The sun was still rising when Jeno and his mother arrived at their penthouse in New York. That was the place he grew up in before they moved to South Korea. He could still remember himself running around the house being chased by his babysitter while his mother was drawing for her new collections.

Today, they would visit his cousin Mark Lee who would also transfer to SMA. He was taking Business Management and Tiffany wouldn't stop fussing about how smart he was.

Jeno couldn't help but feel jealous whenever his own mother would shower Mark with praises because she didn't do the same to him, but he would remember that Mark deserved it all since he lost his parents at a young age and he had no one but them. Tiffany was just trying to make Mark feel that he wasn't alone.

The two of them were raised together and were really close like true brothers that's why every time Jeno would feel jealous, he would push it down and remember that they were partners in crime. Mark chose to stay in Canada and moved in to New York two years ago and now, he decided to move to South Korea.

"Baby, you can sleep for now. I know you're exhausted. I will wake you up when it's time," Tiffany told his son and Jeno nodded his head.

He walked down the familiar corridor. The walls were still white and the marble floors were still shiny. It was too clean that it felt unnatural. He instantly thought of his own bedroom and missed home.

He most especially missed her but he wouldn't admit that, of course.

The soft mattress of his bed was inviting him to lie down and relax but he couldn't fall asleep just yet. Jeno brought out his phone and took a selfie, something that he didn't usually do. After snapping a picture, he typed a message to someone to inform him that he's already home.

CEO Kim: Hello! I'm already home and I'm completely exhausted. I know you miss me so I sent you a picture. Don't worry, you'll see my handsome face soon. Always take care. Bye!

It was 5:30 in the morning in New York so it's 6:30 in the evening in South Korea. Solji was probably doing her homework.

The moment Jeno's back hit the bed, he instantly succumbed to sleep.

From the other side of the world, Solji squealed when she saw the photo sent by Jeno.

"This man will be the death of me!" she muttered to herself and checked if her nose was bleeding. Jeno was wearing a sleeveless white top and his toned biceps were exposed for her to see. He was posing with peace sign but his picture surely didn't bring her peace.

"It's a sin to be this gorgeous I swear."

Solji zoomed in to Jeno's face and she felt a pang of sadness. She clutched her chest, wondering why would she feel that way towards him. They were miles apart and she couldn't see him even when she wanted to and the time difference didn't help.

***

Jeno woke up when he felt something heavy on top of him. At first, he thought he was having sleep paralysis. He couldn't move his body. He squinted his eyes to see the thing lying on top of him and he screamed when he saw Mark Lee smiling down at him.

"Monster!" Jeno screamed and forcefully pushed Mark away while he jumped out of his bed.

"Your breath stinks!" Mark complained while rubbing his ass that hit the floor hard.

"Your fart stinks even more."

Mark grinned widely and Jeno mirrored it before they slammed each other into a tight hug. Jeno put more force and squeezed Mark's body which made him push the younger away.

"You still don't know how to control your strength, big man."

"I just missed you so much. Want me to kiss you to show you much I missed you? Come here, hyung!"

Good thing the walls were soundproof or else they would've received noise complaints from their neighbors. Mark was screaming while running for his life, Jeno chasing him like a mad man.

***

"How have you been?" Mark asked his cousin as he placed a cup of banana ice cream in front of Jeno. Mark decided to give Jeno a tour around New York before they leave tomorrow morning. They wouldn't spend a long time since Jeno had school and Mark had to be admitted as soon as possible.

"You know you don't even have to ask. Nothing has changed," Jeno answered. "What about you?"

"Still handsome as always."

"But the ugliest among us three," Jeno joked. "I'm just kidding, you're my favorite cousin after Taeyong hyung."

"If you wanted to make me feel better then I must say you're doing such a really bad job."

"Please, I know you love me."

They chuckled at their own antics before Mark moved into a more serious topic.

"How are they treating you so far? It's the first time you rebel against their decision."

"They're taking it better than I expected. I was anticipating a more exaggerated reaction such as disowning me but they never did that. Though they did something to make me pay for my stubbornness."

"What is it?"

Jeno lifted up his hand to show Mark his ring finger. It took him a few seconds to process what his cousin meant and then it clicked to him when he saw the emerald stone.

"You're engaged?!"

"Keep your voice down, geez. You're embarrassing me. This is why I rarely go out with you."

"For real? Are you engaged? To whom? Wow! This is happening so fast!"

