Chapter 2 An Unlikely Arrangements

A New Arrangement

Mark and Mr. Jay agreed to live together under one condition: they would not get involved in each other's personal lives. While Mark understood that living with his boss wouldn't be easy, he was determined to make it work. He needed a stable place to stay, and this arrangement was better than struggling alone.

Jay assigned Mark a room in his spacious house, which was decorated with a modern, minimalistic style. It was nothing like Mark's previous tiny apartment. The room was well-furnished, with a comfortable bed, a desk, and a closet large enough to fit more clothes than Mark actually owned. He was grateful but also a little uneasy. Despite the condition they set, he couldn't ignore the fact that he was now sharing a home with his CEO—a man known for his high standards and cold demeanor.

Settling Into a Routine

On the first morning, Mark woke up early and prepared breakfast for Jay as a small gesture of gratitude. He made scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee, carefully plating everything before calling Jay to eat.

"You don't have to do this every day," Jay remarked as he took a seat at the dining table.

Mark shrugged. "I don't mind. Besides, I'm already up early anyway."

Jay took a bite of his food, chewing thoughtfully before nodding. "It's good," he admitted.

Mark smiled, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.

After breakfast, Jay told Mark to eat first and head to the office ahead of him. Mark didn't mind; he knew he needed to balance his work and personal life carefully, especially with their new living arrangement.

At the office, however, things didn't go as smoothly as he had hoped. Jay started piling on extra tasks—asking Mark to clean his office, order his lunch, and run various errands throughout the day. It was exhausting, but Mark pushed through. He wanted to prove he could handle the workload without complaining.

By the time he returned home that evening, he barely had time to breathe before preparing dinner. Mark made a simple yet delicious dish—grilled chicken with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. When he placed the plate in front of Jay, he waited for his reaction.

Jay took a bite, then set his fork down. "I'm a picky eater," he said bluntly.

Mark frowned. "You don't like it?"

"It's not bad, but it's not what I prefer," Jay admitted.

"Would you like me to cook something else?" Mark offered, determined to make it right.

Jay shook his head and stood up. "No need. I'll just eat out." Without another word, he grabbed his keys and left for a restaurant.

Mark sighed, feeling slightly disappointed. He had put in so much effort, yet it seemed like it wasn't enough. Still, he told himself not to take it personally. Jay was just difficult to please—it wasn't about him.

Getting to Know Each Other

The weekend arrived, and for the first time, both Mark and Jay were at home with no work obligations. The house was quiet, and Mark found himself wondering how Jay usually spent his free time.

Curious, he approached Jay while he was reading in the living room. "Since we're going to be living together for a while, can we get to know each other better?"

Jay looked up from his book, his expression neutral. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything," Mark said with a grin.

Jay raised an eyebrow. "You can ask, but nothing about my personal life."

Mark nodded, accepting the condition. "Alright, what's your favorite food?"

"Spaghetti and meatballs—sometimes with cheese. I prefer healthy meals for breakfast," Jay replied.

Mark took mental notes. "Coffee or tea?"

"Coffee."

"Iced or hot chocolate?"

"It depends on the time of day, but I don't like sweets," Jay admitted.

They continued chatting, discussing random preferences—music, movies, books. Mark learned that Jay enjoyed classical music but occasionally listened to jazz when he wanted to relax. Jay, in turn, discovered that Mark preferred upbeat, energetic songs.

As days passed, their conversations became more frequent. They slowly became comfortable with each other, sharing lighthearted moments despite their differences.

Moving Out

Eventually, Mark received his first paycheck. It was a moment of triumph—proof that he was finally getting back on his feet. With his newfound financial stability, he decided it was time to move out.

After searching for a while, he found a small apartment not too far from work. It wasn't as fancy as Jay's house, but it was his own space.

The day he moved out, Jay barely reacted. "Alright," he said simply. "Good luck."

Mark had expected this. Jay wasn't the type to show emotions easily, so he didn't take it personally. However, after Mark left, Jay immediately felt the difference. The house was too quiet, too empty. The meals weren't as good as before.

At work, Jay found himself calling Mark into his office more often, using various excuses—asking him to bring coffee, keep him company, or handle small tasks.

One day, Mark finally confronted him. "You need to stop asking me to do these things. I need to focus on my actual job."

Instead of backing off, Jay asked, "Why don't you move back in with me?"

Mark was taken aback. "Why? I already have a place to stay."

Jay was silent for a moment before saying, "Let's live together like before. You don't have to pay rent—just stay with me."

Mark frowned. "I can't, sir. The reason I stayed before no longer applies, and I've already paid for my new apartment."

"I'll reimburse you for the rent," Jay offered.

Mark hesitated. He had just started regaining his independence. But after much convincing, he finally agreed to move back in.

This time, things were different. Jay treated Mark with more respect, and their interactions became friendlier. Mark no longer felt like a guest—he felt like he belonged.

The Accident

One day, Jay had to travel out of town for a business meeting. However, tragedy struck—he was involved in an accident.

As soon as Mark heard the news, he rushed to the hospital. Seeing Jay injured, lying in a hospital bed, made his heart clench. He immediately took charge, managing Jay's office work while also ensuring he was well taken care of.

When Jay was discharged, Mark continued to care for him at home. Every morning, he prepared meals and made sure Jay took his medication. In the evenings, after work, he took Jay for short walks to help him regain his strength.

They also started dining out together more frequently, turning simple meals into shared moments of companionship. Their bond deepened, and Mark found himself growing more attached to Jay.

A Sudden Realization

One evening, Jay pretended to have a headache and asked Mark to stay with him. "Just sit with me for a while," he said, his voice softer than usual.

Mark didn't hesitate. He sat by Jay's side until he fell asleep. But before Mark could leave, he dozed off as well.

In the middle of the night, Mark woke up to find Jay burning with fever. Panic surged through him as he quickly fetched a towel and cold water to cool Jay down. He stayed by Jay's side all night, making sure his fever didn't worsen.

As the days passed, Mark continued to care for Jay, and something unexpected happened—he started to see Jay in a different light.

At first, he ignored the strange warmth in his chest whenever Jay looked at him. He convinced himself that it was just gratitude, nothing more. But then he caught himself staring when Jay wasn't looking, paying extra attention to his well-being, feeling his heart race whenever their hands brushed.

Mark was developing feelings for Jay.

And he didn't know what to do about it.