Daisy's pov

The refreshing cold air hit my face as the soft music cascaded in the room. Sitting across from the huge open glass doors, I breathe in the inimitable smell of rain on dry grass mixed with the aroma of brewing hot coffee, as my fingers dance across the black and white keys of the piano.

Amidst the relaxing and refreshing aura around me, I could feel sadness in the deep pit of my stomach, which makes me feel sick. The soothing melody helps me calm my nerves. The perfect mellow music clearing my mind along with the crisp, humbling evening air.

This is the tune she taught me. This is what I play whenever I crave for her. For her presence and love.

As I graciously run my fingers on the keys, I could feel her presence around me along with the smooth music chiming in the air. I take in a deep breath, as I run my fingers with enough speed before hitting the final note.

And with that, the silence returns bringing with it the feeling of loneliness. The feeling which I've embraced for so long, I don't even remember.

Suddenly, I sense a fragile hand on my bare shoulder, which gives me a reassuring squeeze. I close my eyes and take in deep whiffs of air to ease the tightening feeling in my throat. I hear a ceramic object being placed on the wooden surface as another hand cups my cheek and wipes away the moisture that's leaving my eyes.

"He still didn't contact me, Martha," I say as I wrap my arms around her waist and hug her. She pats my head softly with such affection while running her fingers through my hair.

"He will dear. Don't worry. Believe in the Almighty and he'll surely help you." She says before kissing my forehead.

"Thank you." I give her a small smile in return with tears still blurring my vision.

"That's my girl. Keep smiling and everything will be alright. Come on now, finish your coffee, I'm preparing dinner." She says and hands me my coffee before walking out of the room.

Martha is our head maid, our caretaker. She is like my godmother to me. Sipping on the coffee, I get up from my seat and walk over to the huge glass windows. The red roses in the backyard are my favorite. Red - they signify passion, love and energy.

They remind me of Brandon, my love, my boyfriend. Every time we met he used to bring me at least a single rose or sometimes a huge bouquet. His caring, sweet attitude had me head over heels for him. Just a mere thought about him brings a smile on my face.

Brandon, he has the kind of face that would stop anyone in their tracks. I guess he is used to that kind of attention. He is handsome from the depths of his deep-set grey eyes to the gentle expressions of his face. I love the way his eyes sparkled and his voice quickened when he enjoys something truly.

His laugh is so contagious that for a moment he looses himself and forgets the mask he wears for others. He is possessive for me that he couldn't stand anyone else even looking at me. His hand on my waist and the way he glares at any person who looks my way had me crazy over him. So I gave him. I gave him my heart and took hold of his, to love, cherish and keep it safe, just like he had mine.

***********

Next morning I wake up as if there is an emergency, as if my sleep had become a dangerous thing. My heart is drumming so fast against my ribcage and there's a buzzing sensation in my head. Sitting up on my bed, I hesitantly rub my eyes as if it'd wash the nightmare away. Thoughts of the visions from my sleep visit me in waves haunting me with every breathe I inhale.

Sighing, I get up and start preparing myself for the day ahead. Since it's a Sunday I don't have any classes. I decide to talk to dad about Brandon and convince him for his approval.

Ever since I introduced dad to Brandon he's been behaving weird. He lashed out at me and left the house in his rage that night. He announced that he was going to get me married to my childhood best friend, Aaron.

But I can never accept that. Though Aaron is very good and all, I can't marry him and leave my love. Me and Brandon, we have been dating for two years. I love him too much to just let him go.

Walking to dad's study, I stand outside preparing myself for the worst. I and dad don't have an ideal father-daughter relationship. He has been cold towards me for years.

Ever since mom left us, he drowned himself in his work and ignored us - me and my brother Dylan.

I knock on his door twice and wait for his response from the other side.

A few seconds later, I hear his muffled voice from the other side of the door, "Come in."

I open the door hesitantly and walk in before getting seated across from him on the chair.

In a low shaky voice, I whisper, "Dad, I want to talk about Brandon."

