Chapter 2 Levi's POV

Everything at the gala was way out of my class. The thought crossed my mind the second I stepped into the hall. Everything about the place screamed money. The people dressed like they had never worried about anything a day in their lives. Even the way they laughed felt rehearsed.

I adjusted the sleeve of my uniform and picked up my tray, trying to look like I belonged there. I didn’t.

“Relax,” Tommy said beside me, nudging my shoulder. “You look like you’re about to rob someone.”

“I might,” I muttered. “Have you seen these people?”

Tommy laughed under his breath. “Just do your job. Smile, serve, and don’t cause trouble.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I moved into the crowd, keeping my expression neutral. It wasn’t a difficult job. Walk around, serve drinks, and avoid attention. I had done worse for less money. If I got through the night without breaking anything or snapping at someone, it would count as a win.

At first, everything went smoothly. No one paid me any special attention, which was exactly how I liked it. I kept moving, doing what I was supposed to do, waiting for the hours to pass.

Then I started feeling off.

I ignored the feeling at first . People looked at waiters all the time. It didn’t mean anything. They could be judging me for all I cared. But after a while, it became harder to brush off. The feeling didn’t fade. If anything, it got stronger, more focused.

It felt like someone was watching me intentionally.

I shifted slightly and continued walking, I tried not to overthink it, and that it was nothing. But my grip on the tray tightened anyway.

After a few more minutes of walking around and that feeling wasn't going away, I gave in and looked around. The first guy my eyes met was definitely not it. He looked nervous and out of place like he wasn't supposed to be there also. I continue looking around. And that’s when I saw him.

He stood across the room, dressed entirely in black. While everyone else was moving,talking, laughing, blending into the noise,he was completely still. It made him stand out without trying.

And he was looking straight at me.

I frowned slightly, holding his gaze for a second longer than I meant to. There was something off about it. I couldn’t explain it, but it made me uncomfortable.

So I looked away.

“Creepy much,” I muttered under my breath and kept moving.

But even after that, the feeling didn’t go away. I could still feel his eyes on me, like he hadn’t looked away at all.

By the time my shift ended, I was more tired than I thought I'd be. Not just physically, but mentally. I didn’t like that feeling. Being watched always put me on edge, even when I couldn’t explain why.

I didn’t stay any longer than necessary. As soon as I was done, I grabbed my things and left.

The air outside felt better. Quieter, even with the city noise. I walked home quickly, trying to shake off the uneasiness, but it stayed with me the entire way.

It wasn't like he'd follow me or something. That would be world class creepy. But I kept thinking about it.

That was probably why I overslept.

The next morning, my alarm had already gone off multiple times before I even opened my eyes. I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to gather enough energy to move.

“Levi.”

I groaned.

“If you don’t turn that off, I’m throwing your phone out the window,” Jamie said.

“I’m up,” I muttered, even though I hadn’t moved.

“You’ve been saying that for ten minutes.”

“I mean it this time.”

Something hit my leg, and I flinched. “What the hell?”

“Get up,” Jamie said, standing by the door.

I pulled the blanket down and glared at him. “You just threw your shoe at me.”

“And I’d do it again.”

I shook my head and sat up slowly, rubbing my face. My body felt heavy. I needed more sleep.

“Why do I feel this tired?” I asked.

“Because you got back at almost three in the morning.”

“Two-thirty,” I corrected.

“That doesn’t make it any better.”

“It makes it slightly better.”

“It doesn’t. Get out of that bed.”

I ignored him and reached for my phone. The time made me sit up straighter.

“Shit.”

“Told you.”

I got out of bed quickly, suddenly awake. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”

“I tried. You told me to mind my business.”

“That sounds like something I’d say.”

“It is exactly something you’d say.”

I grabbed a shirt and changed quickly. “What day is it?”

“Tuesday.”

“Why do I have morning classes on a Tuesday?”

“Because you chose your schedule.”

I paused. “I regret that decision.”

Jamie snorted. “You should.”

I shoved my things into my bag without checking properly.

“Are you eating?” he asked.

“I’ll grab something on the way.”

“You said that yesterday.”

“And I survived yesterday.”

“Barely.”

I didn’t respond to that. I didn’t feel like arguing.

“Levi,” he said again, more serious this time.

I paused but didn’t turn around.

“You can’t keep doing this,” he said. “You need rest and food.”

“I’m fine, mom.”

“ I'm being serious here”

“Yeah,” I muttered. "I know."

I didn’t wait for him to reply. I walked out before the conversation could go further.

The city was already busy when I stepped outside. Cars moved nonstop, people rushed past each other, and everything felt loud and crowded.

I kept my head down as I walked, moving quickly. I didn’t like drawing attention to myself, and being late didn’t help with that.

I had learned early on that it was easier to stay unnoticed.

Moving from one foster home to another taught you that.

You learn to adapt, stay quiet,and most importantly avoid trouble when you can. And when you can’t, you learn how to handle it. Not always the right way, but enough to get by.

There were things I didn’t remember from before all that. Just pieces here and there. Most of it didn’t make sense, so I stopped trying to figure it out.

It was easier that way.

By the time I got to campus, I was already tired again. The day dragged on longer than it should have. Classes felt pointless, and I struggled to focus through most of them.

Eventually, it was over.

For once, I didn’t have work.

That alone felt strange.

When I got home, the apartment was quiet. Jamie wasn’t around, which meant I didn’t have to deal with another lecture about sleep or food.

I dropped my bag and went straight to the shower. The water helped a little, but not enough to shake off the lingering irritation from the day.

Afterward, I changed and sat on my bed, staring at my laptop. I had assignments to work on, but I couldn’t bring myself to start.

My phone buzzed beside me.

I frowned and picked it up.

Unknown number.

I almost ignored it, but something made me open the message anyway.

“I have a job for you.”

Weird. The only people who were aware I was constantly in need of jobs were Tommy and Jamie.

So I threw the phone back onto the bed and continued my assignment.

After a while another message came in again from the same unknown number.

"The pay is attractive."