•・•✿•・•

        Ｄａｉｓｙ was sweeping the tiled floor while her friend was counting their income in the cash till. They decided to close the shop early because Megan's Auntie called just a few minutes ago. Her little sister started throwing tantrums as the girl demanded to take her to an ice cream shop after watching the advertisement on the television for one of the famous products.

She watched in amusement as her friend tried to reason out with her Aunt, saying it's too early for them to close the shop and just let the little girl watch some cartoons to divert her attention.

Daisy grew up as an only child that's why she doesn't know how it feels like to have siblings who you could play with anytime or just to enjoy each other's company by hanging out and talk about random things.

Daisy remembers all those times her cousins played in the garden. She watched through the window, viewing and observing like a spectator on a children's show. Listening to their playful banters and laughs and just trying to keep herself from going out and joining them— always the invisible one, only present in the shadow of her room.

Daisy felt jealous whenever Megan brought Minzy into the shop, it's something she hated about herself as there was nothing to be envious about. Maybe if things didn't go wrong, she could still have someone that will be by her side, growing up together with her.

But, every time the little girl smiled with her front teeth missing, it lessened the nasty feeling in her chest and eventually, she learned to accept the fact that even if the odds weren't on them, her parents would still not grant her that childish wish as their family was already complex and adding one more member will only make things even more complicated.

"Bae. Could you please check if there's still stock in the storage room?" Daisy set aside the cleaning materials.

"We are out of non-woven fibre tissues and floral picks."

"Thanks. Are you free this Saturday?" Megan asked after closing the cash till.

Daisy doesn't have any plan for that specific day and she doesn't know if Bryson will ask her out or something, she just shrugged her shoulders— unsure of the answer.

"Would you accompany me for buying the materials? It'll be really quick I promise. You can ask Bryson too if he's not busy. That way, we have someone to carry the baggage." Her friend's lips formed into a mischievous grin that she just avoided looking at.

It's kind of unacceptable to refuse 'cause she's still an employee and besides, it isn't really in her nature to deny someone. Daisy briefly nodded her head and Megan's eyes beamed like Christmas light.

"Great. I'm going to ask Bryson to bring his friend with two D and that way, we could have like a double date after shopping."

Daisy just ignored Megan's incoherent speaking since she wouldn't tell her about the meaning behind that D anyway and it'll only fuel her curiosity as her friend keeps on mentioning that simple letter.

"Are you done cleaning up?"

She nodded her head and picked up the broomstick and put it in the storage room. After untying the apron on her torso and getting her bag inside her locker, Daisy checks her phone before going out to join her friend in front.

She was done cleaning even when Megan just only started counting the money. Daisy just reminiscing melancholic memories— an image of her past that had been locked away for a long time that makes her spaced out unconsciously.

"Did Bryson texted you what time he'd be coming?" Megan asked while her right elbow was resting on the counter and her face was leaning on her palm. Daisy shook her head, she received no message from the man asides from her mother's that she hasn't read yet.

It was sent after lunchtime and Daisy doesn't want to open the message, afraid of reading the content and be disappointed if it's about the offer again or feels dejected because of her grandpa's condition.

She felt guilty for not even checking up or consoling her family. She wanted to know what is the situation in her home, how are they doing or if the public already found out about the grave news, but Daisy doesn't dare to do it, at least for now— terrified that if the odds are on her, she'd have to leave this place in just a snap of her finger and once it's done, there will be no coming back again.

Always been a coward. That is one of the many things that Daisy hated about herself.

"Jeez. He's taking his time huh. I wish I have someone to ask me out on a date too."

Daisy just sat on the stool and copied Megan's current position. Both of them gazed outside the shop. Watching every passing car and people. At this time of her life, she could tell herself that it's a peaceful and lown day but for how long?

Sooner or later she has to decide a very difficult decision that whatever she chooses, the outcome would still tear her heart into a million broken pieces.

Maybe it'll do good for her to just stop thinking and just let fate do the job, being swayed and led by it, but that's not how the world works. It's a cunning and harsh reality that once you've resolved— nothing will bring back the chooses you have made and somehow make it right.

Megan clicked her tongue before nudging her shoulder. Her mind wandered somewhere again, making her lost track of her surroundings. Bryson walked right in, running his hands through his brown hair and flaunting them his toothpaste model smile. Very flashy.

"Is it just me or whenever he smiles, it looked like someone with malicious intent? It kinds of reminds me of Patrick in American Psycho. " Megan muttered whilst she just stared at her friend weirdly and befuddled. 

Seeing her expression, Megan lazily commented, "Nah. It's just probably me."

