Page 46 of The Love Raffle

Levi came bounding out of his room to the hall. “Rachel, we got work to do.” He couldnotlet her stick around any longer. If she found Amber, she’d give him hell for being so stupid as to keep seeing herwhilepublicly seeing someone else. The backlash he’d get if they were spotted could be image-ending.More like career-ending.Rachel knew all about public perception and what was ruinous and what was not.

He saw her step slowly away from the couch, meeting him in the kitchen with half her blouse out of her Vicuna dress pants. “Of course, we need to keep the public invested aslongas possible. I swear the film promotion team should pay extra for my involvement.” She laughed, pocketing both hands in her blazer.

Levi didn’t understand her composure. She’d been so giddy a while ago.Unless seeing all the evidence that I had someone over has made her sober.He swallowed thickly, looking to the storage door and hoping that Amber wouldn’t hate him after this. “Yeah…you do too much,” he said, a nervous laugh following.

Rachel’s smile seemed plastic. “Levi?”

Levi grew fearful, recognizing her warning tone—the precursor to showbiz lectures and her emphasis on why taking heed of instructions was necessary. Oscar would always be there to reiterate her points with a gentler approach. They’d really taken on the role of parents when his parents weren’t around. Not that either were ever fully present after the money rolled in. “Yes, Rachel?” Could he sound any guiltier?

Rachel’s shoulders went up as she inhaled. “Be careful.” She held his shoulder with a tender hand then walked to the hall, which branched out beside the fridge. An old fairytale song floated from her lips. “Be Our Guest” fromBeauty and the Beast.

He knitted his brows as his eyes followed her out.Be careful?How ambiguous…

“You won’t only have the public to worry about if you slip up.” Her voice carried into the kitchen even after she entered his room, no longer visible.

That wasn’t any less confusing but Levi could at least react appropriately.The public?What else could he possibly have to worry about apart from that? And what did she mean? Had she put the pieces togetherthatquickly?

He contemplated her words on his way to the storage room, opening the door for Amber.

Amber fell onto him. “Oop—”

“Oh no.” Levi held her steady. “You okay?” he whispered, already guiding her to the door.

Amber hurried after him. “Yeah. I was just kind of listening.” She sighed. “No one noticed I was here, right?” As awful as it felt, this was just how things were right now.They’ll improve with time.If they kept going that long.Do I want us to?He’d said he was in love. She’d been ready to profess the same until people showed up. She wanted to see him for a while. As long as she could.

“Rachel might have but…” He opened the door while whispering, keeping an eye out for Rachel or anyone else. He could hear their drunken giggles from here.

“What?” Amber’s eyes bulged. She flung her head back. “How!” she whispered, stepping outside. “I didn’t even say anything.” She gulped. “Do I have to contact the witness protection program? Am I in trouble here?” That woman was not to be played with.

“No, no,” said Levi, slowly closing the door. “Don’t worry about her, okay? Whatever happens with her,I willtake care of it.” He smiled a bit. “Just know that I won’t let anything get between us.” He stared intently into her eyes, wanting her to know that he cared. “And…I’m sorry. You’re not storage room material.”

Amber had taken her coat and hat off the rack before going out. She pulled them on. “Why did you say that like it’s a letdown? Like you’re sorry I’m not storage room material?” She laughed. “Like this is some reality competition where people sign up to find out if they’ve got the storage room flair.” This was killing her in their time of despair.

Levi could at least laugh right now. He’d figured it out, though. Rachel’s words.I’ll be a dead man if we don’t keep this under wraps.Would Rachel go as far as to drop him?She’d never.She wasn’tthatheinous. “Too funny you are.” He rubbed his eyes, suddenly exhausted.

Amber yawned. “I try my best with you. To make you…” She paused to yawn. “Laugh. Jeez.” She swiped at the trickles of tears that slipped through the corners of her eyes. “I guess we’ll text, right?”

He sighed, finding her adorable in that oversized trench coat. “Yeah.” He closed his eyes and leaned in.

Amber shut hers and connected her lips to his.

She pulled back first.

“That’s all for now?”

“I think you should worry about your agent, who’s expecting you.” Amber smiled and adjusted her hat, turning around to head out.

Levi half-smiled but waved. “Bye.”

* * *

A bittersweetness filled Amber while leaving Levi’s penthouse.

She was utterly worn out from being up so late despite resting all day. Her mattress’ comfort was tempting even if she’d only have it for a second before commencing the new work week. Resting her head seemed so appealing but at the same time, her head itself was a clutter of confusion.

Amber checked her watch for the hour.Nearly four.She’d have a long cab drive to her place. Levi was supposed to drive her but, of course, his career got in the way.I’m used to being independent.She’d had to be her whole life. Her mom had provided necessities, not luxuries. Calling herself “poor” would be a reach but she had never been rich. Extra cash for field trips and special lunches at school she’d put together herself. She’d become the neighborhood chore girl from a young age.

It always worked.At the time, she’d been mad at her mom for being inadequate but after moving away and grinding on her own, she kind of appreciated that part of her. Amber had always been confident in her self-sufficiency and capabilities and it was all thanks to that.Call it trauma but it’s part of why I always believed I’d make it.And now…she was about to make yet another TV and acting appearance.

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