CHAPTER 4: Unspoken Feelings

The June days were warm, buzzing with vibrant energy, and Emily and Levi’s meetings had become a cherished part of their routines. Their weekly coffee dates, weekend hikes, and occasional visits to local events had become something Emily looked forward to, her days brightened by the thought of seeing him.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, they met again at their favourite spot, “Luminous Café,” nestled on a quaint street lined with blooming flowers. Inside, the café was a comforting blend of rustic charm and city life—the smell of fresh pastries and brewed coffee mingling in the air as streams of sunlight filled the room.

Levi leaned forward as he sipped his iced latte, his brow furrowed in thought. “Work’s been crazy lately. I’ve been juggling so many events—weddings, auctions, and this huge charity gala next week. It’s overwhelming, but I thrive on the challenge.”

Emily smiled, stirring her drink thoughtfully. “That sounds intense but fulfilling. I can’t imagine organizing such diverse events. My work at the refugee camps has been a whirlwind of paperwork and planning too, especially with the summer programs in full swing.”

Levi chuckled, shaking his head. “Looks like we’re both in the business of managing chaos. Maybe we should team up—your organizational skills, and my event planning would be unstoppable.”

Emily laughed, but her mind wandered for a moment. What if we actually did team up? The thought caught her off guard, and she pushed it away quickly. “We might end up creating more chaos, but it’d be fun.”

Their conversation flowed as easily as it always did—books, movies, and the latest recipe disasters. They had discovered that, though their tastes in literature differed, their shared love for trying new things connected them. Levi loved the classics, and Emily was devoted to fantasy novels, but there was something special about their conversations that bridged those worlds.

That weekend, they decided to visit a street festival celebrating the arrival of summer. The streets were alive with music and laughter, colourful decorations strung between vendor booths. Emily inhaled the scent of sizzling food from the stalls, smiling as she saw kids running around with balloons and ice cream.

“Let’s do a taste test,” Levi suggested, eyeing a booth offering an array of unusual ice cream flavours. “Whoever picks the weirdest flavour wins.”

Emily accepted the challenge, grinning. They ended up sampling everything from lavender honey to spicy chilli mango. By the end, their taste buds were both delighted and slightly traumatized, but they laughed through it all.

As the day wound down, they found a quiet spot in a nearby park, settling on a bench beneath a towering oak tree. The golden glow of the setting sun filtered through the branches, casting soft shadows on the ground. Emily leaned back, feeling the peace of the moment, but a part of her couldn’t ignore the building tension—the kind that was quietly growing between them.

“So, when did you realize event planning was your thing?” Emily asked, shifting the conversation to something deeper.

Levi paused for a moment, a distant look in his eyes. “There was this event a few years ago, a charity gala for a cause I really believed in. At the last minute, the lead organizer had to drop out, and suddenly, it was all on me. I was terrified, but it went off without a hitch. That moment, seeing it all come together, made me realize that maybe I was capable of more than I thought.”

Emily nodded, understanding more than she let on. She thought about her own journey, the moments when she realized she wanted to make a difference in the world, particularly after a personal tragedy during her childhood. She hesitated, unsure whether to share the story. Vulnerability wasn’t easy for her, especially when feelings were already so confusing with Levi.

They sat in silence for a moment, the unspoken emotions between them almost palpable. Levi reached out and gently nudged Emily’s arm, making her laugh, but the gesture lingered a second longer than usual. Emily felt her heart race, and she saw something flicker in Levi’s eyes—something unspoken but undeniable.

That night, Levi invited Emily to the charity gala he’d been organizing at the hotel. The event was a stunning success, the decorations immaculate, the atmosphere lively and elegant. As they mingled with guests, Levi’s professionalism shone, and Emily found herself admiring him more than she expected.

After the gala, as they stood outside under the city lights, Emily turned to him with admiration in her eyes. “You really know how to create something special. Tonight was incredible.”

Levi smiled, his gaze softening as it met hers. “It means a lot coming from you, Emily.”

There was a beat of silence—one that felt charged with all the things they weren’t saying. But as always, they chose to brush past it, ending the night with a simple goodbye. Yet, as Emily walked home under the warm June sky, her thoughts raced. The connection between them was undeniable, but where were they headed?

As she settled into bed, she found herself both excited and apprehensive. There’s something real here, she thought. But what if it’s all in my head?

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