It's been five days since the family dinner happened and Yeji and Karina were shocked when they found out that Jeno was Solji's fiance.

"Just how small can this world get? Out of all the people you have to be engaged with, why my cousin? The stranger you kissed at the club while you're wasted!" Yeji exclaimed.

"Stop reminding me about that incident."

"At least the person she kissed was her fiance. If not, she'd be dead if her parents find out," Karina explained, choosing to look at the brighter side.

None of it helped Solji.

"But seriously, Yeji. We've been friends for years but how come I've never known that he's your cousin?" Solji asked.

"That's because you never ask me."

"Do you expect me to ask you randomly if you have a cousin?"

"Well." Yeji lied on her stomach while typing a document on her laptop. "Jeno was raised in New York and his mother always brings him overseas so I didn't really get the chance to introduce him to you. I was just lucky that Jeno was nice and we got along instantly."

"Nice my ass," Solji snorted.

"What's with the reaction?" Karina asked.

With a frustrated sigh, Solji told her side of the story where they were seen by both of their parents when the door opened. When Jeno kicked her foot under the table and framed her up.

"I told him to just stay away from me and not do something that will make our parents think that they did a good idea."

"I kinda feel bad for Jeno after hearing that. I think he just wanted to befriend you," Karina said and Yeji agreed. Solji rolled her eyes as she let out an exasperated sigh.

"Why are you taking his side? I'm literally your friend?"

"Cut him some slack. I'm sure he's just as shocked as you are but like what you said, you have no power over these kind of things."

And Solji hated it the most. She hated not being able to do anything.

Luckily, the rumor died down after a few days. The students must have realized that they wouldn't gain anything from it and decided to continue with their own lives.

Jeno, too, continued to live like how he normally did. Right now, he and his friend Na Jaemin, a Med student, were chilling inside a cafe somewhere in the campus. Both of them were garnering looks from students and professors alike due to their overflowing visuals.

Jaemin's pink hair stood out the most. He liked being extra.

"So, how's the dinner? Who's the girl?" Jaemin asked while drinking the darkest coffee Jeno had ever seen.

"The dinner is just the usual. They're talking about business stuff that I'm not interested in. But this girl is really attentive. I'm sure she was mentally taking notes about all the things she had heard. If you know Kim Solji, that's her."

"Oh! The pretty girl from Chemical Engineering! Yup, I know her."

"Chemical Engineering? Isn't she from Business Management?" Jeno asked, confused.

Jaemin was surprised by his friend's obliviousness so he propped his elbow on the table and prepared to tell all the information he had heard, well, because he knew a lot of gossip.

"From what I have heard, Kim Solji is taking two degrees simultaneously. Business Management and Chemical Engineering. According to my friend from Chem, Kim Solji is one of the most advanced students in their class. She was also given the permission by their professor to use the chem lab on her free time. She also excelled on her accounting classes, especially in taxation."

"She's smart smart," Jeno commented and Jaemin gave him a thumbs up. "That's probably why she was so hell bent on breaking off the engagement. She even told me she already prepared a plan for her future. I kind of understand her point. I didn't take two degrees at the same time only to be shoved into marriage."

"You're going to get married to an independent woman, Lee Jeno. A woman who can do everything on her own without your help. I'm going to wish you luck."

Jeno only rolled his eyes and later asked Jaemin to leave the cafe.

Of course, he mentally took note not to mess with a smart and independent woman who could handle two degrees at the same time.

Jeno and Jaemin stepped out of the elevator when it reached the third floor. Jaemin had his class on that building while Jeno's was on the fourth floor. He was just walking aimlessly when he saw someone from across the building.

That particular classroom was built with glass windows and from there, Jeno saw Solji writing equations on the glass. She looked serious as she glanced at the book then back to the glass where she was writing. Jeno noticed that the entire window was covered with writings, mostly formulas and equations.

Damn, Jeno thought.

