Daisy Hartley

The next morning I head to Grays house with a box of strawberries. Of course I'm going to make him a strawberry shake. I refuse to make him drink that green, shit tasting, smoothie.

But as I head for the kitchen I spot Gray in his garden. Since when is he home this time. He usually goes training in the mornings giving me time to make breakfast.
As I look out the window I spot him watering the daffodils I bought the other day. I smile to myself.

He was so mad at me for bringing them here yet he takes care of them. Tell me why he is this way? Bipolar maybe?

His head turns and spots me smiling. I immediately drop it and start making breakfast.
He walks back inside. "Good morning Mr. Archer." I say starting to put the strawberries into the mixer. I add milk, half a banana, tiny bit of vanilla ice cream, then mix it all together.

"That does not look like my usual shake." He says annoyed with me.
I nod.

"Because it's not. I'm making you a better one" I say.

"I do not want another shake." He says crossing his arms.

"Well too bad, today you're getting one." I say.

"But I promise it'll be so much better than that Shrek smoothie of yours" I say as I transfer the pink smoothie into a cup.
I hand it to him waiting eagerly for his feedback.

He sighs before taking a sip.

"So..?" I wait for his answer.

He nods taking another sip. Aha got him. He likes it. I knew it.

"It's good." He says but his expression stays as cold as always.

"I know, I'm a professional." I say swinging my hair to the other side.

"I'll make the rest of your breakfast then." I say as he continues to drink the shake.

"No. This will do for today." He answers.

"Oh. Okey. Let's go through the schedule then." I say moving to get my IPad. His eyes follow me and doesn't leave for a second as I keep talking about todays plans.

"I'm working from home today. I'm going to make some of the new designs." He says as I nod.

"Alright. Do you need me here or do I go to the office and continue my work there?" I ask.

He thinks for a second. "You stay here. I need someone to try on the designs" he says and I immediately get nervous.

Am I going to model? For Gray Archer?
No I'm not ready for that.

"Oh...I'll call and bring one of the models in, I'm not sure I can do that." I say.

"I want you to do it. I want your opinion on the designs" he says and my jaw drops. Me?
He wants my opinion on his designs?
I must be dreaming.

"Me? I know nothing about fashion. I promise you I'm not fit for this" I say shaking my head.

"That's why I want your thoughts. I want to know what someone like you thinks of my clothes. Besides you're an honest person" he says.

"Am I honest?" I ask confused.

"Well you were not scared to call me an asshole last night. So yeah, honest." he says as I giggle.

"So sorry for that...alright then, I'll try to help out." I say not really sure what I'm agreeing to.

***

He is working on a new dress, it's navy blue. "Stand here" he says pointing to where I should stand. I walk slowly there as he starts draping fabrics over me, pinning here and there.
As he sculpts the dress, I stand still, trying to help in any way I can.

"What do you see in this dress?" He asks.

I look in the mirror, examining the reflection.
"It gives me strength." I say honestly. "But the puffy sleeves makes it feel less tempting. It looks more cute than powerful." I add.

He nods, taking my words seriously.
"I want this dress to give power and strength to the woman who wears it" he says.

Gray starts changing the dress, making it tighter, sharper.
His hands move skillfully, adjusting the fabric around my body. I feel a strange sensation with every touch.
His hands are warm, and each brush against my skin sends a spark through me. I try to ignore it, focusing on the dress, but it's hard.

As he works, he leans in close, his hot breath against my neck. It sends shivers down my spine. My heart races.
Shit this is not supposed to happen to me.
I'm not supposed to fall for him.
Yet, every touch is like a need. It's like my body's drawn to him, wanting more.

"Does this feel better?" he asks, stepping back to look at his work.

I nod, trying to keep my voice steady. "Yes, it feels more powerful now. The lines are cleaner, sharper. It's beautiful."

Gray smiles, pleased with the progress. "I'm glad you think so."

He continues to work, and I try to focus on the dress, on being helpful.
But my mind keeps drifting back to the way his touch makes me feel.
Every time his fingers brush my skin, it's like a spark ignites inside me.

Gray steps back again, looking at the dress with a critical eye.
"I think we're almost there," he says, adjusting a final pin. "What do you think?"

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "It's perfect, Gray. It's everything a woman could want in a dress. It's strong, powerful, and makes me feel beautiful."

He smiles, his eyes meeting mine.

My heart skips a beat.

"Well if we are done I should head home, it's getting kind of late." I say nervously laughing. Trying to look anywhere else than at him.

"It's almost midnight Daisy. I'm not letting you leave alone now." He says as I head to the changing room. Getting out of the dress.

"My brother would kill me if he knew I didn't come home." I say from where I'm changing.

"You are not leaving Daze. Call your brother and tell him I forced you to stay." Gray says not giving up on this argument.

I sigh. One night couldn't hurt. "Fine. But I need some clothes to sleep in." I say still standing behind the curtain.

Grays hand pushes through the curtain and hands me some of his clothes. A white shirt and black shorts. I put them on. I look stupid. The size of his clothes making me look so small.
I step out and follow Gray upstairs.

"I like your house. I've never seen the upstairs." I admit.

"You're free to look around if you want." He says and I shake my head.
"It's fine, let's just go to sleep." I say yawning.

"Here, you sleep in my bed I'll take the couch downstairs." He says as he opens his bedroom door for me.

Gray's room exudes a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Dark, heavy curtains frame the large windows.
The centerpiece of the room is a large, luxurious bed adorned with dark, charcoal colored sheets that contrast beautifully with the lighter gray walls. Plush pillows in different shades of gray and black are arranged neatly, inviting and soft.

A collection of fashion sketches and a few carefully chosen accessories are on the wall. Next to it, an antique full-length mirror.

In one corner, a comfortable reading chair, beside a small table stacked with fashion magazines and design books.
A modern, sleek lamp casts a soft glow, perfect for late-night sketching sessions or quiet reading moments.

"Make yourself comfortable...goodnight then." He says as I nod.

"Goodnight Gray." I say and it feels so strange to say his real name.

He steps out leaving me alone so I can sleep. I get into his enormous bed.
I'm going to need a bed like this in the future. It's like laying on a cloud.

I melt into the bed and fall into sleep.