Brooke's Priority
Chapter 39 (Season 1 - END)

It's all just beginning.

I knew I was walking on rocky ground without shoes.

It feels exhausting too painful.

I want to escape.

But taking the easy road was not included in my choice. I can't escape.

All I could do was look at the bright afternoon sun through my classroom window. Mused. It's been two months since the deal was made and I've tried to rework my plans, have a meeting with Fanita, Haley and Darshan (i told her everything I missed). Every now and then, Levin joins us.

I looked at her hatefully in the first week of our meeting.

In those days, whenever I saw Levin, I often asked myself why I was doing this. Ever since coming to this world, I felt that doing all things was not for myself. If only I had run away and started a new life, I might have achieved something by now.

I started to love my new name.

Not just a name, but a new family I got by using that name.

I started to love them.

And this love demands a sacrifice from me.

If I recall, this kind of thing had happened in my previous life as Shin Yoo Ri. In short, I choose to let go of my feelings for the good of everyone. I cannot bear to see the inferiority that arises in them because of the words of others. In reality, Shin Yoo Ri's father did kill someone. Others don't care if it's intentional or not.

I try to hold my head up and do my job as best I can.

So, I have steadied my heart to let go of myself once again. Not a feeling, but my life. Every now and then I tremble in fear at night, thinking of Gordon, wondering if in less than two years I could meet him or not. I'm so worried. I regret my decision to take Levin north.

I then started to look at Levin just plain, not hating him as much as our first week of meetings.

Fanita is the reason my heart softens. Fanita with her annoying face, asks Levin about his loyalty to Carlo. More precisely is the history behind the formation of loyalty attitude.

Actually, it didn't escape my observation. Darshan also whispered that to me. But I didn't ask him because I hated him and Carlo.

In our dark meeting room without enough lighting (we deliberately moved around every time we held a meeting to avoid suspicion), I heard Levin say a sentence with the words ‘prison’ and ‘utara’.

“Means this plan suits you. You can go back to your hometown,” said Fanita.

Levin looked at Fanita for a moment and turned his face away. “I'll protect Carlo in the south.”

Levin didn't mean to go back and settle down there. He sounds like Haley. I used to ask Haley why she wouldn't run away if she knew how to penetrate Sebenius Forest.

Everyone has their own story.

After hearing that, I can't hate Levin as much as the day has gone by.

Later, I saw Haley getting along with Levin at later meetings. I'm a little relieved to see Haley's got a friend from the north. I'm suspicious of Levin's identity, but I'd rather not accuse people before I can confirm it. Fanita thinks I'm taking Levin because I know he's from the north. I still let Fanita think so (for my pride).

“I brought something,” Darshan took out and showed me a bowl with white cream inside.

We all saw it with confused faces.

“What is it?” Levin asked first while narrowing his eyes.

Darshan is getting comfortable hanging out with Levin ever since he brought drugs from his adoptive parents' drugstore. Darshan has a topic to talk to Levin about. He was also more open and relaxed than all of us in this place.

“Great,” compliment Levin.

I feel proud of myself for forcing Darshan to join.

Not long after we disbanded, Levin asked me to speak together. Haley seemed to understand the situation and moved away from us.

“You still haven't changed your mind?” ask Levin.

I forgot to count how many times he's asked me the same thing since the deal was made.

“I won't back down,” I replied. “Carlo would be disappointed if you knew you always told me to change my mind.”

“There must be another way.”

“Other ways?” I said not to believe. “Do not involve innocent people in your plans.”

Levin took a long breath. “My application is still valid?”

I snorted in annoyance. “Suddenly you're talking about requests? I guess it doesn't happen anymore.”

I remember Carlo calling our deal a gun deal and I called it a yellow card deal (because after a yellow card it was a red card. That is, if not careful it will end badly).

“Ya!” my yelling. “Do not look at me with eyes pretending to be sad.”

Levin looked gloomy hearing my answer earlier.

“Brooke..”.

“What?”

“Never reject me.”

“What did you say?” I asked with a confused face.

“When the time comes, never deny my loyalty to you.”

“You're talking nonsense what the hell?”

I then saw Levin smiling sweetly and saying goodbye to me.

That day, I didn't realize right away that Levin had made his request to me.

Two years passed very quickly.

Season 1's. Believability (END)