Chapter Six: Levi Alexander Grey

“Hello, ma'am. My name is Guntar, Mr. Levi's personal driver. He asked me to pick you up.” The middle-aged man greeted her warmly, his voice steady and polite. His gray hair, streaked with black, was neatly combed back, adding to his composed demeanor.

Kat blinked, caught off guard. “Hi— but...”

Before she could finish, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number flashed on the screen:

Message: The driver will pick you up. Please don't refuse.

There was no mistaking who it was. Levi. How did he even know her number? She didn't remember mentioning to him that she would be moving the next day.

Guntar stood by the door, his posture respectful, hands clasped behind his back. He looked prepared to wait as long as necessary, his calm eyes watching her with a subtle smile, as if he already knew she would try to say no.

Kat glanced back at her phone, her heart quickening. The words felt less like a request and more like a command, wrapped in politeness. Levi’s tone left little room for argument, persuasive without being overbearing.

Her mind raced. Should she go along with this already? The decision seemed to have already been made for her, and the thought made her bristle. Yet, there was something about the way Levi had phrased it—like he was challenging her, but also promising something just beyond her grasp if she took the leap.

Kat sighed, tucking her phone into her bag. “Alright, Guntar. Give me some minutes.”

“I didn't tell you I was going to be moving in today.” She said as he answered the call.

“There's no time to waste so I thought to make things quicker.” He responded, his voice sounding annoyingly calm.

“It's still Wednesday, it's not the weekend yet.”

“The guesthouse is already prepared for you. You don't have to move in with your things immediately, it's all set the way you'd like it.”

She couldn't resist him no matter how hard she tried. His unusually calm voice kept drawing her into his orbit so easily.

“I —”

“Kathleen, please.” He pleaded, making Kat feel guilty for trying to hesitate.

“Fine!” She surrendered.

“Thank you very much.” He said and hung up.

Kat gave Guntar a quick nod and dashed inside to pack some of her things. It was just for the job – she would be back soon though.

The driver opened the door for her with a gracious nod, his earlier warmth unwavering. She tried to fight back the anxiety she was feeling. All she had to do was avoid him as much as she could.

Except for work.

As the car turned off the main road and onto a private, tree-lined driveway, Kat’s breath caught in her throat. The first thing that struck her was the sheer scale of the estate. Majestic oak trees flanked the winding path, their sprawling branches creating a natural archway that filtered the afternoon sunlight into soft, dappled patterns across the pavement. The air felt different here—crisp and clean, as if she had entered another world far removed from the city’s hustle.

As they drove deeper into the estate, the landscape gradually opened up to reveal rolling lawns that stretched out like a green ocean, perfectly manicured and edged with vibrant flowerbeds bursting with color. It was a living painting, every detail meticulously arranged, from the clusters of roses in full bloom to the tall hedges that bordered the grounds like natural sentinels.

Then, in the distance, Kat caught her first glimpse of the mansion. Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward instinctively, her fingers lightly brushing the cool leather of the seat. The house was enormous, more like a palace than a home, with its stately architecture and grand proportions. Pale stone walls rose high, adorned with ivy that climbed gracefully toward the elegant balconies. Large, arched windows lined the front, reflecting the sunlight in a golden shimmer.

As they approached, the centerpiece of the estate came into view—a magnificent fountain that stood proudly in the circular drive before the mansion's entrance. Water cascaded down from a sculpted marble figure at its peak, the sound of the flowing water soothing and rhythmic, like a tranquil melody in the background. The fountain was surrounded by lush greenery and delicate flowers that seemed to bloom just for the occasion, their petals nodding gently in the breeze.

Kat could barely tear her eyes away. The whole scene was straight out of a fairytale, and she felt a strange mix of awe and unease settle in her chest. This place was beyond anything she had imagined, a world where elegance and power coexisted seamlessly.

The car slowed to a stop in front of the mansion’s grand entrance. The double doors, made of dark, polished wood and framed by intricate carvings, seemed to beckon her forward, promising secrets and stories within. Kat took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had expected something impressive, but this... this was something else entirely.

Guntar turned to her with a smile, his eyes twinkling as if he could sense her astonishment. “We’ve arrived, ma’am.”

Kat nodded, still lost in the overwhelming beauty of the estate. She barely registered the driver opening the door for her, her mind reeling as she stepped out onto the cobblestone driveway. The mansion loomed above her, regal and imposing, every detail designed to impress.

This was Levi’s world—immense, opulent, and utterly captivating. And now, she was about to step inside.

“Thank you –” she stammered and tried to regain her composure.

Levi wasn't just any man. He was the heir to one of the world’s most powerful business empires, the only son of a billionaire mogul who had built his fortune with ruthless precision. From a young age, Levi had been groomed to take over the family dynasty, his path seemingly set in stone. But instead of merely stepping into his father’s shadow, he had chosen a different route.

With sharp intelligence and relentless drive, Levi had carved out his own legacy in the tech world. Founding his own company at a young age, he quickly became a force to be reckoned with. His innovations had revolutionized industries, his name becoming synonymous with cutting-edge technology and business acumen. Investors flocked to him, competitors feared him, and the media couldn’t get enough of him. Levi’s success wasn't just inherited; it was earned through sheer determination and a vision that few could match.

