The sound of the ticking clock is the only thing audible in the hospital room. Two adults sat on the sofa with hands folded neatly on top of their lap and heads hanging low. Quite frankly, they look like students in detention. An elderly man clad in a hospital gown sits on his bed with arms crossed in disapproval while looking at the two.

"I heard a lot about you from my daughter. So you're the boss who works my dear daughter to death without even giving her a break. You're that Mr. Ackerman bastard, are you ?"

(Y/n) raises her head in fear, trying to indicate her father to calm the fuck down.

Mr. (L/n) clears his throat, "I mean, 'Mr. Ackerman'."

"Y-yes sir, I'm that Mr. Ackerman bastard- I mean, Mr. Ackerman. I'm sorry for the delayed information." Levi spoke.

The elderly man still set his eyes on the vice president, "well, first of all, I must say thank you for this fancy room. As well as defraying my medication fees. I take it. It's all thanks to my daughter's hard work so I'll accept it gladly."

"Of course. And please, no need for honorifics."

"Oh no. I can't do that to my daughter's boss, can I ? After all, you're from a different class than us." Sarcasm leaked in Mr. (L/n)'s voice.

Like father, like daughter...

"No sir, I want you to get comfortable with me. So you can address me without honorifics. And.." Levi turns his head towards (Y/n) for a bit before staring back at (Y/n)'s father, "I apologize for informing you like this, but.. I am seeing your daughter, sir."

"What ?!"

In one swift movement, Mr. (L/n) shot up from his bed and speed walks towards Levi, who's sitting on the sofa, "by seeing her, do you mean that kind of seeing ?"

"I mean seeing, as in a relationship. Me and your daughter are in a relationship, father in law."

"FATHER IN LAW ?! How bold of you. You're blatant, aren't you ?" Mr. (L/n) scowled at the vice president, "let me be direct with you too then, young man."

Levi gulped.

"I'm against you two."

And that's when Levi's steel blue eyes widened in fear and shock. He has never been this vulnerable, "sir-"

(Y/n) shifts uncomfortably in her seat while fishing out her phone, she lets out a displeased sigh, "It's Mr. Smith. I think it's an urgent call, he's looking for you, Mr. Ackerman."

"Tch, fine. Mr. (L/n), please excuse me for a few minutes."

Levi bowed deeply before dismissing himself to answer Erwin's call. As soon as he closed the door behind his back, (Y/n) went into a frenzy at her father, "dad, why are you against us ? What's your reason ??"

"Ah.. that guy," Mr. (L/n) chuckles as he plops down beside (Y/n), right on Levi's previous spot on the sofa, "I'm liking him more and more."

"What ? But you just said that you're against us."

Her father grins broadly, increasing the wrinkles on his face, "I was just faking it. It was just an act, for your sake. Ha ! That man probably never imagined our family would be against him. He probably thought that just because he's a rich boy, we'd put our hands up and give him a big welcome for him and his money. I know people like him very well. Their desire to win something grows when they see a barrier. Just you watch, (Y/n). He'll be more desperate to win over you now."

"Just what are you planni-"

The door slides open right on time, and Mr. (L/n) puts back his serious and annoyed demeanor, "Mr. Ackerman, how about a coffee with me, from the vending machine downstairs ?"

"Yes, it'll be my pleasure, Mr. (L/n)."

Unknown to the (L/n)s, Levi's trembling in fear under his black blazer.

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

"Say, how much do you know about my (Y/n) ?"

Mr. (L/n) has ditched his cup of coffee and decides to strike a conversation.

"I've worked with her for 10 years so I know quite a bit." Levi replied.

A short hum of acknowledgement escapes Mr. (L/n)'s throat, "I see. My (Y/n), she.. She's a good girl, never giving me any trouble. She never once complained about wearing hand-me-downs and always came top in class without private lessons. She's my little angel."

"The day I was conned by my friend and we almost ended up in the streets, that day just happened to be when (Y/n) got her CSAT scores.. She could've gone to university on a full scholarship, but she refused. Instead, she said she'll make money. Do you know what she said to me when I was crying out of guilt ?"

----

"It's alright dad. I'll take care of it."

----

(Y/n)'s father clenches his fist upon recalling those memories, "that's what she said to me, with a smile on her face.. But inside, her heart must've ripped to pieces."

"Even now, whenever I see her smile, it still pains me inside,"

Realization hits Levi like truck. All those professional smiles that she threw at her friends' employees, and even him, Levi never knew what she's hiding behind that calm and collected image of hers. That girlfriend of his always smiles and be grateful for every little things she has.

"So.." Mr. (L/n) inhales deeply, "don't ever trust that she's alright, even though she's all smiles. Because even in the toughest situations, she'll just smile and bear it."

"Anyways, I heard my daughter's quitting. You must've worked her to death for that girl to call it quits. I.. Though it might be late, I want my little (Y/n) to do what she truly wants to do and be happy."

Levi purses his lips before giving a small nod as sign that he's listening all the time, "of course, sir. I understand."

"Wait here." Mr. (L/n) got up from his seat, "I'll send (Y/n) down."

"Yes sir."

"Oh," the elderly man gave him a sharp glance, "that's so you can take her home safely. It doesn't mean I still approve of you." With that, he struts off to the elevator to fetch his daughter, leaving Levi all alone in the lobby. The raven haired man then begins to ponder about (Y/n).

-----

"Though it might be late, I want my little (Y/n) to do what she truly wants to do and be happy."

-----

~

-----

"Then why are you quitting without any plans ?"

"Well, I feel like I need to go find my life now." (Y/n) smiles softly at herself as she keeps her eyes on the road ahead.

He lifts his eyebrows, "Hm ?" Demanding for an explanation.

"A life that's not as someone's secretary, nor as a breadwinner. Just a life as me, (Y/n) (L/n)."

-----

Levi closes his eyes. If the one he loves seeks for freedom and a happy life, then he'll give it to her.