2 weeks.
Two long, agonizing weeks.
Levi's prescribed rest period was finally up and there was still no incriminating evidence against Gavin Walters enough to extradite him home.
"He's going to be let off easy." said Levi with a groan as he hid his face in his palms. "Gavin Walters will forever roam free and there will never be any fairness in this world."
"Mankind is doomed I tell you. Doomed." he continued hopelessly stuffing popcorn into his mouth from the bowl lying on his stomach.
He sank lower into the couch and stared blankly at the television screen in front of him. Cartoon bears eating porridge showed on the muted telly but Levi didn't care enough to change the channel. At least the bears were achieving their purpose, however lame it may be, unlike him.
Axky frowned as he picked at his treacle tart on the dining table, but didn't contradict Levi. To be honest even he was feeling rather hopeless about the situation. Gavin would never be prosecuted if they kept up like this.
"Come on guys." said Paula encouragingly as she finally switched off the television in the living room earning a surprised protest from Levi.
"The best part was just coming up! Mamma bear was just about to yell..." he said loudly before realizing he'd been emotionally invested in a children's show. "I mean whatever. The show was stupid anyway."
Paula raised an eyebrow at his words but let it pass.
"I have invited Mrs. Walters over for dinner tonight." she said.
"What?" asked Levi knocking aside the bowl of popcorn. Ignoring the mess he made on the carpet, he quickly sat up and glanced at the clock. It was half past six already, his mother was probably on her way already.
"Why?" he asked with a groan. This dinner was the last thing he needed.
"Well you boys have been working alone for a while and you must remember that Mrs. Walters is an important stakeholder in this whole situation. Her opinion matters and we need to share all our progress with her." explained Paula patiently. "Besides, Emily is lovely company."
Levi swallowed nervously. His mom was already on first name basis with Vicky's mother. It seemed that they even got along.
Was this a good thing or a bad thing?
Bad, Levi. It's a very very bad thing, his mind answered instantly before providing him with an explanation:
What if his mom spilled the beans on all the embarrassing stuff he'd done as a child? Like the time he tried to be a goldfish and almost drowned, or the time when he climbed the water pipe to get to the roof but got stuck because his loose pants fell off? Not to mention the time when he was chased by a rabid dog after his ball landed on its tail...
Levi sighed in resignation. Vicky would probably laugh if she heard these stories and tease him endlessly. But that would be it. He was secure enough in their relationship to know Vicky wasn't so shallow.
Speaking of Vicky...when would she be done with her homework anyway? She'd been up in her room since she got back from school, cursing about a stupid Math test she had to take. He missed her and the sneaky kisses he stole when Axky blinked or went to the toilet. She'd have to come down soon though, dinner time was near...
Just then the bell rang and Paula hurried to open the door to reveal a prettily dressed woman her age. She was wearing a simple teal dress and carrying a small purse, but the catchiest thing about her outfit was her big smile.
"Paula!" said Mrs. Walters hugging the woman affectionately. "Thank you for inviting me over!"
"Emily!" greeted Paula and kissed her cheek. "It's so wonderful to have you here. Come on in."
Axky got up from the table after quickly licking his treacle clean, to greet Mrs. Walters.
"Hi Emily!" he said sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry we don't have much progress to report today either."
"Oh Axky, it's alright." she said waving her hands dismissively. "I always knew my ex husband was the lowesst scum on the earth. I believe in justice and even if we can't bring him to it, I'm sure someone somewhere will manage it."
Karma. That's the concept she was talking about.
Axky smiled at her words. "Thanks Emily. Want to try some treacle?" he offered leading her to the living room.
Levi stood up hurriedly, quickly trying to fix his rugged appearance, but found to his dismay that there was popcorn all over him. He shook himself vigorously almost like a pet drying their fur before he realized he was shooting popcorn all over the room. He was pretty sure there was food pieces inside the lampshade as well as the ornamental chandelier above.
He straightened his shirt and tried to flatten his hair before his Mom did it for him.
"Levi!" said his mother as soon as she spotted him. Her smile turned into a frown as she walked up to him. "Did you make this mess?" she demanded.
