Chapter Two | Daily

The sun blared through the blue curtains of the room, as I slowly open my eyes. Basking for a little while in the warmth feels good but the clock on the bedside table, indicating 7 AM pulls me out from enjoying it any further.

The white walls of the house – my house – gives a sense of relaxation and purity. That's maybe, because I have always loved black and white, quite tuned to it.

Although this house is my temporary residence for the next six months, I always have a thing for discipline and maybe, control too. The house's also white from the outside, but surrounded by lush green shrubs and trees, almost giving it a tropical feeling, despite the hustle bustle of London.

I don't know, how Leo had managed this fantastic house within this clear space, but he's Leo after all, and I'm always impressed by him.

"Good morning, early birdie!"

Leo chirps as I descend down the stairs and find him with a cup of Mocha Latte in his hand, also taking in the warmth from the sun.

"Good morning!" I chirp, then playfully grumble, "You're an early birdie too."

Leo and I have always been early. It was necessary, when you had to build your own business, with no one actually there to support you.

"Here." He hands me my usual black tea.

Don't even ask me, why I like it. It's just something, I can't live without and usually calms me. However, that doesn't mean I am not a lover of caffeine.

I take the tea and lean against the doorway, taking in his features.

He's shirtless like always, with a pair of sweatpants, hanging loosely from his toned hips. He's well built in features with good looks – which Italian guy doesn't have, though? – Warm chocolate eyes and dark blond hair.

Leo has been my childhood best friend and he's the only one who truly understands me. He's knows what I've gone through and he has helped me with that, never leaving my side.

I had a crush on him at my teenage days, it's hard not too but after I confessed my undying love for him, he had chuckled and said, he was pansexual, but also mostly attracted towards guys. That was long before, and that didn't break our bond, ever.

Unlike most situations, his parents had actually been understanding.

They had understood me too, until his Mom died and his father drifted away.

Actually, his parents, even not knowing my insecurities, had been my guardians, that I didn't feel left out. At least, they tried to care.

"What are you looking at, idiot?" He poked me with his feet.

I gave him a glare, before smiling too sweetly and stamped on his foot, quickly.

"Bitch!" He glared, then he wiggled his eyebrows, a grin taking over, "You're dead."

I quickly set my empty tea cup and jumped on top of the tea table, landing smoothly on the other side.

But, well, a teacher is always a teacher.

He caught me by the waist, God knows how and spun me around, while I kicked his lean legs, mercilessly but also careful, not to kick him on his groin.

He needs it for sex, right?

This has always been our morning routine. At this early morning, just the two of best friends, we could have some fun ignoring the skyrocketing business in our lives. This was my favorite part of the day, always has been because I loved the enjoyment that came with Leo.

"Well, Kids! Come on!"

"Hi there, Ella! What's up?" Leo grinned at Gabriella.

Gabriella, or Ella, was like our other mother. She was in her mid-fifties, with a slight motherly plump figure, gray hair that told her age and experience along with brown eyes, with specks of gold.

She had been our housekeeper, before the time, we had even started our company. She had been a widower for the past eleven years and her kids are morons who don't even check upon her. Leo and I were supporting Ella and her husband, even the kids when they were minors. But as they became assholes, we just took care of Ella. We love her and it always came naturally.

She rolled her eyes, "Leo, not again!"

I laughed, "We just love you, Mom."

I have always called her Mom, not Leo though because he didn't know what it was to have someone care for you from an early age. Someone, who truly meant to care.

And Ella had cared.

Not Leo's parents, that much. They felt more like a guardian, who were friends with my parents and they just took over my protection.

Ella smiled, "Amy's the sweetheart. Learn something from her, Leo."

"Learn something from me, Dumbass." I nudged him.

He rolled his eyes, but followed into the spacious white kitchen.

My mouth watered as I took in all the things that Ella had prepared for breakfast. The soul sight of bacon, pancakes, toasts and omelets greeted our sight with her incredible self-made apple cider.

"It's looks delicious, Mom." I licked my lips and quickly put out a stool, diving right in.

