Daisies

0.6

"Find someone who makes you feel drunk when you're sober."

• • •

I haven't been to the Ricci house in about a week. Every time my mom asks me if I wanna go with her I say no. I think I might be avoiding Jacob, but today Mr. Ricci is having a dinner party to bring in potential customers for his company and my mom gave me no choice. I'm still trying to find something to wear to this party.

"Why can't you just bring your boyfriend to the dinner party?" I ask my mom while she looks through her closet. His identity is still a mystery to me.

"He's not my boyfriend yet! And he's busy tonight." I groan.

"I was in labor with you for 11 hours, the least you can do is go to a dinner party with me." She always says this to get me to do things for her. I walk to my room to look for something to wear. Since it's mid June I'll wear a dress that won't be too hot.

I took my time getting ready which really frustrated my mom. I wasn't really too excited about seeing Jacob, considering what happened last time I saw him. The worst part was no matter how scared I was last time I was with him he only made me want to know more about him.

When we finally get to the house there were barely any parking spots which my mom blamed on me. The house seemed so alive tonight and not like one of those project x parties, more like a rich people gathering. Everyone in suits and gowns including my mom. My dress stopped right above my knees and wasn't fitted like everyone else's but I couldn't care less I just wanted to get it over with.

"Daisy! Angela! Glad you could make it." Mr. Ricci says while walking over to me and my mom, giving us hugs.

"Just in time too because I'm about to start my presentation. Also, Daisy, find my after. I have to reimburse you for your car breaking down!" Before I can say anything he walks off to wherever the presentation is being held. My mom follows the crowd to it but I decide to go into the room where the food is.  There are so many foods some I've never even seen before.

Some of the caterers are Mr. Ricci's actual employees so they tell me to go into the kitchen because there's more food in there. I immediately start to stuffing a plate with food, words can't describe how hungry I am.

"Does it look that good?" I hear what sounds like Jacob say. I turn around and see him leaning against the doorway. I awkwardly smile, embarrassed and put the food down.

"Can I... talk to you for a minute?" He asks me and my heart starts racing? What if he kills me? Do I know too much? I don't even know anything?

"Can I at least say bye to my mom?" I ask and he looks at me confused.

"I mean if you want but I don't see why, we're coming back."

"We are?" I ask relieved.

"What'd you think was gonna happen?" He looks at me inquisitively.

"Let's go have that chat." I follow him outside, he grabs his keys on the way out.

"Did you get your car back?" I ask when I see the car we're getting in.

"I took the keys back."

"Your dad didn't have a problem with that?"

"One, I'm an adult. Two, we have an agreement."

"What kind of agreement?" I know my constant questions annoy him but I still want to know so I ask anyways.

"Are your hungry?" He asks ignoring my last question.

"Obviously."

"Good."

• • •

We stopped at a pizza place and got two boxes. We each got our own box, he payed for everything. On mines I got half veggie and half pepperoni, I was too busy with my pizza to know what he got.

"Look about last week," He starts and I look up at him attentively. "I'm sorry you had to see that and no I won't tell you what happened but thanks for not saying anything about it, you haven't said anything about it right?"

"No, I didn't say anything. But I think I should at least be able to know about what I saw!" I knew he only wanted to see that I didn't say or know anything.

"See that's the thing, I want you to act like you didn't see it, ok?" He says and is somehow closer to me, it feels like this car is getting smaller. The seriousness in his voice sends chills down my spine, how is he able to switch his tone like that?

"I- uh, I- I didn't say anything, I swear. I won't say anything." I say trying to keep my nerves as undetected as possible. I don't think I'm doing a good job. He moves back, quickly looking me up and down then pulling out a slice and starting the car back up.

"I know you didn't," the smile on his face would normally irritate me but right now he puts this sense of fear in me, I can't shake it. "You look nice." He says, takes a bite of his pizza, and pulls off. We head back to the house in silence.

• • •

We pull up to the house and I get out as fast as I can, I don't even think the car was in park yet. I only took a bite out of one slice but my appetite wasn't what it was 20 minutes ago. I walk in the house and leave the door open for Jacob. The presentation is over and everyone is at the set up tables eating dinner when I walk back to where the party was. I walk straight over to my mom and sit down.

"Daisy?! Where did you go? I was looking for you!" She whisper shouts at me.

"Jacob was showing me something. When did dinner start?" I say convincingly, trying to get off the subject.

"For twenty minutes?! Listen I've been pretending I understand what everyone's talking about, I can't use you as an escape plan if you're not here." She says laughs still whispering, even though the table is loud so there's really no reason to.

"I'm sorry I won't disappear again." I tell her and look up to see Jacob looking me dead in my eyes as he walks through the door to the kitchen. His eyes don't leave mine until I can't see him anymore. I try to gather myself without making a scene and pretend I've been listening to what my mother's been saying this whole time.

• • •

//unedited//