Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Hope’s POV

“Why are they like that?”

Zayla’s voice cracked as another sob escaped her lips.

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She was sprawled across the backseat of Levi’s car while her brother loaded the trunk with what seemed to be her entire wardrobe. Duffel bags surrounded her like a fortress. Some were on the floor, while one was currently serving as her pillow.

Outside, Levi and Matthias continued loading luggage while Zayla continued to cry.

She had demanded that Levi take her to the airport and rebook her flight to Oxfordshire immediately, abandoning the birthday celebrations she had planned.

I still didn’t know exactly what had happened during dinner. Part of me wanted to ask, but the other part of me knew she needed to let everything out first. Still, judging from the way she looked devastated, I could safely assume that the rest of the family dinner hadn’t gone well.

I was also secretly relieved that she hadn’t caught Levi and me making out inside this very car. My cheeks heated at the memory. Thank goodness his windows were heavily tinted. I honestly had no idea how I would explain what had happened. Or why it had happened.

Zayla sniffled loudly before another wave of tears overtook her.

The backseat door suddenly opened. Matthias poked his head inside before freezing.

His eyes widened.

“I thought all the bags were already at the back.”

His gaze swept across the mountain of luggage surrounding his sister before shrugging.

“I can’t miss this opportunity, though,” he grinned. “This is my first time riding inside Levi’s car.”

Before anyone could stop him, he squeezed himself inside. The second he settled in, his gaze landed on me.

“Whoa. You’re here?”

“Hi, Matthias,” I greeted timidly.

His eyes narrowed. “Levi actually let you inside his car?”

Before I could answer, the driver’s door opened, and Levi slid into his seat.

Matthias quickly pointed an accusing finger at him.

“Aha!”

“I thought you called a cab for Hope,” Matthias exclaimed. “You let her inside your car? Your actual car?”

Levi put on his seatbelt and didn’t bother responding.

Meanwhile, Matthias continued speaking, his eyes sparkling from my view of the rearview mirror.

“You two are much closer than I realize.”

Chapter 68

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“As your best friend of ten years,” Matthias continued, “I demand an explanation, though. What exactly is going on between the two of you?”

Silence filled the vehicle, the question lingering inside. If I were being honest… I wanted to know the answer too.

Levi clicked his tongue and deflected the question again, “Be glad I’m even letting you in.”

Then, he turned to Zayla. “Are you sure you want to fly to England now?”

Zayla nodded while crying into one of her duffel bags. “I’m sure,” she muttered.

With that, Levi started the engine and began driving. The city lights slipped past the windows as we pulled away.

A few moments later, he glanced toward me.

“Where’s your address?”

“Hmm?”

“Give me a landmark.”

“Oh.”

I shifted awkwardly.

“Umm… I’m near Courtyard Hotel.”

Levi nodded once and turned his attention back to the road.

Without looking at anyone, he said, “We’ll take Hope back to her place first before I take you to the airport.”

My eyes widened, and I quickly shook my head. “No, no. It’s fine. You can drop me off on the way. I’ll just take a cab.”

Levi glanced at me briefly and sighed.

“No.”

The single word left no room for argument.

“No, it’s okay,” Zayla added, her voice sounding calmer than before.

She wiped at her eyes.

“I need some time to breathe before I get on the flight anyway.”

Another sniffle escaped her.

“What if the love of my life is there?”

Matthias nodded in agreement. “You’re asking the right questions, Zayla.”

“Thank you.”

Levi sighed like he was tired of the two of them.

“What happened anyway?” he asked. “Isn’t your flight next month? It would be expensive to get seats now.”

“You can afford it.”

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Chapter 68

Zayla didn’t even hesitate.

“Do it for me.”

“I already booked it. First class, right?”

Her face brightened like magic. “Thanks.”

“You booked the airline she likes?” Matthias asked. “She only likes that specific airline.”

“Hmm.”

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I looked between them. Watching their conversation felt like watching a tennis match between millionaires. Everything they discussed seemed so out of my tax bracket.

“What even happened?” Levi finally asked.

Zayla groaned and sat up.

“Well, I defended you-naturally. Actually, not naturally. It was the first time I used curse words while doing it.”

Matthias looked proud. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you.”

Levi pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Continue.”

Zayla crossed her arms. “Mom accused me of being corrupted by you. And Grandpa thinks I won’t stay in the family business anymore.”

A bitter laugh escaped her.

“He even threatened to stop me from going to Oxford! I got a full-ride scholarship. I don’t even need his help,” she scoffed.

I could hear the hurt beneath her frustration.

“I should just leave the family like you did.”

Her voice softened.

“I can’t even choose a boyfriend in peace because everyone wants him richer than the family.”

I watched as Levi’s jaw tightened before he sighed deeply.

“Don’t. They’ll only make things harder for you.”

“I know that,” Zayla muttered.

Her gaze dropped. “I’ve already thought about it. But you’re there for me, aren’t you? There are opportunities outside the family, too.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw.

“Just go to Oxford,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “Stay civil with them.”

His fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

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Chapter 68

“Don’t go through what I did.”

The car became quiet. Even Matthias had nothing to say.

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For a brief moment, Levi looked less like the cold and confident man I knew. I actually wanted to reach out to him and hold onto his hand to prevent him from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. But deep inside, I knew I wasn’t in the position to do that.

Zayla stared at him and slowly nodded. “Okay.”

There was a brief pause before she added, “But I’m still leaving today.”

Levi clicked his tongue. “Of course, you’re leaving tonight. I won’t be rebooking you another ticket.”

Zayla finally smiled, but it still looked a bit sad. “We won’t be able to celebrate my birthday, though. Just the two of us.”

“I’ll just visit you there,” he responded casually.

“Okay! I’m counting on that.”

Just like that, everything seemed better.

I found myself smiling. Their relationship somehow reminded me of the one I had with Harley.

A while later, the familiar streets near my apartment came into view. Levi slowed the car.

“Here?”

We had stopped beside the old, beat-up one-star hotel. The place looked even worse under the streetlights. My apartment building sat hidden behind it. I suddenly felt aware of how different our worlds were.

“Yeah.”

My voice came out quieter than intended. For some reason, all my energy had disappeared.

Levi glanced at me, reached over, and unfastened my seatbelt. The sound echoed loudly in my ears. Then, I heard the doors unlock.

Far louder than it should have.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said as though he hadn’t completely turned my world upside down earlier.

I swallowed.

“Yeah.”

I forced a smile.

“See you tomorrow.”

I opened the door.

“Bye, Hope!” Zayla called.

I turned around and saw her waving enthusiastically.

“Make sure to come with Levi when he visits me, okay?”

I couldn’t answer, so I simply smiled.

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Chapter 68

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Meanwhile, Matthias had somehow fallen asleep. His head was pressed awkwardly against a duffel bag, small snores escaping him.

I stepped out onto the sidewalk and closed the door. A second later, the car pulled away.

I stood there watching the taillights disappear into the night. Only then did I release a long, deep breath.

The night was quiet at this moment. Yet my heart remained anything but.

I still hadn’t gotten my answer.

I still hadn’t asked him again.

Why did Levi kiss me?

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