Chapter Text
When people said life is full of surprises, Win didn’t think it would be this monstrous surprise. He didn’t think that it would change his life in an overnight.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Officer Lee taps his shoulder. The sentence that makes Win’s knees go weak and his head pounding like crazy. Win feels his world torn apart. How? How can someone so beautiful, kind, and thoughtful like Love die when her life is at its best? How can his best friend leave him like this? She promised to teach him how to cook green curry. They supposed to go shopping tomorrow for Khao’s birthday party next week.
“The baby…” that’s the only word that comes out from Win’s mouth.
Officer Lee nods, “The baby is under the CPS right now. She was at home, safe and sound with her babysitter at the time of the accident.”
Pear. My poor little girl.
“CPS?”
“Child Protection Service. They took over her child for cases like this,”
Win’s heart stops beating, “Cases like this…”
“Orphan. Both of them died at the place,” the officer completes Win’s sentence.
No! “Oh, God!”
“I’m so sorry,”
“Win,” another voice comes from behind. Win turns around his body to the source and finds Bright standing there with red eyes and messy hair.
“Hey,” Win’s voice comes out hoarse, “Have you heard…”
Bright nods, “Yeah. Officer Podd told me,” he steps forward and hugs Win, “I’m sorry,” his body shaking as if he’s holding back and Win cries on his hug.
“Please tell me this is a joke, Bright,” Win pleads, “This can’t be happening, right?”
Bright doesn’t say anything but tighten his hug and buries his head on Win’s shoulder.
Win met Bright years ago when Love and Gunsmile invited them for dinner. The lovebirds just dating for 4 months and decided that it was a good idea to meet both of their best friends, and being a matchmaker. No, it turned out Bright and Win were the complete opposite.
The chic guy Win wasn’t pleased with how easy going and laid back the rockstar Bright. The whole dinner filled with Win threw sarcastic statements over Bright’s jokes and Bright laughed at everything Win said. There’s nothing but hate between them. If it isn’t for their best friends, Bright and Win would never want to see each other again.
“All he does is whining!” Bright sighed when Gunsmile asked him why he hates Win so much.
“Did you see how careless he was?!” and that’s what Win said to Love when Bright left the kitchen, after almost dropping the whole pudding that Win made this morning.
Although Love and Gunsmile knew how annoyed Win with Bright and how Bright strongly dislike Win’s controlling behaviour, they managed to bring them on every occasion to witness their most memorable moments such as their engagement. Win baked macaron and beautiful cake on their engagement party and of course, Bright sang. The party turned into an exclusive concert, the guests were Bright’s fans, obviously.
They also helped the lovebirds moved to their first house. Despite his busy schedule, Bright managed to spare his weekend only to help his best friends moving the furniture. For once, Win thought that’s a good side of this rockstar apart from his attractive face and hot body.
“The only good thing about Bright is he’s extremely hot,” Win rolled his eyes and Love was laughing her lungs out when they kept glancing at shirtless Bright who painted Love’s new kitchen.
“Oh, come on! Win, he’s very kind!” Love stated. And for that, Win was strongly disagreed.
Months later, they met at Gunsmile’s bachelor party. Win hesitated but he thought, Khao and Mike would be there so that’s fine. He came to the bar only to be kissed by drunk Bright, “I hate him so much!” Win was furious and called Love on his way back home. The rockstar didn’t even remember when Love asked him the next day.
Gunsmile and Love’s wedding day probably the worst. It was the worst for Win because Bright ignored him, the singer didn’t even look at him in one bit. What happened? Shouldn’t Win the one who behaved like that?
“Aren’t you two kissed a few days ago?” Khao chuckled.
They met again at dinner when Love announced they’re expecting. It was one of Win’s happiest nights but also confusing. Bright didn’t ignore him but he stopped teasing him. The singer only talked to him when he needed to. After that dinner, they never see each other again because Bright went on tour.
“If you hate him so much, why are you keep scrolling on his tour updates?” Khao stated when they went on brunch together.
Love giggled, “Because he misses him, Khao!”
“No!” Win probably too quick to deny, “Who said I miss him?”
