Chapter Two

A few hours after Cassie left my house, I had to go to the grocery store to do some grocery shopping, part of my punishment for skipping school. It seems like I am officially the house's errand girl for as long a duration as Mom pleases, maybe I shouldn’t have skipped school after all, I’m normally not one to regret my decisions but the punishment seriously does not fit the crime here.

After picking up all the things on the list, I decided to get a treat for myself. I searched for my favorite snack, a chocolate and coconut flakes cookie. As I came across the shelf where the cookie was supposed to be stocked I found it empty. I didn't give up though, I rummaged through the entire shelf and neighboring snack baskets until I came across an old pack. It may have been old and dusty and squeezed but it was still my chocolate coconut cookie so I was buying it regardless. Just as I was about to throw my cookie pack into my basket with the rest of my groceries, it was snatched from my grasp.

“I'll take that,” I heard a male voice say from behind me “Thanks by the way” He continued.

I couldn't decipher what was going on. I raised my head after preparing my most heated and evil glare for the asshole who had so much guts. My eyes came in contact with the most beautiful boy I had ever seen in my life. Standing before me was a tall, blue-eyed god-like-looking guy. His hair, black, silky, and looked soft as hell fell forward coming to a stop just above his eyes like some manly fringe, if there was anything like such. His eyes which were an electric and enchanting blue were swirling in an amused glint I realized that for the first time in my life, I was practically caught bewildered staring at a person of the opposite gender. I am never, ever bewildered, I’m usually always aloof and put together. I snap back to my senses when he began walking away from me, with my cookie pack in hand.

“Stop right there asshole, hand me back my cookie right now,” I said while jogging to catch up with him.

“Give me my cookie before I do something we both regret” I repeated in a threatening tone when he refused to stop but rather continued forward with his long strides that I could barely keep up with. Really, how tall was this guy?

“Why? I want it and from the looks of it, it's most likely the only one in the store” he replied finally slowing his pace.

“It is the only one in the store and it is mine” I counter incredulously while having to arch my head up to maintain my murderous glare.

He looks at the cookie in his grasp, looks at me, gives the cookie pack one more look, and then proceeds to stupefy me into a short silence by saying, “Finders keepers, love”

“Uh, w-what?” I barely manage to construct a sentence because I am completely stunned by the audacity of this jerk.

“I found it” I finally say, “after a phase of rigorous searching, so give it back, Love” I conclude, making sure to infuse a significant mixture of sarcasm and scorn into the ‘love’ I call him.

He opens his mouth, most likely to spit out something that’ll further piss me off, but I cut him off before he can get a word out.

 “I’m willing to fight you for it, but be warned, I have over a year of taekwondo training, I will ruin your pretty face with no remorse if my cookie is not in my hand within the next few seconds” To show my seriousness, I stretch out my hand with a beckoning motion.

To my surprise he bursts out heavy laughter, one would think I was an experienced stand-up comedian. His outburst was so sudden and loud that it even caught the attention of other shoppers and staff around our vicinity.

I glare at him, unimpressed and annoyed by the fact that my brain suddenly thought that he had a nice laugh, all boyish and twinkling eyes. Ugh, get it together Lin, I instantly scold myself.

“You are one entertaining girl” he states, in between bouts of his chuckling “Dramatic too, but entertaining nonetheless” he adds, his shoulders still shaking with mirth.

“Are you kidding me? Did you not see me ransack the entire cabinet looking for that cookie?” I asked utterly shocked to the core because honestly this guy should be awarded a masterclass in the ability to annoy people.

“That doesn't matter Hon, as the old saying goes ‘he who holds it, owns it’” he said in a soft tone like I was a two-year-old child. Also, looks like It’s ‘Hon’ now, no longer ‘love’ I guess my using the latter for him in such a mocking manner made it lose its appeal.

“Good Lord, I’m pretty sure that's your saying and not an old saying because excuse my bluntness but it sounds just as stupid as you now give me my cookie before I hurt you”

My threat went unanswered because he just chuckled while giving his black American Express Amex card to the clerk to pay for the rest of his goods and my stolen cookie.

Sighting the exclusive rich and wealthy folks card in his possessing I’m beginning to wonder if he is a professional thief, I don’t mean to sound judgmental but he did steal or try to steal my cookie- I wasn’t done with him yet- and Why would the owner of a black American Express card fight with me over a cookie? What a greedy fellow. His designer jeans and jacket as well as the Rolex watch on his wrist shows he must be from a rich background or maybe he stole those too. Nonetheless, trust fund jerk or kleptomaniac he wasn’t leaving here with my cookie.

From the look of things, I had to up my game here because this guy was not taking my cookie home. Before the clerk could collect his fancy card I snatched it from where I stood beside him and using both my hands, I bent the card to its breaking point.

“Now give me my cookie or I swear I'll break your card into unrecognizable pieces and I'll smile while doing it,” I said in my no-nonsense tone.

I must have looked very serious because he immediately threw the cookie at me while saying

“Fine, okay you win, just don't break my card” He finally relents to my utmost satisfaction, passing my cookie to me with a frown. I would’ve believed he was sad to be parting from it, if not for the hints of amusement in his gaze.

“Thank You, love,” I say with a mocking smirk because yes, I must have the last word. I turn around and sashay to where I had abandoned my cart, all the while still holding his card hostage.

On getting back to the checkout station I saw that he was paying the cashier with cash for his wallet, having no other choice because his card was unavailable. I was a bit disappointed, I wished he had no other option but to wait for his card, I wanted to pay for my stuff first before handing him back his card, as an extra penalty for his earlier annoying act.

I kept the card as insurance until after the cashier had finished wrapping up my goods including my cookie, I then proceeded to toss the now bent card at him, with my brightest smile that made my cheeks hurt from how wide they were, gathered my grocery and left the store with pride because let's face it, I did win, and triumphantly I might add.

As I walked home carefully to avoid stepping on water as it had just rained an hour ago, just when I thought I had successfully hurdled past a large puddle of water a black SUV came rushing past me at a high speed that surely exceeded the speed limit. I could only close my eyes as I felt myself getting drenched. I didn't miss the deep chuckle that rang out from the car. I knew that laugh. Looks like someone was on my shit list...

******

Roman’s POV

I barely pay much attention to the road as I drive home, too busy thinking about the beautiful, fiery girl I met for the first time in the grocery store. She looked to be about my age and should attend Rixon High although I didn’t see her today I’m hoping we’ll meet again, soon.

Smiling, I take the next left, to be honest, I had been less concerned about having the cookie for myself, I just wanted an excuse to keep talking to her, even if annoying her was the only way. When my Dad announced our sudden move from New York City to Rixon Hills, my cousins and I were first confused about what Rixon Hills even meant before finding out it was a city near Seattle.

The entire week we’ve been here has been boring. I missed the lights, the loud and busy life that is New York. Dad has busied himself with buying all the properties Rixon Hills has to offer, from hotels to spas, restaurants, estates, hospitals, etcetera. He has become fast friends with the mayor who is more than willing to scrub my dad’s feet in exchange for some financial favors. Nearly everyone in Rixon Hills has been more than willing to do just about anything to please me and my father. But this fiery girl has proven not everyone here is as weak-spined.

Interesting.

I’m intrigued to get to know her better however I can, no matter what it takes.