"I have dreams too. At least I used to. Some really bad ones. But I've not had any for maybe a month or two." Brett said.Daisy nodded and waited for more. But that was all he gave her. He was back in his shell of limited expression. She touched his face, hair and shoulders, and looked him in the eye, realizing he had a lot he was yet to tell. He might just be as broken as she was, in a way she couldn't place just yet. "I need something from you, Brett." "Anything. Just tell me what it is.""I've told you my deepest secret, so it's only fair that I get something in return, don't you think?""Yes Sunshine, anything." "Okay. I need you to tell me something new that I don’t know about you, everyday. No matter how small. Can you do that?" Brett eyed her warily. "Whatever I want to tell you right? It doesn't have to be something of your choosing." She nodded, unsure of herself and what she might get out of him. Brett exhaled. "Okay." He finally said and she kissed him softly, a silent
"We met for the first time at Lilycity, when I paid a visit to my grandma during one our school's holiday. She was the kid around the block that I got to play with. Because of her, I visited my grandmother more often until she got admission to study Law at the University of Bronx." She smiled recalling all that sweet memories."Fortunately, I got into the same university same year." She chuckled. "We ended up as roomies. After graduation, I went back home and applied for internship at the Hockey board. Was dabbling a little into ads, designs and presentation.""That was where we met, the hockey game. You were working for the board. I remember.""Yes," She nodded and set her hand over his to still its upward slide on her leg, smiling at the mischievous glimmer in his eyes. "After that incident, we moved to Fairview and Ugo came with me. She suggested this amazing therapist who supposedly had mad skills. So I and my mother started seeing the therapist and that was where our healing beg
"Don’t....... don't fucking touch her! No, don't you dare come close to me. No, stop it, stop saying that to me. I didn't do it, it wasn't me. Please......" Brett's cries had Daisy swerving up in the bed, her heart thudding violently. She fought for breath, glancing wild-eyed at the man thrashing next to her. He was snarling like an angry beast, his hands fisted and his legs kicking restlessly. Daisy moved back, afraid he would strike out at her unknowingly in his dreams. "I didn't do it, leave me alone." he panted. "No, you leave her alone too. She's innocent. Don't you dare touch her." "Brett, wake up." "Get off me. You're sitting on my head, I can't breath." His hips arched upward with a hiss of pain, his teeth gritted, then he collapsed and suddenly jerked again before bouncing off the mattress. "Brett," She reached for his arm, her throat was burning. "Brett," she called again. He was writhing in agony, thrashing so violently that he shook the bed. She walked around and put
Daisy walked briskly into lobby of her apartment, not giving a care about the furtive looks she got from the doorman, the lady at the front desk and a gentleman that she didn't spare a second glance until she perceived the faint fragrance of Ugo's perfume on him.She forced herself to give him one brief glance before she walked past him into the elevator. She stepped out of the elevator and found Ugo opening the door to her apartment. When she sighted her, she straightened and opened her arms to Daisy. "Come here, Daisy baby." Daisy walked straight into her and hugged her tight, smelling a man's cologne on her. "Who’s the dude that just left.""Dark and dangerous." Ugo replied with a smile. Pushing the door of the apartment open.They stepped in together before she continued. "Well, he invited me out for dinner at this cozy restaurant that happened to be closer to your apartment than mine. So, I decided to crash here tonight, instead of going all the way to mine." Ugo explained."D
The next morning dawned with an odd surreality. Daisy was able to make it to work. Most part of her day went-on in a kind of chilly fog. She couldn’t seem to get warm enough, despite wearing a cardigan over her blouse and a miserable looking scarf that didn’t match anything in her outfit, a mishap she would never allow in her styling, ordinarily. Especially with Ugo present.Brett made no contact with her whatsoever. Nothing on her cellphone. No mail, no text, no inter-office call or note, nothing. The silence felt excruciating. Especially when she checked the hot gist for the day and saw pictures of herself and Brett at Floyd park. Seeing how the both of the them looked together, the passion and painful longing on their faces, and the gratefulness of their reconciliation. Pain twisted in her chest.'Brett, If we can't work this one out, would I ever stop thinking about you' She thought. Wishing so desperately that there would be a way, an easy way for them to settle this nightmare
Daisy was briefly reminded of Brett's anger the last time she spent time with Ray. But she figured he trusted her now to handle herself. "I’m going to the restaurant up the street," she said. "Are you sure you want to head down with me?" "Absolutely." They started walking. "What did you want to explain?" She asked, too curious to wait. He reached into the cargo pocket of his jeans and pulled out two formal invitation in a grey envelope. "I came to see a friend and I actually know you work here." He shot her a smile. "So I planned to extend an invitation you to a little celebratory party we’re having at my uncle's estate on Sunday. It's a mix of business and pleasure." "By your uncle, you mean the Mayor?" He nodded. "My family will be there too. My band is working on a new music. We might perform one or two of the new sounds. "We're still working on the rest." He informed her. "Sounds like something you might like?" "Maybe, is there more to tell?" "Yeah. It's been finalized t
