Echoes of Envy

June felt a wave of confusion wash over him as Sushi recounted the incident from their past.

"It was the first summer when I met Chloe, when I was 14, she was 10. My parents left me in Chloe's house as they were going out of the country. They were afraid I wouldn't take care of myself," he reminiscing.

As memories flooded back, June recalled the summer vividly. "I remember," he murmured, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"When I first saw her, she was so tiny she didn't seem like a 10-year-old, probably more like a 6-year-old, and so...ugly. I was playing video games when she came and sat beside me. The more I moved away, the closer she came, annoying me and asking to play with her girl toys. She followed me every day, wherever I went."

"One day, I decided to scare her and hid on the balcony. She came searching for me, calling 'brother, brother,' and when she came to the balcony, I suddenly came up behind her and shouted as if I was scaring her off. She really got frightened and slipped, falling down from the first floor. I didn't have enough time to catch her".

"But it was Chloe, right? Why is Sushi saying that I pushed her when I don't even know her?" June muttered to himself, confusion clouding his thoughts. Without another word, he rose from his seat and hastily left for the office, the weight of uncertainty heavy on his mind.

Throughout the day, June found himself repeatedly leaving his office and wandering the corridors, his mind preoccupied with Sushi's unsettling revelation. Each time he passed by her workspace, he stole glances, trying to gauge her demeanor without drawing too much attention.

The office staff began to notice his peculiar behavior, exchanging puzzled glances as they whispered amongst themselves. "What's gotten into him today?" they murmured, unable to make sense of June's erratic movements.

As lunchtime approached, Sushi and Huan made plans to grab a bite together and headed towards the cafeteria, chatting amiably as they walked.

June, noticing their departure, felt a pang of jealousy surge within him. His curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to follow them, his steps careful to avoid detection. He trailed behind at a distance, his heart pounding with each step as if he were clandestinely stalking them.

June felt mixed emotions as she witnessed Sushi and Huan laughing together. He couldn't help but be a little envious of their effortless friendship, mixed with a deep-seated desire to know the truth about their history.

"Why didn't she smile like that when I made breakfast for her this morning? Instead, she yelled at me and left me alone," June muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on Sushi and Huan as he trailed behind them.

Lost in his thoughts, June didn't notice an employee approaching him until they spoke. Startled, he looked up, realizing he was standing in front of the elevator, his attention still fixed on Sushi and Huan who were already inside.

"Aren't you geeting in?", she asked.

"Ah !!!", he went inside.

June observed the crowded elevator, noticing Sushi and Huan standing close together in the corner, their shoulders touching. As the crowd pressed in, Huan instinctively moved to shield Sushi by placing his shoulder protectively around her.

From his vantage point in the opposite corner, June's heart sank as he witnessed the scene. Consumed by jealousy, he couldn't contain his frustration any longer.

"Huan!" he shouted across the crowded space, his voice echoing through the elevator as heads turned to look at him, startled by his outburst.

As Huan looked up in surprise at June's sudden outburst, June quickly made his move. With determination in his eyes, he strode over to Huan and firmly grabbed his arm, pulling him away from Sushi's side.

"I need to talk to you," June declared, his voice tense with emotion as he successfully removed Huan from Sushi's proximity. Without waiting for a response, he led Huan away, determined to have a private conversation.

However, as they reached the cafeteria floor, June's resolve wavered. He realized the weight of his actions and the implications of his jealousy-fueled behavior. 

As Sushi and Huan exited the elevator, their conversation continuing as if nothing had happened, they seemed to pay no heed to June's presence. Ignored and left standing alone, June watched helplessly as they walked away, his heart heavy with a mixture of frustration and longing.

Feeling a surge of emotions, June clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. In a moment of impulsivity, he struck the wall beside him, the impact jolting him back to reality.

Later, during lunch, Huan and Sushi sitting opposite each other, their laughter filling the air as they shared stories and jokes. But beneath the surface, June was consumed by a need to assert himself.

With determination in his eyes, June went to their table and took the seat beside Sushi, sitting closer than usual. He casually placed a hand on her back, his touch lingering as he addressed her.

"Sushi, what are you eating? You should eat something healthier," he remarked, his tone gentle yet possessive. As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance over at Huan, hoping to stir a hint of jealousy in him.

Sushi's surprise was evident in the slight widening of her eyes as June took the seat beside her, his sudden proximity catching her off guard. She felt a rush of warmth at his touch on her shoulder, a sensation that sent a flutter through her heart.

"This office CEO is so cheap, he can't afford to give healthy food to employees.Then how will she eat healthy one", Huan attacked with sarcasm.

"Huan,", Sushi holding Huan's hand as she tried to stop insulting June.

June's jealousy intensified as he watched Sushi interact with Huan, his eyes narrowing as he observed their exchange. Determined to assert himself, he turned his attention to Huan with a confident smile.

"You know, this company is renowned for its amenities and was even awarded for being the best startup within just three years of its founding," June remarked casually, his tone tinged with pride.

"And let's not forget about the CEO. I've heard he's quite handsome," he added, subtly praising himself in front of Huan, hoping to make him feel inferior in comparison.

"It seems like you have a lot of self-importance. Why is the CEO here today, by the way? Typically, you won't eat at cafeteria." Huan shot back, turning his attention to the void in front of June.

"Why can't I when I can share food with my wife?" June replied, unfazed by Huan's comment. He reached for the used chopsticks in Sushi's hands and took a bite of the food, his action conveying a possessive gesture as he asserted his closeness to her.

Sushi's shock was palpable as she watched June eating her leftovers with her used chopsticks. A lump formed in her throat, and she felt a sudden urge to cough. Before she could react, June was beside her in an instant, gently patting her on the head and placing a glass of water near her mouth.

"Here, drink some water," June urged softly, his concern evident in his voice as he guided the glass to her lips. Sushi gratefully took a sip, feeling the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. As she calmed down, she couldn't help but be touched by June's quick and caring response.

Huan seeing this felt little jealous and qucikly diverted the discussion. ''By the way did you went to SmallTown yesterday, I didn't see you home night", Huan asking Sushi.

"Oh yeah I went.", Sushi replied.

"Why did you go alone, I told you right that I will come with you the other day. You never listen to me and you didn't even pick up my calls. I was so scared when June called me. I called my mom to check up on you but she said she couldn't find anyone home." Huan asked again showing his concern and angered at her.

"Yeah, sorry Huan," Sushi interjected, deflecting the conversation away from June's ignorance. "You shouldn't have troubled Aunty. I should have been the one to greet her, but I had to come back quickly due to some other work."

Observing the closeness between Sushi and Huan, June couldn't help but feel sadness at the realization that they shared a bond he was not privy to. "May be he knows something about her past, should I just ask him", June thinking himself as he looking at Huan.

Sushi turned her attention to Huan, asking, "Did June call you?" Her gaze then shifted towards June expectantly.

"I, uh, I didn't know where you went. I was worried, so I called Huan to check if you were with him," June explained, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"What sort of husband is unaware that his wife isn't even at home?", Huan's glare bore into June, accusing him of his apparent ignorance

Sushi quickly intervened, sensing the tension. "Huan, please, stop," she urged, recognizing the hurt that June felt from Huan's words.