Every college student dreamed of graduating. Walking up the stage while hearing a round of applause, shaking hands with the school staff, and then finally getting the diploma.

A lot had happened within two years. Mark graduated last year with flying colors and job opportunities instantly knocked on his door, several big shot companies competing against each other for him. He was now in New York since that was where the company he chose was based.

This year, Jeno, Karina, and Solji would graduate. Since Solji was taking two degrees simultaneously, she would be graduating twice. Her chemical engineering course required her to study for five years. She would be graduating again with Jaemin next year.

"I can't believe we're already finished in college!" Karina exclaimed and there were tears glistening her eyes. She looked absolutely ethereal in her straight black hair. Karina became popular among airline companies for her outstanding performance during internship. Not to mention that she made head turns. Several pilots tried to court her during that period but she turned them all down.

"I still have to attend school next year but at least, I'm not as stresses anymore," Solji replied.

She almost gave up. Almost. Imagine taking two degrees at the same time which required both of her attention. She thought of playing darts to decide which subject she would fail. But Jeno was there to remind her who she wanted to become.

CEO Kim Solji of Atlanta.

She barely slept this year, focusing on her thesis and then conducting more complex experiments for her other major. Every day was hell for her.

Good thing Jeno was there.

There were times when she was always in a bad, snapping at him from time to time, him being a collateral of her mood swings caused by stress and pressure. But he never got angry. Instead, he thought of ways on trying to make her manage the overwhelming emotions that were weighing her down.

They might have fought for a few times, but they always talked about it afterwards.

There was a time when both of them barely had time for each other. They could only talk for less than an hour a day and that shit almost drove them crazy.

But they survived.

Just like they always did.

"Hello, girls!" Jeno waded his way through the sea of people to the two girls. Solji's smile instantly widened and Karina could only roll her eyes. She had no choice but be a third wheel for the meantime.

Jeno hugged them both, but he made sure to hug Solji tighter and planting a kiss on her head.

"Both of you look beautiful," Jeno said.

Lee Jeno was an outstanding Engineering student which made veteran engineers in awe of his genius ideas. He easily stood out among his batch mates, brimming with creativity and confidence. He made several plans for projects that involved buildings that were environmentally sustainable while catering to the needs of the people.

Before he graduated, he landed a project from a business tycoon from Russia. He was there when Jeno presented his plan in the convention center and he liked every detail that he made. His mother was absolutely so proud of him.

Solji still couldn't believe that this brilliant guy was hers.

"Oh my God. I wanted to cry, please. All of you had grown up so fast. I feel so proud!" Jaemin exclaimed from behind them.

Nothing much had changed. If anything he became more dramatic and the dark circles under his eyes were even darker. Still, he was labeled as the handsome SMA pre-med student from the doctors, nurses, and other hospital staffs where he volunteered.

He looked like an absolute mad scientist in his black disheveled hair but he still managed to make people stop and stare. He walked towards his best friend, Jeno, and hugged him.

Solji smiled as Jaemin attempted to kiss Jeno and the latter blocked him with his big hands.

"Am I late?" someone said and they all turned their heads at him.

It was Mark.

All of their smiled widened as they walked towards him and engulfed him into a hug. This was the first time they had seen him after flying to New York, weeks after he graduated. His body became bulkier and his cheekbones were sharper. His black hair was styled into a comma which gave him a bad-boy-but-make-it-classy look. Overall, his style transformed from casual to corporate.

When he smiled, it felt like as if they were back when they first met.

"You came! I thought you wouldn't make it," Jeno said and hugged his cousin once again.

"How can I miss your big day? I can't wait to see you cry like an idiot!" Mark replied and dodged Jeno's punch. "By the way, your mother is with Solji's parents right now and I came here to see you guys. You have no idea how proud I feel right now seeing you guys in that black gown."

He acted as if he was wiping a tear and they chanted don't cry.

After a few minutes of picture taking and talking, they were ushered by the professors inside the huge auditorium since the ceremony would begin in a few minutes.

"See you later," Solji told Jeno before tiptoeing and planting a kiss on his cheek which made his smile widen.

"See you."

***

To celebrate their graduation, Solji's parents allowed them to spend three days and two nights in Isle Irene. Everyone was excited to step foot on the beautiful private island.

It had been long since Solji and Jeno went there for her parents' wedding anniversary and that was when Jeno bent on one knee and proposed to her with an emerald ring.

Come to think of it, Jeno never gave the ring back to Solji. It made her anxious at first, thinking that Jeno would drop her any moment he desired, but Jeno showed her that he had no intentions of leaving her behind.

Because like what Jeno had said to her two years ago, they would not skip any steps.

