Since that evening, I took great care to avoid Liam. Unconsciously, a week had passed and I had not even gone back to his apartment since his engagement to Jessica. He never made an effort to explain things to me, even just to persuade my heart.
I had a day off waiting tables today. I went to the mall and spent time with Freya. I spent some cash on shirts that I had been eyeing, and I laughed, at least for a little bit I did not think about Liam.
"Daisy, I'm starving. Let's go there!" Freya halted me and pointed to a restaurant that she had in mind. We had our arms full of shopping bags that we had collected from some shops in the mall.
"Are you sure you would want to go there?" I asked hesitantly. There was a tingling feeling in my stomach.
"Yes, you've never eaten there, right? Don't worry, I promise you'll love it," Freya assured me, before I could say something, she had already pulled my hand and taken me into the restaurant.
We had ordered food. At first, everything was fine, and I was relishing in the warmth of the restaurant. The food came out.
"How is it?" Freya asked when I put food in my mouth smiling in wonder.
"Not bad," I said curtly, hiding my look of surprise.
"Not 'not bad,' Daisy. This is seriously good! You haven't stopped chewing since before!" Freya was annoyed with me. I laughed at her tantrum, but my laughter later subsided when suddenly someone came to our table.
"Sorry, may I sit with you? The other tables are occupied, there's only this one besides you that is vacant." The voice sounded familiar, and when I glanced up, it was Jessica. She was accompanied by her friend, who was standing next to her. We were surprised to see each other.
"Hi Daisy. You're here too? That's great. May I sit with you?" Jessica smiled broadly.
I slowed down for an instant, staring at Freya. I scanned the rest of the tables that were around us, in search of a free seat. Oh well, just as Jessica said, the one to our right was the lone table still unoccupied.
"Come on, Daisy. Are we not friends? I just want you to share a seat. Do you mind?" Her voice was like insistence softly. I could no longer say no to her and finally nodded, inviting her to sit. Jessica smiled cheerfully and thanked me.
The moment sat, the air was too uncomfortable, Jessica waited for her food to come while I attempted to steer clear of her presence.
Jessica soon started playing with her fingers, but what I noticed was that she deliberately flaunted her engagement ring. The ring Liam put on her a week ago, the day I started working as a waitress to help fill out my spare time.
I was staring at her ring, Jessica smiled knowingly, as if she could read what I was thinking.
"Ahh, Daisy. Is that ring pretty?" She asked, with an arrogance that seemed to warm my heart.
"Good!" I replied curtly, not wanting to be annoyed. I hastily turned my head and continued eating my food, although it seemed as if nothing could possibly go in.
The tension thickened. Jessica seemed to be ignoring the emotions I was stifling.
"Daisy, I'm sorry. It wasn't I who took you away from Liam, but because our families wanted the engagement." Jessica's voice sounded as if it was regretful of all things, yet still one of those 'unconvincing excuses'.
"How are things between you and Liam now? All okay?" Jessica's hand clamped over my hand, trying to be genuine, yet everything was so insincere.
My eyes blazed at the hand now lying on me, then I slowly looked at her face. I jerked my hand away from her hastily.
"I'm fine," I said icily, without adding anything else.
Jessica leaned back in her chair, her intense stare fixed on me.
"Really? You're not acting about your feelings, are you?"
I remained silent, waiting for her to finish her sentence.
“If you're okay, why did Liam inform me that you don't come to his apartment as often as before? It hurts to see your room empty. I inquired from him… Liam simply replied, 'Daisy needs her own space.' But do not worry, Daisy…" Her hand touched mine once more. It was icy. She tilted her head to one side, looking at me with a serious face.
"I was tidying up the unwanted items there with Liam.".
The words hung thick with meaning like a sharp knife cutting deep within my heart. My jaw clenched. In an instant, I set my knife and forks down and chose to leave although I had not yet finished eating. I pulled Freya's hand quickly so that we could leave this establishment immediately. My mood shattered instantly.
"Daisy? Why did you run so quick? I just wanted to let you know." Jessica's yell was still trying to keep me back, but the further I went, the louder her tiny laugh could be heard cheering me on.
Feeling lost, I decided to head to Liam's apartment. Not to return, but to pick up some of my clothes. Following the meeting with Jessica, I couldn't deny the feelings that overwhelmed me anymore.
When I opened the door, I tried my best to be quiet. The apartment was quiet, and I knew Liam was not around. I walked in my room, pushing the door slowly. But once the door was ajar, Liam stood in front of the door, staring at me intensely.
"Have you stayed away long enough, Daisy?" His voice demanded a response.
I was shocked, left speechless for a second. My eyes fell, as if I couldn't bear to look at him. Liam moved a little closer, his eyes looking deep into mine.
"Where have you been the whole time, Daisy? You were the one who kept on insisting on this relationship, yet now you're avoiding me like I mean nothing to you."
For a brief moment the atmosphere around me grew cold, my mouth dry to answer him.
