Daisy woke slowly, her senses sluggish and her body still heavy with the remnants of sleep. The soft light of mid-morning filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the unfamiliar room. She blinked groggily, trying to figure out where she was. This wasn't her dorm room. Panic started to rise in her chest until she remembered the night before—dinner, the wine, the garden, and then… Ferdinand.
Her heart fluttered as fragmented memories pieced themselves together. She sat up, the oversized t-shirt slipping slightly off her shoulder as she scanned the room. The décor was simple but tasteful—polished wooden furniture, a neatly made bed, and a small desk against the wall. On the nightstand beside her, she noticed a folded note with Ferdinand's handwriting.
*"Good morning, Daisy. You had quite a night. I'll be in the next room if you need anything. There's lemon-infused honey water on the counter—it should help with the hangover."*
A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Of course, Ferdinand would think of everything. She swung her legs out of bed, her bare feet touching the cool wooden floor. Her body felt heavy from sleep and the remnants of alcohol, but her mind was slowly clearing. Glancing down at the oversized t-shirt, she blushed at the realization that he must have changed her into it.
Taking a deep breath, she padded toward the bedroom door, pushing it open gently. The hallway beyond was quiet, and she could faintly hear the sound of typing. Following the sound, she walked through the spacious apartment, her eyes taking in the minimalist yet cozy design. There was something personal about the space—a far cry from the sterile, impersonal dormitories on campus.
She found him in the living room, sitting at a desk that faced a panoramic window overlooking the city skyline. The view was breathtaking—skyscrapers reaching toward the sky, and the distant hum of the bustling city below. But Daisy's attention was solely on Ferdinand.
He was dressed casually in a fitted grey t-shirt and black jeans, his back to her as he typed on his laptop. His posture was relaxed, but there was an air of focus about him. He must have sensed her presence because he stopped typing and turned slightly in his chair, glancing over his shoulder.
Their eyes met, and a warm smile crept across Ferdinand's face. "Morning," he greeted, his voice soft but steady.
"Morning," Daisy replied, her voice raspy from sleep.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over her with mild concern.
"A little groggy," she admitted, leaning against the doorframe. "But okay."
Ferdinand nodded toward the kitchen. "There's lemon-infused honey water on the counter. It'll help with the hangover. You should drink some."
Daisy, still a little dazed, followed his suggestion. She walked over to the kitchen, where a glass and the carafe of lemon water were waiting. As she poured herself a glass, she could feel Ferdinand's gaze on her, warm but teasing. Taking a sip, she let the cool liquid soothe her dry throat and settle the mild nausea stirring in her stomach.
She took another sip before turning to face him again. Her face flushed slightly as she remembered the fragments of the previous night—she'd been emotional, vulnerable… and drunk. A knot of embarrassment tightened in her chest.
"So, um," she began hesitantly, leaning against the counter. "What happened last night?"
Ferdinand's expression softened as he turned fully to face her, but there was still a hint of mischief in his eyes. "You don't remember?"
"I remember… some things," Daisy admitted, biting her lower lip. "But not everything."
"Well, you had a lot of wine," Ferdinand said, amusement lacing his voice. "And let's just say you weren't shy about sharing your feelings."
Daisy's eyes widened in horror. "Oh no… what did I say?"
Ferdinand smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You were pretty open about your insecurities."
Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she covered her face with her hands, groaning in embarrassment. "Please tell me I didn't make a fool of myself."
"You were honest," Ferdinand said, his voice gentler now, but still teasing. "And emotional."
Daisy peeked through her fingers, her eyes wide and pleading. "I didn't say anything too crazy, did I?"
Ferdinand's smirk widened slightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He didn't answer right away, which only made Daisy more anxious. "Well, I could remind you, but I think you'd rather not know."
Daisy's heart sank. She could feel the tears welling up, a mix of embarrassment and self-consciousness. "Oh God, I was a complete mess, wasn't I?"
Ferdinand's teasing smile faltered as he noticed her eyes glistening. He quickly stood from his chair and walked over to her, his demeanor shifting from playful to concerned. "Hey," he said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's not as bad as you're thinking."
"I'm just so embarrassed," Daisy whispered, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to… I don't know what came over me."
"Daisy, it's okay," Ferdinand reassured her, his hand gently squeezing her shoulder. "You were drunk, and you were feeling vulnerable. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone has moments like that."
"But I—" Daisy's voice caught, and she took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over.
Ferdinand's gaze softened, and he stepped closer. "You didn't do anything to be ashamed of. I promise."
Daisy bit her lip, her heart racing as she tried to regain control of her emotions. "I just… I feel like I took up so much of your time. I shouldn't have—"
"Stop," Ferdinand interrupted gently but firmly. "You didn't take up my time. I was there because I wanted to be. I care about you, Daisy."
Her breath hitched, and she looked up at him, her eyes wide and vulnerable. His words were sincere, and they struck a chord deep within her. She hadn't expected him to be so understanding, so patient.
Ferdinand released her shoulder and took a step back, gesturing toward the hallway. "Why don't you take a bath? I've set out some fresh towels in the bathroom for you."
Daisy blinked, still processing the sudden change in conversation. "A bath?"
"Yeah," Ferdinand said with a small smile. "It'll help you feel better. Take your time."
Daisy stared at him for a moment, still feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment, but she nodded slowly. "Okay… thanks."
As she turned to head down the hallway, she couldn't help but glance back at him. Ferdinand had already returned to his desk, his focus back on his laptop, but his words echoed in her mind.
*"I care about you, Daisy."*
She let out a shaky breath, her heart still fluttering in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't as disastrous as she'd thought.