A/N: Sorry for the long delay!! Got busy with works.
*****
Two months later
Time flew fast after their return from Korea trip. Joss was still trying to impress Bright, but Bright was still stubborn. Still Joss hadn't given up on his love. He brought coffee for Bright every morning along with his favourite chocolate, sent cheesy messages every morning and night, volunteered to drop and pick him up, which Bright obviously denied, then his boss would take the bus trip with him. Sometimes he randomly paid visit to his yaai with fruits or vegetables and of course yaai asked him to stay for dinner.
Bright grew tired of telling him to stop. These days he let Joss do whatever he wants. The only thing which progressed was Bright no longer waited to go home to have his chocolate. He ate them when he felt tired. Sometimes Joss would see him eating that and there will be a stupid grin on his face which he chose to ignore.
Today, Joss was on site visit. He told he can manage it alone as the site was on his way to office. He didn't want to trouble Bright to come all the way. So, Bright was working on the new plan they have to present it to Tay that afternoon. Tay was in his last weeks of pregnancy so they planned to visit him that afternoon and show this plan.
When Bright completed his work his mobile notified someone was calling. He didn't need to check because of the special ringtone he set for his rowdy boss.
In call
Hello?
Brighty are you done with your work?
Yes sir.
Then come down after 15 mins, let's go to P'Tay's house for briefing.
Okay sir.
He cut the call and got the things ready for visiting Tay. When he stepped out of his office his stomach growled loudly. He checked the time, its time for lunch and he was super hungry because he hadn't anything as he was so immersed in his work and there was no chocolate today.
He ignored his stomach's whining and went to parking. There was Joss in his black car. He immediately occupied passenger seat.
"You got everything ready?" Joss asked driving slowly out of the building.
"Yes sir."
The ride was not so silent as Joss kept talking about his site visit and concerns related to it. Bright was confused when Joss drove somewhere away from direction of Tay's house.
"Where are we going sir?" He asked.
"To have lunch, there is a nice restaurant in this place."
"I thought we were having lunch at P'Tay's house."
"I forgot to inform we are coming by lunch time and I don't want to trouble mae Godji by going there unanounced," Joss smiled sheepishly.
Bright couldn't help but get annoyed. "That's why I said I will inform. Atleast we could have had lunch in office cafeteria."
"C'mon you always eat cafeteria lunch, today you should try something different, don't worry it's my treat," Joss said as he stopped infront of a fine restaurant. It was neither extravagant nor cheap.
Bright half heartedly got down and went with Joss. The board at the front caught his attention.
"Sir?"
Joss immediately stopped his steps. "What Brighty?"
"It says reservation must."
"Don't worry, I already booked a table for us." Joss said casually leading them inside. When he said his name, the waiter guided them to a secluded table at the corner.
"We'll call when we are ready to order," Joss informed so the waiter left with a smile.
"Something tells me you planned this sir."
"I didn't plan anything. I know this restuarant before itself so I booked a table when I was waiting for you in the parking."
Lies. He came to this restuarant two days before and planned this all along. He said he will inform Tay and deliberately didn't do it so he can have his lunch date with Bright. But Bright was still tough.
"I am not hungry sir, you can eat." He said passing the menu card away.
"Just eat something Bright," Joss tried to convince but Bright didn't budge.
So Joss ordered for himself and when the food arrived he expected Bright would have a change of heart, but still no.
"My yaai said if we eat alone when someone is watching us we will get stomach ache," Joss said taking first bite of his chicken fried rice.
Bright clearly got what Joss was coming to say. "Ok then, I will wait for you at the parking lot sir. You can eat well without worrying about stomach ache."
Bright stood up but immediately stopped by Joss. He held his hand with pleading eyes, "Bright you know..."
"You don't like to eat alone?" Bright asked rolling his eyes.
"See, you know me well!" Joss gave a triumphant smile as Bright took his seat again. He kept tasting each dishes very slowly enjoying every bite. He moaned on its taste and kept remarking about how good it was.
Bright was tempted. He was so hungry and he was in freaking restuarant which served the best pork balls according to his rowdy boss slash rookie food vlogger sitting opposite to him.
"You know you can order even now," Joss's voice woke him from his thoughts. He had dinners with Joss in Korea, so nothing can go wrong right? He then took the menu card and ordered his dishes.
Joss couldn't help but smile how Bright was adorably hiding behind the menu card even after ordering the food. His dishes came few minutes later and Bright also started having his lunch. Bright had to admit, the food was amazing.
