THIRTY-FIRST TRIP

"Ask for his explanation and stop overthinking," Yerim said to me while we were having coffee at Sebastian's coffee shop.

It was afternoon when I decided to take a break for a few minutes. I left the office around 2 PM and now it’s the only time I’m not there. I'm sure Levi was looking for me because he wasn't there when I left. The hell I care.

“I’m scared, Ye. What will I say to what he says when I ask him?” I asked her full of frustration.

I told her about what happened last night at that party. I actually left there and went home to my unit hungry and irritated. The next day we were able to talk because I fell asleep right away that night and he doesn’t even know my passcode so he couldn’t enter my unit. But I also felt bad for him because he said he waited six hours outside.

I sighed and then sipped my coffee. None of my own looked outside as I listened to what Yerim was saying. Fortunately, she is here.

"You really don’t have to say anything. You just have to listen to him. I don't think you can talk properly because you don't listen to him. Don't you trust him?"

I blinked twice when Yerim's question struck me. I stopped looking at her because suddenly my cell phone rang. I looked up at her when I saw who was calling.

"I think he's looking for you," she told me with a laugh before I answered the man's call.

"Hello?"

"Where are you? Kat said you haven’t been here since earlier," he asked me, I could hear the concern in his voice.

I drank coffee for a while before answering his question. I could even see out of the corner of my eye Sebastian approaching Yerim.

"I'm with Yerim, we just had coffee for a while," I told him lazily and prepared myself to go back to the office.

I heard his heavy breathing. I guess its forehead is already furrowed.

"Are you finished? If not, I’ll come and pick you up,” he uttered.

"Nevermind. I'm coming back—"

"Did you eat lunch? Let’s have lunch together... ”

I hadn't finished what I was going to say when I heard a woman's voice on the other line and I was sure it was Levi who was talking to her.

"Where are you?" I asked him instead and said goodbye to Yerim and Sebastian who are currently talking about something.

I even heard him say something I didn't understand.

"I'm already in the office."

“Then who’s with you? I mean, I heard something— ”

“It’s Mari. I'm with her back here in the office. She’s with her parents,” he interrupted me so my eyes rolled in the air.

I felt the resurrection of my annoyance with them both. I immediately felt laziness while I was walking back to the building because it was just a walking distance. I became even more lethargic when I felt drowsy because of the sunlight.

“Okay. I’m coming back.”

That was the last thing I told him then I turned off the call. Where do they come from and are they always together? He didn't even take me to the meeting with his clients so I didn't say goodbye to him when I left. Maybe Mari was with him so he didn’t take me.

"Where have you been? Sir Levi has been looking for you before. He thought you were gone home,” Kat asked me when I stopped in her cubicle.

“Just having coffee. Have you come before?” I asked her as I looked at Levi’s office.

I could even see her smirk when I looked at her again so my forehead furrowed.

“Yes, Rae, with Ms. Marichu. She's still inside, she hasn’t come out yet,” she replied to me.

I didn't answer her, instead, I went straight to his office without knocking on the door. When I opened the door I found Mari next to Levi who was in the swivel chair while bowing, I could clearly see her soul because of her bowing. As if Levi is discussing something with her.

When they saw me, Levi immediately stood up while that ‘Mari’ grinned to one side. I lazily looked at Levi who immediately attended to me.

"I'm just discussing something," he said softly to me so I nodded.

"It's OK. Do you need anything? Coffee? Tea?” I casually asked him which made him furrow his forehead.

"Are you okay?" He asked me in surprise so I just nodded and shrugged.

"Yes, why?"

“Nothing. I thought you were angry. Can we talk after this? I don’t need anything, I just need you here with me,” he comforted me so I just nodded.

He guided me to the sofa near his table. He told me to just rest while they were having a discussion and he immediately returned to his swivel chair, not minding Marichu’s posture that I think she meant to show that to Levi. When she looked up at me, I immediately stared at her. I just took a magazine there and pretended to read.

I don’t know why I feel this way. When I went home that night, then I just realized everything. I did something wrong that night. I should’ve listened to him when he was calling me but I was immediately preceded by annoyance and anger. I feel like I know very little about him compared to Mari.

