Chapter 3

I got home later in the night. My dad and stepmom were conversing when I entered

    "Good evening Dad" I greeted

    "How was your outing" my dad inquired

    "It went well and it was productive" I answered 

    "Alright princess" he smiled

    "Have you had dinner?" my stepmom asked

    "I'm full. Thanks" I said

I went up to my room after pecking my dad. I went upstairs and flung myself on the bed. I heaved a sigh of exhaustion. I lay there for like two minutes before I went to freshen up.

    I finished showering and then changed into my nightwear. I climbed onto my bed and brought out my laptop and sketchpad. 

    Checking through the designs, I felt satisfied with what I've done so I decided to do the finishing touch to the bride's dress.

    As I was working, I was also munching the waffles I got from the coffee shop. Two hours later, I was done and I packed up and then went to bed.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    THE NEXT MORNING 

I couldn't sleep a wink last night. Emotions were just flooding in and causing turmoil in my head and mind. I kept tossing in bed till sunrise.

    Luckily for me, it was a Sunday so I won't have to deal with my hectic schedule. I did not bother to get up since I wouldn't be going anywhere so I tried sleeping again maybe I'd be lucky 

    But it seems like Today would start badly. Very bad. I don't know why but I just had the feeling.

    As I closed my eyes to resume my sleep, my phone beeped loudly. I grumbled as I reached for my phone, the caller turned out to be Kate.

    "Hey, baby girl. Good morning" she squealed happily from the other end

    "What's so good about this morning" I asked her

    "You are always so grumpy. Anyways guess what happened when we parted ways at the coffee shop?" she questioned happily

    "I didn't know you called me so early to play the guessing game." I said sounding sarcastic

    "Don't kill the vibe, Vina." Kate grumbled

    "Ok fine, did you rescue a stranded puppy??" I said

    "Really?? Of all things you could guess of?" she said

    I bet she rolled her eyes after her statement.

    "Well, Bryan called me while I was driving and asked to see me." she finally announced

    "You mean that douchebag??" I said sounding disgusted 

    "Stop it, Vina, he's a changed person now." she answered

    "What did you like in that guy that makes him so irresistible to you?? He's nothing but a headache and you still choose to see him after he called you." I poured out my mind

    "Everyone deserves a second chance Vina." Kate replied

    "But not someone like him." I retorted 

    "Can you just stop all this?? You need to learn to see the bright side of things and stop nagging me. I'm sure he wouldn't like how you turned out." Kate said 

    She realized what she had just said and bit her tongue. Before she could say a word, I ended the call.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CARTER'S POV

    I didn't want her to know her presence still affected me in a way I despise so I comported myself and smiled at her. 

    "Hey Daisy, it's been a long time" I said

    She got to my side and hugged me, my body stiffened even though I was expecting it. Her familiar scent hit my nose and I just couldn't help but remember everything.

    "A year now??" She asked, smiling.

    "And half" I added. 

    The silence and intense staring that followed made me uncomfortable. Fortunately for me, her father cleared his throat and that broke the stare and awkward silence that eluded the dining table.

    She sat down beside me while her parents kept asking me about my family and business. I did my best in answering and was grateful to myself that I didn't disappoint myself and give in to whatever emotion that was running through my mind.

    Two hours later, the dinner meeting ended and I was set to leave. I smiled and did a curt bow then bid the Hemingtons farewell.

    Outside, on my way to where my car was parked, I felt a presence behind me but I decided to ignore it. My hand is on the handle about to open the door and I felt her hands wrapped around me with her face resting on my back.

    I could have just untangled her hand and left but my emotions were swelling and were begging to be let out so I did just that.

    I untangled her hands from my body and turned to face her, my face all red and furious. 

    "You have no right to hold or touch me, Daisy. Just stay away from me." I warned

    "We both know you haven't moved on and I don't know why you don't want the feeling you have for me." She replied

    "Feelings??" I laughed

    "You must be kidding me. The only reason I'm here in this house is because your parents asked to see me. It'd be rude to tell them that they can always come to my office and I've made it clear to them that this is the last time I'd ever come here." I stated

    "You could have ignored their invite but you still chose to come just because you know I'm around." She pointed out

    "Now listen to me very clearly, this would possibly be our last encounter because I don't want you anywhere around me. Ever since you chose that dumb-looking guy over me, my feelings for you died completely, nothing, I repeat nothing can resurrect those feelings back and stay the hell away from me." I warned shouting, already nearing breaking point

    "You still love me, Carter, you do." She said laughing

    I didn't reply and entered my car. I ignited the engine and drove out of their compound, burning with fury.

    I increase the speed with which I drove not minding anything on my way. I got home in 30 minutes instead of an hour.

    I parked my car and went inside ignoring the gate man's greetings. I went to shower immediately. 

    While inside the shower, I kept running my hands through my hair and at some point I felt that wasn't doing any justice to what I'm feeling inside of me then I proceeded to smash the mirror on the wall with my fist. Even though my fist became bloody, I didn't stop and when I felt satisfied, I turned off the shower.

    I went to the shelf at the far end on my left and took out the first aid kits there. I took out the spirit and cleaned the blood then wrapped it up with a bandage. I kept the kits back and left the bathroom.

    I sat down on my bed and just felt furious all over again.

    2 YEARS AGO

Daisy and I had the best relationship ever. We met each other at a party I attended with my friend. She was also there with her friends. She looked very beautiful and glowed under the lights of the club

    We become very close in 6 months and I was so sure she was the one I wanted to marry. I told my parents about it and they were skeptical about it because we met at a party and I don't know her.

    Even after I told them I'd met with her family, who are not as rich as we are, they didn't like the idea. I begged them and they just had to agree.

    So one evening while we went for dinner at a restaurant, I proposed to her and as expected she accepted.

    8 months after the engagement, she started acting funny and stayed out late at night. A few weeks later, she moved out of my house and went back to her apartment.

I tried talking to her about it but she always ignored me. I told her parents about it and they promised they'd talk to her which they did but she told her parents to stay out of her business.

    I already had enough of everything she was doing and it was already getting so intolerable. I wasn't focused at work and tended to zone out during meetings.

    So after work one day, I decided I was going to see her and straighten things out. I finished all of the os I had to do at work that day and drove down to her apartment.

    I rubbed my palms together and summoned up courage then opened the door. The whole room was quiet and there was no one in the living room.

    Did she know I was coming?? I doubt that because we have spoken for like two weeks now. I checked the kitchen but saw no trace of her except for plates lying around in the kitchen sink.

    I left the kitchen and walked down the hallway to the bedroom. I was perceiving smoke but nothing was cooking after I left the kitchen, slowly I approached the door and opened it.

    I felt shocked at the sight before me and couldn't help but break down.