“Huh? Oppa, you’re not being serious right now, are you?”

Junmyeon heaved a long sigh before pulling the girl to sit beside him.

“Aerin, listen.” He gently held her hand, “Jongin needed help. And the only one who could help is you.” The older started carefully, because he had to convey important things, and one of it might probably hurt her. “The company’s condition is not good right now. Everyone asked Jongin to step down. But the only thing keeping us safe is the amount of shares we have.” Junmyeon stopped to take a breath and examined the girl, when he was sure that she didn’t try to answer, he continued. “The hospital, the one you’re going to inherit when you turn twenty one, is even more worrying. They, the shareholders, believe the rumours which stated that you won’t be able to take over the company.” Junmyeon said, really careful with how he worded the sentence. “And that’s why you need to show them that you are capable, that you deserve the position. Not just because you are the Kim’s heiress, but also because you are qualified.”

“But it’s a presentation with a big company, everyone, the expert would be there, how can you expect me to—“

“We will help. It is a really good chance to show up because it’s an important company. I’m going to help you.” He cut her right away. “Jongin will also help. You can ask us anything you don’t know.” Junmyeon tried to convince her. “I will ask the team to prepare the materials so you could read them beforehand. We can discuss it anytime you want. Hm?”

Aerin knew she didn’t even have chance to contemplate because she knew she didn’t have any choice. “Okay then.” She sighed. “But please help me. I will represent Jongin oppa and I don’t want to be an embarrassment.” Aerin pouted at him.

“You know we always got your back, Darling. Don’t worry.” Junmyeon smiled as he ruffled the girl’s hair. He knew Jongin would be really happy with this.

Chanyeol frowned when his favourite girl called only to say that he didn’t need to pick her up. Again. She stated that she had her driver with her so Chanyeol didn’t have to stop by. Aerin has been going with her driver lately. Last night she had just promised that she would go with him in the morning, and of course asking him to take her to the bookstore after school in which Chanyeol gladly agreed immediately. But this morning she called again, and Chanyeol couldn’t help but pouted at the news. After muttering some ‘Okay, I understand,’ Chanyeol heard her promised to see him at school before finally cutting the call.

Was it just him or did she actually grew some distance towards him? Well, Chanyeol hoped he was exaggerating, but there’s no doubt that he really felt it was getting harder to meet her these days. It actually didn’t take him long to brush that thought away. She was sick these past days, why would he even doubting her? Even thinking to the extent that she was taking some distance from him. Why would she do that? He’s her best friend, as long as he could remember.

Yeah. Best friend.

The boy sighed at the realisation. He really hoped he could take things further. There’s no doubt that he’s head over heels in love with the girl, everyone knew that already. His parents, his sister, even their friends at the school were aware of that. But Aerin remained oblivious. She was the only one clueless about it. Yet Chanyeol couldn’t even say anything to her. He remained silent all this time. Because deep inside he was scared. He was scared if she didn’t feel the same. He was scared if she would grow distance from him. Chanyeol was scared of losing her. And that very reason was what kept him like this, bottling up his feeling all this time. Because as long as he could keep her by his side, nothing else really mattered. Even if he was a best friend, yeah, he would be fine.

He spent his time staring at the one and only ballerina figurine on his desk for quite a long time. Yes, it was still with him, he hadn’t given it to her. He was too engrossed, spending time with her yesterday that he held the urge to tell her everything. He would like to give it to her in a special moment. He would want to make sure that she would see him as more than a mere friend.

But Chanyeol now suddenly felt insecure. He didn’t even know why but he was afraid that someone might steal her and keeping her away from him. But again, the over-thinker Chanyeol only brushed that thought away because he knew it was just because he missed her. So this was how it felt not having her by his side for a while, and he decided that he didn’t like it. The boy chuckled to himself. It has only been some days. How would it feel to not have her around for some years? Oh, Chanyeol wouldn’t even want to imagine it. He heaved a long sigh before finally decided to wrap the figurine up on the box. He needed to bring her somewhere today, because this probably a good time to finally give the long-delayed gift to the deserving owner.

“Good morning,” The chauffeur politely opened the door for the heiress. She threw a smile and a soft good morning as a reply before hopping in inside the car. The man gently closed the door before getting himself ready on the driver side. He pressed the gas pedal and stirred the wheel, going out from the manor to bring the heiress to her school.

The chauffeur sometimes stole a glance at the mirror above, trying to see what the girl behind him was up to. She was unsurprisingly quiet along their way to the school, and the man couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. Well, he had a good sleep last night, closing his eyes with a smile, thinking that he would be able to spend more time with the girl who was currently invading almost half of his mind. He sighed while averting his gaze from the mirror to the busy street in front of him. That’s okay. It was his first day anyway. He still have more da—“Sehun?” Her voice suddenly pulled him out from his sea of thought, which made him slightly turned his head towards her. “Y—yes?”

Aerin sent him a small smile through the mirror. “You seem occupied.”

“N—no, you’re the one who seems to be occupied.” Sehun stuttered. He saw her shaking her head, with a smile still plastered on her pale face. Oh my god, would you please stop smiling like that, because—

“Do you have anything to say? I saw you glancing at me, every once a while.”

he was caught.

“No. I—I was just…” Sehun tried to avoid her eyes, “No, forget it.”

The girl raised her brow, waiting for him to continue, but he didn’t say anything. Weird. “Anyway, I am going out with a friend later after school. You don’t need to pick me up.”

It was Sehun who raised his brow then. “I’m sorry, Agassi, but you need to go home after school.”

“What did you say?”

“You’re going home after school. It’s not safe for you to go around this time.”

Aerin frowned hearing the sentence coming out from her new chauffeur. This seriously sounds not good. “I am going to be fine, Mr. Oh.” She said.

“I’m really sorry but Mr. Kim clearly told me to go with you everywhere you go. I am going to wait for you at the school until it finished, bring you anywhere you needed to be, and bring you back home. Safely.”

“Sehun… I’m not going with just anyone. Junmyeon oppa knows Chanyeol he would be fine with it.” She insisted, Sehun noticed her tone was half pleading.

The man massaged his temple with his right hand while his other hand was still firmly gripping the wheel as he made a turn. “Aerin, please help me. I really don’t want to get fired at the end of my first week of work.” He slowly pulled the brake before unbuckling his seatbelt. Aerin didn’t even realise they were already at the parking lot until Sehun got out from the car to open her door. “Come on, you don’t want to be late, Agassi.” He said when Aerin didn’t even budge. She got out from the car with a pout on her face. Why is he so annoying.

“Don’t call me Agassi, just call me by my name.” She sent him a glare, which earned her a small smile from him. But then Aerin gave another try, sending him a pleading look, her lips still pouting. “Sehun, please.”

Sehun just suddenly put both his forefingers on both the end of her lips before giving it a light pressure, stretching her lips to form a smile. “There. You look more presentable.” He said, smiling to her.

Aerin could feel the heat suddenly spread on her cheeks before slapping Sehun’s hand. “What are you doing?”

The man only chuckled. Cute. “You have my number. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be here, I won’t go anywhere.” And there, Aerin felt her heart betrayed her because it suddenly beat so fast right when she felt his fingers running through her hair, ruffling it gently. She quickly turned and swung her legs, walking to the hall with her heart thumping rapidly.

Little did they know, there’s someone standing right at the school hall gate, watching them as he gripped the bag straps with a little more pressure and an uncomfortable feeling creeping inside.

“Aerin!”

She turned her head towards the source of the voice calling her. The girl wa