"Because we're a couple now."

Because we're a couple now... Because we're a couple now?

Clasping his mouth with his hand, he worriedly asks "Have you lost it, Sasin?"

He's known Sasin since grade school. He had been in love to the man since high school. Even if his personality is the worst, he's always the best in everything. For five years, he courted the young, business prodigy, but if he's not out his way, he only received superficial shoving and insults from him. At long last, he quitted and left the genius alone.

It's been a year since Ruan stopped chasing after the cold-hearted Sasin. And now, what? He's saying they're a couple?

"You like me, right?" Sasin monotonously says as he scrolls on his phone.

"Wrong. I used to like you," Ruan rectifies then sits beside Sasin who's too actively engaged in his handheld device.

"That doesn't matter..."

"Huh? What if I tell you that I have a girlfriend?"

Sasin stops clicking and whips his empty gaze towards Ruan.

"You do?"

Looking away, Ruan clears his throat. "I don't."

"Figures."

"What are you trying to say?"

Sasin sighs. "Look. Just agree to be my boyfriend. I'll pay you if you want."

"What are you up to?"

"No questions."

Ruan hissed. "Then I don't want to. Get out-"

"Ruan!"

"What?"

"One million."

"No."

"Two."

"Three, four, five? No. Leave. Fast."

The raven-haired shuts his lips for a moment. Seconds later, he stands upright. "You're stubborn as always. Just wait, I'll make you come to me on your own," he tips off before leaving Ruan's place, once again breaking his screen door's locks.

After Sasin left, Ruan sits at the living room to guard his unlocked door. Biting his fingernail, he thinks about how he could've easily bought a studio with five million.

💬

Sasin gracefully sips on his warm cup of matcha green tea latte.

When he lifts his gaze to meet Ruan's, the college boy is still glaring at him, not touching the chocolate frappe and chocolate cheesecake he bought for him. At the moment, they're inside a five-star cafe where only privileged people hang out, usually businessmen like Sasin Young.

"You're wearing a letterman jacket. I desire one, too. Where d'you purchase that?" Sasin asked in curiosity after noticing the yellow jacket that he's wearing. He thinks about wearing matchy-matchy clothes with the guy even if it's far from his style. Isn't that a couple's thing? he thinks.

Ruan kicks the leg of the table, causing Sasin's latte to spill a bit. "You told my manager to fire me, didn't you?"

"Correct," Sasin answers truthfully.

"And you hired someone to watch my scholarship applications and deny all of it?"

Sasin hums affirmatively.

"All of that to convince me to be your boyfriend?"

"You've hit the nail on the head."

The ash-gray haired guy intensified his glare, trying to read through the prodigy's blank face. Sasin only stared back indifferently without any hints of wavering. In the end, Ruan gives up and picks up the fork to eat the cheesecake in front of him.

"If I decline?"

Sasin weaves his fingers together, leans in, then lands his chin on his clasped digits. He pretends to think then proceeds to raise a brow in a mischievous fashion. "I'll make sure to have your landlady kick you out of your cute apartment."

"And if I still say no?"

The raven-haired's face fell blank in amusement. "Then I'll contact your mother."

Ruan's fists balled. "Okay."

"Hmm?" Sasin cocks his head to the side.

"I'm going to be your boyfriend," Ruan clarifies, rolling his eyes afterwards.

Sasin modestly grins in victory. "Alright. I'll have your applications resumed at once. By tomorrow, I guarantee you can return to your job. In addition, I'll deposit one million into your bank account every month. You can also live at my place if you want. Wait, I think it should be one of my conditions. You must stay at my place starting next week."

Massaging his temples, Ruan just nods passively. Since he cannot ask questions, he'll just assume it's because of a business or family matter that is far from dangerous. "Fine."

"I'll call you Ruancompoop."

Ruan shoots him daggers. "Let's call each other babe."

Sasin looked at him as if he's disgusted.

"If you call me that then I'll call you Sashit."

"Babe," Sasin called and both of them had goosebumps. "Let's go buy the same letterman jacket for us to match."