'Ｈｅｙ. I'm just wondering. . .'
Bryson and Daisy were now at the driveway in front of her humble adobe. They're inside the guy's car but neither one of them wants to end the night yet. She looked at Bryson while he was trying to finished the sentence that were hanging on the the tip of his tongue.
Daisy couldn't comprehend in her innocent mind why such a guy like Bryson so interested to her. Sure, some people said that she's sweet, smart, and pretty but, there are nothing really intriguing about her. She's not sexy like one of those girl on a billboards and magazines, not tall like a runway models, and she's just a defected simple and very average female specimen. So why?
'So what do you say?' Bryson looked at her intently while she just gaped at him like a deer caught in the headlight. See, she couldn't even listen to him properly because her mind was always scattered all over the place.
'You're not listening to me, aren't you?' The guy chuckle and Daisy felt her cheeks heating up because of the embarrassment. He might be thinking right now that she's not only a mute but also a total weirdo.
'You're so adorable. If only I'm not taking everything slow, I'd be kissing you right at this moment.' She looked down on her lap and sunk to the passenger's seat even more. Her heart fluttered and she feels like, it will bulged in her rib cage by how fast it was beating.
When she still couldn't looked at the guy that was sitting only few inches away from her, Bryson's hand pinched her chin and gently moved to the side so, that she's facing toward his manly and handsome face. He must be doing it on purpose. Knowing his effect on her and how she melt like a butter whenever he looked at her with those pair of ocean blue eyes. Unable to swim and dive to the deepest part of that extreme brine of Bryson, she looked anywhere but him.
'Hey Shorty. Look at me please.' A pleading tone of Bryson's voice gave her the courage to finally dwelled to his request. The expression on his face is so intense she was at a loss for words and doesn't know how to handle it– it is also soft like a cotton candy and full of awe like a kid seeing a snow for the first time.
'You don't have to be embarrass with me shorty. When it comes to you, everything fascinates me. I know I should be giving you the time to adjust or move at you own pace but, its. . . its hard for me to control myself sometimes and you have to understand that yeah?'
Daisy swallowed very hard and bit down her lip to refrain her emotions from surfacing. Bryson moved his eyes from her own down to her lips and his Adam's apple bobbed. The sexual tension inside the car is building up, anyone that will passed by would surely notice even just outside.
'Don't. . . don't do that please.' She heard the guy muttered a silent cussed then dropped his hand on her chin and run it through his brown locks. She only then noticed herself leaning on the driver's side, their faces were so close just a breathe away and that made her immediately scooted at the very end of her seat– back hitting the door. Bryson laughed because of her sudden action and inclined his whole body on the driver's seat.
'Ya know. If I didn't know you any better, I will assume that you also want what I want. If you know what I mean but, anyway what I'm trying to say earlier were, if you could teach me some basic sign language. You know, when we're together especially like right now, you don't have to type every time we're having a conversation. It's not like I don't want it but, I think it's more convenient for us. What do you think? I mean—'
Bryson stopped talking when he saw her nodding her head eagerly like an excited child finding out they were going to the Disneyland. Daisy is so happy hearing and knowing that Bryson is interested learning sign language for her sake. It only makes her confirmed how much the guy really care for her.
'Alright then all is set. Just text me when is your free time and I'll just come right over to your house or we can study at my place. If you don't mind, I also want to properly introduce you to my mom even though you two already knew each other. What do you say?'
Daisy immediately typed her response on her phone and gave it to Bryson.
'Sure I'd love to go your home and meet your mom. I'm really happy that you want to learn sign language, thank you Bry, I really appreciate it.'
'You don't have to thank me shorty, it's my pleasure. So, Its all settled. How about you go inside your house now, before I do something I should't and I don't want to stall you any longer as much as I want. You still need to wake up early tomorrow for your work.' Daisy wants to protest because even though she doesn't want to admit it to herself, she really like spending her time with Bryson, just hearing his deep, baritone but soft voice was just enough to feel her giddy like a middle schooler talking to her crush.
She just nodder her head and they both stepped outside the car not before Bryson opened the door for her. Very gentleman. The guy walked her to her doorstep while holding her small and cold hand with his big, calloused, and warm one.
'Remember what I always remind you. Lock the doors and windows, Call me whenever there's unusual and text me when you're going to sleep okay?'
Like all those time Bryson dropped her off, it always reminded her of those three rules, its what she called it but, she was definitely not complaining, its a sweet and caring gesture. They both agreed that the sign or warning if something going bad or she feel threaten by someone or anything, she has to call him even though they wouldn't be able to talk, for Bryson that is more than enough action to run to her aid.
'I'm going now shorty. Same as usual tomorrow yeah? Goodnight. Dream of me 'kay?' Daisy only nodded her head for agreement. Bryson kissed the top of her head before letting go of her hands and headed to his awaiting car. Her eyes lingered for a bit moment at Bryson's broad and muscular back before she went inside. After locking the front and back door and checking if the windows got the same treatment, she ascended upstairs to her room. She still need to call her mom via Skype like they usually did every night before she went to bed.
