18

BRIGHT'S POV

He walked in and looked at me, he had the audacity to smile at me... He sat across me and got ready to present... He was with another guy, and they have their own assistant with them. 

"Good Day, we're here to discuss some business, we represent the Opas-iamkajorn group of companies. The CEOs have discussed informally about being business partners, and also the other thing. I am David Richardson, company representative. This is Win Opas-iamkajorn, he would be in charge for overseeing both businesses to be dealt with." Mr. David said. 

"I am Bright Vachirawit, representative of Vachirawit group of companies as well. I would like to discuss the business with Mr. Opas-iamkajorn first before the better business if you don't mind." I told them. 

Win presented everything to be known about the exchange they are negotiating with our company... they are buying drugs from my father. They really suck big time. 

"I would need a copy of the proposal and I would have to get back to you on that in terms of the exchange, some points doesn't seem right to me." I told them trying to avoid Win's glances.

"Bright... please----" Win said trying to reach out to me. 

"We can still double the price sir, name your price." Mr. David said. 

"Well, initial proposal is 2 million, however, as risky as this business is, I'd like to double up the value and it'll be a deal." I said. Win looked at me like he couldn't believe me. 

Mr. Richardson asked for a little time to consult with Win. He seemed pretty disappointed with it. 

"Is there really nothing else we could do to negotiate other terms to settle with our initial proposal?" Win asked. 

"Double or nothing." I firmly said. 

"We are friends...." He said...

"This is business, maybe you could sort out your personal business." I told him. 

"Double it is then..." Win said after a few moments of silence. 

We then discussed the terms of chains of franchises and legal business they would be opening up with our help. We came up with conclusions and deals faster than what we had from the other business. 

The meeting was adjourned after all was discussed and settled, contracts were also signed. I immediately stood up from my seat and walked outside the meeting room but before my assistant could show them their way out, Win already tugged on my arm. 

"Hey, what's up with you?" He asked. 

"Nothing." I said coldly. 

"We need to talk." He said. 

"Really huh?" I smirked. 

"Are you mad at me?" He asked again. 

"Should I be mad at you?" I gave him back his question. 

He felt silent for a moment which was my queue to go. I started walking away but I stopped and sighed. 

"I still have a few stuff to sort out here, wait for me in the lobby then we'll go someplace to talk privately." I told him. 

I finished everything that needs to be done here in the company and made my way to the lobby. Whatever this one leads up to, it's gonna be messy. 

"Win, let's go." I told him, his assistant already left and we proceeded to the parking lot. It was a quiet drive but we made our way to my favorite spot at the outskirts of the city. 

"We are doing this my way. I have some stuff to talk about and you'd get your turn. We'll both listen, no interruptions to defend one self. Just talk it out first and then we could go defend ourselves after." I said. 

"Okay." He said. 

"Win I'm sorry I went away, I was falling apart, I didn't know what to do with my family falling apart right before my eyes. You know how hard I try to cope and be okay everyday, not to go spiraling down back to black void that we keep running away from. I have shits going on with my dad, as you saw, he got his hand on us again. We are doing IT with him again. It's all bad, but we have to, Ton is coming home and mom is figuring stuff out, and for them to do that peacefully, we have to sacrifice. I didn't want you to be involved that much. I know you already have a lot..." I said and sighed...

"Another point, Win, are you really ready for this? It may seem selfish but it really hurt me when you pushed me away when your family was there, when my friends are around you also don't want to be a couple, Win, pushing me away for that reason made me felt like you are not even ready for this, do you even really like me? or did you get in the relationship because I am there when you're lonely. Because I am all in this Win, and seeing you kiss a woman... my friend rather, makes me feel and look like a fool." I told him.

I signaled him that it was his point when I tried my best not to let any tears go from my eyes. 

"B-bright... I-I didn't know you were there... I was blackout drunk... It was the alcohol, I'm so sorry." He said. 

Hearing him admitting it breaks me into million pieces. I sighed as some tears fall. 

"I was having a hard time as well. My dad finally recognized me, he was financing Chimon and my mom as long as I work under him, I got trapped in situations as well. I coped with alcohol, I gave you the space because I was also having a hard time. Maybe, it's just really the wrong timing. But please always remember, I love you Bright, I always will, but it's just not the right time." He said which got me looking up. 

