William raced against time to reach the East Gate Villa, every second ticking like thunder in his ears. When he finally arrived, breathless and filled with urgency, he found Inaya sitting alone on the sofa, her face a canvas of unreadable emotions.
"Inaya?" William's voice trembled with concern as he called out to her.
Inaya looked back at him, taking in his concerned face.
"Assalamualaikum," Inaya greeted, her tone carrying a weight that echoed her inner turmoil.
"Walaikum as salam. Are you alright?" William asked, taking a seat opposite her.
"I am fine. I have something to talk to you," Inaya replied, her eyes searching his face with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. William nodded, silently urging her to continue.
"William, you've been my rock, my guiding light when I needed it most. I can never thank you enough for all you've done for me. I'm forever indebted to you. If there's ever a chance for me to repay your kindness, trust me I'll grasp it with all my might," Inaya paused, her words hanging in the air with a sense of inevitability. William, perceptive as ever, braced himself for what was to come. His jaw clenched with a mix of anticipation and dread, but he remained steadfast, allowing her to voice her mind.
"Now that my first trimester has passed and my pregnancy troubles are easing, I want to move out from this house. There's an apartment opening up in Aria's building next week. I... I want to move into that apartment," Inaya confessed, her gaze flickering around the room, unable to meet William's eyes.
At that moment, the room seemed to shrink around them, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. William felt a surge of conflicting feelings.
" Have you finished speaking?", Williams voice was filled with cold fury when he asked. Inaya could tell he was angry hearing his voice, but she stood by her decision despite the tumultuous storm brewing in his eyes.
"Did Jenny's comment affect you so deeply that you would leave? Is she even that important to you?" William's voice rose sharply, echoing off the walls. He had not anticipated Inaya's departure over a mere remark, yet the reality before him stung.
Inaya, taken aback that William already knew about Jenny, felt a pang of surprise. She hadn't expected the news to travel so swiftly to him. Then, It was William she was dealing with, nothing ever went unnoticed by him.
"Is she more important to you than I am?" William's next words struck Inaya like lightning.
"No, that's not it," Inaya hastily denied.
"Then why do you want to leave?" William demanded, his tone unyielding.
"What Jenny accused me of was terrible. But William, it's still your home that I'm living in. My presence here could tarnish your reputation once the media catches wind of it," Inaya tried to reason, her voice pleading.
"I couldn't care less about the media or anyone else. Let them utter a single word against you, and they'll see what I, William Walton, am capable of," William declared, his voice unwavering in its resolve.
"William..." Inaya sounded helpless, unsure of how to sway him any further.
"What about me, William? What if I feel uncomfortable?" Inaya's question hung in the air, laden with desperation.
"Do you feel uncomfortable?" William countered sharply.
"Yes," Inaya replied, her voice trembling.
"Why? Why would you feel uncomfortable? I've taken every measure to ensure your comfort. I hired female maids, arranged for your every need, ensured your safety during your commute, and appointed a nutritionist to maintain your and your baby's health, I've done everything to make you feel at ease. Why, then, do you feel uncomfortable?" William's voice betrayed his frustration, his words coming in a rush.
"That's exactly why I feel uncomfortable! You've gone above and beyond, and everyone assumes we're a couple. The scrutiny, the questions about our relationship... it all makes me uncomfortable!" Inaya's voice rose with emotion, on the verge of tears.
"Everyone? Who else has questioned our relationship?" William's eyes narrowed, his mind racing through potential suspects. But before he could delve deeper, a realization dawned on him — the workers taking leave together disobeying William, they were trusted members of the Walton family, answerable only to a few besides himself. Suddenly, clarity washed over William's features.
"Was it Mother? Or Brother? Who visited today?" William asked, confident it was one or both of them.
Inaya was taken aback by how swiftly William connected the dots. She didn't answer, but her widened eyes spoke volumes.
"What did they say? Did they insult you?" William's voice softened slightly, concern etched into his features.
"No, your mother didn't insult me. She is really the kindest person I've met," Inaya rushed to reassure him.
William visibly relaxed, relieved beyond words that his mother had not disparaged Inaya. He loved and trusted his mother much to question her about this matter. His gaze turned intense as he looked at her, craving more answers.
"She wanted to meet me because she believed I was your girlfriend. She was so enthusiastic, thinking you'd finally found someone to marry. It was difficult to convince her that I wasn't your girlfriend nor you're gonna marry me. If I continue to stay here, more people wimissmis-," Inaya tried to explain.
"Why did you lie?" William questioned cutting Inaya at mid-sentenceence. His tone softened, the coldness in his eyes replaced by a glimmer of something deeper.
"When did I lie?" Inaya was bewildered.
"Why did you lie about me not wanting to marry you?" William's voice was calm, tinged with a hint of softness.
" I would very much want to marry you, Solnishko"