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"Ｄｏ you like this sweetheart?" A lady with beautifully groomed hair and a set of vibrant chestnut-colored eyes asked the five years old Daisy.

"Yes, momma. I w-want to make a flowel clown." The kid replied, having a hard time pronouncing the letter 'r' as she watched her mother delicately cut the stem of the red roses off using the gardening scissor.

The matching color of eyes with her mother held with so much innocence, a mirror of spotless canvas— pure and untainted.

"Yes sweetheart, you can make a flower crown out of these. Do you want to pick a different one?" A fond smile crept into her mother's lips when a butterfly suddenly flies off and perched on Daisy's head.

"I want to add some daisy." Daisy shyly replied. Unfazed and clueless of the insect on the top of her head.

"Don't move sweetheart."

As those words came out in her mother's mouth, she looked at her with curiosity, but still followed like a good girl. She felt a gentle hand touches her hair and it slowly came down with a big butterfly languidly flapping its wings while roosting on her mother's thumb.

Daisy's innocent eyes morphed into something amusing. That was the first time she saw such beautiful and colorful things more than her stuffed toys and dresses.

"W-what is that momma?" She asked. Her attention was still focused and caught on the insects, seeming to be enthralled by how much it stands out despite the thousands of flowers in her surrounding.

"It's a butterfly sweetheart. Beautiful isn't it?" Daisy nodded her head and frowned when the thing that fascinates her fly away. "Why is the buttelfly leaving momma?" She pouted her lower lip, feeling sad all of a sudden as her eyes navigate their way to the butterfly when it settled on a white rose with one dark-colored petal.

"It's looking for a fresh flower."

Even though she doesn't want to look away from the butterfly, afraid that it might disappear. Daisy briefly diverted her eyes from it to looked at her mother who was also gazing down at her.

"Momma. Why are that flowel looks like that?" She pointed her finger toward the white rose and smiled when the butterfly is still there.

"It's about to die, sweetheart."

Daisy's mouth quivered when she heard those words. The heart of the little young innocent ache for the flower that is sooner than later, will come to their ends.

"But why?"

Her mother's hand soothingly caressed her hair. She has a small smile on her lips that didn't even reach her eyes.

"Sweetheart. Everything in this world has a time limit. And when someone or something reaches that time limit that God has bestowed to them, that'll be the time that they have to bid their goodbye."

Her five years old mind couldn't comprehend what her mother was saying but, it still makes her curious.

"That white rose is about to wilt." The lady continued with a faraway looked.
"You see sweetheart. Butterfly helps the flower to grow and bloom. They hunt for nectar and for every flower they spotted, they collect pollen on their legs and bodies. And as they flitter and fly between flowers, the pollen falls off and is distributed to another plant."

Daisy just listened as her mother speaks. Trying to grasp in her little mind the meaning behind those words.

"It's about to die yet it still fighting to live. Even if a part of it is already broken, it still manages to survive. Despite the ugliness and a piece that's slowly deteriorating, the butterfly still found the beauty within it. The true form it held before time stole the essence of its life."

Daisy once again stared at the flower, the butterfly is still resting against the petal while fluttering its blue and yellow-colored wings.

"The flowel is dying." She whispered to herself before tilting her head up and asking the question her mind came across, "what is the buttelfly doing momma?" Her mother blinks her dazed eyes before looking at her with a wide smile on her lips.

"It's helping the flower to fix the wither petal. The butterfly was spreading pollens throughout the decaying part."

Daisy watched their center of attention in bemusement. "You're like that beautiful white rose sweetheart." She snapped her head toward her mother's direction and point her finger to herself, "me?" She asked excitedly. Her mother nodded her head elegantly.

"Someday, someone will see the beauty within you that people don't and don't care. That someone will also help you repair and rebuild the damaged part of your life. You will be supported no matter how impossible the situation maybe but, as long as that person is by your side, you can do everything. Just like that butterfly, as the flower gradually starts to withers, it continues and chose to perch on it, trying to give it the nutrients it needed and most of all, something to live on."

"Baby. Baby wakes up." Daisy woke up when she felt someone shaking her shoulder.

It was so strange for her to dream
something like that. Memories from her past with her mother— Daisy never dreamed about her mother before and instead of a feeling of longing. The emotion was kind of foreign and the scenario was unfamiliar.

She rubbed her eyes using the back of her palm to cast the drowsiness away and looked around.

