Disclaimers: All characters of Twilight belong Stephenie Meyer. In no way do I own them. Only the character that I invented, Adaline, belongs to me.

Enjoy or not. Cheers.

Chapter 6

School that day was boring, like most days really. And the staring still hasn't stopped. Poor Bella got approached at all corners because now the whole school knew that she went to the hospital yesterday. They all used up the excuse to chat with her and be nosy. Bella was getting irritated from repeating the phrase, "Yes I'm fine. It was just a small cooking accident."

As for me, well, I walked to and from classes without giving them the opportunity to start a conversation. When they tried to approach me, I put on one of my sweetest smile and said that I was in a hurry sorry. I got briefly got introduced to Emmett when the class I shared with Alice was over. He was waiting with Jasper near the door as we got out. He had an outgoing personality and liked to joke. His dimple was quite charming too.

Unlike the rest of the population, they were not nosy and minded their own business. They just said that it was good that my sister's injury was not serious. Alice also didn't ask me anything before class. We just chatted about random things. And she tried to interrogate me about meeting her father…I think she was aiming at being discreet in doing so but….well the big smile and hyperness kind of gave her away.

Yes that was a topic of conversation I evaded like the plague. I kept it at 'your father was nice. Tell him thank you for me again please'. Then I steered the conversation to other things. I also didn't ask them about their missing brother. It was not my place and was none of my business. I did not question them about their brother's attitude either because they were not accountable for his actions. Just like how I am not responsible for any of Bella's actions and was her own person and had to be responsible for herself. And that was the extent of my interaction with the Cullens/Hale.

For lunch I abandoned Bella to her friends and found a little niche for myself in the library. I sat there reading a thriller book in peace. No gossiping, no nosiness, no chatter, no socialising needed and no noise. Just pure silent bliss. At the end of school, I met Bella at her truck. We got in and I returned Alice's wave on the way.

"The supermarket Bella." I told her as we got on the road.

"Yea I remember, you have the money?"

"Yes I took it this morning." I replied as I checked my wallet.

When we got to the supermarket, there were only a few cars in the parking lot.

"Seems like there are not a lot of people inside. Fortunately it won't take long at the checkout." Bella said.

As Bella parked in a spot near the entrance, she noticed a black luxurious car parked a few metres away. It really stood out among all the other cars.

" Wow that car is so polished that it is glistening! There is not even a speck of dust!" Bella said as she got out of the car.

"That reminds me Bella, we should clean the cars this weekend. Because compared to that car, ours are covered with a layer of dust. Now let's go inside please. I want to get home early to start on dinner." I said as I walked to the entrance.

I took a basket while Bella took a trolley as we made our way inside. Bella was right. There weren't that many people shopping and the checkouts were mostly free.

"Bella which section do you want?" There was no need to stick together. We were used to separating the grocery list into sections; Bella will be responsible for a few sections and I'll take care of the rest. It was more effective and quicker that way.

"I'll take the frozen section and the hygiene products."

"Okay I'll take care of the rest."

With that, we went separate ways. Fifteen minutes had passed since I had been browsing the aisles for the needed items, when I finally stopped at the canned section. The section that confused me and made me wary. You had to choose between so many brands claiming and selling the same thing.

Once, the brand of corned beef that I usually bought was out so I bought another brand at random. After all corned beef was corned beef, right? Wrong. Let's just say that it was watery, had a weird texture and a weird smell compared to the one I usually bought. I never looked at canned food the same ever again.

'I mean does it really matter if they are organic canned tomatoes? They are all full of chemicals to preserve them anyway.' I thought to myself as I looked at all the canned tomatoes in front of me. 'I'll just stick to the one that we usually buy. We already know how it tastes so there'll be no surprises. Also, Bella would make a fuss if it was a brand she didn't know. That corned beef episode traumatised her. Lol '

The bummer was that it was at the top of the shelf. If there was one near the edge I could reach it by standing on the tip of my toes. But it seemed like many people bought this brand too as there were only three cans remaining at the rear end.

I stood there like a dunderhead, cursing tomatoes in my head for a few moments. Then I went and tried to reach one anyway.

"Nopes, I really can't reach. A tall person with long arms would be really appreciated at this moment." I muttered to myself as I strained against the shelf.

I was going to give up, when I felt a cold chest near my back and saw a white elegant hand reach for the canned tomatoes that I was aiming for.

"Do you want all three?" Dr Cullen voice resonated in my ear. I had to admit that I was briefly dazed from his voice and smell. That man had a voice of sin and his proximity was not helping. I got goosebumps as I slowly retracted my hand from the shelf with a blank face.

"Yes please. Thank you."

Being emotionally challenged, in denial and disliking social interactions, the only thing on my mind right now was, 'uncomfortable situation. Flee! Flee !A.S.A.P'

I scuttled to the side like a crab after he finished taking down the cans and fixed a smile on my face.

"Dr Cullen." I said with a polite nod. "Thank you for your help again." I said as I held out my hands for the cans.

