Outside the ICU, the cold neon lights cast a pale glow over the row of waiting chairs, making the quiet hallway feel even more still.
Jay had fallen asleep on Ying's shoulder, his small frame trembling slightly from exhaustion—perhaps from the long flight and the emotional shock. Ying sat silently, one hand gently patting Jay's back in comfort, the other gripping a phone that had long stopped ringing.
Suddenly, the ICU door swung open. A doctor stepped out. Ying immediately turned his head and gently nudged Jay.
— "Jay… Jay, wake up."
Jay jolted awake, still dazed, but the moment he saw the doctor, he sprang to his feet and rushed over.
— "My dad… How is my dad, doctor?"
— "There's no need to worry too much. The surgery was successful," the doctor said calmly, his eyes glancing at the two young men. "He's been moved to the recovery room for monitoring. For now, he's out of danger. But once he wakes up, make sure not to let him get too agitated."
Jay let out a deep breath, as if a massive weight had just been lifted off his chest. He bowed low.
— "Thank you so much, doctor…"
Ying also stepped forward and bowed politely.
— "Thank you, doctor."
The doctor gave a small nod before turning and walking away, leaving the hospital corridor in a soft, tranquil silence.
Jay sat down, his hands clenched—but this time, it was out of emotion, not anxiety.
Ying sat beside him, glancing over with unmistakable concern in his eyes.
— "Feeling better now? A bit lighter?"
Jay gave a small nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
— "Yeah… I feel like I just woke up from a nightmare."
Ying placed a hand on his shoulder, patting it lightly.
— "Good. Now be a good boy and come eat something with me. You haven't eaten all day, have you?"
Jay lowered his head, hesitating.
— "I… I don't really have the appetite."
— "If you don't eat, how are you going to take care of your dad? I know you're worried, but your body needs rest too."
Ying's voice was gentle—not forceful, but so sincere that Jay couldn't bring himself to refuse.
— "…Okay, let's go," Jay replied softly, slowly standing up.
Ying smiled and walked beside him at an unhurried pace.
Their footsteps felt lighter now, no longer weighed down by fear.
In the cold, sterile corridor of the hospital, the sight of the two of them walking side by side looked like a faint, flickering light—fragile, but warm enough to chase away the night.
——————————————————
At the beach where Faisal's new project was slowly taking shape, groups of staff moved about with focused expressions. The sound of crashing waves mingled with voices, creating a vibrant symphony of life. But over at the meeting table, the atmosphere told a different story.
Chirawan sat at the edge of the table, her gaze drifting toward the open sea from time to time. She sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop—perhaps the only thing keeping her awake amid the pile of planning documents.
Isra noticed the shift in her mood. Tilting his head slightly, he spoke in a voice as soft and gentle as the sea breeze.
— "Ms. Chirawan… you're worried about Jay, aren't you?"
Chirawan nodded without hesitation.
— "Yeah. I wonder how that kid's doing… Jay looks strong, but he's actually quite fragile. Always keeping things to himself."
— "But… Ying's with him, right? I think he'll be okay. Ying always pays close attention to Jay," Isra said reassuringly, his eyes sincere.
Just then, Faisal's phone rang. He stepped away to take the call, and returned a few minutes later with a faint smile.
— "It's all good. Ying just called. The surgery was a success. Mr. Sakda has been moved to recovery."
— "Really?" Chirawan's eyes widened, her whole body visibly relaxing.
— "Really. Ying's taking Jay to eat right now. Said the kid hasn't had a bite all day."
— "That's a relief." Chirawan let out a soft breath, as though she could finally breathe freely again.
Yod, who had been quietly listening the whole time, suddenly spoke up:
— "Then why don't we finish our work here quickly and head to the hospital? We can cheer Jay up and visit Mr. Sakda at the same time."
The suggestion made everyone glance at each other—then nod in agreement. Chirawan was the first to respond, her eyes lighting up again.
— "Great idea! Let's wrap this up fast and go see my little Jay!"
Faisal chuckled softly, teasing:
— "Yod, you sound more eager than anyone."
Yod simply smiled, his voice calm and composed as always.
— "I've heard a lot about Jay from you all. I'd like to meet him for myself. Besides, in times like this… everyone needs someone by their side."
Faisal nodded, clearly sharing the sentiment.
— "Yeah. Only someone truly good could earn that much love. Once we're done, I'll take you to meet singer Jay—you'll see, he's anything but ordinary."
