“Maybe we aren't so very different after all. There's good and bad in both of us, and that's what binds us together, for better or worse.”

― S.R. Grey

“Why don’t you ask me if I was the one who had with you?”

Sora turned around immediately and closed the door of the office. “Speak lower!”

Taemin chuckled delighted with her expression of panic. “Why? Afraid that everyone in the company might found out that perfect Nam Sora has with random strangers she meets at the bar?”

“It was my first time doing something like that.” She said heatedly “I’ve never done it before!” Her cheeks got a little red and he wasn't sure if it was because of what they were discussing or because she was furious with him. “I was frustrated and drunk. It was a mistake.”

“I’m hurt! Calling what we had a mistake! There was no mistake at all…” Taemin’s devilish grin made her swallow hard “It was a hell of a !”

She placed her hands over the table too and he stepped back surprised with her intensity. “If you dare to tell what happened to anyone in this company I swear I'm going to make your life here a living hell!”

“Wow!” He touched his chest wondering what just happened. He was the one that could threaten someone with that. “You aren't scared of me? I'm the boss’ son after all.”

That seemed to make Sora realize her mistake and she slowly took her hands away from the table. Taemin wondered if she didn’t knew who he was. Maybe she thought he was only the son of a rich guy.

“I don't care who you are.” She bit her lower lip. She did seem to care though but she was so proud and strong to admit it. “To me you are nothing more than a spoiled brat.”

Taemin widened his eyes and before he was able to say anything she left his office.

“Oh wow.” He sat back on his chair a huge smile spreading on his face. “Damn she is so much fun…” He his lips remembering the fierce way she threatened him. She was so strong and intense, just like she was in bed “She is so y.”

He chuckled playing with his chair.

Sora was the perfect wild little mouse. The one he wanted to catch.

“Do you like the music?” Jinki asked glancing at the shorter woman beside him.

Nari was smiling since the moment they arrived, her curious eyes on the stage where a band was playing - Jinki’s friends.

“It’s a bit too loud for me…” She frowned touching her red sweater with white dots and fixing the collar of her white shirt under it. “But I love this. Everyone seems so happy!”

Jinki nodded his eyes moving to a man holding a cigarette not that far away. He needed a smoke badly. His day at work was awful and she did upset him at lunch. He was frustrated and still annoyed with her, which was stupid. He was even barely looking at her but she didn't seem to notice.

He couldn't help but check out what she was wearing. Her hair was caught in a cute side ponytail. Over her red sweater and jeans she had a long coat with a huge kitten in the back and purple platforms. He was not sure what to think about her outfit. However it didn't look bad on her and was way better than the ugly dress she wore last time.

“Let’s sit with my other friends.” he suggested pulling her by her arm and Nari followed after him to a table in the second level of the bar. It had an amazing view to the stage so she marveled at it like a kid before noticing that everyone in the table was looking at her with mild curiosity.

“This is my friends Gyu Seung and his dongsaeng.” They smiled at her and seemed nice. “This is Hyori and Inna.” They were really pretty and Nari smiled at them sincerely but the last one barely looked at her.

“And I am Tae-woon!” a handsome man with black hair and blue eyes said smiling brightly at Nari.

“Oh nice to meet you.” She turned to Jinki “Your friends seem so nice.”

Tae -woon laughed and Jinki scoffed as if that was funny somehow “Ah yes. They are charming.”

“Sit here!” Tae-woon moved on the couch and Nari moved to sit beside him. Jinki sat by her side and she found herself between two handsome man. She could barely hide her excitement.

“I like your…” Hyori’s eyes moved on Nari’s outfit “Hair!”

“Oh thanks!” Nari ran her fingers through her locks “You have really pretty eyelashes. So big!”

Inna laughed looking at Nari with disdain “They are fake.”

“Hey don't be rude!” Tae-woon scolded Inna, serving Jinki some alcohol from a bottle. “My blue eyes are fake also! “He blinked them at Nari that chuckled “It’s contact lenses! Ignore her Nari, Inna is Jinki’s ex. She is jealous.”

Nari’s eyes darted to Jinki that was drinking from his glass as if she waited for confirmation.

“Tae-woon that's too much information!”

Nari her lips and then looked at Inna. She was drinking from a long glass something slightly pinkish and didn't seem troubled with the course of the conversation like Jinki.

“Want to drink something?” Tae-woon asked. “Want to try that?” He noticed how Nari couldn't take her eyes from the weird drink.

“It’s pretty.”

“It’s a cocktail.” Jinki explained “Are you good with alcohol?” The last thing he wanted was a drunk weird girl to drive home.

“I’m decent.” She wasn't as bad as Sora and Jonghyun said, she knew she wasn't.

“Jinki be a gentleman then and ask for a drink for your lady.”

She wasn't his lady. He wanted to scream that but instead he glared at Tae-woon that only smiled clearly having too much fun pampering Nari. Jinki knew better though. Tae-woon was a tease and a bully sometimes. His overly interest in Nari wasn't good and somehow that made Jinki a little uncomfortable.

“I’m not sure I can drink it though.” Nari said oblivious to the stares between the men beside her.

“Why?” Jinki’s other friend asked.

“I’m allergic to a lot of things.”

That seemed to amuse everyone around the table that either smiled or laughed.

Jinki didn't and tried to remember how it was made “It has vodka, cranberry juice and…”

“...7up.” Inna finished for him sending him a seductive look “You still remember what I like.”

Jinki didn't answer and stood up to get it for Nari after she declared that it was safe for her. She had a mild allergy to red fruits but it would be ok as long as if she didn't drink too much of it.

Jinki wasn't certain of it but her precious smile when he placed the drink in front of her was priceless. Nari tried it and to everyone's amusement around the table she liked it and expressed it without any shame.

Jinki watched her drink it like a sponge, on the straw as if it was the end of the world, a little worried but didn't say anything, trying to be a part of the conversation around the table. She was a lost cause anyway and he didn't care about her. That was their last date. It was a problem that he still needed to visit her store for candles after he broke up with her though.

