3. Seeing him again

                                                             D A I S Y

I always wondered what I would be if the world hadn't decided to fuck me up.

I could be a painter.

Or a writer.

A serial killer.

Maybe even a dancer.

Anything artistic.

I stood before the mirror, straightening my naturally straight hair for giving it a neat look.

I had no idea why I was dolling up for meeting him. I did know for sure that I didn't want to impress him.

Maybe I wanted to show him that I was doing fine even if he had chosen to betray and abandon me.

A spiteful part in me wanted to make him regret ever leaving me, even though using my beauty for it would by no way be an honorable or near satisfying victory.

But it would be a victory, nonetheless.

I knew I was attractive.

Not in the traditional cute way, with freckles scattered on my face, with hazel eyes that reminded one of sunset and forests.

But more of a head-turning beauty, that forced one to look back again. With raven hair that reached my waist and blue eyes that resembled the ocean and an hourglass figure most people starve for, I was above average.

But what most people didn't know was that beauty was a curse.

A beautiful curse but still a curse.

And I would trade this beauty for brains any time of the day.

"If anything happens, anything at all, call me immediately," I repeated it for the third time so it would be drilled inside their head for good.

"Okay, Mama." Emma and Ezra responded at the same time. They never stuck to one nickname and insisted on calling me something different every other day. It amazed me how they wouldn't even discuss yet simultaneously decide on the same thing.

"There's snacks in the kitchen aisle. Don't use the stove or oven. You can watch TV and go down for playing but don't leave the building no matter what. Okay?" I warned.

"Okay, Mama." I held their stare for two more minutes to make sure they meant it. I would have been much relieved if I could leave them with a babysitter but currently, I had no contacts in this city, and neither could I afford it.

"Love you!" Bending down I pulled them in a hug and placed a kiss on their cheeks.

"Love you, too!" Emma shouted even though I was right before her. Ezra just shyly looked away.

... ... ...

My hands involuntary tightened around the handbag in my hand.

I didn't want to come to NY. For one, Elijah lived here and two, I was quite notorious as the cheating gold digger. But I hoped people had already moved on from the gossip in the past five years.

I sighed, my eyes scanning the building before me. Kingston Industries, Elijah's company which he built from scrap.

Even though his parents had wanted him to take over their company, he had refused to do so because of the grudges he held against them. He even refused to take any sort of help provided by them.

"Miss, we need to see your identification." The guards stopped me. Not gonna lie, but I wasn't expecting it. I had gotten so used to coming and going through this building without the slightest restrictions that I was a little taken aback.

"Uh-yeah, sure." I showed them my NID card. "I have an appointment with the CEO."

After confirming my claim, they apologized for the inconvenience and let me in.

The process went smoothly now that I think about it. The fact that Elijah hadn't blacklisted me was shocking.

"Daisy?"

I turned my head towards the direction only to be met with Silas, Elijah's PA.

"Hey." I smiled. I was grateful to him. He was the one who had booked an appointment for me, going behind his boss's back.

"How are you?" He asked, leading me to the private elevator reserved only for the CEO and his assistants. "I haven't heard from you in years. Are you doing well?"

"I'm fine." I forced a smile, hoping if I pretended to be calm maybe I would start to feel like it too. "What about you?"

"I'm good, too." He smiled back at me. I was a little glad to see him after all these years. The constant and familiar smiling face of his gave me some much-needed courage to face Elijah.

"He's in a bad mood. Be careful." Silas warned, leaving me alone in front of the closed door.

When is he not?

It's for Emma. I reminded myself before raising my knuckles to lightly knock against the wooden barrier.

"Come in," A sharp voice barked out from inside, making a chill run down my spine.

Slowly pushing the door open, I stepped inside. My eyes instantly zeroed on the man sitting in the center of the room.

Elijah Beckham.

He was wearing a navy shirt, the sleeves folded up to his elbows, his slender fingers furiously typing something on the laptop before him.

