Jason grabs Val's hand, making the kid turn his gaze and see Jason smiling at him. That beautiful smile, how could he not want that for him?
"Then why do you still call me Boss, here or at the office?" asked Jason with a soft voice.
Val looked at Jason for a long time, slowly tearing up, he tried to pull his hand away from the grip, but Jason held it tight.
"Boss."
Jason raises his hand to touch Val's unruly hair. Even with his pale face like that, the kid still looks so attractive; he is still Val, he always knows, and wishes to see his smiles all over again, never wanting to lose any of that.
"Rio, don't tell me anything, I found out and accidentally peeked at your medical records, and, you think, how long can you hide this? All this time, I've been wondering what happened to you? Don't you believe me? At all?"
Val still tried to pull his hand away. But Jason is certainly much more stubborn than him. He held his hand so tight without a chance to let go.
"My internship will end soon, boss. After that, no one will know…"
"And you intend to vanish? Is that what you mean?" Jason cut the words.
Val was silent. He has no energy left to argue with Jason.
"Val." Jason tries to persuade Val with his persistence.
Both eyes meet. Then, Val turned his head away again.
"Treatment for my illness is not easy, boss, it takes time and patience, and it's not certain it will work. Doctor Rio said the chance of getting a donor is so small because of my blood type. And, even if I get one, it might not be a perfect match, The chance of survival.. " said Val. He couldn't continue his words, his chest getting hurt just by thinking of his fate.
"That man always says bad things, you don't need to take his words," Jason interrupted, squeezing Val's palms on him.
Val turned, looking at his boss for a long time. Finally, he managed to pull his hand out of Jason's grip.
"I don't trust him, but, boss, look what happened, I can't even work properly because a little fever makes me lie here unable to do anything. I'm helpless, boss. This is the first time I feel so helpless and can't control anything. If there's no food, I can still find it by working; no place to live, I can still stay in an empty house. But this time, I can't do anything. It's out of my control. That's why the only thing I could do might be to run away. I'm so sorry, Boss."
Jason held his breath for a moment, then exhaled slowly. The man sat right on Val's bed, with his hand wrapping him. Locked Val from running away from him.
"It was so hot yesterday. I warned Ria not to let you guys go out, but she's too late, and you guys left without notice. Besides, you've been so weak the days before, you haven't gotten well enough, that's what makes you here, now,..."
"Boss," Val cut Jason off.
Jason raised his hand.
"Whatever it is, heh, whatever it is, you are my employee, and above all of that, you're Val, I will never let you face this all by yourself. I have decided to extend your contract. Before all this happened, you couldn't refuse it; I don't like being rejected."
As if to emphasize his words, Jason turned his body towards the drinking glass, picked it up, and walked towards the pantry.
"I'm taking a bath now, you better go back to sleep," said Jason before entering the bathroom. He didn't give Val any chance to interrupt him.
Jason went into the room, closed the door tightly, and locked it. For a moment, he stood in front of the mirror, looking at his tired face, until finally his body slumped, clutching the sink tightly so as not to fall as he could no longer bear the pain in his chest. His breath was ragged, his chest hurt. How could someone as healthy as Val suffer like this? He couldn't bear to think about it. Rio was right; he couldn't bear to see the young man suffer.
"If you can't handle it, back off now, don't give Val false hope," Rio's words still echoed clearly in his head. Why Val? He was just a young kid, a cheerful young man with a bright future, and they had just met again after a long time. His heart hurt so much thinking about him now. Seeing him suffer like this, weak and helpless. It was so hurt so much as if something was pressing him so hard that he was unable to breathe. He felt like screaming from the pain.
Jason lowered his body, dropping to his knees on the floor and covering his mouth to keep from crying loudly. He can't be weak in front of the boy, or he would really drive him away; he had to be strong.
"Hoh, Val"
Val just leaned his heavy head to the high pillow. Looking far out of the wide window, if only he could just disappear now, he thought. He should have just left when he had a chance. Now, how can he drag his Boss into his problem? That man deserves to be happy, but not with him in his life.
"Boss"
************
"The wind, as if it could carry away all sadness and heavy sorrow, but the wind can also bring grief and deep anxiety that comes in an instant..."
....
Diamond tower.
Jason sat behind his desk. Although he had been discharged from the hospital, Val had not yet returned to work due to his condition. It's past midday, and Jason couldn't wait to go back to the apartment to see him. He got worried because Val was not replying to any messages he sent from noon. Jason pressed the call button, but there was no ringtone at all.
"Heh, where is this kid?"
Mr. Pri had just entered his office when Jason stood up from his seat.
"Jason, about..."
Jason walked past the middle-aged man.
"Pardon me, sir, I have an urgent matter, just find Ria," Jason said, immediately leaving the door before the man could say anything. Ria, who was standing outside the door, shook her head when the man turned to her. She had no idea what her boss was doing.
Jason hurried back to his apartment, got into the elevator, and couldn't wait to go up to his room.
"Val!" Jason called for Val as soon as he entered the apartment. He immediately went to Val's room, but found no one inside.
"Val!" Jason checked the bathroom, kitchen, and even his own room. He started to panic. Jason tried to call Val's number again, but there was still no dial tone; the kid had turned off his phone.
Jason ran back into Val's room, checking his closet. The twenty-inch suitcase was no longer in its place; he had clearly taken it. Jason threw his hands up in the air.
"Damn it, this kid, where is he?"