Mabel had always been the responsible one. Since losing her parents, she had buried herself in work and family obligations, ensuring that her sisters, Cecilia and Phebe, were well cared for. There was no room for distractions, especially not romantic ones. She had convinced herself that love was an unnecessary complication, something she had neither the time nor the emotional capacity for.
And yet, ever since that evening at the restaurant, she couldn't shake the thought of Kenze.
His warm smile, his effortless charm, the way he seemed to read her exhaustion without her saying a word-it all lingered in her mind more than she cared to admit. She told herself it was just because he was different from the people she usually interacted with. He was relaxed, confident, and playful in a way that made her feel lighter, even if only for a moment.
She wasn't the type to be easily swept away, but there was something about Kenze that made her pause.
An Unplanned Return
A few days after their first meeting, Mabel found herself back at the restaurant. She told herself she was just too tired to cook again, but deep down, she knew it wasn't just about the food.
As she stepped inside, her eyes instinctively searched for him. The restaurant was busier than before, and waiters moved swiftly between tables, balancing trays and taking orders.
Then, as if he had been waiting for her, Kenze appeared from behind the counter, his eyes lighting up the moment he spotted her.
"Back so soon?" he asked, walking up to her with that same easy confidence.
Mabel crossed her arms. "Don't flatter yourself. I just didn't feel like cooking."
Kenze smirked. "Sure, sure. I'll believe that-for now. Your usual seat?"
She hesitated for a moment but nodded.
As she settled in, Kenze returned with a glass of orange juice before she even had a chance to order.
"You remembered?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course," he said smoothly. "I pay attention to important details."
Mabel rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her amused smile.
A Conversation That Felt Different
That evening, something changed between them.
Instead of just taking her order and moving on, Kenze lingered, asking her about her day, making lighthearted jokes, and finding small ways to keep the conversation going.
"You always this serious?" he asked at one point, resting his arms on the back of the chair across from her.
Mabel frowned. "I'm not serious."
"You are," he countered playfully. "It's like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."
She sighed. "Maybe because I have responsibilities. Not everyone has the luxury of being carefree."
Kenze tilted his head slightly, studying her. "Carefree? That's what you think I am?"
She shrugged. "Aren't you?"
He leaned in just slightly, his voice quieter now. "Maybe. Or maybe I just know that life is too short to be serious all the time."
Mabel felt an unexpected pull in her chest. It wasn't just his words-it was the way he said them, as if he understood something about life that she didn't.
For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to relax.
An Unspoken Attraction
As the days passed, Mabel found herself thinking about Kenze more often than she wanted to admit. She convinced herself that he was just a friendly face in an otherwise exhausting routine, that his presence was merely a momentary distraction.
But distractions weren't supposed to make your heart race when you walked into a restaurant.
One evening, after a particularly stressful day at work, she found herself at the restaurant again. This time, Kenze was waiting for her.
"You look like you need a dessert tonight," he said before she could even order.
Mabel sighed, rubbing her temples. "Long day."
"Then let me make it better," he said, winking before disappearing into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, he returned with a small plate of chocolate cake.
"This one's on me," he said.
Mabel narrowed her eyes. "You're not supposed to give away free food."
Kenze shrugged. "Consider it my good deed for the day."
She took a bite, and for the first time that day, she let out a small sigh of contentment.
Kenze watched her with a knowing smile. "See? Told you everyone needs something sweet now and then."
Mabel shook her head. "You're trouble, you know that?"
"Only the best kind," he replied smoothly.
And just like that, she found herself drawn in deeper.
An Unwanted Confusion
Mabel knew she should be careful. She had no time for distractions, and Kenze was exactly that-a charming, smooth-talking distraction.
But he made her laugh. He made her forget, even if just for a little while, about all the burdens she carried.
One evening, as they talked after her meal, Kenze suddenly said, "You should smile more."
Mabel raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You have a great smile," he said, leaning forward slightly. "But you don't use it enough."
She rolled her eyes. "Flattery won't get you anywhere."
Kenze smirked. "Who said I'm trying to get anywhere?"
Mabel shook her head, but she couldn't hide the way her heart skipped slightly at his words.
She knew she had to be careful. Kenze was charming, yes, but she couldn't afford to let herself get too close.
And yet, as she walked out of the restaurant that night, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was already in too deep.
Little did she know, Kenze wasn't the man she thought he was. And this was only the beginning of something far more complicated.