100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 112 - 7 Days with Levi Jackson II

7 Eastbourne Rd.

It was Day 6 when Sam watched Levi pace back and forth barefooted in the living room, wearing a blue nightgown, far from his usual crisp suits that Sunday morning. The agency office was closed for the day, and he was antsy more than usual for reasons beyond what he was giving her.

Sam tried blocking him hours ago, but he was making so much ruckus that she couldn’t focus on the novel in her hand.

So she glared at him silently, if looks could kill the blond would have dropped dead on the wooden floors hours ago.

Sam sighed on her spot, frustrated that he wasn’t even aware of how much he was annoying her just by his constant movement. She took note of the obvious frown on his face. In her mind, he was like a 5-year-old trapped in a grown man’s body having a tantrum. He mentioned something about his sister, and the case he still owes her.

And she wondered if he slept on the wrong side of the bed last night, for he wasn’t usually like that even when Anna was involved. But then again, it was Levi, she thought, and he usually seemed like the type to sleep on the wrong side of the bed every single night just for the heck of it.

Wait, she wondered to herself. Does he even have a ’right-side’ on his bed? Or is it all bad sides?

Sam sighed, there was no need to figure that out.

What she needed him to do, is to quiet down just enough for her to read James Patterson’s latest masterpiece.

Frustrated at his antics, Sam brushed her hair away from her face using her fingers.

And her eyes trailed on Levi’s loose but swept blond hair. Then down to his piercing hazel eyes, and onto the thin and arrogantly high bridge of his nose.

She found herself almost in a daze, as she gazed at his cupid’s bow lips when he moved to speak. And she wondered in raw hunger if his mouth would be firm and strong against hers.

And despite his well-defined features, she found nothing effeminate about him.

Her green eyes swept downwards to his strong but slender neck. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he continued to talk, but she did not hear a thing.

Her eyes continued to slowly inspect him like she never did before, and her eyes rested on his chest, his milky sculpted chest peeking out of his dressing gown. She could only imagine him shirtless under it.

And down, down, down her eyes went.

What a nice body, she thought.

What?

Sam’s eyes widened in shock at her own thoughts, and she almost cussed out loud, ’what a nice body?’ Where did that bloody come from?!

Now her brain can’t stop making a list of reasons why he has an aesthetically pleasing body, and how he always looks so sharp in his suits.

Dear God, stop thinking!

A hand massaging her sinuses in frustration, she tore her eyes off ’his body’ in an attempt to block out the source of her vexation.

’It’s absolutely natural. You haven’t got laid in 9 months. It’s just the hormones talking. Now, SHUT UP.’ Sam coached herself, oblivious that Levi was now seated opposite her and was watching her mutter incoherently to herself.

His eyes narrowed at her in interest, wondering what she was doing. Her eyes were shut close, but she wasn’t asleep based on her irregular and labored breathing.

Her expression held discomfort from what Levi could see. And he leaned forward, frowning himself. He wondered what was going on in her mind that’s making her expression turn as it was then. She looked extremely uncomfortable, both angry and annoyed even.

A dissatisfied groan escaped Sam’s lips, her eyes snapped open and she jumped slightly on her seat, startled by the pair of piercing hazel eyes watching her. Sam sent the blond psychologist a glare, shutting the book on her lap with a snap.

"I need a shower." She stated, standing up and walking away before he could even form a response.

Levi arched a curious brow at her retreating back. All these times they’ve known each other she was still a mystery to him. And what did he do? he wondered, what did he do this time that earned that glare from her?

Levi shrugged, maybe she was just hungry. So, he proceeded to grab his deck of cards on the table and shuffling it in his practiced hands. Might as well, practice his card tricks.

Unknown to him, it was the image of him, popping in mind that bothered her to the core.

Sam looked down at the wet tiled floor, cold water pelting her bare body.

She let it soak her entirely, embracing the feeling of numbness.

One thing she kept repeating in her mind,

I need to get laid.

..... 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Day 7

Levi sat on his table, typing against his laptop all morning, ignoring Sam completely.

He had a sour look on his face, and he refused to even spare her a look.

She had informed him hours ago that she would be leaving by late afternoon since her place in Camden was now ready. This information turned his mood foul, to say the least.

And he elected to make card towers soon after, and she figured he was a bit upset, he didn’t like being alone, even though he would never admit it.

She too didn’t like going home to an empty place, and it would be a drastic change going back to her previous lifestyle a year ago. Because since she was rescued and hospitalized, not once had she been alone.

She always had Elle waiting on her bedside, or her Nana at home when the brunette wasn’t around. And she had Levi, the boys, or even Mrs. Whitehall in 7 Eastbourne Rd.

So, it would be changed for her too. But the sooner they get back to their routine before, perhaps, things would return to normal.

Levi listened to Sam say goodbye to Mrs. Whitehall in the living room. The two seated together drinking tea, and the older woman cried softly. She liked having the redhead around, it was always nice opening Levi’s flat and seeing her there seated on the sofa while the psychologist did whatever he did on the laptop. Most of all, it was nice having to know that he wasn’t alone eating his meals, and most importantly, he wasn’t alone when the Agency closed down at night.

Mrs. Whitehall wiped her tears as she tottered back to her flat downstairs.

4:20pm

Sam stood by the door, handing the driver her small luggage.

"I’ll be right down, thank you." She told the man she knew was probably armed. He was one of her brother’s people after all.

Sam turned to Levi, who was standing by the wide windows, looking down at the street outside.

Sam sighed, he had not looked at her once since she told him she was leaving. He can be so overly dramatic at times, but she does understand where he was coming from. She loved being there too, with him. Hanging out every night, eating meals together. Discussing intellectual things casually, something she can only have either with him or a scientist or a philosopher.

"It’s not like I’m not coming back. I’m just at Camden Town." She said, but the silence was his reply. Levi eyed the car outside waiting for her, with a man carrying her small luggage into the trunk.

Sam sighed, looking at his wide back.

"Levi, I’m leaving." She stated and then proceeded towards the door.

From the corner of his eye, he watched her reach for her red jacket on the coat rack. A jacket that was hanging right beside his coat.

"Leave it there, please." He said out of nowhere, and her hand paused halfway. She whiplashed at him confused by his statement, "It’s cold outside, Levi. I need--" she started. It was now Spring, yes, but the winter air had not completely gone. Thus she needed her jacket.

With his back still turned, "Please." he said, a hint of desperation in his voice. The sight of her coat not beside his had upset him greatly, something even he couldn’t fully comprehend.

Defeated, she dropped her hand. There was something in his tone that made her powerless, "I am coming back." She told him, sincerely.

Of course, she was coming back.

Levi faced her for the first time that day, he looked right at her green eyes. "I know." He replied.

She approached him, her hand brushing his left arm gently; getting his full attention. She smiled at him, gesturing for him to lean closer, he scowled down at her.

"You know where to find me." She said she’d written down her address and number on his address book. There was no need for it, he had memorized it already.

His rigid body relaxed shortly from her touch, and she tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek.

Levi watched the car drive away minutes later from the window.

And he approached the coat rack and smiled satisfied spread on his face when he ran his hand on the sleeve of her jacket hanging right next to his coat.