Chapter 7: Moonlit Bonds

The bar had finally closed, but the night was far from over for Brad, Wes, Diego, and Rich. The four friends, still buzzing with energy and laughter, decided to extend their evening. They picked up a few more drinks and headed to Rich's apartment. Once there, they made their way straight to the rooftop, where an incredible view of Baguio City awaited them. The city lights twinkled like stars, and the bright moon cast a soft glow over everything. It was the kind of view that made you feel alive yet small in the grand scheme of things.

As they settled in, the conversation naturally turned to Olivia. Rich's obvious crush on her became the subject of good-natured teasing. Rich tried to laugh it off, but the blush creeping up his neck gave him away. Brad, always the curious one, steered the conversation toward Wes and Diego. "How did you two even become friends?" he asked.

Diego grinned and leaned back. "We met at the same bar where you guys found us tonight. Wes was going through a tough time—his apartment had just burned down. He needed a place to crash, and I offered him mine." He glanced at Wes, who gave a small nod of appreciation. "Been friends ever since."

Wes, already tipsy, had his head resting on Brad's shoulder. The sight amused Diego and Rich, but they didn't comment. Instead, Diego grabbed his guitar, a familiar companion for moments like this. He started strumming the opening chords of "How Deep Is Your Love." The slow, soulful melody filled the air, and soon, all four of them were singing the chorus. Their voices weren't perfect—a little off-key and slurred from the alcohol—but the sheer joy and freedom of the moment made it beautiful.

After the song ended, Diego turned to Rich. "Hey, by the way, Wes and I are looking for a place to stay. I'm planning to hustle harder for gigs in the city, and it'd be great not having to commute so much."

Rich's face lit up. "You know what? I have a vacant room in my apartment. It's not much, but it's big enough. You'd have to share the rent, though."

Diego and Rich headed downstairs to check out the room, leaving Brad and Wes alone on the rooftop. The room turned out to be quite spacious, with a large window that let in plenty of light. It was cluttered with boxes, some filled with clothes, others with filming equipment, but it had potential. Diego's eyes lit up. "This is perfect. No more worrying about finding a ride home after late gigs."

Back on the rooftop, Wes had drifted into a deep sleep, his head still on Brad's shoulder. Brad, though sleepy himself, remained upright, a half-empty beer bottle dangling from his left hand. He glanced down at Wes's peaceful face, his eyes lingering on his closed eyelids, his nose, and finally his lips. For a fleeting moment, Brad thought he looked angelic, almost otherworldly. Shaking off the thought, he turned his gaze to the moon and, before he knew it, succumbed to sleep as well.

The next morning, Wes and Diego made their way back to their house to inform Lolo Tomas about the big change. The journey was quiet; Wes was lost in thought, replaying fragments of the previous night in his mind. Diego, nursing a hangover, tried to keep himself awake. Along the way, they stopped at a fresh mango stall and bought a few for Lolo Tomas. When they finally reached the bus station, they settled into their seats, the silence between them comfortable but reflective.

Meanwhile, Brad was busy at his coffee shop, giving his staff a detailed orientation on protocols. Ever the perfectionist, he spoke with authority and precision, his appearance as sharp as his words. But no matter how much he tried to immerse himself in work, he couldn't shake the image of Wes's face from his mind. He scolded himself for being distracted and redoubled his focus on the task at hand.

Rich popped into the coffee shop later that morning, his usual cheerful self. "Got a shoot this afternoon," he announced. "Just passing by."

"Oh, and Olivia?" Brad teased, unable to resist.

Rich laughed. "She'll be there too. Did I tell you she kissed a girl last night?" The two burst into laughter, recalling the hilarity of the previous evening.

Back at Lolo Tomas's house, Diego and Wes found him hard at work, fixing wooden planks and sorting freshly harvested vegetables. Diego didn't waste time breaking the news. "Lolo, we found a place in the city. We'll be moving out soon."

Lolo Tomas paused, his expression softening. "I'm happy for you, Diego. Just promise me you'll visit every weekend."

"Of course, Lolo." Diego hugged him tightly, the unspoken bond between them evident in their embrace. Wes, standing to the side, smiled at the touching moment.

By nightfall, Diego and Wes had returned to Rich's apartment. The smell of chicken adobo greeted them as they walked in. Rich was in the kitchen, stirring a pot with practiced ease. "Dinner's almost ready," he called out.

The aroma was mouthwatering, and when they finally sat down to eat, it didn't disappoint. Rich's culinary skills were just as impressive as his photography. The three of them were deep in conversation and laughter when a knock came at the door. Rich got up to answer it, and to their surprise, it was Brad, carrying a case of beer. "Thought I'd join you guys," he said with a grin.

The night unfolded with more food, more laughter, and plenty of stories. Each of them came from different walks of life, with unique passions and dreams, but under this shared roof, they found common ground. Their bond was growing stronger, forged through these moments of camaraderie and shared experiences.

As the evening wore on, Rich's rooftop became a sanctuary once more. Diego picked up his guitar, strumming a soft melody as the others sang along. Brad, usually so composed and serious, let his guard down, joining in the offbeat harmonies. Wes, quieter than usual, observed the scene with a contented smile. He thought about how far they'd all come and how, despite their differences, they'd found a home in each other.

Later that night, as they each found their way to their respective spots to sleep, a sense of gratitude lingered in the air. They didn't know what the future held, but for now, they had this—friendship, a shared roof, and a city full of opportunities waiting to be explored.