Chapter ２０- Reality of this engagement.

*Flashback.*

"Oh son, I am so glad you have arrived." Mom hugged me and gave me a peck on my forehead, "You remember Daisy?"

"Oh yes, that social sick lady?" I asked, placing my arm on her shoulder and walking inside the house with her.

"Alex!" She playfully hit my shoulder and said, "don't call her that."

"What else should I call her, whenever she sees me, she is up for a picture or going live." I rolled my eyes.

"She is grown up into a beautiful and independent woman, now! You should meet her."

Daisy and I met in a party. I helped her with her and made a video with her. since then she is after me to make videos and click pictures. She was a nice girl. and fun to hang out.

Whereas, Henry, her brother, was my biggest enemy. I had always loathe that guy, the number one player, and deceiver. He can never be trusted. Despite of all these grudges, I used to hang out with her.. Why? Because I like her? Not at all! Honestly she was annoying, but I needed someone to escape those boring parties and balls. And she was the only friend with whom mom would let me hang out without lectures.

"So, you are already lost in her dreams?" Mom chuckled and I shook my head.

"Mom!"

"Freshen up and I will book the table for you in your favorite restaurant for diner."

"Why?" I interjected.

"Because you are meeting Daisy today!"

"I can meet her at home. I don't wanna go for a diner with her, she is annoying."

"Alex, she was a kid back then and now she is grown up, you will be loving her company."

"Fine!" I stood up but halted mid steps as Sasha crossed my mind.

"Mom, I wanna tell you something." I said, finding words to tell her about Sasha, the girl I wanna marry.

"Afterwards! Now freshen up and get ready, I don't want you to get late."

She literally pushed me in my room. What is wrong with her now? So much excitement!

———

The dinner with Daisy was amazing, not as annoying as I thought. Mom was right, she had grown up into a beautiful woman but she was wrong about maturity.

This girl is still as immature as she was before. The difference is now she is a social media freak and is getting laughed on social media! 

But overall she wasn't as annoying as before, and I can be hi hello friends with her but nothing more than that.

———

"Mom, I want to talk to you about someone special." I said.

I saw mom, dropping the flowers in her hand and showing a ear to ear grin. "Really?" She probed and I gave her a nod.

"She gave me a hug and smiled, "I am so happy for you. I never thought you will be so quick in making this decision. I thought I will have to do a lot of hard work.

I ran a hand through my hair and blushed.

"Aww. Look at my son! He is blushing." She chuckled.

"Do you wanna know who she is?" I asked.

"Do you really think, i don't know who the girl is?" She narrowed her eyes as I looked at her dumbfounded.

Oh yes! I remember I had told her about Sasha and what a nice girl she is. I didn't thought mom would understand my feelings.

"I know who she is and I am so happy for her. You both make the best couple."

I couldn't stop smiling. I was so scared to tell her about me and Sasha, I thought she will never accept our relationship but I was wrong. I didn't have to tell her about her. She read my heart so well. 

"You are the best mom, in the world." I hugged her.

———

Today was Daisy's birthday party. Since last week, Daisy and I are hanging well. She is a little weirdo but she is funny. And as I don't have many friends here, Daisy's company is keeping me well. Today was her birthday and mom insisted me to throw a party for her, as she had always been Mom's sweetheart. I agreed and threw a party for her in our ball room. 

Fancy lighting's, delicious cake, party poppers and everything was on point. Daisy arrived wearing a pink gown.

"Take this. This is for Daisy." Mom whispered, handing me a small velvet box, with a bow on it.

"What is this?" I questioned.

"A gift for her. I know you haven't bought anything for her and I feel this is the best gift for her."

"Why don't you give it yourself." I said annoyed but death glares from Mom made me agree.

Everyone presented their gifts to Daisy and lastly, I walked towards her, with the box. I thought of peeking in the gift mom chose for her, a little distant from her, I stopped and opened the lid, there was a diamond ring shining. 

A ring! Seriously? No! I am never giving her this. I know mom have thought this as a casual gift but I am sure this dumbo will create a different meaning for it.

"Mom what is this! A ring?" I whisper yelled.

Mom chuckled and pulled me towards Daisy.

"This is the right time, she smiled and before I could react, she announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so happy to announce you the gift given to Daisy by my son. Daisy, this is for you." She pushed my hand that had the ring forward.

"No." I exclaimed. 

"He is too shy to propose. Let me help you'd son." Mom said, "Daisy will you marry my son MR. Alex Stafford."

My heart was in a dilemma. It felt like I was been chained in shackles.

"Yes!" Daisy replied, blushing like a tomato. 

"Yes.." she jumped.

"No!"I scowled but the hullabaloo from the crowd suppressed my voice.

Daisy took the ring and said it into her finger on her own. I glared at her and my mother. And everything made sense. The reason why she was so happy, why she was talking with me about Daisy and why she set up a date with her. 

Daisy pulled my hand and slid a male ring in my finger but before it could fit in I jerked my hand away as the ring fell on the floor as without saying a word, I stormed out of the place.

"It's okay. He is just shy." I had mom's voice and my heart was crying with tears.

———

"Alex! What was that!" Mom shouted at me as I stood under a Banyan tree in the backyard.

"How can you'd k this to me!"

"What have I done! Didn't you told me you want to marry her! I just helped you take a first step and make this special day, more spacial for Daisy." 

I looked at her with my blood shot eyes, "I never said I want to marry her! I want to marry Sasha!"

