"The more you hide your feelings for someone, the more you fall for them."

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Chapter Nine

Hailey's POV

"Helen! I'm going to borrow your car for a while! We're out of groceries!" I yelled from my room, getting ready to leave.

"Alright! Just don't crash it!" she shouted back.

"No promises!" I smirked devilishly although she could not see me.

I took her car keys and began to leave, shutting the door behind me.

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After I had parked my car in the parking lot in front of the supermarket, I got out from my car and headed straight to the area where they kept the shopping carts.

I rummaged through my purse to grab a coin so that I could insert it to the slot to release the lock for the shopping cart. I cursed under my breath when the coin dropped from my hand. I bent down to grab it, but someone beat me to it and handed me the coin.

"Thank— Ian? What are you doing here?" I raised an eyebrow.

I swear this guy always appeared everywhere I went.

"Think you're the only one buying groceries?" He grinned.

"You know how to cook?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"Ouch. I'm offended by your surprised tone." He pouted and placed his hands to his heart.

"Well, guys usually don't know how to cook. Just saying." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Do you realize that you're stereotyping right now? Tsk tsk. I didn't know that you were a sexist." He shook his head in disapproval. "And besides, most of the famous chefs in the world are men, you know."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I dismissed him, realizing that he was correct.

As soon as I put my coin in the cart, he took control of it and began to pull it out.

"Hey!" I yelled.

He ignored me and strode to the entrance of the store. I hastened towards him, trying to outpace him.

"What are you doing?" I asked when I was getting near to him.

He abruptly stopped walking, which I didn't expect, causing me to collide against his hard back.

"Ouch." I rubbed my forehead.

"Let's just go shopping together, shall we?" he asked before pinching my nose suddenly. I rubbed it instantly after he removed his hand from my nose.

"You look like a clown," he stated, grinning like an idiot when he saw my red nose. Noticing the annoyance on my face, he quickly added, "I mean— a cute clown."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring his insult-compliment, or whatever it was. I silently checked him out. He was wearing a light grey T-shirt with Poland flag printed on it, along with dark blue jeans, but damn, he could pull off a simple outfit but managed to look good. Really good.

"So what do you say? Going grocery shopping together? It's on me." His question was followed by a captivating smile, showing off his adorable dimples that could melt any girl's heart. I swooned over his attractiveness.

No. I don't think I can spend any more time with you and your hotness. I'm afraid that I can't repel you any further. You're too perfect for your own good.

"Sure," I replied instead.

"Great." His vibrant green eyes lighted up.

"But you don't have to pay for my groceries. I'll pay for mine separately."

He frowned. "No, it's on me. I won't take no for an answer."

Before I could argue even more, he began to speak, "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't I cook dinner for you and Helen tonight? You know, as a token of thank you because you made breakfast for me a few weeks ago."

He remembered.

As if reading my mind, he smiled and answered, "Of course I remember. I remember everything about you."

My heart swelled. It thumped rapidly against my chest, making me feel like I might get a heart attack. My stomach was in knots. The butterflies in my stomach started to go wild, fluttering about.

I blushed. "Sure, that sounds good."

"What do you want to eat?" he questioned.

I'll even eat metal if you cook it for me.

But of course I wouldn't say that. So instead, I replied, "Anything on your mind. I'm not fussy, really. What do you want to eat?"

He scrutinized my face for a moment before answering, "You." A smirk planted on his lips.

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't know you were into cannibalism. Guess we learned something new everyday, huh."

"Baby, I wanted you more than for cannibalism. I'll eat you out so good that you'll moan—"

"Stop!" I gasped in horror and immediately went to cover his mouth. "We're in public!" I whispered harshly. 

An old lady who was walking by us shook her head disapprovingly and glared at us before muttering, "Kids nowadays. So disrespectful. So disgusting."

"Sorry," he replied without a hint of sorry. He smirked devilishly.

That was so embarrassing. I preferred it if ground would just swallow me up right now.

"How about spaghetti Carbonara for tonight?" I asked him, changing the subject.

"Anything for you, princess."

He went to grab all the ingredients that we needed to make spaghetti and some other groceries that he needed. I did the same. Isle after isle, we finally completed buying the necessary things. When we were at the seafood section, he stopped in front of an aquarium full of fishes.

"Look at these poor creatures," he said excitedly, mimicking a child's voice.

I laughed at his childishness. "I think that one likes you," I teased him.

"Which one?" he asked.

I pointed towards a random fish.

"She's pretty. I might ask her for a date later. Do you think I should?" he asked jokingly.

"You should." I laughed.

"But the thing is... she's not as pretty as you. Should I really ask her on a date?"

I swatted his arm playfully. "Stop with the pick-up lines."

"Hmm, I don't think so." He stuck out his tongue.

