Vintage

Chapter 11: You're More Than An Outsider For Me.

"Khun..." Bright carefully calls out to Win, but the younger man has been silent for quite some time now. His burger is left unfinished, and he's staring at the skyscrapers across the lake. The businessman has also lost his appetite when he realized that he just asked the wrong question to Win.

The subject of his father might be too sensitive for him. Bright let Win have his own space and he packs the leftovers in a paper bag, setting them aside. The older man scoots closer to Win until their shoulders bump with one another.

Win turns his head to the side to be met with the sight of Bright staring at him. "Pervert," he mutters under his breath, but it's audible enough for the CEO to hear him.

"Cute," Bright leans in and whispers in his ear. Win instantly hides his face away from Bright, just like the mimosa plant, the touch-me-not. His cheeks are rosy and Win thinks his face is on fire. "I think I've gotten enough of your attention," Bright stretches his arms upwards and wraps one arm around Win's shoulder. It is such a smooth move, really.

Win rolls his eyes in disbelief, though he doesn't even try to push Bright away. Instead, he leans his head more to Bright, resting it on his shoulder. He clears his throat, closing his eyes as he prepares himself to speak.

"My father was an amazing man. He was a brilliant engineer. He made me want to be like him, very hardworking and determined. Maybe that's why I've become like this. If I stopped, I'd never be as great as him to continue his legacy of greatness. I studied hard ever since I was in high school. Then, university came. Studying architecture was hard, but I love the field in general. I've loved drawing ever since I first got my hand on a pencil when I was two years old. My father kept the first drawing I made in a frame. It looked like shit," Win chuckles with a pair of teary eyes as he recounts the memory.

Bright smiles, laughing along with the younger man. He wants to say something to him, but he wants to wait until Win finishes his story first.

"Four years in university, I barely got enough sleep because of hectic schedules and deadlines. I also joined in multiple clubs like music club, swimming club, nature club, photography club and cheerleading club. And I'm used to it-multitasking, not sleeping and just work and work and work. My father tried to talk me into slowing down and taking some time off to rest, but I was unstoppable. I graduated three months ago, at the age of twenty-one," Win tells.

Bright can't help but try to piece everything together as Win is telling his story. He has been sleep-deprived since high school. Win feels like he needs to be as good as his father, so he has been working hard for it. The CEO then remembers the information about Win that he asked Phi Aof to search. Actually, there isn't much that he has gotten apart from Win's education background and the store ownership.

Win snuggles more to Bright until his ear is cupped on the older man's chest, near where his heart is beating. A tranquility seeps into his bones and he feels alive. "Your insomnia is due to your father...?" Bright asks.

"No," Win shakes his head. "Pa never told me to be great like him or to continue his legacy. In fact, he always reminded me to take care of myself and my health. Little did I know a month after I graduated, he'd pass away," his voice quivers. Tears stream down his face as he cries softly in Bright's company. "Now, he would never get to see me as an architect. He would never get to see me fly. I don't want to fly if he's not around. My wings are broken without him. I don't want to do anything. I just want to..."

Win leaves his sentence hanging, too exhausted to continue. Bright wraps his arms around the younger man, caressing the side of his arm delicately. "I think you should listen to your father, khun. You're doing great. As an outsider, I think you're doing just fine. You have your own store and from what I can see, you're very much dedicated to it," he murmurs into Win's hair.