"Hey. We're here." Bryson's voice caught her attention as she looked at him and only then realized that she had fallen asleep. They were sitting inside his car which was currently parked at the curb in front of her house.

She must be feeling really tired after their celebration of her birthday. They decided to end the day at seven P.M. because Annie insists on having dinner first before they went out of their different way home.

Daisy was thankful that no one brought the topic about the strange things that were sent for her. It was really out of the blue and she doesn't have any idea who might be the mastermind behind the peculiar gift. If you really could call it a gift.

She's wary, guarded and her mind was addled as to why such things were given to her. There are so many questions that boggling her head. So many unwanted thoughts that we're only adding fuel to her cautious feeling.

Her head is aching from overthinking. It's not a good sign and Daisy can't let her anxiousness overwhelmed her.

"I don't want to wake you since you were sleeping like a baby but, I think you'll sleep better on your bed instead of here in my car. I know it's uncomfortable." Daisy was pulled out from her reverie when Bryson spoke beside her while caressing her hair, "come on." She mentally prayed to stop the pounding of her head.

When Bryson didn't receive any response or reaction from her, he heaved a sigh and just opened the driver's door and walked to her side to helped her steps out of the vehicle.

Bryson gets all the gifts in the backseat and holds them in his left hand then intertwines their hands with his free one before padding toward her house together. The lights on the porch automatically switch on when they set foot on the doorstep.

She rummaged the key inside her sling bag and inserted it in the keyhole afterward, before unlocking the door and opening it.

Daisy dragged her feet towards the living room, Bryson's footsteps following her behind after she heard the door's closed.

"Hey."

She swirled around to faced Bryson who was standing just a few distances away from her. He has a kind expression on his face but, Daisy knew better than that— Bryson is like her, confused and bothered by the occurrence that happened early afternoon. After all, he was the one that opened the door for the delivery man and brought the wilted flowers to her.

Of course, the same goes with the rest of the people that were inside the Kingston home during that time. Megan's question about how the sender knew her location and where to find her was also throwing her off even more. Her best friend had a point and that was something she can't just let pass.

He put the presents on her center table before closing the gap between them,
"are you okay?", Bryson held her chin up to connect their eyes as she was more interested in the tiled floor than him.

Daisy took a deep breath. Okay is far from the word she was feeling at that moment. But Bryson doesn't have to know it since she doesn't want him to worry and ruin his night just by her being paranoid.

"I know that thing is bothering you and as much as I wanted to tell you to not overthink about it, I know you won't listen to me. But, at least tell me what you feel, how you feel. What can I do to ease your worries, hmm?" His voice was so tender and it almost sounds like he was pleading.

Daisy wanted to ask where he put the card because he didn't let her see or read the content of it. She's curious as to what was the message on it this time. Is it scented with the same fragrance as the last one?

Instead of voicing out her thoughts in a form of sign language, she just keeps her curiosity to herself. Maybe Bryson threw it away already.

"I'm just tired and I don't want to talk about it." Daisy signed tiredly. Her energy was already been spent.

Everything was abstruse and there's only a limited amount of problems her mind can manage with. On top of that, the talk she had with Annie was also trying to compete with all the unsettled and unanswered questions she's dealing with in her life.

Daisy doesn't know when did start and how to end her current situation.

"Are you sure? You know, you can talk to me anytime right? And about that odd present, I'll deal with it okay? So, don't think about it too much." He sincerely said. His jaw is moving and tightening like he's been gritting his teeth.

Daisy knew he's mad at something. Maybe because she ruined their night. Who knows. She just encircled her arms over his waist and rest her head against the ridge of his warm body.

Bryson's strong arms instantly wrapped around her tiny waist as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. "I'll always protect you, remember that shorty. No matter what happens, I won't let anyone or anything harm you or take you away from me. You're mine baby. Mine." His voice held with such possessiveness and even if it wasn't the right time to feel such strong emotion, Daisy can't help her heart to beat erratically.

"Come on. You have to rest now, you still need to wake up early morning for your work." She doesn't want to let Bryson's go yet but he got a point so, Daisy reluctantly unpressed herself and looked up at him— chin was resting below his chest.

Bryson bowed his head and looked at her with hooded eyes before planting his lips on her forehead. "I'll join you for breakfast tomorrow 'kay? Once I leave, don't forget my reminders and head to bed. Don't stay up too late." He said against her skin.

She just nodded her head. Bryson gently pushed her body away from him, "see you tomorrow yeah?", Daisy hummed in answer, "goodnight baby. Sleep well."

