Livia tapped her phone screen quickly, sending a short message to Tiana:
"Tiana, I'm going for dinner with Alexander tonight. Wish me luck!"
She hit send before she could second guess herself. The words felt strange but exciting, a small thrill running through her. It wasn't every day she had a dinner with someone from Lavida's elite, even if Alexander was just the son of the Marus family.
Across the city, Tiana's phone buzzed as she walked home, balancing a tote bag on her shoulder. She glanced at the screen, smiling at her friend's message. "Dinner with Alexander… huh? Interesting," she thought, her mind spinning playful scenarios. She typed a quick reply:
"Good luck, boss lady. Remember to charm him with that irresistible smile of yours 😏."
Back in her apartment, Livia slipped into her evening dress, simple but elegant, and ran a hand through her hair. She took a deep breath, adjusting the cuff of her sleeve. Her grandmother's teasing words from earlier floated in her mind Nene… misbehave so Alex won't like you." She shook her head with a quiet laugh. Grandma's mischief always had a way of lingering.
The restaurant was modest yet refined, tucked away in one of Lavida's quieter streets. Soft light spilled across polished wood tables, and a faint scent of herbs and roasted meat filled the air. Livia arrived first, securing a table near the window. She ordered a light appetizer and sipped her water, letting her thoughts wander.
Alexander arrived shortly after, tall and impeccably dressed, a quiet confidence in his step. His presence was commanding yet relaxed, as though he belonged anywhere without effort. He greeted Livia with a polite nod and a small smile that made the corner of his eyes crinkle just slightly a rare hint of warmth.
"Good evening, Miss Konate," he said formally.
"Good evening, Mr. Marus," Livia replied with a small curtsy-like gesture.
Alexander smiled faintly. "Please… call me Alexander."
"Then I suppose I may call you Alexander," Livia said, smiling.
"And you, Livia," he replied, "not Miss Konate?"
"Yes, Livia will do," she said, her lips curving into a relaxed smile. "Thank you for inviting me."
"It's my pleasure," he said, studying her with a faint curiosity. "I hope the day treated you well."
They began with casual conversation the kind of talk that feels comfortable without forcing intimacy. Livia told him about her boutique, her small daily triumphs, and even a few amusing mishaps. Alexander listened attentively, asking questions that revealed genuine interest without seeming intrusive.
"You really do seem to have a knack for managing everything smoothly," Alexander remarked with a faint smirk. "I would've assumed running a boutique like yours would be… chaotic."
"Chaotic sometimes," Livia admitted with a smile. "But it's manageable. You just have to keep a clear head and… a sense of humor."
Alexander's lips curved into a small, amused smile. "I like that. Clear head and humor. Valuable traits in Lavida, and beyond."
They were seated, and the waiter handed menus. Conversation flowed naturally:
"So, Livia, how is the boutique?" Alexander asked. "I've heard it's very impressive."
"It keeps me busy," Livia admitted. "Polite customers, demanding clients… you know the usual." She chuckled lightly. "And occasional chaos that requires a strong head and sense of humor."
Alexander raised an eyebrow, amused. "A strong head and humor… valuable traits in Lavida, indeed. I approve."
Livia laughed softly. "You're surprisingly approving, Mr Alexander."
"Alexander, please," he corrected gently. "Though, I won't stop you from teasing me."
They both chuckled, the atmosphere light.
"Tell me, how is Marus Holdings?" Livia asked, genuinely curious.
Alexander leaned back slightly. "Busy, as always. Meetings, strategy, family… It's not as glamorous as people imagine. But it keeps me sharp."
"I can imagine," Livia replied. "Sometimes I think managing a boutique prepares me for life's chaos more than I realize."
A small joke about a misdelivered order made both of them laugh, easing any formality. Livia noticed she could be herself around him polite, poised, but relaxed.
