We somehow reach the parking lot safely and managed to get out without anyone stopping us. Well, a lot of students were staring at us but none made an approach.
When we reach Bryle’s car, we notice Paulo running towards us and I frown. What is he doing here? Isn’t he supposed to be at the restaurant right now?
“Sean! Alwin!” He calls out to us before stopping in front of us while panting.
“Paulo? What are you doing here?” I confusedly ask him.
“I told him to come here,” Sean replies.
“But why?”
“Because I didn’t know that you were going to call Bryle,” he explains and I frown.
“What? Didn’t you hear me talking to Bryle on the phone at all?” I ask.
“Well, technically, yes! But I was faster than you. You were panicking so I tried to ask for his help but then you suddenly called Bryle.”
“Bu—”
“Okay. Okay. Stop arguing now. Paulo’s already here so we can’t do anything about that anymore. I think we should go before my dad sees us here,” Bryle interrupts me before opening the shotgun seat for me.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the restaurant right now, Paulo?” I ask Paulo once we’re all seated inside Bryle’s car.
“Yes, but I got so worried when Sean asked for my help. I told Mr. Kittibun that I don’t feel good and practically ran here,” Paulo explains sheepishly.
“Mr. Kittibun is there?” I ask, shocked.
He nods his head, “Fortunately, yes. He brought his son along too.”
Sean and I exchange glances before I ask again, “What’s his son’s name?”
“I’m not sure but, I heard Mr. Kittibun calling the boy, Lucas.”
“And that explains why Lucas’ surname is Kittibun...” I mumble audibly and Sean agrees with me.
“You knew, Mr. Kittibun’s son?” Bryle and Paulo asks at the same time.
“Yeah... Remember that boy at the lockers, Bryle? That’s Lucas Kittibun.”
After I’ve said that, Bryle’s expression changes into something I can’t quite decipher and I don’t know why...
~
“Why are we here?” I ask Bryle perplexedly when we stop in front of a Mall. The Mall that Sean and I went to last time to buy a suit but didn’t happen.
Paulo and Sean are just sitting at the backseat quietly. Bryle turns off the engine of his car before turning to look at me.
“I was supposed to call you earlier to inform you that we will go out today to buy a wedding suit for our wedding but you beat me to it first. And now that you’re finally here with me, might as well just do it now. And I might become busy these next few days.” Now, I’m reminded of our upcoming wedding again. “Let’s go?”
We all step out of the car and trudge inside the busy Mall. Paulo and Sean are just walking behind us while talking in a hash whisper to each other.
“Alwin!” Sean suddenly calls out my name. I turn to him questioningly, “Why don’t we go back to that store we came to last time?” Sean asks excitedly but before I could talk back, Bryle beats me to it.
“Where is it?”
“Follow me!” He exclaims giddily and walks past us.
I just shake my head at my friend’s enthusiasm and follow him silently. When we reach the store, the lady from before immediately greets us.
“Oh?! You’re back! Have you decide already?” She happily asks me and I just nod my head. She turns to look at Bryle and squeals. “And this is your fiancé? Hello, Sir! Nice meeting you.”
“Ah, yes. Hello. We would like to try your wedding suits here,” Bryle says, direct to the point and the lady nods her head eagerly.
“Yes, sure! Come, follow me, please!”
~
After trying five suits for myself, I finally gave up and just picked the one I tried on first. It was just a simple white suit but the texture was very soft and I liked it. Bryle also agreed on it so he also picked a simple black suit that has the same texture as mine. We also bought a suit for Sean and Paulo since they will have an important role in our wedding.
After we bought a suit, Sean decided to go with Paulo, so we parted ways after that. I don’t know where they went but I can tell they were still strolling the mall that time.
These past few weeks, I’m starting to notice how Sean and Paulo became so close. They’ve been hanging around each other so much lately. I can literally smell something fishy between them.
Paulo stopped asking me questions about Sean and Sean has been so jolly nowadays and is always typing something on his phone. My hunch is telling me that they are keeping a secret from me.
Right now, Bryle and I are currently at a private beach resort his friend owns. He called me last night that he wanted us to have a small vacation before we’ll be separated.
My mom and his mom planned to bring me to Phuket the next day for my bachelor’s party while Bryle would only stay here with some of his friends and probably with my dad. We won’t see each other until the wedding so he asked me out today.
I still haven’t bought a ring for the wedding and the the date is getting nearer and nearer so I plan to buy a ring on Phuket. I will ask my mom to company me buy a ring. I’m sure she’ll gladly agree to my request.
It’s already late in the afternoon and Bryle is having fun swimming at the beach while I choose to stay on the sand and watch him swim. While watching him swim, my mind wonders to Bryle’s confession and to the upcoming wedding. Is this really worth it? Well, I guess it is. Bryle would marry me because he likes me and I’m contented for it. At least he won’t get to marry Nika.
And his confession... Should I acknowledge it? Is it worth it too? That, I don’t know. I’m scared to take the risk.
“Alwin! Come here and swim!” I hear Bryle shouts from afar. He’s really enjoying the beach.
I should probably take a swim to calm my racing mind. I need peace.
I stand up and take off my top before getting into the water and swim towards his direction. When I reach him, he suddenly pulls me closer to him and I squeak in shock.
“Bryle! What are you doing?!” I exclaim in embarrassment.
We are so close to each other. Our bodies are touching and I can feel his hard abs against my stomach that make me blush crimson. Shit!
He chuckles deeply and leans his face more closer to me. My eyes widen at his action but I didn’t move. “Relax... Why are you so tense? There’s no one else here. It’s just us...” He whispers to my ears and the tone he’s using is like suggesting something.
‘Oh my gosh, Alwin! You and your perverted mind!’ I mentally slap myself.
“Right... I-It’s just us. S-So we d-don’t need to be this i-intimate...” I trail off, stuttering in the process.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” He says.
“Don’t get what?”
“I already told you that I like you, Alwin. Why do you still keep on denying my feelings for you?” I can trace a hint of sadness in his voice and it is making me feel guilty.
“B-Bryle... I-I—”
I stop talking when he suddenly captures my lips to his. It’s just an innocent kiss but my mind goes blank and my heart beats erratically inside my chest. Different emotions hit me like a tidal wave. Some are bad but mostly good in some ways I can’t explain.
He pulls away and stares at me lovingly, “I can’t wait to get married to you, Alwin Chaidee.”