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She took a quick shower and changed into her usual sleeping attire of pj and loose shirt, Daisy Indian sit on her bed before she opened her laptop that was situated on her crossed legs and clicked the video call button on her Skype account. After five rings, her mother's beautiful face with a gentle pair of chestnut eyes popped up on the screen. She misses her mom and of course her dad terribly that she can't help the unshed tears slowly forming in her eyes.
'Hi sweetheart how are you?' Her mother's demeanor aged considerably for the last twenty months since the last time she saw her personally. It breaks her heart even more thinking what her mom's had and has been through up to this day.
'I'm fine mom. How about you? How's dad?'
'I'm doing great sweetheart. Your dad is... Y-your dad is still the same. But he's making progress now sweetheart so you don't have to worry about it okay? How was your work by the way?' Daisy know that was the only thing her mom's way of changing the subject whenever her dad brought upon on their topic. As much as she want to prod her mom, she doesn't want to upset it even more and be reminded about their situation especially her dad.
'It's fun mom. I really enjoyed being a florist. Megan constantly nagged me on being a workaholic tho but, it's all good you know, I finally have the life I'm always dreaming of.' Lies. How can she enjoy living like a normal person even though she wished for it every time before when her very own family is breaking apart and she can't even do something about it.
'Great. I'm so proud of you sweetheart. I'm sure your customer was very delighted by your masterpiece. Keep up the good work and always remember, chin up and put a smile on your face okay?'
She masked the sadness by doing an upbeat sign language to her mom.
'Yes mom. I never forget that'
'Are you still having a panic attack sweetheart? I hope you're not overthinking again.' Daisy knew better than anyone that her mother only want what's good for her but, sometimes she hate every time she reminded her how messed up her brain is. Like usual, she chose to ignore it and just think optimistically.
'No mom, I hadn't a panic attack for a long while now. I'm doing greater than ever so you don't have to worry about it.' Of course, she didn't mentioned what happened at the flower shop this afternoon, her mom doesn't need to know that as she's already stress out about the current situation in their home.
'Good. Good. Just inform me whenever it happen again okay?... So, did you meet someone? Like a male friend. The friends that you introduced to me are always girl.' And here we go again, Daisy thought to herself. Her mom always asked her if she finally has a lover because she didn't restrict her from dating someone as long as she introduce the guy to her and not hiding it like most of the teenagers do.
'Mom... I actually met someone.' This would be the first time that Daisy was going to mention about Bryson to her mother and it feels like a confession even though their relationship is only platonic.
'Really? Is it a guy? Is he kind to you?' Her mother's face brightened up and it makes Daisy happy to see her mom smiling even though the only reason was because of her love life.
'Yes mom, he is very kind to me and his name is Bryson. He always came at the shop whenever I'm at work to hangout and he also drove me home afterwards.'
'Wow. He must really like you sweetheart. I want to meet that guy. When do you plan of introducing him to me hmm?' Her mom said in a teasing tone while wiggling her eyebrows. She laughed silently while shaking her head.
'Mom. We're just friends okay? Well, I'm about to teach him the basic language so I can introduce the two of you to each other when we have free time. But for now, please mom don't assume anything.'
Daisy's mother just elegantly laughed because of the pleading looked on her face.
'I can already tell that he really like you sweetheart. A guy like Bryson is hard to find nowadays. Imagine, being interested on learning the basic sign language just for you sake. Just always be careful sweetheart and don't be afraid of taking everything slow, if that guy really wants to be with you, he will understand and wait as long as you become ready okay? And always remember that God's put our brain above our heart because it could always decide for us better than what we let our heart on.'
Even though they're miles apart, Daisy can always feel her mom's motherly affection, love and most of all, the meaning behind her words of wisdom it held— that it always make her do the right thing and doesn't make a haste decision. It makes her really glad that she has a mother like Elina. She's about to teared up but tried so hard to control herself.
'Yes mom I'll be always careful. Thank you mom. I love you and I miss you so much.'
'I love you too sweetheart and I miss you too everyday. Don't cry on me darling. Remember always wear a smile and chin up.' She gave her mother's favorite smile which her mom's returned with her gentle one.
'I have to go now sweetheart and you have to rest now. Let's continue our conversation some other time okay? Goodnight sweetheart. I love you. Take care always. Bye.' Her mother gave her a flying kissed and Daisy signed again the words I love you before the video call ended and her face reflected on the black screen. She heaved a long sigh before closing her laptop and placed it on her vanity table.
Of course Daisy didn't forget to text Bryson's 'Goodnight' before she crawled on her bed and pulled the duvet up to her chin. The guy with a brown hair and a pair of ocean blue eyes was the last thing she saw before she fell into deep slumber.
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