The Love Raffle

Chapter 15

“Crap!” Amber staggered away and held her chest, frozen from the shock of their appearance. Right when she was in the middle of an inner monologue too.

A person dressed in pink with dark hair pulled up in braids watched her, their eyeshadow rainbow themed. Low music pulsed through their earbuds. They seemed dressed for a run, the full-pink getup being some designer tracksuit.

Amber cursed silently in her mind as they eyed her. Would it be odd if she ran? “M-morning.” She smiled with a raised hand.

They looked her over, utterly lost. “Morning… Trench coat?” And now that bewilderment turned to suspicion. “Hold on, are you some kind of themed robber?” they asked, a Houston accent now detectable.

“Um…” Amber removed her hat as they started to panic, fanning their face.

“Burglar! Burglar!” Their phone was suddenly in hand. “Oh my God, guys, you would not believe it.” The frantic neighbor turned their phone around to face her and Amber saw herself reflected in the screen. The neighbor was breathing heavily clearly spooked, yet recording, nonetheless.

Shit! Amber pulled her cap lower. “I’m not—I’m really not— Wait, is this live?” It seemed that their phone camera was activated. She saw the word “LIVE” written in a small box at the top right corner as colored comments popped in quick succession from the bottom of the screen. “How are there so many viewers?” she said, her panic worsening. Would it be more suspicious to bolt or to stay and convince this person she was not what they thought?

“I was just going out for my four a.m. run and happened to run into a real-life trespasser!” they hollered in terror.

Amber wasn’t so sure they were really that terrified because anyone fearing for their safety would call the police , not two thousand live viewers. This has got to be some kind of influencer. Those people were one of a kind. And this sort of insanity is pretty on-brand for them. “I can assure you that I’m not a trespasser, okay? So, don’t call the police, don’t organize a search party for me when I leave, and don’t freak out, okay? Right.” She walked backward. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to leave.” She bolted without another word, hoping her disguise had been enough to conceal her.

* * *

Sunrise had been a couple of hours back and so had the last time Amber shut her eyes.

“Amber Sheridan. The girl who won it all.” Director Phillip Cole met her with open arms on her way in.

“Hi.” Amber wiped sleep from her eyes. The set seemed busy. Multiple men in black t-shirts and headsets were swarming around. Some were behind cameras, some putting up furniture, and others adding food to the snack table. Thick black wires wound like snakes across the concrete floor.

Beca patted Amber’s back as Phillip hugged her. “What did I tell you? She’s even more beautiful in person, right?” She laughed with pride.

Phillip let go of Amber and laughed. “Yes , she’s practically glowing, but her picture glowed too.” His eyes strayed from Amber’s face to her chest. “Voluptuous as well.”

Amber tittered uncomfortably, resisting the urge to hide herself. “Is the rest of the cast here yet?” This show was in its second season but had gotten tons of buzz for the first on Hulu. She’d seen a few episodes but never committed to watching it all. I’m always busy, it seems. She used the back of her hand to shield her mouth as a yawn blew out. As per usual, Levi’s good morning text was sent promptly at six. The poor guy’s guilt would be the death of him. I’m not even that mad. But she had been pensive. But…I care about him a lot.

“Oh yeah. They’re back there through that door. You guys can have your little table read before we start at nine.” He grinned under his cap’s shadow. He was short but broad, a gut taking form under his tucked-in polo. Amber knew of him through research. He was an exceptional director but not A-list. Had a few awards under his belt. No big ones yet but there was one Tony nomination in there from his time working in theater.

“Perfect. Brought my…my…” Yawn. “ Sorry. My script.” Amber removed it from her handbag. She wore a simple blouse and jeans. Kittens with thought bubbles covered the front of her top. She’d worn it since high school.

Phillip laughed through bright teeth. “Stayed up late did we, sweetie?”

Amber smiled tightly. “Not really.” She said goodbye to Beca then hurried past him. She yelped after feeling a tap on her behind. She slowed down, widening her eyes while looking at Phillip.

The older man was already immersed in conversation with her agent.

Amber made a mental note to keep far away from this director after shooting hours. I’ll put up with what I have to for now. She held her chin up then sped to the reading room.

