I’M A BRAT AND I’M IN LOVE
(Brewing feelings)
Chapter 8
Rika stood before the beautiful Mahogany doors of Levi’s penthouse apartment. She took a large breath and pressed the doorbell. There was no answer. She was sure Levi was home, she had seen his car in the parking lot. She pressed the doorbell again, and again, before she heard some shuffling and swearing from behind the door, followed by some beeping, and the door was pulled open.
Before her stood a very tired looking and VERY shirtless Levi.
Her eyes travelled down his body unconsciously and she took him in; from his tousled, messy hair, to the flushed, irritated look on his face, to his evenly toned biceps and finally the beautiful six packs that adorned his torso.
She swallowed a lump of saliva and forced her eyes back to Levi’s face.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Levi asked gruffly. He was leaning against the door post and he looked extremely exhausted.
Rika smiled at him.
“What do you think? I’m here to take care of you.” She replied.
Levi stared long and hard at her. “No. Go home.” He said coldly and began to shut the door.
Rika moved quickly, blocking the door with her foot before he could shut it completely.
“No way. You’re sick and you’re stubborn. At least let me give you the food I brought.” She said stubbornly.
Levi sighed.
“What about your mom and dad? Do they know you’re here?” He asked.
Rika bit her lip. So he was still thinking about that dinner at her house.
“My dad is out of the country on a business trip, and my mom thinks I’m with a friend.” She answered.
Levi gave her a steely glare. “So you lied to them.” He said coldly.
Rika didn’t answer. What was she supposed to say? Levi’s glare bore into her, and almost made her feel ashamed of her actions. Almost.
She swallowed her pride.
“Just…..just let me do this, okay? Let me do something for you. So far you’ve always been the one that’s there for me.” She begged, the slightest hint of desperation in her voice.
Levi held his gaze on her for a few seconds before opening the door fully. “Come on in.” He muttered as he walked into the house ahead of her.
Rika followed behind him quickly, and took a good look at what Levi called home.
His penthouse apartment was very neat, neatly furnished and neatly decorated. It was devoid of clutter and the furniture was trimmed down to necessities.
The apartment was painted a clean white and was also noticeably, devoid of personal effects.
“Take your shoes off at the door. I just cleaned.” Levi said again.
“You cleaned while you’re sick?” Rika asked as she hurriedly took off her shoes.
Levi leaned on a wall, standing a few metres from Rika. “Cleaning helps me relax.” He said back to her and she nodded in approval.
She made her way to the kitchen and began to unload the contents of her bag on the countertop table. She brought out a packet of cold medicine, a flask containing some soup, and a bottle of water.
“Greta made some soup for you. It should help clear your sinuses and warm your body if you have a cold. I also brought some cold medicine for you to take after eating, although it would knock you out for awhile.” Rika said and looked up at Levi. “It is a cold you have, right?” She asked.
Levi sniffed. “It’s some kind of flu. So yeah.”
Rika smiled. “Okay. So should I pour the food into a bowl for you to eat?” She asked again.
Levi walked up to her and grabbed the medicine. “Just leave that for now. I’ll take these first.” He said as he ripped the medicine packet open and gulped down its contents with the bottle of water.
“Wait but you still need to eat something first,” Rika argued but Levi had already moved away from her and out of the kitchen. She followed him. “Levi….” She began and Levi spun around to face her, interrupting her.
“Look Rika, I want you in and out of my house as soon as possible. I don’t want you staying here longer than you need to especially since your parents don’t know that you’re here.” He said, but his speech came out slurred.
Rika was about to protest, but she noticed that Levi was now stumbling dizzily.
“Levi….? Are you….whoa!” Rika yelled as Levi fell to the ground, bringing her along with him.
They fell to the ground suddenly and Levi held his head in his hands.
“Levi! Are you okay?!” Rika yelled again, as she tried to get a look at his face.
Levi lifted his face and stared at her, an unreadable expression on his face.
