Daisy’s Secret Crush

***Daisy’s POV.***

“When did you arrive here, Theo?” Noah asks.

“Few minutes ago.” Theo says.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“What about you, Daisy?” Noah asks, with mirth in his eyes.

“I am here with Dani for Lily’s bachelorette party. Lily told us to enjoy ourselves in her place. Davis is here for a while. Where were you guys?” I ask.

“Ryan took time to get away from his fiance and son. But now he is busy getting drunk with Vance’s help. I skipped it when I got your text.” He says and sits between Theo and me.

“Oh!.” I say and look away when Theo glares at me.

I look anywhere but at him. Noah, on the other hand, raises his eyebrows at me in question about what is happening between me and Theo. I roll my eyes at him in frustration. If only he had come a few minutes later. No, that would have been embarrassing. Your friend, seeing you kiss his brother.

“Noah, can you accompany me to the bar? I want to clear my check.” I say.

“No need. I have done it already.” Theo says with a blank look on his face.

“Good. Then let’s dance, Daisy.” Noah says and takes my hand to take me to the dance floor, which is just an excuse to talk to me.

When I look back at Theo, I see his hands clenched into fists and his jaw ticking madly. Noah takes me to the other side while I see Ryan and his friends gathering in Theo’s booth. We are away from their direct vision.

“So tell me.” Noah says, as we just move casually.

“He didn’t know until you came barging in there that I am Daisy.” I say.

“He didn’t recognise you and you took advantage of it. That is so bold of you. I am proud of you. What happened? No, let me guess. He kissed you.” He says with a broad, teasing smile.

“You can tell?” I ask in astonishment.

“With your blush and my trust in my brother’s charm of going straight to the point, I knew as soon as I came into that booth that you both were not to kiss for the first time.” Noah says.

“We kissed.” I say and a smile comes to my face.

“So, one thing is checked. He is attracted to you. From the way he is looking our way as we dance.” Noah says and I try to turn, but he stops me. “Don’t look and just dance. What else happened?”

“When I told him that one night won’t be enough, he agreed too.” I say.

“There, you got your second condition. He is not in any relationship right now, as I know my brother doesn’t date multiple women at the same time.” He says, and I feel relieved.

“So, what should I do?” I ask.

“You should go for it. He is coming this way.” He says and I know that before he says, as I can feel his eyes.

“You’re done dancing?” Theo asks when he reaches us.

“Why?” Noah asks.

“Ryan needs you. And you are going to drive us all as we have been drinking.” He says, totally avoiding looking at me.

“Are you coming, Daisy?” Noah asks.

“I was thinking about dancing some more.” I say.

“But how would you come home?” Theo asks now, giving me his full attention now.

“Dani booked a cab for me, which would be here any minute. So, don’t worry.” I say.

“You go ahead with everyone. I will accompany Daisy. It is not good to be alone in a cab late at night.” Theo says, in no argument.

“Are you sure?” Noah asks me.

“I am.” I say.

“Okay. Bye.” Noah says and leaves after giving a light peck on my cheek, which he never does, but when I see Theo clench his hand again, I realise why he did so.

“So, where were we, Daisy? Or should I call you Izzy?” Theo asks, and I feel a chill run down my spine at the coldness in his voice.

This is not that Theo who kissed me and seduced me a few minutes ago. He looks at me with accusation in his eyes now, like I have done something bad to him. Like I snatched away his favourite meal from him.

“I need to visit the restroom.” I say and literally run from the platform.

I wash my face and take deep breaths. What should I do? Theo would ask me a million questions, as he would think I was trying to make a fool out of him. I should have just told him when he took me in his arms the first time that I was Daisy.

But when I think back, I don’t regret it at all. I loved being in his arms. I loved dancing, and I was on the moon when he kissed me sweetly and passionately. I loved the feel of his body against mine and his arousal was enough proof that Daisy or not; I attracted him. Just me.

I gather my courage and come out of the restroom, but just as I go towards him, a man stops me on my way.

“Would you like to dance?” That man says. I would not dance with a total stranger, but the way he was leering down at me made me say no easily.

“No.” I say and move to the other side to pass, but he blocks me again.

“Just one dance would be enough.” He says.

“I am here with someone.” I say.

“I can make you forget about him.” He says, and I scoff at him. Yeah, like that could be possible in this lifetime.

“I would love to see you try, but also not.” I say and move past him, but he grabs my arm.

“Come on. Don’t play hard to get..” He says and tightens his hand around my arm when I struggle to free it.

“Leave her.” Theo says, and he takes that man’s wrist in his hand.

“Who are you? We are just having fun.” That man says but cringes the next second.

“Leave her arm or I won’t mind breaking your wrist.” Theo says and the man immediately leaves my hand, “Good choice. Now say sorry.”

“Sorry.” The man says, and Theo leaves his wrist and takes mine.

“Come. The cab is here.” He says and we leave the pub.

“Thanks.” I say as soon as we are out.

“I don’t want your thanks. I want to know the reason behind your lying to me like that inside.” He says, suddenly attacking me.

“I am sorry. I got carried away when you didn’t recognise me.” I say as I look down.

“Or you thought to take that opportunity to trap me?” He says, and I look up at him in confusion.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Don’t act innocent, Daisy. You know very well what I am talking about. Now I know why you are back.” He says while I am still confused. What is he talking about?

“I am serious. I really don’t know what you are talking about.” I say.

“Fine. If you want to act like you forgot about it, then let me remind you. You know about Mom’s condition.” He says.

“What condition?” I ask. Now I am even more confused.

He scoffs, “You really are an excellent actress, but then I shouldn’t doubt it after seeing your show tonight firsthand.”

“Theo, I am not acting right now. What condition are you talking about?” I ask as I am really curious about what has turned his mood so dark.

“The condition which says that either I get into a serious relationship or marry a girl of my Mom’s choosing, otherwise I will lose my inheritance. Does that ring a bell?” He asks, making me go in shock.

“Really?” I ask.

“Yes. And guess who the girl my Mom chose.” He says, and when I say nothing as I am reeling from the aftershock of Theo getting married to someone else, he says, “Give up? You.”

“Me?” That is another shock to my system.

“Still acting. How could you do this, Daisy? Did my Mom set you up? If Noah hadn’t come and we had spent the night, I would have to marry you.” He says and now my shock turns to anger at his thought and accusation towards me.

“Even if Noah had not come, I would have not slept with you tonight. And how could you think I would be so calculating, Theo? This shows you never knew me.” I say, but instead of anger, I hear the hurt in my voice.

“Then why did you lie?” He asks.

“Maybe because I was trying to punish you for not recognising me, or maybe I just wanted to fulfil my one wish.” I say.

“What wish?” He asks.

“To kiss you. There were no bad intentions there. I was going to tell you who I was before Noah had barged in. But I got tempted by one more kiss, which didn’t even happen.” I say, frustrated by that fact.

“Still you should not have lied.” He says.

“Yes, like you would have been less attractive towards me if you had known me. Don’t deny it. You were attracted to me, not to my name.” I say, and he looks away.

“Still-” He says, but I stop him.

“And if I wanted to spend the night with you like that. I would have done that years ago and right now you would look after our kids, not partying and flirting.” I say and turn around to get in the cab when I see it coming through my blurry vision.