Gyu Seung and his brother stood up and patted Jinki’s shoulder.

“Let’s smoke outside.”

Nari’s eyes darted to them and she quickly released the straw and stared at Jinki waiting. He could feel her intense gaze on him and he struggled with what to do. He could simply go smoke and disappoint her. That might lead to her stop seeing him which was good. But he could also say he didn't smoke - he wanted to smoke though - and stay and make her happy.

He looked at Nari and she blinked her hopeful eyes as if wanting to send him a secret message.

He didn't care, she did not rule his life and that was a stupid meaningless contract, however if he left that table Nari would stay with Inna and Tae-woon. That was like leaving Red Riding Hood with two hungry wolves.

“No. I don't smoke anymore.“ He saw himself say wondering what the hell he was doing. Why was he such a nice person?!

“Wow!” Tae-woon clapped impressed.

“Trying again?” Inna asked playing with her long black hair.

“Yes.” Jinki answered frustrated, his eyes darting to the woman beside him that was back to on her straw happily, feeling extremely proud.

Sora couldn't remember much from that night which made no sense to her since it completely changed her life. She had a brief memory of how cold the floor felt under her bare feet, how she could smell her hand cream when she covered with her hand and worse she could still see the body on the floor.

Deep down she knew what it was but she didn't want to believe it. She didn't dare to.

Sora flipped the switch and then screamed, her worst nightmare happening once again in front of her eyes in a dream.

She sat on her bed and took a deep breath touching her chest and closing her eyes.

It was only a nightmare and that happened a long time ago. She was fine now.

Like always Sora left her bedroom and went down to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

“Again?” A voice made her go against the counter scared.

“Jonghyun please…”

He sent her an apologetic look and she sighed opening the fridge.

“Yes, another one.”

“And Linna isn't home.”

Nari was often the person that hugged Sora to sleep when she had those kind of dreams.

“It’s alright. I can wait for her.”

“I can sit by your side until you fall asleep if you want.”

Sora raised her eyes to Jonghyun considering his offer. That’s right, besides Sora, Jonghyun was the only one who knew that vulnerable side of hers.

Nari used to say that everyone has a deep secret that they hide from everyone as if it was a weakness and maybe that was Sora’s weakness.

“If you want.” Jonghyun added and Sora frowned trying to see him well in the shadows.

He was wearing one of his black tank tops, one of many, and pajama shorts.

She already lived in the same house as him, if she let him into her bedroom and someone found out the rumours would be even worse.

“You don't mind?” However if Nari was the first one in the list of people she trusted, Jonghyun came second. Their link grew from their weaknesses.

He smiled stepping forward “Of course.”

Jonghyun followed Sora to her bedroom and waited for her to lay under the covers. He grabbed her hand and caressed it softly sitting beside her bed on the floor.

“You can sit on the bed if you want.”

“No, I'm fine like this.”

Sora chuckled hiding under the covers. He was still a man after all and it probably felt awkward already to be holding her hand and waiting for her to fall asleep.

He didn't say anything so she took a deep breath and closed her eyes trying to relax, the movement of his gentle fingers in her hand working like Nari’s would.

“We are friends right?”

Jonghyun’ soft voice worked like a lullaby so she answered weakly.

“Yes.”

“And friends tell each other everything.”

She hummed.

“Then is it true that you slept with a guy you barely knew?”

Sora opened her eyes and peeked from under the covers. “Nari told you.”

Jonghyun smiled “We discussed it earlier today.”

“She is such an idiot. She keeps saying that you are a busybody and yet she tells you everything!”

Jonghyun patted Sora’s hand and laughed “Well I’m her oppa.” He seemed proud of that status. “I hope her date is going well.”

Both knew what that meant to Nari, how much she suffered already.

Sora rubbed her head on the pillow.

“Thank you.” Jonghyun turned his head to look at her. “For me and her.”

He nodded knowing what she meant and once again Sora closed her eyes and let herself relax with the gentle caresses of his fingers.

After she fell asleep Jonghyun released her hand and stood up from the floor. His knees hurt from kneeling and his back did too. He stretched his arms over his head and then let himself stay looking at Sora for a while.

If it wasn't for that day when he met Nari he would have never met Sora neither.

Sometimes life plays some tricks on us and bad things in life actually end up bringing good ones too.

“Want one more?” Tae-woon asked Nari that had just finished her drink.

“No, I’m good.”

“It’s only your third, it’s not that much. We are all having fun, right Jinki?”

Jinki didn't get to answer because Nari did for him. “Yes, we are! Maybe I should get another one.”

“No, you are not. It’s enough.” She might have an allergic reaction and she was already a little too happy to be sober and Jinki wasn't risking it.

Nari didn't complain and instead she stayed in her seat looking a little uncomfortable.

“Are you going to throw up?” Jinki asked annoyed. She tilted her head and he widened his eyes. “Are you ok?” Was she going to stop breathing or something? Maybe faint? He did learn how to do cpr but he wasn't sure he could remember in an emergency. He never had to do it before.

“I’m…” Nari looked around the table at the others talking and then moved closer to Jinki seeming hesitant which made him nervous. She leaned forward, her eyes locked in his and for a split of a second he thought she was going to kiss him, however she whispered in his ear instead. “I need to go to the ladies room. I have to...pee.”

“Oh.” he giggled finding the whole situation cute.

“I don't know where it is.” Nari bit her lower lip and he sighed going to stand up.

“I’ll take you there.”

“Bathroom?” Inna asked “I’m going too. I can take her.”

Jinki seemed reluctant to let Nari go with Inna so she added “Don't worry. I’ll bring her back safely. Not going to bite her.”

Inna pulled Nari up with her who stumbled a little. She was definitely not sober and then guided her towards the bathroom. Jinki watched them for a while until they disappeared in the middle of the crowd. Him and his two friends were the only ones left on the table.

“You like her?” Tae-woon asked playing with his phone.

“No, definitely not.” Jinki answered quickly. “She annoys me. Actually, I want to dump her, I'm just afraid to hurt her since she owns the small candle store I go to.”

