DAISY'S POV

A horn beeped outside. Followed by a knock on the main door.
     "Just breathe Daisy. Don't let your butterflies get in the way tonight. Have fun and allow yourself to enjoy the party."

My door creaked open...mom. I didn't bother turning around to face her. Not until a deep manly voice filled my ears. "Looking hot." "Alex!" I cried jumping.
     He was there. In black jeans and a nice green shirt with a black leather jacket hanged  over his right shoulder.

            Mr Universe had never looked hotter before my own eyes. I couldn't believe I'd be his date. The thought alone almost sent me flying out the window.
"Don't you ever knock?"
    "Not at my date's door. Your mom is more excited about this than you are." "Should that bother me?"

I grabbed a gray coat that mom had left on the foot of the bed. "Let's do this." He smiled placing an arm over my back to guide me out.
      "Just so you know, mom supports this cause-" "Cause I'm attractive. But not half as your dad." Alex interrupted uninvited
And I couldn't help but glare up at him as we descended the stairs.
           Dad was waiting for us at the base. His serious face firmer than ever. Overprotective dad. "You look like a princess honey."

Alex let go of me as dad welcomed me in his arms. "Thanks dad." "This reminds me of when you were ten and cried to attend Rachel's party with the longest and fluffy gown"
   The memory, too embarrassing.
And I's sure Alex was busy laughing behind. "Dad!"
   He placed a peck on my left cheek. Even with his five foot nine, dad still had to bend a little to reach my face.

                  "So you're the boy who's taking my girl out."
The two faced each other. Man to man, or whatever they called it.
    "Yes." There was such confidence in his voice as it was on every inch of his face and body.
"I have only one rule for you lad... Take extra care of Daisy, or you'll give me a criminal record."
 
   Never before had I heard dad sound so fierce yet still maintained a composed expression.
      "Nothing to worry about, I'll have someone hospitalised if not in a grave." "Ahem! No need for all that gentlemen, my daughter can take care of herself." Mom showed up from the kitchen.

She rubbed my back before moving forward to the two males spilling their guts.
     "Stew said Alex can be trusted. And you know our son is good at discerning." "As you say love. But that won't stop me from breaking someone's bone."

I cleared my throat. "Um, Alex, can we go please?"
     Mom slipped something plastic and rectangle in my hand on my way out. Which I later learnt was her credit card.
"I like your dad already."
    Our gazes met. "I'm sure he doesn't feel the same about you Mr. Neither do I."
Alex chuckled returning his eyes on the road. "I'm sure that will change someday." "Probably in the next life Mr. You're so full of yourse-" He hit the brakes hard.

    The force nearly sent me out through the window if not for the safety belt. "I'm human dammit."
   He laughed stepping out. "I thought you'd need something to shut you up."
I glared at him as he held my door open. "From this second, you're my date. So act like one."
     Alex hooked our arms, and off we walked into the five-star hotel.

If I thought I had ever been in a fancy party before, then I was dead wrong. From the decorations on the poles in the green garden, to the shimmering pool eagerly waiting for some bodies to use it.
     Almost the whole college was there, all busy chatting in small groups.

   The eyes.
They escorted us from the second we showed up, to every move we made or smile.
"Looks like we have a lot of fans already." The male whispered as we stood at the drinks table. "You're a sick bastard Alex!"
     "But I think I'm better than any other guy you've ever dated."
My throat ran crack dry. Don't even go there Daisy. He wouldn't even think of making you his girl.
  
   "Don't over think baby, I have no plans of dating you."
Was it so obvious? Was the tension so tight that Alex had noticed? "I...I... Quit that Alex. Now how long is this party lasting?"
    "Till the fun runs out," he answered pucking two red cups. "Punch? Really?"
   Alex frowned holding back the blue cup. "What do you prefer?" "I don't know, something alcoholic free."
                He laughed placing both cups on the table. "Okay Miss Boring, stay right here, I'll order juice for you." "Whatever!"
    I watched him walk away in brisk steps. Before the sight of a brunette corrupted my view... Oriya. "Well, well, well. So you're the date?"
   Her flawless yellow dress hugged all her full curves perfectly. But it showed a lot of her firm thighs. A little too much for me. "Oriya? I...I'm not really his date. Stew asked me to accompany his best friend."
    She laughed amused. Studying me from hair to boot. "Gotta say, you look much better than your usual self. Heard that Alex decided to spoil you last night!"