"Elijah," I called out in an attempt to gain his attention. It worked for the instant he heard my voice, his head shot up, disbelief taking over his features.

The disbelief was soon replaced by disappointment.

"Not again," he muttered, gently massaging his creased forehead. "I can't keep seeing you like this." He sighed, his hands moving to grab a bottle of pills from the messy table from him.

I wondered what he was talking about. The last time we met was nearly five years ago so he shouldn't be complaining about seeing me frequently.

I silently watched as he swallowed a pill without water, shut the bottle and carelessly threw it on the table, and went back to typing on his laptop, completely ignoring my presence.

"Elijah?" I repeated. "I know it's sudden but I need a favor. Please."

He looked up again. I could see the gears turning in his head until realization dawned on him and he once again looked at me with obvious disbelief.

Not even a second later, he was somehow before me, his raised hands trembling before my face, not daring to touch me in fear I would disappear.

"You are really here?" He asked, more to himself than me, finally gathering the courage to place his hand against my cheek.

I hated myself for leaning into his hand instead of backing off.

I don't want to piss him off. I lied to myself in a failed attempt.

"Yeah, it's me." I chuckled nervously, finally convincing my body to move back. Sadness washed over when I moved away from him.

I wasn't expecting this reaction from him. I was expecting slammed vases, hatred, anger, and lots of anger.

"What do you want?" He masked all his emotions in an instant, his tone void of even the slightest warmth.

Now that feels like Elijah.

I contemplated on how to say it. Should I just ask for the money or make some small talk first?

"I need some money."

Anger broke through his emotionless facade. "You really have the guts to come back here. And to top it off, you want to leech off me again." He scoffed, clenching and unclenching his fists in fury.

"I'll pay it back. I swear." I promised, making sure he could see the honesty in my eyes. "I'm willing to pay interest as well. Help me out, just this once."

He paused, studying my expression for a moment. Just when I hoped, he would cave in, he scoffed again.

"Fuck off." He snapped, going back to sit in his armchair and diving into his work again.

"Elijah, please." I tried again. "It's for my daughter's surgery. You hate me, I get it but she's innocent in all this. Please, don't punish her because of me."

"I don't give a flying fuck about you or your bastard daughter." He said without even the slightest hesitance. "You both can go die in a ditch for all I care."

I flinched back from the cruelty of his words. But I still couldn't find it in myself to flip him off and storm out of there.

I needed the money within today. Emma was crying in pain even last night and I would be damned if I let it repeat again.

"Elijah-"

"Get out while I'm still being nice, Daisy." He interrupted.

I bit my lip, tears welling up at the thought of my last hope fading.

The sound of a notification made me look down at my phone.

'Emma has a fever. When are you coming back, mom?'

It was Ezra who sent me the text. I sent him a quick text telling him I would be coming back soon. After sending another text to Dr.Louis to visit my home, I looked up at Elijah again.

Even though he was intently staring at the screen, I knew he was only pretending and just waiting to see what my next move would be.

"I'm sorry." I decided to play out a scene from one of my prominent nightmares. Dignity can go bury itself if it meant I wouldn't have to bury my little girl.

"I'm sorry, Elijah." I gritted out, kneeling down on the carpeted surface. "Please, help me. I'm begging you."

"What are you apologizing for?" He smirked, placing his chin on his folded hands, giving me his undivided attention.

"For cheating on you." My throat was so parched, that I could practically taste blood from each word I was uttering. "For stealing from you."

"Your apology doesn't sound sincere enough." He concluded, going back to working again.

"I-I am sorry. I really am." I repeated, forcing the bitter emotions back. I had thought it would be enough to soften his stone heart even if a little but when he showed no signs of being moved, I decided to get up.

"I didn't tell you to get up, did I?" Elijah's cold voice sounded, he was staring down at me, challenging me to go against him.

And I knew if I wanted the money, I had no option but to comply. So I knelt down again, not moving even an inch.