KAISER

Though I can't let her go. I don't know why, but at least not like this. Instantly, I grab her wrist and stop her from moving. I pull back the door and grasp her chin until she is looking me in the eyes.

"What's wrong with your mom?" I ask the nervous girl biting her cheek, trying to catch her breath.

My choice of words must've taken her by surprise because her pupils dilate and her eyes pinch together.

"I want to know; I want to listen," I honestly say to her. I'm going to try and bring back my best friend from the sad girl pouring her eyes out on me. Whatever it takes.

Daisy lets out a shaky breath and swallows, but she speaks. "She's diagnosed with cancer. I don't want to talk about the level," she says sadly. "She is a good woman; she always wants the best for me and has taken care of me. I feel bad I'm so far away from her when she needs me."

I watch her trembling fingers laced together as she struggles to steady her breathing.

I silently watch her eyelids blink as she continues. "For years, she's been so merry even with her life turned upside down. Until one day, I had my headphones on, reading this fantasy book I bought from a store across the street. I had no idea she was struggling just behind me in the living room. I used to read, listen to music, and watch movies like every lonely teenager. I used to believe it was my distraction, to block out everything in my head. But I realized it's all a waste of time when I found my mom almost dead on the floor, four feet behind me. It's my biggest regret. That was when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. They said it's the common type of cancer and they're hopeful it can be cured, but it's taking too much time."

"How is she now?" I ask the vulnerable girl beside me.

"She's working around; I think the chemo helped this time."

"She's going to be fine," I say with an assuring smile.

"She just has to hang on, you know?"

"Is that why you wanted to be a doctor?" I ask, remembering her praising artists when we were little.

She smiles and nods repeatedly, like she would when we were ten. It gives me a weird feeling I can't quite explain. "It's just a little while."

"Hold on. It will be alright soon," I promise, lacking confidence in my words.

"Situations only get darker when you realize the hole you're stuck in has no bottom. It's like a curse upon me that I shall have nothing of happiness." She exhales. I want to say something, but I'm not good with comforting words, so I stay quiet and focus my gaze on the wheel in front of me.

There's an awkward silence until she brings up a conversation. "I'm sorry for blaming you about Lorets."

I observe her with amusement. I have a strong urge to 'ha!' in her face, but honestly, I wanted them to fire her. So it stings inside knowing she still has a job. And Caden is still on his so-called vengeance, seeking her anywhere he can reach.

Though, if I heard correctly, Riley said she is hired at a different place from her former job. "So you weren't fired?"

"I am."

"Oh." I suppress the excitement and force a frown.

"It's not about you. Riley and I kind of overreacted."

I can't stifle the smile. With Riley and Daisy teaming up, I already feel sorry for the place.

"Does it have anything to do with you two dressing like ninjas the other night?" I ask curiously.

"We even wore face hoods."

"Hell yes, they'll fire you. They probably think they hired a mobster," I chuckle, reminiscing their black outfits and picturing the hoods completing the look.

I watch the most beautiful girl smile before me. Her pretty lashes sweep over her cheeks, her eyes screw shut and crinkle at the sides, her cupid lips spread wider, revealing those perfect teeth that bring grace to my wrecked chest. "Probably."

"What was the revenge?" I ask after she calms down.

"We egged the walls."

She smiles decently and gnaws on her lips, looking away from me. "That's badass."

There is an uncomfortable silence once again. I begin to weigh what to say, but she quickly asks the question that stabs me where my heart should be. "So why do you hate me?" Her voice is soft, but even a blind man could tell how much pain wraps those words she asks.

She doesn't look at me, keeping her eyes on her hands pulling on her sleeves—a habit she's had since she was four.

I don't have the logical words right now, so I feel relieved when my phone goes off.

It's my dad. I pick up on the second ring. He's probably calling to hear about my day, a habit he's picked up lately. He thinks calling me often might restore the normal father-son relationship we lost long ago.

"Hey, son, I'll be at your place in the next twenty minutes. And you better have a good reason why you're in the newspapers at some local café running after a girl."

What? How?

Please don't tell me my life is now under surveillance.

Just when I was having a normal life, my father decides to draw attention to his family. Leaving me with consequences mom would find entertaining, calling it a blessing.

Fuck! I curse the day my parents thought money and fame were everything in life. They should know everything has its aftermath, and it sure seems I am the only one serving it.

Although my demeanor has changed, I don't ask further. "Okay, I'll be there," I tell him and hang up.

"I'll drive you back to school," I inform Daisy while putting on my shirt.

Grateful she doesn't ask anything more, she just nods and climbs into the passenger side.

With no more words, I drive back to school and drop Daisy by the lecture hall of her next class. Paul is already there waiting for us, so I feel relieved knowing she's under my protection before racing home for a quick shower. The last thing I want is to begin explaining to my dad why I have come all over my pants.