The Prince and I | BrightWin FanFic

Chapter 5: Chance Meeting

It was the first weekend after the opening of classes, and Win's study schedule is already more hectic when he was still in the undergraduate. Course outlines per subject were handed out, and the number of law cases assigned is overwhelming.

Diligent as ever, after breakfast Win spent the entire Saturday morning searching for cases assigned for the three major law subjects, the first few chapters at least, ready for printing and reading the next week.

After converting the files into PDF, he then sent an e-mail to Khao and Love, sharing the compiled cases with his best buddies. By lunchtime, Win joined his mom Oli, older sisters Sherine and Shemara, and younger brother Sheraton in their garden for their traditional Saturday al fresco lunch. It was after Win's graduation that the family moved into this new house from their old one. The family's new home is a six-bedroom two-story house inside Ladislawa Village, the premier residential estate in Davao City.

Win's mom initially refused to move out of their old family home. But the Duke of Cebu's Chief of Staff Mr. Osmeña insisted that the house in Ladislawa Villagewould be more secured once the announcement will be made of Win's noble title. Upon careful consideration, Mrs. Rama gave in and, with a heavy heart, moved out of the home she and her late husband built for their children. Win perfectly understood what his mom felt as he himself had many beautiful memories in that house.

Win's oldest sibling, Sherine, is a pediatrician on weekdays and a pâtissier on weekends, and she usually spends the weekends baking for the family. Win would sometimes join her and try to help, but most of the time, it was just Sherine and Win sharing stories while waiting to taste the first batches made. Sherine opened a small shop in the city center, selling artisanal macaroons, as a sid hustle.

"So, how's law school? I heard that you are in the same class as the Crown Prince," Sherine asked.

"My schedule is very hectic, and it's only the first week." Win started. "Yeah, he's also in our section. Where did you hear about it?"

"On Twitter. It was trending for days." Sherine answered. "You've mentioned your Section once, and I read it was the Prince's as well. So you know...connected the dots maybe?"

Win gave his sister a chuckle.

"So, how was he?"

"We have yet to interact with each other. But he seems nice and sounds smart." Win answered with candor.

"But not as smart as my Winnie." Sherine said while cupping Win's face. She has always treated Win like a baby even though the latter is now way taller than her.

When the first batches were done, the smell of freshly baked macaroons filled the entire house. Sheraton suddenly appeared in the kitchen, finally deciding to come out of his room where he usually spends his free days playing his game console.

Shemara also went down, still with her apron smudged paint, deciding to take a break from painting, a hobby she developed passionately since childhood, to join her other siblings to munch Sherine's delicious pastry.

The siblings were sharing laughs when the family matriarch came out of the study, probably wanting to take a break from her past time, which is reading. She was at the kitchen door when her heart melts at the scene of her kids enjoying the weekends together and teasing each other. Her husband did a great job making sure that their kids share this unbreakable bond. He was their beacon of sunshine, and she terribly missed him.

By 4PM, Win changed into his fitness wear for his regular jog. He was wearing a fitted gray sweatshirt, black shorts, and his white trainers.

Jogging in an exclusive village like Ladislawa is way better as trees are more plentiful and less passing vehicles. The neighborhood is also peaceful, which Win prefers to give him more time to think and focus. He already did several laps around several laps when Win decided to take a rest on a bench located in a mini-park inside their village.

Win is still engrossed with his music, AirPods on his ears, with Nicki Minaj's Pound the Alarm playing in maximum volume when Win felt a tap on his shoulders.

"Hey...Win, right?" a baritone voice spoke.

Win raised his head and saw this enigmatic figure with an angelic face partly obscured by his hoody. The guy smiled at Win, to which the latter responded with eyes widened, a gasp and

"Oh my god...Your Highness?!" Win visibly shocked.

The Prince gave him a chuckle. "I thought you were familiar, so I came to say hi," the Prince still with a smile plastered on his face. "You also live around here?"

"Yes, Your Highness." Win answered without looking at the guy standing in front of him.

"Stop with the formalities. You can just call me Bright. After all, we are block mates." the Prince said.

This time Win raised his head and looked at the Bright, giving the latter a genuine toothy smile. "Bright." Win said to the Prince, and the two just stared at each other for a few seconds before the Prince broke it speaking.

"Do you regularly jog around the village?" Bright asked.

"Oh yes. It's how I clear my mind on weekends before braving the storm waiting on weekdays." Win answered, now more comfortable with the Prince's presence.

"Yeah. Next week will be bloodier. I've heard from our seniors that recitations would be deadly, especially on the first proper lecture week." Bright shared.

"Deadly it is. The cases are quite lengthy. I compiled them this morning."

"You did? Wow." Bright sounded impressed. "Uhm...if you don't mind...only if it's fine with you, can you share your case compilation with me?"

Win smiled. "Sure. I have shared it with Love and Khao anyways."

"Just this once...promise. Maybe after you can show me how to research cases properly?" Bright said with his baby eyes looking at the smiley guy in front of him.

"No problem, you high...I mean Bright. What the use of being block mates, right?"

After their short conversation, Bright decided to walk Win to the latter's house before heading to the mansion he's currently staying.

But to the surprise of the two, they learned that Bright's mansion is exactly in front of Win's humble family home. The Crown Prince's imposing mansion occupies the whole block while four houses, including Win's, occupy the opposite block.

The two bid goodbye, and if huge happy smiles were seen in their two faces upon parting ways, no one has to know.