His impatient look became a surprised one when he heard his name. What is the most popular guy in our school doing in front of our house in the middle of the night?

“You know me?” he suddenly asked.

I didn't answer him and just looked at him because I still can’t believe what I was seeing.

“Never mind. Pretend you didn’t hear that.” he immediately said.

“But I already did….” I told him, meekly.

“I said, PRETEND you didn’t hear that!” He frowned and started to look for something, from his large bag. He took out a clear file and inside it, a Safety Contract showed up.

I quickly read the contents on the paper.

'Serenity's Agent does not make unnecessary contact with a customer's body. One will be dismissed for violating this contract. Also, one may be subject to criminal penalties depending on the degree or intent of the contact. If the customer is materially damaged by the Agent, the company will compensate the loss amount after confirming the Agent's fault.'

There were many other contents but, it was all about safety. Down below, his name and signature were indicated. Also it was sealed with a name which seemed to be the CEO of the Company. And oddly, they had similar last names. Should I ask about that?

“Don’t worry. I won’t touch you even without this.” Then he looked at me seriously and asked. “Why do you know me?”

I answered him by saying that I also attend the same school that he is attending. He seemed to be surprise with my words at first but then afterwards, he was back to being serious. With an annoyed face, he looked at me.

“If that’s the case then don’t tell anyone about this at school,” he told me. It also sounded like he was giving me a warning.

I just nodded because I didn't know what to say to him about that.

I noticed then, that we were still talking outside. I should've invited him to come in first. Feeling embarrassed, I ask him to come in. When I turned my head towards inside, Noah complained and came in with small footsteps. I asked him to sit down on one of the chairs while I sat as far away from him as possible. I kept my head down.

"You already know my name so I don't need to introduce myself anymore," he told me, stating the obvious. "What's your name, schoolmate?"

I could feel him staring at me. It was a persistent and a hot stare as if he was going to eat me. I forced myself to look at him and indeed, he was looking straight at me.

"Meredith Reyes," I told him briefly while looking at him.

Without saying anything, he stood up and wandered around. He was pacing back and forth and then suddenly, he brushed his head with madness.

What is wrong with him? I really can't tell.

It seemed like Noah was worried about something from the moment we've met. Is it because he met someone from the same school?

I heard that most people who use Serenity are women in their 20's and 30's. I would be surprised too, if I see someone from the same school.

Because I was also surprised to see Noah as an Agent of Serenity. And he told me not to tell anyone about this at school. So, is he worried that I might tell the other students that he works at a company that helps people to sleep?

"Would you mind if I ask you a question?" I quietly asked which made him stop from pacing back and forth. Then he looked at me.

"What is it?" he said as he went back to his chair.

"The contract that you showed me earlier. It has the CEO's name on it and you have the same family name. Are you related?"

I saw him tensed when I mentioned that so I retorted back. "I'm..I'm sorry. Please don't answer that. I was just really curious."

He didn't say anything at first. He was just looking as he answered. "It's fine. I figured you're going to ask that since I told you not to tell anyone about it at school." He sighed then continued. "The CEO is my father. So, technically we own Serenity. It's a young company and I don't really know much about the idea behind it. My father asked me to be one of the agents because we are still short on employees and according to him, I need to experience firsthand what it feels like to put someone to sleep before I take over the company, or something like that."

"Did you try asking help from your...friends?" I asked him carefully.

"I haven't told anyone about this," he answered almost immediately. "Not even my friends. So practically, I just spilled my secret to you."

My eyes widened because of what he just told me.

"Can I take your word that you're not going to tell this to anyone at school?" he asked. His voice has a hint of suspicion and he was looking at me with such an intensity that I cannot really described.

I tried to look at him straight in his calculating eyes without faltering and said, "My lips are perfectly sealed."

"Okay, then we're good."

I nodded at him until I felt a throbbing pain on both of my temples. I held onto my forehead because of that.

I could feel Noah staring at me with a surprise.

"You look pale," he told me.

"It's okay, it always happens," I said to him while still holding my forehead. "You don't have to care..."

My head really hurts as if it was going to crack. I groaned without knowing and I bent my body. I couldn't keep my body up properly. Just before falling on to the floor, Noah stretched out his hands and grabbed me.

"What are you doing? It's dangerous!" he said as he held me in place a bit roughly.

"I have a headache, so can't you hold me gently.." I told him weakly.

"Stop with that nonsense. Where's your bedroom?"

I lifted my finger and pointed towards my bedroom.

"Can you stand up?" he suddenly asked.

"I'm fine..." I told him but I don't think 'fine' was the right word to describe what I was feeling now. I don't feel fine at all.

"What do you mean 'fine'? It seems like you'll die right away if I leave you in this state." Noah seemed to be pondering for a moment, then bent towards my back. "I will tell you in advance, I'm not doing this because I want to. Something shouldn't happen to my customer when I come for delivery, so I'm forced to carry you."

I was about to answer him back when my vision shook suddenly. It was Noah who held me up. I wrapped my arms around Noah's neck unconsciously, when my body tilted. He waited for me to adjust and stood there impatiently then moved on.

As Noah walked towards my room, his touch gradually became more gentle.

I closed my eyes quietly.

As if he noticed my condition, he did not say anything anymore.

I don't think he's a bad boy even though I kept hearing it from the rumors at school. He became popular because of his bad boy image and tough demeanor. But, I think it was just all an act. Because when I almost fell down, he ran quickly and grabbed me. If it wasn't for Noah, I would have fallen down on the floor.

"Be patient and lie down," he told me. His voice is now softer.

After putting me on the bed, Noah went out of the room. And seconds later, he showed up with a glass of water in his hand.

"Drink this." he sounded grumpy, but he carefully held the cup.

"Thank you," I said to him after drinking.

He looked surprised. "I didn't do it to hear a thank you. I just did it because you are my customer. A customer!"

I looked at him weirdly because of his answer. When he saw that, he brushed back his hair in a frustrated manner.

"Did you take your pills?" he asked me all of a sudden.

I shook my head quietly.

"You idiot. Why are you suffering without pills?"

"I know that I'm foolish," I told him in order for him to stop asking questions further.

And besides, it's useless taking pills anyway. I wouldn't have suffered like this, if pills DID make me feel better. neither insomnia nor headache gets well with pills.

"No pills at home?" Noah asked again.

I shook my head again as a response.

I heard Noah made a deep sigh. "You'd better sleep then. Close your eyes."

I looked at him, confused.

"I said shut your eyes. I'll help you sleep."

With a bit of hesitation, Noah climbed up on the bed as if he had made up his mind on something. "Can't you put your blankets straight? You are so clumsy."

"I'm sorry, it feels stuffy..." I told him.

"Be patient." Noah was half-leaning instead of lying completely on bed. I had to look upwards in order to see him. Noah stretched out his hand and stroke my head slowly.

"Don't think anything strange. I'm just doing what I've learned. It's not what I want to do," he answered to the questions I never asked.

How long has it been since Noah stroked my hair?

A strange thing has happened. My aches were getting better and better from his hand gestures. But I don't think he realizes it at all.

My pale face gradually began to return to normal. As soon as my pain got away, I got sleepy and my eyelids became heavy.

It can't be. I never fell asleep this soon. Falling asleep in front of someone who I don't know?

The warmth of the repeated stroke felt very good. I needed some of this. I forcibly lifted up my heavy eyelids. I heard Noah sighed.

"Just sleep if you're sleepy. Don't try to resist," he whispered to me.

The face of Noah, looking at me with disgruntled eyes, gradually blurred.

And I fell asleep, just like that.