CHAPTER 29
Daisy's POV
Nina has been extremely happy ever since the other night we confided in each other. I was proud of my efforts and I always smiled at intervals. But on this day, I could see that the sadness was back again and it was making me depressed.
I know the reason behind it because the day Damien called and I excused them, I got a call from Sidney. He said he would like to take me out. I quickly got dressed and informed Nadia that I was be going out. I thought of informing Nina about it too when I heard her yelling. The last statement caught my attention and my mouth was agape in shock.
"Amar Singh, go fuck yourself", she screamed and disconnected the call. She threw herself to the bed and cried her eyes out. I couldn't go out as I intended. I sat down where I stood and cried too. I could feel her pain. She was trying as much as she could to hate him, but it was impossible. Instead of hating him, the love was growing in her heart even for a single day.
That was the same thing happening to me. Instead of hatred, the love was increasing every day.
My cries were full of pain, sympathy for Nina, and lastly fears of what the future has in stock for me too. I was damn scared I would face the same thing.
Nina doesn't deserve this. Amar ought to treat her right, I thought to myself.
I know I was being judgmental but I couldn't help it. I loved Nina and I really did not want to ever see her hurt. Seeing her in tears at that moment was making me think less of Amar. I cried to my satisfaction and walked back to the room, so Nina wouldn't see me. When I got to the room, I called Sidney and told him I wouldn't be able to make it anymore. We bade each other goodbye, even though he was sad and disappointed.
I kept thinking of what best to do to make her happy. If only her story was destined to have a twist so she could get back together with Amar but I knew that was impossible. He is happily married with 2 kids already and he wasn't ready to sacrifice his family and obligation for her.
That was something he should have done long ago, fight for her but I felt it was already too late.
His parents might never accept Nina. I feel he was a coward who couldn't fight for what he wanted. I just couldn't help but judge him. He hurt my mom.
After a moment of thought, I decided to give him a benefit. Everyone deserves that......even Daniel, Ellah's father.
Maybe Nina's life would be at stake if he had insisted on fighting for her, I thought inwardly. That was because I know there has to be a good enough reason not to hold onto the one you desire so much. Maybe the different worlds they lived in is also a factor. His parents might not like Nina and let go and disappointing his betrothed would have worsened the situation. Nina would be an enemy to a lot of people over there if it was the case, I thought again.
What excuse would I give to Daniel then, now that Amar and Nina's own is resolved? I asked myself.
This is indeed a tangled and twisted fate. Nina's path and I crossed for a reason. I guess I was meant to learn from her mistakes so I don't end up like her, just like she had said. The only excuse I had for Daniel was that he lost interest in me or he had traveled out of New York just like Eric and the rest of the guys had done, to a higher institution without looking back or bothering to look for me before going.
I have to learn from Nina's mistake then. The first mistake was done and gone already but the second won't happen. I am going to make sure it doesn't happen. I am going to make sure that fate doesn't repeat itself, I said inwardly.
My first mistake which I eventually admitted to myself was for letting Daniel go, without getting his contact, knowing where he lives and where he planned to go for his higher education. The second mistake I wouldn't let to repeat itself is not to let any man into my life.
It was high time I gave Sidney a chance. I want to be loved. I want to love. I want to feel like a woman, not just a mother. I want to enjoy being in my prime, without giving my past a chance to ruin the beautiful things around me. I will have to stick to that decision then and give Sidney a positive reply of going on our first date, I told myself.
But before that, I need to do something for Nina.
A few days later, an idea popped into my head, I grinned and got to work by picking up my phone to call Danny. He was someone Nina and I both know. A few minutes past 6 pm, I received a call from him and after our conversation, I went to mom's room. She was reading a book.
"Mom", I called. "I've been looking all around for you."I lied.
"Really? I'm reading one of your book collections", she said and raised the book. It was one of the books Maria gave me. I gasped and ran to her side. It was an erotic book and she seemed to be enjoying it when I saw that she was halfway done.
"Mom, that's an erotic book", I told her, hitting my forehead in embarrassment.
"I know. It's very interesting. Have you read it?"
"I completely forgot about the book. Maria gave them to me."
"I like Maria already. Where is she now?" She dropped the book. I shrugged and a wave of guilt washed through me.
"You don't know?"She was surprised.
"Yes. You are Maria's role model, you know?"
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Why don't you know where she is? I would have loved to meet her."
"She left for England before dad died. I wouldn't have been here if she was still in New York", I explained.
