WILLIAM’S POV
I didn’t know what was taking Xavier so long to open the door after telling me he would open it in a minute. A minute had turned into an eternity.
“Xavier!” I called again, attempting to knock on the door again, but it opened, revealing Xavier’s wry smile.
“Hey,” he said, scratching the back of his head. “Why are you here?”
My brow furrowed. “Didn’t you hear what I said? I said I need help. That’s why I came. Now will you let me come in?” I said and gently pushed him out of the way, letting myself in.
I tossed the towel I was holding onto his bed and turned to meet his surprised, perhaps shocked, expression.
“Why are you here with the towel?” he asked, chuckling.
“Sorry for disturbing you. I wanted to take a late-night bath, but my water system isn’t working,” I explained, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, despite the curiosity brewing inside me.
“Water system’s out? Figured I’d use yours. Hope that’s okay.”
Xavier’s raised eyebrow and amused smile hinted that he wasn’t buying my excuse.
“Of course, William. Help yourself.”
His tone was laced with skepticism, but he stepped aside, allowing me to pass. But without warning, he stepped in front of me while I was about to enter his bathroom.
Now I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Xavier was hiding something.
Suddenly, my mind flashed back to Sarah’s strange behavior earlier. I caught her sneaking out of her room down the hallway, but I didn’t know which room she entered. Perhaps the kids’ room. But Xavier’s wry smile when he opened the door…
A nagging thought crept in: What if Sarah was here?
“What is it, Xavier? You don’t want me to use your bathroom?” I raised an eyebrow, and he just shrugged casually.
“No, it’s not that. I, um… um…” He hesitated, his eyes darting to the door. “Wait a minute, let me go check if things are in order.” He said, chuckling, and took off to the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
I stood and waited, keeping watch on the time. It had been over a minute since he entered, and he hadn’t returned, so I settled in on his bed, still waiting for him.
While I looked around his room, I caught a glimpse of something on the floor, and I couldn’t help my curiosity, so I crouched down and picked it up only to discover it was a piece of underwear. Could there be a chance it belonged to…
My eyes narrowed, but my thoughts were interrupted by Xavier coming out of the bathroom.
“Hey, um, William, mine is faulty too. I’ll call the plumber tomorrow,” Xavier replied, his eyes darting around the room, avoiding direct eye contact.
I narrowed my eyes, sensing something was off.
“Convenient, isn’t it?” I said, my tone laced with skepticism.
Xavier’s expression turned cautious.
“What do you mean?”
“You, I, and Sarah are all having water system issues,” I pointed out.
Xavier shrugged. “Maybe it’s a building-wide problem?”
His response seemed rehearsed, fueling my growing suspicion. Then his eyes narrowed. “Sarah? What do you mean?”
I took a step closer, my voice lowering.
“Xavier, is there something you’re not… telling me?”
Xavier’s eyes locked onto mine, a hint of unease flickering in them.
“About Sarah?” Xavier’s voice trailed off, his gaze drifting away.
I took another step closer, my eyes boring into his.
“Where is she, Xavier?”
Xavier’s eyes snapped back to mine, a mixture of surprise and alarm flashing across his face.
“What makes you think she’s here?” he asked, his voice measured.
I held up the underwear I found. “This.”
Xavier’s eyes widened, and he took a step back.
“William, listen-”
“No, you listen,” I cut in, my voice firm. “I know something’s going on. Sarah’s been acting strange, and now I find this… Tell me the truth.”
Xavier’s expression shifted from caution to resignation.
“Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to overreact.”
I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation.
“Promise.”
Xavier took a deep breath.
“Sarah’s here. She…” He hesitated, letting out a sigh.
My eyes narrowed. “Go on.”
Xavier kept hesitating, and I sensed a revelation looming.
“Xavier, what’s going on between you and my daughter?” I snapped, taking another step closer, my voice growing higher than I intended. “I saw her coming out of her room minutes ago.”
Xavier’s eyes met mine, a mix of guilt and fear. “Please, William, you have to understand-”
“Understand what?” I demanded.
