Ferdinand stood outside the university campus, his gaze fixed on the multi-level car park that housed his most prized possession. The day had been long, filled with the tension and anticipation of the business meeting he had been preparing for. Yet, as he stood there, his thoughts weren't solely on the meeting. They were also on Daisy. Her presence lingered in his mind like a melody he couldn't shake, a tune that had played softly in the background of his thoughts since the moment he met her.
He took a deep breath and began to ascend the stairs of the car park. His footsteps echoed in the concrete structure, the sound reverberating off the walls. When he reached the third level, he turned the corner and there it was—his Prussian blue BMW M540i, parked in the same spot where he had left it the last time he drove it. The car was covered, protecting its pristine paint from the elements, but the sleek lines of the vehicle were still evident beneath the protective layer.
Ferdinand approached the car slowly, his heart beating a little faster with each step. This car wasn't just a vehicle to him—it was a symbol of his hard work, his determination, and the success he had achieved on his own terms. He had started making money at sixteen, using his sharp mind and relentless drive to build something from nothing. By the time he turned twenty-one, he had saved enough to buy this car, a gift to himself for all the late nights, sacrifices, and unwavering focus that had brought him this far.
He reached out and carefully pulled off the cover, revealing the deep, rich blue of the BMW. The color was striking, a shade that was both bold and understated, much like Ferdinand himself. He ran his hand along the smooth surface of the hood, feeling the cool metal beneath his fingertips. For a moment, he simply stood there, admiring the car. He was proud of what he had accomplished, but there was also a quiet humility in the way he regarded the vehicle. It wasn't about showing off; it was about acknowledging how far he had come.
Ferdinand let out a slow breath, releasing some of the tension that had been building in his chest. He loved this car—its power, its precision, the way it responded to his every command. It was a machine built for those who knew how to handle it, and Ferdinand had always prided himself on being able to control what others couldn't.
He glanced at his watch, noting that he had about thirty minutes before he needed to leave for the meeting. But instead of rushing, he allowed himself to savor the moment. Standing there, alone in the car park with his BMW, he felt a sense of calm that had eluded him all day.
Finally, after what felt like both an eternity and an instant, Ferdinand reached into his pocket and retrieved the keys. The car responded with a soft click, the lights flashing as it unlocked. He opened the door and slid into the driver's seat, the familiar scent of leather and the subtle hum of the engine welcoming him like an old friend.
He started the car, the engine purring to life beneath him. For a moment, he just sat there, letting the sound wash over him. There was something about this car, something about the way it felt to be behind the wheel, that made everything else seem a little more manageable.
After taking another moment to collect himself, Ferdinand shifted into gear and eased the car out of the parking spot. The BMW glided effortlessly down the ramps, its tires gripping the concrete with the precision he loved so much. As he drove out of the car park and onto the road, he felt the familiar thrill of freedom that came with being in control of such a powerful machine.
The drive to the meeting was uneventful, but it gave Ferdinand time to think. He couldn't help but replay the events of the past few days in his mind. Meeting Daisy had been unexpected, a twist in his meticulously planned life that he hadn't seen coming. She was different from anyone he had ever met—soft yet strong, shy yet bold enough to leave him that note. She intrigued him in a way that no one else ever had.
When he arrived at the meeting, Ferdinand switched gears mentally. He was all business now, focused and determined. The investors were impressed, and the meeting went smoothly. By the time it was over, Ferdinand knew that he had secured what he came for. But as he shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, his thoughts drifted back to Daisy. He wondered what she was doing, if she was thinking about him too.
As he left the meeting and headed back to his car, an idea struck him. It was impulsive, not the sort of thing he usually did, but he couldn't shake the thought. He needed to see Daisy, or at least let her know that he was thinking about her. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he made his way to a nearby flower shop.
The shop was small, tucked away on a quiet street, but the moment Ferdinand stepped inside, he was greeted by the sweet scent of fresh flowers. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on a bouquet of daisies. The flowers were simple, unassuming, yet they held a certain charm that reminded him of Daisy. It was perfect.
He purchased the bouquet, the soft petals brushing against his hand as he carried it back to his car. As he placed the flowers on the passenger seat, he couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Daisy's reaction. She had left him a note, and now it was his turn.
The drive to Daisy's dorm was quick, but Ferdinand felt his nerves start to build as he got closer. This was a bold move, and he knew it. But he also knew that if he didn't take this chance, he would regret it. When he arrived at her building, he parked the car and sat there for a moment, staring at the entrance.
He couldn't bring himself to go up to her room. The thought of seeing her, of having to face whatever emotions might arise, was too much. Instead, he took out a small piece of paper and wrote a note: *Daisies for my Daisy.* On the back, he added: *Dinner at the local town grill if you want, at 9.*
He carefully attached the note to the bouquet and got out of the car. The campus was quiet, the only sound the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. Ferdinand walked to the letterboxes outside Daisy's dorm and gently placed the bouquet in hers. He stood there for a moment, looking at the flowers and wondering if he was doing the right thing. But there was no turning back now.
