third time's a charm

12

For the rest of the day, Bright and Win spend it together walking in the park. To Win's surprise, Bright seemed accommodating and even told Win that he had been quite busy with his business and modeling gigs. In spite of the cautioning, Win couldn't see any signs that Bright was being vindictive after what he did. There was no question that he was hurt, this he made it blatantly clear. Even the hard glint in his eyes at the diner earlier was evidence of how upset he was. Aside from that, he was very forgiving and would like to give their relationship a chance albeit platonic.

Because of the way he was handling their connection, Win gradually eased and started following Bright in the park. There was calmness between them, a sort of mature understanding that made Win feel secure.

"You're still going to Off and Gun's wedding, right?" Although the answer to this was obvious, Win had to make sure that it was fine for Bright to see him there. After all, the man did propose to him and it would be weird to see the person he thought he would marry at his best friend's wedding.

"It's Off," said Bright. "He'll curse me for the rest of my life if I don't go." He chuckled as they continued to walk further from their friends. Bright glanced at him sideways. "I guess we get to witness a Hawaiian-inspired wedding in Cancun. That should be a month from now."

"Yeah..." Win nodded and his expression clouded hearing the nonchalance of his tone. This should feel strange but there was no trace of animosity that Win was beginning to question if what happened between them meant anything to Bright. Or was that all a delusion? So, he tried, "I really thought you were going to hit me earlier."

At last, a reaction. Bright made a face. "I don't have a talent for violence. But there are other ways that I could employ and I might still win."

It made Win frown. Was he jesting again? As he looked at Bright, he met the man's earnest gaze and thought---Ah, he must be teasing. Well, that was awkward. However, he had chosen to play along unaware of the hidden subtext in his words. "Other ways, huh? What are they?"

"I've got great skills of observation. I mean, that's what made me the man I am today."

Still baffled by the response, a black cat suddenly walked across their path, that Win instinctively avoided and even pushed Bright away with him. This made Bright's gaze narrow on his face as he remarked, "You believed that black cat brings bad luck?"

Win immediately stood straight. He didn't want Bright to know that he was an avid believer of superstitious beliefs and read his horoscopes daily. "They just scare me, that's all."

Bright nodded. "In some countries, black cats are also believed to bring good luck in many ways. Take ancient Egypt for instance, black cats are held in the highest esteem in that country due to their resemblance to Bastet, the cat-headed Goddess of Home."

He turned to look at him, surprised. "I never thought you'd have knowledge about those kind of things..."

"There are many things you don't know about me. In Japan, you'll have luck in finding love if you spot a black cat."

Bright's smile lit up his handsome face with a kind of boyish radiance. It made Win smile too as they went down the steps and toward another area of the park with the surrounding lake. "You sound like you adore cats."

"I do. They're something fascinating about them, so fiercely independent, curious, and loyal." Bright said as he looked out at the lake.

"Why don't you get one?"

"Been thinking about it. What about you? Any pets?"

Win thought for a moment. "I like cats but I wanted to get a dog," he admitted.