Chpt 4: The Maiden Accepts The Beast

It is not often that Levi made a choice with no regrets. With Petra as his assistant, work has been progressing smoothly. No half-assed agreement drafts, no uninformed meetings, no shitty clients turning up late; even taking a dump is smooth now. But the thing that puts the cherry on top, no more shitty coffee.

Petra is a godsend, he mused. Of all the six past assistant he had, none of them could compete with Petra's work ethics. Not even the ones he didn't fire. Gunther and Erd were excellent but they had to leave due to family reasons. I hope Gunther's father is on the road to recovery and Erd's wife had a safe delivery. Auruo may be a little unorthodox shit who tends to mimic his actions but he does his job well. Seriously, I've never seen someone bit his tongue more than twice in one day.

"... And Mrs Bart is taking the morning plane tomorrow, Sir." Petra said.

Levi tuned his random thoughts out and focused back on Petra's words. "The fuck? That woman will be the death of me. Springing this demand on us when her plane is tomorrow morning?! We're not robots who runs on second-rate batteries. I wonder why the fuck did I agree to take up on her case." He asked himself.

"Maybe because she's offering a hefty sum to win this divorce settlement; she is filthy rich after all. I mean, have you seen that diamond ring of hers? I swear I got blinded by it when she was brandishing that limb." Petra grumbled, not that she's jealous of Boastful Bart's wealth but that woman was flaunting it right in her face!

"Have your robotic mechanisms malfunctioned? Because I remember distinctly that you didn't sleep for three days straight during college finals. Serves you right though, which idiot would walk in that deluge without an umbrella when his bag is FULL of notes?"

"It didn't and if I remembered perfectly, you are the one who stole my only umbrella. Not that it matters anymore but thanks for the much needed reminisce" He complains, not noticing the blush of guilt surfacing on Petra's adorable cheeks.

"Anyway, it seems like we will be enjoying the city lights from my office tonight." Levi took a glance at his watch.

"Good thing I didn't have anything planned this evening."

Levi never butts into other people's personal affairs, but hearing what Petra said left him fidgety for some unknown reason. While Petra head back to her desk to retrieve the company issued laptop and necessary files, Levi was left alone, wondering about Petra's life after they had parted ways even though he really should get started on the new agreement.

It's been 10 years since then, he calculates. I wonder if she dated anyone after that. Wait, is she even single now?!

While Levi was mentally panicking his pants off, Petra was back with her ammunition, ready for the war against time and frustration. Before Levi had the chance to open his big mouth and risked being labelled as a busybody, Petra ran back out, seemingly to have forgotten another piece of ammo.

Without Petra around to rein his thoughts in, Levi's imagination decided to overclock. Imagining absurd scenarios one after another before one even reached an outcome, a certified headache was on its way on the express route. Why the fuck am I thinking of this of all times? I can't just ask her outright 'Hey, are you fucking anyone? Because I wanna fuck you right now on this damn table'. Omg, no no and absolutely NO!

When Petra finally came back, she saw Levi already typing away at the speed of light. Having mastered the art of concealation, the intelligent woman seated before him couldn't tell Levi was battling his inner self. Poor Levi was raging war with his blood. With all his willpower, he forced it to go to the brain; preferably to the one above the belt.

Time passed slowly while the two worked their butts off. Only the sound of keyboards clicking, occasional pen scratching and minimal discussions could be heard over the noisy streets below on a Friday night. If only I could claim overtime, Petra sighed, unaware of her actions.

Levi noticed her sigh. Actually, he notice all of her; from the way she walks to the way she holds her pen; from the way she sits in the lounge is different from the way she sits while working; from the way she chew her food thoroughly to her habit of drinking using 2 straws. She could suck other stuff.., Levi's thoughts trailed off.

URGH NOT AGAIN!

"Throwing in the towel already, Ral?" He asked, in an effort to deviate from his original thoughts.

"Yeah. I wish there is a snow storm right now then all flights will be cancelled and we wouldn't have to keep this office warm and cozy through the night." Petra said, tone dripping with annoyance and sarcasm.

Levi decided not to rouse the lioness any further, fearing for his life and sanity. I would rather die than have Dita back. It was nearing nine when Petra was running low on ammo. Her stomach decided to imitate a whale's call, alerting everyone in the vicinity.

Petra's blush was bright enough to illuminate the office and Levi was most definitely amused, the corner of his mouth curling upwards unconsciously.

"You know, we could always take a short break and go across the street for a meal." He suggests, not wanting her to have gastric problems in the future if she doesn't have any now.

"That will take up too much time. Why not I just grab us some takeout? Any preferences?" She asked, while getting her purse and coat.

"Anything is fine as long as it's edible."

"Alright. I'll be back soon!" Petra shoots out, eager to fill her crying stomach.

Once again, Levi was stuck alone. He tried to get more work done but his unanswered questions were overriding his cache. Instead of trying to fight a fruitless battle, he decided to do some stretches in his large office instead. Sitting and typing for long periods of time is awfully taxing for an old man like him. As he walked towards the empty space behind the couch where Petra was seated while removing his blazer and undoing his tie, he caught a glimpse of something familiar in her bag.

He knows it is rude to look into other people's stuff without permission but it isn't against the law to sneak a quick look right? Arguing against his better judgement, he took the small keychain out.

Ah, she still have this, he mused. I thought she would have thrown this shabby little thing out a long time ago.

Levi was so caught up that he didn't noticed Petra was back with the chow.

"Hey thief, put that down before I hurt you real badly." Petra mock warned, leaning against the back of the couch with a smirk on her face.

