"So you're saying, we were both stuck in a bus stop in the middle of a storm back then, were we ?"

(Y/n) had decided to have a private conversation with Zeke after work. At a small cafe near the Ackerman Company. To her relief, the man agreed. And now here they are sitting across from each other with two cups of steaming hot coffee.

She frowns a little upon Zeke's question, "don't you remember being with me at all ?"

"To be honest, my memories are in pieces from the shock of being.. alone all night in that frightening place."

"Then how much do you remember, Zeke ?"

For a few seconds, Zeke has an unreadable look on his face, "do you want me to tell you even just what I remember ?" He looks at her straight in the eyes through his round glasses.

"Yes."

He inhales, "that guy.. Levi. He and I never got along, even when we were little. Just like now, he was a rich boy from the start. He has the dirty personality like assholes from the Underground, quick moves, cunning, and.. vengeful. All my life, I've grown up being bullied by him without a clear reason. Whenever I crossed a random dark alley, he would attack me and call me a peasant."

"And with that quick witted brain of his," Zeke prozeeds, "he always stole my lunch or whatever food I have in my pocket, while looking down and scoffing at me."'

(Y/n) almost pauses her breath, "no way.. Mr. Ackerman is not the type that-"

"You never know what's in the past, (Y/n). He may be professional looking right now, but he indeed did all of those things to me back then." The man then sighs, "ah right, anyways.. One day that shorty knocked me out and.. dragged me somewhere. When I woke up, I found myself abandoned, alone, in a bus stop near the Underground. There were rumors that anyone who waited at the bus stop would be thugs' prey. That's my story."

Silence fell upon the two after Zeke finishes the story of his past, just like (Y/n) asked him to do. (Y/n) only blinks in.. disbelief. Her mouth feels dry. As if she wants to say a thing or two about Zeke's past, but something's preventing her.

If what Zeke said about Levi is true.. (Y/n) would have a hard time believing it.

'I guess Mr. Ackerman was rich from the start, after all he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth... right..?'

---------------------------------------------------------

Just like the old times, (Y/n) enters the familiar picturesque house owned by the one and only vice president of the Ackerman Company. She goes straight into the living room, already having every rooms' direction mapped in her head.

(Y/n) found her boss sitting alone, clad in comfier clothes, "Good evening sir. I came here as you requested."

"Go ahead to my study first."

"Yes sir. Then I'll start to sort out those books whose new editions will be published soon in the book concert."

She quickly heads to Levi's study, managing the needed books.

Her finger skimmed across dozens of books on the luxury shelves. Instead of picking out the books, (Y/n)'s eyes darted to a specific huge black folder on the lower rack. Out of curiosity, she pulls it out.

That's the title written on the front cover, all in big letters.

Without hesitation, (Y/n) flips open the thick folder, flipping the first page. The first thing that she sees made (Y/n) gaped her mouth a little in surprise.

-Resume-

[(Y/n) (L/n)]

(Y/n) pulls an ugly face, cringing at the picture of her own face printed on the page, "I looked this awful...? Damn, I look quite geeky."

[Served as the class officer many times]

A chuckle escapes her mouth, "why did I even write this ?"

[Best prize for Essay Writing Excellence in Art]

[CSAT Score : Percentile Rank]

"Ha ! Trying to show off I was in the top 1 ? So embarrassing. I wish I could go back in time and rewrite my shitty resume."

After examining her old resume, she flips open another page to see the rest.

[Certified Secretary - Certified Global Seller]

She flips again.

[Certified Secretary - MCSE Certification]

And again

[Certified Secretary - CCIE Certification]

And many more...

A scrunches her eyebrows in utter confusion, looking at the rest of the resume from other candidates. They all excel in many things, and already have stunning achievement. While on the other side, (Y/n).. is nothing compared to them.

"Why did he hire me, over all these talented candidates..?" She murmured.

"Why did I hire you ?"

If it wasn't for (Y/n)'s ability to stay cool, she would've jumped out of her skin in shock for her boss just suddenly appears two feet beside her, throwing a question as well as eavesdropping.

(Y/n) gulps, "p-pardon ?"

She then processes his words before nodding, "I mean.. Yes. I want to know."

Levi shoves his hands in his pockets, making his way closer to his secretary slowly with an emotionless face. He then stops, finally face to face with her.

"Because you were (Y/n) (L/n)."

The woman becomes speechless, "what are you..." (Y/n) looks him in the eye, "are you saying you knew me before we met, sir ?"

