Only now do I really understand what Jessica is saying.
"Could it be… you're in love with Liam?" I asked, staring into his eyes.
Jessica grinned faintly. "Maybe. We've dated recently. Since we were children, he's stuck with me. Don't be shocked, Daisy. Haven't you noticed?"
Jessica paused for a second, then smiled faintly.
"So I suppose you have to get used to not having Liam around. You're just a pit stop, Daisy. I'm the harbor."
I smiled at him, sarcastic but even.
"You're right. I do need to step back. Take Liam from me, Jessica. I don't care."
A shocked look flickered on Jessica's face, but she hid it quickly with a forced smile.
For me, the question is settled. Liam and Jessica? They were made for each other. Two disgusting humans who are meant to be together.
I rose from my seat.
"By the way, I'm sorry that I can't be your bridesmaid. My life is too important to care about silly things like this."
"I need to return to work, thanks for wasting my precious time, Jessica!" I continued.
Jessica scowled at me, but I didn't care. I picked up my tray, glared once at her with a sneering smile, then turned and left without even looking back.
******
I never went to the apartment again after that incident. I blocked Liam's number. Jessica told me what made everything make sense. I had to wait just seven more days and I could leave.
When I arrived at my grandmother's house, as usual, she welcomed me lovingly.
"Grandma, can I live here again?" I asked in a low tone.
Grandma frowned. "What's with that? You're home, too. Don't act like a visitor. Come in!" she replied, shaking her head. I laughed.
With Liam, I felt suffocated. But with grandma, I felt more calm than anywhere else.
Grandma, if I go to Harvard, will you miss me?" I asked her.
"Naturally, sweetie. I'll just keep on calling even if you're not an easy reach, like a celebrity," he shot back sullenly. I and grandma giggled.
"Relax, Grandma. This time I promise, I will answer all of your calls." I hugged her tight. She was the only one who was truly there for me since I was a little kid, since I lost my parents.
****
There were three days that passed by without even realizing it.
"Daisy, before you go to Harvard, you should go see your father and mother's graves. Don't you miss them?" Grandma asked me one morning.
"Of course I miss you, Grandma. I was going to go there before I went away."
"That's great. I was looking for a framed photo of your parents, but somehow it was missing. I wanted to give it to you."
"Oh, I have it, Grandma. It is on my side. I will look for it later, and I will give it to you too."
I had only remembered that the album and the pictures were still at Liam's flat.
"Grandma would like to buy lilies before going to the funeral," she said as she stood up.
"I will, Grandma. When I go out, I'll buy the flowers and get the album."
Grandma nodded. So I went out, bought two sets of lilies and returned to where I was said to have left.
****
I packed some of the important things, including my parents' photo album and wooden picture frames I had placed in my room. I neatly packed all of them into a cardboard box.
However, when I opened the bedroom door and was about to leave Liam's apartment, I encountered Liam and Jessica.
"Daisy, where have you been staying all these past few days? Your room is empty," Jessica asked, sounding artificially concerned.
I stared at him vacantly. "That's not your business. Isn't this what you desired? I'm self-conscious, especially since you're soon to be wed, right?"
Liam appeared confused and looked at Jessica, as if to clarify.
Jessica smiled faintly, trying to diffuse the tension. "Gosh, Daisy. You're too serious. What I said earlier was a joke."
"It was just a minor misunderstanding between women," she told Liam.
Liam inched closer.
"Calm down, Daisy. I will marry you anyway, while my wedding with Jessica is only hypothetical."
I smiled lopsidedly, almost sarcastically.
"A mock wedding? What is the drama that you people are performing?"
"I'm serious." Liam ran his hand across my shoulder gently. "We'll be legally married. But to the world, Jessica will be standing beside me at the altar as a substitute bride. That's all. I want you to be my real wife."
I blinked in confusion, trying to decipher what he was saying. "So, I'll be your legal wife. But people will believe that you're Jessica's husband?"
Jessica leaped in immediately, speaking in a soft yet confident voice.
"Yes, Daisy. I'm just going to act like an imposter bride. That's all."
I chuckled, sarcastically. "And what if my family came over to see you and discovered me living with you? What would you do?"
Liam sighed in frustration. "That's one easy lie to come up with. I'll figure something out. What counts now is that you accept this wedding."
I shook my head slowly. It was absurd to hear their absurd plans.
Jessica inched closer, slipping her arm around me in a comfortable manner. Her body was pressed close as if we were intimate friends.
"Daisy, please. I don't want to embarrass my family if this wedding is not going to happen. I also don't want to be the cause of you and Liam breaking up."
I remained silent, starting to feel uncomfortable with her too close gesture. The lady who had earlier angered me to resign was now on her knees begging for help.
Without saying anything, I pulled my body back from her. My movement, however, made the cardboard box in my hand sway and fall.
