A Ghost from New York

Charlie sat at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen. The email he had been working on had turned into an indecipherable jumble of words, reflecting his stress and distraction.

His hands clenched into fists as Charlie willed himself to focus, but the thought of Alex’s sudden appearance loomed large in his mind, making Charlie angry at what Alex had done to him in the past and super confused about Alex’s reasons for being here.

Just out of his sales meeting, Ming strolled into the office, radiating his usual confident energy. His sharp eyes quickly scanned the room, landing on Charlie’s hunched figure. Ming had only known Charlie for a few months, but even he could tell something was off.

“Hey, Charlie,” Ming said as he approached, resting a hand lightly on Charlie’s shoulder. His voice was warm yet tinged with concern. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Before Charlie could respond, Xing rushed over to them like an excited puppy. He took a seat in the chair across from Charlie, his grin wide and playful. “Not just any ghost,” Xing declared dramatically. “A six-foot-tall ghost from New York! It was epic, Ming.”

Ming raised a brow, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. “A ghost from New York? Is this some elaborate inside joke?”

“Oh, it’s better than a joke. It’s Alex!” Xing practically whispered the name, leaning in for emphasis. “The infamous ex-boyfriend himself! Just strolled here like a K-drama protagonist, all moody and mysterious.”

Ming’s face darkened, his usual cool demeanor sharpening. He turned to Charlie, his voice quieter now but heavy with meaning. “Wait. Alex? That Alex?”

Charlie sighed, rubbing his temples. “Yes. That Alex.”

Xing, oblivious to the emotional tension, continued, “And the way he acted, like he had some deep, dark secret to confess? He even asked Charlie for a private chat! The nerve, right?”

“Xing,” Ming said, his tone clipped. The single word was enough to silence Xing mid-babble.

Ming turned his focus back to Charlie, his expression softening. “Why don’t we step into the break room? Take a breather. You don’t need to deal with this out here.”

Charlie paused, his eyes darting through the bustling office, filled with lively chatter and the clatter of busy keyboards. Going to some private place seemed like a logical way to regroup himself. “Yeah,” Charlie said quietly. That might be a good idea.”  

With a gentle hand on Charlie’s back, Ming guided him toward the break room, leaving Xing behind. To his credit, Xing didn’t follow, though the curiosity practically radiated off him.

*Charlie and Ming shared a moment together at the break room.

Inside the break room, the door clicked shut. Ming leaned casually against the counter while Charlie slumped into a chair, his hands gripping the edge of the table as if it might anchor him.

“He shouldn’t have come here,” Charlie said after a long pause. His voice was quiet but strained. “I worked so hard to leave all of that behind. Now it feels like it’s all right back in my face.”

Ming nodded thoughtfully, his arms crossed. “You’ve been through a lot because of him. It’s normal to feel shaken.”

Charlie looked up, his eyes clouded with anger and vulnerability. “He said he’s here for work. But with Alex, there’s always more. It’s never just one thing.”

Ming’s jaw tightened. “If he’s here for work, that’s one thing. But whatever else he’s trying to do? He doesn’t get to control the narrative. Not anymore.”

Ming’s voice was low but determined, the kind of tone that commanded attention without raising his volume. “If Alex thinks he can just waltz in here and disrupt everything you’ve worked for, he’s in for a surprise. He’ll have to get through me first.”

Charlie blinked, startled by Ming’s fierce protectiveness. He couldn’t find the words to respond for a moment, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions.

Ming stepped closer, his dark eyes searching Charlie’s face. “You’ve been through enough, Charlie. You don’t owe Alex anything—not your time, peace, or even a single thought. And as long as I’m here, I’ll make sure he knows that.”

The weight in Charlie’s chest shifted, the tight knot of anger and confusion easing just slightly. He hadn’t realized how much he needed someone to stand beside him like this, to remind him he wasn’t facing the chaos alone.

“Ming…” Charlie’s voice cracked, and he looked down at their hands. At some point, Ming had taken hold of his, firm yet comforting, like an unspoken promise.

“You’re not alone in this,” Ming said, his voice softening. “I’m here. For whatever you need.”

Charlie felt his defenses crumbling, a warmth blooming in his chest that he hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just relief but something deeper, something he thought he’d never feel again. Love.

He looked up, his eyes meeting Ming’s. “Thank you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ming gave him a reassuring smile, his thumb brushing against the back of Charlie’s hand. “You don’t have to thank me. You just have to let me in.”

At that moment, the noise from the office outside the break room faded into the background. Charlie felt a sense of hope for the first time in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, he could move forward with someone who wouldn’t let him down.