Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 40: Bridging the Divide

Suho, Briley, and Brett found themselves seated at a trendy salad bar, a stark contrast to their usual lunch spots. The establishment was bustling with yoga moms and the granola crowd, each table adorned with vibrant bowls of greens and grains. The air was filled with the light chatter of health and wellness, an ambiance that seemed foreign yet oddly refreshing to the trio.

"She barely spoke to me," Suho confessed, his voice carrying a mixture of frustration and sadness. He ran his fingers through his hair, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil.

Briley, ever the embodiment of confidence, leaned back in his chair, surveying the room with a smirk. "Well, that's women for you," he said, his tone dripping with a cavalier disregard that bordered on sexism. "They say they want honesty, but when you give it to them, they freeze you out."

Brett shook his head in dismay. "It's a two-way street. Just be honest about how you feel, and then she'll tell you how she's feeling."

Briley scoffed. "Sounds to me like he's trying the honesty thing with the wrong chick," he said, reaching for his third cronut of the day. He eyed the waitress at a nearby table, giving her a wink as she turned his way. The waitress promptly turned around, rolling her eyes and ignoring him.

Suho, seemingly unmoved by the lack of an approachable audience, remained engrossed in their conversation. "Maybe," he conceded, his words tinged with a hint of sadness and regret.

Brett adjusted his glasses, offering a more sympathetic angle. "It's not about what you say, but how you say it," he suggested, his mild awkwardness overshadowed by a genuine desire to help.

Suho sighed, stirring his salad absentmindedly. "I know, but it's not just that. There's so much going on with my family... and now with Zuri. It feels like everything's falling apart."

Briley took a sip of his water, his gaze scrutinizing Suho. "Look, Suho, you're a great guy, but sometimes you overthink things. Women like Zuri, they need to see strength, decisiveness. Maybe it's time to just lay your cards on the table, be straightforward with her."

Suho appreciated his friend's perspective, but deep down, he knew it was a lot more complicated than that. Their relationship had become more intense since their fake-relationship contract, and Suho had fallen deeply in love with Zuri.

"But if you're really serious about her, don't fuck it up. That girl is gold, dude," Brett urged, trying to show Briley that he too, could give some helpful advice. "It takes a while to get to where the two of you are. She probably has a lot going on too, you know. But you can't do the hard stuff and leave it in her hands. Sometimes you have to man up and take the wheel."

Suho considered their advice, the conflicting approaches of Briley's assertiveness and Brett's thoughtful analysis swirling in his mind. "I just don't want to make things worse," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Briley smirked, a playful glint in his eye. "Worse? Suho, my man, sometimes you gotta risk it to get the biscuit. Life's too short for regrets."

Brett, finishing a bite of his salad, added, "But remember, it's about finding a balance. It's not just about what you want to say, but also about being ready to listen."

"Did you tell Zuri the whole truth?" Briley probed, not missing a beat, leaning forward, his body language suggesting a hint of suspicion.

"Not all of it," Suho murmured reluctantly, shifting his focus to the people surrounding them.

"For real? Just be honest, tell her the whole truth. You have nothing to lose." Brett implored.

"Bro, you fucked up." Briley insisted.

Suho pursed his lips, his resolve wavering under the pressure of his friend's words. "Okay, fine," he conceded, his voice betraying a hint of resignation, "I'll try to talk to her."

"Fuck trying, do it," Briley retorted, his eyes filling with intensity. "I may not be that smart but communication is essential to a good relationship. Now stop playing games and be a fucking man."

Suho nodded, determined to sort things out, and secretly wishing it weren't so hard, and that life would grant him some happiness. But life has no happy endings or a gift shop of love to make up for lost feelings, life is filled with people, each striving in their own way and space.