As he walked back to his car, a wave of uncertainty washed over him. What if she didn't want to see him? What if she didn't even find the flowers? The doubts swirled in his mind, but he pushed them aside. He had made his move, and now all he could do was wait.
Ferdinand climbed back into his BMW and started the engine. He needed to clear his head, and there was only one way he knew how to do that. He pulled out of the parking lot and drove, letting the car take him wherever it wanted to go. The streets were quiet, the city lights blurring as he sped through the night.
Driving had always been Ferdinand's way of coping, of finding solace when the world felt too overwhelming. The car responded to his every command, the engine roaring as he accelerated, the tires gripping the road as he took sharp turns with ease. It was a dance, a symphony of man and machine, and for a while, it was the only thing that mattered.
He drove for hours, the city giving way to open roads, the stars shining brightly above him. The worries that had been gnawing at him began to fade, replaced by the familiar rush of adrenaline and the comfort of being in control. But no matter how fast he drove, he couldn't escape the thoughts of Daisy. She was there, in the back of his mind, her presence as constant as the purr of the engine.
Eventually, Ferdinand found himself back at the multi-level car park. He pulled in and drove up to the third level, parking the car in the same spot where he had left it earlier. As he turned off the engine, the silence that followed felt heavy, almost suffocating. He sat there for a moment, the reality of the day finally catching up to him.
With a sigh, Ferdinand got out of the car and covered it once more. The thrill of the drive had dulled his anxiety, but it hadn't erased it. He knew that tomorrow would bring more challenges, more decisions, but for now, he just needed to rest.
As he walked back to his dorm, Ferdinand thought about Daisy again. He wondered if she had found the flowers, if she was thinking about him too. There was a part of him that wanted to go back to her dorm, to see her reaction, to know for sure. But he resisted. He needed to give her space, to let her decide what she wanted.
When he reached his dorm room, he felt a sense of exhaustion wash over him. The day had been long, and the emotional rollercoaster he had been on had drained him more than he realized. He opened the door and stepped inside, the familiar surroundings comforting in their predictability.
As Ferdinand set down his backpack and began to undress, his thoughts drifted to the following day. Sunday—his day to unwind, to take the BMW to the track and let loose. It was his way of maintaining balance, of finding that equilibrium between work and pleasure. He needed that release, that adrenaline rush, to remind him that there was more to life than just the grind.
As Ferdinand sat at his desk, still in his half-coat and suit, he glanced at the clock. It was already 8:50 PM. The note he had left for Daisy at her dorm, the bouquet of daisies, and the boldness of his gesture weighed heavily on his mind. He had barely allowed himself time to think after dropping the flowers off. Now, he was beginning to second-guess his actions.
His thoughts wandered as he removed his coat and draped it over the back of the chair. He hadn't changed out of his suit, his mind too preoccupied with the uncertainty of what the next hour might hold. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to push away the doubts creeping in.
"Should I go?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper in the quiet room. His heart told him yes, but his mind was still tangled in a web of apprehension.
He reached for his watch on the desk, fastening it around his wrist with a practiced motion. There was something reassuring about the familiar routine, as if grounding himself in these small actions could somehow calm the storm of emotions brewing inside him. Ferdinand stood up, straightening his suit jacket, and grabbed his keys from the desk. There was no turning back now.
Ferdinand left his dorm, the door clicking shut behind him, a finality that sent a shiver down his spine. He walked briskly, the cool evening air wrapping around him as he made his way to the local town grill. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—what if Daisy didn't show up? What if she misunderstood the note? What if she simply wasn't interested?
But beneath the anxiety, there was a flicker of hope. Hope that Daisy would walk through the door, that they would sit down together, and that the evening would unfold into something more than he could have anticipated.
By the time Ferdinand reached the grill, it was 8:58 PM. The warm lights spilling out from the windows created a cozy, inviting glow. He hesitated outside for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.
The interior of the grill was a blend of rustic charm and modern touches, with wooden tables, leather booths, and dim lighting that added to the intimate atmosphere. Ferdinand chose a table near the back, one that offered a view of the entrance but also afforded a sense of privacy.
He checked his watch again—9:00 PM on the dot. His heart raced as he settled into the booth, trying to calm himself. The server came by to offer a menu, but Ferdinand declined for the moment. He wasn't ready to order anything until he knew if Daisy would join him.
The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Ferdinand's mind played out different scenarios, each one more nerve-wracking than the last. What if she didn't come? What if she did? He wasn't sure which prospect was more terrifying.
As the clock edged past 9:05 PM, Ferdinand's nerves were close to fraying. He glanced toward the entrance every few seconds, willing Daisy to appear. But with each passing minute, doubt crept in a little further.
Yet, despite his fears, Ferdinand stayed. There was something about the thought of Daisy that kept him rooted to the spot, a quiet determination that overrode his anxieties. He adjusted the collar of his shirt, his eyes flicking back to the door, hoping against hope that it would open and Daisy would walk through.