SM WAS quietly sitting in front of the handsome man who went to her café to talk to her. She didn't know him, though, and she was sure she had not seen him anywhere. As to why he wanted to talk to her, she had no idea.

"Uhm..." she started and welcomed him with a smile. "You wanted to talk to me?"

The man in front of him nodded before speaking. "I'm Valerian Volkzki, Knight's best friend."

Her lips partially parted. Knight's best friend? "Nice to meet you. I'm Sweet Monday Canja Lopez," she introduced, her hand extended.

Although he shook her hand, she couldn't see any emotion on his face.

"Why do you want to talk to me?" she asked after. "Is this about Knight?" She couldn't think of any other reason this man would talk to him. He was Knight's best friend, after all.

Valerian nodded and looked her directly in the eyes. "I'll go straight to the fucking point. Are you serious about him? If not and if you're just fucki—I mean—playing around, break up with him now."

That was rude, she thought, but he must have his reason for saying that to her. "I'm serious about him."

Valerian did not take his eyes off her. "In my vocabulary, serious means you're willing to risk everything for Knight. And I fucking mean everything. Can you do that? Knight is smart, but when it comes to relationships, he's a dumbass. He has little experience with women. He has been cooped up by his family and always focuses on work. He has no time to date or flirt around. You are his first girlfriend—"

"I am?" she asked, surprised by this revelation.

Val nodded. "That's why I'm asking if you're serious about him, so don't be offended by my fucki—I mean, freaking words. I just don't want my friend to get hurt. He had been through too much already to get hurt. I know I won't be able to stop him from being in a relationship with you, that's why I'm here talking to you. If you're serious about my best friend, please don't hurt him in any way. I beg you."

SM felt as if something had caressed her heart as she looked at Valerian. "I'm not offended, don't worry." She smiled. "I'm actually happy that someone would go to this length for Knight. Thank you."

She saw that the man in front of him was stunned for a while as he looked at her. "Hmm... now I may have an idea why Knight liked you. That lunatic has a weakness for genuine kindness."

Her chest tightened. For genuine kindness to be Knight's weakness... What kind of life is he living? she thought. She wanted to know, but she would wait for Knight to tell him about these things—only if he wanted her to know.

One thing was for sure. He had a harsh life.

She smiled at Valerian. "Don't worry, I'm serious about him. I won't do anything that would hurt him. When I told him we could finally be a couple, I thought hard about it."

"Your relationship with him... it'll be hellish once his father finds out. That man is a sick son of a bitch. Are you ready to face hell?"

SM clenched her fists. "Last year, I went to hell and back. I don't want a repeat of that, but if it's for Knight, I'm willing to face hell again... and just like the last time, I'll come back a winner."

Valerian smiled. "You two are a good match. Just bear with him, though. He's a crazy motherfucker. When he sometimes behaves like an innocent kid, it's not an act. He's really innocent about some things. And he's always curious in an idiotic way, so... I hope you can tolerate him."

She chuckled softly. "I noticed that too. Though, it's okay. He's kinda cute. I like it."

Valerian shook his head before massaging his temples as if he was in deep stress. "Thank God he finally has you. I hope he won't bother me this time. He's always stressing me out. That lunatic! Always asking for cake and food! I'm going to kill him one of these days."

SM laughed at Valerian's words. She knew those words weren't coming from anger, that those were words from Knight's best friend who could tolerate his attitude.

"Anyways..." Valerian held his gaze onto her again. "Has he been sleeping lately?"

She nodded. "Yeah. He's sleeping in my house because he can't sleep alone."

"That's good." Valerian looked relieved. "I hope you continue taking care of him."

She nodded with a smile. "I will."

Valerian continued to agree, but his forehead creased when he remembered something to ask her. "By the way, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Did you make him blush?"

SM tried to stop herself from smiling. "It's personal."

"Yes, I know." Valerian sighed heavily. "But that fucking moron sent a message to our group chat, asking if we fucking blush. See? He's a fucking idiot."

