Chapter 597


    Silence hung on the line for an eternity from Levi''s end.


    Just as Karen was about to speak up, a tter echoed through the receiver like a tumbler taking a


    dive.


    "Wait, wait, just give me a sec. I''ve got to wipe down the table!"


    Karen gasped.


    Momentster, Levi panted back into the conversation, "So, what are you in the mood for? I''ll swing


    by and pick you up!"


    Karen couldn''t help but chuckle, "Here I thought you didn''t want to treat me. "


    "No, it''s not that! I just... I didn''t expect you to bring this up…"


    Truth be told, he''d been on the verge of asking her out multiple times. But each time, the words just


    wouldn''te out.


    If Karen hadn''t brought it up, he''d probably still be hemming and hawing.


    "Levi, you better brace yourself. I''m not exactly a knockout," Karen quipped. Theirst attempt at a


    blind date fell through, and Levi had been swamped at work since then. They''d connected on


    WhatsApp, sure, but never broached the subject of meeting up.


    Today would be the first time they''d see each other face to face.


    Karen wasn''t keen on rushing things, but with her life thrown into disarray by Jeffrey''s meddling, she


    felt it was high time to get back on track—for her peace of mind and her parents'' sake.


    Derek had that worried look when he dropped off her phone; clear as day, he feared she might


    reach out to Jeffrey again. Although her folks probably didn''t know the gritty details, Jeffrey''s


    confrontational visit was telling enough, no need to spell it out.


    "You''re beautiful. I''ve seen your photos."


    "I touched them up," Karen retorted.


    Nowadays, what girl doesn''t edit her pics?


    "They’re still pretty," Levi replied with a goofy grin. "Decided what you want to eat yet?"


    Karen rubbed her stomach, aware of her hunger but clueless about her cravings.


    "Just pick me up first. We''ll figure it out then."


    "Alright!"


    After the call, Karen logged into her phone and WhatsApp, only to find a barrage of messages from


    Levi.


    [Good afternoon, heading to a sushi spot by the office. You into Japanese food?]


    [Lunch was meh, won’t take you there if I’m treating.]


    [Got a few meetings this afternoon. If I don’t reply, don’t be mad. I’ll get back to you ASAP!]


    He''d been rambling on by himself, and Karen hadn''t noticed a thing.


    Scrolling through her messages, she spotted an unread one, marked by a little red dot.


    A stranger had added her.


    The profile picture was of Crayon Shin-chan sticking his tongue out, and the contact was named


    with a single letter, J.


    No need to guess who that was.


    Other than Jeffrey, who else would it be?


    Without a second thought, Karen deleted him.


    Theirst exchange had been clear enough; there was nothing left to discuss.


    By the time Levi arrived, night had enveloped the city.


    After freshening up, Karen threw on a simple white tee and stepped outside.


    Descending the stairs, her eyes immediately locked onto a sleek ck Audi—impossibly


    conspicuous.


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    She took a sharp breath, relieved to see that the man emerging wasn''t Jeffrey.


    "Over here!" Levi, all dapper in a tailored suit, waved at her. Next to him, Karen''s casual tee and


    jeansbo, topped with a sporty hoodie, felt positivelyid-back.


    Approaching him, she offered a smile, "Been waiting long?"


    "Just got here." Levi was visibly anxious as he fished out a bouquet of roses from the back seat.


    "These... are for you."


    Karen was taken aback by the unexpected gesture and was momentarily speechless.


    "I''m not much of an expert on what girls like, but my coworker said roses are a safe bet. So I bought


    some." Levi admitted.


    She could even saw the deep shade of crimson on his face if not for the dim streetlights.