The office was busy, people typing, phones ringing, and Boom was leaning on his desk, scrolling through his phone. He barely noticed the old team leader standing in front of everyone.
"Okay everyone," the old team leader said, clapping his hands. "I have an important announcement. We have a new team leader joining us today."
Some people whispered excitedly. "Who is it?"
Boom raised his eyebrows. He didn't care too much. New people came and went all the time.
"He's been studying abroad for a few years," the team leader continued. "He has a lot of experience and will help our team grow. I'm sure you'll welcome him warmly."
Boom smirked. "Abroad? Fancy. Bet he's full of himself."
The team leader smiled, then glanced at Boom but didn't say anything.
"Anyway," he continued, "let's not keep him waiting. Please welcome your new team leader, Aou Thanaboon."
The office door opened, and a tall figure walked in, calm but confident. Boom felt his stomach tighten slightly. Something about the face seems familiar.
Aou looked around, eyes scanning the room. When he reached Boom, their eyes met for a brief second. Boom's mouth went dry.
It was him. Aou.
Boom quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened. The office was full of murmurs and greetings, but in that moment, it felt like only the two of them were in the room.
Boom was still trying to act normal, chatting with a colleague, when he felt someone stop right in front of him. He looked up.
Aou's face was cold, his eyes burning with something Boom hadn't seen in years. Anger. Hatred.
Boom froze. "Aou…" he whispered, his voice low, unsure if he should be scared or surprised.
Aou didn't say anything at first. He just stared, the corners of his mouth twisting into a small, dangerous smirk.
Then he leaned in slightly, voice calm but sharp, and said:
"The hell has just begun."
Boom's stomach dropped. The office chatter seemed to vanish. Everyone else was looking, confused, but neither of them cared.
Boom wanted to laugh it off, but something in Aou's eyes told him this was serious. Very serious.
Aou turned, walked past him with measured steps, leaving Boom frozen in place, heart racing, and a single thought echoing in his mind:
This is going to be a long war.
Boom tried to shake off the chill, running down his spine. He forced a smirk, leaning back in his chair like he wasn't bothered. "Oh? Is that a threat, Mr. Team Leader?"
Aou stopped, slowly turning his head, his eyes locking onto Boom's. "Call me whatever you want. Just don't forget who I am."
Boom swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. He had seen Aou as a kid, harmless, quiet… but now? Now, he was sharp, dangerous, and somehow… intimidating. People around them were starting to notice the tension. Some whispered, some stared, but Boom barely cared.
He clenched his fists under the desk. So he's back… and he hasn't forgotten.
Aou's smirk widened slightly, and without another word, he walked to his desk at the front of the office. His presence filled the room, commanding attention, and somehow making Boom feel… small.
Boom looked away, his jaw tight. This is going to be interesting. Very interesting.
The old team leader clapped his hands again. "Congratulations, Mr.Aou! We're excited to have you lead the team. I'm sure you'll do great."
Aou nodded politely, his smirk still lingering, then turned to the office. "Thank you. I expect nothing less than hard work from everyone."
Some employees smiled nervously. Others whispered among themselves, curious about the new manager. Boom stayed silent, watching every move, his stomach tight.
"Alright, everyone," the old team leader said, trying to ease the tension. "Let's give Mr. Aou a moment to settle in. You can pack your things and get ready to move to your new seats."
People started gathering their stuff quietly, chatting softly, while Boom kept his eyes on Aou. Every step Aou took, every paper he picked up, felt deliberate, like he was marking his territory.
Boom leaned back in his chair, pretending to focus on his screen. But his mind was racing. This is going to be… complicated.
Aou finally sat at his desk, arranging his things neatly. He looked around once more, his gaze briefly locking with Boom's. That same smirk, that same anger… it, made Boom feel something he hadn't felt in years: fear, respect, and… curiosity.
The office had changed, yes. But some things… apparently, never changed.
Boom walked into Aou's office, trying to look casual. He smiled and said, "Hey… congratulations, buddy!"
Aou's eyes darkened instantly. "Don't call me that." His voice was cold, sharp, and full of warning.
Boom held up his hands, trying to calm him. "I'm just saying… "You know, like friends do.""
Aou's fists clenched at his sides. "I'm not your friend. Not anymore!" His voice raised, echoing through the small office.
