CAUSE & EFFECT (Vol III)

Part 31- "Please let me go"

Roger paced the living room, beside himself in anger.

Daisy, despite her own upset, was shocked at how  Roger was handling the news.

"Roger, you need to calm down"

Roger stopped pacing and glared at Daisy, horrified at her suggestion "you don't think that THIS situation justifies my response?"

Daisy rubbed her face, unable to keep both herself and Roger calm, she prayed that the buzzing in her brain would stop for long enough to come up with her next move.

"How do we tell Freddie?" Roger asked suddenly

"Freddie?!" Daisy repeated looking up  "why on earth would anyone need to tell Freddie?"

Rogers face dropped "you don't think he has a right to know?"

"No I don't Roger, he forfeited his right to knowing anything about my life the day he tried to strangle me"

Silence spread between them. Roger's face twitched "good point" he mumbled "but...."

"Roger, what's the point? He's getting married" Daisy looked deep into Rogers eyes. He could see her pain. She was genuinely so lost and alone, she needed someone to help her.

"He's...getting married" she said in a lower tone.

Roger wanted to confess to Daisy that Freddie wasn't marrying Olivia out of love. Infact, he and the boys had begged Freddie to not move in with her, or even continue a relationship with her, but Freddie insisted that this was the only way.

Sitting beside Daisy, Roger took Daisy in his arms and gave her a warm hug "you know D, we've been through a lot, and I've always believed that you're a fighter, and....we're all family, we'll work this out together"

Rogers words meant more to Daisy than she expected. He smelt like cigarettes, he reminded her of Freddie.

Resting her head on his shoulder, he rubbed her back in circular motions. They both felt lost. Roger wanted to kill Alex, and Daisy wanted to simply escape everything around her.

Pulling away, Roger lifted Daisy's chin and smiled "I'm going to get you a Vodka, then you're going to try some of my soup, and then....we plot Alex's death"

Daisy gave a faint smile at Rogers attempt to ease the situation "you cook?"

"very well" Roger proudly admitted.

"Thanks Rog, I really appreciate your help"

Roger's bright blue eyes lit up "ah D, you're like my sister, you know I'll always be here for you"
                                

                                  *************

Freddie's throat burned as he coughed into the sleeve of his robe.

Throwing his arm towards the bedside table, he reached for the glass of water and antibiotics that Olivia had left for him that morning.

Having left for ten days to shoot a movie, Olivia rushed out early that morning, leaving Freddie alone for the day.

Despite trying not to compare, Freddie thought back to when he had the flu, when he and Daisy were in the early stages of their relationship.

She had taken off three days of work, built a fort in the living room out of cushions and blankets, got all of his favourite foods, and the two of them watched movies.

The memory made him smile. He missed the little sentimental things she would do for him. The smile faded as his new reality kicked in. Olivia would never give up her career for him or anyone else.