Five

Louis sat in his office, his mind far from the papers in front of him. Daisy’s recent changes gnawed at him—her sudden maturity, her apologetic demeanor, the way she looked at him with eyes that seemed… older. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different about her, something beyond her just ‘growing up.’

“Sir,” his right-hand man said as he entered the room, breaking Louis from his thoughts, “We’ve completed the investigation on Miss Croft. There’s nothing out of the ordinary. Her routine is the same as it’s always been.”

Louis nodded, but his unease remained. He tapped a pen against his desk, watching the seconds tick by on the clock.

“Arrange a meeting with Liam Croft,” Louis finally said. “I need answers.”

His man left, but the room felt heavier now. Louis leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. He had loved Daisy for as long as he could remember, loved her fire, her unpredictability. But now, she was different. More reserved. Almost as if she carried a secret she didn’t want to share.

A knock sounded on his door. “Come in,” he called, expecting his secretary.

Instead, Daisy walked in, a soft smile on her face, holding a lunch bag. “You would have skipped lunch if I didn’t bring it,” she said playfully, walking toward him. “You’re such a workaholic, Louis.”

Relief washed over Louis at the sight of her, though his wariness still lingered. “I’m sorry,” he said, pulling her close. “You didn’t have to go out of your way.”

“I wanted to,” Daisy replied, sitting on the edge of his desk. She gazed at him, her eyes searching his. “You seem...distracted.”

“I’ve just had a lot on my mind,” Louis said, not wanting to burden her with his doubts. He watched her closely as she unpacked the lunch. There was something different even in the way she moved. Calmer, more confident. Gone was the impulsive Daisy who used to complain about everything.

“I brought your favorite,” Daisy said, leaning closer. “Let me feed you.”

As she placed the first bite into his mouth, Louis caught her wrist gently, halting her. His eyes bore into hers, trying to read her thoughts. “Daisy,” he said softly, “what’s going on with you?”

She blinked, her expression faltering for a second. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve changed. In a good way, yes, but...it feels like there’s something you’re not telling me.”

For a long moment, she said nothing. Her eyes, once bright with innocence, now held a shadow of something darker. She bit her lip and finally placed the food down.

“I... I’ve just been thinking about us a lot lately,” she said. “About what I want for my future.”

Louis’ heart raced. Was this it? Was she going to leave him? He had feared this moment for weeks. The thought of losing her clawed at his chest.

“What do you want?” Louis asked, trying to keep his voice steady. He needed to know, even if the answer would shatter him.

“I want to go global with my career,” she said, surprising him. “I want to take on bigger roles, not just stay confined here. I want to advance.”

The tension in Louis’ chest eased, but his concern didn’t disappear entirely. “That’s it? You want to travel?” he asked, laughing softly out of relief. “You had me worried for a second.”

Daisy smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her thoughts were elsewhere—on Natalie, the mafia connections, and the ways they had manipulated her in her past life. She still had to confront them, but for now, she needed to focus on protecting Louis. She couldn’t let her past mistakes ruin them this time.

Louis, sensing her lingering unease, pulled her close. His arms wrapped tightly around her, like she might disappear if he let go.

“Louis, I’m not leaving you,” Daisy said, her voice soft yet firm. “Not this time. I’ve made mistakes before, but... I’m not going to lose you. Not now, not ever.”

His grip tightened. “I don’t want to lose you either, Daisy. I can’t handle it.”

“I won’t let it happen,” she whispered, leaning her forehead against his. “I promise.”

Later that evening, they found themselves at the exclusive restaurant Louis had reserved. The city lights shimmered outside the window as they sat in a private booth, enjoying the view.

Daisy felt a strange sense of déjà vu, remembering this very night from her past life. The night that had marked the beginning of the end for them. The night Natalie had spiked their drinks, manipulating events to make Daisy believe Louis was unfaithful. It had been a carefully crafted trap, one that had destroyed their relationship.

But this time, Daisy was ready.

As they sat across from each other, Louis reached for her hand, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. “You seem quiet tonight,” he said, his eyes searching hers.

“I’m just...grateful,” Daisy replied. “For everything. For you.”

Louis raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a small smile. “You’re full of surprises today.”

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Louis,” Daisy said, her voice low but steady. “And I’ve hurt you more than once. But this time, I won’t let anyone come between us.”

Louis’ smile faded slightly as he looked at her, a question forming in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that... I’m done letting others dictate my life. No more distractions. No more interference.” Her mind flashed to Natalie, her so-called ‘best friend’—the one who had orchestrated so much of her downfall in the past. This time, Daisy wouldn’t let Natalie manipulate her or Louis.

Louis squeezed her hand gently, his expression softening. “You don’t have to face anything alone, Daisy. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together.”

Daisy looked into his eyes, feeling the weight of his promise. “I know,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Together.”

As their fingers intertwined, the server brought out their food, the moment hanging between them. This time, Daisy was determined to protect what they had. No matter what the future held, she would be ready.

The night was theirs, and for the first time in a long while, Daisy felt like she had the chance to make things right.