{ prologue }

“YAH! I don’t like this! You won’t make me wear this stupid frilly dress! I’D DIE FIRST!!!” Moon Haeyoung screamed at the elite dressmakers and top designers that her parents recruited to make her gown. She’d be reaching her eighteenth birthday soon, and she knows that her parents are planning to make her attend a marriage meeting which she detests with all her life.

Not only that, they are forcing her to wear a gown! A gown! Ack! What a pain in the , she thought as they kept on coaxing her to settle because she needs to have her body measured so they could tailor a perfect dress for her.

Yeah right, she rolled her eyeballs at the thought. A perfect dress, they say, where I’ll prance around and be a stupid Cinderella puppet to marry a Prince Charming who’s actually a wimp in real life.

“Haeyoung! Will you please stop giving the designers a hard time?!” Her mother scolded but instead of paying attention, she stomped her feet so hard it would have shook the entire South Korea.

“Stop this all, okay?! I DON’T WANT A FREAKING PARTY!” She replied back, frustrated. She has never been the obedient daughter type, and she’s surely not starting any time soon. She refuses to be a toy that her parents could move around whenever they want to.

“Madame?” One of the party organizers turned to her mother. “We already had the theme for Miss Haeyoung’s party. It would be Romeo and Juliet where we’d create a makeshift balcony in your vast garden to create the atmosphe–”

“Yeah, and then I’d fall off and die mercilessly with my limbs splayed all over the ground.” Haeyoung sarcastically ended the organizer’s statement.

“MOON HAEYOUNG–!” Her mother’s veins were already pulsating on her neck with irritation because of her. “Do you really want me to die early because of you?!”

She only shrugged. “C’mon mom, I know you won’t die. Who’d be left to antagonize my life if you’re not around, huh?”

“Haeyo–” Her mother’s thunderous voice was cut off by a soft one. “Who says I’d let you die under my watch, Juliet?”

All of their attention turned to the newcomer. He was cockily leaning on the wooden door, his hands pocketed on his jeans. He wasn’t anywhere near Haeyoung’s ideal type at all, since she likes men who are bulky and looks like a bad boy because of her rebellious natures, and the man in front of them was neither. He wasn’t that tall, but still obviously taller than her. His body was lean and there was a smug smirk covering his face.

At that moment, she felt as if the world slowed down and there was only her and him. Her heart skipped a beat, and Haeyoung knew that she has to get this guy by hook or by crook.

“O, Baekhyun-ah!” Her mother’s scary aura faded as she approached the guy on the door. The guy straightened before bowing. “Annyeonghasaeyo, Madame Moon,” he politely greeted.

“No need for such niceties, Baekhyun, and just call me Aunt Soyou,” her mother responded before briefly hugging the guy. “Come here. I’ll introduce you to my daughter.”

The two came to a halt in front of her, and she was even more surprised at the handsomeness of the guy in front of her. His features were soft, unlike what she imagined her ideal type to be. He was fair-skinned and he looks so fluffy! Not in a bad way, though. He may not be her ideal type, but he surely makes her heart race.

“Haeyoung, this is Byun Baekhyun, the son of the owner of Byun Enterprises.” Her mother turned to Baekhyun, “Baekhyun, this is my rather rebellious daughter, Moon Haeyoung.”

Haeyoung could only gape at Baekhyun as the latter smiled. “I’ve seen it firsthand, Aunt Soyou.” He commented before turning his attention to her. “I’m Byun Baekhyun, and I’ll be your Romeo if you want to.” He winked at her as he took her hand and kissed it.

The other people in their living room already melted with his sweet talks. They all swooned at him while she remained rooted on her spot. “Haeyoung, dear, Baekhyun will be your for your debut!”

Haeyoung swallowed. She promised herself that she’ll get the guy by hook or by crook, but… Is he worth wearing a gown for?

She heavily breathed before staring at him back and putting her signature cocky smirk. “Alright then.”

She was so engrossed at their staring contest that she didn’t realize that her mother almost stumbled out of surprise.