"This is looking like a contest of who can act like they care less."

Chapter 17:

"What was that rumour all apbout?" Dilton bellowed as soon as he stepped inside my hotel room.

I hastily wiped the tears on face before Dilton can even see me and start bombarding me with questions.

"I already patched it up." I told him, annoyed at the fact that it's the last thing I want to talk about, at the moment.

"Oh yes dear, you did, you gotta be stupid to think that the media will believe it considering the fact that you aren't together now." He said

I visibly gulped. Oh no Dilton, please, you can't be thinking what I'm thinking. I was still conditioning myself when I see him again for two days and that's not applicable for any time sooner.

"I already made a reservation at fancy restaurant, two blocks away." Dilton said "You can't say no to this, I don't care if you have plans, cancel them."

"But Dilton!" I protested

Dilton didn't have any of it; he started walking out the door ignoring all of my protests.

"No, Clary! You will be doing this and that's final." He said

I pulled on my hair in frustration, "Why? How will I go to a date when the person is—,"

I was cut off the moment Dilton opened the door, revealing Chris who was just about to knock on the door.

My eyes welled up in tears but I managed to let it fall. Chris still looks good though, he was wearing a plain white shirt, khakis and some flip flops.

His face showed that he has no interest of being anywhere near my presence, his eyes are dull with bags even present under it. His usual cocky aura was replaced with a gloomy one.

The anger within me is provoking me to lash out on Chris, but I stayed frozen and speechless in my place. The scene of his fading figure replaying on my mind, it's not even anger that I'm feeling anymore, it was hurt. Hurt of being rejected by the only person I love.

"So, what did you called me for?" Chris asked in a cold voice, I cringed at the thought that I'll get to hear that tone again.

"I need you to go on a date," Dilton said "because of the rumour you stirred up. I already sent you the details."

Chris rolled his eyes, "I saw this coming."

He pulled out his phone from his pocket and shrugged, "No problem."

He then averted his gaze on me, "I'll pick you up at 8, according to Dilton's reservation."

His eyes were cold, but there was something that flashed through his eyes for a split second before it went cold again. The coldness in his eyes seemed to freeze me on my spot but I still managed to nod.

I didn't care if it makes me look rude but I slammed the door on their faces, because I couldn't bear seeing his face any longer. Just like I expected, the moment I leaned on the door, the tears on my eyes fell again, traitor.

How will I last a night with Chris, if I couldn't even look at him for five whole minutes? Tonight's goal, show Chris Jameson, that he doesn't affect me at all.

Chris showed up at my door, exactly a minute and thirty seconds before eight. Before you mention it, yes I was counting, hell it was dreadful.

Chris just stared at me as I opened the door, I reluctantly raised an eyebrow at him, because it was just awkward starring at each other.

"You look beautiful," his eyes widening at his own words

I looked at him incredulously. This bipolar jerk, a while ago he was cold then after he is showering me with compliments.

"Thanks?" I said, totally unsure.

The ride on the elevator is extremely awkward, I could see Chris stealing glances on me, I tried to act normal but it seems impossible. I mentally released a sigh of relief when a family entered the elevator, breaking the thick tension between Chris and I.

"I'll never get used to this." I muttered to myself, as I caught a glimpse of the crowd outside.

Chris instinctively grabbed my hand; I guess we're just used to this gesture whenever we encounter crowds. I didn't bother fighting it, all I need is someone to hold me, regardless of who is it.

"Thanks." I told him once we are seated on the car.

"You keep saying thanks." He laughed

I figure that if I'll act unaffected, I might as well treat him like we do before shit went down.

"What else am I supposed to say?" I retorted, Chris snapped his head on my direction obviously surprised; nevertheless, he smiled.

I'd be lying if I say that I don't feel those so called butterflies every time Chris holds my hand. It's hard to act unaffected, when I just told him that I like him and admitted to myself that I indeed love him.

Chris pulled over the valet parking in front of the restaurant that really looks fancy like Dilton said. I mentally scrunch my nose; this isn't definitely my type of a date

I shivered at the feeling of Chris' hand at the small of my back, that small gesture is enough to make my heart flutter. I need to remind myself that all of what he is doing is strictly acting.

"A window seat, huh?" I muttered as the waiter led us to the reserved table, "I should've known."

"The view is nice." Chris bargained

I glanced outside the window, in the corner of my eye. "Well maybe, I just didn't want to stuff my mouth with pesto while the paps are snapping pictures." I told him, rolling my eyes.

I tried to diminish the awkward tension, keyword: tried. After many attempts it failed. It's impossible to act like before with our continuous banters and bickering, when deep inside we know that we have some unfinished business.