As they got inside the villa that remained beautiful as ever, each of them had their own rooms to her friends' delight. Solji occupied the same room she had when they had a vacation there. She left her suitcase beside the bed and stepped out to fhe balcont and breathed in fresh air mixed with the smell of salt. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment of tranquility.

Isle Irene was her most favorite place in the world.

Oblivious to her surroundings, she didn't hear when Jeno opened the door to her room. He found her unopened suitcase beside her bed and saw her shadow at the balcony. He tiptoed lightly and prepared to scare her when she spoke.

"You know I can smell you, right?" Solji asked with her eyes closed. Jeno stomped on his feet which earned a giggle from his girlfriend.

"No fair!" he sulked and wrapped his arms around her waist, her back pressed against his chest.

Solji sighed contentedly.

"I love this place so much," Solji murmured and looked up to see Jeno's face. He was also at peace, just like her. "I can't believe you're here with me. We had gone through so much shit. Who would've thought we would withstand all the storms."

Jeno looked down and pressed a kiss on her forehead.

"Fate proved to us that what's meant for you will come to you in time. There's no need to force everything. And you are worth all the trouble... even though you're a trouble yourself."

Solji squirmed in his hold and was about to land a hit on his arm but he hugged her tighter, caging her inside his strong arms and leaving wet kisses down her delicate neck. Her anger was replaced with lust and desired and a moan escaped her lips which made Jeno smirk.

"You know we shouldn't keep them waiting," Jeno whispered to her ear and playfully bit her earlobe which made her shudder. "Let's continue this later."

Solji only rolled her eyes and turned around. She caught him off guard when she palmed her crotch and whispered into his ear. "Sure thing, baby."

She left him at the balcony, turned on and horny as hell.

Jeno was whipped for Solji so badly and he was a sucker every time she teased him and call him baby.

"Now, I'm so determined to continue this later," Jeno told himseld before following Solji downstairs, joining their friends for lunch.

On the first two days and one night, they did all sorts of activities they could.

They went island hopping and stopped in the middle of the sea to take a swim.

Jaemin didn't want to get into the water since he didn't like getting wet. He simply sat on the yacht and watched us swim and bask under the sun.

He was wearing a blue donut floater when he accidentally slipped and fell on the water.

He was shouting profanities while trying to stay afloat, not knowing that he would actually float without doing anything. He embarrassed himself to say the least and had no choice but to join them for a swim.

That night, they went to a neighboring island to visit the resto bar they went to two years ago.

It was lively as usual and nothing much had changed except from the little renovation made to make it more pleasing to the customers.

They danced the night away, drank a lot, and met strangers.

Yeji and Karina got so drunk and they crawled on the shore, putting sands in their pockets thinking it was milk powder. Then they met a stray cat and tried to bring it back home. Yeji cried for no apparent reason, she just found the cat cute. Karina also cried, saying that the cat reminded her of her son even though she was single and had no child.

It was chaotic and messy and Solji had a fun time recording her best friends.

The next day, Mark talked to the locals and they enjoyed talking to him so much that they gave five big watermelons. He looked like a child that won a tub of ice cream. He was all smiles and even took pictures of him with his babies.

Every event was memorable and she recorded everything. One day when she's old enough, she wanted to look back and see that she enjoyed her youth.

On the last night of their stay, Solji's family went to the island for the celebration.

Solji was in her room, all dolled up for the occasion.

She was wearing a white dress that reached her knees with puffy sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Her hair was curled on its tips and was tied in a half bun, a few locks of hair framing her face. The highlight of her makeup was her eyes painted with extra glitter.

She was literally glowing.

A knock on the door woke her up from her reverie and when she opened it, her breath was stolen.

Standing in front of her was Jeno wearing a matching white polo with the first three buttons undone, revealing his sculpted chest. Jeno's eyes raked her from head to toe with his mouth slightly agape.

They were both surprised at each other's appearance as if they weren't used to seeing each other all dressed up.

"You look beautiful," they both said and the awkwardness disappeared, replaced by a joyful laughter.

"Why are we so awkward whenever we see each other like this?" Solji asked and Jeno shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know either. Maybe we're reminded by the fact that we're gorgeous."

"I know right. I'm a stunner, of course I deserve a smoking hot boyfriend."

"And I deserve a stunning girlfriend," Jeno replied before planting a chaste kiss on Solji's lips before intertwining their hands together, walking to the ballroom where the venue of the party was held.

As soon as they arrived at the party, they instantly noticed that the ballroom was transformed into a tropical-theme event. There was a long table filled with seafood and tropical fruits. Even the music playing in the background matched the whole theme. From the distance, Solji saw her parents talking to Jeno's mother so they walked there to let them know they arrived.

Tiffany welcomed Solji with a warm hug before eyeing her from head to toe. "You are so beautiful, my dear. You look exactly like your mother. My son is so lucky to have you!" she said. Jeno smiled at them.