“You still buy the candles?” Gyu Seung asked.

Jinki nodded.

“Maybe you can make her break up with you.” his friend suggested.

“Not a bad idea.” He could still go to the store if she was the one that dumped him. As long as it ended up in a good way between the two. Yes, that was definitely the best idea. He was going to make her want to break with him.

“Where the hell is Taemin anyway?” Tae-woon asked.

“I wanted to know about his first day of work.” Gyu Seung’s comment made all three of them laugh.

“I can't imagine him working.” Tae-Woon added.

“I can actually. He is smart, he just doesn't want to do it.” Jinki’s opinion wasn't the popular one though because Gyu Seung scoffed at what he said.

“Anyway, are you going to have with her tonight?” Tae-woon asked Jinki, turning the subjects back to his affair with Nari.

“What?”

“I mean…” Tae-woon moved closer to Jinki “She is drunk, she has no idea what is happening around her and she looks at you as if you are the last man on Earth. She is nice in a weird way and is an easy catch. She won't even remember it tomorrow. ”

“I will remember.” Jinki retorted. He wasn't that kind of guy.

“That’s not right, man.” Gyu Seung remarked.

“You two are no fun.” Tae-woon grabbed his drink. “Maybe you can make out with her then? Take her to your place. You seem close anyway, you even stopped smoking because of her.”

“That’s cos they made a contract.” Jinki glared at Gyu Seung. He wasn't supposed to tell Tae-woon. He was going to make fun of him now.

Jinki wasn't wrong as soon as his friend explained Tae-woon about it he couldn't stop laughing.

“Are you sure she isn't a kindergarten student or something? Did she really use statistics on you?”

“Yeah.” Jinki chuckled too even though at the moment he didn't think it was that funny.

“So you truly going to follow this contract?”

“No. I will smoke if I feel like it. She doesn’t need to know.” He wasn't a heavy smoker but still if he felt like it he would do it. He didn't care about that stupid contract.

“Bad boy Jinki!” Tae-woon patted his back still laughing, his eyes moving away from Jinki to Inna that was coming back holding Nari’s hand.

“Here is your girlfriend. She almost got lost downstairs.”

“She is not my girlfriend.” Jinki clarified helping Nari seat by his side, this time not beside Tae-woon.

“There were too many lights.” Nari said caressing her temple “I think my head hurts.”

“Take her home Jinki, give her some medicine at your place!” Tae-woon blinked an eye at him.

Nari shivered slightly and Jinki grabbed his coat and tried to cover her back with it. The last thing he needed was to end that night taking her to the hospital.

“No no!” She pushed him away “I’m feeling hot.”

“She is feeling hot!” Tae-woon shouted from the other side of Jinki making everyone laugh.

The one with an emerging big headache was Jinki now. On one side he had a weird, prone to sickness girl, and on the other he had his teasing friend that wanted him to force himself on her.

“Let's go home” Jinki announced pulling her up with him. Nari didn't answer only fanning herself. “Are you really that hot?”

She didn't have to answer since her cheeks were red. Maybe she was developing a reaction due to her allergy. “You shouldn't have drank that .”

She emitted a soft cry and Jinki bid goodbye to the others.

“Have fun at your place Jinki! Don't forget what I told you! Give her your medicine!” Tae-woon said from behind them but Jinki was already busy pulling Nari in the middle of the crowd to the door of the bar.

“Where are we going?” She asked a little confused going against a tall stranger that was dancing.

Jinki’s grip on her hand tightened and he pulled her closer to him.

“Home. I'm taking you home.”

“Your place?” he peeked at her. Maybe she wasn't as oblivious as she seemed. Maybe all that time she understood that Tae-woon was making fun of her. “For medicine?”

Or maybe she was truly an idiot that believed in people too easily.

Jinki sighed. “No. I'm taking you to your place. You have medicine there right?”

“Yes. I have it in my purse too.”

Why didn't she say that before?

“Perfect!”

Nari tried to look back at Tae-woon and the others but she couldn't see them anymore which made her smile relieved. She wasn't sure she could take all the teasing any longer, pretending to be alright with it.

Nari felt tired and dizzy and it was as if her insides were burning. As soon as she took her medicine it would all go away. That happened all the time even though Jinki didn't know about it and seemed worried. Nari struggled to open her bag with her free hand not even noticing that her other hand was safely being held by Jinki.

It was the first time they held hands even though she wasn't his girlfriend.

Sora placed a sheet of paper in front of Taemin, over his desk and more importantly over his cellphone where he was playing tsum tsum.

He ran his eyes on the document that looked like a list with tasks and then raised them to her amused.

“I know we have a connection“ She didn't want to call it a relationship “outside of work but since it's meaningless I want us to forget about it and just focus on our professional lives.” Taemin didn't say anything so Sora pointed at the sheet of paper “I wrote you a list of tasks that our Director usually was responsible for doing. I underlined the ones that are more important and that I believe you can start doing with my help. I was assigned to guide you until you are able to do them all by yourself. In the meantime, while you practice the underlined ones I’ll be doing the remaining ones.” Taemin nodded so Sora pointed at the first item of the list and explained to him what he had to do as simple as she could.

Taemin scratched his ear like a kid, his mocking smile making her clutch her hands into fists.

“Can you repeat it? I’m a little confused.”

“Which part?”

“All of it.”

She stared at him but patiently repeated everything she said while he listened to her attentively barely blinking his eyes.

“Do you have any uncertainty now?” Sora asked.

“Admit that you want to have with me again!”

Sora glared at him and Taemin chuckled leaning back on his chair.

“You probably didn't understand what I said as soon as I entered this room.”

Taemin moved his chair closer to the desk and placed his elbows on it supporting his head on his hands looking at Sora attentively as if she wasn't fuming. “I did understand it but I'm not going to lie. I do want to have with you again.”

“You are harassing me. You do realize that, right?”

Taemin widened his eyes since the thought didn't cross his mind. “Oh no, I'm not telling you this as your boss. I'm talking as Taemin, the man you had with and I’m only asking you something. Why is that a crime? I’m not even touching you!”

