❝Three times. I both lost you three times.❞
Zhong Chenle, a newly appointed head manager of their family business, built his reputation with his skills and dominating nature. His professional image is already commended by most, but one day, he saw h...
Chenle came back to Korea one week before enrollment for the next school year. He'll be in his third year now, and one senior once told him that his life will start to get messy starting this year. Chenle can only accept the warning and talk about it a little more for advice.
He's confident and was born ready, so Chenle could only look forward to the school year.
"Hi!" Sulhee brightly greeted him when she crossed the road to where he was.
Chenle immediately embraced her in a hug, then handed her three cold drinks from a café nearby.
"Wow, thank you! The weather is messed up these days. I'll give the other two to mom and Yushi."
"Yeah, those are really for them. I don't mind if you'll drink them all, though."
"That'll be crazy," Sulhee chuckles, looking up to him fondly. "Why are you glowing more than yesterday?"
"Hmm, I don't know." Chenle ruffled her hair. "Maybe because I am seeing you every day?"
"Sweet. Do you want to go in?"
"Really?" Chenle looked at the building on the other side of the road.
Suddenly, he felt something bubbling inside him. Was it guilt? Nervousness? Excitement? Chenle doesn't know. All he knew was that he could deceive a number of people at any time.
He looked back at Sulhee and flashed a small smile.
"Do you think I can do well today?"
She shrugged. "I can introduce you as a close friend if you want."
"Should I ask your mom's blessing?"
"You make it sound like you're asking for my hand in marriage."
Marriage. Chenle paused and felt his heart drumming dangerously. Should I tell her? He chanted in his mind, hoping that the girl wouldn't hear how loud it was. It's impossible, of course, but Chenle is badly wishing that the girl wouldn't feel that he's bothered by something.
That marriage is just a plan. Just a plan, Chenle emphasized. It wasn't finalized yet. He already told his dad that he wouldn't do it. It was probably one of the reasons why he was sent back to Korea a week earlier.
"Le?"
"Hmm?" Chenle enthusiastically replied with a subtle smile, engraving his face.
"I have to go back soon."
Chenle nodded and caressed her hair. "I'll meet your mom soon, but not today. I have plans with Jisung."
"Oh, it's okay! You haven't seen each other for months. You should get going."
"Come, I'll walk with you to the entrance."
"It's fine."
"Come on, Sulhee." Chenle chuckled and held her waist, gently leading her to the pedestrian lane.
Once they safely crossed, they faced each other with obvious longing in their eyes. Sulhee is missing his presence these days, but she keeps it to herself. She doesn't want to be so demanding, especially since she knows that time is important for the alpha. He has other plans, so she shouldn't be selfish.
Meanwhile, Chenle just basically doesn't want to let her go. If I told her, would she stay beside me and fight for us? If I told her, would everything fall apart between us?
"Sulhee-ah,"
"Yes?"
"I think I've gotten more attached to you."
"Me too,"
"Should I tell Jisung to cancel?"
"I don't want you to do that, too."
He lightly chuckled and nodded. "Should we have dinner tonight?"
"Just the two of us?"
"Mhm"
"I'll ask permission first."
"Sure. Tell me after, okay? I can pick you up."
"Then you'll end up meeting them."
Chenle only chuckled. He held her hands, then squeezed them lightly. Suddenly, he imagined them on an altar, with him sliding a ring to her finger.
"She is just your girlfriend, not your mate," Cali's words repeated in his mind.
She is not even my girlfriend yet.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I just..." he sighed. "I just suddenly felt a bit sleepy."
"Is that so? Are you sick?"
"No"
"Is it your cycle?"
"No," Chenle flashed a smile. "I'll be fine. Maybe I just haven't rested enough since I got back here."
"Yeah, you have bags under your eyes."
Chenle laughed. That's true, though; he never slept that well ever since he was told about the marriage plan. Actually, they were with Cali's family for half of the vacation. Not only was he tightly observed, but he was also forced to interact with her.
The reason Chenle didn't tell Sulhee is because it was just a plan. It could change. He could be free from all these crazy business antics. He's confident that he can break it either way.
So, Sulhee doesn't have to know. Yet.
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