CHAPTER 3- HE DOESN’T REMEMBER ME

“Hello, nice to finally meet you. My name is Dylan Arison. Julian has told me a lot about you.” said the tall man.

Dylan was his name. No, that’s Dylan. Julian Dylan... he hasn’t changed much. He’s just become more beautiful, but his smile has become less lively... or maybe it’s just my illusion.

I can’t do this to Julian; she’s my best friend, and I know she was overjoyed when she returned from her first day with Dylan. She loves him, and judging by the way Dylan is looking at Julian right now, I believe he loves her as well, so who am I to stand in their way?

I should be able to act calm, but my hands are trembling. Thank god no-one noticed it.

I extended my shaky hand to introduce myself.

“My name is Daisy White. Julian told me a lot about you, too.” I said with a smile.

Noah, who was standing next to me, wrapped his hand around my shoulder and spoke to me.

“Hi, I’m Daisy’s boyfriend and Julian’s childhood friend, Noah Smith.”

“Noted, it’s a pleasure to me you too. Please come inside. Julian will accompany you to your respective rooms because I have some work to do. Then I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner tonight,” Dylan said, checking his phone.

Julian sighed as Dylan walked away.

“He’s always busy; I don’t know how I’m going to handle this after marriage. Anyway, let me show you the room I specially arranged for you two lovebirds; come this way,” Julian said with a teasing tone.

We both followed Julian after Noah gave me a shy smile.

I couldn’t help but sigh when Julian showed us the luxury room, which featured a king-size bed and an open bathtub.

“So, how are we going to deal with the bathtub?” Noah said with red cheeks.

“It's ok when I take a bath. You can roam outside the room and I’ll do the same to you,” I stated.

Since Julian filled his mind with dirty thoughts about what all we can do in this room while she was showing us around, his checks have been red ever since. Jesus, Julian doesn’t even leave a single opportunity to embarrass me.

Despite the fact that Noah and I have been together for a year, we have yet to develop a physical relationship, owing primarily to my actions. I’ve always had this old-school notion that... whoever is my first should be the guy I spend the rest of my life with…

As a result, I explained to Noah why I wanted my husband to be my first, and to my surprise, Noah accepted my thought and smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll wait until our marriage”; that’s when I realized how serious Noah was about me and appreciated it.

I’m not sure if I was happy or not. But I knew I had to marry one day, and maybe Noah will be the best choice to do so.

“Sounds like a plan,” he said, smiling.

Then he sat on the bed, stretched his arm, and said, “Come here, let’s get some sleep before the rehearsal dinner.”

I did the same, sleeping beside Noah with my head on his arm... it’s the safest place in the world, and I fall asleep quickly.

“To the groom and bride, Mr and Mrs Arison”

When the speaker finished speaking, everyone raised their glasses in the air and cheered.

Julian and Dylan’s friends and family began yelling in unison, “KISS KISS KISS!!! WE WANT KISS”

Dylan and Julian’s parents both began to smile.

Julian and Dylan exchanged glances, Julian’s face flushed, and Dylan had the same straight face.

Dylan cupped Julian’s face and kissed Julian on the cheek.

Everyone began booing because this was not the kiss that everyone desired.

“Shh, we’re saving the best part for the wedding,” Julian exclaimed as she raised her glass.

Everyone began to laugh, including Julian and Dylan’s parents. Dylan just sighed and smiled.

I was glad to see Julian so happy and excited, but I couldn’t figure out why looking at them made my heart ache. No, I can’t show it to anyone. It’ll be fine in a few days.

The rehearsal dinner was over in no time, and we returned to the mansion.

I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk through the lovely garden in front of the mansion. The view was stunning, and the garden was brimming with vibrant flowers.

I took a deep breath, letting in the chilly breeze, and started walking in the garden, admiring its beauty.

“Daisy, what exactly are you doing here?”

I turned to check the source of the voice when I heard a deep voice from behind me.

Standing tall, dressed casually, with his face shining in the moonlight, Dylan looked beautiful, just like the first time I saw him.

But he has forgotten about me and is going to be Julian’s husband. No, Daisy, he is Julian’s. Maintain your composure.

“Um, nothing, just needed some fresh air, um, but what are you doing here?” I enquired.

Isn’t he meant to be sleeping? Tomorrow is a special day for him.

“Doing the same thing as you,” he said flatly.

I smiled and resumed my walk, while he walked beside me in unison.

“Julian must be sleeping by now. She couldn’t stop worrying about how early she had to get up tomorrow; she’s not a morning person,” I laughed as I breathed in the silence.

He responded with a nod.

Wow, nothing has changed about his appearance, but he may have become colder and quieter than before.

This is becoming even more awkward.

“Hey, look, that’s me,” I said, surprised, as I showed the Daisy flowers planted at the side of the garden.

“That’s not you; that’s Asters (the flower that looks like Daisy)”, he exclaimed.

“You don’t even recognise the flower after which you were named.” While scoffing, he said

“Hey, I have a good reason for that... I confidently explained that my parents named me Daisy because in the language of flowers, it means true love, and I’m a sign of my parents’ true love, so my name isn’t actually related to flowers.

Dylan smirked and said, “sure, sure.”

“Really!! Believe me... it’s written in my mother’s dairy, and I’ll show you if you want,” I said, blocking his path.

He smiled and said, “You are a weird lady.”

That was the first time I saw him smile as widely after meeting him again. He said the same thing when we first met, so perhaps he hasn’t changed much.

“Do you think we have met before?” That was an impulsive question from my mouth.

“No, I don’t think so; there’s no way I’ll forget meeting a girl like you who doesn’t even recognise the flower she’s named after,” he said, his eyes narrowing.

But you forgot; it appears that you were joking. I’m such an idiot…

“Hey, they almost look alike; it’s difficult to distinguish flowers. I’m just a human,” I said firmly.

His grin widened. It feels the same, like the day we meet at first. No, I can’t stay any longer. I must depart.

“I’m starting to feel sleepy. Okay, bye; tomorrow is the big day; you should sleep too,” I said, pretending to yawn.

His smile froze; he simply nodded, and I exited the garden.

I’m not sure why tears started streaming out of my eyes as I left the garden, and when I found Noah sleeping, I went to another room and cried hard.

I don't know why it was bothering me so much, but this is the end. They’re getting married tomorrow. I wiped off my tears and went to my room, and drifted to sleep in no time. It was indeed a long day.

I took a bath and ate breakfast when I awoke in the morning. I needed to finish some work on my laptop, and before I knew it, it was 5pm. I didn’t leave my room all day.

When I came out to go to Julian’s room, I noticed a disturbance in the mansion’s atmosphere. While the maids and workers hurriedly moved around.

When I asked Noah what happened, he was on the balcony, speaking on the phone in a tense tone.

He tightened his jaw and said, “Daisy, Julian is missing.”