Chapter 6

Daisy's POV

Two Days Later

As I approached the school gates today, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. My heart raced like a runaway train, each beat echoing my trepidation. Trust me, I would have preferred to stay at home. An idea suddenly flickered in my mind, staying home might be the best way to avoid being killed, but then again, I wouldn’t graduate. 

"So it’s a choice between graduating dead or not graduating alive," I mused to myself. There were no two ways about it.

Today, I dressed like a boy, wearing baggy clothes and a cap pulled low over my eyes, anything to avoid attention. As I walked to the front of the lecture hall, I hesitated. The thought of stepping inside made me queasy. Just then, a lecturer approached where I stood.

"Come in," he beckoned, noticing my hesitation. I stood frozen, but his smile was reassuring. "As long as I'm the one lecturing, you have nothing to worry about," he added, and I took a deep breath before following him inside.

Once in the lecture room, I deliberately avoided making eye contact with anyone. My mind raced with worry, but when the lecture began, I was surprised to find that no one paid me any mind, who could this lecturer be, I thought. It was as though the atmosphere shifted because his presence resulted in a serious place where learning took precedence. I pulled out my notebook and took notes, determined to absorb every word.

For the past two days, while stuck in bed nursing my pain inflicted by the brat, I had spent my time figuring out how to operate the gadgets I had been given. Slowly but surely, I was improving. Understanding them was like unlocking a secret world.

As soon as the lecture ended, I knew I had to follow the lecturer out the same door I had entered. I decided to roam the school until 1 PM, when I planned to seek out the guy that requested my attention. My stomach grumbled, but I ignored it. I had eating something at home, but the food was gone in me, and the mysterious emptiness in my belly annoyed me.

Long before 1 PM, I began searching for the building he had mentioned. I thought about asking other students for help, but each one I passed shot me a look of pure disgust. Their stares felt like daggers piercing my skin, I couldn't bring myself to approach them.

Finally, I located the SPA Hall, and I couldn’t help but stand in awe. The structure was unique, with colors that seemed to dance in the sunlight, exuding a sense of warmth and welcome. 

"You must be wondering what 'SPA' means, since it isn't written anywhere," someone exclaimed from behind me. I jumped, startled.

"Sorry for surprising you," he continued, and my surprise morphed into curiosity. Was he talking to someone else? I glanced around but realized we were the only two people nearby.

"Not everyone treats slaves like trash," he mentioned, as if he could read my mind. I felt a mixture of surprise and relief wash over me. I decided to take a chance and respond.

“What does it mean, since it isn’t written anywhere?” I asked.

"Mr. Andrew, a close partner to the president, built the hall and named it SPA. When they asked him for its meaning to be put there, he’d always reply, 'Not every mystery can be demystified,'" he explained.

"Wow! Thank you," I said, genuine appreciation bubbling up inside me. This was the first time I felt something resembling happiness since moving to the city. First time I was giving attention.

"You’re welcome," he replied, giving me a nod before walking away.

Once inside the building, I opted to take the staircase to the rooftop. Climbing the stairs, I felt an exhilarating mix of anticipation and fear. As I reached the rooftop through the stairs, I was uncertain about how to use the lift so Ignored using it. I found myself staring at the back of a man, who was gazing out at the world.

His silhouette was striking, and I took a moment to sketch it in my mind's eye. 

"You are finally here," he uttered, turning to face me.

"I don’t know you," I said almost immediately.

"I'm Liam. I will protect you Daisy, If you be my girlfriend?" he asked, catching me off guard.

I was taken aback; was he serious? This was just too much for me to handle.

“Take your time to think about it carefully,” he added, brushing past me and walking toward the lift.

“Thanks for helping me the other time,” I managed to say, still recovering from his bold proposal.

“Don’t mention it,” he replied as he moved toward the lift. “I saw you took the stairs up. Come on, let’s take the lift down together.”

I nodded, too stunned to argue. Inside the elevator, I suppressed a nervous urge to look at him. He stood too close, his presence overwhelming me. Suddenly, he leaned in, placing his hands on either side of me, and locked his gaze onto mine, making me hold my breath. Just as abruptly, he stepped back when the elevator doors opened.

We exited, and he walked away as I stood there, feeling utterly confused, wandering with no particular direction in mind.

“I saw you walking out with Liam,” a voice suddenly chimed in. I turned to see Ruby, my classmate, approaching. 

I didn’t hate you, even though you are a slave, but still I can't help you in class. “But you see that guy, Liam? He could be bad news, though I’m not sure. He’s Sarah’s older brother,” she said, her tone filled with concern.

This revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. Sarah was my bully. The thought of Liam being her older brother made my insides churn. 

“What the heck?” I managed to say, my shock palpable as Ruby walked away. Could I really be the girlfriend of Sarah’s brother? Did he punish Sarah for everything she put me through? And most importantly, could he protect me from the impending punishment I have to face at the hands of Drake?

My mind was racing, swirling with questions and doubts. I decided to take a stroll around the school to clear my head, eventually finding myself near a gate. Curiosity piqued, I stepped inside and was met with a beautiful garden filled with vibrant flowers of every color.

But my small moment of peace was shattered when I spotted Sarah and her friends lounging in the garden.

“Come here,” she signaled as soon as she sighted me, and I felt a pit form in my stomach as I reluctantly walked toward her.

“Take the rag on the floor and clean my shoe,” she commanded, a smirk spread wide across her face.

As I bent down to comply, a voice from behind interrupted us. “Sir Drake, do you want me to cancel the deal of the forty million dollars?”

I could feel the tension in the air as Drake glanced from me to Sarah, his expression unreadable.

“What part of my statement didn’t you understand when I said I would deal with her at the carnival?” he snapped, and I quickly stood, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Get out,” he said curtly.

“He means everyone,” the man with him chimed in.

"Drake, I want to see you," Sarah said, her voice firm as she approached him.

"I'm busy. You all should leave," he replied, his tone dismissive.

As we are leaving. “Not you!” Drake added, signaling to me. I paused, frozen in place, facing him slowly but surely, heart racing as I awaited whatever was about to unfold.

I could feel Sarah's dagger-like eyes on me as she left.