Love You More

Chapter 13: Calm Before the Storm

Disclaimer:
This is purely a work of fiction. The names of persons, places, and organizations used in this chapter are for creative purposes only and in no way reflect real-life interactions and connections. All characters used in this chapter are fictional, and any similarities to anyone living or otherwise are coincidental. Everything written in this chapter is just a product of the author's penchant for the dramatic and the creative.

"Good morning, Claire!" Wright greeted Claire who was seated on a long, metal bench with a black traveling bag on top of a tied-up box beside her.

"Wright! Are you here to see us off?" Claire put down the phone she was holding on her lap and scooted sideways to give Wright some space to sit on. Wright was clad in a grey hoodie, faded ripped jeans, a pair of well-worn sneakers, and a bulky black backpack slung over his shoulder.

"No, I told Win I will be coming with you. Didn't he tell you? Where is he?" Wright sat beside Claire and placed the backpack on his lap.

"He just bought water and some snacks for the long journey. He said you couldn't come because they wouldn't allow you to take a leave for four days," Claire explained as she placed her phone inside her tote bag.

"I managed to make some adjustments. I worked on my rest days so I can compensate for the days I would be away. I even did overtime," Wright shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as if what he is describing did not take its toll on him physically and mentally. Still, he chose to endure everything to make good on his promise to Win that he wouldn't miss the opportunity to meet his family for anything.

"And will you be compensated for that?" Claire furrowed her brows anxiously because she knows how the BPO industry works.

"No, it is unplanned OT, after all, but I needed to make sure I had everything covered before we leave," Wright sighed harshly as he remembered his sulking daughters who are wondering why he has no rest day all of a sudden and he needed to explain to them that he needs to do that so he will be allowed to come with Darwin to their province and meet his parents. Thankfully, his daughters understood.

"You didn't have to do all of that for me, Wright," Win said glumly as he approached the two from behind carrying the plastic bag filled with bags of chips and two plastic bottles of mineral water for the journey that would take more than five hours. The two looked up to him in surprise at his sneaky approach.

"But I want to, Win. I couldn't let the chance to meet your family pass me by just like that," Wright explained even as he scooted away from Claire so Win can sit between the two of them. He subtly checked out his boyfriend who looked comfortable in his olive green hoodie, black jogging pants, and high-cut, black rubber shoes.

"You had to sacrifice time with your kids just to meet a possibly unwelcoming family? I am scared for you, Wright," Win said in a cold tone even as he squeezed himself into the small space between his sister and his lover.

"It might take time for them to accept me but a journey of a thousand miles always begins with a single step so might as well make that step now," Wright shifted his position so he can drape his arm on the backrest behind Win.

"Quoting Lao Tzu so late in the evening, I can't believe you got yourself a man like this Darwin," Claire whispered giddily to her brother whose prominent cheekbones immediately turned into a light pink hue.

"Don't tease me, Ate Claire. Wait! I need to buy more water and snacks if you're going with us," Darwin held up the plastic bag filled with snacks he bought from a retail store inside the bus terminal.

"No worries, I brought my own. Mom even packed sandwiches for the three of us," Wright smirked handsomely as he patted the bulky backpack on his lap.

"Wow! And she used to be so hostile toward me," Win said wistfully as he reminisced about that fateful lunch date that proved to be one of the litmus tests of their relationship.