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"Ｈｅｙ. Are you okay? It's not like I'm expecting you to talk all of sudden, even though I want to hear your voice, but you were not yourself this morning and keep on spacing out. Did something happen? I only leave you for one day. Did you really missed me that much?" Bryson flashed his toothy grin and briefly glanced where she was seated before focusing again on the road.

She heard and felt the worries underneath the teasing tone of his voice but chose to ignore it.

Daisy doesn't have any idea where the guy will be taking her due to her absent-minded state throughout the morning.

She didn't even care that Bryson was dragging her to who knows where. Half of her decisions want to protest, to demand the guy to bring her back to the shop where she supposedly was working at that time.

How could she be so neglectful of her job? What would Megan say when she came back?

They still need to finish the arrangement that their customer ordered yesterday.

Oh god.

She felt guilty all of a sudden for leaving her friend in the middle of their work. It took her when she felt not belonged at her new place, then that was her repayment?

Maybe this was still good, a temporary escape before the harsh reality slapped her hard again.

It was even concerning for Megan that she came to the shop looking like someone who had never seen the light before.

Her skin was paler than it originally was, her eyes were bloodshot plus her eye bags were resemblance to the panda. She wasn't the usually cheerful and enthusiastic Daisy.

Megan tried talking to her, making her spill out what made her mood deadened, but she didn't respond to any of her attempts that eventually, her friend's just let her go.

Daisy didn't know what was happening to her. It was like, back to zero again. Doesn't know if she was still thinking straight or not. Not.

She feels low-spirited, doesn't want to do anything for that matter and just curled up in a ball and hide beneath her cold mattress. Maybe if she falls asleep again and woke up, everything will be back to normal like there were no bombs that were suddenly being catapult to her, making her world demolished.

"You don't have to worry. Megan gave me her approval for taking you away from your work. She just reminded me to bring you back in piece and your usual self."

Daisy wanted to retort back, saying that was actually her usual self because behind her jolly and cheerful facade was just a broken girl.

Crying herself to sleep and carrying lots of extra baggage.

She just let Bryson speak as she doesn't know how to react. Glad that Megan let her leave? Not. She just keeps her thoughts to herself and plans to apologize to her friend tomorrow.

"I prefer you smiling while blushing, rather than this no care in the world," Bryson sighed when she didn't react, he momentarily removed his hand on the steering wheel to squeezed her thigh.

It makes Daisy averted her attention from the window of the passenger's seat and finally give the guy the attention that he wanted.

If it was another day, she would probably be embarrassed for being absent-minded or the fact that Bryson was touching her in a part of her body that had never been touched before. Even if his hand was not directly making a contact with her skin because of the jeans she was wearing.

"Talk to me shorty. I mean, just make a sign that you're okay or type it down like you usually did. I'm f—," he sighed, "I'm worried here okay?" She felt bad, truly, she doesn't want to hindrance everyone around her because of her misery but, she can't help it.

Daisy couldn't find the will to be happy, she can't even just pretend. It was in her nature, a crystal clear proof that she wore her feelings in her sleeve.

"If you don't want to tell me what was running inside of that pretty little head, then fine. I'm not gonna force you, but you can't expect me to just sit here and do nothing to make you feel better," Bryson's lips curled upward with a newfound determination on his face and just slightly tightened his hold on her thigh.

Daisy didn't complain about the intimate touches, couldn't. It somehow brings her a sense of comfort, a diversion that someone was there for her right now when she needed the company the most.

Looking again on the window to shunned the pricking in her thought. She leisurely placed her hand on top of Bryson. The guy stiffened, not expecting her sudden initiation but he recovered and turned his hand to intertwined their fingers.

Bryson's hand engulfed hers, it was so big that it could probably crush her head in just one go.

If only this moment will last forever and everything around them disappear. Every problem, the harsh reality— just for a moment. However, there was no permanent, no forever, no constant in this world and before you even know it, the dreamland will eventually shatter.

•・•✿•・•

She doesn't know how many minutes or hours they'd have been driving when the car slowed down and Daisy just only then noticed their unfamiliar surrounding.

The path was stony and narrowed, it look likes they were entering a more secluded area.

