It has been three months since the day Aileen “ordered” the “perfect lover.” Lover, shmover. After 24 hours and still no response from S&M Heaven, Aileen gave up. It couldn’t have been real, so how could she even expect anything? After all the drama that day, she could only believe that the meeting with Suho was just one of those pranks or some lame scheme to get her insides boiling. So 24 hours after meeting the mysterious salesman, she forgot all about it. She had other things on her mind.

Like why Kris has been absent for so long.

Three months and she hasn’t even seen his face once. One day, she couldn’t keep it in anymore.

“Tao-ssi, where’s Kris?” She was getting out of the house when she found Tao also walking to his school. He was a little surprised by her sudden use of formality. She must be serious, he nodded to himself.

“I’m not sure.” He chose his words carefully, analysing her.

“What?” She didn’t believe him. “He’s been gone for more than three months!” She’s upset, he noted.

“No, Aileen, I’m being honest.” Looking at his face, she finally believed him. He looked like a lost puppy himself. She frowned.

“So you don’t know.” It wasn’t a question.

“Well,” he began, looking up as he remembered something. “Gege said he’d be away for awhile,” he recalled. Aileen started fuming. He’s been gone for ages and he never said anything?! Did I upset him that much? Then she remembered that he ordered the pizza for her dinner and softened. A little bit. “He was packing his bags... And he told me he’d call before he gets back, but now that I think about it...” Tao joined Aileen in frowning. “He didn’t tell me where he was going!”

They looked at each other for a while with the same thing on their minds. Where was Kris and his man bags?

♥

The woman giggled girlishly, blushing and covering her red lipstick-coated lips with the most feminine hands.

He smirked as she laughed at his joke. It wasn’t even funny. He didn’t realise that just smirking would make her feel even more attracted to him. Dressed stylishly in a classic white shirt, crease-free suit and a small black bow to finish the handsome look, he didn’t realise how stunning he was to all females surrounding him. He didn’t realise that they were drooling all around him. The woman sitting opposite him felt flustered, feeling like she was on top of the world having every single girl want to be in her place right then and there.

He wasn’t impressed. Does she know that I am younger than her? He didn’t know why he was even on this date. Why am I here anyway? He grew bored, eyes trailing away from the older woman to a flock of girls crowding outside the fancy restaurant they were in. The girls were all clearly pressing their faces to the window, eagle-eyeing him with lust. It was the same in Korea, too. Wherever he went, all the girls ogled after him. He never took notice, really. It was just that he was getting rather tired of her slightly worn-out, croaky voice, so his eyes needed another focus. His date claimed that she was in her late twenties, but he could tell she was in her early thirties. She was beautiful for women her age, but not his type. What was his type, anyway? “Kind, knows how to cook, filial and can take care of people,” he murmured.

“I’m sorry?” His date stopped talking about who knows what she was chattering on about. He wasn’t interested in hearing to find out.

“Do you know how to cook?” He suddenly asked.

“Uh,” the older woman stammered, taken aback by his random question. He gazed at her intently, waiting. “Well, yes.”

His shoulders stooped the slightest bit. Was that the answer he was hoping for? She did fit all his ideal-type descriptions. Kind, knows how to cook, filial and can take care of people, he memorised. Was it really? Aileen doesn’t know how to cook... Lord, the girl would make any kitchen explode. Wait, no. Stop thinking about her. He closed his eyes. Remember why you’re here.

“Wu Fan?”

For a moment, he imagined it was her calling his name. She used to call him that when they were younger, but now she rarely did. Those rare times were when she became serious, and although he felt sick for thinking this, he liked it when she did because then he'd hear her call his name. But when he opened his eyes, it was another woman. The same woman he was supposed to be on a date with.

“I’m sorry, but I have to leave.”

♥

It has been more than three months since the day she forgot her schoolbag at the bus stop and Sooyeon has also already forgotten about Ami and Luhan’s verbal battle. Luhan returned her bag and that was all that mattered these past few months because she could only feel her heart fluttering each time she saw him now. Finally, after years since meeting him for the first time, eventually she admitted to herself that she liked him. But she didn’t admit it to him or anyone else, not yet...

So she has also forgotten about the whole Luhan-Ami problem—if it was one at all—until she came across something else.

Sooyeon was walking along one of their school’s corridors when, coincidentally, she heard a familiar voice and everything started to happen again.

“So did you do it, then?” It was Ami. She sounded unlike herself earlier today. All over again? This was getting tiresome. The few days after when she overheard the “conversation” between Luhan and Ami, Sooyeon was cautious around the girl but over time, she grew casual with her again. But now it’s happening all over again? Sooyeon tried not to roll her eyes. Well, this could be something else. She couldn’t help but find it more than a little interesting. And suspicious.

