I waited patiently at the side of the road. Alex had assured to pick me up before eight.
But checking my wristwatch, it was already seven minutes past eight... I thought of calling him, but held it back. He'll think I'm too eager for this dinner.
So I settled to giving him a little more time.
         
    Coming from the right, the car lights blinded my vision as I backed to avoid any incident. But it seemed to be heading right at me. Caring not if it drive in my lawn.
        It was a blue van. Studied it when it stopped in front of me.
The door slid open, and three men in black masks jumped out.
    "No!" I cried turning to run, but was caught by two of them.
Something was pressed on my nostrils, and that was the end of my night. Only void covered my entire world.

A splash of icy water on my face jerked me back to life.
      It was day already, and the sun rays were spilling in the room like crazy.

No, I wasn't home. And certainly not on a bed... Sluggishly, I forced my eyes to look down. Tied hands and legs, sitting on a wooden chair that was in a pretty bad shape. I groaned when a slap echoed on my cheek.
      And it's at that time that I saw my offender...a slim redhead in a skimpy red dress that exposed a good amount of thigh.

   "Rise and shine Munchkin."
"Wha-Who the hell are you?"
She cackled walking over to stand straight before me.
    "I should ask you that. And what the hell are you doing messing with my fiance?"
"Sorry, fiance?"
Another hot slap followed. It made me want to cut off that cheek and just give it to her as an early Christmas present.
     
   "Alexandra McLain you bitch!"

I chuckled over the pain. "Wrong number. I don't know what-" This time, it was a heavy blow.
    Gawd she could punch for such a thin body. "Now do you know whom I'm talking about?"
"Are we talking about the same Alex? Long blonde hair?"
     She grasped a good amount of my hair in her hand, then yanked hard at it. "Don't you dare describe him with that slutty mouth you whore."  Another punch... My entire face felt to have melted from the pain and burning sensation of the hits.
     That damned female was cruel no lying. She took out all her frustrations on my poor face.

 
The hand in my hair let go, then picked some photos from the table at the side of the bed.
    Like a detective, she positioned them before my eyes, slipping one by one behind the other. I could recognise that blond man anyway, and she was there. Each picture told a story, from a cheek kiss in Paris, to a beach kiss with some butt grabbing in Hawaii. The landmarks were my clues of knowing where those lovebirds had travelled.
      And Alex seemed so damn happy with the redhead.

"That's the Alexandra I'm talking about. And I've heard word of a little snake trying to seduce him."
   My vocal cords had been frozen by the pictures. And the female took that as what? A good thing. Cause she didn't hit me again.
      "Now honey, you will stay away from Alex, or I'll be forced to deal with you with a little more care than today. Am I clear?"
I just stared at her. The traitorous tears hang loosely at the edge of my eyes.
*              *             *

    The cab dropped me off at my house.
I first studied at it before plunging for the door.
         Once inside, I found Alex busy going through a green file.
His shocked expression on seeing me got me wondering just what mischief he was up to.
  "Da-Daisy?"
He dropped the file on the table and ran to me.
A firm embrace followed. Gave me one of his best seducing kisses.
       "Gawd Daisy! You're a mess. And what's with the bruises on your face?" He asked touching the painful parts.

I knocked his hand away to back.
    "What the hell are you doing here Alex?" "What do you mean? I've been busy trying to reach all night long then show up looking like you're from the ring."
   I huffed pushing the hair behind. "You wanna know where I've been, huh?"

Alex licked his lower lip tensely.
   "Alex, your fiancée kidnapped me, beat the life out of my face and you can dare stand here and act like you're an angel." I cried bitterly, tears pouring out without a care.

  The guilt on his face quickly condemned him.
      "Fiancee? What are you talking abo-" I fished out the photos from my jacket pocket and slammed them on his chest.
     Alex eyed me before studying them...

"Daisy I can explain."
     "Oh shut up! Just shut the hell up and get out of my house!" I ordered, feeling nothing more than disgust and repulsion towards him.
   Alex took my arms forcefully.
"You'll listen to m-" I cocked the gun at his abdomen.

