DAISY

Riley comes up behind me, her hands resting on my shoulders. "Come on, girl. Give them a taste of the worst medicine. Say, 'Fuck you, Lorets. I don't need you fuckers in my life.'" She encourages softly in my ear.

I take three deep breaths before hurling the egg at the glass wall.

"Fuck you, Lorets. I don't need you fuckers in my life!" I scream from behind the car in the parking lot.

"Yes, girl!" She slaps my back cheerfully.

From our vantage point, we watch the dazed employees, who look unfamiliar. The customers, mostly aghast, begin to leave the café.

"Rat-eating café," Riley laughs jovially. "Tell the owner there's no revenue tonight."

"Oh my God, we're so bad," I remark shockingly and thrillingly.

"They shouldn't mess with us."

"Yes."

We sit on the bare parking lot, leaning against the car, laughing at our outrageous comeback in our black cult-like hoods.

Riley sinks in and lets out a heavy sigh. "Today started dull and turned enthusiastic."

"What happened?"

"My dad's wife called the other day. She wanted to start a conversation and suggested I come for the holiday and bring my boyfriend along so I can meet her six children." Riley frowns.

My mouth drops open. "Six?"

"Absolutely. Even the thought makes me cringe. I have six stepsiblings." She winces, feigning a wail.

"That's a lot."

"Leave it to my dad to end things with his real family so he can look after some woman with a goat womb," Riley hisses.

We focus on nothing in particular while sitting in the empty parking lot.

"What was your answer? Where are you planning to spend the holiday?" I ask curiously.

Riley turns her head to my side and says, "Oh, definitely not with them. I think I'll just stay here and have fun with KC and you. Maybe we'll spend it with his parents—they live nearby. Unless you're going to Hong Kong?"

"I don't know yet. If I find a job soon, maybe I can get a holiday flight. I've never spent the holiday without my mom, and I don't want her to be lonely there." That's my main concern. It's not like I'm desperate for a reunion with the Chandlers, who I'm sure have changed a lot.

"I understand." Riley smiles faintly and looks away, but her tone carries an undertone I don't like. "Um, Daisy, I was wondering why you need Paul. Is something wrong?"

"Oh, um..."

"You know you can tell me, right?" Her eyes meet mine, reflecting concern.

I take a deep breath. "It's just some guy who's after me. He..."

"What? What does he want?" She rushes her words.

"I don't know. It's complicated." I sigh softly and swallow the bile rising in my throat.

"You could've told me," she scowls.

"I thought KC told you." Honestly, I know he didn't; I just needed something to make my story seem less like a lie.

"No, you know how he can be. Actually, I'm surprised he hired Paul. KC doesn't seem interested in helping others unless it's me." Her brow furrows.

Is she suspicious? I feel the heat rising in my blood; it takes everything in me to calm my nerves.

"Then he did it as a favor to you. He saw me being threatened by the guy, so maybe he wants to do something nice for you." Well, that's not a lie, but it's not the whole truth either. I don't remember having a reasonable conversation when we debated on the phone the other day about hiring Paul. We were both shouting at each other at the time.

"I'm sure. He knows I care about you. Don't worry, you're safe. I'll talk to KC; he'll take care of it." Riley promises, and I feel a knot in my stomach.

"You don't have to do that."

"I will. You're like the only family I have, with my parents not caring about me. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." Her words sting like needles, reminding me of the betrayal I feel.

How can I get her to forgive me?

After everything that's happened today, if there's anything I want, it's not forgiveness. I might be weak, but I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders after giving KC a piece of my mind.

"I wish there was a way to show you how much I appreciate you, Riley," I say sincerely.

"You don't have to. I'm grateful for you. You're so genuine. Just be yourself."

***

Riley parks her Mustang in Kay's garage, which could be mistaken for a German car exhibition.

Chatting and giggling, we step out of the elevator to find something bizarre—though Riley wouldn't call it that. I'm sure this isn't her first time seeing her boyfriend in such a state.

"What are you two coming back like some bandits?" Kay snorts from the couch, his bare feet stretched out lazily at the end. He rests his hands behind his head, as if on a pillow. If he didn't have his eyes on me, I'd be admiring his perfect form.

Malik perches on the armchair opposite us.

I glance at Kay. He's bruised everywhere, blood dripping down his face. His knuckles are torn; he's a mess.

"What happened to your face?" Riley rushes over to him while I stand a few feet away, mouth agape, feeling the sting of needles everywhere. What's wrong?

"Is it that obvious?" He smirks at her.

"Who did this to you?" She ignores his cocky demeanor and presses on.

His split upper lip curls up as he hesitates before saying, "I wouldn't say. You should see his fucking face. I broke his nose."

"Who?"

"Some shit-eating asshole." He chuckles, pretending to be drunk, though he clearly isn't.

Riley's exasperated huff is loud; she turns to Malik instead. "Malik?"

"He went to Caden Thaddeus."

I knew words could be powerful, but I never expected one to stab my heart so instantly. It isn't Kay's widened eyes that freeze me in place—it's Malik's words. My heart swells, making it hard to see clearly.

"You fought with Caden Thaddeus? Why?" Riley waits for Kay's answer, flabbergasted.

"I always knew he was a bastard." Kay's response isn't the answer Riley needs—or the one I need.

"Oh my God, you got into a fight. I can't believe you let him do this," Riley exclaims, horrified.

Kay rolls his eyes dramatically and says with sarcasm, "Oh, dear mother."

"He insisted. What could I have done to stop him?" Malik defends himself while operating the TV remote.

"Maybe call me? You two are unbelievable. I thought I told you not to go off doing crazy stuff, but of course not. This is a joke to you. I'll drive, as always, and take your trouble-ass to the hospital, KC." Riley spits angrily.

"I don't need a doctor. It's just some bruises. I'll be fine in the morning," Kay whines, heaving a sigh.

"Have you seen your face? You're covered in blood." She gestures, waving her hands in the air.

"Isn't your friend a doctor or something?" Kay points to me.

It takes a moment for the realization to settle in, and I understand he means me.

Suddenly, my pupils dilate, and my nerves are out of control.

No. I can't be near him.