Chapter Ten: You Don't Know Me

“We're going on a trip!” Susie squealed and rested on Kat's table.

“A trip?” She asked in surprise, her eyes wandering into Levi's office. He didn't mention anything about any trip.

Well — he could not — she had made sure to avoid him after his confession to seeing someone else.

It's not like she was jealous or ill-meaning but it hurt knowing that he didn't even bother to ask how she'd felt.

But whatever!

“Yeah! Oh I can't wait to finally breathe in new air. The last time we went on a trip was almost a year ago.” Susie sighed.

“Oh. I didn't know GreyCorps allowed their workers some leisure.” Kat snorted.

“It just recently got better. Can you believe that the Mandrake always had us go to Springfield on every trip?” Susie said with seriousness. “I guess that's where he met his first love or something.”

“Ha!” Kat cleared her throat and began to arrange some papers. “He might just like it there, yunno?”

“I know someone missing his first love when I see one. He sits at an exact spot – under a tree – and works there till it's very late.”

Kat's eyes dropped. Her heart ached all of a sudden. That was where they had their last date before he disappeared. Where she had wanted to give him the gift she made for him.

“I hope it's somewhere different this time. I can't wait to visit somewhere new.” Susie smiled. “And probably I might bump into somebody's son like those K-dramas – like Ji Chang Wook.”

“You dream so much missy.” Kat laughed. “Ji Chang Wook? In your dreams.”

The two of them burst into laughter. It wouldn't be bad if she could meet a Ji Chang Wook too. Though not necessarily him, but, you know… someone.

Levi walked out of the office and the chit chat immediately ended. Their eyes met and Kat felt a warm spark.

It felt good that she felt guilty. He had moved on and so should she. There was no use holding on to a past that no longer existed.

She quickly took her eyes off and continued with what she was doing. Her eyes slowly went back to where he was standing and he was still there.

And this time, he was looking at her.

Kat averted her gaze immediately again, her stomach suddenly churning and the air becoming hot and stiff.

There was a smile on the corner of his lips. A dangerous smile that immediately made her cheeks flush red.

Kat told herself she wouldn’t look, wouldn’t let her mind drift to him. But there he was—standing tall in that damn suit, and her brain just refused to cooperate.

Levi was… annoyingly handsome. It wasn’t fair. His suit fit him like it had been tailored by angels—dark, sharp, and sleek. The kind of suit that made him look like he owned the world. And maybe he did. His broad shoulders filled it out perfectly, and the crisp white shirt underneath only emphasized how infuriatingly clean and polished he was. The dark tie? A quiet, subtle threat to her self-control.

She found herself tracing the line of his jaw, a little too sharp for comfort, like it could cut through glass—or worse, her sanity. The way his silver hair contrasted with his tanned skin wasn’t helping either. It was too good, too perfect. Like he’d strolled out of a magazine spread just to make her life difficult. And those stupid, intense eyes of his, always so calm and unreadable, made it even worse. Couldn’t he just blink awkwardly or trip over something like a normal human?

Her gaze dropped, unwillingly, to his hands. Damn it. Strong, veined, capable hands. The kind of hands that could—Nope. She was NOT going there. Not today. She had work to do, not daydream about how the suit jacket stretched just a little across his chest when he moved.

Seriously, who looked like this at 10 in the morning? Was he a CEO or a runway model?

Kat squeezed her eyes shut, rubbing her temples. “Focus, Kat. Focus.” But all she could think about was how unfair it was for someone to look that good in a suit.

“Are you free for lunch?” His voice cuts through, making her realize that he was already in front of her.

“I — I don't know…” Kat stammered. “I have to erm… make coffee… erm…lunch. I have something to do.”

Kat felt her heart beating very fast. Faster than a bullet train. When did he get to her front? And why was his voice making her lose her edge?

“I'll be waiting. I'll pick you up.” He smiled and left, sliding his hands in his pocket and his strides gallant.

Oh God is he handsome.

What the heck? She got out of her thoughts. I didn't even say yes.

By the time she would get up to go after him, he was out of sight. She had no plans on having dinner with him — that would mean straying away from her mantra.

“We're going to have lunch, wanna come?” Daya asked her, her arms wrapped around Susie. The secret winks Lee was giving her by the door was plain obvious that it made her cringe.

