Gideon POV

"What?" They said in unison.

"Yes, I'm the best friend of President Marcus!" I told them while looking down. Suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand that was resting on top of this table. I lifted my head to see that Ms. Anne was shocked by what I had said.

"What? How did it happen? Don't be offended, but with your age gap, you're a student, and he is already working? How did you become friends? Most especially be best friends?" Ms. Anne asked me. She was speaking so fast that I was confused about what she was saying. I look at Ms. Erika and Ms. Jane. They are looking at me like they are excited about my answer to them.

"Ahh, eh!" I feel so hesitant right now if I should tell them or not. Will they change? Will they treat me differently once they know? Will they tell others about Mew and me? I hope not! Besides my reason for helping Mew in this company, I find it so fun working here. I have learned so many things already.

"Gideon! Please tell us! We promise we will not tell anyone about this if that's what you want!" Ms. Jane suddenly speaks, making me snap out of my deep thought and worries. I guess I have no choice! My secret is out!

"Ahh, ehh, Yes! Marcus is my best friend as my parent, and his parents are best friends too."

"What? Your parents, the Chairman, and Madam Vanessa are friends?" Ms. Anne shockingly asked me. She even dropped her coffee which made us panic a little. Thankfully, there is no other employee here right now in the pantry. When we were done fixing her mess, I started to talk again.

"Yes, they're friends. That is why Marcus and I have been very close since I was young. Marcus and I grew up together and became best friends!" I said to them.

"Omg! You're not the usual kind of person, Gideon! You're higher than most of us! You're not just an assistant! Gosh! To think that I even scolded you before! Oh no! What should I do!" Ms. Anne was starting to panic; I was about to say something but couldn't because she suddenly spoke again.

"But let me ask you this. Why are you just working here as assistant of Sir Marcus?"

"Ahhh, It's a long story," I said to her. Thankfully they seem to understand.

"Ahh, okay!" Ms. Jane answered.

No one speaks for about a minute. It was like they were trying to absorb everything they heard from me. I'm not so sure about what they are feeling for me. They looked confused, scared, and shocked. I don't know!

"Ahh, I have a big favor to ask you!" I speak again, breaking the awkward silence between us.

"Oh, what is it, Gideon! Anything for you! You know I owe you my job! If not, because of you, Sir Marcus would have fired me that day! Thank you so much again, Gideon. I don't know what would happen to my family and me if I wasn't here." Ms. Anne sounded like she was about to cry too. I quickly held her hand to console her. I don't want to see her cry.

"No worries, Ms. Anne. Ah, if it's okay. Would you mind if we keep this between us four only? I don't want others to know about my relationship with Sir Marcus and the Chairman. I don't want them to tell gossip about me and, most importantly, Marcus. I don't want them to treat me with special treatment because I'm sure they would treat me differently if they knew my relation to the Ayutthaya. I want to continue to be an ordinary working student in our office. I'm begging you! It's an essential matter to me! " I told them. They look at each other first, confused about what I'm asking.

"Especially now that the proposal is approaching, I need to make the most of my time here and not be disturbed by other things (Almost a whisper word)!" I continued. I was pleading with them! I'm so desperate to maintain my low-key profile here in this company. I hope the three of them understand.

I want to be as normal as possible to help Marcus freely without thinking about what other people say about me. Also, I think it will not matter for long because I don't know if I can bear to be with Mew after the proposal. I know I'm desperate sometimes, but I'm not a masochist. I can't continue to see Marcus, be in love, and happy with Allyssa for a while. Maybe I will distance myself from them. I'm not that stupid! I know my limits, and that is it! I need to care for myself too. I know it will hurt, but I need to do this.

That is why I need to make the most of it. It's for Mew's sake and most especially for me. I need to try to move on.

I must do it!

"What is it, Gideon? I didn't hear the last part of your words?" Ms. Anne asked.

"Ahh, never mind me, Ms. Anne! As I was saying, I want to continue to work here in silence, to learn everything that I need to learn, and you all know I can't continue to do that if other employees treat me differently just because President Mew is my friend. I don't want that to happen! Please, Ms. Anne, Ms. Jane, and Ms. Erica! Please do this for me!" I begged them again. They look at each other and then at me, wearing their most genuine smile.

"Of course, Gideon! Anything for you!" Ms. Anne said.

I now feel so relieved.

"Thank you"

~~~

I returned to my table to fix my things when suddenly my intercom lightened, meaning Mew was calling me to enter his office. There is a part of me that I don't want to go there. I don't know; I feel like I might cry again if I see him. I'm sure Marcus will ask me again about any updates regarding his proposal to Allyssa.

But what can I do? I had to comply with him. He is my boss here! I got up, breathed deeply, tried to act normal, and entered his office. As I entered his room, I immediately saw this happy face of Mew. How can he not be? He planned to propose to his Love!

Please, Mew, don't smile like that! You're killing me! Please stop!

I turn around first to try and fix my hurt face, and then I turn around again to face him. I didn't realize that he was already near me. Gosh! We almost kissed because his face was so near to mine. We are now looking at each other eyes like we are reading each other facial expressions as we are both shocked by what happened.

After a few seconds, we decided to step away and look away. Lord, help me! Please, heart, stop beating so loud because he might hear it! We entered into a prolonged state of awkwardness.

"What was that, hahaha!" Marcus can't stop himself from laughing. Is it laughable for him to be like that with me? Fuck you, Marcus! You have no idea how much you are hurting me!

"I don't know, and you're the one who steps closer to me." I just faked a laugh. I hope Mew didn't notice.

"No worries! Come, let's sit! I need to ask you something!" He just invited me to sit on the couch behind him. I just followed him.

"How's the planned Gulf? Sorry If I gave you all the responsibility for this plan of mine. I'm so busy now with so many things to finish till tomorrow, even the possible workload for next week. I have already started doing it and will try to finish it also. I want to take Allyssa somewhere after my proposal. I want to recover from those times when we can't be together because of our hectic schedules. God! Gulf! I'm so excited! I hope everything will go well!"

Mew looked so happy, but me? Here I am, trying so hard to hide my feelings and trying my best not to cry at this moment in front of him. Even the reality is I wanted to cry so hard!

I keep pretending that I'm okay. I don't want to ruin Mew's happiness. I can't!

"Me too, Mew! I'm so excited for you! But Mew, always remembers that I will always be here to support you. Always! I will always be your best friend. All I want is what's best for you! I want you to be happy, and if this makes you happy, I will surely support you all the way! Always remember that!"

Partly, all I say here is true. Despite all the pain, I feel right now, all I want is Mew to be happy. If she makes him happy, I think I need to accept it. I might not be the one for him, but at least I can still be his best friend. His best friend will be here to love him even if he doesn't reciprocate it.

It may be hard on me, but I know I can live with it. Mew will always be my priority. Even to my happiness, his happiness will always come first.

"I know, Gulf! That's why I will always be thankful for all of this. I hope someday; I can pay you back."

I smiled genuinely.

"So, for that weekend vacation you want, did you book the place already?" He just smiled at me awkwardly. Oh no! I know that smile.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know yet. I haven't planned or booked anything. Can you also do this for me?" Fuck! I just imagined face palmed myself. Mew! You're such an asshole!

"Hahahahaha!" We laugh together, a laugh full of ache and sorrow for me.

I wish you your happiness, Mew. I hope that everything will be okay.

I hope so!

To be continued

WAANJAIMJORA