Win did not miss him, of course not. He just wanted to know how was his tour. Yeah, that’s all.
Win stares at the high-building in front of him. This morning, he and Bright supposed to meet Gunsmile and Love’s lawyer. Their best friends have none but them. Love parents’ passed away four years ago and Gunsmile’s family are in China.
Just yesterday he heard the worst news in his life and all he wanted to do is curled on his bed, crying. Win just wanted to remember all the great things he has done with Love, cherishes their friendship in a way people usually do when they mourn. Not here.
“Good morning, Win.” Bright’s voice comes from the right side, Win turns around. The singer looks better than yesterday, no more red nose and messy hair.
He looks so fine.
Win smiles, “Morning, Bright.”
“How are you feeling?” Bright asks carefully as if he scared to hurt Win’s feeling. Both of them walk together toward the building.
“Hm,” Win sighs, “Still upset and broken heart, I guess.”
Bright nods, “I’d say the same but I’m more upset than broken. It’s not fair,” he says between his teeth. Win can see the anger in the singer’s eyes.
After talking to the receptionist, Bright and Win go the lawyer’s office on the second floor. It is a typical firm office, except the lawyer is not typical at all.
“Good morning, lovebirds!” that’s the first thing he says when he sees Bright and Win walk into his office, “I’m Tay, please take a seat.”
“Sorry, we’re not…” Win frowns, “Whatever.” he turns to see Bright and the singer stares at the lawyer, giving him the look. Win touches Bright’s arm and motions his head to the sofa, signing him to sit.
“First of all, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure this is a very difficult time for both of you. Mr and Mrs Chanagun are one of my best clients.” the lawyer states as all of them sit on the sofa.
Bright nods, “Thank you,”
“Now, you must have many questions,” Tay states.
“Yes,” Win nods, “Well, Pear. I mean, I think that’s who we’re both thinking of,” he turns his head to Bright and the singer nods.
“Yes, what will happen to her now?” Bright sounds very worried.
Tay nods, “I have already arranged for her transfer. The foster family that she was with last night will bring her to the CPS. They feel she adjusted best on her own environment. So first, she needs to be picked up and brought to Chanagun’s home.”
Win nods, “Okay. Who does that?”
Silence
“Uh,” Tay frowns, “I’m sorry. Did the Chanagun talk to you about their guardianship arrangements?”
“No,” the two answers in unison.
Tay adjusts his glasses, “Alright. Well, in preparing their will, we talked about who would take care of their children in the unlikely event that they should both die and they named you,”
Bright and Win stare at each other, confused.
“Both of you,” Tay adds.
Silence.
“Can you elaborate?” Bright breaks the silence.
“I’m sure this isn’t exactly how you wanted to start a family,” Tay states and Win quickly jump into the conversation.
“There’s a misunderstanding. We’re not even dating,”
Bright nods in agreement.
“Well, sorry about that.” The lawyer grins, “But, The Chanagun already decided that they only trust both of you to take care of their child,” Win can hear Bright exhales sharply next to him.
“Can…” Bright gulps, “Can I…” his index finger points to the door, giving a signal that he wants— needs to go.
Tay nods, “Sure. I’ll be waiting here.”
Without waiting, Bright and Win rush outside the office. Win quickly leans his back on the wall with a heavy breathing while Bright walk back and forth in front of him, pulling his hair, trying his best to breathe.
“Oh, God!” Win massages his head, “Oh my God!” he let out a big breath.
“This is crazy!” Bright stares at him, “Win, I don’t even know how to feed a baby! Pear is only one year old!” for the first time in his life, Bright feels so lost. He doesn’t know what to do and looking at panic and anxious Win doesn’t help at all.
“15 months,” Win says, “But yeah, I don’t know how to raise a kid either.” his heart thumping like crazy.
Bright exhales deeply, “God…” he’s panicking, “I’m about to have another tour!”
Win can’t blame him to react this way. He’s panicking too and his thoughts running everywhere right now. He’s not even sure if he’s still breathing. Taking care of a baby? I barely take care of myself well! How am I supposed to do with the baby?
