A/N: Thank you so much all the reviews. And yes, to my precious reviewer, Cody is around that age. I mentioned he is in his mid 20s. Pick up his age as you wish. :)
I'm sorry for the long wait :( I was just so busy with school :/ anyways...here's a little birthday treat for my lovely readers. Its my birthday and I decided to post the longest chapter...yet, as a treat! xD Do review and just make my day? Thank you, fellows. :)
Enjoy!

"Out of Fire into the Frying Pan"

After the chaos of the last few days, things started to went back to normal. As a week passed, everybody got more settled in their daily life routine. But for all three of them, there were few things different. And neither knew that those few things would again lead up to something so much bigger.

For Zack, he was over the fact of being fooled just the next day. He couldn't lie to himself any longer, having a forced out serious relationship was probably the most bizarre idea he had ever came up with. He was actually glad that it turned out to be the way it did. He knew now that if he'd ever fall in love, it'd be natural and would happen itself. What he didn't know was that it would be so soon. One faithful day Zack Martin ran into none other than the real London Tipton herself. To find out she was the same girl who gave him the letter and the girl who he got so attracted to, Zack just couldn't refrain his excitement. London was easy going, a lot different than that Bailey girl. The longer Zack talked to her, the more he got to know how similar she was to him. She barely graduated high school just like he did. She also did not do anything but shopping. Much like Zack who spent his hours playing video games and just wasting time. The fact that she was absolutely gorgeous was just a cherry on top. Zack already felt smitten. She was so much like him. It was like she was only meant for him. They went out a couple of times. Zack enjoyed his each date with her and for him, two weeks were the longest relationship he had ever been in. And he fully planned on continuing it.

While Zack was enjoying his life, it was completely a different story for Cody. Everything for him seemed to be falling apart. The same person who once enjoyed every second of his work was now having trouble focusing. After the last time he had met Bailey Pickett, he had promised himself to ruin her life. But he couldn't. He half decided to tell Mr Tipton about her little act to get her fired. But something stopped him. He didn't know what it was and he didn't like it either. When he saw the upset look on his brother's face, he was so sure that he wanted to punish the person who caused this but he just couldn't. Cody was on a heart-felt debate with his own conscience for days until he finally decided to forget about everything. He would be lying to himself if he'd say he really wanted bad for her. So he thought it was better to just let it all go. And since after that, he never really thought about it or her. However, she did seem to appear in his dreams almost every night for no apparent reason. At some point he'd see her yelling at him in his dream, which Cody completely got because thats what happened everytime they met. What Cody didn't get was why he'd see them together, "in love" or worse, getting married? His dreams were indeed playing a rather strange game with him.

However there was another problem that he was facing, his mom. After the whole fiasco, Zack got to meet the real London and he couldn't be happier. In fact he was so happy that he told everything to his mom. Carrey Martin was both happy and angry all at the same time. She was happy for Zack but when she found out about Cody's little dual with a girl, she was furious. It was since that one night that Cody couldn't even breath without his mom reminding him of a deal she made with him. That one night when Cody got home, he was greeted by his mother's soaringly short one liner...

"Sit down, Cody."

Cody Martin was stopped in his tracks. The only times his mom threw a one liner and got to her point without beating about the bush were either she was really angry at her kids or somebody just called her old. And the sound of her voice, clearly was an indicator towards the first one. Cody obliged and without saying a word he took a seat on the couch next to where his mom was sitting. He decided not to speak but after waiting for a few minutes when he still only received silence, he spoke up...

"Am I in trouble?"

Carrey just looked at him then smiled..."Oh no. What made you think that?... OFCOURSE YOU'RE IN TROUBLE!" She shouted. Cody was still puzzled. A million things were running in his head but he just decided to let her finish. She stood up and paced back and forth before sitting down again as she continued..."Zack told me everything. How could you behave like that with a girl? Cody, i raised you better than this. What were you thinking?"

