Chapter 23

N O E L L E

As weeks and months passed by, Levi and I were getting closer and closer to each other. I’ve got to spend the holidays in their house and celebrate Levi’s birthday. The chairman wanted me to move into their house, but I refused.

Levi also took me on his out-of-town or out-of-the-country business trips, and I took the chance to visit beautiful places locally and internationally.

Maxwell and I are still friends. I still go to his album's press release and his movies’ premiere nights. Levi cannot stop supporting Maxwell because it is the least I can do for him.

“So, you are giving Levi a chance?” Maxwell asked while we were eating in the school cafeteria. Levi pulled out his men who were following me and restraining Maxwell from approaching me. I think he trusts me this time, and I am thankful for that.

I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. I am just going with the flow these past several months. I don’t know what has gotten into me.” I answered.

“Are you ready to become his wife?” He asked, and I felt nervous all of a sudden. “You cannot invest your time and life in a certain someone without thinking about the future.”

I sigh in frustration. “Levi told me that I can pursue my dream, and I just have to marry him.”

“It sounds simple, but how about your duty as his wife? A marriage is a union of two souls, Noelle. You cannot expect Levi to understand all your shortcomings. What are you going to do if he wants you to prioritize your marriage than your profession?”

“What the hell Maxwell? You are scaring me.” I exclaimed.

He chuckles. “I am just telling you to prepare yourself. Make sure both of you understand your goals and plans in life. I don’t want to see you crying because you regret your decision. Marriage is sacred, Noelle. You have to understand the weight of the responsibility of a married woman.” He explained while looking at me intently.

“I’ll think about it, Max. Thank you for your advice.” I said while smiling at him.

“You are always welcome, Noelle. As long as you are happy, I will support you in your decision.” He said as he smiled back. “So, do you like him?” He asked, which made me look at him in shock. “What? Don’t tell me you are not aware of your feelings.”

I shake my head without changing my facial expression. “You are so naïve, Noelle.” He commented as I tried to analyze my feelings towards Levi. “Do you like spending time with him?” Maxwell asked, and I nodded. “Does he often make you smile?” I nodded again. “Are you comfortable around him?” I nodded. “Do you miss him and think about him very often?” I nodded again.

He let out a deep sigh before diverting his gaze away from me. “You are hurting me, Noelle.” He said, and I looked at him in confusion. “You are in love, Noelle.” He said, and I gasped in shock. “Dork.” He said while looking at me in a straight face.

I’m in love?! Me?! With Levi!? I’m in love with Levi?! I touched my chest as I felt my heart beating abnormally while thinking how I fell in love with Levi.

Maxwell suddenly laughs while looking at me. “What?” I asked him. “What’s funny?”

“Your facial expression is funny, Noelle. You are very innocent.” He said between laughter.

“I couldn’t help it. I am new to this kind of thing.” I groaned in frustration.

“You are a late bloomer.” He stated, and I rolled my eyes at him. “The CEO has to work harder.”

“You are so mean.” I shake my head while throwing him a death glare.

He clears his throat and looks at me in a straight face. His sudden change of facial expression startles me. “I thought I had to take you away from Levi. I thought you needed me to help you run away from him, but I was wrong.” My heart instantly aches after hearing his words. “I care about you, and I only want what is the best for you, Noelle.”

“Maxwell…”

“My mom and I are always here for you no matter what happens. Always remember that, okay?” He flashes a bright smile that I can’t help but smile back.

“Thank you for everything, Maxwell.”

I was walking on the street when I spotted Levi outside our house, holding a bouquet. I smiled at the thought that he came all the way here just to give me those flowers. My heart flutters every time he does something unexpected.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I walked towards him. He immediately smiles after seeing me.

“I bought these flowers for you as an excuse to see your face before this day ends.” He said before flashing a beautiful smile.

I shake my head while smiling at him. “I couldn’t believe you have spare time to spend with me today.” I received the bouquet of white tulips flowers from him.

“You know I always find time for you.” He said as he smirked at me. I invited him to join me for dinner, and he accepted it. Dad and I enjoyed the dinner with Levi while talking about my childhood stories. Levi loves hearing those stories from dad, and I get embarrassed every time I hear them.

Dad likes Levi not because of his money but because of the way he takes care of me and his consistency to show how much he loves me. I can see that Levi respects my dad, and it’s one of the things I like about him.

“How many kids do you want to have?” I looked at him in shock. We were sitting in the trunk of his car while drinking a hot coffee. It’s the weekend, and we decided to drive all over the place, and we ended up on the outskirt of town. It’s a grassy and elevated area. The wind is cold, and the moon is bright. It’s a perfect night for a sudden getaway.

“Where did that question come from?” I asked while chuckling nervously. I never thought about it. “How about you?”

He chuckles. “You are freaking out.” He said, and I punched his arm lightly. “I want three. I want sons as our eldest and second child. I want a princess for our third child.” He said while smiling. Wow. I couldn’t believe he had already planned the quantity and genders of our future children.

OUR?! Shit! Am I really considering these future plans with him!?

Gosh! What happened to my plans?! I think I’m crazy. “I want my only princess to be as beautiful as her mom.” He said before winking at me.

“Gosh! Stop it!” I punch him again lightly, and he chuckles. “I’m sure the boys will take after you,” I said while laughing.

Since then, we have enjoyed planning and thinking about our future. It automatically means that I am accepting the engagement. It excites me and brings joy to my heart. We are happy, and it’s all that matters.

“I am planning to start the construction of our house.” Levi suddenly blurted while we were eating in a fast-food restaurant. I missed eating in this kind of restaurant since Levi always took me to fancy restaurants. I’m glad he did not complain when I took him here.

“Isn’t too early for that? I haven’t graduated from college yet.” I said while munching my burger, followed by fries.

“It will take time to build, so I guess it’s right to start the construction as early as this year.” He said, and I looked at him in shock. “What?”

“Seriously? How big is this house that we are talking about?” I asked.

“It’s a villa. I want to have a villa for our children.” He said without a hint of bragging.

“A villa?! So, it’s a large mansion?!” I hysterically asked.

He nods. “Yeah. Why?” He asked innocently.

“We are going to be just five in the family, Levi. The normal size of a house is enough to accommodate us.” I said.

He shakes his head. “I want the best for my future wife and children.” He said while smiling, and I sighed in frustration. I always forgot that he is a freaking billionaire!

After a week, Levi showed me the blueprint of the villa. He hired the best architects, engineers, and interior decorators in the country. He also looked for a horticulturist who would manage the garden and yard. “Isn’t too ostentatious?” I asked while looking at the design plan. “Is this really how rich people spend their money?”

“I am working my ass off to provide the best for our family, Noelle. Let me consider these future plans as my motivation to work harder.” He said while smiling, and I shook my head in disbelief.

Allen came into his office, showing a shocked facial expression, and I looked at him in confusion. “Sir, you have a visitor.” He announced.

“Who? I am not expecting anyone.” Levi answered without diverting his look away from the blueprint.

Allen let out a deep sigh before speaking. “Miss Vanessa Jackson, sir.” He said, and I witnessed how Levi’s body froze, and his eyes widened in shock.

He slowly turns his head towards Allen, and his eyebrows knit together. “Who?” He asked again. He seemed couldn’t believe what he heard, and I was just observing his every reaction. I am interested to know this Vanessa Jackson.