KAISER

Although my hands steered the wheel, my eyes focus on the road, but my mind was completely not engaged with the activity.

Driving us home, it was like I was living in a loop, stuck in an abyss of confusion, having thousands of different questions running in my head. Questions I thought only someone as smart as Reagan might have answers to all.

And for a span of time, I even put aside the anger and disappointment I held for her betrayal. And ended up wondering if taking the turn to her apartment and delivering Daisy just as she once demanded, might worth something.

Though since that is considered kidnapping and right now I am trying to circumvent anything that will add another weight to what Daisy and I are already going through, I just maintain my side of the road and headed home, as it should be.

We might have a lot to work through but Daisy had remained in my arm, breathing softly while I drive us back to center yorker, as the sobs and whimpers had subsided.

If not for that priceless scent of hers, that had abode in me, and made a permanent home in my memory, I doubt I will make it to center yorker without losing my mind.

As I parked the car, Daisy was quick to exit.

I should follow behind her, but I should also breathe.

Few seconds wasn't that bad, for I ended up catching up with her by the time the private elevator slid open.

"Hey?" I called, running my hand over my face, the moment the door closed.

I felt her eyes, they alerted a sudden flow of blood in my veins.

I didn't know what to do. Everything is messed up. But what I know is I do not want to lose her.

We just found ourselves, we should finally be happy. Having her feeling guilty about her mom and everything that could mess her up, is most certainly what I can not let her go through.

I grab her both arms and direct her to face me. Her swollen, wounded eyes, which were proof of her exhaustion and despair, locked with mine.

To be completely honest, Daisy had gone through hell when she was too young for all of it. Everything she had to go through and still going through, were so dominating for even grown-ups who were known for handling problems and solving issues perfectly.

It was destroying her silently, and we both know she just didn't deserve it.

"I hate to see you like this. How ironic, I am the person who inflicts the pain on you." I cup her cheeks, and she exhales a shaky breath. "Daisy, if saying sorry could be enough, I am sorry then. I wish that can wash away the hurting I've let on you. God! I hate that I am doing it again. I hate myself for not being able to stop bruising you, no matter how I try to be the Kay that you used to know when we were kids. This isn't how it should work. Damn! I just want your happiness more than anything." But it looks like any step I take, I keep messing it up. If only she understand I meant well.

The lump in my throat, was the size of a rock, I failed to work it down.

I wish I know how to please her. How to wipe away the suffering in her eyes, and the agony of distress in her soul.

Daisy smiled softly, if I am correct, I think it was real, even though it was mixed with grief and sorrow, I could still point to the genuineness in it.

Her gaze lingers steadily through mine, it was like she found something fascinating in them, she couldn't let go.

"Please forgive me." I implored, disconnecting our eyes, mine hovered over her shoulder.

I understand if she says no. But it will mean everything if she says yes. Apparently, she's the only one I could trust, the only one who never lied to me.

I mean look around me, even Riley who I thought was some angel sent from heaven, had turned out to be the major reason my life was fucked up. She came to my house and stole something that could have saved me from eight painful years. A letter that wasn't hers. Not to mention she rather sides with my parents, just like Reagan, my trusted therapist.

If you can really view my life from a factual perspective, we can all agree the only one I needed, is this tiny sad girl in front of me.

When she didn't answer for a while, fear did surges to my borderline and got me tensed up in my track.

Until I watch her take a step and close the space between us, her arms came around me, circling my torso.

In that instance, I felt the wave of relief surging in me.

"I hate life for screwing with us." She whispered in my chest.

Somehow, I find it funny.

I ended up smiling while wrapping my hands around her.

Relaxed, some would say. For I also nearly believed that, and even craved for a decent sleep.

But as the elevator dings and slides open. I learn a bigger hell awaits us.

Luck wasn't on our sides. It hasn't been all day.

Bro, my day had been a fucking long one.

That moment when we step into the living space of the penthouse, what we found was a flaring crisis, awake and ready to absorb the whole building.

"I don't understand." Riley chuckled, pushing herself on her feet from the sofa when she noticed us.

She looks like a mess. Hell, the house is a mess.

There are junk food everywhere, blankets, empty bottles of alcohol, and a roughly dressed Riley ready to erupt.

Is better to pray; may God have mercy on all of us.

