Daisy’s Secret Crush

***Daisy’s POV.***

The rest of the ride was a bit silent from there on. Even Olivia and Toby were not speaking anymore like something happened when they were gone to buy our lunch. I changed my seat with Olivia when she came back as she wanted to discuss things with Theo.

Toby was getting irritated and so was I when they were acting so close and their conversation changed from formal to informal. While Toby and I on the other hand played little games on our phones because we couldn’t talk in front of them when they were so loud which they weren’t but we were using that as an excuse.

When we reach Bristol, a limo is pulled for all four of us to take us to a villa that Theo bought as an investment and it is next to the hotel. Toby accompanied us as he wanted to see the progress of the hotel too then took me out for dinner where he would surprise me with something.

I got changed once my bag came and wore a turtleneck, black top and blue jeans. While Theo and his investors were roaming around, I met up with the team. Later I looked around too and it was beautiful.

It has five huge ballrooms and not to forget the huge garden and conservatory at one end of the ground. The hotel was converted into a palace. I can’t imagine how it would look once everything is finished.

“How is it?” Theo asks as he enters a ballroom which has ample light.

I stop turning in a circle in awe and say, “It is beautiful.”

“You think so?” Theo asks again.

“As if you need my approval.” I say with a smile, “It is classic.”

“Thanks.” He says.

“You were not the one who made it.” I say.

“Actually, I did.” He says and I look at him in question so he corrects himself, “Not physically. Just technically. I had to use my architecture degree somewhere.”

“Well, then you should use it more.” I say.

“Let me show you around.” He says and I walk with him.

He showed me around and gave me every little detail about the work he did. And as I also liked being in his company after so many days and that too without any complication, I enjoyed it. And I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t realise that it got dark outside and I was late for dinner and Toby’s surprise.

“Oh, my goodness! It got so late. I didn’t even realise it. Toby must be waiting for me.” I say and take out my phone to call him.

But he texted me that as I was late Olivia insisted he take her to dinner. He warned her against it but as she was adamant about it; he took her so our plan was cancelled. He also told me that my surprise was to meet his Dad, Mr. Nathaniel Wright. But I call him Senior Wright. And Toby can’t wait to see the look on Olivia’s face when she meets his father. Even I can’t.

“He is not here.” Theo says as we walk out of the hotel.

“Nor is Olivia. She had gone with him.” I say.

“So that means he ditched you. If I was in his place, I would never do that to a lady.” Theo says and I see his eyes glint with mischief.

“But you don’t want to be in his place. Remember?” I ask and walk towards his villa.

“You can have dinner with me.” Theo says when we enter the hall.

“Do you want to have dinner with me?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t have asked.” He says.

“Well, that felt more like an obligation from your side.” I say.

“If you want to come, then come.” He says nonchalantly.

“That’s the problem. You never let me.” I say without thinking.

“Did you say something?” He asks while I fluster.

“Obviously I can’t annoy maids on my first day here. I will be down in a few minutes.” I say and leave without looking back.

By the time I enter my room, my face is as red as Christmas. I wash my face and go down to have dinner with him. To my surprise, Theo talks to me. He asks about what I did in London for five years and how was my experience. The conversation was so good and inflow that it did not feel awkward or on edge with him.

At one point, I remember we also laughed out loud. This is what I wanted from Theo. For him to at least acknowledge me if not kiss me and do other things. By the time I came to my room, I almost melted with the memories.

Next day, I was busy with my work when Toby came to meet me. As it was break time we took a seat in the garden to have lunch which he bought for me.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“So, How was last night?” We both ask together.

“This time you go first.” Toby says.

“Fine. I got late because Theo was showing me around and it took us time as he was explaining where he changed what and why. It was so nice.” I say.

“Really?” He asks with a weird expression on his face.

“Yes. Why?” I ask.

“I thought you would be bored.” He says

“No. I wasn’t. In fact, I loved that he was giving me enough importance to show me around personally. This hotel is his dream.” I say and I bet there are stars in my eyes.

“Then what happened?” He asks.

“When we got late and I said Olivia had gone with you he behaved like he didn’t know anything and said you ditched me.” I say as I try to remember that suddenly.

“Interesting. Olivia said you ditched me to look around the hotel with Theo and would have dinner with him.” He says.

“Interesting it is. Theo asked me to have dinner with me and he talked to me like a person does on a… first date. I had my first ever date and I am realising it now.” I say in shock.

“And now I realise that even though Olivia was shocked at first to meet my Dad, she didn’t show it on her face. In fact, during the dinner, she impressed my father like she was his daughter-in-law already.” Toby asks.

“They snatched away our precious moments without us knowing about it.” I say.

“They did. I always dreamed of introducing Olivia as my girlfriend if not fiance to my Dad. And she snatched it from me.” Toby says.

“And I always thought that my first date with Theo would be like that but end up with a kiss. That is so not fair what they did to us.” I say or more like whine.

“But why would they do that?” Toby asks the important question, “Do you think that they want us?”

“I don’t know…” I say that but a light goes on in my mind somewhere, “What do we call them, Toby?”

“Monsters.” He says in confusion and then his eyes get wide, “No they don’t. Do you think so?”

“I bet on it. They know what we are trying to do somehow and want to play their game. They want us to be separated and weakened by their vile seduction and lose our senses so that we hang around them more.” I say.

“They really are something. They caught on to our game after only one day. Now what do we do? If they are playing a game there must be some intention behind it other than what you just said which flew right above my head.” Toby says.

“They want us to confess to them that we want them. I can understand why Olivia is doing this because somewhere she likes and wants you but is holding back. But what about Theo? He is one confusing man. If he is playing this game, maybe to make me confess my intention and that I want him and then reject me again.” I say.

“Could be. But what do we do now? They are predators and we are their prey. And don’t forget Theo is an experienced one so their team has an advantage over us.” Toby says.

“They might have an advantage but we have…” I say.

“What?” He asks.

“Let me think.” I say as I eat the burger with a fervour, “We know they know but they don’t know that we know that they know.”

“Stop phrasing FRIENDS.” Toby says.

“Get the meaning of it then.” I say.

“So you mean to say that we could take advantage of us knowing all this. How?” He asks.

“First we will act like we don’t know anything. Second, we would continue to play our little game at any cost. And third and important one, we will up our game.” I say.

“Okay. What is our next plan?” He asks.

“You have a villa here right?” I ask.

“Yes.” He then continues, “We can relax at a pool party there.”

“You are catching up. Soon you will be making plans.” I say.

“Till then we can do this.” He says.

“What?” I ask in confusion.

The next second he picks up a tissue and removes an invisible stain from my mouth. I know Toby well. He is doing this for our special audience. So I pretend to go along and we look at each other like we are in a spell and could kiss any minute. But actually, we only play the don’t blink game.

“Here you are Daisy. The interior team has some questions for you.” Olivia’s chirpy voice says and I back away.

I look at the fascinating tick of the jaw on Theo’s face as he stands in distance.