Orpheus

Chapter 6: The Sterns (Neutral Point of View)

A front porch welcomed Win's view. The Sterns' house has a newfangled classical style. It reflects a cozy feel as one walks through the porch embowered with garlic vines. Win's guessing that Mrs. Stern is surely born with the green thumb. There's greenery everywhere.

When they entered the house, they were greeted with such warmth. Win felt the welcoming atmosphere that the house emits. The floor is an old-fashioned parquet with a fusion of cream and blue and the walls were painted with the lightest of shades of blue. At the other side of the living room, one would notice the large arched windows where the light from the sun peeks through.

"Win, may I ask you to wait here in the living room first? I just need to make sure the table's been fixed, okay?" Mrs. Stern told Win. Then he turned to Bright and asked, "Will you come along, Bright?"

Bright nodded and followed his mother while Win continued scanning through the house.

The entirety of the living rooms is comfortable. Win thought. He let his eyes survey the photographs adorning the wall of that space. He thought that if walls only have a voice, it would've been singing of how blissful and contented this family is. The pictures were arranged in an order that makes its viewers understand it in the span of time that he's viewing it. Wow. This is impressive. Win cannot believe that the matriarch of this family took her time to ensure that the walls of their house tells a story.

As his eyes lowered down, Win's attention was caught by that woman in the picture. She's wearing a faded denim dungaree dress with a black and white striped top. Her arms circled that of Bright's. They both looked so happy in the picture. Bright was wearing a paired dungaree in the same shades of colors. Win's guess is that it's in an event.

"They both looked so happy, don't they?" A woman's voice stopped Win from pondering.

He turned around and projected a smile when he saw the woman. She's presumably in her thirties, willowy and with the face cut out of a men's magazine. She's definitely a mix of two races. Displaying so much personality, the woman also exudes sophistication and class. Despite the perfection in her physical appearance, Win didn't feel even an ounce of intimidation from her.

"Hi! I'm Win!" He introduced himself to not appear rude in front of her.

"Sparkle Stern, but you can call me, Ark for short." The woman said in reply.

Sparkle. Bright. Win surmised that their parents named them those intentionally. The irony in their names though. But I have to admit it came off as brilliant. Win kept on thinking about the irony on their names.

"If it is not too much to ask, who is she?" Win pointed at the woman in the picture.

"Euri. Bright's girlfriend of 2 years. She's no longer with us though." She stated that last sentence with grief.

"I'm sorry." Win said.

"That's okay. We are just worried for Bright." Ark mentioned. She felt like she could trust Win. That's why she's been saying more than enough. When Ark saw Win scanning through the pictures, she instantly felt Win's warmth. There's something about the man that shines. His aura is one that lightens up the whole room, and she later on confirmed that when Win smiled at her.

"I actually do not know how much Bright has told you, but I'm glad that he's starting to go out with friends." Ark continued.

Win widened his smile. I'm not sure if he treats me as a friend, Ark. In his mind, Win is doubting. Instead of asking more than what he's allowed to know, Win just curtly nodded and said, "Thank you!"

Not a minute later, they were both called to the dining hall. It is elegant in a humble kind of way. The table pretty much covered the whole space. Aside from the table, everything else is minimal, from the chairs to the designs that embellished the walls, all of it suffice to make the room an indulging one. The taste in the choices of furniture is extraordinary. Bright's mom has a keen eyesight when it comes to things that take one's breath away. She has a good eye when it comes to classic beauty.

Sitting at the other end of the dining table is a man in his perhaps late fifties. Say fifty-eight or fifty-nine years old. Bright's father. Win told himself.

Despite his towering physique, Win didn't feel intimidated. The man gave out a welcoming smile, an inviting one. So, he hurriedly went near him and extended his hand to introduce himself, "Hi Sir! Win!"

"It's nice meeting you, Win!" Instead of shaking Win's hand, Mr. Stern opened his arms and gave Win a tight hug. Win was taken aback with the man's action. Then, he was even more shocked when Bright's dad said, "Call me Dad."

"Okay. So maybe we can start eating? Yes, dad? Right?" Bright interrupted the awkward exchange. He felt fiddly over the exchange between his dad and Win. They all thought that Win was his boyfriend. No matter how many times Bright insisted with his mother, she still didn't believe him. And surely, his mom spilled the beans to his dad.

"Thank you, dad!" Bright abruptly looked at Win when he heard the latter say those words. Win's going along with what his family concluded. Bright gave Win that warning look. No harm intended though. He just wanted Win to know that he finds it funny, too.

The dinner was fantastic. Win enjoyed the company of Bright's family. They talked about their work at present, and both of Bright's parents expressed their excitement over their project. Win felt genuine concern from his mom, dad, and sister. They're all worried about how Bright deals with his grief.

Since Win knows that it is not his place to ask about Euri, he always remains quiet whenever she's brought up at the dining table. Bright would also dismiss the conversation whenever she's brought up. The whole family understands it and tried their best to keep it at a minimum.

After dinner, Bright started saying goodbye to his mom, dad, and sister. "We have to go. I already took up so much of Win's time, mom."

"It's okay. I have nothing to do at home." Win made sure that his tone would sound sincere. He then thanked the family, "Dad, Mom, Ark, thank you so much for letting me in." He flashed his warmest smile afterwards.

Mrs. Stern pulled Win on the side and whispered to him, "Convince him to go home from time to time, Win, please? We want to make sure he's okay." She sounded pleading. Win guessed no one can really talk Bright out of this situation.

"Okay, mom. I'll try my best." He said but with no assurance.

"That's more than enough, son." She said back. And Win was embraced with her words. He felt the warmth.

As soon as they said their goodbye, they both headed back to Bright's car and started their journey home.

While driving, Bright can't help but glance at Win who's been smiling since they left his parents' place. "Are you okay?" He asked Win.

"Hmm?" Win said, but clearly with his attention outside of their conversation.

"Hey!" Then he followed that with an estimating laugh.

Win answered with a laugh, too, then he said, "Yeah. I'm just happy. I'm now part of your family." He mischievously smiled. Bright laughed even louder with that. Honestly though, that warmed his heart. There's something about Win being part of his family that immediately radiates bliss.

"Just don't be too comfortable. You don't know mom. When she asks you to do something, you cannot say no. Just look at that old woman's charming face, and you will be drawn by her magic." Bright's admiration for his mother went out with his tone.

He loves his mom. He's really perfect. Win is once again plunged into his dreamy state. He was in the middle of his thoughts when he recalled his conversation with Ark. He knows that if he insists on asking about Euri, Bright will turn sour. So, he just gave him a soft tap on the hand, and said, "By the way Bright, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

Bright, puzzled by Win's statement, gave out a confused smile.