CHAPTER 12 Taurus
“William.” I set my wineglass on the coffee table. “Why—how?” I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t understand why my father agreed to sell the apartment to William.
“Listen,” he said, licking his lower lip and running a hand through his golden hair. “I’ve had my eye set on this apartment for years. Before I even met you. We’d tried making an offer to your father in the past, but he refused. I’ve always dreamed of owning both apartments so I could remodel them into one. I thought it’d be a good investment for the future in case I ever wanted to start a family or a harem or whatever.”
“William Sj?berg!” I gaped at him with indignation and shoved his chest playfully, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him.
His lips moved to my ear to whisper, “Don’t worry, I’d appoint you as first wife.”
“Ha-ha.” I released myself from his grasp, feigning irritation, trying and failing miserably not to smile.
“Come here.” His voice was smoother, almost a whisper. I scooted closer to him. “You know I want no one but you.”
“You better.” I cupped his face and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. “If you want to keep your teeth.”
William laughed, and I leaned in to take another sip of my wine with a stupid smile on my face. I loved how playful our relationship was. He’d always loved teasing me, and I was afraid once things became official between us, somehow that part of our dynamic would get lost, but it didn’t. Instead, it felt balanced, and we waltzed around the different moods and interactions with ease.
“I can’t believe my father agreed to sell it to you.”
“We’ve started without you!” Tobias shouted.
“We’ll be right there!” I waved them off and nodded, quickly returning my attention to William. I wasn’t that hungry anyway. We’d been snacking all afternoon.
“That’s because he doesn’t know.” William poked the tip of my nose and smirked mischievously. “When I started investing in real estate, I created a company to keep my name away from the transactions, for privacy. So technically, a company I own bought the apartment, not me.”
“He’s going to be pissed when he finds out.”
“Can’t wait.” William laughed and took another sip of his beer. “The day after you arrived in Cape Town, I got a text from my broker saying the property was up for sale, and I immediately made an offer. He’d been instructed to be on the lookout for it, but I have to admit I was surprised. I never thought your father would ever sell it. That’s why I ordered the invisible door to be made because I knew it was likely that I would end up owning the apartment. But when I met you, I gave up on the idea of ever being able to buy it because I assumed it would end up being yours in the long run.”
“It’s insane how the moment my dad realized I went after you, he decided to sell it. He’s so drastic.”
He nodded. “Your recent rebellious tendencies landed me the girl and a shiny new piece of real estate.” He finished off his beer and set it on the coffee table. There was a pause as he regarded me in silence. “Guille, I want you to continue to live here.”
“William—”
“Please let me say my piece, and then you can go ahead and let your stubbornness run wild while I pretend like what you’re saying will convince me otherwise.”
“Be nice.” I lifted my eyebrows and dipped my chin. “Or I’ll make you.”
“Definitely into that.” William flashed the edge of a smile, making me roll my eyes at him. “But hold that thought.” He straightened in his seat. “I think it’s unfair for your father to want to control your life like that. You’re twenty-one, for fuck’s sake. And if you were nothing but a friend, I would’ve still bought this apartment, so don’t feel like I acquired it so you can live in it. I did it because I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to arise. For years. Now, if it happens that I can give my girlfriend a place to live, believe me, I will not hesitate to do so.”
“William, it’s too much,” I began to say. “You could rent the apartment in two seconds and make some good money out of it and—”
He shook his head. “I don’t need the money. It’s not in my plans to rent the apartment to a random stranger. I like privacy—I need it. So please believe me when I say there’s nothing else I want but to have you living here. Next to me.”
“But—”
“I would’ve also offered you the place if you were only my friend,” he interrupted me again. “It’s not like I’m planning to renovate it soon. But when the time comes, you and I can oversee the new architectural plan. Together.” William pushed a strand of hair away from my face and tucked it behind my ear. “I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not letting you out of my sight. So please, let me take care of you.”
He was making a good point regarding the privacy issue. He now owned the entire floor and could afford to keep the apartment empty if he wanted to. Renting the place to a stranger wasn’t a good idea. And I knew how generous he was with his family and friends. It made me feel relieved to know he didn’t buy the apartment specifically to help me or my situation but because it was something he’d been wanting to do for years.
But still …
“I can’t stay here for free.” This place was huge. I didn’t even know how much renting this place would cost, and I knew I couldn’t afford to pay its actual worth, but the only way I would feel comfortable staying here was if he let me pay something so it didn’t feel like a handout. Something that represented a considerable chunk of my miserable salary.
“You have a pen?” he asked playfully.
“I do.” Smiling, I stood and pulled out the stationery kit I kept inside one of the TV unit drawers. “I assume you want something to write on too?”
“I was going to use this napkin, but sure.” William extended his hand. “Give me something glittery.”
“Let’s see …” I gave him a pen and chose a Lisa Frank mini notepad with a dolphin and rainbow design I had owned since I was twelve years old. “Here you go.”
