-Haruka POV-
"Mr. Ackerman, your painting really reminded me of L. Schatz's painting." The instructor said, which surprised me. Did he recognise it already? I looked at Levi, who looked surprisingly calm.
"Is that so? Well, I was appointed as the new CEO for the Ackerman Museum and Art Gallery a few weeks ago. I've been looking at L. Schatz's paintings a lot lately. Maybe that's why." He replied with his calm voice. I'm being nervous for nothing, after all.
"Ah, I see. Your work is really good. I could say it's better than mine, actually, haha. Well, good job, everyone! These are wonderful. Remember, art is about expressing yourself, and you've all done that beautifully." The instructor said, clapping his hands again.
As the group packs up, onee-san insists on taking pictures of everyone with their paintings. Levi and I pose awkwardly, Levi holding his impressive landscape while I smugly hold up my chaotic abstract piece.
"Perfect! This one's going to be on the group chat." Onee-san said while smiling, looking at the photo.
After that, we returned to the villa to collect our belongings and say our goodbyes. The atmosphere is warm and content, the trip filled with unforgettable memories.
"Thanks for inviting us, Haru-chan. Let's do this again another time." Onee-san said while hugging me.
"Yeah, this was great. You need to come out of that office more often." Hanaka nii-san said while patting my back.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll try. But it's Hana-chan who planned everything." I said that, trying to clear the misunderstandings.
"Well, it's all thanks to Levi for asking for a trip like this as a reward." Hanabi said, pointing at Levi, and he looked a bit surprised.
"Well, I didn't expect you to drag everyone, haha." Levi chuckled awkwardly.
"Well, I'm glad I've been invited too, even though I'm not a family member." Ethan suddenly spoke, trying to hide his nervousness.
"Ahem. Me too. Thank you." Lauren said the same.
"Well, the more, the merrier, right? Let's have a trip like this again! And I'll make sure to drag Jessica along next time." Hanabi said with a grin while looking at Aiden. Oh, right, Aiden always admired Jessica, our cousin.
"Make sure I'm not busy at that time, okay? By the way, Levi, take care of my baby brother, okay? He's hopeless without someone to drag him along." Onee-san said with a smirk, patting Levi's shoulder.
"Onee-san, I'm not a kid, and I can take care of myself just fine!" I half-yelled while glaring at her.
"Haha. I'll take my leave now. Bye everyone!"
The group finally departs. Christine goes back straight to New York with her private jet while the rest go back with the Auclair Family's private jet, leaving Levi and me standing by the driveway. That's because Levi insisted we go back by car. A alone time together, he said.
"Ready to head back?" He gently nudged me.
"Yeah, let's go." I said with a nod.
The car glides down a winding road surrounded by lush greenery. My eyes focused on the road, not knowing what to say. The silence in the car is comfortable, but Levi decides to break it.
"So, Christine wasn't the only one spilling secrets this weekend." Levi said, leaning back in his seat, glancing at me.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, raising my eyebrows, and then looked at him.
"Chris told me something interesting last night. Apparently, you're going to that fancy dinner party hosted by the president next week. After four years of avoiding them." I could see a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Of course he did. My siblings can't keep their mouths shut, can they?" I said that calmly, but with a hint of reluctance.
"But what's the story there? You've been skipping these parties for years, and now suddenly you're going?" Levi said with a grin, enjoying my reaction.
"The president himself reached out this time. It feels… different. Like I can't keep avoiding it anymore. And do you think I have a choice when the president himself meets my parents to make sure I attend the party?"
"I see. Still, it must be strange to attend a party like that after years." Levi said that softly, his teasing tone slowly fading.
I stop talking for a moment, then glancing at Levi with a small, almost hesitant smile, "It will be. But… at least this time, I'll have someone I trust there with me."
Levi blinks, momentarily caught off guard. He tilts his head slightly, meeting Haruka's gaze.
Levi blinks, momentarily caught off guard. He tilts his head slightly, meeting my gaze.
"You're not seriously saying that 'someone' is me, are you?" Levi asked with a small smirk.
"Ahem. That's because you've been to plenty of formal events before. Besides, you're good at handling people, and I could use the support." I tried to make excuses, and he just chuckled.
