"Shonn, I'm not coming home tonight," Levi said on the other side of the phone.
"Ahhh… are you okay?" Shonn asked.
"I'm good, thanks for worrying. I just felt like having a sleepover at a friend's place. I'll go straight to the office from here tomorrow."
"Where are you anyway?" Shonn inquired.
"At a friend's," Levi chuckled.
"Ugh, I shouldn't have asked. Whatever. Goodnight," Shonn said, hanging up.
Sitting in the hospital lobby, Levi ran his fingers nervously through his hair, his mind occupied with thoughts about what was happening in the operating room. It was his mom, Abigail Morgan, formerly known as Abigail Thompson. She had left his father for another man when Levi was seven. That relationship didn't last long, and they broke up after a year. Abigail had tried various jobs to support herself, too ashamed to face Levi. Levi met her again for the first time in years when he started college. He began meeting her secretly, saving his pocket money for her. His dad eventually figured out what Levi was up to but didn't stop him. With his second wife's encouragement, he allowed Levi to spend money on and take care of his mom.
Three months after Levi's dad passed away, Abigail began feeling weak. She ignored it for a while and didn't tell Levi. One day, she fainted while shopping. The local authorities contacted Levi, and it turned out she had been suffering from coronary artery disease (CAD). This was her second operation.
"Doctor, how was it?" Levi ran to the doctor who had just come out of the operating room.
"We barely managed it, but don't worry, she's safe. It was successful," the doctor said.
Levi exhaled deeply, running his fingers through his hair once again. He nodded to the doctor. "Thank you so much, doctor."
"It was our duty. By the way, Levi, you'll receive some papers regarding her treatment record by tomorrow morning. I'm afraid I won't be able to look at them until next week. I'll be quite busy. So make sure to take them with you when you come next week."
"Okay, I will. Thanks again," Levi replied.
. . .
Levi sat in the hospital lobby, the events of the day replaying in his mind. His phone buzzed with a message from Shonn, checking in on him.
Shonn: "Hey, just wanted to see if you're really okay."
Levi sighed, typing back.
Levi: "Yeah, I'm good."
Shonn: "You didn't sound like you are good. Btw if you need someone to talk, I'm here."
Levi: "Thanks, Shonn. I appreciate it."
Levi looked around the quiet hospital, the sterile environment amplifying his thoughts. He thought about his mom, her struggles, and the journey they had been on together. He felt a wave of emotions, from anger at the past to hope for the future. He remembered the first time he saw her after so many years. She looked older, more worn, but her smile when she saw him was the same.
. . .
Steven had been avoiding Maya for two days straight. It was almost like he was playing hide and seek. Every time Maya came out of her room for breakfast or dinner, Steven would retreat to his room. It was nothing like, living under the same roof. At the office, if Maya approached him to get or hand over a file, she couldn't muster the courage to ask him any questions.
Levi, Ethan, Kevin, and Liam were in Steven's office, talking about the usual stuff and joking around as always. Maya knocked on the door and asked for Steven's permission to enter. She didn't know that the whole squad was there.
"Come in," Steven replied.
Levi fixed his eyes on her while Steven tried avoiding any kind of eye contact. The laughter in the room immediately ceased, and everyone shifted back to a professional demeanor. But the atmosphere was tense. Ethan sensed something strange about Steven's awkwardness in front of her. Maya stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, trying to talk to Steven while being aware of the eight eyes staring at her. Liam noticed her discomfort.
"Larson, if you feel uncomfortable, we'll leave. Guys, let's go," Liam said.
"It's okay, sir. You can stay," she thanked Liam. "Actually, I'm having trouble understanding this file, Mr. Stone. I want to finish it by tonight," she said, placing the file on the table. Steven didn't want her to stay since his friends were there. He didn't want anyone to look at her. He glanced at the file and then looked back at Maya.
"This one? But you still have a few days left for it," Steven replied.
"Yes, I know. But there are other tasks, so…"
"Umm, would you mind if I help you with this tomorrow? Actually, I'm writing a report now," Steven asked.