“Exquisite.” William laughed and tore out a sheet. He wrote the day’s date at the top, followed by: 9A Rental Agreement. In the second line, he continued with:
“Pen.” I extended my hand and swiveled my fingers.
“Just like that?” He seemed excited but suspicious all the same about me signing without objection. But I added three zeros after the $1 and he laughed. “Here we go.”
“Take it or leave it.” I summoned what I thought was my best poker face and slid the paper toward him.
“Remind me how much you’re getting paid at the magazine again?” He tilted his head and bit his lower lip in a contemplative way.
“Enough to pay a thousand bucks for my rent.” My poker face was still firmly in place. I couldn’t let him think for a second I wasn’t being serious about this. I was. But he could’ve easily swayed me into laughter, which would’ve only made me lose credibility. He would think I was negotiating to make it a fun thing.
“Baby, it’s too much.” He crossed out two zeros. “Ten bucks.”
“Honestly, William, I know you think we’re having fun with this, and we are, but it’s a bit insulting.” I grabbed the pen and wrote two zeros above the crossed-out scribble. “This has to be a challenge for me, or I’ll never feel comfortable living here.”
He sighed. “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”
“Help me grow up and learn to be a responsible adult.”
“I can’t,” he said, dragging a hand along his face and up through hair. “It’s too much. You need to have some money left from your paycheck so you can save or buy stuff you want or need, etc.”
“Do this for me, please,” I begged.
“Gimme.” He pointed at the notepad, and I passed it to him. He tore out another page and wrote the same script but changed the amount to $800. “I’m not agreeing to a penny over this, and if you don’t sign this right now, I’ll pack your things myself, and I’m moving you into my apartment against your will.”
“Yes!” I lifted my hands in victory and laughed.
He gave me the pen, seemingly upset about the agreement, but before he slid the note back to me, he said, “And there’s a special clause.”
“And what would that be?”
“You let me give you an extension of my credit card. And this is not up for negotiation.” He was dead serious. “For emergencies and other incidentals.”
“William, I’ll survive without a credit card. I can even apply for one.”
He kept shaking his head with his lips pressed into a tight line. “I don’t care if you don’t use it, but it’ll give me peace of mind to know you have one in your wallet that actually works.”
“And I’m the stubborn one?”
I slid the note in front of me, and before I could sign the silly contract, he said, “What about your tuition?”
“You’re not my sugar daddy, okay?” I laughed, and he scratched his jaw with annoyance. “My dad said he’d pay for my tuition regardless of what I decide. So, I’ll be fine.”
William seemed disturbed by the situation. I could tell it was hard for him not to be able to throw money at the problem, but that wasn’t the optimal solution, even if he couldn’t see it. It was best to do things my way.
I signed. “Taurus gonna be a Taurus.”
He groaned with exasperation. “I know you’ll be fine, but I fucking hate this.” He signed above his name and lifted the note. “I’m keeping this.”
“All yours.” I extended my hand. “Want to shake on it?” He shook my hand and pulled me in for a kiss. We reclined against the sofa’s backrest, and I melted in his arms. His fingers weaved through my hair and slid down my neck, his thumbs pressing on the outline of my jaw.
Someone cleared their throat, making me violently break off the kiss. William pinched the bridge of his nose with annoyance.
“I kinda need my mobile,” Liam said apologetically. “And you’ve got your arse on it.”
“Oh. Sorry.” I lifted my hips and pulled it out. “Here you go.”
“When are you planning to leave exactly?” William said.
Liam frowned and cast him a sidelong look. “Rude.” He unlocked his phone and plopped on the sofa beside me like he hadn’t interrupted us. William let his head rest against the sofa as he blew out a defeated breath through his mouth.
“What’s wrong?” I asked Liam. He gripped his phone tightly and stared at the screen, typing like a maniac. William nuzzled his head against my neck, his way of asking me to run my fingers through his hair. “So spoiled.” William chuckled and grabbed my hand to move it up to his head. He groaned with delight.
“Fuck this.” Liam seemed upset as he tossed his phone to the side. “Belen’s not answering my texts, and calls aren’t going through. I called her parents’ house earlier, and her mom picked up and said she was taking a shower and that she would let her know I called. So I know she arrived and must be awake, so I don’t get why she can’t text or call me back. It’s frustrating.”
Tobias and Nina joined us in the living room, and a low, playful growl rumbled in William’s throat like a territorial animal protecting its home. I knew he wanted everyone to leave. I wanted everyone to leave too, but the polite thing to do was to have patience and wait for them to go on their own, mostly because of Nina.
“Maybe she’s just tired and went to bed after showering?” I mused. “That must’ve been a long flight.”
“What’s going on?” Nina asked, taking a seat across from us and looking at Liam. Tobias sat next to her. It was evident that something was up, and she seemed genuinely curious and … worried?
“Belen is MIA,” I explained.
“Again?” Nina asked. “I thought you said things were going well between you guys.”
Now that was interesting. I wasn’t aware that Liam and Nina spoke about such things. Or at all. She did ask him for his number back at Lily and Joel’s engagement party, but I didn’t think they’d kept in touch.
