I hummed softly and poured maple syrup over the pancakes. Then kept blueberries on one side of the plate decoratively and on top of the layers of pancakes, two half cut strawberries.

I smiled to myself in pride and brought the plates to the kitchen counter, neatly placing the glasses of milk next to it.

I heard footsteps descending down the stairs and I glanced up with a wide smile on my lips.

"Good morning" I greeted merrily.

Ian's brows furrowed. "What's going on?" He approached the kitchen counter and sat on a stool, eyeing the pancakes with suspicion.

"I made you breakfast"

"I see that" Ian stared at the pancakes for a moment, then turned to me with narrowed eyes. "What do you want?

"What?" I laughed. "Why do you think I want something?"

"Because you're being nice to me"

"Please. I'm always nice to you"

Ian folded his arms across his chest and rasied a challenging brow, not believing a word I said.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. I'll tell you" I sat on a stool next to him and brought the plate closer to him. "But please do eat this first" I grinned.

"Please do tell me first" He retorted and I sighed heavily, giving up my efforts in buttering him up.

"Fine" I straightened up and took a deep breath, bracing myself for my next words. "Please give me one million dollars" I blurted out.

Ian's eyes widened in surprise. "For what reason? Last I checked you're not in any debt either"

"It's not for me. It's for your future wife"

Ian's forehead creased. "My what?"

"Wife"

Ian blinked. "You mean you?"

I let out a groan in frustration. "Oh my god do you have amnesia? Don't you remember what you said yesterday? You said to make you fall in love with another woman"

Flicker of realisation crossed over his eyes. "Ah that"

"Don't you dare say it's a joke" I said in a threatening tone.

Ian chuckled. "I won't because it's already an impossible task. I won't fall for another woman no matter what you do. Your club attempt last night failed too, remember?"

"Failures is what brings you closer to success" I said as a matter of fact and Ian chuckled.

"Fine. Now tell me. Why do you need one million to find me a bride?"

"You see" I cleared my throat to sound more serious. "In books the guy always pays the girl if he wants her to play the role as his fiancé or wife" I gave him a pointed look. "Which by the way you forgot to do" Ian smiled at that. "So anyways now I'm gonna play Cupid and pay some girl to 'play pretend' or something like that. But in the end you two will end up falling for each other and happily ever after" I clapped merrily.

Ian bit his lip to suppress his grin. "Done?"

I smiled sheepishly. "No"

"Okay" Ian nodded, an amused smile curling up his lips. "Continue then"

"So" I sat straight. "In the end the girl won't take your one million because she got a bigger price. But you always have to keep in mind that there was a sweet awesome beautiful Cupid who played a big part in your happily ever after. And in compensation-" I batted my eyelashes. "It would be very nice if you could give that poor creature the one million for it's hard work"

Ian burst out laughing. "No" He shook his head.

I blinked. "No?"

"No" He repeated as he continued to laugh.

My jaw fell open. "You're not gonna give the Cupid one million dollars?"

"Of course not"

I sighed heavily. "It's alright Hailey. He's not the only fish in the sea" I mumbled and shot a glare at Ian. "Now stop laughing"

Ian cleared his throat and straightened up, finally composing himself. But I could still see a grin itching to curl up in his lips.

"So you think paying a girl will work?" Ian asked.

"It works in books"

"Those are books for a reason" He gave me a pointed look.

"Don't worry, it'll work"

Ian smirked. "Oh I'm not worried" Then his hands reached out and cradled my hips, pulling me towards him. I gasped, our faces only inches apart, his deep blue eyes boring into mine. "I want you to fail" He whispered softly. "And I will make sure you fail so that in the end you will be mine" My eyes widened at that. "And I told you Hailey" He leaned forward, trailing his soft lips along my nose. "You're the first woman in my life" He paused, giving a long lingering kiss on the bridge of my nose. "And you will also be my last"

My breath hitched, my heart beating frantically as the heat of the moment caught me off guard. I quickly pushed him away and stood up, blushing furiously.

"E-eat your p-pancakes" I stuttered, looking anywhere but at him. "I have to go to work" I quickly turned around.

"I'll drive you" Ian said in an amused tone and I could picture a smirk on his face. "We're going to the same place"

"No need" I said in a rush. "Lexi is coming"

Then I strode straight to the door and grabbed the door handle but before I could open it, Ian interrupted me.

"I have one request before I give you the million dollars"

I craned my neck and looked at him over my shoulder. "What is it?"

"Take Daniel with you in your bridal search"

...

"Where is he?" I asked as I strode through the CEO's floor with Lexi beside me.

"Why are you taking me? I don't want to see that asshole" Lexi complained.

"Did you think I wanted to come here?" I asked her incredulously. "I don't want to see that asshole either"

Lexi scoffed. "You live with your asshole" She pointed an accusing finger at me. "I don't want to see my asshole"

I raised a brow in confusion. "Wait, aren't we talking about Ian?"

Lexi rolled her eyes heavenward and groaned. "Of course not. Why would I call my boss's boss's boss an asshole? I'm talking about his side kick"

I clicked my tongue. "Ahh that guy"

"Yes that guy" Lexi grumbled.

It was the end of the day but employees of the CEO's floor were still working. They were usually the busiest people here so I doubt Daniel would come. And I was hoping he wouldn't come because then I could drag Lexi with me in the bridal search. She knows more about book cliches than me.

"Shit, there he is" Lexi suddenly darted behind me, her hands gripping my shoulders as she hid. I followed her gaze and spotted Daniel, brooding in the corner with a cup of coffee in hand.

"Daniel" I called him and he turned his head in my direction. Seeing me, he set the coffee cup down and approached me.

"Miss Evans" He gave a curt nod. "I was waiting for you" Then his gaze went over my shoulder to Lexi.

His face twisted into a scowl. "Only those whose presence is requested are allowed to come to this floor"

I choked on my own spit and I could feel Lexi shaking with anger behind me, her hands vibrating on my shoulder.

"You motherfucker!" She snarled grabbing attention of everyone in the floor.

"Miss Benson you are not allowed to use such words-"

"Fuck you. I'm leaving" She stomped her foot on the ground and turned away, striding towards the elevator in fury.

I looked back and forth between Lexi and Daniel. "Uhh-" I smiled awkwardly. "Let's get going shall we?"

Daniel wrenched his gaze away from Lexi and glanced at me. "Alright Miss Evans" He gave a nod and followed me to the elevator that was next to the one Lexi just took.

We reached the ground floor and I strode to the parking.

"Miss Evans, may I know where we're going?"

I turned to him and grinned. "We're going to a place where all clichés start"

Daniel's brow creased. "Where's that?"

"The cafe"