Stupid Cupid

18: The Farewell

- Win's POV -

Bright told me everything that had happened. Apparently, I was gone for three weeks. There's really no concept of time in the 'in-between' where I was with my boss. It felt like I had only spent a few minutes there.

He told me he looked for me everywhere, even in places he knows I never visit. He admitted it was absurd, but I guess he was desperate to find me. I could see it in his eyes when we met again. For the first time in my life, I witnessed him cry. It was the only time I had ever seen an Azrali cry.

I know I should start being kinder to Bright now, but I can't help teasing him about it! "Hey, crybaby!" I call out as I extend my hand towards him to take the ice cream I asked him to buy. 

I'm sitting on a bench in Lumphini Park, where I received the card for Thitipoom and Neen, the defective one. Bright just tagged along. That's fine; I'll make him my slave for the day. 

He rolls his eyes but hands me the ice cream anyway. "Seriously, when are you going to drop it?" 

"Until you get tired of it and leave me!" I joke, laughing and waiting for Bright to laugh too or at least return a snide remark. Instead, all I get is a small, lopsided smile on his lips. 

Why is he acting like this? 

"Bright—"

"Win," he turns to me with a wide smile. Instead of feeling happy, though, a wave of fear washes over me. "Today, you're the boss. Let's go wherever you want. I don't have any cards with me. Plus, Tawan and Thitipoom are managing just fine without their cupid. For the first time, we actually get a rest day. Let's do whatever you want. What do you say?"

I look at him, feeling conflicted. A part of me thinks something isn't quite right, while another part believes he simply missed me. Seeing Bright take the initiative to spend a joyful day instead of a dull one nudges me towards the latter thought.

I jump to my feet and extend my right hand to him. "Come on, then!" Skipping a day of work can't be that bad, right? I've done worse things before.

Yeah, he just missed me. And honestly, I missed him too.

---

I told Bright I wanted to do all the mundane things I have always longed for. Stuck in a job 24/7, I only get to watch humans enjoy these experiences, and it makes me a bit envious. 

Right now, we stand in line for the highest roller coaster in the amusement park. 

"Win." 

I glance over at Bright, nearly bursting into laughter at how pale he is, his body trembling with fear. Really? Of all the gory things this man has witnessed, this ride is what scares him?!

"Win, le-let's go somewhere else!" He tries to walk away, but I tug on his collar, not letting him escape. 

"Nope! You said I'm the boss today, so I'm in charge! And the boss says we ride here!" I point at the towering behemoth, throwing him a big, bunny smile.

"But there are so many other rides! If you try those, you might not even want to ride this one!" Bright pleads, but no way, no how.

You might wonder why I'm so determined to conquer this roller coaster. As I've mentioned throughout this story, I'm a sucker for humans and everything they do. Watching them happy fills me with excitement. 

There's a place in Bangkok I adore—a charming little appliance store that's been there for years, passing through generations. They started with radios and televisions, and now they sell all sorts of appliances. Across from it is a park where I like to swing, watching various movies and series playing on display through the glass window. Sometimes, Bright joins me, even if just for a brief moment.