"I will be back in a minute," Joss informed and Bright saw him going to the men's room. He didn't bother about it and continued his lunch.
His peaceful time was disturbed by a mobile ringtone which was certainly not his. Joss' mobile was ringing on the opposite side of the table. Bright didn't mind it and continued with his food. The ring cut off only to ring again.
"Why did he leave his mobile here?" Bright sighed loudly. This time the noise had got attention of few tables beside them so he hesitantly reached forward to take it.
He thought of answering the call but the call was cut as soon as he took it. He was about to keep his mobile back, but something caught his attention.
2 missed calls from Jonathan
He swiped the notification away to get a clear view of the lockscreen.
He was shocked. It was a picture of him sleeping on Joss' shoulder in very poor lighting. Others may not find it but he knew his self. He recalled when it would've happened and slowly realisation hit him. It was taken on the night were they were trapped in the elevator. But Joss said he didn't have his mobile, then how come this photo was taken?
He noticed Joss returning so he kept the mobile in the same place.
Joss noticed something was off with Bright, when he returned from men's room. "Shall we go?" He asked as soon as Joss took his seat.
Joss eyed the more than half of the untouched food in Bright's plate. "You are not going to finish this?" Joss asked suspiciously. One thing he noted from Bright was he never kept food. He always finishes it fully even though he doesn't like it.
"I am full," Bright replied simply and got up heading to the men's room. Joss wondered what happened to Bright in the short span of time and proceeded to pay the bill.
Bright washed his face trying to cool down. He was mad but mostly upset with Joss. He hated when someone violates his privacy and he believed Joss wouldn't do something like that. But the pic he saw earlier brought some unsettling feeling in his stomach. He felt like he was back to square one. He started to trust Joss for a while now and now he was not sure.
They both headed to the car silently because Bright ignored what Joss was saying. Joss was about to start the car when Bright spoke,
"Stop," he said firmly. Joss stopped very much confused.
"Did you forgot something Brighty?" He asked.
Bright was contemplating for a while now but he couldn't be in a closed space with Joss until his doubts are cleared. That's why he wanted to talk to Joss now itself.
"Can you give your mobile sir?"
"My.. my mobile?" Joss asked again to make sure.
"Yes sir."
Joss hesitatingly handed his mobile. Bright turned on the screen and showed their pic on the lockscreen. "When did you take this?"
Joss gulped loudly. He could feel Bright was insanely mad and he didn't expect he would be caught red-handed.
"Tell me Joss," Bright demanded again.
Gone his honorifics. Joss understood he messed up big time. "When we were trapped in the elevator." He answered softly.
"You had your mobile with you that night?"
Joss nodded guiltily.
"Then why did you lied that day Joss? You enjoyed watching me getting all panic when you could've just tried calling someone from your mobile? It must be really funny seeing me getting panicked and crying right?" Bright asked, tears were threatening to fall from his eyes.
"No Brighty," Joss quickly shook his head. "It's not like what you think."
"Then what was it?" Bright was enraged.
"I had my mobile with me. I thought it would be fun and romantic if we were trapped. At that time all I could think was how I will spend a whole night with you. I didn't think that would make you so distressed and I regretted it big time when you started panicking. After you passed out, I tried to call for help, but there was no signal. I am really sorry, I shouldn't have lied," Joss apologised sincerely. He was very ashamed even to look at Bright.
"Why did you take this pic? Don't you know having pics of someone without their consent is indecent behaviour?"
"I wanted to take pic to remember that night. I am really sorry. If it upsets you this much, I promise I will delete all the pics," Joss tried to reach for his mobile but Bright pulled back.
"All the pics? So you have more?"
Joss bit his inner cheeks. So dumb of him to let it slip, but he doesn't want to hide things from Bright. Not anymore. "Yes," he got his mobile, unlocked and gave it to Bright.
Bright was taken aback seeing his pic with Ame as his homescreen. It must be taken when he came to their house. He opened the gallery and there was a folder with sun and heart emoji. He opened it and there was many photos of Bright. When he was working, when he was chatting with Tay, Mix, when he was driving, when he was in Korea and the latest being a while ago, where he was hiding behind the menu card.
"Are you stalker?" Bright asked terrified.
"No, I am not. I just couldn't help when you were looking so good. Is it so wrong to take pictures of my lover?"
"It is and I am not your lover. You having loads of my pictures creeps me out Joss. I thought you were different but you also were same like everyone else."