-----****-----

Recap:

A few seconds later, I hear his muffled voice from the other side of the door, "Come in."

I open the door and walk in hesitantly before getting seated across from him on the chair.

In a low shaky voice, I whisper, "Dad, I want to talk about Brandon."

-------------------------------------------------

I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't hear me. I am a nervous wreck. Talking to my dad about my boyfriend and my hidden relationship gives me jitters. And after his dreadful outburst that night, it is all the more difficult now.

He closes his laptop and leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk with his fingers intertwined. "I don't think there's anything left for us to talk about that boyfriend of yours." He replies in his usual cold voice. I lower my eyes when I sense his hard gaze on me.

"Dad, this is about my life we're talking about. I love him a lot, dad. Please try and understand." I say keeping my eyes trained on my sneakers.

"This love relationship of yours is crazy and illusionary, Daisy. I won't let you ruin your life like this. You are getting married to Aaron and that's final." He says with finality in tone.

"But dad, at least meet......" He immediately cuts me off by a dismissive wave of his hand.

"That's all for now. I'll speak to Robert and Leena, I'll ask for their opinion on this. Once they agree, everything will be perfect. I'm sure they're going to be happy with this decision. Forget about that love of yours and prepare for what's ahead." He says sternly.

"Dad...." He shakes his head giving me a pointed look which causes me to shut my mouth immediately.

"That is it. My decision is final, no more arguments. You can leave now." He says and resumes his work.

Was this a compromise or a forced marriage? How can my father force me to marry my best friend? How can he? I can't do this. I can never do this. I cannot forget my love.

I slowly stand up and walk out of his study, defeatedly. This is how my dad behaves - cold, ignorant and dominating. Once he makes any decision he doesn't give a damn about us or our feelings.

When mom was alive, he was the best father one could ever wish for. But since, mom left us he had been distant always occupied with work. Sometimes, he would be away from home for weeks leaving us with Martha. Being the country's renowned criminal Lawyer, he is always travelling sometimes to handle cases even abroad.

Uncle Rob and Aunt Lee are our family's closest friends and Aaron's parents. They are like my own parents to me. When mom died, Aunt Lee did everything for us. Everything a mother does for her child, to lessen the void in our lives. She still loves me and Dylan as much as she loves her own children, Aaron and Ashlie.

This morning,I texted Brandon to meet me tonight but I never received his reply. The day passed by and I was just left hanging waiting for him to give response. Now, the problem ahead of me is my wedding with Aaron.

And then suddenly, a thought crosses my mind. Aaron's the one who can help me no matter what. And I'm sure, he'll help me in this situation too. The only issue is, how will he react after knowing about our relationship. Despite being friend's for years, I never told him about Brandon. Brandon didn't want me to share it with anyone and I complied by his wishes.

So I decide to text him and see if he agrees to meet me anytime soon. He is a really busy guy. Oscillating between the university and his part-time job, he hardly finds time to meet us except on weekends, when he's off work and in the university.

Me: Hey, Ron!!

I received his reply within 5 minutes.

Aaron: Hey!! Lazy dazy.

I smile reading the nickname he gave me years ago. He's the one who always makes me smile without even cracking any joke. This is what I really like about him.

Aaron: How are you doing?? It's been a really long time since we caught up on our lives.

Me: I'm doing good. How are you doing Ron?

Yes, that's what I call him, Ron.

Me: I'm actually facing some problem right now. Can we meet? I really need ur help in this.

Aaron: yeah sure!! Anything for u. How about this Sat at our usual place, that park?

Me: Yup. I'll be there.

Aaron: Is this problem of urs anything serious? If u want I'll take a day off tom. Coz I don't think u will talk about this in clg in front of our other friends.

This is the thing about him, he instantly gets worried when he learns I'm facing some trouble. Always being the overprotective, caring best friend.

Me: Yeah! For now, I want to discuss this with only u. But no need to take a day off. It's okay. It's just abt 2 days until Sat. So yeah! Let's meet there. I'll be there by 6.

