?Chapter 75:


    Ste froze, both confused and startled. William wanted to have a meal—shouldn’t Nathalia be the one sitting across from him?


    “Mr. Briggs, I don’t think this is appropriate,” she said firmly, standing her ground as if protecting her moralpass.


    William didn’t argue. Instead, he reached out and gave her forehead a light flick. “When I’m done eating, take the tray with you. I’m not delivering it myself.” With that, he turned and walked inside, leaving the door open behind him like a silent cue.


    Ste blinked a few times before the pieces clicked. Oh.


    He didn’t mean he wanted to eat with her—he just didn’t want to make a second trip. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Honestly, she’d been overthinking. For a second there, she thought he was being weirdly forward.


    She followed him in and gently shut the door behind her, quietly taking a seat while he moved around the room.


    But instead of starting his meal, William opened a drawer and pulled something out. He handed it over. “Is this yours?”


    Ste looked down and instantly recognized her hair tie.


    “Huh? Why do you have this?”


    Yesterday, she’d had it wrapped around her wrist, butter that night, she found that it had disappeared. She figured she’d lost it somewhere and didn’t bother looking.


    “Were you at the corner near the break room yesterday?” William asked casually, setting the tie on the table. “You’re so careless. Can’t even keep track of a hair tie. How old are you?” His tone was teasing, but it still annoyed her.


    “Why can’t I go there?” she muttered. “It’s not like there was a sign. How was I supposed to know you were having a secret rendezvous with your first love? I didn’t mean to walk in on it. If you’re gonna do that kind of thing, maybe pick a more discreet spot.”


    She grabbed the hair tie and shoved it into her jacket pocket with a huff.


    William, still holding his fork, paused before taking a bite. His brow furrowed at her words.


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    “What secret rendezvous?” he asked slowly. “What did you see?”


    Ste gave him a t look. Was he seriously pretending he didn’t know? She felt awkward saying it out loud, but then again—she didn’t do anything wrong, so why should she feel embarrassed?


    “What else could I have seen? You and Nathalia kissing,” she snapped, arms crossed, wearing a stiff, indignant expression.


    William gave a slight nod, then said,pletely deadpan, “I don’t like kissing. Don’t even know how to kiss. I’ve never kissed a woman.”


    Ste froze. Her eyes flew wide open. Wait, what?


    Those three simple sentences hit her like a brick.


    He didn’t like kissing? Didn’t know how? And had never kissed a woman?


    Her brain screeched to a halt. Had she seen it wrongst night? She reyed the angle in her head and realized—yeah, maybe she could’ve misunderstood the scene. But hold on… what did he just say?


    He didn’t like kissing women? Did that mean… he liked kissing men? Ste gasped, as if she’d just uncovered the plot twist of the century, pping a hand over her mouth in pure shock.


    So that was it! No wonder he always looked like he’d bitten into something sour every time she got too close—he wasn’t into women at all. He was gay.


    All her idental touches? Probably pure torture for him.


    And poor Nathalia… Was she still holding out hope without knowing the truth? Or did she know and just refuse to let go?


    As all these ridiculous thoughts tangled in her head, she actually started to feel a little bad for Nathalia.


    Meanwhile, William was quietly eating, not one to exin himself often—but for some reason, when he found out that Ste had misunderstood the situation, he felt the need to rify.


    He nced up and caught her staring at him like he’d grown an extra head.


    What was with that look? Why did she seem so… fascinated? Did she think it was funny… or just in sad that a guy his age had never kissed anyone?


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