"Glad you came. I've been keeping my eyes on you, following your scent which seems to be fading by day now that I think about it."

This guy was staring at me like prey. He wasn't ashamed to hide it either. Was this the best Mijin and Niel could find? He was undeniably good-looking and from the looks of it, he was aware people found him attractive too, and rich.

"What's your relationship with Stan?"

So upfront of him to ask me like that but I liked it in a way. He wasn't going to waste my time beating about the bush.

"We are not in a relationship if that is what you're asking. He helped me out and that's it. We have no connection with each other. None whatsoever."

"Funny that he said the same thing." He seemed amused by my response.

We had been sitting at the foodcourt next to the movie theatre. Mijin had suggested watching a movie together might give us things in common to talk about.

Leaning forward, he reached for his backpack next to the empty seat and took out a neatly wrapped gift.

"I was planning to gift this to you after the movie but seeing that you'll run away from me any minute, I better gift it to you now."

I took the colorfully wrapped box from his extended had. It felt quite light.

He laughed at my action. "I was mistaken to assume you'd reject it since we don't know each other well. You're a funny one Yeon. I like you already."

"Why would I turn down a gift? I never asked you to buy me anything."

"Then after the movie, I'd like to buy you a lot of gifts. We could walk around the mall and if you set your eyes on anything you like, let me know."

"What are you my mother?"

"No of course not. However, I'm aiming to be someone closer to your heart than your mother."

"My father?" What a smooth talker. I will play his game and let's see who outwits the other. What did he think of me? A naive virgin?

He seemed amused by my answer as he leaned back, laughing at what I'd just said. "I knew I'd like you. You seem to have a tough exterior but once someone got to know you, you're kinda cool...and cute too."

"Hey don't push it. Calling me cool is fine but cute is too much. I know how I look like so you're not going to fool me with that tease."

"I really mean it. I've always thought you were cute since I laid my eyes on you and I still keep that thought."

"Do you tell everyone you want to have sex with that?" Hell no would I fall for such crap. I'm the one who used to do it before, finding my mate and what not.

"If you're confirming if I have anyone I'm dating, the answer is no and while we are on the subject, I've never dated anyone before either." 

"You've cuddled with my sister..."

"Cuddled, I'm guilty there, I won't deny it. Dating, not yet. That's why I was hoping you'd be my first."

"You're quite forward. We've just met and you're already asking me to date you."

"Where is the lie? I like you and I understand it's stupid to have such high hopes, yet I still hope that you'll agree to go out with me exclusively."

"It will be bothersome to reason with you so I won't bother...and to choose to date me shows at least you have good taste."

There he goes laughing again at every statement I make. I knew I didn't have a sense of humor so clearly he was just faking it. Even my own sister never laughed at my dry jokes.

"Good to find out you're confident of your looks, though I must add. A good guy like you makes me apprehensive. Sooner or later, you will get a good partner, guy or girl, I don't know your type. However, the thought of someone else claiming your kisses, dates, time, sex or even worse, you introducing them as your lover to your family and friends angers me. I want to be the one who sits next to you, not someone else. I would definitely resent the person who will snatch you from me, and make me watch from a distance, call you a good couple and wish you two a happily ever after."

Was this a declaration of love or what? What the heck  was wrong with this guy? I hated to admit it but he was better at flirting than me.

"You must think I'm talking gibberish however, I don't want to be your friend. What's the use of friendship anyway when I already know I like you? It's just a silly self delusion to keep thinking that being your friend would be enough, because it would never be enough when it comes to you."

Why I'm I lying to myself pretending to be unmoved by his words. "Stop talking."

"Anything you want my dear Yeon."

I give up. If we sit here a little longer, I would find myself believing his words. He's probably used the same words on other people and now it was just a matter of copy and paste. "We have a movie to watch. Would you like to proceed?"

"After you of course." He seemed amused, as if he knew his empty words were getting to me.