Sora’s lips moved slightly and he frowned realizing that she was making fun of his scared reaction. It wasn't his fault that he took her seriously. He knew she was capable of accusing him of harassing her.

“I don't want to have with you again.”

Taemin crossed his arms over his chest observing her carefully, a small smile on his lips. She was lying. He was sure she was.

“Am I dismissed now? Can we go back to work?”

“Yes.”

Sora walked to the door only to be stopped by his voice.

“Sora?”

She turned to him impatiently.

“Can I call you if I have a doubt?” He raised the sheet.

“Yes, of course. That’s my duty.”

He chuckled amused. Her duty was to be by his side pampering him. He loved it.

Sora ignored his smirk and left the office leaving him alone.

Taemin released the sheet of paper and it fell down back to the desk. He ignored it and grabbed his phone ready to play his game again.

He wasn't going to work at all. First, because that was not why he was there, well at least in his opinion it wasn't. No one cared if he didn't do his tasks, only she did. Second, he was too troubled to work. How would he concentrate on anything when he only could think about pulling that stubborn snappy woman to his lap and kiss her lips, making her moan his name?

“Aish.” He complained.

How could he even play games when he only wanted to have with her again?!

Jonghyun shoved his hands in the pockets of his sweatshirt and turned around scanning the park.

Ever since he saw his muse at the park he tried really hard to forget it but he couldn’t. The thought of her red lips and confident smile assaulted him every time he tried to write about a woman in his novel.

It was mandatory that he saw her again, that he found out who was the owner of that beautiful black hair.

That was why he was back at the park seeming like a kid walking from one side of the park to the other completely lost. He couldn't find her so she had to be the one going to him. If it was truly destiny it would happen.

It didn't happen the two previous days before but that didn't mean it wouldn't that day. Jonghyun sat on an empty bench and watched the people walk by, his mind drifting away.

In his head he built stories and new scenarios he was going to put on paper once he got home.

One small leaf fell from the tree above him falling on his head and sliding down to his glasses and Jonghyun brushed it away taking his glasses to check if it was dirty. He was in the middle of putting them back on when he saw her once again.

This time she wasn't wearing a dress, this time she was wearing black pants and an elegant red button up blouse.

He immediately stood up from the bench recovering his senses after the initial shock of seeing her. However he couldn't move at all since her eyes drifted to him. She tucked a black strand of silky hair behind her ear and smiled at him in a fake shyness that didn't reach her eyes. She was seducing him when it wasn't even necessary.

Jonghyun’s eyebrows rose with confusion and he followed her with his eyes unable to move let alone talk with her to ask her name like he intended.

It was the second time he saw her cross that park which meant that she maybe lived nearby. Maybe she moved recently since he didn't saw her before. She did seem familiar though.

Sora could feel Taemin’s eyes on her ever since she started working with him in his office. He insisted on sitting beside her and at first she thought it was so that he could see what she was writing on her notebook but now she was sure he was only interested in annoying her. Taemin wasn't paying any attention to what they were doing - more like she was doing - and instead was looking at her intensely.

“Are you even listening to me?”

He didn't seem surprised with her question, probably because he could read her annoyance on her face.

“Maybe.”

She pursed her lips together which made him smile. “Look, this is important. What we are doing here is important. Adult stuff!”

He chucked. “You think I am a kid?”

“You act like one. Playing games and watching horror movies instead of…”

“I wasn't a kid that night.” His comment made her clench her jaw but he ignored her anger and sat closer to her “A kid wouldn't be able to make you come like I did.”

“Shut up!” She placed a hand over his mouth making Taemin widen his eyes and her own turned to the door that was closed, and yet she was scared that someone would hear. He relaxed under her touch pulling her hand softly away.

Sora took her hand away from his as if his touch burned her. Taemin smirked, she wasn't indifferent to him at all.

“Sora, I'm not going to force myself on you. I’m only teasing you. It's fun. You should see the look on your face right now. It’s as if you would kill me if you could. Damn it’s y!”

She didn't answer and instead focused her attention back on the files in front of her. “Can we just work?”

It seemed like a plea as if she was tired of discussing that with him. They barely talked about it though.

“I will after you answer something for me sincerely.”

“You will work diligently if I answer your question? Will you stop annoying me?”

He seemed serious and nodded his head “I will. For today I won't piss you off anymore. I’ll work hard. But you have to swear that you won't lie and answer three questions for me honestly.”

“Three?” She shook her head “You said one.”

“Three and I won't talk about how we had .” Taemin played with a broken clip that was over the table.

Sora frowned trying to control her anger “Very well three as long as I can skip them if I don't like the question.”

“What?” He laughed loving how good she was negotiating with him “Then you will skip what I want to ask you. Not fair.”

“Then I can skip it five times.”

“One and I’m being generous.” He cleared his throat when she was trying to reason with him “One or I'll just have to talk about how you moan so cutely when I…”

She groaned agreeing with him and Taemin laughed heartily raising his hand for her to shake.

“It's a deal then? Three questions and you can ask me to change one for another. You answer honestly and I will work after it. No more talk about .”

Sora stared at his hand as if she was scared that it was a trap.

“I don't bite...Well, not outside the bedroom.”

Tiredly she shook his hand and pulled hers away as soon as it was over.

Taemin moved his chair so that he could face her and Sora waited for his question crossing her arms in front of her chest, all of her screaming that she didn't want to do that at all.

“Question number one: You liked having with me that night, yes or no? And I was the best you ever had?” He smiled cockily waiting for her answer.

“That’s two questions.” She answered with a half smile “You don't know how to count.”

Taemin grinned died. Was she calling him stupid? “Answer the first one. You liked having with me, yes or no?”

Sora didn't seem troubled with the question and she didn't even move her eyes away from his when she answered which had a strong impact on him.

“Yes.” She couldn't hide that, after all it was obvious how she liked it that night. Why was he even asking that? Just to feed his ego, to humiliate her?!

