Ｉｔ＇ｓ been three days since Bryson took Daisy to his 'safe haven'. She wanted to go there again and again— just to breathe the fresh air, being in a solitude like that place brings her a source of relief since that was the first time she felt like breathing through her nose not her mouth. They've become very close after Bryson told her about his story, basically their relationship level up into something not just a boyfriend-girlfriend but, they also seem to become best friends too.
Of course, she still feel guilty and ashamed for being a coward by not telling her own side, that was actually the perfect time and place as there were no disturbance and just the two of them. Daisy just tried to convinced herself that she still need some time but, when? When will be that time gonna happen? That is something she doesn't know of.
For the past three days, Bryson has not missed to give her flowers everyday and join her during breakfast and lunch. She feel bad for suddenly taking his time all by herself and after knowing that Bryson has a family issues, Daisy think it's better if Bryson has to spend his time with his family more than to her.
She wanted to talk about it to Bryson— wanted him to fix or discuss the issue or close the distance between his family but, everytime she tried to bring the topic, her mind became blank and a doubt was eating her conscience away. What if Bryson doesn't need such persuasion since he's clearly capable of doing whatever it is to rift the barrier he chose to build between him and his family? So, the words just hang at the tip of her tongue up until now and will probably stay there for as long as she can still hold herself back.
Last day of work for the weekday and tomorrow is another day off which mean, the day they need to buy some materials.
The florists started closing the shop when the clock switched at five thirty PM, Megan and Daisy both get the display outside to bring it back in the storage room. They haven't had much of a customer the whole day so, they decided to close early unlike how the usual time at six. It's a good thing though because, Bryson invited her over his place for dinner. Daisy can't wait to meet his family again and this time she actually prepared something for Bryson's mother.
Megan leave Daisy outside to do the rest whilst she make a checklist of the materials they're gonna buy tomorrow. Daisy lounge for quiet some time to enjoy viewing the horizon of the sky wherein, the twilight started to formed and made its appearance known for those who end their eventful day with reverie for another sunup.
Daisy filled her lungs with the night air as she let her eyes explored their neighborhood, other shops are also closing now whilst the other's are still buzzing with people patronizing the business.
Someday, Daisy also want to have her own shop— an establishment where she would pack to the brim with things she earn from her sweat and blood. A place that people will love and support because, she will do anything to serve them at her best.
Someday. After all the problems are done and being solve— something that are delaying her for reaching and capturing her dreams. People might say how life would be easy to have the wealth and luxurious life that will grant you the power to get anything on your whims, buy everything you like, travel to wherever you wish for and be contented as you don't have to lift a finger to get whatever that pleased you. For Daisy, it's all an illogical and self-absorbed thinking. Sure, money can do anything but sometimes, it doesn't give you something that will lasts forever. Love and happiness.
If she has given a choice, Daisy would sell her name, identity to the devil without a second-thought, if it will grant her a simple wish of having a normal life. But, of course she's still thankful for what she become today and what she still need to discover about herself. It's just a wistful thought that is really impossible to accomplish.
After a while of basking in the chilly air that was nipping into her skin, Daisy continued her job by picking up the last basket of Purple Hyacinth but then, a piece of card fell into the cemented sidewalk. Daisy feels like having a de ja vu, an occurrence that definitely happened just a couple of days ago. Is it from the old man again? But, she never saw that old man entered their shop the whole day nor in any past days. In fact he didn't visit their shop again.
Daisy bent down to picked up the piece of paper. Probably, a calling card or business card that someone had dropped without their knowledge.
'You look lovely as always. I hope you like my gift.'
A bold, cursive, and bloody red texts were printed on the card. Daisy remembered the last one she picked at the exact same position before, both are exactly identical except the printed note. Her eyebrows furrowed before she stood up to her full height and wandered her eyes everywhere to catch the possible owner of the card but, the street are empty. Not quite sure about the thing she had found, Daisy just decided to ask Megan about the strange card.
She carefully set aside the last basket in the storage room before getting her things inside her locker and untying the apron on her torso and finally joined her friend at the counter.
'Did you see who dropped this?'
Megan stopped typing on her phone and looked at her with her head tilted to the side and an arched one brow.
'Come again?' Daisy slapped the card on the counter and wait for Megan's reaction.
'Where did you get that?' Her friend asked skeptically whilst examining the piece of paper in her hands.
'Outside. It fell when I picked up the
last basket.' Daisy sat on the barstool and gave her full attention to her friend. Megan placed the card back on the counter and looked at her with uninterested expression.
'I haven't seen anyone who dropped this. Maybe from a passerby in a hurry. Or. . .' Megan taunted, flashing her famous sly smirk.