He was so busy watching her that he didn't hear Jaemin bid him goodbye to enter his class.

***

One time, Solji craved for a chocolate fudge and the store was near the Engineering Department so she had to walk for ten minutes. After she bought chocolate fudge, she happily left the store but stopped on her tracks when she saw someone from the classroom across the building.

Thanks to the glass windows with no curtains to cover it, she could see Lee Jeno in a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was presenting what looked like a floor plan in front of the class. He looked smart and professional, especially with that pair of glasses sitting on his tall nose. It didn't help that his hair was pushed back, revealing his smooth forehead.

Solji's cheeks heat up when she realized that she was checking him out.

She would be lying if she didn't think that Jeno was hot but that was not enough to agree with the engagement.

She had her priorities listed, getting married was not one of them.

Solji had no idea how long she stood there, but she must've stood long enough for Jeno to notice her. It must have been trick of the light or Solji was hallucinating but she swore she saw Jeno smirked and winked at her. Horrified, she left her spot without looking back.

She couldn't believe she was engaged with a smoking hot future engineer who happened to be a massive flirt.

***

During break time, Solji could be found on either of the three places: chem lab, library, and food court.

Right now, she decided to spend the rest of her afternoon hunched in one of the library's wooden table near the window while answering accounting problems that would be submitted next week. She made it a habit to do tasks in advance to prevent cramming and stress. While she was busy answering, a pink-haired guy sat across her and tapped the table three times using his nail. When Solji looked up, she saw a cute guy with a pretty smile beaming at her.

To say he was gorgeous was an understatement.

"Do you need something?" Solji asked, unfazed. If there was anything she was immune to, it's dealing with drop dead gorgeous people.

"Hello! You're Kim Solji, right?"

Solji nodded.

"Great! I'm Na Jaemin. I'm Jeno's friend."

Solji instantly recognized him. Na Jaemin was quite popular like Jeno. After all, he was the hottie of their department. Solji caught sight of the librarian who was glaring at them for two possible reason: One, for being loud and two, for thinking that they made the library a dating spot.

"Can you lower down your voice? The librarian is glaring at us. I don't want to get kicked out because of you."

Jaemin grimaced but put on a smile once again. He had never met someone so straightforward. "Sorry about that. As I was saying, I am Jeno's friend and I wanted to ask you a few questions."

Solji looked mortified.

"No! It's not what you think. I'm not here to ask you about the little scene at the Trainers'. I recently found out that the two of you are engaged so..."

"So?"

"Have you thought about the baby names? I have a list in case you need it."

Solji was speechless. It took everything in her not to bash Jaemin's head with a book.

"What the hell are you saying?"

"Sorry, that was a bad joke. Okay, okay. I'm sorry, I really am. I'm just here to ask your opinion about the engagement."

Solji sighed. "You're the first person to ask me about my opinion."

Jaemin was surprised. "I am? What about your parents?"

"My parents like deciding things on their own. I'm sure Jeno already told you that I am clearly against this whole engagement thing but since our parents like deciding things on their own, I'm afraid we can't really do anything about it."

"Yeah, that's exactly what he said..."

"Then why did you come here?"

Jaemin smiled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. He leaned forward and looked straight into Solji's eyes. There was something cold about it that sent shivers down her spine. "I understand how much you hate being engaged without your consent but I just hope you treat Jeno with kindness because that person is going through a lot of pressure due to his parents. I will not elaborate further on that but I hope you get what I mean."

Solji was speechless, unable to find the right words to say.

"He's just like you. He's only better at hiding it."

Solji felt insulted. She wanted to lash out at Jaemin but it would only be a waste of time explaining your side to someone who didn't know you. But Jaemin said what he said, it didn't matter if he heard Solji's side or not.

"Everyone says that to me. I should be kinder, treat people with kindness, cut them some slack. But you do realize that fate was never kind to me."

