Levi didn't expect his father to be in his office, because he was rarely there. He was always travelling for work, or what Levi assumed, was him pretending to work and getting everyone else to do it for him.
Clarice, his father's secretary greeted him.
She had a soft spot for Levi, as she watched him grow over the years. She hated most people. She hated most animals. She did not like most children. Yet for some reason she loved Levi and she would ask him about his day, and how his girlfriend was doing, and if he had been taking care of himself.
Other employees in the office breathed a sigh of relief whenever he came by because for the rest of the day Clarice would be manageable.
"Are you here to see you father," Clarice asked. "He's here today." Levi tried not to scowl at the horrible news. Why is he here, Levi wondered. Should I just ask him for the files instead of stealing them?
"Yes…," Levi lied. "I would love to see my father." He prayed silently that God would forgive him for lying. Clarice told him he could just make his way to his office, since he was free.
Levi opened the door and his father was on the phone with Mary Sue. He and Mary Sue had been long time friends, and their families both knew each other. Levi had known Mary Sue's daughter, Mary Jane her entire life as well. They were dating, but Levi wasn't serious about her, nor was he truly interested.
He sat on the couch, drinking from his giant mug and thinking about different ways he could make Mary Jane lose interest in him. None of the things he had tried so far had worked, and he was slowly starting to accept that he should just keep her around or else people would notice him staring at Ace.
Levi noticed that the only time his father only smiled was around his mother, around Mary Sue, and when he was bothering someone else.
Once Maximillian was done talking with Mary Sue on the phone, he was in a good mood. He decided to listen to his son, hoping that he wasn't wasting his time. "Leviathan, good to see you," Maximilian cooed. "I heard about your first practice mission. Amazing." Levi was surprised at his reaction.
"You're not angry? I got chewed out today by your lackeys!"
Maximilian laughed and assured his son he wasn't angry, in fact he was pleased. "You know they're just trying to get rid of you," he chuckled. "They hate you because one day their boss will be someone younger, and their years of hard work will amount to nothing."
Levi was silent, surprised about his bluntness and his lack of remorse over obvious nepotism.
Maximilian opened one of the drawers in his large desk and got out small glasses. He opened his personal cabinet and poured out some red wine and relaxed behind his desk. "Do you want some," he offered. "No thank you," Levi said quickly.
I hate it when he drinks, Levi thought.
"I'm very impressed with Acheus," Maximilian sneered. "All these years I thought he was an idiot, yet this entire time he had something magnificent." Maximillian spat out the word idiot, the way someone said something much, much, much worse. Ace's idiocy was quite well known among those in the Defense Program that were saddled with teaching the trainees.
Oh no, Levi thought. He's going to do something to him again.
Levi feared his father for many reasons, the biggest one was that he could easily wipe any memories of the horrible things he had done by getting someone else to do it for him. Levi suspected it was his Uncle Rico, Rikka's father, but said nothing of the subject, because he didn't want to confirm that he was right.
Maximilian drank wine while he continued to insult those around him, possibly the world's worst living cariacture of the wealthy and entitled.
"That filthy, red-headed Ionadian made me think he was taking space up all these years that I could have given to someone much stronger, but patience has brought good fortune upon us," Maximillian said. "I want you to find out what his celestial object is and give it to me."
Levi nodded, knowing that he would have to lie often once he learned the truth himself.
I'll tell Ace and he can hide it from him, Levi told himself. He can't have all of them.
"What did you come here for," Maximilian barked. For the first time in a long time, Levi decided not to lie. "I need the directory," he said. "It's important." Maximillian leaned forward in his chair and gave him a look. "What do you need it for," he asked.
"It's personal," Levi replied.
"Nothing is ever personal around here," Maximilian grinned. It was true. Everyone in the Defense Program were horrible gossips, and everyone was quick to believe a lie, even after the truth was on full display.
"I can't tell you now," Levi mumbled. "Later."
"Levi don't do this to me," Maximilian sighed. "If you can't talk to your parents, then who can you talk to?"
I talk to Mom, Levi thought. She isn't crazy like you.
"How about this," Maximilian suggested. He poured himself another glass of wine and enjoyed every sip he took. "You get the files, but afterwards I ask you to do a favor for me. No questions asked."
"What kind of favor is it," Levi asked. Maximilian wagged his finger and scolded him. "What did I say? No questions asked!" Maximilian studied his son, knowing that he would say no.
"Okay," Levi sighed. "Can I have it?"
Maximilian scowled. He did not like it when people didn't play his petty games.
"Are you sure," Maximilian asked. "You can't change your mind afterwards." Levi nodded, absolutely sure. Maximilian leered at him and grumbled. "Come back in the evening," he said, waving him away with his hand. "I'll get someone to give it to you. Don't lose it." Levi thanked him and promptly left, trying to drink his coffee faster before it got cold.
What is he up to, Maximilian wondered.
Very rarely did Maximillian never know what someone else was doing. With the press of a button he could bring up his different trackers and know where people of interest were. He opened his laptop and looked at Levi's location history.
The library, his apartment, the gym, nothing unusual, Maximilian thought. He could be meeting up with someone at one of these places and planning something.
Maximillian decided that he would simply get someone to tail his son for a while, until he got the information that he wanted. He made a phone call to his usual man for the job and continued on his wine. He groaned, hating that now he had to work since he returned.
I should just get someone else to do it, he thought.
So he made another phone call and did.