A month had passed since Petra poured her heart into every test and interview for her application, yet the memory remained as vivid as ever.

Applying for a government position was never easy, but she was determined to earn it on her own merits—no shortcuts, no favors. While her competitors boasted about their connections in the Ministry of Health and Paradis General Hospital, she refused to play that game. She wanted this fair and square.

She could still picture the moment she received the email from the Paradis General Hospital Human Resources Department—the rush of anticipation, the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Dear Ms. Petra Ral,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been successfully selected for the position of Head Psychologist at Paradis General Hospital. Your employment status will be permanent, and we look forward to your contribution to our team.

A follow-up email will provide further details regarding your contract, start date, and necessary procedures. Please review the attached documents and prepare any required paperwork accordingly.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We sincerely congratulate you on your achievement and look forward to welcoming you to our hospital.

The words felt almost unreal. Overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement, she didn't even think—she just acted. Before she knew it, she hurried to Unit 6, knocking at Levi's door in the dead of the night.

The door cracked open, revealing a curious Levi, his brows slightly raised as if he were about to ask something. But whatever words he had prepared were instantly lost when Petra launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight, jubilant hug.

Her words tumbled out in an excited rush—so fast, so full of joy that Levi barely caught them. His body instinctively stiffened, and just like that, reality crashed down on her. Heat rushed to her face as she pulled away, embarrassment prickling at her skin. She had overstepped the unspoken boundaries they usually kept. But as she stepped back, she met his gaze with a bright, grateful smile, hoping to smooth over the awkwardness.

Levi just blinked at her, his expression curious as he tried to piece together the reason for her sudden outburst. Finally, he leaned lazily against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"You're weirdly energetic for this hour," he remarked. "Mind repeating whatever you just said? But slower this time."

Petra let out a sheepish laugh. "I got carried away." She took a breath, then beamed. "I just wanted to tell you—I got accepted as the Head Psychologist!"

A flicker of something—acknowledgment, maybe even pride—passed through Levi's eyes. His lips twitched slightly.

"Congratulations," he said simply, before reaching out and ruffling her hair, which was a wordless show of affection.

The warmth of that small gesture settled deep in her chest, and the moment became one of her core memories.

Now, sitting at her desk, Petra smiled as she closed her laptop, the memory still bringing warmth to her chest. A whole month had passed already—so fast, so full of change.

Gone were the toxic workmates. Her subordinates were warm and respectful, and even the neighboring personnel from the Medical Social Worker Department had been nothing but kind. The atmosphere felt lighter, freer.

And then, of course, there was Levi.

He had his own quiet way of showing up—sometimes in fleeting moments, sometimes in small gestures. Like the bottled drinks or little sweet treats he would leave on her desk with a sticky note attached. They always made her giggle, much to her subordinates' whispers of speculations for which she hadn't noticed just yet.

She felt more alive than she had in years.

Just as she was preparing to leave her office that day, a knock at the door stopped her.

Turning around, she found a familiar face—a young female doctor standing at the threshold. Petra recognized her as a resident of the Pediatrics Department.

"Ms. Ral, I just wanted to invite you to my wedding personally," the doctor said with a warm smile, handing over an elegantly designed invitation. The gold-embossed lettering and delicate floral details gave it an air of sophistication.

"How lovely! Count me in," Petra replied, accepting the invitation with both hands. "And congratulations, Doctor!"

"Thank you! I hope to see you there." With a quick nod, the doctor excused herself, disappearing down the hallway.

Petra tucked the invitation into her handbag, making a mental note to check her schedule later.

Weekends had a way of sneaking up fast.

That Saturday morning, rain drummed softly against the rooftops, painting the world in muted grays. Outside Unit 7, a delivery man stood shifting his weight impatiently, the drizzle soaking into his jacket. He rapped his knuckles against the door—once, twice—but the apartment remained silent.

Inside, Petra slept on, oblivious. The medication she had taken the night before had wrapped her in a heavy slumber, pulling her deep into rest where no amount of knocking could reach her.

The delivery man sighed, knocking harder this time, his patience thinning. Just as he was about to give up, footsteps echoed up the stairwell.