"I'm just as lucky to have your son," Solji replied.

"You're really sweet, darling. Do you mind if I steal my son for awhile? I just need to tell him something very important," Tiffany said and glanced at her son who was also just as clueless.

Solji nodded. "Sure! Go ahead."

When they walked away, Solji walked to her friends who were having a blast. Each of them were holding alcoholic drinks except for Jaemin who contented himself with soda. Mark walked towards her, smiling widely before pulling her into a quick hug.

"South Korea isn't the same without you," Solji said the moment they pulled away.

"That's a creative of saying that you missed my presence," he replied then wiggled his eyebrows playfully. Nothing much had changed between them. And she was thankful for that.

"Yeah, whatever you say," she simply said.

Mark's expression suddenly became serious--almost nervous--as he shifted on his heels.

"Spit it out. I know you are itching to say something," Solji said and Mark wasn't even surprised. He only smiled bashfully before clearing his throat.

"This is a serious question and I need a serious answer," he said.

"You know I don't joke around unless it's not important."

Mark took a deep breath before speaking as if what he was about to say would literally put his life on the line.

"How did you know that you're in love with Jeno?"

Solji was taken aback for a short moment before regaining her composure. "Wow, I didn't expect that one. But to answer your question, I only realized that I love him when I thought I was about to lose him. You know, with the Heejin situation two years ago."

Mark nodded as he let her words sink in. "So... that's it? When you're afraid to lose the person, you'll know you're in love?"

"Yeah, that's pretty much the case for me. You should ask the others."

"I can't. They're all too drunk to answer me."

Solji only nodded and took a bite of the mango when she realized what Mark had just done. Her eyes darted back to him.

"Mark, are you..."

Mark laughed nervously. "Took you a while to figure that out."

"Holy shit! Are you in love?"

Mark shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know about what I feel at first, but I think I do now, thanks to you. I'm seeing this guy named Haechan. He's working as a general manager at the Boston branch and we met each other in a business dinner. He's so talkative and bright. Like a walking sunshine. He always... I don't know... he renders me speechless, he makes my heart race, he gives me comfort. I thought I only like him as a friend, but then he told me that if nobody's going to ask him out, he's gonna date his best friend Renjun."

"So that's what made you rethink and assess your feelings?"

"Yes. Pretty much."

Solji squealed and didn't hesitate to jump and hug Mark. "You have no idea how happy I am for you! You always work hard with no breaks and I'm so happy to know that there's someone who is making you happy."

Mark laughed. "He's making me happy but I don't know what he feels about me yet."

"Oh, don't you worry about a thing! I'm sure this Haechan guy also likes you! I mean, who wouldn't?"

"I don't know? Probably you?"

Solji punched Mark's arm.

"But kidding aside, it's fine if he doesn't like me that way. I don't really mind if he's just passing by in my life. If there's someone out there who's meant for me, then I will wait for as long as it takes."

Mark was a hopeless romantic through and through.

"I really admire your mindset," Solji said. "You're really mature when it comes to serious stuff."

"Of course! This is Mark Lee we're talking about."

They both laughed at his mock arrogance before his face became serious again. This time, it wasn't out of nervousness. It's more like a father giving his daughter an advice.

"You know I'm so happy that you found your way back to my cousin. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Both of you."

And then Mark hugged her again. She was puzzled at his behavior.

"Why are you making it seem like I'm going to die?"

"I mean, there's a big chance that you'll die on the spot so I'm giving you a foreshadowing."

"Foreshadowing about what?" she asked, confused.

However, her questions weren't answered when Mark danced away from her and another music started. She felt a tap on her shoulder and when she turned around, she saw her brother Doyoung.

"Hello, sister," Doyoung said and twirled her around the dance floor. Doyoung set a protective hand on her waist and guided her to the middle, flashing his gummy smile.

He was radiant and glowing despite having such stressful job.

"Hi, brother!" Solji replied and smiled widely.

"I'm so so proud of you. Very," he said and it was enough to Solji tear up. He was her emotional support brother who always cheered her up and believed in her no matter what.

"Thank you so much. It means a lot to me. I know you've always been there for me since the beginning."

"Of course, you're my baby sister. I will kill anyone who hurts you."

"I'm glad you didn't kill Jeno."

Doyoung rolled his eyes. "You know I've taken a liking to that boy. I'm just a tiny bit glad that he had his own reasons. Is he treating you good?"

"He's the best."

Doyoung raised his one eyebrow. "I doubt it. I'm the best!"

They both chuckled and danced with the music after a few minutes of silence.

"Remember, I'm always here for you. I'm so proud of you, Solji. I love you."

