a/n: I swear this isn't much. Just a reminder I'm still alive.

x x x

The very moment I stepped out of my room, the first thing I noticed are Peanut's cat hair dirtying the carpet, just enough to temporarily distract me from the quiet noise coming from the first floor of our home. I looked down to check I am dressed properly-- plain black shirt and white shorts-- before proceeding down the stairs.

"Has anyone seen Peanut?" I asked, frowning at everyone gathering around the visiting area. It's a room through giant double doors located just a few steps right side of the main entrance.

Bundles of papers, mannequins, and cloths litter the place and I looked at each of these, quickly realizing what the ruckus is about. Men and women walk to and fro the main door and the kitchen, food and more folders at hand. There are about twenty human beings standing in the middle of the room, discussing things I still struggle to understand. Their terms are just too technical.

I moved deeper into the room to stand beside a giant pink couch which is currently occupied by my sister. "Noona?" I started. "Um... About Peanut?"

Yoora looks up at me for a second before returning on sketching something on a large sketch pad. "Oh, I saw him chasing a butterfly there at the front yard," she answered. "Don't worry. He won't get lost. No idiot would try to steal him."

"Is someone looking after him?" I asked, immediately dodging a mannequin almost hitting me on the head just as it entered the room. "You know I don't just let him--"

"Yo, Chanyeol!"

I stopped mid-sentence to nod at Jung Daehyun who just came in from the kitchen whilst holding a cup of tea in one hand. He's one of my sister's most trusted interior designer and I could bet anything he's here to help in planning the wedding's decorations and venue. Today and just like any other day, however, his brilliant smile still hurts my eyes.

"Noona, I'm asking if someone's looking after him," I turned to my sister. "My fiance would kill me if he gets lost. We still haven't bought a collar for him."

Noona looks at me again before shrugging. "I dunno." she mumbled before turning the paper she's holding to my face. "Hey, do you think I should put more details here at the collar or nah? And what about the folds? What do you think?"

I opened my mouth to speak but decided to just give her an incredulous look before sighing and walking out of the room. Her loud calls reached my ears but I ignored her. I just can't believe she didn't ask a maid to look after Peanut! It almost seemed like she's a completely different person when her job is surrounding her.

I shook my head and just watched rolls and rolls of different types of cloth enter the house. There are cars and a truck parked outside and just when I reached the main door and catch a glimpse of Peanut running around the lawn, Daehyun caught up with me. He stopped just beside me to sip from his cup.

"What do you want?" I asked without looking at him. I crossed my arms over my chest, resting my shoulder on the door frame. Peanut claws in the air, trying to catch a large white butterfly.

"Tea?" Daehyun offered. "Something to lighten up your mood?"

I spared him a quick, boring glance. "You're only talking to me when you want something, Jung Daehyun." I said. "What is it now?"

Daehyun chuckled before shaking his head. "You still didn't change, Park Chanyeol." he grinned. "You know me too well."

"We're not friends." I clarified. "And I don't know you." I turned to him with a tight look, lips pressed together in a thin line. We haven't seen each other for years and yet, he still hasn't change a bit. There's still that smug look on his face and the expression he gives like he knows everything I don't and he's proud of it. We've known each other since we were kids but unlike my sister, I don't really like him.

"You didn't tell me you were getting married." Daehyun said as we both turned to look at the cat playing chase. "And you didn't tell me eight years ago that you got a guy."

"I don't broadcast my life to everyone." I said, annoyed. "What is it to you?"

"You know it's hard working on a project when you don't even know anything about the people you're working for," he said before sipping from his cup. "Most of the people here haven't officially met you. Or your fiance."

I sighed, shaking my head. "My sister wants us to stay out of the wedding's preparations." I said. "She knows what she's doing. You guys just need to trust her. You should know that since you guys always keep in touch."

"Well, she didn't tell me anything about the guy you're going to marry," Daehyun said. "Which basically keeps me in the dark."

"She respects my privacy," I said firmly. "You should, too."

