As I stood there by the car, Oliver Reed's eyes locked onto me from across the crowd.
The moment he saw me, his expression shifted—his brows lifted slightly, and recognition dawned in his eyes. He weaved through the curious onlookers until he was standing in front of me, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Young Master Cedric?" he asked, half-amused, half-intrigued.
I returned his look with a relaxed smile. "You've found me again, Oliver."
He let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. "I swear, you're becoming more and more unpredictable. Last time it was fine dining, now you're casually parked next to two Aristovaults like it's no big deal."
I shrugged with a grin. "What can I say? I've been lucky lately."
His eyes flicked toward the cars again, still visibly impressed. "Lucky, huh? Those are worth more than most people's houses."
[They tried to do background checks, but this system took care of it—appearing as if the records are sealed by high authority. Your identity is inaccessible.]
I kept my expression neutral, though I felt a flicker of amusement at the system's timely reminder. So that explained the slight wariness behind Oliver's gaze. They'd tried to dig—but the system had shut them down hard. I couldn't help but feel a little smug.
Oliver chuckled again, more at ease now. "After that dinner, you left us all speechless. You just vanished before we could even ask your name properly. Of course, we got curious."
"Oh?" I tilted my head. "You did some digging, then?"
He raised both hands in mock surrender. "Maybe a little. It didn't get us anywhere though. It's like you're a ghost—or someone doesn't want people knowing who you are."
I laughed lightly. "That sounds dramatic."
"You should've heard Henry. He was convinced you were some undercover royal."
I smirked. "Now that's a new one."
Oliver shook his head with a grin. "Honestly, we were just curious. You don't exactly blend in, Younge Master Cedric. You stand out—in a good way, I mean. You carry yourself like... well, like someone important."
There was no accusation in his tone, just honest curiosity. And maybe a bit of admiration.
"Let's just say I've had a... unique upbringing," I replied with a playful smile.
"Clearly," he said with a laugh, gesturing again toward the Aristovaults. "Still, I didn't expect to bump into you here. What brings you to Golden Sun Plaza?"
"Just exploring," I said casually. "The system's been guiding me around, helping me settle into the city."
Oliver blinked. "System?"
Oops.
"Ah—just a personal assistant app. Helps with directions and all that," I said quickly.
He didn't press further, thankfully. Instead, he smiled. "You know, it's weird. I thought running into you again would answer questions, but now I've got more than ever."
"Maybe you'll get your answers next time," I said with a wink.
"Or maybe not," he replied, laughing. "But I have to admit, you're kind of fun to be around. Mysterious, but fun."
I gave him a nod. "Appreciate that. And hey, if you ever want to grab coffee or something, I wouldn't mind catching up. Properly this time."
Oliver grinned, clearly surprised. "Seriously? You'd be down for that?"
"Sure," I said with a smirk. "So long as you don't try to hack my life story again."
He raised a hand dramatically. "Scout's honor."
We both laughed, and for a moment, the weight of secrecy and systems faded away. Just two teens, talking casually near some ridiculously expensive cars like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Oliver's smile lingered, but behind it, I could see the gears turning in his head. For all his charm, his eyes held a flicker of something else—surprise? Suspicion? Maybe both.
'Wait... how did he know we tried to look him up?'
The thought practically echoed in his gaze. He hadn't said it out loud, but I could see it—written all over his face.
He tried to play it cool, but I caught the quick glance he stole, the way his brow twitched ever so slightly.
Then he asked, a bit more hesitantly this time, "So... those cars over there. They really yours, Young Master Cedric?"
He emphasized the title this time, clearly still wrapping his head around everything.
I turned slightly, giving the Aristovaults a casual glance before looking back at him. "Yeah. They came with the welcome package," I replied with a faint smirk.
Oliver blinked. "Right. Of course they did."
He looked like he was trying to keep up with a puzzle that kept shifting in front of him.
"I'm still processing the fact that you're casually calling those things a welcome gift," he said, laughing softly but shaking his head. "You're really not what I expected."
"Expectations are overrated," I said simply. "Besides, I think we're past pretending I'm just a regular kid now."
He let out a breath, as if trying to reset his thoughts. "You're telling me. We thought maybe you were from some high-profile family. But even then, people like that still have paper trails. You... don't."
He didn't say it accusingly, just matter-of-fact. But I knew he was still reeling from how quickly and completely their attempts to learn about me had failed.
I kept my tone light. "Maybe I'm just good at staying off the grid."
Oliver gave me a skeptical look, then grinned. "Or someone's really good at keeping you off it."
I didn't respond. Just smiled back.
