The ride back to Emma's apartment was quiet but not uncomfortable. William drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on his thigh.
Emma stole occasional glances at him, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. After everything that had happened— Eve's theatrics, William's mother's interruptions, and their shared moments upstairs—she knew she had so many questions about William. But for now, she decided, enough was enough for one day. This has been her most craziest Sundays ever.
When they pulled up outside her apartment, William cut the engine and turned to her, a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Congrats on surviving a lunch with my family" he said, leaning back in his seat.
"Thank you" Emma replied proudly.
"So you never got to asked me your questions." he said, feigning seriousness.
Emma laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "I can't believe you, you are worried about that, rather than your mother walking on us?"
"So wont you be asking me now?" he said with a wink.
Before she could respond, his phone buzzed on the dashboard. He glanced at the screen, his smirk fading. "Something's come up," he said, his tone suddenly change, became more serious. "I have to handle it."
Emma nodded, hiding her disappointment. "Is it about what happened at lunch?"
"Something like that," he said cryptically. Then, leaning closer, he added, "Don't miss me too much, ba-be."
Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm getting out."
He laughed, leaning over to kiss her forehead before she steps out "Text me when you missed me."
"I won't," she called at him, though the smile on her face betrayed her and then closed the door. She watched until William's car vanishes in her sight.
Back in her apartment, Emma kicked off her stilletoes and flopped onto the couch.
The events of the day replayed again in her mind like a chaotic montage: Eve's food fight, William's mother's disapproving glare, and… well, everything else.
She sighed, staring at the ceiling. What am I even doing? she wondered. Being involved with someone like William was like signing up for a rollercoaster ride with no seatbelt. Thrilling but also terrifying. She felt falling inlove by the minute to him. If this doesn't go well, she will end up with a broken heart but she is making sure she has a baby.
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, pulling her from her thoughts. She grabbed it, smiling despite herself when she saw the message.
William: "Miss me yet?"
Emma shook her head, biting back a laugh. She typed back quickly.
Emma: "No. Should I?"
His reply came almost instantly.
William: "Absolutely. I'm gorgeous"
Emma: "Bold of you to assume"
William: "You already seen me BOLD ;)"
Emma couldn't help the grin spreading across her face, she laughed. She thought to herself, how fun this is, how refreshing and that this might be love after all.
Emma: "Is everything okay back there"
William: "Yep, I'm multitasking. Flirting with you keeps me sharp."
Before she could fire back, there was a knock at her door. Emma frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late for visitors. She set her phone down and opened the door to find her landlord standing there, looking unusually serious.
"Hi, Mr. Bart, What's going on?" Emma cordially greet him.
"Good Evening, Emma. I've got some news," he said, shifting awkwardly. "We had a building inspection earlier today by the city municipal, and… well, it's not good."
Emma's stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"
"They have fund out that there's a major structural damage to this building from the earthquake. As it turns out, it's worse than we thought. The inspectors declared it unsafe to live in. I'm sorry, but everyone has to vacate within a week."
"What?" Emma stared at him, stunned. "A week? Where are we supposed to go?"
Mr. Bart sighed. "The company will refund the remainder of your lease, but the complex is full. No units available to relocate tenants."
"This can't be happening," Emma muttered, her mind racing. "How could you expect us to leave within a week?"
"I'm sorry, Emma," he said again. "You'll get official paperwork tomorrow, but I wanted to give you a heads-up earlier but your not home, a few tenants manage to get the vacants rooms from the safe building in the complex."
Now it was her fault, she wasnt able to secure her self a new apartment in the complex. Emma nodded numbly, closing the door after he left.
She stood there for a moment, trying to process the news. Her apartment, her home, her safe haven is no longer safe. And now she had to find somewhere else to live—in a week.
Her phone buzzed again. She almost forgot she was flirting with William.
William: "Don't tell me you've fallen asleep."
Emma stared at the screen, debating whether to tell him. With a sigh, she
typed back.
Emma: "Sorry, Something came up."
His response came almost immediately.
William: "Someone came to visit, who visit you at night?"
Emma: "Nobody, it was just the landlord."
William: So what is something up? Did someone from my end... I mean family contacted you?"
Emma: "No... why?"
William: "Nothing, so what it is about?"
She hesitated, then sent:
Emma: "My building's been declared unsafe. I have a week to move out, and there's nowhere in the complex to go."
It took longer for his reply this time. Emma thought the news caught him off guard and now he was left with nothing clever to say. But when William reply came, it was unexpected.
William: "Pack your bag. You're staying with me."
Emma blinked at the screen, her heart skipping a beat. She typed back
quickly.
Emma: "You're joking."
William: "Do I ever joke about something this serious? Besides, I like having you close. Pack. Now. I bringing a pick up truck"
Emma: "You can't be serious."
William: "I am dead serious, I will pick you up in a jiffy"
Her hands trembled as she stared at his text. Was she really about to take him up on this offer?