"Yes, I am engaged. The woman I am engaged with is the youngest daughter of the owner of Atlanta. She's beautiful and smart. And bewitching. Captivating. Stubborn like me. Feisty but cute."

"Dude you sound... in love."

It was a ridiculous notion yet it made Jeno's heart skip a beat. He didn't want to believe that he harbored any romantic feelings for Solji but every time he's with her, he's doing all the things he didn't know he was capable of doing.

"Shut up, Mark Lee."

"Who are you calling Mark Lee? I'm older than you, you idiot! You should respect me."

"Respect goes both ways, cousin."

"You make me want to be a criminal, Jeno Lee."

They were bickering like kids, ignoring the strange looks from people around them. Two handsome young men fighting like children in the playground. Perhaps, that was their own way of showing how much they missed each other.

***

Mark had his own apartment near SMA but he decided to crash into Jeno's place before organizing his stuff in his own home. He was too exhausted to do anything but he would spare a little energy to irritate his cousin.

"Can you leave now, hyung? I don't miss you anymore so you can get out of my face. I need rest."

Jeno plopped down on his bed and put an arm over his eyes to block Mark's face but the other just loved the reaction he was getting. Mark lied on the bed beside Jeno and cooed to his ear.

"My baby cousin is all grown up! He doesn't want to spend his time with his hyung anymore! Remember when you would cry because I have to sleep in my own house instead of sleeping beside you? Baby Jeno!"

If it wasn't a crime to murder a person, specifically his own cousin, Mark would've been buried six feet underground. Jeno groaned and faced his cousin who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Hyung! I'm really tired. Let me rest first then annoy me when I wake up."

"Oh no, cousin. I know better than to annoy you when you just woke up. I love my life too much to do that."

"That's the perfect time to beat you up because I'm well-rested."

Mark was about to say something when he noticed the same pink bracelet that Solji saw lying on Jeno's bedside table.

"You still have it..."

"What?"

"That."

Mark pointed at the bracelet and Jeno turned around to see what he was pointing to. His annoyed expression instantly softened when he saw the bracelet. It was always there, close to him whenever he sleeps. It's like a dreamcatcher catching all the bad dreams so he could have a peaceful slumber.

"Where's yours?"

"I don't know. Probably threw it away. I can't remember."

"You're mean. She put a lot of effort making these for us."

There was gentleness in Jeno's voice while talking about the girl who made the bracelet. She made three bracelets, one for her, one for Jeno, and one for Mark. They used to be playmates when Jeno was still in New York. All of them were very close but Jeno and the girl shared a closer bond, perhaps because they were born in the same year.

"I can't believe you still remember her. I actually felt bad that I've forgotten about her. She only came into my mind again when I saw the bracelet," Mark said.

There was an unexplainable emotions reflected in Jeno's eyes. "She never left here hyung," Jeno replied and pointed at his temples. He always remembered her, would take the time to wonder where she was, or if she was even alive.

Because there were some things that he felt that he never told her because he had no courage to do so.

And when he finally did, she already left without saying goodbye.

***

Solji was on her way to the library when someone bumped into her. She almost fell on the ground due to the impact but the stranger had fast reflexes. He held her arm to keep her from falling.

"I'm really sorry. It's my fault. Are you alright?"

Keeping herself from wincing, Solji looked up and met the eyes of the stranger. She smelled a strong combination of musk and baby cologne. To say that he was handsome was an understatement. He looked so young and mature at the same time. His eyes were twinkling and his prominent cheekbones were sharp, giving him that sexy edgy look.

"I'm... alright. Yeah," Solji stammered as she pulled her arm free from the stranger. She saw a folder he was carrying on one hand and saw the label 'Business Management'. "You're a transferee?"

Mark followed Solji's eyes and he saw that she was reading the label on his folder. "Uh, yeah. Transferred from Canada. Third year Business Management student. What about you?"

"Same as you, second year Business Management."

"I'm Mark Lee by the way," Mark said and extended his hand. Solji took it and smiled.

"Solji. Kim Solji."

"A pretty name for a very pretty lady."

Solji rolled her eyes. "Tell me something I don't know. Anyway, I gotta go. Enjoy your stay here."

They let go of each other's hands and Solji proceeded to the library while Mark watched her back as she entered the door. His smile wouldn't leave his lips as he remembered the name of the beautiful stranger. Right then, Jeno arrived and tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hyung! I've been looking for you everywhere. Are you done with the requirements?"