He made her twirl around and again and this time, Jungwoo was standing in fronr of her with a stupid wide grin plastered on his face.

If Doyoung was the emotional support brother, Jungwoo was the ride or die one. He had this bright and cheerful personality that could turn a serious situation into comedy while maintaining a stoic face.

"Hello, ugly sister," Jungwoo greeted her and they danced in the middle of the dance floor. They just twirled and twirled until they were both dizzy.

"Stop it! I might puke my guts out."

"Don't you dare mess up my expensive clothes!"

Solji gasped. "Oh my... God! Are you wearing a Valentino coat? How come I never saw this in your closet?"

"So you're the one who keeps stealing from my closet! No wonder some of my shirts and sweater were missing!"

Solji only smiled at her brother who rolled his eyes at her.

"Sorry about that. By the way, that coat looks good on you."

"As it should. I bought this using my first paycheck."

Jungwoo was known for being strict with his money and seeing him splurge on himself once in a while could make her heart swell in pride.

"I can't believe you're all grown up. You can get married any time soon."

"I haven't even graduated on my second degree yet!"

Jungwoo rolled his eyes. "Whatever. If someone will propose to me right now, I will not hesitate to say yes."

"Well, if that someone will be Jeno then why not?"

There was a strange glint in Jungwoo's eyes which Solji, luckily missed.

"It's nice dancing with you, ugly sister. But I'm still a better dancer with you. Off you go."

Jungwoo left her on the dance floor and her hand was gently taken by her father who was watching at the sidelines. Solji's smile instantly widened as she danced with her father.

"Hello, princess," Suho said and there was a fatherly smile plastered on his face.

"Hi, Dad!" Solji greeted back and tiptoed to kiss her father's cheek. It might not be obvious but Suho was a very emotional person, especially when it came to his only daughter who was also the youngest in the family.

"I can't believe you're all so grown up. I still remember when you were a baby and you kept pestering daddy to play tea party with you," he said and they both laughed. Solji had no memory of that, of course. But seeing her father's reaction was enough to make her laugh.

"I'll always be your little girl. But of course, don't baby me too much."

"Yes, I know that. I learned about it, thanks to your mother."

Solji leaned on her father's chest and they danced like that for a few minutes. Suho let a lone tear escape from his eyes. The night was still young and surely the people weren't drunk yet so he couldn't make an excuse for his emotions.

He knew what was about to happen.

"I love you so much, princess," Suho said and planted a kiss on her head.

"I love you too, Dad," Solji replied, still leaning on her father's chest.

"I think your boyfriend wants to dance with you."

Solji looked up and saw Jeno walking towards them with a handsome smile on his face.

"Hello, gorgeous," Jeno said and wiggled his eyebrows.

Solji giggled and playfully slapped Jeno's arm before melting into his embrace. Time must have stopped because nothing else mattered at that moment.

"You're the most beautiful girl in this party," Jeno whispered to her ear. "Don't tell that to my Mom."

"I can't promise you that," Solji teased and Jeno kissed her nose. If their friends made gagging noises while watching them, it didn't matter.

Solji could drown into the depths of Jeno's eyes. She thought she couldn't fall harder for the man in front of him. She was wrong.

Jeno had everything he needed in his arms. He thought he could never find love in this lifetime. It came in an unexpected way.

"Will you kill me if I do something unexpected?" Jeno asked.

"Depends on how crazy it is," Solji replied.

"Crazy enough to make you feel all sorts of emotions."

"I always feel that when I'm with you."

Jeno smiled at her. It always caught her off-guard. It always made her heart race every time he did that. If there's one thing she considered as her favorite aside from chocolate fudge, it's Jeno's smile.

The smile disappeared, replaced by a sincere expression he would always were every time he's saying something that would make Solji's heart melt.

"I have loved you every waking day of my life and I want to spend the rest of my lifetime with you. Jaemin was right when he said that I deserve all the happiness in the world. And you were right when you said I deserved to be loved. But not only that. If there's one woman I want to love with my whole heart, it's you, Kim Solji."

Jeno bent one knee in the middle of the dance floor. All eyes were focused on them. Solji held her breath as he uttered the next words.

"Will you marry me?"

Her whole world was shook to the core as those four words sank in. Jeno was asking for her hand in marriage. Her brothers and father talked to her as if they were saying goodbye. Mark talked about foreshadowing. They all knew something except for her.

But this was one secret she couldn't get angry for.

Instead, she was elated for the surprise.

Jeno was looking at her full of hope and anxiousness. How could he still become nervous when he knew what the answer would be?

"Yes! Yes, of course!"

Jeno let go of all the tension inside of him and inserted the diamong ring in her ring finger before standing up and kissing her forehead.

"We've finally reached this far. I'm so glad, baby. I love you so much."