CHAPTER 23
Daisy's POV
Larry wouldn't stop making me laugh with his silly jokes. I wonder why I was laughing that much and I realized it was long ago since I really felt that way...since I felt genuinely happy.
I was just 17 but I already feel like I was a grown-up woman of 30 or 40. Is this what motherhood comes with? I asked myself.
I was a bit fat during Ellah's pregnancy and even after her birth but I've been so keen on maintaining my shape before Ellah came into the picture.
I remembered I had always wanted to add a bit of flesh to my skinny shape right from childhood, because of the mocks my mates threw at me. But then I was scared. Scared of becoming an old woman. Scared of growing up. Scared of growing too fast.
Ellah's birth was making me think, behave and talk like a grown-up. I was wiser than I was the previous year and I was more experienced with the realities of life. I loved that but I couldn't stop the feeling of fear that was buried deep inside of me. I couldn't fathom what brought that fear.
"Nina told me you want to quit writing", Larry's voice brought me out of my reverie. We had chatted all through our meal and I couldn't help but laugh at his jokes, ignoring the fact that it was a bad table manner and also the frequent stares from the couples next to us. Larry was indeed a clown.
"I want to quit or I quited already?" I laughed again. I felt free laughing out loud.
"Come on, Daisy", he pulled a serious face. "You are better than this. You've got the talent."
"I don't think so. Did Nina put you to this?"
"She only told me you want to quit. Is it because of the rejection?" He peered at me with a frown.
"No, that's not it."
"I think that is it. Don't lie to me. Did Nina ever tell you about the several rejections she faced too? Despite being pregnant?"
I never knew Nina was once faced with rejection too. "No, she didn't", I shook my head.
He sighed. "Nina's book got rejected 9 good times and here she is now, the best selling author in America. Her first book got rejected by two different companies here in America. Success and failure are brothers and they work together."
"I just feel I don't want to........."
"Why?" He interrupted me.
"Ellah is here and she needs me."
"Come on, Daisy. Dont use that pretty innocent girl of yours as an excuse. This is about you and It has nothing to do with Ellah. Ellah isn't stopping you from pursuing your dreams. Why are you letting go of the hook so easily?"
"I just feel I should set my priorities right. I'm going to college soon and I need to spare time for my baby also", I stubbornly said.
He looked at me for a while in silence, placing his hand on his chin before he asked, out of the blues.
"How old are you, Daisy?"
I was surprised at the question. "17", I replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Nothing", he responded and sipped his wine.
"What about you then? How old are you?" I asked back, happy to change the topic.
"I'm 26 years old", he answered nonchalantly.
"No wonder you look so young. You said you've been Nina's editor for a decades", I voiced my thoughts.
He chuckled lightly and stared up at my confused face. "You actually believe that?"
My eyes widened and my mouth agape. I realized I fell for Larry's lie when reality dawned on me. "Lie?"
"I exaggerated." He corrected me with a smile.
"You are an asshole, Larry. I fucking believe you", I hit his shoulder playfully and we both laughed.
"I know."
"You know what?"
"I know I am an asshole", he laughed.
I rolled my eyes at him. "You are a big-headed moron too."
"Waw! What a compliment. Big headed moron and asshole. I guess I will have to inform Becky, the gossip columnist tomorrow in the office so your name can appear in the papers before next week."
"You dare not" I threatened and he laughed more. I felt keeping a low profile like Nina was the best. Nina was living a stress-free life and I was hoping to do the same if I ever become a published author someday.
"Larry", someone called from behind and I turned to see an older woman approaching our table and grinning at Larry, before her eyes fell on me.
"Good day, Elena", Larry greeted firmly.
"Aren't you Nina's daughter?" The woman asked me instead and I nodded. I could see the look of mischief in her eyes at that instant before she turned to Larry.
"You promised to come see me immediately you get back to Las Vegas, Larry and you didn't."
"I'm sorry, Elena. I came back last night......."
"And you decided to spend your afternoon with a new mother? Or isn't she the one who just gave birth?"
I felt a sting of pain in my heart and I began to despise the woman. She was judging me. Who is she to do that? Is she a Saint?
I was hoping she wouldn't say more than she had already done because I was refraining myself from pulling her hair till she began to cry out. I was stopping myself from telling her to shut her trash.
Ellah is my gift, I thought. I don't regret birthing her. She is my jewel and diamond.
"Elena, what has she got to do with this?" Larry demanded with a deadly look on his face. He looked angry. I have never seen him that way before.
"Maybe there is something going on between you two then because I don't understand why you are taking sides with her. I was only stating the fact."
"An obvious fact. You know she is Nina's daughter and she was pregnant. Why are you asking unnecessary and ridiculous questions then?"
