Finding my way to you

William Brown was back home in Apex city to enjoy his vacation. 3-years ago, at the age of 20, he graduated with a double doctorate in Architecture and Computer Engineering. But he only told everyone back home that he got a post-grad degree in Architecture. In the past three years, he worked in the highly reputable Scott Designs in Z city as the chief Architecture Engineer and had built a name for himself. This summer, he resigned from his job to focus on his own company - AR Group. Before he got busy with work, he decided to spend two months at home and help his beloved cousin Ria with her wedding. However, he told everyone that he had taken total leave of 3 years. Since the day William came back, he spent his entire day working on restoring the house that he had secretly bought at 18 unless he was helping his cousin with something. Tonight he had returned to the Brown family mansion utterly exhausted and ready to pass out as he had been doing for the past two weeks. But he co

Rosaline followed the hand on her arm and traced it to the sleepy-looking guy who still had the drunk Pete holding onto his other arm and shoulders tight. “He is not always like this. Can you listen to his side of the story? Find out why he treated you so disrespectfully. Please?”William said with pleading eyes, though his face and tone betrayed no emotion. ‘I don’t want her to think badly of anyone around me.’ William was confused about his thoughts. ‘Dude, she is probably underage. Calm down! What’s wrong with you?’ he told himself. ‘Wait! That’s not the point. Why am I so bothered that she might be underage?’‘He is quite good-looking now that I look at him and seems like a good friend.’ Rosaline thought. ‘WTF? Why would you think about him? Get a hold of yourself,’ Rosaline told herself.Pete’s sniveling brought them back to their senses. Rosaline looked at him and pointed at his hands which were grabbing her arm with raised eyebrows. “Well?” Rosaline said with a ‘Talk! Yo

“Is that why you never liked her?” Pete asked.“Why did you not tell us this before?” Pete’s eyes were full of grievances. “When we grew up, she flirted with all of you, although subtly, to avoid confrontations.”“She was always clever to avoid suspicion and looked pitiful whenever someone tried to oust her.”“I never thought she liked you or anyone for that matter. That’s why I told you to be careful.” William explained. Pete was flabbergasted. “Why did you not tell me all this in detail? I thought you just did not like her on account of the trouble she caused in school”. William shrugged, “Her mother’s good friends with my mom, so when confronted, she begged to keep it under wraps and that she would ensure she never bothers me.” Pete looked like he was constipated. “What about the other things?”Before William could reply, Evelyn piped in.“He did. So did I, but all of you were blind as a bat.”“And she cried so pitifully whenever confronted that you guys always let it slide.”“

Rosaline saw William as soon as she exited the bathroom.He squinted at her as she made her way back. She only glanced at him, furrowed her beautiful brows, and ignored him. Somehow, this made William smile. He walked up to her and tried to start a conversation.“Hey, got a minute?”“And may I ask why you would need it?”Her voice was cold and held clear distance and indifference.William felt awkward. He tried hard to understand why he was so bothered about the probability of her being underage. But he masked his emotions well.“Well, I just want to say sorry and thank you.” He replied confidently without any awkwardness.“It does not matter,” Rosaline said with a sigh.“Can I ask you something rather inappropriate?” William decided to bite the bullet.“Why would you ask if you already know it’s inappropriate?” Rosaline retorted with raised eyebrows. “Maybe I’m just selfish.”“...” Rosaline was speechless, and that made William smile. “How old are you?” Rosaline could see the nerv

On the other side of the city, Tom and Rita Brown also saw the news.Tom Brown and George Dayne were professors at Apex University and had been friends for over 20 years. Their families were close as well. George’s nephew, Maddox Dayne, got acquainted with the Browns while visiting his uncle and got to know Tom and Rita’s daughter Ellaria.They became childhood sweethearts and were about to get married in 5 weeks. They had known Rosaline since she was a little kid. They had thought William and Rosaline would be a good match.Both families had agreed to set them up during Max and Ria’s wedding. But seeing the news report, both Tom and Rita hesitated.‘Although we have known her since she was a child, Lina studied abroad for the last five years, and five years before that, Lina was in a hostel. God knows what she has become these years.’ ‘Maybe we should wait and see for the next few days before settling things.’“Tom, what do you think about the news?” Rita asked, obviously worried