Aaron: If u say so. So, seeya lazy dazy. Take care.

Me: U too take care. Bye.

After talking to him, I at least have a hope that Aaron can help me through this. There are two ways for me to deal with this situation, either Aaron can reject the idea of the wedding with me or help me convince dad that he is not the right one for me but Brandon.

Daisy's pov

Flashback:

"Yeah, Ron! I'm getting you your frappucino." I said balancing the phone between my ear and my shoulder and removing my card from my purse.

"Luke wants a caramel macchiato and Lizz is asking for a velvet vanilla latte." He said.

"Bro, can you please hold on for a second." I say frustratedly earning curious glances from other customers around me.

"You know I just didn't name you lazy dazy randomly. We just asked you to get our drinks from Starbucks and you're yelling at our poor souls. Shame, Daisy, shame." He said mockingly.

"Yeah, Han. Shame!" Lizz's voice spoke from behind Aaron.

"I swear if I were there, I'd have kicked you guys so hard in your asses, you would have nightmares about me whenever you even try to sit."

"Dude Dee, you know you're in a public place and I'm sure people around you are going to call a mental institution if you speak any more shit" Luke's voice taunted me as I finally paid for my order and turned around sipping on my drink and holding other one's in my left hand while still balancing the phone.

"Guys, shut up and let her get the drinks peacefully. You know she's already clumsy and if we keep talking to her she's obviously going to spill it on someone." Just when I thought Jake was going to support me, even he made fun of me.

"Jake, I hate you and I hate all your fucking guts. Can't you even give me a little peace, I'm getting things for you and all I get in return is insults, really?! I swear if you guys say one more word I'm going to mix dog's poop in your drinks and ---- OUCH!" I couldn't complete my sentence as I collided with a hard wall spilling over my drink on my dress and the wall in front of me and the remaining drinks were served to the ground for free.

"Dee, are you okay?"

"I'm sure her clumsy ass did spill it."

"If you come back without my drink I swear Daisy I'm going to hate you forever."

"Guys, can you shut your annoying mouths for a second at least." I groan into the phone trying to clean my shirt.

"Pulling the tissues off the nearby table, I keep wiping my shirt when Aaron's worried voice reaches my ear through the phone.

"Daisy, are you alright? What happened?" He asks worriedly.

"Ron! Stop concerning over me. I'm alright and I wouldn't have spilt all those drinks if you guys didn't distract me by your annoying comments..." I stopped speaking as I felt a shadow looming over me.

I lifted my head and my eyes locked with a pair of deep-set grey orbs which were staring at me with hidden amusement. Running my eyes over his body, I found his white shirt had a huge brown stain and his expensive shoes were covered with Luke's caramel macchiato. My cheeks burned red with embarrassment as I realized that the wall I collided with was indeed a human, in fact, a hot male. And what amazed me further was that he didn't flip or yell at me though I spoiled his shirt and shoes and ignored him all the while.

I looked back into his eyes to find him staring at me with a lost expression in his eyes as if he weren't present here in front of me. As if he was lost somewhere. His eyes held a lot of secrets, the grey orbs held pools of mysteries and his personality yelled danger. An amazing danger, I wanted to lose myself in. He was an enigma, an interesting enigma.

Suddenly, far away voices brought me out of my trance and I realized I was staring into his orbs shamelessly standing in the middle of the cafe with the coffee dripping off y shirt.

"Daisy, wait over there. I'm coming in ten." Aaron's hurried voice reached my ears.

"Shit. Ron! I'm sorry, I mean I'm fine. There's no need for you to come here. I'll be there in some time. Let me get the drinks again. Bye." I hung up without waiting for his answer and shoved the phone into my jeans pocket.

"I'm really sorry." I apologized to the male vogue model standing in front of me. He didn't blink nor did he remove his eyes off my face.

Suddenly, I started feeling self-conscious. Nervously, I snapped my fingers in front of his face bringing him out of his lost state of mind.

