Chapter Text
Ming was nothing but confident in his love for Joe. After losing Joe the first time, he had vowed he would never make the same mistake again and he would do whatever it took to get back together with Joe. When he thought he might have lost Joe forever, he promised himself he would spent the rest of his life making it up to Joe if he ever got the chance.
Which is why he didn’t hesitate a choice between keeping his family or Joe was presented. Even in the moment, it wasn’t lost on Ming just how big of a sacrifice it was. He knew just how much he had relied on his family, but he also knew how much he had suffered in the two years without Joe and how hard he had worked when Joe was back in his life. So, he was fully prepared to cherish Joe properly this time around and he wasn’t ready to give Joe up for anything. Not even his family.
Emotionally it wasn’t a total loss. May still kept in contact with him and while all she could provide was moral support, it was enough. Mike also promised to be there for Ming as much as he could muster and even said he would try to convince their father to change his mind, although they both knew that was a futile battle. His mother never actually reached out to him, probably to follow his father’s order, but Ming found out she kept herself updated about his well-being through his siblings.
And since his father had long been an obstacle in Ming’s life with his constant rules, restrictions and expectation, Ming had long ago stopped seeking validation from him. He had gotten so used to disapproval and the occasional hurtful disciplinary actions. So, he wasn’t so pressed about living without his father.
But Ming was well aware of how much of family’s wealth, connections and influence he had used. Even though it felt unfair to take away Ming’s business he had worked on himself, he could recognize without his father’s influence he wouldn’t have been able to grow it to the size it was. It was a shame though to not even have a savings somewhere.
The downgrade in lifestyle wasn’t so bad. He had already gotten used to living in Joe’s apartment as that was where they spend the most time anyway. Giving up his condo wasn’t that big of deal, especially now that he didn’t need to go back and forth between his office anymore. Ming could also find a way to live without luxury goods and expensive restaurants. Joe had already cheapened his palette, so he wasn’t too sour about that either.
The thing he had forgotten cost money was things like the more expensive hospital Ming had sent Joe’s mother, which they now had to redirect back to the old hospital in order to stay on top of the bills. It was also the fact that the house Ming had bought from Joe’s mom and the money Ming had given Joe was now technically a debt to his father. Luckily Mike sorted that out before Ming could even have time to panic about it and said that if they traded the house for a smaller one, they wouldn’t have to worry about it. So that’s the solution they opted for.
But Ming understood things were different now.
“I should get a job.” Ming said.
They were lying in bed, getting ready to sleep. Joe was staring at the ceiling, not hearing Ming’s words.
Ming probed himself on his elbow and gently poked Joe to get his attention.
“What are you thinking about?” He asked.
Joe smiled gently about to dismiss the question but when Ming stared at him intensely enough, he changed his mind.
“Do you think your family will… retaliate against us or something?” He asked.
“Probably not.” Ming said. “Mike promised to do what he can and honestly- my father doesn’t want that kind of scandal on his hands.”
“But they cut you off now.” Joe said. “That might change things.”
“He knows me by now. If he provokes me too much it’ll hurt him more in the end.”
Joe nodded but he didn’t look entirely convinced, so Ming put a hand on his cheek. He leaned down and gently kissed him on the lips.
“We’ll be okay.” He said. “As long as we have each other.”
Joe smiled widely and then pulled Ming closer to him. Normally they do more than cuddle on a night like this, but Ming didn’t take the initiative to further their intimacy because his heart was already beating uncharacteristically fast. A feeling he only remembered feeling the first time Joe told him he wanted to end things.
***
The next thing he realized he had to live without was his family’s influence. That realization came not long after Mike’s promise of taking care of things. That’s when Wisit called and told Joe that Tong had been reinstated as the lead role and that Joe unfortunately wouldn’t even be able to get a small part in the movie Ming had tried to give to Joe.
Joe and Ming had already given up on the idea of getting Joe back his stunt-credits because Ming had no money as leverage anymore and given Tong’s feelings about their relationship, it was unlikely he was going to change his mind.
What Ming hadn’t realized was that Tong could use his influence to get back the role that was “stolen” from him and now that Ming no longer was the investor of that movie production, he had no way to stop it from happening.
While no one knew the details, word spread fast that Ming no longer held the power of the Akarayota group. Rumors circulated that it was just disciplinary action from his father but regardless, even Tong the brother-in-law was a more important family member to appease. Through Mike, Ming also found out that Tong’s debt had been settled by his father and while Tong wasn’t fully sanctioned, his father opted for helping Tong instead of risking having another scandal in his hands.
Joe didn’t say anything about the role that was once again taken from him and that made Ming feel worse.
Ming realized he had to work harder to get a job. A job that could help them financially at least.