The main cast was all there. A plastic table ran down the middle and iron fold-in chairs spanned the sides. She saw a counter with drawers and cupboards along the walls. Two people leaned against them. One was a teen she’d never seen before and the other held a steaming mug of coffee. She recognized the adult as the protagonist. This show was all about broke interns making ends meet. A simple premise with plenty of room for antics.

“Good morning, everyone.” Amber was all about first impressions. Beca may not have been the most capable but she gave solid advice. Ensuring people loved you was half the business. That went for fellow actors and the public alike.

“Oh, it’s the new girl.” A guy at the table got up to meet her and introduce her to everyone. If Amber wasn’t mistaken, he played the best friend. His lower half was clad in beach shorts. No one here was in costume. She wondered how long wardrobe and hair was predicted to last.

After shaking hands with everyone and taking a seat, Amber breathed easier. So far, they all seemed pleasant and professional. This would go smoothly.

Their table reading ended within thirty minutes but rather than scrambling to get ready for shooting, everyone just sat there, chit-chatting.

Amber rolled up her script and fit it in her leather handbag, smiling awkwardly as banter ensued between a few of the main characters. Seemed they found a bit of the dialogue ridiculous.

“Why does he say that of all things, though?” asked the lead actress. The teenager beside her had not participated in the reading at all. She sat on her phone even now, earbuds in and face void of expression. Now that Amber was getting a closer look, she kind of resembled the lead. This kid must be her sister or niece. Something of that nature anyway.

“I think it’s corny enough to get a few laughs but realistic enough to make sense,” said Beach Shorts. He haphazardly flipped back and forth through the script pages. Amber would be his love interest. “What do you think?” He brought the discussion to Amber.

Amber felt put on the spot with the entire cast now watching. They’re trying to include you. Don’t mess it up. Why did she have to be an introvert on top of everything? Social situations were not her thing, but they had to be to make it. “I think—”

“Hang on,” said the guy at the head of the table. He’d flipped his chair backward. His arms were crossed on top of the backrest as he leaned forward. Just like Beach Shorts, his outfit seemed geared for a trip to the beach. He wore a blue and white striped tank top and cropped jeans. Amber wanted to ask if she’d missed the memo on something but didn’t know how that would come off. “Can I just say that you look way too out of his league to be his love interest?” The question summoned laughs from even Beach Shorts, melting away any tension that may have been there.

Amber’s face grew hot as she joined in with a giggle. “I don’t… I…” She nudged Beach Shorts. His name was Owen and he’d been in several teen sitcoms before landing this role. “Ah, don’t say that. Owen’s a catch.” She looked on as Owen tossed a comeback at the other guy.

“That’s just their dynamic. Insufferable,” said the main girl. She had deep brown eyes and rich dark skin. Amber would mistake her for a model if she wasn’t already known for acting. “Anyway, you were really good for someone slipping in from reality TV. What acting school did you go to?”

Amber’s voice hitched the first time she tried to speak, indicating how pressured she felt. “I didn’t. I just love the art. I’ve been searching for my big break for a while now and it seemed that being the potential love interest of a movie star is what brought that on.” She joined them in laughter, internally patting herself on the back for making them laugh.

“Oh yeah, you were on that awful Love Raffle show.” Backwards Chair clapped twice, ignoring the scolding from a few of his co-stars. “She knows I’m not making fun of her, come on.”

“She wasn’t only on it, she won a date with that hotshot. That kid from Captain Evolution.” Owen snapped his fingers three times while fighting to recall. “Everyone loves him and he’s with that Oscar winner right now.”

Fiona. Amber felt deflated but chastised herself for it. She was well aware of what was forced on the public but hearing firsthand how they simply referred to Fiona like she was Levi’s stung. A back-and-forth was happening between Owen and the main girl right now but Amber couldn’t hear them over her own doubt. Why did that sound so pathetic? She tuned back in with the hopes of contributing.

Owen sat back with folded arms. “That doesn’t make any sense. What is this? Charity?” He rolled his eyes. “Amber, listen.”

Amber perked up. Was she about to be asked something? She didn’t have any context or a clue as to what was going on. Oh crud. Why’d I zone out? “Wait, what are we talking about—”

“You’re way better than that over-glorified Spider-Man wannabe, okay?” Owen tapped her arm reassuringly, his teeth pressed into his lower lip.