He was crying too, I could clearly see his face, as the sun was setting behind him. 

"A-are you breaking up with me?" I asked. 

"Bright, we both know we are new to this and as much as we would like it to work, it can never happen as long as we don't give it our best selves." He said. 

"Am I not enough?" I asked him as I tried to fight my tears. 

"No... not like that, I mean is, we both have shits to deal with and it's serious, maybe, at the right time, we'll meet again..." he answered

"Did you really love me? or was it pity? was it just the company you wanted? the free beach trips?" I asked.

"Bright... I'm really sorry, I love -----" 

"You don't. Shut up and get in the car, I heard enough and it's time for you to go home." I said and slammed my door when I got in my car. 

I tried so hard not to be blinded with the rage and pain while I was driving, I let him go down and then I immediately drove off before he could even speak again. 

I drove home to the townhouse, I grabbed all the liquor I could carry and locked myself in my room. I messaged my dad that business has been settled and I'd be away for the night. There are security details at this house anyway. 

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I woke up with a really terrible headache, I checked the time and it was around 4pm again. I missed classes and my father was looking for me too. Before I could stand up, I felt the sharp pain in my stomach which sent me running to the toilet. I forgot to eat. Great!

I fixed myself up as I asked our helper to get me something to eat. I asked Krist to send me everything I missed so I could catch up. The world is still spinning despite it all, I can't stop, it'll keep on fucking me over and over. 

I decided to go home to the mansion after my meal. My dad was there. He sure has a lot of time to be at home when his family aren't around. 

"Where have you been?" He asked.

"I gotta deal with something." I lied. 

"Like sleeping all day? What? Are we lazy now?" He asked. 

"I do what you tell me to do, you have no say with all the other stuff I deal with. Do you need anything?" I asked. 

"Talk to your sister, she was about to kill me when you did not come home last night." He said pointing upstairs. 

I sighed and made my way upstairs and knocked on Namtan's room. 

"I'm home." I told her. 

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" She yelled. 

"Chill. I was at the townhouse." I told her as I closed the door. 

"What happened to you?" She asked. 

"Shit happened. You need anything?" I asked. 

"Our father transferred us both a million each, he told me to thank you." She said. 

"That's the deal I closed yesterday. That's blood money." I told her. 

"Again, let's go book some flight this weekend?" She asked. 

"No. Mom and Ton is coming in a week. I'm saving the money for Ton, buy her everything she needs and wants." I told her. 

"Plus, we might need it soon when we go back home." She said. 

"We need to transfer that immediately to the secret accounts he has no access to." I told her. 

"Just go and be busy in your room, don't talk to him as much as you can." She said. 

I went back to my room but the thoughts constantly flooded my mind and I just can't help it. I went down and raided my father's stock of liquor, I stole a bottle and went upstairs. I did some of the school works half drunk and slept again. This is the only way I am coping. 

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I had to see Win again and again, we were dealing with the partnerships of the legal business but he was stone cold. It was like he was a completely different person, he was serious every time and only talked about business. 

"Oh, I know it wasn't released publicly yet but they have been saying that Mr. Opas-iamkajorn is already set up for marriage, he is his family's pride at such young age..." I overheard some staff talking.

H-he is gonna marry? I thought he hated his dad as well... Maybe I didn't really know him. 

I barely get through the days lately, I felt like my soul was taken away from me. It was finally Thursday, just two more days of work but Mom and Ton leaves the US today. Finally, freedom. Me and Namtan went back home to the townhouse yesterday but we still have some business to finish. Mom doesn't know.

"Hey, you got classes today?" Namtan asked me. 

"No but I have some plates to draw." I replied as I reached for the box of cereal. 

"I still have to pick up some stuff for Ton's room decoration, will you come with me? I also am going for some stress relief, promise it'll be fun." She told me. 

"Since when did sibling bonding became fun? Is it wrestling?" I asked and smirked as she stole the box of cereal in front of me. 

"Since our household became toxic." She said and smirked back at me. 

"I can go, I'll put the plate aside, I have time tomorrow." I told her 

"Yeah thank goodness you only go to school three times a week now." She said and started eating. 

