Tai was stunned to see the boy in his company. As a janitor, no less.
He had been looking for ways to find him again. That night, he'd left for an urgent meeting, and the boy had already passed out cold.
But now here he was , in Tai's office, holding a mop like fate had personally delivered him on a silver platter.
It was almost funny.
But Tai didn't laugh.
The boy clearly didn't remember him. Too wasted that night to recall anything. Tai didn't plan to remind him. What would be the point?
He'd let him stay clueless.
For now.
Josh glared at him, jaw tight. "Why would I want you to bite me?"
His voice was dry. Annoyed.
"Please, sir," he added quickly, trying to sound professional. "I'm working. It'd be nice if you moved aside. I still have… places to clean."
Tai didn't move.
Instead, he stepped forward, pinning Josh to the wall behind him. Not rough….but firm enough to make it clear he could. And would.
Josh stiffened, eyes wide.
Tai tilted his head. "You've got a smart mouth for a janitor."
Josh gulped.
For a second, it looked like he was about to snap back. But instead, he swallowed it all down.
"I'm sorry, sir," he said quickly.
His voice softened. Apologetic. Like he realized just how close he was to blowing his cover—as though Josh was seconds away from slipping out of Aom.
Tai leaned in, lips brushing close to his ear, and whispered with a low chuckle,
"Welcome to my company."
Josh's breath caught.
There was something in that voice. Possessive. Dangerous. Like Tai didn't just own the company—he owned everything.
Josh couldn't deny it.
That look Tai gave him… it did something to him. His body reacted before his brain could stop it. His pulse spiked. Heat crawled embarrassingly low in his stomach.
Tai finally stepped back, smirking like he knew exactly what he was doing.
Josh didn't waste a second. He grabbed his mop and equipment and bolted out of the office.
He moved too fast ….so fast he crashed right into someone in the hall.
"Oh, sorry," the man muttered, brushing past him and hurrying straight into Tai's office.
Josh paused.
That looked urgent.
His eyes narrowed.
He glanced around to make sure no one was looking, then crept silently back to Tai's door. He didn't press too close , but just enough to catch voices leaking out through little gap.
Tai's tone was cold and sharp.
"Tell them the shipment must arrive quietly. Next week."
Josh's brows furrowed.
Shipment?
"No mess-ups like last time," Tai continued. "One mistake and I'll kill you all."
Josh's heart jumped.
What the hell are they moving?
Drugs? Weapons? Evidence?
Whatever it was—it wasn't clean.
"Fucking murderer," Josh whispered under his breath.
Whatever Tai was hiding, it was big. And now, Josh had something real.
He'd find out. Snap some evidence. Send it to the unit.
Josh couldn't help but smile. Progress.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"What are you doing there?"
He turned quickly.
A girl was staring at him suspiciously, arms folded.
"Uhh… nothing," Josh stammered.
Her eyes scanned him head to toe.
"Ohhh, you're the newbie. We've got a rule, don't peek into the boss's office."
Josh froze , looking for a good reply . "Sorry, he was just… so handsome."
She blinked. Then burst out laughing.
"Ohhh! You're gay? I've always wanted a gay friend!"
Before he could say jack, she grabbed his arm. "You're so cute, come on! Don't stay here, you'll get punished. It's almost closing time anyway."
"What's your name" she asked
He sighed…."Aom"
"I am penny" she answered and continued dragging him along.
Josh sighed again, following her reluctantly. He didn't have time for this, but he couldn't afford trouble either.
He was lucky it was her. If it had been someone else… they might have reported him.
"Everyone!" the girl called out dramatically.
"Look at our new janitor….isn't he cute?"
Heads turned.
Voices rose.
People laughed, asked questions, started calling out to him like they'd found a lost puppy.
Josh stood there, mop in hand, in the middle of the attention storm.
Yeah. This day was just terrible.
-—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Josh's apartment)
"Aii, Josh! You're back?" Mark called from the couch. "It's already night time, I thought you didn't have work on Saturdays."