Rika raised her hand and placed her palm on his forehead. “You’re burning up.” She said frantically. “Come on….let’s get you to…”
Rika’s words were cut short as Levi’s head fell on her shoulders. He nuzzled his head on her bare shoulders for awhile, before moving his lips to her collarbone. Rika froze, her hands in mid air, unsure of what to do
She felt Levi sigh against her skin.
“Damn, Rika. You’re so freaking soft.” He muttered.
Rika felt her whole body tense and her cheeks grew hot. She swallowed hard, and used all of her strength to lift Levi off her shoulders. He stared at her with smouldering eyes and she tried not to look away in embarrassment.
“You’re gonna regret saying that later.” She said quietly as she smiled kindly at him. He didn’t reply, but instead started dozing off.
“Come on. Let’s get you to your bed.” Rika said again as she prompted him and he stood up groggily, pointed in the direction of the his room and they both headed there.
Rika opened the door and led Levi to his bed, letting him fall on it. He curled up on the bed and closed his eyes.
“Get some sleep. You need it.” Rika mumbled to him as she grabbed a chair and sat by his bed. She got out her phone and began to scroll through it, bored. After a few minutes, she looked up at Levi and found him staring right at her.
“Oh my God.” She muttered, startled.
“You haven’t slept yet?” She asked.
Levi turned and lay on his back, arms and legs spread out, staring at the ceiling. “I’ve had mild insomnia for the past couple of months. I haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep in a long time.” He answered.
Rika rested her head on her palms. “No wonder you’re sick. Your immune system is probably really weak. But do you feel better now? You sound better than you did before.”
Levi turned back to face her and pointed at her neck. “Why don’t you come over here and I’ll use your neck as a pillow? Your body’s so soft that I would fall asleep in no time.” He muttered with such a serious look on his face that Rika’s stomach did a back flip.
“Alright so you’re not okay yet. You’re still talking like a lunatic.” She said quickly, turning away from his piercing stare and hiding the blush on her cheeks. This Illness he had was sure making him a lot more vulgar. She paused, rubbing her neck.
“What kind of sickness makes you lose your rationale anyway? Are you sure it’s just a cold?” She asked.
Levi shrugged, now staring at the ceiling. “Who knows? Could be cancer.” He replied casually, and Rika face palmed. He had really gone crazy!
“When did you come down with this sickness?” She asked.
“Exactly twenty four hours after the dinner with your family.”
Rika’s eyes narrowed. “Really? What an odd coincidence.” She paused again, before putting her hands together. “Well if you can’t fall asleep on your own, I’ll help you! I’ll sing you to sleep, like a lullaby!”
Levi covered his face. “Please don’t.” He muttered.
Rika smiled and nudged him playfully. “Come on, it’ll work, trust me.” She said as she began to sing. Just as she was getting into the song, Levi threw a pillow at her face.
She grabbed it, blowing her hair out of her face.
“What was that for?” She said through gritted teeth.
“Stop please. You sound like a dying horse.” Levi said.
Rika scoffed, dumbfounded, before scowling at him. “Well, this dying horse is your only option for now so deal with it.” She retorted and continued singing, softer this time.
Levi lay on his side and watched her for awhile, before closing his eyes and drifting off slowly to sleep.
When Rika heard the soft sounds of snoring, she stopped singing. She gazed at Levi’s face. The usually frowning man looked so peaceful and calm while asleep, and his features had distinctively softened. She smiled fondly at him, then relaxed on her chair and continued scrolling through her phone.
?????
It was the first time he had slept so soundly in months. As Levi opened his eyes some hours later, those were the thoughts that rang through his head. Rika noticed the movement and glanced at him.
“Oh, you’re awake. Did you sleep well?” She asked softly.
Levi ran his hands through his hair. “Yeah I did. And it’s all thanks to you.” He admitted, and he saw her cheeks flush crimson.
“I should come around more often right?” She said playfully.
