After a successful business trip, a black Lamborghini with orange streaks slid through the iron gates of the Parker estate. The massive mansion towered ahead,the lights shone brightly like it'd been waiting for him.
The car stopped at the entrance and Levi stepped out, a guard immediately taking his suitcase. The cold night air hit his face, as he expression froze.
He entered the living room and found his entire family seated, their attention snapping toward him the moment he appeared. They looked… expectant.
As usual, Levi acknowledged them with a brief bow. No greetings. No smiles. Respect was automatic in this house. Warmth was optional.
"Join us for dinner in ten" Emma his stepsister said with eyes that lit up the moment he walked in. However, almost as always, he disappeared behind the elevator without saying a word, leaving Emma dumbfounded.
Levi exhaled slowly as the elevator ascended. It's been ages since he slept here. He had expected the room to be dusty, like an unused space but the room was immaculately clean and preserved.
Just like everything else in this family.
He shrugged as he unbuttoned his cuffs, removing his wristwatch. His gaze paused on his wrist.
Too thin.
A scoff escaped his lips, barely audible. He hadn't noticed how much weight he had lost until now.
Or maybe he had, and simply hadn't wanted to acknowledge it.
The shower was calling and he answered.
Hot water cascaded down his body, steam filling the space as if trying to erase the thoughts pressing against his skull.
Minutes later, he stepped out, toweling off before slipping into a grey shirt and black trousers. He looked the same as always; composed, expensive, untouchable.
The elevator carried him back down.
The scent of eggs hit his nose the moment he stepped into the dining area.
Levi's jaw tightened. Of all the things they knew about him, this one should have been impossible to forget. He rubbed his temples, irritation blooming behind his eyes. Control was a habit, but tonight, it came harder.
He froze as he got to his seat.
Someone else was present at the dining table.
"Sophie?" Levi mutter as he slid into the chair beside Emma.
Sophie smiled at him, not the easy smile but an intentional one. Her presence was too familiar and calculated.
"Missed me?" She asked.
Levi didn't return the smile, he didn't even look at her "What are you doing here?"
"Good to see you too!" her tone was light but it didn't fool him.
The Sophie he knew would never smile unless she had something up under her sleeves. And judging by the way his parents avoided his eyes, something was really cooking.
He drifted his attention to the maids who moved in and out, each dropping a plate of different dishes.
Shortly after he was served. His spoon clattered against the bowl as he devoured the food, as if he had been starving.
Then he paused, realizing he was almost the only one eating as his father barely touched his plate, his mom stared sharply at him, and Sophie's gaze lingered on him.
Levi lifted his glass and took a slow sip. "Spill," he said flatly and that..
That broke hell loose.
"When are you getting married?" Kaitlyn asked immediately, as if she had been holding her breath waiting for order to speak."Because it's always work, work and work."
"Mom.." Levi began, running his hand through his hair.
"No excuses, Levi. You're thirty-eight!"
"Mom, you don't expect me to just pick a random girl and get married because I'm thirty-eight.." he said "When the girl of my dreams shows up.."
"Dreams!" Kaitlyn scoffed. "Do you even know what that is?"
"Mom! he just got back cut him some slack" Emma interjected.
" Would you marry him instead?"Kaitlyn snapped and Emma went quiet.
Levi straightened on his chair, "Mom.. I want to believe you didn't invite me here to have this conversation but to have dinner. Otherwise, I'll leave"
"What else should we discuss, Levi?" Caleb finally spoke, his gaze sharp " You have everything except a family of your own. You need to start a family!"
"Dad, I'm here to eat. Can I do that?" Levi replied.
"Any girlfriend?" Caleb pressed and Levi said nothing.
"Levi, I asked a fûcking question" Caleb said sharply.
"No Dad, no!" Levi answered forcefully.
"Really? If I lived like you, would you be sitting here bearing the title 'New York's top billionaire'?"
"Dad.." Levi started.
"Now that's it! Excuses, that's all you've got," Caleb said leaning back.
"Anyways, we wouldn't need to wait anymore or longer, we've already made arrangements. An agreement with one of our affiliate companies"
"And?" Levi raised his head.
" You'll be marrying his daughter" Caleb said, his hands stretched across the table, pointing "Sophie"
The room's air shifted.
" Hell no!" Levi replied immediately "I won't marry a woman because you decided it"
"You do not have a choice" Caleb said coldly, "Marry her, or lose your position in the company"
"Company" Levi muttered inwardly, " I won't marry her"
Sophie leaned forward, eyes blazing "And why? Because we grew up together? Because you do not see me as a woman yet?"
Levi leaned back, his expression blank, "Sophie, I value our friendship, but I don't love you romantically."
Sophie laughed sharp and humorless, "Friendship? You think that's what it is after everything I've done for you?"
"For the company" Levi corrected calmly, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Not for me"
Her face twisted, "You think you've outgrown me? Is that it? Too cold, too rich, too powerful?"
Levi's voice remained even. "Sophie, you're twisting this. My decision isn't about being 'too good' for you. It's about not feeling something that isn't there."
Sophie chuckled humorlessly, "And who's talking about feeling anything?'
Levi's lip turned into a smirk, this was the Sophie he knew.
She's not the loving type, she has never been. It's always about her personal gains and her image. But that wasn't Levi, he made a decision at an early age to marry on love or nothing else)
Levi stood up, signaling the end of the conversation. "Sophie, Dad, I think we've said enough. Please don't push this."
Sophie stood too, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "You'll regret this, Levi. You'll see."
"You have one month" Caleb said coldly "Marry her, or hand the company over to Madden. It's been decided."
"Dad!"
Emma and Madden exclaimed together.
Levi didn't respond.
He walked out.
"Levi!" Sophie called after him.
The door slammed shut.