Love You More

Chapter 3: Three's a crowd

"We thought you'd never arrive," First said as he opened the gate for Wright's motorcycle to pass through.

"We got confused on the last corner," Win apologized as he alighted from the vehicle, removed his helmet, and handed it to Wright before the older man proceeded to park his motorcycle at the proper area.

"We all gonna get wasstedddd!" Sylvia's voice rang from the inside as Win stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the main entrance to the house.

"Is he drunk already?" Win asked in confusion as he glanced at his watch, it's been barely half an hour since they left the office. Wright appeared at his side after parking his motorcycle.

"He's drunk with jealousy because Win chose to ride with you than us," First explained while pointedly looking at Wright.

"I thought he liked Wright?" Win furrowed his brows in confusion as he and Wright looked at each other.

"You know Sylvia, he likes everyone who is handsome," First said with a dismissive wave of his hand as he led the two up a flight of stairs.

"But Win is taken," Wright said simply and First chuckled nervously as he led the two inside his house.

"It's just a crush, Kuya Wright! Come on! A lady could dream, couldn't I?" Sylvia batted his extended eyelashes exaggeratedly at the newcomers as he overheard the older man's reaction before they even came to view.

Wright did not answer and everyone expected him to turn on his heels, straddle his motorcycle, and drive away like a man possessed. Instead, he started to remove his shoes while still standing in the doorway.

"Where are you going, Kuya?" Khris asked as he munched on a nacho chip coated with cheese.

"I need to take a leak," Wright explained as he placed his rubber shoes on a shoe rack near the entrance. Win followed his example and started taking off his rubber shoes before setting foot inside the house.

"You don't need to remove your shoes," First said in a slightly panicked tone when he saw what Win is doing.

"It's filthy. I do not want to track dirt into your house," Wright explained as he stood in the doorway in just his socks.

"You can wear these house slippers instead, the floor is cold," First gestured towards the shoe rack and Win took out two pairs of slippers and handed one to Wright while wearing the other pair himself.

"Thanks, oh before I forget," Wright said as he shoved his hand into his denim pants' front pocket and proceeded to hand First a crumpled yellow bill.

"What's this for?" First asked as he realized that Wright is giving him a 500 peso bill.

"My contribution for tonight," Wright said in a hesitant tone, afraid that he might have offended the host of their drinking session.

"Awww, you didn't have to," First sighed and Wright was able to heave a sigh of relief.

"It's not much but at least..." Wright began but trailed off as he didn't know what to say to make the situation less awkward.

"Here's mine too," Win handed First a crumpled 200 peso bill.

"I'm touched, not gonna lie," First admitted as he stepped aside to let the two inside his house.

As Wright entered the house and went in the direction First pointed him into, everyone discreetly dug into their wallets to see if they could at least spare some funds for the host of the drinking session. Most of them assumed that since First came from a rich family, there is no issue with shouldering everything for their semi-impromptu drinking slash unwinding session tonight.