Jeno was true to his word.

He was waiting outside Solji's classroom in all of his fitted black turtleneck glory. The material hugged his lean body and his long legs clad in black ripped jeans made him look like a model fresh off the runway. Students of all gender couldn't help but look at his way and wonder who was he waiting for.

Just in time, Professor Lee Taeyong, which happened to be Solji's professor in Accounting, dismissed his class. She put all her stuff inside her bag and slung it on her shoulders. When she reached the door, she heard her fellow students fussing over something and they were blocking the door.

She tried to squeeze herself among the bodies. She had somewhere to be, though she didn't know where to start.

Solji was planning to go the Engineering Department to get her watch from Jeno. If she was being honest, she didn't know why she was feeling a little too excited about it. She could have just ignored the watch and continue with her life but she was acting as if that watch meant everything to her. It didn't have a sentimental value, but now it might.

She was looking forward to seeing the person who stole it, not knowing that the same person was waiting for her outside.

When she managed to get out, she finally saw what the fuss was all about.

Solji raked Jeno using her eyes from head to toe. He looked like a snack, a Greek God, a gorgeous specimen, and everything in between.

"There you are," Jeno said and walked towards Solji.

She felt like she was in a cliche teen movie where Jeno was the male lead and she was his partner. The students were watching their every move as she tried to ignore the buzzing sounds of gossip being passed over until it spreads around the school like a wildfire. When Jeno was standing in front of Solji, her breath hitched.

He smiled at her and handed her wristwatch.

"Here. I realized I have something that belongs to you."

Just when the rumor about them died down, it sparked another one.

"Oh, Jeno!" Taeyong called from behind. Jeno's eyes moved from Solji to his cousin.

"Hyung."

"Are you waiting for me?"

Jeno shook his head. "Nope, but we can eat lunch together if you like."

"Sorry, I can't eat with you. I have to type some files," Taeyong explained. Then his eyes landed on Jeno's hand still holding Solji's wrist. She immediately took her arm away and excused herself from the two. Taeyong and Jeno talked using their eyes like they had some telepathic ability. Jeno showed his ring finger and Taeyong immediately understood. Even without the ring, the older knew what it was about.

"Small world," Taeyong muttered as he shook his head.

***

"Jeno Lee..." Jaemin called his best friend for who knows how many times. He was hanging out with Jeno in his unit though the latter was busy drawing plates. "Let me take your blood again please."

"You've taken my blood for the fifth time this week. Find someone else."

"No. I'm too shy to ask someone."

"Go to Hyunjin's house and forcefully take his blood," Jeno suggested, referring to his cousin who was Yeji's twin brother. Like his sister, he also went to JYPMA.

"That's actually a good idea. But I think I prefer someone. How about your fiance?"

Jeno looked up from his hunched position. "I was meaning to ask you about the day you talked to her at the library but I keep forgetting. Why did you tell her to be good to me?"

"Well maybe because you need it?"

Jeno gave his friend a look and Jaemin groaned. He knew what it meant. "Fine. I just don't want you to have a hard time. You already have a lot of things in your mind and being her fiance would add to that pressure. Don't worry, I didn't tell her anything personal about you. I know how much you value your privacy."

"I appreciate your help but you don't really have to look after me."

Jaemin clutched his chest dramatically. "I'm just concerned about you! How can you say this to me?" Jaemin sat up as he gave Jeno a teasing look. "You're already picking up her habits, huh?"

Jeno didn't realize what it meant until he heard what he just said. He sounded like her. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're playing a dangerous game."

"Who says this is a game?"

"So are you planning to take this seriously then?"

"Why are we even talking about this?"

Jaemin shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe because she told me you're a flirt when I've never seen you flirt with someone before. So what exactly are you thinking, Lee Jeno? Do you like her?"

Jeno snorted. "How can I like someone that I only met for less than two months?"

"Okay, let me rephrase my question. Are you planning to like her?"

"Look, I admire her alright. She's both beauty and brains, who wouldn't admire that?"

"Okay, so you only like the noticeable things about her. Are you that's it?"

"For now."

"Lee Jeno!"

"Na Jaemin, I have no plans of catching feelings for someone who is so hell bent on calling off the engagement whenshe sees the chance to do so."

But if he was being honest, he was drawn to her like a moth drawn to flame. It was dangerous but tempting.

"I'll just call Hyunjin and take his blood," Jaemin said and fished his phone from his pocket. He dialed Hyunjin's number and Jeno listened to their exchange.

