---STILL AT HANJI'S HOUSE---
"Be honest with me, Levi."
"..."
"You like her don't you ?"
He gives a convincing nod, "I do."
"What ? No ! What I mean is, not as your employee, but as a woman."
Through his stoic face, Levi has a baffled look, "What do you mean ?"
"Shorty dear, do you like her not just as your secretary, but as a woman ? I'm not asking our vice president, but you, Levi Ackerman, a man."
The only answer Hanji receives from Levi is only a thick silence before the man rises from his seat. His face may be emotionless, but his eyes could never lie. They hide something underneath the cold look as Levi absentmindedly sets his gaze on the floor.
"I need her," Levi stated for the second time.
"Yes. so why ?"
He pinches the bridge of his nose, "She's like a broom for me."
'Levi my friend, is your brain really okay..?'
"Because I don't have eyes for mass-manufactured cleaning tools nor do they fit my standards perfectly."
The man glances at his wristwatch, "Well then, gotta go." Levi makes his way out from Hanji's house as if it's his. He had visited her house numerous times to do work or research related things. But this is the first time he went to her house to have a talk like this.
"Ah.. He's comparing people to cleaning tools now ? I shouldn't be surprised.."
---At LEVI'S MANSION---
He finds himself having difficulties sleeping again.
And this time, he's recalling his last conversation with (Y/n) after he 'proposed' to her.
--Flashback--
"I want to have a normal life like other people.. Get married, have kids, and build a happy home."
"Ms. (L/n) , you're so fucking selfish."
The secretary couldn't put a finger on what he mean.
"Then what about me ?"
"I beg your pardon ?"
Levi sighs, "We've worked together for ten years. You were my hands and feet from when I first started until now. So if you're to quit so suddenly like this , I.."
"I.."
She stared at her boss, who was at loss of words, very unlikely of him.
"W-well, it'll be so inconvenient for me, you brat !"
In the end, Levi couldn't tell the truth why he wanted her to stay.
--End of Flashback--
"..Don't tell me I fucking stuttered back there.." That was the last thing Levi mumbled before darkness took over him and brought him to a deep sleep.
---THE NEXT DAY---
"Oh, Ms. Reiss, you're early today. Good morning !"
(Y/n) finds the blonde haired lady sitting on a chair next to hers, behind the receptionist table where (Y/n) is usually at.
She grins, "Good morning to you too ! Please just call me Historia !"
"So, Historia. Are you excited ?"
"Well, this is my first day after all, of course I'm so excited ! Excited and a bit nervous."
The secretary gives the newbie a reassuring smile, "I'm sure you'll do great. Now come along, let me introduce you to the planning division." With Historia trailing behind her with a look of full adoration, they finally arrive at the mentioned division.
"Everyone, this is Historia Reiss, who'll be replacing me."
Historia bows, "H-hello ! I'll do my very best here, I'm working forward to be working with you." She bows.
Applause and small shouts of 'welcome' filled the room.
"Historia, meet Mikasa, Eren, Jean, Armin, Sasha, and Connie." (Y/n) points each member as she said their names one by one.
Out of the blue, Jean, who's standing near the photocopy machine, steps forward, "Ms. Reiss, I'm an elite from the best school in the country, so you might find me a little hard to approach. But I'm really the guy-next-door-type, so if you ever run into any trouble, don't be afraid to come ask for advice. Or ask for my number if you want." He ends it with a wink.
"Really ? Ah thank you. I might have some trouble at first so please guide me." Historia replies with a charming smile.
--Later
(Y/n) stacks some folders on the table.
"These are the records of Mr. Ackerman's past schedule. And these are records of his overseas trips. And these are the meeting records. And these are the records of his schedule for the next 6 month, so make sure to memorize them as soon as possible."
"A-all of them ?"
She gives the blonde a playful smile, "Plus those." (Y/n) points her finger at a huge stack of boxes in the corner that consist of thick folders.