While their conversation flowed, Livia's mind briefly wandered to Kael, a faint pang stirring in her chest. It was fleeting, an odd whisper of guilt for even thinking of someone else, though she focused on Alexander. It's just curiosity, she told herself, pushing the thought aside.As they shared a laugh over a minor mix-up with their orders, Livia felt herself relaxing. Alexander was charming, confident, but approachable. She was attentive without being anxious, polite without being formal, and most importantly, she could be herself.
Meanwhile, across the city, Tiana walked home, phone in hand. She had just sent her playful message to Livia when she noticed two men standing across the street, their presence immediately commanding attention. One was tall, impeccably dressed, and striking Kael. Beside him, slightly shorter, professional, and calm, stood Damien, his PA.
Tiana's breath caught slightly. "Oh… wow," she thought, unable to look away. That was the guy from the other day and also another handsome guy beside him.
"Lord, how many men like this are hiding in the city? I can't even cope! Tiana cries out.
His strong posture, sharp eyes, and the faint curve of a smile he didn't fully show everything about him exuded controlled intensity. Even from a distance, she could feel it.She quickened her pace slightly, hiding behind a lamp post to steal another glance. Her heartbeat raced with a mix of awe and desire. "He's… so hot. So intimidating… and I think I'm in love. I must get him," she thought fiercely, almost laughing at herself for the sudden, overwhelming feeling.
Tiana's eyes lingered as Kael and Damien moved slightly, continuing down the street with quiet purpose. She noted every detail the confident tilt of his head, the subtle glint in his eyes, the way he flanked him, calm but alert. Every step, every subtle gesture told her he was someone not to be underestimated.
And yet… there was something magnetic. Something that pulled her in, and she couldn't turn away. Her mind raced with possibilities, fantasies, and plans even if she knew very little about him.
As she walked home, still keeping Kael in view for a few more steps, Tiana couldn't help but grin. "I must get him," she repeated silently, her resolve firm.
Back at the restaurant, Livia and Alexander finished dessert, exchanging polite, natural conversation about the city, their interests, and small anecdotes. The evening ended without fanfare, no dramatic tension just two people sharing a simple, comfortable experience.
After a few more light jokes about misdelivered orders and minor mix-ups, the conversation naturally drew to a close. Alexander glanced at his watch and then at her, politely. "Shall I take you home?"
"That would be… kind," Livia replied, smiling.
Outside, Alexander opened her car door with a polite flourish. "After you, Miss Konate."
"Thank you, Alexander," she said, settling into the passenger seat gracefully.
The car hummed along the quiet streets of Lavida, soft music filling the background. Occasional glances were exchanged, polite, warm, and curious. When they arrived at her apartment, Alexander parked and turned toward her.
"Livia… may I?" he asked softly.
She looked up, a faint blush creeping to her cheeks. "You may."
He gently lifted her hand and pressed a delicate kiss to the back of it, polite yet intimate in its quiet elegance. Livia's smile deepened, the warmth of the gesture lingering.
From across the street, partially hidden in the shadows, Kael and Damien observed. Kael's eyes followed every detail the careful gestures, the polite kiss, Livia's subtle blush. Damien remained calm, noting the scene silently.
"She's… interesting," Kael murmured.
Damien gave a small nod. "Observation complete."
Livia thanked Alexander with a soft smile as she stepped out of the car. She didn't notice Kael and Damien slipping away into the shadows, quietly cataloging what they had seen.
Livia entered their apartment a soft smile on her lips, thinking about the dinner. She felt calm, content, and even a little amused by the lingering advice from her family: behave, be charming, and perhaps sneak in a hint of mischief. For tonight, she had navigated it gracefully, enjoying the natural flow of conversation and the quiet discovery of someone new.
Across the city, unaware of Livia's thoughts, Kael and Damien moved silently through the streets. Their path had crossed with Livia's indirectly, and a thread had begun to form a subtle, quiet awareness that neither could yet fully comprehend. And somewhere in the distance, Tiana walked home, captivated, thinking of him with a mixture of awe and resolve.
The evening ended on a soft note Livia smiling to herself, Alexander returning to his world, Kael observing, and Tiana already plotting in her heart. Simple, natural, and yet, quietly, the pieces were beginning to align.