Levi stayed out of my work after that and I couldn't help but to feel a little proud of myself for some reason. The evening shifts went on calmly enough, occasionally some drunk made a move or a merchant coming with their usual deals. It wasn't anything new really, things like this happened in my grandfather's tavern as well. The evenings Levi made business in the tavern I kept away from his table, which usually was the one of the tables at the back of the tavern. I paid no attention to it and focused on my own, of course I cast glances towards him occasionally just to check that everything was alright but he did the same so he couldn't blame me. The few times our eyes made contact I gave him a smile and then turned back to my own. Occasionally fights broke out and when Levi was involved I couldn't help but cast him a glare, which he ignored. The days and evenings went on and somehow I managed to take care of both the work and household, with some cleaning help from Levi of course. I somehow felt quiet alright with my life considering how it turned out.
I was working evening when things took a turn. It was a usual evening with the usual drunks, thugs and criminals. Levi was sitting by his table with some others. The evening was calm, some drunken men sitting in the middle by the wall made some comments towards me and I just smiled towards them.
"Wouldn't you be a sweetheart and bring us some more beer?" One of the men asked when I walked past them.
"Sure, I'll be right back." I smiled and nodded towards the men before I walked off to the bar.
"Yikes, they're really into you." Linda said as I placed down my tray at the bar. She nodded towards the men who watched us. Looking at them both Linda and I gave polite smiles.
"Yeah, but it's nothing I haven't heard before." I told her as I took the tray which now was filled with three tankards with beer. I gave Linda a smile as I turned to walked over to the men again. "Here you go." I said and placed down the tankards. "Enjoy!" I said before I turned around.
"Ohh we will, why don't you join us?" The man that asked for the beer said and gripped my wrist.
"I'm sorry but I have to work." I said calmly but with a serious tone, trying to free my wrist. He pulled me closer.
"Ahh come on, a little break won't harm." He said as he pulled me to him, falling forward I ended up in the mans lap. "There you go, no harm done." He laughed and took a grip of my chin. "You know you're a real beauty, looks untouched to me. How about a kiss?" He said, pulling my face closer. His breath reeked of alcohol. I put my hands on his chest trying to push away.
"Let go of me." I said and hit his cheek with one of my hands. Suddenly the man stood, giving me a hard slap in the face and pushing me down on the table, taking a tight grip of my throat.
"You little whore; you should keep your mou…" The man got silent, as a sharp knife was pressed against his throat.
"She belongs to me." It was death silent in the tavern. The man's face turned white, letting go of me in an instance. I stood up, moving away from the man.
"Sorry Levi, I didn't know she…"
"Shut it." Levi coldly warned. "If you even as much look at her again, I'll kill you." The man closed his eyes, since I still stood in his eye sight. I was trembling, but held my breath unsure of what was going to happen. Levi withdrew his knife and I noted the man relaxing, he shouldn't have. Suddenly Levi hit him hard in the face, continuing to beat him up. I don't know why I did it but I felt myself moving, placing my hand on Levis shoulder.
"Levi." He stopped and looked at me, his eyes were intense and scared me but I didn't withdraw I just looked at him. At last he turned around, taking a hold of my hand and dragged me out of the tavern. I tried to keep up with his steps as he dragged me thru the streets towards the house but my legs felt jelly and I stumbled a lot. "Levi, please slow down." He stopped and I almost stumble into him. He was still holding a grip of my hand but didn't look at me. I glanced up at him; he looked so deep in thought so I didn't dare to speak. At last he looked at me, for a long moment he just looked at me until he moved his free hand lightly touching my face where the man had hit me. I flinched slightly at the touch.
"I'm fine." I told him knowing that was what he was wondering, still he looked distant. I took a hold of his hand which still lingered on my face and finally he looked at me for real. "I'm fine, so let's just go home." I gave him a small smile and he let go of both of my hands as he nodded. At home I took a bath to clean myself, I felt like I needed to scrub away the evenings event. After that I walked down stairs, finding Levi sitting by the table with a tea cup and the pot standing on the stove. I took a cup of tea as well, something I started drinking after I meet Levi. I sat down on my usual spot besides him and took a sip of my tea.
"I don't want you to work anymore." Levi said without looking at me. I looked at him, holding my tea cup in front of my mouth.
"Alright." I said and took another sip. The rest of the evening we sat in silence until I yawned and told him goodnight. He watched me walk up the stairs. What he did the rest of the night I don't know, I fell a sleep the instance my head made contact with the pillow. The next morning I walked to the tavern telling Roger I couldn't work anymore and without needing to explain why he understood which didn't surprise me.
