The Caretaker | Levi x OC

Chapter 10

What Goes Around Comes Around

July 5th, Adalia May

Since his charitable donation to Helping Hearts, Levi Ackerman has had some good karma-in more ways than one! Sources at Ackerman Enterprises verify the riveting romance between their founder and Old Marley native, Karma Adornato. Ackerman and Adornato can be seen here entering the Marley Theater for their public debut.

"We're excited to see where this goes. Mr. Ackerman must be infatuated if she managed to get him back in the public eye," says Julie Frye, Human Resources at Ackerman Enterprises.

Moviegoers witnessed the whirlwind romance unfold firsthand. "There was some moderate PDA, but it was sweet. Who knew Ackerman had a soft side?" says Daisy Lapelle, classic film enthusiast. "Stocks are on the rise now-I feel confident reinvesting in AE," says Walter Milston of Milston Entertainment.

Perhaps Ackerman isn't the villain we thought him to be. Or is he? Marley Today captured this snapshot last night of presumably Connie Springer fleeing from Ackerman. Bystanders report a "heated tension" between the pair, but AE denies the claim that this was Connie Springer, saying the man was "merely a lookalike." Regardless, this wasn't exactly the Scout reunion we'd been hoping for. What will it take to reunite these former comrades?

"Shit."

Karma looked up from her bowl of oatmeal to see Levi scrubbing his forehead. He grumbled a few more choice words before tossing the newspaper on the coffee table like a poor poker hand.

"What's wrong?" Karma set aside her bowl and joined him on the couch. Jean peeked his head up from the cat tower, not wanting to miss the drama.

"The press is still pushing for a Scout reunion. Yelena's ripping me a new one," he said, silencing the vibrating cell phone that Yelena had forced on him.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault for inviting Sage and Ja-Connie. I had no idea he was one of the Scouts."

"You couldn't have known."

There was a tense pause, and Karma was tempted to change the subject. To discuss last night's almost-kiss. But Levi's expression was strained, deep lines etched in the downward curve of his lip. Now wasn't the time for trivial romance.

She listed her head. "Can I make you some tea?"

"You've never made me tea before."

"I know how you take it, though. Two tea bags, three sugars."

"Alright," he said, rubbing his forehead again, staring at the wall.

Karma hesitated to leave him. "Levi." She placed a gentle hand on his upper arm, expecting him to shake her off. But he didn't. His head tilted slightly toward her. "It'll blow over. I promise."

His eyes lifted to meet hers. "It won't, but I appreciate the sentiment."

Karma gave him a half smile before fixing a pot of tea.

"Here." She watched him take a sip, catching the exact moment when contentment struck him. His tense shoulders deflated. His lips perked.

Instead of fixing herself a cup, Karma picked at her stick-on nails. There was so much she wanted to ask him, but she knew the more sensitive topics required delicacy. She watched him dodge another phone call from a furious Yelena. He had 33 unread messages. "I know you don't want a reunion, but I could see from that picture that you love them," she said.

"You didn't toss it, did you?"

"It's the only time I've ever seen you happy. How could I throw that away?"