   "Wha-What? Wrong informa-"
He showed up almost immediately. Wearing the most frustrated look I had laid eyes on in a long time.
    "Oriya! What did you say to my sister?" "Relax buddy." Oriya smirked sighing happily. "I told her the naked truth. I've known you two since our childhood. So I-" Alex grabbed her arm with such sheer force. I was sure it'd leave a visible bruise. "Let's get this clear Oriya, I don't want to ever see you anywhere near Stacy, me, or..." he darted me a glance, "Daisy."

     She huffed snapping away from him. "Of all the girls, you chose this?" Now that was deeply insulting. So deep that I felt some wetness start to blur my vision.
          Alex inhaled intensely, running a hand down his face as if to clear the fury.
He turned to me with an apologetic gaze. I wanted to assure him that I was fine, but after what he did, I learnt why he had worn the face.
    Without a warning, Alex cupped my jaw and brought his lips down to lock with mine.

I heard Oriya gasp from our side. As well as some other girls but I chose to ignore them and relished the few seconds he kissed me.
      "Tonight, you're my girlfriend Daisy," Alex whispered on my lips.
  I said nothing. Not even as he moved aside to rub it on Oriya's face. Her lips trembled while the teary eyes scowled at me, then Alex. "You're such a bastard."
    He laughed holding me against his hip. "I know, everyone calls me that."

           Oriya groaned before rushing away in those black hills.
  "This is crazy Alex. I don't know how much I can take for one night."
"Shh! You be a good girl now."
   The grin I caught on his lips sent me in the most deathly realm. Hard to believe it was the same guy that had been flaming a minute ago. "By the way," Alex paused to hook a hand on my waist. "I got you your juice." "Mmm... I hope it's good."

    "It's even better baby."
My heart bounced. It was too good to be true.

           I got to talk to Stacy as I gifted her after she cut the cake.
   "Happy eighteenth birth-" "Thanks." She handed her girlfriend the gift and turned her back at me.
     "Well this is humiliating," I whispered to myself. Hoping no one had seen that.

   Nora showed up carrying a big purple box. Stacy giggled hugging her. And the message was loud and clear, she  didn't like me. A lot of girls never liked me in college. Why? My brother was Mr Universe's best friend.

     I  swallowed the humiliation and walked away to the garden.

"This was a mistake! I should never have come here. To hell with Alex! To hell with-" "Daisy!"
      "Wha-What?"
He stopped only an inch before me. "Who did this?"
  I turned, offering him my back. "Just go away Alex. Go and have fun and just leave me alo-" Alex spun me. His hands firm on my unprotected shoulders. "You will talk Daisy. I gave your dad my word." 

   "Oh yah, Mr Universe wants to keep his word. Isn't that hilarious. Why don't you go fix your own life Alex!" "Daisy!" A  bellow shook the life inside me. Sending pangs of fear all over my body like the rush of blood.

          "Listen to me Daisy, I will not take it when anyone offends you. You're my date tonight, I'll protect you like a boyfriend."

I pushed him. "I don't need your protection. I'm going home."
    A strong arm coiled around my chest. "You're going nowhere without me." I looked up at the glare burning down at me. "I don't want yo-" "Shut up Daisy."
He tugged me to his body. Hands on my waist. "I keep my word and promises Miss Boring." "Don't call me tha-" He did well with his lips by shutting me.
           As much as my hands resisted Alex's closeness, I found them wound around his waist. Found myself kissing back, allowing myself to feel the lusty emotions colliding within.
  
   "Daisy?" Who's familiar voice had snapped?
My head popped back... Eyes flying over to the figure standing there..."Ste-Stew?"