It's really a wonder how her friend's expression changed in just one blink of her eyelids.
'Maybe your boyfriend put the thing on intentionally to surprise you or. . . you have a secret admirer.'
Secret admirer? Why would someone admire her? And where did that idea came from anyway? Daisy looked at Megan unconvinced.
'I'll just ask Bryson later on.' She just waved off the incredulous idea about her having a secret admirer and get the piece of card again. Reading the text once more.
'What if Bryson didn't put that thing and you actually have a secret admirer. You know I'm actually betting on the latter. Want me to prove it?' Megan pried the thing off in her hands and smelled it.
Daisy just stared at Megan like she just suddenly went insane. Why is Megan smelling the card? And what did she meant by proving her point? Someone might actually see the card too not just her. It could be Megan if only she was the one that picked up the last basket.
'Yeah positive. I don't think someone just accidentally dropped this thing off. I mean, it's too much of a coincidence. It's certainly smell like your scent. Lavender and vanilla with a tinged of daisy.'
Daisy's expression morphed into something bemused whilst she grabbed the thing in her friend's hand and tried to smell it to. True to her words, Megan was actually right, she could easily recognized anywhere the scent of lavender and vanilla because, that is the fragrance she always wore everyday and on top of it, there was definitely a scent of daisy too.
Now she's really weirded out. Like how come something so coincidental like this happened? Did someone perhaps used the same product with that scent like her? But, why would someone sprayed it on a piece of card?
The door bell's jingled and Bryson waltzed in. Her boyfriend's appearance brought her mind back from being absorbed to unnecessary thoughts.
'Hey.' Bryson walked directly to her side and kissed the top of her head before placing his hand on either sides of her waist.
'Hey to you too lover boy. Hmm. . . Guess you have a competitor now.' Megan wiggled her eyebrows and gave Bryson a cunning looked whilst Bryson gazed down at her before giving Megan his full attention.
'What do you mean?'
'See that.' Megan pointed the card in Daisy's hand. 'Someone might intentionally put that thing outside the shop or rather hid it on the displays for your precious girl to find and see. Smell it.'
Bryson opened his palm in front of Daisy and she reluctantly handed the thing over. Why are they talking about that anyway? It could be just a pure coincidence, no need to make the situation into something bigger, its not even important. Daisy wanted to repined her friend for even bringing it up but, decided not to.
'Yeah. I could tell it give off the same scent like shorty. When did you get this baby?' Bryson looked down at her with his quizzical face.
'Just a while ago while I'm picking up the display. It's not really important. Probably just someone accidentally dropped the thing and who would actually put that intentionally just for me anyway? I don't have an admirer or anything okay?'
Bryson and Megan looked at her like she just signed the most stupid thing. It even surprised her that her boyfriend actually understood the full sign language.
'Are you serious Bae? I couldn't actually count using my hands how many times someone tried to hit on you just by standing right on that spot when you only did was to assisted those buggers and nothing more.'
'What? When? Who? Why I didn't know about that?' Bryson asked in an alarmed voice but had an edge of seriousness to it.
Megan just dismissed her boyfriend's serious demeanor and answered in a bored tone. 'Bug off Bryson. It always happened and you can't do anything about it as you chose to become Bae's boyfriend. What do you want to do then, guard her twenty-four seven? And do you really think Bae has interest to any guys? See that. I could almost tell how her brain works by now.'
Daisy just looked at the both of them, trying to understand in her simple-minded brain the exchanged of conversation like a difficult code she needed to decipher. Why would someone hit her anyway? She did nothing wrong to anyone.
'Whatever. I'm not gonna caveman style towards Daisy and I'm confident about our relationship and I trust her more than anyone but, for those fuc— guys. I don't think so.' Bryson's hold on her waist tightened. The piece of card in his right hand was even crumpling.
'Dude trust me when I say, I don't freaking trust those shit-faced too. I give you credit though for everything you just said as long as you don't do something that will make me bury you 7 feet below.'
How the hell this turned of chitchat happened? Daisy is still have no idea and just looked down on her lap. The card was long forgotten and Bryson didn't gave it back to her. She actually plan to make a comparison from the last one as to see and make sure that her hunched is correct.
'Keep your bet for that. I will personally excavate the land and bury myself.'
Bryson kissed the top of her head and spun the barstool slightly so that her side is pressed on his chest before smiling down at her. Megan just gave Bryson a two thumbs up while nodding her head. Giving her approval to his statement.
'As much I hate looking at the two of you being mushy and all which is true by the way, why don't the both of you get lost now and do whatever it is you plan for the night. I'm staying behind since I still need to check everything just to make sure we won't forget something that needs to be restock.' Megan blabbered in her usual sassy voice.
