Here All Along

chapter - 45

A/n: some softness is coming ahead to melt your heart (it's not between BW let me clarify beforehand lol) but it's something very important. A great character development I'd say.

Guess who I'm talking about?

....

Bright runs into his room and slams the door shut. His chest heaves up and down as he wends his way to the washroom, splashing cold water on his face. Again and again until he can convince himself that the feeling of Win's lips is not on his own anymore. Except it is, for it never left at first place.

"Fuck.." he hisses lowly, "get a grip."

His phone rings loudly on the bed, demanding his attention. Bright wipes his face before swiping up.

Adam waves on the other side of the screen.

"Hey Bright! you called yesterday? I just came to office. How are you?"

Bright smiles in small, planting himself in the bed.

"I'm good. How are you doing?"

"Great. What was it that you wanted to tell me?"

"Win is back from Seoul" Bright sighs, leaning against the bedhead.

"O...kay?" Adam says, his eyebrows quirked up in an obvious surprise, "and how do you feel about it?"

"I'm happy, obviously. What kind of question is that" Bright scoffs lightly, "I'm happier than I can even tell in words."

"So are you two back being friends again?"

Bright stares in space for a while before shaking his head.

"We are trying. But it's so difficult to be just friends with him now, you know" Bright breathes out, pulling his hair in slight frustration.

"And what about him?" Adam asks gently, "does he want your friendship?"

"I never know what he wants" says Bright, slowly and with a sadness that he knows will last longer than a night.

"I thought you could read through him. How come you have no clue?"

"I don't want to read through him anymore Adam" Bright says sternly, "I am not going to present myself in a platter for him. He has to earn me if he wants me."

Adam smiles, a pride flickering in his eyes before he nods in approval.

"Is there something that's bothering you Bright?"

"I don't get it!" Bright groans petulantly, "why do I always end up at him? I try to love other people but it's not the same with anybody else, Adam. I thought the distance would help me get over him. But it has not. What's the point of putting so much efforts in this when i still can't resist him?"

"Of course there's a point" Adam says, "may be you still prioritize him but now you have learnt to consider other factors as well. You are asking questions, thinking rationally and trying not to hurt yourself. It's a big thing Bright. You said he has to earn your love. Doesn't it already show you how you have changed for better?"

"But -"

"It's love, Bright" Adam says, smiling, "there are no rules. Some people instantly get over their lifetime love. Some hold on to that one random stranger they saw in a park years ago. You have to choose what's best for you."

Win is the best for me...Bright almost says but stops himself.

"I don't want to hurt Neen. I like her. Yes, I like her and I can't hurt her."

Adam sighs, "the more you try to save people from hurt, the more you hurt them Bright."

"He doesn't want me. If he did, he would have told me already."