DAISY

It was the next day after Christmas when Kate, Rob, and I resumed back to work. And to our surprise, West Bay was packed with regular customers and even some new faces. For that, the demands were intense we couldn't take a break.

However, I've managed to send a picture of me to my mom, captioning it with hopeful words and promise to prepare her a good meal when I arrive back home.

I was taking orders from a family table when men in black suits, eyeglasses, and wires attached to their hearing came through the door, inspecting every nook and cranny.

All the attendants, including me, remain in position, confused at the event until Kay prances through the door in formal wear that made him look a little older for his age.

I blinked when it dawned on me this was his doing.

I thought I told him to stay away?

Irritated, I stride towards him with the notepad in my hand. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled, his eyes wandering around the confused patrons, then pulled me into a forced hug that I wriggled myself out of.

His lip curled up when he said: "West bay will be disappointed in how you treat its customers."

I left his building. I left his life. What else does he want? Why won't he quit sabotaging every job I have?

"I am not kidding, Kay. I am not doing it. We are over. Stop following me." I angrily emphasize, stomping my feet to express my frustration.

But what I got was his stupid charming eyes observing me, then he chuckled and walked past me to a free table. "Chill, I am not here to propose on my knee."

I turn around, watching him with my jaw drop on the floor and my gaze distracted at his guts.

"Kay?" I call after him.

"Oh goodness, Daisy?" Someone mumbled behind me.

I swerved, and who I found was Mr. Chandler, my former neighbor. The man I have known since I was a toddler.
My eyes shifted between him and his son, who was lounging on a chair, with a wide smirk on his face.

He wouldn't let me go, would he?

For some reason, I found that flattering. My face must be a hue of rose.

"Mr. Chandler." I croaked, and the man didn't even let me process everything. He pulled me into a big hug, one that resembles old days when he would pick me and kay around his shoulders in his free time.

"You are really here." He whispered, his hands stroking my back.

After what felt like forever, we pulled away and smiled at each other. The man's fingers pushed back a lock of my hair behind my ear and said: "Is nice to see you again, Daisy."

"Me too."

There are whispers around the room from the presence of the governor when I led him to the table Kay was comfortably reclining already.

Now this explains the appearance of guards and the cautiousness around here.

"What will you like to have?" I asked Mr. Chandler, avoiding Kay's intense gaze that my body couldn't help responding to.

"Don't bother, please." He refused. "Kaiser said you work here."

"Yes." I shot Kate a pleading eye that says, 'can you please cover me?'

"Take ten." She mouthed and headed for the family table I had left orders hanging.

I exhaled and settled on a chair between the two men; not knowing how to react, I began pulling on the sleeve of my sweatshirt.

"Don't worry. I won't take much of your time." Mr. Chandler begins. "I had no idea you were back in the country until yesterday."

Clearly.

"Riley suggested about a scholarship, so..." I started, but Mr. Chandler interrupted. "About that... You've been in center yorker without our awareness."

I swallowed embarrassingly, biting my inner cheeks before I tried to apologize and explain. "I am sorry! I wanted to stay somewhere, but Riley insisted. I even offered to pay my rent, but she wouldn't..." Then he cuts me off again. Leaning forward, with his brows drawn together. He shakes his head slightly, just like Kay always does. "Daisy, that's not what I meant. You can stay in center yorker for as long as you want. What I am saying is we have no idea you're very close when my wife and I had been worried about you."

Oh, shoot!

"Look, I heard about your mother. How is she doing?" Me Chandler asked, sounding worried.

"Not very good," I mumbled, with my head down, staring at my twitching thumbs.

"I am so sorry you have to go through all of that. I wish we could have contacted you earlier, but when your family left, your mother didn't leave anything behind, a clue perhaps." He sadly finishes.

"I know," I murmured, still not taking my eyes from my anxious fingers.

There was a silence before Kay leaned in and wrapped his hand around my wrist, bringing my hand over the table.

My bulgy eyes darted at him with a warning. Is he that crazy? In front of his father, really?