Cody sighed. This girl somehow had vowed to ruin his life one way or the other. Even in her absence, she still managed to mess things up for him. "I'm sure Zack told you everything and for that I'd have to punch him in the neck later..." He felt his mom's dead glare so he cleared his throat and continued..."Mom, you have to see my side of the story as well. I know I kind of misbehaved but she brought it out of me. She pretended to be someone else to go out with Zack. She was a liar, mom. Don't you think I had the right to be mad?"

"NO!" Carrey exclaimed angrily. "If anybody had the right it was Zack. And even he didn't have the right to shout at her or misbehave with her. I've taught you to always show respect and curtsy towards women. Treat them like ladies. When did you forget about all of this, Cody?"

Cody just didn't know what to say. He didn't feel it was such a big deal but his mom seemed to be making it. He wanted to clear up the situation but Carrey spoke up again..."This...your attitude, your rudeness and hatred towards women has gone too far. I don't even know why you've become like this, Cody. Why do you do this?"

This was something that nobody would ever understand. He hated girls for a reason and no matter how hard he tried to tell himself not to, a part of him always felt a little better by hating on all the girls. Cody blamed himself for his father's death and by just being mad at girls in general, he felt less guilty. He always thought that he owed it to his dad to be this way. "I...I don't know, mom." Cody told...his voice went a little high pitched and his eyes developed fresh tears. Carrey never understood his behaviour but she knew she had got to do something about it. She stood up and went to where he was sitting. She asked him to look up and as he did she pointed out her index finger..."1 month, you have only 1 month, Cody. Find a girl you like, you actually like. Bring her to me in that time. I'm tired of your attitude. I want you to quit this, okay?"

Cody looked at her surprised...what was she even trying to say? "You want me to force date someone?"

"Yes!" Carrey said as if it was the most natural thing in the world..,"Look, it might sound ridiculous, but trust me...it is not. Once you open up and look for a girl, you might just realize that you're wrong to hate all the girls for God knows what reason. And you might even fall in love. You will..."

"Woah! Hold up..." Cody held out his hand cutting her off..."and what made you think that I'd do such a thing? You said, go date and you assumed I will? Thats sweet..." Cody laughed and fell back in the couch resting his head. However Carrey wasn't done...she passed a rather evil grin before speaking up again..."I assume you will do it if you don't want the Martin Empire and all of the money you've made to be taken away from you."

It was now Carrey's turn to sit back and relax on the couch, while Cody stood up, shocked at what his mom said..."WHAT? You're kidding right?"

"Does it look like I'm kidding?" Carrey asked pointing towards the serious frown she was wearing. Cody tried to read her features. He desperately wanted to know what was she on to. But drawing a blank, he asked..."you're seriously going to black mail me into dating a girl? MOM! What's wrong with you?"

Carrey stood up angrily..."what's wrong with me is that my son hates all women. I'm one too and I can't stand the idea of someone, let alone my own son be this way."

Cody's mind was still processing the information, when Carrey had her final words of the deal to finish..."Now, lets finalise the deal, shall we? You bring your "girlfriend" to me by the end of the month, and I will transfer all the property to your name. When I'll know you're in love, I'll instantly give you everything. BUT, if somehow you fail to do it, I'll take away the company and everything else you own. Get it?"

"Mom this is not fair..." Cody cried out. Carrey was somehow throughly enjoying it. She smiled and walked past him. "There will be no further discussion. Good night, Cody." And with that she went up the stairs. Leaving behind a very confused Cody Martin.

Since after that night, it had been a week and Cody got a call from his mom every hour to remind him about their deal. Any thought of Cody of his mom's idea being a midnight madness was completely gone within a day. He knew he had to do something about it and soon. But his only problem was that he didn't even know any girl. How could he date one?

