Chapter 15 Where are you?
Dahlia.
" That's your new home." He added, and my heart faltered when I heard the name home.
Coming from his lips, it sounded warm, inviting, promising, and I found myself nodding.
After my fallout with my father, coupled with Sofia's and her mother's presence at home, I lost all interest in staying there, and even the thought of spending my night in the same house with them was very depressing.
So, when Dalton asked whether I was willing to go to his Southside villa, I was more than willing to.
" I will go...home." I hesitated, and when the word home finally slipped past my lips, deep silence stretched heavily around us.
It almost sounded strange, you know? In the past, I had only defined home as a place where my Dad, and Jason were, and now, my home was associated with another person, and the funniest bit, it didn't sound awkward at all. With Dalton, everything felt so natural, like it was meant to be, even without putting unnecessary effort.
So that's what true love was supposed to feel like? Warm, secure, and safe? Not sitting and walking on eggshells like I had done for years with Jason?
" Good. My driver is already waiting outside your house." He explained, and my heart warmed up from his thoughtfulness, and even long after the call was disconnected, I remained in a daze, a soft smile playing on my lips.
We hadn't even known each other for so long and my heart was already going haywire for him? I couldn't help but look forward to the future.
A few minutes after my call with Dalton, I descended the stairs with my Chanel handbag in hand, and I wasn't surprised when I saw the tension that enveloped the three.
My father sat frostily in his seat, and Gwen, desperate to be useful sat by his side, as she gently caressed his back, seemingly placating him.
I didn't need anyone to tell me. I was already the villain in their hearts, unfilial and deeply disrespectful. Well, I honestly didn't care. They could think however they wished.
" Where are you going, Dahlia?" I wanted to disappear silently, but obviously, that wasn't happening. Certainly, my 'father' had something to say.
" It's already late in the night. Where are you going?" He asked again, his voice stern, his eyes blazing with fury.
" I have things to handle concerning my wedding with Jason," I revealed, wearing a casual smile, and amusement coursed through my veins as I watched his stiff posture.
Wedding with Jason? What a joke!
" Besides, I have already angered you so much. If I stay around, who knows? I might anger you more, and your heart might not take it well. You aren't young, after all. Your heart can't take excessive stimulation." I added, casually, with a delicate smile tagging at the corners of my lips, and while he fumed in rage, dramatically clutching his chest, I slipped out, my movements light and carefree.
" Miss?" True to Dalton's words, his red Ferrari was parked outside my house, and when I approached, a middle-aged man stepped out.
He was the driver, I supposed.
" Miss? These are yours. From the young master." He bowed lightly as he handed a bouquet of white daisies to me, and my fingers trembled when I held them.
"Convey my gratitude," I whispered as I stepped into the car.
Deep silence enveloped us as the car skidded along the immaculately tarmaced roads, everything blurring past, the dazzling city lights, the hooting cars, and the pedestrians, and yet, my heartbeat was louder than any other thing, my thoughts included.
Daisies. Dalton had bought me Daisies and I didn't know what to feel. It wasn't even a week since he became my fiancée, but he already knew my favourite flowers, while Jason, whom I had known for my whole life, had no idea.
Just the thought of it had warm tears pricking the corners of my eyes, especially when I recalled the many times I had had to pretend to like roses, just because that's what Jason always bought for my birthdays.
For years, I had had to take the bare minimum, and act like I was given the whole universe, and comparing the nonchalant Jason to Dalton's thoughtfulness, a surge of bitterness shot through my heart in violent intensity.
There was a vast difference between love and indifference, no?
Jason simply didn't care. And even the roses, he only bought them after I reminded him for a whole week, seven days before my birthday. And yet, with Dalton, I didn't have to say anything. It didn't even have to be my birthday.
Just being in his life meant celebration. Yes. Those were the words written on the card, not my words.
To say I was touched? That was putting it lightly. My heartbeat was an erratic mess. I had never been treated with so much care before, after all.
The southside villa was cosy and warm, giving off that homey feeling the very moment you set foot in the door.
From the main gate, I was welcomed by the butler, a middle-aged man, sharp and respectful, and he guided me in complete silence all the way to my bedroom..
" The closet is already updated to your preference, young madam."
"In your short stay here, there will be a Chef and a Nanny to serve you."
" The room service phone has my number in it. Feel free to contact me in case you need anything. "
" Once again, welcome home, young madame. " He concluded as he took a deep bow and I just nodded, my gaze unfocused as I watched his retreating back.
For the longest time, even though I was a rich heiress, I had been the one to serve others, to serve Jason, to be specific and nobody seemed to care about what I truly felt.
And now that a person was actively looking after me, going all out to make sure I was comfortable, I didn't know how to react, how to take it.
Even long after the butler left, I was still in a daze, my thoughts all over, and I was yanked back to reality by the gentle chiming of my phone.
I could already guess who the call was from. It was likely, Dalton's, and just the thought of hearing his familiar voice had my heartbeat accelerating.
He was going to be the end of me, no?
" Hello?" I whispered, gently, as I stared at my reflection in the enormous mirror.
" I heard that you are back in Silverdale," Cold and indifferent, a very familiar voice rang from the end of the call, and recognising the caller, my blood went cold with fury.
It was Jason and not Dalton like I had predicted.
" Where are you?"