"You still have a curfew? At 18?" Daisy asked surprisingly as soon as his parents drove off
"No no no. Curfew ended the day I turned 18. My mum just likes joking about it all the time. By the way, what time is your own curfew? I wouldn't want to get on your parents bad side because of what I got planned for us today. "
"Hmm. My curfew is by 9pm and I actually do need to talk to my parent. I hope you don't mind. " I asked, already bringing out my cell phone from my bag. He nodded in the affirmative.
"Hi mum." I was lucky that my mother picked my call on the first ring. On a normal day, I would call like about, four times before she picks up the call.
"Hi baby. How are you? "Her mother called out.
"I'm fine mum. You? "
"I'm good. Almost rounding up the meeting. I hope you're not feeling lonely at home?" She asked.
"No mum. "I replied. It wasn't totally lie of course because I actually wasn't feeling lonely. I was with the love of my life. I looked over at Jake who was sitting. I was so enthralled that I didn't hear the rest of what mum said. "But don't worry honey. I'll soon be back, okay? "
"Okay Ma. Bye" I replied
Before I even finished talking, she'd hanged up. Seriously, I've started questioning my parents love for me, because they're too focused on their careers and most of the time they forget that they have children. They do that even to my little sister, Allie.
"So babe, everything's good? " Jake asked
I laid my head on his shoulders and replied with a smile. "Everything's good. So what are we doing today? Let's go to our favorite place - Jenny's restaurant. "
"Are we actually going to the restaurant? " He asked with a sexy grin.
"Of course not. You're going to play me a song. " I said confidently.
"Hell yeah. Anything for you. And then I have a surprise for you. "
I looked at him and sighed. "Hmm."
He laughed and hugged me.
Afterwards, we drove in his car to Jenny's restaurant and as usual went to the back of the building.
"Hey Daisy. Happy birthday. "Tom and the kids he was training screamed loudly.
In the background, someone started playing the "Happy birthday to you " song with a flute and the rest of the kids were singing - some with soprano, some alto, a few tenor and the rest, bass.
I felt so honored.
I was really glad to know these people.
Then Jake grabbed a piano, sat and started playing and singing along to the lyrics to Monica's 'Angel of Mine'
when I first saw you, I already knew
There was something inside of you
Something I thought I would never find...
He looked at me before he just the keys loudly and played ... Angel of Mine...
I stood up. He did the same. I looked round and noticed that the hall had become almost empty.
The tension in the Hall heightened. There came an unmistakable silence. My heartbeat increased. I moved close to him and placed both my hands on his chest. I inhaled his scent first before letting my lips linger on his. He shifted close to me and closed the gap between us. His tongue found mine as we slow-danced to the love song playing from down the hallway. I could even feel his growing erection in between my thighs.
"Hey guys. This is getting X-rated. Could you please get a room? " Tom said with a smirk and left almost immediately.
"Buttercup " Jake pulled back, still gazing intently at me. "As much as I love you and would want to do this with you, I can't. I have to wait until you're legal, okay? "
I nodded, even if that was the most painful decision I've ever made. That earth-shattering kiss was just... It left me needing and wanting more.
He drew my chin closer to his and kissed me.
"Jake if you continue this, I would switch to my bad girl side and have my way with you." I warned.
Jake laughed in a husky voice. "I'd really love to see Bad Daisy but it's gonna have to wait. Now let me give you my gift. "
From his left breast pocket, he brought out a necklace and handed it to me. It was simple and casual, but very beautiful.
"Oh my!!! " I exclaimed. "It's beautiful Jake. Thank you "
I gave it to him and turned around for him to help me put it on.
As he touched my back, I felt heat between my legs. As soon as he had it hooked, I turned around to face him.
"I'll never take it off, Jake. I promise"
We both higher each other and left. He drove me back home and by then, it was already some minutes past 8.
"I really hate for this day to end, buttercup." Jake said as I came down from his car.
"Me too." I hugged him, we kissed and he left.
When I got in, the disgusting sight I met almost made me puke. Danny was making out with a girl on the sofa.
"What the hell, Danny?!!! And who the fuck is this thing? Don't you have any iota of regard for mum and dad? Bringing one of your quotes home is out of character" I ranted while pacing forth and back.
"Daisy keep your voice down. " He said softly and then turned to the girl. "Hey Corrine. You may leave now. "
The girl rearranged her dress and scurried away immediately. I did not even see her face.
"Corrine? " I asked in disbelief. "I thought you were out with Alyssa"
He shrugged his shoulders in an I-don't-care mood.
"Well, Alyssa and I broke up. Besides, where were you all throughout today? " He asked me.
"I was out for that art exhibition that I told you about!!! And then I had a date with my boyfriend. Is that a problem?" I replied and started my way up the stairs to my room.
"Hey Daisy, be careful " Danny said as he followed me into my bedroom. "because" he paused. "boys can deceive you and get you into trouble"
"Yeah. Like you're doing with Corrine, Alyssa, Leah, Rachel, Marah and all the other girls you've dumped right? "
He sat on my bed and rested his head on my shoulder.
"When did we get so far apart, Dee? " He asked sadly.
I stilled. This was a vulnerable side of my brother that I couldn't remember ever. I faced him.
"What do you mean by "being apart"? We go to school together, talk together, eat together, watch movies together and all that. So what exactly is your definition of "being apart""
"I mean... " He sighed. "Lately, we've been having frequent quarrels and we don't share our innermost thoughts to each other again. "
"So what do you want me to do now? " I queried.
"I want things to go back to normal, just like before. " He replied. "And to be honest, I didn't really break up with Alyssa; She broke up with me. She said her father's been transferred to London and she wasn't sure that she could keep up with the charade of long distance relationship. Believe me, Norah, I begged her but she just walked out on me. " He explained.
All his words were just gibberish until he mentioned my middle name. I mean, no one ever calls me that anymore, except of course my aunt, whom I was named after. That name brought back memories of the past when mum and dad were focused on just me and Danny - not their work.
"Oh Danny. I missed you twin bro" I heaved heavily and hugged him.
And then..
"Hi kiddos. Are you having a pity party or what? "
Both Danny and I turned to the sound of our father's voice.
"Hey dad. " I left Danny and went to hug him.
"Hi principessa. How are you? "
"I'm fine daddy. "
I was disappointed when he pulled away from me not less than ten seconds later. His phone beeped in the left breast pocket of his shirt.
"I'm sorry kiddos but I've got to go now"
Danny stood up immediately. "Where are you going to again, dad? "
"I have to tell my boss the result of the meeting I went for because he was absent. I'll be back in time for dinner. " Dad replied.
"But dad this is something you can do over a phone call. Must you go see him face to face? " Danny queried.
"Don't you dare take that tone with me, young man. Like I said, I'll be back soon" Dad said and left immediately.
"Great!!! How fascinating this is!!! " Danny sat down with a pained laugh. "He didn't even bother to ask about our day.
We both laid down on my bed and woke up only when we heard our mother's voice.
"Daisy !! Danny!! I saw you guys sleeping and I didn't want to disturb you; that was why I didn't wake you up earlier. "
"Oh right mum. " I didn't even bother to ask about her day because she didn't ask about mine either.
After all, respect is reciprocal
I kept on wondering how my birthday is going to be tomorrow.