"Hey. Are you ready?"

Daisy diverted her attention to Bryson and smiled.

"Nope, she's not. We still need to close the shop and we've been waiting here for like an eternity. Thought you're going to come early."

Bryson scratched the back of his neck and stood right in front of her. Bending down his upper body and putting both his elbow on top of the counter and crossed it over the other. Looking at her with a soft smile and calm pool of his ocean.

"Sorry just needed to run some errand. Change of plan though."

Daisy stared back, memorizing every bit and detail of his features. His ocean blue eyes, thick black eyebrows, straight and proud nose, his bottom lips that is pouty and pinkish, hair slightly long that shaved on both sides and a strong and imminent jaw, on top of that— anyone could tell just from the first look that he always exudes a dangerous and cold aura that keeps her wondering, why is it quite the opposite when it comes to her?

She gasped slightly when he suddenly leaned in close to her and planted a kiss on her right cheek before going back to his previous position, giving her a wolfish grin. It caught her off guard, if not by the blushed that creeping out on her cheeks as she chewed on her bottom lip to keep it from smiling.

"Could both of you please minimize the lovey-dovey atmosphere? I can almost see hearts forming in your eyes. It makes me want to bang my head on the counter and forget about my non-existent love life or lay my back in the middle of the road so that someone could run over me and squish my body like how you two squash my hope for romanticism for myself."

Both of them looked at Megan, who gave them a poker face before she rolled her eyes and sluggishly waved her hands in front. "I'm just lonely. Go ahead and eat each other's face. Don't mind me. Wait. . . let me just grab some popcorn first."

Bryson cleared his throat while the screw in Daisy's head started turning. Why would they eat each other's faces? Isn't that gross and cannibalistic? Sometimes, she doesn't know what's running inside of her friend's head.

Bryson just smirked and stood up to its full massive height.

"I'll introduce you to my friend."

"You better do. I and Bae are going to shop this Saturday. You can tag along and bring that friend of yours." Megan said while wiggling her perfectly arched eyebrows.

"I'm good to go but, I don't know if my friend is free this weekend. He might be busy with football practice."

Megan gasped and stood up abruptly rather dramatically and clapped her hands.

"Football? Yes! Perfect. That's really what I'm looking for. What's his name and bring him with you, if you have to use force then do it. Just set him up with me."

Bryson's eyebrows furrowed before saying, "you know. He's more build and huge than I am. I don't think he will come if he has to do something even if I persuade him. But, I'll try. Why don't you just add him on Facebook or whatever social media it is."

"That's brilliant. Okay, give me his account then."

Both of them continued their chitchat while Daisy just watched on the sideline.

Someday this place, this moment will just be part of the chapter in her life, a memory you'll look into whenever you miss it or feel lonely, but you could never come back to experience it again. And when that day comes when she needed to depart from her comfortable life, all of these will just turn into what if she'd always ask to herself.

"Let's close the shop now." Megan digs the key out of her jeans pocket and the three of them padded outside.

"I'll see you tomorrow 'kay? Enjoy your date, but remember to use protection."

Megan slyly said, giving Bryson a taunting looked whilst Daisy just narrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Why do they need to use protection? Are they going to a dangerous place?

"Stop sputtering nonsense or I won't ask Sam."

"I'm just kidding dude. I know from the very start that you plan to knock up Bae if only she isn't too innocent."

Her eyes wandered to both of them, trying to make sense as to what they're talking about. It's really her disadvantage of being simple-minded sometimes. Daisy doesn't know if she'd be glad or disappointed.

"Shut up. I'm not thinking that way. Let's go shorty."

"Hmph. You're so uptight as if it didn't cross your mind." Megan started laughing at something Bryson did that she didn't catch on as she was looking at her friend. The guy just smiled sweetly at her and kissed the top of her head when she threw him questioning eyes.

"Man you're so freaking whipped. Can't even flip me off in front of your precious girl. Bae, run while you still have the chance before that guy locks you up and never allows you to see the light again. Bye"

Before she could even react, Megan is already inside her car. The driver's window rolled down and her friend teasingly shouted, "I'm just kidding. Bryson! You better bring her back in one piece, " before driving off. What a strange woman. Her eyes followed the retreating vehicle until it disappeared in her sight.

She heard her boyfriend heaved a long sigh and opened the passenger's door for her.

"She's one hell of a handful. I don't think Sam can handle her. Get inside now shorty, we still have a long night to go on."

Daisy complied still thinking about what her friend and boyfriend were talking about earlier. She wanted to ask just to have few ideas about the confusing exchange of conversation but chose not to cause she was sure Bryson won't answer her anyway.