But he completely ignored the dreadfulness in my features and wore an effortless attractive smile on his face.

"There's this German doctor. He's currently consulting for a New York medical organization. He has cured a quite convincing number of lung cancer patients." My eyes blinked, my head slightly angled. I watch him with the corner of my eyes and furrowed brows as he continues: "My dad talked with him last night, and he thinks there is a chance transplantation will help your mother. So they've settled, and we've got a donor."

What? No way!

"Oh my God." I exhaled a laugh, tears of joy stinging my eyes as I unbearably stared at Kay.

"The plane to transport her will be ready in the morning." Mr. Chandler explained.

When I glanced at him, he was smiling, warming at his son.

"I don't know what to say." I slapped my hand over my mouth, trying not to be too emotional, my gaze shifting between the two men. "I- thank you." I broke into a happy sob.

A visible frown etched into Kay's face when he extended his hands and pulled me over to him until I was sitting over his lap.

The abundance of happiness had overwhelmed the unease feeling that reminds me we're in public, around sets of eyes, also right in front of Mr. Chandler.

I buried my face in the nook of his neck, wrapping my arms around him just as he was holding me. Every intake of air through my breathing pipeline was him I was inhaling. He had captured me and got me running crazy for him.
I missed him.

From across the table, I heard Mr. Chandler muttering something that sounded like: "Anything, my dear."

But I was preoccupied with two thoughts; kissing Kay and wondering if I should text my mom the good news even though it is probably three in the morning at her place

I am sure she will be so happy about this.

I went on with the easiest for right now. I pulled back from Kay's neck and connected my lips with his. He kissed back softly like we have every minute in this world. Like we are the only humans remaining on earth, and there are no sets of eyes watching us. His kiss was so soft and delicate, it relaxed my mind, and I didn't care my fingers were running through his perfect hair.

He really meant his words when he said them. Kay promised to be constant and unwavering, and he had remained true to that.

More admiration for the man who wouldn't let go of me spurts even more. I loop my arms around his nape, embracing while eagerly kissing him.

He was smiling in my mouth when a voice came up.

A very familiar voice that belongs to Riley Hunter.

Every part of my body became paralyzed.

"It really is true?" She let out.

Her voice was low, but the force of pain in it punctuated my heart and caused my body to straighten from Kay's lap to my feet.

"Riley?" My voice disappointed me; it came out croaky.

She begins to approach the table, pointing two fingers at me as she cracks the case: "You were the problem, and you let me welcome you in."
She sounded so disappointed and betrayed. I can't stop the tears in my eyes.

I didn't notice Kay was also on his feet until he held Riley, stopping her from reaching her destination, which was me.
"Riley, not here." He warned her calmly, as every customer's eyes and ears were fixated on us.

But she shoves his chest, snapping: "Do not fucking touch me, you liar."

"Riley, stop." He snarled this time when he regained his balance.

Riley ignored him and pulled on her perfectly styled hair.
She paces back and forth, breathing hard and fast.

I couldn't speak; I had nothing to say. That is why I remain standing with my body anxiously shivering.

"You had every chance to tell me, you both had. You left me distracted of your intentions, unaware of your history." She halted and brought accusing eyes, shifting between me and kay. "I trusted you both. How painful is honesty?" She desperately asked on the verge of tears. "We share the same room, KC. I remained loyal to you. I never lied to you. I did everything to satisfy you.." She wasn't any quiet. She was disclosing everything to the world, which must debut on newspapers and every social platform in the morning or the next few minutes.

Riley's mouth curved into a sad smile when her eyes found me: "Weren't we best friends? I cared for you. I loved you that I was blind to your stabbing in my back. You behaved so innocently. I only saw your perfections. Never did I know you're a fucking bitch." The last part came out angrier. She had to struggle to control her breathing.

"Okay, enough," Kay told her, provoking her attention to him.

