Chapter Fifty Three

The afternoon sun felt warm on Daisy's face as she walked through the Zean's public parks, a slight smile on her face. It was a peaceful Saturday morning and the park was as quiet as usual with barely anyone around.

On one hand, she carried a thick novel with a rather scandalous front cover, one she didn't bother to hide or cover. In the other, a small picnic basket swayed gently.

She needed this. A quiet escape from the clatter of her cafe and the loud noise of the city. This was the only place she felt peaceful and able to read her novels in silence. Her apartment would have been a great option but right below her was her bustling cafe..

She found a spot under an old tree, spread her blanket on the ground, and set the basket down. She took a deep breath as she settled down on her blanket and pulled open her novel, ready to spend hours in silence.

It wasn't working. She was trying to distract herself but her mind kept going back to her cafe. Just a few days ago, Rune caused a scene there, and sure enough, a handful recorded the incident, and her cafe ended up on WeTalk once again for another drama.

The first time, it was because of Thea and the drama that unfolded with her and Yolanda the last time, and now, how she threatened to pour hot water on Runes if he doesn't leave her cafe. Now, everyone is tagging her cafe and asking if this is how she treats customers and if it's even safe to come into her cafe.

It wasn't a good look for her business and it's been bothering her all week. Daisy felt a cold knot in her stomach. What if people boycott her cafe altogether because they think it's not safe?

Daisy placed the novel down on the blanket, her eyes staring at the huge trees in the park, kids running around and parents smiling sweetly at their offspring.

Would things have been different if her parents hadn't died in that horrible car crash when she was younger? Daisy watched the families in silence, her heart aching for the parental love she never got to experience. Hell, she could barely remember what they looked like until she stared at their pictures in an old photo book.

She reached into her basket for a sandwich, but her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen: It was Tina, her aunt.

Daisy's heart sank. This was the last person she wanted to talk to, to say the least.

When she lost her parents, Tina took her in and that was the start of all her problems. She thought losing her parents was the worst possible thing that could happen to her but it wasn't.

Tina was careless, reckless even. She spent all the life insurance money on the dumbest things and left Daisy with scraps and nothing to hold on to. That wasn't even the worst part.

Tina's taste in men was nothing short of a nightmare and these men would hit Daisy for no reason. Small things, like dropping a spoon, would make them angry and what did Tina do?

‘You should have been careful. You know how hard he works and these small things can be annoying after a long day.’

She didn't stop them. Nothing.

Daisy took a deep breath and answered. "Hello."

"Daisy! Finally! I thought you'd never pick up," Tina chirped, making Daisy pull the phone away from her ears in irritation. "I'm in trouble. I need money. A lot of money. Right now."

Daisy frowned. "Money? What for?"

The audacity of this woman to demand money from her, as if she had contributed anything meaningful to her life in any way! Daisy shuts her eyes. Trying to calm the brewing within her soul.

She knew Tina wasn't in trouble, she needed money to give to one of her many boyfriends.

"It's for rent! I'm about to be kicked out!" Tina lied, her voice trembling slightly. "You have to help your old aunt! I'm out on the street!"

Daisy scoffed; she's heard this same lie a million times already, and she was sick of it. She was sick of Tina. It's unbelievable how this woman claims to be her aunt whenever she needs money.

Tina didn't think she was family when Daisy had run away from her house when she was sixteen. She was tired of the beatings and her aunt's nonchalance. For years, Tina didn't search for her niece and Daisy was glad she didn't. She wasn't going back there.

She never looked back.

For years, Daisy worked her ass off. Dry cleaning, retail, customer care, you name it, she's done it all, and all this while pursuing a degree at a not-so-known college in Zean. She saved every penny she got and finally bought an old bakery that is now her cafe and her home.

She's worked so hard for everything she has now but Tina somehow thinks she can waltz in and demand things of her!

"Give me your landlord's number. I'll call him myself. I'll send the money directly to him."

There was a sudden quiet on Tina's end.

Then, a quick, panicked sound. "No! No, you can't do that! He's... he's out of town! Just send the money to me, Daisy! I'll handle it!" Tina fumbled for another lie. "I need it for... for bills! And food!"

