==[o0o]==
"Welcome, please take a seat." Wendy stood up from her seat outstretching a hand, gesturing towards the lone chair in front of the glass table. Behind sat a very uneasy looking Gajeel and a chirpy Wendy.
Her bright face making Levy feel more at ease as she brushed out the creases in the skirt she hadn't missed Gajeel's wondering eye line.
Sifting through her paperwork Wendy pulled out several pieces of paper, one of which Levy recognised as her own CV she had sent.
"Now, Levy Ba-"
Before Wendy could finish Gajeel interjected, "So what makes yah think you have what it takes to work here?"
He watched her shift uncomfortably under his gaze, "With my qualifications I am an expert in business structure and its functionality. I have a very firm grasp on today's current events and what people look for."
Gajeel lent back in his chair, unsatisfied with the response, "Yah just sayin' a bunch of words." he swatted his hands at Levy, making her eyes bug.
"I'm good at what I do." she put flatly.
"Um... Mr. Gajeel, I think we should proceed with the questions..." Wendy put her finger up only to be ignored as Gajeel shot forwards once more, his piercings sounding against the glass.
"What makes yah think I want to hire you?"
"You need me."
"Yah would be workin' underneath me." He gave a small smirk.
Levy tried control her face, she wanted to blush and feel embarrassed but she wanted the job. She had the qualifications and she had the experience, she wanted to become independent again.
"Um... Ms. Levy your work hours would be tight and we also expect deadlines met on time, would you feel confident you could achieve this?" Wendy attempted to get the meeting completed.
Before Levy could speak Gajeel spoke again, "Yah wouldn't get paid for over time."
Looking with a bright smile to Wendy, "That's perfectly acceptable, in fact I enjoy time limits, makes the job more challenging and changes the pace. And in reference to you. Mr. Redfox. That's fine. My work is far more important than the Jewels I receive." she gave him a dirty pout before looking back to Wendy, answering the rest of the interview questions.
"Well. Thank you for coming in today Ms. Levy I understand it must have been a struggle. We shall contact you if you are -"
"Yah hired!"
"Hir-What?!" Wendy spluttered as she looked up shocked to Gajeel.
"Shrimp. Levy Whatever. Yah got the job. You start tomorrow morning."
"But Mr. Gajeel we still have more applicants outside and I have yet to sort out her office!"
Levy stood dumbstruck. Blinking several times, did she really have a job? Was it just because of Gajeel?
She held her stomach in fear of being sick, her emotions were running haywire, putting her hand out for the chair Levy sat down as her face drained.
"Ms. Levy, are you alright?" Wendy knelt by Levy's side, placing a hand on her knee attempting to reassure.
"Wendy."
The PA looked up at Gajeel.
"She'll be fine, take over for today, and tell the rest to go home. I need to sort out some things. Shrimp. With me."
Levy looked around the restaurant feeling awkward, she had told Taurus to head back home after thanking him profusely for waiting around. She was very grateful to the large man, he looked so menacing yet he always fawned over any attractive woman. She only had to giggle when he snorted with delight at one blonde after mistaking her for his employer Lucy and proceeded to be beaten by the ladies handbag. It was as if it didn't phase the man.
"Oi"
Levy blinked, she had been milking the drink in front of her for some time. Looking up through her eyelashes she caught sight of Gajeel's beautiful rich crimson eyes, she didn't even realise how much she missed those mystical shaped irises.
"Shrimp?"
Gajeel lent back in the booth, leaning his arm over the side pushing back into the corner as he stared at the bluenette before him. The first time he really had a good look at her face. Their first encounter was in a dark car and he couldn't see her face for what it was. The other occasion was when he watched her sleep in the hospital. Despite her injuries and puffy face she still looked beautiful.
He tapped his free hand on the table, he felt out of place. Scowling he moved his arm as if making a move to leave the booth.
"Don't leave.." Levy's hand abruptly lent across the table reaching out to grasp his arm, her hazel eyes filled with a bubble of tears on the edge. One blink and they'd fall.
"I'm just goin' to the restroom shrimp..." He moved his hand and took hold of her tiny white hand into his own rough palm, cupping it with both hands. Giving her a small reassuring squeeze he carefully let it go above the table.
"Order whatever yah want alright?" Standing up from the table Gajeel looked towards the restroom before looking down at Levy now leafing through the menu.
"What about you?" Levy's face began to brighten on hearing Gajeel's reply.
"Surprise me." He smirked before wondering away.
Levy read through the menu, a small smile sat on her face as she gazed at the pictures, occasionally glancing at other orders that past her. Taking in the wonderful fragrance. She hadn't eaten out in years.
She sniffed again, only to have the smell of something rotten nearby. It felt horribly familiar. Her train of thought was interrupted as the waitress came over, smiling brightly to the bluenette, taking her order with a bounce in her step.
"Do yah have enough there Shrimp?" Gajeel lifted his studded brow at the large plate sitting in front of Levy with a toothy grin.
She blushed before panicking, "I'm sorry! Oh I didn't mean to... Please don't hurt me.."
"Wha? Levy." Gajeel placed his hand on top of Levy's balled up fist on the table as she shook from fear. "Its fine. I told yah to order whatever... " The worry that filled his eyes made Levy feel guilty.
Why had she panicked...
"I'm sorry..."
"Levy. Stop apologisin'!" Lifting his hand up he slowly inched his hand towards her porcelain face, outstretching his palm he watched her shift slightly. "I ain't gonna hurt you..." holding her face softly he stroked her cheek with his thumb. "I couldn't do that... Not again Levy. I ain't leavin' you alone."
Levy felt the hot tears fall down her face, uncaring that she was crying in public. "Gajeel... I.."
Pulling the bluenette's arm, he pulled her to sit next to him in the booth, wrapping his arms almost twice around her.
"I will do whatever it takes to make yah forgive me even if it takes the rest of my life. I Lov-"
Levy pressed her lips against his, silencing him.
==[o0o]==
AN: I'm afraid there will be no Sunday upload this week - next one is Wednesday
I'm getting this one out now as I'm going to be away from my pc to upload ;3
Please let me know what you guys are thinking about this chapter and the story overall -
not much more to go I'm afraid! Once this story is over my priority shall be put back towards my main story of Iron Flexibility -
Have a great day all!