O P H E L I A ' S   P O V

I was embarrassed.

For the past few days, I had been working non-stop, working double shifts at the diner and cleaning anything I could possibly find around the house just so I could avoid Levi.

I was hoping that he didn't inform Kace about how his absence affected me, how I used to wait every night with bruises on my body for a phone call from Kace to come.

I wanted to be done with being everyone's burden. In fact, I had been putting together my money and wanted to get an apartment of my own with the most of $900 a month rent just so that I could be out of Levi's hair.

With the money that I was making now, it would only be a matter of time before I found one with a price that was affordable for my budget.

I was so close to my goal and that was because of Levi and I would never forget to thank him.

Food wasn't a priority on my list at the moment.

I had no idea that that was Levi's room and if I did, I never would have stepped feet within the area.

Probably because it looked like a guest room. Although it was huge, it was bland of any photos and only a grey, black and white colour on the walls.

I was currently on my hands and knees as I tried to brutally get rid of this stain that was on the tiled floor.

It was annoying to see and even more annoying to get rid of.

I could feel the sweat on my forehead and I wondered if it was dripping down to my eye which made my vision so blurry.

The harder I scrubbed, the tiresome I became until the ding from the oven made me jump in fright from the sudden noise as I collapsed and sat on the floor, using my hand to wipe the sweat from my forehead as I shook my head vigorously, hoping to rid myself of the horrible migraine that I was sporting.

Wobbling on my feet as I got up, I turned off the oven and then, turned off the coffee maker and afterward, poured the liquid in a mug.

It was chicken that was baking in the oven and although I knew it was way too early for dinner, I had to work later so I decided to start early so that he could just warm it up when he got home.

Placing the mug on the tray which contained waffles and bacon, I carried it into the sitting room where Levi had been all day with a pissed off look on his face as he talked on the phone, assumingly about business.

Walking in with my head down, I placed the tray on the table just as I heard him mutter curse words beneath his breath and ended the call, throwing the phone on the table in front of him.

"Breakfast, s-sir." I mumbled as I tried to scurry off before he could say anything.

"Wait, Ophelia?" I halted in my steps as I turned around to face him suddenly, the action causing my head to spin.

"Yes, sir?" I rushed out. I just really needed to have some water right now.

"Did you have something to eat?" I barely heard what he said because of the pounding in my ears.

Instead, with a wave of my hand, I answered, "I-I'll get something--- something later." My voice came out warily, being able to speak suddenly became a very tiresome action.

"I'd prefer if you w—Are you okay?" He asked inching towards the end of the couch, his hands in a stance to get up.

"Y-Yeah, y-yeah." I held my head. The room was suddenly spinning and I could hardly feel my feet at the moment.

I could hear him repeatedly calling my name and it looked as if there were two of him walking towards me.

My hands latched out to the first thing that I could feel which felt like a table. The faint noise of a glass breaking vibrated my ear drums, but my slow breathing seemed to be extremely loud and were the main thing that could be heard.

Looking down, I saw shards of glass on the floor. I repeatedly shook my head, trying to get the pounding in my head to go away.

My eyes were drooping and it was becoming a burden to keep them open.

In the end, I felt a huge weight on my chest and oddly enough, I suddenly felt light and I felt myself collapsing, arms catching me right before, as I entered a realm of darkness.

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My eyes fluttered open, a blaring light illuminating the room and blinding my cornea.

I shook my head repeatedly, blinking my eyes to adjust to the light.

The first thing I saw was a white roof with lights all over it.

I knew that roof, I've been here more than enough times to not know that I was currently in a hospital.

The sounds of machines beating, the smell of an air conditioned room, the sight of white all over and the feeling of an IV implanted in my arm was something that I had grown accustomed to.

I couldn't turn my neck to see if anyone else was in the room although I knew that no one would be.

If so, it was usually only the doctor.

Instead, I tried to open my mouth; it felt really scratchy to speak, "H-Hello?"

I heard the sudden screech of a chair and suddenly a warm hand on my forehead, pushing back my hair.

"Ophelia?" I heard the gentle voice of none other than Levi.

I craned my neck to the side which hurt extremely badly.

"W-What happened?" I couldn't remember anything that happened in the last few hours.

I looked up at Levi to see his worried eyes gazing down at me. His hair looked like he ran his hands through numerous times and his face looked drained, along with the tired look in his eyes.

