RILEY

When the alarm chimes, I groan from beneath the blanket, I have really forgotten to set the alarm last night, it's Thursday, and most importantly it's Thanksgiving.

I should be getting a long sleep since KC had insisted we spend the holiday in the penthouse instead at his parents.

Yawning, I stretched my hands and reach for KC but his space was empty. It got me squeezing my eyes with the back of my hand before I open them and find I was alone in the room.

It's past six in the morning. I huffed and get out of bed, throwing over my robe around my half-naked body, I slip into my loafers and head to the kitchen for coffee.

"Good morning."

Almost startled by the grown voice. I still haven't gotten used to having Kane around here. The man is a very nice person, I didn't have enough time to bond but the couple of times I've come across him through yesterday he seems so gracious and motivating.

Smiling, I sat by the counter and reply:
"Good morning, you're up early."

"I guess it's a habit." He was standing by the coffee machine. Cuppy was already tailing Kane around the kitchen.

"Luckily we all wake up early because of school so you are not alone." I cup my face in my hands and exhale loudly.

Kane grabbed another mug from the cupboard and held out: "Coffee?" He asked.

I nod politely and answered: "Sure, thank you."

"Milk?" Without waiting for my response he took two massive steps to the fridge for the gallon of whole milk.

"Sure, please." I smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Then you must want some sugar." His brows rose suggestively.

I nodded, my lips folded. How did he know?
"You are a lifesaver. You know KC and Daisy prefer it black." I said.

"Well, you're not alone now." He winked, adding the sugar in the two mugs of coffee before stirring.

Daisy is lucky. It doesn't matter this man has been behind the bars for years. He is a good person, he has the kind of father's energy every kid would kill for and he is so polite. Most people would doubt he's been in jail for years because even been locked up with different dangerous people around the nation for eight years, he is a sweetheart.

He is everything I lack in my family. If only my dad could smile that big, I don't even remember when my parent made me breakfast or have any sort of conversation.

"Daisy is happy you are here, she had missed you in case she didn't tell you," I informed the happy man.

Yes, Daisy had agreed to have him here the preceding day before yesterday but obviously, she's been distant. She's even extended her closing time to avoid a run-in, yes I know. I know her well enough. That's why I know right now she's quite struggling with something she's not telling me. And it is not about her father's return from jail.

"I know." I could see the small smile on his face even though his head was inclined.

"You are welcome to live with us," I assured him.

He picked th two mugs and circle the island, he hands one to me and smiles widely. "Thank you, Riley, you're a very kind person."

"What are friends for?" I let out and sip the tasty coffee.

"Daisy is lucky to have you." He said to me.

After the conversation we had, I finish my coffee and when I attempt to rinse the cups, Kane insists to clean up and urges me to go do my thing.

With a smile, I went back to the room to take a bath before setting the second turkey Hopper had to grab from the grocery store because I've managed to cook the first turkey two days earlier before Thanksgiving.

By the time I emerge from the bedroom in new pair of white jean and Billie Eilish merch, Daisy was sitting quietly alone in the kitchen on the chair I had my coffee earlier, one leg folded to her chest-she was still wearing her yellow Spongebob Square Pant PJ from last night, her long brown hair huddled in a high bun. She has a pen between her teeth and a reading eyeglass on as she was concentratedly examining through the laptop sitting on the island.

"Hey, nerd." I joke, hugging her from behind. She flinches and quickly taps on a new tab. "What are you hiding."

"Nothing, just biology diagrams you don't want to see." She giggled somewhat nervously.

The page she had open was some homework from her department.

"Always reading huh?"

"You wouldn't know when the professor will bring up a bonus test."

"Crook, aren't you?" I kiss her cheeks and head for the fridge. "Well, you might have to keep study aside. Is Thanksgiving break, come help mama bring life to this turkey."

"Do you mean bake until thoroughly dead?" Her eyes narrowed through the eyeglass.

I lean against the fridge and nodded:
"No, I mean to bring life to it."

"I don't see us eating a walking turkey, I see us fainting at the nightmare."

"I won't be fainting right away I have to get it on camera." I muffle the laugh.

"You're a rascal." Daisy scrunched her mouth and I couldn't help giggling while bringing out what we will need to prepare dinner through when I found out we have run out of green beans and corn.

"Shoot!" I hissed.

"What?"

Still searching the side-by-side refrigerator, I say: "I thought I have corn and green beans the other day." I huffed when I draw out my head from the fridge. "I have to drive to the store, what is a Thanksgiving without creamy corn? it's KC's favorite."

"I have no idea." Daisy mumbled, it called on my attention and I probe: "The grains and greens or KC's favorite?"

"I meant the food stock." She retorted.

"Oh, me too. I will be back soon, make sure you've put aside that laptop before I get back." I dash to the bedroom to collect my credit card.

"Aye." I heard Daisy call from the kitchen.

From the telephone, I call the receptionist to order my car ready before I head down.

I was on the flight down to the first floor when the thought of my parent came up to my head and I am sure none among them cares about my whereabouts. It pains me knowing I am no longest their responsibility, they've both embrace other families and made them their blood.

I don't even know if I should hate them or pray for them to come around someday.

Not thinking, I decided to call the only family I have. Mrs. Chandler.

She picked on the first ring and welcomed me warmly as every time.

"How are you doing my dear?" She inquired.

"I am good, happy Thanksgiving."

"Thank you, I hope you're having a great day?"

"So far yes, Daisy and I were about to start the turkey when I found out we are out of corn and green beans, so I am going to get them and we can proceed," I told her.

"Oh dear lord, the turkey should be in the oven by now. How I wish I could help, but my trouble child would grow a different kind of fury immediately he sees me there." I felt the disappointment in her tone. It must be hard for her. I understand.

"Hmm, I think he missed your thanksgiving turkey." I lie, knowing KC doesn't.

"I've never made him thanksgiving turkey." She embarrassingly confessed.

Oh shit!

"Hmm, I mean your food."

"I doubt he does." She softly responded from the receiver.

This is getting awkward.

"I'm sorry about your relationship with KC. I am sure he will come around, right now he is just going through some changes." And that's true, it's what I've made myself believe throughout.

"Yes, hopefully. Now my dear I have to go, I wouldn't let John's start the breakfast without me." I sense that genuinely smile in her words.

"Okay I will see you soon, and my regards to John."

"Goodbye Riley." She said.

When the elevator opens and I step out of it, I already feel a whole lot better and so I take a deep breath and walked towards Hopper.

"Good morning Miss Hunter." He greeted me.

"Do you have any idea where KC went?" I asked.

"No, he left in a hurry."

I collect the key of my mustang from him and huffed. "He's going to go stay away on a Thanksgiving as he did for a day two days ago."

"Do you mean the day he left with Malik if so he had returned that night?" Hopper informed me something likely not true.

"No, he never came home since he left to Sacramento until the next day." I insisted. I mean we share the same bed, I know when he's not home.

"He and Daisy returned that night in Malik's ride, He even ordered Mr. Esteban out of the building." He went on with the news that initiated fear in me.

Daisy? He returned with Daisy?
But isn't it the day Daisy and I talked? She never said anything about seeing KC.

"I don't think you're right." I shook my head at him, a frown took over his expression.

I don't believe him.

"But Miss Hunter..." He started and I interrupted. "Enough I have errands to run."