Taemin seemed very pleased with her answer and leaned back on his chair smiling. The fact that she wasn't looking away and they were talking about was making his temperature rise. He wanted her again, he only needed to know if she wanted him too.

“You want to have with me again. Yes or no?”

“I want to skip that one.”

“What? No!” He seemed upset like a kid that lost a game.

“I can skip one. Those are the rules.” She shrugged her shoulders playing with her earring and Taemin groaned.

“Fine!” he his lips “You want to spend the night with me again?”

“That's the same question!”

“It's not!”

“That’s cheating. I won't answer that!” She turned away upset and Taemin groaned frustrated with the break of eye contact.

“Alright alright…” she turned to him again and he moved on his chair relieved “That night was a mistake, yes or no?”

He needed to know if she regretted it, if she didn't that meant that he still had a chance to repeat it.

“No.”

“I knew it!” He raised his fists in the air celebrating dorkily and Sora stared at him with disdain.

“You are a complete idiot!”

“Be careful, I'm your boss!” he warned her with a smile but she knew he wasn't being serious.

“Third one.” He moved closer to her and Sora bit her lower lip still looking at him defiantly. “You can't skip it and you need to be honest.” He took a deep breath making suspense. “You want me to kiss you, yes or no?”

Sora felt awful and he was the worst. The way he asked her that so skillfulky and tricky, how the tone of his voice changed into something lower and sweet and the way he was intensely looking at her, his knees brushing against hers. That was all part of his plan to seduce her and it was working because her body was betraying her, her heart was beating faster and she was making a huge effort not to lean forward and kiss his lips.

“I can kiss you, yes or no?” He asked again leaning forward, his face inches from hers. He could have kissed her already, he knew he could and yet he was asking her this time and that was sweet and she hated it.

“What happens if I say no?”

His face twisted briefly as if he didn't expect that. “Is that your answer?” Sora didn't say anything “If you say no I won't kiss you. Just that. We go back to work and pretend nothing happened.”

That was for the best and she only needed to say no and yet she didn't want to pretend that nothing happened because something happened, because something was happening.

Sora bit her lower lip and internally kicked herself before she answered the question. “Yes.”

Taemin blinked his eyes confused for awhile “You mean yes to the question or…”

“Yes, I want you to kiss me.”

Sora saw his cocky smile before she closed her eyes knowing that she was acting like an idiot giving him that victory but the thing was that as soon as his lips touched hers and he moved them against hers, she didn't feel like she lost at all, she felt like a winner too.

He cupped her face intensifying the kiss and Sora saw herself stand up, caressing his hands on her cheeks. He stood up with her too, not releasing her lips kissing her heatedly, his lips hers, wetting them with passion, tongues caressing each other.

Sora needed to stop it but she wanted more and she even moaned against his lips unable to control herself and the ual chemistry going on between them.

Taemin wrapped an arm around her waist and pushed her against his desk helping her sit on it, pushing the files away and whatever was on it away. They didn't care anymore, kissing each other hungrily.

Sora wrapped her arms around his neck running her fingers on it and his hair, inhaling his perfume and touching him in a passionate way she never did with anyone. She didn't have feelings for him, not at all. Taemin was an idiot and she hated him and yet he made her insides turn in a way no one ever did before. They connected somehow, that night they met, and it wasn't, after all, a thing of the moment. Taemin bit her lower lip ily letting both breathe before he went back to her wet lips. They kissed again a little less desperate and yet intensely, his tongue entering and making Sora pull at the back of his shirt.

Taemin’s hand moved down to her s and he squeezed it over the fabric of her blouse before moving it down her body to her legs and under her skirt.

That's what made Sora realize she needed to stop it before it was too late.

Taemin widened his eyes when she pushed him away from her.

“It was only a kiss!” She answered furiously, covering as if he just took advantage of her when she was clearly enjoying it as much as he was.

“Are you sure?” He asked chuckling with an adorable y smile that made her even more upset. She jumped off from the desk and collected her things quickly.

“Ah c’mon Sora, I promise I'll behave. We made a deal.”

She didn't answer him and he tucked a strand of hair that escaped her ponytail behind her ear making her glare at him.

“What? I can't touch you now? Is that it? You didn't seem to mind until a few seconds ago!”

“This is the last time you will touch me!” She announced not seeming that convincing which made him smile.

“Really?”

“Yes! You are not even a good kisser!” She said fleeing away from the room.

“What?“ he laughed touching his lips “And she calls me the childish one when she is the one lying and running away.” He sat on his seat giggling, extremely happy.

Kissing her wasn't the same as having with her but it was a start. He was getting there.

Damn she kissed so well, she was hot and made him burn and now he was sure she wanted more. She could have skipped that question but her body answered for her.

Jinki put out his cigarette and hid the ashtray in the kitchen. Why was he even trying to hide that from Nari? Didn't he want to make her give up on him?! He didn't have much time to think about that since someone rang the bell. He walked back to the living room and smelled his breath before opening the door.

Nari greeted him with a huge smile as if they didn't see each other the previous two days.

He let her enter his apartment and realized that she was panting. “Did you run here?”

“Well you called me. It’s an emergency.” She raised a plastic bag “I brought something to help us.”

Jinki felt that small pang in his chest that told him that maybe he was being a big doing that to her.

The truth was that the last two days he called her around one, two am after he left work and when he was bored, saying that he felt like smoking - Nari did say she would come running and well she seemed to take that literally. The first day she brought Jenga for them to play, the second they played Go Stop and now it seemed like she had another idea. That would be perfectly fine if he wasn't lying. He even smoked that day before she arrived.

“There is a funny smell here!” She said suddenly and Jinki tensed up wondering if she could smell it in the living room. He did smoke by the window but still…

Slowly he relaxed under her gaze. Whatever, maybe that would make her give up on him faster.

“Are you burning a candle?” She smiled sitting on his couch as if nothing ever happened and Jinki sat by her side rubbing his ear. Was what he was feeling a sense of relief?

“Are you truly not watching dramas?” He asked trying to find something that might let him be able to confess that he wasn't fulfilling the contract.

