Solji woke up with a massive headache and a sore feet. She could barely move her body and every muscle screamed in pain. Her vision was still spinning from drinking last night and she could barely remember what happened. All she knew was everything went black.

"Aromatic," she murmured, still not fully awake. "Brown sugar, black cherry, musk, amber." She was reciting the scents she smelled last night. No matter how wasted she was, the unique fragrance was etched on her brain.

"What was I saying?" she asked herself before falling back on her soft pillow which she instantly regret because it made her headache worse. "Screw rebelling. I'm never drinking again."

Right on cue, the door of her bedroom opened and Doyoung and Jungwoo walked in. Doyoung was carrying a hangover medicine and Jungwoo was pushing a cart with porridge and black coffee.

Despite their own busy schedules, they still cared for their youngest sister.

"How are you feeling?" Doyoung asked and smoothened his sister's hair.

"Like shit."

"You look like shit, too. No offense," Jungwoo said. "You didn't even wash your face, your makeup is smudged. So gross."

"How can I wash myself when I'm dead drunk."

"Can you go to school today or should I ask our family doctor to write a medical certificate for you?"

Solji was touched by her brothers and suddenly regretted what she did last night.

"I'm alright."

"Taeyong called me last night. He said he saw you with Yeji and Karina while he was drinking with his cousin," Doyoung said.

Your brows furrowed. "I didn't see him. I was probably too drunk to notice anyone familiar in that club."

"Yeji told me that you ordered a bottle of vodka and got drunk after three shots. Seriously, Solji. What are you thinking?" Jungwoo asked.

Solji sighed. "I wanted to become a problem child for once. I know this sounds childish but I wanted to get back to Dad for deciding my fate. I never gave them a headache before but why would they do this to me?"

"I'm sorry, Solji. If only we obeyed Mom and Dad, this will not happen to you."

"No, oppa. That's not it. You are free to follow your dreams. Both of you. And I wanted to follow my own path but why are they blocking it? They keep redirecting me instead of being thankful that I actually have an interest about managing our business."

"We'll try and talk to them to see if they will change their mind."

When Solji's brothers left, she quickly ate the porridge and drank the coffee. She decided to still go to class despite the headache but it slowly got better when she took the medicine for hangovers. After getting dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a Gucci sweater, she slung her bag on her shoulders and went to the garage to her car.

It was a twenty-minute drive to SM International School where Solji was studying. Unfortunately, Yeji went to a different school named JYP Music and Arts which specializes in all art forms. Karina and Solji both attended SMIS but took different courses. Karina was a Tourism student.

When she entered the campus, she could feel stares burning on her back but then again, she could be imagining things. She was about to go inside a convenient store to buy a steaming cup of black coffee to relieve her headache when someone dragged her by the wrist and brought her in a secluded part of the building.

It was none other than Karina.

"You're doomed!" she exclaimed.

"Aside from a massive headache, what else am I doomed for?"

Karina eyes her skeptically. "You don't remember anything from last night?"

That question left Solji nervous. "I don't, I just remember dancing and then... and then..." That scent. "Nothing else."

Karina face palmed before showing Solji her phone. It was a picture of a man and woman. It was dark and there were a lot of people wearing party clothes. Increasing the brightness of the phone, Solji clamped a hand on her mouth when she recognized the dress she was wearing last night. She was sitting on someone's lap, the man's veiny arms wrapped around her waist. Her face was hidden beneath a curtain of her hair but it wasn't enough to cover up what she was doing.

"Oh my God... I didn't just... no..."

"Yes, girl. I'm afraid you did. You kissed a total stranger last night."

Solji leaned on the wall. "I'm really doomed!"

"And here's the catch. That person you kissed was Yeji's cousin. Jeno Lee, the pretty boy from the Engineering department."

Solji gasped. "The guy with an eye smile?"

Karina nodded. "Yup, the same guy."

"I have to hide! I don't wanna die! His fans are feral. They will chew me out within seconds."

"Too late for that. They already know who you are because unfortunately, someone from SMIS snapped a photo of the three of us while dancing. They recognized your dress."

Solji's knees were weak and she couldn't find the courage to walk to her class. She could feel stares from her fellow students, some were curious, others were chastising her entire existence. She tried to hide her face beneath the curtains of her face but that would only show how embarrassed she was.

