Chapter 1: Fragments of Two Lives
The morning sunlight filtered through the cracked window of their modest apartment, casting faint rays across the cluttered room. Leng yawned, shaking off the weight of another restless night. His mother’s soft hum drifted from the kitchen a soothing melody she sang every morning while preparing their meager breakfast.
Their apartment was small, cramped even, but it was home. Every piece of furniture told a story of sacrifice, every faded wall bore witness to their resilience. Leng’s gaze landed on the calendar hanging near the door, the dates filled with scribbled reminders: “Bar shift – 7 PM,” “Economics Quiz,” “Mom’s Doctor Appointment.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, his shoulders already heavy with the weight of the day. College classes loomed, followed by his late-night shift at the bar. Somewhere in between, he needed to squeeze in time to study and care for his mother, whose health had been fragile since his father walked out on them years ago.
“Leng,” his mother called, peeking out from the kitchen. Her smile was warm but tinged with weariness. “Don’t forget to eat before you leave.”
“I won’t, Ma,” Leng replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
As he grabbed his bag and headed out the door, Leng reminded himself that he didn’t have the luxury of breaking down. Not when his mother depended on him.
Across town, in stark contrast, Ohm’s world was cloaked in shadows and luxury.
The sprawling estate sat at the edge of the city, surrounded by towering walls and guarded gates. Inside, Ohm stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his study, a glass of whiskey in hand. He stared out at the manicured gardens, his mind far from their beauty.
“Ohm,” his second-in-command spoke from the doorway, “the shipment arrived on time. No issues.”
“Good,” Ohm replied, his tone clipped and indifferent. His eyes never left the window.
His world was one of control contracts, alliances, and power plays. There was no room for weakness, no space for trust. The betrayal that had once shattered his heart had hardened him into the man he was today: a man who ruled with an iron will and kept everyone at arm’s length.
But the emptiness lingered, gnawing at the edges of his carefully constructed walls. The art he had once loved collecting felt hollow now, the masterpieces hanging on his walls mere reflections of the soul he had long buried.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. “Sir,” one of his men said, stepping in. “We’ve arranged the meeting for tonight. Your presence is expected.”
Ohm drained his glass and set it down with a quiet clink. “Cancel it,” he ordered, turning away from the window.
The man hesitated. “But sir—”
“Cancel it,” Ohm repeated, his voice a low growl.
The man nodded and retreated, leaving Ohm alone once more. Alone, as he had been for years.
#OhmLengTales
#OhmLeng
31. The Proposal??
Author's POV
The week had been a whirlwind of deadlines and long hours, leaving Ohm and Leng little time for anything beyond work. Meetings, reports, and last-minute project adjustments filled their days, leaving them too exhausted to do more than share quiet dinners at home. Despite the busy schedule, those evenings were sacred, moments of laughter and comfort that grounded them.
Ohm leaned against his desk at work, staring at the blank screen of his phone. He'd been mulling over an idea all week—a proposal. Every time he thought of it, his heart skipped a beat. The thought of asking Leng to spend the rest of his life with him felt both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Ohm wasn't a man easily shaken, but this? This was different.
He had reached a decision during lunch: he needed help. Who better to ask than Gemini and Perth? After all, his brother and close friend were always brimming with ideas.
Ohm dialed Gemini's number first.
"Gem, you free?"
"Always free for you, dear brother. What's up?"
"I need advice."
"Oh?" Gemini's voice immediately took on a mischievous tone. "About P'Leng? Is this about work or..."
"It's personal," Ohm admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I'm planning to propose."
There was a beat of silence before
Gemini's delighted laughter burst
through the line. “Oh, this is going to be good. Hang tight, I'm grabbing Perth. He's with me right now."
"Why is Perth with you-never mind,"
Ohm said, pinching the bridge of his nose. Moments later, Perth and Gemini arrived at his office
"Hey, future fiancé,” Perth greeted cheekily. "You ready to tie the knot?"
"Not if you keep calling me that,” Ohm shot back.
"Relax, P'Ohm," Gemini said. "We're here to help. What's the plan so far?”
Ohm explained his vision: something intimate and understated. He wanted the moment to reflect Leng's personality quiet, meaningful, and heartfelt. Gemini snorted. "Phi, you're asking the wrong people for subtle. But fine, here's my idea: take him out to a fancy rooftop dinner, like one of those places with candles and a violinist playing romantic music."
Ohm frowned. "That sounds so cliché."
"Okay, okay," Gemini said, undeterred. “How about a scavenger hunt? Leave him little clues around the house, and the final clue leads to the ring."
"That's too elaborate," Ohm replied.
Perth piped up next. "How about this? You take Leng to a quiet beach, and just as the sun sets, you kneel in the sand. Classic and romantic."
"Perth," Ohm said slowly, "we don't have time to drive to a beach."
"Fine," Perth said, and Ohm could
practically hear his smirk. “What about something bold? You could drop to one knee at the office in front of everyone. Talk about making a statement!"
Ohm groaned. "This isn't about making a statement. I want it to be special for Leng, not a spectacle."
"Suit yourself," Perth said, clearly disappointed. "You're no fun."
Then, without warning, Perth's voice turned mischievous. "Oh! Oh! I've got it! Strip poker. You propose after winning the last round."
Ohm nearly choked on his coffee.
"Perth, I will throw you out of the nearest window."
“Relax, man,” Perth said with a laugh. "I'm just saying, keep it memorable!" Gemini chimed back in. "Ignore him.
