Rivals of the heart

10.Unspoken Tensions: A Party and Unexpected Moments

Bella's POV:

Tonight has been a whirlwind. The party's in full swing, and I'm having a great time, but there's this strange feeling I can't shake. It's like I can feel William's eyes on me, even from across the room. Every time I glance around, I catch him looking at me, and it's intense—like he's trying to figure something out or... I don't know, like he's keeping watch. It's unnerving, to say the least.

I try to brush it off and focus on enjoying myself. The venue is gorgeous, the music is great, and the energy in the room is infectious. But even as I laugh and chat with the people around me, I can't help but be aware of William's presence, hovering somewhere in the background.

Then, out of nowhere, a group of businessmen suddenly surrounds me. They introduce themselves politely, all smiles and handshakes, and I'm a little taken aback. I wasn't expecting to discuss work tonight, but they seem genuinely interested in what I do. One of them, Evan, stands out. He's got this easygoing vibe, and within minutes, we're chatting like old friends.

"So, Bella," Evan says, his tone light, "how do you find working at William's company? I've known him for years—he can be a bit intense, but he's brilliant."

I laugh, nodding in agreement. "Intense is definitely one way to put it. But yeah, he's good at what he does. Keeps us all on our toes."

Evan grins, clearly amused. "I bet. He's got a reputation for being demanding but fair. I'm sure he recognizes your talents, though. From what I hear, you're doing great work."

I feel a little blush creeping up at the compliment. "Thanks, Evan. It's been challenging, but in a good way. I like pushing myself, and there's always something new to learn."

As we continue talking, I realize that Evan isn't just another business acquaintance. He's genuinely kind, and there's an ease to our conversation that I really appreciate. It's nice to talk to someone who isn't trying to impress or flirt—just someone who's interested in a real conversation.

It turns out that Evan and William go way back. They've worked together on several projects, and Evan tells me a few funny stories about William from the early days of his career. It's strange hearing about William from someone who knows him so well, and it makes me see him in a slightly different light.

"William can be a bit overbearing sometimes," Evan says with a knowing smile, "but he's a good guy. Loyal to a fault, and he really cares about the people who work for him. Even if he doesn't always show it in the most conventional ways."

I nod, thinking back to how William's been acting lately. The intensity in his gaze, the way he seems to be keeping tabs on me tonight—it all starts to make a bit more sense. Maybe there's more to him than I've been giving him credit for.

As the night goes on, Evan sticks around, and we end up talking for quite a while. It's a relief to have someone like him around—someone I can trust to be platonic and not complicate things. I feel safe with Evan, and it's nice to know that there's someone in William's circle who's genuinely looking out for me.

Eventually, Evan excuses himself to catch up with some other colleagues, but before he leaves, he gives me a friendly smile. "If you ever need someone to talk to—about work or anything else—you know where to find me. William's a great friend, and I'm always happy to help out a friend of his."

"Thanks, Evan," I say, meaning it. "I'll definitely take you up on that."

As he walks away, I can't help but feel a little lighter. Maybe tonight didn't go exactly as I'd planned, but it turned out better in some unexpected ways. And as for Willam... well, he's still a mystery. But maybe, just maybe, there's more to that mystery than I thought.