Just then, Solji and Karina bumped into Taeyong. He was a college professor in SMIS teaching Accounting. Solji recognized her brother's friend and waved at him. When Taeyong saw who was waving at him, he walked towards the girls. They greeted him good morning.

"How are you feeling?" Taeyong asked Solji. "I saw you with Karina last night at the club and you were so drunk."

Solji fidgeted nervously. "I'm okay now, thank you professor." She was scared if Taeyong knew about the little scandalous act that she did, not knowing that he witnessed the entire thing in flesh.

"Hyung!" someone called from the distance.

A tall figure jogged towards their little group. The unique scent permeated the air but Solji couldn't process it in time when she saw who it was.

It was Jeno wearing a powder blue button down polo tucked in a black pants. His hair bounced as he jogged and he was wearing a pair of eyeglasses which made him extra attractive.

Solji stepped back in horror.

Jeno saw Taeyong's company and recognized Karina from last night, then his eyes landed on Solji's face who looked as if she saw a ghost.

"What is it Jeno?" Taeyong asked. She was ever more shocked that Taeyong knew Jeno.

"I forgot my tumbler in your house, can you get it for me?"

"Sure, but I'll probably give it to you after lunch. Is that okay?"

"Sure!"

Jeno was about to leave when Taeyong stopped him. "Wait! Girls, this is Jeno Lee, my cousin."

"Cousin?!" Solji couldn't hold back the surprise. Jeno looked at her and she couldn't look at him in the eyes. She was too embarrassed to even be alive at that moment.

Out of fear, Kim Solji took off like an idiot, leaving Karina, Taeyong, and Jeno.

Lunch time came and Yeji was waiting for her two friends at Moon's Kitchen, a Korean restaurant owned by Moon Taeil. They were lucky enough to have the same schedule for lunch and that they could eat together. Speaking of luck, luck wasn't on Solji's side today. The picture of her kissing Jeno reached even outside SMIS and the students from JYPMA were curious about her identity.

Solji and Karina arrived and immediately found Yeji sitting in a corner beside the glass wall.

Yeji told her friends the latest gossip in her school which was Solji and Jeno kissing, and Karina in exchange, told Yeji about the embarrassing thing that Solji did.

"She ran away when she saw Jeno! She left me and didn't even look back!"

"Can you blame? I don't even have the tiniest dignity left in me when I threw myself on his lap last night! How do you expect me to face him?"

"The more you act awkwardly, the more embarrassing it gets. Why don't you try acting confident? Show everyone that you're not ashamed at all?" Yeji adviced.

"That will make me look shameless and a hoe."

"Bitch, you're a hoe even if you kiss a stranger or not. Besides, you're one of the most beautiful girls in SMIS, you're a match for Jeno."

"Thanks for the ego boost Karina but I don't think I can do that."

Solji would shrink in shame if Taeyong found out about the post and show it to Doyoung. She's good as dead.

While eating, Solji's phone buzzed and she took it out of her pocket. She received a message from her mother.

"Meet us at Nakamoto Hotel later at 8:00 in the evening. Your father arranged a dinner with your future husband's family. I love you. Take care."

"Future husband..." Even just saying those words made her stomach turn. She couldn't fathom the idea of getting married with someone. Everything was happening so fast and she couldn't process it all at once. Not to mention that she was still a hot topic in and out of the campus.

"Who is it?" Yeji asked.

"My Mom. She said I'll be meeting my fiance's family later."

"God, hearing the word fiance from you sounds so weird," Karina commented and Solji couldn't agree more.

After class, Solji went home to prepare for the dinner later. She was tempted to make excuses just so she wouldn't attend.

"I'm sorry, I fell from the second floor of our house. The floor of the balcony was slippery."

"I'm sorry, I accidentally used a hair remover cream on my head. I thought it was shampoo."

"I'm sorry, I stabbed myself with a knife. My hand moved on its own."

She had a long list of ridiculous excuses but in the end, she found herself picking out a dress for the dinner. She chose a lilac ruffled dress of tulle and lace that reaches her knees and a pair of beige heels. She didn't think much of how she's going to look. The engagement was set anyway, her looks wouldn't affect the outcome. If possible, she hoped that they would back down when they see her.

