Chapter 16: A First Kiss?

"Oh, I’m just picking up my dress and happened to spot your car," Camellia said, smiling from ear to ear. Theo didn’t respond. His eyes had already drifted past her, back toward the direction Daisy had disappeared. Without a word, he turned off the engine, opened the door, and stepped out of the car. "See you later," he muttered flatly. "Hmm?" Camellia blinked, confused. "Where are you going?" But Theo didn’t answer. He was already moving. He walked fast, borderline running. His long strides cut through the air. Ahead, Daisy was still visible, struggling slightly in her tight dress and high heels. The outfit that once gave her confidence now slowed her down, and Theo used that to catch up. "Stop," he reached for Daisy’s arm, "We agreed on the contract, you can’t just leave like that." He lowered his voice, making sure Camellia didn’t hear it although their distance was quite far. Daisy yanked her arm free, spinning around on unsteady heels. "Don’t touch me." Her voice was sharp and loud. A few heads nearby turned. She took a quick breath, forcing a laugh, smoothing down her skirt like she’d just tripped over nothing. Theo’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped even lower. "You agreed." "No, I was forced to agree," she replied, lifting her chin. "And I don’t think the agreement included me accepting every rude and humiliating remark you throw at me, Mr. T—rude—o." The name was laced with mockery, wrapped in silk but sharpened like glass. His eyes darkened. "Watch your tone." "Or what?" she whispered back, just enough for him to hear. "Threaten me again?" She rose slightly onto her toes, leaning toward his ear with a soft, sugar-coated hiss. "I’m sorry to break it to you... but I don’t respond to threats anymore." Theo didn’t flinch. His voice was low, too calm to be real. "Really?" He dipped his head slightly, his lips close to her ear. "Apologies, then. I didn’t mean it that way..." His breath brushed her skin. "I won’t do it again. Hmm?" The warmth of his voice was unreal, and they both knew it. But the way he looked at her when he pulled away looked different, calm, composed, gentle, that it almost made her believe it. Almost. Daisy blinked. "What the he—" "Hi!" A bright voice cut through, cheerful and oblivious. Daisy spun around just in time to see a girl with the kind of confidence that only came from years of being adored. "You must be Theo’s girlfriend!" the woman beamed, offering her hand. "I’m Camellia. Theo’s sister." Daisy froze. "Sister?!" The word came out louder than intended, once again drawing a few glances from nearby guests. Theo, behind her, remained maddeningly quiet. Camellia just giggled. "I guess he never mentioned me? Typical. He’s not exactly the warm-and-chatty type, right?" She nudged Theo lightly with her elbow, like they’d done this routine a hundred times. Daisy blinked. Once. Twice. Her brain scrambled to process. She had spent the entire time in the office earlier believing the woman was the reason. The hidden motive. The secret lover. The reason he proposed marriage to hide anything he needed to hide. Camellia suddenly linked arms with Daisy like they were old friends. "I guess you’re ready for dinner?" Her smile widened as she looked over the dress, "The dress is so...pretty." Daisy could barely respond and her mind was still spinning as Camellia turned her attention to Theo. "Mom did mention she looked like a Barbie doll..." she said cheerfully, then reached over and pinched his arm lightly. "Where’d you meet her?" "Enough for now. We need to go," Theo reached for Daisy’s hand removing Camellia’s link arm. "I’m not going." Daisy pulled her hand away, eyes daring him. ’Go on, try it.’ Theo’s jaw flexed, the only visible crack in his otherwise stoic mask. He leaned in slightly, not enough for Camellia to hear, but just enough to make Daisy feel the pressure of his presence. "You’re coming." Her chin lifted. "Make me." The words were soft but struck like a challenge. Camellia looked between them, clearly sensing something off. "Both of you are having a couple fight or what?" Neither answered and the air around them thickened. Theo didn’t even glance at her. His stare was locked on Daisy, cold and unwavering. "Are you sure?" he asked, voice low and quiet. Something in his eyes made Daisy gulp before she caught herself. "Yeah." She cleared her throat and straightened her back. "Make me." Camellia blinked again, eyes darting between the two. "Should I... leave?" But her question was left hanging when Theo suddenly leaned in toward Daisy, closing the distance between them until only a breath separated their lips. Daisy froze. The air shifted. Thick with something unspoken. Theo’s voice was barely a murmur, but it sent a shiver down her spine. "You don’t want me to." Daisy’s breath caught. Her hand instinctively landed on Theo’s chest, her palm meeting the fabric of his crisp shirt, pushing him and trying her best to widen the space between them. "What are you doing?" Her voice was shaky, showing how panicked she was at that moment. Behind them, Camellia made a small, awkward sound. "Okay! I’ll just... aaa... go ahead inside now." She turned, though a bit hesitant. "Err... I’ll go now." The tension between Daisy and Theo was too thick for them to hear anything. Daisy didn’t move, basically frozen. But Theo did. He took one careful step forward, closing the space between them and reached up like he was simply tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. And he didn’t stop there. His other hand slid behind her back, pulling her just slightly forward, just enough to tilt her off balance. Just enough to sell the illusion to anyone who might be watching. She realized it a second too late. "Wait—" She didn’t manage to utter another word when her breath hitched, her eyes widened, then his lips brushed hers. A kiss?