"Sure. You can. I'll leave then," Maya said, beaming to them and starting to walk towards the door. Levi spoke up.
"Ms. Larson, I can help you since Stone is busy and you want to finish it by tonight. And I'm free," which absolutely made Steven's blood boil.
"You really don't have to, Mr. Thompson. It's okay," Maya said, stealing a glance at Steven, who gave her a cold shoulder.
"No, it's totally okay. Let's go," Levi said, reaching for the file on Steven's table. Steven's hand grabbed it at full speed, before Levi could. Everyone was gazing at him. Levi looked at him with sharp eyes. Steven only looked down and breathed out.
"What?" Levi asked.
"I'm done," Steven said.
"Huh?"
"Done with my work for today. I'll help her," he said in a low voice, which only Levi heard. "I'll help her... I'll help you, Larson," he repeated. He stood up, took the file, and walked towards Maya. Levi stood there, pocketing his hands with a smirk on his face as they left the room.
"What was that?" Kevin screamed.
"Alright. We are done for the day. I'll excuse myself then. Goodnight, guys," Levi said and left the room.
"What was that too?" Kevin asked, bewildered.
"If you haven't guessed it yet, then you don't need to. Let's go," Ethan and Liam stood up.
"Long way to go, mommy's boy," Liam teased Kevin, who still didn't get the joke and followed them.
. . .
The office hours ended. Maya was still at her desk, working with Steven. She hadn't asked him during office hours, so she tried talking to him now.
"Steven, what was that?" she asked.
Steven checked his watch and looked at her. "What?"
"You clearly said that you were busy. Ah, what would Mr. Thompson think? Sometimes I don't know what you're thinking. You clearly avoided me for three days. What's all this about, Steven?" she retorted, looking down.
"Why are you not looking at me?" Steven asked, as she looked him in the eyes.
"Don't you see it already, Maya?" he spoke in a deep, quiet voice.
"What do you expect me to see?" she asked.
"Tch. Maya, are you too worried about what Levi would think?" Steven asked.
"I know he is not the type to just see something and jump to conclusions, but it was weird there. He seemed a bit pissed off at you. Did you tell him something?"
"I didn't tell him anything. Why are you still talking about Levi?"
"Again? Why are you talking like other people? I told you not to get any wrong ideas," Maya furrowed her brow.
"Other people? Why is that?" Steven raised his brows. Maya didn't reply immediately. She gulped and spoke.
"Umm, I don't really know. But I heard people talking as if we have something, I mean Mr. Thompson and I," she said, scratching her head.
"Wow! You have a dating rumor now? Tch," Steven said, clearly annoyed.
"Why are you reacting like that? It's not like it's true, you know," she retorted.
"Then why don't you just make it clear to them?"
"It's not something that I can just speak about, Steven. He's the CEO. Cameras are following him all the time. If I talk about it, people will become more chaotic. So it's better this way."
"So you're trying to protect his image?"
"Oh God! Are you a kid or something! I'll go home now," she said, annoyed, standing up to get her bag ready.
"Maya?"
"What again?" she asked, furrowing her brow.
"If it was me, would you do the same? I mean, um, the rumors?" he asked, stuttering a bit, trying to avoid her gaze.
"Huh? Well, probably I would shut them up. Even if they found out you're my friend, I wouldn't want to let that rumor spread around," Maya smiled and turned to leave. Steven stopped her by holding her hand.
"Steven?"
The lights were already out, except for the desk lamp.
"For me, I wouldn't want that rumor to be stopped. I would not want that to be false," Steven spoke, looking down, his bangs falling into his eyes.
"Huh?"
"Why is it not us? I would want that rumor to be true, Maya. If it's us." Steven muttered under his breath.
"Sorry, I really didn't get that."
Maya heard him. She did. But she didn't know how to respond. She didn't know what she was feeling. She was a bit confused about whether it was a confession or not. She bit her lower lip. "Let's go home," Steven said, letting go of her hand and taking his coat from the chair. She didn't speak but followed him quietly.
Was that a confession? Maya wondered.