Levi, fresh from a grueling graveyard shift, climbed the steps with his usual quiet but alert presence. His sharp eyes took in the scene—the delivery man, the unopened door, and the unmistakable signs that someone would not answer anytime soon.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice steady but edged with fatigue.

The delivery man turned, relief flickering across his face. "Good morning, sir. I have a package for Miss Petra Ral."

Levi's gaze flicked to the neatly packed boxes. He didn't hesitate. "I'll take it."

A quick signature later, the delivery man was gone, leaving Levi with the parcels in his hands. He lingered for a moment, debating whether to knock, but he already knew the answer—she was likely still out cold from her meds.

With a quiet sigh, he carried the packages into his unit. It was still early, and she deserved the rest. He'd give them to her later.

Half an hour passed. Levi had settled onto his couch when another knock came from Petra's door. He frowned, setting down his coffee before moving to his window. Peering out, he saw another delivery man holding two more packages. Shaking his head, he opened his door before the man could even knock a second time. Without much thought, Levi signed for the new deliveries as well.

Now standing in his living room, he stared at the four packages with mild curiosity. Petra wasn't the type to go on excessive shopping sprees—at least, not that he knew of.

What was with all the parcels? And why so many at once?

Levi let out a quiet sigh as he glanced at the closed door of Unit 7. He'd ask her about the packages later. For now, he scrolled through his phone while sipping his decaffeinated coffee, letting the steady rain outside lull him into relaxation.

A notification popped up from the Pediatrics Department's group chat. He tapped it open, skimming through the messages, when something jogged his memory—Marlene's wedding invitation. He hadn't even checked it yet.

With a quiet sigh, Levi reached for his document bag and pulled out the envelope, his fingers slipping beneath the flap as he retrieved the neatly printed list inside. His eyes skimmed over the names in the entourage—some familiar, a mix of colleagues and acquaintances.

And there it was. Marlene. The bride. A resident in his department. And, perhaps most importantly, the one who had been annoyingly persistent about making sure he'd attend.

He had agreed, if only to shut her up. But now, staring at the list, he wasn't entirely sure why he had even bothered.

Finishing his coffee, he popped a sleeping pill and went to bed, shutting out the world.

Thunder cracked.

Levi jolted awake, his pulse steady but his mind unsettled. He rubbed his face, cursing under his breath. "Fucking thunder."

Checking the time, he realized he had been out for a couple of hours straight. He sat up, ran a hand through his bed hair, and grabbed his phone. Two unread messages from Petra.

Hey. I just want to ask if you're in Unit 6?

The second message made his lips twitch.

Please notice me.

He sighed, shaking his head, as he climbed out of bed to fix himself before gathering the packages stacked neatly in his unit. After a few knocks at Unit 7, Petra emerged from her room, her warm smile making it obvious—she had been expecting him to do exactly this.

"I knew it. Thank you so much," she said, ushering him inside.

Levi arched a brow as he set the packages on the center table. "Do I look like a delivery man to you?"

She grinned. "No, but I figured you'd take them since I was hibernating earlier."

"Tch." He scoffed. "And what if I didn't?"

"You would," she whispered dramatically, winking before tearing into the first box.

Levi sank onto the couch, watching as she pulled out a pastel pink midi dress, holding it up against her frame.

"Does it suit me?" she asked, glancing at him for approval.

He eyed the dress before meeting her gaze. "Are you going on a date?"

Her eyes widened slightly. "No! I was invited to a wedding."

"Then you'd better try it on," he said, gesturing toward her room. He was sure that if she so much as mentioned going on a date, he'd be out of the room instantly—no questions asked.

Petra sighed but complied, disappearing behind the door. Levi's expression remained unreadable as his gaze flicked over her when she stepped out in the pink dress.

"You look pale," he remarked flatly.

She huffed. "Good thing I ordered a backup."

As Petra returned to her room to change, Levi realized that all these packages were for wedding outfits.

Moments later, the door clicked open again, and when he looked up, his thoughts came to a screeching halt.

She stepped out in a lilac backless dress, the silky fabric hugging her frame effortlessly. The neckline revealed just enough to make him feel mildly uncomfortable, and the high slit traced a teasing path up her fair legs.

His brows shot up. The words left his mouth before he could stop them. "What the hell are you wearing?"