Levi blanched. The floor was scattered with popcorn and he smelled of it. There was no denying that he was responsible. He nodded slowly.
"Well clean it up before dinner dear." she said sweetly and extracted a comb from her bag.
"Now stand still dear," she said holding his cheek in place with one hand and combing his hair with another.
Levi blushed with embarrassment as tried to protest. "Mom! I look fine okay. Please stop."
"Rubbish!" she said dismissively. "That crows nest is not suitable for a dinner appearance. Stop wriggling and I'll finish this sooner."
Levi sighed and stopped putting up a fight. He already knew that it was going to be a losing battle. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Axky laughing silently.
The sadistic jerk.
Beside him, Vicky was doubled over in laughter and Levi suppressed a groan. Of all the time in the world she had to come downstairs right then.
"Mom..." he said weakly when she extracted some of her own hair products from her purse.
"Oh, is Vicky here?" she said loudly looking around.
Levi groaned as Axky let out an undignified chortle.
"I'll help you clean up!" said Vicky quickly appearing by his side with a tray and vacuum cleaner. "Would you mind waiting in the dining hall instead?" she asked the adults in the room.
Paula nodded in approval. "That's a good idea honey. Come on Emily, let's talk over some wonderful sherbet."
And just like that they were gone, leaving Levi and Vicky alone.
Well played, Vicky.
"Thanks." said Levi grabbing the vacuum cleaner and plugging it in the nearest socket.
"That's it?" she said leaning closer to his body and switching on the machine. A loud sucking noise emanated from the device as Vicky licked her lips seductively. "They can't hear us anymore."
It took Levi a moment to catch on, but by the time he did, Vicky was already pressed up to him, kissing him passionately. Her arms wound themselves around his neck as he responded by pulling her even closer. He had to break away, however, when Vicky's hands wandered to his hair.
"Not the hair." he said backing away for some air. "Or Mom will comb it again."
Vicky laughed and pecked him on the lips before pointing to the watch. "I'm hungry. Let's hurry?"
He nodded and they worked together, lifting the cushions and running the vacuum pipe over all the crevices popcorn had fallen into.
"Vicky," he said when they were almost done. She was his rock and she deserved to know why he was feeling so lost and upset lately.
"What are we going to do?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly as he unabashedly let her see the strain he was under. "We're nowhere near getting Gavin to jail. What if...what if he goes scot-free?"
"He won't Levi. I just know it." she said firmly taking Levi's hands with both of her own and giving them a reassuring squeeze.
"I promise you Levi that Gavin Walters will never hurt anyone again." she said a steely resolve in her tone.
Levi had to smile at that. Vicky was being strong for him. It made his heart swell a little to think she cared so much about him.
"Thank you Vicky." he said pulling her close for a hug. "Its just...I can't help but feel like we're fighting a losing battle here. Gavin Walters is too powerful."
Vicky nodded, her head tucked below his chin. When she looked up into his eyes once more, he was surprised to see that she didn't look crestfallen.
"I know Levi. But Mom invited another person over for dinner tonight." she said licking her lips.
Almost as if on cue, the bell rang sharply just then.
"Who?" asked Levi tentatively, unconsciously balling his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"It's a world famous lawyer. He ... he helped Mom and Dad get custody of me after I was taken from the orphanage by a vile woman thirteen years ago." she said bravely looking at him. "He's retired now though, but Dad asked him if he could help and he said yes."
Levi liked the sound of having a lawyer on their side. He did not have the monetary resources to pay for a lawyer's salary, but Axky surely could.
"What's the lawyer's name?" asked Levi. He only knew of a handful of lawyer names, just the really famous ones who came on the television sometimes.
"Ted Willis." she said calmly.
Levi took in a sharp breath at her words.
Well. That name he knew.
A/N : Hello everyone!
If you've read Love me?Like You Do before this you may remember Ted. If you don't know who he is, I promise you'll still enjoy the next chapter. He's a funny guy who has a love-hate relationship with Axky. :D
Thanks for reading!
Lots of love,
Andy