Hanji's POV

Months finally pass, and the company that my parents worked at, Fallen Corporation, had some sort of gala. Even though it was on Christmas, they said it was for a special celebration. A few days before the new year... it has to be something special. They called it a Grand Gala. Of course, I had to wear fancy clothes. Thankfully, Levi and I went shopping and we got matching outfits. 

Maybe during the entire gala, I can slip away with Levi and have fun with him. For him to attend a gala on Christmas may be a dream for some people, but torture for people like him. I love to slip away when it's just the two of us together.

"Hanji! We're going!"

"Coming!"

This Christmas is so busy...

*   *   *

"Hanji!"

I got dragged away from the beauty of this mansion. They say that the CEO of the company invited people to his own house for this special gala. I can't imagine living here...

Levi came up to me, smiling gently. He had to wear his cravat. I noticed he wore that exact thing during the spring dance. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just... stunned. Whoever lives here is like a prince or something..." I chuckle as Levi looks away. "Where's the food?"

"They're... not serving food just yet. But the table is going to be full of food in an hour when they make an announcement. Want to walk around or something? There's nothing else to do here than just eating and... ugh, dancing..."

"Dancing? Well, considering this is a gala, do you think you can-."

"Levi!" We both turned to see Erwin walking up in formal clothes. "Oh, Hanji, hey. Did I interrupt something?"

Looking at Levi, I see him sigh in relief. I think he knew exactly what I was going to talk about. Of course, I'm going to bring it back up later when the mood is right for a formal dance. Levi then straightens up his back as he continued to stay by my side. How cute...

"A bit, but nothing too serious. What do you want?"

"Trying to find a familiar face."

"Huh? And you knew Levi was going to be here?" I asked, tilting my head. From the corner of my eye, I saw Levi flinch a bit. "Well, because of his family business, there's a very high chance that he would've been here."

"Oh? So Levi told you-."

"I-I didn't..."

Erwin chuckles as he revealed a small gift from the inside of his coat. "Oh, happy birthday, Levi. It's not big because I didn't want to carry around a larger gift." The present was blue with a white ribbon, and it was as small as the palm of Levi's hand. "Hopefully you like it."

"Ah! I completely forgot it was his birthday!" I turned to him, bowing my head in shame. "I'm so sorry, Levi..."

"How did you forget today's his birthday?!" Erwin begins to laugh, clutching his sides. "How?! You're his girlfriend, for goodness sake! I would've thought you would remember his birthday!"

"I-It slipped out of my head! Don't blame me! Today's business is busy enough as it. Levi, forgive me... I-I'll make it up, I promise! Even though I shouldn't deserve such forgiveness for forgetting your birthday-."

Levi smiles softly as he revealed a silver pocket watch from Erwin. Does Levi like pocket watches? "Hanji, you being here is a good enough birthday present for me. And... today is business... I forgot it was my birthday as well. Christmas and this gala on the same day... I wouldn't think it's a good birthday party. You know, it'll be a dream for some people-."

"But torture for some." I completed his sentence, smiling as I held his free hand. "I would run away from this gala if it was celebrating my birthday."

"You would?" Erwin walks to my side, gently elbowing me. "I would think you would be the light of the gala, Hanji. Erm, can I speak to Levi just for a second?"

"Oh..." The sound that escaped my mouth was not what I was expecting. I wanted to say it in my head, but it slipped out of my head- just like the fact that today's my boyfriend's birthday. Ah... I'm so hopeless, aren't I? "Okay, I'll be inside searching for snacks."

"They're already serving punch, Hanji."

"Thank you, Levi."

As I began to walk away, I hear Erwin's voice trying to stay as quiet as ever. "You didn't tell her?"

"How could I?" Levi hisses under his breath. "I should've told her..."

"Better hurry it up before your uncle announces it without you by her side."

"I'm trying!"

"I only see you standing here, arguing with me!"

"Hanji?"

"Huh?" I looked up, seeing that I ran into someone else. I... recognize him. It was Levi's uncle! "S-Sir! I-I'm so sorry for bumping into you-."

He chuckles to himself, shining those silver eyes. That was the only reason I knew he was related to Levi... the height was too astonishing. If I saw Levi and his uncle together, I would never think they were related. But it was those silver eyes that told me that they were related. Those silver eyes...

"It's fine, Hanji. Where's the rat?"

"Rat? Oh... oh, you mean Levi?" He nods his head, "He's talking with Erwin-."

"Hanji, there you are." I hear my mom calling my name as they appear. "We've been looking for you."

"Who are you?" Dad asks Levi's uncle, beckoning me to come over.

Before Levi's uncle could answer, Levi, pops up with Erwin running behind him. "Uncle," Levi began, reaching for my hand. "If you could excuse me-."

His uncle firmly puts his hand on Levi's shoulders, forcing him to stay in place. His uncle began to smirk as he switched his gaze from me to my parents. "Ah... these must be your parents, Hanji. To answer your question, sir, I am Kenny Ackerman."

To see my dad's reaction, I saw his eyes widening. Almost as if he was surprised by the fact. Why would he be surprised? 

"And of course, you must know my nephew, Levi." His uncle began to pat Levi's shoulders firmly. "Seeing that I've met your parents, Hanji, I must ask them a serious question regarding Levi-."

"Uncle, please. I didn't-."

His uncle ignores him, continuing forward. "You see, my nephew was meant to be in an arranged marriage as soon as he graduated from high school. But after catching those two sleeping with each other and him bringing her to a hotel for our family business, I'm inclined to think that Levi shouldn't marry the chosen girl."

Mom and Dad stared at me when he spoke of us sleeping together. "I-It wasn't like that! We fell asleep on the couch after studying and he walked in. We didn't do anything like that." My cheeks ran red as I felt those stares harden. We truly didn't do anything...

"What is this family business?" Dad asks. Levi looked at me shamefully.

"Didn't my nephew or your daughter tell you? I am the CEO of the Fallen Corporation, and this boy here is going to take over when he graduates high school." That's why Levi looked at me shamefully...