"Alright, alright. I understand. But don't blame me if I end up stealing the spotlight." He said that while grinning, leaning his back on the seat.
"I couldn't care less about that." I said that and then threw my eyes on the road again.
The car falls back into a comfortable silence, the hum of the engine and the scenery outside creating a serene atmosphere. Despite the light banter, there's a quiet understanding between us—a growing bond that neither of us puts into words just yet. Maybe, not yet.
-5 hours later-
Levi adjusts his grip on the steering wheel, his expression softening as the quiet hum of the car settles between us. We almost arrived at our destination. As the car cruises through the final stretch of the drive, Levi turns to me with a mischievous grin.
"You know," he broke the silence, his voice laced with a hint of amusement, "every year, without fail, it's always me at the centre of attention at these parties. The Ackerman name has that effect. People can't help but gravitate toward me. All eyes are always on me."
I glanced at him, eyebrows raised. "Oh, really? I hadn't noticed. Well, with all that charm of yours, I'm sure you must be impossible to ignore."
Levi chuckles, but there's a subtle shift in his tone. "Yeah, well, it gets tiring after a while. All the 'respectful' nods, the polite smiles, and the endless conversations about my family's legacy. Same routine every year." He leans back, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel. "It gets old."
I tilt my head. "So, what's different this year?" I asked
Levi glances at me, his gaze softening. "This year… it's gonna be your year, Haru-chan."
I blink momentarily, caught off guard. "What do you mean by that?"
He smirks, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of affection and amusement. "Everyone's dying to know what the second young master of the Auclair Family has been up to these days. They've been whispering for months. And let's face it, your absence from these parties over the years has only made people more curious."
I feel a sudden flush of unease, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my sleeve. "You're exaggerating."
Levi shakes his head, his smile widening. "Not at all. You've managed to stay under the radar for so long that now it's like a mystery. They're all wondering what the hell you've been doing while everyone else has been playing the part. And this year, you're showing up. They'll be watching, whether you like it or not."
I let out a long breath, trying to mask the nervousness creeping up. "I guess I never thought of it that way…"
Levi chuckles again, this time more warmly. "Don't worry. I'll be there to make sure you don't feel too overwhelmed. But just know… this time, the spotlight's on you. Whether you want it or not."
I lean back against the seat, exhaling slowly as I process his words. The weight of the night's expectations suddenly feels a lot heavier.
"You really think people will be paying that much attention?" I ask, my voice laced with uncertainty.
Levi's expression softens. "Trust me. You've got a presence about you. Who wouldn't notice a pretty angel like you? Everyone's eyes will be on you." For some reason, he sounds a bit upset, but his smile never leaves his lips.
For a moment, I'm silent, the magnitude of what Levi's said sinking in. Then, I look over at him with a slight smile. "I told you not to call me pretty. I'm a man, after all."
"Yeah, you're a man. But the fact that you're handsome and pretty is there so no one could deny that." Levi grins, the familiar playful glint returning to his eyes.
"Ugh. Suit yourself, then." I said, turning away from looking at him, and he just chuckled.
"You know, there's somewhere we need to stop at before we go back home." Levi said, changing the topic.
"Huh? Where?" I asked, raising my brows.
"The cat hotel." Levi replied shortly.
I blink, caught off guard. "Cat hotel?"
Levi raises an eyebrow. "Yes, you did ask me to leave the babies there. You remember, right? You did leave them there for the whole trip."
I pause, feeling a sudden wave of realisation hit me. "Oh… right. The cats. I completely forgot about them."
Levi chuckles, shaking his head with a playful smirk. "I can't believe you forgot about your own cats. They'll probably think you've abandoned them."
"Seriously, how could I forget about them?" I mutter to myself, feeling a mix of guilt and embarrassment. "I've just been so caught up with everything else... the trip, the packing, and… well, you know how it is."
"Well, we're here. You better prepare yourself, Haru-chan." Levi said that with a chuckle while parking the car.
We're in front of the hotel building. The sign outside reads "Purrfect Retreat," with soft paw prints leading up to the door. It's cute, haha.
"So, how bad do you think it is?" I asked, as we made our steps towards the hotel's entrance.
