Chapter 2: Shadows of the Past
The next morning came with grey skies and the scent of rain. Kai stood in front of the large window of his office, holding a steaming mug of black coffee. He hadn't slept a wink. Not because of the quarterly report due today, not because of any company drama, but because of River.
River.
He was back.
Kai didn't know how he felt. Anger, confusion, betrayal, longing. All wrapped into one big mess that clung to his chest like a heavy chain.
He turned away from the window, placed the coffee on his desk, and sat down. He stared at the screen in front of him, but the words blurred.
The knock on his door came at 8:05 a.m. Sharp. Just like yesterday.
Kai didn't answer.
A few seconds passed before the door opened slightly. Not River this time. It was his uncle — Marcus Harlan.
Uncle Marcus walked in, looking too casual for a man who controlled half the company's shares. "Still brooding, I see."
Kai leaned back in his chair, arms folded. "You have a habit of ignoring 'Do Not Disturb' signs."
Marcus shrugged. "You have a habit of letting your emotions interfere with business."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "He has no place here."
"Wrong. He has every place here. River is qualified. His resume is cleaner than most. You think I'd recommend someone without doing a background check?"
Kai's jaw clenched. "You knew who he was."
"Of course, I did. So did your mother. She approved it."
Kai shot to his feet. "She knew?"
Marcus raised a brow. "She knew. She also said you needed to face the past eventually."
Kai paced the room. "He disappeared, Uncle. For ten years. Without a word. Without a trace. And now he shows up at my company like it's nothing?"
Marcus looked at him carefully. "Is it really about the company, Kai?"
Kai turned away.
Marcus walked over, placed a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to forgive him. But you do have to work with him. That's the deal."
Kai didn't respond.
"Let him do his job. Nothing more. Nothing less."
With that, Marcus walked out.
---
River arrived at his post by 8:30 a.m., dressed in a dark blue button-up and fitted slacks. His hair was neatly combed back. He looked professional. Polished. But Kai couldn't forget the boy behind the man — the River who used to sneak into his room through the window, the one who would laugh until his stomach hurt at Kai's dry jokes.
Kai didn't speak to him. Didn't even look his way.
But he watched him. Every movement.
River sat at the small desk just outside Kai's office. He typed quietly, answered phones, delivered signed forms to staff members. Polite. Efficient.
Too quiet.
Every time someone passed by, they whispered.
"Is that the new guy?"
"He's kind of intense."
"I heard Mr. Harlan yelled at him yesterday."
By noon, Kai couldn't take it anymore.
He walked out, lips pressed tight. "You. Inside."
River stood quickly and followed him in.
Kai closed the door behind them.
"Why did you really come here?"
River looked him in the eye. "To work."
"That's not good enough."
River's gaze dropped for a moment. "I didn't have a choice."
Kai slammed a file on the table. "You had ten years to write a damn letter. Ten years to call me. To tell me something. Anything. And now you say you didn't have a choice?"
"I had to disappear, Kai."
"Why?"
"I can't say."
Kai stepped closer. "Then get out. I don't want secrets in my office."
River didn't move. "Your uncle said—"
"I don't care what my uncle said."
River looked up. "Then fire me."
Kai stared at him. Their eyes locked. The tension between them was thick, almost unbearable.
"I can't," Kai said finally through gritted teeth. "Not without causing issues in the board."
"Then I'll stay."
Kai turned away, hands in his pockets. "You'll regret it."
River said nothing. He opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him.
Kai stood there, breathing hard. He felt like someone had taken a needle to old scars.
---
The rest of the day was a blur.
Kai buried himself in meetings. When he returned to his office, coffee in hand, he paused at the door. River was still at his desk. Still silent. Still efficient.
Kai pushed the door open. He should've felt powerful. Instead, he felt hollow.
He sat at his desk, pulled out a drawer, and stared at the contents. Old files, loose pens... and one photograph.
It was faded now.
Two boys. One laughing, the other smirking. Both sitting on a swing at a public park. River's arm was around his shoulder.
He turned the photo over.
"Best friends forever — R + K."
He shoved it back in and closed the drawer.
---
Around 7:45 p.m., when most of the building was empty, Kai finally opened the door.
River was still there, staring at his computer.
"Why are you still here?"
River looked up. "You said not to leave unless called."
Kai blinked. "I didn't mean today."
River stood. "You didn't say otherwise."
Kai exhaled. "Go home."
River gathered his things quietly. "See you tomorrow, Mr. Harlan."
Kai didn't respond.
After River left, the silence felt louder. He sat in his chair, eyes on the ceiling.
Then he got up with the thought that staying in the office won't change anything.
He went to his penthouse, changed into sweats, and poured himself a drink. He walked to his closet, opened the chest again, and stared at the letter marked "Kai."
He picked it up and sigh and then,He placed it on the table and sat there, staring at it until the clock struck midnight.