"Oh, yeah, I uh... damn..." Mark couldn't finish his sentence and chuckled to himself.

"What's wrong with you? You look like an idiot."

"Don't mind me. I just bumped into a very beautiful lady."

"You haven't even started your first day and you're already flirting with someone?"

"I'm not flirting, okay? I just bumped into her and then, we exchanged names, and then... geez!"

"You look stupid, hyung."

"I wish I can meet her again."

"I hope you won't."

Mark rolled his eyes at his cousin.

"I gotta go. I need to meet someone. Just get your ass back into your apartment. If you get lost, you're on your own."

"How very nice of you cousin," Mark said sarcastically and Jeno only shrugged his shoulders as he made his way to the library.

He instantly found her on her usual spot near the window, shamelessly napping and disregarding the disapproving look from the librarian. Jeno knew that she was itching to tell Solji that a library was not a place to nap. He walked towards her and gently tapped her shoulder.

"What? I'm not sleeping. I'm reading in my mind---oh God fucking damn it!" Solji was beyond surprise when she saw Jeno sitting beside her. "I'm not dreaming, am I?"

"Nope, but you might want to keep your voice down if you don't want us to get kicked out by the brooding librarian," Jeno answered and smiled.

Solji wanted to hug Jeno so bad and tell him how much she missed him but that would be too awkward and he might get the wrong idea. She just settled by staring at him.

"How are you?" she asked.

"I'm okay. Actually, my cousin moved here in South Korea and transferred here in SMA. I'll introduce him to you but that can wait. I just wanted to spend time with you alone."

Blood rushed to her cheeks after Jeno said those words and it was too late when he realized the words that came out of his mouth.

"I... I didn't mean it like that... I---"

"Yeah, sure you don't have to---"

"I mean I don't wanna---"

"No, it's totally fine!"

They realized they were both being foolish and they both laughed and that was the librarian's final straw and she both kicked them out of the library.

***

It's been three days since Mark started his first day in SMA and he and Solji didn't cross paths again. He was anticipating every single day but he didn't see not even a glimpse of her shadow. That's because he didn't know Solji had two courses and she was spending her time in the Chem laboratory.

Meanwhile, Jeno was trudging his way to a food stall when he coincidentally bumped into Solji who was eating chocolate fudge.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean---Solji?"

"Oh, Jeno! I didn't see you there."

Jeno chuckled and moved his hand up to wipe a bit of chocolate fudge beside Solji's lips.

"Of course how can you see me when you're busy eating."

That gesture had taken Solji aback. It was a second too late when Jeno registered what he had just done.

"I'm sorry. God, what the hell is wrong with me... I'm so sorry for doing that."

Jeno wasn't in his usual self. He was usually calm and laid-back but now he seemed restless and exhausted, his ever-present cool demeanor was missing. The bags under his eyes were two shades darker and his hair was disheveled. She could clearly tell that something was wrong.

"Tell me what's the matter." Solji wasn't asking. She need not to.

Jeno smiled at her and shook his head. "I'm good. There's no need to worry about." Jeno took a step forward but his legs were wobbly, causing him to almost lose his balance if he wasn't fast enough to grip the back of the chair to support himself.

"Let me help, please?"

Jeno could only nod his head as Solji wrapped her arm around his waist and helped him sit on the chair. Solji sat across him and watched as he took deep breaths.

"I haven't slept in like, two days. I have so much stuff to do and I can't focus. I am already left behind with my school works and recently my Mom... God it infuriates me just by thinking about it," Jeno said and let out an exasperated sigh as he held his head between his hands.

There was a long list of guesses about what his Mom did to him again but Solji settled with the endless comparison one. It was the most plausible explanation since his cousin moved in.

"How can I help you?" Solji asked, concern visible on her face. It never occurred to her that she would worry about someone that wasn't a family member or a close friend but there she was, ready to give the whole world to him without second thoughts.

Jeno gave her a kind smile. "I'm okay. I can manage. Its just pent-up anger that's weighing me down but I can manage. I can do everything if I clear my mind and work harder."

Their hands seemed to have a mind of its own as they reached for each other at the same time. There it was again, the tingling feeling all because of a single contact. They squeezed each other's hands.

For Solji, the effect was chaos. Her heart was racing and the butterflies in her stomach fluttered.

For Jeno, the effect was peace. The fog in his mind cleared up and he regained strength.

The peace he felt was broken when Solji asked him a question.

