All she ever wanted was to prove herself to her parents that she was more than just the youngest daughter that must be protected at all times.

Kim Solji was tired of being treated like an ornament by her parents. She wasn't a princess whose life revolved around parties, dresses, and jewelries. Why would she settle for that when she could offer so much more?

She was naturally smart and actually interested about business, unlike her two older brothers: Kim Doyoung and Kim Jungwoo. Doyoung became a renowned lawyer despite being a novice. Jungwoo was a fourth year student in SM Academy and received various awards for his works.

Meanwhile, Solji was in her second year of college in SM Academy while taking two degrees simultaneously: Chemical Engineering and Business Management.

She wanted to prove herself so bad but she was constantly being overshadowed by his overachieving older brothers.

It wasn't easy for her to balance two degrees, considering that she had to spend a lot of times conducting experiments then after that, she had to answer complicated accounting problems. There were moments when she wanted to give up. She was rich anyway, she didn't have to try so hard. But whenever she pictured herself in a lab gown, mixing scents to create unique fragrances that would break the market, she would find herself working her ass off again.

She did all of that to prove herself only to be discredited.

To say that she was furious was an understatement.

She and her brothers were summoned to his father's office. Irene was sitting on her swivel chair while Suho was standing beside her. They were having a conversation about who was going to take over the company soon. They had to learn the ways of the management or they would be at a disadvantage. The competition in the industry was getting tighter and they were using all the leverage that they could to be at the top.

But remember, nobody among Doyoung and Jungwoo's profession were related to business. Doyoung had a background about laws regarding businesses but that was as much as he knew. It didn't even scratch the surface. He wasn't interested about the operation. Jungwoo wouldn't bother either.

"I can help. I'm taking both Business Management and Chemical Engineering. I can learn how to run the operations while creating samples for the latest collection," Solji volunteered enthusiastically. Her brothers nodded their heads in agreement.

However, Suho sighed.

"I'm sorry, princess. But I will not let you handle our business. It's too stressful for you," Suho said. Irene was quiet but she didn't like where the conversation was going. She had been stressed the past few days and she wanted to stay quiet or else hell would break loose.

"Every job is stressful but that's exactly why I'm studying it. Why else would I prepare myself if not for this? Doyoung oppa and Jungwoo oppa would undergo a lot of pressure if you force them to handle everything."

"That's why they're going to come with me and learn everything they have to by watching me."

"Then why can't I do it instead of them?"

This time, Irene spoke. "Because your father set you up in an advantageous marriage." Then she threw a glare at her husband who could only gulp and look away.

Solji was shocked. So was her brothers.

"Did I hear it right?" Doyoung asked. "You set Solji up with someone?"

"Who is he?" Jungwoo asked. "Who's that person?"

She was speechless.

Suho gave her an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry, princess. I have to. We will be at a disadvantage if I will not do this. Vista is catching up to Atlanta in terms of gross profit and public demand and soon enough, they will attract a lot of investors. I'm doing all that I could to be one step ahead."

"So you just decided to sold me out..." Solji went livid. "You sold out your own daughter for the sake of this company? Is that why you wouldn't let me take over? You wanted to see me with a random man tangled on his arms like an ornament?"

"He's not just any guy. I made sure to choose the best one. He's going to be my son-in-law and your husband after all so I chose the best man," Suho defended himself. He looked at his wife but she didn't back him up. Even she was against the idea of letting her daughter get engaged with someone solely because of business.

"That's not for you to decide, Dad," Solji said. "I didn't take two degrees only to be depreciated into a bride. There's nothing wrong with being a bride, don't get me wrong. But it is, if you didn't ask for my opinion."

"Princess---"

"I'll prove it to you, Mom, Dad. I'll prove to you that I am no mere pawn to this game. Not when I know that I can lead it."

And with that, Solji stormed out of the office.

She angrily slammed the door of her room and threw herself in the four-poster bed. Her parents not listening to her was an old news, but to make decisions on her behalf without her consent was downright disrespectful.

