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The soft clinking of cups and the gentle hum of conversation filled the cozy café, morning light spilling through the tall windows like melted gold. In a tucked-away corner, Daisy and Oliver sat with untouched drinks, their voices low and sharp beneath the calm.
"So… what did the doctor say about Jake?" Daisy asked, sipping her tea with one hand while the other absently stirred sugar into nothing.
Oliver's lips tugged into a rare smile, subtle but deeply felt. "He said they can treat his eye. We just need a donor. Damien's already started looking."
Daisy exhaled, leaning back. "Finally, some good news. That boy's been through enough. Isn't it funny though? The father gives his eyes to his mistress's child, and a stranger is the one trying to save his real son."
Oliver let out a cold chuckle. "Damien's not a stranger. He's just not a hypocrite. As for Marvin? Don't get me started. I saw the red flags, Daisy—I just tied a pretty ribbon on them and pretended it was love. That's on me."
Daisy hummed in agreement. "Well, it seems karma's not just knocking, it's kicking doors down. You heard about Maria's nanny?"
Oliver's brow lifted, interested. "No. What happened?"
"Mike's been kidnapped," Daisy said, her voice low and dramatic. "And get this—the nanny's family? Criminals. Real ones. Fraud, scams, human trafficking—like straight out of a thriller. And she's involved too."
Oliver blinked once. Then again. Then slowly leaned back with a soft whistle. "Hah… well, would you look at that. Karma has excellent timing."
Daisy leaned in. "They haven't found him yet. Marvin's apparently losing his mind, dragging half the city upside down trying to find the kid."
Oliver scoffed lightly, eyes gleaming with a cold satisfaction. "The gods might be slow, but they are never blind."
She took a long sip of her coffee, savoring the moment like a fine dessert. Then, with a small wave of her fingers, she sighed. "Anyway. Let's not waste a good morning talking about people who never deserved our time to begin with."
So what are you going to do now?" Daisy asked, resting her chin in her palm as she eyed Oliver curiously.
Oliver smiled, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her cup. "Well, I've been thinking of going back to dancing," she said softly, a spark lighting in her eyes. "It's always been my passion. To feel the stage under my feet again? It makes my heart race just thinking about it. And… I want to open a perfume store."
Daisy raised an eyebrow. "Perfume?"
"Mhm," Oliver chuckled. "Damien keeps telling me how good I am at making them. The awards I won international and country wide back then? He keeps nagging me to pursue it seriously."
Daisy gave her a long, dramatic sigh. "Award-winning dancer, perfume alchemist, single mom, and heartbreaker. Do you ever stop? You're like a walking resume of everything I'm not."
Oliver rolled her eyes. "Please. You're no slouch yourself."
"Oh no, don't change the subject now." Daisy leaned in, smirking. "Miss All-Rounded, when are you going to get married with prince charming?"
Oliver blinked, startled, then laughed. "Me?"
"Yes, you. I mean, come on, it's not like you don't have a certain broody doctor wrapped around your little finger."
Oliver flushed, picking up her cup in a poor attempt to hide her smile. "Damien is just a friend."
"Mhm, a friend who stares at you like you hung the moon," Daisy said with a wink. "You two are like the beginning of a romance novel. And don't get me started on how Jake adores you."
"Well then," Oliver said, clearing her throat, "what about you, Madam Tease? When will you marry?"
Daisy scoffed. "Marriage? Sigh. That's not my calling right now. I've yet to meet a man who matches my brilliance. Until then, I'm a free spirit, baby."
Just then, the soft chime of the café door rang.
Both women turned as Damien stepped in, dressed in simple dark tones, a calm yet concerned look in his eyes. Holding his hand was Jake, eyes wide and curious, his little steps quickening as he spotted Oliver.
"Mama!" Jake called out, his voice bubbling with excitement.
Oliver stood instantly, her expression melting with warmth. "Jake."
He rushed into her arms, clinging tightly as she lifted him up and hugged him. "I missed you so much," he said, his voice muffled against her neck.
"I missed you too, my love," Oliver whispered, holding him close as if the world disappeared around them.
Damien stopped beside them, his gaze soft. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently, his voice meant only for her.
"I'm okay," Oliver replied, setting Jake down carefully. "Thanks for bringing him."