Daisy feels bad all of a sudden. She didn't know that her friend doesn't like it if she was around Bryson. Her face dropped as she reluctantly signed. 'I'm sorry Megan. I didn't mean to make you feel bad.'
Megan's eyes went wide for a moment but then goes back to her usual gentle face. Smiling fondly at Daisy and replied in a soft voice. 'No babe. That's not what I meant. It's just— my self-issue being insulted for no reason seeing the two of you being lovey-dovey while I'm drowning myself in self-pity for being single. Forget it. If you're happy then so Am I and besides you're just so innocent Bae. My offer is still up you know. So when you finally realize that you need me more than your boyfriend. Just tell me and we're gonna elope okay?'
'To hell I will allow that. Let's go shorty.' Bryson immediately grabbed her bag and held her hand, helping her to stand up from her sitting position.
'Sometimes my mind couldn't really comprehend why did such a young, beautiful and pure butterfly fell into the trap of a Venus flytrap.'
Bryson just ignored Megan's mocking words and padded to the door. Daisy just followed behind after giving her friend a smile and waved her hand in goodbye but, before Bryson could even open the door, Megan spoke again. 'By the way, tomorrow will be going to the mall remember? We'll be using your car so you have to pick me up at ten and don't forget to bring your friend. Understood?'
Both of them looked at Megan. Bryson released a long sigh before asking, 'Why are we using my car? I mean. Don't you have your own? We could just meet up at the place.' Megan rolled her eyes and replied in a sassy tone. 'Because I said so. Choose one, I let you go with us if you shallow your complaints or we'll go by ourselves without you?'
Bryson run his free hand through his hair and licked his bottom lip whilst Daisy's eyes followed the appealing moved.
'Fine. Send me your address then. Don't expect me to bring Sam though if he really don't wanna go, not gonna force that Goliath. Come on shorty.'
Once again, Bryson led her outside. Megan's shouting voice chased them behind. 'I'm still expecting though.'
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'Oh hello dear. It's nice seeing you again. I haven't visit your shop for a long while now. How are you doing?' Annie's welcoming and soft voice greeted her when they set foot in the living room.
It's just Bryson's mother in their home and Daisy feel hesitant toward the lady when the memories of Bryson's story cross her mind.
She doesn't even know why her heart suddenly feels disinclined when the lady haven't even done wrong to her.
'I'm doing great Annie. Thank you for asking. What about you?' Daisy smiled in his usual cheerful face but everyone could tell it was fake. Bryson immediately translated the sign language she had conducted for his mother to understand. Daisy once again was surprised seeing her boyfriend at ease and knew what every moves she meant.
How did he become so good in sign language? They only had one lesson anyway and during that time, Bryson was still like a baby trying to say the word 'mommy' or 'daddy'.
'I'm fine dear. Why don't the both of you wait for a while here whilst I'm still cooking our dinner. I'll just call you over when dinner is ready okay?'
'Do you want some help?'
Annie gently shook her head and smiled before answering in a motherly voice. 'It's okay dear. Just relax and be our guest.' Daisy nodded her head in understanding and before she even foget the present she is about to give. She promptly rummaged inside her bag to get the chamomile tea she made.
She shyly raised her hand in front of Annie, holding the paper bag with tea inside. Her cheeks heated up for being flustered and reluctant— unsure if Annie will like her simple gift or not. Her doubtful thoughts was immediately answered when Annie hugged her.
'Thank you so much dear. I really appreciate it. Maybe we could finally start our tea making this weekend if you're free. What do you think?' Annie pulled her body away and hold Daisy's shoulders.
'Mom we're gonna shop tomorrow.' Bryson butted in, putting his hands on her waist again. Daisy thought Bryson must really like holding her in that part of her body.
'Oh. Then maybe next week perhaps?'
'No. I'm free this Sunday actually. I could come over if you don't mind.'
'Absolutely not dear. I'll wait for you kay? I'm going back to the kitchen now before our dinner gets burn.' Annie smiled to them once again before she padded towards the kitchen.
'Hey shorty. Is it okay if I leave you here for the time being? I'm just gonna take a quick shower.'
Daisy looked up to Bryson after he stood up from the couch which she was currently seated. Truthfully, she wanted to see Bryson's room as she had never been in a male's room before. But of course, Daisy is too shy to even ask that kind of request so, she just nodded her head and looked down on her lap to played with her hands.
'Hmm. . . Actually. D— Do you want to see my room?' Daisy's head immediately perked up like an excited kid going out to play whilst Bryson scratched the back of his neck. She nodded her head rather eagerly which made Bryson's chuckled and held his hand in front of her.
