Loving Him

Chapter 8

Night had already fallen when the heavy rain finally stopped. Mike decided they would return to the mansion the next day, certain that the road would be muddy. He didn’t want to risk their safety.

He glanced at Levi, who was fast asleep, then looked out the hut’s window. There, he spotted faint lights that seemed to come from flashlights. He stepped outside.

He wasn’t mistaken. He recognized the men approaching—they were workers from their ranch, most likely sent by his mother to fetch them, something he was truly grateful for.

As much as he wanted to wake Levi, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. When the men reached him, he noticed they carried towels. One of them handed him one, which he accepted.

“Mrs. Montenegro sent us here.”

“Thank goodness you found us. Wait a moment, I just need to get something inside.”

He carefully carried Levi, making sure not to wake her. He could feel the unusual warmth of her body, stirring a strange feeling within him—something new, something unfamiliar.

Fortunately, the men had brought a vehicle with them. Mike decided to ride in it so Levi wouldn’t wake.

After several hours of travel, they finally reached the mansion. His mother and sister greeted him immediately, worry etched on their faces.

“Thank goodness you both got home safe. I had no idea there was a storm. How’s Levi?”

“She’s fine, Mom, just asleep. I need to take her to her room,” Mike replied, heading upstairs with Micah following behind, smiling as though she was thrilled.

“You know, you and Levi look good together. The problem is, you don’t really get along. Here, the key.” Micah handed him Levi’s room key.

“Open the door, Micah. Can’t you see I’m carrying her? And she snores so loud, too.”

Micah only grinned at her scowling brother. “That’s normal. Maybe you tired her out, that’s why she’s snoring?” she teased before darting away after unlocking Levi’s room.

Mike just shook his head at his sister’s remark. He gently laid Levi on the bed, tucked her in, and went to look for Sita to help change her clothes.

“Mike,” Micah called. He turned toward her.

“Whatever you’re about to say, Micah, just stop that nonsense.”

Micah pouted and rolled her eyes at him before deciding to head to the dining room, hoping Melba had already prepared her spaghetti and lemonade.

By the time she reached the table, the food had just been served. The aroma of spaghetti filled the air. She quickly sat down, but since it was still hot, she decided to open her social media account first.

Her attention was caught when someone entered the dining room—a young man she thought was the son of one of their ranch workers. He was carrying a machine. He was tall, dark, and undeniably handsome. She noticed his well-built frame, though he couldn’t look her straight in the eyes.

She secretly smiled at his shyness, then turned her attention back to her phone, now busy chatting with her friends.

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“But Dad, I don’t want to attend that party,” Micah protested.

“We have to attend, Micah. It’s a matter of respect to the mayor of this town. Your outfit is already prepared, so you have no choice but to come with us tonight,” her father said firmly. Micah frowned.

Levi and Mike stayed quiet, listening to the father and daughter argue at the dinner table. Mrs. Montenegro cleared her throat, and Micah looked at her.

“Micah, stop arguing with your father. We need to attend the party tonight. I know you hate parties, but you have to learn to explore the circle where you belong,” her mother gently explained.

Micah only nodded, adjusting her glasses. She looked like a nerd, but she was a cheerful one. Parties were not her thing—she would much rather stay in her room and read her favorite books.

Mike was the first to rise from the table, followed by Levi. The two excused themselves from the couple so they could visit the ranch workers, certain that their plan would continue.

“Just a reminder, Levi—at the party later, don’t go around flirting with the guys, alright?” Mike said seriously as they walked toward the stables.

Levi stared in shock at Mike's back, her brows furrowing.

“And you really think flirting is in my nature? We’re not even married yet, and you’re already this possessive,” she complained.

“I’m not possessive. I just want things clear—someday, you’ll be carrying my last name, and you will marry me. So mark this in your mind: you’re not allowed to talk to just any man you want.”

“Oh really? What if he’s gay, then is it allowed?” she asked mockingly.

He didn’t answer. She noticed his jaw tightening instead. She was actually enjoying teasing him. He patted Tigrel, while she climbed onto Sapira. Soon, both of them galloped across the wide expanse of the ranch.

The scorching rays of the summer sun beat down on them, though the cool breeze brushing against their skin offered some relief. They decided to pass under the shade of mango trees.

There, they came across several workers busy with their tasks. The workers stopped and respectfully greeted the son of the ranch’s owners, the Montenegros.

After a round of pleasantries, Mike asked about their concerns and how best to resolve them. Levi merely listened, but she was impressed by the ideas Mike gave the workers. She had to admit—when it came to running the ranch, Mike truly had a gift.

By lunchtime, the workers had prepared a spread of seafood, bagoong, dried fish, and fresh fruits that Levi guessed were just picked. There was also chicken, beef, and pork soup. Levi’s mouth watered at the sight of the feast laid before her.

