FATED TO LOVE YOU

We Have A Lot In Common

Kenneth burst into laughter after Stanley told him about his father’s plan.

“It’s not funny,” Stanley huffed.

“Very funny. I support your father 100 percent,” Kenneth said with a smirk.

"What if that girl turns out to be rude, arrogant, and all that?” Stanley argued.

“Athena is all of the above, and you’re still with her. So, what’s the difference?” Kenneth shot back.

“Athena is different. I love her, and that’s what matters.” Stanley folded his arms. “Tell me, Ken, why don’t you like her?”

“Why do you love her?” Kenneth countered.

“Don’t turn the question around,” Stanley scoffed.

“Just meet the girl, get to know her. Who knows? You might fall in love with her, and it'll be bye-bye to Athena’s love,” Kenneth teased with a grin.

“You are so impossible,” Stanley glared.

*****

Cecilia stretched to reach the mayonnaise on the top shelf, but it was just out of reach. She was at the supermarket, shopping, jumping up in vain when a voice interrupted her.

“Let me help you,” Kenneth said from behind.

She turned to look at him, and he swallowed hard.

She is beautiful.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling as he handed her the jar.

“You’re welcome.” He smiled back, unable to take his eyes off her.

“Is there something on my face?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No, nothing. Sorry for staring,” he said quickly.

“It’s nothing.” She waved it off. “My name is Cecilia.”

“Kenneth,” he replied.

“I should head to the cashier now. Are you done with your shopping?” she asked.

“Yes, I am.”

They walked to the cashier together.

*****

Cecilia sat in her car, turning the key in the ignition, but the engine refused to start. Frustrated, she sighed and tried again. Nothing. A knock on her window made her look up.

“Cecilia, is everything okay?” Kenneth asked.

“My car won’t start,” she sighed.

“Come on, I’ll give you a ride. You can call a mechanic later to fix it,” he offered.

“No, I don’t want to bother you. I’ll just call my boyfriend,” she said, stepping out of the car. She dialed Javier’s number, but he didn’t pick up.

“He’s not answering,” she muttered.

“Then come with me,” Kenneth insisted. “I promise I’m a gentleman.” He grinned.

She hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Well, okay, if you insist. Where’s your car?”

He pointed to it in the parking lot, and they walked over together.

*****

"Who was that guy that brought you home?" Javier asked as soon as Cecilia stepped into her room. He had seen Kenneth drop her off from the window.

"Just someone I met at the supermarket," she replied, placing the items she bought on her desk.

"And you let him drive you home?" Javier huffed.

"I didn't have a choice, Javier. My car broke down. I tried calling you—multiple times—but you didn’t pick up," she explained.

"You couldn’t get a taxi?" He crossed his arms. "My phone was on silent mode."

"Javier, don’t make a big deal out of this. I tried reaching you. It’s not my fault you didn’t answer," she said, sighing.

Javier exhaled, his irritation fading. "Cecilia, I love you, and I don’t want any guy around you."

She smiled. "I love you too, Javier. My heart belongs to you."

"I'm sorry I didn’t hear my phone. Next time, I’ll just go with you to the supermarket," he said.

She chuckled before pulling him into a hug

*****

"Dad, I've agreed to go on a date with the lady you chose for me," Stanley said, catching his father by surprise.

"Really? That's great news! I'll inform my friend so he can tell his daughter," Mr. Fernandez replied, clearly pleased.

~Flash back~

"Go on a date with her," Athena said when Stanley told her about his father's decision.

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

"I want you to go out with her and frustrate her life," she smirked.

"I see where you're going with this. I'll make the date unbearably boring," he said with a sly grin.

~Flash back ends~

"Yes, Father. Inform him. Let me meet the lady you want me to marry," Stanley said.

*****

"Stanley has agreed to go on a date with you," Mr. Chavez told his daughter, Cecilia.

"Dad, are you seriously pushing through with this marriage? I don’t even know this guy!" Cecilia protested.

"Just give it a chance. Go on this date with him, and I promise you'll like him. Stanley is a good guy."

"Fine, Dad. Let me meet this guy you want me to marry," she sighed.

Later, as Cecilia got dressed, her best friend Reagan grinned at her. "So you're really going out with him? That’s good news!"

"Yes, but it's not from my heart," Cecilia smirked. "I have a plan."

"Ceci, what are you planning?" Reagan asked suspiciously.

"I’ll tell you after the date. For now, it’s a secret," Cecilia replied mischievously.

*****

As Stanley was about to enter the restaurant, he accidentally bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time.

"Here, your bag," Stanley said, picking it up from the ground. His eyes widened when he saw what had fallen out—a comic book. His favorite comic book.

"You read comics too?" he asked in surprise.

"Yes, I do!" the lady replied enthusiastically.

"I love comics! And this one is my favorite!"

"Me too!" she gushed.

"I'm Stanley."

"I'm Cecilia."

They introduced themselves—then suddenly froze. Their eyes widened as realization struck.

"You’re my date?!" they both shouted, stepping back five feet from each other.

"So you're the lady my father is desperate for me to marry?" Stanley said

"And you’re Stanley? Nice one," Cecilia scoffed, folding her arms

"Why are we wearing the same color?" he asked, finally taking a proper look at her outfit.

"This is my favorite color! And if I knew you’d wear it, I wouldn’t have!" she huffed.

"Uh, excuse me, could you two move inside? You're blocking the entrance," a security guard called out.

They exchanged looks before reluctantly walking in. Cecilia went straight to a window seat, and Stanley followed.

"Why are you sitting here?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"To serve you, Miss. What would you like to order?" he asked sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes. "There are plenty of other tables. You don’t have to sit here."

"I like sitting by the window," he shrugged, taking the seat across from her.

A waitress approached with a smile. "What would you like to order?" she asked, handing them the menu.

"Pastitsio," they both said at the same time, then stared at each other.

"You love pastitsio too?" Cecilia asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I do," Stanley admitted.

"Okay, tell me now—what else do you like that I like? Because so far, you love comics, the color blue, pastitsio, and sitting by the window," she pointed out.

Stanley started listing things he liked, and one by one, Cecilia realized they had even more in common.

"Are you my long-lost twin or something?" she joked.

He chuckled. "I didn’t think I’d ever meet someone who shares so many of my interests."

"Me neither," she admitted with a small smile.

Then, the mood shifted. Cecilia leaned forward. "For the record, I never actually wanted to come on this date. I only came to ruin it."

"Same," Stanley smirked. "I have a girlfriend, and I love her a lot."

"I also have someone I love, but my dad wants me to marry you. I can't do that," she sighed.

"Then let's make a deal," Stanley suggested.

"What kind of deal?" Cecilia asked curiously.

"Let’s pretend we’re into this marriage. If our parents think we’re on board, they'll stop pressuring us. Meanwhile, we can secretly date the people we actually love," he explained.

Cecilia's lips curled into a smirk. "I like the way you think. It’s a deal."

They shook hands, sealing their agreement.

"One day," she added, "we'll marry the ones we truly love."

Stanley smirked. "Exactly."