When the bright light hits my face I sit up covering my eyes. Such a sparkling day it is. But a sudden commotion irritates my peaceful senses. I run the comb through my hair and jog downstairs to find everyone surrounding Nero like he's someone from another country. It's 10.30? Great! The clock in my room has become slow. And I'm late. But the others are late too. Sofia's still preparing breakfast and Myria is exhausting Nero with questions. Hey when did Aiden come?
He waves at me. Seeing that Levi gives me a wink. They're having a good time hmm? If they woke up despite being still late why no-one bothered to wake me? Oh I hate it.
"Nero's homecoming is being celebrated today right?" I ask signing at the table laden with more food than usual. "All these for just breakfast?"
"Our boy has returned. Doesn't it call for a celebration?" Myria smiles patting Nero's back.
I see Roland supporting Mr. Morgasson to walk down the stairs. Then they enter. Woah he never really comes down here. Guess his affection for Nero is denser than I imagined. Maybe I should give them a moment. It's Nero's time. Emotional family things...too much for me. Never had one. Can you blame me?
They don't notice my quick absence when I slip out. Then a faint vibration of my phone pulls me out of my thoughts. It's from Mrs. Colins.
"Hello."
"Morning Loretta. I apologize for calling early but you have to come to the studio today. We have a particular matter to discuss."
I have a studio too? Where is it? I don't think I'll be able to go there alone. Agh!
"Time?" I ask.
She chuckles softly. "No not right now. At 5p.m. today."
What's the name of this studio? If I ask her this she'll think either I'm joking or I've gone crazy. One week left for the concert and my palms are sweating already.
"Uh.. Ana...about the concert, can I have another week extra? I've been a lot..."
"That's also the topic of our discussion. Let's meet today and we'll talk. Have a nice day Loretta."
Tomorrow our mission is to destroy Annie's plan. I guess it's good that Ana called me just now. But who's going to come with me to this studio? Who am I going to ask? All 3 of them need not tag along with me like bodyguards.
Everyone goes back to their own work after finishing breakfast together. Nero despite seeming a bit unwilling was engaged in a long conversation with grandpa and the others. But then they were stealing glances at me in between.
But I ignore that and come to the piano room. Now that I am here to distract myself from everything the door swings open and I see them together at the threshold with odd expressions.
"Levi, Aiden, Nero... is there something you wanna talk about?"
They glance at each other for a few seconds before turning back to me again. As if they didn't realise that they all came together.
Nero breaks the silence which I didn't expect. I can get used to him talking. "I'm leaving."
"What do you mean leaving?!" I almost panic at his words.
"Me too," Aiden adds. "Don't know why this guy tagged along," he says tilting his head at Levi.
"Nero! Just yesterday we got you... Where are you going to disappear again?"
Aiden snickers. Nero's mild laugh at his reaction seems a bit forced. "Will we be at home all day?" He assures me, "I'm not leaving Loretta. It's just I have to take care of something."
"I gotta give them a visit," Aiden says, "Family calls. We'll gather here again this evening."
"I was going to say that too but changed my mind." Levi states, "I'll drive her to the studio later."
I already told them about Ana's call.
He hovers close to me. Aiden's lips purse for a very short moment before it stretches back to its usual state. He asks this time, "When will you be back?"
"No clue."
"How about after 7p.m. I assume you'll be home by then?"
I nod.
For some reason these guys have become an inseparable part of my life and now losing any of them would haunt my current existence in a ridiculously serious way. How else will I explain this feeling?
Levi shut the door when they leave. I turn at him with an expression like, 'what's on your mind this time?'
He struts to me with a passively saucy grin. No matter how innocent and impassive you appear Levi Fawcett... there's a certain indecent desire lying deep in your chest and you aren't proud of exhibiting it. Or are you?
Just as the thought reaches an end the distance between us gets even shorter. He reaches out behind me and suddenly hoists me up in his arms. "Woah hey!"
His eyes now twinkling like stars. There you go Mr... Not too subtle after all. I feel heat rising to the skin of my neck.
"Remember that suggestion of mine?" He asks booping my nose.
Is he reminding me about spending the whole day with him?
"It'll be five hours then, from now. Not a whole day. You know I'll be leaving at 5."
"So you do want to spend a whole day with me... Impressive." He says in a mischievous tone.
"Levi!" I smack him hard. "It was just..."
"It was what?" His whisper rings too close to my ear.
God I need to keep some distance from this guy. His breath is like fire.
"I guess I'll get ready then," I say trying to wiggle out of his clasp. But he presses himself onto me again.
Morana, don't be a fool. Men like him...can be addicting.
I push his hand down. "So you don't want to go shopping with me?"
"Oh...shopping..." He blinks in slight awe. "Of course I do."