Xavier’s shoulders sagged as he glanced at the door, his eyes dropping to the floor. “I’m sorry, William. I should have told you after dinner…”
My face twisted, my heart racing. “I hope it’s not what I think it is, Xavier,” I spat, my voice flaring in anger. “I hope it’s not.”
Xavier’s eyes met mine again, his expression apologetic. As his mouth parted to speak, the bathroom door swung open, revealing Sarah, donned in a blanket.
“Father,” she called, her voice trembling.
I froze, my anger momentarily replaced by shock.
Sarah’s eyes darted between Xavier and me, her face pale.
“Father, please listen,” she pleaded.
I took a step back, trying to process the scene before me.
“Sarah, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice shaking.
Sarah’s gaze dropped, and she wrapped the blanket tighter around herself.
“I can explain, William,” Xavier began. But I raised my hand, silencing him.
“Sarah, tell me,” I demanded.
Sarah took a deep breath.
“I… I’m so sorry if you felt I disappointed you.”
“Sarah, get straight to the point. Were you sleeping with him?” I barked, taking a step closer to her. “Are you kidding me, Sarah?! You’re involving yourself with… with my best friend?!” I thundered, my voice echoing off the walls.
Sarah’s eyes widened, tears streaming down her face.
“Dad, please understand-”
“Understand?! You’re my daughter, and I won’t stand for this!” I bellowed, my anger boiling over.
Xavier stepped forward, his face pale. “William, calm down-”
“Calm down?! You’re the last person I want to hear from!” I snarled, my fists clenched.
Sarah’s voice trembled. “Father, stop! You’re scaring me!”
But I couldn’t contain my rage. “Scaring you?! You’re the one who’s scared, Sarah! You’re scared of what? Of who?!” I demanded. “Me?”
Sarah’s face crumpled. “I’m so sorry, Father.”
“Enough!” I roared, slamming my fist on the bedframe.
The room fell silent, the tension palpable.
Xavier’s eyes locked onto mine, attempting to touch my shoulders, but I slapped his hands away.
“William, you need to listen-”
“No, you need to listen!” I spat, my anger seething.
“You’re going to regret involving yourself with my daughter.”
Sarah’s small voice broke the silence.
“Father, please… don’t say that.”
But I was beyond reason.
“Get out of here now, Sarah. Get out of my sight.”
Sarah hesitated, then turned to Xavier.
“Father-”
“Go!” I bellowed.
Sarah fled, leaving Xavier and me in a wake of anger.
I turned to Xavier, taking a deep breath to calm my anger and shock.
“Xavier.” I began, not knowing what to say to him; I was too angry to even look at him.
“William, I wanted to tell you.” Xavier cut in, but I shook my head, refusing to listen.
“You wanted to tell me you were sleeping with my daughter?” I asked, incredulous at such audacity. How could this happen?
Xavier’s eyes dropped, his voice barely above a whisper.
“No, William. It’s not like that.”
But I wasn’t listening. “You’re supposed to be my friend, Xavier. My best friend.”
Xavier’s face contorted in anguish. “William, please listen-”
“Don’t even try to justify it,” I spat.
Xavier took a step back, his eyes pleading.
“William, I love Sarah.”
“You what?” I said with a bitter chuckle. “She is twice your age, for God’s sake, Xavier.” My words tumbled out in a wave of anger.
Xavier avoided my gaze, letting out a defeated sigh. “I know, but I couldn’t help it. I don’t know if I can make you understand.”
I bit my lips in rage. I had never felt this angry in my life. I trusted Xavier with my life, and this is what I get? Betrayal?
“I understand, Xavier. I understand my mistake,” I managed to say, coming to terms with the situation. “I trusted you; that was my mistake.”
With that said, I turned to leave, and Xavier immediately blocked my path, as if sensing what I was about to do.
“Don’t take her away from me, William,” he said, his expression turning serious. “Don’t. I won’t allow you.”
My gaze dropped to the floor, still reeling from his audacity. Had he forgotten that Sarah is my daughter?
Without warning, I punched him in the face, sending him staggering backward and hitting the door. The next second, Sarah rushed in, her eyes widened in shock.