at all. Now, he was standing here in a suit and tie, recommended as a secretary by Kai's own uncle like nothing had happened.
"Get out of my office," Kai said sharply, moving past him.
River didn't move. He opened his mouth like he wanted to explain again, but Kai raised a hand.
"I said out."
River took a shaky breath and walked out quietly, closing the door behind him.
Kai stood still. Then suddenly, his hand shot forward and swiped everything off his desk. Files, a glass of water, pens—everything crashed to the ground. He dragged a hand through his hair, pacing.
He grabbed his phone and called his uncle.
It rang twice before the older man picked up.
"Kai," the man said warmly, "you calling to thank me for sending you such a qualified—"
"I don't want him here."
There was a pause. "Excuse me?"
"I said I don't want him. Remove him. Now."
"You don't make decisions like that without reason," his uncle said coolly. "River is staying. He was personally recommended by me. Your parents are halfway across the globe, and the board trusts my judgment more than yours right now."
"Uncle."
"No. That's final. You either work with him or prepare for chaos. Do I make myself clear?"
Kai didn't answer. The call ended.
He stared at the phone screen for a few seconds. His hand curled around it tightly.
He stormed out of the office.
River stood outside, his posture straight, face emotionless. Several other staff walked by, shooting quick glances at the new guy.
Kai walked right up to him, leaned in slightly, and hissed, "From now on, you stand outside my office unless I say otherwise. You don't speak unless I speak to you. You don't breathe loud. Got it?"
River didn't respond. He simply nodded once.
Kai hated how calm he looked. Like he hadn't ripped his world apart ten years ago.
He stormed back into the office, slamming the door.
River stood still.
The hours passed. People moved around him. Whispers floated through the hallway:
"Is that the new secretary?"
"He's kind of cute."
"Why's he just standing there?"
Kai heard it all. He could hear the way they talked about River like he was some decoration. It made him sicker.
By 6:00 PM, the office was nearly empty. Kai hadn't stepped out again. River was still there, eyes on the floor, not moving. Just… waiting.
Finally, Kai cracked open the door.
Their eyes met.
"Leave."
River blinked. "For today?"
Kai's jaw clenched. "Don't come in tomorrow unless I call you myself."
River nodded.
Kai watched him walk away down the corridor, each step echoing louder than the last. He didn't turn back once.
When River vanished from view, Kai sank into his chair, head tilted back, eyes on the ceiling.
This wasn't supposed to happen. He had moved on.
Hadn't he?