“No, what’s the point? It was three months ago, anyway.” It was a new voice; a boy’s. Still familiar, though... What did Ami want with this dude?

“Did you forget what I told you?” God, her voice was patronizing. Sooyeon moved closer to the door. They were alone in the classroom. She stood wedged between the open door and the window. Ever so slightly, she moved her neck and peered through the glass. Ohmygod. She whipped her head back, banging her head against the wall. It made a noise and it hurt. They stopped talking. Crap. It was Kim Jongin, the year’s kingka. What did Ami want with him? After a while, leaving Sooyeon no choice but to hold her breath agonisingly, Ami started to talk again, thinking that the noise was insignificant. Little did she know. “She’s a who sleeps with boys for their money. I wouldn’t go out with a like her if I were you.”

A lump formed in Sooyeon’s throat. Whom was Ami talking about with so much venom in her voice? She didn’t want to believe that her friend was two-faced. But after two incidents now, it was hard not to. She wanted to choke in disgust, but that would blow her cover.

“Oh, and what about your dream girl~?” Ami carried on in a sing-song voice. What is she talking about? Sooyeon was dying to know.

“Shut up.” Kai’s voice was shaky.

“But I can’t, it’s just too funny! Isn't it?” Even Sooyeon, hiding behind a wall, felt annoyed for Kim Jongin. “Well, if you really want to take a chance with her then date the and make your dream girl jealous, simple as that.” Her voice was too nonchalant for her words. Who’s this ‘dream girl’ she keeps on mentioning? It irritated Sooyeon how emphasised it was, and she didn't even know what it meant.

Faint footsteps sounded as Ami left towards the door. Almost having a heart attack, Sooyeon pressed herself against the wall, praying for Ami to head the other way. If she were to run away now, it’ll be too soon and they’ll see her through the window. She couldn’t run the other way because they’ll see her pass the door! She was stuck. The footsteps grew louder and Sooyeon was beginning to sweat.

Ami walked the other way without notice.

As soon as she was certain Ami was gone, Sooyeon wanted to exhale loudly and doze off against the wall. But she couldn’t rest now.

Before Kai could leave, Sooyeon gathered up her courage and stormed into the room, accidentally smacking her forehead against his neck. She was tall, but he was taller and stronger. She had no idea what danger she could be walking right into. But Ami was scheming something and she wanted to find out more. She had a sickly feeling it had to do with either her or, worse, Aileen, her best friend.

“Are you alright?” His hands gripped firmly onto her shoulders, trying to prevent her from falling over but she took it the wrong way. He was smirking, eyes twinkling with amusement.

Brusquely shaking him off, she stared into his eyes without fear. “Who were you talking about?”

Smirk dropping, his face turned blank. “Why do you want to know?” His pitch was low and dangerous. She wasn’t amused.

“Well, if it concerns me or my best friend then I have the right to know.”

“Some best friend you have,” he remarked, words dripping with sarcasm. “And we just talked for the first time ever. You’re not going to even introduce yourself?” Not that I need that. I know who you are already, Sooyeon.

“I wasn’t talking about Ami.” She ignored his last part. This was more important than introductions. “Was she talking about Aileen?”

“How do you know?” His playful tone was now gone, voice again low and challenging.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve heard her say... stuff.”

He nodded, eyes solemn.

“What?” Sooyeon didn’t want to believe it. “You two were talking about Aileen behind her back?” Ami said all those horrible things about her? “I can’t believe you can be so—”

“I never said anything.” He smirked again. “But yeah, that Ami wants me to date your friend and break her heart.”

“Best friend,” she corrected. Then she made a pff-ing noise. “Are you serious? Aileen doesn’t even like you.” She immediately regretted saying it, fearing she’d sounded a little too harsh. To her surprise, he wasn’t in any way offended.

“Are you sure? Because she asked me out a few months ago.” That was a surprise. Why doesn’t she know this? “To be safe, I think you should keep your distance from both of them,” he continued.

“Aniyo.” She cut him off. “Aileen isn’t like that, what Ami says she is. She isn’t a... a .” Sooyeon found it hard to say the nasty word. How could Ami have? “I can’t even believe that girl has the guts to call anyone a . She will never say that to Aileen’s face—or mine. Why is she spreading rumours behind her back like that?” Sooyeon stood there wondering about her own questions, oblivious to Kai watching her and thinking his own thoughts. After a long silence—for him—Kai eventually brought up the courage to say what he wanted to all along.

