Levi didn’t wait long. The secretary, a girl who looked no older than thirteen or fourteen, appeared in front of him with a notepad.
"Please, Mister, fill in your name here". She said, handing him a pen.
He didn’t comment on her age, not wanting to seem rude. He quickly wrote down his fake name, age, and state of origin, a background story he had already prepared.
The secretary left, and Levi leaned his head back against the wall, taking in the quiet environment. Before he knew it, he drifted off to sleep.
A few minutes later, a commotion woke him up.
The previously sparse reception area had suddenly become more crowded. Apart from Levi and the two individuals who looked like siblings, a new group had arrived.
Sitting near Levi was a middle-aged man in a suit, his head resting against the wall. Directly in front of the pair who seemed like siblings were three individuals who looked like delinquents— two boys and a girl. They were the source of the noise.
The young secretary was there, trying to defuse the situation, but they ignored her, reinforcing Levi’s guess that she was just a child.
"Come on, it’s just dinner". The girl in the middle said, licking her lips with a lustful expression. Her attention was aimed squarely at the girl with the warm beige hair and red eyes.
The delinquent girl wore torn dark jeans, an oversized grey hoodie, and her hair was in a braid.
"And we already said no!". The boy with the same beige hair and red eyes retorted, his voice sharp with annoyance.
"What is it with you, kid? I’m twenty-seven, and your sister is surely over eighteen. It’s clearly legal". The delinquent girl replied, irritated.
"Or is it because I’m a woman?"
"Yes". The boy shot back. "It’s because you are a woman."
"Listen, loser, your sister can speak for herself." She poked the boy’s chest, then turned to the timid girl beside him. "So, what do you say? Dinner?"
"I-I would have to decline". The beige-haired girl said softly, her face apologetic.
"Why? Daddy won’t approve of you dating a girl?"
"Then what is it? Spit it out!". The delinquent girl was practically yelling.
"It’s j-just that..."
The entire reception hall fell silent. Even Levi was taken aback, his eyes wide. He watched blankly as the beige-haired girl’s neck and cheeks flushed deep pink, giving the boy an embarrassed look. Chapters fırst released on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Y-you’re joking... right?". The delinquent girl finally stammered.
"I am not". The beige-haired boy confirmed, holding the girl’s hand. "She is my mother, and I am her son."
The three delinquents were stunned. Then, the delinquent girl sneered, scoffing. "You think you can lie your way out of this? There is no way someone as young as her would have given birth to someone like you."
The tension eased, and even Levi internally scoffed at the boy. ’He could have just said she was his girlfriend. That would have been more believable, Just look at her; her developed body could fool anyone, but her baby face gave away the lie’.
But then, the young secretary’s face lit up. "It’s true!". She declared, running to her desk. She returned and showed them her notepad.
The delinquent girl snatched it and scrolled through it, her expression twisting in disbelief. Then, she threw her hands up.
"They are obviously lying! Look at the one you call a mother— look at how bashful and timid she is! People that young don’t have grown sons!".
"I’m sixteen". The boy retorted, his red eyes blazing. "Since you have your proof, please stop harassing us."
Before the delinquent girl could find a reply, the front door slid open, and a group of people walked in.
The first was a middle-aged man with coffee-brown hair, wearing deep purple pants that seems almost black, and a crisply ironed, purple shirt collared shirt. He had a deeply satisfied expression on his face, radiating success.
Following him was a woman in her late twenties with straight black hair. She wore a sophisticated, black pencil skirt and a pale pink silk blouse. She bore a striking resemblance to the young secretary behind the counter.
Next came a woman with large, thick-rimmed glasses. She was dressed more casually in practical black cargo pants and a simple gray t-shirt. She carried a tablet and seemed to be the most focused of the group.
The last person was a short boy, about fourteen years old. He was dragging a large, worn canvas bag behind him, his face set in a look of unmistakable annoyance.
The arrival of the group instantly drew the attention of the delinquents, halting the argument in the reception area.
The young secretary immediately shrieked, "Daddy!" and ran straight into the arms of the middle-aged man in the purple pants. He swiftly picked her up, a satisfied smile still on his face.
"Daddy, what are you doing? Put me down!"
The girl protested, her face flushing with embarrassment now that she was older, if any of her school mate saw her now, they would undeniably bully her for all eternity.
"You were the one who ran toward me". The man replied with a laugh. He gently set her down, ruffling her hair. "How has my Hazel been doing?".
"Hazel has taken care of everything, well except for the—" the girl, Hazel, started to say.
"Everything has been well, Mr. Robert". The delinquent girl quickly interrupted, stepping forward with an anxious air. She wanted to prevent Hazel from mentioning their argument.
"Oh, it seems Hazel is a big girl now. Be good and give me the notepad". Mr. Robert said warmly.
With a cute nod, Hazel handed the notepad over. Mr. Robert quickly skimmed the entries to get a general idea of the applicants. He then turned to Levi and the group of delinquents, giving them an apologetic look.
"You’ll all have to wait for a moment". He said. Turning to the short boy who was struggling with the large bag, he called out, "Jake, be quick and put that away. Then supply our guests with refreshments."
Jake’s already annoyed expression twisted further. "But isn’t that supposed to be Hazel’s job?". He grumbled.
"Uh-huh, your sister’s been busy ever since. Now, quit complaining and get the job done". Mr. Robert replied firmly.
Hazel’s been busy? All she’s done is sit around all day. Jake complained in his mind, but he dropped the bag and went to complete the task.
Mr. Robert then turned his head to the middle-aged man in the suit who was seated a few seats from Levi.
"Mr. Rogers, this way," he directed, gesturing toward the counter that was now occupied by the glass wearing lady.
A moment later, jake returned, lugging a generous supply of snacks and soft drinks. Without feigning any politeness, Levi immediately began to devour the food, his hunger from the ordeal overriding his manners.
Just then, the front door slid open. A beautiful, petite girl walked in. She had wheat blonde hair, striking grey eyes, and a neat button nose. She wore cargo pants, a hoodie, and a silver ring on her thumb.
She walked straight to the counter, spoke briefly with Hazel, then turned and sat down right between Levi and the red-eyed mother-and-son duo.
Unlike the serene expression she had carried upon entering, she was an immediate chatterbox, launching into conversation with the young man, his mother occasionally inputting a word or two.
Suddenly, the girl stopped talking. She turned her head, and her grey eyes locked onto Levi’s. A look of shock flashed across her face, quickly followed by intense curiosity.
Before Levi could react, she became a blur of motion. In no time, she was crouched directly in front of him, her face inches from his.
"What’s with to your eyes?". She whispered urgently. "They are practically glowing!"
Levi didn’t even have time to be annoyed by the invasion of his personal space. He was caught off guard by the girl’s sharp perception.
His eyes— which pulsed with the light of his leaking soul essence— were his most dangerous secret.
Although his eyes glowed, only individuals with high perception could sense as it was a light from his soul. That’s why he hasn’t been receiving strange stares every since.
Levi quickly composed his face, forcing a bland, bored expression. He leaned back slightly, trying to create distance.
"Nothing". He lied smoothly. "It’s just the light".
The girl didn’t move. She tilted her head, her blonde hair shifting over her hoodie. "No, it’s not the light".
"Did you take some kind of weird serum? Is that your power? You look like you’ve been in a fight."
Levi saw his chance. She was direct, curious, and clearly a part of this chaotic family organization. He decided to give her a truth filtered through a lie.
"It’s a side effect". Levi said, his voice low and weary.
After a couple more conversation, to Levi relief she dropped the topic. Just as Mr. Robert walked in to address them.