He continued to repeatedly stroke my forehead, "You passed out." He whispered.

Just as I'm about to ask how it happened, my throat clogged up and he realised and quickly picked up the glass of water on the table and held it to my lips as I took a long gulp.

Just then, a lady in a long scrub came into the room with a clipboard in her hand. She looked in her late thirties and had a genuine smile on her face.

"Hello, Ms. Collins. I'm Dr. Bruce." She spoke as she closed the door.

I forced a smile and replied, "Yes?"

"How are you f—" She was cut off by Levi.

"What's wrong with her and why did she faint?" His voice sounded harsh as he continued to rub a thumb over my hand.

I averted my eyes to him and gave his hand a squeeze, hoping that he could get the memo to at least be nicer.

He sighed as he looked at me, "I'm sorry." He muttered under his breath but I knew that the lady didn't hear him.

I frowned and he huffed out a large breath, "Sorry for cutting you off." He said in a bored manner, looking as if he didn't really mean it.

I smiled at him since that was the closest he would ever get to apologising to anyone. After all, no one probably has ever heard of him apologising and this could very well be a moment that the doctor could gloat to her friends about.

Her mouth was slightly ajar and she seemed to fumble over her words, "Y-Yes, sir. It's okay, Mr. Morterez." She cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Now could you do your damn job and tell us w—" He started. "Levi." I mumbled. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his jaw locking so the doctor quickly decided to speak up.

"W-When was the last time you ate, Ophelia?" She asked.

"She didn't eat breakfast this morning so it'd have to be last night at dinner." Levi answered while I looked away.

The doctor tapped her pen on the clipboard, "That can't be possible," She said.

I continued to look away as I felt Levi's eyes burning on the side of my head.

"Well, it appeared to be three days or more ago." She said.

"What?! Three fucking days?" Levi shouted and I flinched away mumbling under my breath.

How could she even tell that? Wasn't food digested in 6 hours or so?

She nodded her head solemnly and he spoke again. "So what about weight? Why hasn't she lost any weight."

I'm not sure how he could expect me to lose weight in three days, but judging by the story I told him and my financial status before I met him, he probably picked up that this was going on for a while.

"Ah, just like someone get eat a meal six times a day and not gain any weight, you can, not eat and not lose any. Although this rarely happens, it does have to do mostly with genetics." She stated as Levi listened intently.

"Now, you are lacking various proteins, carbohydrates, fats and especially water. Also, it is actually not common to faint from hunger, as bizarre as it may seem, but when you mix exhaustion with it, it isn't good. So, for the next two weeks I will be giving you a specific diet to follow, along with putting you on bed rest." She listed.

"What?" My eyes widened. "N-No, I-I'll rest better a-and eat," I had gotten so far now and she expected me to stop?

"I'm sorry, Ms. Collins but this is crucial. If you'd like, I could call a boyfriend or friend that could take care of you during these next two weeks, or maybe you could hire a n—" Levi stopped her.

"That wouldn't be necessary." Levi waved her off. "Now please, get the hospital bill ready."

------

Hands situated tightly on my waist, Levi brought me in and rested me on the long couch situated in the living room as I murmured a quiet thanks in appreciation in which Levi completely ignored, making me frown and look down.

The doctor had informed the both of us that it would be best if I stayed the night until the next morning just for observation and also so she could specialise a proper diet list for me.

I told Levi that he could leave but he stayed without saying much at all, and I could tell that he was mad at me, which upset me more than it really should.

This led us to now, which was why we're currently back at his house since he brought me in and placed me on the couch since I was also still dizzy from the medicine they gave me.

"I'll make sure that your bedroom is ready." He said. It scared me how emotionless his voice sounded as he even refused to assume eye contact with me.

Once again, I said my appreciation louder this time with hopeful eyes, which soon casted downward as Levi disregarded it and left.

------------

I heard a soft knock on my door and I answered for the person to come in, in which Levi did, holding a bowl of soup in his hand.

I tried not to make eye contact so that I couldn't see the bland look in his eyes.

I seriously was feeling fine but he shot out any idea, with little words, of me working anytime soon because of doctor's orders.

He sat on the chair next to my bed as I positioned myself in a sitting position.

He had a few papers in his hand, which he proceeded to look through as I ate silently.

