Daisy’s Secret Crush

***Daisy’s POV.***

I felt a sting in my heart, but my Mom needed me to fix her dress so I didn’t get enough time to think about his words. One after another, I kept my mind busy, as if I somehow didn’t want to lose my composure in front of others.

But as soon as I am in my room that night, I take deep breaths. I prepare a bath calmly and sit in it to think through his words.

He said he has no time for girls right now. Okay. He said he was going to do something which would get him out of the situation. Good. He said sorry. Why? Because there can’t be anything between us, as he can’t afford to get distracted. Which can mean only one thing: that I was distracting him.

He told me all this so I would back off. Because he himself can’t. If Theo had not talked to me so calmly and made me understand he has something in his life he wants to pursue so he can show Heather he can run Valentine and earn its name, I would have gone after him without skipping a beat.

But he was sincere when he said all those things. There was no anger or disgust in his voice or eyes. He simply stated what he wanted. But in those, he also stated what he wanted but can’t afford to pursue right now.

What do I do now? I thought beforehand that I wouldn’t have any regrets anymore. But my mind and heart are at war. My mind wants to be practical and leave Theo be, but my heart wants to hold on to his words and make him mine, as nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.

What if he finds someone? What if that person actually takes the chance to pursue a relationship with him even though he denied it? What if his resolve breaks down for that woman?

The only answer I had to all questions was that I wanted to be that woman. I want to take this chance, but after Theo’s warning, should I?

The bath was making me more stressed than relaxed, so I eventually decided to get some sleep. But sleep was far from my eyes too. I tossed and turned the entire night but got little sleep. I finally got some sleep early in the morning because of which I woke up way past mid-morning.

“Daisy, are you okay? You didn’t come down for breakfast.” Mom says as she enters my room with a glass of juice in her hand.

“Oh! I just woke up. I was just too excited to sleep.” I say. Or just too stressed to sleep.

“Okay. Get ready. We are going out for a little picnic. And finish this.” Mom says, putting the glass on the table and I nod at her.

I have to talk to Theo for once and let him know how I feel about all this. Noah was right. If I keep my feelings to myself, it would make me regret on another level and I would feel trapped. I have to meet Theo.

With fresh energy, I drink up the juice and go to get ready. I take a quick shower and wear a white crop top with puff sleeves and high-waisted jeans. I tie my hair in a messy bun and go down after wearing white walking shoes.

When I reach there, I see everyone but Theo. I look around once more in case I missed, which is quite impossible. My eyes act like a magnet when he is in the room. But nope, he is not here. I also don’t see Adam, so maybe he has gone to take him to his parents for their honeymoon.

“Hey.” Noah says and gives me a plate of toast and eggs.

“Thanks” I say.

“Looking for someone?” Noah asks.

“You know who. I have to talk to him about something urgent.” I say.

“He has gone to drop Adam. So he would meet us directly on a picnic.” He says and I nod. “Did something happen?” He asks.

“I will tell you about it later.” I say and gobble up my breakfast as I feel famished.

After half an hour of lunch preparation, we all roam around the parameters of Ryan’s cabin, which have many places to have a picnic.

“But why aren’t you coming back, Theo?” Richard says as Noah and I pass by him.

“But you never skip on family outings. It would have been fun.” Richard says and Noah and I look at each other.

“Fine. If that is important, that’s okay. But call me when you reach safely.” Richard says and hangs up, then looks at Heather and says, “Theo is going to LA.”

“But why so suddenly?” Heather asks, looking concerned.

“Some urgent work came up, and he has to look into it himself.” Richard says and sighs heavily.

After lunch, we play some games and ride the boat. When it is my and Noah’s turn to sit in the boat, I tell him everything Theo said, as nobody would hear us out here.

“That’s serious, even for my always joking and charming brother. Denying the obvious attraction. That must mean he is doing something big which would definitely shock my Mom.” He says.

“But please don’t tell your Mom about this. Theo is serious about whatever he is doing.” I say.

“What would you do now? I am sure he would go to any length to avoid you. And now it is going to get hard to meet him as you work in Manhattan and he is always roaming around America.” Noah says.

“It was fate that brought me here again. It was fate that made me meet Theo like that in the pub. Two times. If it happens a third time, I don’t care what Theo wants or how he feels. I am going to take my chances. He left without concluding this properly. He said his words but didn’t hear mine. Next time we meet, there won’t be just words but actions too.” I say as I feel hurt. He left without saying goodbye properly. I won’t count last night as one. No.

“But that is the question. How would you meet him as I feel like he would not visit us more?” Noah asks.

“I am leaving it to fate.” I say, and Noah holds my hand to console me as a friend.

After that, I don’t sulk and enjoy my time with my family. For the next two days, I took hundreds of pictures with my new friends and parents. We visited many beautiful places and my Dad also bought me a jar of maple syrup.

We come back to New York on Friday, and I get good news. The firm where I applied for a job and gave an interview hired me. They asked me to meet them on Monday when they would explain my work to me.

At least one thing was going according to my plan. I go out with Dani on Saturday for a little shopping as I get into the mood to buy a few outfits and also there is a big sale which we have to take advantage of. On Sunday, I prepare myself for Monday and also watch some movies which I wanted to see for a long time.

On Monday morning, I get ready in a white camisole and dusty pink colour blazer and pants. I want to look professional plus a little cool too. I apply a little darker shade of lipstick and pearl drop earrings. I wear white heels and take my white bag.

I check everything twice, then leave a little early. I didn’t make any breakfast or coffee, as I didn’t want to clean up and waste my time. I sit in a cafe in front of the firm’s office and have my breakfast of oatmeal there.

I enter the office at ten, and the receptionist gives me my employee ID card. I go up to the seventh floor to meet up with the CEO of the ‘Trend House’ designing firm which handles majorly every high-status people’s business.

This firm only deals with big shots and has a very good reputation. By the look of the building and the office around me, no doubt Andersons hired them. I wait in the cabin when she enters.

“Good Morning. Please be seated.” Clara says as she enters.

“Good Morning, Mrs. Turner.” I say as I give her a firm handshake.

“So, congratulations. You are welcome to Trend House as our new consultant and designer.” She says.

“Thank you.” I say.

“I must say your profile fits well with what we wanted for one of our oldest and most reputed clients. They wanted someone who had a good experience of working outside of America as he is going to launch his new project outside of the US for the first time. You have to sign an NDA for this as per your contract here. If you have any doubts, please ask away. And please do call me Clara.” She says politely.

This project must be so big that she is explaining it to me herself. I nod at her and look at the contract of the firm first and read it thoroughly, then sign it. Then I went to see the NDA, and it had Valentine’s name on it.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

The only Valentine I know is Heather, and aren’t they in the hotel business too? I look at the contract and I am perplexed when I see Theo’s name in it.

What is happening here?