Petra wordlessly turned her back from him, embarrassed. But even as she flustered, her sharp eyes didn't miss the real reaction. It wasn't just his usual blunt remark—it was the fact that he had looked at her exactly once before snapping his gaze away, his ears noticeably tinged red.

Levi cleared his throat. "Get changed," he muttered. Then, in a final act of dismissal, he added, "And sell that damn dress to Nifa. She'll put it to use."

Petra groaned in defeat and moved on to the third package. When she walked out in the next outfit, Levi studied her in silence as if carefully choosing his words this time.

"Well?" she pressed.

"Not bad, but not quite good," he finally said.

She sighed in defeat. "I think so too."

Grabbing the last box, she pulled out a pair of fancy heels.

"Why'd you buy so much stuff for someone else's wedding?"

Petra dropped onto the couch beside him, slumping slightly, frustration clear in the way she exhaled.

"Because my college classmates are going to be there," she muttered. "Dr. Marlene sent me an invitation, but when I checked, I realized the groom was my classmate from college. And the entourage? Some of them were from my old workplace. Such a small world." She let out a bitter chuckle, shaking her head. "You remember the people who rejected my promotion over and over because they thought I didn't deserve it? I'm going to see them again tomorrow."

Levi didn't respond immediately, his gaze steady. Then, as if making a decision, he leaned forward.

"Let's go to the department store."

Petra blinked. "For what? It's pouring outside."

"To buy you the best dress," he said simply. "The wedding's tomorrow. I bet you don't want those idiots to look down on you."

Petra shot up from the couch, a new fire in her eyes. "You're right. Let's go! I also need a makeover."

Just like that, the unplanned trip began.

As the rain poured heavily outside, Petra rambled about her college life and more details about her previous workplace, her words animated with emotion. Levi simply drove in silence—though, deep down, he found himself enjoying her stories more than he expected.

When they entered the department store, Petra instinctively veered toward the section where price tags wouldn't make her soul leave her body. But before she could take another step, Levi caught her wrist and steered her toward the luxury brands.

"This kind of luxury is my enemy," she muttered under her breath, casting a wary glance at the designer boutiques.

Levi, as expected, ignored her completely. Instead, he approached a sales associate and, with a small nod, signaled that Petra needed assistance. Then, without another word, he settled into the waiting area, his arms crossed, clearly prepared for a long ordeal.

Petra sighed but relented, picking out three dresses to try on. Each time she emerged from the fitting room, she'd glance at Levi for approval, only to be met with a slight shake of his head or a disinterested look. By the time they reached the seventh store, exhaustion was creeping into her steps.

"I really hope this is the last one," she murmured as they walked in.

And then she saw it—an elegant beige satin gown, long and flowing, with delicate spaghetti straps. It revealed just enough to be flattering but remained tastefully modest.

"I'd like to try that one," she told the sales associate, already feeling hopeful.

Levi remained silent, watching as she disappeared into the fitting room. When she stepped out, the fabric hugging her figure perfectly and decently, he finally nodded in approval. A rare thing, that nod. She smiled, pleased, and did a slow turn to let him see the full effect before heading back to change.

As she disappeared again, the sales associate assisting them turned to Levi warmly.

"Your wife is stunning. That dress was made for her."

He didn't bother to correct her. "Yeah."

When it came time to pay, Petra nearly had a heart attack at the price. 'This price is insane! It's my three-month worth of salary!'

But before she could take her wallet out, Levi handed his card to the cashier.

"This is way too much—"

"Just pay me with a nice homemade meal next time," he said simply.

Petra huffed in defeat. She knew that arguing with Levi won't stop him from buying the dress. "I better look amazing in this dress tomorrow."

"You will," he replied, glancing at her. "It'd be a waste if you don't."

Petra let out a deep sigh, clutching the paper bag as if it were the most precious thing she owned.

"Now, for your makeover…" Levi started, but she quickly cut him off.

"I'm paying for it!" she declared, shooting him a firm look.

"Fine," he relented with a meaningful gaze.

By the time Petra's makeover was complete, it was already dinner. Levi had finished reading all the magazines at the salon when she finally stood in front of him, her fresh hairstyle making her look even more polished and radiant.

"You got a perm," he observed, his sharp eyes scanning the soft, slight waves framing her face.

"For a change," she said with a confident smile, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. ""Come on, let's eat. My treat."

