started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Ten

It sinks in. Everything sinks in, finally. I didn't see it coming. I never would've seenthis coming. Ross almost kissed me. And the fact that I actually enjoyed it scares memore than anything else. It sinks in that I have feelings for Ross. Last time I likedsomeone; my best friend stabbed me in the back.

 What will happen this time? 

Ross doesn't even feel the same. Does he? No, he couldn't. Out of all thebeautiful and rich girls, he couldn't like me. He has a company to run and he needssomeone strong and beautiful—someone not me. He probably tried kissing mebecause of the spur of the moment. 

It's been twenty minutes. The electricity has turned back on but I've beensitting on the white-tiled kitchen floor for twenty minutes. I'm a coward. How am Isupposed to face Ross? 

My face is in my hands and my back is against the fridge. Why did I tell Ross Ihad to go feed my cat? I don't even have a cat. I wonder if Ross's still standing in theliving room, or if he left. He couldn't have. There's a storm. Wait, what if myrejection caused him to angrily storm out?

 Worried, I get up and dash to the living room only to find Ross sleepingpeacefully on the couch with the fireplace still crackling with fire. He looks so calmand serene. It fills me up with regret. I should've let him kiss me before I ran away.

 It's not too late, a voice in the back of my head says. I push that thought away.I don't want to violate him while he's sleeping. That'd be creepy. 

But he looks so tempting to touch. 

He looks young when he's sleeping. The crease on his forehead that's alwaysthere is gone. His face is acne-free and has better complexion than mine. I don'trealize I'm brushing his hair away from his eyes until his eyebrow twitches. 

I pull back immediately. It would be so awkward if he wakes up at thismoment. I owe him a kiss. He took all the courage to try to kiss me and I just shothim down and ran away. Besides, he's unconscious. No harm done. 

Taking a gulp, I slowly inch my face to his. His head is turned the other way soI take his face in my face and give him a quick peck. I smile mischievously. I feel sobadass.

 His eyes suddenly open. I smack his face. Lee shouts in pain and jolts up. Igasp, covering my own mouth in surprise. 

"Why did you hit me?!" he yells, clutching his cheek from the red mark that'sstarting to form under his hand.

 "Um, m-mosquito," I shrug. Ross gives me a strange look—maybe a glare—as ifhe's actually challenging the idea that I really hit him because a mosquito was onhis face. "You're welcome," I add. 

"For what?!" 

"Saving your blood from being sucked," I reply nonchalantly. "Now, come on. Getup. Let's eat some dinner." It's back. There's no awkwardness. We're back to theway it was before the whole candlelight scene. Ross's back to his cold, rich douchedemeanor, and I'm back to the girl who hates him. I'm glad. I'd hate it to be anyother way. 

I walk to the kitchen with Ross hot on my heels, still rubbing his cheek. Maybe, Ishouldn't have hit him that hard. He mutters something about when the lights hadcame back on. I glance over at him. His hair is all messed up. I didn't notice beforebut he's wearing his suit. Of course, I think as I roll my eyes. He just can't wearanything else. 

"Give me something to eat," Ross orders, taking a seat at the island. Already, Ihate his tone. He's in my house and yet he's ordering me around.

 Just because he's a guest and because Mom says to always be nice to guests(and try not to strangle them) I smile and say, "What would you like to eat?"