Chapter 10 - Do you want to play?

William also chanced upon the pictures while his father was reading the newspaper. Even though it was not clear, he recognized them right away. 

He went to the bar, but it was closed and only had some people cleaning and preparing for the evening. He asked the available staff if they knew the girl or anyone in her group but got nothing. 

Getting no leads the usual way, he was tempted to investigate it himself but resisted the urge thinking she might not like her privacy to be intruded on by a stranger. 

In no mood to work, he went to the all-familiar Apex park by the lake.

Despite its small size, Apex Park held immense charm in the city center.

It had a small rock mountain with a rugged path to the top and a natural lake and stream.  All of which were surrounded by dense forest. 

The entire area was preserved in its natural beauty, making the climb rather adventurous with fresh air, the calming sound coming from the stream, and a great view if you managed to climb on top.

As luck would have it, when William reached the top, he found Rosaline overlooking the city, lost in thought. 

William looked at the dazed Rosaline for a long time, but she didn't even notice. Wearing a white tank top, track pants, and sports shoes, she looked even younger but fresh and delicate. 

The melancholy that hung around her made her seem older and mature. It was a direct contrast to her looks. 

“Am I intruding?” William asked as he sat beside Rosaline. 

Rosaline was visibly startled and came back from her reverie. Glancing at the time, she realized she had been sitting there for almost an hour. 

She glanced at William as he patiently waited for her to speak. 

“What a coincidence!” Rosaline could not understand why she did not mind being interrupted, which was rare. 

“Is it because of the scandal?” William asked, unsure of what caused the disappointment in her eyes. 

“I’m alright. Just thinking about things.” Rosaline sighed before fixing her expression. 

“Why are you here?” Rosaline tried to change the topic. 

“I was hoping to scan the city from here and find you.” William joked, making her snort. 

“Like you have not caused enough trouble already.” Rosaline huffed. 

“Well, technically, she is not my girlfriend or ex.” 

“So, you implicated your friend and a total stranger. Yet, somehow, technically, you are not involved.” Rosaline retorted with raised brows. 

“...” ”Ahh!” ”Well!” William was at a loss for words.

Rosaline laughed out loud, watching him stammer awkwardly, scratching his hair. 

William was stunned again. Hearing her laugh made his heart tremble. The innocence and freedom in that laughter made him want to protect it forever. 

He cleared his throat and tried to focus, lest she became suspicious.   

“How do you want to resolve this?” He asked, trying to shift the topic. 

“What do you have in mind?”

“Find the reporter, trace it back to her, sue them both for slander. But there is enough room to cast doubts, and your name might not get truly cleared. Not to mention it’ll take forever to close the case.”

“hmm”

“Pete and I, along with our friends, who were in the bar last night, can clear it up with your family and relatives. But that looks suspicious as well. We don’t have any evidence against her, and it’ll make all three of us look wayward.”

“What do you truly want to do?”

William smiled.

It was the first time someone could read between the lines and accurately gauge his thoughts.

Even his best friend and partner, Albert Gray, only got better at it after knowing each other for years.

“Payback in kind.”

“Do you want to play?”