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CHAPTER TWO LIGHT UP MY WORLD
•••
"I don't think I've seen Donghyuck this pissed sinceㅡ well ever, really."
Jeno watched as the grumpy blond dragged himself passed them, heading to his room down the passage of the second floor. Donghyuck clearly wasn't in the mood for anymore nonsense today, but Jeno could understand why. He would never want a girl like Eunhee clinging to him as if he was just an item to own. Just because they were being sold, didn't mean they didn't have feelings.
Jeno often thought about how wrong it all was- selling boys to girls who were desperate for boyfriends or were just hopeless cases in love. But most of the boys and men here wanted to be here. Actually, it was everyone except Donghyuck and Renjun. Jeno quite liked it here. Being schooled here, living here, partying here. He didn't mind.
And neither did the male next to him.
Jaemin ran a hand through his blond hair, brushing the streaks of blue out of his eyes. "Me neither. If that girl comes back, he might just kill her."
"I'd join him. She's insane," Jeno frowned, starting to walk down the passage toward the stairs.
"But Hyuck rejects every girl. Remember that really sweet girl that came in last time?" Jaemin turned to his friend as they walked.
The male thought for a moment. He remembered. The sweet Muslim girl that had become friends with all of them in a short while. Jeno adored her and he was sure the rest of his friends did too. She wasn't annoying or whiny and she treated them like they were human.
"Saba?"
Jaemin nodded as they made their way downstairs to the store. "She was so adorable. And she didn't even want him to be her boyfriend. She wanted a best friend."
"I would love to be her best friend. I hope she comes back one day," Jeno frowned as they entered the room. When they did, they saw Mark and Chenle talking to another girl. She was short and slightly chubby, but adorable nonetheless.
Mark noticed the two standing across the room and yelled out to them, "Yo, come meet our newest customer!"
Jeno and Jaemin exchanged glances. Mark seemed pretty happy and Chenle wasn't being attacked. He was laughing away (his laugh was unmistakable and very loud). The two ran over to meet the new girl.
"And these are Jeno and Jaemin," Mark introduced the two to the girl when they reached them. They both greeted her with friendly smiles, which she happily returned.
"Hi, I'm Ayesha," she introduced herself in Korean and waved at them.
Their eyes widened hearing her speak Korean. "You speak Korean?"
"Yeah. Why would I be here if I couldn't?" Ayesha laughed.
"She's from South Africa. How cool is that?" Chenle cut in excitedly, eyes sparkling.
"Woah, what are you doing all the way here?" Jeno asked her. "And how did you learn Korean?"
"Actually, I came here with one of my friends. She's the one who taught me Korean. Plus we just felt like South Africa wasn't giving us the best opportunities. So we came here for college," she explained. "And also my friend wanted to meet her boyfriend."
"Long distance relationship?" Jaemin asked.
"Yeah, but it didn't work out in the end. . ." Ayesha sighed, lowering her head.
"Oh," Jaemin let out. "What happened?"
"I'd rather not say. It isn't my place to tell. But I appreciate the concern," the black haired female said, cracking a small smile.
"That's so sad," Chenle frowned, trying not to cry.
"It was. That's why I'm here. I need to find my best friend a boyfriend to take her mind off of her first one," Ayesha explained. "Yes, I know it's wrong, but she needs it."
"No worries. You came to the right place," Mark smiled. "What's your friend like?"
"Uh, super stubborn, smart, but funny and very flirty. But she hates love and refuses to commit to a relationship because she wants nothing to do with love now."
"Sounds like Renjun," Jaemin chuckled.
"Hyung, that's not nice," Chenle frowned.
"But he's right," Mark said, clicking his fingers. "Could you bring your friend here tomorrow? I think we have someone for her."
"Wow, you guys are good," Ayesha said in awe. "I'll have to trick her into coming somehow."
"Good luck," Jeno gave her his famous eye smile.
"Thanks," Ayesha grinned.
"Hey, while you're here, are you sure you don't want to look for yourself?" Mark questioned.
Ayesha bit her lip and lowered her head for a moment. "Uh, I wanted to. . . but I don't know. I don't think love can be bought."
"No one said anything about buying love. You can buy a boyfriend, but you'll have to earn his love," Mark said.
"Well, you've earned mine," Chenle laughed, hugging the girl.
Ayesha hugged back with a smile. "Thanks, Chenle. But I'm waiting for the person that lights up my world."
Jaemin bit his lip, zoning out while Ayesha talked to Chenle.
"And you'll find him someday," the orange haired boy said.
"Hopefully," she exhaled. "Anyway, I have to go now. I need to study for a big test coming up. Thank you guys, you've been really sweet. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Bye, Ayesha!" they all called out as she rushed out the building. She shouted one last goodbye before she was out of their sight completely.
Chenle pouted, "Why do all the sweet girls have the highest standards?"
Mark laughed and patted the younger's back. "Because that's how life works, kid." Chenle and Mark walked off, leaving Jeno and Jaemin behind.
Jeno looked at him. "Nana, let's go."
But Jaemin didn't answer.
"Nana?" Jeno called again, snapping his fingers in front of his face. Jaemin jumped, startled. He shook his head, trying to get rid off his thoughts and snap back to reality.
"Yeah?"
"You okay?" Jeno frowned.
Jaemin gulped, nodding. "Yeah, just a little tired."
"You should be. It's late. Let's go to our rooms?"
"Yeah, okay." And with that, the two made their way upstairs again.
But Jaemin couldn't get Ayesha's words out of his head.
But I'm waiting for the person that lights up my world.
That statement ran through Jaemin's mind until he went to sleep.
Because it was the same thing he told Jaehyun everyday.
