Although a team of professionals was handling the engagement preparations, Yeri and Shin still needed to review and approve everything, from the guest list, theme, decorations, food and drinks, invitations… and that was only half of the still-unfinished checklist.
The engagement was only a couple of months away, and time suddenly felt painfully short.
Madam Zhi was busy as well, but Yeri didn't dare dump everything on her like she did during her debut banquet. Her mother had been shot at the hospital; even if she was recovering well now, Yeri wanted her to fully rest and perhaps continue treatment for PTSD.
Unlike herself, who wasn't traumatized by the ordeal, her mother was different.
In short, the engagement preparations were nowhere near as easy as she had imagined.
Just that week, she barely had any sleep, juggling school activities, tests, studying, and then returning to the penthouse only to find someone waiting to discuss the engagement preparations.
Earlier, the planner had gone on and on about the venue, gifts, and photography until Yeri's mind short-circuited.
Shin, who had originally ignored Saeki's invitation to hang out, must have noticed her exhaustion and decided to bring her here to relax.
Saeki, meanwhile, didn't stop running his mouth. He chatted so enthusiastically that Yeri ended up becoming curious about Calin and Tristan as well. She had also heard about the Ricci family's current difficulties.
Just when the conversation drifted toward Zahn and Lianna, the door opened and a somehow familiar face stepped inside.
The newcomer paused, surprised to see Shin Keir and Yeri there, but quickly masked his expression and bowed respectfully.
"The underground auction will begin shortly."
Yeri tilted her head and stared at him, brows furrowed. "You… have we met before?"
The man didn't even flinch. He simply smiled politely.
"Ah!" Yeri clapped her hands once, as if a lightbulb had gone off. "Right, you're the one who picked up Carpet. You remember a lost golden retriever at Horizon Valley, right? I was that dog's owner."
Pablo kept his composed expression, though he shot Shin a quick, subtle glance. How could he forget?
Before he could respond, Saeki jumped in, "Pablo, were you also with Rig at that time? I also saw the photos Rig sent with sister-in-law's dog," Saeki blabbered on.
Shin: "…"
Cold sweat trickled down Pablo's back. Judging from Yeri's utterly baffled expression, he could tell she had no idea he worked for Hexion and that his appearance at Horizon Valley that day had been anything but a coincidence.
"Photos? Who's Rig?" Yeri blinked, her gaze bouncing between Pablo and Saeki.
Then she remembered: Rig, the chauffeur who had picked her up and brought her to that establishment.
Was it the same Rig… or just the same name?
Tristan cleared his throat loudly, trying to distract Saeki, but as usual, Saeki was unstoppable once he started running his mouth.
"Rig works with Hexion! Pablo too. Didn't you know?" Saeki continued. "Now that I think about it, those photos were really great. I even got inspired to make a drama—"
Cough! Cough!
Saeki choked violently after Tristan abruptly shoved a fresh strawberry into his mouth.
Yeri was completely confused until Saeki mentioned Rig and Pablo were acquainted. Her eyes narrowed at the indifferent, poker-faced Pablo.
"It's nice to meet you again, Miss Zhi." Pablo looked calm on the outside but was internally screaming. He turned to Shin immediately, waiting for orders.
Shin waved a hand, and Pablo vanished like he'd been granted divine pardon.
"Tristan Felan! Are you trying to kill me?!" Saeki shot up, glaring. "Just because you're a bit older doesn't—"
Tristan used the opportunity to jab him in the abdomen and drag him out the door.
Yeri "..."
And suddenly, only the two of them remained.
Yeri turned to Shin, disbelief in her voice.
"You actually sent people to stalk me?!"
"It was only at that time," Shin replied calmly.
"Then what were those photos Brother Saeki mentioned? And what do you want with Carpet? Don't tell me the reason he's attached to you is because you've been meeting him behind my back?"
Shin frowned subtly. "You're making it sound strange. Rig just found your dog adorable. If you want, I'll make him apologize and delete the photos."
But Yeri clearly didn't believe him, her mind was already spiraling into bizarre scenarios.
"What exactly are you imagining right now?" Shin flicked her forehead. "Have you forgotten? You refused to see me then and even blocked all my attempts to contact you. I wanted to know how you were doing, so I sent some of my people. The thing with Carpet was a coincidence."
