The family stood with Mochi.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But fully.
Physically.
Emotionally.
Silently. 🤍
No one mentioned Laddu's name anymore.
Not once.
The sofa where Laddu used to sleep every day—
the same place where he laughed, teased, and acted like the heart of the house—
was carried into the garage and pushed against the far wall.
Covered.
Out of sight.
So Mochi wouldn't have to look at it. 🛋️➡️🚪
Mochi's Nights
Mochi no longer slept alone.
She slept beside her mother, in her own room.
Some nights were quiet.
Some nights weren't.
Sometimes, without warning, Mochi would turn her face to the wall and start crying.
Not loudly.
Not shaking.
Just silent tears soaking into the pillow. 😔
Her mother would pull her close immediately.
No questions.
No lectures.
Just arms around her.
Just warmth.
Her mother's hand would gently stroke Mochi's hair, again and again, until her breathing slowed.
So she wouldn't feel alone.
So she wouldn't feel abandoned. 🤱💞
Candy, the Light 🍬✨
Candy became louder.
Jokier.
She cracked silly jokes at the dinner table.
Bad jokes.
Dumb jokes.
Ridiculous jokes.
Everyone laughed.
Even Mochi laughed.
Not fully.
Not freely.
But she laughed. 😊
What no one knew—
Candy kept a secret.
Those jokes?
They weren't hers alone.
They were written by Laddu.
By both of them.
Late at night.
Together.
Candy never told anyone.
She just smiled and let Mochi laugh, even if it hurt a little inside. 🤐💔
Meanwhile — Laddu's World 🏙️🔥
At the company, Laddu had changed completely.
He walked straight into the building and met the trainer.
No jokes.
No charm.
No "cool-funny" energy.
Laddu:
"I want a strong body."
The trainer looked surprised.
But nodded.
And so began the routine.
Every day:
🏋️♂️ Two hours in the gym
No skipping.
No shortcuts.
Sweat. Pain. Discipline.
After that:
💻 Office work.
😴 Or sleep.
That was it.
He didn't joke anymore.
Didn't smile.
Didn't help anyone unless it was required.
A cigar was always between his fingers. 🚬
The funny, caring boss was gone.
In his place stood a boss who did not care.
Cold.
Efficient.
Distant.
Everyone noticed.
The company's output doubled.
Then tripled.
But the atmosphere?
It died.
Drinks with the Chairman 🥃
One night, Laddu sat drinking with the Chairman and Bob.
The Chairman studied him for a long time.
Then spoke.
Chairman:
"What have you done to yourself?"
"You've become the version you hate."
Laddu didn't flinch.
He took another sip.
Laddu:
"This version is the best."
"No pressure to make everyone laugh."
"No responsibility to keep others happy."
"I just do what I want."
Bob frowned.
The Chairman sighed.
They weren't happy.
Not at all.
Time Passes ⏳
A month went by.
Laddu's body changed.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Harder.
But his eyes?
They looked emptier.
Back at Mochi's House 🏡🍽️
Dinner was quiet.
Plates clinked softly.
Everyone ate slowly.
Then—
🔔 DING DONG
The doorbell rang.
Father stood up.
Father:
"I'll see."
He opened the door.
A familiar face stood outside.
Lee .
Father stepped aside and let her in.
She walked into the house, looked around, and then turned toward Mochi.
Her voice softened immediately.
Lee :
"Mochi… I heard what happened to you."
Mochi looked up.
The room held its breath.
Candy stopped chewing.
Mother watched closely.
Lee stepped closer.
Not pity.
Not curiosity.
Just concern. 🤍
The boardroom was unusually quiet.
Not the peaceful kind.
The decision-making kind. ⚖️
A long glass table reflected sharp lights and sharper minds.
Every board member was present.
Files open. Tablets lit. Numbers ready.
This meeting was not routine.
This meeting was about power.
THE BOARDROOM 🏢📊
The Chairman cleared his throat.
Chairman:
"We need to finalize the next ceo of the company."
A senior board member spoke immediately.
Board Member 1:
"There's no debate.
Laddu is the best candidate."
Another nodded.
Board Member 2:
"Performance, leadership, crisis handling—
Laddu is ahead of everyone."
Murmurs of agreement filled the room. 👏
Board Member 3:
"But… Laddu has officially declined the position."
The room froze.
Someone sighed.
Board Member 4:
"He refused again?"
The Chairman nodded slowly.
Chairman:
"No explanation.
No conditions.
Just a refusal."
Silence followed.
Then—
Board Member 1:
"If Laddu won't take it…
then Jin is the next best option."
Eyes turned toward Jin.
He sat straight, surprised but composed.
After a moment—
Applause filled the room. 👏👏👏
Chairman:
"Congratulations, Jin.
You'll be the next CEO."
Jin stood up and bowed slightly.
Jin:
"I'll give everything I have to this company."
The clapping continued.
But something felt incomplete.
Because everyone knew—
The chair belonged to Laddu.
And he had walked away from it.
LADDU'S OFFICE 🚬🖤
The room smelled faintly of smoke.
Laddu sat behind his desk.
Cigar between his fingers. 🚬
Back straight.
Eyes calm. Empty.
A knock broke the silence.
Knock.
Laddu:
"Come in."
Jin entered and closed the door behind him.
Jin:
"You really denied it."
Laddu didn't look up.
Laddu:
"Yes."
Jin:
"Why?"
Laddu exhaled slowly, smoke curling upward.
Laddu:
"I don't want to be the CEO."
Jin frowned.
Jin:
"That's not an answer."
Laddu leaned back.
Laddu:
"It's the only one I have."
Jin's voice tightened.
Jin:
"You built this path.
You earned that chair."
Laddu shrugged lightly.
Laddu:
"And I chose not to sit on it."
Jin shook his head.
Jin:
"I don't like this version of you."
That made Laddu look up—just once.
Jin:
"I liked the Laddu who joked.
Who laughed.
Who made meetings unbearable but alive."
A faint smile appeared on Laddu's lips.
It didn't reach his eyes.
Laddu:
"That Laddu is gone."
Jin stared at him for a long moment.
Then he turned and left.
The door closed softly.
Laddu remained still, staring at the ceiling as the cigar burned down. 🔥
TWO MONTHS LATER ⏳
Time passed.
Quietly.
Relentlessly.
Laddu changed again.
But not into something loud.
No massive muscles.
No bodybuilder bulk.
Instead—
💪 Athletic
🧘 Flexible
⚡ Efficient
A sleeper build.
From the outside, he looked normal.
Simple clothes. Calm walk. Neutral presence.
But when sleeves rolled up…
When he moved…
You could tell.
This body was trained to function, not to impress.
Strength without noise.
Control without ego.
HIS ROUTINE 🕰️
Every day:
🏋️♂️ Two hours of training
💻 Focused office work
😴 Short, disciplined rest
🚬 One cigar at night
No jokes.
No flirting.
No unnecessary words.
The office whispered.
"He's changed."
"He's colder."
"But he's terrifyingly sharp."
Laddu didn't care.
He never looked at the Chairman's office.
Never looked at the empty seat.
Because he had already made a decision—
Not about power.
But about who he wanted to become.