Kat arrived home to the sweet smelling aroma of the food Levi was cooking. She had gone to sort out some things at her apartment that she would be taking to Valtara over the weekend. She had promised to bring some new clothes for Rosa as well as a gift for Rowland, her old boss. Kat settled the brown box she was carrying on the living room table and sank into the sofa. Her feet were aching and her stomach made angry sounds. “You're back!” Levi said with some excitement in his voice. He was holding a spoon and the bear patterned apron gave him the perfect look of a chef. “Yup! I guess the aroma didn't let you hear when I got in.” Kat joked, sitting upright. “So how was your apartment?” “Normal. Thankfully I didn't get a pet.”“You'd bring it here. You gonna leave it locked in there paying the bills or what?”“Why didn't I think of that?” Kat replied, feigning to think.“Woman, you're very heartless.”“That's why I could get this far.” Kat chuckled and got up to carry the box upsta
Kat beamed with smiles as she fiddled with the pen she was holding, her eyes didn't leave Levi's office as she watched him engrossed with what he was doing. Last night had been unexpected, yet a blast. They spent the rest of the night cuddling before finally falling asleep in his arms. “You've been smiling to yourself for almost twenty minutes now.” Susie said, interrupting her wild thoughts session. “What? No, I was ermm…thinking about something funny.” Kat lied, turning her eyes away from Levi and facing Susie. “And you've been looking… there.” Susie pointed to Levi's office. “tell me Kat, is there something going on between you and the Mandrake?” her voice was low as she leaned close to Kat's desk. “What the hell are you talking about Susie? It's just 11:28am and you're already hallucinating?” “Hallucinating? Kat! You know I don't even drink.” Susie playfully hit Kat's hand. “You guys are up to something and you're not telling me.”“Me? Who?” “You've been staring at the boss
Kat’s plans had not included a showdown with Iris. Yet here she was, perched on the edge of a café chair across from the drama queen herself, who sat like she owned the place, sipping a latte with all the grace of a Bond villain plotting world domination. Kat’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup as Iris delivered her opening line with a smile sharp enough to cut glass. “Kat, darling, I’m going to cut right to the chase. We need to talk about Levi.” Kat blinked, then groaned internally. Here we go. She should have known that agreeing to meet Iris was like signing up for emotional dodgeball—only the balls were flaming and aimed at her head. “What about Levi?” Kat asked carefully, keeping her tone light, even though her heart was doing an unplanned cardio session. Iris leaned in, her perfectly manicured nails drumming on the table with a rhythmic tap-tap-tap. “Oh, don’t play dumb with me,” she purred. “I see how he looks at you. It’s cute, really, but let’s not pretend you d
Daya waved excitedly at Kat with two big shopping bags as she stood by the entrance of GreCorps. Kat got off the turquoise blue camry and folded her arms. She had told Levi that she wouldn't be coming home for the weekend because she had to prepare her report for Valtara. There was no need telling him about Daya coming with her too. Kat had been caught between telling Levi about what happened with Iris or not. Telling him would make things awkward, who knew what he might do? He might decide to have Iris leave and that wouldn't spell good at all. Not telling him might cause problems for Levi and the project if she didn't do what Iris wanted. The rest of the week had been overwhelming. Iris had her eyes hawking at Kat, watching her move everytime she went in to Levi's office or whenever they were together. It was tiring. “How was your day Kat? “ she asked sweetly, flashing her with cute smiles. “What's wrong with you?” Kat teased as she collected one of the bags from her. “Did you
The moment Kat stepped into the buzzing lobby of Valtara, a wave of nostalgia hit her like a familiar tune she hadn't heard in ages. It smelled the same—coffee, paper, and the faint scent of fresh flowers from the reception desk. The hum of conversations, the clack of keyboards, and the soft murmur of printers churning out reports filled the air. It felt...like home, in a way she hadn’t expected.“Kat!” a familiar voice boomed. Rowland emerged from a side hallway, his grin wide and toothy, his suit grand and fashionable and his tie carefully selected, as always. He strode toward her with long, eager steps, his hand extended. “You’re back!” he exclaimed, clasping her hand in an enthusiastic shake that left her arm tingling. Before Kat could respond, Rowland turned his head and winked at someone behind her. “My heart, can you believe this? Oh my goodness! My queen has graced us with her presence again. Be still, my heart.” Kat snorted, extracting her hand from his grip. “Stop ac
Spending the weekend away from the pressures of work and Iris was a breather for Kat. Rosa made sure she had her visiting restaurants, clubs and shopping. For the months Kat had been away, a lot had changed. Valtara, the café they usually went to for lunch, Rosa, Rowland and everyone at Valtara. Kat missed working there. She missed the comfort and the freedom of not having to worry about getting tangled with the boss or have her name plastered on the gossip of the week. She loved working with Levi - to be honest. But it was overwhelming at times, knowing they couldn't be too close to each other without having one or two said about them. It was enough that nobody knew that they were exes and knew each other before. Although things had changed between them, there was another problem to worry about - Iris was there. Kat pretended not to see Iris’ reminder messages. She was going to tell Levi when she saw him on Monday. Daya was in safe hands. Kat could see Rowland was doing a great j