When we came across the small in-store bakery, my eyes wandered around. In the display cabinets, I spotted a slice of red velvet cheesecake with strawberries on top. I almost drooled.

Calm your hormone, woman. It's good enough that he wants to pay for your groceries, don't take advantage of his generosity.

I let out a sigh and walked away.

After we were done with everything, we walked out of the supermarket but then Ian's steps faltered abruptly.

"What's wrong?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I... uh... I need to buy something. Just stay here. I'll be right back." He started to get into the supermarket again before I could protest.

That's weird.

I went to sit on the bench situated in front of the supermarket. After a few minutes, Ian finally came back with a plastic bag in hand. He plopped next to me and started to take out two small take away boxes. He gave one of the boxes to me.

"What is this?" I inquired.

I quickly opened the box, revealing a slice of red velvet cheesecake that I was eyeing earlier. I widened my eyes in surprise.

Oh. My. Heart.

Ian...

He ran his fingers through his hair awkwardly. "When I was in the store earlier, I took a peek at the cakes and the cashier told me that they were having a buy one, get one free promotion. Since I wanted to try the cake, I got the other one for free. So that's one for you," he stated, bluffing.

Liar. He couldn't possibly want to try the cake. He saw me eyeing it before. Why did he have to be so thoughtful? It seemed harder for me to resist him day by day.

"Thanks, Ian." I smiled at him happily. While eating the cake, my mind drifted off before it hit the place where my curiosity hovered.

"Hey, Ian?"

"Yeah?"

"There's something that has been bothering me. About my job at your restaurant... do you have anything to do with it?"

He choked on the cake which I thought wasn't possible. After he regained his composure, he responded, "Pshh, of course not."

"Ian..." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What?" He avoided any eye contact with me.

"You better tell me the truth. I hate liars. You know that, right?" I glared at him.

He released an exasperated sigh and ruffled his hair. "Fine. Since there were many good candidates who wanted to work there, I might or might not recommend you to Mr. Carter."

Why does he have to be so caring? I'm just afraid that I'll really fall in love with him one day. And not just a normal fall. 

I'll fall really hard.

"Aww, thank you." I flashed a smile at him.

When I was done with the cake, he gazed at me for a while before his thumb lingered on my bottom lip, rubbing it gently.

"There was some cream on your lip," he told me, while his eyes were still fixated on my lips. We locked eyes intensely.

Oh my God. Doesn't it feel hot here, or is it just me?

My cheeks reddened. My heart was hammering hysterically. Avoiding his stare, I looked away from him.

"I'm gonna get home." I stood up and began to walk to my car, well, technically Helen's, without waiting for him.

Ian, you would be the death of me.

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Ian followed my car from the back until we arrived at my apartment. I didn't know why though. He could've sped up and drove past me easily with his sports car, but he didn't. He patiently waited behind me although I was driving a bit slow.

When I walked into my apartment, I saw Helen laying on the couch lazily while her mouth was munching a cookie.

Geez, this girl with her food obsession.

She started to speak, still nibbling her cookie without looking at me. "I swear this series is really interesting. It's about a girl who killed herself and she left some tapes about the reasons she did it." Her head slowly turned towards me. "Hailey, I think you should really watch—" she cut herself when she saw Ian in our doorway.

The cookie on her mouth dropped to the floor. She stared at him wide-eyes. "Oh, hi, Ian." She waved at him awkwardly.

God, Helen, don't make it too obvious that you're checking him out. It will just enlarge his ego.

She went to her room, leaving me alone with Ian.

I observed him while he was skilfully cooking. I insisted on helping him, but he compelled that I just left him to cook on his own, which I finally obliged.

A hot guy who can cook. Dayum. Being able to cook just increases the point to his hotness. Definitely my kind of guy.

After Ian had finished cooking, he expertly arranged the plates on the dining table. I took a seat next to him. I shouted for Helen to come eat with us. Right on cue, my stomach grumbled as loud as thunder, making it obvious that I was famished. Ian chuckled at me.

I took a bite on the heavenly-looking spaghetti. "Mmm, this is so good." I moaned, praising his appetizing spaghetti. I quickly savored it until I was full. Helen gave him a thumbs up, which he replied with a grin.

"See, I told you I'm a good cook," he complimented himself proudly. "There's nothing I can't do in this world. I wonder how I could be this perfect." He rested his index finger and thumb on his chin and glanced upward, like he was thinking.

I rolled my eyes. "Gosh, you're so full of yourself."

"You wish you were full of me," he retorted.

I almost choked. I quickly gulped down the water.

I might die because of this guy. Literally.

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My phone buzzed. I did a quick check to see the text message.

Are you ready? - Ian

I swiftly typed a reply.

Almost. I'll see you in 10.