"Hello, Jeno's cousin! Of course I know your name, I was just teasing you. Are you free right now? No, not a date, silly! Do you really wanna date me so bad? Just kidding."

Jeno minded his own business when Jaemin gasped loudly. "Yeji's friends are there?"

It piqued Jeno's interest but remained focus on his plate.

"Oh, really? Solji and Karina? Bring Jeno with me? Oh no, he's busy right now. Very busy---"

"I'm not!" Jeno cut off and Jaemin looked at him, surprised. Then his small face split into a mischievous grin as he looked at his agitated best friend. "Yeah, I don't think he will come. He's busy with his plates right now. See you."

Jaemin ended the call, his eyes not leaving his best friend who only realized his actions too late.

"Not interested, huh? Lee Jeno I'm telling you."

"I'm not busy at all. Stop making up excuses not to bring me."

"Did somebody's name catch your attention?"

"No, what are you talking about?"

"You can play innocent as much as you like, Jeno. But you can never deceive me."

"Let's just go!"

Jeno got his black leather jacket from his dresser. Then, he stood in front of his vanity and sprayed perfume all over his body. Jaemin coughed and scolded him for using too much but Jeno wanted to make sure that he could be smelled from miles away. Jeno applied lip balm on his cherry lips to moisturize and add a little shine on it and Jaemin only watched as his best friend finished checking his entire look in front of the mirror.

"I swear this guy doesn't know what trouble he's getting himself into," Jaemin murmured to himself. "Are you done? You look good already. Let's go!"

"Wait, before we go there, let's buy chocolate fudge first."

Solji, Karina, Yeji, and Hyunjin were chilling inthe living room, mostly fiddling with their phones while the twins were bickering then sharing gossips afterwards. It was just a normal scenario and Solji had known them for years to be bothered.

"Jaemin is coming over," Hyunjin announced.

"Is he going with Jeno?" Yeji asked. It caught Solji's attention but didn't look up from her phone, pretending to be uninterested.

"I don't think so. Jaemin said he's busy with his plates," Hyunjin answered and Solji, for an unknown reason, her anticipation deflated.

"Taking Engineering must be so hard," Solji muttered to herself but loud enough for her friends to hear.

"What about taking two degrees at a time? I still wonder why you're still alive at this point. And to think that you have a lot of free time despite all of that," Hyunjin said. "One dance video and I'm already complaining."

"That's because you're a lazy diva," Yeji told him.

"I have every right to be. After all, I'm the prettier sibling," Hyunjin sassed and rolled his eyes at his twin. Solji only shook her head at the twins' never ending bantering.

After a few moments, the door opened and Solji instantly heard Jaemin's voice.

"Hello everyone!" Jaemin greeted them all, announcing his arrival.

"Oh, Jeno? You came!"

Solji looked up from her phone the moment she heard his name and saw Jeno in his usual smiley face, holding a plastic bag. His eyes landed on her and his smile widened then showed her the bag he was holding.

"You bought chocolate fudge!" Karina exclaimed. "This is Solji's favorite."

"It was Mr. Jeno Lee's idea. We had to drive for half an hour because the store is far from his condo unit," Jaemin said and Jeno elbowed his side. "Ouch! What was that for?"

It was too late, Solji heard everything and was now looking at Jeno, looking for answers. He said last time that it was near his unit, but now Jaemin that revealed the truth, Jeno was doomed.

"Nice one, cousin!" Yeji said and tapped Jeno's shoulder. "You know what your fiance likes."

Hyunjin who just shoved a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth, choked. "Excuse me! What the hell? Fiance? Jeno, you have a fiance?"

Jeno glanced at Solji and she looked away, heat rising up her cheeks. She still hasn't got over the fact that Jeno lied, but not in a bad way.

"Stupid moron. I told you, didn't I?" Yeji yelled at his brother who dramatically covered his ear where Yeji shouted. "Jeno is engaged to one of my best friends. You even said random names because you're stupid like that. I told you it was Solji but you're too busy stalking your crush on Instagram. Who is it again? Jisung? Or is it Chan? You change your crushes every week."

Jeno slipped out of the chaos and walked towards Solji whose eyes were looking everywhere but him. He internally chuckled as he watched her struggle to play it cool. He handed a chocolate fudge to her.

"Here," he said.

"Thanks," she murmured after accepting her favorite ice cream, still refusing to make eye contact.

