A year went by and the apartment was still silent, just the way Kieran liked it. No echoes, no footsteps, no laughter lingering in the walls—just the soft hum of the ceiling fan and the distant murmur of the city outside.
His laptop screen glowed in the dark, half-filled reports staring back at him. He shifted his glasses up and toyed with his hair a little just like before— work was easy. It didn't ask any questions or try to hold any conversation. It didn't remind him of things he didn't want to remember. He typed another line, the click of the keyboard breaking the silence, but even that felt too loud. It was too loud.
The sunlight shifted. A golden beam cut through the blinds, spilling across the desk, and for a second, it felt familiar. Warmth, laughter, a voice he hadn't heard in—
Kieran shut his laptop. He didn't have time for ghosts. Not anymore.
Kieran made a stop before the office to see an old friend, Jarvis Jones. Jarvis had tried to have his way with Kieran too but he did not accept. Jarvis kept gathering information on Kieran and was never afraid to read it to him.
"Kieran, a 23-year-old man, standing at 6'3 with a muscular build and a cold demeanor. An abandoned child with nothing but his books, who eventually worked hard enough to build a company from the ground up". Why should we partner with you? Javis said.
Jarvis Jones was an older man who owned soles tech, a company Kieran had been trying to get a contract with.
"Unlike others, I am actively involved in the movement and growth of my company. It's practically all I have. So be assured your investment will not be going to waste". Kieran said with a smile. The meeting ended.
The past weeks were very heavy on him. It was the holidays and he had nowhere to go. He had no friends. No family. No social life. Just endless, numbing work.
On his drive to work he listens to soft music to relax his mind. He sometimes remembers the suffering from his childhood and all what he had been put through. "its time to enjoy life" he yelled in the car. He had suffered enough already.
He gets to the office and his secretary —a tall slender woman— welcomes him. "Good morning boss" she says and for the first time in years he replies— in a soft, low toned voice "Thank you Ness". She's left in shock as he never talks. Not to anyone but himself.
Today's very different. He was brighter than before. Kieran proceeded to call a meeting.
"I needs a personal assistant" he said and everyone at the office felt the same, an opening was created.
The activities continued at the office and so did everyone's curiosity— what happened to Kieran? He's usually not this friendly.
It's a week later and Kieran is still different. Most employees have gotten used to the happier version of him— saying funny things to make them laugh. Not a great change in behavior as he still snapped sometimes but it was quite noticable.
The job opening was closed and Interviews were scheduled for later that week.
He was not looking forward to hiring a female personal assistant as his famous quote says
"women don't do anything right"
To no one's surprise, most applicants were women. He was unimpressed. Of course, most applicants were women he kept saying. But Kieran wasn't looking for admiration—he needed something else. Something… different. Before the end of the meeting, he'd let them know he wasn't going to hire them. He was brutally blunt with that.
After sighing over a hundred times, There were just 5 applicants.
"Caelum Hills," Ness called. As he walked up, she gave him a warm smile. "Good luck—you've already made an impression."
Caelum Hills, a tall, handsome, bright looking man with golden brown hair like the evening sun and grey eyes like the evening clouds. Kieran, who was looking at his computer said "Caelum Hills, quite an odd name for a woman"
"Do I look feminine, boss" Caelum said.
Kieran looked up in shock. A man. A man applied. He was surprised a man had applied. He smiled and said "This is different" . They proceeded with the interview.
Caelum was quite funny. He made jokes at the slightest chances and put a smile on a face that hadn't smiled in years. "You are hired. Resume tomorrow" Kieran said as Caelum stood up to leave. They were both very excited.
Kieran couldn't sleep. He hadn't felt such happiness and joy in years "My very first friend" he thought. On the other hand, Caelum slept like a baby. Gathering enough energy for his first day at work, they were both excited.
It's a cold Morning and Kieran is getting ready to leave for work. It had started to snow, so he turned back into his apartment to get a jacket. He hears a soothing voice say "It's fine, sir. I brought an extra jacket for you." To his surprise it was Caelum standing in a suit. Looking dashing. His hair is freshly cut and He smiled like an angel. He's out in the snow with two umbrellas waiting for his boss. Kieran had a lot of questions but didn't ask any.
They arrive at work shortly after and they walk in together laughing. The air at the office was different. Caelum goes straight to his office, trying to figure out his duties but Kieran is uneasy in his office. So he calls Caelum over. He's curious about Caelum. He's excited as always and he rushes over to Kieran's office.
He's in the office now but Kieran just stares at him, making him a bit uncomfortable. Caelum breaks the silence by asking what he was called for "You didn't call me here just to admire me now, did you?" He said. Kieran replied "What if I did?" Is there a problem with me admiring my assistant?" Caelum was shocked. They both sat there staring deeply into each other's eyes.
Caelum looked at his boss. A young man with a well defined face, black silky hair, beautiful blue eyes and a little scar on his cheek.
"What scarred your face, boss ?" and Kieran,who looked genuinely flustered, smiled and brushed off the topic. No one ever notices the scar. It was too early to open up. "Even Ness didn't notice this little mark! You're a witch!" Kieran said while laughing his lungs out.
Work became fun for Kieran as months passed and it didn't seem like it. He looked forward to work now. Almost forgetting about his traumatic past.
While he leaves for work he texts Caelum to get some things ready for him and Caelum always did. He IS getting paid to do so. Caelum worked diligently, avoiding mistakes and submitting paperwork on time. Kieran almost had nothing to do anymore and it made them both feel at ease.
Work wasn't the same anymore "time flies when you're having fun" they say and the day ended quickly but Kieran is still bothered about him noticing the scar. Caelum had resumed working with him for nearly a year but he couldn't seem to forget. It was a memory he didn't want to remember. He wasn't ready to remember.
Caelum drove him home. The car was awkwardly quiet. The silence had to be broken. Kieran spoke "Let's get a drink" and almost immediately Caelum said "Yeah! Let's go!" as he turned the car around. Kieran chuckled softly.
They headed to the bar. Kieran stuffed his face with booze. It was obvious something was wrong. Caelum was worried. He tried bringing it up but Kieran wasn't paying attention. Tipsy and talkative.
Kieran spoke, "My scar was caused by my "friends". I wasn't loved as a child. Always getting bullied" he said to Caelum and he felt pity for him. "There's a lot more on my back. Wanna see? Most were from women"
He looked like someone he had tried to lock up for years —a helpless child. His hair was scattered. He was drunk. He had to be taken home. "Yes boss" Caelum whispered as he got up.
Caelum drove him home. This was too much information. How would someone as beautiful and hardworking as him be unloved? How would someone as successful as him have no one around him? Did he build that company from scratch? He felt pity and respect for the boss. A man who was always uptight, like everything was always fine. Caelum made it a personal duty to always make his boss happy. It was the only thing he could do.
He held Kieran as he struggled to walk in. Caelum took him to his room and put him to sleep.
"I'm hot," Kieran muttered, sounding slightly uncomfortable. Caelum helped take off his shirt.
But nothing prepared him for what he saw.
Scars—dozens of them.
Faint ones, raised ones, some that looked fresh, like they still ached.
Caelum stood frozen. His throat tightened.
This man—his boss—had carried a world of pain on his back.
He sat on the edge of the bed, staring.
And for the first time in years, Caelum cried.