Levi glances over at me, his lips curling into a small smirk. "I'm guessing they're going to give you the cold shoulder for a while. Cats are dramatic like that."
I laugh nervously. "I really hope they're not too mad at me for forgetting about them. They're probably used to getting extra attention, especially after a trip like this."
Levi shrugs, his eyes softening. "They'll get over it. But, fair warning, they're probably going to be a little vocal once they see you.
I nod, feeling a sudden wave of guilt rush over me. "I can't believe I let myself forget them."
Levi, ever the observer, notices the change in my expression. "They're cats, Haruka. They'll forgive you as long as you've got the treats and attention they crave. Don't make it worse by overthinking it."
The soft hum of the building's interior is warm and inviting. As we push open the door, the sound of playful meowing greets us.
"Looks like they're excited to see us," I say, trying to calm my nerves as we make our way inside.
The receptionist, a woman with a friendly smile, waves at us as she rises from behind the counter. "Welcome back! We've been expecting you."
"Thanks," I reply, smiling as I approach the counter. "My cats… uh, the ones staying here? They're ready to go home now."
"Oh, yes! They're both in the playroom, all nice and cozy. Let me grab them for you."
Levi leans in, speaking in a low voice. "Let's see how much damage they've done in their time here. I have a feeling they've already become royalty here."
I roll my eyes but can't help the smile that tugs at my lips. "They probably have their own throne by now."
The receptionist returns, holding a carrier with two small faces peeking through the bars. "Here they are!" she says with a chuckle. "They were so well-behaved."
I reach out, taking the carrier with both hands, and peek inside. Both of my cats blink up at me, their eyes wide with the unmistakable look of judgement.
"Sorry," I mutter, my voice soft and apologetic. "I missed you too."
Levi watches the exchange with an amused grin. "Well, at least they're not looking at you like you've committed a crime. Yet."
I laugh nervously, carefully placing the carrier down on the counter as the receptionist hands me the final paperwork. "I'll make it up to you guys. I promise."
"You better," Levi says with a wink. "Otherwise, we might need to put you in a 'time-out' for forgetting them."
I roll my eyes at his teasing, but the sight of my cats calming down at the sound of my voice fills me with relief.
Levi grabs the carrier handle, lifting it with ease. "Let's get you two back home, little troublemakers. Haruka's probably going to spoil you for the next week, so get ready."
With the cats now in tow, we walk out of the cat hotel together. The gentle sound of their soft purring fills the air, and for a moment, I can't help but feel a weight lift off my shoulders.
"Thanks for handling this," I say to Levi as we reach the car.
He glances at me, his smile faint but genuine. "No problem. Just make sure they don't plan any revenge while we're driving."
"I'll be sure to keep them entertained," I say with a chuckle. "Maybe they'll even forgive me by the time we get home."
Levi opens the car door and places the carrier gently on the seat, the cats already nestled inside, looking up at us with curious eyes.
"Just don't forget about them again," Levi says, closing the door with a soft click. "Otherwise, next time, I might just leave them with you for a while."
I laugh, shaking my head. "I won't forget again. You have my word."
With that, we drive off, the cats quiet in the backseat, as if they've decided that maybe—just maybe—they'll forgive me after all.
//SKIP//
We arrived at my house. Levi helped me bring my luggage and one of the carriers.
"The babies are sleeping. I guess they're tired of playing around at the hotel." Levi said, looking inside the carriers.
"I guess you're right. They're both sleeping." I said, looking at them with a smile. I didn't know that just looking at them could make me feel at peace.
"Well, I guess I should get going now." Levi said, putting my luggage in the living room.
"You're leaving?" I asked without realising.
"Yeah. You should get a rest too, Haru-chan. It's already late. I would love to stay a bit longer, but we have to work tomorrow." Levi said with a smile.
Work? Oh right, tomorrow's Monday. I forgot about that.
"Yeah, you're right. Well, thank you for today." I said, looking down at my own two feet.
"I'm the one who should say thank you. Thank you for planning this as part of the reward. I really had a great time, especially with you. I'll see you at work tomorrow, Haru-chan." With that, Levi stepped out of my house and then left.
Especially spending time with me, huh? I guess I should be the one saying that instead of him.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!