Daisy doesn't have any idea where they were, doesn't really care at all. They could be lost at an uncivilized part of the world or a lone island in the middle of the sea where no one can find them and she'll gladly go with the man since he will help her forget everything and be gone for good.

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna leave you here if that what's you're thinking. I will not let something bad happen to you either. Trust me and you'll see," Bryson coaxed, grinning when he saw her dismantled face.

The guy stepped on the brakes and the vehicle came to a halt. Bryson took the key in the ignition and gave his full attention to her whilst still holding her hand.

"Do you trust me?" Bryson asked sincerely.

Daisy second-thought about her answer.

Would she really entrust herself to someone she just only met almost 3 weeks ago?

Daisy knew from the very beginning the answer to that question. She waited for a feeling of objection, hesitance or resistance but a sense of belonging was the only emotion that reigned.

Daisy nodded her head and fiddled her free hand.

"Good. Now let's go. I can't wait to bring you there."

They both leave the car. Bryson opened the trunk and get something inside before padding straightaway to her, joining again their fingers together while he was holding a basket in his free hand.

They started their voyage and unplanned trip to nowhere. With a sunny smile on his face, he led her to their destination.

Daisy wandered her eyes everywhere. Thick and tall different trees ambient the one-way road. No establishments or houses in sight, only the chirping and rustling sounds of animals nearby. The crunching noise of dried leaves underneath their footsteps and a breeze of the fresh woody scent of the air.

The afternoon weather was completing the look of the setting. A context from a fairy tale that was turned into the inanimate.

"We're almost there," Daisy looked at Bryson's back. It never ceased to amaze her how broad, bulky, and very manly his back was. Even if it was hidden beneath the tight black plain shirt he was wearing, the muscle was still prominent and bulging.

It was her first time meeting a godly-looking guy like Bryson, well, it was her first time interacting and being acquainted with a guy close her age so she doesn't know if every guy were like him.

No. No one can equate with Bryson.

Daisy was too busy analyzing and appreciating every aspect of Bryson's being that she wasn't aware they already stopped walking. He was facing her now and blocking everything as his glowing face and eyes so blue was the only thing her chestnut-coloured eyes could see.

He gazed down at her, holding both of her hands and smiling from ear to ear.

"You're the most beautiful person I have ever known and seen in my entire life. I always wanted and love to make and see you smile that I'll do anything if someone or something takes that away from you," he put the loose strand of hair at the back of her ears, "I know you're dealing a lot of things in your life and probably won't involve me in any of it, but I want you to enjoy every moment with me and that includes right here."

Daisy just keeps on looking up at him, submerging into his pool of ocean.

How could be someone took all the glory and goodness in this world?

How could be someone like Bryson exist?

Never leaving her eyes at the guy in front, she waited for his next move until her view was unblocked when he stepped aside

Her eyesight was shortly blinded by the sunlight then a force of wind suddenly blown on her face, making her hair swayed and danced along with it.

Rubbing her eyes to clear her vision, she tucked the strands of hair on her face behind her ears. Daisy blinked once. Then twice.

And her expression slowly morphed into amazement once the majestic scenery came into view. She only has one feeling at that moment, pure bliss.

Hundreds and hundreds of different wildflowers were strewed at the huge open field. Different kinds, colours, it was overwhelming and galvanizing that she doesn't even know where to stop her eyes from looking at.

The smell of it was wafting her senses and vibrant colours that were shining under the sunlight were so fascinating. It was like a diamond in a cave, stars in the galaxy, and a picturesque that came to life from Claude Monet's painting.

It was a landscape you can only see in a children's book that later on, you'd be dreaming about in your sleep.

"Did you like it?"Bryson asked after a moment.

She stores every beautiful piece and creation in her mind. She doesn't need a camera to capture it because her eyes were already enough for the memory to lasts forever.

Like it? Like, cannot be even compared for what she was feeling. It surprised her to the moon and back because that was the very first time she saw the amazing landscape.

"I love it," Daisy signed wholeheartedly which she knew Bryson will understand due to their lesson.

"That was the smile I was looking for," Bryson said breathlessly. His hands slowly trace her cheeks, admiring the crimson colour that was painted on it before he let his hands down and face the view.

They were now standing side by side, watching and beholding the beauty in front. They hand were never letting go with each other's and a peaceful, contentment, and something more heightened the blissfulness.

