Daisy’s Secret Crush

***Daisy’s POV.***

I look at the invitation cards which I pack in my bag. I am going to the Anderson estate after such a long time. I am going there because it is my godparent’s anniversary on 25th of August and I got three days off after working non-stop for two months even on weekends. The interiors are almost over and next month I will start my business.

I am happy, no doubt about it, but Theo is going to be there too, for the party. I will see him again and this time he will not see me the same way he used to. Because this time he knows what I feel for him.

I have been dreading meeting him again, not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t think I could keep my emotions in check. But I would be fine. There would be a lot of people, and Theo would be busy with his family and me with mine.

Today is Wednesday and tomorrow there is an anniversary party. On Friday, I am thinking of buying a car. Maybe if I get what car I want, I may go for a brief drive to relax.

I pack my bags and check if everything is good to go. I lock up the door and go down when I get the text that my cab is here. This may be the last time I will take a cab, I think.

“My little Poppy, it has been so long.” Mom says as soon as I am in the house and hugs me tightly.

“I missed you too.” I say.

“Oh my! You look different. You cut your hair.” She says and looks at me for a few seconds.

“Yep. I was thinking of getting a new haircut for such a long time but always backed away at the last minute, but not this time. Last Sunday, I had them cut as I always imagined. How does it look? Does this style suit me?” I ask nervously.

“Before you used to look so pretty, but now, you look bold.” Mom says.

“And is it a bad thing?” I ask.

“Nope. It suits you just well. It makes you look like you can take on anything just like your mother here.” Mom says with a wink and a teasing smile.

“I thought you were going to say my name.” Dad says and hugs me. “You look so cute. Just like when you were little and used to have short hair.”

I smile at their sweet compliments, but I should have expected them to do that. My parents always encouraged and supported me, no matter what I did. I finally took the courage to cut my hair shorter.

I went to the saloon and actually asked Dani to drag me there and here I am with hairs waving just above my shoulder. It is so easy to manage and it is making summer bearable too. I meet up with Richard and Heather, who are surprised by my look but happy too.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“Where are others? Is little Adam not here yet?” I ask.

I have gotten used to meeting Lily on Saturdays as I would watch over Adam while Ryan and Lily go out for dinner dates. Adam’s nanny has night school, but she comes before his bedtime.

“They will be here soon.” Heather says.

“Yes. My sons won’t leave me with my wife alone on our anniversary.” Richard says and rolls his eyes, but I know he likes having them here on their special day.

“I hope Theo comes this time. I had last seen him at Ryan’s wedding. After that, he only calls me. I hope he is not upset with me for my demands.” She says with a sad look in his eyes. Only if Heather knew that it was the opposite of that. He wants to impress her like a little child does to get his mother’s love and attention.

“Do you really think of me that low, Mom?” I hear his voice and go stiff.

“Theo!.” Heather says and goes flying out off the couch to hug his son, whom she was seeing after three and a half months later.

“I think I should go off more so I can get this welcome every time I come home.” Theo says and I look at him to see he looks different.

“Don’t you dare. Do you know how much your mother and I were worried about you?” Richard says and hugs him, too.

“Oh my! That is new.” Theo says, “Look, Ryan. Dad and Mom both love me more.”

“Whatever.” Ryan says and rolls his eyes.

“Don’t joke around. I love Ryan more.” Richard says.

“Dad! Nobody wants to hear it.” Ryan says as he makes a face.

“Good to know that I am the third wheel and nobody loves me.” Noah says as he enters.

“I do.” My Mom, Lily and I say it together.

“Aww! Thanks, ladies. I knew I was loved.” Noah says.

“Aww! Come here, my baby. Mom loves you the most.” Heather says and hugs him, “But after Theo.”

“Mom!” Noah says while Theo laughs and I smile.

He looks at me while they talk and gives me a secret smile. I blink my eyes just to be sure that what I am seeing is right, but the moment is gone and so is Theo. I look for him around the room and find him near Adam, as always, happy to see his favourite uncle.

After everything has calmed down, Richard goes off with his sons, and Adam, on his shoulder and Dad. While we ladies think of having a little beauty session at home. I liked the time I spent with them, and Heather was happy that Theo was finally home. My thoughts go to his smile earlier. What do I make of that?

During lunch, he was ever so entertaining, but didn’t look at me even once. At that moment, I realised maybe I was thinking way too much over an insignificant gesture. My mood for showing the invitation cards to them is gone. Now I have to wait till Friday.

Lily and I go out on some last-minute shopping for the party. The party is going to be big as always, as Richard and Heather have many friends. They would hold the party in one of the enormous halls facing the gardens. The doors would be kept open as the night breeze would be good in this summer and guests could enjoy both hall and garden parties or whichever they like.

When we come back, we are exhausted. Ryan literally swept away Lily so he could pamper her while Adam was taken care of by his nannies and uncles. One maid told me that my parents and Ryan’s parents had gone on a date and would not be back till tomorrow.

“That is great.” I say.

“Would you have dinner, Miss?” She asks.

“If it is no trouble, I would like to have it in my room, please.” I say.

“Sure.” She says with a smile and leaves.

I go to my room and have a light dinner. After looking into some of my work emails and doing some work, I take a shower to cool off. Someone knocks on my door just when I tighten the rope of the robe. Who would that be?

I go to open the door as I dry my hair with another towel. And what I see in front of me makes me go still as a statue in surprise.

“I caught you in a good time.” Theo says and enters my room before I can stop him.

“What are you doing here, Theo? You shouldn’t be here.” I say as I look down the corridor just to be sure nobody saw him and close the door.

When I turn around, he is exactly in front of me and traps me between his arms and the door. His face comes close to me and I close my eyes in anticipation.

“Why shouldn’t I be here? I have to reply to your letter.” He says against my lips and I open my eyes to see him waving the letter I wrote in front of me as he backs off.

“What?” I ask, a bit confused.

“You will know the reply. But first… Let’s read the letter, shall we? Just to refresh the memory.” Theo says.

“Dear Theo,” He starts and I look at him horrified because I am about to be super embarrassed, “I am sorry for not coming to dinner. The reason I can’t come to have dinner with you is that I have feelings for you.”

Theo looks at me for a second, and I know my entire face is on fire. He continues, “I had a crush on you since the day I turned 16. It just happened like that and I didn’t realise that it bothered me until you brought home your dates. I was sad for sure, but I had no right over you or what you do. When we met in that pub and you didn’t recognize me it was a sad and happy moment for me. You asked why I didn’t reveal my identity. Well, the reason was I was happy to enjoy that time with you. I had no ulterior motive, just happiness. But I had an ulterior motive when we next met.”

“I left it to fate and fate led me to you again, and I took that opportunity to get you at any cost. Yes, whatever I said and did was a lie when I was with Toby. He is my best friend after Noah and I was helping him get Olivia and helping myself too to get you. But then something made me realise that what I was doing was selfish and not what you want. My feelings grew so strong that I wanted all of you or none. So, I have decided to move on. But I can’t move on completely until I tell you what I felt for you and free myself of that secret which I locked inside my heart from you. I adore you. Goodbye.” Theo says and folds the paper and keeps it in the pocket.

I turn away from him as I find it difficult to breathe. I sounded sappy in that letter. I should have been more direct. ‘Like, I like you, but can’t have you. So goodbye.’ That would have been best. At least I didn’t have to face this humiliation.

“If you only had said this directly at that dinner, you would have known…” He says and stops.

My curiosity gets the better of me and I ask without turning around, “I would have known what?”

He hugs me from behind and whispers in my ear huskily, “You would have known that I want to try.”

Oh My Goodness!