Thirteen

•BRIGHT•

(POV)

Ame is sleeping peacefully at the corner of the bed. Unaware of the golden light peaking through the gaps of window curtain.

As for me, I'm wide awake, staring at the bedroom ceiling, thinking.

Today is different from my usual morning. For the first time in years I felt the sense of anticipation not because i'm obligated to wake up from the demands to do my job but because of A certain someone.

Demi.

I can't help but smile even a thought of her. She's an adorable minx. I cupped my face in frustration on why i said those words without thinking things through. Demi might be overwhelmed about what i said. I blur it out loud that i want her to be mine.

I really do. How can i win her over?

I went to her home yesterday and I'm relieved she didn't purposely rejected me. She was busy for her work. I'm a total idiot.

I felt uneasy the whole day and i can't focus. I almost call Moi and Kai for update but Win stopped me for being crazy and He annoyed me the entire day.

I want to stay there all night talking to her. she's charmingly witty. If only i don't have an emergency call from P' Eed last night.

I sat on my bed that made Ame stirred up on the comforter purring and cuddle next to my side. I touched her head then pet her like I usually do. She's my source of comfort in my most mundane hectic days. My sweetest daughter.

—

"You here already?"

I'm surprise to see her in the kitchen as i walking towards her to get my work-out post morning drink.

I thought she'll be back tomorrow.

"You don't want me to?" She tease me.

"Good morning Mom"

She is mixing something in the stove at the kitchen. She paused and look at me.

"I never see you waking up this early except if drag you." She said smiling and walk towards the kitchen counter to slice some fruits.

"And you look extremely in a good mood"

I laugh at her and hug her behind, "I just like to change things a bit. What are you cooking?"

"I made beef fried rice and steamed dimsum. You changing the topic. Aren't we?" She teasingly side eyed me.

I chuckled and shake my head as I went to the coffee maker area to get myself a coffee.

"It's nothing mom. I just excited for my next project with the guys." I smile at her.

"Okay." She nodded but not convinced

I don't usually keep secrets from my mom but for now it's not the right time to tell her about Demi. I want to make it official first.

"Anyway, mom, did Win dropped by?" As i sip my

coffee and sit in front of the table counter.

"He didn't, maybe he's still asleep. Can you call him, honey." She place the food in front of me as i rubs my hands together excitedly.

I love my mom's cooking but sometimes i'm a picky eater but Win is not. He eats everything my mom made and She adores him so much. He's benefiting of my mom's kindness.

I nodded and text Win.

"Where are you? Mom's here"

•DEMI•

(POV)

"What do you think?" Nervously said As i removed the cloth from massive painting.

I looked at Luke for his feedback as i fold my arm and bite my left thumb nail anxiously.

He paused for a sec, moves forward and stare at my huge piece of art work. Luke is standing still in his thinking pose, where his right index finger on his temple and right elbow is resting in his left wrist. He does that when he wants to concentrate. This time it's weird because he wears casual today; Army green expensive shirt and dark rugged denim pants.

We are currently inside of the warehouse located at basement of the exhibit area which is all of my art pieces for the exhibit are here ready for tomorrow.

"Come on Luke. The suspense is killing me"

He chuckled "Stop biting you're nail. It's disgusting"

I rolled my eyes at him.

"So what can you say? Is it good?"

He nodded his head and looked at me smiling " It's perfect Dee. This is you're best so far"

"Really?"

He messed my hair playfully and said

"Yes. Stop doubting yourself"

"I'm not doubting. Can you just complement me nicely, just don't mess with my hair."  Fixing it with my two hands.

"Why would i complement you stupid a**" he said mischievously as he walk towards my other art piece. To check the quality of the canvas and other items that will be used for tomorrow.

"Your lucky you're my friend. Jerk face" i looked at him fiercely as i follow him

He paused for a sec at looked at me weirdly.

"Why are you being grumpy Dee? Are you nervous for tomorrow?

"I don't know." I sighed "Maybe?"

"Relax Dee. We are will you tomorrow. Don't overthink things."

He about to pat my head but I removed it.

"Easy for you to say" as i bite my nail again.

We are heading to the storage where my smaller pieces are put together neatly. He puts on a white glove from his front pocket. He stop midway at said sourly

"Are you that nervous because your BOYFRIEND is going?" The grab a cloth put something on it and wipe the frame of my other smaller art piece.

"Luke, for a MILLION times. He's NOT my boyfriend.yet–

"–yet? Yeah right" He disagreedly

"–And why would i be nervous about some celebrities visiting my exhibit? Who are famously known all over the country? Who in their right mind would be nervous in such situation? I'm ecstatic. I'm good. I'm fine." I said as walk anxiously

"Breathe Dee. My co-workers are looking at you"

I paused and look around me. There are 3 people looked at me amusedly and trying to contain their laugh. I apologize to them shyly.