"Fucking amazing, Ella." Leo gave a thumbs up, diving right in.

Ella laughed as she took her seat, opposite me and beside Leo.

This arrangement also came naturally in my routine. Ella was family and we never left her out. She always had breakfast with us, from the time Leo and I lived together during college, at the house provided by his parents. She's the only one who travelled with us everywhere.

We quickly finished the delicious breakfast, done by Ella alone.

I had insisted her to take some help because of her growing age, but she had always dodged my offer, telling me in a motherly voice-

"I love to cook for you two! If I need help, I'll tell you."

And I reluctantly agreed.

Although her meals tasted much better, especially the Italian ones, her health came first.

"What's in the agenda today, idiot?" I picked a bacon from his plate, quickly eating it.

Leo rolled his eyes and I grinned back at him.

He kissed my cheek, leaving a sloppy trail, "Today's Sunday, asshole!"

"Yuck!" I slapped his forearm, "That's disgusting."

"Leo." Ella sighed.

"Yes?" He blinked at her a few times, innocently.

"Finish your damn breakfast." She rolled her eyes and then set on an unsaid mission to ignore him.

He grumbled and I laughed, "I know."

He in turn ignored me and growled, nearly murdering the poor bacon.

"Shit."

Ella's and Leo's eyes turned on me, while I rubbed my temples and wanted to scream. I turned towards Leo, who was looking at me, skeptically.

He wasn't going to like this.

"What time is it?"

"Almost 9. Why?"

"Thank God."

"What is it, Amy?" Leo cocked his head.

I reluctantly replied, "Nyla... I mean, umm...Ms. White-"

"Ms. White?" Leo nearly yelled, while Ella looked at us skeptically.

"She invited me to lunch." I hastily replied and closed my eyes, preparing for Leo's talk.

But it didn't came. Instead he said, in a concerned tone, quite unusual for Leo's personality.

"She's a stranger, Amy." He sighed, "I know you crave some woman interaction of your age. I can't really blame you. But please be careful, I have a bad feeling about her. I just do."

I winced slightly, his concern hitting me hard.

I seriously didn't think it could hurt me. I knew he was looking out for me and he could understand me, but to me, it seemed as if he, as a friend, wasn't enough for my happiness.

It was somewhat the truth, but it was bitter, nonetheless.

I simply nodded and settled with a, "I know."

"So, when you'll be going?" Leo asked after a few minutes of deadbeat silence.

I shrugged, swallowing the last piece of pancake in my mouth and replied, "Noon, I guess?"

He grinned, "Can I join? We'll be going as friends and I would also like to meet her."

I laughed as Ella stood up – clearing the dishes, though I told her not to – and replied, "Sure. After all, you like guys."

He kicked my leg, earning a loud groan from me and he grinned, again.

He chuckled, "You know, I'm still pansexual. I'm still attracted towards girls."

I narrowed my eyes, "You don't like her."

"Just making myself clear." He shrugged, then grinned, "After all, that Mr. Thompson is a guy who-"

I smacked his head, "Ugh! I don't like that arrogant asshole."

He rolled his eyes, "You know, I never brought that up?"

Shit.

"Umm...I don't like him, so, you also shouldn't." I deadpanned, my expression grim at being caught.

Though, he wouldn't know my usual sexual fantasies or more like, frustrations, it didn't mean, I was going to convey anything. Due to the arrogant asshole, I found myself, yesterday in the middle of an orgasm in the middle of the night.

The dream was vivid and like some horny teenager, I dreamed about sex! I was so flustered and frustrated and messed up in the middle of the night, that after that, better be kept to myself.

But my subconscious had other plans.

Huh! You fucked yourself with your vibrator!

Shut up.

You actually had an orgasm, just dreaming.

It was a halfway orgasm.

That's why you used the vibra-

I then cut my subconscious of. Well, now you could safely say, yes, I am crazy, mad, idiotic, mental, bitc-

"You there?"

"Yes." I shrugged at Leo.