She hated how Jeno could make her feel nervous without doing anything. He was just standing there, still handsome and smelled good as always but he was making her nervous.

Remembering who she was, Solji cleared her throat and raised her chin up, braving to make eye contact with the gorgeous man who only kept smiling.

That precious smile can melt anything, Solji thought.

"So... I thought you're busy? Why did you come?" she asked.

Jeno occupied the seat beside her making her heart race. "Because you're here."

"And you say you're not a flirt."

"Alright, alright. I need a little break. I've been working on that plate since five in the morning and I couldn't finish it because Jaemin wouldn't stop talking to me."

"Then you should've finished it now when Jaemin's here."

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No!" Solji answered a little too fast and she realized what she had done because Jeno was grinning from ear to ear. "That doesn't mean I wanna see you either."

"Okay, if you say so."

***

Weeks after they found out they were engaged to each other, Jeno and Solji had gotten closer. But not too close, for Solji never failed to remind Jeno about how she wanted to call off the engagement so bad. Jeno never said anything about it.

Jeno would take her out on walks, eat chocolate fudge, watch the city lights, and a lot more stuff which confused Solji. When she asked Jeno why he was doing all of it, he simply said he just wanted to take his aggressive dog out for a walk.

Solji might not admit it, but she was enjoying Jeno's company. He knew exactly what she likes and hates and he was patient enough to learn her moods and now he could read her like an open book. She hated it at the same time because she couldn't lie anymore. She also hated the way she was more attentive to him than usual, how she would watch Jeno from afar, how she would react whenever she hears his name.

She asked Jeno once while they were stargazing about why he always chose her company when he had Jaemin.

"I don't know," Jeno admitted as he gazed at the starry sky. "I just feel like we have this invisible connection that drew us together despite the fact that we met in such a unique way. Because I know for a fact that you're someone who will understand me the most."

Solji, too, felt like she could let herself bare when she's with him.

But every time she started straying too far, she would remind herself that there's a line she should never cross.

Solji was walking down the pavement when she saw Jeno's tall figure from the distance. As always, he could effortlessly attract someone just by breathing. He was crouched on the ground while talking to something.

When she got near, she realized Jeno was feeding a stray kitten. It looked sick and thin and Jeno probably took pity of it. On the weeks they spent together, they learned a lot from each other. One of them being Jeno's love for cats.

"Here, eat this. You should eat a lot, okay?" Jeno said in a soft voice as he placed a can of wet food on the pavement for the kitten. He caressed its soft white fur and the kitten backed away in fear. Jeno then lifted his hand carefully to not scare the kitten anymore.

Solji's heart involuntarily swelled at the sight. Jeno was understanding to both humans and animals.

"He's such a boyfriend material," she muttered under her breath.

Then, she saw three girls approaching Jeno. Two of them were pushing the girl with a long blonde hair, encouraging her to talk to Jeno. Solji watched as the event unfold before her.

"H-Hi, Jeno!" the girl greeted Jeno in a shrill high-pitched voice. Jeno turned around and saw the blonde girl beaming at her. He stood up and dusted off his hand.

"Yes?"

"I'm Han So Hee, from the Multimedia Arts Department," the girl named So Hee introduced herself.

"Oh, hello. I'm Lee Jeno. Engineering. Do you need anything?"

The blonde girl tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I was just wondering if I can get your number? That is if you're still... single."

Solji gripped the strap of her bag, waiting for Jeno's answer.

"Sorry, I don't really give my number to strangers. And I'm getting married soon."

Solji swore she almost choked on her own breath when she gasped. Jeno must have heard her because he looked at her direction and spotted her. Jeno gave her a warm smile as he walked towards her, completely forgetting about the girl he blatantly rejected. Solji immediately covered her face with her hair.

"Hi!" Jeno greeted her cheerfully. "Why are you covering your face?"

Solji didn't answer as she grabbed Jeno's wrist and ran away. They didn't stop until they reached the parking lot.

They were now inside Jeno's car, both of them panting.

"What was that for?" they both asked in unison.

"You first," Jeno said.

Solji was still catching her breath and Jeno handed her a sealed bottle of water from the backseat. She opened and took huge gulps before answering. "Why did you tell her you're getting married?"

"It's not as if she will believe me anyway. She'll think I'm just poor at making excuses. Besides, it's true."

There it was again, the rapid beating of her heart. Whenever Jeno looked serious, she would catch herself staring at the glorious sight in front of her. It didn't help that Jeno's perfume was addicting to the point where it could actually cloud her brain.