He looked out of place in his black luxury coat and his leather shoes. I could see leather gloves poking out of his front pocket.

'Black definitely suits him.'

" Adaline." He said with a nod and a smile as he deposited them into my hands. "You are welcome and it is a pleasure to see you again. I hope you don't mind. I saw you were having a little trouble reaching the cans and decided to help."

" The pleasure is reciprocated Dr Cullen. Your help was greatly appreciated." I replied politely after the putting the damned cans into the basket. ' Experiencing first-hand the expression ꞌcareful what you wish forꞌ. Yay me. I think I jinxed myself.'

"Please call me Carlisle. Alice has talked greatly about you at home."

That got a genuine smile from me, " Alice is a delight to be around. So are Jasper and Emmett."

He chuckled and gave me a wide smile, "I am sure they'll be happy to know that."

'Oh sweet merlin, he has a small dimple at the corner of his mouth.' I had a fascination for dimples, so sue me.

"I don't wish to keep you from your shopping any longer so I'll be taking my leave." I said while glancing at his basket. That was me trying to subtly get away.

" That is not the case, I assure you. I was nearly done anyway. I just have a few more items to pick. May I ask which section you are going to?"

"Oh… I just have the vegetable section to visit, then I am done." I said reluctantly.

"What a coincidence. That is my last stop too. Please allow me to walk with you."

'You are not really giving me an option, are you?! The good doctor definitely has a cunning and manipulative side,all hidden behind a compassionate and gentle facade!'

"Very well then." I said as I reached for my basket. Only for a pale hand to take hold of it before me.

I watched dumbly as Dr Cullen lifted my basket and started walking away.

'Bella, where are you? I am sending you an S.O.S via telepathy. Please come save me!'

Dr Cullen stopped a few feet away when he noticed that I was not following. Just as I opened my mouth, he quickly interjected, " Please allow me to carry your basket, Adaline. It is no imposition. And, no, I'll not give it back no matter what you say. My instilled gentlemanly manners will not allow me to, so you might as well give up."

I quickly closed my mouth and walked up to him.

"Thank you." I said deadpanning.

"You are quite welcome." He said with a mischievous smile.

"So Adaline, how has school been." He asked as he walked next to me.

'So you are just going to ignore my annoyance at you? And aren't you walking a little too close?'

"Tedious. With all the staring, gossiping and raging hormones." I replied as I subtly tried to inch away from him. Only for him to smoothly close the distance again.

'Are you serious?! Just invade my personal bubble, why don't you? Don't hold yourself back.' I ranted in my head.

"It seems like you, Rosalie, Edward and Jasper share the same opinion." He chuckled. " They are the most vocal about their …not so glorious opinions of the school population. I have had the delightful opportunity to listen to their rants many a time after a long day at work. But such are the duties of a father."

"Did I just detect a note of sarcasm Dr Cullen?" I asked with a raised eyebrow as we stopped at the vegetable section.

"Carlisle please." He said as he faced me. Then he stared at me with an expectant look.

"Carlisle then." I gave in graciously.

'It definitely was not because his stare bothered me. By the way his eyes got darker as I said his name. They were more vibrant a few minutes before…'

He gave me a small smirk, "Thank you. As for your previous question, I claim plausible deniability."

I rolled my eyes playfully at him then turned my attention to the vegetables. I quickly selected the ones I needed and deposited them into my basket. He had already selected his too.

I turned to face him and said,"That's all for me. I just have to go and find Bella." I held out my hand for the basket. I hoped that he would get the hint that he could take his leave now.

He casually ignored the hint, " I have finished too. Allow me to accompany you to the checkout. I'll help you with your bags."

"Thank you but you don't have to do this. There is not much to carry anyway."

He looked at my nearly full basket then raised an eyebrow at me.

" If I am not wrong, you have more items with your sister. Please Adaline, I cannot in good conscience allow two ladies to carry heavy bags when I can help. And Alice would be disappointed in me if she knew that I did not offer my help to her friend."

'I certainly don't see you running around to help other women with their bags.' I thought sarcastically to myself. 'But if you want to help, then by all means help away. At least my fingers won't hurt from the shopping bags digging into them.'

"Okay then. Let's go and find my sister."

With that, I walked to the frozen section with a tag-along. I quickly found Bella and called out her name. She turned to look at me and looked baffled when she saw the good doctor next to me.

'You and me both sister. I don't know why he is sticking to me either. So help me.' I tried to communicate with my eyes.

"Bella, Carlisle has kindly offered his help with our bags….And my basket."

She looked at me with big eyes when she heard me call him by his name.

'Yes, this is not my fault either. He wouldn't stop staring at me and insisted!'

"Bella, it is good to see you again. How is your hand?"

" Dr Cullen, nice to see you too. My hand is okay. It doesn't hurt as much and is kind of numb." Bella said as she showed him her bandaged hand. I also took this opportunity to scuttle to Bella's side.

"Call me Carlisle, Bella. And I am glad that your injury is healing well. Are you finished with your shopping?"

