Love Is the Only Reason

It was the weekend. I wore a mask and a duckbill cap as I had to deliver something and would leave afterward.

I rang the doorbell and prepared myself before seeing him.

After waiting a minute, Levi opened the door, which made me hesitant to move.

Nevertheless, I told him, "Mr. Morrison, I still have much to do back in the company. Could you please sign it for the tie?"

I stretched my arm and wanted to hand it over to him.

However, Levi did not mind. He instead brewed some coffee in the living room until the dining room.

"I have told the higher-ups in your company that I have bought you for a day," he said coldly.

With that, my heart almost skipped a beat.

When I pursued Levi, he was too busy and too focused on his career and hobbies.

He would not dare to respond to all my messages and calls and would never dare to attend the restaurant appointment I booked for a dinner date.

I still recall what I did to him before.

During that time, I halted him in a fit of furiousness and said in a domineering way, "Levi, how much money can you earn in a day?"

His hand, which was holding his bag, halted from moving.

Without hesitation, I threw all the money in his direction.

"I'll buy you a day's worth of time. Is this already enough money for you?" I told him.

That time, Levi had to look at me with disgust as if I had sinned to him.

"Kaylee, I want you to know that time cannot buy any amount of money!" He explained, furiously looking at me.

I stepped inside the house and at that moment, it was he who bought my time with money, the way I had done to him before.

"Hmm, is your cold better now?" he suddenly inquired as he continued to make a cup of coffee.

I placed the tie on the table, adjusted my mask, lowered my hat and pretended to cough a few times.

"Thank you, Mr. Morrison, for your concern. I'm still not well," I lied.

"Can you drink coffee?" he asked, bringing two cups and handing me one.

I waved my hand and didn't want to accept his offer.

Masks were not allowed; it was my last bit of dignity.

He sat down, looked at my nervous eyes, took a sip of coffee and asked, "Did you catch a cold from your hat?"

I adjusted my hat and placed the box in front of him.

"Mr. Morrison, please check the tie. If you're not happy with it, let me know. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way," I added.

He put the coffee down on the table. He glanced at the tie, opened the box and asked, "Do you think this purple tie looks good?"

I lowered my gaze to the ground and did not look him in the eyes.

"I mean, you quite have good taste," I said so he wouldn't ask me further. "The purple mask is too good and fits you well."

Upon hearing that from me, Levi could not help but laugh his ass out loud.

It would be too rare for me to see Levi smile that wide.

Back then, Levi's focus was on all the things he had been doing and all that I had told him. And I knew that kind of laugh was somewhat hard to determine whether it was sarcasm or ridicule to me.

I used to be arrogant and overbearing. I hated being rebellious amidst repeated accusations and insults. I already knew how to show my weaknesses and cater to the people.

However, in front of me, Levi continued laughing.

He closed the door and asked, "How have you been these past few years?"

I was momentarily shocked as if he were asking about an old friend we hadn't seen in years.

When I was struggling, hungry, cheated out of money and fighting with others for food from trash cans, I wished for a friend who would check on me and ask, "Are you okay?"

But I had no one to lean on.

The time my parents died, almost all my arrogant and selfish relatives took all the family property. Even my former friends had left me and couldn't dare to stand with me during my hard times. It was too late to realize they weren't my true friends.

No one cared about me. I worked hard, got cheated and felt like a rat in a dark gutter, unable to see any light or feel worthy of it.

Tears escaped from my eyes. I cleared my throat and said, "Thanks for your concern. I have been in this industry for many years and am still doing well."

I stood still confidently and added, "Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Morrison, but I have to go now."

I could not dare to stay any longer.

I was terrified that all the strength I had built would fall apart instantly.

My love was about persistence and determination, but I maintained my dignity.