'Alright. Let's go. There are nothing really interesting about my room so don't expect anything but, you can do whatever you want.'
They both ascended upstairs whilst still holding each other's hands. The hallway in the second floor has two rooms at both sides and like the wall in the foyer, the color is light blue with flower sequence and some picture frames hanging on it. Daisy momentarily stopped when her eyes caught an image of a man.
When Bryson noticed her, he came to a halt too and looked at the picture frame that caught Daisy's attention.
'That is my dad.'
She narrowed her eyes as to make a clear vision of the picture because of the dimly light in the hallway. When the photograph became clear, she examine it thoroughly like its a masterpiece in a national museum.
There's tall man in his 40's dressed in a military uniform, more build and bulky compared to Bryson. And there are a lot of badges pinned at the right side of his chest and he is standing straight like a ruler and proud like a lion guarding his kingdom. His hair was shaved and face devoid of any emotion. She couldn't really tell what the color of his eyes but, Daisy thought it was probably different from Bryson and something that had seen and experienced a lot of things in life.
His dad is handsome and tall like him, that is for sure— but, that's not the reason why she suddenly become immersed on the picture. Daisy doesn't know how to describe her feeling at that moment but, she feels like she have had seen the man before. Like its in the very back of her mind, the very bottom on a pile of her memories and couldn't seems to pulled it out. Daisy doesn't know when or where but, the face of the man lingered in her memory lane.
'We're not look alike right? I inherited most of my features from mom but, people always told us that me and dad has exactly the same personality.'
Daisy furrowed her eyebrows and finally diverted her attention from the familiar face back to her boyfriend that is standing behind her.
'Let's go?' Daisy held Bryson's hand once again and smiled to him before they proceeded to his room.
Her eyes lingered on the picture for a few moment before she let her boyfriend dragged her across the hallway.
'So hmm. . . Y— You can sit wherever you like. I— I'll just gonna take a shower 'kay? Just call me if you need anything.' Bryson said awkwardly and scratched his eyebrows with his index fingers, eyes looking anywhere but her before he went inside the door at the left side of the room and came out holding a change of clothes. 'I'll just be quick okay? Don't hesitate to do whatever you want.' Bryson kissed the top of her head then walked inside the bathroom just beside the closet.
Daisy just explored the expanse of her boyfriend's room. The place is actually quite clean— more on minimalism because of a few things here and there, the king-sized bed is at middle of the room with dark blue pillows and mattress and on the right side of it, there's a nightstand with digital alarm clock. The wallpaper was gray and on the right corner there are some books on the shelves beside a single window. Opposite to it are two side by side doors—bathroom and closet.
The minty scent of him is all over the place too that makes her feel dizzy all of a sudden. Daisy padded towards the table right at the bottom of the window with gray curtain, there are a few stacked of books and schools stuffs on top of it. She skimmed with her hand every object and rested it on an open book with bookmarked laying in-between the pages.
Daisy read the familiar context and her eyes immediately light up when she realized it as definitely a book about sign language for beginners. A small smile formed on her lips as her eyes scanned every words. There are some words being highlighted with yellow-green marker and a few written notes on the blank space.
This must be the reason why Bryson suddenly became good with sign language. He's actually studying it. Daisy's heart swelled up because of how proud and happy she feels toward the guy that went on such length just to have a convenient conversation with her. She liked texting and typing her reply every time she was around Bryson before but, having an exchange of words using body movement is actually pretty entertaining and exciting.
Being engrossed in her fantasy world again, Daisy jumped slightly out of shocked and dropped the book that made a resounding noise as it fell on the table when Bryson suddenly appeared right beside her and blew a warm breathe to her exposed earlobe. The guy laughed seeing her startled expression while she just pouted her lower lip and crossed her arms over the other on her chest— glaring at Bryson who's still busy laughing lowly.
'You should have seen your face shorty.'
Daisy walked past Bryson towards the door to the exit the room but, he stopped her by hugging her from behind before she can even reach the middle of the room.
'I'm sorry shorty. You're just so preoccupied, you didn't even noticed me walking out from the bathroom. What were you reading by the way?'
The water from Bryson's still damped hair is dripping off on her shoulder where his head is leaning and his hold on her torso tightened.
Daisy took a deep breathe because of the sudden pool of heat that is slowly consuming her body, the flushed on her cheeks and the smell of mint and aftershave from Bryson were not even helping her stimulating situation. She tried to wiggled her way out to distance herself from him but, Bryson only pulled her closer.
