Bound To You

Chapter 2

The very first thing, Jess did when he woke up is to call his Boss, and demanded. “Please make it a point to reach the company on time today.”

Though Harold agreed while yawning, he still reached an hour later. He was just about to sit down, when Jess barge in looking for him.

Harold thought that Jess was about to scold him, so without thinking much he just grinned cheekily. Jess didn’t say anything, he just carefully put a neatly folded letter down on Harold's desk.

Harold didn’t understand what was going on and accepted the letter. Opening it, the two words at the very top startled him so much he quickly drop the paper as if its poisonous.

Resignation Letter. A very scary words, Harold thought.

“Jess please, don’t scare me.”

Jess said firmly, “I’m serious.”

Working with Jess for half a year, Harold has a clear understanding of Jess personality, diligent and earnest, resembling people of the previous generation, very serious and wouldn’t take resignation as a joke.

“I don’t plan to work as of today. Please approve it immediately.” Jess added.

Harold couldn’t believe what was happening. “There's a year-end bonus next month, right? You don’t want it anymore? No, how about an extra pay. Right! Let's do that! How about I double it. No! Triple. How about it. Hmm?? Just suddenly resigning like this, its such a waste.”

Unaffected, Jess firmly replied, “I don’t want it. I already decided and its final.” Money can’t buy my life anyway.

Harold is growing uneasy as the time passes. It seems that Jess really had decided to leave the company.

“This is so sudden… Even if I find someone to fill your spot immediately, it will take at least a month for you to pass your work fully over.”

“Why can’t you do that on your own?”

“I’m ignorant and incompetent, of course you know that! I can’t possibly do it."

Jess was so angry by his behaviour. That's why he can't help but give him an advice full of sarcasm. “Harold you’re not stupid. You just dislike working hard. The few times you were willing to listen to me, you could pick up the skill in one try. You shouldn’t look down on yourself. You’re very smart.”

Harold just stared blankly at Jess.

“I spoke too much. There’s a bunch of people willing to do the job for you.” Jess continued.

“…”

Jess left the mess and ran off. He knew he should explain more. Give Harold enough time so he can deal with it. But he just couldn't. And honestly, this was the first time in his life he's doing something so irresponsible.

He was born in an average household, neither rich nor poor. His parent taught him since young that life is hard, that's he needs to be hardworking and independent. Be responsible.

But when he turned 25, his parents started finding blind dates for him. He didn’t want to lie to those girls, so he tried hard to find an excuse and ended up confessing about his sexuality, resulting in a big fight in the family. His mother said, “I once boasted to my friend that since young till now, you’ve never been in a rebellious phase, but it turns out that yours came late.”

Jess didn't think that it was his rebellious phase then. But what he's doing now, Jess knew that this is his rebellious phase!

He is about to die so let rules go to hell too!!

Why should he be kind and forgiving? Why should he tolerate others?

Returning to his office, he started packing up his things. Who cares whether Harold agrees or not, he isn’t going to give a damn anymore!

Jess randomly found a cardboard box to contain his personal belongings and walked out of his office with it.

The office made up of cubicles was so quiet that a sound of a pin drop could be heard. The workers stood orderly, all watching closely. Surprised, Jess stopped halfway in his tracks. His favourite subordinate in the company, a girl called Annie, held him back, eyes teary. “Sir Jess, why are you leaving all of a sudden?”

Jess didn’t want to tell others that it was because of his terminal illness, he hated being pitied. Remaining silent for a moment, his tone became gentler and he advised, “You need to be more careful in the future. Without me around, no one’s going to help you block drinks offered to you. You’re so pretty, you need to learn to avoid bad people and must protect yourself. Especially from that Mr. Arnold. It would be better if you offend him than attend any of his social gatherings. He’s just an old bastard.”

Annie was his subordinate for three years, very trusting of him and had a face that said “can you bring me along even if you’re job-hopping”. She was Jess most loyal subordinate.

Harold stood at the side, watching Jess like a dog would.

Jess pushed Annie in front of Harold and said, “Boss, after I leave, you can let Ms. Colins fill my spot. She’s very capable, except her alcohol tolerance is low so do take care of her in that area.”

Annie was taken aback but didn’t dare to say anything.

Jess named another worker. “And that Anthony Smith over there.”

A guy stood up, thinking that Jess was about to praise him.

“He often makes mistakes in his work and never corrects them. Even when he was scolding me behind my back, he accidentally sent the message to me. He does things too sloppily. It will be good if you fire him early.”

And Jess added sarcastically. “Even though his father is a senior member of the board, he shouldn’t be allowed to enter the company through connections. If other youngsters follow suit, it will be bad for the company.”

Harold felt extremely awkward. He didn’t know who Jess was scolding—he entered the company thanks to his father too.

Anthony’s face paled then flushed in embarrassment.