Before anyone could say more, Daisy stood and folded her arms, wearing a smug grin. "Awww," she teased dramatically. "My heart can't handle this level of cute. And Damien, please—if you stare at her any longer, we'll need to order you a love potion from Oliver's future store."
Damien blinked and coughed into his hand, while Oliver shot Daisy a sharp glare that held no real heat.
Jake giggled, grabbing Oliver's hand again. "Can I help you make perfume too, Mama? I want to make one that smells like strawberries!"
Oliver smiled down at him, ruffling his hair. "Of course, baby. You'll be my assistant."
Daisy leaned back with a sigh. "Now that's a power duo. I better start saving for their first product launch."
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Mia lazily painted her nails, the rich red lacquer gleaming under the room's dim light. Her expression was calm, almost bored, as she blew gently on each finger.
"Dumping," she called without looking up, "go find the brat."
In a flutter of floating fur and sparkles, Dumpling zipped out. Moments later, the chubby, glowing cat-like orb returned, panting dramatically.
"Found him. He's in a warehouse near the port. Tied up like a dumpling, ironically."
Maria's ghost suddenly stood, her translucent figure crackling with urgency. "You must tell Marvin. He'll know what to do—he can save Mike!"
Mia's fingers stilled mid-air, her half-done nails gleaming. She slowly lifted her gaze to the ghost, arching an unimpressed brow.
"If I'd known I'd be stuck with this much headache, I would've rejected this mission and gone on a spa retreat instead," Mia muttered, rubbing her temple.
Then she pointed the dripping nail polish brush at Maria with a sneer. "You're always singing Marvin's praises. Your son is missing, and you're still going on about how great that man is?"
Her tone shifted, cold and sharp.
"Did you forget you died because of Marvin? Or is stupidity your eternal afterlife accessory?" She glared, voice rising. "Stop. Praising. Him."
Mia huffed and turned away, mumbling under her breath, "Marvin this, Marvin that—was your liver stitched to his name or what?"
Maria's ghost suddenly appeared right in front of her face. Mia jumped, startled. She instinctively raised her hand to slap it—but her hand passed through and instead landed smack on Dumpling's floating, fuzzy body.
"AH!" Dumpling wailed, spinning in the air.
Mia clutched her chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack!" she cried, squeezing her eyes shut. "You ghost freaks need to announce yourselves!"
She cracked one eye open, and the ghost was still there.
Groaning, she smacked her forehead with her palm, whispered a quick spell, then slapped again. This time, Maria's ghost fell to the floor with a yelp.
"Trying to kill me now? Don't forget I have a heart problem!" Mia snapped, rubbing her chest. "Bring your creepy face near me again and I swear I'll ask a priest to recycle your soul."
Maria's ghost stood and hissed, "You bitch! You not only stole my body, but you're useless! If you don't tell Marvin, how will he save Mike?!"
Mia arched a brow, resting a hand on her hip. "Tell Marvin?" she scoffed. "Oh yes, let me just stroll in and say, 'Hi Marvin, I'm seeing ghosts and a floating glitter-ball told me your son's location. Want the GPS coordinates?'"
She pointed a sarcastic finger. "You want me committed, huh? Is having a heart condition not enough suffering for you? Should I add a straitjacket to my wardrobe?"
Maria lunged toward her, but Mia was faster, raising a hand to slap again. Dumpling bravely floated between them, puffing up like an angry marshmallow.
"You should let me slap her!" Mia shouted. "Crazy ghost!"
"You're the crazy one," the ghost shot back.
"Oh, I'm the crazy one? You're the dead one yelling about Marvin like he's God's gift to parenting!"
Dumpling sighed, floating between them like a referee in a boxing ring.
Maria crossed her arms. "Then who's going to save Mike?"
Mia flopped back onto her bed, folding her arms. "Can't I save him?" she asked with mock offense. "Why do you always act like I'm the dumb side character in your tragic drama?"
"You are asking why she looks down on you?" Dumpling said with a dramatic gasp. "Self-awareness is not your strong suit."
Maria stepped forward. "So when will you go save him?"
Mia rolled over, threw her arm over her eyes, and exhaled loudly.
"Not. Now."
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