Levi scoffed and stared at the girl before him, who had somehow weaved her way into his life, and was confusing the hell out of it. She was stubborn, almost as stubborn as he was. Was that something they had in common?
As he stared at her, he realized that she was no longer looking like and irresponsible, manipulative teenager in his eyes anymore, but like a strong independent woman.
Levi quickly broke his gaze from her.
Thoughts like that were dangerous.
He got up from his bed.
??????
Rika watched as Levi got up from his bed and opened his closet, grabbed a sweatshirt from inside it and put it on. He then opened the door of his room. “You coming?” He asked her and she got up, following him outside.
He made his way to the kitchen and to the countertop table, took out the flask containing the soup she had brought, and began to heat it in the microwave in silence. Rika sat on one of the stools at the opposite side of the table.
“So,” Levi began, breaking the awkward silence. “How did you get my address anyway?” He asked.
“Oh that,” Rika answered, picking at her fingernails. “I asked your dad.”
“And he gave it to you?”
“Yeah.”
“Geez. For someone who was going on about poor judgement and such, you’d think the old man would be a bit more discreet.”
Rika laughed. “Well, I did do a convincing job of asking him.” She said.
Levi raised an eyebrow. “What did you tell him?” He asked.
“The truth, well a version of it. I said I wanted to explain things to you and try to apologize for my father’s behavior.”
Levi stared at her. “Well? Are you going to explain? Or apologize?”
Rika stared at her knees. “It’s…. complicated. I can’t really explain it. Not yet.”
Levi was silent for awhile. “Okay.” He finally said and Rika looked up.
“What else did you tell my dad?” Levi asked again.
“Nothing much, I just played the good old innocent teenage girl act and he bought it. Just like everyone else does. Oh. I shouldn’t talk about your dad like that. He might end up being my father-in-law one day.”
Levi raised an eyebrow at her.
“And who exactly are you going to marry?” He asked.
Rika smirked at him. “Your father has only one son doesn’t he?” She said coyly.
Levi sighed at her and rested his chin on his palm, his elbow on the table.
“Well, I’m not surprised you think like that. You have said you would marry me before.” He said, staring directly at her.
Rika’s eyes widened. “Really? When?” She asked.
“When you were six or so. At least that’s what my dad told me. I don’t remember it at all.”
Rika blushed again, looking down. It was crazy how much of an effect Levi had on her. “Wow. Another odd coincidence.” She said quietly.
Levi appraised her blushing form. “I don’t believe in coincidences. If something’s bound to happen it will.” He said and Rika looked up at him, gazing into his intimidating black eyes, trying to read his thoughts.
He turned back to check the timer on the microwave and Rika quickly leaned over the table, planting a kss on his cheeks.
He faced her abruptly as she pulled away, the expression on his face unreadable. His eyes bored I to hers and the air between them was charged. Everywhere was silent, except for the sounds of their breathing. Rika sucked in a breath, and began to lean in again, this time aiming for Levi’s lips. As their lips were about to make contact, the timer on the microwave beeped, signalling that the food was ready.
The sound seemed to break both of them out of the trance they had been in, as Levi moved away from her quickly and Rika sat back on the stool, coming back to her senses.
She wanted to sink into the ground. What had she just tried to do? She was supposed to be subtle and level headed in seducing Levi. What the heck was that amateur and emotional move?
“I’m sorry.” She muttered.
Levi didn’t look at her. “Your mouth stinks.” He said and Rika covered her mouth in horror.
He glanced at her horrified face, the faintest hi to of a smile on his. “I’m kidding.” He said casually.
Rika didn’t know what to say, so she kept mute. Levi sat down and began to drink the soup.
“This is delicious. I’ll have to ask Greta to give me the recipe one day.” He paused. “Thanks for this Rika. I think you should get going home now.” He said again quietly.
“Right.” Rika said as she fumbled fir her bag and dashed out of the apartment as quickly as she could.