"I truly do not understand anymore. You both went out this morning." She continues as if she was memorizing every piece of evidence in her brain. "You Daisy, on the other hand, I didn't see you all day. Well, you have your freedom, but what about you KC?" Her inward eyes moved to me, and her voice lowered. "You're my boyfriend, but your behavior is no closer to faithful."

How fucking-tastic.

"What does that mean." I breathed.

"And you dare walk in here with her." With contempt, she beckoned towards Daisy who was fidgeting in her stance, her fingers tapping her thighs.

She was nervous.

"I..." I began but Riley cut me off, shrieking. Daisy had to be startled. "Zip it. I do not want any of your 'i found her by the side of the street' story. Is she a sidewalk whore?" Riley had tears streaming down her eyes when she studied Daisy with a predator's unwavering attention. "Are you, Daisy?"

"Riley..." Daisy croaked, backing away with a pleading expression.

Maybe I should just get this over with. Freed us from all traces of deceit and dishonesty.

Maybe it is the right thing to do.

"Don't do that, Riley," I warned her.

Her watery gaze came back to me with a piercing stare. Not a hint of the bright blue that represents the clear sky, and the ocean in summer.

The skin between her eyes folds into creases. She appears to be confused.

"Don't do what exactly? Did you call me? Did you care to check how I am doing the whole day? No! We didn't even see each other at all, but you saw her." She accused, or more precisely straightforward. "She's my fucking friend, not yours. It's obvious you don't care about us, I am not dumb to not see how much you've changed, and it's worst than when you were psychotic." She cried.

"I am sorry... I will go to my room." Daisy announced and took a step forward. But retreated when Riley throw a glass cup at her.

This time startling even me.

Thank God, Daisy dodged, it hit a frame on the wall and crashes on a drawer, destroying the arts sitting on it.

Daisy, pants. My eyes widen.

What the fuck?

"Your room?" Riley scoffs. "Bitch there's nothing like yours here. It will be better you address it properly."

Okay, that's enough. I won't have her saying shits like that to Daisy about my penthouse.

"Riley, stop it."

"Stay out of it. This is between us." She smile, but there was no humor in it. Her eyes were dark, it was almost scary.

She turn back to Daisy, who was hyperventilating, gaping at the mess Riley made.

"You are not going anywhere until you tell me what you're doing with my man."

It was then Kane appeared. You'd say he could stop the world from ending, with that energy he came in with.

"What's happening here?"

Riley noticed the man's presence and sarcastically applauded, along with a scornful smile, before throwing insults: "How wonderful? it's America's greatest criminal. Although this is not your business. So get out." She spelled the last words out.

"I am just trying to help, Riley." He softly told her.

"Let's say you know how to fix things, I'd suggest you start with your family."

Maybe it was because she's drunk, or maybe she was just being a real bitch.

Either way, I couldn't blame her.

I don't know why, but I wasn't forgetful of the help she provided to me in days when I lose myself.

And right now, who will I blame when I know I was the reason why she was going through all of this.

If I could've been honest. Maybe things wouldn't have been this bad.

Maybe it was why I couldn't interrupt her, knowing I had been unfair to her. Honestly.

"Do not talk to my father that way." Daisy sounded stern, shooting Riley a warning glare.

Riley's upper lip curled up most devilishly, seeing she had pulled a reaction from Daisy.

She shifts her gaze between the father and daughter in the room.

"But it's what you said yourself. Isn't it? March, seventh, 2017? And I quote, My father destroyed our family, I wished he was sentenced to death and never have to return."

Okay, that was enough.

Riley wasn't a bully, she wasn't mean. I don't know behind me. But this isn't the defenseless girl I met in the club, three years ago.

Her words were sharp. I witnessed them shoving Daisy to the wall, stabbing her right in the chest as she watch her father exit the penthouse.

"That hurt, huh?" Riley whispered at who was supposed to be her best friend.

"You went on cramming old letters to use them in moments like this? Very pathetic and disgusting of you, Riley. I can't believe you couldn't move on. Some of us have better things to do than been tied to juvenile writings that weren't from the heart." Daisy rebuked, eyes suddenly blazing with fury.

Whatever that means, it might have gotten to Riley.

A frown is plastered in her expression when she demands the impossible.

"I want you and your stinky father out of this building, now," Riley emphasizes.

No fucking way.