He's had too much caffeine today. But honestly, Ohm, whatever you
do, P'Leng's going to love it. Just be yourself."
Ohm sighed, finally giving up on their "help." "Thanks. I think."
“Anytime!” Gemini said cheerfully. “By the way, can I stay over at Perth's? You know, give you two some privacy?”
Ohm froze. "How do you even-
"Please, Ohm," Gemini interrupted. "You've got that look in your eyes. I
know when you're planning something romantic."
"Fine," Ohm muttered. "Stay with Perth. But I don't want to hear another word out of either of you until saturday."
"Deal," Gemini said, laughing.
After his meeting with Perth and
Gemini, Ohm leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. His thoughts drifted to Leng. Leng deserved something perfect, but not flashy.
something that felt like a faint flicker of hope. "Why
now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Because he crossed a line I can't forgive,” she said, her voice trembling. "He hurt you, Leng. And no one hurts my son. Not even him."
Her words struck something deep
within him, but the weight of the past still loomed large. “I don't know if I can forgive you," he admitted, his voice raw.
Mrs. Pym nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I understand. And I'll wait. However long it takes, I'll wait. Just know that I love you, Leng. I always have, even if I failed to show it." She hesitated, as if wanting to reach out to him, but turned and left without another word.
Ohm entered the room moments later, his eyes scanning Leng's face. "How did it go?"
Leng exhaled shakily, his hands trembling. "She turned him in. She said she did it for me."
Ohm stepped closer, his concern softening into quiet reassurance. “Do you believe her?"
"I... don't know," Leng admitted, his voice breaking. "I want to. But it's too much, Ohm. It's all too much."
Ohm crossed the room in two strides, wrapping Leng in a firm embrace. "You don't have to figure it all out now," he murmured against Leng's hair. “You don't have to go through this alone.”
Leng buried his face in Ohm's chest, his tears finally spilling free. "Thank you, Ohm," he whispered.
Ohm pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Leng's head. "Always, Leng. Always." And for the first time, in Ohm's arms, Leng felt a fragile sense of safety— like he wasn't entirely lost in the chaos anymore.
Gemini, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, smirked as he leaned back in his chair. "P'Ohm, you're really embracing your inner action hero. Guards everywhere, surveillance like a spy movie—what's next? A panic room?"
Ohm rolled his eyes. “Security is necessary, Gem. I don't want anything to happen to Leng again."
"I know, I know," Gemini teased, turning to Leng. "But seriously, P'Leng, don't let him smother you. If he keeps this up, you'll be more scared of him than the outside world."
Leng offered a faint smile. “I don't mind. Ohm's been... really kind to me."
Ohm's expression softened at Leng's words, but before he could say anything, Gemini pushed back his chair and stood, grabbing his bag.
"Well, I'm off to work. You two enjoy your day. And P'Ohm, try not to make P'Leng feel like he's living in a military base."
"Oh, just go,” Ohm muttered, though his lips quirked upward.
Gemini waved as he left, his teasing presence lingering in the room. After breakfast, as the quiet of the house settled in, a knock on the door interrupted the calm. One of the guards entered, his posture stiff.
"Sir, Mrs. Pym is here to see Mr. Leng," he announced.
Leng froze, the fork slipping from his fingers. His mother. The woman who had been both a distant figure in his life and, recently, the source of a storm of revelations.
Ohm immediately straightened, his protective instincts kicking in. "What does she want?"
"She didn't say, sir," the guard replied.
Ohm turned to Leng, his face clouded with concern. "You don't have to see her," he said firmly. “Not after everything."
Leng's heart raced. The thought of
facing her brought a rush of anger, confusion, and longing. But a part of him needed answers.
"I'll see her," Leng said, his voice trembling but resolute.
Ohm's brows furrowed. "Are you sure? Leng, you've been through enough—" "I need to do this, Ohm," Leng interrupted, his tone quiet but determined.
Ohm hesitated before nodding. “Alright. But I'll stay nearby. If anything happens, just call for me.”
Leng entered the living room slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. Mrs. Pym stood near the window, her back to him. Her posture was elegant as always, but there was a heaviness to
her stance. When she turned to face him, her eyes were red-rimmed, her face pale.
"Leng," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
"Mom," he replied, his tone guarded.
The room felt suffocating in its silence. Leng's chest tightened as he stared at the woman who had been an enigma to him for so long.
She broke the silence first. “I didn't
think you'd agree to see me,” she
admitted, her hands wringing together nervously.
"Neither did I," Leng said bluntly. "Why are you here?"
Her breath hitched. "To explain. To apologize. To beg for your forgiveness, if you can find it in your heart."
Leng's eyes narrowed. “You were
married to the man who killed my father. Did you know?"
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she shook her head. "Not at first. When I married Decha, I thought he was a time good man. But over time, I saw his true nature. He controlled everything—my life, my choices, my freedom. By the I realized the kind of monster he was, I was too scared to leave." Leng's voice trembled with anger. "You stayed with him, even after knowing what he did to my father?"
Her voice broke as she answered. "I thought I was protecting you. He threatened me, told me he'd destroy everything I loved if I left. I believed him. But when I found out what he had done to you-when I learned he tried to hurt you—I couldn't stay silent anymore."
Leng's breath caught. "What did you do?"
"I turned him in," she said firmly, her tears mixing with resolve. "I gave the authorities everything I had—evidence of his crimes, his involvement in your father's death, and his plans to harm you. I should have done it years ago, but I let fear control me. I won't make that mistake again." Leng stared at her, his emotions a turbulent storm of anger, sorrow, and something deeper—