Josh kicked off his shoes at the door, clearly exhausted. "Uhh… I didn't. Not until Sarah called."
Mark raised a brow. "Sarah? What for?"
Josh sighed, dropping his bag on the floor. "Can't really tell you."
Mark sat up, intrigued. "Wait. Don't tell me ... you're fired?"
Josh tossed him a look. "No."
"Suspended?"
"No, Mark."
"Transferred?"
Josh dragged his palm down his face. "Can you stop asking questions for once? I just said I can't tell you."
Mark blinked, then frowned. "Okay, rude. But like… where are you working now?"
Josh walked past him toward the kitchen. "Sukhum Tai Industries. Started today."
Mark's jaw dropped. "Hold up! That elite glass building down by Graceview? Where, the guards dress better than me?"
Josh grabbed a bottle of water and drank like his life depended on it. "Yes."
"Damn. You got promoted or something?"
Josh lowered the bottle. "No. I'm… working there as a janitor."
Mark paused.
Then blinked.
"JANITOR?!" he yelled. "Oh hell no….what happened? You had one bad weekend and suddenly you're wiping billionaire boot prints?!"
Josh glared at him. "Mark, stop."
"But…"
"Stop."
Mark threw his hands up. "Fine. Gosh. All secretive and dramatic."
Josh started walking … only to stop dead in the Bedroom.
The pillow's were on the floor. Pizza boxes stacked like ancient ruins. And worst of all…
"Why is the room a mess, Mark?!"
Mark looked around like he was seeing it for the first time. "Oh… shit. My bad. I had company."
Josh stared at him. "Company or dick? ,damn you mark"
Mark laughed nervously. "I forgot you had a thing about being organized…my bad."
Josh didn't say a word. He walked to the bathroom, yanked the door open….
SQUISH.
He stepped on something.
He looked down.
A condom.
Used.
" SHIT MARK!!!" he screamed from the bathroom "I. WILL. KILL. YOU!"
Mark was already running. "IT WASN'T MINE ….wait no it was! DON'T HIT ME!"
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Sukhum Tai Industries)
Monday morning.
Josh was already back at his "job" aka janitor duty with a side of illegal business spying.
He adjusted the cleaning cart, barely awake yet, and pushed it into the hallway like a man dragging his pride.
"Oiii, Aom! Come here!" Penny shouted across the hallway, waving him over like they were old friends.
Josh sighed. He was clearly irritated but managed to plaster on a fake smile.
"What now?" he muttered, walking over with his mop.
"We're having a company dinner tonight, and everyone's invited!" she beamed. "Courtesy of the boss!"
All the female workers screamed in excitement, some fanning themselves. The male staff groaned quietly, rolling their eyes like they hadn't already planned their outfits.
"I'm not going," Josh said flatly.
Everything stopped.
Everyone turned to look at him like he just paused the beat of life itself.
"And why?" a deep voice asked from the corner.
Josh's stomach dropped.
Of course.
Boss Tai.
Tai walked in, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. Calm. Cold. That same calm that made Josh's blood rise.
The moment he entered the Scene, the energy shifted. Everyone suddenly remembered their posture and their professionalism.
Josh looked at him. Anger brewed quietly in his chest, but on the surface, he smiled like the good employee he was pretending to be.
"I'm new," he said calmly. "I haven't really gotten to know anyone yet, so I don't think I should attend."
Tai raised a brow. "Really? I saw you talking to Penny yesterday."
Josh glanced at Penny. She smiled shyly, clearly flattered …the boss noticed her.
Josh held back a sigh. "Still, sir. It's my decision whether or not to go."
Everyone looked at the boy in "he did not just talk back at the boss".
Tai said nothing for a second.
Then smirked.
Josh gave a short nod and wheeled his cart away.
He had real work to do. Not party with the man he might have to arrest.
But just as he rounded the corner to another hallway, he felt a force slam him back against the wall.
Tai.
Josh's breath caught. His eyes widened.
"Who are you?" Tai asked, his voice low and dark.
Tension spiked the air.
Josh's heart pounded.
Shit.
Did he find out?.