Just because they were her parents didn't mean they could control her life how ever they pleased.

Someone knocked on the door and she heard it creak open. One sniff in the air and she instantly recognized her mother's perfume, a mixture of vanilla ang lilac like flowers in full bloom during summer, sweet and fresh. Irene sat on Solji's bed and caressed her back gently. She wanted to stay angry at her parents but one gentle touch from her mother could melt her enmity away.

"I'm so sorry, daughter," Irene said. "I was also against the idea of you being engaged to someone you don't know. But your father didn't say anything to me so I wasn't able to stop it. He only informed me when the engagement was already set."

Solji still didn't face her mother. 

"Solji," Irene called but she didn't answer. All that her mother could do was sigh. "I'm sorry, I really am. If only he told me about it before deciding, I would've done everything in my power to stop it. I know how much your freedom means to you."

"I was never free, Mother."

When Irene left Solji's room after a few futile attempts of talking to her daughter, Solji got her phone from the side of her bed and contacted her two best friends, Yeji and Karina, whom she knew since high school.

"Girls, I need to unwind."

That same day, Lee Jeno just finished having lunch with his parents, Donghae and Tiffany accompanied by his cousin Lee Taeyong. The lunch was the same as usual, suffocating and pestilential. They asked him a lot of questions about his education. Jeno took Engineering and his parents were against it, considering that he was their only son and he had a business to manage. Taeyong was silently sitting on the table, throwing worried glances to his cousin from time to time. He was aware how much Jeno hated being there, being forced to be somewhere he didn't want.

Right now, they were in Taeyong's car and Jeno aggressively loosened the neck tie he was itching to remove. One requirement whenever they eat together was to dress formally. Good thing they rarely eat together.

"This is so absurd. I refuse to believe what Dad just told me," Jeno said to his cousin whose eyes were fixated on the road.

"Everything about the business industry is absurd," Taeyong answered.

"Yeah, but how about being set up into an engagement to a person you never met?"

"That's another level of absurdity."

Jeno wanted to punch or kick something to release the pent up anger he was holding back earlier. He couldn't lash out at his parents even if he wanted to since he was afraid of his father. When they told them about his engagement, they acted nonchalant as if their decision didn't involve his life at all.

"I need to unwind," Jeno said. "Let's go to Trainers' club. I'll just have a few drinks."

"Later. Trainers' open at 7:00 P.M. It's only half past two."

"But you know the owner!"

"Johnny doesn't come to his pub unless it's the opening time. Just play video games in my place."

Jeno didn't have any choice. He didn't want to come back to their house because he would see his parents and he was also bored on his own condo. His cousin was his only option.

It was 8:30 in the evening when Yeji pulled up in a car with Karina on the shotgun seat, waiting for Solji. Solji sneaked out of the house wearing an oversized hoodie and a pair of sneakers. She didn't tell anybody where she was going.

For once, she wanted to rebel.

She had always been an obedient daughter and didn't give her parents a headache deliberately. She didn't do anything to deserve what her father did to her.

"I thought we're going to a club? Why are you dressed like you're going to a sleepover?" Yeji asked. She was wearing a latex pants and a red sparkly top with her hair tied in a high ponytail.

Solji stripped out of her hoodie, revealing a black fitted mini dress to answer Yeji's question. She took off her sneakers and changed into a pair of black stilettos. She already did her makeup and hair before she left, throwing a pair of hoop earrings and she was ready to go.

"What's gotten into you? You don't usually like partying," Karina asked, smoothing her straight black hair. She was wearing a matching silver top and mini skirt. "Did something happen at home."

"I'm engaged."

Yeji hit the brakes.

"What did you just say?"

"Next time you do that can you warn us beforehand?" Solji scolded her. "Yes, you heard me right. I'm engaged."

"Who is it?" Karina asked.

"That's the thing. I don't know who it is. My father just willfully sold me out to be somebody's wife."

"What if he's an old man?"

