Daisy:
Martin sent me a bouquet of roses today. When I called him, he said it was his token of appreciation for me. Because of what, I don't know. My phone rings after my call with Martin. It's from Gertrude, I smiled.
"Hey, how are you?" she asked giggling.
"Goody good! How about you, are you feeling okay?" I asked her and sat on the edge of the bed. I was scrolling through my laptop finishing my editing so I stopped for a while to talk to her.
"Of course, I am! Anyways, can you meet me at Franco's tonight?" she asked. I know Franco's. It's where Adam and I had our first dinner together.
"Franco's, you knew that place too?" I asked curiously. I lay down in bed and cradled up. Franco's is on the other side of town. We've never been in that place before so I wonder why she knew.
"Y-yes, it's a small world silly! So, later?" she stammered.
"Fine. I'll message you."
"Okay, be there, and don't be late." She said and hang up.
I think thoroughly about what date is today, thinking of something special. Nothing came up on my mind. I was able to finish editing my photos for the day and I decided on what I can do next. Then I remembered the picture frame I saw in Martin's apartment a few days ago, I tried to look for my yearbook in high school to confirm my thoughts but unfortunately, I wasn't able to find it.
"Where could it be?" I asked myself. I paused for a while to think of the possible place I can keep my old remembrances, and I smiled when I remembered it's probably in the garage downstairs.
I was about to further search for it when my phone rings "Holy crap!" It startled me. I saw Adams's name in the caller Id so I answered it.
"Hey, baby." I heard his voice over the soft keyboard typing in the background. His voice sounds exhausted but his sudden endearment made me smile.
"Hey. Are you okay? And when did you started calling me baby? I'm a 25-year-old woman."
"I just feel like calling you that. I called you baby before too remember."
"Yes, I remember. Are you okay?" I asked again.
"I'm fine. It's just. Something came up and I needed to stay a little late so I'm sorry but no movies tonight." I can hear the sadness in his voice, I felt sad too that I won't be able to see him, maybe I'm being too used to seeing him.
"That's okay. I'll be having dinner with Gertrude anyway so don't think about it too much."
"Okay, that's cool. Don't stay up too late. I'll call you later."
"Yup, bye."
I took a quick shower and have totally forgotten about getting my yearbook. Well, that can wait later, Gertrude will kill me if I got late. She and her hormones recently are starting to get into my nerves but I can't blame her, so instead, I hurried to prepare and just wore a lavender colored long sleeve dress that hugs my waist perfectly and a pair of black pumps. I didn't put any makeup on and I styled my hair in a messy bun. Satisfied, I took my car keys and headed downstairs. It's strange. It's already six pm but Catherine is not home yet. I sent her a quick text to ask if everything is okay in the orphanage.
I arrived at Franco's 5 minutes late. I can imagine now the frown on Gertrude's face. She hates waiting. I parked my car to the safest spot I know, praying no one would mess up with it again. I looked at myself one last time in the rear-view mirror before I exited the car.
The wind is blowing and it sends shivers down my spine. I crossed the street towards the Italian restaurant I grew fond of. I breathed heavily and pushed the heavy glass door. A staff approached me "How can I help you?" she asked with a big smile on her face.
"Reservation under Miss Hopkins." I smiled back.
She scanned her book and glance back at me "This way Miss Johnson."
"Thanks"
She guided me to the way inside. I look around and noticed that all the tables are empty. We walked through the dining area until we reached the patio. "Miss Hopkins reserved it?" I asked curiously.
"Yes madam. This way please."
We entered the patio and I almost stumble in surprise by the sudden outburst "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAISY!!" I closed my eyes for about a second as the confetti falls from the ceiling. When I opened my eyes, everyone is there.
"Oh my god." I covered my mouth in surprise and I felt the building tears in the corner of my eyes.
Catherine is holding a cake, Gertrude with her growing baby bump has two bottles of champagne, and Adam, holding a bouquet of white daisies, looking so gorgeous as usual. I can't believe what I'm seeing. Yeah! It's my birthday today, I stopped celebrating my birthday since Malcolm died, I totally forget about it, and seeing these people in my life celebrating my birthday makes me want to cry.
Still laughing and clapping Catherine stepped forward and handed the cake towards me signaling me to blow the candles. I did "I love you, Missy." Catherine whispered, and I felt the tears streaming down my face.
"I love you too Catherine." I hugged her as tight as I could.
I hugged Gertrude too and she cried on my shoulders "Happy birthday girl, I am so so lucky to have you. I love you."
I smiled over my tears and hugged her even tighter "I love you too. Thank you."
Adam then stepped forward and handed me the bouquet "Happy Birthday Daisy." he kissed me on the cheek and I swear I felt my knees wobbled. I hope he didn't notice how much he affects me.
"Thank you, Adam. So, this is you that will stay up late huh?" I asked but I cannot remove the smile on my face.
"It will defeat the purpose of surprise."
"Thank you. For doing this, and for everything." I sniffed.
"Anything for you." he whispered and wiped the few tears left on my cheeks "I wanted to tell you something." He said. His expression became so serious that it gave me a hard time breathing.
I look around and saw everyone is still there. "Here? R-right now?" I stammered.
He looked around and smile "Even better."
I braced myself for what he's about to tell so I let him and just nodded. "O-okay. Go on."
He breathed heavily, looked me in the eyes, and took my hand with his. "For the past few months, I've been with you, I saw how beautiful you are. Aside from being simply beautiful outside. I fell in love with the kind of humor you have, your personality, your soul, and the pureness of your heart. I fell in love with your sarcasm and how you outsmart me all the time. I love the way you look at me and how you scold me when I flair your temper or make you angry. I love you, Daisy, I'm sorry it took me so long, but will you be my girlfriend?"
Nothing could've prepared me for what he just said, I am overwhelmed, baffled, and overjoyed. How can someone like him fall in love with me when I can't even love myself?
"Shit, say something," he said in between laughs when I didn't reply, I can feel that he's nervous too and he's on the edge waiting for my rejection. How can I reject this beautiful man without hurting myself?
What Adam and I have is unofficial for the past months but we both know that the feelings we have towards each other are mutual. "Yes." that's all I managed to say. Smiling over my tears, I heard everyone including the staffs whistle, clap, and congratulated us.
"Yes!" he exclaimed and punched in the air like a child.
"Wow! Where did you get that courage from?" Gertrude teased him.
"We've been practicing for weeks," Adam told her which made my mouth gape.
"You knew?!" I asked her but she just shrugs me off. Everyone occupied the tables so we can eat. "Did you rent the whole place?" I whispered to him.
He looked around and winked "My family owns it."
Before I can say something, he started cutting off the meat on my plate. He does that every time so I can eat it properly. I looked at him. In his handsome face. I memorized his facial features; too afraid I might forget it one day. He talks with Gertrude and Catherine while preparing my food.
All my life since Malcolm died, I just want my birthday to come and pass. But today, I don't want it to end. I found new hope. Adam is a good man. I know he won't hurt me, and I hope I don't hurt him too.
Time will come, he will find out what I have done, and I hope that I'd be ready when that time comes that he hates me.