Daisy's voice became cold. "I will pay for whatever you need directly. I will call the grocery store. I will call the electric company. Just tell me what it's for."

Tina's voice rose in anger. "Are you calling me a liar, you ungrateful girl?! I said I need the money! You're useless! Of no use to me at all! You always were!" Tina cursed. "You think you're so smart, don't you? With your little cafe! You're nothing without me!"

Daisy's blood began to boil and rage filled her. The years of fear, the years of pain, all came rushing back.

"Useless?! No use to you?!" Daisy snapped back, her voice shaking with contained fury. "You want to talk about useless, Tina?! You were supposed to take care of me! You made my life a living hell! Your choices almost ruined my life completely!"

She was shouting now, her voice loud in the quiet park.

"I was responding to your calls out of courtesy for my parents but no more. Don't you ever call me, ever again!”

Daisy ended the call, her finger hitting the screen hard. She took deep, shaky breaths, her chest heaving; the anger was like fire in her veins.

She threw her phone onto the blanket in anger and her eyes went shut, trying to calm her racing heart.

She won't let Tina ruin this for her. Not when she's trying to fight for her life and her cafe.

Just then, a dog with a streak of brown and white hair ran towards her, wiggling its tail. It whined happily, licking her face.

Daisy, still fuming, looked down at the dog; its big, brown eyes looked up at her, full of joy. Daisy chuckled, patting the dog gently with a smile on her face. It was the cutest thing ever. How could she stay mad?

“You're so cute! Where is your owner?” She asked as she picked up the dog, cradling it in her arms, its fur soft against her cheek.

"Mar! Mar, where are you?!" A voice called out, sounding breathless and a little stressed.

Daisy looked up, is that the owner of the dog?

A man was running towards them, looking almost out of breath. His eyes landed on the dog and he pulled to a stop, resting his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

“I'm sorry sorry. Mar is…so fast!” He said and finally met her gaze.

It was Arian.

Daisy's eyes narrowed on him; she knew him from somewhere, but where?

Arian's eyes studied her in silence, a look of recognition settling in slowly.

“Daisy?” He muttered. "What are you doing here?"

Daisy tightened her hold on Mar, her brows furrowed in annoyance. Why the hell would he ask her that?

"Do you own the park or something?" Daisy asked, her voice sharp. "Last I checked, it's a public space. And…how do you know my name?"

Arian paused, a small smile playing on his lips. "Actually, we met at Seth and Thea's wedding. I didn't get the chance to say hello."

Daisy's eyes brightened up, that's where she recognised him from! The handsome man who was standing neck to neck with Seth that day, the one she thought looked rather handsome. He still did, though he was wearing something more comfortable, casual.

"And my uncle owns the park. Well, the family does. It's... a private park, but open to the public."

Daisy scoffed, the elites are so unbelievable. She rolled her eyes as she put Mar down on the blanket gently.

"So what use is that information to me? Are you telling me to leave?"

"No, no, not at all," Arian quickly replied, stepping back slightly.

He seemed to realize he had upset her. He was just curious, nothing more.

"I just... It's a quiet park. I don't see many people here. I was just curious why you chose this spot. Do you come here often?"

Daisy frowned, why did he care? Her anger didn't last long when his eyes met hers softly, dreamy.

He was very good looking, sharp jawline, eyes that seemed way too innocent for its own good. She knew men like him, they use their looks to sway ladies to do their bidding.

Sadly, she was falling for that already.

Arian noticed her silence and the judgment in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I won't bother you. Mar just gets excited."

He reached down and Mar immediately ran to him, wagging his tail. Arian bent down to pet the dog, a small smile on his face.

Daisy swallowed, why the hell is the sun hitting this man's face in all the right angles?! So annoying!

Arian stood up, looking at Daisy again.

"I should go. I'm glad we met."

Daisy scoffed. “Not sure if I can say the same.”

Arian tilts his head, she's… interesting.

“See you around. Come on Mar.”

He turned and walked away, Mar trotting happily beside him, leaving Daisy alone again with her thoughts and the quiet hum of the park.