Taming The Tiger

20. Guilt & Regret

While going to the CEO's office, Yu Hua was quite nervous. Although the CEO must have known about the other actors' attitude towards him as well as the fight being two-sided, Yu Hua was afraid of the CEO's reaction. He hoped he would just give him a warning and wouldn't ask about the reason. Nope, he wouldn't tell him the reason.

Sucking a deep breath, Yu Hua knocked on the office door and heard Hu Jing Yao's baritone voice calling him in.

"Good morning, Mr. Hu," he greeted the CEO politely, even decorating it with a slight bow, yet the other didn't even bother to raise his head over the documents he was perusing.

"Finally you could spare some time for your boss," Hu Jing Yao said sardonically.

Hearing irritation in his tone loud and clear, Yu Hua bowed again, "I am terribly sorry, Mr. Hu, but I was at work when you called me."

Although he was itching to know what work it was (it wasn't written on his file), the CEO kept his nonchalant attitude, "it should be more important than this job I guess," he commented, his eyes refusing to look up.

"Of course no, I-"

"Whatever, I don't have much time to waste," Hu Jing Yao cut him off and Yu Hua shut up helplessly. The CEO looked highly moody, so it wasn't wise to annoy him.

"I heard about the fight between you and Dan Li," the CEO continued as he flipped a page, "I guess you got bolder after I dismissed Sun Ming, now what? Do you also want me to get rid of Dan Li? Won't you give me a peaceful day?"

Each word stabbed Yu Hua in the heart and disappointment pulsed under his skin. Although Hu Jing Yao didn't know him well, Yu Hua thought he would at least have some ideas about his character. But no. The CEO didn't even ask about the reason, but he just accused him full force.

"It wasn't me who asked you to dismiss Sun Ming, similarly it wasn't me who told you about the fight," Yu Hua said, trying to fight his tears. Why did it always be him? Didn't he deserve some luck? Maybe his whole existence was wrong...

As Yu Hua's words were all true, Hu Jing Yao's hands around the paper tightened. Forcing himself to keep a blank face, he said "I guess I was wrong about you, you were never serious about acting. You just get what you can without giving something in return."

Yu Hua felt dizzy and his body trembled terribly, "d-do you really believe what you said?" he asked with a hoarse voice, trying to swallow his sobs and for the first time, the CEO raised his head to look at him.

Originally, Hu Jing Yao wanted to say 'yes', but seeing the condition of the man in front of him, the word stuck into his throat.

Yu Hua looked terrible; he surely lost around three pounds, his cheeks were sunken, his complexion was ash-colour and his teary eyes were tired as well as disappointed...

What did they do to him? he asked himself as the guilt crashed on him. He had never been that impulsive with anyone, but somehow he let the situation cloud his judgement. He genuinely regretted his previous words, but the harm was done and his ego wouldn't let him apologise to the actor.

"So it means a yes," Yu Hua declared, misunderstanding Hu Jing Yao's silence. He was devastated, but he had to keep going as he already used all the money they paid him weekly and he needed more money to pay for his father's never-ending gambling debt.

How miserable he was... first he sold his body and now this... he couldn't even mind his pride... tangible or intangible, everything he had was on sale...

"Let's-" Hu Jing Yao wanted to say something to ease the tension, but was cut by the actor.

"I won't quit the drama if you won't kick me out," he said with his molten pride.

"I won't," the CEO answered fast.

"Then call me when you want to have sex, Mr. Hu, I will surely meet my end of our contract," Yu Hua said and left the room pell-mell.

Looking at the closed door, Hu Jing Yao cursed himself loudly and felt extremely sad for the first time in three years.

That day, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't focus on his work. The night also didn't bring him any relief as Yu Hua's devastated eyes haunted his mind around the clock...