"So, let's proceed to the contract signing tomorrow?" I heard Mari ask Levi so I looked at them.

I raised an eyebrow when I saw how she sat down on Levi’s table on purpose. She crossed her legs and was finally exposed in front of the latter.

What is she doing? Was she trying to seduce my boyfriend in front of me?

I saw how Levi immediately looked away from her and focused his gaze on me so I almost burst out laughing.

“Let’s have a meeting tomorrow about that. The Chuas are hard to talk to. I need to eat first,” I heard Levi say to her and was about to stand up when Mari stopped him.

I raised an eyebrow when I saw her slide her hand over Levi's chest. I could feel my patience shorten because of what I was seeing, but I let that go first because I wanted to see what he would do. I want to know how low this woman can go when it comes to him.

“I told you, let’s have lunch toge—”

“I know what you’re doing, Mari, so stop it. We have already talked about it and I hope you understand,” Levi told her emphatically and left her there to go to me.

When he approached me, I immediately stood up and met Mari's gaze. I smirked at her and then wave at her.

“Bye, Ms. Mari,” I teased her and pulled Levi out of his office.

I feel like I won today.

-

“Are you okay? You've been quiet before. Don’t you like your food?” Levi asked me again while we were having lunch.

I immediately looked at him because of what he said and also because of how I felt. Suddenly I felt something strange in my stomach so I couldn't finish eating.

"I'm not really used to eating pasta," I told him honestly because I really didn't like pasta before.

“Why didn't you tell me right away? I will order another meal,” he told me quickly and called the waiter immediately.

When he finished ordering, he immediately turned to me and held my hand. Damn, I feel like I’m about to vomit or something but I don’t make it obvious.

“Are you sick? You are pale. Talk to me, Lumiere,” he said softly to me and lightly placed his hand on my forehead.

I just shook my head and quickly drank the water. I tried to calm down and look at him again.

“What did you and Mari talk about?” I asked him directly and ignored what he said.

He sighed violently and looked at me intently.

“I want to talk to you about what happened last night at the party but you keep on ignoring me, Lumiere. That happened a long time ago, I swear to God,” he explained to me while still holding my hand.

I honestly don't care about that yet. I can see how much he avoids that woman. I just don't really understand why she came back when it happened a long time ago.

“I know, Lev, but why did she come back? I’m asking because I don’t want to think of it anymore. I want to tell you everything I’m thinking,” I couldn’t help but say to him because I felt like something was really wrong.

I saw how he slightly smiled at me which made me furrow my forehead. I think this idiot is cheating on me.

“You’re so hot when you’re jealous,” he uttered.

I stared at him and violently withdrew my hand from him.

"Oh, god. Suit yourself."

That was the last thing I said to him before we continue eating again because my new food has arrived. When we finished we immediately went back to the office.

"I want your coffee," he said softly to me as we entered his office. I even felt him caress my waist over and over so I immediately slapped his hand.

“Stop. We are at work,” I almost whispered to him when he suddenly kissed me hard.

“I don’t care. I’m your boss, we can actually do it right here anytime you want,” he playfully said to me and winked at me.

I quickly broke away from him because of what he said. Damn this man.

“I can’t believe you. I'll get your coffee, sir,” I said goodbye to him, emphasizing the word sir.

I just heard his laugh before I could finally get out the door. While I was in the pantry I received a text from Arthur. I didn’t even finish brewing Levi’s coffee when I read her ‘that’ text.

Ari

Sis, mom, and I are here at the hospital. She had fallen in the bathroom earlier while she was cleaning

I immediately went back to my table and get my things and quickly left. I couldn't even say goodbye to Levi because I was in such a hurry. I almost stumbled because the heels I was wearing were high and I was really trying to run.

I feel like my soul will be separated because of the text I read. I can’t even think properly because that immediately goes into a bad scenario so I almost despise myself for that.

I received another message from Arthur telling me the address of the hospital. I didn't reply to that, instead, I typed a message for Levi who immediately replied.