As Kat thought about the man Levi had become, she couldn’t help the familiar ache that crept into her chest. He had always been ambitious, always driven by something she could never quite grasp. Even back then, when they had been inseparable, she had sensed his hunger for more — more power, more success, more than the life they had shared.

But then, without warning, he left. Five years ago, he had walked out of her life without so much as a goodbye. The suddenness of his departure had shattered her, leaving her to pick up the pieces of a future that had been stolen away in an instant.

Now, as she stood on the doorstep of his palatial estate, those old feelings stirred again, unbidden. Kat felt the pulse quicken in her veins, memories rushing back of the intense connection they once had. For a brief, maddening moment, she wondered what it would be like to be close to him again, to feel the warmth of his presence.

But just as quickly as the thought arose, she shoved it down, burying it deep. She couldn’t afford to go there, not again. Not after everything that had happened. Levi might have grown into a man of immense power and influence, but to her, he was still the one who had left without a word, leaving her to question everything they had meant to each other.

She hardened her resolve, her heart steeling itself against the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. Levi might have built a new life for himself, but she had done the same. Whatever feelings she had buried long ago needed to stay buried.

This was just business, nothing more. And she would make sure it stayed that way.

The gigantic doors swung open, revealing an interior that was even more breathtaking than Kat had imagined. The sheer opulence of the place was overwhelming. Gleaming marble floors reflected the soft light from chandeliers that hung like glittering constellations from the high ceilings. The walls were adorned with tasteful art, and every piece of furniture looked as though it had been carefully selected for both comfort and style.

Kat tightened her grip on her suitcase, feeling suddenly small in the flamboyance of the mansion. She stood in the middle of the living room, unsure of where to go or what to do.

“Please make yourself comfortable. Mr. Grey will be with you soon,” Guntar said, his warm smile never wavering.

“Oh… yeah.” Kat nodded, bowing slightly out of reflex as she carefully moved to sit on one of the plush sofas.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Did he live alone in this mansion? Did women come and go as they pleased? Was he seeing someone?

Shut the hell up, Kat, she scolded herself, trying to silence the intrusive questions that crowded her mind.

It's none of your business if he's seeing anyone.

But despite her best efforts, curiosity got the better of her. She got up, wandering over to a ceramic shelf that displayed a collection of action figures, each one carefully arranged. They were rare, limited edition pieces — just like the ones Levi used to collect. Some things never changed.

Kat smiled to herself as she picked up a car action figure, pretending to drive it along an imaginary highway. She could almost hear Levi’s voice from years ago, excitedly explaining the history of each piece in his collection.

So engrossed in her memories, she didn’t notice when Levi stepped into the room and stood behind her.

“It’s one of my favorites too,” he said, his voice low and smooth.

Startled, Kat gasped, the action figure slipping from her hands and hitting the floor with a small crash.

“Oh fuck, fuck! I’m so sorry,” she stammered, immediately bending down to pick it up.

'You fucking idiot,' she cussed under her breath.

The car was in pieces, making Kat’s heart quicken in fear and worry. It was clearly a rare find, something that would cost a fortune to replace.

“I’m so sorry,” she repeated, scrambling to gather the broken parts and place them back on the shelf. “I didn’t know you were there, and I just…”

Levi’s smile didn’t waver as he folded his arms behind his back, his posture relaxed yet commanding. His green eyes, usually cold and calculating, were warmer now, almost playful. They gleamed against the contrast of his silver hair, which was tousled just enough to be effortlessly stylish. His chiseled jawline and broad shoulders completed the picture, making him look every bit the modern-day Adonis.

Standing across from him, Kat felt her heart betray her, skipping a beat at the sight of him. He was even more breathtakingly handsome than she remembered, and that realization made her pulse quicken.

“I’ll pay you back,” Kat blurted out, desperate to make amends before he could say anything else.

Levi chuckled, a deep, rich sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “That would take you thirty years, even if I decide to pay you handsomely.”

Kat swallowed hard. “You can take it out of my salary…”

He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “So you can tell Rosa the monster that I am?” he teased.

He still remembered Rosa. A pang of emotion hit her, but she quickly brushed it aside. “She already knows you’re one, so it’s nothing new,” Kat muttered under her breath.

Levi’s smile widened, but his tone became more serious. “Now that you’ve broken my very rare, limited edition car action figure, you’ll have to move into the house with me.”

Kat’s eyes widened in shock. “Well—”

“I’ll reduce the years you’ll have to pay me back,” he added smoothly, sliding his hands into his pockets.

She hesitated, her mind racing. They had discussed her staying in the guest house, a place where she could have her own space, away from him. “We talked about the guest house…”

Levi took a step closer, the distance between them shrinking. His presence was magnetic, drawing her in despite herself. “And now we’re talking about the main house. I’m afraid that’s non-negotiable.” His voice was gentle, but there was no mistaking the firmness behind it. He wasn’t asking; he was telling her.

Kat felt the weight of his words, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. The idea of living under the same roof with him was both thrilling and terrifying. But there was something in his gaze, a mix of challenge and something else she couldn’t quite place, that made it impossible to refuse.

“Fine,” she said, trying to sound casual, though her voice wavered slightly. “I’ll move in.”

Levi’s expression softened, a trace of a smile still lingering on his lips. “Good. It’s settled then.”