Delicate

Chapter 60

Wow, we at 60😅!
This brings forth the rare opportunity to do something fun on 69

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Warning: This chapter contains homophobic language and mention of sexual assault

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William's P.O.V

A knock on the door takes my eyes away from my designated mathematics notebook. I cap my pen with an inward sigh. I'd only just started on making my notes from today's classes and was in no mood to deal with mother.

"Come in," I call while shifting my body to face the door.

West, one of the household servants, steps inside with a brief smile that I return readily even while my eyes focus on his slightly crumpled shirt, mother would have his head if she saw his uniform in such a state.

"You have a visitor Mr.Evans," West states as he steps aside to let them in.

When Liam Haynes walks in, with his graceful stride and wide grin, I sort of freeze in my chair, absolutely shellshocked and oblivious as to why he was here. I flick my gaze up and down his frame in a quick assessment, yes he still had his perfectly styled dark brown hair and acute features that made him look even more handsome.

The only thing different about him was that he wore a uniform instead of a tailored suit as he usually was when we saw each other, but even the uniform seemed to be sculpted for his insanely toned body.

When I lift my eyes, I find Liam's light brown ones already focused on me, warm and seemingly intrigued, as always. I shift just a little, uncomfortable with having him in my house, in my room, without knowing why and from having his knowing eyes trained to me.

Liam and I had only spoken a few times when certain, formal gatherings permitted us, and it had always been because Liam chose to approach me, even though I didn't make my evasions of him exactly subtle.

It was already stressful enough having to be perfect at those events, it was even worse having to do it for a member of the Haynes family, a family that could tear mine to the ground without a second thought.

It was better to avoid him, it didn't matter if my heart did a stupid flop whenever he grinned at me, that could be ignored.

But avoiding him was not an option now when he was standing in my bedroom with that exact grin that always made me feel like he knew something I didn't.

It was unnerving... and exciting.

"Thank you, West," I manage eventually. I stand from my desk and let my mask slip into place as I offer them both a smile.

West takes a step to leave but I stop him with a raised hand, taking quick steps, I slip by Liam and whisper to him quietly, "there's an iron in the bathroom of the fifth guest room, mother won't hear a word of it if you go there."

West's cheeks heat up with embarrassment but he still nods and offers me a genuine smile before he leaves.

Mother had a tendency of firing anyone who didn't fit her mental bill of perfection, even if they were one of our best and most loyal staff. If mother saw the current state of West's uniform, she wouldn't let him off easy, no matter the reason.

The way I saw it, offering a little aid where I could wasn't a bad thing, and nobody needed to know that I was the one who put the iron there in the first place.

"I like your room," Liam says behind me which makes me jump slightly, I'd forgotten he was there for a moment.

Inhaling softly, I turn to face him and watch as he walks further into my bedroom, looking all around with real interest. With someone new inspecting the space, I do my own appraisal in an effort to see what he was seeing.