"Why does it seem to me that you've given up and accepted this engagement already?"

"Because I know that fighting against it would be futile?"

"Not for me. I will fight until my last breath. I will prove my parents that I'm more than just a bride."

Jeno nodded as he looked ahead, refusing to meet Solji's eyes. "I know. I know."

Jeno was puzzled. For the past few weeks that they had spent with each other, Solji never failed to remind Jeno about how much she hated this engagement and he memorized her lines, but the past few days, he didn't like whenever she brought that up. But instead of getting mad about it, he chose to understand.

When he glanced at her once, he saw a leaf on her hair.

Jeno leaned towards Solji and the latter panic. She froze on her seat as she watched Jeno close the distance between them. Just when she was about to close her eyes and succumb to the crazy beating of her heart, she felt Jeno pluck something on her hair.

"Leaf," he simply said, showing her the green leaf that was stuck on her hair. Instead of throwing it away, he put it in his pocket.

Solji breathed a sigh of relief only for her breath to be knocked out again.

"Do you want to watch a movie with me this Saturday?" he asked.

Solji was surprised. "Watch a movie with you?"

"Yeah, you heard me right."

"But it's exam week next week!"

"The more reason we have to go. At least to unwind a bit before the stress comes down all at once."

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

Jeno smirked and Solji instantly felt embarrassed. She was expecting to make Jeno feel shy instead but the tables were flipped. She must have looked arrogant.

"Do you want to think ofthis as a date?"

"No, of course not!"

"Then it's not a date."

"What is it then?"

Jeno sighed and showed her two tickets. "Doesn't matter what it is. I already bought the tickets in advance."

Solji simply rolled her eyes as she showed herself out of Jeno's car when they finally settled about the time when they would meet. She walked towards her own car, opened the door and threw her stuff on the backseat as she plopped on the driver's seat, the keys jingling when she turned the engine on.

While driving, she realized she forgot to ask Jeno what kind of movie they would be watching.

"Damn, I was too preoccupied. This is not good." Solji told herself as she maneuvered on the busy road.

Indeed, she was. She was busy staring at Jeno when the latter wasn't even looking at her.

***

Saturday arrived and Solji rummaged her closet, looking for an outfit to wear. Sure, she had a walk-in closet as big as her bedroom but this was the first time she was going out with a man. As much as she didn't want to treat this as a date, who was she kidding? Why would Jeno ask her out to watch a movie out of the blue?

And as much as she hated to admit it, she was anticipating for this more than she should have.

"Should I wear a dress?" she asked herself as she randomly picked a royal blue dress and put it in front of her while looking at the wall mirror. "Nope, too formal."

"How about a skirt?"

"Nope."

"Too short."

"Underwhelming."

Those were the only comments that flew out of her mouth as she tried her best to pick and build an outfit that would make her look both effortless but iconic. Clothes littered on the marble floor of her closet and she was nowhere near her goal.

She slumped on the floor and gave up.

"I will just bail out..."

Right on cue, her phone buzzed and there was a notification from Karina who sent her a message. She opened it and saw a link.

Karina: Look at these outfits! Perfect for a movie date.

She immediately opened the link and almost jumped in joy. It was a whole album of outfit ideas and lucky for her, her closet got exactly what she needed. She chose a classic but casual look.

A gray plaid midi skirt, a plain black blouse with long puffy sleeves, a black sling bag, platformed black shoes, and a black fuzzy beret to add texture to the whole look. She curled her hair into big waves and put on a makeup with her eyes as the highlight point, adding extra glitter on her lids.

It hadn't been five minutes since she finished her look when her phone buzzed and received a message from her 'date'.

Engr. Jeno: I'm here. Whenever you're ready.

A ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. Solji realized what she was doing and slapped herself to wake her up.

This is not a date, Solji reminded herself.

She checked her bag first if she got everything that she needed: purse, lipgloss, powder, pepper spray, and of course, her favorite perfume. She spritz on her wrist and neck and a little bit on her hair and she was ready to go.

She got downstairs only to see Jeno talking to her parents in the living room. They were all smiling at her, even her mother who was known to hate men now smiling fondly at the crescent-eyed boy.

Jeno was wearing a terraccota shade of turtleneck underneath a long black coat and tucked in a black fitted pants. His hair swept back, revealing his forehead. He was holding a bouquet of pink carnation, with lavenders, and daisies. A unique choice.