"Is there no way you can get her? Email? Boyfriend?"She asked.
I was about to reply to her when I got a beep on my phone. It was a reminder from Danny. I had forgotten about the plan.
"Mom", I called purposely looking at my phone. "I almost forgot. One of your clients called me a few minutes ago. He wants to meet with you, that was why I came looking for you in the first place."
"My client? Is it Gonzalez?"She asked immediately.
"No,"I replied.
"Who is it?"
"It's not Gonzalez, I forgot his name", I lied, scratching my head.
She took a hold of the book again, ready to lie down on her back. "I don't feel like going out today. Call Stella."
"It's important, mom."
She looked up at me suspiciously. "You forgot his name and you expect me to go?"
"Oh, now I remember! It's Mr. Alexandria."
"From Italy?"Her eyes were wide open in surprise.
"Yes."I grinned in satisfaction.
"Why didn't he call me?"
"The first time we met with him, you introduced me to him as your PA, remember?"
"Oh! That's true."
"How can you forget so soon that I was once your Assistance", I rolled my eyes and laughed.
She looked convinced.
"So let's not keep our clients waiting, mom. Go get dressed", I told her.
"I don't feel like going out, Daisy", she grumbled and stood up from the bed. She turned back abruptly and looked at me. "Will you go to my place?"
"No, mom", I answered sharply. "I'm going out with Sidney. Besides he requested to see you, not me."
She sighed and turned to her closet to look for what to wear. She brought out a pair of official dresses and I rolled my eyes.
"Mom, that's not the kind of dress you are supposed to wear."
"Why? This is business-based, isn't it?"
"Yes. But you are meeting in a Chinese restaurant. This dress won't do."
"Chinese restaurant?"She asked. "He is not in the office?"
"No, he is not. Today is Sunday."
"Oh!"
"Yes, mom", I said and moved closer to her closet. I picked the dress I wanted her to wear. It was a lavender off-shoulder gown with a slit that stopped halfway. It was a sexy one and she protested when I cut in.
"Mom, wear this for me. I've never seen you in this dress and I'm sure you will look good in it", I stood on my toes and kissed her forehead before walking out of the room with a big smile on my face.
I got to my room and jumped up in excitement. I was hoping my plan would work. Danny was good looking and I was sure it wouldn't take long before mom fell for his charms. He was our new editor. He was like the older version of Larry, flirty, playful, and funny. I wondered if he was in any way related to Larry.
I realized I missed Larry and I felt like calling to hear from him. I was about to dial his number when Sidney's call came in.
"Hello babe", he said into the phone. I liked his voice and the way he calls me babe. As much as I always try to overlook Sidney's arrogance because it pisses me off, I like him.
"Hi, Sidney", I smiled, more to myself.
"You promised to make it up to me babe, we haven't gone out in a while"_ he complained.
"Yeah. I was just about to give you a call", I lied. The rate at which I was lying since the break of that day's dawn was alarming and hilarious.
"Ok. So are we going out tonight?"He asked.
"Sure", I answered sharply.
"Should I consider this our first date?"
"Uhmm, yeah."
"Great. See you in an hour. I will come to pick you up."
"I will be ready", I said and disconnected the call before he would say he loves me. I find it hard to say the same thing to him and it's fucking annoying. I dialed Larry's number and he picked at the second ring.
"Hello, Daisy", his voice boomed into the phone, jerking me out of my thoughts. I was thinking of what to say to him. Ever since he left, I hadn't been able to summon up the courage to call him. I felt I had hurt him but I wasn't at fault. My heart was. As much as I tried to find him attractive in a romantic way, it wasn't possible. I missed him but I knew I didn't love him. I only liked him as a friend.
"Hello, Larry", I finally answered his greeting.
"How have you been?"
"Great, you?"
"I'm cool. How is baby Ellah?"He inquired.
"Ellah is doing great. She has started creche."
"That's wonderful. You finally decided to call me today, uhm?"
"Uhm, yeah...you didn't bother to call either. I was kind of worried about you", I told him sincerely.
"I'm good. Everything is great. I've just been pretty busy of late, that's why I didn't call", he explained.
"Busy? Have you gotten a job already?"I asked him.
"Yeah. And I'm also getting married", he asserted.
"Married?"I was surprised and I couldn't hide it.
"Yeah. I'm getting married to Elena's daughter", he announced.
"What?"I exclaimed, unable to contain my shock when I couldn't detect if he was joking or not.