CONFESSION

SHARI squeezed her brother's arms because he wouldn't stop making fun of her. They both greeted Levi as soon as he parked his bike in the garage.

"Come in!" Sage grinned as he invited Levi inside the house. "My sister is waiting."

"Captain…" Shari smiled shyly.

"Have fun. I'll check our cousins." Sage excused himself afterward.

Levi looked around. "This place is refreshing. Anyway, congratulations again."

Shari motioned her hand to the main entrance. "Let's get inside."

"Sure."

Shari accompanied him to the dining room, and they ate dinner together. Even her parents seemed happy to see Levi there, especially her dad, who shared a couple of jokes with the Captain.

"I can't believe my daughter would find her one true love at the training center!" Sean teased her.

"Dad!" Shari's eyes broadened as she blushed.

"I guess it's good that you're both in one agency. He can look after you, sweetheart." Sean gazed at Levi, "Young man, promise me you'll protect my daughter whatever happens."

"Yes, sir. I will," Levi assured the old man.

"Good. Because I will never forgive you if something happened to Shari under your watch."

Shari held his father's arms. "Dad, please don't threaten him. He is a visitor here."

Sean's eyes narrowed. "And so? You are in my house, and I am the law in this place."

"I know, just let us eat in peace. Okay?"

"Fine!" Sean glared at Levi again with a warning. And the man only replied with a timid smile.

"Sorry about my dad." Shari was apologetic when her father left.

"It's okay. I understand him. I would do the same if I had a daughter."

Shari and Levi ended up on the roof deck with a beer at hand. The weather was lovely, and the music from the karaoke below wasn't ear-splitting, so they could talk without raising their voice.

"It's nice up here. I noticed you're quite well-off. Why did you join the police?" Levi asked after he drank from his bottle of beer. He studied her with his usual intense gaze.

The warm light from the moon's waxing crescent was enough for her to see his serious expression.

"Well, I want a thrill." She shrugged and glanced down. She couldn't bear to meet his eyes for long.

"It's a dangerous job, Shari. Believe me. Unless you'll prefer to work inside the office." Levi chugged his drink and observed the sprawling trees nearby.

"Are you telling me to quit? I guess that's too late now, Captain. I'm already recognized, and soon I'll graduate." Shari giggled.

"Not like that. Anyway, I came here to celebrate with you and apologize for hurting you while I was your militaristic instructor. Can we have a fresh start?" Levi stared back at her and added, "We are both civilians now. We're not wearing our uniform, so I'm not your captain, and you are not my junior. We are just… us."

There was a sudden tug inside Shari's chest. She would never imagine that Levi could make her heart rattle not because of fear… but something else. They didn't see each other for over a month. What was his intention in coming here?

Shari cleared her throat. "You don't have to apologize. I should be the one doing it. I broke the rules every time. I'm a pain in your ass, and you know it. Don't worry. I learned to live with your bullying because it's true. I'm quite ugly now. I have the worse sunburn in my company."

Levi chuckled. "You're still pretty. I guess it's because of your eyes. It reflects your good personality and mischief."

Shari's face burned. She was always used to everyone's compliments, but how come the praises coming from this man hit differently?

"I know, I'm pretty." Shari drank her beer to calm her erratic heartbeat.

"But hey, I came here not just to have fun. I want to convey my sincere intention to pursue you, Shari." He cleared his throat and hesitated for a moment before he continued, "These past few weeks, I couldn't get you off my mind. I thought I was missing the training center, but how come I think about you all the time? Did you do something to charm me?" Levi was smiling ear to ear.

Shari almost dropped the bottle in her hand. Did Levi confess to her?

Oh, my god! She might hyperventilate at this point.

"I'm sorry. I… don't get it." She acted naïve to be sure if he was making fun of her. Shari didn't want to assume.

Levi chortled. "You think I'm drunk? I haven't even finished the first bottle."

"Are you serious? But why me?" She bit her lower lip.

"I've been trying to answer that question myself." Levi loosely breathed out before he added, "At first, I thought I was just fascinated by you. Considering I've seen you from the day of your application. Was it love at first sight? I don't believe it. I wasn't even thinking I'll be attracted to you because you are my colleague's girl…."

Shari was lost for words. Levi was indeed serious. And for the first time, she didn't know how to react.

"I… I don't know what to say. Can we take it easy?"

Levi smiled. "Of course! Just let me be with you."

Their eyes met again. And as if on cue, Sage sang into the karaoke in full volume. He had a good voice and started singing the romantic music of Southern Sons' 'You Were There.'

"Your brother is quite a good singer. How about we dance?" Levi grabbed the bottle of beer in her hand and put them on the small wood table near them.

"Levi, no. We'll look stupid and—" she protested, but it was too late. Levi had pulled her waist closer.

Shari felt her heart would come out. They had never been close like this. And it seemed her arms had their own mind because they automatically raised to hold Levi's broad shoulder. She could smell her manly scent, which gave a tickling sensation to her nose.

As Sage continued the rendition of the song, they both swayed gently, enjoying the romantic vibe under the moonlight without breaking eye contact.

"I will protect you, Shari. I promise," he murmured.

Her smile widened. "I can protect myself. And you know that."

"Then I'll stay beside you in case you need help. Don't worry. I won't rush things. Let me show you how much I care."

Shari nodded. "Honestly, I can't date until my graduation and until my pending case is dismissed. I shouldn't be distracted, right?" she teased.

Levi tilted his head. "Right, you still have two months to think. Rest assured, I'll do my best to be worthy."

"I know you will."

Levi's eyes were fixed on her lips, and he slowly moved closer. Shari closed her eyes, anticipating a kiss, but it didn't happen. Levi had pinched her nose instead.

She swallowed hard when she opened her eyes because she was too shy to glimpse his playful expression.

"I-I guess we should get inside." Shari was still looking down and tried to move, but Levi won't let her. But as soon as she faced him back, her eyes broadened when he held her cheeks and leaned in to claim her lips. It was warm and tender. His playful tongue urged her to kiss him back, and she did.

"L-Levi…"

He held his chin up. "From now on, you are mine."