"I said I'm sorry," I repeated myself again as he blinked in confusion. He was definitely something else.

"You, me, collision and spilt drinks remember?" I asked him motioning between us and the stains on our shirts. He looked down and his eyes widened in realization. Can he be any dumber? I thought to myself.

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry. I think I wasn't watching where I was going." Did he apologise? But why? It was me who was carelessly walking in a random direction.

"No, no It wasn't your fault. It was me. I was busy talking to my friends and I didn't see where I was going. I'm really sorry. I should've been more attentive. Look, I spoiled your shirt, spilt all the four drinks and not to forget your shoes too. God! I'm so clumsy. I shouldn't be so carele---" I stopped my rant when suddenly two hands gripped my shoulders sending sparks of electricity down my entire body. I looked up to find him staring at me with a cute smile on his face.

Did I just call a stranger's smile cute? OH MY GOD! Daisy, you've definitely lost it. Get a grip girl. I scolded myself.

"It wasn't your fault, okay!" He said in his husky voice and I shivered at the feeling. I nodded subconsciously and I felt the heat rising in my cheeks as he smiled at me.

"You look hot when you smile." He said and suddenly pursed his lips, retracting his hands back from my shoulders.

I felt as if my body was on fire. He just called me hot! A random stranger called me hot and I'm blushing like an idiot. Get a grip, Daisy! Lizz is going to kill me if she finds this out.

"Uh, I think I should get going. I'm getting late." I said and turned around to walk away.

"Wait!" He called out.

"Yeah?" I turned around to face him.

"I mean I want to compensate for the mess I created." He said scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"I already told you it wasn't your mistake."

"But I feel it was mine too."

"No. it wasn't."

"It was!"

"NO--" He cut me off.

"Okay! Let's do this. We're both at fault here. So, I'll pay you half and you can pay half. As an apology."

"That's not necessary. I can buy it." I denied it.

"Let me do it, please." He said giving me a puppy dog look. Why did I find it cute, again?

"Fine!" I gave in and we both walked over to the counter to place our orders again.

Once I had the drinks again, I carefully held it in my hand and thanked him while walking out. Surprisingly, he walked with me until my car.

"Thank you," I said unlocking my car.

"No problem at all." He said smiling.

"So, bye," I said unsurely but somewhere inside I didn't want to go. I wanted to talk to him, know more about him. I felt intrigued.

"Uh.. May I know your name?" He asked as I was about to step inside the car.

Holding the door, I stared into his eyes and answered. "Daisy."

"Just Daisy?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Daisy Hannah Wilson. And your's?" I asked.

"Brandon Mills." He answered.

"It was nice meeting you, Brandon," I said giving him a polite smile.

He walked over to me in three long strides and bent down to my level. I was confused as to what he was trying to do. He placed a feather-like kiss on my cheeks and inched towards my ear.

"It was nice meeting you too, Daisy. We'll meet soon." He whispered in his husky voice, his voice causing an explosion of butterflies in my stomach.

He moved back, winked at me and then walked away as if nothing happened, leaving me all flustered and confused.

I immediately sat into my car and thought about the way he said that we'll meet soon. He wasn't hoping it, he was sure. He was confident that we're going to meet.

"You are something else, Brandon Mills. You are like a pandora box, full of secrets and if we meet again, I'll find out. I'll break all your walls and discover each secret, unfold every mystery and see through you. You've intrigued me, Mr Mills and Daisy never drops her interest just like that." I whispered to myself in the car and drove away.

That was my first meeting with him. A cliche one, but an interesting one too. He was definitely not what I thought he was. And after two years, I find myself in the same situation. I'm feeling the same I felt two years ago when I was sitting in that car after his departure.

And this time, his sudden and unannounced departure left me with numerous questions. Did I really find all the answers? Just when I thought I discovered all his secrets, broke all his walls, he walked away. Like the gush of wind he came and went leaving me with many unanswered questions.

And this time, when I find him again as I found him again after that meeting a week later, I'll question him. I'll not let him walk away until I find all those answers.