Smiling isn't that Easy

Chapter 9-But you can't come...

Early November
Friday
November 6
4pm
Smith&Ackerman Office

Levi' s POV

It's been several months since Kari became my private chef. Twice a week she'll come to my place, make food that is worth couple of days and just freeze it and leave instructions on how to reheat and serve so I can have my meals. Sometimes she makes meals for four eyes , Hanji and Erwin when they request it. There hasn't been any major problems, to be quiet honest, she and I have been getting along and getting closer. I miss those days when I come home and she's not there but the smell of homemade dinner is in the oven waiting for me. She also started a second part time job, baking and being a barista at some coffee shop nearby. It's not like she's not making enough as my chef, she just gets bored half the time so she just fill the shifts that can't be filled. On my side of things we've been non-stop battling a lawsuit that was brought up to us by one of our clients earlier in July and Erwin has given me the task to end it. It's been a long road but the jury made their decision today and like as planned I won the case.

"Thank you again Levi. You never stop surprising me with your elegant words in the court room."  Mark Lancaster says as he and I shakes hand. Mark has been my client since about 5 year ago when Erwin gave me the 'go' signal to take my lead on a case and Mark was my first major win in the court room.

"Of course I wouldn't want another result than a win. How is your wife Kristine? And your kids?" I politely asked as he and I exit the court house.

"My wife is good, she's with her friends drinking expensive champagne over over priced Salad. Matt is good, he just got through a very intense surgery." He answered not even mentioning his daughter. "

"...and your daughter?" I decided to ask him to see what he would say.

"She's not my daughter. God knows what kind of gang related work she's doing now... let's not talk about her anymore. Well looks like the car is here, Thank you again Levi. " I raised my hand as a goodbye as the car drive  off. That guy is a douchbag, literally disowning his daughter because she is following her dreams.

I walk towards the parking garage, thinking something I have to do tonight for Hanji's and Mike's wedding this weekend. I just don't know what the hell it was.

I enter my car and lust down the things I gave to remember before my flight tonight.

I packed everything, my tux is also ready and the present is already at their new home. What did Hanji say I have to do before flying out to Maldives?

My phone pings a text 

'BRING A DATE OR YOU'RE NOT WELCOME TO OUR WEDDING -Hanji'

Fuck! Who am I going to take with me to the wedding?

Kari' s POV

The Legions Coffee Shop
430pm

"I'm off. Thanks guys see you all next week." I fix my bag on my shoulder before walking out and walking up the street towards my apartment. I can't believe that Mikasa and I have been coming into this coffee shop when she and I would run and now it's my part time job when I'm not cooking or meal prepping for Levi and some of his co-workers. I can't believe that it's been almost half a year since he hired me, and I'm very grateful.

A familiar silver sports car slows down as I walk up my street and the window rolls down.

"Hey! Get in!" I look at inside the car and notice the familiar gray eyes and undercut haircut.

"Boss?" I say after I enter his car and shut the door, buckling the seatbelt up before he drives off.

"I'm taking you back to your apartment and you need to pack for 4 days 3 nights. We are going to Maldives for Hanji and Mike's wedding and you're my date." I blink my eyes a few times trying to understand what he just told me.

"Oi, Kari!  Did you hear me?" He stopped the car in front of my building and he gets out and open my side and let's me out. "Let's go! I have the company plane waiting for us."

This guy is going to give me some kind of crazy mental disease per something. One minute he would want to be alone and not to be bother and the next I'm heading to the apartment to pack for a trip cause he needs me as his date.

Levi and I made it to my apartment and I start packing right away.

"Do I have time to shower? I feel really gross. Can't you find someone to go with? Okay, I'll go but I gotta shower , oh and I don't have a dress to wear for the wedding. So you need to help me." I start blabbering and take Levi' s wrist and walk into my room and open the closet where my dresses are all hang up. "Pick like 3 dresses that are suitable for the wedding and I'll pick when I'm done showering. Okay? Great! Be right back!" I say leaving him in my bedroom and heading to the bathroom to do a quick shower.

As I undress and get under the warm water, it just occur to me that I left my boss in my room alone.

Fuck!