The rest of the day drifted by in that usual, quiet way.
Rhian went back to her writing nook on the patio, the scene she'd been working on feeling a little fuzzier than it had that morning. Levi's polite, intense gaze, his almost too-calm voice, it all lingered in her thoughts.
She couldn't shake off how different he'd been from her expectations. Polite and stoic, yes, but also unexpectedly attentive, and, as strange as it seemed, genuinely interested in her work.
She was so used to people either brushing off her career as a hobby or fawning over her success without really caring about the work behind it. Levi was a rare exception.
That evening, her parents had arranged a family dinner, and it was barely half-past seven when she heard her mother, Lana Su, calling her from downstairs. "Rhian, honey! Dinner's ready."
With a quick stretch and a long breath, Rhian closed her laptop and made her way to the dining room, where her parents, along with Jake and their middle brother, Chris, were already gathered.
Their dinners were usually filled with friendly banter, gentle teasing, and updates on everyone's lives, especially Chris's latest plans to expand the family business.
Rhian took her seat, and as they began to eat, Jake launched straight into a conversation about Levi's visit earlier.
"So, Rhian, what did you think of him?" he asked, shooting her a grin across the table.
"Levi doesn't exactly leave people indifferent."
Her parents exchanged amused glances, clearly interested. Rhian shrugged, trying to sound casual.
"He was polite, very formal… but not exactly what I expected."
"Formal?" Chris laughed, reaching for another helping of potatoes. "That guy's practically the definition of formal."
"Well, yes," Rhian agreed, "but he wasn't unfriendly. Actually, he was easy to talk to. It just surprised me."
Her father, Mr. Su, looked over with a thoughtful smile.
"Levi's a good man. A bit serious, but trustworthy. And sharp as a tack, he's done amazing things with his company. I wouldn't be surprised if he's on a first-name basis with half the world's top CEOs by now."
Rhian nodded. She'd known about Levi's reputation from Jake, but hearing it from her father confirmed just how highly people thought of him. It wasn't just about his title or money, there was genuine respect there.
Lana chuckled as she topped off Rhian's plate. "So, do you think he'll be visiting often?"
"Maybe. He seemed comfortable enough here," Jake replied, smiling as he picked up his glass.
"Honestly, Levi's just always busy, so it's hard to tell. But I think he'd come around again if he could. He liked chatting with Rhian, after all."
Rhian rolled her eyes, trying not to blush. "He was just being polite, Jake."
"Polite or not, I think he took a genuine interest," her father said, his tone gentle but with a twinkle in his eye.
"Levi's known for his no-nonsense approach, and if he actually stayed to talk, that means something."
As the conversation shifted to other topics, Rhian couldn't help but feel a small spark of excitement. Levi Gu was unlike anyone she'd met before. The thought that someone like him might actually want to talk with her again felt surreal but also surprisingly nice.
---
The next few days flew by in a comfortable blur.
Rhian threw herself into her writing, making progress on her book and sketching out ideas that were coming together more smoothly than she'd hoped. But Levi's words still lingered in her mind, his subtle compliments and reserved encouragement staying with her in a way that felt strangely comforting.
One afternoon, just as she'd finished a particularly tricky chapter, Rhian's phone buzzed with a new message. She glanced at the screen and was surprised to see it was from Jake.
Jake: Guess who just asked me for your number?
She blinked, heart racing slightly as her mind went straight to Levi. She quickly typed back.
Rhian: You're kidding. Levi?
Jake: Yep! He says he wants to 'check in' and talk about your work some more. Interested?
Rhian: Um, yeah. Go ahead.
She barely had time to process before Jake sent her Levi's contact, and after a moment's hesitation, she saved it. But as she sat there staring at her phone, she wondered if she'd really hear from him.
Barely ten minutes later, her phone lit up with a new message.
Levi: Good afternoon, Rhian. Jake passed along your contact. I hope that's alright.
Rhian: Hi, Levi! Yes, that's perfectly fine. How's your week going?
Levi: It's been busy, but manageable. I wanted to reach out because I enjoyed our conversation the other day, and I realized I never asked what you're working on now. Are you in the middle of a new book?"
She hesitated, feeling both surprised and pleased by his interest.
Rhian: Yes, actually! I'm working on a new romance novel. I'm only a few chapters in, so it's early, but I'm really excited about it.
Levi: That's impressive. Writing something from scratch takes more discipline than I think most people realize.
Rhian: That's true. It can be exhausting, but it's incredibly rewarding too. I just… love creating stories.
Levi: It shows. Your family is proud of you, and for good reason.
His message gave her a warm feeling, and she couldn't help but smile. She wasn't used to having someone outside her family or her fans take such a genuine interest in her work.
As they continued texting, their conversation flowed naturally, almost as if they'd known each other longer. They chatted about everything from her writing process to the recent business deals Levi had closed. Despite his typically reserved nature, he was surprisingly open, and Rhian felt herself becoming more at ease with him.
As the evening wore on, Levi finally sent her a message that made her pause.
Levi: I'd like to see you again, if you're open to it. Perhaps for coffee or lunch?
Rhian's heart skipped a beat. It felt like a natural next step, yet the idea of seeing Levi again, one-on-one, made her both nervous and excited.
Rhian: I'd love that. When are you free?
They arranged to meet that weekend at a café near Rhian's house. And as she finally put down her phone, a mixture of anticipation and curiosity filled her chest. Levi was becoming more than just a family friend; he was becoming someone she genuinely looked forward to seeing.
---
Saturday arrived quickly, and Rhian found herself standing outside the quaint café they'd chosen. She'd arrived early, a little nervous, her mind racing with thoughts about how different this would be from their brief meeting before. She was halfway through fixing her hair when she spotted Levi walking toward her.
He was dressed more casually than she'd expected, in a dark gray sweater and jeans, yet he still looked polished, effortlessly stylish even without a suit. His gaze softened when he saw her, and as they greeted each other, Rhian felt her nerves ease.
"Thanks for meeting me," he said, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Thank you for inviting me," Rhian replied.
"It's nice to get out of the house every once in a while."
They found a quiet corner in the café, and as they settled into the cozy booth, Rhian realized just how easy it felt to talk to him. He asked her more about her book, showing genuine interest in her characters and the themes she was exploring. The way he listened, asking thoughtful questions without ever pushing too hard, made her feel seen in a way she hadn't experienced before.
"You have a unique perspective," he said at one point, looking at her with that same attentive expression.
"It's refreshing."
Rhian's cheeks warmed at the compliment, and for a moment, she forgot that she was sitting with one of the most successful CEOs in the country.
Here, in the quiet corner of the café, Levi didn't feel like a powerhouse executive. Instead, he felt like someone she could genuinely connect with, someone who understood her.
As they continued talking, she couldn't help but feel that meeting Levi Gu was only the beginning of something much deeper, something that went beyond family connections and polite introductions.