"And he wanted to know where the Julian boy is." Bridget sobbed. "He wanted to know everything."Daisy hissed. Confusion crowded her thoughts. She wasn’t sure what Brett's intentions was, but her mind went strongly to the possibility that he had dumped her because she opened up about her past and he was now making sure that whatever scandal would come from her past would not in anyway affect him. Her heart twisted in pain at that thought.Initially, she had thought it was his past that was driving a wedge between them, but now, it made even more sense that it was hers. For once Daisy was grateful for her mother’s self-absorption, which kept her from seeing how devastated she was. "It's only right that I tell him." Daisy managed to say with a voice so raw that it sounded nothing like her own. "And he has a right to try to protect himself from any blowback." She added. "You’ve never told any of your other boyfriends. Not even Raymond. You've known Lexington for barely three weeks and
Friday found Ugo sharing dinner with Daisy. As Daisy drank her day’s first cup of coffee, she watched Ugo talk while cleaning up the breakfast table. Ugo tried indulging Daisy who didn't feel like being soaked in such positive vibes. She sighed and rubbed her forehead."You're sad."Ugo said. "I'm literally entertaining you with my dance steps, can't you see.""I can't get myself to understand Brett at all. I mean, I've had easy relationships that I didn't get to appreciate. They were comfortable and uncomplicated, but they were all superficial in a fundamental way, too." She sighed, looking at Ugo. "How deep can a love affair get if you don't know the darkest recesses of your lover’s soul.""Why are you eating yourself up, Daisy baby. Let this slide and be optimistic."She said, tapping Daisy gently on the back. "But if sex is a common ground for the both of you and you can't get him out of your head, maybe you should make a little move of your own.""What, I don't understand.""You k
We were now in an open corridor. Rocco stood like a statue at the end of the room, staring into space. Two other guards stood at a reasonable distance, taking the same stance. I snatched my hand back from him, crossing it over my chest. "Good. Then that's settled. But make no mistake, he turned "I'm going to take my pleasure from you, how and when I deem it fit." He threatened. "You dare not!" I challenged, creating a distance between us. "Really," he mused. "Let's see how that goes." "Every single thing about this situation is disappointing," I corrected him, feeling my jaw quiver. I had a temper. So I try so hard to always remain happy and positive. And that was why I surrounded myself with people that really love and care about me. They all knew and understood how bad my temper used to be. As a form of control, I would always remain cold and calm in situations I have no power over. Until I grab a full picture of the situation. But then, in some conditions, I almost alw
I was awakened by the distant sound of the television. Immediately I opened my eyes, I saw Maxine cropped up on a chair at the end of the room. "Welcome back to the land of the living," he muttered. "Where are we?" I croaked, sitting up on the bed and surveying the empty room that had only a bed and a television. Maxine stretched his arms, and sighed. "Home, The Garden." "Thank God." I sighed, before realizing what he meant. "You mean your home is referred to as The Garden?" "Mhmm." He hummed. "Gross." I spat out. "It's a good name." He stood up. "Hollis totally owe me for this." He murmured and left the room, not even saying a goodbye or any other word. My throat felt raw, and my body, emotionally exhausted. I could feel dark isolation seeping through the room like deep depression. I just wanted to go home, to go shopping, boat cruises, clubhouses and the courtroom. I wanted my life back. But even I know I couldn't. Not with the continuous attempt on my life and wi
Maxine gripped the steering wheel and side-glanced me. "Put your seatbelt on, this is going to be fun." I did as I was told, and he hit the red button on the rearview mirror, which caused the garage door to slide open. We drove out onto the gloomy street. Maxine didn't let go of the gas pedal until we were driving well above the speed limit. Darkened street signs flashed by. He sped through a red light, swerving around a car that was patiently waiting for its turn. 'What was the point of making me wear my seatbelt if he was planning on killing the both of us by crashing the car.' With an extended grin, he weaved us in and out of traffic. Eventually we moved away from the city streets and onto a country road. We picked up more speed, but at least there were no other cars to play chicken with. I was able to unclench my teeth and my stranglehold on the security bar against the door, using my free hand to wipe my newly dampened forehead. The car air-conditioner couldn't do anyt