She watched as her boyfriend walked toward his car. Bryson rolled down the driver's window and waved his hand while she just did the same gesture. Daisy knew Bryson won't leave as long she's not inside the safety of her house. After locking the front door, she ascended upstairs and did her night routine.

Daisy decided to take a quick shower since she felt all sweaty and sticky. After changing into her comfortable night-ware and blow-dried her hair, she lay her back on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

She should be happy despite that odd thing she received that Bryson thrown away before they leave his house. But, a realization hits her and it something that makes her feel disheartened.

Her mother didn't greet her. Did she forget her birthday? Is it because she's currently dealing with a lot of problems in their hometown that her special day didn't even cross her mind? It's been almost two weeks since the last time they talked. Her mother gave her the time to think about the responsibilities she has to take.

But, from those past days, she still doesn't know what to decide and the answer— still torn between her happiness and the sake of her family.

Yeah, maybe she was selfish for only thinking about herself. She can't even check up about the situation and condition of her grandpa and most especially her father and here she is, enjoying her life to the fullest like nobody's business.

Still the coward and the helpless child she once used to be. Useless and just a defective one.

Her mother might be lying when she said that someone will fix and repair the damaged part of her life because even if she found that someone.

Bryson didn't place the broken pieces of herself together, he just brought color to her life again but, how can someone do the hard work for her when she's still afraid to face and deal with her issues.

Scared to let anyone, even Bryson, pierce the wall she builds to hide the darkest part of her life and gain access to the most hideous and disturbing secrets she chose to conceal.

The pounding of her head increase rapidly and Daisy curled up like a fetus while clenching her eyes shut.

A voice that still terrorizes her is screaming and wreaking havoc inside her head again. Daisy slowly rose from her bed and sluggishly descended the stairs to find an Advil in her kitchen that'll lessen the pain.

Luckily, she found one, and Daisy gets the fresh milk inside the fridge and poured it in a glass before chugging it and swallow the liquid together with the medicine.

She put the glass in the sink and turned around to go back to her room but, halt on her steps when she heard a rattling sound. Then the creak of the wood like someone is stepping on it.

Daisy stays stilled and focuses her hearing to pick up the noise more clearly. When the realization dawned on her, she slowly looked at the backdoor just a few steps away from where she was standing.

Her eyes bulged from its socket and she choked on her breath when she saw the doorknob of the backdoor moving. Like someone on the outside is twisting and trying to open it.

A burglar!

Daisy felt like she was being washed away with cold water. She can feel her whole body starts to tremble from dread and no matter how much she tried to move her foot and run upstairs, it won't cooperate.

She just watched in horror as the doorknob keeps on turning and twisting, creating a rattling sound that disturbs the quietness of her place.

No! It can't be happening again.

If that person manages to pick the lock of her door, it'll be her end. No one will gonna come to save her. She can't defend herself if it tries to harm her, she can't even scream for help.

Daisy didn't move, she just covered her mouth using her hands to hold her breath. Afraid that it might alarm the person behind the door of her presence. Maybe if she just stays unmoving, that person will eventually leave her alone.

The knob stopped moving and Daisy thought, finally, the stranger stops its attempt to barged inside her house.

But, before she could even move a single muscle, the cruelty of the reality slapped her right across her face because the movement became more frantic and violent. The person is now yanking and wresting the knob to force its way in. Her eyes start to moisture and her body seems to stopped functioning from utter shock and terror.

Daisy wanted to shout at the person to leave her alone, wanted to run to her bedroom and lock herself in and call Bryson. Why did she forgot her phone in her room anyway? Right, because she doesn't expect something like this would happen.

Daisy thought she was prepared in case the same incident that happened a month ago befall again but, it's another story if the same fate were taking its place right in front of her and no matter how much she tried to convinced herself that it'd be different this time, it all became a waste and nothing can beat the fear and anxiousness that already consumed all her senses.

She prayed. Prayed to God that someone or anyone come to her aid. Save her from her impending demise and impeccable danger.

Daisy jumped and squeaked when suddenly the sound of her doorbell bounced off against all the corners of her home at the same time, the wresting of the doorknob stopped as nothing happened. She didn't hear any retreating footsteps.

Did the burglar leave? Or am I just hallucinating? Is it just the product of my imagination? Am I being paranoid again?

The doorbell reverberated again followed by the voice of her beloved calling her name. It relinquishes her from her paralyzed position.

She released the breath she was holding which makes her dizzy because of the sudden air that filled up her lungs.