The soft hum of the city accompanied Levi and Kat as they strolled down the bustling street market. Lanterns glowed like fireflies above them, casting a warm golden hue over the stalls. The air was rich with the mingling aromas of grilled seafood, sweet desserts, and spices. Kat smiled as she stole a glance at Levi, who seemed completely out of his element, his sharp features softened by curiosity and an unfamiliar sense of ease. “Still sure about this?” Kat teased, nudging his arm playfully. “Street food isn’t exactly your thing.” Levi smirked, his stormy eyes flickering with amusement. “It isn’t. But you said you’d make it worth my while.” “Oh, I will,” she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she led him to the first stall. They stopped at a grill stall, where skewers of roasted squid sizzled over open flames. Levi hesitated for a moment before taking the offered skewer. Kat watched him intently, biting her lip to keep from laughing. “Go on, try it,” she encouraged
Kat stood in the tiny kitchenette of the office, staring at the teapot as it whistled, the steam curling upward like a taunting reminder of the heat simmering in her life. The Jourdan project was more than just a job—it was her chance to make something significant, to prove herself. But now, Iris had stepped into the picture, weaving her cunning webs and threatening everything Kat and Levi had worked for. She had left everything at Valtara to focus on this project - the project that promised to shoot her career to the top. And she wasn't going to let Iris come and wash away those efforts for nothing. She poured the tea into two cups, her hands trembling slightly. This shouldn’t be hard. It was just a request—a simple date. But Kat knew better. It was a chess move, one Iris had forced her to make. And the piece in play was Levi, the man she loved. The man she had to protect at all costs. Balancing the cups on a tray, Kat took a deep breath and walked to Levi’s office. The door was s
Kat stood in the tiny kitchenette of the office, staring at the teapot as it whistled, the steam curling upward like a taunting reminder of the heat simmering in her life. The Jourdan project was more than just a job—it was her chance to make something significant, to prove herself. But now, Iris had stepped into the picture, weaving her cunning webs and threatening everything Kat and Levi had worked for. She had left everything at Valtara to focus on this project - the project that promised to shoot her career to the top. And she wasn't going to let Iris come and wash away those efforts for nothing. She poured the tea into two cups, her hands trembling slightly. This shouldn’t be hard. It was just a request—a simple date. But Kat knew better. It was a chess move, one Iris had forced her to make. And the piece in play was Levi, the man she loved. The man she had to protect at all costs. Balancing the cups on a tray, Kat took a deep breath and walked to Levi’s office. The door was s
The soft hum of the city accompanied Levi and Kat as they strolled down the bustling street market. Lanterns glowed like fireflies above them, casting a warm golden hue over the stalls. The air was rich with the mingling aromas of grilled seafood, sweet desserts, and spices. Kat smiled as she stole a glance at Levi, who seemed completely out of his element, his sharp features softened by curiosity and an unfamiliar sense of ease. “Still sure about this?” Kat teased, nudging his arm playfully. “Street food isn’t exactly your thing.” Levi smirked, his stormy eyes flickering with amusement. “It isn’t. But you said you’d make it worth my while.” “Oh, I will,” she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she led him to the first stall. They stopped at a grill stall, where skewers of roasted squid sizzled over open flames. Levi hesitated for a moment before taking the offered skewer. Kat watched him intently, biting her lip to keep from laughing. “Go on, try it,” she encouraged
Spending the weekend away from the pressures of work and Iris was a breather for Kat. Rosa made sure she had her visiting restaurants, clubs and shopping. For the months Kat had been away, a lot had changed. Valtara, the café they usually went to for lunch, Rosa, Rowland and everyone at Valtara. Kat missed working there. She missed the comfort and the freedom of not having to worry about getting tangled with the boss or have her name plastered on the gossip of the week. She loved working with Levi - to be honest. But it was overwhelming at times, knowing they couldn't be too close to each other without having one or two said about them. It was enough that nobody knew that they were exes and knew each other before. Although things had changed between them, there was another problem to worry about - Iris was there. Kat pretended not to see Iris’ reminder messages. She was going to tell Levi when she saw him on Monday. Daya was in safe hands. Kat could see Rowland was doing a great j
