20 | Z A C K

I took the last three shopping bags from the boot of dad's car and shut the lit. We had just finished our grocery shopping for the week. Dad and I are responsible for grocery shopping. It strengthens our bond and pull us together while we do our job.

"The weather's so chilly today." Dad mumbled as he opened the front door.

I strolled after him before shutting the door behind me. I noticed something had caught his attention and a crease had formed on his face. He had no intention of moving forward. I followed the direction his eyes were looking and froze at what I saw.

By the counter, Daisy stood next to my mom who was suspiciously gazing at her. She has a long bright green wig and was dressed in a super relaxed outfit.

"They're back at the right time." Mom started. "Zack, your... girlfriend is here."

Dad's bushy eyebrows rose up in a questioning way. "That's new."

I dropped the grocery bags on the counter but my eyes never left hers. She's biting an apple and looking as serene as possible, like she didn't just barged uninviting into my home.

"How long have you being here?" I questioned.

Mom says instead, "that's not how you welcome your guest especially your girlfriend."

Dad chuckled as he arranged the grocery bags. I'm freaking out. It's about seven and we're about to have a family dinner with Kassy and her boyfriend. I can't allow Daisy to ruin a perfect moment like this.

"Mom, Dad, this is..."

Mom halted me by flipping a finger. "We've already introduced each other. Tell me why in the world you think its a good idea to hide such a huge secret." She smirked with her hand propped on a hip.

My eyes widened when I realised what Mom was trying to imply. She caught me with Daisy the first night she came to visit me and I'm pretty sure she has already made up her stubborn mind about my relationship with Daisy. It means there's no backing out. I have to act along with Daisy as the 'boyfriend'.

Dad wrapped an arm around Mom's shoulder as they stare at us. "Odd but cute."

Daisy offered a handshake with a compassionate smile. "Nice to meet you, Dr Hudson. I heard a lot of positive things about you from around town. It must be surprising to find out your boy is dating a girl like me."

His grin was ear to ear. "Quite different from what I thought his first girlfriend would look like. It's astonishing I heard nothing about you."

Daisy shrugged carelessly. "I know. Zack is a very good, disciplined boy. I'm pretty sure he's afraid to telling his parents about dating a girl with bold personality and weird hair color choice."

"He's right here." I reminded them.

My parents laughed and their eyes gleamed with pure amusement at Daisy. It's obvious she has fabricated a good impression on them which wasn't surprising. She didn't try to win their hearts but instead chose to be who she wants. She eventually won their hearts accidentally which made everything fall into place.

"Thanks for the visit but I think it's too late for you. You need to go..."

"That's disrespectful of you, Zack." Mom warned before turning back to Daisy. "Please join us for dinner."

"I definitely agree with my wife. We'd love to get to know you since our boy refused to man up and inform us about you but of course, if your parents agreed."

I Stared at Daisy and gave her a silent negative expression. I want her gone because I don't want to add more complications than we already have. What if she mistakenly reveal the secret? Sure enough, Daisy always chooses the right answers.

"Sounds great."

The invisible steam oozing from my ears couldn't be more hot. Anger boiled in me and my heart almost exploded. She's about to turn this day miserable.

"Excuse me, can I have a minute with my girlfriend?" I forced out with my arm tightly clasping her hand.

"You don't need to ask, honey."

I nodded before I practically dragged her through the empty hall that was leading to a mini sitting room. We don't usually use it except on special occasions. The living room upstairs and downstairs were enough to make us forget about the existence of it.

"Why do you like driving me out of sanity, Daisy? Why would you lie about our relationship and suddenly popped up out of nowhere uninviting and trying to control my life?" I hushed in a rather harsh tone. I wanted to scream and smack myself multiple times in frustration but I couldn't.

She folded her arms and posed. "I'm not trying to control your life, Zack. I'm trying to make things easier for you."

"No, you're not. Yes, you're having my baby and we're raising it together but there's nothing between us. I don't want you and I'm sure the feeling's reciprocal." My anger's crossing it's limit.

Her nostrils flared but she tried to stay composed. "I fucking understand but your parents don't deserve what you're doing to them."

"Neither do yours."