Daisy forced her wobbled legs to walked toward her front door and with a shaking hand, she slowly unlocks it. She didn't open it, her mind was still depleted due to the horrifying experience just a while ago.

When the door slowly opens, Daisy just lets her head down.

"I'm sorry baby for disturbing you. I just can't leave you alone." She heard the deep and baritone voice of Bryson but Daisy can't fully absorb it in her disturbed mind.

"Hey. Can I come in?" Still, she didn't respond and just stand there.

When she felt the callous and warm hands of her boyfriend cupped the cold skin of her cheeks, Daisy bit her lip while Bryson slowly raised her head.

As their eyes locked with each other and she finally gets a glimpse of his rugged and handsome face, she just burst into tears as everything dawned on her— the distress and solicitous.

Bryson's soft expression instantly contorted into something worry and pained.

"Baby. What's wrong?" He asked in a concerned voice.

Daisy shook her head before throwing herself at him and embraced him in a tight hug. Burying her face on his body and letting her emotions finally explode.

She cried and sobbed.

Bryson placed his hand on the small of her back while the other one on the back of her head.

"Shh. . . I'm here baby. I'm here. Tell me what's wrong? Why are you crying?" He asked again in a clipped tone.

She just hugged Bryson tighter. Afraid of letting him go.

"It's okay. I'm here now. Please stop crying." Bryson pulled himself away and since she doesn't have the energy to protest, she just let him cupped her face again while looking at her intently in the eyes. "Shh. It's okay. I'm here, see. Please baby tell me what's wrong. It hurts seeing you like this. I'm hurt seeing you cry." Bryson's voice broke.

His eyes followed the trill of her tears that continuously stream down her cheeks. He has a pained expression on his face while wiping her teardrops. Ocean blue eyes were asking— pleading her to tell him the problem.

Daisy closed her eyes as she savored the warm and tingling sensation of Bryson's touch that ease her anxiousness and gave her a sense of security. When she didn't respond, Daisy felt her body elevating but, she's too drained to even care.

The door closed followed by the click sound of the lock. She felt Bryson walking while still carrying her, then they headed upstairs and after a while, her back hit the soft and cold surface of her bed.

Daisy opened her eyes and a pair of vibrant color of blue greets her. Bryson was lying beside her, caressing her cheek with his hand in a mellow manner.

She lay there sideways, an arm was wrapped on his waist and eyes held captive by the hypnotizing blue one of Bryson.

In a raspy and quiet voice, he asked, "have you calm down now? Are you okay?", she timidly nods her head once her tears stopped flowing.

Daisy submerged herself in the pool of warm and consoling brooch of his eyes.

The dire feeling just a while ago is now slowly vanishing. Daisy wanted to tell Bryson what happened. She was still afraid that that stranger might attempt to intrude in her house again and harm not only her but also Bryson.

But she was so burned-out by all the events that transpired today. It's her birthday yet, she feels like mourning right now. A part of her just wanted to forget about the incident, wanted to pretend that it didn't happen.

Yet, here she is, reminiscing that dreadful feeling, the paralyzing situation, and the terrorizing experience.

Daisy shook her head and move closer to Bryson's body. That was the first time they shared the same bed but, her shyness and inhibition went out of her window the moment she felt Bryson's arm sneaks on her waist and his thumb starts to rub a small circle on her back.

She pushed at the very back of her mind all of her worries and leaned in close to Bryson's face. The guy's body tensed up as she can tell, he even stopped breathing. Daisy needs a distraction. And Bryson is the perfect person for that. Her very own sweet distraction.

When their faces were just a breathe away, Daisy mouthed the word "stay" and Bryson looked at her directly in the eyes, trying to read her emotions and searching for a confirmation that she meant the word she said.

After a while or so of just staring, Bryson heave the breath he was holding then
lifted himself to hover above her.

Her elbows were placed on the mattress above on either side of her head. Eyes bore into hers with so much intensity. He's still worried, Daisy can see it as she never swayed her attention to his face. But, as she looked closely at his set of ocean blue eyes, it slowly starts to dilate and darkened.

Daisy bit down her lower lip as his eyes traveled from her eyes down to her reddish lips. He gulped and averted his attention before inclined his face. Their lips were now brushing against each other.

She just stayed lying on her bed while Bryon was on top of her. Her heartbeats picked up and her heart is beating out of her ribcage eccentrically.