"He better be dying so I can have all of his fortune."

"So this is why you wanted to get wasted? To celebrate the last remaining days of being single?" Karina asked.

"I'm not planning to get wasted! I just wanted to have a few drinks and party. And probably not go home. I wanted to rebel so bad. I didn't tell them where I was going."

"They're going to kill us, dumbass!" Yeji exclaimed.

"Your parents will not hesitate to file a kidnapping case and hire a battalion of police to look for you," Karina stated.

Solji suddenly contemplated whether to push through or not, but the voice inside her that wanted a little revenge prevailed.

"I don't care anymore. Let's just go! I wanted to enjoy the night and forget that ridiculous engagement!"

Trainers' club was owned by Johnny Suh, a former K-Pop idol who fancy alcoholic drinks. He was friends with Taeyong and Doyoung, but Solji didn't know about it. When the three girls arrived at Trainers', the club was already packed with people. The stench of alcohol and sweat pervaded the air and Solji instantly scrunched her nose. Her olfactory senses were sharp which gave her an edge when it comes to mixing scents but it was also a disadvantage whenever she smells rancid odors.

The club had two floors, the first one for the dance floor, tables, and a bar, and the second floor was for the VIPs.

Solji couldn't hear her friends properly so she just followed them upstairs and they chose a seat near the railings which overlooked the dance floor. She instantly regretted the idea of going to the club. Partying was never her thing, she hated loud noises and crowded places. If she wanted to drink, they had their own mini bar at home.

"What do you want to drink?" Yeji asked.

"I'll drink one pint of beer," Karina answered.

"What about you?"

"A bottle of vodka."

"Do you want to die? Do you even have a high alcohol tolerance?"

"Just do it!"

Yeji sighed and looked at Karina for help.

"Let's just do what she wants. She rarely asks for favors anyway."

After a few minutes, the drinks arrived. Yeji settled for a can of soda since she had to drive her friends' asses back home. She silently prayed that Solji was not the scandalous type of drunk. And she was wrong. Solji had no plans of getting wasted but with only three shots of vodka, her world was already spinning. She tried drinking directly from the bottle but her two friends stopped her.

"Oh my God! I think we just made a mistake," Yeji panicked when she saw her drunk friend climbing up the railings. "Get your ass back here!"

"Solji!" Karina called her friend. "Do you wanna dance?"

"Dance? Yes! Dance! I'm a good dancer!"

Yeji and Karina guided Solji downstairs to the dance floor and they let her dance until her feet ached. They made sure to stay close to her to shoo away the creeps that would dare approach her. Solji had the time of her life dancing the night away. She had never felt so carefree and happy. For once, she wasn't worried about what's going to happen to her.

"Let's rest for a while, my feet are killing me," Solji complained and showed her friends her sore feet. So much for wearing high heels. Karina and Yeji once again guided their drunk friend up the stairs back to their table.

At that moment, Jeno and Taeyong's drink arrived. Jeno ordered Jack and Coke and Taeyong only ordered an iced tea. Jeno wasn't planning to get drunk, just a few sips to taste something bittersweet and Taeyong was the driver for tonight. He wouldn't risk drinking even just a sip of alcohol.

"Hyung," Jeno started. "I was thinking... maybe I should just shift courses. Take Business Management like what my parents wanted me to do."

Taeyong leaned on the leather seat and crossed his arms. "Will you be happy if you do that?"

"I realized they were kinda right, though. Who would manage the business if I pursue Engineering?"

"Somebody will still manage that job even if you take Engineering, and majority of the shares will go to you since you're their only son. You will still be an essential member of the board of directors. It just makes it more convenient if you manage it because you can participate on the operations and you know exactly what's happening. A lesser risk of one of your employees outsmarting you," Taeyong explained. "But the question here is if you will be happy if you chose the path they wanted for you?"

Jeno shrugged his shoulders. "Business tycoons are never happy. They're never contented with what they have. They just keep wanting more and more and they will not stop until they rise to the top."