“No, I'm not. I missed the ending of one I truly love, but it's fine.”

Why was she being like that?

“Isn't it a bother to come here whenever I call you?” When was she going to complain and get tired of it?!

“No. I'm having a lot of fun. We are having a lot of fun, aren't we?”

He nodded fast agreeing with her “Yes.” It wasn't a lie though. It was actually fun to play games with her. It was a different way to end his days and she was surprisingly interesting in a peculiar way. She knew so many things about old movies and dramas and she told him a lot about candle making and crafting which always interested him. She also seemed to enjoy what he told her about games and traveling. The farthest Nari went was Jeju Island once with her parents and she spoke so fondly of it that Jinki almost invited her to go with him. He went to Jeju Island so many times on business before.

However that night she wasn’t too talkative, she seemed really tired.

“Don't you open the store early everyday?”

“I open at nine but I often start making candles earlier. Maybe around seven or eight.”

He his lips feeling regretful “You should go home and rest.”

She quickly shook her head “No it’s alright. You can’t be alone, you will smoke.”

Jinki sighed rubbing the back of his neck. Maybe he shouldn't have smoked, maybe he should just tell her the truth.

“Actually…”

“So, I brought this old game I had home.” Nari interrupted him “I used to play it with my mother. It’s a lot of fun.” She took a small box out from the bag and placed it over the table in front of the couch. She started explaining the rules. Almost not breathing or giving him a chance to speak, but she couldn't stop yawning.

“Go gome!” Jinki said to her.

“No, I have to stay. I can drink coffee and then I’ll be alright.”

Jinki offered to make her some tea instead so he stood up and left her alone in the living room. He barely took five minutes but when he came back Nari was resting on the couch her eyes closed.

He placed the cup of tea over the table and then put the game box inside the plastic bag again.

He sat beside her watching in silence. She was pretty, not a true beauty but delicate and her lips truly looked soft. He especially liked her ears, they had a beautiful shape and her hair smelled really good. The fact that he smelled her hair that was escaping her messy bun made Jinki feel like a freak.

He drank the tea that was meant for her and burned his tongue almost cursing. Even though he placed the mug back on the table with a little too much strength, Nari didn't wake up. She was truly tired.

Tae-woon did suggest that he brought her to his apartment, that he kissed her. Jinki could do it. He could simply lean forward and plant a kiss on her lips. He was sure she wouldn't push him away, after all she didn't move away when he almost kissed her on the day of the contract.

However, even if he wanted to taste her lips it didn't feel right that way. Maybe he was truly a wimp like Tae-woon said. Good guys finish last, he used to say that, and yet Jinki preferred to be a good boy and finish last than impose himself on a woman.

Jinki drank from the mug again, this time he blew on it, his eyes settling on Nari’s legs. She was wearing a skirt and since she slide slightly on the couch he could see her bare skin a little above her knee. She was thin giving the impression of being fragile - she did say she had to be careful with what she ate - and yet she had pretty legs. He couldn't help but move his eyes up to her chest area. Looking wasn't a crime right? And she was wearing a sweater. Her s didn't seem that big but he didn't mind.

He drank his tea again scolding himself.

He didn't mind?!

He wasn't going to sleep with her. After that week of the stupid contract everything would be over. He was only giving her one week because he pitied her, because he was afraid to make things awkward between them when he visited her store. He only needed to disappoint her and yet he didn't dare to do it which confused him. The problem was that she looked too much like a cute defenseless animal and he couldn't hurt a kitty or a puppy after all.

Jinki stood up upset with himself and with that annoying girl and then when he noticed he was touching the few strands of fringe falling on her forehead. He brushed them away, his fingertips touching her warm skin and then the sweetness of his action disappeared when he flickered her forehead.

Nari cried opening her eyes and rubbing her forehead confused, her eyes on Jinki.

“What happened?”

“You fell asleep and then this mosquito fell on your head and I scared it away. Sorry if I hurt you.”

She looked at him suspiciously but didn't say anything. He grabbed her bag from over the table and placed it on her lap.

“Let's go home. I'll take you.”

“No.”

He ignored her complaints and literally pulled her up from the couch. It was so easy for him to do so and his hand grabbed hers making Nari widen her eyes. Her shock made her trip in her feet and she went against him when he was picking his car keys from the table next to the door. Jinki grabbed her in his arms steadying her.

He grabbed her by her arms and softly pushed her back away from his chest, his lips curving into a smile when he noticed her stunned expression and her red cheeks. Only that amount of skinship seemed to make her weak on her knees. He couldn't deny that that made him very satisfied.

Nari dared to raise her eyes from his chest to his and Jinki smiled even more intensely at her.

Did she like him that much?!

He moved his hands down her arms his smile fading a little since her eyes weren't moving from his and it was making him nervous. What he felt when she was asleep and he couldn't take his eyes from her came back again. Then it hit him. He could kiss her then. She was awake and she wanted it. It was the right moment.

However as soon as he parted his lip and leaned forward Nari covered and looked down, sneezing.

Jinki rolled his eyes and released her.

She was a complete disaster. If he was serious about her he would be disappointed. He was disappointed but only because he wanted that kiss.

“I'm sorry.” Nari said too embarrassed to look at him.

“It's ok. Let's take you home.”

It was so not ok. The fact she behaved like that was what made him so reluctant to hurt her.

Why was that little mouse too cute that he couldn't release it from the trap?

Sora complained to herself walking in the direction of Taemin’s office. She stayed overtime and was going to leave after the last person left but the light of his office was still on so that useless man forgot to turn it off before leaving.

She was going to do it and leave when she saw him on his chair his head pending to one side, mouth open and eyes closed.

Taemin fell asleep probably playing one of his stupid games.

She approached him silently and stopped beside his desk.

His tie was loose around his neck and he had a few buttons of shirt ed giving her a small sample of his skin to look at. He looked so y like that but when she shifted her eyes back to his face he looked like an innocent kid and it upset her. How could he look innocent and y and still be her boss in one go?

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and that's when she saw the contents over his desk.