Yeri still looked unconvinced, eyeing him like he was definitely up to no good.
"So what took you so long to tell me this?" Yeri asked suspiciously.
"I forgot." Shin deadpanned, not a single trace of guilt or even basic shame on his face.
Yeri rolled her eyes. What did she expect? Even earlier, he hadn't shown the slightest uneasiness, as if the whole thing had absolutely nothing to do with him.
"If I hadn't made up with you back then… would you have continued to stalk me?" she asked, curious but instantly regretting it.
Shin's lips curled into a subtle smile, the kind a predator wore when its prey wandered too close.
Once he set his eyes on someone, escaping was nearly impossible.
Yeri's heartbeat stuttered. She had forgotten that even though they were getting along lately, Shin still had a side she couldn't understand, how he sometimes looked at her obsessively, with a longing and affection so intense it felt strange yet familiar.
"You're right, it's been a while," Shin said quietly, "but you still remembered Pablo. Are you that fond of him?" His gaze sharpened, bone-piercing.
Saeki's nonsense that day, saying she and Pablo looked like campus romance leads, flashed through Shin's mind.
Yeri was speechless. Sure, Pablo was handsome, but that was it. Just the passing impression of "oh, handsome stranger" nothing more.
Is it a crime to have eyes?
Since it took her a bit too long to deny it, Shin's expression darkened like she had cheated on him.
Clearing her throat, Yeri forced a smile. "Are you trying to turn the tables on me? You're the one who sent people to stalk me, so don't act like I wronged you. How about you compensate me instead?"
"So," Shin pressed, voice chilling, "you are fond of him."
Yeri was tempted to say yes as a joke, but her instincts screamed that was a suicidal idea.
Before she could respond, Shin added, "Don't tell me you're still thinking of dating around. Yeri Zhi, don't forget we're engaged."
Yeri: "…"
Date? Did he mean that nonsense she blabbered the first day they met?
That was ages ago. Is he sick?
Irritated, Yeri yanked her wrist free and stood up. "Date? Date your father! Shin Keir, if you don't trust me then this engagement is off. Otherwise I won't even know how I lost my eyeballs! Just because I remembered someone, you're assuming I'm fond of him?!"
She turned to leave, but Shin's hand shot out, pulling her back so abruptly she lost her balance and ended up sitting on his thigh.
"Let go!" Yeri snapped, scalp prickling. "Or while we're at it, why don't you introduce all of your friends? Or maybe I should ask Brother Tristan and Brother Saeki if they want to date me?"
Did he think she was a pushover?
He sent people to stalk her, how did she suddenly become the villain?
Shin remained entirely unbothered by her outburst. His arm wrapped firmly around her waist, his other hand cupping the back of her head and tilting her face toward his.
"You only have to say you're not fond of him."
His voice was low, hoarse, threaded with something sharp and dangerous.
"If I say no," Yeri snapped, "will you even believe me?"
"Yes," Shin answered without hesitation. "As long as you say it."
Yeri was speechless. Her annoyance drained away like someone pulled the plug.
With their faces only an inch apart, she finally noticed the tension in his eyes, the madness, jealousy, that frightening depth carved by years of longing.
What was wrong with him?
And what did he mean as long as she said it he would believe her? What if she was lying?
"I'm not fond of him, okay? I only remembered him because it had something to do with Carpet. I'm just good at remembering people's faces." Yeri muttered, trying to pacify him.
Satisfied, he cupped her face with both hands and kissed her.
The kiss was deep and claiming like he needed it to breathe.
Yeri froze, she pushed at his chest instinctively but, of course, she couldn't move him even an inch.
His body, tense seconds ago, softened as though her simple words had untied every knot inside him.
Was he drunk? No, that wasn't it.
Did he forget to take his medicine? Most definitely.
Unbeknownst to Yeri, had she said yes, even as a joke, Shin would've torn Pablo limb from limb.
The madness of the demon emperor he had sealed still simmered inside him, straining against his control.
She couldn't love him when she herself was a demon. Now she was human, capable of love, capable of choosing him and the mere thought of her liking another man made that ancient madness claw its way up his spine.
Her body, her love and affection should belong only to him. He wanted it all.
No one else.