"Hm," Daehyun pouts, pretending to think. "When was the last time we saw each other? Two years ago? Five? Ten?" he asked himself. "Do remind me, Park Chanyeol, won't you?"

"Just--" I stopped, sighing in exasperation. "What do you need, Daehyun?"

Daehyun finally smirked before pressing his lips together to contain his grin. "Well, I came to talk to you about three things." he started, fixing his coat as if preparing for something grand. "First, I want to tell you I'm just starting my designs today since I just flew in from Australia yesterday for business. I need your opinions and I don't care if Yoora doesn't like that."

I stared at him for a second. "Fine."

"Second, I want to inform you I visited your shop two months ago to gain inspiration for my designs. As I had told you, your sister won't help me and she refuses tell me anything about you and your fiance, saying I should go and know things myself," Daehyun sighed like it has been torture. "But I didn't stay long here in SoKor before flying to Vietnam. It was just an overnight stay."

"And?" I asked, raising brow and waiting for him to continue.

"They were painting the walls when I visited the cafe so I didn't see much of the wall decors," Daehyun said, shaking his head. "So I went upstairs to the book shop."

"Yes. I remember Jongin telling me about repainting the walls all of a sudden." I muttered, frowning. "Did you get any inspiration at the book store?"

With that, Daehyun suddenly blushed. "Um," he started. "That's the third thing I want to talk to you about." He took a sip from his tea and took a lungful of air. Daehyun's gaze slowly turned from smug to something serious and sincere, I almost warmed up to him.

"What is it, Jung Daehyun?" I asked. "You look serious and you're scaring me."

"I met someone." he blurted out and his smirk completely vanished. "I believe he works there because he was stocking the shelves with books."

"Daehyun, we have a lot of staffs and--"

"I know and I want you to help me know more about him," he continued eyes staring directly into mine. "Chanyeol, I know you hate me and that I've asked you this favor so many times before but this time, it's fcking serious. I like him. I like that guy and you need to help me. This is the very first time I saw someone and everything just suddenly pales against him. He's gorgeous and his eyes are the most--"

Quickly, I raised my hands to stop him. "Whoa, whoa, Daehyun." I said, surprise lacing my voice. "Calm down. I-- I don't even know if I know this guy you're talking about. He must have been a volunteer and not a staff. And do you even know his name?"

Daehyun laughed, nervous. "Of course I know his name!" he exclaimed. "His name is--"

"Peanut!"

Byun Baekhyun's voice drowned Daehyun's and I turned to the front yard to see him running after the cat. Peanut stopped and as if sensing Baekhyun's presence, it went to completely ignore the flying butterfly to turn to Baek. My fiance sat on the grass before opening his arms for the cat whilst laughing and calling its name.

"Oh, and in case you still don't know," I said to Daehyun, gesturing at Baekhyun with my head. "That's Byun Baekhyun. My fiance."

There was a pause. And it's a very long one before Jung Daehyun repeated Baekhyun's name in a low voice. "Byun Baekhyun." he murmured and when I looked at him, he's watching my fiance with wide, unbelieving eyes. It's like Baekhyun is some creature who didn't even come from this world. He stood there, staring, and he had to grip the tea cup he's holding to come back to his senses.

"Chanyeol!" Baekhyun called, Peanut already in his arms. He jogged to our direction and when he reached me, he stood on his tippy toes to give me a peck on the cheek. I could still feel Daehyun's heavy stares but I tried to ignore him.

"Hey," I murmured, kissing Baekhyun on the forehead. "You're early, baby."

"I'm excited!" Baekhyun giggled. "Noona called me yesterday. She said I could come and look at some of the designs she's been working on."

"Yes. She's inside and I'm pretty sure she can't wait to see you." I said before turning to Daehyun. I rested one hand on the small of Baekhyun's back before gesturing to my sister's friend. "Baek, I would like you to meet one of my sister's interior designer friends. This is--"

"JD." Daehyun offered his hand to Baek, interrupting me. "Please call me JD. It's my nickname. Only close friends call me by my real name." Unlike before, the light on Daehyun's face is already gone. Even his voice sounds completely dull. His lips are pressed together and his jaw is tensed. But his eyes... There's something off about the way he looks at Baek.