She blinked. "Group chat?"

"Yeah. We have a large circle of friends, so we needed a group chat to talk when we're busy or something like that." Val shook his head. "That idiot asked us that, so I assume you made him blush."

She grimaced. "Y-yeah."

Valerian let out a sigh, as if he was carrying a heavy burden. "This is what I was talking about. He never had a girlfriend before, so what he's experiencing with you now is all new to him, so please bear with him." Valerian stood up from his seat and bade farewell afterward. "I have to go. Stopping myself from cussing while talking to you is draining the fuck out of me."

SM smiled. "It's okay if you do, though. If you're comfortable with it."

"Yeah, but," he said as he placed his hands in his pockets. "You look delicate like my wife. I thought you'd hate cussing like my mooncake, and I don't want to anger that idiot friend of mine. By the way, don't mention this to Knight. Especially the best friend part, or else he won't stop teasing me. I would rather die."

SM laughed. "Sure."

"Alright, I'll leave before he returns from delivering food." Valerian waved his hand goodbye at her. "See you around. Next time, I'll introduce you to my wife, and I hope you can help her bake cupcakes that aren't poisonous. Knight was traumatized by her baking skills."

SM followed Knight's friend with her gaze. He seemed like a good guy. A little bit weird, but still a good guy.

She went back inside her office to finish the cake she was baking. She knew that once Knight returned from his food delivery, he would start bugging her.

His reason for hugging her and always being clingy? He was her boyfriend, of course.

SM HAD been silent from the moment they entered the gate of BV until Knight parked the taxi in front of a huge and elegant mansion. He told her he wanted to talk with her. She thought they would do it in her house, but he drove her here.

"Is this your house?" she asked.

"Yeah..." Knight stepped out of the taxi and opened the door for her.

As she exited the taxi, Knight intertwined their hands together before leading her into his house. When the mansion's door opened, Cloud welcomed them.

"Welcome home, my lord." He bowed. "My lady."

Knight glared at Cloud. "Cut the my. She's mine. I'm not comfortable that you're claiming my girlfriend as yours."

Cloud smiled. "Of course, my lord." Then, he looked at SM. "My apologies, Lady SM."

Her smile turned into a grimace. "It's okay. I don't mind—"

"But I do mind," Knight interjected. "So don't use the word my when referring to my Sweet Monday. She's my girlfriend, she's mine, and I will shoot you if you even dare."

Cloud nodded, smiling. He showed no fear as Knight threatened him. He even looked pleased. Cloud could tolerate Knight's attitude as well, just like how Valerian tolerated Knight.

SM was about to say something when she heard Midnight, who was going down the stairs.

"SM!" He looked happy to see her. "How are you?"

But before Midnight could get close to her, Knight stepped in front, using his whole body to block his brother, and hid SM behind her. "Don't you dare go near her."

But Midnight wasn't fazed. He stopped in front of Knight and peeked at SM. "Evening."

She smiled. "Good evening too."

She laughed as Knight reached for both of her hands and wrapped them around his waist from behind, which hid her face from Midnight.

"Go away!" Knight told Midnight. "I won't let SM smile or talk to you."

"You're being too jealous, Kuya," Knight complained.

"She's my girlfriend, so don't you dare, Night. I'm warning you."

SM just let him be. Like what Valerian said, everything about being in a relationship is new to Knight. She didn't want to correct him in front of others. She'd just talk to him later when they were alone.

"By the way, SM, I want you to meet Love." It was Midnight, who was not holding back against his brother.

Midnight's girlfriend? she thought. Out of curiosity, she stepped to the side and peeked at Midnight.

She blinked in disbelief when she saw that Midnight was pertaining to a guy. A tall gorgeous man with glasses.

"Your boyfriend is very handsome, Midnight," she said, smiling. "You look good together."