***
“I’m going into Wut’s office today.” Joe said.
Ming was staring at his laptop and just nodded absentmindedly. He was looking job posting he could apply for. Although his father had taken most things away from him, he still had his MBA and the experience that came from running his own business. He was more than qualified as candidate.
Joe had asked him if he wanted to stay in the entertainment industry and that he could probably talk to Wut if Ming wanted something, but Ming was never really interested in being a public figure and had only accepted it because he had hoped to attract Joe’s attention. Now that he not only had Joe’s attention, but they were back together, he saw no reason to continue down that road. He also thought it was best to keep a low profile as to not invite more trouble from his father or Tong. Surely, they would find another way to make him miserable if Ming somehow embarrassed them in the public eye. The last part he didn’t say to Joe.
“Are you staying here all day?” Joe asked.
Ming looked up from the computer. He hadn’t really been going out much since he was cut off from his family. Joe didn’t comment on it, but Ming could tell he was concerned.
Ming looked at the company website in front of him and then back at Joe.
“Actually, can you give me a ride?” he asked.
“Sure,” Joe said.
They went down to Joe’s car. That was the only car they had between them now. Ming had sold his own car while he was unemployed to remove all unnecessary expenses. Also, the extra money he got from selling the car, could go towards Joe’s mom’s treatment. It worked out fine because Ming didn’t really have anywhere to go without Joe, but he did sometimes miss having his own car or being able to call Secretary Jim for a ride. But he didn’t actually need one right now and he figured they could wait until he actually got a job, if it was even necessary by that point.
“It’s not far from Wut’s office.” Ming said as he put in the address of his destination into the GPS.
Joe smiled and started to pull out of the driveway.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a telecom company.” Ming said. “I’ll see if I can get a job there.”
“You have another interview?” Joe said excitedly.
Ming had been applying to jobs persistently, but it hadn’t been as smooth sailing as he thought it would be. He had been invited to a few interviews that hadn’t panned out. He wasn’t sure if it was his profile or his name that scared people off, but they were quick to dismiss him.
“No, no.” Ming said. “But someone I went to school with is working there and I’ll see if I can catch him today.”
Joe nodded and then asked:
“Do you want to work there?”
Ming thought about it for a moment. He had the profile to fit in and although he wasn’t super interested in working under someone, he knew he had to make some concessions if this was going to work out.
“That’s what I want to figure out.” He said. “Plus, it’ll be good for us to have a steady income.”
Joe nodded but then said, “Just… don’t push yourself. We’re not in rush for you to get a job.”
Ming nodded. This would just be a casual meeting, so he didn’t feel too pressed about it right now.
“Don’t worry so much.” Ming said and put a hand on Joe’s thigh.
Joe placed his own on top of Ming’s and smiled.
When they arrived in front of the company, Joe turned to Ming.
“You can take the car if you need it.” He said.
“What?” Ming said confused. “It’s your car, why would I take it?”
“It’s our car now.” Joe said. “And you might need it more as a job applicant. It would be easier for you to get around with your own car.”
Ming opened the door to walk out the car. He turned to Joe before he closed the door.
“Don’t worry about me.” Ming said. “We’ll figure something out if I someday need one, but for now just use your own car.”
“I’m just saying,” Joe said, “I was able to get around before I got my car back. I don’t mind going back to that.”
“It’s fine.” Ming said. “I’ll meet you at Craft Films after this, if it’ll make you feel better to drive me home.”
Joe smiled but he didn’t drive away until Ming actually went inside the building.
***
The meeting was nothing but disappointing. Ming wasn’t sure what he had expected, and it was probably naïve to think he could just go into a company and ask about their job position without raising some questions. Obviously, his university alumni knew exactly who he was and what family he came from, which made it confusing to hear Ming was looking for job and that he wasn’t even that picky with the kind of job he would get.
At first Ming tried to dodge the questions but it only seemed to invite more questions about his family situation. It became very clear he had to reveal the true situation and considering how tactless this person in front of him, he wasn’t even sure that would be enough to garner sympathy points. At best he would end up in the tabloids.
So, he ended the meeting and walked out of the company.
It would still be too early to ask Joe if they could go home now. Maybe he could meet with Joe at Craft Films, and he could wait for him until they could leave.
Walking to Craft Films, made him think about the other thing he had lost. Secretary Jim. He already knew it was going to be a big adjustment and so far, it hadn’t been easy. The only thing that made it bearable was the fact that his unemployment and severed network made his schedule practically empty, so there was nothing to keep an overview of. But secretary Jim had done more than just keep track of his schedule. He had also vetted all of the people that Ming met with and if Secretary Jim had been in charge of finding a job for Ming, he would never have let Ming meet with that person because he would have known that person was only looking for gossip.
