Her mother was applying makeup on her face when she entered the room. She wondered what person in their right mind would still be applying makeup in the evening.
She just sat down on the bed and crossed her legs.
"Mum, are you coming with me to the fundraiser's festival at ten am tomorrow? "
"I'm having a meeting at New York tomorrow by 9 o'clock and i have to leave here latest by six in the morning. Let your dad go with you. " Her mother suggested.
Daisy cocked her head to one side. "Mum, do you really think i haven't done that. You know quite alright how that would have gone."
"Well, you should try not to piss him off every time, Daisy. This artist stuff you're... "
Daisy covered her ears immediately.
"No!! Not you too mum!!! " She stood up " God, mum. I'm disappointed in you. I expected you to be on my side "
"Daisy, I can't be on your side if you choose to do something as stupid as making stupid drawings and paintings as a lifelong career"
On hearing that, Daisy stormed out of her mother's room and went to her own bedroom. She took her piano and played it so loud that her mother had to shout and pound know her door from her to stop.
That night, when she was called downstairs for dinner, she refused to answer anyone. She went to bed hungry and disappointed. At ten o'clock, Jake called her.
"Hey buttercup "
"Hi Jake" She replied.
"Is everything okay, Dee? " Jake asked on hearing how sad her voice sounded.
"No everything's not okay. " She cried out and narrated her ordeal to him.
"Oh my!! I'm sorry and I would have loved to go with you but I'm having a project tomorrow too. You know, I have one month left till graduation"
Daisy flinched.
She didn't like the reminder that Jake would be moving on to college very soon.
"But I'll ask my dad if he can come with you. " Jake said.
"No no no. You don't need to bother. I'll be fine on my own."
"Daisy" Jake called in a low voice. "I know how hard it is to be alone surrounded by your other partners, with their friends and families. I'll talk to my dad, okay? "
"Thank you Jake. I'm so grateful"
"Come on buttercup. Anything for you "
She smiled and they talked for a few more minutes before they both went to sleep.
****
The following morning, Daisy woke up to a text message from her friend Star. She read it out.
"Dear darling. Happy birthday and before you start yapping and start biting your lips, I know your birthday is tomorrow but i wouldn't want to forget. So, happy birthday. I've subscribed a one - month free data for you, so you can download new movies on Netflix and then watch porn, like you normally do. I love you forever and don't forget to keep my comestibles."
Daisy laughed out loud. How like Star not to forget her birthday. She really loved that girl so much and she wondered why on earth they both lived so far away from each other.
Since it was Saturday, Her sister Allie was with her Aunt Ellie; Her parents had no doubt travelled on different business meetings and Danny was obviously having a date with his long-term girlfriend Alyssa.
Daisy was also going out for an art exhibition too. She was supposed to take all of her artworks to the fundraisers. It was going to be in form of an auction and she was looking forward to it. The last time she went on an art exhibition she went there alone, and came back home feeling jealous of all her friends who came with their families who kept on congratulating and praising them. This time around, she would be doing it alone again. She knew Jake promised to talk to his dad but she actually wasn't counting on it. His father and hers were in the same profession so definitely, his father would also have plans for the day.
She wishes she could just listen to her parents and study medicine or law, instead of going for an art course, but she just can't. It's just like trying to tell a teenage girl to watch Harry Potter, instead of Princess Diaries. It is almost nearly impossible.
She went to the bathroom and had her bath. Combing her hair up into a pony tail, she dried up her body with her lemon green coloured towel and then put on a blur long-sleeved top with denim jeans. She wore a very short blue stockings too, with black boots.
She arranged all her artworks in a bag and went out. She locked the doors and then took a cab to Jake's house.
"Hey buttercup" Jake's father hollered, much to her surprise.
"Oh, you're worried about the name. Well, I've heard Jake call you that on so many occasions and I've also forgotten your name too. Hope you don't mind. "
Daisy was so surprised and she laughed. The man really had a great sense of humour.
"My name is Daisy. Daisy Winters " She smiled.
"Oh yeah. I'm sure I've heard that name Winters before. Anyways, Jake is not home and he said i should take you somewhere. I'm fully dressed or do i need to change?"
Daisy looked at his dressing and tried very hard not to laugh. He was wearing an orange T-shirt on blue trousers, with a green cowboy hat. She forced herself not to look at his shoes. His dressing was really absurd but she couldn't tell him that.
"It's fine Mr Harrison and I can't thank you enough for how you've forgone all your activities for the day to accompany on this..."
"Enough of the grammar kiddo." He interrupted. "Let's get an early start so we won't be late. "
They got there in time, as the program commenced. In less than two hours, all her ten artworks had been sold at a higher price than she'd expected. She looked round and saw Jason, Jake's father talking to a man in a business suit. She moved closer to them.
"Hi beauty. Your works are really priceless, I must say. " The man commented.
"Hey Cam. She's been taken" Jason said to him.
"By who? " Can asked.
"By my son and I. This talented beauty you see here. " Jason put his arms round Daisy and beat his chest proudly. "Is my son's girlfriend, Daisy."
The man looked at her.
"Wow. I'm really impressed. Your works are good. Do you intend to pursue a career in art? "
Her heart beat faster than usual.
"Yes " She said without hesitating. He then put his hand in his breast pocket and brought out a card.
"Here is my business card. I'll really love for some of your paintings to be put in my company, for now, before we start thinking if taking you to a much more higher level." He said.
Daisy gasped in surprise.
"Yeah. She deserves it. " Jason said, while thoroughly enjoying the show.
"This is a chance for you to go global. Your works are really wonderful. "
"Thanks for the compliment and for the card. I'll definitely give this a try, Mr Cam "
"Oh just call me Camden." He then tried to shake her hand, but Jason pushed him away.
"No no no. Not acceptable. Look but don't touch. In fact " he turned to Daisy. " As much as today has been eventful and i reconnected with my old high school partners in crime,i think today has to end or do you still have anything to do? "
"No no no. We should go " Then Daisy turned to Cam. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Mr Cam "
Jason grabbed her hand immediately and steered her out through the exit.
"So Daisy. Is this the first time you've sold any of your artworks? " Jason asked.
"No. I've sold about twenty five so far and I donated the proceeds to the less privileged."
He remained silent for a while before finally responding.
"You have a good heart Daisy and you're smart too. Don't let your parent's pressure lead you to the wrong path. I believe you're very smart and you'll know what to do. "Jason advised.
He then pulled up the car at Bryon's Cafeteria.
"Why are we stopping here? " She looked at Jason.
"Honey, we're here to celebrate your birthday. I won't be free tomorrow - the case was adjourned to tomorrow. But don't worry, Jake would be here soon, with my wife. "
Her eyes watered. She'd known these people for not less than a month and they already had her best interest at heart. She stood up and hugged Jason.
"Hey babe. Moved on to my dad?"
She heard Jake's voice behind her and ran to him. Throwing her hands round his neck, she kissed him softly. "Oh Jake. Thank you so much Jake. I love you so much"
"Wait!! " Jake's mum, Janet said. "Did i just here the word 'love'? Jason, you really need to add that verb in your schedule for tonight." She smiled teasingly.
"Not now, mum and dad. " Jake groaned.
"Before we go though, we'd like to give you this. Happy birthday in advance " Janet said.
Daisy's heart lurched forward with Joy as she collected the gift. "Honestly " She bit her lips.
"I don't know what to say, but thank you. Thank you so much for the love, care, support and the... Gifts " Janet just smiled.
"You're welcome darling. We're leaving now. "
She turned to Jake. "Don't forget your 10:00pm curfew. " She said and left with her husband.