Transcending To You

Chapter 9: ON AND OFF

The unexpected kiss had left Bright's heart racing, but he was determined to maintain his composure. He flashed a smile at Win, whose expression seemed to challenge him.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" Bright quipped, meeting Win's gaze head-on. "Do you even know the first thing about seduction?" he continued, his tone teasing yet playful.

Win's confusion was palpable as he tried to decipher Bright's words.

"Let me draw you a bath," Bright offered, seamlessly shifting the conversation as he headed inside to prepare the tub.

"Are you ready?" Bright emerged from the bathroom, his demeanor calm and collected.

Win's mind was in turmoil. He couldn't fathom why Bright would act so nonchalantly after their kiss, especially when it had set his own heart ablaze.

Bright assisted Win without missing a beat, guiding him to the bath and helping him undress with practiced ease.

As Win settled into the warm water, he couldn't tear his eyes away from Bright.

"Is the water alright?" Bright inquired, his voice gentle.

Win nodded, his thoughts swirling with confusion and longing.

"You really don't feel anything, do you?" Win remarked, his tone tinged with disappointment.

"Well, what would you like me to feel?" Bright countered, his expression unreadable.

"You claim to need time, yet you seem eager to rush ahead," Bright pointed out. "Why not take things slow?"

"But I can't stand the indifference," Win confessed, his frustration evident.

"You're already starting to nag," Bright teased lightly.

Win's mood darkened as he realized he was letting his impatience get the better of him. He wanted Bright to reciprocate his feelings, yet he was pushing too hard, too soon.

"I think you should relax in the warm water for a while. It'll help you feel better. I'll be outside. Just call me when you're done," Bright suggested, his tone gentle yet firm.

With a nod, Win watched as Bright left the room, a pang of disappointment gnawing at his heart.

Bright returned to the room, his heart heavy as he noticed the disappointment written all over Win's face.

As he changed the sheets and tidied up the bed, Bright couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration at the situation. "Look at yourself, Win," he mused silently. "You had everything figured out in your head at first. Now? Now that your wishes are starting to come true, you're letting restlessness get the best of you."

Taking a deep breath, Bright tried to muster patience. "Be a good boy, have patience, Will you?" he murmured to himself.

Returning to the room with a jug of water, Bright's thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Answering the call, he listened as Jacob questioned his absence.

"I won't be able to join you guys," Bright explained, his voice heavy with resignation. "There's a family emergency."

Concern etched in Jacob's voice, "But then who will play from our side?"

"Take Mathew in the team," Bright suggested, though he knew it was a last-minute decision. "He's good."

Jacob's frustration was evident in his reply, "At the last moment?"

With a sigh, Bright replied, "We weren't going to qualify anyway without Win."

"F*ck you," Jacob spat out, ending the call abruptly.