Rain was pouring heavily in the middle of the night and someone couldn't fall asleep.

Solji tossed and turned on her bed and instead of falling asleep, she only got a huge headache. She blamed it on the third cup of coffee she drank earlier to keep herself awake while solving a problem in Chemistry and now, she couldn't get a wink of sleep. With a retired sigh, she got up from her bed and made her way down the kitchen to drink milk. 

All the lights were turned off downstairs and Solji blindly found her way to the kitchen, bumping to random objects in the process. She was lucky she didn't shatter any vases. She successfully arrived in the kitchen and opened the fridge when somebody spoke.

"Can't sleep?"

"Holy shit!"

"Language, missy."

Irene was sitting alone in the kitchen. It was dark and Solji didn't notice her right away. Solji turned on the light and saw her mother, staring at her deadpanned as if she didn't almost give her daughter a heart attack.

"What are you doing here in the dark? You could've turned on the ligths!" Solji exclaimed while pouring milk on her glass. Irene only gave  her daughter an exhausted smile. 

"Sorry. You can't sleep, too?" 

"Yeah. I drank three cups of coffee earlier that's why. What about you? I'm sure you didn't drink coffee. You hate it." Solji sat beside her mother who still looked beautiful despite the dark circles under her eyes. It didn't take a genius to guess that something was troubling her. "Is everything okay?"

Irene nodded and smiled. "Of course."

"Why did I even ask? Of course you would lie. When did you become honest to us anyway?"

Silence fell between them. Solji didn't mean it to sound as if she was whining but her mother only chuckled. She discreetly heaved a sigh of relief because she didn't make her mother mad. They sat together in silence, listening to the sound of rain outside in the middle of the night and only two of them were still awake. Solji wanted to know what's going on inside her mother's head. Ever since the beginning, Irene only kept her hardships to herself before Suho came along.

She was just like her mother in every aspect and now she's frustrated at her.

She finally knew what it felt like dealing with herself. And to think that Jeno has so much patience dealing with her deserved a standing ovation.

"I just hope you can tell me what's going on so you will not feel so burdened. You know I'm an adult now. I may not be able to help you with it but at least you can vent out and release whatever emotions you're suppressing," Solji said.

Her mother was gazing at her, proud of the person she had become. "I know I can trust you, but I will tell you soon. You know I always want you to be happy, right?"

Solji nodded.

"Are you happy right now?" she asked.

"I am."

"Are you happy with your engagement with Jeno?"

Solji traced the rim of her half-empty glass. "Well, he's a nice person. Puts up with my stubbornness all the time and very patient. I guess you can say I'm happy with him."

"You're happy with the person but are you happy with the engagement?"

It took a good fee seconds for Solji to answer.

"If I'm being honest, I don't like it. I feel like my freedom could be stolen from my grasp anytime and you know how much I hate uncertainty. I'm just lucky that Jeno and I get along. He made this whole engagement thing bearable."

"Let's say you are given the chance to break off the engagement, would you take it?"

Breaking off the engagement meant she would regain her freedom again and would have a bigger chance to pursue her dreams, but at what cost? If she was asked the same question a few months ago, she would say yes in a heartbeat but now, something---or rather---someone was holding her back.

"Maybe. I don't know. But one thing is for sure, I will make my dreams come true no matter what, engaged or not."

A smile was the only answer Solji received from her mother.

***

One straight week of getting an hour of sleep each day and Solji could pass as a walkong zombie. Taking two degrees simultaneously was a death wish and Solji was walking through the pits of fire trying to survive both degrees.

It was a hell week for every students and she had to go through hell twice.

She was absentmindedly walking, too tired and sleepy which dulled her senses and she didn't notice a man approaching. She was expecting the man to move, the man was expecting her to do the same but since nobody moved, they bumped into each other.

The impact send Solji sprawling on the ground. She was too tired and too weak to move.

"Holy shit! Miss!" the man called and helped her up to her feet. "I'm so sorry I---wait, Solji? Kim Solji?"

Solji's brows furrowed when the man called her name. She squinted her eyes to take a good look at the man and there she recognized the sharp cheekbones that could cut through stone.

"Mark Lee?"

"Yes, the one and only. Are you okay? Are you feeling queasy?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm alright."

Holding onto the railing for support, Solji inconspicuously pulled her arm away from Mark's grasp. She didn't want to be rude since he helped her in the first place.

"I don't think you're okay. Let me bring you to the clinic."

"No, thank you. I'm okay."

Mark was about to say something when somebody called him, a voice that Solji instantly recognized.

"Mark hyung!" Jeno called his cousin as he jogged towards him. Just like anybody else, he was having a difficult time with his majors but he didn't look as worn out as Solji. When he got near them, Jeno recognized the woman practically leaning her entire weight on the railing.

"Jeno---"

"Solji!" Jeno rushed to Solji's side in an instant and made her lean on him. She didn't protest. Instead, she hummed in contentment the moment she felt his warmth and smelled his perfume. "What happened to you?"

"Wait, what's happening here?" Mark asked, confused. "Do you know each other?"

"Yes," Solji answered instead and showed her left hand bearing the emerald ring.

