"You're a stranger to me. You're not my family. You're not my friend either." Eunji answered nonchalantly.

"Ahhhh," Jiyong beamed. "That makes me your boyfriend then and sooner will be your fiancé and eventually your husband."

Eunji froze from picking the blueprint on the floor. She was taken aback. Jiyong professed and confessed his love but talking about engagement and marriage is something. "Kwon Jiyong... That's not an easy...that's...."

"Jung Eunji," Jiyong was on his knees in front of Eunji. "Please...Let's give it a try.  I know what you're going trough. Let me help you."

"Kwon Jiyong. Seriously. We should not have met at all. I am complicated. My life is complicated. And please stop kneeling infront of me."

"Not until you agree to marry me,"

"What??!! Kwon Jiyong?! That's absurd. Now get up."

"Nope." Jiyong rolled on the floor facing up.

"Jiyong, stop acting like a child and how could you propose without a ring," Eunji made a face on Jiyong and left him on the floor.

Jiyong got up and followed Eunji. "I thought you like me?" he posed the question.

Eunji turned to him that their face were just inches away. "So?" She put away the papers and rested her hands on the  table. "That doesn't mean I am marrying you."

Jiyong was dumbfounded but didn't show. "So you're telling me that I wasted and wasting my time on you," he said directly without emotion.

Eunji turned to him with wide eyes. That took her off guard. "I.....Uhmmm.... Look... Dating never occurred to me less marriage. Besides, we're not officially dating. As far as I can remember, I told you, I'm starting to like you. I didn't say I like you. And for the millionth time, We're not dating. And let's be clear here, you pursued me. I wasn't the ..."

"We're not dating?" Jiyong said in sarcasm. "We're living under one roof. We're sharing same bed and blanket. We cuddle. You never resisted when I kiss you. The only thing we haven't  done is . And that's because I so damn respect  and love you!" Jiyong shouted. "Not dating! That's bull! Jung Eunji, What are you afraid off? I can take care of you. If you're scared because of my career, I can give it up for you."

Eunji eyes widened. She's hearing it right.

"I'll leave the entertainment world. Let's just go live in the country. If that's what you want,"

Eunji bit her lips to make sure she wasn't dreaming. It hurts. "I...Kwon, I..."

Jiyong took both her hands and looked her straight in the eyes. "Eunji-ah, I know we started wrongly. I'm not asking you to love me right away.  But please stop saying that we're not dating. Eunji-ah, we are." his voice was pleading and his eyes started to water.

Eunji turned away from Jiyong. She doesn't want to see him crying. She'd seen him cry and she was all the reason of it. "Let's call it a day. We're both tired. I have projects to finish."

Jiyong didn't say anything. He back hugged Eunji and kissed the back of her head. "Take care." he left.

Eunji slumped at the couch as soon as Jiyong left. She rewound what Jiyong had said. 'Giving up his career? Oh Gosh! Is he nuts.' He called Taeyang. "Sol, you busy?"

"Hmmm not really. What's up?"

"Ahm... Jiyong's devastated. He just left my place. Can you make sure he's okay. He's not really on his right mind. Please?"

"What happened? He was happy to come home. Did you guys fought again?"

Eunji explained everything to Taeyang. "Please."

Taeyang sighed. "You two should get married so you both will know that you both can't live without each other. You get what I'm saying?"

"Sol, I... Nevermind. Just please make sure he's home."

"Okay. And you, how are you?"

"I'm fine. I'll be busy the whole week."

"All right. I'll call him. You take care and don't overwork yourself."

"Thanks Sol."

"What's going on with you and Eunji? What's really the score?" Taeyang asked Jiyong. He called Jiyong after he hang up to Eunji. Both agreed to go for an early dinner and clubbing afterwards.

Jiyong shoulder shrugged. "Same. Said we're not dating. I don't know he probably doesn't like me and just using me as what she said."

"What? What do you mean using you?" Taeyang was curious.

"That's what she said."

"Comeon man. Eunji's not that kind of person. Give her more time."

"I gave her enough time. I guess we're not really meant for each other." Jiyong said.

"Ji, she cares for you okay. She's probably having a hard time to believe or accept it. Look, she called me when you left her place. She called to tell me to make sure you're okay. That means she cares."

Jiyong looked at Taeyang. Doubting.

"I'm not kidding man. I wouldn't know about it if she didn't tell me."

"let's go."

 Jiyong grabbed his cap.

"Huh?"

"We're going to Paris."

"Paris? Are you nuts? It's 6 pm and what are we going to do in Paris?"

"Buy a ring. I'm going to propose to her," Jiyong said witout batting an eye. "I'm going to propose on her birthday."

"Propose? Ji,.. That's...  When's her birthday?"

"March 5,"

"Oh...Shoot!  That's our concert day. You're not planning to make it during the concert are you?"

"Nah.. Of course not. She will kill me. You know her,"

Taeyang sigh in relief. "Oh, is she coming to watch?"

Jiyong nodded. "She said she'll definitely come." He was waiting for Taeyang to get up from his seat. "Are you coming?"

"Ji, slow down," Taeyang didn't budge from his seat. "What? You're going to Paris to buy a ring? Once Eunji found out you flew there just for the ring, you know her than anyone of us else.."

Jiyong returned to his seat. "I admit, I in this areas. What am I going to do then?"

Taeyang raised both his hands. "Nope. Not saying anything about that. You figure it out yourself. Let's go home. I think you need a lot of time  to think on how to propose. I can accompany you to buy the ring though but not in Paris. Hey, let surprise her on her birthday. It's the end of our concert."

"Yeah.. but you know the tradition. We're going out. Celebrate and party." Jiyong pointed out.

Taeyang shoulder shrugged. "Asked her to come with us. It will be a crowd. No one will notice just don't be so obvious."

"I'll ask her. Let's go. Hmmm.... I'll call you tomorrow. We'll go shopping for ring. I can't propose without ring."

"I'd be happy to accompany you."

a/n: 10 more days and this story will be a year old. My goal is to end it on on the 14th. Actually, I already draw up the ending. What's your thought. Should I end it or make it a little longer?

***If you adore Jiyong in his cheesy and adorable lines... I squeal and writhe while writing it. Just to let you know. 😉😍😍😍❤💚💜💖💗

Have a good weekend!