28 Making a move (1)

William: Are you still up?

William waited for Mia to reply to his message. While he was waiting, he was thinking of ways on how to proceed.

William wanted to act fast knowing that Mia has someone that she likes, and from what his sister told him, there's a big chance that the guy is aware of Mia's feelings.

He wondered whether he should confront the said person or steadily build his relationship with Mia. As he was thinking of what to do his phone buzzed.

Mia: I'm still awake. What's up?

And without delay William replied.

William: I'm in front of your doorstep. Please open the door. (Begging emoji)

Without being able to reply and checking the message once again, Mia dashed out of her room and went straight for the door.

"What are you doing here? It's already late." Mia said with surprise.

It was a quarter to nine and he was standing in front of the door with a lot of paper bags at this time is a bit conspicuous.

"I have food," William said with a beaming smile while lifting the paper bags as if showing them off.

"I can see that, but it's already late," Mia said while looking at William's expression.

"I know. That's why I messaged you first. Can I come in? It's heavy." William said, not backing down.

Instead, he started walking inside the house with all the food in his hands.

While walking inside the house, William looked around and said, "Where's Aunty and Uncle? There's too much food and there's wine too. It's best if we share with everyone."

William's charming smile made Mia speechless and could not reply to the question. She got back to her senses when someone else spoke.

"William, what are you doing here?" Mrs. Hill said with her usual kind smile.

"I brought some food!" William said with his beaming smile while lifting the bags again.

"And I got some good wine for Uncle." He then went to the dining table and started arranging the food containers on the table.

Mia, on the other hand, was looking at her mother and William interacting and suddenly realized.

"You were the one who visited and gave the food basket?!" Mia said while pointing her finger at William.

William didn't deny it and said confidently and standing with pride, "Of course I'd come and visit Aunty after all this time."

"This kid has become a smooth talker after all this time." Mrs. Hill said while laughing at the side looking at William and Mia's interaction.

"So you did not have diarrhea and went here instead of finishing the activities at the company outing," Mia said with a disapproving look.

"Well, I did not want Stephanie to one-up me and be the first to visit. So... I went ahead of her."

William said with an awkward laugh while scratching the back of his head.

"Don't be mad at William. It was a sweet gesture on his part as he never forgot his old Aunty and took the time to visit." Mrs. Hill said while still smiling.

She went to the kitchen and took out plates and utensils that they can use.

Mia on the other hand sighed and said, "Fine, but next time you don't have to lie."

She did not ask William anything else as she saw her mother happily preparing the utensils on the table.

"Uncle hasn't arrived yet?" William asked.

"He should be arriving anytime soon." Mrs. Hill said.

While taking out the food she added, "These look expensive and delicious William, but next time you don't have to bring the expensive ones."

"I still like your cooking better Aunty," William said full of confidence.

Looking at such a William, Mrs. Hill could not help and reminisce about the past.

"You sure have grown up, you used to be too shy to speak with me and you'd answer towards the floor or table instead of looking at me. But look at you, all grown up and such a kind and handsome man." She was full of smiles while patting William's shoulder.

William felt elated with the compliment and acted more proud of himself. "This wine came with the food. I hope Uncle will like it." William passes the bottle of wine to Mrs. Hill.

"So what are you really up to?" Mia asked with a questioning gaze.

"I just wanted to see you. Is that reason not enough?" William said with a grin.

Mia was surprised with William's reply and she could feel the warm gaze of William while looking at her.

She felt embarrassed and could not give a proper answer and just said, "Okay" while walking away.

Mia wondered why she had to walk away when having a conversation with William, she did not have the need to do anything so she was stuck in one place after a couple of steps.

She then thought of her dog and let Happy out. Mia now finally had a reason why she walked away from the conversation. She felt relieved and a bit sad at the same time wondering what this feeling was. She put her hand on her still-beating heart that was not calming down.

Happy bolted out of the room and headed for the people in the kitchen. She went to William and was happily going around his feet asking for attention. William carefully lifted the dog and stroked its chin while smiling happily and talking with her mom.

Mia, on the other hand, was looking at the sight of William, her mother, and dog having a harmonious atmosphere.

Chatting and playing around, like one family. There was a warm feeling spreading in her heart. This isn't so bad, she thought to herself.

Happy suddenly wanted to get down from William's hug and went straight to the front door while wagging her tail.

Not much time passed when a person went inside the house.

"Honey, Mia, I'm home!" with a bag of fruits on one hand and patting Happy on the head with the other, he greeted the people inside the house like he always does.

Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa

Editor - DnC