Instead, I study his face intently, that's when I noticed the fading bruise just above his jaw.

"Where'd you get that?" I asked, tracing the outline of the bruise with my finger, I immediately caught myself and withdraw my finger.

He just chuckled, "My father tried to knock out some senses on me by punching me." He said. "He found out why you left."

My eyes widened, "You told him?"

"Everything. I can't lie to my father, Clary." He said, staring at my face.

"Is there something on my face?" I consciously asked

He shook his head no, "No, you're just very pretty."

I rolled my eyes, "The cameras are used for taking pictures, and they can't really hear what you're saying."

"Who said it's for the camera, huh?" he asked, leaving me speechless as if I'll get my hopes up.

Chris suddenly jolted up and got something from his pocket.

"By the way, before I forget dad wants to give this to you." He said giving me a leather box

I opened the lid, revealing a charm bracelet.

"It's beautiful," I murmured

"It was my mum's," he said "But it's yours now."

"I can't just accept it," I told him "It means a lot but maybe one day you can give to the girl who'll be your real girlfriend."

"That's ridiculous, my dad loves you, that is why he asked me to give this to you," he chuckled "Here let me put it on you."

He gently grabbed my wrist and clasped the bracelet together.

"Thanks, Chris" I said looking at the bracelet, I did my first instinct; it was to kiss him on the cheek. My eyes widened at what I did but Chris just cheekily smiled.

When boys said that girls are complicated, well that's hypocritical because boys are damn complicated too, for example, Chris Jameson.

Chris acted way too sweet tonight, peppering me with his fake kisses, showering me with endless compliments and succeeding to have me forget that I'm mad at him for the whole hour we're together.

I'm started to think that I'm not the only one who have a twin, coz Chris looks like he does too. His other twin was the cold Chris from high school and the one who arrived a while ago. While this Chris who is sitting in front of me is the Chris I actually fell in love with, the guy who borrowed the No.2 pencil and the guy who I met again in San Francisco.

That messed up my feelings, instead of feeling hatred, I fell deeper than I intend to. How do you hate somebody you love especially when he makes it impossible to do so?

The plan of being unaffected by Chris backfired and came biting me in the ass. Apparently, just a simple smile from Chris makes my heart to backflips and such.

'I shouldn't be feeling this' I thought to myself. I should be mad at him for causing me pain, but I can't. As I was about to scold myself, Chris suddenly put his arms around me, bringing me closer to him.

He led the way to the car, proceeding to my side to open the door for me, he placed his hand on the handle but before he opened the door, he turned me around, engulfing me in a hug. I could swear that I heard him say 'I miss you' but I convinced myself that it's just my imagination playing tricks on me. With a kiss on my forehead, he finally opened the door and let me in.

"Thanks for tonight, Chris" I told him, as we stopped in the parking lot at the back of the hotel

He just nodded in acknowledgement. Thinking it's my cue to leave, I opened the door and went down but before I can even close the door of his car, Chris went down.

He approached me and suddenly brought me closer, till the distance of our lips are only inches apart. I tried to wiggle out of his grasp but he's too strong for me, in return he placed his hand on the back of my head bringing me a little bit closer.

"What the heck are you doing?" I whisper-yelled

Instead he replied "Put your arms around my neck"

"No" I answered almost immediately

"Just trust me, Clary" he said "I got this, there are paparazzis"

I hesitantly snake my arms around his neck, but I got this weird feeling that someone is also watching as from behind.

I could feel my heart hammer on my chest, let's get this over with, I brought Chris closer to me, and did not hesitate to kiss him on the lips. Once our lips touched a surge of electricity went through my body. Chris didn't take too long to respond and he started kissing back a second after I put my lips on his. We were out of breath when we pulled apart, my legs feels like jelly and I can't seem to look at him in the eyes.

Chris has this cheeky grin across his face "That was hot" he breathed "I love it when girls do the first move"

And he's back, his comment made me blush but he didn't need to know that.

We walked back in the hotel, the awkward air is present again, thinking of the kiss that just happened just adds up to the tension. I bit my lip still not over the sensation of his lips on mine.

Once we reached our floor he waited for me to opened the door, "Bye, Chris." I said as I already unlocked the door.

He stayed quiet, just staring at me.

"Good night." I said

Chris reacted at that, pinning me on the wall beside my door, giving me lips a chaste kiss. "Good night, Clary. Sleep tight." He said, with that he started making his way to his room.

I was supposed to protest, when he turned around but he beat me into talking.

"It was not always for the camera, Clary." He told me.

Tell me how am I supposed to sleep tight, after that kiss, what he had said and my fucked up feelings. Chris Jameson, what are you doing to me?