I was born with a silver spoon and had a crush on a poor yet handsome boy.

He laughed over me for desiring and as I tried to win over his heart.

Everything turned upside down as the days passed. He knelt in front and begged, even agreeing to be with me to pay off his father's debt.

Not long after, both my father and mother died unexpectedly. All their hard-earned properties had been taken away from me and pushed me to be homeless.

While I was struggling, he suddenly went lucky as he was successful in business.

Three long years had passed. I was astounded to see him while I was serving food at the Karaoke Club.

He wore a suit and gold glasses, looking like a top professional.

And I was no longer the spoiled and stubborn princess I used to be. I became a commoner for many years, struggling to live the life I wasn't used to. Worse, I was scared of meeting high-ranking officials I had met before, even terrified of meeting and for him to recognize me.

I crouched down to serve the fruit plate, gripping my mask tightly.

Suddenly, he, sipping his drink, squinted and said coldly, "Hey, look up.”

My hand froze, holding the fruit plate.

In the past three years, I have worked as a delivery person, dishwasher and even a bar performer.

At that moment, I was wearing a mask. I hoped Levi Morrison, the man in front of me, wouldn't recognize me. If he did, I'd be in big trouble.

Despite my overthinking and discomfort, I calmly placed the fruit plate on the table and looked at him.

With a forced smile and in a gentle way, I said, “Hi, please enjoy here, sir.”

His eyes remained confident and cold, the same as in the past.

In these years of hardship, I lost my spoiled attitude.

Customer complaints, getting beaten, having my wages cut and being fired became normal.

I learned to be very obedient and be patient with other people. I had learned a lot the hard way.

Unlike before, I used to get upset over small things easily.

Quickly, I stood up to leave, not wanting to talk about our past that I had long forgotten.

"Hold on,” Levi said, halting me from moving as he leaned against the sofa with his legs crossed.

With his voice with authority, I was so damn scared to move.

If I did not follow what our guests wished me to do and he would complain, my salary would be deducted. I didn't want that to happen. So whatever happened, I had to stay and wait for whatever he wanted to tell me.

Levi adjusted his way of sitting on the sofa and slowly approached.

For an instant, my heart almost skipped a beat every minute, with sweat trickling down from my forehead.

He slowly tapped the table with his fingers, making a soft sound. Then, calmly, he asked, "The waiter doesn't even cut fruit now?"

I took a deep breath, relieved that he didn't recognize my true identity. To him, I was just a waiter, which was good.

I bowed my head, not wanting our eyes to meet again and replied, “I apologized about that. I'll cut it for you now, as you wish.”

When Levi was my boyfriend in the past, I treated him like a pet. If he didn't do something right, I would make him do it again until I was satisfied.

He always acted proud and embarrassed me by doing things his way. I enjoyed making him unhappy and showing him I could control him.

Once I had finished, I handed him the sliced fruits and said, “Please enjoy the food, sir.”

Before I could leave, he still glanced at me, handing me the drink in his hand and gestured to me to open it for him.

I picked up the bottle opener and was about to open it when a woman singing loudly suddenly sprained her ankle and bumped into me.

With that, the drinks spilled, splashing onto Levi's tie.

I hurriedly got up, grabbed some paper and helped him wipe his tie, apologizing repeatedly, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

Levi remained still, staring directly at my tired eyes.

Meanwhile, the woman who was splashed next to me stood in an instant. Furious, she said, “What the hell is wrong with you? I have worn my new clothes and it just flashed out! You're a waiter, yet you can't open that drink properly! I must report you to the boss for being stupid!”

For an instant, I bent down and apologized, “Please, I am sorry. I didn't mean to do it.”

I am terrified my small salary would be deducted again or, worse, I would lose this one job I had. I did not want to wander the streets any more with nothing in my hand, no roof to stay with and even would have a hard time finding food to feed my empty stomach.

Even if I apologized many times to her, she still would not let it go.

“Nah, it isn't over with just one apology from you. Who will be responsible for my clothes!" The woman yelled as loud as she could.

I stood at a loss. I had been in this situation and when an irate customer complained, then the boss wouldn't side with me as the employee but with the customer. Worse, I would be fired out.

With that in mind, I could not help but cry and still tried to help her, saying, “Can I help you wash it, please?”

“Gosh! This isn't just a one-time wash, you know?!” The woman was still furious and added, “Tell me your employee number and can you even remove your mask?!”

The woman stood up and walked over to me.

However, I tightly covered my mask.

At that moment, I realized I would rather lose my job and keep wandering the streets than let Levi recognize me.

The woman gripped my arm tightly, trying to pull off my mask with all her strength.

