Vintage

Chapter 24: Ten Rings

Win has been anxious all day long. He has been thinking about the message that Bright's mother sent him yesterday. In his mind, he's fighting a war against himself. He wants to see Bright and asks him about everything, but he also doesn't want to force the man into telling him things. In conclusion, Win is pretty much stuck at a dead end so far.

Bright has been missing in action for the whole day, too. But Win knows the CEO is busy with his works, so he doesn't want to disturb him. Right now, he's sitting in the living room with his mother, late in the evening. Work was boring today, and he's glad he's home now. May Opas-Iamkajorn glances at her son, who's been staring at his phone for over five minutes now.

"Baby, what's wrong with you and Bright? How did both of you end up like this?" she asks, obviously concerned at the young man who seems to be mopping around a lot lately.

Win huffs, leaning his back to the sofa. "I don't know, ma. We haven't sorted everything out yet."

"Vanida told me about Bright's decision to marry you," May points out, resting her hand on Win's shoulder.

Win bursts out crying out of the sudden. A soft sob escapes his mouth. May instantly pulls him into a warm hug. "Ma, I... I've become so used to his presence and I'm scared," he finally admits that to his mother.

"I know that feeling, baby. But to love is to be bold in expressing yourself. Do you see yourself with Bright at the end of the day?" May asks, lightly pushing her son from the hug and cups either side of his face.

Win nods at the question. "I do, ma. I don't think I'll be able to feel what I feel towards Bright with anyone else," he smiles a little. May wipes the remaining tears on his face, smiling too.

"If you feel it, express it to him. You have to take your shot. Remember, you wouldn't be born into this world if I wasn't bold enough to ask your father to marry me," May grins proudly at her son.

Win groans, remembering the story that she told him. "Okay, I'll take my shot," he replies with a profound determination within himself.

"Good, it's because Vanida and her son should be arriving here soon," May nonchalantly pulls the blanket on her lap to cover her upper body, feeling a little cold.

Win gasps at that. "Wha-"

The bell of the house suddenly chimes. May presses the green button on the gate remote so that the gate outside can be opened automatically and focuses her attention back on the TV. Win shakes his head in disbelief at his mother's spontaneity. "What are you doing here, baby? Go open the door for them," May gives Win an are-you-kidding-me look.

Win narrows his eyes at his mother, wondering about what she is planning with Bright's mother this time. The young man gets up from the sofa and heads over to the front door, opening it. He looks at the time on his lock screen. It is half past seven in the evening. Bright has just parked his car in the garage.

Vanida is the first to get out of the car. She waves at Win with a big smile on her face as she's walking towards him. "Win, how are you today?" Vanida asks, giving him a small hug.

"I'm good, mae," Win rubs the woman's back, a habit of his when he hugs someone, and he notices Bright, who's walking towards them. The man looks very tired and Win feels bad for him.

"I'm going to see your mother now," Vanida excuses herself. Before she walks in, she whispers to Win. "Talk to Bright. Don't keep everything from each other, okay?"

Win nods at the advice. "Khrab, mae. I'll talk to him," he looks at the woman one last time before his gaze lands on Bright. The older man is standing still, not far from where he is. Win slips on his Crocs shoes and steps closer to the CEO. "Can I have a hug?" He carefully requests, spreading his arms in advance.