With her elbow on the table, the main girl shook her hand. Her name was Gwen. “You can’t just openly proclaim your resentment for someone like that, you idiot.” She made a pathetic attempt to hide her laugh. “And no one sees it as celebrity charity. It’s all in the name of recognition.”

“Nah, it feels patronizing to celebrities. Like they need someone to stroke their egos or something. Oh, these fans are just dying to have a date with you.” Backwards Chair clasped his hands beside his cheek and batted his lashes in the name of mockery. “Like get over yourself.”

“I swear I read online that you dated him even after the prize date.” The actress to her left finally spoke, placing her phone face-down on the table. “Didn’t you?”

Amber was once again under close watch. Things seemed to go quiet. “I… No, ” she laughed and twisted in her seat, a poor attempt at being natural. “Why would I? He just did it to start the buzz for his movie and I only did it to get my foot in the door. The date itself was so awkward. I even had an allergic reaction to the food.” She drummed her fingers on the table, one after the other, nodding her head when a few people gasped and expressed concern. “I was fine in the end but we both had an awful time. It was just so weird. No chemistry there.” It hurt her to lie as the opposite was the truth. Even miles away she could feel a reaction. They were chemistry defined. Sure, they had a bit of an awkwardness to them, but it was their charm. Their shtick. Just the way they rolled, and Amber would sell an organ for the world to see them as what they truly were.

But it won’t happen. At least not today or anytime soon.

“ Really ?” A smaller voice dragged the word out, their tone saturated with skepticism.

Amber ceased her self-pitying. She flicked away a tear that escaped and sniffed behind her palm. “Hm?” She scanned the table. “Oh, you.” The young teen beside Gwen seemed smug, her phone against her chest. “Yeah, really. The whole Levi thing was just a passing phase. It wasn’t as bad as—”

“If it was a one-time date then why were you at his apartment last night?” The girl’s lips curled at the corners like the Cheshire Cat but without the malevolence. Her round cheeks and twinkling eyes gave an air of mischief rather than evil.

Amber’s heart sank to her soles as yet another gasp was shared by the table. “Um…beg your pardon?” she whispered, legs shaking like a Chihuahua.

“Don’t make up lies, Annie, come on.” Gwen apologized for her sister’s remark. “She likes messing around too much.” She tugged the girl’s earlobe.

“Ow!” Annie gave Gwen a shove then held up her cellphone. “I’m not lying. I just saw a post about it because it’s true. Look. El Franco saw you on their way out of their apartment. They live in the same complex as Levi Marks. Hello? You were literally in their live.” She rolled her eyes and slid her phone to Amber.

Amber snatched it up. “What?” She quickly read the post with the attached video. Oh no. That same person. The one in the pink! “Um…” The post read, Isn’t this Amber Sheridan from The Love Raffle? and was trailed by an everlasting thread of replies. She tapped the video and watched it play out. Oh no. The hat and trench coat didn’t do enough. From afar no one would recognize her but that El person’s camera was all over her, capturing the brown in her eyes and the shape of her face. Shit.

Owen leaned in and soon all her cast mates surrounded her.

Amber shrunk, swiping and reading.

El said only the who’s who live in that apartment complex. Heard Levi lives there too. Look how she’s dressed! They had a secret date!

Isn’t he with Bazoli?

Are we witnessing the greatest cheating scandal in real time?

So much for good boy Marks. He’s about to get dragged and I will be seated to watch.

Who’s he cheating on and who with?

Not the obvious disguise!

Who’d she think she was fooling with that big ass trench coat?

All responses were accentuated with emojis and memes. For the most part, people were amused but here and there she found posts expressing genuine disappointment in Levi. In the mix were the users hesitant to jump to conclusions but to counter those were the rebutters pointing out Amber’s glaring disguise.

Amber put the phone down and put her hands in her lap, staring into space as the heat on her face increased to the point of reaching her ears.

“So, uh…” Owen said beside her. “That was you, right?”

Amber’s tongue was like metal.

Just then, Phillip came in with the producers. “Alright. Who’s ready to get suited up for our first scene?” He clasped his hands and folded his lips, looking rather lost by the heavy silence of the practice room. “Someone died in here or what?”

“I might have,” Amber muttered, gripping her stomach.

* * *

Levi flinched at the flashes through the gate. He had one hour for lunch and would spend it at the most high-end location with a gazillion eyes peering at him.

