Chapter 20

N O E L L E

“W-What?” I asked. Confusion is visible on my face. 

Did I hear him right? 

He sighs before walking towards me. “You are more than what you think, Noelle. You don’t have to accompany me to parties, know my world, or stop pursuing your dream as a surgeon. I will support you no matter what you want. Do all the things that will make you happy. I won’t interfere as long as you stay with me. Marry me. It’s all that I want.” He said before turning his back on me and walking away.

I dropped myself on the floor while trying to process what Levi said. I shut my eyes close as the realization of his feelings for me hit me hard.

When did he start liking me? When did he start prioritizing my happiness over his? Why did he choose to fall in love with me? I’m not worthy of his attention.

I pull my hair in frustration. Gosh! I think I am going crazy! Yes, I am flattered and happy, but I am also worried.

What should I do? Confessing his feelings is like taking responsibility for it! I did not do anything for him to fall in love with me! It never crosses my mind that he will fall in love with a simple yet cute ordinary college girl like me! Is he blind?!

I’ve decided to lie on the couch that night as I ponder what to do next with Levi. The next day, I found myself on a king-size bed inside a room.

“I am going back to where Maxwell is,” I said after eating our breakfast in silence. We are already outside of the house and ready to leave.

“No, you don’t. Get in.” He said firmly before getting in his car. I sigh in defeat. I have no choice but to go with him. I don’t have any means to go back to Maxwell in this situation.

He drives without uttering a single word, not that I want him to talk to me. I just find him cold and unapproachable like the first time we meet.

I slept during the ride, and when I woke up, we were already in front of our house. So, he took me home. I got off his car, and he said something before I could enter our house. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said before driving off.

Tomorrow?! Why is he going to see me tomorrow?

I borrowed my dad’s phone and called Maxwell. I told him that I was already home. He said he was relieved that I was okay and told me that he would leave their vacation house today to return to our city.

I’ve decided to work at the coffee shop to earn money for one week's vacation before our school resumes.

After my shift at four in the afternoon, I was surprised to see Levi waiting outside the coffee shop. He is wearing denim pants and a black polo shirt. It was the first time I saw him wearing clothes like this. He usually wears formal clothing, and now he looks like an ordinary guy.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Get in.” He commanded, and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. He should have answered me first.

“Where are we going?” I asked while I secretly checked my clothes. I am just wearing a white plain shirt, ripped jeans, and white sneakers. In my eyes, I still look presentable. Yes, only in my eyes. His appearance still shouts good look despite his simple clothes. It’s unfair.

“We are going on a date.” I look at him in surprise. “I’m serious about you, Noelle. I won’t let Hughes take what is mine.” He said in a straight face. I gulped as I slouched on the passenger’s seat of his car.

I’m speechless. I can’t argue or say anything. It did not cross my mind that Levi would take me on a date.

Levi took me to a cinema, and we watched an action-comedy movie. He was surprised I was not into romantic movies. After that, he took me to a restaurant, and we ate dinner.

“By the way, why you and Olivia were on the beach?” I asked while finishing my food.

As far as I know they are dating, so what happens now?

“We visited our under-construction site. We stopped in the restaurant to have dinner, and unfortunately, I lost my appetite when I saw you with Hughes.” He said before throwing me a cold stare.

“It’s bad to keep holding grudges on someone. It’s bad emotionally and mentally.” I stated. “Aren’t you dating Olivia?” I asked, diverting the topic.

“I did until you suddenly stopped showing up and replying to my messages.” He sounds really bitter.

“What it has something to do with me? I’m not obliged to answer all your messages.” I countered.

“It’s because of you that she noticed how distressed and worried I was, so I told her the truth.” I look at him in confusion. He is clearly blaming me!

“What truth?” I asked.

“I told her our true relationship that you are my fiancée, and I told her that I would stop seeing her because of you.” How honest, CEO Levi. You have my praise. Please take note of thick sarcasm.

“You have the confidence to reject someone, haven’t you?” I sigh. “I did not want you to stop dating her. You won’t ask to date her twice if you don’t like her, am I correct?”

“I like her, but I don’t love her. It has a big difference between the two.” Shit. Why so frank, Levi? I avoided his gaze and stopped talking until he took me home.

The next day, I found Levi waiting for me outside the coffee shop. This time he is wearing washed ripped jeans, a gray shirt, and sneakers. I admit, he looks fresh and handsome in his outfit, and I can’t help but admire him. He has the looks and appeals that every woman wants.

“I am aware that I have the right to refuse, right?” I asked while walking towards him. I am so tired, and I want to go home right now.

“I got two VIP tickets for Taylor Swift’s concert.” My eyes widened in surprise. I feel like my exhaustion suddenly vanishes. My mood suddenly changes, and my energy increase.

I think my eyes twinkled after seeing those tickets! I love Taylor Swift, and it’s my dream to watch her concert. It is my chance!

“What time? Let’s go! We can’t be late!” I grabbed the two tickets and hurriedly got in his car. I heard him chuckle before getting in.

Enthusiastic is an understatement if I would describe myself after the concert. I enjoyed Taylor Swift’s every performance, and I’ve got to sing along with her. I cannot contain my happiness, and it’s all thanks to Levi.

“I did not know you know her songs,” Levi commented while looking at me, smiling.

“She’s one of my favorite singers, and I love her songs. How did you know I want to watch her concert?” Levi took me to a coffee shop after the concert. I think he wants me to calm down first before taking me home.

“I have my ways to know everything about you.” He said before smirking.

“Thank you so much! I enjoyed it!” I exclaimed.

“It’s my pleasure.” He answered.

I spent the rest of my vacation with Levi. He took me to a theatre play, a classical play, and another movie date. He also let me taste different cuisine from different restaurants. I’ve got to taste Western, European, and Asian cuisines. I enjoyed our time together, and I’ve got a chance to know him more.

The question is, why am I letting him do this? What happened to my plan of finding him another woman who will marry him? What happened to I don’t want to marry him and get stuck as a businessman’s wife?

Monday came, and school resumed. I had class from morning until late afternoon. I’ve got a chance to talk to Maxwell during lunch break, and I told him what happened, and he was unhappy about it. He told me that I should think about it carefully and be ready for what might happen.

“My men told me you had a lunch date with Hughes.” I stopped on my track after hearing Levi’s voice. He is waiting outside our lecture hall while leaning on the wall.

What the hell is he doing here?!

“Your men?! Lunch date?!” I asked in confusion.

“I hired men to follow you and report to me what happened to you.” He said, and I looked at him in annoyance.

“What did you do that?!” I asked in anger.

He throws me a death glare, and I gulp. “I won’t let Hughes do as he pleases this time. My men will stop him the next time he approaches you.” He said, and I was utterly dumbfounded.

What the hell?!