The bags were packed for tomorrow.

Luke dropped me in the hotel that Ryder asked me to come.

"Be safe", he said before vanishing on the road.

The cold air hit me and thanks to my jeans I was not frozen yet. Fancy restaurant didn't mean fancy dresses to me.

I wore the same jeans but matched it with white shirt with a denim jacket.

The glass doors slid open. The restaurant was elegant. People were 'dressed' for it.

I clutched my bag making sure my card didn't disappear. I was still wary of Ryder. He was unpredictable. Who knows he asks me to pay the bill?

One of the staff greeted me with a smile, "Hi Ma'am. Do you have reservation?", he asked and I didn't mean his quizzical look.

"Can you check for Ryder or Emily?", I requested and waited until he returned.

"Sorry Ma'am we don't have any reservation under that name. Can I look for any unreserved tables?". Now, he would've thought me as a freak to lurk into the hotel.

For the first time, I called Ryder. He surprised me by picking up within three rings.

I was silent telling my ego to calm down and let me ask where he was. I didn't even know his last name to check.

"If you're not gonna talk cut the call", he commented

"I can't find the table", I growled.

"Just come find the table, Emily"

If I wasn't so annoyed my heart would've burst for him calling my name. My feelings towards was very contradicting. I hate him but still he affect me the ways I couldn't describe.

"Trust me. If I enter one more time they'll call security"

"Where are you?", He huffed.

"Outside the door."

"I'll get you", he informed before cutting the call.

He came outside the doors calling for me.

Everything went in slow motion. His black shirt highlighting his body and the blonde slicked back with his eyes with swiveling green.

I shook my head. I definitely need to sought out my thoughts when I was with him.

He put his hands on the small of my back. He nodded at the guy who asked me for reservation. He gave me an awkward smile which I returned.

He took a detour, guiding me to the elevator.

The place was hot, too hot. Ryder was looking straight at me through the elevator doors.

I stepped back making some room for us. When the elevator passed the fifth floor Ryder was infront of me, caging me between his arms.

He leaned towards me and I accidentally inhaled a chunk of his sweet scent.

"Hey", he said in a low voice with his breathe hitting my face.

I didn't reply and kept my stern face with eyes locked with him.

His features engulfed a smile and stepped closer to me.

"What are you doing?", I barely formed the sentence between the heavy breathing.

"The thing you want. Only us, alone.", his eyes darted down to my lips for a split second.

My eyes seemed to follow him, landing on the plumb pink bundle before retracing to his blown eyes.

He smirked.

He leaned, "Don't", I protested pushing his chest.

He pulled away my hands, placing them on either side.

"Don't what?", He asked with his lips grazing mine. My breathe got caught when he planted a firm kiss.

My eyes went wide. He pressed into my lips when I didn't react.

The elevator ding was so loud but it eventually made him leave my lips.

He showed his infamous sly look and pulled me out of the elevator.

I was reeling back from the kiss to notice we were actually on the rooftop. A private table was on the middle of the area.

The sky was dark and wind was cruel.

I walked behind Ryder to the table.

He pulled the chair for me to sit. I looked at him, walked around, pulled my chair and sat comfortably.

He chuckled and sat opposite to me.

So many things were awkward and confusing for me.

Why a private table when all we had a pizzas? Why did he dress so formally? What was the kiss about and why the hell did I not push him away?

"Stop overthinking", he said as if reading my thoughts.

"Don't kiss me again", I said staring at him.

He scrutnized for a few moments and stunned me nodding his head.

"I have a little present for you"

"I don't need your present", I snapped.

He leaned on the table, " I think you are gonna love it"

There was something wrong with his tone. Cunning. Evil.

The elevator bell dinged breaking our silent warfare. My mouth fell to ground when I saw Dustin step out with Abby.

We had the same surprised expression.

"Emily", she called weakly.

I held her hand and dashed her to the rest room. Her heels clicking was too loud on the silent corridor as I pushed her into the restroom door.

"What are you doing here, Abbie?", I asked in disbelief.

She was in trouble. She shouldn't have come here. What if Ryder figures that I told Abby everything? What if he made Dustin threaten Abby into something she didn't like to?

"Dustin made me come here. He said we were having a private dinner and he wanted to spend the night with me since I told him I was leaving with you tomorrow"

My phone blared in my pockets. I saw my mom calling but I shut thinking I would talk to her later. The dire importance was standing infront of me.

I took a breather. "Okay. Okay. Whatever happens, Abby, never show you know about the video. That would make them act explicitly.", I said and she nodded in agreement.

We both made our way back to the corridor. The boys quickly shut the talk when they saw us arriving.

Wow, now this is interesting.

Ryder and Dustin were sitting on opposite sides. Now I had to choose between Ryder and Dustin.

Abby took out my options my sitting next to Dustin, not that I was going to sit next to him.

She smiled at him and his hands were on her thighs. Not able to bear their PDA I rounded the table and sat next to Ryder.

"What?", I snapped peeved by how he was looking at me.

He leaned towards me, tucking my hair behind my ears and whispered, "Aren't you happy that your friend is here? I can always show her the video but I am not for drama. So, we are gonna enjoy the date as you asked me to", his fingers feathering my shoulders giving me shudders.

I kept quiet fearing that he would such a stupid thing. Abby was being herself with Dustin atleast from what I could see.

Third time I shut my phone in annoyance.

The food came in, Dustin cut the steak for Abby. I glared at Ryder when he bought his knife to my plate.

He withdraw his hands with a smile on his face. "You are so cute", he said and all three pairs of eyes were on him.

Even Dustin was surprised that Ryder made a comment.

I brought my fork near his face." Talk to me like that one more time, I'm gonna stick the fork in your throat", I warned.

He gave me a lopsided grin but stopped giving me cringey comments.

Abby was asking me if I was okay with her eyes and I nodded.

This time when I saw my mom calling I picked up.

"Hey, mom. I'm a little busy. Can I call you back real soon?", I could hear ruffling and distant talk.

"Emily", I shot up hearing my mom's broken voice.

"Mom, why are you crying?"