Taemin wasn't playing games. His phone was forgotten in one side of the desk, his laptop - she checked it - was open in an internet page where he seemed to be researching about marketing related things he didn't know or was confused about, and he was working on a text file too, and in front of him several sheets were scattered with words underlined and filled with yellow post it notes.

Lee Taemin, as incredible as it sounded, was working.

Sora stared at him wondering what was all that. Well they did make a deal but still…

He moved in his sleep and his head almost fell from the back of the chair so she softly moved it more to the center so he wouldn't wake up, at least for now. She took that opportunity to observe him closely.

That night they shared together she fell asleep before him and in the morning he left before she woke up so she never saw him asleep, that was her first time and damn he was as handsome as he was cute.

Yes he was still the idiot that made her heart beat faster that afternoon, the same one that and seduced her.

Sora kicked his chair and he woke up startled.

“Oh, you were sleeping? I'm sorry.”

The sarcastic tone wasn’t missed by Taemin that groaned rubbing his eyes and touching the collar of his shirt buttoning some buttons.

“What time is it?”

“Almost 3 am. I guess you never stayed working until late. Oh wait, you probably never worked at all.”

He straightened his body on the chair still a little confused and nodded answering to her in a sleepy y voice “You are right.”

“Really?” She wasn't expecting him to agree with her “You never worked ever in all your life?”

“I never had to.”

“You still don't.” He only came there to steal her job.

“My dad thinks otherwise.” he saved the text document and turned off the laptop while she observed him.

“This is your mother's company, right?”

“Yes.” He started pulling all the paper sheets together.

“Did you finish what you were doing?” She didn't know what to say but she also didn't seem to want to move from the room.

“Yeah.” he rubbed his head yawning “ I did. Can you please check tomorrow if it is alright. I only did one thing of the list. But tomorrow I will work on the others.”

It took him longer to do anything since he never truly worked in marketing after majoring.

Sora stared at him and he could see the surprise on her face and the tone of her voice softened “I can see it now.”

“No. Tomorrow! You need to rest. It’s an order, I'm still your boss.”

Sora’s mouth dropped and Taemin stood up from his chair and grabbed his coat putting it on.

“Very well.” She stared at him suspiciously. Taemin took his tie off and grabbed his phone and that's when he noticed the different way she was looking at him. That was something new, something he hasn't seen in a while, something he wanted so badly and yet he gave up on it a long time ago. Respect and appreciation. Sora was looking at him as if he truly did something good. “Then good night.”

Taemin didn't react at first still pleased with that moment. It felt good to have someone acknowledge your effort. That felt truly good.

“Hey…” He joined her as soon as she entered the elevator. “I can drive you home.”

“It’s out of your way.”

“Do you know where I live?” He asked raising an eyebrow.

“Everyone does, idiot!“ There she was back to treating him as a kid “Everyone knows where the boss lives, therefore, we know where his baby lives.”

“Ah right. But tonight I'm going to my friend’s house. He lives in your neighborhood.” He could visit Jinki. He did sometimes.

Sora didn't seem to believe him so he insisted “This is not a secret plan to make you enter my car.” In a way it was “I truly have a friend living there. I can take you.”

“No touching.” She warned him raising a finger “Don't even think about it.”

“I won't. I promise.” He stood silent by her side while the elevator moved. “Are you afraid to resist me if I try to touch you?”

She sighed leaving the elevator and he followed after her into the parking lot. She stopped abruptly clearly wanting him to lead since he was the one driving and then followed after him.

“I'm a gentleman.” He said opening the door of his luxurious expensive black car to her - thank God his father objected to him to take his motorbike to work.

“Because you opened the door for me?” She asked with a smile sitting on the passenger’s seat.

He bent forward making her lean back on her seat as if she was truly afraid she wouldn't be able to resist and kiss him.

“No, because I know you want to have with me as much as I want to have with you and yet I'm not going to touch you as you asked.”

He closed the door and Sora glared at him while he crossed around the car all the way to the other side.

Why did she feel that he was winning again?

Jinki parked in front of Nari’s building and she turned to him with a big smile.

“I’m so proud of you!”

“Why?” He half smiled at her curiously.

Nari raised her hand, her palm turned to him and slowly while she counted she lowered fours fingers. “One, two , three, four!” He wasn't a kid so why was she counting like that “You didn't smoke for four days.”

Oh, that!

Nari clapped her hands quickly and Jinki turned away, that cold feeling assaulting him once again.

“Promise me you won't smoke when I leave!” Nari asked and Jinki peeked at her, guilty completely claiming his soul. She was looking at him with hopeful big eyes. “Promise me!”

“I promise.” It wasn't a lie. He wouldn't smoke that night anymore.

Nari’s gaze didn't falter and Jinki swallowed hard. Her expression was serious and unreadable and it was as if she was trying to read him. It reminded him of what she told him before, about him not having to smile all the time. There was in her eyes a pain, a sadness he couldn't explain. Did she knew that he was lying to her?

Nari’s lips twitched and she grinned.

No, she didn't have a clue.

He bid goodbye to her and waited for her to enter the building. She still turned around to wave at him before she was gone.

As soon as Nari was back inside she ran over the stairs without even bothering to turn on the lights.

Jonghyun that was in his bedroom came out to greet her but he didn't arrive on time.

“Nari, are you home?”

“Yes.” She screamed from the top of the stairs.

“Finally! That guy is an idiot for calling you so late.”

Usually she would defend Jinki, after all Jonghyun offended him the whole week because of the same reason but this time she said nothing and he heard the room of her bedroom close.

That was suspicious and Jonghyun climbed up the stairs and stopped at the door that lead to her bedroom.

He hesitated before knocking, remembering a night not that long ago when she came home crying because her boyfriend’s family humiliated her and he broke up with her because she wants the kind of woman you would marry.

“Nari, is everything ok?”

“Yes.” He tried to read her mood from the tone of her voice.

“Are you really ok?” Jonghyun insisted “Was he mean to you? Did he do something to you? I’ll kill him!” He wasn't the best fighter but he would manage something.

