Autumn Secrets ✓

S i x t e e n

~ L e v i ~

"YES!"

I exclaimed in happiness when I finally won the small plush doll.

Parents and kids around me sent judgemental glances for being overjoyed over a doll.

I couldn't care less.

I was so giddy that I could now gift it to Elsa. She did not need to know the number of times I had to try to correctly loop it in.

I didn't call Elsa to accompany me to the Town Fest because our yesterday's interaction should be enough for her. So, it's better if she was alone for some time and be calm and collected for our next meeting.

It's still funny to think how clumsily she scurried back to leave after the kiss.

Cute-

"Here's your Olaf plushie, gentleman." The shop owner forwarded the stuffed toy to me.

I thanked him quickly and left the Town Fest as my job there was over.

I rode back to my home, humming a melody all the way. That was so unusual, I guess I was really happy then.

Spinning the bike key around my finger, I opened the front door.

"But Nathan didn't stop your parents?"

"He did, but I guess it wasn't just enough."

"So what are you gonna do now?"

"I'll have to meet them and settle things."

"Seriously, your brother is of no help."

"But I feel so bad for him, I've never seen him so dull before. Hannah really impacted him so much."

As soon as I heard her name, my legs involuntarily dragged me towards the source of this conversation.

I gulped, and my hands started to shake. My mind was drawing a lot of conclusions and I didn't like any.

I shook my head and tried to defend Elsa in every possible way, but I knew it was futile because I felt like I was betraying myself.

Finally, I spoke up as I saw Elsa and Joshua, "What's going on?"

Elsa looked shocked, and Joshua walked towards me in a panic, "L-Levi, I can explain -"

My heart clenched when she looked guilty. "Is Nathan your brother?" I asked, trying to remain calm.

She couldn't gather enough words to speak.

"I asked if that bastard is your brother?!" I couldn't control my rage anymore.

"Y-Yes," Her voice was just above a whisper.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" My eyes started to well up, "Why didn't you tell me this before coming to this house, before pretending to be a helper, before making us happy, before making me fall in love with you? Huh, why?!"

Her eyes widened at my outburst, "I knew you wouldn't let me in if I revealed that Nathan is my brother whom you hate so much for breaking Hannah's heart. I know it all, but I also know that he is sorry for what he had done."

"Oh, he is sorry? If he is that sorry, then why was he ready to marry somebody else not long after my sister's death?"

"But he didn't marry!" She walked towards me, "He felt guilty. That's why he didn't do it. He still regrets every day what he had done."

"Enough, Elsa!"

"Levi, please calm down," She touched my arm.

"Don't touch me," I brushed away her hand, "and don't stay here any longer. You won't be the same person for me anymore."

"Levi, please understand," Tears flowed down continuously down her blood rushed cheeks.

"Elsa, please leave," My glossy eyes met hers, "I don't want to hurt you anymore."

Joshua held Elsa's hand and took her to the front door. He said something to her, which made her leave.

I didn't stop until I had reached my room.

Closing the door behind me, I sat on the floor leaning against the door. I felt like I was back to square one.

All the progress I made went down the drain.

I was at the same place, I had been almost a year ago.

Helpless and crying on the floor.

Now I realised that betrayal never came from our enemies. It was always our loved ones who hurt us.

"If only we had met in a different situation," I held the stuffed toy against my rapidly thumping heart, "where I wasn't the broken guy and you weren't the healing miracle."