Office romance was forbidden. It was no big news as the Mandrake himself wasn't even good at keeping one.

“Erm…” Kat paused, her eyes on Levi's office and deciding whether to actually agree to go to lunch with him or follow the rest.

Levi was already coming out of the office before Kat could respond. “Nah, I have plans.”

Was she crazy? Why did she —?

Kat trailed behind Levi like a lost puppy, trying to look anywhere but at him. It wasn’t easy. He moved with a quiet confidence that made her feel like she was tiptoeing behind a king or, worse, someone who knew just how to make her nervous.

She shot awkward smiles at Daya and the rest waiting, who were gawking like they’d just seen a celebrity walk by. Since when did the Mandrake usually come out for lunch? And with her. The new worker?

Yeah, I know, he’s gorgeous. You don’t have to tell me, she thought, trying to hide the redness creeping up her neck.

When they got to the restaurant, Kat’s awkwardness cranked up to a whole new level. It was a sleek, modern place with crisp white tablecloths, shiny cutlery, and the kind of atmosphere that whispered, Don’t embarrass yourself.

This isn't a date!

Levi pulled out a chair for her, and she practically stumbled into it.

Great. Smooth, Kat. Really smooth.

As soon as they sat down, Levi’s eyes were on her, making her shift uncomfortably in her seat. There was something about his gaze — steady and probing — that made her feel like he could read her thoughts. And then, casually, he started asking questions.

“So, how's it working at GreyCorps?” he asked, his voice calm and deep, like this was the most natural conversation in the world.

Kat blinked, caught off guard. She’d been so focused on not tripping over herself that she forgot he might actually try to talk to her. “Uh, not as bad as I had expected,” she managed to say, fiddling with her napkin.

Why was he asking her this?

He smiled, a little too knowingly. “You must enjoy it then?”

Oh, sure, she thought, I enjoy running into you and feeling like a clumsy mess every time. She nodded instead, trying not to sound sarcastic. “Yeah, it’s... it’s good.”

He leaned back in his chair, studying her with those infuriatingly calm eyes. “So what do you do outside of work? Any hobbies?”

Hobbies? Was this a job interview? Kat’s brain stalled. Do binge-watching TV shows and trying not to embarrass myself in public count? Or asking me questions like we just met count?

“Uh, well... I like to read,” she said quickly, feeling her face heat up. Why did that sound so boring?

He tilted his head, amused. “What do you read?”

A lot of things to get your stupid face off my mind.

Why are you so interested in my reading habits? Kat thought, flustered. She was used to Levi being distant, away from her life and not... this.

“A little bit of everything,” she mumbled, her hands playing nervously with the edge of the tablecloth.

Levi smirked, and for some reason, it made her heart skip a beat. “Anything in particular you’ve enjoyed recently?”

“Just a few mysteries,” she replied, trying to sound casual. Nothing attached.

“Mysteries, huh?” He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand.

“So, are you seeing anyone?” Levi asked, as casually as if he were asking about the weather.

Kat froze, her glass halfway to her mouth. She blinked at him, trying to process the words, but it was like her brain short-circuited. “W-what?” she stammered, nearly spilling the water all over herself. Did he just—?

Levi's lips curled into that faint, knowing smile, his eyes never leaving hers. “You know... dating. Are you seeing anyone right now?”

Her mind raced. Why does he want to know that? She could feel the heat rising up her neck and cheeks, her heart thudding in her chest.

What was she supposed to say? Should I lie? Should I be honest? Is this some kind of trap?

“N-no,” she blurted out, then immediately regretted it. Ugh, could I sound any more awkward?

Levi's smirk widened just a bit, and she swore there was a flicker of something in his eyes—amusement? Interest? “Really? I find that hard to believe.”

Kat shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Well, believe it,” she muttered, her eyes darting anywhere but at him. Why does he care anyway?

Levi leaned in slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “Hard to believe a woman like you is single.”

What did that even mean? “A woman like me?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper, totally thrown off her game.

Kat blinked, thrown off completely. What was he doing? Was this flirting? Or was she just reading too much into it? She glanced at the menu, pretending to be engrossed in it, even though she couldn’t process a single word.

Too late, she thought, her heart pounding wildly.