"Of course, you will defend her?" She shook her head with narrowed gaze and wrinkled eyebrows. "She left you." Her fingers pointed over to me, but her eyes were maintained on him. "She messed you up and left you broken; even your parents couldn't help you. I was there. I rescued you from destroying yourself. Is this my reward for everything?" She exclaimed, blowing up into a sob.

It was then I found my voice; I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt a tear slide down my neck.
"RILEY... It is not what it looks like. We end it. I promise." I embarrassingly pleaded, wishing she could just hear me out, but apparently Kay had other plans, so he clamored, ripping me inside: "We didn't."

My eyes expanded more (if that's even possible) when I gape at him with terror in my features. Mentally hoping he could recognize the plead in my eyes.

"WE END IT. I swear." I sternly repeated. Mostly to Kay.

Riley scoffed, her teary eyes glancing up at the ceiling when she pointed out: "It looks very well like that. It is why you had your tongue down his throat in front of his dad." She exasperatedly laughed, rubbing her hand over her face before she threw the bomb at me. "Did you fuck him?"

My gazes wandered around the room; every eye was on me. Of course, I am the villain of this story-the one who cheated on her best friend.

"Riley, please," I whispered.

She was growing impatient; her eyes blazed with fury when she yelled out: "Did you fuck him? Answer me."

I cringed and exhaled a shaky breath. I have nothing to tell her because she's right; I deserve all of this.

"Riley, let's go." Kay grabbed her wrist, but she yanked his hand from her.

"No, I am not going anywhere. I want to know what I did to deserve this? What did I do wrong? I had been a good friend, a good girlfriend. What else did I do wrong?" She shakes her head, insisting on something I have no answer for.

Honestly, Riley had done nothing; she had treated me kindly.

"Riley, you are causing a scene." Mr. Chandler finally got involved. He stood up and spoke in a calm tone.

I had even forgotten his presence.

"And you are bothered?" She looked over to him with unbelievable eyes before she nodded, throwing her hands around. "Of course you will be. Mr governor doesn't want a scandal. But your son planted it; it is due now. You have to watch him harvest it."

"Riley, this is not the place. Come with me. We need to talk." He responded, ignoring her attitude.

"Of course we will. And by then, I want that slut out of our life; I don't even understand why you're here?" She backed away from Mr. Chandler, running her hands through her hair, and began hyperventilating, with visible fear in her eyes. "What's this? Some engagement party?" She asked.

"No, nothing like that," I answered quickly.

Seething, she promised: "You will be sorry. I will make sure of it."

I didn't have a comeback, knowing she meant it, so I focused on breathing and blinking back the burning tears in my eyes. I was nervously swallowing repeatedly, yet it wouldn't wash down the lump in my throat.

"Daisy, I think you should answer this." Kate came next to me, just as my sad eyes trained to Kay. He was staring back quietly with apologetic eyes.

I swallowed again and collected the device from Kate.

It was Anty sally calling. Isn't it three in the morning?

Confused, yet pressured as the throbbing in my heart increased ten times compared to Riley's finding out about Kay and me.

I accept the call and slowly bring the device to my ear.

"Hello, Anty Sally ?" I mumbled, watching Mr. Chandler and his son prudently watch me.

"Daisy? I couldn't reach you. Are you okay?" Anty Sally softly asked.

It was then I knew she had something to tell me.

Suddenly anticipation and distress dominated and intimidated me, but I remained hesitant for the information. I needed a minute for whatever she was about to reveal.

"Yes."

"Good! Good good." She paused. I could hear the pounding of my heartbeat from my ribcage.

"What is it?" I finally asked, closing my eyes.

"I-I just want to let you know the doctors tried. But they couldn't save her. I'm sorry, Daisy." She sniffled.

The news was a shock, but at least I had known this day would come.

I slid the phone from my ear, and corpse-like flopped into the chair behind me.

Yet, the overwhelming twinge in my chest wouldn't let me regulate my heartbeat.

Everything was indistinct. The only sound I heard was the thud of my phone against the floor before my body gave up, and everything went blank.