Ok...I am very very sorry for not updating this story sooner. There have been some medical problems going on, I am feeling better though and wanted to update the story for all of you. I honestly didn't know how popular this story would be and since it has done so well I have decided to make this quite a long one and make it as interesting as possible. Here is the latest chapter, I hope you all enjoy!
To say Levy's life had been "difficult" since the rumors had spread about her and Gajeel would have been an understatement. She could barely commute to and from work without the occasional paparazzi trying to sneak a photo. It got to the point where she had to continuously wear a hood, just to escape the ever seeing cameras circling around her home. She had ignored all of Gajeel's phone calls for the past few days, she thought about blocking his number all together. yet, when she held her finger over the "block" button on her iPhone she just couldn't bring herself to do it.
"Take deep breaths, this will all blow over soon.." She kept whispering to herself while walking inside the hospitals entrance.
Levy could always count on one constant in her life that she was quite fond of, her job; she loved her coworkers and she always seemed to get along with every patient that came in. A big smile swept across her face with the knowledge that she could always count on her job to keep her grounded in life.
"Levy!" Mira shouted for her from across the nurses station. "Erza wants to see you." Mira didn't seem quite happy with relaying the message.
"Really?" Levy looked confused, unsure of why one of the hospital directors would want to speak with her and so suddenly at that. "Um, ok."
Levy shook off her coat and placed it on a rolling chair, then continued her way down the hall. Erza was a wonderful boss, she had always been so kind to her; even knowing the situation with her father and allowing her to work so many hours. She was truly thankful for her job and the understanding from everyone she worked with. Just as she approached her office she felt a little nervous at her sudden request of her presence; thinking nothing of it she then knocked before turning the handle to her office door.
There, sitting inside a brightly lit office; was a tall slender red headed woman. Once Levy had completely entered her office, a smile spread across her face; then realizing why she had called her in it soon vanished. This mannerism seemed a little odd for the woman, which in turn made Levy's stomach churn nervously.
"Everything ok ma'am?" Levy inquired, taking a seat as her hand gestured to a chair opposite her desk.
"I'm afraid not.." Erza spoke uneasily.
"What's the matter?" Levy grew more nervous with every passing second.
"Its about the tabloids that have been buzzing around the hospital.." She spoke. "I have no claim over your personal life, nor would I want to; its just some of the other hospital directors seem to be distraught with the paparazzi being around." She sighed.
"Oh.." Levy was at a loss for words.
"It's nothing about you they dislike, they just feel that maybe you need some time to figure this whole mess out." Erza seemed saddened with having to tell her such things.
"I see.." Levy felt like crying.
"They would like to put you on personal leave until the situation blows over, some of the patients feel uncomfortable with the unwanted attention on the hospital." Erza pressed her hand to her forehead. "I know this all seems a bit much but the directors see this as a place for healing, and quit frankly with all the cameras and commotion surrounding the building; they feel that is harder to achieve."
"I-I understand.." Yet she didn't.
"I'm sorry, this isn't easy for me to say.." Erza said.
"I know ma'am..."Levy felt tears start to spread. "May I be excused now?"
"Yes..." Erza nodded her head.
Levy stood and started for the door.
"Oh, I wanted you to know that the leave is paid; that way you can still take care of everything at home." Erza assured her.
"Thank you." Levy whispered, grabbing the door handle.
"Levy, I assure you this is only temporary." Erza said, trying to reassure her of the situation at hand.
"I hope so..."Levy whispered, walking out of the office and down the hall to grab her things.
She could feel the tears streaming down her face before reaching the nurses station; knowing that eyes were on her. She felt hopeless, broken and unsure of her life at the moment.
As Levy gathered her belongings and headed for the door, she could feel the eyes of everyone in the hospital; like they could see into her life. She saw Freed lowered his head, trying not to stare at her tear soaked face.
"Levy, is everything ok?" He asked.
"Oh, uh...yeah, I'll be ok." Levy lied, not knowing full well how she was going to handle her crumpling mess of a life.
Freed nodded his head and gave her a genuine smile, as she then walked through the sliding doors and into the cold rainy weather that awaited her. Levy took a deep breath, crossing her arms hoping to keep the cold out of her jacket.
"Levy, I am so sorry!" Mira shouted running toward her from inside the hospital.
Levy turned around just in time to Mira embracing her in a hug.
"Its fine, really." Levy lied again. "Makarov said its only temporary." She tried to hold back even more tears."Besides I want to do what's best for the hospital."
"But is it best for you?" Mira said, looking at her face.
"I don't really know." Levy said honestly, she really didn't know if it was good for her or not.
"Well, if you ever need anything you just let me know." Mira smiled before giving her a final hug and walking back into the hospital.
Levy smiled briefly before dropping her head once more and walking home, maybe time away from work would give her some time to focus on herself.
"I told you, its not what it looks like!" Gajeel said, trying to reason with his manager Jose.
"Then tell me exactly what this is!" Jose fired back.
Gajeel didn't know of any other way of telling him without having to tell him about his fight a few weeks ago.
"Well, she has been..um...shit.." Gajeel scratched the back of his head.
Well, spit it out!" Jose demanded.