"Oh, I almost forgot.." (Y/n) pulls out a small book from a drawer under the table, "this is a list of tea preferences for each board member. So please memorize them, they'll appreciate it."
Historia gaped her mouth in awe. Never in her mind did she think that being a secretary would be this hard, "So, anything else I should know about ?"
"Yes. I must remind you that.. um.. porn magazines and pictures are a big no for Mr. Ackerman, so please remember it."
"Of course !" She beams. Historia begins to skim through the pages of the first folder, "Oh wow.. There are even photos in the daily records here." She points her finger to a certain photo that's clipped to the paper, "when was this taken ? You both look so young in this photo, aww !
(Y/n) shifts to the side, seeing the photo, "Oh, we always take photos whenever there's an event. That must've been about.. 9 or 10 years ago ? It was when I was in the Sina with him."
"When I had just started work like you, Historia." She unconsciously smiles.
"I bet you were perfect at your job even back then."
The secretary wheezes, "Jeez, no. I'd make mistakes all the time, I swear. Back then, I tried my best not to hold him back and found myself getting better at the job. So don't be scared, Historia. Just give it a try and do your best."
"Thank you for your advice, Ms. (L/n) . I'll not disappoint you !"
Historia pumps her fist in the air, with a cute determined look on her face.
'Ah.. this lady will surely be an amazing secretary after I'm gone.' Warmth fills (Y/n)'s heart as she thought about Historia replacing her.
"Oh by the way, can you deliver this to Mr. Zacharias ?"
She handed Historia a tiny stack of papers.
"Sure, just leave it to me !"
With that, the blue eyed blonde scurried off to run some errands, leaving (Y/n) alone on the receptionist desk. She heaves a sigh as she traces her finger on the clipped photo.
Memories begin to flow in her head.
It was the first time she and the vice president had an argument.
--FLASHBACK-- 10 YEARS AGO--
"Can't you even get this right ?" Levi hollered.
His figure towering over the newly recruited secretary, (Y/n), who's lowering her head in shame as she stood in front of her pissed off boss.
"Do you know how fucking important that dinner was ? How could you make a simple mistake like that ?'
"..."
"You couldn't even get the dress code right and now things have turned out like this ! Why are you being a useless piece of shit ?"
"..."
"Can't you even speak basic English ?! We're on an overseas trip for fucks sake."
"I-I apologize sir.." a sob escaped her mouth
His eyes glared daggers at her, "Ms. (L/n). What did you say when you applied for this position ? Didn't you tell me that you'll try your best even though you're behind on other candidates ?"
"..."
"But how many times has it been already, huh ? And today's one cost me a lot !!" Levi snapped.
"BUT WHAT MORE DO YOU EXPECT FROM ME ? Ever since coming to the Sina country, I only had 2-3 hours of sleep, studying English and what not. And I really can't get used to the food here. Yet here I am, trying to do my best, but you just have to scold me like that every time."
His eyes widened upon hearing her sudden outburst. This was the first time she dared to talk back at him.
"What ? Didn't you ever make a mistake in your life ? Tell me, vice president !" (Y/n) sneered, eyes full of tears.
"Of course I never fucking made a mist-"
"You know what ? I'm going to quit and go back to Trost !! So find another secretary, you short dickhead !" She shouted, face red from anger. Then (Y/n) stormed off.
--END OF FLASHBACK--
"The hell are you smiling and daydreaming about ?"
(Y/n)'s completely startled, she almost knocked over her chair as she hurriedly stands up, "Oh, Mr. Ackerman." Sheesh.. how long has Levi been standing there ?
He only stands there, eyeing her.
"Uh.. would you like some tea, sir ?'
"No."
With that, Levi goes back inside his personal office. Leaving a confused (Y/n) behind.
'Who the fuck was she smiling at ? Tch..'
Poor Levi. He doesn't know that his secretary was smiling because she recalled their first fiery memory.