Breaking the Barriers • BrightWin

Twenty-Two

Meet Again

The smile on his lips faded quickly and the cold wind of the artificial air gusted against his bare face. His hand trembled and his heart was beating loudly as if it was about to ravage his ribcage while his eyes lingered on the name below. At the very sight of it, Win felt his heart fall into the pit of his stomach.

The tic in his face displayed the fear, anger, and resentment that were deeply stemmed in his chest. And all those emotions were directed to the name of the man. He wanted to shake his head in disapproval but his neck stiffened and his breathing hitched.

The voices in his head were interrupted by a knock. Then his secretary walked in. "Uh, sorry, Ar., but someone wants to talk to you."

He cleared as he placed down the letter on the desk before he asked, "Who?"

"But he didn't book an appointment with you, Ar—"

"No, it's okay. Let him in."

The lady just nodded in agreement before she stalked out of the room. Minutes later, he yawned as he closed his eyes but he heard the click-clacked sound of a stiletto heels against the floor and he then assumed that it was his secretary. True enough, she walked in again but with a man following behind her.

That made Win widened his eyes and when the man's eyes landed on him nonchalantly, he froze on his seat, so as the man across him. He was petrified by his presence; his heart pounded loudly like it had been in a race for a couple of hours now. He swallowed the lump building under his throat but it kept on forming up.

The reflection in their eyes was an indication that they were lost... So lost that they could scarcely utter a single word. Six years since they last saw each other. And even then they'd just glanced hesitantly at one another, neither of them expected to meet again.

Archibald, Win inwardly said to himself. He then travelled his eyes to man, from his head down to his feet. His features matured, there was no doubt about that, but he became more handsome. His shoulders broadened and were sitting proudly in his plain white shirt. He tucked his top in his blue denim jeans as he partnered it with a white sneakers; it was too different from what he used to wear before... But it had been years... Things might have changed.

The confusion in his secretary's eyes cut his train of thought. He tore his gaze to the man and nodded at his secretary as if a silent indication for her to leave the room.

He cleared his throat as he gestured the man to the opposite seat of his swivel chair. He then spoke to break the silence but there was no sign of emotion in his tone.

"Seat," he simply said, trying to keep as professional as possible.

Bright, on the other hand, took hesitant steps as he made his way to the empty seat. He couldn't keep his eyes off the man across from him. Deep inside his heart, he felt at peace and exhilarated, but his face flickered with fear... fear that Win might have planted wrath in him.

He's back. He gulped as his eyes trailed on his desk and it landed over to name-plaque. Winlace Zagreus. Wow! He was dumbfounded, beyond proud, and was totally happy for the man in front... that finally, he found his identity... but bitterness crept into his mouth when he remembered what happened years ago.

As Off's car disappeared to his sight, fury built up inside him. He then moved his gaze to his parents who strode their way inside their house. His expression drastically changed as he followed them behind. He tried to process everything that was happening but he couldn't believe a single one of it.

"Mom, Dad, what was that?!" He rasped and glared at them with weary eyes the moment they got into the house. It was as if he was tired of everything... Tired with his own family.