third time's a charm

21

"Whoa, you gave him your mother's ring?" Nani's eyes bulged as if he'd seen a ghost, his disbelief palpable.

"Yup," Bright replied nonchalantly, puffing his chest out with pride. "Mom and Dad are due back from their business trip, and Win's folks are wrapping up their vacation. It's the perfect storm for a meet and greet."

"I bet Auntie will faint from shock," Off chimed in, emerging from the kitchen to find Dew raiding the pizza. He shot Bright a warning glance. "But don't you dare tie the knot before us! As the eldest, I demand first dibs on matrimonial bliss."

Nani let out an exasperated sigh as he sat on the sofa next to Dew. "I can't believe this! We were supposed to be the forever bachelor brigade, growing old and cranky together. Now it's just you and me, Dew."

Ignoring the drama, Dew continued to munch on his slice. Off grinned mischievously. "Hey, why not marry each other instead? Then we can all bask in the wedded glow!"

Nani and Dew exchanged a horrified glance, recoiling as if they'd stumbled upon a haunted house. "Ew! I'd rather hitch a ride with aliens!" Nani retorted.

Dew snickered. "Given your taste in partners, it wouldn't shock me if you already have!"

Off burst into laughter. Amidst the banter, Nani redirected his annoyance at Bright. "You owe me big time! If I hadn't played detective, you'd still be lost in the dating wilderness!"

"Actually, Bright found Win first, genius," Off interjected. "He just needed a little nudge in the right direction. But hey, good job anyway."

Bright was too elated to care about their antics. "Yeah, thanks, Nani!"

Nani bowed dramatically. "You're welcome, my dear friend. So, are you really going to consult this so-called 21st-century prophet?"

"Self-proclaimed prophet, huh?" Bright chuckled. "It's less about what I want and more about what I need. I'm tired of this Madame Sukie squatting rent-free in Win's mind. He should be fixated on me, not some psychic charlatan."

"Ah, possessiveness," Dew quipped, pretending to shiver. "So romantic yet utterly egocentric."

"Why does that sound simultaneously sweet and toxic?" Off pondered aloud. "But hey, if it floats your boat, who are we to judge? Just be ready for whatever Madame Sukie throws at you."

Bright pondered for a moment. "Do I really need to be?"

"I'm with Bright on this one," Dew declared, fist-pumping the air. "You got this, master!"

Bright shrugged. "It's not like I don't believe in her abilities. Sensing emotions is one thing; tuning out the psychic noise of a crowded room is another. Eventually, you start hearing voices that aren't yours, thoughts that aren't your own, maybe even glimpses of the future."

Off gave him a long, contemplative look. "I thought YOU gave up on all that psychic stuff."

"It's hard to shake off," Bright admitted with a smile. "We're cut from the SAME cloth, but with a few extra threads."

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Win sat at his desk, his fingers dancing over the keyboard as he poured over his notes from interviews with Madame Sukie. Each word seemed to mock him, a reminder of his misplaced bravery in accepting Gulf's challenge. He knew the editor scoffed at the psychic's predictions, but without experiencing her talents firsthand, he couldn't dismiss them entirely. What would happen if Madame Sukie turned her gaze upon him?

He cast a brief glance at the vacant coffee cup resting beside his computer before drawing in a deep breath. His attention then shifted to his phone, a grin spreading across his face as he glimpsed the messages from Bright. Each message was a reminder of the adoration they shared, fueling Win's excitement for the imminent meeting between Bright and his parents.