chapter 1 The Unexpected Turn

After graduating, Mark had been searching for a job, but he couldn't find one. Every day, he sent out applications, attended interviews, and hoped for a positive response, but nothing ever worked out. In an attempt to make a living, he decided to start trading cryptocurrency, thinking it would be an easy way to make money. He spent hours researching, watching tutorials, and analyzing market trends. At first, he made a few small profits, which gave him a false sense of confidence. However, his luck quickly ran out, and he lost all his money and everything he had invested.

To make matters worse, his house bill was about to expire, and he could barely afford a single meal a day. His savings were gone, his fridge was empty, and the weight of his failures pressed down on him. He tried reaching out to some friends for help, but everyone had their own struggles. Mark was truly on his own, struggling to survive.

One day, Mark and his friends attended a wedding. He hadn't been in the mood to go, but his friends insisted, saying he needed to take a break from his worries. At the reception, he ran into an old acquaintance, Eric, who was working at a prestigious company. As they talked, Mark mentioned his job search, and, to his surprise, Eric offered him a job opportunity. "My company is looking for an assistant to the CEO. You should apply," Eric said, pulling out his phone.

Mark went home that evening feeling ecstatic, thinking he would finally be able to get back on his feet. True to his word, Eric sent him the job link, and Mark quickly applied, eagerly awaiting a response.

A few days later, while cooking a small portion of noodles—one of the few things he could still afford—Mark heard a notification on his phone. His heart pounded as he checked it and saw that he had received a message inviting him for an interview the next day. Overjoyed, he spent the entire night preparing, practicing answers, and making sure his only formal outfit was properly ironed.

The next morning, Mark arrived at the office of a high-end corporate building. He was intimidated by how luxurious everything looked—the sleek floors, the glass walls, and the professionals walking around in expensive suits. Despite his nerves, he remained confident and gave his best during the interview. The interviewers told him they would get back to him, and though nervous, Mark tried to stay optimistic.

Later that evening, just as he was about to sleep, his phone rang. It was a call from the company. Holding his breath, he answered, and to his relief, he was informed that he had been accepted for the position of Assistant to the CEO.

On his first day at work, Mark met the CEO, Mr. Jay. However, their relationship started off on the wrong foot. Mr. Jay was a perfectionist—very particular about the cleanliness and organization in the office. He noticed every minor detail, and if something wasn't in its place, he would point it out immediately. Mark quickly learned that Jay had a reputation for firing employees who didn't meet his high standards. Because of this, Mark made sure to work diligently, triple-checking every task before submitting it.

After a few weeks, things were going smoothly at work, and Mark was starting to adjust to the job. However, another challenge awaited him. One evening, as he returned home after a long day, he found his landlord standing at the doorstep, arms crossed.

"You're overdue on your rent, Mark," the landlord said sternly.

Mark swallowed hard. "I know, sir. I get my first paycheck in a few weeks. Please, just give me some more time, and I'll pay everything."

The landlord sighed, looking unconvinced. "You've got two days, or you're out."

Mark panicked. He had no money and no way to get a loan. He spent the next two days frantically looking for help, but he was unsuccessful. When the deadline arrived, the landlord followed through on his threat and evicted him. With nowhere to go, Mark grabbed his belongings and left.

With no other options, Mark decided to work late into the night at the office, hoping to find somewhere to sleep until he received his paycheck. At first, it seemed like a good idea—he could use the company's facilities and stay warm—but it wasn't long before Jay noticed something was off.

"You're always here late," Jay remarked one evening, eyeing Mark suspiciously. "Go home and rest."

Mark forced a smile. "I just have a lot of work to catch up on."

Jay wasn't convinced. He had noticed Mark looking paler and weaker over the past few days. That night, as they were speaking, Mark suddenly swayed on his feet. Before Jay could react, Mark fainted and collapsed onto his shoulder.

Alarmed, Jay tried to wake him up, but Mark was burning with fever. He attempted to call someone to help, but when he checked Mark's emergency contacts, there was no one reliable listed. With no other choice, Jay took Mark to his house and cared for him until his fever subsided.

When Mark woke up the next morning, he was confused at first. He blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling before realizing he was in someone's home. That's when he remembered collapsing the previous night.

"It's too late to go out now. You can leave tomorrow," Jay had told him before he drifted back to sleep.

Feeling guilty, Mark decided to make breakfast as a way of saying thank you. When Jay woke up and saw the meal, he raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you could cook this well."

Mark chuckled. "I grew up alone, so I had to learn to take care of myself."

Jay, though usually reserved, found himself growing curious about Mark. "You've been overworking yourself," he said. "Where do you stay? I'll give you a ride."

Mark hesitated. He didn't want Jay to know about his situation. "It's fine. I can go on my own."

Jay, however, wasn't easily convinced. "No, I insist."

Reluctantly, Mark agreed, and they drove to his house. As they arrived, Mark's phone rang—it was his landlord. "Come get your stuff. I told you your time was up," the man said before hanging up.

Jay overheard the conversation and pieced everything together. Without hesitation, he said, "I'll help you move your things."

Feeling ashamed but having no choice, Mark allowed Jay to assist. Once they had gathered everything, Jay asked, "Where are we taking all this?"

Mark looked down, embarrassed. "I… I don't have a place to stay. Can you keep my things for now? I'll take them back once I find a new apartment."

Jay frowned, deep in thought. "You don't have to go through that trouble. Just stay at my place until you get your first paycheck."

Mark's pride wanted to refuse, but his circumstances left him with no choice. "Are you sure?" he asked hesitantly.

Jay nodded. "I wouldn't offer if I wasn't."

With no other options, Mark reluctantly agreed. At Jay's house, things were initially awkward, but soon, they fell into a rhythm. Since Jay rarely cooked, he asked Mark to help with meals in exchange for staying there.

Despite the unusual arrangement, Mark found himself becoming comfortable. He was still focused on his goal—getting back on his feet—but for the first time in a long while, he didn't feel completely alone.

And as days turned into weeks, something else began to change between them. Their once formal boss-employee relationship shifted into something more personal. Jay, who had always been distant, found himself enjoying Mark's company. Mark, in turn, started seeing a different side of Jay—one that was thoughtful, kind, and surprisingly warm.

Mark never expected his life to take this turn, but maybe, just maybe, losing everything had led him to something far more meaningful.