CHAPTER 01

[Daisy's POV, Year 2004]

"Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on (why does the heart go on?)..."

IT WAS ALL BLACK FOR ME. My brows are slightly furrowed as I hold my chest. I don't know how the people react as I present them my talent. All that I know is that I love what I am doing... singing; to let all the feelings out of my heart in every lyric and to give all the expression through every note.

As soon as I opened her eyes, my gazes went directly to the window on the second floor. A man was standing behind it; he was silhouette yet I know that he's enjoying what he's watching. Of course he should be, I am singing our song.

"Happy birthday, Mayor!" one of the guests greeted, Mr. Howards.

I stayed standing behind my father's back, playing with my nails that I just get done early in the morning; nail polish can never last a day on my nails. I just smiled at the other guests or bow or shake hands when they offer. I can do nothing here but to act formal and completely not myself, especially everyone is watching… including him.

"Good evening, Ms. Strauss."

Humarang sa harap ko ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng isang itim na amerikana, sobrang kintab pa ng buhok nito na halatang may gel. I saw my father walking towards his colleagues and I couldn't follow him this time because of the man who's standing in front of me. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mairita at tignan nalang mula ulo hanggang paa ang lalaki.

I gave the man a small smile… a fake one, "Good evening."

The man bowed then he grabbed my hand to kiss it on the back of it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, I am Darren Howards."

I immediately pulled my hand away from the unknown man due to a shock. I swallowed my spit as I simply looked at the window on the upper level of our house. HE was there, looking directly to me. He surely saw what this stranger did to my hand.

I tried to smile again at Darren but I knew it didn't look real; it's more like a grin.

"I-It is nice meeting you too, D-Darren."

I gave a gaze at the window again; it is closed now with the curtain being swayed by the wind. I swallowed hard again as my hands trembled. I am afraid of what he might think; will he be mad at me? Or was he just jealous…

I simply pursed my lips to stop myself from smiling. My hands stopped trembling as my fear started to turn into giggling. Oh, Eros…

“Uhm sorry,” I said to Darren, “I really need to go to the restroom so if you may excuse me please.”

Without any permission from the man I was talking, I immediately walked away with my heads up. Naglakad ako as fast as I can, trying to not get the attention of the guests. Nang makapasok na nga ako sa bahay ay agad na akong napatakbo, ignoring my 5 inches high heels na halos ikadapa ko na sa kakamadali. Kaso dahil nga sa kakamadali ay hindi ko na napansing may nakaharang na pala sa harap ko. Bumangga ang mukha ko sa isang matigas na bagay na siyang dahilan ng pagsalampak ng pwitan ko sa sahig.

“Aw!” I screamed.

"Oh, where are you heading?"

Salubong ang mga kilay ko nang tingalain ko siya. I knew who’s voice is that; Axel. Axel is a friend of mine; he and I became friends after my parents introduced him to me. Though hindi ko talaga gusto ang ugali niya… masiyado siyang mayabang!

"Wow, sorry for bumping me!" I raised my one brow yet I held his hand so I can stand up from the floor.

"You're the one who bumped my back so yes; you're the one that should be sorry."

I smiled at him with my eyes narrowed as a sign of fakeness. I really don't like his guts, I hate his whole existence but then, we're friends and I don't even know why. I ignored him. I continued running towards the stairs so I can finally go to my boyfriend’s room.

"San punt ‘te, may party pa oh?" Leizhe rapped with her hands doing some sign, she even blocked my way as I ran in the middle of the stairs. Oh, I have no normal friends.

"Upstairs, duh!" I sarcastically answered with rolling my eyes.

I slightly pushed Leizha aside then I continued running again. I heard her laughing, satisfied with my reaction. She's the craziest yet closest friend to me; we grew up that way so we have to deal with each other's different personality. Ewan ko ba, di na ata ako magkakaroon ng kahit isang normal na araw o normal na kaibigan manlang.

Finally, I reached his room's door. I twist the knob to open the door. As the door opened, someone suddenly grabbed my hand from the inside of the room then banged the door loudly.

A wet towel touched the back of my right hand— where Darren kissed me earlier. It was a hard yet gentle rub as if something so dirty was on there but he was afraid to hurt me at the same time.

"He looks like his breath stinks," the man in silhouette uttered.

The room was dark so I really can't see his face clearly. The only light that could enter the room was the party lights from the pool area where my father's birthday celebration was happening. Hence, I can feel that his brows are furrowed at the moment because of annoyance; obvious na yon dahil sobrang kuskos ang ginagawa niya sa kamay ko.

"He wasn't, he actually smells good," I countered with a chuckle just to annoy him even more.

His eyes moved from my hand to my face without moving his head, "Edi magsawa ka kakaamoy sakanya!"

He threw the towel to the floor then he turned his back against me. He walked towards his bed then jumped onto it; he even covered his whole body with his white fluffy blanket. I just laughed when he did that. Eros... I like it when he is acting like he is really pissed off about something that does not really matter.

I slowly walked towards his bed. I lay down next to him and got inside the blanket, he was facing the wall so his back was facing me. I approached him and pretended to sniff his nape, "Hmm, a woman who would sleep beside you will wake up with ecstasy because of your smell, my love."

I heard him scoffed. Humarap siya sakin, the blanket is white so the light from the window comes in a little bit inside our veil. "Mas mabango ako sakanya?" he asked.

I giggled as I hugged him on his waist tightly, "Of course, you will always smell better than anyo—."

My eyes went wider when he interrupted what I was about to say with a short soft kiss. I bit my lower lip hard, my face was so hot! Dang it!

"You smell like a Daisy, Daisy.”

[To Be Continued]