"You like the house?"
I almost jumped in panic because suddenly someone spoke behind me. I failed to look back at who it was because he suddenly hugged me from behind.
I hysterically responded to him when I felt a cold water embrace my whole body.
“Oh my! You’re soaking wet!” I shouted and immediately pulled him away from me.
My forehead furrowed when I faced him and I was even more surprised by what I saw.
"Levi?"
“Oh, why do you look so shocked? Are you expecting someone to hug you from your back? Do you think I will agree?”
I was blown away by what he said. I noticed his messy hair still dripping. He’s only wearing a board short. He had a towel on his shoulder so I wondered if I would remove it so I could fully see his body.
Pervert, Astraea!
"Enjoying the view?" He asked me arrogantly so I immediately avoided looking at him.
I stared and looked again at the girl in painting.
"Whose house is this?" I asked him as I examined the woman properly.
As if I've seen her before!
"Did you like it?" He asked me again so I smiled.
“Yes, I love it. Only now have I seen such a beautiful house. The interior designs are amazing! The owner chose a good color,” I said to him and left my gaze at the painting.
“Good to hear that. This house will be more beautiful when it is inhabited,” he said meaningfully.
I looked at him who was currently wiping his hair.
“Why are you here anyway? Are you following me, Levi? What about our daughter?” I asked him and narrowed my eyes at him.
He laughed and took the glass of juice. "I heard you call earlier so I come out to see you."
"What do you mean?"
He did not answer me. He leaned towards me instead and gently kissed me on the shoulder so I slapped him.
"Stop!"
He just laughed and stared at me. His smile widens. He parted my hair covering my face. I follow every movement of his eyes. As if he's memorizing every inch of my face so I was suddenly lost.
“This is my town house. I bought this house before I went to Tierra Fima, the day before you saw me with Mari, I was renovating this house with Anne.”
I literally dropped my jaw because of what he said. He still hasn't lost that smile on his lips.
Does that mean this house belongs to him? And why did he buy a house then?
“Why did you buy this house before? Vacation?” I wondered to him.
He playfully laughed at me and gently held my hand without still looking away.
"I used to think that we would get married and we would live here," he told me seriously.
I don’t know what I will react to what he said. I was so shocked by what was happening and I wasn’t ready for whatever was going to happen.
I lose my attention on my thoughts when Levi gently squeezes my hand. I saw his expression change. I also noticed the criticism of both his ears.
"Why?" I asked him.
I stunned when I saw a tears in his eyes. My whole body went cold at what I saw. I could feel my chest pounding because of that.
“Levi...”
“I read a lot of your books and it made me feel wholesome and at peace. For the first time in my life, I felt peaceful just by reading your books that’s why I wanted to know you more before. I want to meet the woman who gave me a peaceful and calm heart even though it was a storm at night. You made me come to you and I’m glad you welcomed me inside your world.” His voice crack in the end.
I cleared my throat when I felt something's inside of me hurting my throat. I feel like there is a blockage there which causes my throat to hurt.
I couldn’t help but get bitten on my lower lip because of the feeling. It’s hurt to see him with his teary-eyes but I also don’t know how I’ll feel because of what he said.
“But I crashed you big time and I know I fucked up. That despite letting me into your world, you understood me, you forgave me over and over again, and waited, even if I didn't return all the good things you did for me. I let you suffer alone. I let you carry our Asteria alone and it breaks me knowing how strong you are just because I shattered you into pieces. I’m not by your side when you really need me and I’m so sorry for that. I’m sorry for everything..."
I sighed deeply as his tears fell from his beautiful eyes. His eyes now are reddish. His lips were already trembling as if to prevent the complete shattering of his voice.
I suddenly remembered what Yerim had told me before. Levi made his way back to me and I was disgusted with myself because I wasn’t able to meet him then. I was afraid to take a risk again for him.
I can already feel the trembling of my knees due to weakness. I could not find in the recesses of my brain what to say so my mouth remained shut.
“Levi…” I whispered.
I saw a sad smile on his lips. He gently kissed my hands and then kissed me on the forehead.
"I will forever apologize to you for my shortcomings. I want you to know that I want us to live here together with our kids, Lumiere. Let’s live here freely,” he said to me and hugged me tightly.
I smiled when I heard how he cried. It's not that I'm happy to see him crying like this. It’s just funny to think that he cries so easily when it comes to things like this.
“I will agree if you will not allow our wedding to be held at Casa. I don't want a fancy wedding, Levi. I just want a simple wedding,” I begged him.
I remember his parents insisting that our wedding be held at Casa de Acuzar and I knew who would be going there. Of course, business tycoons that I’m sure I won’t enjoy because I don’t belong in the business world. Also, I have social anxiety.
I also heard him laugh.
"I'll think about it," he whispered to me so I just stared at the absence.