Eren flinched when his boutonnière suddenly flew off, snatched away by the wind. He reached for it instinctively, but it sailed just beyond his grasp. Desperate to retrieve it, he climbed onto the railing, leaning out a little too far. His foot slipped, and his balance faltered—when a strong hand clamped around his wrist and yanked him back down to safety.
"What the hell are you doing?" the man scolded.
Eren turned in surprise, breathless. The stranger's sharp features and the clean lines of his tailored suit made him momentarily forget his answer.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?" the man pressed. His dark eyes scanned Eren up and down. "Judging from that suit, you were supposed to be part of the group wedding. Let me guess—your groom never showed up?"
Eren's jaw tightened. "He didn't show, that's true. But I wasn't trying to kill myself."
"Then what were you doing? Sightseeing from the railing?" the man asked dryly, one brow arched.
"My boutonnière flew off. I was trying to get it back. Thanks to you, it's gone now." Eren's voice cracked with bitterness. "Fitting, isn't it? My groom left me on our wedding day, and even the flower on my chest decided to abandon me."
He turned and walked back to the bench where he had left his few belongings, slumping onto it with a heavy sigh.
The stranger followed him slowly, eyes flicking to the scattered suitcase and rumpled clothes beside him. "Let me guess again," he said, lowering his voice. "You were kicked out of your cabin too. Did your boyfriend replace you with someone else?"
Eren froze, his hands stilling on the handle of his suitcase. He looked up at the man, pain written plainly across his face.
"They're using my cabin. The one I paid for," Eren said bitterly. "They're in there now, honeymooning. Ironic, isn't it? My money, but someone else reaps the joy. Do you know I poured all my savings into this? I thought this cruise wedding would make my dreams come true. Instead, it's where everything shattered." He wiped at the tears threatening to fall.
He let out a humorless laugh. "Why am I even telling you this? It's not like you can fix it."
He started to lift his suitcase, ready to walk away, when the stranger caught his wrist firmly.
"Just like that? You're giving up and walking off?" the man asked, his tone sharp.
Eren looked at him, exhaustion etched in his eyes. "Tell me, do you even see me? You've been quick to guess at everything—my wedding, my cabin, my heartbreak. Then guess this. Why did the man I love throw me aside for someone he just met today?"
The stranger studied Eren's face in silence, then reached up slowly. Before Eren could react, the man plucked the glasses from his face and snapped them in half.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Eren shouted, startled.
"You don't need these," the stranger said coolly.
"What do you mean I don't need them? I can't see properly without my glasses," Eren retorted, anger rising in his chest. "I appreciated your help earlier, but this—this is too much. Breaking my glasses? How do you expect me to—"
"Stop complaining and follow me," the man cut him off. He slung Eren's suitcase over his shoulder as if it weighed nothing and began walking ahead.
"Wait!" Eren called, stumbling after him. Without his glasses, the world blurred into shifting shapes and shadows. His foot caught on a step he hadn't noticed, and he pitched forward, hitting the floor hard.
Eren heard quick footsteps behind him. The stranger had turned back.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" the man said as he reached out, helping Eren to his feet and guiding his hand onto his arm.
"Who do you think is the reason I can't see properly?" Eren muttered, frowning.
"You complain too much. Let's go," the man replied curtly, leading him down the corridor.
Eren was stunned when the stranger stopped in front of a door and ushered him inside. The cabin was spacious—three times larger than his own, elegantly furnished, almost like a hotel suite.
"You've got more than a suit in that bag, right? Go change," the man said, nodding toward the bathroom.
Eren narrowed his eyes. "Why did you bring me here?"
"This is my cabin," the man replied easily. Then, with a sly smile: "Tell me, do you want revenge?"
"Revenge?" Eren repeated, confused.
"Just change your clothes. I'm in the mood to teach your so-called fiancé a lesson," the man declared.
Eren stared at him, baffled. Why was this stranger offering to help? Was it because of the story he had shared earlier? Who was he to show such unexpected kindness? Or was this just another trick, another deception waiting to happen?
"Don't look at me like that," the stranger said, catching Eren's doubtful gaze. "You're wondering why I'm doing this. I don't have some noble reason. But I can't just sit back and watch someone like you cry in the corner." He shrugged. "Let's just call it my good deed of the day—and you're the lucky beneficiary."
Eren let out a short laugh, part disbelief, part amusement. "That's one way to put it. Thank you, I guess."
"You're being sarcastic," the man said, smirking.
Eren didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed a folded shirt and trousers from his suitcase and stepped into the bathroom. Even the bathroom felt extravagant, with polished marble counters and gleaming fixtures that looked out of place on a ship. Who exactly was this man?
When Eren emerged, he wore a plain button-down shirt and simple slacks. He felt more like himself, though far from impressive.
The stranger gave him a once-over, raising a brow. "That's what you're going with?"
Eren bristled. "These are clothes—the only decent ones I brought. Is that a problem?"
"They'll do," the man said, though his tone carried a teasing edge. "But if you think your ex will regret losing you in that outfit… well, you're aiming too low."
Eren's protest was cut short when the young man suddenly seized his wrist and pulled him out of the cabin.
"What the hell—?" Eren stumbled after him, bewildered, until they stopped in front of a salon nestled within the cruise ship. He hadn't even known such a place existed. From the outside, it looked modest, but inside it felt like stepping into a luxury boutique—bright lights, racks of tailored suits, mirrors lining the walls, and staff moving with practiced efficiency.
"I have a very difficult assignment for you," the young man announced to the stylists who approached. His tone was commanding, drawing every gaze.
One of the staff gave Eren a once-over and muttered, "Sir, this isn't exactly the kind of place he was meant to be."
Eren frowned, bristling at the remark, but the young man ignored it.
"I've heard you're the best," he continued smoothly. "Prove it. Make this man the most striking guest tonight, and you'll have earned yourself a loyal customer."
The staff exchanged looks before one nodded. "We'll take care of it." They guided Eren away.
He shot the stranger a confused glance. "Why are you—"
"Just go," the man cut him off with a faint smile, already settling into a sofa and flipping through a magazine as though this were all routine.
An hour later, when Eren stepped back into the lounge, he almost didn't recognize himself. His usually unruly hair was neatly styled, his broken glasses replaced with sleek contact lenses. Instead of his wrinkled shirt and slacks, he now wore a dark tailored suit that hugged his frame perfectly, the crisp lines sharpening his features.
The staff beamed proudly. "What do you think, sir? He's got the look—he just needed the right presentation."
The young man closed his magazine and stood. For a moment, he didn't speak, simply letting his eyes linger on Eren. Then, with a small nod, he said, "Perfect." His lips curved in a faint smile. "You clean up well, Eren. You're handsome."
Eren shifted uncomfortably, tugging at his cuffs. "Why am I dressed like this? Where exactly are we going?"
"There's an auction at the casino tonight," the man replied casually. "I'm certain your ex will be there. Don't you want to see his face when he realizes what he threw away?"
Eren blinked. "And how do you know he'll be there?"
"I just do." The man offered his arm, eyes gleaming with something between amusement and mischief. "Now stop asking questions. Walk with me."
Eren hesitated, staring at the stranger's outstretched arm. Who was this man, really—and why was he helping him? For a fleeting moment, suspicion stirred… but beneath it, something else flickered. Curiosity. Maybe even the smallest spark of hope.
With a steadying breath, he placed his hand on the man's arm, allowing himself to be led out of the boutique.