Thorns and Roses [Modern Levi x OC] *ON HOLD*

Chapter 13: Wise Talking Horse

I watched the two carefully, never moving my eyes away from the two and blinking only when it was absolutely necessary.

"Look at them," I mumbled, "laughing and talking. Blushing, playfully touching each other. Maybe she's cheating on him. Maybe. I didn't think she was that low. Maybe models are like that. I don't know. Maybe-"

"Iris, for shit sake," commented a frustrated Jean. He was rubbing his temples and had a exhausted look on his face. "Calm down and stop mumbling."

I rolled my eyes and faced Jean. "Be quiet Horse Face."

"This Horse is your boss that could fire you at any moment. I could fire you right now for a matter of fact. You know, you didn't even tell me you were going on break. You just sat down and started watching Petra and Oluo so intensely it looked like-"

"For shit sake Jean, stop talking for so long," I mocked with a smirk.

He glared at me while I chuckled. I took a sip of water then went back to watching the two of them. I've seen them come here a decent amount of times. I've never said anything to Levi about it because I assume that he knows that they're meeting.

They're always like this too. It always looks like they would be dating. Have they broken up and Levi just never said anything because he actually doesn't like me?

"Stupid emotions," I mumbled while putting my knuckle on my cheek.

Jean sighed. He looked at me for a moment before opening his mouth. "You're really confused aren't you, Iris?"

I scoffed. "No shit Sherlock."

He glared at me before continuing. "Why don't you just go up to Levi and tell him you still love him. What do you have to lose?"

"It's not that simple."

"Why?"

"Rejection."

I stared blankly at the table while Jean stared at me with a bit of pity in his eyes. I wanted to tell Levi I loved him. I wanted to kiss him on the lips again so badly.

But there was always that possibility of rejection that I was too scared to face, even in high school.

Yeah, the 'Great' Iris Hamilton is afraid of something.

I'm scared of a lot of things. Most of them are things I can't control. I guess I'm just a coward scared to face the truth.

"Rejection can hurt," Jean told me quietly. "Everyone is afraid of rejection. But don't let that stop you. If Levi had to leave today, wouldn't you want him to know how you really feel? Don't wait any longer Iris. I mean this. Trust me."

I nodded slowly, the words he told me slowly processing in my head. Should I chance it? Should I really chance it? Would it all be worth it?

"Are you-"

"Hey, hey, hey," Jean started to say with wide eyes. "Look. He's leaving."

I quickly turned my head to the side and look at Oluo and Petra. They were both standing up and hugging. Oluo had his hands wrapped around her waste. Petra had her arms wrapped around his neck. He walked to the door, but Petra pushed in his chair, made sure his side was clean, and sat back down.

"Is she meeting Levi right after him?" I questioned out loud.

"Levi's walking in," Jean commented with a serious voice that almost made me laugh.

We saw Levi walk over to Petra. He sat down and I could already tell that he knew someone else was there before him.

"She's not that smart," I thought out loud. "It would've been smart to get a different table because his seat would be warm. He is a detective after all. Why wouldn't she think of that?"

Jean blink. "Calm down there." There was a moment of silence between before he spoke with an excited voice. "Go take their order!"

I glared at him. "No."

"I'll fire you."

"You wouldn't-"

"Oh I would."

We had a glare off before I sighed over dramatically, got up out of the booth and walked over to them.

Levi was the first one to notice me. Petra noticed me right after. By the looks of it, they were having an argument. Petra had her arms crossed and had an annoyed look. Levi just looked one hundred percent done.

"Black tea for you I'm guessing," I mumbled to Levi.

"Yes," he said with a sigh.

I suddenly got a brilliant idea. I turned to Petra, put on a innocent look and smiled.

"Do you want the same drink you had a few minutes ago?"

Her eyes opened wide. I gave her a questionable look. "You were here with someone else?" I heard Levi say.

I looked at Levi. He was staring at Petra and Petra only. I decided to stay and listen to their conversation.

"Well, I got here a few minutes early if that's what you mean," she lied.

"Don't lie."

"I'm not lying." She put on a slight pouty face actually thinking that it would work on Levi.

"You were with Oluo, right?"

"No! Of course not!"

He let out a frustrated sigh. He rubbed his temples and mumbled something under his breath that neither I or Petra could understand.

"Babe?" she asked softly. "Babe? Are you mad at me? I wasn't here with Oluo, I promise."

To my surprise, Levi looked up at me and stared at me dead in the eyes. "Hamilton." His voice was filled with seriousness.

"What?"

"Was Petra here with anyone before I came in?"

My eyes opened wide. He knew Oluo was with her. He knew. Why was he asking me? Would it matter if I lied?

"W-What?" I stuttered.

"Was Petra here earlier with someone else?" he repeated.

I didn't know what to do. I turned my head and looked at Jean. Why? I have no fucking idea. It's not like he can help me right now. I swallowed and looked at Levi once more.

"How would I know?"

"Well you work here."

I flickered my gaze over to Petra he was giving me a serious glare, giving me a hint not to tell him.

I closed my eyes and sighed. "You know what my answer is..." I whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

I opened them and saw he was staring at me, but I couldn't tell what that look on his face was.

He closed his eyes and mumbled something. I raised an eyebrow even though he couldn't see me.

"What did you say? Babe?" Petra asked in a sweet voice.

"We're done."

Petra's as went wide. Mine did too. "W-What? Levi? What are you talking about?"

He opened his eyes. He stared at Petra. "We're done."

"Y-You're breaking up with me?!"

"Yes."

I stood there, happy, shocked, and coufused. I didn't know if it was right for me to feel happy that they broke up. I just stayed quiet.

"What? Are you breaking up with me for that?! God, you could do so much better!"

"Yeah, I'm standing right fucking here, but whatever floats your boat I guess."

"You need to go Petra," Levi stated. She got her purse and stood up. She stormed out of the room dramatically, causing a couple pair of eyes to stare at her.

I turned my head to look at Jean across the room. I wasn't sure if it was what he said, but I'm pretty sure I know it.

"Now."