He took another glance at the cars, then back at me. "You know, you kind of remind me of the main character in those spy movies. Calm, composed, mysterious... expensive toys."
I gave him a sideways glance. "So I'm a movie character now?"
"Hey, it's better than being a ghost," he said with a shrug. "At least this version's more fun."
We both laughed again. But I could tell—Oliver was still curious, still putting the pieces together in his mind. He didn't know it yet, but no matter how hard he tried, the picture he was looking for wouldn't form. Because the truth was sealed away—just out of reach.
And that was exactly how I wanted it.
On the outside, I kept my usual easy smile. On the inside?
I was screaming—quietly.
'Stay calm... stay cool,' I told myself.
My heart was thudding louder than it should've, and I swore my fingers twitched slightly at my side. Oliver's stare was sharp—not threatening, but too observant for comfort. Like he was trying to read between every breath I took.
[Excellent restraint, Cedric. You're handling this well.]
The system's voice chimed in, as calm and collected as ever. Almost annoyingly so.
[Emotional fluctuations are slightly elevated but still within optimal range. Keep up the act—your temperance is commendable.]
'Act? I'm barely holding it together,' I muttered internally, forcing myself not to shift on my feet.
[And yet you're doing great. Smooth delivery. Very natural. Ten out of ten.]
'You're enjoying this way too much.'
[Only because you're doing so well.]
Meanwhile, Oliver was still watching me with that half-amused, half-bewildered look.
"You know," he said at last, letting out a small laugh, "when we first met, I thought you were just one of those soft-spoken types. Polite, quiet. The kind of guy who hates the attention that comes with money."
I raised an eyebrow, amused. "And now?"
"Now I think you're a mystery box wrapped in designer suits and good manners." He grinned. "And I've got to admit—I'm kind of curious what's inside."
I let out a short laugh, just the right amount of casual. "I get that a lot."
[Great line delivery. Charm output: 92%.]
"By the way," Oliver added, glancing toward the two sleek Aristovaults beside us, "those really yours?"
"Technically? No," I said with a light shrug. "But I'm the one using them, so... yes."
He blinked, looking between the two pristine cars and back at me. "Young Master Cedric, are you trying to confuse me on purpose?"
I chuckled, letting my posture relax just a little. "Not intentionally. It just sort of happens."
[You're doing well, Cedric. Their suspicion remains unconfirmed. Keep leading the conversation without offering direct information.]
Oliver looked away for a brief second, shaking his head. "You really are something. We tried looking you up, you know."
I didn't flinch. I didn't blink.
[Don't react. Let the silence do the work.]
"Yeah," Oliver continued, scratching his cheek with a nervous chuckle. "It was like hitting a wall. Nothing came up. Not even a birth record. How'd you know we were checking?"
I smiled, almost lazily. "I didn't. Just figured someone might."
Oliver stared at me, eyes narrowing slightly.
Internally, I was screaming again.
[Very smooth, Cedric. Keep smiling. You've got this.]
I cleared my throat lightly and tilted my head toward the two cars parked beside us. "Since you guessed right… I might as well give a proper introduction."
Oliver raised an eyebrow, curious despite himself.
"These two," I began, gesturing with an easy smile, "are both from Aristovault."
He blinked. "Aristovault? As in that Aristovault?"
"The very same," I said, nodding. "World-class engineering, custom-built—one of the few brands still doing everything by hand."
Aristovault wasn't just any luxury carmaker. They released only a hundred vehicles worldwide, across all their limited editions. Tens of millions per unit wasn't even the headline. What made them shine was exclusivity. You couldn't just buy one—you had to be chosen.
"This one here," I said, patting the sleek midnight black car with its soft platinum undertone, "is the Virella R9. V12 twin-turbo, apex handling system. I had it tuned personally before it was delivered."
Oliver let out a slow whistle. "It looks like something out of a movie. I've never even seen one of these up close."
I chuckled. "Most people haven't. It's one of only fifty."
He stepped closer to the second car, its deep navy finish shimmering with subtle gold highlights. "And this?"
I smiled. "That's the Avellion XG. Lighter frame, faster engine. It was part of a silent release—just thirty made worldwide. Got lucky with the timing."
Oliver stared at me like I'd just casually dropped two supercomputers on the curb. "So you're saying… you just own these?"
I shrugged with practiced calm. "Inherited, technically. Though I did have some say in the specs."
[Perfect tone, Cedric. You're keeping the image composed and enviable. Suspicion defused.]
"Okay," Oliver muttered, slowly circling the Avellion. "Now I really want to know what your family does."
'Yeah, join the club,' I thought, resisting the urge to laugh out loud.
[Careful. He's still curious. But the cars helped. Good job, Cedric.]