Exhaustion settled over them as they finally arrived at their apartment complex after dinner. They both hesitated, standing outside their respective doors, the air between them filled with quiet understanding.

Petra was the first to break the silence. "I don't even know how to thank you for all this. To be honest, I might have decided not to attend tomorrow if not for this dress."

Levi leaned back against his door, hands buried in his pockets. "I know it's none of my business, but you should show them how much you've grown since they messed up your career. You're the Head Psychologist of Paradis General Hospital now. They can't look down on you anymore."

She let out a slow breath, gripping the paper bag a little tighter. The weight of his words settled deep in her chest. He was right—she had come so far. But the memories still stung, and the painful memories resurfaced.

Then, before Levi could say anything else, he heard it—a quiet sob. And there, he cursed himself for triggering her emotions.

Petra tried to stifle it, pressing a hand over her mouth, but it was no use. The dam had already broken. Her shoulders trembled, her quiet sobs deep and aching.

"I really thought I was doing fine… but it still hurts," she admitted.

Levi didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, closing the small distance between them before taking her hand—firm but careful—and guiding her inside his unit.

"Now you can cry freely," he murmured the moment they entered Unit 6, shutting the door behind them.

The room remained dark, save for the soft glow of the streetlights filtering through the curtains, casting faint golden streaks across the walls. He left it that way, ensuring she wouldn't feel exposed or ashamed.

And in the quiet, he simply let her cry.

She stood there, crying on her own. Until he walked toward her, took the paper bag out of her hand, tossed it to the nearby couch, and slowly held her close to him, his embrace firm yet gentle. His warmth, familiar scent, and hand holding her frame as if a silent claim—it was all so comforting. She hadn't let herself cry like this in a while, but with Levi, she didn't feel ashamed.

They stayed like that for a long time. No words were needed. Just the quiet understanding between two people who had always, in their own way, felt safe with each other.

When her sobs finally subsided, Levi loosened his grip and reaching out, he tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and offered her a rare, faint smile. "You've come this far, Petra. Let's go further."

She sniffled and nodded, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile. "Yeah."

He stepped back, now giving her space. His sharp eyes studied her face—puffy eyes, tear-streaked cheeks—but there was something different now. The tension in her features had eased, the weight she had been carrying just moments ago seemingly lifted, even if only slightly.

And somehow, that made all the difference.

Outside, the rain continued to fall, its soft rhythm filling the quiet room. But inside, there was nothing but warmth, an unspoken understanding that neither of them needed to put into words.

"You should freshen up. It's getting late," Levi said, his tone now firm, almost commanding. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Don't forget to take your meds."

Petra's lips curved into a teasing smile. "Yes, Doc. I better go back to my unit, then," she said, thumbing toward the direction of her room. Her voice was still a little hoarse, but the easy smile on her face told Levi she was feeling better somehow.

But before he could respond, she suddenly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. The warmth of it, the sincerity in the way she whispered, "Truly, thank you, Levi," caught him off guard.

He didn't move a muscle. Just stood there, arms at his sides, processing.

"Yeah," he finally muttered, keeping his response short—because anything more might make this moment too real. Or, he might do something neither of them was prepared for.


The morning slipped quietly, sunlight creeping over Petra's bedsheets in soft, golden streaks. It was a sunny morning with no hints of rain in sight.

Outside, a loud, unmistakable voice shattered the morning calm.

"THIS IS AMAZING!"

Jean's outburst echoed through the apartment complex, jolting Petra awake. Groggy and disoriented, she blinked at the ceiling, trying to process whether she was dreaming or if Jean was really causing a scene outside this early. But she realized that it wasn't a dream when the young man exclaimed another amused compliment to what he was looking at.

Petra pushed herself up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before glancing at the clock on her bedside cabinet. It was 7:00 AM. Too early for Jean to be yelling like that, but then again, she had long since accepted her neighbors' chaotic nature.

Then, it hit her—the wedding.

The wedding venue was outside the city, which meant Petra had to start getting ready early. She moved through her apartment quickly, double-checking her bag to make sure she had everything she needed. Satisfied, she grabbed her phone, opening the ride-hailing app to book a cab.

Just as she was about to confirm the ride, a message popped up on her screen.