Putting on a light makeup and curling her hair, Solji waited until it's 7:30 in the evening before she drove to Nakamoto Hotel.

Nakamoto Hotel was one of the luxurious hotel in the city, having one hundred twenty seven floors, world-class amenities, and high ratings from renowned people. Aside from the fact that it was one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, the owner, Yuta Nakamoto, was drop dead gorgeous. Solji saw him once in a party, talking to Taeyong and Doyoung, and she instantly had a crush on him.

Who wouldn't simp for him when his shoulder-length black hair was tied in a half bun, wearing a black suit and emerald dangling earrings?

Solji entered the elevator and pressed the 127th button.

She could see her crestfallen face reflected on the elevator door. She took a deep breath and tried to think about her school activities but her mind would always drift back to the ridiculous engagement. It was beyond laughable, to think that there were parents who still believe in that kind of setup.

And to think that she dedicated all her life focusing on her academics just so she could be of help someday. She didn't expect that this was how they were going to make use of her.

When the elevator door opened, she walked to the last door to the right hallway. She was about to twist the handle when she stopped.

She still had time to run.

She knew her parents would be disappointed but she never agreed to this. They were obviously violating her rights.

All thoughts flew out the window when she smelled the unique perfume she smelled at the club. She didn't realize how obsessed she was with the scent when she caught a whiff of it and snapped her head to find the person who was wearing that perfume.

She saw Lee Jeno standing behind her.

"You..."

"Good evening, Miss Solji," Jeno greeted politely though he was puzzled why she was there.

"Are you wearing a perfume?" Solji asked.

"Yes."

"Where did you buy it?"

"Oh, I didn't buy it. I made the mixture when we went to Paris last month. There's this laboratory that allows you to create your own perfume."

"Is that the same perfume you were wearing last night?"

"Yes. You already remember?" Jeno took a step towards her. "You said I smelled good and nice choice of perfume."

"No... no... it can't be..."

Solji took a step back and she lost her footing. Jeno's reflexes acted faster before he could think. He wrapped a strong arm around Solji's waist to prevent her from falling and their faces were dangerously close.

When Solji met Jeno's eyes, that's when she remembered everything that happened last night.

She thought he was cute, he smelled good, and his eyes were the prettiest thing in the world.

Then she kissed him.

Before she could pull away, the door of the room opened. The waiter who just served the food to their parents opened the door to leave, revealing Solji and Jeno in that position.

Irene's jaw dropped. Tiffany let out a squeal.

Solji immediately pushed Jeno away and smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle on her dress before bowing. She entered the room first, refusing to make eye contact with her parents and sitting beside her mother.

Meanwhile, Jeno stood at the doorway, smirking to himself.

This night is going to be interesting.

Jeno sat across Solji and flashed his eye-smile, a notorious charm that would magically make both men and women swoon. As much as Solji hated to admit it, Jeno was really attractive.

"So..." Suho started, trying to make a conversation. "Can you explain to us what we just saw? Are you two close?"

"Yes."

"No."

Solji glared at Jeno. "No, we're not close. I only met him today."

"Are you sure?" Jeno asked and raised one eyebrow. Their parents were switching glances from him to her and Solji wanted to stab Jeno's veiny hand with a fork.

Even his hand was attractive and Solji could smell the butternut scent of his hand lotion.

"I found out today that Doyoung oppa's friend, Taeyong oppa is his cousin," Solji said and both of their parents were surprised.

"What a small world," Donghae commented.

"Indeed," Tiffany agreed. "And now the two of you are going to get married."

Solji's stomach dropped and she forced a smile which looked more like a grimace. She couldn't understand why their parents were so enthusiastic about the idea when both of them looked visibly, uncomfortable. At least, she was.

Jeno seemed to be unbothered by the idea and he would even join their conversation from time to time.

She wondered what's going on inside his head.

"Merging Atlanta with Velour is really a great move for both businesses. A perfume and clothing line in one. I highly doubt that Vista would catch up to us this time," Suho told them. Solji and Jeno were just listening while their parents were immersed on their own conversation.

Velour was a clothing line owned by Jeno's parents. His mother was a famous fashion designer based in New York and his father was a popular actor in South Korea.

The dinner mostly centered about the business but Irene was more quiet than usual.