The next time I woke up, the sun was already setting. I was feeling better, rested, though my joints and muscles ached from the lack of movement. As for the bump on my head, it was only sensitive to touch. there was no more throbbing. My hair on the other hand was a tangled mess. My head felt naked when my hair was down. I searched my pockets and then the barren room for anything that I could use to tie it back. The only thing I found was the glass of water that had been refilled, and that I greedily gulped down. The bedroom door had been left open, and hollowed sounds from a Television could still be heard. As soon as the smell of food tickled my nose, my stomach grumbled. The last meal I had eaten was the vegetable sauce my mother made specially for me. How long ago was that? My brain was still too foggy to count back the hours or the days. The thought of my mother sent chills down my spine. I haven't heard from my parents and I knew they would be worried sick. Letting my sto
With a stiff neck, I scanned my surroundings. there wasn't much to decipher. I was in a small room, lit only by the bedside lamp that was on the table next to the bed. There was an armchair with a rose velvet cushion in one corner. The walls were bland and frameless. After waiting for another bout of nausea to pass, I went to the window, holding on to the small table as support for my shaky frame. Outside, the sunsetting sky was of resilient palettes of shady hues, and I was peering over the shadows of endless rooftops. Wherever I was, it was high above a city, at least twenty stories high. Down below, a yellow cab was waiting at a red light on an otherwise empty street. I couldn't decide if I was still in Lilycity. I thought I had a fair recognition of the clock tower that stood at the center of the city square, but it was too distant and I was too tired to be sure. My hand pressed against the glass. I closed my eyes until the dizziness passed, then slowly and painfully moved to
There was a flash of light and distant noises. My head felt like someone was taking an ice pick and pouring heavy chipping on my skull. I decided that death couldn't be this painful, so I was probably not dead or this was what hell was supposed to feel like. My eyes were pried open, and a light came flashing again. This was followed by a groan, like a bear cub. 'was that me?' I managed to flutter my eyes open without anyone's help. Inches away from my face, someone was holding a pen-sized flashlight. I couldn't focus enough to see him, but I could definitely smell him. Light scent of woodberry and some chemicals I remember enduring the mixing process once I snuck into the chemistry laboratory during practicals that were meant for students offering science courses. The ceiling was swimming. I thought I was going to vomit, and I had to let my eyelids drop to stop the spinning. Slowly, the muffled sounds became words. "What's your name, sweetheart." Asked the man with the flashli
I climbed down carefully from the grey van that picked me up from the house. I was going to see a cartel Boss. So there are quite a lot of things that could happen today. It's either I end up dead or I succeed in striking a good deal that will keep my father alive and give my family enough time to pay up the crazy-absurd debt they leveled against my Father. If the stars are in my favor, the money might even be forgiven. But in all, one of these things was going to happen today and I pray my dead body won't be drawn out of the industrial looking premises. As I stood looking around, I got a nudge behind from one of the men. "Move!" He barked at me and like a crippled roach revealed by a light from a handheld torch. I had to put both of my feet to good use. One of the men walked in front, leading the way, while two others walked behind me. "Stop." A baritone voice from a guard stationed at the gate yelled at us. "She's going to go in blindfolded." He read out a rehearsed instruct
The silence at the dinning table felt excruciating and painful. I forced most of the mashed potatoes down my throat and swallowed hurriedly each time, unable to feel the taste of the meal. When the silence became too unbearable, I shifted my meal and turned to my parents. "Let's hear it, what's the problem?" "Eat Ugo." My father said, tapping me gently on the arm. "I'm full, and even if I'm not, I can't take more. I've lost my appetite. What's going on, what's with the silence and brooding, did someone die?" My mother was the first to shake her head. "We didn't lose anyone. But we might as well loose someone if we don't find a solution." She said, "Ada..." My father called in his usual peace-loving manner. "Ugo is not a child, honey. The earlier we start taking....the better." "Please talk to me... anyone. Dad, Mom." "Honey, it's nothing serious....." "Your father was accused of stealing from his company." My mom interrupted. "What?" I looked at my father, hoping he would as
UGO I took in the orderliness of the little room that had always served as my safe space for the longest time. All my childhood memories were still intact, almost as I had left them. My mother had taken it upon herself to preserve all the good memories, making sure not to alter the shape of the room and the position of things as I left them. I tried recalling the last time I visited Lilycity. It's been well over two years. Fairview had found a way to draw me into its tight grasp and sapped me off all my free time. I sighed, recalling my mother's tears at the airport when she came to pick me up. I was initially skeptical that she would be the one to pick me up, but then she somehow managed to convince me with my father's support that she has recovered perfectly since her intestinal surgery. "Poor woman." I murmured regrettably. Pulling my hair into a tight bun, I sat down on the only chair in my room, took in the beauty of the modest-looking room and smiled. What my room lacked in