The following morning was the best day of Noah's life. At last, he had a decent-paying job—what more could one want?
The cool spring air caressed his skin like silk, giving him a comforting chill. He pulled out his phone to read the address.
"Villa 364, northwestward.
Standing in front of the grand mansion, he couldn't help but gawk. The imposing villa seemed plucked from a fantasy, its stylish combination of green and white paint making for a hypnotic contrast. The giant entrance gate was flanked by two men, their piercing eyes surveying him as he made his way toward them.
One of them stepped out. "Who are you, sir?"
"I'm Noah. I'm here for the art tutor position."
The guard gave a slight nod. "Please produce your ID."
Noah quickly produced the ID Celine had provided and handed it to him. The guard examined it before waving him in.
The second Noah entered, his eyes widened in amazement. The interior of the villa was a work of luxury—golden lights illuminated the living room, bouncing off each lavish detail. To his right, under a giant LED TV installed on the wall, were beautiful art pieces laid out like trophies.
A tiny voice spoke up behind him.
"Hey, who are you?"
He turned to see a small girl looking up at him, her rosy cheeks puffed out slightly in wonder.
"Who are you, Dada?" she echoed.
Noah smiled. "I'm Noah. And I suppose I'm your art tutor?"
Her mouth fell open in shock. "Brother already hired a tutor for me? Yay!"
Before he could answer, a low rumbling noise filled the air. Noah glanced down at her and knew right away—she was hungry.
"Are you hungry?" he asked. "Want to eat something?"
She nodded bashfully.
"Yes! But. are you gonna make it?"
"Of course!" Noah smiled. "But I bet you I can cook better than your brother."
She gasped, eyes wide. "No way! My brother makes the best food!"
Noah smirked. "Guess we'll have to see about that. Show me the kitchen?"
With an air of authority, she tilted her head and commanded, "Follow me."
The kitchen was enormous—lined with modern cabinets, gleaming marble countertops, and a gigantic chimney at the back. Noah's jaw almost dropped. This kitchen was larger than his whole bedroom.
"This is our kitchen, Phi—ah, Noah," she said, correcting herself with a laugh.
He smiled, pinching her cheek gently. "What's your name, sweetie?"
She pouted. "It's Cherry."
"Cute name," he replied.
"Thanks! But let's see if you can actually cook better than my brother," she dared.
Noah rolled up his sleeves. "Okay, what do you want to eat?"
"Hmm… ramen from the top right cupboard, sushi with rice from the left one, and fish and veggies from the fridge."
Noah raised an eyebrow. This kid knew her ingredients well.
He set to work, expertly preparing the meals as Cherry sat and watched, her face alight with wonder. The kitchen was soon filled with the heavenly smell of cooked food.
Finished, he presented the ramen and sushi on the plates carefully, making sure they looked as great as they tasted.
"Here, have some," he offered, presenting her with a plate.
Cherry couldn't wait to taste the ramen and took a huge bite, eyes widening in glee.
"Mmm! My taste buds are dancing!" she cheered.
Noah smirked. "Told you I'm better than your brother."
Cherry pouted, then slightly nodded, accepting defeat as she continued to munch on.
"Okay, now let's do some art," Noah suggested.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, still chewing on her snack as they headed in the direction of the art room.
"So, what do you wanna draw today?"
"Dawlphines!" she replied, still chewing.
Noah laughed. "Dawlphines, eh? Okay, go grab your crayons."
While Cherry dashed away, a booming voice called out her name from outside the door.
Noah tensed. The ensuing knock was resolute, practically imperative.
"Phi-Noah, open up the door," Cherry called out from the other side of the room. "It's got to be my brother."
Noah breathed in relief—it was a person she recognized. Yet he was intrigued as well. Who was this brother of hers, anyway?
He paused before he unlocked the door.
As soon as it opened, they met eyes.
Noah caught his breath.
The man standing in front of him was imposing—his fuzzy brown bangs fell carelessly over one eye, the slim stainless-steel glasses sitting just so on his nose. His lips, full and irretrievably kissable, parted in shock. A slender chain lay loosely around his neck, finishing the effortlessly dashing look."Why the hell does he look so good?"
But in a moment, his face changed.
"Shit?" Kai's tone fell to a threatening growl. "You again? What in the world are you doing in my sister's bedroom?"
Noah automatically stood up straight, but he refused to appear intimidated.
"You hired an art tutor via Celine, didn't you?" he replied coolly.
Kai's jaw tightened. "Yeah, but I warned her not to hire a sasaeng. I don't even know if you're a good person or not."
Noah just looked at him, shocked.
Kai took out his phone and made a call.
"Celine, who the hell did you hire? Do you even care about my security?"
"No, but he's not a sasaeng," Celine's voice rasped over the speaker.
"How can you be so certain?"
"Because he doesn't even know about Neon Hype."
Kai laughed. "Every sasaeng would lie like that in order to be hired, don't you think?"
"But I told you about him, didn't I?"
"Whatever."
With that, he hung up and returned to Noah, his face neutral.
"Out of my house. Now."
Before Noah could respond, a small voice interrupted.
"He won't go anywhere!"
Kai's hardened gaze softened instantly as Cherry stomped toward him, holding a box of crayons, her face scrunched in defiance.
"Cherry, don't argue," he sighed.
"No, Dada! He's the best tutor! And he made food better than yours!"
Kai blinked.
Cherry complimenting another person's food? Never in his life had that happened before. Wary, he snagged a roll of sushi off her plate and took a bite.
Damn.
It was actually better than his.
No way in hell, though, that he would acknowledge it.
"Hmph. Not that good," he growled. But Cherry was onto him.
So he remains?" she asked, her eyes hopeful.
Kai let out a sigh. ".Fine."
"Yay!" Cherry exclaimed, embracing him and covering his face in kisses. Kai chuckled, scooping her up into his arms.
Noah observed them silently, a faint sting of nostalgia striking him. He used to love his sister just the same way.
As Kai set Cherry down, he turned back towards Noah, moving closer.
Noah's heart raced.
Kai inched closer, his warm breath on Noah's ear.
"Just for my sister, I'm allowing you to stay," he whispered, his voice falling to a low, nearly seductive register. "Do anything suspicious, and you're out. I don't care what Cherry wants."
Noah swallowed hard.
What the hell is this feeling?