Boom took a step closer, his tone firm but playful. "Come on… I'm still your friend, though."
Aou's hands tightened into fists, knuckles white. He looked at Boom like he wanted to hit him.
Boom grinned a little, teasing. "You can't hit me, right? Because… you still consider me your friend."
For a moment, the air was thick with tension. Then, with a sharp bang, Aou slammed his fist on the table. Papers jumped, pens rolled, and Boom flinched.
Aou didn't stop there. He turned and stormed out of the office, his shoulder brushing Boom's as he passed. Boom felt the hit, the force, but didn't step back.
Boom chuckled under his breath. "Wow…" still as strong as ever."
The office was silent for a moment. Everyone had witnessed it, and everyone knew… the war had officially started.
Aou stepped out onto the balcony, letting the warm air hit his face. He opened his phone and went straight to the group chat called "Lonely Guys."
Tan: Welcome back home, buddy! Thailand missed you!
Klao: Yeah, man, it's been too long.
Rome: We were wondering when our angry Aou would show up!
Aou smirked, fingers flying across the keyboard.
Aou: Guess what… I saw him.
Tan: Him? Who is him?
Klao: Don't tell me… Boom?
Rome: Hahaha, no way!
Aou's eyes darkened as he typed.
Aou: Yes… Boom. He's here. And he still thinks he can mess with me.
Tan: Lol. Classic. So, what did you do?
Klao: Dude, don't tell me you lost your cool already.
Rome: I'm betting the table got hit. Right?
Aou leaned on the railing, a small, dark laugh escaping him. "You guys don't understand…" This isn't just Boom. It's everything from back then. Lies… betrayal… and now he's under me."
Tan: Ahhh, the old story. Got it. Revenge time, buddy!
Klao: Man, show him he can't mess with you anymore.
Rome: Yeah! Classic Aou style!
Aou stared at the city below, clenching his jaw. "I won't lose this time… not to him. Not ever."
Boom finally got home after the long, stressful day. He kicked off his shoes, leaned against the door for a moment, and then headed straight to the shower. The warm water helped wash away the tension, though his mind kept replaying every glance, every word from Aou.
After he got out, he changed into something comfortable and picked up his phone. A message from his friend Pimploy popped up.
Pimploy: I heard Aou is back… Are you okay?
Boom smirked a little, typing back. Yeah… it's fine. Just… "complicated, you know?
He started narrating the day to her, every small detail—the office tension, Aou hitting the table, the shoulder brush, and the cold stares.
Pimploy: Wait… what's the full story between you guys? You only told me that Aou hates you, not the full details. And why?
Boom leaned back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He sighed, remembering. It's… a long story.
Pimploy: Be careful, Boom. I know you two have history, but don't let it get out of hand… or your heart involved."
Boom smirked again, shaking his head. "Pimploy… my heart's fine. This is just… fun chaos for now."
He put the phone down, but his mind couldn't stop thinking about Aou. That dangerous smirk, that anger, that intensity…
This is going to be more complicated than I thought.
Group chat: Lonely Guys
Aou got home, closed the door behind him, and leaned against it for a moment. He still felt the tension from the office—the way Boom had dared to act like nothing happened, that smirk, that laugh.
He pulled out his phone and opened the "Lonely Guys" group chat.
Tan: Yo! How was day one back?
Klao: Tell us you scared someone already!
Rome: Yeah, don't leave us hanging!
Aou typed quickly, his fingers moving like fire.
Aou: Boom is still the same… he acts like we're friends. Like nothing happened.
Tan: Hahaha! Classic. Did he try to joke with you?
Klao: Oh man, I bet you wanted to throw him out the window.
Rome: Show him you're boss! Don't let him get away with it!
Aou's jaw tightened. "I wanted to… but I had to keep it professional. It's not just about fun anymore. He's under me now, and I need control."
Tan: Ahhh, revenge mode. Got it. Let him feel the heat!
Klao: Yeah, show him who's really in charge.
Rome: This is going to be fun. I can feel the chaos coming.
Aou let out a quiet laugh, dark and low. "Chaos? Maybe… but this is just the beginning. The real story is just starting, and I won't lose. Not to him. Not this time."
The three friends spammed him with laughing emojis and teasing messages, but Aou ignored them, staring out the window. His mind was already planning, thinking about every angle, every way to keep Boom under his watchful eyes…
Let the games begin.