Days passed by with Daisy locking herself up in her bedroom in the Chen Mansion. She did not even step out to have her meals. The servants who came to serve meals at her doorstep were unable to catch a glimpse of her.
Usually, they would leave the food at the doorstep and most of the time, only one meal of the day would disappear from the table at Daisy's door. Today was one such day where the breakfast, lunch and even the dinner remained untouched. The maids looked at each other in worry and words of it soon reached Alice's ears.
Alice stood in front of the tall golden framed mirror, tying the knot of her satin nightgown while a maid combed her hair gently. When she heard what the maids were saying, there was not much of a change in her reaction, ''If she doesn't want to eat, let her be.''
Growing up, Daisy had always been a rebellious child. She thought she was very capable but now, she was sitting in Chen Mansion, waiting for her marriage. It must be a hit to pride no matter how maturely she agreed to this great marriage prospect.
Alice was very much unbothered by such trifles.
In Daisy's room.
Intense tapping of keyboard reverberated in the soundproofed walls as Daisy sat on the bed, a laptop on her lap.
Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to hours until suddenly the codes on the laptop all disappeared.
'Authenticated' popped up on the blank screen, soon followed by the picture of Daisy's ID. Despite the picture being hers, the identity seemed to be belonging to someone else, a fake name and a fake age.
As Daisy looked at the screen of her laptop, the corner of her lips tugged up slightly.
Her phone started ringing. She picked it up to check only to find a facetime request from Si Yena.
Daisy answered the call without hesitation and walked towards the window in her room.
The screen displayed an extravagant living room but Daisy's eyes spotted the cot in the middle of the elegant hall as tiny limbs reached out to pull the soft toy hanging above.
The camera flipped and Si Yena's worried face entered Daisy's sight, ''I heard news of your marriage to the third son of the Lu Family. What exactly are you doing, Daisy?"
Daisy remained mum for a moment, ''The third son of the Lu Family…'' she mumbled.
Si Yena sighed, ''I know it's an enticing marriage prospect. Even though the third son of the Lu Family is not as competent as the second son and has a reputation for being a playboy but he is still Lu Sheng. He is quite charming and of course the 'Lu' in his name is unmistakable but Daisy, you have a child. Do you think the Lu Family will consider making you their daughter-in-law if they know about this?"
Daisy sank into her thoughts. When she agreed to the marriage, she had not asked for details of the man she was going to marry because considering her mother's nature, she would certainly pick a golden goose for her.
However, she did not know that her future husband was a child of the Lu Family.
Four aristocratic families reigned the power politics of Beijing; Qin, Chen, Lu and Si.
Si Yena belonged to the Si Family, which despite being in decline, remained in power for their ancestral heritage.
The Qin Family was surrounded in mystery. People barely got to see the Master or Old Master of the Qin Family, let alone knowing about their intricacies.
Chen Family and Lu Family were the most active ones. The key difference between them was that Chen Corporation, despite being one of the top in the world, had kept it's dealings clean. However, the Lu Family had involvements in the underworld, as the saying went around in socialite circles.
"Daisy, say something,'' Si Yena's voice rang again, ''Are you that serious about this marriage deal now? What would happen to the child after that? Have you thought about it?"
''It will not happen,'' Daisy spoke up.
''Huh?" Si Yena was bewildered.
"I have a plan in mind.''
Si Yena was confused, ''Do you need my help?" she asked, despite her bewilderment.
''Just keep the child in your mansion for some time. A few weeks or even one or two months.''
''Easy-peasy,'' Si Yena laughed, ''But for how long are you going to address our princess like that? Why won't you give her a name?"
Daisy paused, ''Because I want someone else to do that.''
Before Si Yena could continue speaking, consecutive knocks sounded on the door. Daisy and Si Yena exchanged a look. The latter nodded and disconnected the call.
As Daisy opened the door, a young lady stood in front of her.
Although they shared some similar features, but unlike Daisy's dark eyes and dark hair, the woman at the doorstep had striking blonde hair and green eyes just like Alice Chen.
''Ana…'' the name slipped past Daisy's lips in a soft voice.
''Took you long enough to come back,'' Diana hugged her elder sister without a second thought.
As the sisters walked inside the room, Diana held Daisy's hand tightly, ''Why did you agree for the marriage? I heard that even though they talked about your wedding now, but there you were betrothed to Lu Sheng when you were young in the presence of elders. But.. You know what kind of person Lu Sheng is? Unlike you, I am involved in socialite circles because of our mom so I know how much of a womanizer he is…''
''Shhh…'' Daisy patted her hand. She had no recollection of any betrothal so it must have happened when she was a child, ''I know what I am doing.''
Diana looked at Daisy in disbelief but when she saw the surety on her sister's face, she did not make any comment.
The room fell silent.
Daisy spoke up after a few moments, ''If I ask you to leave this place with me, will you do that?"
Diana was stunned by the question.