Chapter 1: First Impressions (and Other Disasters)

Off Jumpol liked things quiet, orderly, and predictable—exactly the opposite of Tay Tawan.

Tay was the new intern at the creative agency Off had worked at for five years. He was bubbly, loud, overly friendly, and seemed to have a permanent smile glued to his face.

“Good morning, Team Leader Off!” Tay chirped on his first day, standing in front of Off’s desk with two iced Americanos—one in each hand. “One’s for you! I heard you like them strong and bitter—like your personality.”

Off blinked at him. “You're not funny.”

Tay just grinned. “You’re not denying it.”

Off sighed. It was going to be a long internship cycle.

Over the following weeks, Off discovered that Tay was annoyingly persistent. He left sticky notes with doodles on everyone’s desks, organized impromptu snack breaks, and hummed pop songs while working.

It drove Off insane.

But despite the chaos, Tay’s work was shockingly good. Creative, thoughtful, and bold. Off hated to admit it, but the kid had talent.

Worse, Off started to… look forward to seeing that ridiculous smile each morning.

And that was the real problem.

Chapter 2: The Breakdown and the Breakthrough

It all came to a head during the final presentation of a major campaign.

Tay had designed the visuals. Off was leading the pitch. But when a miscommunication led to the wrong version being shown to the client, Off lost it.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Off snapped, slamming the meeting room door shut.

Tay flinched. “I—I thought you said to use the latest version from the drive.”

“I said the finalized version, not your experimental draft!”

Tay’s eyes dropped. “I’m sorry, I—”

Off rubbed his temples, voice softer but still sharp. “You always treat everything like a game. Like your charm will fix mistakes.”

That hurt more than it should have. Tay looked away, jaw tight. “You know what? Maybe if you actually gave me clear instructions instead of expecting me to read your mind, we wouldn’t be here.”

Off stared at him. No smile. No sunshine. Just raw disappointment.

Tay left the office early that day.

The silence the next morning was unbearable. No sticky notes. No humming. No Tay.

Off tried to work, but everything felt off-balance. He realized, far too late, that Tay hadn’t just brightened the office—he’d brightened him.

He found Tay on the rooftop that afternoon, sitting alone, hugging a coffee cup.

Off hesitated, then sat beside him. “I was out of line.”

Tay didn’t speak.

“I push people away,” Off continued. “It’s easier that way. But you…” He looked at Tay. “You didn’t let me.”

Tay glanced at him, eyes soft. “I wasn’t trying to push. I was trying to stay.”

Off’s voice cracked. “Then stay. Please.”

Silence.

Then Tay smiled—small, hesitant, real. “Only if you buy me coffee tomorrow.”

Off smiled back. “Deal.”

Chapter 3: Office Hours (and After)

From that day on, things shifted.

Tay was still sunshine and sparkles, but now Off didn’t push him away. He rolled his eyes at the jokes, but there was a smile hiding behind every sigh.

Their coworkers noticed the change too. The grumpy team leader was… softer. And the intern? A little more grounded.

They balanced each other.

One morning, Tay placed a coffee on Off’s desk. “No sticky note today. Thought I’d tell you in person.”

Off looked up. “Tell me what?”

Tay leaned closer, a twinkle in his eye. “That I like you. In case it wasn’t obvious.”

Off chuckled. “It was.”

He stood, taking Tay’s hand in his. “And I like you too. In case that wasn’t obvious.”

Tay beamed. “Guess I’ll have to keep reminding you.”

And from that moment on, Off didn’t mind the noise, the chaos, or the sunshine—because it was his.

—The End.