After a while, Daisy stood up and went back to her room, the very one that Brett had furnished for her. Pausing on the threshold, she took in a piece of her that Brett had created as her sanctuary. A place she could run to whenever she was angry instead of running away from him. Since she was always running. "But not anymore," She whispered.Setting her workout bag and purse on the bed, she showered and changed into one of the simple T-shirts she found in her wardrobe.She tried not to think about why he still wasn’t home. He said he was going for his appointment with Dr. Violet, but he should have been home by now. She poured herself a glass of wine and turned on the living room television when her smartphone rang, a call from Ugo"Hello." She answered, grateful to be speaking to the one person that had stood with her and prevented her from hitting ground zero for the past few weeks. "U.U, what's up?""You aren't home, and I brought cupcakes." Daisy smiled. "You know where I am." Sh
"I went to your place. But you weren't home." Brett said.Daisy rubbed at the painful ache in her chest. "I’m sorry that I..... barged into your house in your absence." Brett leaned back into the counter and crossed one ankle over the other. "Go on." "I thought you'd be home. I should’ve called first. And when I realized you weren't home, I should have just waited for another time instead of making myself at home." Brett's chest expanded on a deep breath. "If you’re waiting for me to break up with you, it's not going to happen. You can stop waiting." He said and Daisy , who was standing close to the bar, tried to steady herself on the wall."I can’t do it, I can't break up with you." He said flatly. "I can’t even say I’ll let you walk away from me, if that’s why you’re here.""What?" Daisy frowned in confusion. "You left your key at my place." She reminded."A mistake I would never make again. I want my key back.""Brett." Daisy's eyes closed and tears tracked down her cheeks. "You
Brett took a seat on the edge of the mattress, and a moment later his fingers drifted across Daisy's cheek. "How did you sleep?" "I missed you." She replied. "Is that coffee for me?" She asked as the smell of coffee wafted through her nostrils. "If you’re a good girl, then yes." Her eyes popped open. "But you like me being a bad girl." He smiled."I like you being a bad girl when you're with me, Daisy. Now, tell me about this show you were talking about.""It's a quick show. Ray is myself and Ugo's friend. His band is having a show right here in Fairview and he sent Ugo some tickets. That’s all I know. Do you want to go?""The mayor's cousin." Brett murmured. "The one that couldn't wait for you to step away from me at the fundraiser. He even had a dance with you." He added."Can't you just forget certain things?"Brett shook his head. "Not when it has to do with you.""So, do you want to go?" Daisy asked again."It’s not a question of whether I want to go. If you’re going, so am I.
"Things seem to be looking better this week," Dr. Violet said when Daisy and Brett arrived at her office for their evening therapy appointment. They sat near each other this time, with their hands clasped together. Brett's thumb caressed Daisy's knuckles, and she looked at him and smiled, feeling settled by the contact. Dr. Violet flipped open the protective case of her tablet and settled more comfortably in her seat. "Is there anything in particular you’d like to discuss?" "The past few weeks have been tough," Daisy said quietly. "I imagine so. Let’s talk about the night that led to it. Can you tell me what happened, Daisy?" She told the older woman about waking up from her own nightmare to find herself trapped in Brett's. She walked Dr. Violet through that night and the weeks that followed. "What did you feel after the nightmare?" "Fear," Daisy replied, still holding onto Brett. "I was scared. "You stopped attending your group therapy with Brett. Was it your decision or
Daisy walked into Brett's home office and found him frowning at whatever he was working on with his fingers flying over his keyboard. And glow of the monitor focused on their photo collage on the wall.Brett sat in the semi-dark room, bare chested and handsome, looking alone and powerfully self-contained. As he always did while working. She sighed as she took him in, her boyfriend, the epitome of gorgeousness himself.She had spent her day at the office working tirelessly for a new noodles campaign with Donald and had even been dragged to lunch alongside her boss by Ethan. By evening, she had her usual session at Pith's alongside Ugo. Before coming back to her third home, Brett's penthouse.She stared at Brett from the doorway. He appeared unreachable and she found herself feeling lonely just looking at him. With Brett's decision that they sleep separately and the fact that he was focused solely on his computer, she felt lonely, which made her want to cling tighter and try harder to
"I want to know what your fantasy is?" Daisy replied.Brett adjusted her so that she would be draped across his lap. "You, you are my fantasy." He replied. "I better be."He grinned. "You, in a swing.""Huh?" She arched her brow."You, in a sex swing, Daisy. With your gorgeous ass in a seat, legs spread wide, your perfect cunt wet and waiting." He rubbed seductive circles into the small of her back. "Totally at my mercy and unable to do anything but take all the cum I can give you. You’d love it." He smiled.Daisy pictured him standing between her legs, naked and glistening with sweat, his body perfect as he rocks her back and forth, sliding her on and off his beautiful cock. "You want me helpless." She hissed."I want you bound. And not on the outside."She winced and he rubbed her skin gently in a reassuring manner. "I won’t ever take it further than you can handle," he promised, his eyes glittering hotly in the dim lighting. "But I’ll take you to the edge."Daisy squirmed, both ar
"Have you talked to Hollis lately?" Ugo's smile faded. "No." She sighed. "I miss him. I miss talking to him. He’s so fucking smart, you know.""Yeah, I can imagine that feeling. But, I want you to be happy U.U." Ugo lifted Daisy's hand to her lips, she kissed the back. "I’m working on it, Daisy baby.""I’m right here for you if you need me, even if I’m not visibly around.""I know." Ugo squeezed her friend's hand before releasing it. So for Friday, are we going from my place?""Maybe you should tell me to move in with you." Ugo snarled.Laughing, Daisy shook her head. "But I told you, I almost cried my eyes out trying to convince you to move in with me, but you refused." "I've got work Boo. My place is closer to my work and your place isn't." "So? You're yet to give me an answer, Ugo.""Your place is fine."Daisy made a little dance with her feet at the sound of her friend's reply. "Next week, we can go to the movies by weekend, what do you say U.U?" Daisy pushed in, already feeli
Ugo flashed that false smile she usually keeps on standby whenever she's trying to appear modest and kind. "I'm a huge fan of your food." She said, shocking Ugo with that bland reply that suggested there was no connection between her friend and Alejandro. "Your lasagna is to die for." "Thank you so much, Ugo. It's such an honor to have you in my space."Daisy's gaze darted to Brett, gauging her man's reaction. Brett glanced down at her with a look of mock innocence and an almost subtle smirk. She shook her head, exasperated. "You know, don't you?" She whispered and Brett shrugged.She sighed, knowing that this was going to be a night Ugo would never forget and two things were bound to happen. It's either the night turns out memorable because she would have had fun in spite of Alejandro's presence or because she would be miserable as a result of the even evening arrangement. The next hour passed in a blur of excellent food and fine wine. Ugo busied herself with food while Alejandro s
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