Rivals of the heart

13. Unwelcome Complications: New Living Arrangement and Unexpected Tensions

Bella's POV:

The apartment was still and quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner. I had unpacked most of my things and was trying to settle in, but the whole situation still felt surreal. As I was scrolling through my phone, minding my own business, a knock on the door interrupted the peace.

"It better not be him again," I thought. But, of course, it was.

I opened the door to see William standing there, leaning casually against the frame, a smug grin plastered on his face like he had nothing better to do.

"Well, well," he said, stepping inside before I could invite him. "How are you settling into your luxurious new digs?"

"Great," I replied, dryly. "I feel like a prisoner in a five-star jail. Thanks for that."

William laughed, clearly amused by my sarcasm. "Glad you're enjoying it. I do aim to please."

I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "Please who, exactly? Yourself?"

He smirked. "Now, Bella, you wound me. I thought we were becoming friends."

"Oh yeah," I said, rolling my eyes. "You forcing me to live here for work is definitely the hallmark of a great friendship."

"Hey, I'm just looking out for you," he said, his voice teasing. "I thought you'd appreciate the change of scenery. Plus, you're closer to me, and let's be honest, who wouldn't want that?"

I gave him a deadpan look. "Pretty much everyone, I imagine."

"Ouch," he put a hand to his chest, pretending to be hurt. "You're really going for the kill today, huh?"

"Just keeping it real," I said, unable to hide a small smirk.

Bella leaned back against the counter, clearly enjoying himself. "You know, you might act all tough and indifferent, but I can tell you like this setup more than you're letting on."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And what makes you think that?"

"Well," he said, crossing his arms, "you haven't packed up and left yet."

I laughed. "Believe me, if I could, I would've been out of here in a flash."

He grinned. "Admit it, you'd miss me."

"I'd miss the peace and quiet," I shot back.

William shrugged, unbothered. "You're gonna have to get used to my presence. We're neighbors now. Might as well make the best of it."

"Right," I said, feigning enthusiasm. "I'll start a countdown until I can go back home."

He chuckled. "You know, I like this banter. It's cute."

"Cute?" I repeated, giving him a look. "That's not the word I'd use."

"Well, it's not every day I meet someone who can keep up with me," he said, his eyes gleaming with that annoying charm he never seemed to turn off. "Most people just blush and get flustered when I flirt with them."

I rolled my eyes. "Good for you."

"That's what I like about you," he said, leaning in slightly.  

"Flattering," I said dryly, stepping back to create some distance between us. "And yet, I'm still not impressed."

William laughed, clearly entertained. "You know, you're fun to be around, Bella. You keep me on my toes."

"That's the goal," I quipped. "To keep you far, far away from me."

He grinned. "You might act tough, but I know you secretly enjoy our little chats."

"Sure," I said sarcastically. "I live for these awkward conversations."

"See? You're funny too." He winked.

I sighed. "And you're persistent. It's honestly exhausting."

He gave a playful shrug. "I'll take that as a compliment."

I couldn't help but shake my head at how ridiculous this conversation had become. "You know what? You're impossible."

"And yet, you're still talking to me," he pointed out, flashing another one of those insufferable smirks.

"Unfortunately," I muttered, fighting the urge to laugh. "But only because I have no choice."

William gave a mock bow. "I'll take whatever I can get."

I shot him a look. "You're unbelievable."

"Thanks," he said with a wink. "I'll be here all week."

"Yeah, unfortunately, you will," I muttered, closing the door on him with a smirk.

As the door clicked shut, I could still hear him chuckling from the other side. 

Today was already long enough, and when Mr. Brown knocked on the apartment door for the project, I wasn't expecting it to get more awkward. The moment he stepped inside and saw William sitting casually on the couch, his eyes widened just slightly, like he had walked in on something he shouldn't have. The look of amusement that spread across his face made me cringe, and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Well, well, I didn't realize this project was a two-person effort outside the office too," he said with a teasing tone, smirking as his gaze flickered between me and William.

My immediate reaction was denial. I couldn't let him think... that. "Oh no, no, it's not like that!" I blurted out, waving my hands to emphasize the point. "We're not together."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw William's expression falter—just for a second. His brows furrowed ever so slightly, his lips tightened, and for the briefest moment, he looked... hurt? No, that can't be right. We aren't together. He knows that.

William cleared his throat, hesitantly adding, "Yeah... she's right. It's not like that."

His voice was strained, almost like it pained him to say it. And for some reason, that made me feel uneasy. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was something in the way he said it, something more than just the words.

We settled down to work, trying to focus on the project. But the tension in the room was thick. I couldn't help but steal glances at William. His jaw was clenched the whole time, eyes focused on the papers, but he was quieter than usual. The casual banter we typically exchanged was gone, replaced with stilted conversation about work. I didn't know why, but his silence bothered me.

As we wrapped up what little work we managed to get done, Mr. Brown stood up, gathering his things. He looked between the two of us again, that mischievous smile still playing on his lips. "Well, I'll leave you two to... continue whatever it is you're doing." He winked.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, my mind racing with all the wrong implications of his words. "Mr. Brown, I told you it's not—"

"Yeah, yeah," he cut me off with a laugh, "whatever you say." And just like that, he was gone, leaving me and William in the suffocating silence of the room.

I stood there, avoiding his gaze, but I could feel the weight of his eyes on me. I couldn't shake the image of that brief flicker of hurt in his expression earlier, and it gnawed at me. I wasn't sure what it meant, but I had the sinking feeling that things between us just got a lot more complicated.