"Yes, yes of course. I'm not invalidating your experience in any way. I just wanted to make a plea for my friend's case because I know what he's going through and I think you should know as well. I'm just here to ask you what do you think of him?"

Solji remembered Jeno's playful personality, the way he acted during their dinner and when he winked at her while she's eating chocolate fudge. "A flirt," she blurted out before she could stop herself.

Jaemin let out a dramatic gasped. "Jeno is a flirt? Oh my goodness!"

"What?"

"That's rare. Jeno is famous for being cold and snob. And to think that you think of him as a flirt? That's really weird."

Solji never thought of Jeno as cold or snob or any of its synonyms. He was rather kind and understanding to her despite his constant teasing.

She suddenly felt guilty for acting rude towards him.

After all, she owed him an apology not only for her behavior but also for kissing him when she was drunk.

Solji smelled Jeno she saw him.

"Jeno Lee," she muttered before turning around. Jeno was caught in a position where he was about to startle her and Solji let out an unimpressed snort.

"What? How did you know it was me? Do you have eyes at the back of your head?" Jeno asked.

"I smelled your perfume," Solji answered.

"Let's eat ice cream," Jeno said. Solji thought that he was talking to Jaemin but then he snatched the books away from her hands. Solji looked up and realized that their faces were too close, nose almost touching.

"What the hell?!" Solji instantly backed away.

"Am I supposed to leave? I suddenly feel uncomfortable," Jaemin murmured to himself, conflicted whether he should leave or not before he realized something. "Wait, you're asking her? Not me? What kind of friend are you?"

"Fiance business," Jeno winked and slung Solji's bag on his shoulder before leaving the library.

"Where the hell do you think you're bringing me?" Solji hissed as she followed Jeno outside. Jaemin could only shake his head as he was unintentionally given the task to return the books that Solji borrowed.

"I'm okay. I'm fine. Jeno's my friend. Murder is bad," Jaemin chanted to himself. "Only if somebody finds out about it."

Meanwhile, Jeno managed to trap Solji in his car. He didn't force her to enter. He only threw her bag inside and she entered to get it, not knowing that it would be locked. Now, she was sitting beside Jeno with murder inside her head.

"You know what I hate the most, right? When people keep deciding on their own without asking me!"

"But you got in on your own."

"Yes, without knowing that this damn car locks instantly."

"Don't get mad at my car. My baby did nothing wrong."

"What's gotten inside that head of yours and you wanted to eat ice cream with me? Why didn't you drag Jaemin instead? Isn't he your friend?"

"Yeah but I'm sick of his face. I want a new company."

"The new company doesn't want to be with you at the moment."

"So there's a possibility that you will change your mind," Jeno asked and glanced from the road to her, obviously pleased about the flow of the conversation.

"Jeno, just tell me where you're taking me and why. I know you're not doing this for no reason."

"Fine. Remember when I caught you gawking at me last time when you're standing in front of my classroom."

Solji instantly shrunk in embarrassment but tried to save her pride. "Excuse me? I'm not gawking at you! I was just spacing out."

"Spacing out while staring intensely at me."

"Stop flattering yourself."

"Okay the thing is, I saw you eating that chocolate fudge and yesterday, this new shop near my unit opened and they sell cups of chocolate fudge so I thought you might want to try it."

A moment of silence prevailed as Solji felt butterflies in her stomach. It felt as if someone had pinched her heart. How could Jeno possibly think of her when he saw that store? She couldn't help but feel special, but then they met in an unexpected way with a strange setup. She shouldn't let herself get dragged by the feeling of being looked after.

She didn't need anyone to look after her.

The store was quite small and the interior was mostly made of pastel pink. From the walls, counter top, tables and chairs, everything was pastel. Jeno ordered two large cups of chocolate fudge and he literally had to fight against Solji just to pay for their order. If he learned something about her in the little time that they had, Solji was stubborn and always refuse help from other people.