"What?" She snapped, "That waitress! God Alex! What's wrong with you!"

"I love her and I can't love anyone else than her!"

"Alex! You are living a beautiful rich girl like Daisy for that poor waitress, who don't even have a dressing sense!"

"Mom please! I will not heard a word against her!"

"You are engaged to Daisy and she will only be your wife!"

"Never!"

"You are going against your mother for that girl. Don't forget Alex, what have I made you. You are a riches because of me, if I wouldn't have adopted you would have been rotting in an orphanage or fighting for a morsel."

I looked at her as if I had seen a ghost. The reality sink in, and that day I realized my real worth. Though I am the owner of Stafford's today, Madame Rosé will always be my boss. She owes me my life is as a debt for her.

"Thank you to reminding me the relation between us." I whispered before dispersing in my room. 

Mom announced about engagement and sent Daisy with me so that we can know each other before the wedding. And just to pay the debt of mom's favors, I started accepting Daisy, because my happiness don't matter. 

*Flashback*

"I am sorry Alex!" Mom whispered, "I didn't meant to ruin your happiness. I never thought you as Samantha's child, I had felt as if you were own child from the start. It's just. I don't believe in love. And I did what I thought was better for you. I thought as you will spent time with Daisy you will fall for her and forget Sasha."

"Mom. I can never forget her. I love her mom and I know she loves me too. Please give her a chance."

"Fine." She wiped her tears with the back of her palm and said, " I will give her a chance but if she breaks your heart, I won't leave her!"

"She will never deceive me mom." My face was lightened up and I felt like it was the best moment.

"I will talk to Daisy and her parents but after this party. We have some special guests tonight, let's not spoil today's celebration."

"Okay! I won't tell anyone about this till the next morning, not even Sasha." I probed, "I love you, I love you mom. You are the best."

———

Author's POV.

"What is wrong with you Daisy!" Yelled Mrs. Clara.

"Mom. I-I.." Daisy wept under her mom's dominating gaze.

"Just stop crying." Her mom yelled as Daisy shivered, sniffing, "crying won't help." 

A loud bang echoed in the room leaving Daisy shivering and scared to bits.

Clara kneeled down to her daughter, that was sprawled on the floor, she squeezed her cheeks, forcing her to look at her mother. "Listen to me Daisy! Do you know how much I had to work to tie your bond with Alex?"

The overflowing tears from her eyes, stained her cheeks as her throat burned. Unable to mutter anything she managed to give a nod.

"Then don't just cry and splash water on all my hard work. It's your duty to take care of this relationship, before it dies." Clara yelled at her broken daughter.

"Are you listening to me Daisy!" She screamed gripping her daughter's arm forcefully pulling her on her feet, shaking her vigorously.

"Y-yes mom." Daisy felt like a lioness trapped in a zoo, tortured by her master's wig.

"You are a mayor's daughter! We thought you can be a politician like us but look at yourself you are just scattered like a broken glass. Learn to play games Daisy."

Daisy wiped her tears with the back of her palm.

"Dammit!" Clara sighed. 

"Daisy, I am not your enemy, I just want you to shine like your mother and learn to fight for yourself!" She caressed her daughters head, wiping off the fresh tears on her cheeks, "Everything is fair in love and war. Fight for your love Daisy! Break all the rules, do anything you want but save this relationship. It's not only about you two!"

"But mom he don't love me. What's the point of this marriage when there is no love in it."

Clara took a deep sigh and pulled her hairs, "This girl! What should I do with you!" She hit Daisy's forehead and said, "Daisy come out from your fantasy and see life politically. People can't see love in a couple all that matters is the financial status, the aura of the man standing by your side and no one else can fit better with you except Alex! Think of the fan base you will earn because of him. Think big Daisy!"

Daisy gave her mom a nod escaping in the balcony.

"I am worried for her. Alex is mad behind Sasha, how will she deal with her." Clara sighed sitting on the arm chair.

"Don't worry mom, I will take care of her." Henry said passing on a cigarette to her mom. "That's like my boy. You know what to do right?" 

"Yes mom. Henry can play his cards like no one." He handed a cigarette to her mom and continued, "You just sit back and relax."

———

"What is the need of such a grand celebration Mom!" Alex scowled, standing in the hall.

"Of course it's needed." Madame Rosé smiled, "Celebrations are what keep us in the limelight."

Alex presses his temples with his fingertips, raising his brows, "Your limelight drives me crazy. Why can't I live a normal life!"

"People are dying to live your life Alex. I worked my butt off to give you this life and you want to leave it. Stop being ungrateful."

He rolled his eyes and escorted to his room.

He had always hated these parties and balls that had forced him to fake himself.

Alex noticed the blue suit hanging on the wall, that was designed for him to wear in today's ball. 

"What would Sasha be wearing tonight? Did mom designed something for her?" He thought.

———

"Where are you going Alex?" Madame Rosé questioned as Alex headed towards the door.

"To buy party wear for Sasha." Alex answered.

"You are not going anywhere, Look at yourself you aren't ready yet, the guests will start arriving in an hour!"

"I don't care!" Alex was about to step out of the house when Sarah stopped him.

"Sir, Madame Rosé had already arranged a wear for Sasha and I am sure when you will see her you won't be able to blink your eyes off her."

Alex exchanged looks between Sarah and Madame Rosé as he felt surprised to know that her mom literally spent her precious time to select clothing for Sasha. 

"Don't think that I accepted her, Not yet!"

Alex smiled at his mom and return back to his room. 

———