They stay silent for a few minutes, or maybe longer than that, until Bright walks toward Win, “We still need to pick up Pear tho,” he says with calmer voice.
Win stares at Bright’s eyes for a second then nods, “We should. She only has us now… ”
“Alright,” Bright nods, “Let’s finish this.”
They walk back into the office, Tay is waiting for them with a big smile, “So, how are we doing?”
“I have a question,” Win states, “What if… one of us, on our own… by ourselves, chose to honour Gunsmile and Love’s wishes?”
“Or both of us,” Bright continues, “hypothetically,”
Tay nods, “Well, they named you. So I just set a hearing to grant you temporary custody until there’s an adoption, if neither of you could take care of her,”
“Adoption?”
“Yes. Love didn’t have any family left, and Gunsmile’s family somehow is not in the picture.”
Now the news breaks Bright and Win’s hearts. Bright turns his head to face Win who’s already looking at him, giving him a small nod for assurance.
“Let’s say…” Bright takes a deep breathe, “One of us, or both of us, take care of Pear.”
“Sure,” Tay nods, “The finances, the estate will cover the mortgage and that’s about it. They didn’t have much in the way of savings. They bought the house as an investment. But, let’s focus on Pear first.”
“Yes,”
“So, I suggest, the two of you move into Chanagun’s house in the interim for Pear.” Tay states with a loud and clear voice.
“What?!”
“You want us to live together?!”
The lawyer nods, “Yeah, for Pear. For now, until you decide what you want to do but it’s best,”
“Do you think she will be happy?”
Bright stares at Win’s worried face, realising that the chic guy must cry all night with that puffy eyes, he’s still the prettiest man on earth, “We’ll try to make her happy all the time,” he finally answers.
“This is…”
“Not fair,”
Win sighs, “Yeah. Not for them, for Pear, for us…”
“How old is she again?”
“15 months,”
“Do you think…”
“She won’t. She’s too young to remember their faces,” Win answers even when the singer doesn’t finish his question.
Bright feels his chest tighten, “So, she’ll only remember us. If… we….”
“Yeah,”
The CPS office is just as friendly as it can get. Bright never thought there’d be a time someone like him comes to this office. He can feel many sets of eyes lock into him, he just smiles and focuses on Win who’s standing before him, talking to a lady.
“They say she’s ready,” Win turns his body to face Bright, “Come on.”
Bright nods and follows Win and the lady walking toward the first room on the aisle. It is a waiting room with a big glass where they can see kids playing in the playroom. Bright can feel his heart thumping again.
The thought of taking care of a child is the least on his priority. He’s not even sure if he wants to have a child of his own. He loves his life as it is right now— doing what he loves the best, singing and playing music, tours, photoshoots, and every now and then, filming for music videos and advertisements. He loves his single-celebrity life but he knew how it feels like to be an orphan.
Win stares at the kids from the glass window and Bright sure he sees Win wipes off his tears away.
“Good afternoon,” a lady comes in the room and both Bright and Win turn their heads to the voice’s source, “My name is Earn. Pear is getting her diaper changed so she’ll be here soon. Now, can I please have your sign?”
Bright doesn’t hear the rest of the sentence after diaper. How am I supposed to change a baby’s diaper?
Win already signed the paper and now it’s Bright’s turn. His body shaking and he’s having a hard time to sign. Bright signs contracts, posters, CDs, merchandises, and even fans’ face all the time. What’s so hard to sign a piece of paper now?
The door opens again. Another lady comes with Pear on her hands. Win quickly stands up and walks toward them, “Hi, honey,” Win smiles, “Come here,”
Pear recognises him and opens her arms, asking to be picked up. She touches Win’s face and giggling when Win kisses her palms. Win turns his head to Bright and the singer walks toward them.
“Hi, pretty angel,” Bright caresses Pear’s head.
The baby smiles and opens her arms, Bright doesn’t wait but picks her up from Win. He softly kisses Pear’s forehead, “How are you doing, little sunshine? I missed you.”
She stares at Bright then rests her head on his chest with her hands hugging Bright’s neck, “Papapapa,” she mumbles as her fingers play with Bright’s collar.
Win bursts into tears.