CHAPTER ONE
the intentional scheme
of an eccentric blonde

Kim Joon Goo was, oftentimes, a busy man.

A busy man with too much time in his hands, he believes. After all, 'busy' could hardly describe his packed hectic schedule in collecting debt—he just had too much time in the world with how devastatingly good he is in his job.

Staring at his reflection on the mirror glass wall, he winked at himself.

Not to mention: devastatingly handsome too, he's afraid.

Sometimes, it's just so hard being so damn perfect.

Reaching for his phone, he quickly opens it and snaps a photo of himself with an awful smolder he thinks to be absolutely breathtaking.

"This one's going to kill the ladies." He whistled, and perhaps his words held some truth—just not in the way he intended. After all, seeing his revolting smolder could easily send one to a cardiac arrest.

As he zoomed into the picture, he spots a familiar face also reflected from a distance. Turning around, he catches the person just in time walking to approach him.

"If it isn't Mr. Elon Musk."

"I sure hope that's only a financial comparison." M/n grinned before greeting the blonde, "It's been a while! Thanks for answering as soon as I reached out."

An arm slung around his shoulder, pulling him in.

"Come on, don't be so formal. If my bestest friend wanted to get coffee with me, of course I'll answer as soon as possible!"

"You must have defied time because I haven't even sent that message and you already replied, 'yes!'."

"Pfft!" Goo huffed as though to water it down. "No. . . It's just that I know you too well and already predicted what you were going to say! That's what happens when you're really good friends with someone for a long time, y'know?" His explanation sounded farfetched and half-assed at the same time but it doesn't take much to sway M/n, especially when he trusted the blonde with his life.

"Really?" The male pondered only for a few seconds before shrugging. "Wow, we must really be the best of all friends."

His naivety and blind faith in Goo was astounding.

They walked towards a cafe, only the finest for the two wealthy individuals with specific tastes. They haven't breached into the subject as to why M/n wanted to grab coffee with the blonde just yet.

Settling in a seat near the picturesque view, Goo finally decided to dwell on the matter.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"As you may know, I attended my therapy session the other day," he began.

Goo snorted at this. "You still take those?" He mused.

"Yes. I have problems to sort out, you know." M/n huffed, and the blonde could only shake his head at him with an amused chuckle.

He didn't even want to start on explaining to the male that therapy usually dealt with another sort of problems, not the usual basic thinking level every individual should be capable of. But then again, he guesses the male did have enough money just loitering around to spare.

If he was that rich, he wouldn't want to think too much either.

"I told my therapist about my concerns, and you know—she posed to me a very wonderful solution I never even thought about!" M/n explained, his eyes glinting what looks like to be stars.

Goo arched a brow, "And that is?"

"I need a romantic partner." The firmness of his voice expressed his complete certainty.

It took moments for the blonde to fully digest his words, blinking blankly for a few seconds before dawning once more. "A romantic partner?!" He repeated incredulously and perhaps a little too dramatically, but he was startled. This was the last thing he expected to hear.

Did M/n call him to fill that role?

Suddenly, Goo's palms became clammy and his body felt like an oven. The sudden thought that entered his head made him conscious.

He thought back about their relationship.

They've went to yachts together, bowling, took trips in their individual private jets, bought an island just for the hell of it—did any of that somehow seem like a time M/n would revisit in a heartbeat?

Goo thought about himself.

Did he, perhaps, have any romantic potential to the male at all?

They were close friends. They've slept in the same bed before in sleepovers, they've eaten multiple meals together, they've been to too many places together.

They were close, they could express one another freely without the fear of judgment. Goo has seen the worst of M/n and vice versa.

Now, it did make sense.

They were best friends—usually, the next step to that is romantic partners!

It only made sense to pick your best friend. Of course, how could Goo overlook that?

Eyes staring straight ahead to M/n's face, he took a few moments to truly process the view in front of him.

Not an unpleasant face to look at. Not morbidly revolting to see in any way. Packed in one thing Goo loved the most: money. His scent somehow enticing to the blonde. His cheery smile always warm and inviting.

Shit.

Was he always this good to look at? Had he always been this endearing?!

This was dangerous.

Too dangerous.

Yet, somehow, Goo didn't feel the dangers threatening enough for him to shoot him down and take the run for it. His body glued himself on the chair and his ears opened up in pure anticipation as every bone in his body waited.

He realized that he didn't mind it at all!

Sure, M/n wasn't like any other girl he's been with before (he's not even a girl to begin with) but he oddly didn't mind. In fact, the bloom in his chest felt warm and familiar.

He braced himself.

What sort of friend would he be to refuse? He's just being a good friend, that's all. . . He reasoned to himself to somewhat ease his ego, and yet his nose flared in anticipation.

"So, I was thinking." M/n started.

Goo clenches his fists.

"Since you're my closest friend and since you're also experienced."

Goo readies himself.

"I thought that there is no one better to ask other than you, of course."

Shit, did Goo comb his hair just right today? He ought to reach for a mint.

"Goo, would you mind helping me find a romantic partner by becoming my very own personal wingman?"

"Yes!" The blonde exclaimed too eagerly and instantaneously.

"Thanks, Goo! I can already envision it." M/n cheered happily as he excitedly looks at the male, beaming ecstatically. "You're gonna be the best wingman ever!"

Goo had to take a double pause, eyes staring at the male who merrily chatted away with eyes bashfully darting towards his cup of coffee.

Did he hear him correctly?

Wingman? Not boyfriend?

He had to clarify this absurdity.

"Wait, wingman?" The blonde raised the question as M/n's eyes lifted curiously to meet his, Goo had to fight back the embarrassed blush threatening to reveal itself. "What do you mean?"

"Wingman. . . As in you help me find a romantic partner. Like, you introduce me to people or you put in a good word of me for them. Oh! You can even plan out my dates for me so that you can ensure it goes smoothly."

Goo felt his line ending.

This was the last thing he wanted nor expected.

Great, now he has to help his best friend find a romantic partner? Under a normal circumstance, he would have been absolutely on board with it. He was quite the matchmaker, after all. The reincarnation of cupid and his little bow.

However, he felt no thrill as he listens to M/n ramble on about his excitement to meet and finally date someone.

In fact, he fould feel a heavy frown bordering on a pout on his lips as a stubborn furrow meets his brows.

Crossing his arms against his chest, he sat back rather stubbornly. He felt unreasonably upset to be entrusted with a task like this. For some reason, he didn't want to help M/n find a lover. It felt uncomfortable already in his chest to even think about M/n doing some sappy love bullshit with another person.

"You've gotta help me, all right?" M/n asked, his typical smile on his face as he eagerly looks at Goo from across the small round table. "You better not scare them all off." He joked in amusement, shaking his head with a chuckle.

Then an idea popped into the blonde's head.

Wait, as wingman—he had the power. If he could just ensure that M/n clicks with absolutely no one, it'll leave the male dejected and arrive at the conclusion he was compatible with no one. Then, he'll seek Goo's comfort and realize that perhaps the blonde was the only solution in the first place.

This was genius.

Einstein-level of thinking.

As easily, Goo's mood took an entire shift as he grinned up at the male.

"Of course! I'll find you the perfect lover."