The moment Kat stepped into the buzzing lobby of Valtara, a wave of nostalgia hit her like a familiar tune she hadn't heard in ages. It smelled the same—coffee, paper, and the faint scent of fresh flowers from the reception desk. The hum of conversations, the clack of keyboards, and the soft murmur of printers churning out reports filled the air. It felt...like home, in a way she hadn’t expected.“Kat!” a familiar voice boomed. Rowland emerged from a side hallway, his grin wide and toothy, his suit grand and fashionable and his tie carefully selected, as always. He strode toward her with long, eager steps, his hand extended. “You’re back!” he exclaimed, clasping her hand in an enthusiastic shake that left her arm tingling. Before Kat could respond, Rowland turned his head and winked at someone behind her. “My heart, can you believe this? Oh my goodness! My queen has graced us with her presence again. Be still, my heart.” Kat snorted, extracting her hand from his grip. “Stop ac
Daya waved excitedly at Kat with two big shopping bags as she stood by the entrance of GreCorps. Kat got off the turquoise blue camry and folded her arms. She had told Levi that she wouldn't be coming home for the weekend because she had to prepare her report for Valtara. There was no need telling him about Daya coming with her too. Kat had been caught between telling Levi about what happened with Iris or not. Telling him would make things awkward, who knew what he might do? He might decide to have Iris leave and that wouldn't spell good at all. Not telling him might cause problems for Levi and the project if she didn't do what Iris wanted. The rest of the week had been overwhelming. Iris had her eyes hawking at Kat, watching her move everytime she went in to Levi's office or whenever they were together. It was tiring. “How was your day Kat? “ she asked sweetly, flashing her with cute smiles. “What's wrong with you?” Kat teased as she collected one of the bags from her. “Did you
Kat’s plans had not included a showdown with Iris. Yet here she was, perched on the edge of a café chair across from the drama queen herself, who sat like she owned the place, sipping a latte with all the grace of a Bond villain plotting world domination. Kat’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup as Iris delivered her opening line with a smile sharp enough to cut glass. “Kat, darling, I’m going to cut right to the chase. We need to talk about Levi.” Kat blinked, then groaned internally. Here we go. She should have known that agreeing to meet Iris was like signing up for emotional dodgeball—only the balls were flaming and aimed at her head. “What about Levi?” Kat asked carefully, keeping her tone light, even though her heart was doing an unplanned cardio session. Iris leaned in, her perfectly manicured nails drumming on the table with a rhythmic tap-tap-tap. “Oh, don’t play dumb with me,” she purred. “I see how he looks at you. It’s cute, really, but let’s not pretend you d
Kat beamed with smiles as she fiddled with the pen she was holding, her eyes didn't leave Levi's office as she watched him engrossed with what he was doing. Last night had been unexpected, yet a blast. They spent the rest of the night cuddling before finally falling asleep in his arms. “You've been smiling to yourself for almost twenty minutes now.” Susie said, interrupting her wild thoughts session. “What? No, I was ermm…thinking about something funny.” Kat lied, turning her eyes away from Levi and facing Susie. “And you've been looking… there.” Susie pointed to Levi's office. “tell me Kat, is there something going on between you and the Mandrake?” her voice was low as she leaned close to Kat's desk. “What the hell are you talking about Susie? It's just 11:28am and you're already hallucinating?” “Hallucinating? Kat! You know I don't even drink.” Susie playfully hit Kat's hand. “You guys are up to something and you're not telling me.”“Me? Who?” “You've been staring at the boss
Kat arrived home to the sweet smelling aroma of the food Levi was cooking. She had gone to sort out some things at her apartment that she would be taking to Valtara over the weekend. She had promised to bring some new clothes for Rosa as well as a gift for Rowland, her old boss. Kat settled the brown box she was carrying on the living room table and sank into the sofa. Her feet were aching and her stomach made angry sounds. “You're back!” Levi said with some excitement in his voice. He was holding a spoon and the bear patterned apron gave him the perfect look of a chef. “Yup! I guess the aroma didn't let you hear when I got in.” Kat joked, sitting upright. “So how was your apartment?” “Normal. Thankfully I didn't get a pet.”“You'd bring it here. You gonna leave it locked in there paying the bills or what?”“Why didn't I think of that?” Kat replied, feigning to think.“Woman, you're very heartless.”“That's why I could get this far.” Kat chuckled and got up to carry the box upsta
Iris sat at the far end of the sleek glass conference table, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the surface as her sister, Freya Jourdan, commanded the room. Freya exuded power, her sharp features framed by a high bun that didn’t dare let a strand of hair escape. She gestured smoothly, discussing the soaring revenue projections for her new clothing line, her voice steady and precise. Iris tried to listen, she really did, but her mind kept drifting. She glanced around the table, her bright eyes catching the awe on the faces of the board members as they hung onto Freya’s every word. Freya paused, her gaze sweeping the room. “Before we wrap up, I’d like to introduce someone special. My sister, Iris Jourdan, has been helping oversee the Jourdan Project at GreyCorps.” Applause erupted around the table, polite yet enthusiastic. Iris plastered on her best smile, standing slowly. She adjusted her fitted blazer—perfectly tailored, of course—and spoke in a soft but clear voice.