"Why didn't you stop me?" I slap Luke's arm

as my cheeks turned red like an apple.

"Ahw! Why would i? For a midget like you. You sure have a heavy hand. –

I slap his arm again

"–ahw!!cut it off Dee! I'm warning you. I'm calling Auntie."

—

I was putting circle paper-like decors for finishing touch to the center piece. I stayed up here last night painting with Luke and other curators for my show.

"Dee, you're dress is here with me. where should i put this flowers?" Kai asked wearing her asymmetrical dark teal silk-satin dress up to her knees which is classy by the way. She paired it with nude scarpin heels.

"Kai! you're a heaven sent! Just put it in the center table."

I grab the hanger with plastic over then  gesture her where some flowers are been put together.

"As always. How can you live without me?"

She said dramatically as she put away the flowers.

"Hardly" I said dryly

She pinched my left cheek and said "Get ready now. Leave it to Luke and the others. You're mother will be her any second"

I was supposed to fetch my mom at the airport but i'm stuck here for final touch ups earlier. The odd thing is she insisted that she just take a taxi. I'm a little worried. I don't know what she's up to.

I'm putting away the excess decor to the plastic container.

"She's right Dee, You're bothered face is stressing me out" Luke added removing the plastic container to me.

I sigh and said willingly

"Fine. Help me Kai"

"Gladly"

As i remember something and i looked at Luke sternly

"Luke, If she's here, keep her busy for me but don't be coaxed by her." He laugh and said raising his right hand.

"Scouts honor"

—

"Thank you coming and Thank you guys for having me here again. It's been a dreamy 2 years and i still speechless." I nervously smile at the guests

Standing in the mini crowd on a pastel pink laced wrapped over expose side detail midi dress that Kai forced me to wear and a nude stilettos.

"–In this pieces, I wanted to capture people's stories in my own way and make it come to life. I hope i give them justice, Stories that inspired me to live in the moment, to celebrate love and it's different forms.

–Please check and enjoy, if you want to know more about the piece just let me know and i hope you'll like it. Thank you"

They clapped their hands as I smiled give the microphone to Luke.

Finally i can relax now.

I had a chat with his mom, my mentor then talk with friends and people in the room. I didn't see Bright and his friends. Maybe they will arrived later.

"Honey! I'm so proud of you. I wish your Dad and the boys accompanied me today!" She immediately hug me tightly. She was with Kai, Charlie, Mace and Pete earlier.

"Thanks ma, it's okay. I know they are busy too"

I hug her back.

"It's a pity they can't see this. Just promise me to come home this holiday"

"I promise" I smiled at her.

She remove her hand and said

"Anyway. I want you to meet someone today. I invited you're Aunt Maria and her son Patrick–"

I rolled my eye and softly said

"–Ma. We talked about this."

"Oh! They are here already. Let me grab them for you!"

She ignores me completely as she walk towards the entrance of the gallery.

I tried to stop her but i was halted when someone is trying to put a navy blue blazer on my shoulder. A sternly voice i recognizes spoken.

"I really wanted to do this earlier but people always taking you away and I can't take their stares anymore."

I faced him surprisingly and said "Bright."

"As I promised. My cracked head friends are here too. They are checking your paintings. Have you received my flowers?"

I nodded smiling sweetly at him "Yes. Thank you. The tulips are lovely. Want me to tour you around?"

He nodded and smile at me

People seem to recognize him as we walk towards the first painting hall. I'm a little bit worried people will take a photos of him and post it on social.

He has this aura that people will second glance at him. He sure look handsome wearing a classic designer white collared shirt and gray pants even though you can see his visible tired eyes. He still looks good.

He raise his arm sleeves up as he followed me by my side.

"You looked tired. Do you want me to steal you away from here?" He said teasingly

I chuckled and rolled my eyes at him "it takes one to know one."

"Huh?" He said confusingly

I sighed and said "You look tired too, Bright."

He snicker at me said "that's why we're perfect for each other. We'll be a goodlooking tired couple"

I elbowed his side disagreeing at him as he laugh at me. My face reddening for his unannounced teasing.

I said alarmingly soft "Stop it Bright. What will your fans think if they hears you?"

He paused for second and looked at me smiling as he slightly pinched my chin

"I will let them know you're mine."

I looked at him stupefied as he walk forward leaving me behind; Making me stop from walking. I blink idiotically as my face more flustered.

Did i missed something? Did i already agreed to be his lover?

_