Taeyong took a sip of his iced tea. "At least you get the gist of the business world."

"I wonder who was the person they set me up with..." Jeno wondered.

Karina and Yeji were having a hard time trying to guide their staggering friend. Solji was squinting her eyes, trying to find her way back to their table but the flashing lights and the alcohol in her system didn't help. She lost her footing and fell on a warm and strong body.

"What the fuck!" she exclaimed and looked up. Karina and Yeji watched in horror as they saw their friend sprawled on somebody's lap. Taeyong spat his drink in shock.

Solji's first instinct was to sniff. She instantly recognized a masculine perfume sprayed on the person's neck, since that was where the smell was strongest. The fragrance was aromatic, a combination of black cherry, amber, and brown sugar with a hint of musk. It was unique and she had never smelled something like that before. When Solji opened her eyes, she met a pair of the prettiest eyes she had ever seen.

"You're quite cute. And you smell good. Nice choice of perfume."

Solji voiced out what was on Jeno's mind. His hand automatically circled around her waist when she fell on his lap. He could smell a strong scent of alcohol coming from her and her lids were half-opened, indicating that she was drunk.

"Miss, you should get up," Jeno said and tried to remove Solji from him but she only leaned her entire weight on him, circling her arms around his neck.

She didn't know what struck her but the voice inside her head was loud and commanding.

Kiss him.

Perhaps, that was the little rebellion she wanted. Kiss a random guy before she got married.

"Since you're cute, I'm going to give you a gift."

"I---"

Jeno wasn't able to finish his sentence when Solji's lips met his. His scent clouded her head and she couldn't get enough. She wanted more, glue herself to his body and rub his scent all over her. Meanwhile, Jeno didn't know what to do. His body was reacting on its own. His temperature rose when Solji fell on his lap and it became warmer when she kissed him.

"Oh my God!" Yeji exclaimed and immediately pulled away her best friend from Jeno.

"We didn't raise a hoe, you stupid bitch," Karina scolded Solji.

Yeji faced Jeno and Taeyong. "I'm really sorry for my best friend's behavior. I'm so sorry!"

Despite the lack of light, Jeno recognized his cousin. Jeno's mother and Yeji's father were siblings which made them first cousins. "Yeji?"

"Yes, that's me. Wait, how did you know my name?"

"It's me, Jeno."

Yeji's eyes widened. "OMG! Cousin, it's you!" She turned to face Jeno's companion and recognized Taeyong whom she saw in several social parties. "Hello, Taeyong oppa. Good evening. I'm so sorry for ruining your night and causing a scene. My best friend got so drunk she has no idea what she's doing. Jeno, my dear cousin I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," Jeno said. He could still taste the vodka and a hint of something sweet like candy on his lips. "Who is she?"

"Kim Solji. My best friend since high school."

"Wait, did you say Kim Solji?" Taeyong asked.

"Yes, oppa."

"Do you know her?" Jeno asked.

"Doyoung and Jungwoo have a younger sister. Her name is Kim Solji. Doyoung showed her photo once to me but I don't know if she's the same person," Taeyong answered.

"Yes, oppa. That's her, the same Kim Solji," Yeji said.

"Um, I'm sorry to interrupt you guys but Solji was currently lying on the floor right now. She's wasted as fuck."

In the end, Jeno carried Solji's unconscious body back to Yeji's car. Her face looked peaceful and angelic as if she was not capable of kissing a total stranger in a club.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you home instead?" Taeyong asked.

Yeji shook her head. "I'm fine. I didn't drink anything tonight because I have to drive these two," she answered, pointing at the two women in her car, Solji's head on Karina's lap.

Yeji bid Jeno and Taeyong goodbye before driving away. Jeno followed the car until it disappeared from his sight.

"Let's go back inside," Taeyong told his cousin but Jeno shook his head.

"Nah, I think I wanna go home."

"But we've been in the club for less than fifteen minutes."

"I've had enough fun for tonight. I found something much more interesting."