Instead of replying to Larry, she faced me. I was trying to calm my nerves. The so-called Elena had succeeded in ruining my day, I thought to myself.
I didn't want to go out but Nina persuaded me and now, I am being disgraced. Just because I am a mother at 17? It wasn't in my plan to become a mother at that tender age but I didn't regret it happened.
Ellah is worth more than gold and I won't let anyone walk over us the way he or she wants. I am going to stand up for myself and my baby, I said inwardly.
"If I could remember clearly", she said. "Your mother was pregnant when she was 18 and I am sure you are not more than....."
"Elena", Larry screamed. "What the hell is wrong with you, woman?"
"What is the matter with you too, Larry? You're not Nina's daughter or are you? I wasn't talking to you", she retorted back at him and faced me again with a fake smile. It signified she wasn't done tormenting me but I was ready for her.
I spoke up even before she could continue with her hurtful words. "Mom never told me she was or is an acquaintance with a lousy buffalo like you. Mrs Elena, if you have a problem with my mom, go meet her and sort yourselves out. I won't meddle in your affairs because I am not a gossiper like you. I don't even want to know what transpired between you two because it is glaring to the eyes that a fishwife like you can't keep her mouth shut when it ought to be locked. And I'm very sure you are at fault because everyone knows my mother is a calm person. She is loyal to a fault."
There was a look of pride on Larry's face and Elena's face turned red in anger and embarrassment. I didn't give a damn. She had opened up my wounds and I couldn't let her go scot free without giving her a piece of my mind.
She huffed and I added. "Please, don't you ever meddle in my affairs again of you will have yourself to blame. When next we meet, I'll pretend I don't know you and I would really appreciate you do the same thing too. I'm not even sure if your face is registered in my head already but don't you worry, I'll really try my best to recognize you, if not for anything but for your loud mouth. So we do not know each other or do we, Elena?" I glared at her.
She was fuming in anger and I could see how much the clown before me was trying so hard to suppress his laughter. He was sipping on his wine too often, i other to hide the smile on his face and the laughter bubbling inside of him.
She didn't say anything. She only stamped her feet and I felt like dismissing her. "It was nice meeting you, Mrs........" I requested looking at her.
"Parker", Larry answered on her behalf and faked a cough.
"It was nice meeting you, Mrs Parker. You did so much for a first impression. Have a good day", I dismissed her.
She looked from me to Larry in rage before storming out of the restaurant. Larry spilled his drink and burst out laughing. He laughed till I joined in.
"That was epic", he commented in between laughter.
"Well-deserved", I muttered with a smirk. I felt proud of myself.
"That woman is crazy."
"Where do you know her from?" I asked him.
"She comes to the office once in a while. She is trying to matchmake me with her 35 years old spinster daughter.
"Oh My God!" I shrieked in laughter. "Someone is about to be hooked with the buffalo's daughter."
"Daisy, it's not funny", Larry groaned and I laughed so hard seeing his face, till my stomach began to hurt.
"I think I will write a book soon."
"Really?" His face lit up in excitement.
"Yeah. I will name it the spinster's husband", I burst into a fit of laughter and Larry threw me a harsh glare.
"I'm sorry", I apologized, still laughing.
"I brought you here for a reason, you know?"
"Uhm, yeah", I said.
"I like you", he blurted out.
"You mean the buffalo's daughter?" I was ready to keep up with the act when I saw how serious he looked.
"Daisy, I'm not kidding?"
"Oh!" I only said.
"I have some questions to ask and I would really love it if you would give me a reply", he watched me. I was dead serious. I've never seen Larry that serious before and it scared the shit out of me.
"Alright."
"It's about your baby father."
"Larry, let's not talk about that, please." I waved it away dramatically and put on a frown.
"Did he hurt you so much that you don't even want to hear about him?"
"Larry."
"What? Say something. I like you, Daisy."
"No." I shook my head.
"No, what?"
"No to all of these. None of these is right. I thought you brought me here as a friend."
"We can change that status, can't we?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Simply because we can't."
"But there has to be a reason", he insisted. "Is it your baby father? Is it Ellah? Or is it you?" He frowned in confusion.
"It's me. I'm not ready for anything else other than going to school and dedicating my time for my daughter."
"What about the father?"
"Why do you want to know about it?"
He shrugged in response. "You want him back? Because that is the only reason that can stop you from moving on with your life, Daisy. You are a pretty girl and I really like you."
I was quiet and I was sure he regretted his statement the moment he let them out as he bit his lips.
I took my purse from the table furiously and stood up. I didn't know why I was disappointed and angry at his confession. It didn't feel right to me.
"Maybe I am waiting for him to come back to me", with that said, I walked out of the restaurant, leaving him behind.