"Can I go to your place later?"

***

Jeno couldn't focus on his task as his mind strayed to the girl who had just ask him earlier if she could crash to his place. He was speechless for a moment but he eventually agreed. He didn't know what's gotten into her mind, if she were too comfortable around him or if she were an idiot. Nonetheless, he couldn't think of a possible reason why she would do that.

Jeno chose to hide at the emergency staircase where no one would bother him and he could have all the peace and quiet to himself. He took a sip of the black coffee Solji bought for him.

"Cute," he murmured to himself as he smiled, remembering Solji's slightly irritated face when he refused to eat the lunch she bought for him. It's true that he had no appetite but he couldn't say 'no' when someone was ready to shove a fork in his throat.

Solji didn't know how to express herself and she would always disguise her concern by threatening someone. That's what she was always doing to Jeno. She was unaware of it, but Jeno, being an observant person, knew it all.

Solji was like a code that only Jeno could decipher.

Meanwhile, Solji took a quick trip to the grocery store after she went home to dump her stuff and got changed into a more comfortable clothes. Jeno would be home by seven in the evening and Solji told her parents that she would eat dinner somewhere.

It's a good thing that the grocery store wasn't packed with people and she could easily make her way to the isles, pay for the stuff that she bought, and then drive to Jeno's penthouse.

Solji wanted to cook for Jeno. That was the only thing she could think of that would somehow help him loosen up.

There was a little difficulty she encountered while finding the way to his home because the last time they went there, she could barely see a thing due to the heavy rain but she luckily managed to find the underground parking lot.

Jeno gave her a special card that would allow her to go up to his penthouse since the building had a tight security. She showed the guard her card and he let her pass. She pressed the twenty-third button, Jeno's floor, and listened to the music being played on the radio. It was a pop song entitled 'Full Sun' sung by an award-winning singer named Lee Haechan.

As she bobbed her head to the rhythm, the elevator door opened and a handsome man with a visual straight out of a manga entered. Solji then realized that she was staring at his Accounting Professor.

"Professor!" Solji greeted Taeyong and bowed.

"Kim Solji! Hello. I didn't know I'll see you here."

"Yeah," Solji said and let out an awkward laugh. What she was supposed to say anyway?

"Perhaps are you visiting Jeno?"

"Uh... yeah. Yes, Professor."

"You don't have to call me Professor when it's just us. You're my friend's sister."

"Okay, Taeyong oppa."

Taeyong gave her a smile. "That's better. Anyway, if you don't mind me asking, why are you carrying so much stuff with you? I believe Jeno's not home yet."

"Oh, this? I decided to cook for him since he's feeling a little down today. I didn't know anything that could cheer him up so I figured I'll just cook."

"That's really kind of you."

"This is really nothing compared to all the things he's done for me. Since he always looks after me, I figured it's my time to look after him."

Taeyong was speechless for a moment before breaking into huge smile. He was so touched by Solji's kind gesture and he wanted to give her a hug but he managed to hold himself back.

"I'm so thankful that he has you now. Thank you for taking care of my cousin, Solji. This is the time when he needs you the most. I'm really grateful."

Taeyong seemed to know something but chose to stay quiet.

Solji was puzzled but she didn't dare pry. It would be disrespectful to ask about Jeno's life behind his back. The elevator dinged and it stopped on the fourteenth floor.

"I'm here to visit a close friend. See you, Solji. Send my cousin my love."

"Take care, Taeyong oppa."

Taeyong stepped out of the elevator. Before the door closed, Solji saw the first door of the apartment open, revealing a tall man wearing a button down and an expensive watch with dimples on his face. If she saw it correctly, that was Jung Jaehyun, the owner of Jay's Cafe. Jaehyun engulfed Taeyong in a tight hug and planted a kiss on his forehead.

If she guessed it right, she just saw her professor visiting his boyfriend.

***

Jeno was beyond excited to go home, knowing that someone was waiting for him. He never felt that much excitement before aside from the fact that he would get to lie down on his bed. But today was a little different.

"Yah, Jeno Lee. Let's play PUBG in your house," Jaemin said.

"Can't today. I'm busy."

"But we haven't played for a week now come on!"

"Sorry, Jaemin. Maybe next time. I really have to go home."

"Why are you such in a rush."

Jeno stopped midway and turned around, sending a cute wink to his best friend. "Just because."

"Weirdo," Jaemin muttered and rolled his eyes.