After a couple moments, he placed the papers down and looked straight ahead, tapping the pen on his lips.

"You're not working for me anymore." His voice rang through the room.

I stopped eating abruptly, the spoon dropping back into the nearly empty bowl with a loud clinking noise.

My heart thudded against my chest and I finally looked at him, "You're firing me?" My voice trembled as I watched a tick go off in Levi's jaw.

He didn't say anything, just continued to look straight ahead, which gave me my answer.

I placed the bowl on the table beside the bed and looked down, "Why aren't you talking to me?" I asked softly.

I couldn't see, nor could I hear his reaction, until he spoke, "Why didn't you speak to me?" He retorted back swiftly.

"What are you talking about?" I asked. Was he implying that I was supposed to know I was going to faint? Because if he was, he surely was ignoring me wrongfully.

"I ask you all the time, each day if you had breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you gave me the same answer." His eyes burned as he looked at me. "You lied to me."

I looked down ashamed. "I-I know, and it won't happen again, I'll eat properly." I begged with pleading eyes.

"I know it won't. I'll make sure of it, by making sure you're not working for me anymore." He stated firmly. "And you see those-- those triple and quadruple shifts you've been taking on at the diner?" He snapped his fingers as he said the words in disgust. "Not happening anymore."

"W-What? You can't d-do that!" My voice faltered as I sat up straighter, throwing the duvet from over my legs.

"We'll talk about this later." He went to get up but I stopped him.

"Why do you even care?" My voice raised, as I swung my feet over the end of the bed. "This isn't fair!" I yelled.

He had already taken one job away from me and now wanted to take half of my other away too. I was becoming so close and he wanted to stop that now.

"After you've rested, we'll talk more." He waved me off as he reached the door. I scurry to my feet as I stood in front of him, placing a hand on his chest.

"Jesus, Ophelia. I said la—" He started.

"No! W-We're talking about this now!" I yelled and he seemed taken back. I then lowered my voice, "Thank you for, um nicely c-caring but you can't do that and I won't let you." I tried to maintain eye contact but it was hard, especially with how he kept gritting his teeth.

"Nicely?" He let out a humorous laugh as he shook his head in frustration and turned to leave.

I placed my body in front of the door and he did a once over before his eyes landed back on my eyes.

"Y-Yes, n-n-nicely." I stuttered a bit more than often.

Levi took a step back and pinched the bridge of his nose and afterward, looked back at me. "I can't do this anymore." He said.

"What?" I breathed out. Was he insinuating that he couldn't deal with me living here anymore? I knew this was going to happen but I didn't know so soon.

"See? That right there." He placed a hand in his hair and tugged lightly. "Every time I say something, you think the worst of the statement. What? You think I'd kick you out?"

I put my head down as an answer as I felt tears in my eyes. I heard Levi scoff and shake his head. "Why is it that everyone around us sees that I fucking care for you except for the one person that I want to." He seethed and my eyes snapped up.

What? I knew he cared for me. Why else would he be constantly making sure that I ate and slept?

"I-I kn—" I wiped my tears before he cut me off.

"No, you don't know. You think that what I do for you is because I'm nice or because of the kindness of my heart. Well, that fuckery isn't true. The shit that I do and would do for you is only for you." He took a step forward and took a hold of my trembling hand and whispered. "I'm not Kace and I know that he hurt you and I also know that he's very sorry, but I would never do something like that to you, Ophelia." He said softly as he brought both of my hands up to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

I looked away from him as I tried to stop the tears thinking about Kace. "I'm scared." I whispered.

"I know you are. I've never felt this way about anyone either." He let out a single breathy laugh until his face slowly turned back serious.

"Let me show you Ophelia." He said lowly. "Let me show you what it's like to wake up in the morning knowing that you don't have to worry about anything. Let me show you what it's like to go to sleep at night knowing that you're on my mind. Let me shower you in kisses and gifts, let me take you out on dates, let me be the one that always puts that beautiful smile on your face, but most importantly, let me show you what a queen should be treated like." He brought his thumb to brush against my lip.

I could hear the drum of my heart beating against my ears and my feet had suddenly become weak. "Levi, I—" He stopped me.

"All you have to say is yes and I'll show you." He encouraged me as he squeezed my hand.

I could see the desperate look in his eyes and it surprised me dearly.

"Y-Yes."