The movie we selected had been one of the hot picks of the month, a horror. It was the first time I met someone else who enjoyed the genre as much as I did. Niel and Mijin were romantics and I hated such kind of genre for a movie. It always ended the same way. The good guy gets the girl or guy and what happens to the bad guy? I would enjoy a movie where the good guy ends up unhappy for once. Real life was different as opposed to what was painted in movies. A good example is what had happened to me.

Elric kept his word and walked me around expensive brands in the mall. I didn't hold back. I picked anything that caught my attention and made him carry all the bags.

"I'd like to open my present if you don't mind."

"Sure." He obliged without complaining. We walked in silence towards his car and as he put the bags on the back seats, I quickly unwrapped my gift, only to find it was one of the latest expensive brands of phones. He must have spent a fortune on it. 

"How did you know I needed a phone?"

"I asked your sister for your number and she told me you lost your phone. I saved my number already in there and had your number replaced too with the help of your sister. Now we can communicate as much as we want."

"But this brand is expensive! Even I wouldn't spend so much on a cellphone..."

"Even so, I'm just trying to get on your good side since I like you. I'm not the person to say I'll do more if you date me however, I plan on spoiling you whether you agree to go out with me or not."

I was feeling swayed by him. His actions matched his words, and he was open with me from the start about his intentions. I was tongue-tied the entire ride back to my apartment. He seemed comfortable with my silence though too. I assumed he was giving me time to process my thoughts. Maybe he wasn't a bad guy as Stan had painted him out to be. I couldn't believe I was actually feeling like I'd get along with him, another good looking guy. Will I ever learn?

I'd promised myself if ever I'd changed my mind about dating, it wouldn't be with a handsome guy who couldn't be snatched away from me by anyone, especially this guy who seemed to have it all. Good looks, perfect body, loaded... He probably had a big dick too.

"Isn't that your sister?"

"Looks like her." She seemed to be in a verbal argument with someone from the way she was throwing her hands in frustration.

"And that guy looks like Stan too."

Elric was right! What was he doing standing outside the building where I lived. As we got closer, Elric hooted to get their attention then parked the car just infront of them. He got out and quickly ran to the other side to open the door for me. What a smooth operator he was and as I stepped down, I saw Mijin's face lighten up as she ran towards me.

"Yeon!" She exclaimed as she grabbed the opened gift from my hand. "He got you a new phone!"

"And other things too Mijin. They are at the back..."  Mijin quickly opened the other door to scan the rest of the bags with gifts.

I was startled when someone grabbed my hand forcefully I almost thought it'd break.

"What do you think you're doing? Let go!" I glared at Stan and tried to break free but he wouldn't budge.

"Hey Stan, let him..." Before Elric could complete his sentence, Stan had sent him to the floor with one punch. He quickly stood up and punched Stan back, which sent both him and me falling down.

I could hear Mijin shouting in the back for them to stop as they held both my hands tightly, each pulling me away from the other. Before I could comprehend what was going on, a sudden heat swept all over me and a familiar sensation travelled down my spine.

I was going into heat again! 

I felt infuriated...but I had to calm down fast before anyone noticed. I tried to break free but both my efforts and Mijin's were futile.

"Let him go! He is letting out a lot of sent!" Mijin shouted.

Elric immediately let me go but Stan didn't. He quickly stood up and trapped me in his embrace. What was he thinking?

"Stop letting out scent! I can smell you dummy!" I heard Mijin shouting but between her yelling and the strong scent that came from Stan, I could hardly control what was slowly building up within me.

"Stan, you're chocking us both, your scent is very strong and if we can feel it, it must be hard for Yeon..."

"Stay away from us." Stan's voice sounded more like an alpha, warning others to stay away from his mate. It felt threatening, frightening...almost as if I belonged to him. What was he doing? What was he doing to my body? What's happening to me...?

Those were my last thoughts before everything went black.