Rhian Su loved how her family's mornings began slowly, almost like a tradition. The sun slipped gently through the big windows of their house, casting a warm glow over the sprawling garden and filling the rooms with a familiar comfort.

It was the perfect time for her to write, especially out on the back patio where she felt surrounded by nature, yet snug within the safety of her family's world.

Sitting with her notebook, Rhian was focused on her latest project—a romance novel she'd been brainstorming for weeks. She loved the calm focus that writing brought her, the kind that made hours pass by unnoticed. Today, she was just getting into the flow, jotting down ideas for the story's opening chapter, when she sensed someone approaching.

Looking up, she saw her oldest brother, Jake, standing a few feet away with his hands shoved in his pockets and a mischievous grin on his face. Rhian's stomach fluttered with a hint of annoyance and curiosity. Jake's grin usually meant he was up to something.

"What's that look for?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Guess who's here?" Jake replied, raising his eyebrows in amusement.

Rhian shrugged, playing along. "Santa Claus?"

Jake rolled his eyes. "Funny. No, it's Levi. He's inside, actually."

Rhian's brows lifted in surprise. "Levi Gu"? She'd heard about him from Jake countless times over the years. He was her brother's old friend from college—a serious, driven guy who was now the CEO of a major corporation.

Not just any corporation, either. Levi's Family's company was one of the top 20 in the world, an achievement that, from what she'd gathered, hadn't changed him one bit. Levi was still polite and reserved, with a reputation for being as elusive as he was successful.

Rhian didn't know much more than that. She'd always imagined him as distant and businesslike, the kind of person you'd never picture in a garden surrounded by flowering bushes and a warm breeze. He was simply… intimidating. But her curiosity was sparked. How many times had Jake dropped Levi's name into a story or used him as an example? And now, he was here, in her family's home.

"What's he doing here?" she asked, trying not to sound too curious.

Jake shrugged, but his grin stayed. "I thought it'd be fun to invite him over for breakfast. Figured you two could finally meet. He's a bit of a fan of your work, by the way."

Rhian felt a slight jolt at the idea of Levi reading her books. She'd published two novels already, both in the romance genre, which had gained her a modest but loyal following. She loved what she did and was proud of her success, but the idea of someone like Levi Gu—serious, business-minded Levi—having an interest in her novels was both flattering and nerve-wracking.

"Oh, he reads romance novels now?" Rhian teased, trying to keep her tone casual.

Jake just grinned and motioned for her to follow him inside. "Come on, don't keep him waiting. He's not exactly used to waiting on people."

Rolling her eyes but intrigued nonetheless, Rhian followed her brother back into the house and through the living room, where Levi stood by the large window, gazing out over the garden with an unreadable expression. Seeing him in person was different from hearing about him. He was even taller than she'd expected, easily a full head taller than Jake, and his posture was relaxed but imposing. Everything about him screamed "power"—from his neatly tailored suit to the composed expression on his face.

Hearing them approach, Levi turned to face them, and Rhian couldn't help but notice the quiet intensity in his eyes as they met hers. He nodded politely, giving her a slight, almost formal smile.

"Rhian, it's nice to finally meet you."

She smiled back, hoping to convey warmth and friendliness. "Likewise. I've heard a lot about you."

Jake laughed. "And she's probably heard more from me than she'd like." He clapped Levi on the shoulder, then motioned toward the chairs in the room. "Let's sit down."

They settled into the comfortable seating by the windows, and Rhian felt a flicker of self-consciousness under Levi's steady gaze. She was used to meeting new people, but something about him was different. He had a composed demeanor that seemed a little too polished for the laid-back atmosphere of her family's home.

"So, Jake tells me you're an author," Levi said, his voice calm and steady.

"Yes, I am." Rhian nodded, grateful that he'd brought up a familiar topic. "I just finished my second novel a few months ago."

Levi's gaze was attentive, as though he wasn't just making conversation but genuinely interested.

"Congratulations. That's a major accomplishment at your age."

Rhian smiled, a little surprised by his interest. "Thank you. It's something I love, and I'm lucky my family supports it."

Jake leaned forward, grinning as he chimed in. "And she's got fans all over the place. Who would've thought my little sister would be a bestselling author before she even turned twenty?"

Rhian shot Jake a playful glare, but Levi looked mildly impressed. "It sounds like you've been very successful. What drew you to romance, if you don't mind me asking?"

The question was unexpected, and Rhian took a moment to consider her answer. She could've given the usual response about liking the genre, but something about Levi's open curiosity made her want to be honest.

"Honestly? I think there's something really special about capturing emotions," she explained.

"Romance isn't just about love stories—it's about exploring human connections and feelings. It's challenging but rewarding."

Levi nodded thoughtfully, his expression softening just slightly. "It sounds like you have a strong sense of purpose. That's rare."

Rhian was about to reply when Jake interrupted with a chuckle. "Don't let him fool you, Rhian. Levi's actually got a soft spot for books. He just hides it behind all that business talk."

Levi rolled his eyes, though his mouth twitched into a faint smile. "I appreciate a good story, that's all."

Rhian felt her initial nervousness slipping away. Despite his reputation, Levi seemed genuine—polite but not overly formal, thoughtful without being condescending. She was beginning to understand why her brother respected him so much.

"So, Levi," she ventured, trying to lighten the mood, "do you ever get a break from work? I mean, Jake talks about how you're always traveling or at meetings. Do you ever just… relax?"

Jake chuckled. "Good luck getting him to admit it."

Levi's eyes glinted with faint amusement. "I do take breaks," he replied, glancing between them. "Just not as often as most people."

Rhian laughed, feeling a little bolder. "I bet you've never binge-watched a drama or taken a spontaneous day off."

To her surprise, Levi's lips curved into a subtle smile. "No, I haven't. But maybe I should."

She felt an unexpected warmth in her chest, catching a glimpse of a lighter side to him. It was as if she'd cracked a small chink in his armor, and for a brief moment, they shared a comfortable, almost intimate silence.

The conversation continued, touching on everything from their favorite places to visit to their family quirks. Rhian found herself laughing more than she'd expected, even feeling a little sad when Levi finally glanced at his watch, signaling that he had to leave soon. He stood, turning to her with that same polite smile.

"Thank you for your time, Rhian," he said, his tone sincere. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

She smiled back, feeling unexpectedly disappointed to see him go. "Likewise, Levi."

As she watched him leave, she couldn't help but wonder about this enigmatic man who seemed so serious on the surface but had moments of warmth hidden just beneath. Meeting Levi Gu had been an unexpected surprise, and something told her this wouldn't be the last time he'd leave her intrigued.