DAMOND CHRIS
After much back-and-forth, we decided to spend the night at my family home. My mother had gone all out, preparing a cozy room for Daisy and me, and when Daisy stumbled upon this unexpected arrangement—thanks to everyone's mistaken belief that we were a couple—she nearly choked on her wine, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Just as we were about to make our way upstairs, I heard my dad call out from across the dining room. His voice was firm yet inviting. "Damond, can I have a word with you in my study?"
"Sure," I replied, shooting Daisy a reassuring nod before I followed my father into the study. The room was dimly lit and filled with the rich scent of old leather and polished wood, creating an atmosphere ripe for heartfelt conversations.
**DAISY JOYCE**
Meanwhile, in the dining room, Damond's mom and sister were enveloped in playful banter, their laughter creating an inviting atmosphere around me.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law; I'll manage all the wedding arrangements!" Mimi, Damond's exuberant sister, exclaimed with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement. A wave of guilt washed over me as I forced a smile in return, knowing they remained blissfully unaware that this wedding was merely a professional obligation for me.
"Do you love my brother?" Mimi suddenly asked, catching me off guard. The question hung in the air, and I turned to her, battling a flurry of emotions.
"Yes, of course, I love him," I heard myself say, the words spilling out as if on reflex, while internally I was pleading for an escape from this charade and the turmoil it created within me.
"Maybe Mom has something important to share with you," she added, getting up to leave me with my racing thoughts.
In the sudden silence, I felt a gentle hand grasp mine.
"Daisy, please take care of Damond. He might come off as cold and arrogant, but underneath that tough exterior, he's quite immature. You must have noticed that by now since you two are together," she said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and affection.
"I understand," I replied, my voice steady despite the lie. I barely knew Damond; our arrangement had been in place for only four days and our conversations had barely floated beyond polite small talk.
I smiled at her, squeezing her hand gently. "Don't worry, Aunty."
"No, you can call me Mom. I'll always be here for you. If anything goes awry between you and Damond, promise you'll come to me—I want to handle him," she said, her tone blending jest with sincerity, which drew a light chuckle from us both.
But her lightheartedness morphed into something deeper when she pressed, "You said you love Damond; how sure are you about that?"
"Of course I do," I replied, my heart racing with uncertainty. "But… are you not concerned about his eyes or the fact that he's blind? He should have told you."
"Do you know what caused his blindness? He should have shared that with you, especially since you're the one he loves," she said, her piercing gaze locking onto mine with earnestness.
I found myself momentarily speechless, her question lingering heavily in the air. I had never thought to ask him about it; it seemed far too personal and painful, and I doubted he would share anything significant with me anyway.
"Why does such a simple question feel so complicated?" I murmured to myself, unease creeping in. "But the truth is, I'm not really his fiancée." Just then, the study door swung open, and Damond emerged, looking more serious than before.
"Daisy, it's getting late; you need to rest," he said, striding over and taking my hand in his with quiet assurance. "Goodnight, Mom," he called out, leading me through the hallway toward our room, determination etched into his features.
Damond Chris
"You could have excused yourself back there," I said gently, the concern in my voice unmistakable.
"I couldn't do that; it would only make things worse," she replied, her voice tinged with an understanding that suggested this wasn't her first encounter with such expectations. I nodded, respecting her stance. "Alright then, freshen up and get some sleep," I encouraged, hoping to ease the weight on her shoulders.
I called for the maid to bring in pajamas for Daisy. Minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, her cheeks flushed, likely from the intensity of the moment, we'd just shared.
As the maid handed her the soft fabric, I felt a sudden urge to wash away the day as well. Just then, Daisy's voice broke the silence, "Let me help." I hesitated, unsure about accepting her offer with the maids still present, but the warm atmosphere enveloping us made it easy to relent. "Okay, sure," I agreed, a hint of curiosity in my tone.
With a gentle nudge, she guided me to the bathroom. "I'll wait outside," I said, a rush of gratitude flooding me for this brief moment of solitude. After stepping into the shower, the warm water cascaded over me, washing away the tense energy. When I emerged, feeling refreshed and lighter, Daisy was waiting with my pajamas, a quiet smile illuminating her face.
"You shouldn't feel sorry for me," I said, my voice softening. "Just take care of yourself."
DAISY JOYCE
His words lingered in the air, leaving me a bit bewildered, but I chose to set those thoughts aside for now.
"I'll take the couch," I announced, getting ready to lie down, hoping for a moment of peace amidst the chaos.
"Come sleep on the bed; it's big enough for two," he said with a playful smile.
"Are you talking to me?" I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Do you want me to say it again? I can't help but notice you seem to like the couch better since you never actually use the big bed."
"Not this again," I sighed. His teasing always managed to get to me, but this time I decided to let it go; I didn't want to end up squished on the small couch again.
With a tired sigh, I made my way to the bed, where the soft blankets seemed to invite me in like a cozy hug. I paused for just a second, then gave in to the comfort and flopped down onto the edge. As soon as my head touched the pillow, I felt a wave of sleepiness wash over me, taking away my thoughts. Before long, I was slipping into a deep, peaceful sleep, completely unaware of everything around me.