Chapter Fifty One

“I'm so glad you're here. I was worried sick that you'd never go out again..” Daisy muttered, holding Thea's hands in hers.

Thea smiles, she had decided to pay Daisy a surprise visit after her classes at Zean ended for the day, before returning to that gloomy mansion.

And besides, she missed the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries. For some reason, it always helps her relax and feel at peace.

She sat across from Daisy, sipping coffee from a steaming mug with a plate of her favourite pastry on the table between them.

“I was worried about that too but look, I'm fine. I wouldn't be out here if I weren't...”

Daisy sighs, she knew Thea was trying to be fine. She knew because Thea couldn't stop glancing over her shoulder whenever someone walked in and she seemed to avoid eye contact with staff and customers.

“One step at a time.” She offered with a warm smile and Thea nodded.

"Do you want to go to a resort with me?" Thea began, a small smile playing on her lips.

Daisy glanced at her, eyebrows arched in confusion. “A resort? That's a first.”

"Celine called. She's planning a trip to their family resort, the one in Keb Valley? And she invited me to come along."

Daisy's eyes widened. "Keb? The Keb? That's amazing! You totally need a break, Thea."

"I guess so." Thea agreed, then leaned forward, her smile growing. "But I told her... I told her I really wanted you to come too. As my guest."

Daisy gasped, her face lighting up with excitement. "Are you serious?”

“Of course I am. I know if I wanted to enjoy my trip, I have to bring you along.”

“Oh my goodness, yes! A thousand times yes! You have no idea how much I need to escape my crazy life right now. My cafe manager almost set the kitchen on fire yesterday, and then my cat got stuck in a tree for three hours..." She threw her hands up in mock despair. "A resort sounds like heaven!"

Thea laughed. "Perfect! I'll tell Celine. She'll be thrilled."

“My goodness! I'm going to meet the Iron Lady herself!” Daisy gasped, her eyes went wide in disbelief.

“Iron lady?” Thea asked, brows arched in confusion

“Yes! Ms Celine Blackwood is called the Iron Lady on the internet! Don't you know that?”

Thea shook her head slowly, her eyes fixed on Daisy in confusion. Why would anyone call Celine the iron lady? She's the sweetest woman Thea has ever met.

“Ms Celine is known for being extremely hard to please! I heard she made a company go bankrupt overnight because one of their employees didn't add the right amount of sugar to her tea! It was a whole scandal on the internet!”

Thea blinked and blinked again; there's no way the person Daisy was describing was Celine. There's no fucking way.

“Daisy, I think you're mixing her up with someone else. Celine is the sweetest person I know. What are you talking about?” Thea corrected.

Daisy pouts, isn't she talking about Celine Blackwood? It's the same person! But is she certainly it is? Thea seems very convinced that these two are different people.

“I suppose so..”

Thea chuckled, it's clearly a misunderstanding.

“Is Seth coming too? You keep talking about the two of us going to the resort..”

Thea took a sip of her coffee, her gaze drifting towards the bustling street outside the cafe window.

"He's... okay," she mumbled, the smile slowly fading from her face.

Daisy frowned, leaning across the table. "Just 'okay'? Don't tell me that. I know you. What's wrong?”

Thea sighed. “We fought okay? And no, I'm not going to talk things out with him. Can we just…leave this topic?”

“I understand but can you tell me what really happened? I mean, you two seemed to be getting along really well the last time we spoke. You know…that day?” Daisy said, reminding her of that morning at the gym and their little session.

Thea didn't respond, stirring her coffee slowly, her jaw tightening. She didn't want to talk about it.

She didn't even know how to explain the situation even if she wanted to talk about it! Hell, Seth has been acting strange ever since that incident. He is cold towards her on a regular day but this past few days, it seemed intentional.

He was trying to push her away for some reason unknown to her. Goodness, that man was more complicated than a rubic cube!

One minute, he's holding her like she's all he's ever wanted and needed and the next, he's distant like he couldn't stand to breathe the same air she did..

Daisy reached across the table, gently covering Thea's hand. "Hey. Whatever it is, I'm sure you two will figure it out soon. Everything will be fine. You've handled so much already."

Thea finally looked at Daisy, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks, Daisy. You're right."

She squeezed her friend's hand, feeling a small knot of tension loosen in her chest.

Even though she knew talking things out with Seth was unlikely, hearing Daisy's reassuring words made her feel so much better.

“And if he's being an asshole, just tell me! I'll put him in his place! You know that's my speciality.” Daisy assured and Thea laughed.

Daisy seems to be intimidated by Seth for some reason yet she's here, promising to teach him a lesson. Unbelievable!

“Yes ma'am! I'll make sure to let you know if he upsets me again!” Thea teased.

Daisy suddenly turns serious. “But he looks way bigger than I am. You don't think I can handle him, can you? He's like…” She stands up on her tip toes, one hand stretched up to the ceiling.

“He’s like this tall!”

Thea laughs again, so much for trying to be a great friend. “I’m sure you can handle him. You have a belt in taekwondo, remember?”

Daisy laughs nervously, “It's been so long ago..”

"Speaking of handling things," Daisy continued, a mischievous glint in her eye, "how's the... Posy situation? How is it going?"

Thea smirked, her life might not be perfect but something else is going perfectly in her little world.

"Oh, it's definitely started," Thea confirmed. "And it's going even better than I could have imagined."

“Goodness, I love this side of you! I feel like I have a twin now!” Daisy gushed.

Thea chuckled. “What do you mean? I've always been like this.”

“To Seth maybe. Because he ruined your life. You were a real kiss ass back then. Way too kind and agreeable..”

Thea glanced at Daisy in silence. “Kiss ass?”

Daisy leaned back on her seat and folded her arms. “Yes. You never stood your ground on anything. And I tried to tell you Posy was a witch but you kissed the mark.”

Thea was quiet, was that why Posy found it so easy to betray her like that? Was that why she dared to invite her to her wedding? Was that why her father sent her out? Because he knows she would come back begging?

She sips her coffee in silence, mind reeling to all the instances where she had been ridiculously agreeable..

“I'm glad you stood your ground though. I love that for you. Speaking of which, your assistant called.”

Thea glanced at Daisy. “My assistant?”

“Clara Collins. She stopped working for Posy. And she's been looking for you.”