"Yes, I am not some special being Bright. I am also a simple man who adores his lover and I didn't know taking pictures was such a big crime. Tell me, if I said I want to take your pic, will you allow? I know you very well and I know you will not allow. You didn't leave me any choice Bright."
"So you are saying I am reason for this?"
"I am not blaming or anything. Look, I am sorry for taking your pics without your consent but I want you to think from my perspective too. If you love someone you wish to keep photos of them right? That's what I did! You don't have to creeped out by me. You can delete everything and I promise I will not take any pics of you. But please don't be mad at me. I am sorry."
Bright deleted every pic of him and gave the mobile to Joss. "I am not mad, I am upset. Whenever I feel like trusting someone, things like this happens." He said slowly.
Joss couldn't get what Bright meant behind those words. "What are you saying Bright?"
"Nothing, just go to P'Tay's house. He must be waiting for us sir," saying that he fixed his eyes outside the window. Joss waited for few minutes and then started driving.
Bright was confused. Because for the first time he felt sorry for Joss. Things like this happened in university days too but Bright didn't feel sorry for the one on the recieving end of his anger and he never felt guilty for scolding someone.
I want you to think from my perspective too.
Joss' voice echoed in his head. He understood what Joss meant. Because he too did stupid things like this when he thought he loved Noah. His mobile storage would be overflowing with photos and videos of that senior.
He threw a side glance to Joss who was driving silently with deep sadness oozing out from his features.
Did I over react? Bright wondered.
******
Bright nervously bit his nails as they were stuck in the same place for few minutes now. But his tension was less compared to the man on driver seat beside him.
Joss looked behind to see his cousin trying to calm his husband which was supposed to be other way around. He could see how much Tay was trying to hide his pain. No one were ready for this unexpected labour.
"Fuck this!!" He hit the steering after they were stuck in another traffic. As minutes passed he felt anxious and negative thoughts started creeping in his mind. If this was going to continue he might actually break down.
When he was immersed in his scary thoughts, he felt a soft touch on his shoulder. He turned to see Bright gently squeezing his shoulder with an encouraging, assuring nod. That did pull him out from some of his negative thoughts.
After that traffic they were really lucky as the road was clear and they reached hospital quickly. A doctor was ready with gruney and Tay was immediately taken to labour room.
"Others wait here, New come inside with me," the doctor said and went inside.
Joss saw New looking terrified. He pulled the elder for a hug. "Everything will be fine P'New," he encouraged and New quickly followed the doctor.
Joss and Bright slumped on the steel chair on the opposite of the room. Joss was terrified hearing Tay's screaming and he was tapping his legs unknowingly. A small palm pressed on his knee signalling him to stop. Only then Joss noticed he was distracting others nearby.
"I am scared Brighty," he said to the man beside him.
To be honest, Bright was also scared. He could only imagine how much Joss was scared now. Tay was someone Joss really treasured. "P'Tay will be fine Joss." He tried to say with an assuring smile.
They both waited anxiously and after what felt like an enternity the door opened to reveal New with a slightly pink and swollen left cheek.
Both of them rushed to the elder. "What happened P'New? Are they alright?" They asked.
"P'New is everything alright? How is P'Tay?" Bright asked.
Joss noticed New being distant. It looked like their voices were not reaching his head at all. "Are you alright P'New?" He asked.
New's eyes looked even more distant and in a fraction of second he collapsed in front of them. Joss quickly caught him and they both held him until hospital staffs rushed to help them.
Joss and Bright were anxiously waiting again. Bright called and informed Mix to come to hospital. When he ended the call, the tall doctor stepped out from the room New was taken in.
Joss immediately stood up. "What happened doctor? Is he fine?"
"Yeah, New fainted due to high BP. He is sleeping now and will wake up in few hours."
"What happened to P'Tay? Is the baby alright?" Bright asked.
"Tay is completely fine and baby is also healthy. She is in incubator now as she was earlier than due. Tay is under sedation so that he can get a good rest. Don't worry young men, everything is fine." Mew patted his shoulder assuring them.
Both Joss and Bright heaved a sigh of relief. "I will be in P'Tay's room," Bright said.
"Then I will be in P'New's room." Both of them exchanged a small smile and went to their rooms.
Bright was sitting on the couch watching sleeping Tay. To think of it he felt like he is a family member now and it made him happy. A small knock was heard and he opened the door to see Mix along with someone with tall, muscular physique like Joss.