It was as if an angel had passed by because of the unnerving silence that enveloped the room after she spoke. In her mind, she could even hear birds chirping from a distance.

Her brows raised. "Did... did I say something wrong?"

Knight faced her, laughing. "They look good together, huh?"

She nodded.

Even Cloud started to laugh. "This is epic."

Midnight looked at her. "Do I look like I swing that way?"

"Uhm..." She looked at Love. "Am I wrong?"

When Midnight didn't answer, she immediately bowed and apologized many times. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Midnight." And then she turned to the guy beside him. "Sorry, I misunderstood."

The guy beside Midnight cackled and put an arm around Midnight's shoulders. "Do we look that good together, miss?"

SM nodded. "Yeah."

The man chuckled and asked Midnight, "Should I court you, Boss?"

"Try it and die an excruciating death." Midnight let out a sigh. "His name is Love, not an endearment."

She blinked at the guy. "Your name is Love?" That's a weird name for a male.

Love nodded and adjusted his glasses. "My parents are a bunch of psychos. My older brother's name is Sugar. Mine is Love, and my younger brother is Honey."

Her lips parted. "Wow..."

"Yep." Love smiled. "Bunch of psychos, I'm telling you."

She softly chuckled before extending a hand. "Nice meeting you, Love."

Love was about to reach for her hand when Knight clasped her fingers, preventing them from shaking hands.

"Who gave you the right to touch my girlfriend?" Knight angrily hissed at Love, his voice sharp and dangerous.

Love sighed. "Relax, it's not like I'm gonna take her away from you—"

But when Love suddenly fainted, she panicked, her eyes wide from shock. It was a good thing that Midnight was able to support Love's weight, which was why Love had not entirely collapsed to the floor.

However, Love remained unconscious.

"What the... I-is he okay? What happened to him? Let's bring him to the hospital." SM was worried, but the three men present were calm.

"Just drag his ass to the long sofa," Knight said, his tone indifferent.

Midnight grunted. "Fuck! He's so heavy."

"Let me help you," Cloud offered and quickly helped Midnight. They both carried Love onto the long sofa while Knight simply faced SM as if nothing had happened.

"Come on, let's go to my room," Knight invited.

But SM glanced at Love, her face expressing worry. "But he just suddenly fainted. Won't you bring him to the hospital?"

"Let him be." Knight just brushed off her worry. "He'll wake up later."

"Is he really gonna be okay?"

Her boyfriend frowned, his face now sour. "Stop worrying about him. I'm starting to get jealous."

"But—"

"Sweet Monday." His voice carried a sense of caution. "I'm jealous. Please don't make me go crazy."

But SM knew how to calm him down. She wrapped her hands around his waist and kissed his chin. "You don't need to be jealous. I'm just worried about him."

"I told you he's okay," he insisted with an irritated voice. "It's his narcolepsy acting up again."

"Narco what?" she asked, confused.

"Narcolepsy," Knight repeated before releasing himself from her embrace and intertwining their hands together. "It's a brief attack of deep sleep."

Her lips parted. "So... he's just asleep?"

Knight nodded. "It's a condition. Love just falls asleep wherever and whenever his narcolepsy strikes. He'll wake up later, but he's fine."

She paused, still in disbelief. That kind of condition... he must have suffered, she thought. Falling asleep whenever and wherever without control over it—that must be hard.

"You're too nice." Knight sounded annoyed. "I'm jealous as fuck already. You're hurting me, Sweet Monday."

SM tiptoed and kissed Knight on the lips. "Sorry, baby."

The annoyance in his face instantly melted. "This is unfair..."

"Why?"

"You calling me baby and melting my anger away so easily." He sighed before gently guiding her toward the stairs. "Stop worrying about him. Just be affectionate with me. On second thought, let me do it."

Knight scooped her in his arms and took her to his room before gently laying her down on his bed. He kissed her deeply on the lips before letting go of her. "I'll go to the bathroom first. Take this time to rest."

