29 Making a move (2)
Once Mr. Hill appeared in front of everybody, they welcomed him with warm smiles and hugs.
William, on the other hand, was standing on the side appreciating the sight of their family bonding.
Mr. Hill noticed the tall, handsome and smiling stranger standing on the side.
He then asked, "Honey, who is our visitor? Is he Mia's suitor?"
He was examining this stranger while looking observing his demeanor. A person who is handsome, but disrespectful does not qualify to be Mia's boyfriend, he thought to himself.
William was delighted when he heard Mr. Hill calling him as Mia's suitor.
He excitedly approached Mr. Hill and said, "Uncle, I'm William, the little boy who used to visit your house often." With a beaming smile that was showcasing all his shiny white teeth, William could not help but feel happy that he was recognized as a viable boyfriend.
Mia on the other hand almost choked on what she was about to say when she heard what her father said.
She could not even speak to explain as William went ahead and approached his father.
"William? That was you? You have grown to be a fine and splendid young man. Come, come let's have a drink and talk." Mr. Hill did not even bother with his daughter's reaction and clasped William's shoulder as they went away.
"Uncle I brought some food and wine. I hope you will like them." William said respectfully.
"Really, this boy has become mature in such a short time, even remembering to visit his elders. I thought you had forgotten about us old folks." Mr. Hill said with a hearty laugh as they sat on the dinner table.
"These are not much Uncle. After all, you and Aunty have taken care of me all those years." William said with a smile while helping Mrs. Hill grab some glasses for the beers that she was getting in the refrigerator.
"I also brought some wine but I do not know if it is to your liking," William said while opening a bottle of beer to give to Mr. Hill.
"I don't enjoy wine that much but it is the thought that counts. These looks delicious, doesn't it honey!" Mr. Hill said while enjoying the meal that they were sharing together.
Mia on one side was munching her food while looking at the people around her. She was trying to digest what her father said and how William responded without denying or opposing his words.
She was wondering what that was all about while staring at William's happy face while chatting with her parents.
It was late at night as they have finished their chat and discussions. It seems that the family did not run out of stories to share. The two men got drunk while chatting while the women looked at them without drinking much of the alcohol.
Mrs. Hill did not stop her husband from drinking as this was a celebration. Mia did not drink much because she was focusing and observing the whole situation.
The two men, Mr. Hill and William almost finished the can of beers. Staggering with his steps, William stood up and was about to say goodbye to the family when they stopped him.
"Stay here for the night William. It's late and you are drunk. Tomorrow is a Sunday so there's no need for you to rush and go home."
Mrs. Hill said to William, and then she added, "Mia, message Stephanie that William will be staying here so she won't be worried."
"Okay, mother," Mia said.
As Mia was typing her message to Stephanie her mother also said, "Go and lay a futon in your room so William can sleep there."
Mia looks at her mother's eye with wide eyes open, disbelieving the words she said.
Her mother only continued to say, "He's already this drunk what can he do. And you two both grew up together and slept together. What's the difference?" Mia wanted to renounce her mother's words but other than her room the only place he could sleep was the living room, and the space there might not be comfortable for William.
Mia sighed and took William's one arm and let it wrap around her shoulder. They both trudged along into her room. William was way taller than Mia, and the fact that an adult man was staggering while being draped all over her body did not make her uncomfortable.
She never did feel uncomfortable when she was with William. Even though they are now grown-ups, there are times that she became shy, but William always gave her a sense of comfort and warmth.
He may have grown-up or act more mature but he never changed his demeanor towards her. He was still the sweet and gentle guy that she used to know.
Mia was already in her room with the heavy baggage that was snoring and sleeping like a log. She was too tired and used all of her strength to push William on her bed.
Looking at the sleeping William slumped into her bed without even a tiny bit of reaction she thought, 'How am I going to move him to a futon now?'
She went back to the living room and took a futon out from the storage room. She went ahead and prepared the futon beside her bed and laid the covers, pillows, and blanket.
Looking at the sleeping William, she did not want to wake him up any longer so she decided that she'll sleep on the futon and let him have a peaceful sleep on her bed. Not trying to interrupt William's sleep, she prepared to go to bed and turned off the lights.
As she tucked in the futon, she gave one final look at William's face and said "Good night".
She then closed her eyes and slept.
Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa
Editor - DnC
