Chapter 2

The pair laughed as they made their way towards the lift of the apartment complex that Michael lives in . Arms still linked, they both stumble inside of the elevator with wide smiles. Michael presses the button with the number '13' and then the doors close.

"Elevator going up," Michael speaks at the same time as the elevator, mimicking it's voice.

Annie tilts her head back as she lets out a loud chuckle, "Back to the story you was telling me before; you actually fell down the stairs at your school and spilled your vodka over the head teacher?"

Michael steps aside ,as the doors open up to the thirteenth floor, and allows Annie to step out first. "Yeah, my mates were still a bit drunk at the time and we all thought we should fill our water bottles up with alcohol. It didn't end well though, we was all suspended and kicked out of the school. And with my GCSE's being around the corner my mum was furious. She was so close to kicking me out of the house!"

Michael reaches the second door on the left, number 3, and puts his key inside of the door and unlocks it. "Ladies first."

Annie steps inside and examines the room. A counter blocked off the kitchen and the living room, tiles were wooden in the kitchen and the living room had an dark navy blue carpet. There was one grey couch with an brown coffee table in front. Near the windows, in front of the coffee table, was a wooden TV stand with a TV on top which was around forty- five inches.

" Bathroom is the door to the right and my bedroom is to the left. I'll be grabbing a spare blanket and pillow from my room and I'll sleep on the couch tonight and you can sleep in my room. Make yourself at home." Michael smiles down at Annie.

" I can order Chinese if you would like?" Annie looks up and suggests.

"Yeah good idea, I'll just have egg fried rice with chicken curry sauce. Oh and don't forget the -"

"Chips with pawn crackers?" Annie finishes for him as Michael makes his way towards the bedroom.

"Damn we only met and you know me well already, the house phone is on the coffee table. Thanks, Love." Michael points towards the table before entering his bedroom.

Annie approaches the table and picks up the house phone, her eyes look down at an napkin on the table which says, " The number for Chinese is on the back :)" Annie turns over the napkin and sees the number.

"So this was already planned?" Annie mumbles to herself. She dials the number and makes the order which comes to an total of £34.46. Annie places the phone back onto the coffee table. Her gaze falls back onto the napkin, did Michael really have this planned.

" You ordered yet, love?" Michael speaks from behind Annie, causing her to jump slightly.

"Y-yeah, I found the number on the napkin." Annie stumbles with her words.

"Oh the napkin! Yeah, I'm just bad at remembering things so I written it down so I don't forget." Michael clarifies with a smile. "Come sit, we can watch a film." Michael pats the space next to him on the couch.

With a forced smile, Annie sits down next to Michael on the couch but moves to the right a bit so there is more space between the two of them. The TV starts to play an Romance Comedy film, Michael leans forward and puts the remote back onto the coffee table. He leans back and leans down a bit before spreading his legs slightly. He rests his arm on the back on the couch, his hand near the back of Annie's neck.

~OOO~

Around half an hour later of the awkward silence, there is a knock on the door.

"I'll grab it," Michael rises from the couch and makes his way to the door. He opens it and Annie hears an familiar masculine voice.

" That would be £34.46 please sir," the man says.

Annie's face suddenly pales at the sound of the voice, she knew exactly who it was. Ryan. She turned around and faced the door and that's when she saw him. Tall. Mysterious. Handsome. Every girl would fall for him. But he's the guy that cheats on everyone, like in them silly highschool films about the jock or the captain of a football team. Ryan's dark amber eyes stare into Annie's.

"Annie?" Ryan questions as he moves to look over Michael's shoulder. "Annie, whoa it's good to see you."

"Likewise." Annie fires back.

"I'm sorry am I missing something here?" Michael looks at the both of them, clearly not happy.

"He's my ex." Annie says as she stands from the couch and makes her way to the door.

"Look at you! You look great," Ryan beams down at her. Michael turns to Ryan and grabs the bag of food from him and slams two £20 notes into his hand.

"Keep the change and don't come back." Michael speaks coldly.

"I-I'm sorry?" Ryan questions.

" I said 'Keep the change and don't come back.' Want me to spell it out for you? K-E-E-P T-H-E-"

"Michael that is enough," Annie silences the angered man before turning to her ex. "Ryan I think it's best if you leave."

"It was nice seeing you again, Annie." Ryan takes a step from the door and gives the two an forced smile.

" Yeah you too, Ryan." Annie smiles back.

" NEVER COME BACK AGAIN, YOU HEAR ME? SHE'S MINE!" Michael slams the door shut with a loud sigh.

"What the hell? I'm not yours, Michael." Annie raises her voice.

" Annie, darling, don't raise your voice to me." Michael warns her.

" No! I bet you had this whole thing planned. That's why you stalked me at the gym, asked me for my number. That's why there was an napkin with the number for the Chinese takeaway. You had all of this planned, you lore me in with this innocent act and I can't believe I fell for it." Annie steps closer and raises her finger in front of Michael's face.

" I'm not your 'Darling' or your 'Love.' I'm Annie. Annie Peterson." Annie smacks the food out of Michael's hand. " I won't be staying the night, I'll find somewhere else. Away from your possessive arse."