Yod smiled faintly and gave a knowing nod.
— "Then… let's get to it."
Beneath the bright blue sky, under the dazzling sun and sweeping winds, one by one they lowered their heads and focused on their tasks. But this time, there was a new reason driving them to finish as quickly as possible: to see someone who, in one way or another… had claimed a quiet, meaningful place in each of their hearts.
——————————————————
Nighttime, at a small roadside eatery, warm yellow lights cast a soft glow over the old wooden table, creating a space that felt both cozy and quietly solemn. Outside, the sound of sparse traffic echoed faintly; inside, Jay sat eating in silence, as if it were the only thing anchoring him to reality.
Ying sat across from him, his chopsticks untouched. He simply watched Jay, his eyes following every small movement, then gently spoke:
— "Slow down, or you'll choke."
He offered Jay a glass of water.
— "Okay…" Jay took it, sipped, then went back to eating, as if afraid that stopping for even a moment would let all the emotions crash in.
— "You haven't eaten since yesterday, have you?"
— "No. Yesterday I was still rehearsing for the show in Paris when you called. I caught the earliest flight. This is the first time I've actually sat down since then," Jay said between tired breaths, still chewing.
— "Did the concert get affected?" Ying asked, still watching Jay with a slight note of concern in his voice.
— "It's okay. I'll probably just have to pay a contract penalty. I can handle it," Jay answered with a faint smile, his eyes remarkably clear. "Anyway… Dad is the most important."
Ying tilted his head slightly, returning a smile — one that was both warm and tinged with sadness.
— "You haven't changed, Jay. Still putting others first."
Jay looked up at Ying, crumbs still clinging to his lips.
— "If you can't even care for the ones you love, then that's just shameful. Dad's all I have left… so of course, to me, he means everything."
Ying lowered his gaze, falling silent as if trying to swallow some emotion. After a while, he quietly asked:
— "Then… what about me?"
Jay froze. His chopsticks paused mid-air, rice still in his mouth. His eyes dropped to the bowl, long lashes slightly drooping. Silence hung between them — not hesitation, but something more complex. And then, as if perfectly timed, his phone rang.
Jay quickly picked it up.
— "Hello, Ryan… Yes, he's stable now.
Mm… I'll need your help for a few days.
Once Dad recovers, I'll come back.
Thank you. Goodbye."
He hung up and placed the phone back on the table.
Ying asked in an even tone:
— "That was Ryan?"
— "Yes, he wanted an update on Dad. He's been really worried too," Jay nodded, his voice still calm and quiet.
— "You're… still going back to France?" Ying asked, eyes holding something unspoken, waiting for a shift that didn't come.
Jay exhaled softly.
— "Of course. That's only natural. I can't give up my career."
His voice was rational, but the small smile on his lips carried a hint of resignation — almost heartbreak.
Ying said nothing, only nodded slightly. Jay continued:
— "Dad's decided to stay here. I'm planning to hire a personal caregiver for him. Of course I'm worried… but this is the best solution for now. I'll fly back often.
Besides, I have you here, Ying."
Jay turned to Ying, eyes full of trust — as if in this tangled world, Ying was the one steady thing he could lean on without doubt.
— "Will you help me?"
Ying looked deep into Jay's eyes. After a long pause, he smiled and nodded.
— "Yeah."
Jay suddenly remembered something and quickly added:
— "Ah, I forgot to thank you. Thank you, Ying, for saving my Dad. If it weren't for you…"
— "No need to thank me. I promised I'd take care of him for you.
It's just… I feel guilty. If only things hadn't gone this far…"
— "No, really. You did your best.
Let's just say… I owe you one. If you ever need anything… don't hesitate. Just tell me. I'll do whatever I can."
— "Anything?" Ying raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing playfully.
Jay nodded firmly.
— "Yes, anything you need. I'll do it."
— "Then you better keep your word." Ying chuckled — for the first time that night, it was a truly relaxed smile.
— "I will!"
Jay leaned back in his seat with a sigh.
— "I'm full now. Let's go visit Dad?"
— "Let's."
The two of them stood up and left the eatery. The night breeze brushed against their cheeks, carrying with it the faint scent of the ocean's wooden piers — gently soothing the weariness in their hearts. They walked side by side, exchanging a few scattered words. But in Ying's mind, one thing still lingered — a question he had asked…
But Jay had never answered.
He wasn't sure if it was because Jay had forgotten —
Or because Jay didn't want to answer.
EndofChapter23.