The sun blazed above, its powerful beams filling the entire villa. The clock had already rung twelve—it was already time for Noah to go.
"Cherry, it's already time for me to go, so I'll be on my way," Noah said.
Cherry stared at him, then at the clock, and then shook her head in denial.
"No, you're not going anywhere," she pouted.
Noah was trapped. On the one hand, remaining under the same roof as Kai was extremely embarrassing. On the other, Cherry was obstinate—and, more importantly, she had said it so adorably that he couldn't possibly deny her. God, assist me with these torments.
The door creaked open, and Kai stood there, scowling like a displeased mother.
"It's lunchtime, Cherry. Let's go."
Then his piercing eyes settled on Noah, who was seated in front of Cherry.
"And you—you haven't gone yet? Just leave. Your time is over."
Cherry suddenly faced Kai, her eyes snapping to his.
"He isn't going anywhere, Dada."
Kai stared at her in utter shock. What sort of magic has he cast on her?
"Don't argue, Cherry. His task is over, so naturally he can leave.
"Please, Dada," Cherry complained, batting him with her cunning doe eyes.
Kai sighed. "Okay. Now come, let's eat."
Noah was a bit uneasy—it was his first time dining with outsiders like this. But before he knew it, time had passed. Now, the sky had turned dark, thick clouds obscuring the sunset. The clock was 6 PM.
"I think it's going to rain. Cherry, I should go now," Noah said.
"Yeah, you should leave already," Kai interrupted quickly, wanting to get Noah out of the house.
This time, Cherry didn't protest. She just nodded in agreement. Seeing this, Kai was finally relieved that Noah would be leaving.
Noah packed his stuff and was about to leave when he felt a tight grip on his arm. He knew who it was. Rolling his eyes in frustration, he sighed.
"What is it now?"
Kai smirked and moved in front of him.
"You'll be visiting here every day after 6 PM—when I'm back home—because I don't trust you with my sister."
"What the hell? Do you really think I'm a pedophile or something?" Noah snapped.
Kai barely whispered, "Who knows? Maybe."
Noah scoffed, ignoring him, and turned to leave. But today was not his day. Just as he stepped outside, the clouds erupted, sending heavy rain pouring down.
"Shit," Noah cursed, stomping his foot in frustration.
Kai's expression immediately shifted into an annoyed one.
Noah had thought of leaving anyway, but before he could, a powerful force pulled him back—too hard. He stumbled, falling onto the closest sofa. Worse? He had fallen directly on top of Kai.
Their gazes met. Time stood still.
Their hearts thudded in tandem, breaths intermingling in the intimate space between them. An unspoken desire flared in the air, giving birth to sparks neither of them dared to acknowledge.
A thunderclap restored them to reality, shattering the tension.
"To the guest room. Straight ahead, then left," Kai growled, his voice betraying no emotion. "Stay there tonight. Don't touch anything. Leave in the morning."
His expression was impassive, as if nothing had occurred. But on the inside? Inside, he was killing himself.
Noah just nodded and rushed off, closing the door hard behind him. He let out a heavy breath—he hadn't even noticed he was holding it.
Leaning on the bed, he looked up at the ceiling. The guest room was larger than he had thought. But before he could give a thought to anything else, the moment before flashed before him.
What the fuck was that?
A clap of thunder startled him awake. The rain continued to pour. When he looked at the clock, it was midnight already. His stomach growled loudly.
"No, not today. Not tonight, at least," he grumbled.
But hunger pangs were tormenting. With a disappointed sigh, Noah crept to the kitchen, not wanting to wake anyone up. He flicked on the light and soon spotted the ramen packages, all courtesy of Cherry and his excellent memory.
Boiling water, chopping vegetables like a five-star chef. The kitchen was filled with the smell of steaming ramen. He arranged it delicately on the plate to make it look as if it had come out of the finest restaurant.
Then—he sensed something.
A presence in back of him.
The space around him changed, making him shiver.
Before he could spin around, Kai trapped him against the counter, his body close enough to be dangerous. His face was inches from his.
And what, precisely, are you attempting to do?" Kai whispered, his deep, teasing voice making Noah's skin prickle. "Trying to impress me once more with your culinary abilities?"
His minty breath caressed Noah's skin.
Noah swallowed, his voice shaking. "Who would want to do that?" His voice trembled, revealing his nervousness.
Kai moved closer, his lips against Noah's ear as he breathed in his scent.
"Hmm. Smelling of teakwood," he growled, his voice falling into something perilous.
Noah's breath caught.
"What… what are you doing, Kai? Get off me," he was able to get out, but his voice wasn't as even as he wished.
Kai sneered. "And yet, you enjoy it. Don't you?" His eyes deepened. "You were damn sexy while you were cooking."
Noah swallowed hard, his hands cramping around the counter.
"Kai, stop this."
Kai's mouth twisted into a wicked grin as he ran his gaze down Noah's body, absorbing every inch.
"Not so soon, babe."
Noah, summoning what strength he could manage, gently shoved against Kai's chest. The space between them increased by a few inches.
Kai theatrically put a hand over his heart. "Ouch. You hurt me here."
Noah rolled his eyes and set a plate of ramen down in front of him.
"Wanna eat some ramen?"
Kai pushed back against the counter, smirking. "Why would I eat something else when I have something delicious right in front of me?" His voice was dripping with seduction. "I just wanna have you tonight."
Noah blinked in shock, as though he had seen a ghost.
Regaining some composure, he pushed the plate in front of him. "Here. Your ramen." Then, without even a glance back, he turned to leave.
But before he could get away, Kai pulled him back into his arms again.
Their eyes locked.
Noah's mind was screaming, What the hell is happening?!