Can anyone explain to me what was going on in the first chap?

In the present, uke is looking for a new job. his previous job, his boss or smthing happens to be the guy who ruin his career 9 years ago, so now uke decides to resign and got help from the person he was calling to get a new job

9 years ago, word and pictures got out that the uke is gay. uke thinks the other guy did it, and instead of comfort, he got told "think of it like a free experience", this made uke suicidal (?) now in the present he is stronger