She rolled her eyes and deeply sighed. "Your parents are more important and closer to you than mine are to mine. If I were you, I'd have tell them sooner. Your family are willing to support you no matter what."

My fingers raked through my hair. "They're none of your business."

"Certainly not. But I'd allow them to be left with broken hearts due to their son's betrayal. Zack, always hold onto what you have and not what you want to have."

Before I could add anything, she walked out of the room.

***

"So, how did you two met?" Dad asked, his eyes fixed on Days and I.

We surrounded the round dinning table as we devour our spectacular dinner. Maya knew something's going on between Days and I but couldn't pin point. The last time she saw us together, we were either sarcastically joking around about being in a relationship or refusing to talk to each other at all.

Eden hated Daisy right off the start. She actually believes in the theory that Jenna was the only perfect match I could have. Her heart broke when Daisy showed up instead.

"I'm confused. She went to the same school as you, right?" Mom couldn't get enough of us. Her curious glances she threw our way was enough to make up my mind.

"Last time I check, you guys were violently quarrelling like cats and dogs." Maya said in a weird way.

Daisy made sure to gulp the food in her mouth before speaking, "then. Now, we're in love."

Fuck that term.

"Love is really beautiful. It changes life in a second and there's nothing you can do to stop your heart from falling for it's trap. You two have being classmates since forever but you only discovered your love for each other now."

I think my mom's favourite movie was Eat, pray, love or whatever the movie is.

Dad adoringly stared at Mom. "It reminds me of the time..."

"Dad please." It wasn't just me who tried to stop Dad from narrating his happily ever after with mom. Eden and Maya were annoyed too.

Daisy smirked beside me. "You guys must have had a beautiful cliche love story."

"Don't try to bring it up again!" Eden grumbled in reply.

As we eat, I realise neither Nathan nor Kassy had spoken. There heads were bowed down as they absentmindedly eat. Nathan was scrolling down his phone while Kassy was staring off space. I could tell something was wrong. They're not usually like this. The sweet couple had always been vibrant and happy but something was off today.

"So, what do your parents do? Maybe we know them?" Mom suggested.

"Dad's a freelance writer and Mom's web designer so yeah, it involves a lot of technics." Daisy responded. "And by the way, I think you're an amazing cook."

With a hand over her chest, Mom cooed, "thanks."

"My wife's gifted. Indeed I was born under a lucky star." Dad says.

I stopped eating as I stare into Daisy's eyes. "And your children are so lucky to have you as their parents. I was expecting you guys to be as strict as possible for no reason and by strict, I mean the never-smiling, punished-once-a-minute parents."

"Hang on, isn't Coleman Jenna's surname?" It had suddenly occurred to.

"She's her sister." Maya replied. Daisy said nothing as she quietly eat her food.

"They're so different. They don't look alike just like a pineapple and a banana." Eden anticipated Daisy to say something but nothing came.

"Maybe one day, we'll invite your parents over. We can..." Mom started to say.

"Mom, I need to tell you something." Kassy's voice was cracking like someone who hadn't drink or eaten for decades.

We stopped eating and pinned Kassy a curious look. She was literally shaking and her eyes refused to search for Nathan's. His shoulders look tensed and he was just staring at the dish in front of him. They both look like they're about to reveal the most painful secrets.

"Honey, are you okay?" Dad asked when Kassy burst into tears.

A wave of pain drifted in me when I realised my sister's going through a hard time and none of us had known. We have always being supportive towards each other and whenever one of us is dealing with a dilemma, we solve it together.

"Don't say it, Kassy." His voice was strained.

"Don't say what?" Mom questioned curiously.

"I'm pregnant." Nathan took his phone and jacket the minute she said that and walked out, banging the door in the process.

Silence. Except for Kassy's soft sobs. Hands fly to the chests with mouths gape open in bewilderment. The situation was incredulous. It was like an atomic bomb was dropped on our table and none of us could move due to too much adrenaline.

As if the weather wasn't already tense, Daisy reached out and covered Kassy's hand with hers.
"I guess that makes the two of us."

___________
I wanted to update last night but half part of this chapter went missing and I forgot to copy it to my note. I'm sorry:(

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