Daisy couldn't comprehend in her mind how she became so lucky for being with Bryson. For bringing the light in her dark life and for making her experienced and to make her realized that, despite her crude past, there was still a promising future waiting in the finish line.

How did he know how to make her happy when she was feeling down?

"It was only a partial part of my plan. I might not be the best guy in town or not the most patience in everything, except when it comes to you, not the guy you dreamed about, but it's only me and that's all I can offer."

Bryson held both of her shoulders to turned her around, her back facing him.
A warm, callous, but soft hand lightly grazed her neck then Bryson slides all of her hair on her right shoulder, sending electricity to her body that empaled her.

She felt cold metal pressed around her neck.

Daisy shivered at the cold air hitting the exposed skin of the back of her throat and the loss of contact from Bryson's warm touch. She cupped the pendant above her chest and feels the smooth texture.

It was a daisy pendant, a single flower with diamonds engraved in every petal, making it glow and shine every time the light hit the gems.

So beautiful that it took Daisy's breathe away. The feelings were filling her up that her heart and body stopped cooperating.

"I know it's not that special, but I wanted to give you something that will remind you of me. That every time you feel sad or lonely, you can just touch the pendant and remember that there's a guy that willing to wait for as long as he can just to have you in the end."

What am I supposed to do now? What am I supposed to feel at this moment? How am I supposed to show him my feelings?

Daisy keeps on thinking and thinking until one reason, and one feeling triumphed in all of those overwhelming thoughts.

Before she knew it, she launched herself and wrapped her arms around Bryson's waist.

Finally, she was able to do the thing she longed for the very first time she caught the sight of ocean blue eyes. No vacillation, just her heart pouring everything she could through her action.

Bryson tensed and startled by her sudden intrusion, she just tightened her hold and pressed herself even more to his solid, hard but unexpectedly smooth body. Her right cheek was resting on the bottom of his chest because of their huge height difference.

Daisy felt the guy's arms encircling on her waist and his face pressed on her shoulder. He took a long deep breath and inhaled her lavender and vanilla scent.

"I could die with a happy face now," Bryson murmured huskily, making her giggled because of the tingling sensation from the vibration of his voice.

"I supposed, you like my gifts."

They untangled from their intimate embrace but still close enough, afraid of letting go and losing each other's vicinity.

Daisy knew whatever her feelings were undeniably showing up on her face. Full of admiration and fancy for the guy that she only met 3 weeks ago, but brought her already to such extent of fondness.

"I know I'm being persistent and I told you that I'll wait for you as long as when you become ready but—," he swallowed hard, "—I like you, Daisy," he confessed.

"I really really like you. Everything about you. No words, reasons or explanation as to why I hold such deep feelings for you. I really wish to be part of your life. I want you to trust me and let me shoulder at least half of your problem because—," Bryson traced the seam of her lower lip with his thumb.

"I don't want to lose the colour and light in your beautiful eyes. I want to be always beside you. Someone you can always lean and count on anytime. So please give me a chance," Bryson captured her eyes again in a heated looked, "Please be mine now."

His eyes that were staring at her were like a whirlpool of the storm; brewing and ready to strike anytime soon, but instead of destruction and a feeling of solitude once the calamity onslaught. Daisy will gladly embrace it, for once the storm died down, a new illustrious day shall come.

And that day was what Daisy needed the most.

How could she leave the place where she learned to be herself and being contented for having a normal life? How could she leave the place where her heart belonged to?

To a man name, Bryson.

Was it selfish of her to be happy at this time of her life? Was it unfair for her family if she chooses to temporarily escape from all those painful things?

Just for one day. Just a moment. That was all she needs.

At that time, she let herself be free from all the pending problems, issues, and pressures on her back.

Daisy just let her true feeling bursts out and all she could only do was to yield her heart.

They say if you have feelings for someone, you don't really need a reason to like or love them.

Your standards, preferences, nor expectations toward that person you were always dreaming about since your kindergarten. Everything about that would be forgotten and before you even know it, you were already so invested that you didn't even notice he/she wasn't the one you always wishing for, far from it actually.

But still, he/she was the one that your heart choose amongst the millions of choices you have.

Maybe it was happening to her now because before she even realized it, her head was already nodding with a bright smile on her lips that was never faltering.

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