"Do you plan on going anywhere today?" He asked. "Not sure yet. Do I have to let you know before I leave the house?" He shook his head. "Not necessarily. I'll know where you are." He replied. Daisy turned to him immediately. "How's that?" He paused, "Daisy, I can track you through your phone and I will." "What?" She slid out of bed and stood. "No way!" Brett stood, too. "In a situation where I'm not with you, and I'm unable to reach you, I at least need to know where you are." "Don’t be this way, Brett." His face was composed. "I didn’t have to tell you." He murmured. "Seriously?" Daisy stalked to the closet to grab a robe. "Something is obviously happening to you up there." "Cut me some slack Daisy." She glared at him, and shoved her hands into the sleeves of one of his shirt she saw in the wardrobe. "Don't you use that guilt-tripping line on me, you hear me. You're being a control freak who likes having me followed and you want me to cut you some slack. Oh, co
"Okay, you'll be late for your appointment." Daisy said, planting a kiss on Brett's forehead. They moved back to the master's bedroom and Daisy slumped lazily on top of the mattress. Brett stilled, and his narrowed eyes slid down her exposed thighs. "Don’t get any ideas, Gorgeous. There's no more pie for you to eat, at least for now." "That's better." Brett smiled. "I don't ever want to leave you unsatisfied." He caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "Do you have a passport?" Daisy frowned and answered. "Yes. Why?" Nodding briskly, he reached for his tie, and attempted adjusting it back to normal before shifting his focus on his cufflinks. "You’ll need it." He replied, simply. Excitement tingled through her but she still asked. "What for?" "For travel. Duh." He replied, using the same words Daisy usually tease him with. She smiled and pulled the collar of her shirt, stylishly. "Travel to where?" His eyes held a wicked gleam as he swiftly and expertly a
There was a pause, then he responded. "It's a tracking device, not a bug. Yes, it is." "For fuck’s sake, Eric!" "It’s my job, Daisy." Eric responded. "Well I put it to you that your job sucks! Do you hear me?" She shot back. "This is bullshit and you know it." "Keeping you safe became a bigger concern when Julian showed up again. He was slippery, so I had to cover both you and your mom. The minute his death was confirmed, I turned off the receiver." Daisy squeezed her eyes shut. "This isn’t about the damn tracking device Eric. None of you get it. I'm mad because you all keep me in the dark, always. And it's so wrong on so many levels. I feel violated, Eric." "I'm so sorry, Daisy. I didn't mean to upset you. But your mother didn't want you to worry." "I’m a fucking adult! I get to decide if I worry or not." She shot a look at Brett when she said that, because what she was saying was totally applicable to him, too. His arch look told her he got the message. "I understa
"This one?" She asked, pulling it out. Bridget nodded. "My God!" Daisy exclaimed in a whisper. "You gave me this as a birthday gift mom. This has been my favorite go-tell hair clip, you know this." Bridget nodded, meekly. "Are you shitting me?" Daisy stared at the gorgeous hairpin. "So, this wasn't a gift at all. You’ve seriously crossed the line mom!" Bridget flushed. "Daisy, you’re overreacting. It’s not what..." "Overreacting, I'm overreacting? Ha, that’s laughable. In case you have no idea, this is a whole lot of invasion. I’m this close to calling the police and possibly suing you for invasion of privacy." "Daisy.." Bridget's voice broke. "I’m your mother..." Her voice now took on a note of pleading. "It’s my job to look after you." "I’m a twenty-five-year-old adult," She said coldly. "By law, I can look after myself." "Daisy Ledwig..." "Don’t." She lifted her hands, then dropped them. "Just don’t. I’m going to leave now, because I’m so pissed off I can’t even l
"Daisy." His tone warned her that he wouldn’t be put off. She sighed. "I’ll forgive her, I always do. I don’t have a choice, really, because I love her and I know she means well, even if she is seriously misguided. But this thing with the hairpin...." "Go on." He encouraged. She rubbed at the ache in her chest. "It broke something in our relationship. And no matter how we move forward, there’s always going to be that crack there that didn’t exist before. That’s what hurts." Brett was quiet for a long time. One of his hands slid into her hair, while the other curled possessively over her hip. She waited for him to say what was on his mind. "I broke something in our relationship, too," he said finally, his voice somber. "I’m afraid it is always going to be between us." The sadness in his eyes twisted into Daisy, hurting her. "Let me up." He did, reluctantly, watching her warily as she stood. She hesitated before she unzipped her skirt. "Now I know what it feels li
Daisy pouted. "Please, my love." "Sunshine, getting you off is ninety-nine percent of the fun for me." "But then I’m so busy coming that I don’t get to enjoy you." She complained. "Just for once, one night. I want you to be selfish. I want you to let go, be an animal, come just because it feels good and you’re ready." His lips thinned. "I can’t do that with you. I need you with me." "I knew you’d say that. But this is my game and it's played by my rules." "I haven’t agreed to play." He hammered. "Hear me out." Brett exhaled slowly. "I can’t do it, Daisy." "You could do it with other women," she argued. "I wasn’t in love with them." Daisy melted, unable to help it. "Baby I want this," she whispered. "Real bad." He made an exasperated noise. "Help me understand. I can’t hear your heart racing when I’m gasping for breath. I can’t feel you shaking when I’m shaking, too. I can’t taste you when my mouth is dry from begging you to finish me off." His beautiful face
Laughing, Daisy shoved at his shoulders and he pushed her backward until she sprawled on the floor between the sofa and coffee table. He hovered above her, his arms tight and hard from supporting his weight. His gaze roamed, caressing her bra, then her bare tummy, then her thong and garters. The ensemble she wore post-shower was crimson-red, chosen to keep Brett revved. "You’re my lucky charm," he said. Daisy squeezed his biceps. "Really?" "Yep." He licked the upper swell of her breast. "You’re magically delicious." "Oh my God." She laughed. "You're cheesy now." His eyes smiled at her. "My goddess of desire, pleasure, and corny one-liners. Did you like the wine from this evening?" "Yeah, it's quite heavenly. Is it new in the market?" "Yes." He pecked her forehead. "And you're looking at the new owner." "Oh Brett, now we've delved into wines. No wonder you know how to make use of your tongue. You're a great wine taster, aren't you?" Reading all the possible meani
"Omg! how could I have forgotten!" Ugo exclaimed. "What's that?" Daisy asked. "Someone called the house phone earlier today. She said she is your friend. It's weird because you've never mentioned a friend of yours that bears Lana." "What, Lana?" "Yes. Is she your friend?" "Hell no!" Daisy replied. "Now that's not funny. She said she had news and she wants you to call her back. She even left a number and said to give you in case the number you have doesn't go through." Daisy shot a look at Brett. He caught her stare and his eyes took on that familiar hard gleam. "Such a smart ass woman. Did you tell her anything?" She asked Ugo in a low voice. "Tell her anything, like what?" "Like something you wouldn’t want to tell a total stranger and Brett's ex." Brett's face took on a stony cast. He passed Daisy to drop the trash bag, then came back to her side. "You’re friends with Brett's ex?" Ugo asked. "Are you nuts?" "No, I’m not friends with her. I have no idea ho
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