“Liam.”

“What does Liam have to do with anything?” Nadine expressed her confusion.

Camellia’s phone rang again, and this time it was Liam. “Speaking of the devil... or, in this case, a handsome devil,” Camellia said before answering the phone, earning Nadine’s grumpy look. “Here’s the birthday boy,” Camellia joked.

“Hey, mate, where are you?”

“Nadine just finished her meeting. Tell me where the party is.”

“There isn’t a party. We’ll hang out at my place, and Ethan will cook,” Liam explained.

“Who?”

“My best friend, Ethan.”

“It doesn’t ring any bells.”

“I’m sure I mentioned him to you before.”

“No, it’s probably Nadine,” Camellia said, smiling.

“What?” Nadine expressed her suspicions.

“Nothing,” Camellia said quietly.

“Anyways, don’t be late and tell Nadine to check her phone. I texted the address to her.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t.” Camellia hung up the phone and fixed her gaze on Nadine, not blinking. “Tell me... what does Liam have to do with anything?” Camellia spoke in a low tone.

“Nothing, Camellia! I love Adam, that’s that,” Nadine answered firmly, her eyes wide with uncertainty.

“Alright, if you say so,” Camellia responded, shrugging her shoulders.

Darling Point, Sydney, 6:00 pm.

Camellia and Nadine were on their way to Liam’s house. While Nadine was thinking about their earlier conversation, Camellia was talking and laughing with the taxi driver. It took them ten minutes to get to his house. They exited the cab and searched for the East Haven building.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

It was a stunning modern ten-floor building. Liam’s place was on the eighth floor. When they arrived at the apartment door, Nadine was about to knock, but Camellia stopped her. “Hold on a minute... are you going to tell him?” Camellia whispered.

“Tell him what?”

“About the proposal.” They both moved their bodies and faced each other as they stood in front of the apartment door.

“No, and please don’t ask why!” Nadine said firmly and turned away; she raised her hands to knock again, but Camellia stopped her. She rolled her eyes and turned to face Camellia.

“Please, Nadine, just admit it!” Camellia said, dramatically shaking her hand.

“Admit what?” Nadine said, removing her hand from Camellia’s grasp.

“It’s because of Liam that you’re confused about the proposal,” Camellia exclaimed.

“I’m not confused, Adam just surprised me with the proposal, that’s all,” Nadine snarled angrily.

“It’s not the proposal, it’s Liam,” Camellia stated flatly.

“This isn’t about Liam.”

“It is,” Camellia said quietly. “You’re head over heels in love with him, and I’m sure he is, too.”

“What?! No!” Nadine said in a hushed tone.

“If you believe that, why do you want to keep it hidden from him?” — “If you’re not in love with him; just tell him what Adam asked you,” Camellia crossed her arms and said with a half-wry smile.

“For the love of God, I’m not telling LIAM!” Nadine yelled out his name.

“Tell me what?” Liam inquired. Camellia and Nadine were startled when the door surprisingly opened.

“Did you hear us?!” Nadine raised both of her eyebrows at his sudden appearance.

“You yelled my name,” Liam said, smirking.

“Well, I forgot to buy you a gift, so I asked Nadine not to tell you.”

“Right,” Nadine said, looking at her befuddled with her mouth open. Camellia returned her gaze with a wink.

“You didn’t have to get me anything, just come in,” Liam said as he pushed the door open completely.

It was a massive, well-kept apartment with a breathtaking 180-degree harbor view. The walls are white, and the floor is a light grey, smooth carpet. Several paintings hang on the walls, lending the space an artistic feel. The furniture was modern black and dark gray, with yellow art pieces on every corner. An L-shaped kitchen layout with an island workspace filled with delicious food was on the left side.

“You must be Nadine,” said a six-foot-tall man who emerged from behind the counter. He approached Nadine and unexpectedly hugged her. He wore his long blonde hair in a loose man bun and sported a full beard. Dressed in dark blue jeans, a white tee, and a black apron.

“Oh... Hello,” Nadine said, tapping on the man’s muscled back.

“Hello, my name is Ethan,” he said, releasing her from his unexpected hug. Nadine smiled at him, then looked at Camellia and Liam, who was still standing at the door and seemed to be whispering over something.