They took a seat near the glass wall with the view of the highway outside. It wasn't exactly a sight to behold but it was better than looking at Jeno's face.

"Look, I'll let you pay for our food next time," Jeno tried to soothe Solji but she only glowered at him.

"There is no next time."

"Are you sure about that?" Jeno asked and raised his left eyebrow.

That was hot as hell, but Solji was mad. "Yeah, and if you try to force me to come with you then I'll dig these heels into your eyes," she said and kicked Jeno's leg under the table and the latter grimaced in pain.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. How can I pay you? Oh, that was a wrong question. How can I make it up to you?"

"Vanish."

"You'll have to walk back home then."

"I know how to commute in a public transport, Lee Jeno, heir of Velour."

Jeno winced. "Quit that. It's cringey."

"Then don't make me mad if you don't wanna hear that again, Lee Jeno, heir of Velour."

Both of them let out an exasperated sigh when they realized how petty they were.

"I'm sorry," Solji finally said.

Jeno was taken aback but he immediately got back his composure. "What are you apologizing for?"

"For kissing you at the club when I was drunk and for being rude to you when we had dinner. Jaemin told me that you are also having a hard time and I should cut you some slack. I realized he was right, so I'm really sorry."

"Na Jaemin. That jerk..."

"He's not a jerk. He's got a point. But... what does he mean by that? Aside from the fact that---"

"I heard from Jaemin that you're taking two degrees right now? How is it? How are you still alive?"

Solji noticed the slight change of Jeno's voice and how he suddenly acted so enthusiastic about her degrees. She realized that she must have touched a sensitive nerve. She simply acted as if she didn't notice anything.

"I sold my soul to the devil. And I don't sleep."

"You really are doing a lot to make your plans happen."

"And yet none of it will ever come true," she replied.

"Just because we're getting married doesn't mean you'll lose total control over the company. You can still make the plans happen."

"But the credits will not go to me."

"Does it matter to you that much?"

This time, Jeno was the one who hit a sensitive nerve.

Solji wanted to yell, "Of course it matters to me! I have always been discredited and overshadowed, not appreciated enough for the things that I can do and I never said anything about it!" But she stopped herself. It wasn't proper to lash out at a person who didn't know anything about your life.

"Don't kill me for saying this but I think you're quite rare," Jeno said out of the blue.

Solji snorted. "I'm not rare. I'm simply just not your type."

"What made you say so?"

"There are lot of women like me who are independent and unfaltering. It just so happens that those kind of women are not your choice of company."

"I don't really spend time with women in general."

"Then how are you so good at flirting?"

Jeno smirked and Solji regretted what she said. "Oh, so you think I'm good?"

Solji rolled her eyes and tried to play it cool. "You don't need to thank me for the ego boost."

Jeno chuckled and Solji swore she felt her heart hammered inside her chest. "No, but seriously though. I admire your intelligence and determination. Despite everything that's trying to drag you down, you're still climbing up to reach the top. I really admire that."

"Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Lee."

"Anytime, Miss Kim."

Jeno beamed at her and she couldn't help but return it. His smile was warm and contagious. His face had the kindest and most gentle features she had ever seen. The kind that would instantly make you feel safe and comfortable.

"I think we're a both misfits that's why we get along," Solji said.

"I agree with the misfit part but the 'get along' one? Let me rethink."

Solji acted as if she was going to hit Jeno and Jeno flinched. She instantly dropped her hand.

"I'm not going to hit you."

"But you kicked me under the table earlier."

"You started it first."

"Looks like someone is holding grudges."

"Yeah, deep and dark grudges that would fuel me to murder someone in broad daylight using a spoon."

Jeno held his hands up in surrender. He could never win against her in an argument. The girl had too many savage comebacks he couldn't counter. After all, she grew up with two savage brothers and one of them was even a lawyer. She learned from the best.

