CHAPTER 059
«JARVIS POINT OF VIEW»
"It's nice to have both of you home at the same time," Mom beamed warmly as she set the table with different delicious foods, where we all sat together. The scent of her cooking filled the air: spiced chicken, roasted vegetables, and freshly baked bread.
It wrapped around us like something safe and familiar, like childhood, yet no matter how comforting it should have felt, it did nothing to ease the tension sitting heavily in my chest. I was back to feeling the worst about myself. I hated feeling like this.
Dad occupied his usual seat at the edge of the table, posture straight, quiet, and observant as always. He rarely spoke first, but he looked as if he saw everything. His eyes flicked between Levi and me occasionally, though I doubted he noticed the invisible thread of tension stretched tight between us.
Levi sat opposite me, his attention completely fused to his glowing handset. The screen reflected faintly in his brown eyes. Small smiles tugged at his lips as his thumb moved quickly across the surface. He was clearly texting someone. Whoever it was had his full attention.
And it wasn’t me.
Without thinking, I found myself stretching my neck slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever had him smiling like that. My movement must have been obvious because he suddenly lifted his head. Our gazes collided. For a second, everything stilled.
I stared directly into his brown eyes, silently questioning him. Asking him, without words, what he couldn’t seem to say out loud anymore.
“What?” he asked casually, lifting one shoulder in that lazy shrug I used to find charming.
I quickly shook my head and looked away, dropping my gaze to my empty plate. I bit my bottom lip, trying to calm the hammering beneath my chest. I could still feel his eyes lingering on me for a few seconds before they shifted away again, returning to the glowing screen. He wasn’t cheating on me… right?
The thought struck so suddenly that it made me dizzy. I immediately shook my head at it. Levi would never cheat on me. He loved me. He had said it countless times, whispered it against my skin, and breathed it into my mouth like it was oxygen. But then why was he avoiding me lately?
Why did it feel like he didn’t want me near him? Why did he seem so distant even though he was only an arm’s reach away?
The questions crowded my mind, each louder than the last, like voices echoing in an empty room. I shook my head again, forcing myself not to spiral, forcing myself to sit still and breathe. I was probably just overthinking, like I usually did.
“Levi, what have you been up to lately?” Mom began as she served our plates, that soft simmering smile still resting on her lips. She always tried to keep the atmosphere light, as if nothing heavy could exist in her house. Only if she knew.
Levi finally placed his phone face down on the table. “I was planning on telling you tonight,” he said, his gaze sweeping around the table. It brushed past me so quickly, it was as if I wasn’t even there. A strange uneasiness twisted in my stomach at being ignored. What the fuck was wrong with him?
“What is it, honey?” Mom asked eagerly as she settled beside Dad, who now looked mildly curious.
I nibbled on my bottom lip again, that dreadful feeling growing stronger. Something told me whatever he was about to say wouldn’t sit well with me. Something deep in the pit of my stomach whispered that tonight would not end peacefully.
“I was promoted at work,” Levi announced calmly.
Mom gasped in excitement. “That’s wonderful, Levi! How long have you been hiding this news?” She playfully hit his shoulder, laughing through her joy. Dad congratulated him with a firm nod and a rare proud smile.
I remained silent. Why didn’t he tell me first?
I should have been the first to know. I used to be the first to know everything: every frustration, every ambition, every tiny success. We used to share everything. After a whole year of secretly dating, when did that change?
“Actually,” Levi continued, clearing his throat slightly, “I requested my boss to transfer me to Italy. I’ll be moving there.”
My heart skipped, then it dropped so violently I felt it in my stomach while the room seemed to tilt slightly.
“Why, son? Don’t you want to stay here in LA? Why change countries?” Dad asked, confusion creasing his forehead.
“Dad, you know I’ve always wanted to live in Italy,” Levi explained with a soft smile. “I stayed this long because of you guys. This is finally my chance to live in my dream country.”
Mom suddenly choked out a sob. Tears streamed down her cheeks as if the news had struck her physically. Levi quickly stood and wrapped his arms around her.
“I can’t believe you’re going to leave us,” she cried into his chest.
“Come on, Mom. It’s not like that. I just need a change of environment. Italy will give me a chance to start fresh,” he reassured gently.
Start fresh.
The words echoed painfully. A fresh start without me. I bit back the bitter laugh that ached to rip through my throat.
“When are you leaving?” Dad asked.
“In three days.”
Bang!
Their heads snapped toward me as my hands slammed hard against the table. The plates rattled, and my fork clattered to the floor. I shot up from my chair, shoulders rising and falling with anger. My jaw clenched painfully tight, and my throat thickened as heat burned behind my eyes.
Three days? Three days, and he was just telling me now? Me? He wasn't telling me. He told me nothing.
Without a word, I shoved my chair back and stormed away from the dining area.
“Jarvis, where are you going?!” Mom called after me, her voice laced with concern.
“I lost my appetite,” I muttered lowly, already climbing the stairs two at a time. Each step felt heavy, while my chest felt like it was being crushed from the inside.