Chapter 1
Lena:
Coffee has never seemed like a blessing until now. This might've been my tenth cup this week and I'm not even a caffeine addict.
William was sat on one of our stools near the counter, nursing a cup of coffee while having his head in files. My head has never ached this terribly.
"You know, your boy in there has officially gone insane. I suggest putting him in a mental asylum."I squint at him.
"Why...Why would that be necessary?"
"Have you seen him? He hasn't slept a wink for the past week while he was in Denmark and the first thing he wants to do is see you. If you didn't urge him to go sleep I wonder what he would've done."I smile.
"My boyfriend wanting to see me isn't exactly a crime William."He rolls his eyes.
"He's obsessed with you."
"He's not obsessed with me. He's just...Liam."He scoffs.
"Yeah. 'Just Liam'. The guy would request an allergy inspection if you sneezed."I glare at him.
"William."I warn him with my gaze.
"Okay, okay. I'll stop making fun of Liam. Wait- Lena,you're bleeding."
"What? No I'm-" I hear a slam and when my head turns to the direction, I see Liam. His hair is tousled and he looks like he woke up. He storms over to me.
"Where? Where are you bleeding?"His hand searches my face then goes to my arms.
"Ha. I knew he would do this. She's fine Liam. Just testing your reflexes. Thats a new record." Liam turns around and glares at William.
"I'll kill you." William pouts mockingly.
"You wouldn't kill Lena's dear brother. That would make poor Lena so sad."I put my hand on Liam's shoulder.
"You're right. He wouldn't."William looks at Liam with a smug smile. "That's because I'll do it first."His smile drops and Liam starts to smile.
"You wouldn't actually..."
"Try me."I said with a small smirk.
"Unbelievable."He says while shaking his head. "You two need to stop teaming up against me."I laugh.
"It's not teaming up if you started it."Liam points out.He opens his mouth to speak but gets interrupted by the door.
"Lena, I got the-"Ava stops in her tracks when she sees us all. "Well hello everyone. Didn't realise we were having a party at 9 in the morning."
"Good morning to you too Ava."Liam responds.I take the groceries from her hand and Ava goes to hug Liam.
"Hi William." William gives a soft smile.
"Hi Ava. How've you been?"I observe William. His face softens in a way I've never seen before.
"I've been great. One sec I'll be back." She rushes into her room and the mood of the room changes.
"William. Grab me a mug would you?"I say sweetly. William gives me a look.
"Your hands exist for a reason."I smile.
"Oh come on. You wouldn't say that if Ava told you."His eyes narrowed at me. Liam shoots me a confused look.
William turns around and gets the mugs from the cabinet and places them on the table.
"Thank you dear brother. You've been so accommodating recently."He squints at me. I pour coffee into the mug and pass it to Liam."When are you going to tell her William?"He chokes on his coffee.
"Tell her what?"Liam asks confused. I place my coffee on the table.
"Oh nothing. Just his dying affection towards Ava." Liam looks shocked but interested at the same time.
"Things just got way more interesting."He says with a smile while walking to the seat next to me.
"And you're not mad about that?...Not that it's true. But you're not bothered about it?"Liam takes a sip of coffee and shakes his head.
"As much as you piss me off and wake me up from a week long mission in Denmark, you're a good guy. You took care of her when I was hospitalised and I trust that you won't hurt her. If you do hurt her though,"Liam points at him while eyeing him. "Count your days."William stills.
"This is ridiculous. Why are you instigating her bluff?"Liam shrugs.
"It's not bluff I'm instigating. I thought I was the only one who sensed your odd politeness with Ava. But clearly... I wasn't."He turned and faced me.
"He's right. You like her and it's quite obvious. Don't think I didn't notice you fix your hair the last time you were here."
" Looking good for myself is completely normal.That's called basic grooming Lena. Not a crush."I roll my eyes.
"Oh and I definitely didn't forget about you helping to clear the table and wash dishes whenever she cooks food and you just so happen to be here."
"That's called politeness because she cooked an amazing meal and I'm eating for free. The least I can do is help out."
"Yeah 'politeness'. Definitely not a huge crush."He sighs dramatically and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Why am I still even here?"Liam laughs, clearly enjoying every second of William's suffering.
"You know you might as well admit it. It'll save you the suffering."William shoots him a deadly glare.
"Like you're one to talk,Mr Denmark Mission. If I remember correctly, instead of sleeping you were up texting Lena. 'I love you' 'I miss you.'."Liam shrugs at Williams comment.
"Hey. At least I admitted to wanting her.Unlike you, who's not living out of your dreams."I smile, feeling my face warm up. William rolls his eyes and opens his mouth to speak when he gets interrupted.
"Right so what did I miss?"Ava comes and stands next to William. I smirk.
"Oh nothing crazy. Just the usual. Work, life... Important feelings."Ava looks slightly surprised. William gives me a warning look.
"Important feelings? What feelings? Let me guess. How you two are head over heels for each other?"She points at me and Liam. We both look at each other and smile.
"That wasn't the type of feelings we were talking about. It was more stuff like how William-"William interrupts me.
"-is very passionate about coffee. "He clears his throat."Like basically addicted to it."I purse my lips trying to hold back my laugh.
"You seemed like a tea guy. I personally prefer tea."William looks baffled.
"Well...Tea does the job too. As long as it keeps me awake."He nervously laughs off.Ava raises an eyebrow.
"Are you okay? You seem so flustered." He puts a bright fake smile on.
"I'm perfect. Just...really hot. It's boiling in here. Anyone else feel hot?"
"Nope. It seems like it's just you."I say to William.
"Right. I should make my way home. I have work to do."He walks past me and whispers "You two are unbearable." before leaving.
I smile at Liam and he's smiling at me.
"What are you two smiling at?"Ava looks at us suspiciously.
"Nothing. Just happy to be here."He says while putting an arm around me.