"She's my fiancé," Jeno answered.

Mark was beyond shock after finding out their connection. "Damn. What a small world. She's the girl I told you about. The one I bumped into while I was finishing my requirements."

Jeno tried to remembered their conversation that day and he turned to Mark and gave him a deathly glare. He circled his arm around Solji's waist possessively. "She's my fiancé," he repeated.

Mark raised his hands up in surrender.

"What are you two talking about?" Solji asked weakly.

"I'll tell you later. We have to get you something to eat first. You look really pale. What do you want to eat?" Jeno asked gently as he tucked the loose strands of hair at the back of her ear.

"I just wanted to rest," Solji whispered.

"Do you want me to take you home or just bring you to the clinic?"

"Home," Solji managed to croak out, her throat parched.

"Alright, I'll bring you home so you can rest," Jeno said. "Are you finished with all your works? Where are your stuff so I can have Mark hyung get it for us."

"Wait, me?" Mark asked and pointed at himself, suddenly confused at his involvement.

"Yeah, I'm already finished. I just need to submit my report to my professor in Chemistry. My bag is in the Chem Lab."

"Okay, I'll bring you to the car, I will submit your report and then Mark hyung will get your things. Can you wait for me in the car?"

Solji nodded, too weak to answer.

Mark witnessed it all. How Solji tried to decline his help but when Jeno arrived, she didn't hesitate to tell him all what she needed. Jeno had always been kind, but he was extra attentive when it came to her and he was holding her so carefully as if she was going to break.

When Jeno settled Solji in his car, Mark gave him a teasing look.

"What?" Jeno asked. "Stop taunting me for now and let's get moving. I need to get her home so she can rest."

"As you wish, Mr. Possessive Fiancé," Mark teased but made sure to keep a safe distance from his cousin or else he would be ripped in half. Jeno simply rolled his eyes as he led the way to the Chem Lab.

They finished in no time and Jeno was practically running to the parking lot where Solji was waiting. Mark was running after him, confused as to why they were walking so fast.

"You're really concerned about her, aren't you?" Mark asked.

"Am I that obvious?" Jeno asked but he did not need to since he knew the answer. Solji was fast asleep when they arrived. Mark put her things in the backseat and slammed the door close. He watched as the car drove away, leaving him alone in the parking lot.

"That sucks. Me, too," Mark muttered to himself before turning away and returning to the campus.

***

It was five in the afternoon when Solji woke up. The long nap did wonders to her body. She felt rejuvenated. Solji reached for her phone on her bedside table and she was surprised to see tons of text messages from Jeno.

Engr. Jeno: Rest well, Solji. You did well today. Remember to take care of yourself from time to time.

Engr. Jeno: Tell me if you need help, okay? You don't have to shoulder everything.

Engr. Jeno: Text me when you wake up. I hope you're well-rested by that time.

Engr. Jeno: It's been three hours. Are you dead?

Engr. Jeno: Should I prepare for your funeral?

Solji chuckled while reading his other texts. She had to reply as soon as she could or else Jeno would actually believe that she died in her sleep.

"I'm already awake and I'm feeling much better. Thanks a lot!"

Less than a minute after the text message was sent, Jeno called.

"That was fast," Solji told herself and then answered the call.

"Thank God! You're awake. I really thought you're dead. I was actually planning to go to your house right now."

Solji chuckled and she heard a sigh on the other line.

"I'm fine. Thank you for driving me back to my house. I was really exhausted the past week. It's a waste I didn't get to speak with your cousin."

"And why would you speak with Mark hyung?" There was a hint of jealousy in Jeno's voice which made her smile.

"To thank him also, of course! I can't believe he's your cousin. What a small world."

"Yeah. Small world." Jeno said unintelligible words and she only caught "bumped", "library", and "beautiful".

"What are you saying?"

"Nothing. You should rest more. Is there something you wanted to eat?"

"Will you cook for me?"

"That is if you want to get food poisoned. No, I will order it for you."

"Then you'll come here?"

"Damn. What are you doing to me..."

"What?"

"Nothing! Geez, Solji. Do you miss me that much? Just tell me if you want to see me."

Solji rolled her eyes but there was a ghostly smile dancing on her lips. "I want a chocolate fudge. Bring it here, that is if you're not busy."

"I'm never too busy for you."

"Say it one more time and I will call off our engagement."

If there's one thing Solji disliked, it's a person who would neglect their responsibilities for her because she knew she wouldn't do the same.

"Of course I'm only kidding! My plates are already finished so I'll see you in half an hour. You should rest while waiting for me. Okay?"

"Yes, Dad."

"Okay, daughter. I'll bring your favorite chocolate fudge so wait for Daddy."

All she could do was laugh at Jeno's antics. They ended the call and she closed her eyes again.

Waiting for Jeno to arrive was probably the longest thirty minutes of her life.

***

It was a Wednesday afternoon and it was Solji's vacant time. She was carrying a box full of slices of watermelon while choosing a seat on the bleachers. She was sick of the silence in the library and it was boring in the food court so she chose the open field to watch the soccer players practice.