“Why are you afraid to show your face when you've made a mistake?" She asked, puzzled.

I struggled against her, using all my strength to resist, but I spoke softly, "Ma'am, the boss requires catering staff to wear masks.”

I didn't want Levi to see me in such bad condition. He was someone I once chased and loved and I wanted to maintain some dignity.

The woman persisted. She grabbed my hair, causing tears to well up from the pain immediately.

I covered my mask and begged desperately for mercy.

Suddenly, Levi untied his tie and threw it at me.

With his cold voice, he said, “Then wash mine too."

With his voice heard, the woman halted, turning her head to look at Levi. Her eyes widened in shock. She stuttered, "Mr. Morrison, about this situation…"

Levi shook his head and took a sip of the cocktail.

"If it's dirty, wash it," Levi said coldly.

When Levi said that, the woman did not dare to react further. She only pursed her lips and added, "Gosh, you are so lucky Levi is here. You didn't even thank him."

I tightly gripped my tie in my hand. Then, momentarily, I turned towards Levi, positioned myself and nodded again in his direction.

"Thank you, Mr. Morrison," I said, scared and embarrassed.

Levi did not say anything. His mouth was zipped and he leaned over and placed the wine glass on the table.

Back then, when I pursued Levi with everything I had in mind, he ignored me.

Later that time, Levi's father was beaten up for owing money. His father had a lot of bruises on his nose and even had a swollen face.

That was when Levi begged me to lend him some money, but I ignored it.

He eventually humbled himself, bowing slightly towards me.

I remembered what I told him before.

"Unless you will kneel in front of me," I said, lips tight and fists clenched, standing still for a long time.

Despite how hard I was to him, he knelt in front of me with his teeth gritted. He said, "Kaylee, please save my father. I am begging you."

He was proud and reserved. I realized then that I could never win his heart.

In silence, I left the private room, tightening my tie.

My life at the moment was far different from Levi's. Once I had finished washing the tie, perhaps it would be best not to see him again.

I went into the bathroom and started running the water. I was lost in thought, staring at the purple tie with me.

If my memory served me right, Levi usually wore gray ties the most, not that one.

Whenever we went out, I ordered him a purple tie and forced him to wear it even though he preferred other colors.

What he had told me back then was still in my mind.

He disagreed, saying, "I can't even decide about my clothes. Will it have to be you to decide everything in my life?"

I fiddled with my purple nails without looking up and said, "Who made me like purple?"

I tossed it to him and said firmly, "Put it on."

At first, Levi resisted and didn't want to do it. But later, he took out the purple tie and wore it without hesitation.

I rubbed the stain, having worn it for so many years. Lost in thought, I didn't notice Levi coming out of the bathroom to wash his hands in the sink across from me.

His unexpected appearance made me lower my head more.

We stood back to back, with him staring at the mirror, not moving.

Feeling his gaze on my back made me uneasy.

After a while, he said, "Do the waiters here have to wear masks even when washing things?"

He started drying his hands and still wondered.

I rubbed my tie and replied, "Sir, I have a slight cold. In this special time, I don't want to risk infecting customers."

He kept rubbing his hands and walked over slowly, tossing the paper into the trash near me. He then leaned against the mirror, looking at the sink.

"How long have you been doing this job?" he asked.

I paused and replied, "Since graduation."

He pulled the wrinkled tie from the sink, asking, "Since graduation? Can a tie be washed like this?"

Right. I used to be spoiled. I wouldn't even wash my hands without gloves.

I looked at my rough, red hands. Instead of answering him, I said, "Sir, I'll iron it and bring it back to you."

He grabbed my arm and squeezed. I stubbornly looked up and met his eyes. His gaze was complicated—both proud and pitying.

I, Kaylee, never needed anyone's pity, especially from men I had been with. I tried to pull away, but he held on tighter.

Suddenly, our store manager burst in, yelling, "I've been looking for you! Are you being lazy? Private room 456 wants fruit. Didn't you hear?"

For an instant, Levi let go of my hand.

"I'm sorry. I am doing the laundry," I explained. "But don't worry. I'll bring it right away."

The manager did not look joyous and even looked disgusted.

"I don't care. You better hurry and go. You're always procrastinating and the customers have repeatedly complained to you!"

"I'm sorry," I said.

Once the manager turned and left, I took a deep sigh. And as I turned around to see Levi saying, "Sir, can you wait for a moment? I have something to deal with this time."

"No," he replied coldly, "I don't want to waste time, so do it."

I pursed my lips and was at a loss for words.

I know he had a bad temper and I knew that.

Before his father had an accident, I sent him flowers and he threw them away.

I gave him a watch and he gave it to someone else.