His gorgeous eyes looked down at the weapon threatening to blow his intestines out.
        "I won't hesitate to use this. Not even on you. You've lied to me over and over. Now get the fuck out of here!"
He did release me.
  "So this is what it's gotten to?"

"Alex! Please, get, out!" It came out as the fiercest yell in my life.
         His jaw clenched.
And the angry male strode out in long steps.
When the door banged, my guard broke and I dropped on my knees in helpless sobs... Why did I always allow Alex to manipulate me? To use me?
    He didn't love me, cause if he did, he'd be a little honest and let me in.
*                *              *

 
The night set in quickly. Bringing with it sadness. I was  alone, wishing my family would still be there, mom, Stew, dad.
  Just thinking of them brought tears to my eyes.

Before I could drown too deep in the mourning, the doorbell echoed through the entire house.
    I sobbed getting up from the bed and first in the bathroom to clean my face.

The slight contact made my bruises burn up. "Dammit!" I groaned hitting a wall. Which only added another bruise on my knuckles.
        Once presentable, I walked down the stairs and for the door.

The gun was in my waistband, just in case of any other attack.
    But when the door swung in, and my gaze collided with the dark-haired male, my heart fell in the pitch of my stomach.
      I've never felt that glad over seeing someone. I just threw myself at him without minding the wrapped up box in his right hand.

"Daisy, easy." Vince laughed embracing me with the free hand.
     I retreated and glanced up. The wide smile was honest, unlike Alex's deceitful words and actions... And when I thought I had gotten rid if my insanity, it kicked back in and I pulled Vince down by the collar. Then delivered one of the most desperate kisses inside me.
      He groaned trying to pull back.
"Daisy, are you okay?"
      "Stop questioning me, just kiss me," I whispered pulling him in.

     Vince placed the box on the little table behind the cutting door. Then yanked me in his arms. He'd always loved me, that I was sure of. Even though he'd dated a few girls over the years, Vince and I had been a close knit.
      I pounced on him for a hotter kiss, sliding hands beneath his shirt. But he immediately pushed me away.

   "Something's wrong. This is not you! And heck!" He kicked his lip.
"Have you been drinking?"
      "Just a little." Assured going back against him. "Vince." I cupped his tight jaw. "I need you!"
Out of nowhere, wrinkles formed on his forehead as s hand cleared off the strands from my face.
     "Heck! Were you in a fight?'
Anger shot up. Couldn't he see how much I wanted a man at that situation and stop questioning me?

I caught both wrists and slipped them at my waist. "Forget about my face and just have me."
     My lips teased his, and a low moan ran from him. Vince brought up a hand to cup my face, right where the demon had punched me. I bit down the pain as he kissed me slowly.
His free hand started roaming my back, and bottom. But all actions froze just when I thought we were getting close.

   "No Daisy. As much as you drive me crazy and I want to make love to you, I won't. This is not you. And I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of your current situation..."
I sighed shutting my eyes in disappointment.
       "I'm willingly offering myself to you Vince. What more do you want?"

He chuckled emotional.
   "Is that a question Daisy? I want your heart. Which is lost in that excuse of a brother. I know you still love him with every fiber in your body... And maybe that's why I envy him so much, he trapped the one special girl I had met. I just wish I'd have showed up in your life a little earlier."

     "Vince." I whispered staggering back. "I...I never knew you felt...that way!"
His eyes were already reddish, moist and hurt.
   "Now you know Daisy. I fell in love with you from day one. I hadn't even met you, your dad had only given me pictures of you. And ever since then, I've felt this hollow in me that I've been trying to film by dating other girls. But, what can I say, I ended up at your doorstep." His smile was full of pain. Deep pain that I could not imagine its level.

  I cleared my throat looking away... Heard a sigh from the side, before arms plastered me against his chest. "Now you tell me what happened to your pretty face."
     As much as I wanted to lie, Vince was the only person I trusted more that was around. If mom and Stew were to find out, they'd have Alex's cute head hanged at their doors.