For Bailey Pickett, the last two weeks had been absolute torture. Just the next day after her last and final dual with Mr Richie Rich, she reached the Tipton Hotel to find Mr Tipton waiting for her. It seemed like that Cody was really a low-life person. She assumed he had told him everything and thats why he fired her. Bailey lost her job and her respect. People around were calling her names like she was a gold digger and back stabber. The very reason it became quite difficult for Bailey to get another job. Her life was crashing down on her. And it was all because of Cody Martin. She hated him so much that at times she thought that it was humanly impossible to hate someone that much.

As if Bailey's life was already not messed up, a certain thing happened that day that threw her in pure rage towards Cody Martin. Bailey's elder sister, Peyton Pickett worked at the Martin Empire. She was married and had a little girl. She started working there not too long ago but ever since then, she seemed to be very satisfied with her job. That day, Peyton came rushing through the house, loudly calling out Bailey's name. She busted in her room and yelled..."YOU! I HATE YOU."

Bailey stood up shocked from her bed to face her furious sister..."well hello to you too." Bailey smirked..."What's wrong? Why are you so angry?"

"Oh I'll tell you what's wrong" Peyton shouted again..."I got fired. You know why? Because I'm your sister. Due to your stupid 'rivalry' with Cody Martin, I was fired. My manager told me I'm not working properly but I know thats not true. Its because of Cody and your little war with him. You ruined my job..." She sank down in Bailey's bed and let out a few tears..."I'm sorry!" She uttered sincerely..."Its just that, I really needed that job. And now its gone..."

Bailey didn't know what to say. She thought Cody Martin was a professional and he'd never let a personal grudge come in the way of his business. She never thought he'd go so low. But she was way off. Bailey was fine with not giving him an answer up until he was only messing with her, but now it had gone too far. She just had to do something to stop him. She sat down next to her sister and put an arm around her shoulder to comfort her. Even though it was nothing intentional, she still somehow blamed herself for all of it..."Peyton, don't worry. That Cody Martin will pay for what he did. And I'll make sure of it..." Before Peyton could ask anything, Bailey stood up and rushed through the house to go God knows where.

Meanwhile Cody was in his office with Zack, utilising the free time he had between meetings to come up with a solution to his mom's given problem. No matter what he thought, nothing seemed appropriate enough. He had worked so hard for the company and he just couldn't let it all go for no reason. Zack's ideas didn't quite fit the situation's delicacy either. "Maybe you should just hire a girlfriend" Zack uttered laughing. He was clearly very amused by the whole mess.

"This is not funny, Zack. I really need some good advice. You're just wasting my time." Cody said annoyed. Zack just didn't get it. And he probably never would.

"I don't understand what you're so worked up about? Why don't you quit worrying for once and actually go ask a girl out? I'm sure any girl would agree to date you." Zack asked confused.

"I would. But there is just one little problem...I DON'T know any girl."

Zack began laughing..."Oh yeah, I forgot." He paused and got serious. He got a bit closer and started in a whisper..."I know who you can date...that secretary of yours? She's pretty..."

Cody was now losing it. His brother was probably over there to mock him..."My secretary is 35, married and have kids..."

"Oh!" Zack uttered like he didn't know that already..."but hey, you know so much about her. Do you like her, Cody?" Zack passed a sheepish grin.

"Okay thats it, Zack. If you're not going to help me, you can just leave." Cody's annoyance was now getting to the optimum level.

Zack fell back in his chair again..."Oh alright! I'll stop. But its not so easy you know? You don't know anybody. And its not like a girl would come busting through your doors, shouting your name..."

Right at that moment, the doors to Cody's cabin flung open and the same girl who both of them recognized immediately was Bailey Pickett, busted in and shouted..."CODY MARTIN"

Both Zack and Cody looked at each other and Zack couldn't hold in his laughter. The irony of that happening just left him laughing. While Cody was equally shocked at what happened, he refrained from laughing. Or it was like he was just not amused with her presence.

"What are you doing here?" It was Cody to ask her first. She was clearly not pleased to be in his office either. And by the looks on her face, she really didn't bring in any good news. She walked closer to the table where Cody was sitting, putting both of her hands on the table, she glared..."I'll tell you why am I here. How dare you do that to my sister?"