"Bright, how is P'Tay? How is the baby? Where is P'New?" Mix asked with worry not seeing the baby and New in the room.
Bright explained everything and Mix felt relieved. "So Mix, who is this?" Bright asked pointing to the other.
"I am Earth Pirapat, CEO of Pirapat Groups, soon to be Mix's boyfriend," the man introduced confidently and Mix kicked his feet blushing.
"I see... nice meeting you sir," Bright said with his usual business smile. "Well, can you stay here for sometime? I will be back in few minutes."
"Where are you going?"
"To P'New's room."
"Ohh!! You are going to accompany Mr.Hottie? Take your time bestie, I will be here," Mix exaggerated along with a wink.
"Idiot," Bright mumbled and while closing the door he could hear Earth asking him who was that hottie.
Bright entered the room after knocking. Joss was standing near the window taking in the sight of the sky. He didn't say anything and took a seat on the sofa. Few minutes later Joss also joined him.
"You are not going?" Joss asked after seeing Bright resting comfortably in the couch.
"Mix is there with P'Tay," Bright kept it simple.
They stayed silent for few minutes. "Congratulations new uncle," Bright said which made Joss broke into a wide smile.
"I am an uncle now," he said giggling. His spirit was lifted up 100 times now. "Too bad we didn't see her."
"We will meet once her parents wake up," Bright said.
"Thank you Brighty," Joss said out of the blue. "Thank you for being there for us. Having you here to handle things calmly helped me a lot."
Bright was surprised. He was not calm, he just know to hide it well. Infact having Joss was calming him. He can't even imagine how much he would've freaked out if he was supposed to meet Tay alone and everything happened today happened to him alone.
"I didn't do anything sir," Bright replied. Joss was little bit sad because he was back to being his boss now. They both stayed there silently and after an hour sleep took over them.
"Bright?" Bright heard someone calling him.
He opened his eyes to see it was New and something was heavy on his shoulder. It was his rowdy boss sleeping on his shoulder. He was not even surprised anymore. He slightly woke up Joss and headed to New.
They explained everything to New and in few minutes doctor cleared New was ready to go. They then went to Tay's room and after that they went to incubation room. New showed their baby girl through the window. They were mesmerized by her beauty. After some more talking with New and others they all decided to go home.
Joss offered to drop Godji at her home. Then he started driving to their office so that Bright could get his car. After what happened between them after lunch, Joss didn't want to risk it. With all the events happened later, Bright seemed to forgot their issue earlier.
They were almost near the office building when Bright's stomach growled loudly. Bright sighed in embarassment. He didn't have anything after his breakfast. His lunch was only few bites so he was hungry now.
"Do you want to have..." Joss hesitated his question.
"Let's have dinner," Bright's reply took him by surprise. So they pulled over to a small restaurant by their office. They gave their order and was waiting awkwardly.
"I am sorry"
"I am sorry"
Both of them said at the same time.
"You don't have to be sorry Brighty. It's my mistake. I shouldn't have taken photos of you without your consent. I should've respected your privacy. I am sorry for lying that night. Please forgive me," Joss said sincerely.
"I hope you don't do something like that again. I hate when someone does something which is not okay with me and lying too." Joss felt Bright was slightly opening up to him. "And I am sorry if I was harsh earlier. I was too rude."
"You were not rude Bright, I get your anger. Don't apologise," Joss said assuring him. Their food came at the exact same time.
"Let's forget what happened today and I assure you I will not do something like that again."
"Okay," Bright agreed. They had their dinner talking about few office matters and about new baby. After dinner they headed to office and Bright headed home in his car.
When he laid on his bed that night he let a tired sigh. What a whirlwind day it was! So many things happened both good and bad. That day Bright realised something.
Joss was silly in love, like a damn teenager, which brought a smile to his face. And he was still confused how easy it was for him to forgive Joss.
The biggest realisation was spending time with Joss without any works or anything to indulge is actually not bad. He was no longer afraid when he was alone with him.
___________________________________
How was this chapter? By the way, we are reaching the end. 2 or 3 chapters to go.
Just to be clear, you may think Bright was over reacting. But some people really don't like to be photographed. And Bright here already faced something evil which made him overly cautious and someone having his pics without his knowledge will affect them badly. That's why he reacted the way he reacted.
And, I have published a new TayNew oneshot 'Wedding Night'. So my dear polcas check it out and answer the question I asked at the end.
Please do vote and comment your thoughts.
Thank you for reading💖