Illusions of You | BrightWin Soulmate AU

08

It's Win's graduation day today. Bright and his friends came to watch their ceremony and to support Win, Love, and Khaotung.

"Opas-iamkajorn, Win Metawin. Second honor, Most Active in Extracurricular Activities, Batch Best Designer, Student Leader Awardee." He has many awards. Wow. Bright expressed his amusement towards Win.

After all the students received their diplomas and award, the program closed with a graduation song.

"Would you like to join us? We'll celebrate at home." Win asked Bright. I'm shy. His family looks sophisticated.

"Join us, Bright. No need to get shy." Win's mother assured him. With that, Bright couldn't say no anymore, so he found himself in Opas-iamkajorn's residence.

Bright roamed around his eyes all over Win's place. Their house is big. They're surely a well-off family. They arrived at the dining area with lots of good food placed on the table.

They started eating and Win made sure that Bright is comfortable. "You're Win's friend from another faculty?" Mrs. Opas asked.

"Yes, auntie. Culinary Arts to be exact."

"Wow, so you're great at cooking, huh? That's good. Do you plan on opening your own restaurant?"

"My friends and I have plans, we might be business partners. But we need to work on our own first to save money." Win kept on glancing at his parents, which serves as a reminder for them not to be too nosy.

"I like that you have that mindset. As for Win, I'm not sure if he has the same as yours." Everybody stopped eating after they heard what she said.

Damn it. Can't I have a one peaceful day in this house? Just once?  Bright looked at Win who's now breathing heavily.

"Mom, please. It's Nong's graduation day." Win's sister, Mintra, stopped their mother from making a scene.

"What? I'm just stating facts. Nevermind, even if he wouldn't want to continue, he'll still fly to New York." New York? What the fuck am I going to do in New York?!  Win clenched his fists as hard as he can.

"Mom, what? What's he going to do there?!" Win's other sister, Mesa, interfered too.

"He'll open a business and become a fashion designer. What else would he do? Paint? I told you it's a nonsense–" Their mother was cut off when Win stood up.

His eyes were teary and his jaw was clenched. I'm tired of being manipulated all my life. I'm sick and disgusted of being belittled by my own parents.

"Insult me all you want, Mom. But never insult my dream again– my dream that you ignored and took away from me. I'm suffocated with my life, don't you know that?" Win's eyes landed on Bright's after he vented out his feelings.

Shit. I need to get him out of this place. Bright cursed in his mind after seeing Win's pleading eyes.

"Let's go." Bright stood up and held Win's hand tightly as they fled the room, leaving the Opas-iamkajorns dumbfounded.

"I'm so fucking tired." Win's voice cracked as he tried to speak while fighting the urge to cry.

"Win. Hold on, okay?" Bright squeezed Win's hand while they walked to his penthouse.

As soon as they arrived at Bright's house, Win fell on his knees while crying. Bright locked him inside his arms to calm him down.

"Until when will they manipulate my life? I'm a grown man who should be deciding on his own. I'm not a middle schooler for fuck's sake." Win punched the floor and Bright held his both hands to stop him.

"Win.. calm down, please? Don't hurt yourself. Look at me. Hey, look at me. Breathe first." Bright cupped Win's face and tried to exercise his breathing.

"Remember what I told you? Sometimes you need to make reckless decisions once in your life, and?"

"Choose painting if I have to." Win responded.

"Yes. Now, if you can't stop them from sending you abroad, then let them do what they want. But take it as an opportunity to plan for your future, the one that you wanted for yourself." Bright suggested.

Win gave it a thought so he cooled down a little bit. Is this really a good idea?

"But, I don't want to go abroad." He whined.

"Why not?" Because I don't want to be far away from you, Win thought.

"I just want to stay here. My home is here."

You are my home, Bright.

"Alright, I understand. You don't have to think about it now. For the meantime, just rest. Go to my room and sleep there." Win nodded and went to Bright's room. 

Yeah, I want you to stay here too, Win.