Chapter 24

N O E L L E

Levi’s reaction and action changed when he heard Vanessa Jackson’s name. He looked nervous, restless, and distracted. He did not talk to Vanessa and let Allen tell her that he was busy at that moment.

I leave his office, wondering who Vanessa to Levi was. It’s the first time that I saw Levi act like that. Vanessa has a big effect on him. I am tempted to ask Allen about Vanessa, but I know he will never say anything about his boss.

I want to ask Levi about Vanessa, but I don’t have the courage to do it. Vanessa seems a sensitive topic to Levi. My curiosity about her bugged me for a few days until I decided to trust Levi. I didn’t know anything about their connection, so I decided to stop overthinking. I should not jump to conclusions and judge Levi that easily.

The weekend came, and supposedly, Levi and I have scheduled out of a town trip. We had planned that trip two months ago. We even cleared our schedules just to make it happen, but Levi decided to cancel it.

He informed me on Friday night that he got an urgent meeting. I got disappointed and sad, but I chose to understand him and the situation. I’ve decided to marry him, and I was expecting that unforeseen and urgent things might happen from time to time. I should get used to it.

I’ve decided to work at the coffee shop instead to make myself busy. Maxwell was surprised to see me at the coffee shop. He decided to hang out there and do his homework. I told him about what happened, and he just shook his head at me. He waited until my shift ends and then we went to our favorite place to relax.

“Are you alright?” Maxwell asked me while we were lying on his car’s hood.

“I am fine, Max. I can handle it.” I said before smiling at him. I decided not to tell him about my worry about Vanessa’s existence in Levi’s life. I don’t want to see his reaction, and I am sure he will get worried about me.

I send messages to Levi every night about what happened to me the whole day. It was one of our routines, and I got used to it. I asked him how his day went, but I got no reply since the other day. I asked Allen about his boos, and he told me that he was fine. I breathed out in relief and frustration.

What is happening to Levi?

Is he avoiding me?

Did I do something wrong?

Is he alright?

Those are the questions that keep popping out in my head, but I don’t have the courage to ask. I am scared of his answers and reactions. I don’t want him to think that I am prying on his life. I feel like I don’t have the right to ask questions.

A few days more had passed, and still no signs of Levi. I did not get any message or call from him. Allen barely replied to my messages, and he just kept telling me that Levi was fine.

I am getting anxious and scared of the things that might be happening to Levi. I can’t sleep well at night because I keep thinking about him. I always stare at my phone, waiting and hoping for his message or call.

My chest is getting heavier and heavier as days pass by without Levi. My head is all over the place. I couldn’t concentrate on my studies, and I barely got an appetite to eat. One morning, I woke up with a decision in mind. I decided to go to his office and ask him what was happening.

“Miss Lewis, what are you doing here?” Allen stopped me from entering his boss’s office. I got shocked at his action. He never did this to me before.

I breathed out and faced him. “Allen, what is happening?” I asked him while looking at him intently.

He gulped and diverted his gaze away from me. “Sir Levi is busy with his work, Miss Lewis. He cannot be disturbed.” His actions are telling me that he’s lying.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you this time, Allen.” I pushed him sideways and forced my entry to Levi’s office.

“Levi—“ I stopped speaking the moment I heard and saw him laughing. A woman is in front of him. Her back is facing me, but I know she has a body of a model. She is wearing a fitted black dress and high heels.

“N-Noelle,” Levi called my name, but my attention was still fixed on the woman in front of him. “W-What are you doing here?” He asked as he looked at me and then at the woman. He looked nervous all of a sudden.

I breathed out before speaking. “H-Hi! I dropped by just to check on you.” I said while smiling. The woman turned to face me, and my eyes widened in amusement. She’s gorgeous. She indeed looks like a model. “Hi.” I greeted her.

She smiles at me. “Hi. I’m Vanessa Jackson.” She stood up and offered her hand for a handshake. I accepted it and shook her hand.

So, she’s Vanessa Jackson.

“It’s nice to meet you, Vanessa. I’m Noelle Lewis.” I said while smiling.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Noelle.” She said.

Levi clears his throat, catching our attention. “Van, I need to talk to Noelle.” He said while smiling at her.

“Oh, it’s alright. I will take my leave now, Xander.” Xander?! What’s with the nickname?! She grabs her bag before walking towards Levi. My eyes widened in shock when she kissed him on his cheeks and whispered something to his ears that made him smile from ear to ear. I diverted my gaze away from them as I felt something piercing my heart, and it hurts. “I’ll see you later.” She said before exiting the office.

I breathed out to calm myself down before facing Levi. “H-How are you?” I asked while smiling. I cannot show him what I truly feel. I want to keep it to myself as long as I can.

“I’m fine, Noelle. You don’t have to come here. I know you are busy with your studies.” He said as he flipped the page of the documents in front of him.

So, he doesn’t want me to come here anymore. I can still remember how he nagged me to come here and visit him as often as possible.

“I am not busy today, so I decided to drop by. I want to check if you’re okay since you are not replying to my messages.” I said. I think I failed to hide my irritation in my statement that he looked at me in a straight face.

“I-I was busy.” He said.

“I can see that. I’m sorry for interrupting your time with Vanessa. Did I disturb your fun conversation?” I really can’t hold back anymore. I want to let it out now because my chest feels heavy.

“We were just talking about her life in Germany.” He answered without looking at me.

“Who is she, Levi?” I looked at him directly to his eyes. “Who is Vanessa to you?”

He looks at me in shock as his adam’s apple moves up and down. “S-She's just an old friend, Noelle.” He answered, but I didn’t believe him. I’ve never seen him laugh and smile at me like that. I can tell that they have a deep connection than just being friends. He’s making a fool out of me.

I nodded, pretending that I accepted his answer. “That’s what I thought. She’s really close to you, huh.” I commented. “By the way, are you done planning our house? I would like to see the final draft.” I said while smiling.

He quickly looks at the blueprint, which he left at the corner of his office. “I decided to delay the planning and construction.” He said, and I looked at him in confusion.

“Why? Is there something wrong?” I asked even though I already knew the reason.

“I realized what you said was true that it was too early for that.” He said as he flashed a smile, and I nodded.

“Oh, I see. It’s a good decision.” I commented. “I’ll go ahead then. I can rest easy now after knowing that you are fine, healthy, and happy.” I said while smiling at him.

His facial expression softens, and he looks at me sadly. “T-Thank you, Noelle.” He said, and I nodded before stepping out of his office.

Allen looks at me with pity. “Tell me, Allen. Do I have the right to fight?” I said as my tears rolled down my cheeks.

“M-Miss Lewis, I’m sorry.” He said as he looked down. I shook my head while looking at him. “It’s alright, Allen. I understand.” I said as I tapped his shoulder before walking away.

What should I do? Should I fight, or should I let go?