Yet up until they left the store, Yana still didn't figure out what hidden motive Luka had but soon she forgot about it anyway. And Luka's cheesy move was thrown out of her head.

Rather than that, both Yana and Luka were occupied with carrying the leftover fried chicken back to Yana's place.

"We're almost there!" it was already night and only the city lights illuminated the pitch-black sky.

"Is that so?" Luka followed Yana into the apartment complex, his arms carrying at least 6 large boxes. The smell of greasy fried chicken clung onto him and aired out the hallways.

Yana felt a bit bad but still put her two boxes on top of the pile Luka was carrying, "Sorry but I need to open the door."

Luka's expression was too hilarious but Yana didn't dare to laugh in fear he'd let all of her precious food fall onto the ground.

"Come on, get in," Yana fumbled with the keys for a while before finally managing to open the door. Turning on the light she let Luka into her apartment.

"You can put them on the counter," as Luka did what she said, Yana opened the windows.

"What do you think?"

"About what?" Luka looked around the modern apartment before letting himself fall on the sofa.

He pulled on his shirt a bit, unbuttoning to leave a gap to see his skin. Yana plumped next to him and pointed around, "Of my place?"

"Alright."

"Alright?" Yana puffed her cheeks but gave up.

"What's wrong? Do you want me to compliment your apartment?"

"No."

Yana's sparkly eyes diminished as a smile grew on Luka's face.

"I paid for the food and even helped you carry it, where's my reward?"

"R-Reward?" Lia froze.

She has calculated this absolutely perfect, carried it out beautifully until the smallest detail, so where the hell did this reward pop out from?

Yana knew she couldn't take his deeds for granted but she hoped that whatever made him nicer would include this free service but she was wrong.

"I'll work extra hard!" this was the only thing Yana could promise.

"Extra hard?" Luka narrowed his eyes and suddenly moved closer, Yana was having none of it.

Her heart was racing and each time he got closer to her, she moved back until-

"Stay still," Luka's arm slung around her waist and secured her in place. Close enough for their bodies to touch.

Another fatal cheesy move. Yana's face blanked and a sweatdrop rolled down the sides of her face, "Luka..."

"Yes?"

"Do you watch dramas?"

"Dramas?" momentarily Luka's grip on Yana loosened and she took the chance to bolt away from him.

Something was definitely wrong with him! What the hell was he trying to do? It was fishy. He definitely had some ulterior motives!

Luka looked at the place beside him and then at Yana who stood a distance away from the sofa. He could still feel the touch of her waist underneath his fingertips.

Luka sighed, "Alright, you said it. Work hard. I'll leave."

Yana nodded and saw him off. Before she closed the door, she told him, "Good night."

A gentle smile appeared on Luka's face, "Good night, Yana. See you tomorrow."

With a bang, Yana closed the door and raced to the bed. Luka was too scary. His plans to destroy her- she could see it! Her delusions rose again and fried her brain.

Meanwhile, Luka also had no idea why he did what he did. All he wanted was to be closer to her.

***

A month passed and the research project was about to come to an end. Luka spent his lunch and breaks with Yana and the others, gaining himself more and more friends.

The once outcast now was secretly admired by many females and only Yana managed to be in his eyes.

But Luka didn't want to admit, not to himself nor to others.

"Guys, guys, look what I've found!'' after Yana set down her tray of food she held up a poster.

"Basketball street comp?" Mia read it and raised her eyebrow, "You bloody wanna go and get trampled on?"

"Not me, I thought the guys could enter, also I've heard Luka used to play basketball. I want to see you play!" Yana's sparkling eyes returned yet Luka paid her no heed.

A simple, "No," was followed by chewing sounds.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Yana really wanted to see Luka playing.

No matter how he envisioned it, she couldn't imagine Luka playing basketball, much less any sports. But then again, if he didn't exercise, then his, well... well-built body wasn't possible.

"No."

"It's just-"

"Don't forget, we're at the final stage of the project. You don't have time to slack off."

But Mia knew Yana better, "What's gonna be in for you?"

Cough. "I just want to see Luka play."

"Liar, dirty liar's you," Mia threw her hair back.

"Fine," Yana couldn't believe she was seen through so easily, "For every team that enters, they'll give out restaurant vouchers. Not for any but LA CROIX! The LA CROIX! The-"

"No," Luka instantly stopped her before she could start to blabber on.

"Pretty please?"

No."

"Fine," just you wait, Yana added in her mind. She would get to secure those vouchers and the event prize no matter what.

"Don't even go and think of stupid ideas," Luka told Yana that he instantly saw through her.

"I won't, I won't, satisfied?" Yana waved with her hands as Luka stood up, taking his empty tray, "I hope so."

Yet once Luka left, Yana immediately shook Mia, "What should I do? Mia, I wanted them so badly!"

"How about saving your money?" Mia unbothered ate her food.

"I already do! Left and right!"

"Ask others to join."

"Why do you even think I turned to Luka? Because most here already enter, so we gotta form our own team!"

"We?" Mia raised her eyebrow.

"Mia~"

"Well, I can't help you, if he doesn't wanna, he ain't gonna."

But Yana didn't give up. Not even finishing her food, she decided to chase after Luka hoping to change his mind.

Outside the lecture hall, Yana was able to catch up to him.

"Luka!" seeing his figure about to enter the hall, she called out.

But it wasn't only Luka but also some other tall guys with smirks on their faces turning around to face Yana.

Yana has seen them before. They were Luka's so-called friends but she didn't like them. They were a bad influence so Yana just ignored them as they grinningly looked her up and down.

"Can you please reconsider?"

"I already told you no."

"But-"

"Hey, lil girl, he said he doesn't want to," one of the guys spoke up and waved her away, "Shush, shush now."

"It has nothing to do with you," Yana glared at him before turning back to Luka, "I mean it doesn't hurt-"

"Hey, you ain't gonna ignore me like this, are you?'' the guy wasn't happy about Yana's attitude and shoved his face before hers, "You're so fucking annoying. Isn't she, Luka? Isn't she?" the guy put his arm around Luka's shoulder.

Yana waited for Luka to defend her but instead, a bucket of cold water was tossed over her as Luka with indifferent eyes said, "She is."