Levi who was sitting on a big enough rock, the cold he had embraced. He was curious to know who the woman whose face was partially hidden by the hood of her coat, but something about her posture felt familiar. As she pushed the hood back, the faint streetlights revealed her features, and Levi's breath caught in his throat.
"Levi? Is that really you?" The woman's voice was soft, but there was an unmistaken warmth in it.
Levi couldn't believe his eye as he blinked, in disbelief. Who would have thought he'd have an encountered with her in the middle of the night.
"Ruth?" he asked hesitantly, the name slipping from his lips as his mind finally caught up. It was Ruth, his old friend from the orphanage, the girl who had been his constant companion during those tough years.
She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, a mall gesture that sent nostalgia over Levi. "It's been ages. I can't believe running into you like this."
Levi found himself smiling back at her, a genuine smile that hadn't graced his face in what felt like Forever. "Yeah, it's been a long time." He nodded in agreement.
As they good there, catching up on each other's lives, Levi couldn't help but notice how Ruth changed. Gone was the timid, fragile girl who the big guys in the orphanage were picking on as he could remember. She was now confident and outspoken which made him now drawn to her.
But Levi's face faltered when he noticed a man standing a few paces behind Ruth. The man was tall and impeccably dressed, and had sharp features. His presence was imposing, making Levi feel intimidated.
Levi offered the man a nod of acknowledgement, but the man's cold state sent a chill down his spine. He didn't return Levi's gesture, instead looking at him as if he was something unpleasant stuck to the bottom of his shoe.
Ruth glanced between the two men, sensing the tension. "Levi, this is Bruce. He's my fiancé." Her voice had a note of hesitation, as if she wasn't sure how to explain their relationship.
Bruce gaze never left Levi, and it was clear he wasn't pleased with the reunion. Levi felt a twinge of discomfort about chose to brush it off. He was used to being looked down upon, and he wasn't going to let some stranger attitude ruin his reunion with Ruth.
"So, why you out all alone in the dark, Levi?" Ruth asked trying to steer a conversation to a safer ground.
Levi shrugged, his thoughts drifting back to his troubles. The scene of his girlfriend and her new lover flashed in his head. "Just trying to clear my head, I guess. A lot's been going on." He said with a sigh.
Ruth eyes softened with concern,"You always did take on too much. You don't have to carry everything in your head, you know."
Levi smiled weakly. "Old habits die hard, I suppose."
As they continued talking, the air between them was thick with unspoken words. Levi's heart aches with memories of the past, of the days when he and Ruth were inseparable. He remembered how he had once felt about her, and how he had kept those feelings buried deep inside, too afraid to lose the one true friend he had ever known.
Ruth must have sensed the weight in his shoulders because she reached out and gently touched his arm. "Levi, if you ever need to talk… I'm here."
Before Levi could respond, Bruce steeped forward, his impatience evident. "Ruth, we need to go. We have other plans."
Ruth's expression hardened, and she turned to face Bruce. "We're not on a schedule, Bruce. I'm catching up with an old friend."
Bruce's jaw tightened, his irritation barely contained. "We don't have time for this," he muttered, his voice low but laced with contempt. "Look at him, Ruth. He's nothing like us. You shouldn't waste your time."
The words hung in the air, heavy, and cruel. Levi felt his chest tighten when he overheard such cruel words, but before he could reach, Ruth eyes flashed with anger. She stepped closer to Anthony, her voice dangerously calm. "You dont get to decide who I talk to or who I spend my time with. We aren't married yet, and I've known Levi way more before I knew you."
Bruce's expression flickered with surprise, but he quickly masked it with indifference. "Fine," he said coolly. "But don't say I didn't warn you."
Ruth held her ground until Bruce finally related, turning on his heel and walking away without another word. As he disappeared into the night, Ruth let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing.
Levi watched her closely, a mixture of admiration and concern in his gaze. "Ruth… are you okay?"
Ruth shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "I'm fine, Levi. I just… I needed to make a point."
Levi frowned, stepping closer. "He's your fiancé, I can tell he's overprotective of you, and you have to appreciate that." he said, thinking about he's own relationship that's at stake. Correction; that no longer existed.
Ruth looked at him, her eyes searching his face as if trying to find the right words to use. "I know he's being so overprotective, but I find it annoying because it's all an arranged relationship. What mattered most in being with people who care about you, not just those who think they're better than you."
Levi who was lost for words just nodded. As they stood there in the fading light, Levi felt something shift between them, something old and familiar, yet new but uncharted.
"Let's get out of here, it's late," Ruth suggested, her voice soft. "I could use some coffee and some sleep and I think we have a lot more to talk about."
Levi smiled, a genuine smile at that. "I'd like that too."