Levi was ashamed to get caught in the act but he played it cool on the outside. Putting the memento down and willing himself not to get flustered, he turned to her asking for the food instead of apologising. Petra contemplated whether to punch the lights out of him or hand over the food like a good girl. Not wanting to write the rest of the agreement all by herself, she chose the latter.

I shall get my revenge. Someday, but not today.

Gobbling down the fried noodles as though she hasn't eaten in two days, Levi was torn between telling her to slow the fuck down and that there was a stain on her cheek. Once Petra was done devouring, Levi reached over and wiped it off, surprising Petra with his actions.

"Since when have you become such a messy eater?" Ignoring her look of shock and cleaning his hands with the napkins she swiped from the restaurant.

"Well excuse me but I have not eaten anything since breakfast. If I ate any slower, my stomach would have consumed itself."

Resuming work after clearing up and Petra brewing some of her precious coffee, Levi shifted his laptop to the couch as well. Stupid chair, hard as a rock. Why does this company pinch on something that we sit on almost every day when they earn more than the government? While incessantly typing through point 5.7, Petra received a call. While she excused herself to it pick up, Levi could hear Hey long time no chat, Aw how sweet of you to call me and I miss you too.

His unfounded worry was crawling back with a vengeance; not a good sign. He could feel jealousy seeping in; that's an even worse sign. Petra soon hung up and came back into the office. By this time, Levi was unable to focus anymore and decided to let it all go because damn it if he let her go again.

"Was that your boyfriend?" Subtlety was never his forte.

Petra looked up from her screen, wondering where he was trying to poke his nose into.

"Not that it's any of your business but no, not my boyfriend."

Levi didn't know whether he should breathe a sigh of relief just yet.

"Got any?" He probed, unable to stop himself.

"Got any what? Got any boyfriend or got any lay?" Petra asked back, feeling annoyed for some reason but also curious because Levi was never one to butt into other's affairs.

"Both."

Petra isn't obligated to answer Levi's work-unrelated questions at all but he always held an air of authority, rendering her speechless at times. And what Levi wants, Levi gets, was what she learned a long time ago.

"No and no. Why questions like this all of a sudden?"

Ignoring her question and decided to go for the kill, Levi asked her point blank, "Be my girlfriend." And added, "Again." after some seconds.

It sounded more like a demand than a question but what would you expect from Levi. Petra raised her brow slowly, eyeing him as though he made another shitty joke. Levi stared at her, giving no hint that he made a joke, shitty or not.

Okay, this is just weird. Why that question out of the blue? And in this kind of setting no less... How romantic, she thinks sarcastically.

While Petra was taking her own sweet time thinking this through, Levi was sweating like hell, metaphorically of course. Determined to set his face in stone no matter what happens, he could only wait for her answer.

"Why?"

Levi was this close to banging his head against the laptop, but halted himself because he has yet to back up his files. Composing his emotions while racking for a suitable response, he came up with nothing but the truth.

"Why, you asked? Maybe because I don't ask just anyone to be my girlfriend unless I have feelings for them? Feelings that never went away even after we broke up like a gazillion years ago?"

Dear little Petra was stumped to say the least. Sure, her feelings for the short man never went away but she never imagine for him to be the same. Living thousands of miles apart would only work so much and the workload in university is heavy enough to cripple them, leaving them little to no time to keep in contact.

"Oh." She said meekly.

"That's all? Oh, really?"

"I mean, um, why?" She asked softly, averting her eyes, afraid to make eye contact.

Levi sighed heavily. "There is no 'why'. It just never went away. Sure it became dormant after a few years but it never disappeared. Seeing you again for the first time in eight years awoken it from its sleeping state; and now seeing you everyday just amplifies everything."

Petra was sure she was blushing her hardest at his confession. Levi was never good at expressing emotions other than anger and frustration but hearing those words coming out from his mouth made her giddy from happiness. She didn't know only she could bring Levi out of his shell.

"Okay." She mumbles.

Levi thought he heard wrongly, so he asked her to repeat.

"Yes, I will be your girlfriend. Again." She laughs, unable to believe the guy who has excellent hearing managed to not hear the answer he hoped for.

Never one to openly show his feelings, Levi went back to typing, now relieved from stressing over Petra and her relationship status. Petra could tell this much though, he was fighting back a smile that was threatening to take over his face.

Without any extra thoughts clouding his mind, Levi and his capable assistant was able to complete everything by eleven. Petra was about to leave the office before him when he stopped her in her tracks.

"Just where do you think you are going?"

"To catch the last bus before I walk five miles home."

"Don't be ridiculous, I'll drive you home. It isn't safe for a lady to take the public transport or walk alone at such late hours." He argued.

Exhausted from an entire day of work and not wanting to walk in heels, she accepted his offer; not that he was willing to let her do either of her options in the first place.

It was a silent but comforting ride back, neither finding the silence uncomfortable. Petra was about to fall asleep when he reached her apartment. Assuring him she wouldn't fall asleep on her way up, Levi drove away only after seeing her enter the complex.

After a quick hot bath and changing into her night clothes, Petra slumped onto her bed. Before she could doze off, she heard Seid ihr das Essen? Nein, wir sind der Jäger!, signalling she received a message.

Have a good night rest. See you tomorrow, -L. it said.

Taking a glance at her bedside clock, it was already five past midnight.

It's today, you idiot. Though before she could type finish, she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

A/N 1: Levi ain't the smoothest guy out there but, he has improved in a world without titans and shitty Sina.

A/N 2: Mrs Bart is Marquis Bart's wife, or soon-to-be ex-wife. Take it as some sort of shitty tribute.

A/N 3: If anyone has any questions, just drop me a message. Don't be shy, I don't bite. Much, anyway. (｀∀´)Ψ