"She...she's been helping me recover..." Gajeel blurted out.
"What?!" Jose spat out. "What do you mean helping you recover?!"
"I got into a little bit of a fight..no biggie." Gajeel huffed, walking into his kitchen to grab a bottled water from the fridge. "Might have busted a rib or two.."
"No biggie is all you have to say?" Jose said, following him inside the kitchen. "You aren't allowed to be fighting outside of the ring, its in your contract!"
"Yeah yeah, I know." Gajeel walked past him and then sat on his leather couch.
"We have to fix this problem without the media knowing how hurt you got, if we don't then potential fighters are going to know just were to target you in a fight." Jose said, pacing back in forth.
"I also don't want to lie to my fans." Gajeel sighed, his fans had gotten him the furthest in his career, without their support he wouldn't be were he was today; he knew they deserved the truth.
"How noble of you Gajeel." Jose said sarcastically.
"Shut up." Gajeel snarled, sometimes Jose really got on his nerves.
"Well, I might have an idea to this situation of yours." Jose smiled. "We will have a press conference in 2 days, she needs to be there." Jose's cringe worthy smile still stuck. "I have a job proposal for her."
Gajeel looked at him confused, what was he thinking?
Levy laid on her couch, holding a hot cup of tea in one hand and her latest book in the other. Her father wasn't home yet, knowing full well he was probably at the bar "shooting the shit" like he liked to call it with his buddies. Levy sighed and then put her cup of tea down, kicking her feet onto the couch and opening her book.
"I cant remember the last time I got to read..." Levy sighed, she was always constantly busy. She never had time for herself anymore.
Knock Knock
The sound of knocking at her front door jolted her from her peace, she wasn't expecting anyone over; she didn't want to face anyone after her horrible day at work. Levy placed her book down and walked toward the door, she was in nothing more than oversized sweat pants and an old Fairy Tail University sweater from her college days. She wasn't in any condition for company, taking a deep breathe she opened the door. She was then greeted by a tall dark haired man with iron studs and one hell of a sexy smirk, those piercing red eyes; his muscular body leaning against her door frame.
"Well, glad to know your alive." He said, his voice alone made her heart race. "You know, usually when someone you're supposed to call back." He chuckled.
Levy shook her head from the thoughts of him and then rolled her eyes at his comments; she was not in the mood for his smart mouth today.
"Gajeel, please just go home." Levy was about to close the door, when he then wedged his foot between it and the door frame. "Please, I want to be left alone."
Gajeel huffed. "Look, I want to make things right." He said.
Levy almost stumbled at his words.
"Why?" She spat out, why did he even care?
"D-don't ask me questions I don't really have solid answers to yet...ok?" He wasn't even sure why he cared for her well being so much himself, this was out of character for him.
"Um...ok." Levy stuttered.
"Can I come in?" Gajeel asked. "Its kind of cold out here."
"Uh, sure." Levy opened the door again and watched as he walked inside.
"Look, I-I'm sorry about all this tabloid bullshit." Gajeel scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah.." Levy didn't really know what to say. "It's not really you're fault."
"Yes, it is." Gajeel interjected. "Because of who I am..." He dropped his head.
Levy placed her hand on his arm, she didn't want him to feel like all of this was his fault; unfortunately it was the price to pay for being famous.
Gajeel's body shivered under her touch, as if Levy could feel this reaction she moved her hand away quickly. Being this close to him felt dangerous, especially body contact.
"Look, my manager has a job proposal for you." Gajeel blurted out.
"What, why?" Levy asked, quite shocked.
"Well, I told him what really happened and why you were with me a lot." Gajeel said, sitting down on her couch. "He wants you on my medical team while I travel for fights." He continued.
"But..I have a job and why would he want me?" Levy said.
"Well, I checked in with the hospital today and they said you were on personal leave; I assumed it was because of all the bullshit.." He looked at her. "So I think you have time."
Levy sighed.
"It'll also be a good way to cover up this rumor of us being a couple, great huh?" He said.
"Yeah, great..." She said, wondering if this was a good idea or not.
"Hey, on the bright side you'll get to travel and with a good looking guy no less." He smirked.
Levy rolled her eyes at him, he sure was full of himself.
"Well, let me think about it; I have responsibilities to take care of at home too yeah know." Levy interjected, she worried about her dad being home alone without her to watch out for him.
"Like what?" Gajeel inquired.
"Look, I just do ok?" Levy said annoyed, she didn't want him to know much about her personal life; not yet anyway.
"Fine, sheesh." Gajeel stood up and put his hands up in defeat. "Look, think about it and let me know in two days. I leave at the end of the week." He walked toward the door.
"Ok." Levy said, watching as he turned the door knob and started to walk away.
Gajeel stopped for a moment and turned to look at her. "I hope you agree to it, I liked having you around..." He smirked and then continued to walk toward a Ducati that stood out by the sidewalk.
Levy's heart pounded like crazy inside her chest, did those words really come out of his mouth and why did it feel so good to hear?
I hope you all enjoyed, it took me a while to write because I wanted this to be a good one. Please review and let me know! I will update a lot sooner I promise! :3