Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

"Kenzo, take a load off, will ya? Dawn's breaking, and I'm whipping up some chicken noodle soup."

Brielle's face was etched with worry for Dustin. He'd said they were friends, and in her heart, she felt the same way.

When he disappeared without a word, Brielle couldn't help but fret. Maybe he'd found a clue about her missing sister, and his snooping got him caught by Infinity Brilliance's enemies.

Her nerves got the best of her as she chopped veggies, nearly nicking her own finger.

Kenzo glanced at her and sighed softly.

He rubbed his temples and pursed his lips, a clear sign of his worry.

Soup takes its sweet time to simmer. By the time Brielle had it ready, it was a little past six in the morning.

A pale light was starting to filter through the sky. She handed Kenzo a bowl and a spoon and asked, "What's your plan now, Kenzo? You sticking around Beaconsfield to work on your screenplays, or you got something else in mind?" Kenzo touched the bruise on his skin, a chill flickering in his eyes.

"I'll probably stay around Beaconsfield."

The mess had been dealt with, after all.

"Sure you don't want to swing by the hospital?"

"Nah, I'm good."

Kenzo took the bowl and spoon from her, a small smile curving his lips, "Guess this is the first time I'm trying your cooking?"

"I'm no chef, so just bear with it."

She was willing to help Kenzo, partly because he'd done her a solid after graduation, keeping in touch over the years, and partly because her company needed his scripts to make waves in the entertainment industry. It was both a debt of gratitude and a business necessity.

"Max called you late last night, huh? Something up?"

His tone was casual, and he seemed more relaxed with each sip of the soup.

"Yeah, it's Mr. Lynch. I can't get ahold of him, and Owen from Infinity Brilliance suddenly announced he's stepping in to take charge. I'm worried something's happened to him."

"Mr. Lynch is a lucky guy; he'll be fine."

Kenzo stirred the soup, a gentle look in his eyes.

"After this, I'll head out. Thanks for last night, by the way."

"I can drive you."

Brielle was concerned he wasn't in a state to drive himself.

Kenzo just quietly looked at her, not responding.

Brielle chuckled, a hint of confusion in her eyes, "What's up?"

Kenzo looked away, a light smile on his face, "Sure, you can drive me." After cleaning up, they headed to the underground garage together.

When she pulled out the seatbelt for him, she didn't lean over to fasten it; the posture might have been a bit too intimate. Once Kenzo buckled up himself, she hit the gas.

"Where to, Kenzo?"

She didn't glance his way as she asked, missing the struggle in his eyes.

A minute later, he smiled and said, "To my place."

"Those guys from last night won't be bothering you again, right? Got anyone at home to look after you?"

Kenzo closed his eyes as if in pain, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Yeah."Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

What did that 'yeah' mean?

Brielle was about to turn to him when she heard his cool voice, "Watch the road."

She didn't look his way after that.

Parking in front of Kenzo's villa, Brielle thought about helping him with the door, but he was quick on his feet. After getting out and slamming the door, he walked into

QUMS

the villa without looking back

l.ne

Brielle stood there, feeling an odd sense that he was perhaps angry, or...?

She couldn't read him, realizing for the first time that even Kenzo had his moods.

Back at Stellar Stage Entertainment, her mind was still on Kenzo when Donny walked in, asking about the male star situation again.

Thinking of Keiran gave her a headache. With his severe face blindness, it wouldn't be easy to sign him.

"Donny, aren't there any other directors we could use?"

Donny pursed his lips, sighing after a long pause.

"There are, but only this director can

capture the depth of the screenplay. Mr. Haywood, if it's really not possible, should I give it another try?"

Before Brielle could explain Keiran's situation, her phone buzzed with a message from Kenzo.

Was feeling a bit under the weather earlier, sorry if I seemed rude.

Brielle thought back to his off mood but didn't dwell on it.