“You know if you talk to me the experience won’t be so unbearable,” said Fiona after swallowing a portion of caviar. The Rising Sun was known for its patio dining and pricey menu. Only A-listers had the privilege to dine here. There was a waiting list for reservations but, of course, Rachel and Stacy were experts at pulling strings. Her and Levi’s current high status had a lot to do with their allowance to eat here as well.

Levi snapped out of his daydreams of Amber. “Unbearable?” He lifted his spoon to stick into his bisque. “Who said this was unbearable?” He plastered on a grin and turned his face to the press. If not for the brick wall and black gate around the building, those pests would have swarmed both of them. They’d had to enter through the back. This whole public relationship ruse had people like fascinated puppies. Rachel hadn’t come to the set today but she’d made sure to send him an update on his ratings and the anticipation for this movie. She had a way with the public. What were her plans for promotion once the trailer dropped? She must have something even more golden for that.

“Well, you keep wincing when the lights hit.” Fiona smiled at him. It was perfect and complemented her incredibly sculpted face. That British accent was back in full force. He sometimes forgot it was fake.

“Well, forgive me. I forgot my sunglasses and I’m not so accustomed to dealing with the sun head-on,” he joked, getting a laugh from her. You happy, Rachel? Please don’t drop me.

Fiona sipped her cranberry bourbon cocktail. “Oh, Levi,” she cooed.

Levi was caught by the drop in volume. “What is it?” He did his best to match her tone.

Fiona flashed him a half grin and stared him down.

Levi had no idea what to think. This intense eye contact contrasted with her playful act. “What are you doing?” He’d known her for a while, but she still found new ways to surprise him. “Is this something you picked up online or on vacation or…” The stories behind her eccentricities were just as wild as they said. So far, he’d learned she’d been ordained as a shaman at a Costco to prepare for her role as a pastor. She also knew taekwondo from a visit to South Korea where she’d entered into a tumultuous romance with her trained tour guide. On top of that, she owned a dog. The last part’s pretty ordinary without the details but my head’s starting to spin. He may not have had feelings for her, but Fiona was an interesting woman.

“Reading auras?”

Reading auras. “Is that what you’re doing now?” Levi sat straighter, conscious of her worm-like movements. She separated her arms and made ripples with both. What had once been subtle was now hard to miss. What are the paps going to think? He scratched his head in confusion and groaned internally.

“Yes, Levi Marks. And I didn’t need anything or anyone to pick this up from.” Fiona stopped and put her arms on the table. She lifted her chin for a deep breath and let it out gradually.

Levi shot an occasional glance to the crowd that had gathered. Luckily, this patio was empty save for the two of them. Otherwise, they’d have a lot of staring to deal with. “I see…”

“Because I was simply born with this incredible skill.” Fiona moved her eyebrows up then down. She leaned in again. “And since the day I laid eyes on you, Mr. Marks, I have been reading and reading and reading and…” She inched closer and closer on each word. She was nearly standing by the time she finished, her nose pressed to his with her body over their meal.

“Reading what?”

“Why, your aura, of course.” She sat again and stirred her drink, her legs crossed, and her body turned ever so slightly to the right. “And you know what the words of your soul showed me?”

He recalled Oscar’s words. There’s a fine line between actors and the insane. A warning from Levi’s former years as an actor. “That I like bisque?” He played with his food, digging his spoon in and out.

Fiona was charmed. She shook her head, tousling her hair at the same time. “No, no.” Her smile dimmed. “That you’re tortured and lonely.”

Ouch. “Tortured?” Levi tugged the end of his collar. “Lonely?”

“Or at least that was how you were at first. I saw you at the Oscars that time, remember? Ah, you do not.” She flicked her wrist in dismissal. “But these days, your spirit has been lifted. Lifted so high because something has given you hope. Remember when I said you were in love?” She giggled.

Levi did remember. His brain wouldn’t permit him to forget. He’d thought of it every waking moment until he confessed to Amber last night. You know I love you. When he’d envisioned saying that to her for the first time, he’d said the words with more clarity. Amber, I love you. “I love you” were sacred words that he had only told one other woman. In that context, of course. “Yeah.”

“I read you then. I saw you. Felt you. Under that burning love was also doubt and uncertainty.” Fiona sighed. “But you’ve always been a restricted sort of guy. Never truly lived for yourself, have you?” She sipped her drink once again, savoring the taste with a shimmy of her shoulders.