Helen insisted on doing my makeup and hair when she sat me down at vanity and began to brush my hair. After drying my hair, she styled it into large bouncy curls that framed my face and shoulders. She started my makeup with applying foundation on my face before she touched it up with concealer. She then proceeded to slowly apply eyeshadow on me, blending the colors until it created smoky eyes look. After applying eyeliner, she used mascara to coat my every single lash. After she was done defining my eyebrows, she dabbed blusher on my cheeks before she blended it up. For her final touch, she applied a dark red lipstick on my lips that matched my dress. I was forbidden from looking at the mirror as she did my makeup.

After she was done with my makeup, she asked me to strip down so that I could finally wear the dress that I just bought when I went shopping with her yesterday. Fortunately, the dress wasn't revealing, which was exactly what I was looking for since I wasn't keen on looking like a hooker in front of Ian's parents. It was a red satin short dress that ended a couple inches above my knees. The sleeves were one-quarter, but since the upper of the dress was translucent, it looked like it had a sweetheart neckline while the area close to my neck was covered with lace, along with the chest area.

After Helen helped zipping me up, she finally let me to look at myself in the mirror. She led me to the mirror while covering my eyes with her hand, before she finally removed it.

"Ta-da!" she shouted, grinning.

I looked... different. My breath hitched. I lifted my hands to touch Helen's magic on my face, making sure that the girl in the mirror was actually me and not a fraud. My striking blue eyes looked bigger than usual with long black eyelashes and my lips were plump with red lipstick.

"You totally look hot. If I were a guy, I'd do you," she stated with a wolfish grin.

"Thanks." I winked at her.

My phone buzzed, indicating that there was a new text message.

"He's here," I informed Helen. "I'll see you later. Don't burn the house while I'm not here."

"No promises," she said with a smirk.

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Ian's POV

I sat on the hood of my car while waiting for Rose to come out. Today was the day that Rose would accompany me to my parents' anniversary party. If it was up to me, I wouldn't have gone there at all. Not only I had to watch my parents faking their affection to each other although their marriage was collapsing, but I had to meet my neglectful and womanizer dad.

Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Well, at least I wasn't a womanizer anymore. I stopped meeting other girls at once from the day I met her. I changed for her. For Rose.

And I also had to meet my enemy.

Right on cue, Rose walked out from her apartment building. Everything around me faded when my eyes landed on her. It was like there were only the two of us here, like the world stopped revolving around us.

She looked so attractive and captivating in her red dress. It was like back when I met her at the club. At the time, she also had a red dress on. But this time it was different. She was wearing that dress for me. To be with me. Her brown hair was curled beautifully, while her lips were tinted with dark red. Her glistening red lips were like petals of a beautiful flower, of rose. 

Those red lips that my lips would gladly devour.  

That was why she deserved to be called Rose.

She was very, very gorgeous. She set my body ablaze.

"You're so beautiful," I whispered, releasing a breath that I didn't realize I was holding.

She blushed. "Thank you." Her lips twitched into a captivating smile. I felt a strong urge to pull her to me and kiss the living hell out of her, but I held myself back. She wanted some time to think, so that was the thing that I would give to her. I wanted to show her that I was willing to wait for her.

Oh Rose, what should I do with you?

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Hailey's POV

He was drop-dead gorgeous. Handsome. Hot. Alluring. Charming. Words couldn't describe the way he was looking like. 

He was the definition of perfection.

He was wearing a crisp black suit, his brown hair slicked back, showing off his gorgeous face.

He took my breath away. He looked so good it seemed unreal. He was becoming more and more irresistible.

"You don't look so bad yourself too," I finally complimented him nervously.

He smiled boyishly, his dimples were on full display.

Those dimples...

"Let's go, shall we?" He went to open the door of the car for me.

I climbed into the car cautiously, afraid that the thin material of my dress would stuck anywhere and caused it to be torn apart. After my dress was safe, I heaved a sigh, my pulse ramped up when the realization hit me.

I had to meet with Ian's parents a.k.a Isaac's parents.

Well, the good thing is Isaac won't probably be there, since he doesn't go to college for almost four months since the day I humiliated him in front of everyone. He's most likely on a vacation right now.

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Ian put his hand on the small of my back while he led my through the throngs of people in his mansion-like house. He stopped once in a while to greet the businessmen and businesswomen who were there. When we finally arrived at a bit vacant area, Ian spoke, "I'm gonna get us a drink. Then I'll introduce you to my parents. Stay here, okay?"

I gave him a small smile. "Okay."

I stood awkwardly, my eyes wandered around the enormous house.

But then, I felt a presence behind me. A chill went down my spine, sending shiver throughout my body as I heard a whisper right next to my ear. I released a sharp gasp.

"Hello, Hailey."

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Dun, dun, dun! Who's the mysterious man? Find out on the next chapter!

xx,

Tris.