Lara's Office
"Are you out of your mind?" Lara snapped. "Why haven't you answered any of my calls since morning? We have the final presentation this evening with Mr. Rain's company. How can you be this careless?"
Daisy blinked, startled. "I—sorry, Lara. I'll check with the team and send you the details right away." She hurried off.
Final Presentation
"Good evening, Mr. Rain. Mr. Zain," Lara said, composed. "Please settle in. My team will present the sales and product performance so far. If this meets your expectations, we'd be happy to continue this partnership long-term."
The presentation went on.
"The numbers are impressive," Zain said finally. "The way you've leveraged our support to build results for both companies is commendable, Ms. Lara."
"We'd like to continue the contract," Rain added.
"Thank you, Mr. Rain," Lara replied, smiling as she glanced at her team. "The credit goes to them—and to Mr. Zain for the trust."
"Let's celebrate with dinner next week," Rain said. "Our treat."
"Thank you!" the team cheered in unison.
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Daisy's Apartment
"Who is it?" Daisy called, opening the door.
She blinked when she saw Zain standing there.
"Mr. Zain?" she said dryly. "Mr. Rain lives next door, not here."
"Oh really?" Zain grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "My bad. I thought you were already living together."
He wiggled his eyebrows, teasing.
Daisy groaned. "Did Mr. Rain tell you that?"
"Yep," Zain said proudly. "Your sweetheart spilled everything.
"He paused as Daisy's cheeks flushed. "Anyway—do you have a minute? I need to talk to you about tomorrow. Lara's birthday."
He put on his best puppy-eyes expression.
Daisy sighed, already amused. "Okay, now I see why you're here. Come in."
Zain stepped inside, looking far too pleased with himself.
"Ms. Daisy," he began formally as he sat down.
"Just Daisy," she corrected, settling opposite him. "We're not in the office."
"Perfect," Zain said. "So, Daisy—here's the plan. I want to throw Lara a surprise birthday party. Beachside. Cocktails. Friends. What do you think?"
"She likes things calm," Daisy replied, crossing her arms thoughtfully.
"Okay…" Zain nodded. "Then a house party. Soft indie music. Close friends and family?"
"Much better."
Relief washed over his face. "Great. Vanilla cake. Candle-light décor."
"Butterscotch cake," Daisy countered instantly. "Candle-light décor."
"She likes vanilla more than any other flavor," Zain insisted.
"No," Daisy said flatly. "Butterscotch. I've known her for years."
"Well," Zain leaned back, smirking, "you may have known her longer, but lately I've seen her choose vanilla at every party. So I think we're doing vanilla tomorrow."
"Hundred percent sure it's butterscotch."
Zain raised both hands dramatically. "Are you even her friend?"
"Want to bet?" Daisy shot back.
"All in," Zain said without hesitation.
Knock. Knock.
"Can I come in?" Rain's voice floated through the door.
Daisy opened it.
"Look who finally showed up," Zain said loudly. "You ungrateful brat. After all the suffering I went through to get you an apartment right next to hers, you didn't even let me crash at your place."
"What suffering?" Daisy asked, curious.
"I had to threaten the—"
Rain sprinted from the door to the sofa and clamped a hand over Zain's mouth. "Nothing. Please ignore him."
Zain shoved his hand away. "Ignore? You want her to ignore my sacrifices?"
"I want to hear this," Daisy said calmly, leaning back.
Zain grinned. "Fine. Rain came to me—drunk—crying—"
"I did not cry," Rain protested.
"You cried like a baby," Zain continued cheerfully. "Begged me to help you get closer to Daisy."
Rain went quiet. The moment his eyes met Daisy's, all his confidence melted.
"And," Zain went on, "the original tenant didn't want to sell the apartment. So I bribed him, arranged a new place for him, and—" he gestured grandly "—voilà."
Rain cleared his throat. "I just wanted to be close to you. No other intentions."
Daisy smiled softly, her fingers still laced with Rain's."Thank you," she said, sincere and warm. "For not giving up on me. For loving me."
Zain gasped dramatically, clutching his chest."Excuse me? Where's my thank-you? for emotional support and all"
He grinned. "I deserve love too, you know."
Rain shot him a look so sharp it could've drawn blood.
It clearly said: Step outside. We'll discuss this.
"Daisyyyy," Zain whined, scooting closer to her.
The room filled with laughter.