We picked up a few more of the different sorts of decorations Namtan could possibly put in Ton's room. 

"You know she's gonna need us more than the decorations." I told her

"She needs everything, even with the trauma management and therapy she will continue doing, she needs to feel like we got her no matter what." She said and proceeded to pay for the items. 

We had our lunch and she drove somewhere near my favorite spot by the outskirts of the city. 

"This place is stress relief, we can have unlimited passes to throwing everything they can offer. My friend owns it, so let me just check with the lobby and we can forget about everything for a while." She told me. 

She talked to them and they made us wear protective gears. Namtan was also allowed to choose the music. There were all sorts of breakable stuff we can throw to the wall. It was fun and relaxing until we got tired. 

"Can you drive? I am tired." Namtan said and handed me the keys. 

Before we headed home, I brought her to my favorite spot. Just exactly when the sun was setting. Painful memories came flashing back at me, my favorite spot is ruined... 

"How did you know this place?" Namtan asked. 

"My friend suggested this one for me, I haven't checked it but I remembered when we drove nearby." I lied. 

We stayed there for a while and watch as the sun set... 

Time flew and we were waiting at the airport just an hour away from lunch, we asked our helper to prepare mom and ton's favorite foods as we pick them up. A few moments later, they announced that the plane that they were riding landed already. 

"What do we tell mom?" Namtan asked me anxiously. 

"I haven't really figured that one out..." I told her. 

"You haven't figured anything in your life out, I told you to fix everything with Win." She said and rolled her eyes at me.

"Shut up, here they come." I said when I saw Mom and Ton coming our way. 

We were catching up and all during the ride home, I did the driving for them and good thing traffic isn't that terrible yet. 

"Is this our home now? For good?" Ton asked. 

"We're still figuring that out, but I got your room ready, wanna check it out?" Namtan told her. 

They both ran up to Ton's bedroom to check it out as me and mom settled their luggage in the living room.

"How are you doing Bright? You seemed busy lately, you also seemed stressed, school has been tough?" Mom asked. 

"Just a lot going on..." I said. 

"or maybe, you seeing someone already? I'd prefer you and Namtan have that kind of company and relationship, considering how stressful it is to deal with this family." Mom sighed. 

"Let's go and eat first, we'll figure this family thing out later." I told her. 

We had our lunch and all, it was fun, Ton seemed to be fine. We asked her to rest in her room after lunch, as we are about to talk about what we're doing with our family. 

"Mom we have to tell you something." Namtan immediately said.

"What's up? My babies all grown up." Mom said. 

"I'd save the energy mom. This one is draining." I said and grabbed some tea for her. 

Namtan told mom about everything that happened and what we have done and are still doing, mom was shocked and mad at the same time. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" Mom asked. 

"We didn't wanna add up burden to you and we tried dealing with it on our own." I told her. 

"Ma'am?" Before they could speak, the head security already interrupted. 

"What is going on?" I asked.

"Namtan go stay with Ton." Mom immediately told Namtan. 

"There was this suspicious vehicle that was spying around a while ago, we traced it, it reported back to the mansion..." He said. 

"Okay, I'll deal with it." I said and he walked away. 

I sighed. What does my father want now?

"Mom go to sleep, get some rest. I will deal with this." I told her. 

"Bright, please, take care of yourself." She said.

I made sure she was asleep before I left her, I checked on Ton, she was already asleep as well as Namtan. I asked the security detail to keep an eye for everything suspicious around us. Lastly, I had to ask my father directly and called him. 

"Hello Bright." He said over the phone. 

"Do you have us followed or spied on? I swear, I am dropping everything I am doing for you." I told him. 

"That was me, I had to make sure you are all here now. I want you all to come to a family dinner, I need to discuss some terms with all of you, including Ton. I also left the directions to your mom, if you don't show up, your names are gonna be dropped as soon as I can." He said.

"You go marry your money." I told him.

"I know how precious Win Metawin is to you... I can drop their company as well. Stop trying to go against me, thank me actually, you get to spend time with your what? Boyfriend?-----" He said and I ended the call as I was started to be blinded with rage. 

This life sucks. 

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Thanks for reading! <3

Hang in there, Win's POV will be somewhere around the storyline soon :)