That's because Donghae and Irene had a history when they were still young. Irene and Tiffany were close friends but Tiffany moved to America to pursue her career as a fashion designer. Donghae met Irene and courted her, but the latter rejected the former. She hated men but there was one exception. She couldn't take her eyes off of rich and handsome bachelor named Suho. When Donghae went abroad, that's where he met Tiffany.

Imagine how shocked they were when Tiffany told Irene about the guy she was going to marry, and that guy was Donghae.

Nevertheless, their relationship was good though Irene was a little bit distant.

But they're happy now, and that's all that mattered.

"Irene, are you okay?" Donghae asked. "You seemed quiet."

"She's probably just nauseous because of your perfume. I told you not to weae that, it's too strong," Tiffany said.

Suho gently put a hand on his wife's back before asking softly, "Are you okay? What should I do?"

Just a simple gesture from her husband made her melt. Irene shook her head and smiled. "Nothing, I'm alright. Now, where were we?"

Solji was listening to the conversation since that was the only way she could know about the latest updates on their business. Jeno watched her intently. He realized, she didn't seem the type to pay attention to something she's not interested in.

That something was him.

But whenever she heard words related to business and perfumes, her ears would perk like an excited puppy waiting to go for a walk.

Somehow, Jeno wanted to test the waters, see what kind of person she was.

He lightly kicked her foot under the table and Solji glowered at him.

"What?" she hissed.

Jeno only smiled at her. Solji rolled her eyes and went back to eavesdropping when he kicked her again.

"What is wrong with you?" she mouthed but Jeno pretended he didn't understand.

"What? You think I'm handsome? Thank you!" Jeno said, loud enough to interrupt their parents' conversation. Solji watched him in horror.

Her reactions satisfied him and he was proud of himself.

The happiness didn't last when he found himself inside the elevator with the woman who was ready to pounce at him and bite his head off. It was getting late and Suho asked Jeno to drive Solji to their house and Jeno's parents agreed with it. Solji declined and told them she brought a car but her voice fell on deaf ears.

That's why she was glaring daggers at the man who caused an unnecessary scene and now, she was forced to be with him.

"Why would you do that?" Solji asked angrily, her tight fists shaking in anger. Jeno backed in a corner looking like a terrified puppy.

"I'm not doing anything"

"Stop playing innocent. Do you want me to kick you in the nuts?"

"Please don't do that. Have mercy on our future kids."

"Our future---Lee Jeno! Don't make me mad or you'll see Jesus in less than a second."

"Alright I'm sorry. I just wanted to make the night interesting because I was bored."

"If you're bored then you could've just excused yourself and leave! Now they think we're getting along!"

"Don't you want us to get along? Our parents are friends, so is my cousin and your brother."

"But we're not going to be just friends, Jeno. We're going to get married and I'm sure as hell that we both don't want this."

"I don't really mind, though."

"But I do! I have a life before my father came up with this stupid decision. I have so many plans laid out for my future but none of it will happen because of this goddamn engagement."

Jeno suddenly realized how the situation was stressful for Solji. He could see how desperate she was to remove the strangle hold from her but neither her nor him had the power ro change that decision.

"I'm sorry," Jeno said sincerely.

Solji looked at him and realized that his apology was real this time. "I'm so sorry for lashing out at you. That was immature."

"No, it's okay. At least you're vocal with you emotions. I don't like second guessing."

"I just... I don't know... Why would they do this to us? Can't they just let us live our own lives? Why are they so obsessed about controlling our fates thinking they know better?"

Jeno was surprised. She put the thoughts in his mind into words.

"Why do you hate this setup so much?"

"Because I know I can offer so much more than being a bride. I wanted to take over the company, make perfumes, and rise to the top. My father wanted my brothers to do it instead but what can he do if they don't want to? I'm here, I'm exactly what he needed to replace him but he already took away the chance before I could even prove myself."

He was silent, watching her expressions and taking in her words. When the elevator opened, they found themselves in an underground parking lot where Jeno's car was parked. Before they stepped out of the elevator, Solji said something that made Jeno contemplate his choices.

"From now on, please do not do something that will make them think that we're getting along. I will do my best to break off this engagement and set us both free."

Jeno was probably out of his mind. He found her determination really attractive, short-tempered and impatient, but attractive.