Pushing his worries aside, he walked with her as they exchanged small talks while heading to her apartment, seeing her all happy melted his heart, but he didn't want to get involved in her life when his was already a mess.
On getting to Ruth's apartment, she noticed Levi was lost in his own world of thought, she thought it was wrong for her to diss her fiancé in front of him and maybe that's what's making him acting up. Ruth didn't want him to have the wrong impression of her and immediately apologized.
He gave her a gentle smile. "Don't worry about it, Ruth. You've already apologized, and I'm not one to hold grudges."
Ruth visibly relaxed, her face brightening. "Thank you, Levi. Would you like to come in? My place is just down the street."
Levi hesitated briefly, considering the offer. But seeing the sincerity in her expression, he nodded. "Sure, I'd like to see where you're living these days."
As they walked toward her home, neither of them noticed the man Ruth had dismissed earlier lurking in the shadows. His eyes were locked on Levi, burning with a mix of jealousy and anger. He watched them enter the house before slinking away, his heart seething with resentment.
Inside Ruth's home, an awkward silence settled between them. Levi couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia, standing in the house of the girl he'd secretly admired since their orphanage days.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Ruth said with a bashful smile, leading him into a cosy living room. "Can I offer you a drink? I've got some wine."
Levi agreed out of politeness more than anything else, and as Ruth disappeared into the kitchen, his mind drifted. He couldn't help but compare her to his ex, Olivia. Ruth's warmth and sincerity were a stark contrast to Olivia's cold indifference. The memory of Olivia's betrayal still stung, but sitting here with Ruth made it hurt a little less.
Ruth returned carrying a tray with two glasses and a bottle of wine. Levi glanced at the label and raised an eyebrow. "This is some strong stuff. Are you sure you're up for it?"
Ruth chuckled as she poured the wine. "You're underestimating me, Levi. I'm not the same girl you knew back then."
"Cheers to that," Levi said, raising his glass. They clinked their glasses, toasting to old memories and the possibility of new beginnings.
As they drank and chatted, the atmosphere lightened, and the initial tension between them faded. Ruth mentioned that she had reconnected with some of their old friends, and Levi found himself lost in memories of the past, in the orphanage.
"I bet Silas settled down by now," Levi mused, thinking of their mutual friend. "It's been ages since we've all been together."
Ruth nodded, her eyes dreamy with nostalgia. "It would be amazing to have a reunion, just like the old days."
A few drinks later, Ruth started to show signs of the alcohol affecting her. Levi couldn't help but chuckle as she began to slur her words. "I thought you said you could handle your liquor?"
"Don't… underestimate me," she mumbled, hiccuping and giggling simultaneously.
Levi shook his head, still smiling. "Come on, let's get you to bed before you pass out on the couch."
He gently took the glass from her hand and set it down, then scooped her up in his arms. Ruth was too tipsy to protest, so she just clung to his neck, murmuring something incoherent.
Levi found her bedroom and carefully laid her down on the bed. As he tried to pull away, Ruth's arms tightened around his neck, pulling him down beside her.
"Don't leave," she whispered, her voice heavy with sleep.
Levi hesitated, knowing she wasn't fully aware of what she was saying. He tried to move again, but she only held on tighter, so he sighed and lay down next to her. Within moments, they were both fast asleep.
The next morning, Ruth woke up with a throbbing headache, only to find herself curled up against Levi's chest, his arm draped protectively over her waist. She blinked in confusion, the events of the previous night slowly coming back to her.
Levi stirred and opened his eyes, meeting Ruth's wide-eyed gaze. For a moment, neither of them spoke, both too embarrassed to acknowledge the awkwardness of their situation.
They quickly untangled themselves and got out of bed, relieved to find their clothes still intact. "I should get going," Levi said, breaking the silence as they walked toward the front door.
"Yeah… I need to get ready for work," Ruth replied, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye, still mortified by how they had woken up.
Levi paused at the door, turning back to her with a small smile. "Don't forget to take something for that headache."
Ruth managed a weak smile. "I will. Thanks, Levi."
Before he could leave, she called out to him, "Do you have somewhere to go?" Levi turned back, surprised by the question. "Why do you ask?"
"I just… saw you wandering yesterday and thought maybe you didn't have a place," she said, biting her lip nervously. "But never mind, forget I said anything."
Levi chuckled, amused by her concern. "I have someone I need to meet today, but thanks for thinking about me."
Ruth nodded, still blushing. "How about we organize that reunion? It'd be great to see everyone again."
"That sounds like a good idea," Levi agreed, his mood lifting at the thought. "Pinky promise?" Ruth asked, holding out her little finger with a playful grin. Levi laughed and linked his finger with hers. "Pinky promise."
With that, he waved goodbye and left, a smile on his face as he walked away, thinking that maybe reconnecting with old friends wasn't such a bad idea after all.