Daisy’s Secret Crush

***Daisy’s POV.***

I feel Theo’s burning gaze on my back. And as I come out of Toby’s arm, I can see Olivia’s astonishment at seeing Toby here through my peripheral vision. I can also feel the tension in Toby, too.

“You were saying something, Olivia? I didn’t hear when this guy called out so loudly.” I say as I put my hand on Toby’s arm and rub it.

“Nothing. I thought Tobias would not come as it got late. So, I thought of telling you to come with us.” She says with a fake smile.

“Oh!” I say.

“Okay. So… bye. We shall see you tonight.” Toby says.

“Tonight?” This time, along with Theo and Olivia, I also asked.

“Are we going somewhere?” I ask.

“Yes. But it is a surprise for you.” Toby says.

“Really! What surprise? Tell me.” I say, actually excited.

“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I tell you.” He says.

“Fine. Let’s go then.” I say.

“Are you sure you both want to go on a train?” Theo asks, giving me a glance.

“Why wouldn’t we want to?” I ask with a fake smile.

“Yes. We want to go on the train. We will have fun.” Toby says with a big smile as he puts his arm around my shoulder.

“Then you wouldn’t mind us joining you both. Even I want to know what is so good about these trains as I haven’t travelled in one.” Olivia says.

“Sure.” I say before Toby can say anything. Because if Olivia comes maybe Theo would join too.

“Then why don’t you join us too, Mr. Anderson?” Toby asks.

“It’s okay. I will be fine.” Theo says. I have to do everything.

“It’s okay, Toby. Mr. Anderson is quite a lone wolf type of guy.” I say and wait for someone to take bait.

And Olivia takes it and says, “That’s not true. Theo is a very charming and people’s person. Haven’t you heard about him in the news?”

“I would beg to differ. Because of what I saw, he is not charming. Good and a very balanced person, but charming? Nuh. Because I call this man charming.” I say as I point at Toby.

“Maybe you are not that close to Theo. That is why he didn’t show you his carefree personality.” Olivia says, hitting right on my nerve, but I won’t give her satisfaction.

“Maybe you are right.” I say as I look at Theo, who looks at me with seriousness in his eyes. I have not seen his charming personality ever since after the pub. It was never for me ever since he turned 18. I was just a person he needed to avoid.

“That can’t be true.” Toby says.

“Come on, Toby. he is my boss right now. Obviously, he has to show some authority and strictness as this is his dream project.” I say in Theo’s defence and also to make a stupid excuse on his behalf.

“You are coming with us, Theo.” Olivia says with finality and takes his arm to move to go outside.

“Let’s go.” Toby says and I go out.

The bellboy comes out with my bag and Toby helps me put it in his car. It is a yellow convertible and looks good. I see Olivia and Theo’s car taking off for the train station. I sit in the passenger seat and Toby starts the car and the conversation.

“Did something happen between you two?” He asks.

“Why would you ask?” I ask.

“First, he looks like he is guilty about something, which is the feeling I can understand completely right now. Second, you are sporting a hickey which is not seen now, but when the wind blew your hair, I could. And third, you look tired.” He says.

“Why are you guilty? Did something happen between you and Olivia too?” I ask.

“Yes. But you answer first. Did you sleep with him?” He asks.

“No! And stop asking questions like that. Wait a minute, did you sleep with Olivia?” I ask and his face gets all red and I gasp, “You did. But I thought you left the party early.”

“Yes, I did. But she still has the key to my apartment, and she seduced me.” Toby says and I rub his back to console.

“I understand.” I say.

“Thanks. It was great, and I didn’t feel for a second it was for some ulterior motive. Then she said that she was finally over me and this was the last time. She also said she could try to change her mind if I gave her my full and undivided attention. But I am sure she doesn’t mean as a boyfriend.” He says.

“She was trying to catnip you.” I say.

“What’s that?” He asks.

“She’s trying to make you think you will lose her, so you should try to pay more attention to get her back.” I say.

“I don’t think that’s what catnip means.” He says.

“Whatever. Earlier, she said, you won’t come, but you came no less. It shocked her.” I say.

“She thinks I would do anything to get her, which she is right, but this time I want to be exclusive. She may be loyal but I felt like a dirty secret. I want her to understand that what we have is not something to be thrown into a fit of pride.” He says.