"Yes I just picked the last item….Wait did you just say help with our bags?" Bella asked as she looked at me.

"Yes, Carlisle insisted."

" Thank you but you don't have to help Dr Cullen." Bella exclaimed while waving her hand in front of herself.

" Please, I insist." He replied with a charming smile.

While Bella was dazzled, he quickly put the baskets in his hands inside the trolley and took it from Bella. He calmly pushed the trolley away as he called out, "If we are finished, let's go to the checkout then."

I didn't even bother stopping him. I wouldn't be able to anyway. Might as well not expend my energy for nothing.

"What just happened?" Bella asked dumbstruck .

"You were dazzled and both the trolley and the basket were hijacked." I stated blankly.

I looked at her blushing face and gave her a look that said, 'See what I had to deal with?'

"Cunning and used to getting his way, isn't he?" I stated as I passed by Bella to follow the good doctor.

"Let's hurry after him Bella. I wouldn't put it past him to pay for our things as we lag behind."

That quickly put her into gear as she practically ran after Carlisle who was a fair distance away.

'He sure walks fast.'

"Be careful not to trip Bella." I called after her.

After they were a fair distance away, I burst into laughter at the comical scene of Bella tripping on her own feet to catch up with Carlisle.

"What a ridiculous situation. Seriously, he certainly can be childish." I mumured to myself with an indulgent smile.

Carlisle stopped briefly to turn around and smile happily at me. I knew it was me the smile was meant for because he looked directly at me.

'He couldn't have heard me from this distance, could he?' I asked myself as I followed far behind them.

As I approached them, I could hear Bella protesting vehemently at the cashier. It seemed like I was right. The good doctor did try to pay for our things. And the cashier was also a victim of the dazzle to do his bidding. Not that she needed much help to fall under his charm. She was devouring him with her eyes.

"Adaline he is trying to pay for us! And he dazzled the cashier. She won't listen to me."

"I can see that. Carlisle please stop using your dazzling powers to get your way."

He looked amused at my words.

"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you. That cashier looks like she might leap at you at any second. If it happens, don't count on me to save you from being molested. I am leaving you on your own." I said lowly to him.

He quickly lost his smile as he glanced at the cashier to determine the probability of that happening. From his inching towards me, I guess that he sensed the danger.

"You would leave me alone to defend myself against an over-enthusiastic woman?"

"Who in merlin's name told you to dazzle her? She certainly didn't need any help from the beginning. You just fanned the flames. You reap what you sow." I told him blandly.

"…Merlin?" He looked at me amusedly.

"Too much Harry Potter."

"Ah I see."

By the time we finished our little discussion, all of the items were already scanned. Carlisle stepped forward warily to pay. I watched amusedly as he kept his distance from the cashier.

"Addy.." Bella started.

"Don't worry Bella, I'll take care of it." I told her with a smirk.

She gave me a confused look but acquiesced. Carlisle turned to give a wary look as he accepted the receipt. I just smiled innocently at him. The good doctor only allowed Bella and I to take a bag each as he took the rest. He said he didn't need the trolley…

It certainly looked like it. We walked to the truck and he put the bags inside.

"Thank you for your help Dr Cullen." Bella said grudgingly.

"Yes thank you. I'll walk you to your car. Where is it?" I asked him.

He looked confused as he pointed to the black car from before.

Bella muttered a 'figures' under her breath.

Fortunately Carlisle didn't take offence and just looked amused.

"Lead the way." I said to him then turned to Bella, "Be right back."

I followed him as he walked to his car. He opened the boot of his car to put in his purchases. I waited patiently for him to finish.

"Is something the matter?" He asked as he stopped in front of me.

"Yes." I said as I stepped closer to him and stared in his eyes.

"Thank you for your help Carlisle, even though it was not solicited and was denied. I allowed you the satisfaction of paying for us." I spoke lowly and kindly as I watched as his eyes got darker.

While he was distracted, I sneakily put the money for the food in his pocket, "So here is your money back. Please don't return it or I'll have to find an excuse to give Chief Swan as to why the good Forks doctor paid for us when he clearly left money for the grocery. I bid you good evening Dr Cullen. Byebye." I whispered teasingly and turned to walk away quickly.

By the time he came out of his daze, I had already reached the truck.

"Let's go quickly Bella." I said as I got in.

As we drove away, I glanced at the side-view mirror with a slight blush on my face. I saw Carlisle reach into his pocket to take out the money, then look up abruptly to catch my gaze in the mirror.

This time, he was the one that looked like he wanted to devour me.

' Merlin's pants. It looks like I went and played with fire.' That gaze was more than intense.

"So that was you taking care of it huh." Bella said teasingly.

"I wanted to try his own method on him. Didn't expect it would work that well or at all." I said aloud then muttered to myself, "And dig a pit for myself."

"He looked completely smitten." Bella said with a side glance.

"Now, enough about the good doctor." I said trying to change the subject. " Let's do something quick for dinner."

When we got home we quickly put away the groceries then took a shower. After dinner I went directly to bed. That night I had a dreamless sleep.