Her mind forgot everything that transpired. Her body starts to heat up, the fervent feeling barreled its path from her blushing face to her pulsing heart down to the center of her thigh. She never felt something so sensual before and it was so foreign yet, it so feels good.

"I.", Bryson whispered and pecked her right cheek, "love", he moves to her left and did the same. "you", then his lips brushed on her own.

Daisy knew how red her face at that moment and how hooded her eyes that full of desire but, she doesn't care anymore. 

This is what she wants. A distraction and Bryson was giving it to her.

A small smile formed on his mouth. And without further ado, he smashed his lips against her own in a slow and passionate kissed.

It was just a close-mouth kissed, just tender and full of love. But, as time passed by, it became more heated, more sensual, more demanding and the movement of Bryson's lips increase in a primitive way.

He was like devouring her mouth like a hungry beast, like a thirsty traveler seeking an oasis and her lips are water that will quench his thirst. 

Bryson bit her lower lip making her gasped then she felt him smiled before thrusting his tongue inside her mouth.

The sensation is making her system haywire, she had never been kissed like that before. Daisy doesn't even know if she was doing it right or not. It seems that he doesn't mind though as long it was her lips he was tasting.

His tongue dwelled, seek, and explored every corner of her mouth before it gets tangled with her soft and wet tongue. Bryson groaned when she kissed him back with the same ferocity.

A silent moan escaped her lips when Bryson moved his body closer to her as his thigh situated between her parted legs.

God. It's like she's the most delicious dessert he ever tasted by the way he's kissing her. It was so good. Daisy was losing the oxygen, but she still doesn't want their lips to be apart.

Daisy thought before that it was kind of disgusting and unhygienic, kissing torridly while exchanging saliva, but why does it feel so good as she experienced it right at that moment with her boyfriend.

She squirmed beneath him, trying to cool down the heat that burning her body, but when her lower region rubbed against his knee, the fervency only intensified. 

Bryson suddenly stopped and pulled away, eyes were so dark it was like a pit of a deep hole. "Fuck!", he cussed again and again under his breath, both their breathing was ragged.

Daisy was panting as she had been in a marathon. Her chest was rising and falling as she set her eyes on Bryson's conflicted one.

He pressed his face against the crevice of her neck and murmured something incoherent. "I'm sorry. Let me just cool down."

The flushing of Daisy's cheeks promptly increases tenfold when she felt a sticky liquid on her underwear. What is that? Why am I feeling so wet?

She can feel every deep breath of Bryson as his upper body was pressed against her chest, but she just let the guy because she was also trying to calm herself down.

A minute passed then Bryson slowly lifted himself, "I'm not sorry for what I did because I intend to do it at any given time and chance. I'm just feeling sorry that I lost my composure and control. Did I scare you?" He asked hesitantly, biting his lower lip that didn't get unnoticed by Daisy's hooded eyes.

Bryson was afraid to receive a negative response from her. Daisy shook her head and smiled before wrapping her arms around his neck.

He heaved a long sigh while she just giggled because of his child-like demeanor. Bryson lay beside her again and pulled her closer to her waist before pressing his chin on the top of her head while Daisy hooked her arm over his waist and snuggled to his hard and warm body.

"Damn. That was so intense. I can't believe I almost lost my control. That. . . was dangerous. Very dangerous." He muttered like he was just talking to himself instead of her. "Let's sleep now baby before I did something very dangerous. Don't worry I'll stay throughout the night. Good night baby." He kissed the top of her head.

Dangerous? Daisy doesn't know why kissing became dangerous.

But, after what they did and hearing those words from him she finally feels at ease. She closed her eyes and inhaled the minty and manly scent of her boyfriend.

Why did her heart even doubt her true feelings? Yes, it is scary to gamble on something that has no certainty, especially if your life and heart are at stake. It is frightening to know how Bryson will react when she told him all of her secrets, from the very beginning to how she ended up in her current situation.

But, fear will not disappear on its own as long as you do nothing. She should confess everything to the man she loves then repent in the end because she let her cowardice reign.

She believes that Bryson will eventually understand everything, it may be taken a while, but she has confidence in her boyfriend's words. The promises, assurance, and love that he made her feel.

Her mother once said that someone will come to her life to accompany, support, and help her fix the part of her life that was destroyed and damaged.

And that person is Bryson, her butterfly that gave her a reason to continue on living, someone that gave her the strength to deal with her chaotic and troubled world, and most of all, the only one who reminded and showed her that despite her flaws, ineptness, and imperfections, he still stayed by her side and promised to remain until the end.  

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