“I understand.” I say.

“But I got the result which I expected. I bother Olivia at least, and if I push her enough, maybe she will rethink everything. Now your turn. What happened?” He asks.

“We just made out.” I say.

“Lair. This works two ways. I confessed my shame to you and you can’t even give me the truth.” Toby says in accusation.

“Fine. If you want to know.” I say and tell him everything happened, leaving some details.

“So he got up and left like that only?” He asks.

“Yes.” I say.

“He left you hanging, didn’t he?” He asks.

“Yes. How did you guess?” I ask.

“We both are in love with monsters of the same mind.” Toby says and for a few seconds, there is silence. Then we both burst out laughing.

“At least we know the results. Now we will start our actual game. But this time we would not get seduced until they speak the actual words.” I say.

“Yes.” Toby agrees.

“And we will show them we can be immune to them too.” I say.

“Or maybe fake it.” Toby says after a second of thinking.

“Agreed.” I say with a sigh.

As we come close to the train station, the clouds turn grey. Toby gave my bags to his driver, who would bring them to the hotel for me through the car along with his. As we go towards the station, rain pours down on us like anything. We are a little soaked by the time we are in the station’s shade.

“You both are late.” Olivia says as we walk towards them laughing like children.

“No, we are not. The train would not leave for five minutes and also I know you both are responsible people, so you must have bought tickets for us.” Toby says.

“Let’s get in and take our seats.” Theo says and drops his coat around my shoulder, “Wear this otherwise you would catch a cold.”

“You don’t need to lend me your coat, Mr. Anderson.” I say.

“Keep it. I don’t want to find another consultant if you get sick.” Theo says and moves to go inside the train to avoid further argument and Olivia follows him.

“Aww.” Toby says.

“Shut up!” I say and glare at him.

I tighten the coat around me and feel his warmth and light scent engulf me. He is so not getting it back. When Toby and I reach our seats, I see Olivia has taken a seat on the window side and Theo has taken an aisle one opposite her. This is definitely Olivia’s doing.

Theo is way too serious to do anything like that. If he was his charming self and I was the one resisting, it would not have taken him long. I would be in arms by the second try. Who am I kidding? I launched myself at him the minute I saw him.

“All the best.” Toby says and takes a seat next to Theo on the window side while I sit beside Olivia. There is a table between us boys and girls.

For a few minutes, there was an awkwardness between us. Because something happened to all four of us last night. Two who got it and regret it and two who didn’t get it and regret it. I so hoped not to have any regrets in life, but Theo wants to break my resolution.

“It is wonderful.” Olivia says, and I look at her, looking outside of the window in wonder.

“Told you so.” Toby says, but there is no teasing in his eyes, just happiness in his eyes for her.

I look at my planner while Olivia forgets her awkwardness for a few minutes and asks Toby about the surroundings. I feel the constant gaze of Theo, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of fidgeting in my seat.

“We will buy something to eat. What will you have?” Toby asks and I go to get to accompany him.

“I will come. I want to see options of what they have in trains.” Olivia says and gets up.

And Theo and I are left alone. After what feels like age, Theo speaks up, “I am sorry for last night. I should not have done that. And also I would expect you to-”

“Not expect anything from it?” I ask, “I know. It is okay.” I say and get back to my planner.

“So, you are not angry?” Theo asks, confused.

“At first, it frustrated me, as your reputation was never to leave a girl hanging. Actually, it used to be quite the opposite, according to the news. But then I thought as you are trying to get serious about your work and haven’t been seen with a girl for like four, five months maybe, so you are losing your touch. That’s okay actually.” I say.

“You should know that is not the case. I can prove it to you right here, right now.” He says, and I press my thighs together by the look in his eyes.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“I don’t think you would do anything about it. Because I won’t let you. I don’t want someone to prove something to me. I have been upfront with what I want. And as I know you can’t give me what I want, then not to worry. I have the perfect person to give me all that and more.” I say with a blank face.

“Then good for you.” He says with a challenging smile.

“Thanks.” I say with the same smile.

By the end of this month, your answer will be different. I am sure of it by the heated look in your eyes when I flick my hair away from my shoulder and you see the mark you gave me in passion.

I will have you.