Could it be that--?

"Oh." Baekhyun grinned before taking Daehyun's hand. "Hello, JD. I'm Byun Baekhyun." And then he stopped, frowning as he stared at Daehyun's face. "You-- You look terribly familiar. I'm sorry. I'm really bad at remembering faces. But-- Have we met before?"

Daehyun blinked before looking away. "I'm afraid no." he said, forcing a smile. "Not yet. I believe I won't forget meeting you if ever."

But Baekhyun pouts, unconvinced. "No?" he mimicked. "Are you sure? You-- You really look like someone--"

"Byun Baekhyun!" Noona called from the door leading to the living room area and I caught Daehyun flinch. Baekhyun waved a hand in the air before excusing himself and walking over to where my sister is. They hugged and Noona practically dragged Baekhyun into the room. Typical.

After giving me a nod and a tight smile, Daehyun started to walk back inside the house. "Wait." I called, stopping him from taking another step. He turned to me with an expressionless look on his face. "His name," I started, eyes boring into his. "You still didn't tell me his name."

Daehyun paused. "What?"

"The guy you were telling me about," I said. "You said you're serious about him. What's his name?"

With that, Daehyun looked away for a second before meeting my gaze. "I'm sorry," he said. "I forgot-- I suddenly forgot his name." Then he forced a laugh, nervously running a thumb along the side of his cup.

I stepped forward until we're a foot apart and until I could tower over him. "No," I said in a low voice. "I know you didn't." And before Daehyun could get another word off his mouth, I took a step back and went to follow Baekhyun into the living area.

That day two months ago. I should have known. I should have known it was him. The business card. I should have known it was his. How could I have been so stupid?

And he's telling me now that he's serious about Byun Baekhyun?

Just how far could Jung Daehyun go for something or someone he likes?

"We're not friends."

Now, even his voice annoys me already. I stopped to look at Jung Daehyun who didn't move from his spot. The tea cup hangs from his finger as he looks at me, the usual confidence slowly seeping into his body. Daehyun touched his chin, carefully scrutinizing the words leaving his mouth. When he met my eyes, he gave me a sly smirk.

"We're not friends," he repeated. "You said so yourself."

I cleared my throat. "And what does that mean to you?"

"Nothing," he answered. "In fact, I realize now how I would like it to stay that way."

I stood there, glaring and clenching my hands at my sides. Even if I want to skin him alive right now, I can't and I wouldn't. Punching him would be a good way to end this conversation but I wouldn't do that. Not when Byun Baekhyun's here to witness me losing my temper.

"I love my job, Park Chanyeol. I really do." Daehyun said as he plays with the tea cup with his finger. "But I like winning, too. Especially when the game's a little bit challenging."

"We're getting married." I said. "Do have some respect."

"Even married couples separate," Daehyun grinned. "Besides, I like playing drity."

I felt my jaw tense.

"Do not touch him."

"We're not friends, remember?" he repeated, smug. "You can't go asking me favors."

"It's not a favor." I said through gritted teeth. "I'll do anything for Byun Baekhyun and you know that."

"I know." Daehyun nodded. "But maybe I just really like him to actually care about what you're going to do."

Surprisingly, when the words hit home, what flashed in my brain is the day Byun Baekhyun beat up a man who punched me on the face. The punch didn't even hurt that much but he was willing to give out every strength he has to protect me. He doesn't even know how to truly fight and yet. Right now, with this man threatening about stealing my fiance, reality started to crash into me and I found the anger and annoyance I was feeling starting to crumble into dust.

And with that, I have to let out a quiet laugh. "You? Seducing Byun Baekhyun?" I chuckled, shaking my head. "Really?"

Daehyun narrowed his eyes at me. "What's so funny about that?" he asked, sounding insulted even.

I let out another laugh before smirking at him. "I'd like to see you try."