Liam responded with a shrug. “You know how she can be.”
I glanced at Nina, and she widened her eyes. If I had to guess what that gesture meant, I’d say it was: I’ll explain later. And now I was hooked.
“Why don’t you try texting Robbie?” Nina suggested.
“Who’s Robbie?” I almost shrieked, feeling left out of the exchange.
“Belen’s brother,” Liam said. “And I just did. Let me see if he has replied.” He grabbed his phone and unlocked it with a heavy sigh. “Ok, so apparently, she’s at Gemma’s.”
“Okay, Gemma’s her best friend, right?” This much I knew. Liam had mentioned Gemma in the past.
“Maybe she wants to be left alone,” William tossed in. I pulled his hair. “Ow!” He laughed. “I don’t want to be mean, but maybe she wants to decompress from the trip with her friend for a bit.”
“Try calling her one more time, and if her phone is still off, just wait for her to call you tomorrow,” I proposed. “At least you know she’s arrived and alive.”
He placed the call and stood. “It’s ringing,” he said, seeming hopeful about the situation.
But Belén didn’t take the call.
Liam sighed. “I think I should go.” He slipped his phone into his pocket. “I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow.”
“I should go too,” Tobias said, standing up.
“Me too,” Nina joined in. “It’s getting late.”
“Sure.” I got up. “I’ll walk you.”
“I had fun today,” Liam said. “Thanks for having us and for coming with me to Jersey to get the flowers.”
“Of course.” I opened the front door. “I had fun too. Let’s do this more often.”
William cleared his throat loudly. I shook my head with a snort. He could be such a grump sometimes, but I found it endearing.
“We took care of the dirty dishes, but there’s still a lot of food on the table if you’re hungry,” Tobias said.
“We?” Nina interjected. “I did the dishes while you pushed up your sleeves, pretending like you were going to help me.”
“I was providing moral support.” He flashed her one of his charming smiles, and she hummed with suspicion.
Liam’s phone rang. “It’s her.” He fumbled with his phone but answered on the second ring. “Belén,” he said in a breath. “I’ve been trying to reach you. You turned off your phone. What’s going on? Don’t start shutting me out. Talk to me.”
We were all glued on our spots, eerily quiet, listening to one side of the conversation.
“Where are you?” Liam asked. “Are you at Gemma’s?”
Nina crossed her arms at her chest and stared at her feet, balancing her weight on her heels.
“I texted that son of a bitch a while ago, and he didn’t tell me anything about you going to a party.” Liam dragged an angry hand through his hair. “He said you were at Gemma’s. Just tell me what’s going on, Belén.”
More silence.
“But why wouldn’t you turn on your phone?” Liam’s voice sounded like he was feeling deeply hurt. “Or let me know you’ve arrived?”
Tobias was leaning against the doorframe and staring at Liam like he would freely donate his kidneys to know what was being said on the other side of the call. And by the look on Nina’s face, she probably felt the same way.
“Belén?” Liam’s voice went a tone darker. “Are you drunk?”
Uh-oh.
“I need you to tell me exactly where you are, Belén. Do you know where you are? I’ll come get you. I’ll take you home, and we’ll figure things out. Just give me an address.”
Liam pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes for a second. “I’ll be right there.”
I peeked over my shoulder and saw William either asleep or about to fall asleep on the couch.
“Robbie, is she okay?” He kept nodding and saying okay a few times. “Text me the address. We’re on our way to Jersey.” Liam ended the call.
“Who’s we?” Tobias asked.
“You and I, of course.” Liam spotted William’s keys to the Porsche on the table and glanced at him dozing off in the living room before grabbing them. “And you’re driving.” He tossed the keys to Tobias, who caught them against his chest. Stars twinkled in Tobias’s eyes, and the corners of his lips slowly drew into a smile.
“Oh, no, no, no, no, no.” I chased after them as they fled toward the elevator. “Tobias, you’re not thinking straight. William is going to murder you.” He tossed the keys back to Liam and laughed. I turned my attention to Liam and extended my hand. “Give. Them. Back.”
“Red … please.” He was making a sad puppy face that disarmed me and made me lose focus on the task at hand, which consisted of recovering William’s keys. “I need to go check on her. She’s drunk. She never drinks. Something’s wrong. I know she’s having a hard time about her performance in China, but this is so unlike her. I need to go.”
“Ask Cooper to drive you there,” I suggested.
“I think he’s off right now. Plus where’s the fun in that?” Tobias replied, high-fiving an eager but anxious Liam.
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened. Tobias and Liam rushed in, and there was nothing I could do to stop them to retrieve William’s keys. I let out a defeated sigh as the doors closed in front of me.
When I turned around, I saw Nina leaning against the doorframe staring at nothing as if buried deep in her thoughts.
“You and I have lots to talk about,” I said, pointing a finger at her, sounding more like a school principal than anything else, closing the distance between us.
“We … do.”