Suddenly he was back to the Levi I first met after waking up. He makes some room between us. "Maybe I'll do that whole day thing another time then."
"You practically live with me in this house duh!"
"And, you don't like me staying here?"
"When did I say that?" Ugh! Curse my mouth. I hate this tongue of mine.
I hastily rush out of the room without waiting to hear another word from him. Ain't I being too loose lipped around Levi these days? What's wrong with you? I yell at the mirror then quickly take a bath.
I'm in dire need of some variety of clothes. All the purples and pinks in the closet are killing me.
Levi was waiting for me outside. I bid Myria bye and come out to get where he's waiting inside his car. Only then his attire comes to the attention of my consciousness. How he's spruced up so refinedly. Is it just today or I've never paid much attention until lately?
"Loretta, that looks good on you."
His compliment gets me back on the track of present time. "Eh..thank you! You look more suave than usual today... Like I feel I didn't take enough time."
"Really?" His eyebrows raised a bit by my comment. "That won't do." His fingers clutch the steering tight as he starts the engine.
"By that you mean..?"
"That feeling of yours... There's no such thing as looking less perfect than you already are. When you came out of that door..." His eyes now shrink to peer hardly at the front road but I can tell he's not really looking at the road. "I glanced at your pristine form for ten seconds and my mind only had one word in that moment, mesmerizing."
Sometimes his words drop an indescribably strange raw impact on me.
When the car stops in front of a huge renowned boutique I can't help wondering, has she always shopped from places like this? C'mon Morana... You've given a second chance—why don't you take full advantage of it? Then again, who are these people to me? Family, friends, do I own them?
"Loretta...hey!" I find Levi pulling at my arm. "You're zoning out again. Come on, our purpose of being here is you, right?"
I can't remember the last time I bought something nice for me. And now..?
I snap open my purse revealing a credit card chilling there. Arkan definitely took pity on me... Surely Loretta cannot be the only girl who passed on right at the same time as...
After walking through several aisles we land on a particular section where a couple of dresses catch my attention. He was following me quietly all this time. Didn't seem bored. I should try these out first.
The sales associate girl pulls them out at my expense. "I'd like to try them on."
"Sure. Go ahead," she says enthusiastically guiding me to the changing room.
"This will look magnificent on you Miss Loretta."
Hold on, she knows me name?
"Umm, am I wrong?" She asks peering at me. Must have seen my furrowed expression.
Levi replies on my behalf. "Quite right she is. Would you mind adding another one to your list?" He throws the question at me casually brushing past the sales girl to disappear behind a clothing rack.
Seconds later he strolls back here with a royal blue dress with pearl white beads and sequin works on it.
"Wow that looks pretty good too," she praises his sense of fashion. And I can't help wondering more about this man who she had a sketchy coarse past with.
I come out of the trial room wearing the first one I chose. "How's it?"
"You look pretty," she claps once turning to him. "Don't you agree Mr. Fawcett?"
Levi clears his throat in an awkward way before giving her an approved nod.
She knows him too? Did Loretta come her with him before? But I thought Levi and her never got along? Multiple times I've gotten hint of that. I don't even know much about his personal life... except being the CEO his dad made him which he hates. What company do they have anyway?
"What are you thinking Miss Loretta?"
"Loretta's fine btw. Don't add Miss everytime you know."
A sheepishly nervous grin comes out of her as she hands me the dress Levi chose. "Try this too."
"Right."
I was so engrossed in my head that I didn't notice his expression before. But this time as I'm standing before him wearing the dress he picked, I find a mild satisfaction and fondness painted on his face.
"Mmm..."
Mm? It's but a barely audible satisfactory sound. How come Levi Fawcett is suddenly out of words?
I must say Loretta, you used to buy outfits mostly..." She titters bemusedly. "...ah pardon me."
"No, finish it. No words should be left unsaid."
"Too flashy... and deep. A bit dramatic? But this time you've picked something suitable and elegant," she describes.
He says nothing.
I watch myself in the mirror then smooth out the lower part of my dress. The material is soft, crisp yet not too heavy or draggy, the colour's elegant, lively. He chose this for me-thinking about it gives me goosebumps. When I turn around I hear a gasp from the sales associate. "Mr. Fawcett has a refined taste."
I keep my head low hiding my reddening cheeks while also peeking at Levi who seems to be at loss for words too. But his eyes are showering a different kind of radiance...Admiration? Attraction? How shall I read it?
He turns to the girl. "Pack the rest of them please. She'll wear this one out."
Just as I was about to shove my card towards her Levi scratches his card to pay.
"Why did you do that?" I frown.
He ignores me.
Wow that's something new.
I catch up to him. "Hey? I was gonna pay for myself!"
"And?" He clicks his tongue. "I simply wanted to buy that.
Ugh! "Now what?"
"I have something on my mind and I think you'll love it."