She may not be able to see through Levi, but his grey eyes carry a different emotion even though he's being stoic right now. But somehow, the look in his eyes reminds (Y/n) of a.. lost boy..

"Tch, as if it's possible." He replied coldly.

"But I've always been curious, sir. When I was working as a temp in General Affairs, my supervisor suggested I should apply for the PA position. I thought there was no way I'd get it, so I was quite surprised when I found I did," (Y/n) stares at him, "I want to know what that meant, and why was I.. accepted just like that."

"It doesn't mean anything," Levi answered bluntly, "as I just said, I hired you because you were (Y/n) (L/n)."

"Because (Y/n) (L/n).... Was the least qualified candidate."

She nearly choked, "w-what ?"

"In short," he starts to explain, "this position required accompanying me to Shiganshina for a long, hard journey ahead, so I thought someone who was too qualified wouldn't last. That's why I chose the least qualified candidate. Someone who'd never be headhunted elsewhere, and someone who'd have no reason to quit."

(Y/n) chuckles, "and here I was, thinking that there was some other reason," she lets out an airy laugh before turning her back on him and starting to arrange the books again.

Unknown to her, there was indeed.. other reasons..

----------------------

Levi is kind enough to walk her to the front of his private mansion, as it is already late, and time for (Y/n) to go home.

"Well then, I'll get going sir."

She bowed before turning on her heels to walk outside, but then..

"About Zeke.." he suddenly said, "did you have a nice chat with him about the old days ?"

"How did y-"

"I saw you two by accident, talking to each other just then."

"Oh.."

"How does it feel to finally meet that boy you were looking for ?" He asked.

(Y/n) smiles to herself, recalling her and Zeke's previous meeting at the cafe, "it was nice I guess. But at the same time, I still can't believe it's real."

"I see."

The vice president stares at the ground.

"I guess you must've heard about me then," he said without looking at her, "about how I knocked him out and bullied him. That's why he had to go through all that." Levi lifts his head to face (Y/n) again.

"Yes," she nods, "I'll really get going now sir or I'll miss the last bus. See you tomorrow."

The secretary bowed before leaving Levi alone.

-----------------

"Are you saying you knew me before we met ?"

Levi couldn't get those words that (Y/n) said earlier out of his mind. It keeps lingering there. He starts to zone out, entering memories of his past.

--- Flashback ---

"Just pour her one shot of vodka."

"NO, MAKE IT THREE !!"

"Eren, be nice to the newbie."

"Cheers !! For being a part of Ackerman Company !"

The workers clank their glass against each other, cheering for the new employee who smiles brightly, "I'll be in your care."

"Ah no no, that should be my line."

They continue to chatter, unaware of a certain man eyeing them from a distance alone. His grey eyes focused on a specific....newbie.

"Mr. Ackerman !" Someone suddenly came up to him, "you don't need to force yourself to come to these gatherings. It's not really.. clean in here, plus, it's too crowded for your liking. This is the first time I've seen you attend an employee welcome party."

He crosses his arms, "I'll do what I want. Now I'd like you to get out of my sight and not stick your nose in my business."

"Y-yes sir !!"

The person scrambled off from Levi's side, leaving him all alone... staring at the newbie.. He then made his way to the table where everyone gathered.

"Cheers for Ackerman Company !"

"Welcome to the group, Ms. (L/n) !"

"Ah, thank you ! I'll be in your care !"

Cheers and joy and the sound of wine filled glass' clanking with each other filled the table where the new employee and her new work friends sat.

(Y/n), the newbie, was gulping down her wine when someone took a seat beside her.

"Oi brat, got a name ?" The man with a pair of mancing steel blue eyes asked the newbie.

"I'm (Y/n) (L/n)."

"Well, Ms. (L/n). Do you know who I am ?"

'Do you remember me..?'

"Yes ! You're the Chairman Kenny Ackerman's nephew, you're the vice president of this company, sir !"

Inside the cold demeanor of his, deep down, his heart aches after hearing the newbie's answer. Levi stayed silent, averting his head from her, who looked quite confused by his response.

"U-um.. Is there something bothering you ? Was I wrong ?"

He quickly shook his head, "No. Nothing. You're right."

"Ah, I see."

(Y/n), the newbie, then went back to chat with her new friends.

On the other hand, Levi sets his gaze on the table with an empty feeling. There was an empty space in his heart that couldn't be described. The vice president sighs, eyeing the laughing newbie silently. This time, that pair of grey eyes held a longing look.

--- End of flashback ---

Ever since that day, somehow all the gentleness that hides within Levi's hardened heart revives again..