Counting the Days ~♡

"Between logic and Heart"~

Author Pov:

The night fell softly over Seoul when a black car pulled up in front of Jun's mansion. The city lights shimmered through the tinted glass as Xu Minghao stepped out, his posture casual yet effortlessly elegant - the kind that made people turn for a second look. He removed his sunglasses even though it was already past eight.

Jun waited at the entrance, his hands tucked in his pockets, that familiar heavy sigh still lingering in his chest after his talk with his father. His expression was calm, but his eyes gave away the weight he carried.

"You called me back from Beijing just for this?" Minghao said with his usual playful tone as he entered the mansion. "You better not say you broke up with another girlfriend again."

Jun shot him a look - half glare, half exhausted amusement. "I don't even have one to break up with, Hao."

They both sat in the living room, where the warm lights cast a soft glow over the dark furniture. The silence hung for a second before Jun finally spoke, his voice lower this time, thoughtful.

"My dad wants me married before this year ends," he began, leaning back on the couch. "He said if I don't, he'll cancel all my upcoming projects. Every single one."

Minghao raised his brows, sitting up. "Wow. Classic Mr. Wen move." He leaned his chin on his hand, processing. "So... he's forcing you into a life you're not ready for. Again."

"Yeah." Jun gave a dry chuckle, but there wasn't much humor in it. "He's set up blind dates, sent profiles... it's endless. I told him I'm not interested. And yet, he won't listen."

There was a long silence - the kind that only happens between old friends who knew each other too well. Then, with a slow grin, Minghao tilted his head.

"You remember my idea?" he asked.

Jun blinked. "Your idea?"

"The one you brushed off months ago," Minghao said, smirking. "A contract marriage. Simple. Clean. No emotions, no pressure. You get your dad off your back for a while... and no one gets hurt."

Jun stared at him for a long moment. The idea lingered in the air like smoke, daring him to consider it. He let out a tired breath. "You think that'll actually work?"

"It will, if we do it right." Minghao leaned forward, eyes glinting with calm confidence. "But we have to be smart about this. Your fans - and your saesangs - will dig like hungry wolves if they smell something off. We'll need someone who's not from the industry, someone quiet. A person who doesn't crave the spotlight."

Jun's gaze drifted off for a second, to the large window reflecting the night city beyond it. His mind replayed the small incident - that girl from the café, the one who spilled coffee on him, the one who smiled awkwardly and bowed three times, cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Ramiel.

He didn't even know her name yet. But somehow, her face came uninvited - like a song he couldn't forget after hearing it once.

Minghao noticed the flicker in Jun's expression and smirked. "You're thinking about someone."

Jun blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Don't 'what' me," Minghao said, pointing at him with that knowing look. "You just got that faraway face - the one you make when your brain's connecting feelings you don't want to admit."

Jun exhaled, shaking his head with a faint, helpless smile. "It's just... some girl I met by accident. I don't even know who she is."

"Then find out," Minghao said instantly. "You already found your comfort zone, bro. That's rare for you."