Jess is still not done. He continued being sarcastic, praising the worker, “Didn’t you tell the others behind my back that I’m petty? You’re right, I am.”

Jess almost laughed out loud. That felt so good! No wonder there is so many rude people in the world! It's so fun to make fun of others. Especially if you're doing it right in their face.

That face! Jess will never forget it!

It's very exhilarating!

If it was in the past, he would make sure he was showing his ex-colleague enough respect, wouldn’t hurt young people’s pride, even if he knew that they're wrong. But now, so what if he was bullying the weak? It’s so interesting to bully little naughty kids! Serves them right!

**********

Jess was feeling quite agitated. He thought through everything last night and checked his savings three times. Other than that one time when he bought his car. He had actually saved about a million dollars in cash.

He was very thrifty. He initially started saving thinking that he would be able to live with Nielson in the future. Two people, no children, so to prepare for the future, he needed to do his work well and work hard to save.

The money wasn’t enough for him to cure his illness and he still had to sell his apartment, finish his savings and suffer, knowing that his chances of surviving were slim. Is that meaningful? He didn't think so!

Jess even watched The Bucket List last night and this was what the terminally ill protagonist said: never pass up a bathroom, never waste a hard-on, and never trust a fart.

Those words were coarse, but the meaning isn’t. Jess felt the same at this moment. Look at him suffering so much and at this age, what have he gotten in return? If he must ask himself truthfully whether he lived a happy life before he die, can he really say that he was truly happy?

No, definitely not!

That's why he is going to find his happiness now.

Damn the consequences!!

Jess went to the bank directly. He made an appointment last night to withdrew 300 thousand dollars in cash from his bank card. He filled a small bag with it and brought it home.

Why did he withdraw them?

To have fun counting them!!

Once he was done packing, he would leave the next day and go anywhere he liked!

He had planned to go for a feast tonight.

But before he could go, an uninvited guest arrived.

It was Harold.

He was thick-skinned enough to beg Jess , “Jess, it’s all my fault for not appreciating you and angering you so much that you resigned.”

“I sincerely apologize.”

“I won’t be late again, and I will be serious in my work and responsibilities.”

“I still need your guidance.”

“The company needs you.”

Jess close the door with an expressionless face.

Harold was determined. Holding the door before Jess could properly close it, he tried to squeeze in, “Please! Let’s have a proper talk!”

Harold had a huge built and a very athletic person, so in terms of strength, Jess couldn’t be compared with him. Jess was easily push back and Harold easily get inside of Jess apartment.

Jess was catching his breath as he glared at Harold. “That’s none of my business! Why should I care?! It’s not my f*****g business even if the company close down tomorrow!”

Harold was stunned. “You used vulgarities!”

“Don’t you use them every day?” Jess snorted, and roll his eye balls.

Harold proudly said, “I’m a little bastard so I can use them, but how can you use them too? You’re ruining your image!”

Jess found it hilarious. “What image do I have?”

Harold started complimenting him eagerly, “You’re an angel in my heart, helping people in distress and full of kindness. Seriously, I can’t live without you.”

Jess laughed. “Actually, I understood this one simple truth after working for so many years.”

“What?” Harold asked fully curious.

“There’s no position at work that can’t be replaced. The only reason your boss will ask you to stay is because you’re the cheapest to hire among the eligible ones.”

“…”

Harold displayed his shamelessness the same way he did back when he refused study just to spike his teachers, adamantly refusing to leave and looking as though he was going to stay until Jess agreed to return to the company. After promising Jess many benefits, he raised a question. “Just why are you so adamant in resigning?”

“I-Isn’t it fine if I raise your pay? 200 thousand dollars a year or 300 thousand dollars? What about 400 thousand dollars?”

“I’ll give you my Benz!”

While the two of them were still pulling and pushing each other, a third guy joined in.

Nielson is standing at the door with a dark expression, a gift box in his hand. He's so angry that anyone can see him shaking from it. “Good, you’re good.”

"Is this how you will treat me!"

“Jess, I was actually reflecting on what I did wrongly.”

“But it turns out that it’s because you found a new guy.”

"How shameless of you!!!"

For a moment, Jess thought he saw that young boy he fall in love with from many years ago. Back then, Nielson would also stand at the door, with a gentle smile on his handsome face. "Jessy let's go together.."

Jess recalled the high schoolers he met yesterday, the carefree youths who were as clean and white as the first snow. Maybe he was once like that too, entrusted his heart to Nielson, got his feelings trampled on in many ways then became filthy.

And Nielson, he changed too. He change so much, Jess have a hard time remembering what he used to be.

Jess can't help but feel lost. He actually loved someone like that before? This selfish and unkind bastard!?

Is there actually anyone more foolish than him in this world?

Being in love can really change someone's view in life?!

Where did he go wrong??!!

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