I confessed my love to him with LED lights for the whole city to see and he called me crazy.

But in the end, that confident and arrogant man knelt before me and wanted to be with me.

However, it was already different. I was unsure what to do and I knew I would lose my job.

I was once hungry, especially now that I did not feel my parents' love.

Out of the blue, Levi handed me a business card. He said, "Anyway, you can bring it to my house."

I took the business card and read what was written on it.

'Levi Morrison, CEO of Morrison Financial Company.'

I kept it inside my pocket and said, "Okay. I will do so after I wash and iron it; someone from the company should deliver it to you. Do not worry about it."

I did not want to build connections with him anymore. As much as possible, I would cut ties with him as soon as possible.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my shoulder.

His presence felt heavy. He said in a cold, firm voice, "I meant you deliver it."

I turned and looked at his calm face, about to say something. However, he looked at me straight into my eyes and didn't let me say anything.

"You don't want your salary to be deducted?"

It was the weekend. I wore a mask and a duckbill cap as I had to deliver something and would leave afterward.

I rang the doorbell and prepared myself before seeing him.

After waiting a minute, Levi opened the door, which made me hesitant to move.

Nevertheless, I told him, "Mr. Morrison, I still have much to do back in the company. Could you please sign it for the tie?"

I stretched my arm and wanted to hand it over to him.

However, Levi did not mind. He instead brewed some coffee in the living room until the dining room.

"I have told the higher-ups in your company that I have bought you for a day," he said coldly.

With that, my heart almost skipped a beat.

When I pursued Levi, he was too busy and too focused on his career and hobbies.

He would not dare to respond to all my messages and calls and would never dare to attend the restaurant appointment I booked for a dinner date.

I still recall what I did to him before.

During that time, I halted him in a fit of furiousness and said in a domineering way, "Levi, how much money can you earn in a day?"

His hand, which was holding his bag, halted from moving.

Without hesitation, I threw all the money in his direction.

"I'll buy you a day's worth of time. Is this already enough money for you?" I told him.

That time, Levi had to look at me with disgust as if I had sinned to him.

"Kaylee, I want you to know that time cannot buy any amount of money!" He explained, furiously looking at me.

I stepped inside the house and at that moment, it was he who bought my time with money, the way I had done to him before.

"Hmm, is your cold better now?" he suddenly inquired as he continued to make a cup of coffee.

I placed the tie on the table, adjusted my mask, lowered my hat and pretended to cough a few times.

"Thank you, Mr. Morrison, for your concern. I'm still not well," I lied.

"Can you drink coffee?" he asked, bringing two cups and handing me one.

I waved my hand and didn't want to accept his offer.

Masks were not allowed; it was my last bit of dignity.

He sat down, looked at my nervous eyes, took a sip of coffee and asked, "Did you catch a cold from your hat?"

I adjusted my hat and placed the box in front of him.

"Mr. Morrison, please check the tie. If you're not happy with it, let me know. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way," I added.

He put the coffee down on the table. He glanced at the tie, opened the box and asked, "Do you think this purple tie looks good?"

I lowered my gaze to the ground and did not look him in the eyes.

"I mean, you quite have good taste," I said so he wouldn't ask me further. "The purple mask is too good and fits you well."

Upon hearing that from me, Levi could not help but laugh his ass out loud.

It would be too rare for me to see Levi smile that wide.

Back then, Levi's focus was on all the things he had been doing and all that I had told him. And I knew that kind of laugh was somewhat hard to determine whether it was sarcasm or ridicule to me.

I used to be arrogant and overbearing. I hated being rebellious amidst repeated accusations and insults. I already knew how to show my weaknesses and cater to the people.

However, in front of me, Levi continued laughing.

He closed the door and asked, "How have you been these past few years?"

I was momentarily shocked as if he were asking about an old friend we hadn't seen in years.

When I was struggling, hungry, cheated out of money and fighting with others for food from trash cans, I wished for a friend who would check on me and ask, "Are you okay?"

But I had no one to lean on.

The time my parents died, almost all my arrogant and selfish relatives took all the family property. Even my former friends had left me and couldn't dare to stand with me during my hard times. It was too late to realize they weren't my true friends.

No one cared about me. I worked hard, got cheated and felt like a rat in a dark gutter, unable to see any light or feel worthy of it.

Tears escaped from my eyes. I cleared my throat and said, "Thanks for your concern. I have been in this industry for many years and am still doing well."

I stood still confidently and added, "Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Morrison, but I have to go now."

I could not dare to stay any longer.

I was terrified that all the strength I had built would fall apart instantly.

My love was about persistence and determination, but I maintained my dignity.