"Who is Sam?" Daisy asked after a long while to break the silence. Bryson shortly glanced at her then back on the road to focus on his driving to who knows where again. Said there was a sudden change in their plan, but her boyfriend didn't elaborate as to what it is and why.

"Sam is my high school friend since sophomore. He's a black-American and a good guy."

She hummed in answer and just keep quiet the entire time. It's not like she could talk anyway, rather sometimes Daisy wonders how would it feels like to have an actual conversation— not with sign language or texting, just orally and with no reservations.

"I know you're wondering where I'd be taking you. It's like the last time we went on a long drive. It's just kind of clicked on me that I want to surprise you. You know, seeing you bewildered but amazed at the same time. And I wanted to see more of it so, yeah, I hope to get the same reaction as the last time when you get to see the place." Bryson laughed lowly having a recollection of what just had happened yesterday. Of course, it's still fresh in her mind— will certainly never leave there for eternity.

•・•✿•・•

They keep on driving for 20 minutes or so. Passed the town through the bridge and over the mass of animated trees on either side of the road which briskly dances every time the force of wind blow that crimped a shadow making an inconspicuous hurdle on the road. From afar, her vision also caught a contour of the mountains.

The car turned right and slowly barreled on the uphill, changing the surface of the freeway from smooth to bumpy. Daisy peeked on the window as to figure out where they were heading— nothing. Only her reflection and the blurred photograph outside are all her eyes could see.

Bryson seems to like bringing her to a depopulated place, somewhere with just the two of them— no disturbance, no bystanders, just only him and her in their little world.

After a few moments of fumbling on her seat because of the sudden change of route, the engine of the car finally stopped. Daisy made a glance at her surroundings then focusing it on Bryson who was looking at her already.

"We're here." He said softly.

"Where is this place? What is this place?" She asked signing rather in a hesitant move. Trusting Bryson was something she dwelled in her mind, no doubt about it but, being in a place with only darkness blanketing you was a different topic.

This time was not like the last one because then was bright as the sun was still dawdling in the sky. Right now, everywhere is a pure paint of black except inside the car and the light from the headlights.

"You'll see." Bryson excitedly answered, smiling from ear to ear.

Daisy felt anxious and nervous. Even if Bryson is by her side, it still doesn't help to ease the dread that spiked up her system.

"Hey, shorty. Look at me." His voice turned serious, but still gently seeing the uneasiness on her face while she fiddles on her seat. Bryson held her elbows to move her upper body sideways. She looked down on her lap, ashamed and flustered for suddenly acting like a hallucinating child— cowering and frightened after watching a horror movie.

There were no absolutely terrifying about the place, its just her mind and memories that pulled her back to that uneventful and very unfortunate days.

"Baby. I'm not going to let something bad happen to you. I won't let someone or something lay a finger on you or even touch the strand of your hair if it makes you distress. I'm here okay? Do you trust me?" Bryson cupped both of her cheeks and tilted her head upward to direct her eyes on him.

"Do you want to get lost with me? Do you trust me Daisy?" Bryson's voice is soft and his eyes are tender luring her onto its sweet hypnotism. It's hard to trust someone when all they did was to give you a reason not to.

Taking a deep calming breath, she timidly nodded her head, fighting back the protest and objection her mind is trying to reason on her.

"Good. Let's go." Bryson gets something on the backseat after kissing her forehead. He stepped out of the car and went by her side.

The moment he opened the door for her, a gust of dead wind from outside slapped her face, beating the heat in her body and crawling over the extent of her skin— making her slightly shivered and gnashed her teeth.

"Arms up."

Bryson dressed her in the black hoodie he brought and based on its minty and musky scent, no doubt it was him. The clothing reached below her knees making her looked like a mascot.

"Perfect. Are you still cold?" He asked. Rubbing her hand with his big and warm one. She shook her head and bit down on her lower lip to contain the blush from rising on her cheeks.

Daisy is still wary about her surroundings. Disturbed about the idea of being in such a place where someone or something could easily harm her without an escape or being lost in the utmost of the isolated area.

Bryson holds her right hand and started walking— tagging her along with him. Confusion settled into her after seeing where they're heading. A direction towards the entrance on the side of the road wherein, massive trees are standing regal and opaque like an aegis guarding an undiscovered realm depth into the wilderness.

What are they going to do in the middle of the forest? What if a wild animal is galavanting here and attack them? Or if they get lost and never find the right way again? Daisy pushed at the back of her mind the unwanted and horrifying thoughts that only intensified her anxiety.

She stuck closer to Bryson's side. Squeezing his hand and just keeps her eyes on his back.

