DAISY

"Shut up, just fucking shut up, you-you. Maybe Caden should get to me. Maybe he should avenge his sister, Maybe grave is better than staying around you." I couldn't stop for a moment to think of the words leaving my mouth, I just let them out.

"I am trying to protect you."

His earlier utterance was a shitload to take in. With a reminder voice creeping into my head, I still haven't processed my life without a job in the next couple of days.

What has he done? Why would he so that to me? I get it, he is powerful, he is the son of the elected governor but why is he so ruthless?

"I do not ask for that, I don't fucking want your protection. Why don't you go protect your girlfriend? I am tired of your commands, I am tired of this hell, I am tired of everything. I am fucking tired of this world." I throw my hands around, feeling like jumping through the window.

How can that once best friend does nothing now but ravage my vigor?

"Daisy?" His eyes filled with intent when he started to step forth but I scream: "Do not touch me." at the moment not caring Riley could hear, but it was potent to get him to halt in his stance.

Why do I always end up giving in to that same stupid hormone that stirs up whenever he was close? Why do I let him touch me?

I hate myself for being so weak to resist his allure.

"I hate you, if there is anything worse than hate, I do you. I regretted ever sharing a word with you, I should've grown up all alone. With you in my life it's hell on earth, you're something else I do not understand. You're a chameleon, you're made of different faces, when you're nice, the next minute you're rude when you're pleased the next you're irritated, when you're honest the next you're immoral and when you said you love me, the next you want to inflict pain upon me. Please find someone to play with, haven't I been used enough? I never asked for all of this." I sobbed my shaky body irresponsively slide down against the wall of the room, pulling my knees to my chest, my elbow on my knees, and hands in my hair.

"What is happening here?"
The question came with a full stop in my heart.

My head shoots up to confounded Riley, her eyes were suspiciously observing me, creases formed on her forehead.

Oh my God, she did hear me. This is it, the moment where my whole life demolishes all because of my selfish need for someone who hates me more than everything.
I'm screwed.

I stared at her with wide eyes, I couldn't breathe at all or I must forget how to.

"Why are you here?" Her eyes went to her boyfriend, the question was his too. "Where have you been all night?"

There's a lump in my throat that won't go down, no matter how much I swallowed.

"We have something to tell you." Kay started.

No!

"We?" Her eyes shift between Kay and me.
I saw the fear in those sky blue eyes of hers.

No, I can't tear her apart, she has done nice things to me I can't even replay half of.
No, I wouldn't dare watch her break down right here because of my recklessness.

I am quick to straighten up on my feet and sniff, wiping my eyes and snort with the back of my hand.

"My father is out of prison." With a thumping heart, I spill out before Kay could murder me with the actuality of what she has no idea of.

I felt the burns of his scrutiny through my skin but I dared myself to not look at him.

"Oh my God, Daisy. I have no idea." Of course, you don't, there is a lot you have not the idea of. Like the fact that I am the worst friend, the fact that I just had my ass rolling over your boyfriend's dick some minutes ago, the fact that I want him to see me the way he shouldn't, the fact that I am having a strong feeling for him and I don't even fear for it.

But being the nice person that Riley is, she was blinded by my words and couldn't see the lies in my eyes. She quickly reached for me and pull me into her arms.

"Is okay," I told her when it certainly isn't.

Nothing is okay, I have failed her.

"No is not. I know how you feel about him, where's he?" That's the point about best friends, they are always there for you, they knew all about you and cares for him more than you deserve sometimes even more than you're worthy of.

For years Riley knew how much I missed my father and she also knew how I always doubted myself with the fact of confronting him. She knew me as much as I do her.
Only the difference between us was clear; I was a selfish bitch, I betrayed our friendship, if only she knew how much of a renegade I've been all my stay here.

"He's..." I croaked, not able to control my emotions.

But that very good-hearted friend understood and instead pulled me closer and say: "He probably hasn't settled down yet, we have extra rooms he can come stay with us."

The muscles in my stomach tightened. I didn't want her to spread more graciousness, I just wanted to change the subject not get my father a place in Kay's penthouse.

I didn't get the chance to say no when Kay thundered a: "Hell no."

Riley sent him a lifelong glare.

"I didn't fucking ask for your opinion." She fires back and his mouth dropped to the floor.

"I thought it's my place." He exhaled an unbelievable laugh, his gaze impossibly wide, his hands closed into tight fists.

"Yet I do make the decision." She boldly reciprocated.

Kay shook his head and pull on his gorgeous unkempt hair.

I will not stand and let him treat my father like some terrorist like he wasn't the man who has treated him like his own son.

"Is actually fine, he can find somewhere else, I have some money, I will have him get somewhere to stay." I wasn't proud of my voice, I wish I am stronger.

"Perfect, you heard her." He interrupted.

Riley shot him a daggered glare and declare openly: "No, he is staying here. Thanksgiving is soon, he needs a home. I am not asking for your approval, I am just letting you know."

"Screw this." Kay cussed and hit the bed bench with his boots before rushing towards the door.

My eyes followed his furious figure until he departed the room.
"Can you stay here, I will come back soon. Okay?" Riley asked.
I could only nod once, hopelessly.

What have I done?

I had stood there staring at nothing specific, thinking about nothing specific. It was me being a whole damn empty body.

Some minutes after, my phone rings from the nightstand. I drag my weary foot to the bed and pick the object.
I push accept when I learn it was Kate.

"Hello!"

"Is it true?" She exclaimed.

"What is true?"

"You know? About the quitting thing, I'm already addicted to having you here, you are really leaving me?" From the receiver, she sadly urged.

"I didn't quit but I guess since Kaiser had called the management I must be fired," I said.

"He called?" She sounded surprised.

"Yes he makes decisions for me, remember?" I huffed, my fingers briefly comb through my hair.

"Okay anyway, Layla received the call, when she told me about it I asked her not to report until I hear from you. So I am sure you still have your job, get your ass here if you still need a friend, is getting late." I was smiling already before she could finish.

"Thank you so much, Kate, what will I do without you?"

"You will be killing that hottie roommate of yours." She quipped and I giggle but agreed.

"Alright, I will see you soon." She told me before we hang up.

And since I still have my job, I quickly grab my stuff and piled the contents in my bag before hanging it across my shoulder.

From the kitchen where I wrote a short note for Riley letting her know about my whereabouts, I tried not to eavesdrop on what she and Kay were discussing in their bedroom.

I headed for the first floor hoping I could leave without getting noticed but of course Kay wouldn't put down the guards.

Knightley came up and offered me out to my ride.
But as earlier, my father was right there on that same bench he slept on.

He looked quite clean, his clothes were new and he had even bought a book. He didn't saw me because he was focus on reading. It made me smile knowing he still has that curious side of him. He had always enjoyed reading, I learned to love books from him but I lost that passion when he was gone and everything was too much for me and mom.

"We are going with him," I told the men. "And you can tell your boss I picked my father, I don't care. He is my father."

Even with what had happened back at the penthouse, around my father and kate, I had a great day.

While I work, he read. He would smile at me anytime our eyes meet. He was happy.

Kate and Rob had checked on him after I told them about our relationship. I think he consumed too much food for the day for the two kept serving him every often.

My job here was some kind of hell break compare to school and center yorker. That time flew fast like I didn't have a complicated afternoon earlier.