"Pardon me? I did what? To your sister? You had a sister?" Cody asked confused and clearly clueless. But she still had a lot to say...

"Oh don't you act all innocent with me. I know it was you who fired her from your company just because you hate me. How could you do that? I thought you were too professional to let something personal come in between business."

Cody was more surprised than ever. She had a sister, who supposedly worked at his Company and apparently she was fired and she thought it was him who did it? Great. That's exactly what Cody needed. Some petty problems to deal with while he had his whole empire on stake..."Okay first, I am that professional. Second I didn't even know you had a sister who worked here. Why would I fire anybody for a personal grudge? And I don't even remember firing anybody. It must've been her work, Bailey that got her fired. It wasn't me. I'm not even directly responsible for every single employee. I have managers..."

"You know what? Save it." Bailey cut him off..."I know it was you. First you got Mr Tipton to fire me then my sister? How low can you go? You really are going to ruin my life, huh?" Bailey's eyes got filled up with tears. Cody couldn't get it but somehow her tears felt like these sharp knives on his heart. He felt bad. He didn't do anything and he didn't owe her any explanation but it still felt important to him to tell her he was not responsible for all of that...

"Bailey look..." Cody started sincerely..."I may have said I'd ruin your life but I just said it, I was angry thats all. I didn't do anything. I didn't talk to Mr Tipton or fire your sister. Believe me. Please?"

Cody's voice reflected honesty. On the other chair, Zack was surprised to hear Cody say "please" to someone. Everybody knew that Cody Martin could be a lot of things but he was never a liar. He never lied. The times when he thought he didn't want to tell the truth, he just remained silent. However Bailey was still having a hard time believing Cody after the way he acted...

"I don't believe you..." She bluntly stated..."I can almost bet it was you behind all of this. But just get this thing in your head right now. Your issue is with me, not my family. Keep it to that. I don't care what you do to me but STAY AWAY FROM MY FAMILY. Get it?" She shouted and turned around to leave but before she opened the door, she stopped and turned back around to face him..."One more thing, I'll never forgive you for everything you did to me..." With that she left the room.

Both Cody and Zack were left speechless and shocked. "WOW!" It was Zack this time who spoke up first...

"I don't get it..." Cody finally found it in himself to speak..."I didn't do anything...it was not me to tell Mr Tipton, then who did?"

"I don't know..." Zack stated and got up from his chair to leave..,"Oh would you look at the time? Its late...see ya." He was almost out of the room when Cody stopped him..."Not so fast, Zack. I need to ask you a few questions." Zack's body language told Cody what he needed to know. Somehow, Zack was behind all of this...he came back and took his seat...

"Alright! But make it quick, I'm getting late..." Zack was trying to not make eye contact..."Ahan?" Cody knew what was going on. He knew his brother too well to not pick up on when something was wrong..."tell me what you did?"

"Okay, Fine!" Zack sighed..."I might have something to do with getting Bailey fired. BUT, it was not intentional, I just accidentally told London about it and she must've told her dad. Thats it. And I have nothing to do with her sister. I don't even come here to do anything like that..."

Cody listened to the whole thing then fell back and sighed..."great! Now she thinks I'm the worst, most low life person in this world..."

"Why do you care what she thinks about you?" Zack asked..."I don't care..." Cody held out a hand in his defence...

"Right, you don't" Zack stated sarcastically. He was too obvious. From the moment Zack saw two of them together, he somehow knew there was something between them that even they didn't know. He paused and something hit him..."HEY! I just have this brilliant idea that would resolve all of your problems. Mom will be happy and you'll get rid of this Bailey problem too..."

"Really? How's that possible..." Cody asked anxious...

"It is possible and I'll tell you how. But you have to promise me that you won't get mad..." When Cody nodded in agreement, Zack continued...

"So here's what I was thinking..."

To be continued...

A/N: Liked it? Please review, guys. They encourage me to continue!
P.S I love you all :)
Love, Ash!