“Sooyeon, right?” He scratched his neck. Act cool, act cool. He was pretending to not know her name. It was a stupid idea, but it worked since they’ve never actually talked before.

“Uh, yeah.” She felt jammed all of a sudden. “And you are Kim Jongin.” She laughed awkwardly.

“Call me Kai.” He tried to smile, earning a dimple popping on his cheek. Sooyeon was delightfully surprised at how adorable he was trying to do so. She remembered having a silent crush on him before, but that was years ago, when they were all new to high school.

“Okay. Kai.” She tried it out. She still felt awkward.

“Uh, Sooyeon.” He was rubbing his neck again. It must be a habit, she noted. “I’ve always wanted to...” She raised an eyebrow, confused as to where he was getting at. He was struggling to keep eye contact. “You’re my dream girl.”

What. She could only stare at him, not knowing how to react.

Kai wanted to face-palm himself over and over again for coming out so idiotically! “You’re my dream girl”—what the hell was that, Jongin!? He scolded himself.

She couldn’t maintain eye contact herself. Her eyes drove aimlessly, and to her luck, her eyes miraculously caught Luhan almost passing the door. “Luhan!” she called frantically. She glanced back at Kai. “Look, I know this is too quick or whatever,” she rambled on. “But one day you’ll find yourself a nice girlfriend, but you have to trust your own heart instead of relying on others. She’ll be better looking than me and definitely with a nice face and, and nice personality!” She was so nervous her vocabulary was limited to only “nice”. She didn’t know how else to react to the sudden confession. It was mostly Aileen who received confessions like these on an occasional basis (even if they were written on letters because the guy'd be too scared to approach her), but Sooyeon wasn't used to this.

“What’s up?” Luhan entered the room. Kai looked up, frowning. He knew who Luhan was in their school. To Kai, Luhan wasn’t just a pretty boy ulzzang in the year above. He always caught the guy hanging out with Sooyeon. Luhan was his rival. But it seemed like all hope was lost now; Sooyeon didn't like him. So what was the point in carrying on envy?

Without much thinking, Sooyeon dived for his arm and wove her arm through his. “So, you wanted to take me through the gardens?” She put on a faked sweet voice, panicking so much she didn’t have time to feel disgusted at herself. Luhan could only blink and stammer.

“Uh...”

“Come on!” Sooyeon tugged at his sleeve, motioning for them to leave the room. She ushered Luhan away with whispers, but Kai heard her desperate hushes.

Kim Jongin stood there, watching them exit with a vacant expression. One day you’ll find yourself a nice girlfriend. Her voice echoed in his head. I hope so, he thought to himself. But you have to trust your own heart instead of relying on others. That was what he always did, right?  He even almost let Ami control him. That's why Aileen almost got hurt, because he did nothing. Grabbing his blazer, he too exited the desolated room. Now he just needed to clear things up.

♥

Once they were out of there, Luhan and Sooyeon walked to the gardens. Sooyeon had no idea why they were even headed there, seeing as the thing earlier on was just an act to get herself out of the awkward situation. But now they were walking awkwardly in a stepping pattern that was out of sync. She was walking too quickly and Luhan too slow. She didn’t know which situation was more awkward: Kai confessing his feelings or pretending to be in a relationship with Luhan. She mentally face-palmed herself. Ah, crap! I forgot about the Ami thing.

“Hey, I need to go find Aileen.” She needed to tell her everything. Aileen didn’t know what was going on behind her back. It was ironic how rumours were being spread by a friend. So-called friend, thought Sooyeon bitterly. She didn’t need to look far. Aileen was already there, sitting on the bench in the school’s garden.

“Aileen, you’re here?!” It was a surprise, because the girl didn’t like being close to trees and plants and flowers. She was scared of bugs, you see.

Aileen looked up from her daydream; a smile lit up her face as she saw her best friend running up to her. Luhan was close behind. “Hey.” Her voice was croaky.

“What’s wrong?” Sooyeon asked, but then realised she needed to say something urgent. “No, wait. I need to tell you something.”

Aileen’s eyebrows knitted together.

▌A/N: This chapter was longer than intended, so I broke it into two parts. I’m sorry Chanyeol hasn’t appeared yet. He will be, for sure, in the next chapter keke~ I just want the pre-story and relationships to progress before Chanyeol comes in and changes... things. Well, you’ll see! Also sorry I didn’t update in a month! I was just waiting for school to end~ Now I’m no longer busy so updates will be more frequent ^^

So I just edited the chapter since there were a few things I missed out. I was rushing yesterday so there were errors, sorry. >.< But where do you think Kris ran off to? How will Kai "clear things up"? And what will happen when Chanyeol finally comes into the picture? >:D