Jeno offered Solji to drive her home. The sun was setting when they left the shop and they talked about a lot of nonsense things, mostly concerning about their academics. Solji was puzzled and terrified that Jeno was capable of making her feel carefeee and she swore to herself not to keep her guard down the next time.

When they arrived to their house, Doyoung happened to be in front of their lawn and he saw Solji got out of Jeno's car.

"Ji?" Doyoung called Solji and she was horrified.

"Oppa... hi! Didn't notice you there!" she laughed nervously.

"Who is that?" Doyoung asked but before Solji could lie, Jeno stepped out of the car and smiled politely at Doyoung.

"Hyung, it's me," Jeno said and Doyoung instantly recognized him.

"Taeyong hyung's cousin! Hello! Haven't seen you in a while."

What a small world. Her brother knew him personally.

Who would've thought that the people in Solji's lives were connected to Jeno's. It's like the entire universe conspired against her to give her a hard time. She wanted to spend less time with Jeno, hell, she didn't even want to do anything with him but how could she avoid him when all of them were interconnected?

"Do you know my sister?" Doyoung asked Jeno.

Jeno glanced at Solji first, looking for an answer. This time, Solji appreciated the fact that Jeno remembered the thing she hated the most.

"He's my fiance," Solji answered truthfully and Jeno was surprised. Nothing beats Doyoung's reaction though. His eyes were wide as saucers and his mouth was shaped a perfect 'O'.

"What did you just say?"

"He's the person that our parents wanted me to marry. We're engaged, unfortunately."

"But where's the ring?" Doyoung asked. Solji and Jeno looked at each other. They haven't thought about that. They were only engaged by words, no contracts or rings binding them together. It was more of like a decision.

"Is it even important? It's not like this is a sure deal anyway," Solji said.

"Welcome to the family, Jeno!" Doyoung exclaimed and hugged Jeno who was smiling, his eyes shaped like two crescent moons. "Have you eaten dinner yet? Come eat join us!"

"But he's---"

Solji's plea wasn't heard when Doyoung dragged Jeno inside their house. They looked like they really get along well and her own brother was more concerned about her fiance than her. She only rolled her eyes at them and went upstairs to wash her body and change clothes. When she got down, she saw her brother Jungwoo talking animatedly with Jeno.

Solji was fascinated about how Jeno could befriend anyone, how he could make someone like him at first meeting.

He did it with her Dad, then with her brothers.

Whose favor was he going to gain next?

Definitely not mine, Solji thought confidently.

Solji just knew that Jeno was going to have a difficult time to gain her mother's trust. First of all, she had a history of hating men before. Second of all, she could sense a person's intention. Lastly, she did not approve of this engagement.

Their parents weren't able to join them for dinner and Solji was thankful enough that her brothers occupied the entire conversation. She didn't have the strength to talk anymore. Jungwoo even wanted Jeno to have a sleepover but the latter said he still have some things to do.

When it was time for him to leave, Solji decided to see him off.

"Your brothers are really fun. I don't remember enjoying dinner so much unless I'm with Taeyong hyung or Jaemin," Jeno said and Solji saw how genuinely happy he was.

"I'm... I'm glad you enjoyed it," Solji said.

"So... see you tomorrow?"

"No, I don't wanna see you tomorrow," Solji said. Jeno chuckled and she swore she felt her heart thumped. Then, he held her wrist and unclasped her wristwatch before running to his car.

"Hey! Give that back to me!" she yelled and chased after Jeno was the door won't open. Jeno lowered down the window so Solji would hear him.

"If you wanted this back, you'll have to see me again," Jeno winked. He closed the window before Solji could even curse at him and drove away.

Solji couldn't do anything but watch as the car disappeared from her sight. Her wrist felt empty without her watch and she caressed the skin where Jeno held it. His hand was rough and warm and she hated to admit that she liked the feeling of it over her skin.

To be honest, Solji could just forget about that watch since she had a whole collection of expensive watches. She wasn't even mad at all. But she also liked the idea of seeing him tomorrow.