Chapter 27 #5
"That's nice," William forced a smile, looking past Elowyn at Seraphina, who looked like she just might actually kill him right then and there.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Elowyn asked again. "You seem kind of weird."
"I'm perfectly fine. Just a bit hungry."
Elowyn looked back at the clock, noticing it was lunch time. "I can make us something to eat," she turned to Seraphina. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet sweetheart, I was actually hoping to have lunch here with you," Seraphina side-eyed William.
"Perfect!" Elowyn gasped. "We can all have lunch together!" She grinned, making William let out another awkward chuckle.
"Actually, I have to go...do this thing, Ellie," Will said.
"What thing? You haven't even finished my nails, you never leave without completing them."
"It's just- I'm interrupting Elowyn," he threw his hands up, deciding to be honest with the girl.
"Interrupting what? We're just going to have lunch."
"Wouldn't it be nice to just enjoy a meal with Seraphina?" William asked gently, looking back at Seraphina who was still glaring at him.
"You mean you don't want to have lunch with me?" Elowyn frowned.
"No, no, I do! I- " William tried desperately to come up with an excuse.
"He'll stay and have lunch with us, love. No need for the sad face," Seraphina cut in, gently cupping the girl's chin to lift her face, checking to see if the frown disappeared.
As much as Seraphina wanted the idiotic man out, she knew if he left Elowyn would be upset, and that was something she just couldn't have.
"He already said no," Elowyn said.
Seraphina looked up at William, signaling for him to speak up.
"Oh, would you look at that? My schedule just cleared up," William forced a smile, not exactly happy to be having lunch with a woman who basically just murdered him with her eyes.
Elowyn watched him, suspicious of his behavior, but decided not to question it since he finally agreed to have lunch with her and Seraphina.
"Shall we order takeout, hm?" Seraphina traced the girl's dimple with her thumb.
"Sure, you guys can order whatever you want," Elowyn shrugged. "I'm gonna go get a sweater from my room. I'm cold," she turned and skipped away, leaving Seraphina alone with William.
"So..." William cleared his throat. "How's it going?"
"You know exactly how it's going Mr. Bennett," Seraphina walked to the kitchen table, setting her purse down.
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to trip."
"Ah, but you did feel the need to eavesdrop, correct?"
"I was just checking to make sure Elowyn was okay," William lied. "I promise I would have turned around if you two had kissed!"
"What?" Seraphina spat. "You're actually insane, do you know that?"
"Don't act like you wouldn't do it the second you get a chance," William scoffed.
"I never said I wouldn't, but what makes you think I'd kiss a girl who just recently felt comfortable enough to hug me?"
"So you do admit you like her!" William gasped.
"That part is quite obvious, no?" Seraphina rolled her eyes. "Quit acting like you're some sort of genius."
"Oh my God," William covered his mouth. "I'm actually going to cry."
"Please don't, I have a feeling you're an ugly crier."
"You're so fucking rude," William's voice trembling, the tears already rolling down his cheeks.
"Are you actually crying?"
"I just told you, yes!" William grabbed a napkin to wipe the snot dripping down his nose.
"I was correct," Seraphina looked at him in disgust.
"I already know I'm an ugly crier, we can't all be perfect!" He cried out.
"What is wrong with you?" Seraphina muttered, shaking her head.
"I'm safe," William wailed. "I get to keep my life."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"I'm Elowyn's best friend," he laughed through tears. "You can't kill me or even threaten to do so, since Ellie has you wrapped around her little finger."
"I never said I'd kill you, Mr. Bennett. That's just another delusional thought you've conjured up in your mind," Seraphina scoffed.
"So you do love me?" William smiled with teary eyes.
"As I said earlier, I only tolerate you because I have to."
"I'll take it," William said, opening his arms in attempt to hug the woman.
"Get away from me," Seraphina snapped, shoving the man away.
"Why do-"
William didn't get to finish his question as he was interrupted by a thud coming from the living room, making both him and Seraphina rush to see what had happened.
"Elowyn," Seraphina groaned once she laid eyes on the girl who was crouched down, attempting to drag a large box across the floor. "What are you doing now?"
"I'm trying to move this," Elowyn said, her voice strained.
"I'll hire someone to come and set that up, Elowyn. Just leave it there," Seraphina sighed, pushing the box away with her heel.
Elowyn didn't answer, she just stared intensely at the pointed heel of Seraphina's shoe.
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Following her line of sight, Seraphina immediately understood what Elowyn was staring at. She forgot to remove her heels when she walked in. "My apologies, love," she murmured, already turning to head toward the front entrance.
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"Do you even know how this got here?" Elowyn called out, finally looking up.
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Seraphina paused by the door, her movements graceful as she began to remove her heels. "I ordered it."
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"You didn't have to do that."
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"I wanted to," the woman replied simply, stepping out of her shoes.
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"I can set it up," William chimed in, stepping forward with a helpful, eager grin.
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"No," Seraphina's response came, sharp and immediate.
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Elowyn's face lit up, a mischievous, sudden idea sparking behind her eyes. "Actually, it's perfect! Will and I can set it up together."
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Seraphina's jaw tightened, her gaze flicking to William before landing firmly back on Elowyn. "Absolutely not. I'll have someone come by to assemble it properly."
"You don't think I can do it?" Elowyn tilted her head, placing her hands on her hips.
"I never said that."
"It was implied," William accused.
"Yes, it was implied," Elowyn repeated, getting up to stand next to Will. "How was it implied?" She whispered to the man, as if Seraphina wasn't standing just a few feet away.
"Because she's so adamant on having someone else come set it up. A stranger," he whispered back.
"You're very adamant," Elowyn told Seraphina.
"I am," the woman responded casually.
"Which means you don't think I can do it," Elowyn huffed.
"I want it set up without you having to do any work. Is that so bad?" Seraphina raised a brow.
"Actually... no. I don't think that's bad," the girl mumbled after she thought about it for a moment.
"Yes it is!" William argued with the woman.
"Yeah, it is!" Elowyn immediately echoed, turning back to face Seraphina with her arms crossed.
"You'd rather have a stranger come into this household, while our little Ellie over here is alone?" William questioned.
"Stop calling me little," Elowyn grumbled.
"Sorry."
"Her dad won't be back until tonight and I can't stay too late since I have class in the morning. So you really want her alone with a random person carrying power tools?"
William continued, determined to set up the piece of furniture himself.
"That's like asking for her to be put in a crime documentary.
"Do you even know how to set up furniture, Mr. Bennett?" Seraphina sighed.
"His favorite show when we were kids was Bob the Builder." Elowyn answered joyfully.
Not knowing what to say, Seraphina stood there staring at the two best friends in disbelief.
"You- " Seraphina let out a breath of laughter. "You think your favorite childhood show qualifies you?"
"You're acting like we're about to do rocket science. This can't be that hard," William insisted, rolling his eyes.
"Have at it then," she murmured while settling onto the sofa, crossing one long leg over the other. "Let's see if you can actually do it."
"Just me?" William questioned. "Elowyn is here too, you know."
"Yes, but I know she'll be able to do it. It's you I'm not so sure about," Seraphina smirked.
"Oh please, this will be a piece of cake," William chuckled arrogantly.