Levi

Alright. Text me the address of the hospital, I'm going. Please take care. I love you

I could not hold back my tears when I read that. All sorts of emotions poured out on me while I was in the taxi and I didn’t know where it was coming from. I feel like I'm being cheated on by myself because everything has been fine before. I feel like I’m just overreacting toward everything today. I don’t know why. The mess!

When I arrived at the hospital, I was relieved to learn that my mother's condition was not serious. She just had a big bruise on her waist because that was what hit her the first time she fell.

“Why aren't you care? I told you not to move around the house. Your back isn't good yet, you have something new to take care of now,” I preached to her when I sat down next to her.

I saw my brother staring at me so I stared at her.

“I'm fine, Rae. Don’t worry,” she told me briefly and even held my hand.

I have been fired again because of the situation.

“What are you doing as a child? Why is mama cleaning the bathroom?” I was furious at Arthur who was shocked by my scream.

“Oh, my G, sis! I guess you just shouted like that now. What’s happening to you?” She replied in a teasing tone so I was even more bored.

I tried to stand up to strike her but she quickly escaped and went to mama's side.

"Rae, that's enough."

“Help mom when you're not in school. How many times have I told you that, Arturo!”

“My god, Sis Rae! Don't shout my real name. I'm helping mama, she's the only one who's really naughty. Why are you acting like that? Do you have a period? Ew!” she told me so artfully and even stared at me.

I stiffened when I suddenly remembered something because of what she just said. I immediately averted my eyes from the two of them. Before I could speak, Levi suddenly appeared next to me so I almost hit him in shock.

"What's wrong with you, sister?" Arthur asked again when she heard me swear.

I didn't answer her, instead, I turned to look at Levi who was also looking at me.

"How is your mom?" it greeted me and immediately took my hand.

I didn't answer him because he approached mama who was currently sitting and eating.

“How are you, auntie? I heard what happened, are you okay?” he kept asking mama, but I didn’t get my attention.

If not in that matter. How many months has it been since that happened? Shit you, Rae! What if...

When I felt I really needed to ask about that ‘thing’ I first let them know I would be out for a while. I immediately dialed Rafa’s number which she answered immediately. I know as much as she knows about this thing.

“What? How many months has it been? Have you taken the test yet?” she almost shouted at me on the other line so I closed my eyes tightly.

I bit my lower lip and then shook my head as if she were in front of me right now.

“N-not yet. I mean, I don’t, Raf. I'm scared," I stammered to her.

I heard her repeatedly releasing curses on the other line which made me especially nervous. I could feel my chest pounding as I waited for what she would say.

“You are no longer afraid to have sex with a stranger, Rae! You buy it, right now. Let Yerim and I know,” she finally said then she ended the call.

My heart almost went out of my body because of the tightness I was feeling. I can’t even think straight because of that ‘thing’. What if my guess is correct? What if that’s really the case? How's that, Rae?!

I wondered a few more times if I would do that procedure now. I tried to calm myself down before I decided to go back to mama’s room, but I could still feel the trembling of my knees and hands.

I was about to go back to that room when I saw Levi walking towards me. His forehead furrowed as he looked at his cell phone. When he got close to me he sighed violently.

“What’s wrong?” I asked him, trying to forget what I’m thinking earlier.

I don’t want him to know yet. I want to confirm.

“I’m thinking if you can go with me to Tierra Fima. There is a problem on the farm and I need to be there, but your mom needs you here,” he said in trouble to me and sighed again.

He violently ran his hand through his hair and cursed repeatedly.

“Is it bad? What happened? ”

“Father Henry had a heart attack. It was so sudden. Plus the farm is in its low state, I have to take care of it,” he explained and looked at me tiredly.

His eyes are now tender. I can clearly see how tired he looks because of his successive meetings with a big client. It hasn't had a break since last week.

"I can follow you when mama's fine," I told him softly and hugged him tightly.

I could feel his head pressing against my neck and could barely smell it so I smiled. He hugged me tightly and kissed my neck.

“Yes, please... I don’t know what to do without you,” he whispered while I was tapping his back.

"I will also tell you something so I really need to follow you," I stated to him happily.