Before going home, he took a trip to the store that sold chocolate fudge. The thirty-minute drive became fifteen and Jeno was impatient while waiting for the elevator to arrive at the twenty-third floor.

His excitement was replaced with nervousness while typing the passcode of his penthouse. The moment he opened the door, a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen filled his nostrils.

He found Solji tasting the soup she was cooking. She was wearing casual clothes underneath his apron while her hair was neatly tied in a bun.

"There you are," Solji said. "Dinner is almost ready. You can take a shower first."

Jeno absentmindedly put the chocolate fudge he bought on the marble counter while his eyes were fixated on the woman in front of him.

"Is this why you wanted to come to my house? To cook for me?"

Solji took a good look at his surprised expression before bursting into fits of laughter. He must be going crazy. It was probably the effects of sleep deprivation.

Her laughter was music to his ears. Everything she did made him smile and he wanted to embrace her and fall asleep with his face buried on the crook of her neck. Her tied hair was tempting him to do that and it required every little bit of self-control he had to restrain himself.

"Now, now, Jeno. Take a shower first and then we'll eat," Solji told him with a smile. "Hurry up, I'm starving."

"Alright. Don't wash the dishes, I'll do it instead after we eat."

"As you should. We're sharing chores together."

It seemed like his smile was permanently etched on his face for he couldn't stop it even while he was showering, drying his hair, and choosing what clothes to wear. Their situation right now was too good to be true.

It wasn't a secret that Jeno wanted to have a family with the woman he loved. It just didn't struck him that he would feel that way towards the woman he was engaged with, and he didn't even know what love was.

"Damn, Lee Jeno. You're out of your mind," he told to himself. "You're an idiot!"

He was chastising himself yet the smile was still there.

Jeno left his bedroom and marveled in surprise at the beautiful sight in front of him. The dining table was filled with his favorite food. Sushi rolls, pork cutlet, jajangmyeon, big slices of chocolate cake, and a pitcher of Coke. He sat across Solji whose smile was so wide while watching him.

"You did a great job today, Jeno."

Jeno looked up after hearing those words. Solji was beaming at him, her smile was even brighter than all the lights in his house.

"Solji..."

"I don't know why you're feeling down but know that you can always count on me. I have no idea how to make you feel okay so I just cooked all of these to somehow lift up your mood."

"Damn... I... this is better than anything I had. Nobody has ever done this for me... not even my Mom..."

Solji cleared her throat, her expression growing serious. "I am going to take care of you from now on. You're an idiot so you need me to guide you just in case you're being stupid again. I will look after you the same way you look after me. You deserve to be taken care of and it just happened that I have some time to spare. Don't think of anything weird or I'll slit your throat."

He was supposed to feel worried about her threats but instead, a tear cascaded down his cheek.

"Thank you so much," he said gratefully with tears on his face. Solji gave him a smile. She didn't say anything about him crying, instead, she pulled out a tissue and leaned forward on the table to wipe his tears for him.

"I'm happy to see you smile genuinely," Solji replied softly. She returned to her seat, still looking at him with those adoring gaze.

"You have no idea how much you're making my life better, Kim Solji. All my life, I kept asking 'What about me?' 'What about my achievements?' 'What about the love and attention I'm craving for?'.

"I got so used to not receiving any form validation from the people that mattered to me that I started wallowing in self-hatred. Am I not good enough? Not smart enough? Not someone to be proud of?

"And then you came. And... and you made me feel that I deserved the world..."

"Because you do," Solji replied. "You also have no idea how you made my life so much better. I know it sounds cringey but we are both a blessing to each other."

Jeno shook his head, his heart beating erratically as his cheeks turned red. "Don't say it like that. Don't make me feel special or else I won't let you go," he joked.

"Then don't," Solji said. "You're stuck with me now. Do you think I'm planning to let you go? You already know so much about me and the only way out now is to kill you."

"Damn, I would be honored to be killed by you."

"You really have a weird humor."

"That's because I am talking to a weird person."

"I'm not Na Jaemin!"

"Yeah, because you're even worse."

Solji gasped dramatically as if she was offended then proceeded to laugh with Jeno. The chaos she felt earlier was replaced by peace. She was slowly accepting her fate with him, and it didn't seem as bad as she thought at first.

Their night was filled with laughter as they shared the food that Solji made with love. The smile didn't disappear even after Jeno drove her home. Even after they succumbed to sleep.

They didn't know they were both falling in deep.