She chose a good spot where she could watch the practice and enjoy the view at the same time.

Since she was preoccupied by the game, she was oblivious of the presence nearby who also happened to have a free time and had nothing better to do like her.

It was like she summoned him using watermelon.

"Is that watermelon?" Mark asked from the distance and Solji almost swallowed the slice whole.

"What the hell?!"

"I'm sorry. Did I startle you?"

"What do you think?" Solji asked angrily. She took a sip of water before turning to Mark. "Do you want some? We can share. This is too many for me."

Mark beamed at her and he skipped the steps to go and sit beside her. He was smiling so widely and Solji couldn't help but think that he's cute.

The puppy kind of cute. Not the Jeno-like type. Jeno was still cuter in her eyes.

Mark's eyes were twinkling as he stared at the container full of watermelon slices. It was like heaven was handed to him. Solji passed him a fork and Mark stabbed a slice before happily popping it inside his mouth. He did a little satisfied dance followed by a sigh of pleasure when he tasted the sweet watery fruit.

"You like watermelons?" she asked.

Mark nodded. "I love them. When I'm old, I will live in the countryside and plant watermelon and sell them."

Solji smiled. Mark seemed so easy to please. "Then you can have all of it," she said and pushed the container towards him.

"What? Are you serious?"

"Take that as a token of gratitude from me."

"For what?"

"For helping me. I didn't get the chance to thank you last time."

"That was nothing. Besides, I noticed that we always bumped into each other. Almost made me believe that we're meant to be. But then I found out that you're my cousin's fiancé and you're off-limits now. But that doesn't stop us from being meant to be though. If there's one thing you should know about me, I always seize the opportunity."

Mark wiggled his eyebrows and Solji hit his arm.

"Damn, you talk too much."

"Tell me something I don't know."

Solji laughed. "I mean, it's not bad. I like that you can naturally carry the whole conversation and I'll just sit here and listen to you ramble."

"They say I'm too sociable that it's so awkward."

"Maybe they're right about that part."

They fell into a comfortable silence as Solji watched the players play and Mark munching watermelons.

"Why did you get engaged?" Mark asked out of the blue.

"Sorry, what?"

"Why did you get engaged with Jeno?" Mark repeated. "I mean, you're both young and rich so I assume it's about business. But why? Velour is doing pretty well. And yesterday, I checked Atlanta and it's still one of the most competitive businesses in the market. So why?"

"To be honest, I don't know. I just woke up one day and they informed me I was engaged."

"Do you like Jeno?"

That question made Solji's head turn sharply on the man beside her.

"What the hell are you asking?"

"I mean, we have a business, too. And I'm a Business Management student just like you. I think we're much more suitable for each other."

"Youre being ridiculous right now."

Mark simply laughed it off.

"Maybe I am. But... if you're given the chance to call off the engagement, would you take it?"

Solji stared into Mark's eyes as she pondered on that question. She was asked the same question by her mother. Meanwhile, Mark was struggling to hold eye contact as he stared at the woman in front of him who was staring at him as if she was reading his soul. His heart pounded and his breath hitched when Solji smirked.

"I will take it if it's not Jeno."

It stung, but only a little. What was he expecting? He arrived a little too late and admired a girl that was already meant to marry his cousin.

This is just an attraction, Mark thought to himself. Nothing more.

"You know, I'm pretty athletic. I can play all sorts of sports."

"You're all talk."

"Want me to show it to you?"

Solji raised one eyebrow and Mark took it as a challenge. The soccer players just finished practicing and the soccer field was empty. They left their place and ran to the field with Mark holding one soccer ball. They both stood at the center of the field across the goal post.

"Let's make this more exciting. If this were a goal, you'll grant my wish to be your friend. If not, then I'll grant yours. Deal?"

Solji thought of the arrangement. It wouldn't be so bad being Mark's friend. Also, she had to think of what her wish would be.

"Okay. Deal."

Mark smiled and shook his entire body and jumped. Solji could only roll her eyes at Mark trying to show off. He must've stretched every muscle and bone of his body when all he had to was kick the ball hard.

"If you lose, I will really laugh at you."

"Let's see who is going to laugh in the end," Mark said cockily.

Mark took a deep breath and focused on the goal net. He took a step back before kicking the ball hard using his right foot. Both of them thought that it was going to be a goal, but the ball simply flew past the post and disappeared through the bushes.

Solji burst into fits of laughter as she lied on the field while holding her stomach. Mark stood there, still couldn't believe the fact that he just embarrassed himself. He made the rules and all and yet he failed to deliver.

"This is why you should never talk too much," Solji said, still clutching her stomach while rolling on the grass.

"At least I made you laugh."

From the distance, someone was watching them and all he could was grip the metal railing.

Jeno clenched his jaw as he watch Solji laugh because of Mark while his cousin was staring at her with eyes full of adoration. Something inside him was awakened. Unfairness was all he knew but he kept quiet in all those situations but now, he had the urge to storm to them and stop whatever they were doing.

But that would be too inconsiderate. And Solji wouldn't like it.

Even while he was suffering in silence, all he could think about was her.