Levi was uneasy. “How do you… Fiona, what are you saying?” He switched his demeanor to enamored quite quickly. The eyes of the people never let up. “And why do you want to talk about this of all things while on our date?” He hoped there were no secret contraptions in place to capture this conversation. That’s illegal. But not impossible. He’d learned from generations before the lengths some would go to pry into their lives. Though things have cooled down significantly since their time. Cautious by nature, Levi considered such scenarios every time he went out. He’d always watch his back.

“Because it’s just adorable how blindly infatuated you are with this person.” Fiona sighed dreamily, walking her fingers on the table. “You know, it reminds me of my honeymoon phase with Dalton.”

“Dalton? Who’s Dalton?” Again, new information kept popping up with her.

Fiona chortled, her shoulders jerking. “My fiancé, of course.”

What in the name of— “ Secret fiancé?” he whispered behind a smile. They needed to sell this no matter how ridiculous their conversation was.

With a finger to her lips, she winked. “I was just like you and so was he. It was how I knew we were meant for each other.” Fiona’s eyes scanned the umbrella overhead. She seemed lost in a world of dreams and possibilities. “Oh, love is so immaculate.”

“Yes, it sure is.” Levi scratched his cheek. “Where is this Dalton guy exactly? Does your team know about him?” He for sure was completely unaware of the guy’s existence. Maybe I could learn a thing or two from Fiona here. Because he was failing miserably at keeping Amber happy amid his insane life.

“Heavens, no. I’d like to keep my love life and work as far apart as possible.”

“But how do you do it?” Levi couldn’t hide his desperation. “Does Dalton know who you are?” That sounded better in his head. Out loud it just seemed foolish of him to ask. “Okay, never mind. I meant to say—”

“He knows. He lives in Hawaii. Over there I’m allowed to shed this mask and be who I am with him. He’s quite the private type. He’d rather not have the world know him. But his love for me is undeniable.” Fiona bit her croissant. “It sounds complex, but things work. Mainly due to who we are as people. When I complete my contract and reach the desired figure for my bank account, I will disappear from this life and run off with him.” She winked. “Can’t wait.”

“Desired figure? Hmm.” Levi needed a day to sit and talk to her. She had so much going on that no one knew of. She’s doing it right. To separate one’s work life from their personal life was necessary. Most were capable of doing so but in this line of work, things got tricky. Or maybe just with me. Though the issue at hand was more about how his work life could affect his relationship. I should just lay it down to my team that Amber’s who I want to be with in my real life, so I at least won’t have to hide her from them. His fears were childish. He wasn’t a child under his parents’ care. Levi was twenty-four. Why should he fear his agent this way? There was no way he was foolish enough to let people find out about his love for Amber. Just like Fiona, Levi could draw boundaries between the spotlight and his own life. Rachel did not need to fear for him. Yeah, why am I running around at three a.m. just to see my girlfriend? They could meet at regular hours. No one would see them. Amber shouldn’t have to hide from his team. I can do it too. After all, Fiona was doing it.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m almost there. Then I’ll be set for life. Quite frankly, by certain standards, I’m already all set but not by mine. I need to make just a smidge more and then off I go to live out my days in solitude with boo.” Fiona blew kisses at Levi.

Levi pretended to catch them and place them on his lips. Really selling it for their admirers. Or stalkers. Whatever you want to call it. “Wow. I hope that happens for you.”

Fiona wore a cheeky grin. “Now who’s the girl? Can I meet her? Or him? I don’t want to make assumptions.”

Levi smiled. “You can meet her sometime, I guess…” A bell dinged in his mind. “Hey , if you guys met it might mean she can tag along with us on our dates. That way we can be seen in broad daylight without the fear of…” He slowed down as Fiona pursed her lips in disapproval. “What?”

“I don’t know. What you’re proposing doesn’t exactly seem ideal for someone you love. To be a third wheel on our public dates. And it may also raise suspicion.” A waiter came up to their table. He inquired about their comfort then went on his way when they said they were fine. “What are you uncertain about, though? Whether or not hiding her from the world is good for your relationship?”