SM held his wrist to stop him. "Wait... aren't we going to talk?"

Knight kissed her on the forehead. "Later. I'll just do my hair."

"But it's getting late." She looked at her wristwatch. "I still have to go home."

"Says who?"

She stiffened. "What?"

"You're not going home tonight," Knight said and then kissed the side of her lips. "You're staying here—with me."

She stared at her boyfriend with widened eyes before narrowing them. "Have something planned, don't you?"

Knight's smile melted her nervousness. "I'm gonna introduce myself to you properly."

Still confused, she furrowed her brows. "You already have."

"Nope." He kissed her on the forehead and then winked at her before finally entering the bathroom.

SM could only stare at the closed door. Her forehead was still creased. Introduce himself properly to her? Hadn't he told her his full name already?

She stared blankly at the ceiling before eyeing the whole room. It smelled like Knight.

She got up from the bed and wandered around the spacious room. It had a high ceiling, a set of expensive sofas, a mahogany study table, three sets of wide bookshelves, a king bed, and a closet. She didn't want to meddle in his things, but she couldn't help but open his closet.

T-shirts, button-down polos, muscle shirts, some pairs of jeans, khaki, and cargo pants. All of his outfits were black. When he opened one of his three drawers, her mouth gaped at the display of expensive watches, wallets, and neckties. The next drawer held documents, while the last one contained a set of boxers and briefs.

Her cheeks flushed as she quickly shut the drawer. Then, she opened the longest one, which was located at the bottom of the closet. Her body stiffened when she saw what was inside.

Guns. Bullets. Swords.

She hurriedly closed the drawer and returned to her bed. She sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought. Knight was surely someone who could walk from one place to another without making a sound, but now he owned guns, ammunition, and a sword in his closet?

What have I gotten myself into?

She vigorously shook her head. No, it's Knight, she told herself. He must have his reason for keeping such items in his room.

She turned to the door of the bathroom. Thirty minutes had passed already. Was he taking a bath or something?

She stood up, walked toward the bathroom, and knocked. "Knight? Are you going to take a long time?"

"Just a second, baby."

She bit her lower lip to stop the smile forming in her lips. Knight was finally learning the sweetness of endearment.

She was about to leave and return to the bed when the door of the bathroom opened. Knight was there, staring intently at her. He was handsome, SM knew that, but what surprised her was his blond hair in full show. He was downright gorgeous and sexy.

"Y-your hair..."

Knight smiled. "Tomorrow, I'll color my hair brown again. But tonight, this is the real me, and I want you to see me like this. I want you to see the real me that only I'm allowed to see. This is forbidden, hell, Father will punish me if he finds out, but I want to be selfish for once... I wanna be me in front of you... for once."

Tears filled the corner of SM's eyes. She could sense the pain and suffering in his voice.

Her hand reached for his hair, gently stroking it. Blond.

She gulped as a mix of emotions filled her heart while she stared at Knight. Gorgeous, she thought as her body reacted. Am I turned on by his blond hair?

Damn it! She cupped Knight's cheeks as she tiptoed and, without a word, claimed his lips. Her eyes closed as Knight responded, fervently locking his lips onto hers, dominating the kiss.

He then went to her neck and drowned it with kisses while his hands caressed her body, with one hand gripping her breast and the other squeezing her bum.

Because of what was happening, she didn't even notice that they were near the bed if Knight had not pushed her onto it.

Her lips parted and her throat went dry when he saw Knight taking off his shirt while intently looking at her lips.

"This time... I'm not stopping," he said in a low voice.

She swallowed hard because of the intensity of his stares. He crawled on top of her and, once again, drowned her with passionate kisses.

She moaned as she wrapped her arms around his neck while still responding to his kisses. They sucked each other's tongue, their breathing blending together.

When Knight started undressing her, she didn't stop him. She just let him, not because she couldn't push him away but because she wanted it too.

She wanted Knight. All of him.