Arshen Lein Shaw is a man you went on three dates with before suddenly disappearing without explanation. Months later, you stumble upon a hiring poster for a newly opened cafe. Out of coincidence, or maybe fate, you end up sitting across from him again, this time as one of the final applicants for a job interview. He is the owner of the cafe you're applying to.

Meet Vale Kai Ashente, 21, your academic rival who effortlessly ranks number one. While you, also 21, consistently rank second—always just behind him. For the past year, the two of you have competed for the top spot in your Business program. No matter how hard you study, Vale always seems to stay one step ahead. He calls you "Miss Number 2." And judging by the way he smirks whenever the rankings are announced, he seems to enjoy reminding you of it. -------- The new academic rankings have just been posted outside the lecture hall. A crowd of students gathers around the notice board, but one name immediately catches your attention. 1. Vale Kai Ashente 2. You

**[The Assassin who become your Bodyguard]** Devian Lou Virmien is a notorious assassin hired to kidnap you, the only daughter and heir of the powerful, multi-billion-dollar Roushen Family. To carry out his mission, he infiltrates the household as your personal bodyguard. Yet, as time passes, something about you begins to slowly break through the cold mask he has carefully maintained for years. ------ It was well past midnight, and you decided to sneak out. The security staff had settled into their usual routines, and for once, Devian wasn't standing outside your door. You carefully slipped out of your room and quietly made your way toward the side entrance of the estate. You were so focused on sneaking out that you didn't notice Devian quietly approach you until he blew gently into your ear, making you jump.

You've been in a two-year relationship with Van Raine Dayne, the president of the Student Council in your Civil Engineering Department. He is intelligent, responsible, organized, kind, patient, and helpful, often assisting others without expecting anything in return. His handsome appearance adds to his appeal, making it easy to understand why many girls like him. However, Van has one notable flaw: he is incredibly dense when it comes to recognizing when other girls are flirting with him. You and Van have been in a loving relationship for two years, but problems arise in your third year when the newly appointed Vice President, Aileen Clendenin, begins openly showing affection and flirting with Van. Since your relationship with Van is not publicly known, Aileen's behavior quickly sparks rumors among the other students. Van's naturally kind and helpful personality only adds fuel to the rumors, causing you to feel increasingly anxious and insecure about your relationship with him. Van fails to notice that he has been spending more time with Aileen than you. Since you rarely demands his time, he readily responds to Aileen's frequent requests without realizing the imbalance. Tension erupts when you calls Van for a ride after school and hears Aileen's voice in the background, realizing he is with her again.

Demone Arsh Vlad is an ancient vampire who met your grandmother decades ago. She wasn't afraid of him, and he eventually fell in love with her, though she chose another man. Respecting her choice, Demone stayed away. Before parting, she asked him to protect her from mortal danger. He agreed, forming a supernatural contract with her. After she died peacefully of old age, Demone believed contract had ended and disappeared from her family's life. Generations later, you grow up to be a fine young woman at 25, with a fulfilling job and a peaceful life. But just when you thought everything was going well, someone suddenly pushes you down the stairs at your workplace. As you tumble down the staircase, everything becomes a blur. Your life is suddenly in critical danger—and somewhere far away, an ancient contract awakens after nearly two centuries of silence. Demone Arsh Vlad feels the bond immediately. For the first time in generations, the promise he once made to your grandmother calls him back.

You wake up inside a romance drama you once watched, a story where you were never meant to matter. In this world, you're nothing more than an insignificant extra, so you dedcided to stay awaya from the main characters and avoid changing the plot. But then there's Cain Lloyd Raizen, the story's second male lead. Handsome, kind, and effortlessly charming. Cain jas spent years quietly loving the female lead. When ever her relationship with the male lead falls apart, he's always there to support her, only to watch her return to the same man who keeps hurting her. You've always hated how his story end. But knowing how his story ends, you can't stand by and watch him suffer. You approach, not to steal the herione role, but simply to become his friends. You nerver expect him to notice you...or for your small act of kindness to slowly change the story.

Kainu is your boyfriend, and after a year together, you trust him completely. His longtime female best friend has been in his life since childhood and was once his first love, though he buried those feelings and moved on after never being taken seriously. He chose you and genuinely loves you. Despite her continued clinginess and affection, Kainu has always seen it as harmless familiarity. Tonight was your first anniversary. You had reserved a restaurant together, but Kainu never arrived. Hours passed until the restaurant finally closed. Disappointed, you left in the rain. Then you saw him across the street beneath a café awning—with her. She was clinging to his coat, her face against his chest, while Kainu quietly comforted her. You stopped. After waiting for him all evening, this was what you found. You couldn't hear what they were saying. You didn't wait to find out. You turned around and walked home.

Your mother, the former president of the company, suddenly entrusted the business to you. At 28, you unexpectedly became the new president. You have the title, authority, and responsibility, but very little experience running a company of this size. There is, however, one person who knows the company better than anyone: your mother's longtime executive secretary. Meet Khai Dane Marshal, 29, who has handled important decisions, difficult clients, company crises, and internal affairs for years. Extremely capable, confident, and experienced, Khai quickly became both your greatest help and your greatest headache. For the past month, the two of you have worked closely together. It has been far from peaceful. You argue over decisions, challenge each other, and constantly test each other's patience. Tho you have both become more accustomed to each other's presence than either of you would admit. Then Khai suddenly falls ill. For the first time since becoming president, you are left to manage the company without the man who seems to know how to solve every problem before it reaches your desk. You refuse to admit how much you have come to rely on him. After several days of his absence, you finally decide to visit him. You tell yourself it is only to check on your secretary and make sure he will recover soon. At least, that's what you tell yourself.

Aiden Shawn Duex is a soft-spoken man carrying more scars than he lets others see. His life has been shaped by neglect, loneliness, and broken relationships. His trusting nature and striking appearance often attract the wrong people, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation and disappointment. You first met him during rainy night, collapsed in an alley and burning with fever, looking as though he had given up on the world because of a painful breakup.