“I’m ok.” She said firmly from inside “He didn't do anything.”

“Are you sure?” he rested his ear against the door trying to listen what was happening inside.

“Yes, I’m just tired. I'm going to sleep.”

“Alright.” he stepped back “I'll be downstairs if you need anything. You know you can tell me anything. I’ll protect you.”

“I know.”

Nari heard Jonghyun climb down the stairs and hugged her Gudetama pillow, tears falling down her cheeks.

She lied to Jonghyun, Jinki did do something.

Nari knew that he was a liar of emotions, always smiling even when he was hurting inside, however she found him precious. Everyone has a way to hide how much they are hurting and that was his. She knew that even though he used his beautiful smile to seduce people around him he was, in fact, a good person at heart. He was truly like the sun, shining brightly and yet hiding so much of him that you could get burned if you got close enough to him.

That night at the bar she got her proof that he was a good person. She wasn't an idiot and completely oblivious to what people thought of her. That was her way to hide how hurt she was. If you act like nothing is happening then maybe the pain will go away faster.

Even though his friends spent part of the night making fun of her he was gentle with her and worried with her. He did seem annoyed at some point but he took her home that night when it would be so easy to take advantage of her.

Besides he probably liked her in some way or he wouldn't have asked her out from the start. She knew he didn't want to call her girlfriend - she didn't miss that - but why would he want to see her almost everyday if he didn't start liking her?!

Nari hiccuped opening the drawer of her bedside table and taking a paper tissue from there to clean her eyes and blow her nose.

Jinki was a liar. She knew that. He lied to her about smoking too. She knew he was still smoking. The very first night he called her to his place she smelled it on him. At the time she forgave him and didn't say anything because he was allowed to have a relapse. Even if he said he didn't smoke much or everyday, he still deserved a second chance. However that night she also smelled it in his living room. He once again smoked before she arrived and he once again lied about it.

Nari was proud of her sense of smell, her whole business worked around it and ever since she was small developing that sense and fight against her breathing problems was one of her daily conquests.

So she knew when he smoked. She couldn't ever mistake that smell for anything else in the world. Unfortunately, she knew it too well, it was connected to one of the worst periods of her life.

Nari sniffed trying to make no sound. Jonghyun would come back to check on her again. She knew him. He acted as if he was her older brother and he was worried with her.

I’ll protect you.

He said that after knowing her for one week, trying to convince her to accept him in her house. And he never once betrayed that commitment. Jonghyun never lied.

What hurt more than Jinki’s lies was the fact that he couldn't see what he was doing to himself, what she was trying to explain to him, the reason why she was trying to make him stop smoking. He had no idea how much it meant to her, how important he was to her that she wanted him to take better care of himself.

How could he even think that she wouldn't notice the smell?

That smell haunted her for years. To others it was something banal, like eating too much chocolate, but to her It was like a death sentence over the ones she loved, like poison that lead her to be alone in that world. And once again it was threatening to hurt someone else that she loved.

This time she could try and do something before it was too late and she was going to do it.

She had to keep going, keep trying.

Nari wasn't going to give up on Jinki even if she had to keep acting like a gullible idiot.

“Nari?” Jonghyun knocked on her door “Sora is here. I’m going to make hot chocolate for us. Want some?”

Nari smiled hugging her pillow and looked at herself in the small mirror over her bedside table checking any sign of tears before she answered “Yes.”

Earlier that night

Taemin parked his car behind a familiar one that was in front of Sora’s house and both saw Nari leave Jinki’s car.

“Oh.” Taemin exclaimed making Sora turn to him.

“You know them?”

“He is my friend. The one I told you about, that lives here.”

“Oh and she is my roommate, Nari, the one I told you about before?”

“That night?” He asked, his voice assuming that familiar teasing tone and Sora didn't answer. “So she is the one that is family.”

“Yes. She is more than a friend to me.”

“Funny that she is dating my friend.” He said laughing.

“Why is it funny?”

“It's like destiny. Two friends driving two friends home.”

Sora scoffed at his answer rubbing her ear. “He is a dead man if he hurts her. You can tell him that.”

“Oh scary!” He leaned back in his seat. “Jinki is a good guy, the best I know. He might think he isn't or act like he isn’t but he has a big heart. Sometimes he is just...lost.”

“Don't we all once in a while?” Sora remarked turning her head to Taemin, also leaning back in her seat.

It was strange how that felt natural, to just seat in his car and speak to each other in a low voice as if they knew each other for longer than a few weeks.

Taemin raised his hand and touched the back of her cheek with his fingers. Sora didn't pull away, but reminded him of what they spoke earlier. ”You promised.”

“I was only…” he moved his fingers to her ear and fixed her earring that she turned upside down when she scratched her ear.

“Oh.”

He took his hand away but his eyes didn't move.

“I'm sorry I broke our promise.” His low sweet voice was making her heart beat faster again and Sora was falling again, falling deeper into his eyes and worst, his smile that he offered to her again “It's surprising though, how even the amazing Miss Kitty feels lost.”

“Don't you feel lost Mister Lee? Oh wait Taemin...no...Minwoo?”

The mention of Taemin’s brother’ name made his expression change and he looked away. Sora raised her eyebrows wondering what she did wrong because she could clearly feel the difference in his attitude, it was as if he placed a wall between them.

“Isn't that the name you used that night?”

Taemin frowned not answering. “I’m tired. See you at work tomorrow.”

Was he truly kicking her out of his car?! However Sora didn't move. “Well I guess that answers my question perfectly.“ He didn't need to answer with words, his body answered for him. She opened the door of the car and without a word left.

He watched her walk away and then rubbed his head tiredly.

His phone vibrated in the pocket of his pants and he fetched it.

It was a message from Jinki that probably reached home now.

“Is that Miss Kitty? Is she yours already?”

She wasn't but would be very soon. He knew exactly the way to her heart now. That look of appreciation in Sora's eyes and the way she agreed to accept his ride was a sign that she could be manipulated as long as he pretended to be serious about work.

“She will be. I’m setting the traps right now.”