third time's a charm

04

"You know we kind of feeling offended here," Nani kept airing his complaints as he followed Bright to the kitchen along with Dew who nodded his head in agreement. "You left us during the rehearsal, right after you promised to treat us and help us get access to that exclusive club and introduce us to your hot cousin. What's going on?"

Meanwhile, Dew opened his fridge as if he owned the place and started rummaging his supplies. Bright could only glance in exasperation as he prepared to leave the place. "Would you two get out? I'm kind of busy."

"Yeah, kind of busy flirting!" Nani again. He turned impatiently to Dew, "Where's my glass of water?"

"Why are you so fucking demanding?" Dew thrust the glass of water to his chest.

"Why is this wet?"

"It's a glass of water."

"Yes, but your hand is wet too. Ew, I'm not drinking that!"

Dew ignored the other guy. "By the way, Bright. I was thinking we could have dinner later. Boys' night out since Off is about to get shackled in a few weeks."

"I have plans," Bright said and exclaimed, "Ah-ha! Found my shoes. Why are my shoes all over the place?" When he saw the two wearing each pair, he shook his head and gave up. "Are you two ever going to leave my house?"

"Nope," Nani simply said and sat down on the couch with his legs propped on the table ala King.

Bright slapped the back of his head but Nani exaggerated the pain and kept threatening to tell Off that he was a bully. Exhausted by his friends, he went to the other side of the room and started dialing Win's number, which he got from Off through his fiancé Gun.

The phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Win. It's me. Bright."

There was a long pause that followed, and Bright had to check if he accidentally dropped the call. "Are you still there?"

"Bright who?"

Confused but immediately Bright thought that perhaps he had forgotten. "Uhm, Bright Cassel? We just had a magical date last night?"

"Oh...you. Sorry, I'm quite busy at the moment."

"That's alright. Would you like me to make a reservation ahead of time?"

"Reservation for what?"

"For lunch? I told you I'm going to drop by your office and we could have lunch together."

Another long silence. Bright was now beginning to think that he wasn't speaking with Win. Either that or what they shared last night was nothing but a dream. Why was he suddenly acting this way? He had not a single clue. Last night, he was all sweet, charming, and quite flirty. Now, he was cold, bored, and a bit rude.

"I can't," Win said after that pregnant pause. "Also, I'm already having lunch."

"At seven in the morning?"

"Yes, we like to start early."

"Okay...then, what about dinner?" Once again, Win did not respond but he wasn't hanging up the phone either. He sighed, "Listen, Win...I think I'm being too forward here, but I really thought we hit it off last night?"

"Yeah, you're right..."

"I am?"

"Yes, Bright, you're being too forward."

Dial tone.

Did he just hang up the phone? Bright glanced at his iPhone several times before finally becoming convinced that Win indeed dropped the call. Okay, what did he miss?