Cecilia had always been cautious when it came to people. Life had already shown her how quickly everything could change, how easily trust could be broken. Losing her parents at a young age had forced her to grow up faster than she should have, and it had left her with a firm belief-never rely too much on anyone.
But sometimes, life had a way of making even the strongest walls crumble.
And Kenze knew exactly how to make that happen.
A Roadside Encounter
The day had been long and exhausting. Cecilia had spent hours running errands, her mind preoccupied with work, family responsibilities, and the never-ending pressure of keeping things together. She had barely noticed when her car started making strange noises, dismissing it as a minor issue.
But then, in the middle of a quiet highway, the car suddenly sputtered and died.
Cecilia let out a frustrated sigh as she pulled over to the side of the road. She tried the ignition again-nothing. Her phone battery was almost dead, and she was stranded in an unfamiliar place.
She stepped out of the car, looking around for help. The road was nearly empty, and the few cars that passed by didn't bother to stop. Just as she was beginning to consider walking to the nearest gas station, a sleek black car slowed down beside her.
The driver's window rolled down, and a familiar voice called out.
"Looks like you could use some help."
Cecilia turned sharply and met the confident gaze of Kenze.
The Perfectly Timed Rescue
For a moment, she hesitated.
She knew Kenze, of course. He was Mabel's boyfriend, the charming man who had effortlessly won over her sister's heart. But Cecilia had always been skeptical of him.
Still, standing there in the heat, with no working phone and no other options, she found herself nodding.
"Yeah," she admitted. "My car just died on me."
Kenze stepped out of his vehicle, rolling up his sleeves as he approached. "Mind if I take a look?"
Cecilia shrugged. "Be my guest."
She crossed her arms and watched as he inspected the engine, moving with the ease of someone who knew what they were doing. Within minutes, he had pinpointed the issue.
"Your battery connections are loose," he explained. "I can tighten them up for now, but you should get them checked properly soon."
Cecilia sighed in relief. "That's it? I thought it was something worse."
Kenze chuckled. "Sometimes, the problem isn't as big as we think."
The Moment of Trust
True to his word, Kenze worked efficiently, fixing the battery issue within minutes. When he was done, he wiped his hands on a cloth and gestured toward the driver's seat.
"Try it now."
Cecilia slid into the car and turned the key. The engine roared back to life.
She let out a small laugh, some of her earlier frustration melting away. "I can't believe that actually worked."
Kenze leaned against the car door, smirking. "You don't trust me much, do you?"
Cecilia hesitated. "It's not personal. I just don't trust easily."
Kenze nodded, as if he understood completely. "That's not a bad thing. But sometimes, letting someone help isn't a weakness."
Cecilia studied him for a moment. There was something different about him right now-something she hadn't noticed before. He wasn't just Mabel's flirtatious boyfriend. Right now, he seemed... genuine.
"Thanks, Kenze," she said quietly. "Really."
He smiled. "Anytime."
The Beginning of Doubt
As Cecilia drove home, her thoughts were conflicted.
She had spent months keeping Kenze at a distance, assuming that he was nothing more than a smooth-talker. But today, he had helped her without hesitation, without expecting anything in return.
Could she have been wrong about him?
Kenze's Carefully Laid Plan
What Cecilia didn't know was that Kenze had seen her long before he stopped to help.
He had recognized her car from a distance and slowed down deliberately, making sure the timing was just right. Helping her had never been about kindness-it had been about strategy.
Mabel already trusted him completely, but Cecilia had been a challenge. She was the skeptical one, the one who never let emotions cloud her judgment. If he wanted true control, he needed her to trust him too.
And today, he had taken the first step toward making that happen.
A Growing Connection
Over the next few days, Cecilia found herself thinking about Kenze more than she wanted to.
She hated that he had been the one to rescue her. Hated that, despite her best efforts, she was starting to see him differently.
She reminded herself that he was still Mabel's boyfriend, still someone she should be wary of. But at the same time, she couldn't deny the small shift in her perception of him.
And Kenze knew exactly how to build on that.
The Next Move
A few days later, Kenze casually brought up the incident.
"How's the car holding up?" he asked when they were alone in the living room.
Cecilia glanced at him, surprised. "It's fine. I got it checked properly, just like you suggested."
Kenze nodded. "Good. I wouldn't want you stranded again."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "You actually cared?"
He chuckled. "What, you think I just help people for fun?"
Cecilia smirked. "Honestly? I wasn't sure."
Kenze placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "Wow. I'm wounded."
She laughed, shaking her head. "You'll survive."
But deep down, something had changed.
For the first time, Cecilia wasn't completely sure what to think about him.
And Kenze knew that doubt was exactly what he needed.
The Trap Was Set
Trust wasn't built overnight.
It was a slow process, a careful game of patience and timing.
And Kenze was a master at it.
He had started with Mabel, weaving his way into her heart with ease. Now, he was doing the same with Cecilia, slowly breaking through the barriers she had spent years building.
It wouldn't be long before she fully let her guard down.
And when she did, Kenze would be there-ready to take full advantage of it.