"Hi," Jeno greeted her with a breathtaking smile and for a moment, Solji forgot how to function. Her eyes landed on her mother who gave her a stern look and she instantly fixed herself.

Do not lose your poise in front of boys.

"Hello, Jeno," Solji greeted him back with a pleasant smile.

Jeno gave her the bouquet of flowers and she could feel her parents' eyes watching their every move. She didn't know they would be here when Jeno would fetch her and seeing them together was a bad idea. They would instantly think about something that was not supposed to be there.

For example, feelings.

"Bring her home before eight in the evening or I will tear you limb to limb. Got it?" Suho asked with a smile but Irene and Solji knew that he was capable enough of doing it.

Irene elbowed her husband before turning to Jeno whose smile has turned into a grimace. "Just bring our daughter back home safe and enjoy your date."

***

They arrived at the mall and Solji insisted to buy their food since Jeno bought their ticket. While she was waiting in line, she looked behind her shoulder to see what her companion was doing. She wasn't surprised when she saw a flock of teenage girls squealing like pigs while pointing at Jeno who was looking at her, ignoring the commotion.

Somehow, she felt like she had won.

Everybody's watching him but he had his eyes on her.

After she ordered their food, she walked towards Jeno who was grinning widely at her.

"The movie's about to start in five minutes. Here," he said and snatched the paper bag from her then handed her their tickets. Solji's eyes widened when she saw what kind of movie they were going to watch.

"A... horror movie?"

Solji never said it to anyone and only a few people knew what she was most afraid of. Those people were her family and two close friends. Every strong and independent person had a weakness and Solji's were darkness and ghosts. She could never watch a horror movie in her life without having panic attacks. Her hands shook slightly as she gulped. The theater was dark but it was alright since there were many people, but watching a scary movie in a dark place, she wouldn't even last a minute.

"Solji? Are you alright?" Jeno asked when she noticed the change in her expression.

"Y-Yeah," she said, her voice cracked. She took calming breaths as if it didn't bother her but Jeno was observant.

"Do you hate horror movies?"

"No, no. Of course not," she answered rather quickly.

"No, we will not go. I'll buy a new ticket of a movie of your choice."

"No! It's alright, please. It's not even that scary, right? Just full of jumpscares and loud noises. Nothing I can't handle."

"Solji---"

"Jeno, please."

She hated being weak in front of everyone, especially in front of Jeno. She would always tell him that she can manage herself only to seek for his help the second after. It made her look ridiculous.

"I wanted to face my fears."

Jeno sighed as she looked at Solji's stubborn but terrified face. She wanted to sound brave but her shaking hands betrayed her. Jeno felt bad but at the same time he found it... cute.

"I'll hold your hand," Jeno said and took Solji's cold, shaking hand into his.

Solji felt a surge of comfort under his touch, his skin warm, hand big and completely engulfing hers. She tried to shake it off, her pride getting the best of her but Jeno was dead set on holding her hand as they entered the cinema. Both were stubborn but this time, Solji succumbed. The cinema was freezing cold and dark and Jeno and Solji occupied the seat farthest from the screen.

"You can let my hand go for now. The movie hasn't even started yet."

"Nope. Sorry," Jeno said and faced her. Their faces were dangerously close and she could smell his fresh mint breath. His perfume was intoxicating and Solji couldn't help but stare at his lips.

"But I wanted to eat!" she hissed.

"Then I'll feed you."

"No, I won't let you do that."

Anyone would have been irritated by how stubborn Solji was but Jeno was different. Instead of being exasperated, he was entertained.

"I like to see you whining. Come on, keep it up."

Solji gasped in disbelief when Jeno squeezed her hand and leaned closer, his face was illuminated by the only source of light coming from the big screen.

"Don't you dare do anything malicious to me just because it's dark here. I can break your face and sue you."

"I'm only holding your hand. Are you thinking about anything other than that?" Jeno asked. His voice was deep and sultry that gave her butterflies and made her feel something she had never felt before. Desire.

Solji was about to retort when Jeno popped a piece of popcorn in her mouth. She tore her glance away from him as she chewed angrily. She would never win, not in this state, not when he was so close and she could smell his perfume.

The movie started and Jeno leaned comfortably on his seat, his hand holding hers rested on his lap. She had never let anyone touch her like that before, but she needed his presence or else she would run away without a second thought. The first hour consisted of minor jumpscares and suspense music and Solji would yelp every time. Her heart was racing and she was paralyzed on her seat.