She got home not long after and ran up to her room, throwing herself on the bed and screaming into it loudly. She then sl@pped herself.
“Come on Rika! Have you gone crazy?! Why would you try to kiss him?! You’ll make him put his guard up again!” She yelled at herself. Her phone beeped with a message. It was from Levi.
“Are you home?” It read.
“Yeah.” Rika quickly typed back.
“Alright. Goodnight.” Was the short reply that came a few minutes later.
Rika fell back on her bed and tried to calm her erratically beating heart. Several thoughts crossed her mind.
What if she had actually kssed him? She wondered whether his lips would be soft and tender, unlike the rest of his features. Her face turned bright red. She sl.apped herself again.
“Get yourself together Rika Sato!! Aargh!!!!!”
The next day she awoke to Greta already cleaning her room.
“Hey Greta,” she called sleepily.
“Rika my dear. How was your sleep? I heard you spent the afternoon at Hunter’s place yesterday.”
Rika remembered her lie. “Oh yeah. I did.” She paused. “Do you know when my dad is coming back home from Italy?” She asked.
“Oh, Master Sato has already arrived. He arrived home in the wee hours of the morning. He actually asked after you but I told him you were still asleep.”
Rika hastily got off the bed and put on her robe.
“He’s in his study right?” She asked Greta.
“Yes he is.” Greta replied, and Rika opened her room door, walking silently to her father’s study.
She arrived there and knocked on the door.
“Come in.” Her father’s voice said and she entered.
Her dad had his own personal home office in their mansion. It was his study, where brought home work and he was usually always holed up in there. This place was also very familiar to Rika.
“Rika. Good morning.” Her dad said, smiling warmly at her. Rika smiled back.
“Good morning Daddy.” She greeted.
“What brings you here this early?” Her dad asked.
“Daddy. I want to ask you something, and I want you to be very honest in answering okay?” She asked sweetly.
Mr Sato narrowed his eyes. “Go ahead. ” He said to her.
Rika’s smile never left her face. “Did you do something to Levi Daddy?” She asked again, drawing out every word.
Mr Sato was silent for awhile. He then answered. “That’s an odd question. Do something as in….?”
“You know what I mean Daddy. Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you.”
Mr Sato removed his glasses and gave his daughter a slow, knowing smile.
“Well, I might have added some mild hallucinogen pills to his dinner when they came over. Just something to give him a bit of a fever and make him lose his bearings for some days.” He confessed.
Rika gritted her teeth. “So you poisoned him.” She said.
Mr y grabbed his chest mockingly. “Ouch darling. You make me sound like a bad person.” He said, smiling.
Rika tried to stay calm. “Why? This is between you and me. Leave levy out of it.” Rika said firmly, her voice rising.
“Leave him out of it? Honey, you brought him into it. He needs to know what’s mine.”
Rika bit her lip in anger. She then took deep breath and smiled.
“Why? Are you afraid he’ll take your precious daughter away from you?” She asked mockingly.
The smile fell off Mr Sato’s face. “You’re sleeping with him aren’t you? You little sl.ut.” He asked angrily. Rika didn’t reply.
“Answer me!!” Mr Sato yelled.
“And so what if I am? What are you going to do about it?!” Rika yelled back.
Mr Sato stared at his daughter, his eyes blazing with fury, before he suddenly relaxed and smiled. He walked towards his daughter and put his lip to her ear.
“My sweet girl. Daddy loves you. You know that right?”
Rika gulped, paralyzed with fear.
“Don’t be mad at daddy. Everything daddy does is because he loves you. You know that right?” He asked again, gripping her shoulders tightly.
“Y-yes. Daddy loves me.” Rika choked out.
“Atta girl.” Mr Sato praised and kssed her cheek. “Now run along and study. You have exams to write.” He said finally and went back to his table.
Rika slowly opened the door and walked back to her room, her hands shaking uncontrollably.
???????
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