'Tell me shorty what were you reading before and why are you squirming? If you don't want me to pin you on my bed right now, I suggest you stop moving or else. . .'
Daisy immediately stopped her attempt since she doesn't really want to know the thing that's running inside Bryson's head. Well, its not like she have an idea what it is anyway but, Daisy's thought it's best not to test the water.
'I was just reading the textbook about sign language. I didn't know you started studying it even when we stopped the lesson.'
Bryson removed his head on her shoulder and turned her around. Him looking down at her and her trying to inclined her head up due to his tall height. Someday she'll certainly get a stiff neck for always looking up on him.
'Yeah. . . Well— I—I just started studying just a couple of days ago. Since I don't want to take your day off when you should be resting from the long weekdays of work instead of spending your time teaching me. So hmm. . . It's nothing really important. I still need some studying to do and a lot more practice but— I can manage it and. . . To be honest, I want to surprise you but, I guess it's not a surprise anymore so yeah.'
Daisy's smile widened as she looked at the guy with so much awe and adoration. Bryson avoided her eyes, looking bashful and like kid being caught with his hand in a cookie jar. She tiptoed to reach even just the side of Bryson's prominent jaw and planted a kissed on it, making the guy caught off his guard. In an instant his eyes looked at her, stunned and mouth slightly ajar because that was a first time she initiated a kissed even if it was just on his jaw.
After her mind processed what she had just done, Daisy's cheeks pronto glows crimson as she hurriedly raised her hands and signed something.
'I'm sorry I didn't mean to kissed you. It was just on impulse. I'm just really happy that you exerts some effort and spend some of your time just to study and learn sign language when you don't really have to.'
Bryson gently pressed her chin with his thumb and index finger before he slowly slants it upward to connect their eyes.
'You don't have to say sorry shorty. I'm just surprised because that was the first time you kissed me. Well, I honestly prefer if you to pressed your lips here.' Bryson tapped his lips and gave her a coy smile whilst Daisy's cheeks get flushed even more. 'I guess, I should just compromise for that. But, soon. Very soon. I will claim that plump and soft part of your body that is mine from the very beginning so, you better get ready.' The irises in his eyes suddenly expanded and turned into pitch black as he looked intensely on her lips before swallowing hard.
Daisy bit down her lip absentmindedly that just further the pit of darkness in Bryson's eyes like there was suddenly an oil spill— contaminating the blue ocean. Bryson slowly leaned in close to her face, eyes still looking heatedly on her lips. The fifteen inches distance between their faces before is now only a breathe away. Bryson's warm breathe and minty scent are now creeping and accumulating inside her system like a poisonous venom, intoxicating and making her body suspended.
It also ignited something inside her that she had never feel before—like a bonfire flickering and toasting her inhibition as she also slowly close the distance between them too by tiptoeing.
'Guys mom sai— Oh. . .' The door suddenly opened, Elijah is standing on the doorway with his surprised but impish face while Daisy hastily pulled away her body from Bryson's hold like it suddenly burned her skin and her shoes became the most interesting thing to her eyes.
'Don't you fuc— know how to knock?' Bryson's voice from soft earlier turned into deadly with an edge of a threat. Elijah just cleared his throat. 'I'm sorry man. I– I didn't know you two are. . . doing something hmm. . . couple stuffs? W—what I mean is I didn't mean to barged in just wanted to call you since mom was done with the dinner. I— I should probably go now. Yeah. Just come downstair after y—you two do—'
'We're not doing anything so just get lost. Jesus!' Bryson seethed and Daisy still having her time scrutinizing her shoes, probably by the end of the night she already know what materials the shoemaker used to create such intricate and beautiful thing.
What were they supposed to be doing anyway? Well, they were only about to kissed. No big deal. Just a piece of cake. Not! They were about to kissed and the most embarrassing part was, they had been caught by Elijah. Oh god. Daisy's mind become a jumbled mess, trying so hard to hide her blushing cheeks by craning her head downward, praying silently for the floor to swallow her whole and just vanish in the face of the earth.
Elijah's retreating footsteps echoed in the hallway not before parting them a last words that only made Daisy prayed all the saint to just come down and take her away.
'Make sure to lock the door the next time man. . . And use some protection!'
Bryson heaved a heavy breathe as his shoes appeared on Daisy's line of vision.
'I'm sorry about my brother baby. Don't mind him okay. He just probably forgot to fastened his loose screws again. Come on. Let's eat some dinner.'
Daisy only nodded her head whilst Bryson placed his burning hand on the small of her back. They both exited the room that suddenly became small for the two of them and with just one thought in their mind.
Hopefully, Elijah won't tell anything to Annie.
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