Every time she would flinch, Jeno was there to squeeze her hand and lean on her ear and whisper.

"They're just actors wearing makeup. There's a lot of people around them while filming."

And she would calm down after that.

The movie reached the climax and it had become more stressful. The main character was running for her life, away from her partner that had been possessed by a demon. Solji could feel the fear that the woman was feeling. The protagonist turned into one corner and was surprised to see a woman with a disheveled long hair and tattered clothes. Her eyes were glowing yellow and there's blood stains all over her body. The protagonist screamed the same time Solji did.

"Oh my God!" she screamed and her body was shaking. She couldn't breathe properly while grasping Jeno's hand tightly, her hand cold and knuckles white. She panicked when she felt Jeno's warm hand slipping away from her. "Don't let me go. Please! Jeno!"

"I got you, I got you."

Jeno wrapped his arm around Solji's shoulder, pulling her closer while his other hand held her. Solji's breathing relaxed and her body gradually stopped trembling. She leaned her head on his shoulder and Jeno let out a shudder. He didn't know why every time he touched her, it was painful yet a satisfied something inside him.

The protagonist was trapped in the attic and someone was pounding on the door. It was her possessed lover holding an axe and swinging it around, knocking stuff on the dust covered floor. The protagonist hid behind an old sofa only to find the bloody girl there. Her face was grotesque and terrifying.

Before Solji could see it, Jeno covered her eyes.

"What's happening?" Solji asked.

"The main character was levitating in the air. Her lover will snap her body in half. The priest came, holding a Bible and a holy water. He chanted prayers. The demon left her lover's body. "

Jeno whispered the events on her ear and he was tempted to press a kiss on her head but he decided against it. He would never take advantage of a girl's weakness, especially not in a dark place where she was at her most vulnerable. When the movie ended and the lights turned on, Solji peeled her body away from Jeno. She only realized how close their bodies were when she saw how their clothes were crumpled.

As they left the cinema, Jeno noticed that Solji's knees were still weak.

"Do you want to hold onto me?" Jeno asked as he offered his arm.

"No, thank you. I'm already okay," Solji lied. She didn't like the fact that she depended on Jeno so much today.

Just then, one of the staff dressed as the bloody girl in the movie was waiting behind a wall to scare off the audiences. When she leapt out of her hiding place and screamed like a banshee, Solji threw herself on the ground and cried while trying to crawl away from the bloody girl. 

"No! No!" she screamed and helplessly flailed her arms. Jeno was quick enough to help her on her feet and covered her eyes.

"I'm here. I'm here, it's okay. It's just a staff. It's not real."

Solji heard the staff apologize to them but she was too embarrassed to reveal her face. She bowed her head low, her hair covering her face while Jeno's arm was wrapped around her like a shield.

That was easily one of the most embarrassing days of Solji's life.

***

They finally reached in front of Solji's house and their hands were still intertwined. Solji wasn't shaking anymore. She looked at their intertwined hands with spite.

She hated the fact that she let her fear get the best of her. She hated that she had to depend on Jeno so she would calm down.

She hated the idea of asking for his help but her heart thought otherwise. It was beating so fast but at the same time she felt calm like there was no other place to be but this. Jeno's perfume permeated the air and Solji scrunched her nose, not of disgust but out of spite for herself.

"Are you okay?" Jeno asked gently and squeezed Solji's hand. His hand perfectly fit hers, his rough and warm skin on her soft and cold one. She felt too comfortable that she was terrified for a moment.

Solji pulled her hand away.

"I'm fine now. Thank you for today."

"I'm really sorry. I should've asked you what you like."

"Yeah, you should've. But it's okay. I'm okay now. Thank you for trying to help me."

"Look, I know you're mad at me and I don't know what to do. Please, tell me how can I make it up to you?"

Solji looked at Jeno, her eyes cold. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hold a grudge against you. You don't have to make it up to me for the sake of our engagement. Didn't I tell you in the first place not to do anything that would make our parents think that they made a good decision?"

Jeno looked hurt but he was a master of facade. He concealed the pain and nodded understandingly as he managed to smile at Solji. "I completely understand. I'm sorry again. Have a good night."

Solji stepped out of Jeno's car and was instantly met by the cold air. She watched as Jeno's car disappeared, she didn't even bother saying 'good night' or 'keep safe'.

Inside her, she felt as if something was breaking.

"No, I did the right thing," she told herseld. "I need to remind him where he stands."

But Solji was in denial. Deep inside, she knew she was reminding herself instead.