Things turned back to how it been before my brief career as a tavern maid. A couple of days later someone knocked on the door. I was home alone, as usual. Opening the door a big smiling Linda greeted me.
"You'll never guess what!" She said as she walked inside and sat down on one of the sofas. It was easy to tell she was eager and excited to tell me whatever it was she had in store.
"Who's pregnant? Having an affair with a military? Oh don't tell me Jonathan finally confessed to Mary?" I asked, sitting down besides her with a smile. She was too cute when she had, as she called it, yummy gossip.
"No." If it was possible her smile got even bigger as she took hold of my hands. I was lifting an eyebrow, actually getting a little curious now. I'd never seen her like this before.
"Tell me then." I tried not to sound so eager to know but I failed.
"It spread like wildfire and everyone knows it…" She paused for effect and I gave her a look asking her to hurry to tell me. "That you're Levis woman, and that you're untouchable. Anyone who dares lay a hand on you is screwed." My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened. Linda let go of my hands as she continued. "The unbeatable, independent, over mighty, couldn't-care-less-about-women Levi, falling for a woman. It's hot stuff my friend, hot stuff. Ohh you should see the look on some of the other girls faces. They're absolutely destroyed." She laughed. "You should have seen Erina when she heard. Priceless. She could have marched over here and killed you in an instance." Finally Linda looked at you and her excited, happy face turned into a concerned. "Are you alright?" I hadn't really heard much of her words after she'd told me what reputation I've gotten. Sure I knew it had been whisperings around the area about if or if not me and Levi where involved. But this, everyone thinking it! Someone shook me and I snapped out of my thoughts looking up at a confused Linda. "Are you alright?"
"I…it's not…Levi and I…" I was lost for words, not really knowing what to say. Linda smiled at me.
"You're cute when you ramble. Don't worry about it. It'll calm down eventually and by the way, it's the ultimate protection isn't it. Having people think one of the most famous and feared thugs is your darling." I gave her a week smile. I could see her point of view but didn't really know if I liked it. Sure I was comfortable with Levi but I'd never felt any romantic feelings over him. "Where's the man at anyway?" Linda suddenly asked and looked around. I smiled at her and stood to go over to the stove to make some tea.
"Out and about as usual. You know I don't concern myself with it, as long as he comes home once a day." Linda watched me from the sofa.
"You would do a great couple you know." I laughed at this. She came up to me and leaned against the counter, her face dreamy. "You know I've kept my eyes on you and I'm not stupid like most people down here. Levi's a whole different person when you're around. There's something softer about him, like the very presence of you makes him calm and relaxed. And the way he kept track on you in the tavern, I could tell he cares about you even if you don't think so." Linda looked at me with a sweet smile. "Why would he let you stay here if he didn't care about you?"
"Because I'm such a good housekeeper." I joked and Linda sighed.
"Valerie, I'm serious." I looked up at her. "When you look at him you're eyes sparks up and this small smile forms on your lips and you look like nothing other in this world matter." The door slammed shut making both me and Linda jump and then turn to the door; Levi stood inside and I felt my face blush because of the conversation, how much did he hear? He looked at me and I was opening and closing my mouth repeatedly as I tried to come up with something to say.
"I'm making tea." I stammered when Linda nudged me with her elbow. He just grunted and turned towards the stairs, disappearing out of the room. I breathed out and Linda stared to laugh. "Stop it, it's not funny." I whispered.
"Yes it is. I wonder how much he heard." She giggled and I sighed, still feeling the heat of blushing on my face. I turned back to the tea. Linda sat down by the table and kept talking about everything and nothing. We sat and talk for a while until Linda stood and said she had to go to the tavern. I turned to the stove to start with dinner, my thoughts swirling in my head. After a while I sighed loudly to myself.
"Something bothering you?" Yet again I jumped and turned around to see Levi sitting by the table, I hadn't even heard him coming down. Again the heat of blushing came to me and I spun around fast so he wouldn't see.
"No, it's nothing. Just a little tired." I continued to stir in the soup. I could hear the chair move and Levi coming up to me, standing besides me. I kept my eyes on the food but after a moment of silent I couldn't stand it so I looked up at him. "Something the matter?" He looked at me, looking like he considered something but then walked over to the table and sat down again. I turned to look at him as he continued cleaning his knife. I couldn't help but smile. It didn't really matter what kind of relationship this was as long as we were together I didn't care.