Why was she so accurate in her suspicions? “Kind of… I don’t know. It seems as if this whole arrangement is making her uncomfortable.” Levi’s bisque had gone cold. He sat back and folded his arms, realizing that this whole time, the people with cameras had been shouting at them both. They do that a lot. He’d gotten so accustomed to this behavior that he didn’t bat an eye anymore. They’d usually call out useless commentary like “Over here!” or “Captain Evolution, show us a smile” and other uninspired phrases he’d learned to ignore. “I can’t blame her. Seeing me all over you while she’s got to hide must be hard.”

“Ah, so she wants the world to know her as your partner. Aww.” Fiona pouted. “Might be time to call it quits on this arrangement then. If your true love is unhappy.” She got up.

Levi was startled despite knowing her unpredictable nature. “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Seems we’re done here, and lunch is up so we should head back to set,” she answered simply. “Am I mistaken?” Fiona blinked her eyes in confusion.

Oh. “Yeah, you’re right. I mean, no, you’re not mistaken.” Levi had found this outing stale but that had nothing to do with Fiona. “Wow. This conversation was amazing.” He called on the waiter by the door for the check.

Fiona fixed the skirt of her dress, straightening the wrinkles at the back. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Though I’d still love to meet your girlfriend.”

Levi handed the check back to the waiter after he came and then offered an arm to Fiona to leave the premises. His bodyguards left their posts by the table to join them.

As they stepped into the crowds of paparazzi, Levi put on his sunglasses, reflecting on everything they had discussed. Amber wanted the world to know about them. The fake relationship had to go. Oh, but what if it backfires and everyone hates her like what happened with Jenny? Mindsets had changed and people were more conscientious, but he still feared for Amber’s safety. The worst that could happen is she’d get hate online. But Amber wasn’t the online type of girl, so things would be fine. But what about the movie? Fans would see it anyway. He needed to put his foot down here. It might be taken badly. For him to first declare dating one girl only to prove it was all fake? They’d receive bad publicity over this. Rachel says all publicity is good, but this just seems shallow and weird. He would need to think about this and bring it up with Rachel. This is her fault anyway. Putting me on that show just for me to fall in love. He sighed in discontent.

“…dirty cheater!”

Levi heard the words the second he slipped back to reality. “Huh?”

He was assaulted by aggressive flashes as he stood with Fiona by their escort vehicle. One of his guards had just opened the door for them.

Fiona didn’t go in. She too appeared stunned by the remarks of the paparazzi.

“Why was Amber Sheridan at your apartment complex, Marks?”

“Movie stars want to have it all!”

“Fiona, do you know what he does while you’re not around?”

“Where’s Amber, Levi?”

“Levi, why was she there? Tryna win double with The Love Raffle ?”

Levi’s vision expanded and the crowd seemed to thicken. “Hey, wait!”

Fiona grabbed his wrist. “Rule number one of showbiz. Never talk back to the paparazzi.” She shoved him into the black SUV then climbed in right after.

Levi was dazed as the car took off. He shut his eyes to adjust them then turned his body to look behind him. Through the back window, he saw the paparazzi on the pavement where they left them. Only a few gave chase but just for a moment. Eventually, they got swallowed up by other moving bodies on the street.

Levi’s breaths were loud all of a sudden. He recalled Rachel’s vague threat the other night and pressed his fingertips to the middle of his chest.

“Are you okay?” Fiona’s hand was on his shoulder.

Levi didn’t understand. Had someone seen Amber on her way out? How long had this been known? How had Rachel not told him? Was he in trouble? He ripped his phone from his pocket to check for messages, hands shaky and breaths wild.

“Relax, Levi. It’s not the end of the world,” said Fiona.

Her voice was distant. He flipped through messages until he found Rachel’s. She’d sent this a while ago. Video. The caption over the attachment was It’s going viral . That was all Rachel had to say? Was she mad?

He tapped the video and was horrified to see Amber’s face on full display. Who is this person? How had they seen her? No, no, I’m not a cheater, I swear. Their whole publicity stunt was in jeopardy and so was his career! Okay, I’m overreacting. Overreacting.

He needed to text Amber to see how she was doing. To the public, they would both seem like the bad guys. Giving them an actual reason to hate her. Oh God. What was the protocol here? Would Rachel help him or was she tired of him? Oscar called it and Rachel knew this would happen but I still…

Another message came in from Rachel.

Levi held his breath to read it.

We need to talk.