"Then get ready, we have to meet her." He winced slightly on 'her', it clearly indicated that he wasn't fond of her, or maybe both.

I nodded, simply. I couldn't deny the fact that as much as how I had a liking towards the friendly Nyla, I was still unsettled on the fact that it maybe, they were in a relationship. Although, my reasons completely differed from Leo's, still the thought was bothering me.

Vincent fucking Thompson was bothering me.

I stood up, cutting my thoughts as it again strayed towards him. It happened for the rest of yesterday and I seriously didn't want to occupy my mind with him.

For God's sake!

I had a business to run, a home, my past and reputation to maintain and put up my walls and guards. And here, I was thinking about a pompous rich dumbass, which was so unlike of me.

I abruptly stood up with a sheer determination, overtaking my mind and posture.

Leo looked at me, quizzically but didn't push it further.

"I'll change. Give me five minutes."

Without waiting for his answer, I dashed upstairs, to my room.

I just wanted to clear my idiotic mind from the thoughts of him. And so I decided to follow Ella's motto, 'A lazy mind is a devil's workshop.' Not likely, as if my mind was lazy, just in the overthinking mode at the moment but I couldn't be happier to compare the Devil with him.

Within the next couple of minutes, I busied myself to choose a dress and I did.

It was a simple black colored off shoulder crop top. The sleeves covered my wrists completely and the top showed my collarbones perfectly. And did I mention my tattoos?

Well, I always liked to hide my tattoos, one of the best things that conveyed my past. It was one of the reasons, I only show them to my lovers, giving them a glimpse of what I was. Except that one drunk sex night, that too half undressed, I had actually shown these to my past lovers, five years before.

I would like to describe the specifics and the origins of my tattoos later.

"Amy!"

"Coming!"

I checked myself in front of the floor-length mirror.

My black simple-but-sexy crop top was void of any creases, my white jeans skirt was up to my knee, giving the right conservative look, but still showing my curves. My black four inches Jimmy Choos were strapped tightly, making me taller to my already tall self.

My brown hair was braided to the side, messily and my makeup was subtle, like always. A Giordani Exclusive watch sat on my wrist and yes...all tattoos covered.

I liked the look. Didn't have to work hard.

I quickly sprinted down the stairs if you could as fast in expensive heels and tight skirt.

"Fucking fantastic."

"No kidding to you too." I replied.

Leo and I, coincidentally were matching. He was wearing a white t-shirt with his infamous black jacket, which showed all his abs, greatly. A white jeans that hung loosely down his waist. His hair was the usual ruffled like and he wore sleek boots.

"We match!" We both yelled together.

He looked delicious, but if he hadn't been pansexual or maybe he was just my hot best friend now, I would have totally shagged him. And, maybe, a certain guy wouldn't be in my thoughts.

"You'll be killing men's heart tonight." He groaned.

I smacked his head, "And yeah. You'll too. The gay ones."

"Whatever."

I picked my phone, grabbed my Audi's keys, kissed and hugged Ella, mumbling a quick bye and nearly dragged Leo outside.

Ella opened her mouth, her brows furrowing as she stood on the patio.

"What is it, Mom?" I called her, before ducking inside the Audi.

"Nothing." She gave me a full smile, her eyes crinkling at the corner.

I knew something was bothering her. It was clear in her features, but the considerate one she always has been, she would tell me later. Still, I was worried.

"You sure?"

"Yes." She nodded, "Have fun!"

I wasn't going to affect my punctuality, when there were only five minutes left for the ten minute drive to the designated place where we were meeting, not far away from his office.

I quickly skidded through the London roads and parked the car in the driveway, beside the small elegant restaurant, only a minute late.

The restaurant was facing the Thompson Media. I could tell, it was a bit sophisticated yet had mild simplicity just by the outside, clean area, that was hard not to catch upon.

Just giving it a quick look, Leo and I walked inside the restaurant, as the bell chimed above our heads.

"You gotta be shitting me."

I looked over to Leo, then my eyes slowly moved towards the secluded corner with the area of four.

"Just slay me, already." I mumbled.