Mike, meanwhile, noticed how lively Levi was when mingling with the workers, and it secretly made him smile. Yes, she could be over-the-top at times, but she wasn’t the kind of girl who was fake or pretentious. She always spoke her mind.

He was even surprised to see her eating with her hands—something he never expected, especially not with bagoong. None of the girls he had ever been linked with would dare. When Levi happened to catch him looking at her with an unusual smile, she held up the slice of watermelon she was eating. He simply nodded in response.

After a few hours, they decided to return home. They bid farewell to the smiling workers. Mike was glad, for the Montenegros had never been disappointed by them. After all, his family was known for treating their workers as part of the family, never the type to trample on others.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Levi finally broke the silence.

“I’m just thinking… about the things I need to do,” he answered in deep thought.

“How about raising their wages?” Levi suggested.

Mike’s face instantly lit up. He turned to her and smiled, and Levi’s heart raced wildly at the sight. This was the first time he had ever smiled at her while speaking to her directly. For a fleeting moment, she wished he would always smile—so her days wouldn’t feel so miserable.

“You have a point. Good idea. Perfect timing—once we’re back at the mansion, let’s suggest that to Mom and Dad. I’m sure they’ll agree with you, Levi.”

When they reached the two horses tied beneath a mango tree, they mounted and rode swiftly back to the mansion, eager to report the condition of the workers and what needed to be done.

Levi couldn’t erase the smile on her lips—because for the first time, Mike had appreciated her suggestion. Before, he would always oppose her. She caught him frowning at her.

“I never thought you were a bit crazy, smiling all by yourself,” Mike remarked before striding into the mansion.

She pouted and followed him quietly. Inside the living room, they noticed Micah speaking to a boy whom Levi guessed was one of her suitors.

When the pair saw Mike and Levi, both of them quickly stood. Levi glanced at Mike, whose brows had drawn together as his gaze fixed on his nervous younger sister.

Levi’s eyes immediately caught the bouquet of flowers and chocolates. She bit her lip. This looked like trouble—she knew just how.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Montenegro,” the young man respectfully greeted the stern-faced Mike, whose eyes never left his bowed sister.

“Hello, good afternoon to you too,” Levi replied in place of the nervous suitor.

“I’m Gab—” the man began, but was abruptly cut off by Mike.

“I don’t care whoever you are. Micah, who gave you permission to entertain visitors?” Mike demanded authoritatively.

“Mike, could you please not be rude to Gabriel? He only wants to be friends,” Micah protested.

“Get out!” Mike barked at the young man, pointing to the door.

“Mike, stop that! That’s no way to treat your sister’s guest,” Levi stepped between them. But she only noticed the suitor bowing his head as he hurried out of the house.

“Stay out of this, Levi. This is between siblings, so you have no right to interfere with how I discipline my sister,” Mike snapped. They both noticed Micah running upstairs to her room, upset.

“Micah’s not a child anymore—she’s already eighteen, Mike. She knows right from wrong. What you did was humiliating to her guest, do you even realize that?” Levi argued.

“I don’t really care! Besides, you’re just an outsider here—you wouldn’t understand how it feels for a brother to worry about his sister!” Mike shot back angrily.

Levi stepped backward. With every harsh word he spat, Mike advanced on her, until she found herself pressed against the wall.

“Can you not keep moving forward? There’s no more space for me to back away—you’ve already cornered me against this wall. What’s next, huh? Are you going to suddenly go quiet, stare at me for a long time, and kiss me—just like those male leads in the love stories I read on reading online platform?” she snapped at him.

Mike only frowned, staring at her intensely. Levi swallowed hard, her gaze flickering to his lips. Slowly, he leaned closer. Her heart raced uncontrollably, as if it would burst out of her chest. Was he going to kiss her?

Just a breath away from each other, she could smell his fresh breath. She noticed the slight curl of his lips, as though he was toying with her.

“Close your eyes, Levi,” he whispered into her ear, sending a strange shiver through her whole body.

She obeyed, closing her eyes, waiting for his lips to meet hers. But instead, his next words made her snap her eyes open in fury.

“I’ve told you already—I’m not into flat-chested girls. Stop assuming I’d ever like someone like you. And could you please button up your blouse properly? It’s obvious you don’t have anything to show.”

He quickly pulled away.

Enraged, Levi snatched off one of her flat sandals and hurled it at him. Unfortunately, her bad luck struck—it hit Mike's dad squarely on the face just as he was descending the stairs.

“Sorry! Sorry, Mr. Montenegro, I didn’t mean to!” she apologized frantically.

“No, it’s fine. It doesn’t hurt much anyway. I have to go—I’ve got a meeting. And don’t forget, tonight at eight, get yourself ready. You’re coming with us to the mayor’s party,” Mr. Montenegro said hurriedly before leaving.

Levi could only watch him go, then sighed and pouted once more.