Ming had never actually cared about people’s sincerity, and he also knew that wasn’t Secretary Jim’s goal either, but somehow, he forgotten that he wasn’t just starting from scratch. He was also working against people’s preconceptions and the fact that he still had secrets to keep. He would have a better time looking for job at place that didn’t know who he was or what family he came from and he couldn’t think of where that would be.
As he neared Craft Films, he noticed the sky was turning gray. Maybe that’s just the kind of day it was.
He walked towards Wut’s office up the stairs when he heard Joe’s voice.
“Yeah, I dropped him off at a telecom company.” Joe said.
“Oh, he landed an interview?”
Ming felt his rage spike when he heard Sol’s voice.
“He said it was an informal meeting.” Joe said. “But who knows? Ming is fully capable so I’m sure he’ll get a job in no time.”
“How many interviews has he been to?” Sol asked.
“Three so far.” Joe said. “Four if you include the one today.”
There was a silence. Ming ducked out of view.
“Are you sure you want to live like this with him?” Sol asked.
“Sol-”
“No, I just mean… Do you think he’ll be okay with living like this?”
“He was the one who gave everything up.” Joe said.
“And he might be regretting that decision right about now.” Sol continued.
Ming was about to get up from his hiding and spot and walk into the room to tell Sol off. Who was he to question Ming’s love? Sure, it was hard to live like this, but he stood by his decision. He would never leave Joe, not even if he had job search forever.
“Isn’t he also making your life harder?”
Ming froze in his spot.
“You had to move your mother to another house and hospital, plus you still have to pay her medical bills.” Sol continued. “Do you have enough money for it?”
“It’s fine, you don’t have to worry.” Joe said. “We’re managing.”
Ming would have felt happy about hearing Joe talking about them as a unit, if not for the fact that he felt Sol’s poison seep into his own heart.
“Really? Because now that you’re not starring in that movie and you’re no longer Tong’s stand-in and you don’t have any upcoming projects.” Sol said. “If he had just left you alone instead of dragging you into his drama, things would be much easier for you.”
“Sol, that’s enough.” Joe said.
“I’m just saying.” Sol continued. “I can give you the money you need for your mother’s treatment. I can also find a role for you if you need it.”
Ming wanted to go into the room and tell Sol off, but he stayed rooted in his spot. He couldn’t get himself to move. Not when he remembered his failure today and how he wasn’t sure where to go from here.
He walked down the stairs instead and exited the building. He wrote a text for Joe saying that he would get home on his own.
The raging jealousy he felt before was gone and replaced with deep seated concern. Had he been reckless? Why hadn’t he made an account of his own money before he decided to rage a war against his father? He did technically have plans of preparing for a life with Joe, but Tong had blindsided him by bringing his mother into the picture and it meant he had to come out to his father far sooner than he had originally anticipated. So now they really had to make it from scratch and while Ming had been fully ready to do that, he wondered if Joe had been ready to do that. Ming didn’t have any means to fight for Joe anymore. He didn’t have any influence to help Joe. He had nothing but his love for Joe. Was it too naïve to believe that was enough?
He started to walk towards the apartment. It was quite the distance from Craft Films and the rain was also starting to fall, but the growing pain in his heart needed to be cooled down and Ming wanted to be numb for a moment.
What if Sol was right? What if Ming was making life harder for Joe? Would Joe be able to endure this new life together? It’s not what they had envisioned. It’s certainly not what Ming had promised.
He didn’t know how long it took for him to reach the apartment, but he was completely drenched when he made it home. He walked up the stairs with slow steps and was surprised to find Joe waiting by the door.
“Ming!” He exclaimed when he made eye contact with Ming.
Joe quickly ushered Ming inside. Ming thought he would come home to an empty apartment. He didn’t realize he had been walking around for almost two hours.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Joe said as he went to get towels, “Did you walk here?”
Ming looked at Joe as he was fussing over him.
“I tried calling you.” Joe said when he went back to Ming and started to dry him with the towel. “But when you didn’t pick up, I was worried about.”
Ming didn’t say anything. What could he say? What would make this pit in his stomach go away?
Joe stopped drying Ming when he finally took a moment to take in Ming’s expression. He cupped Ming’s face with his hands.
“Did the meeting go badly?” Joe asked.
And that’s when the tears fell. Joe seemed taken aback by this reaction, but he quickly recovered and smiled gently at Ming before he pulled him in for a hug.
“It’s okay.” Joe said. “We’re not in a rush. It was just one meeting. We’ll figure something out.”
But they were in a rush. Joe didn’t have any future projects coming up and Ming had no income or savings.
Joe kissed his tears away and Ming held onto him.
Everything was going in the wrong direction. This was not how it was supposed to be.