Breaking the Barriers • BrightWin

Twenty-Three

Lunch

Bun? Bright laughed inwardly as a pang of pain hit his chest. That had disturbed him and had left him to his thoughts as jealousy prickled his skin. They then heard the door closing, indicating that Up went out.

That made Bright let out a sigh of relief. Now that they were alone together again, the atmosphere grew heavy once more as he saw Win look at him intently as if he created a crime.

"Uh-" He was about to ask what was wrong when Win butt in.

"What? Are you going to watch me change my clothes?" Win definitely asked him in some overly dramatic tone, one of his brows shot up.

Bright cheeks flushed and a wave of embarrassment crawled his system when he realized Win was looking directly at him as he waited for him to go out. He shuffled in his seat and softly uttered, "Oh, S-sorry."

Win was just going to pull his coat out and leave the first three buttons of his white long-sleeve shirt open but it seemed informal to do it right in front of someone. He saw how Bright immediately bowed his head a little and gulped before he stalked his way towards the door.

The moment Bright walked out of Win's office, he was immediately greeted by Up who was sitting casually on the couch while fidgeting his phone.

"Hey," Up stood up and spoke in a friendly manner when he noticed Bright's presence. "Bright, right?"

Of course he already knew who he was, he just wanted to see the man's reaction. And to his utter shock, Bright's eyes were cold, causing Up to smile to himself. When he didn't receive a response, he shrugged his shoulders off and lifted his arm, his biceps protruded as he handed Bright his hand. "Up,"

Bright just hummed before simply shaking his hand. Up pursed his lips, trying to stifle a smile. "Join us! We'll have our lunch."

"No thanks," Bright uttered, now a little vexed at the man in front of him. What would he do there anyway? Join them as their third-wheel? He let out a small laugh; bitterness wrapped his face when couldn't quite contain the bitter taste from clawing at the back of his tongue.

But he was more annoyed at himself. Who was he to feel envious, by the way? He should feel happy for Win... but he couldn't help himself but feel annoyed again when Up spoke.

"Why?" Up replied, somewhat eager to tease the other guy.

Bright just rolled his eyes and heaved a harsh sigh as he stepped forward, as if he was about to leave, but came into a halt when he heard a door creaking open. Slowly, he turned behind and saw Win come out, his coat was now resting on his forearm.

"Let's go?" Win said to Up but his eyes nonchalantly found the person beside Up. He cussed mentally to himself as he stared at him for too long.

"I invited him to have lunch with us... cous," Up spoke.

A line creased Win's forehead when he noticed how Up emphasized the last word, drawing it out. Up never called him that... ever. His brows knitted together as he looked at his cousin intently, almost threatening.

Upon hearing it, Bright's mouth hung open, trying to register it. His stomach turning in knots as another episode of guilt washed over him completely for concluding that way.

Win heaved a breath. "Are you going or not?" He asked, annoyed as Bright was just staring at him for almost five minutes now.

Just earlier, Bright rejected Up's offer, but he couldn't find himself to respond now. In the end, he simply nodded and followed them behind. They stopped in front of a shining white Porsche and Up went to the black SUV beside it.