I'll drive you to the wedding.

She frowned, fingers hovering over the screen. A second later, she typed a quick reply.

I appreciate it but no, thanks. I'll book a cab. The venue's too far from here.

His response came almost instantly.

I'm also invited, Petra.

She blinked at the screen. A groan slipped past her lips as she slumped back against the bed. How could she forget? The bride was Levi's subordinate. Of course, he was going.

She could practically picture his face—flat expression, unimpressed stare, probably thinking she was an idiot for not putting two and two together.

Oh. Right.

Seconds later, Levi's reply popped up.

You ready?

Yeah. Petra typed back, grabbing her bag and leaving her bedroom.

She opened her unit's door—only to find Levi standing there, his hand paused mid-air, just about to knock.

He lowered it smoothly, unfazed. "Let's go. You'll need time to do your makeup later."

Petra shot him a skeptical look as she locked her door. "Since when do you know anything about that?"

Levi shrugged. "Girls at the hospital do it all the time."

As they made their way downstairs, Petra's eyes immediately landed on the sleek black luxury car parked in Levi's usual spot.

"Wow," she breathed, admiring the polished exterior. "Fancy car."

Before Levi could respond, Jean's voice chimed in from behind the vehicle. "Do you even know whose car this is?"

Petra shook her head, finally realizing why Jean was screaming that morning, then turned to Levi. "Where'd you park your car this time?"

Levi didn't say a word. Instead, he casually walked up to the luxury car and pressed the key fob. The car's lights flashed in response.

Jean's jaw nearly hit the pavement. Petra, on the other hand, was so stunned she barely managed to react at all.

"Dr. Levi! Next time, hire me as your driver. I just got my license the other day," Jean said, completely serious.

Levi didn't even acknowledge him, just opened the passenger door and motioned for Petra to get in.

Jean wasn't done, though. "Hey," he said, eyeing the two of them. "Are you guys dating?"

Petra's face turned red instantly. "What? No!"

Jean just shrugged off her reaction. "You should. And if you ever take a vacation, don't forget to hire me as your driver. I'll even be your chaperone," he added with a smirk. With that, he strolled into his unit, leaving Petra flustered and Levi letting out a weary sigh.

The city faded into the distance as they cruised down the open highway. Every few minutes, Petra's gaze flickered toward Levi, then back to the road ahead, then back to him again—until, inevitably, he caught on.

Without taking his eyes off the road, he spoke. "What are you up to?"

Petra folded her arms, tilting her head as if trying to make sense of something. Then, without much thought, she blurted out, "I never knew you had enough money to buy me, our neighbors, and probably our whole apartment complex."

Levi snorted, the corner of his mouth twitching in mild amusement. "Tch."

She raised a brow at his reaction. "Come on, this luxury car says otherwise."

Levi kept one hand lazily on the wheel as he finally spared her a glance. "I got this car when Kenny lost a bet with me. Technically, it's his money."

Petra blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "So… you scammed Kenny?"

Levi shrugged, completely unbothered. "No. He's just an idiot who thought he could win."

A slow smirk spread across Petra's face as she shook her head. "You're smart."

"I just know I'm not as much of an idiot as him," Levi deadpanned.

Petra chuckled, shaking her head as she turned her gaze to the window. The tall buildings of the city had long faded, replaced by the rolling green fields and quiet villages. Rice paddies shimmer under the sun, nestled between clusters of cedar and bamboo.

A comfortable silence settled between them, the hum of the engine filling the spaces where words weren't needed. Then, just as she was about to close her eyes and relax, she felt something—light, fleeting. She glanced down.

Levi had casually draped his coat over her lap.

Petra turned to him, lips parting in surprise, but he kept his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable. She stared at him for a second longer before a soft smile tugged at her lips. She pulled the coat closer, letting its warmth settle around her.

It was in that moment she realized—ever since their first encounter on the hike, Levi had been more therapeutic to her than anyone else ever had.


Author's Notes: Hey, everyone! I hope you're all enjoying this fanfiction as much as I loved writing it.

If you're struggling with depression or any mental health challenges, I truly hope you find someone as supportive and understanding as Levi in this story. Let's continue to advocate for mental health, support one another, and spread kindness.

Thank you for reading, take care, and have a wonderful day!