The thumping and crunching sounds of twigs and dried leaves were the only noise disturbing the abundance of the quiet forest. Gleams of the moonlight breached amidst the fissure of the rangy branches— playing a freaky show from its silhouette.

Her palms became sweaty and clammy, sweat started to perspire on her forehead even though the cold temperature was grazing her skin. This is not a good idea. Daisy's panic attack was building up again, reconstructing and sheltering inside her head. A static sound like a broken television started ringing in her ears then a vague screaming neutralized her senses.

No. No. No. Her mind slowly adhesive the broken pieces of her memories she always keeps on breaking, destroying, everything she could do just to pulverize and make it unrecognizable anymore. But, it feels like there's a rewind button that just one push of it, everything reverts to its usual chaotic place.

This is really a bad idea. It's better if she just stayed and locked up inside her room— her only comfort zone.

••
"You never listen to your mother, don't you? I thought you're a good and obedient kid."

"It's safe if you just stay inside of your room."

"You can only attain everything with a little sacrifice."

"Are you afraid of the night? Because once— I was. Do you know what changed my mind? I just realized. . . darkness could help me accomplish my wishes."

"I'm glad your father keeps you hidden. No one would suspect what will be going to happen."

••

"Baby? Baby? Hey. It's okay. I'm here. You're not alone. I'm here."

The warm and bulky body of Bryson embraces her cold and trembling one. It released her from the imprisonment of her harrowing history.

She just only realized that they both stopped their voyage. Standing in the middle of the forest, surrounded by nothing but wildings. Bryson's right hand was stroking her head whilst the other was placed on the small of her back. Lips pressed firmly on top of her head— peppering it with small kisses.

Daisy's lips are quivering, her breath became laboured, eyes looking down on her shoes filled with unshed tears, hands clasped together over her chest and foot rooted on the same spot.

When Bryson noticed her being paralyzed, he immediately engulfed her small frame— shielding and covering from the world.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry if I made you upset or apprehensive. I know I'm not the most sensible guy and just acted on impulse without even thinking how does it makes you feel. I should be more sensitive and ask you first. I'm sorry shorty. If you want to go back now, we can do that. I'm not gonna force you into something that'll make you act or feel like this, remember what I said, I will go and follow with your pace and just be by your side anytime and always. I'm not gonna leave you ever. I promise."

His voice was almost like a whisper— downy and quiet, afraid to disturb the tranquillity of the atmosphere. Her body slowly eased its tremor and she inhaled the manly scent of the only one person that she willingly succumbs herself to without hesitation.

The voices died down and eventually came back to their hiding place.

Bryson removes his right hand from the back of her head and gently pinched her chin to make her looked at him. A whirlpool of different emotions was fighting off in his ocean blue eyes. Sadness, longing, regret, guilt, adoration, understanding, and . . . love?

There was so much that Daisy couldn't make her eyes looked away— silently asking, how did he manage to keep all those feelings inside without being conflicted about what is what and which is true? 'Cause, she can barely contain her own that sometimes it makes her want to just lost her mind and insanity.

The trembling finally stopped, her anxiety faded, her lips slightly open due to the lack of air for a different reason, tears retreated to their place, her paled face earlier changed into blooming fresh red roses.

How did he do that?

How did he make her calm down?

How did he cast away the anxiety by just looking at her intensely?

How did he know how to save her from drifting to the current of her dire past that was slowly flooding her consciousness?

"Do you want to go home now?" Bryson reluctantly asked after seeing her once relaxed state.

Yes! That's what she wanted to answer— hurriedly and without delay. She wanted to go home and just fall asleep and wake up the next day like nothing like this has happened. But, something ignited inside her. It helps and encourages her to defy her longtime captor named past.

When Bryson saw her shaking her head no, he heaved a sigh of relief.

"Then— Do you want to go on?"

The emotions that Bryson was giving to her was something that she had never seen firsthand before and its like. . .  a casket for her bad memories— something that meant to be put inside, locked, hidden, and buried in a place that will never be seen again and eventually you will also forget that you have it.

Is she ready to start moving on and unchain the shackles in her life?

Daisy chose to submit herself to Bryson. Giving him full authority to do everything and help her set free.

When the waxing moon moved right above them and decided to join their moment, it granted them the spotlight of having a clear view of each other's faces.

Bryson's face morphed into something fancy and incentive— giving her the strength. His lips were pulled up in a curved and eyes were bluer than ever whilst the answer to his question was slowly making its way out in her stretched up mouth and finally came out in a silent but undoubtedly.

"Yes."

•・•✿•・•