Chapter 4. Chrysanthemum Daisies

"I like me better when I'm with you..." I and Violet sang along while watching the last scene of To all the boys I've loved before.

"You want pancakes with chocolate syrup, or Maple syrup?" Violet asked.

"Chocolate."

"Okay." With that, she made her exit. Confused? Well, what happened is that when we heard that loud thud, something unbelievable happened. You know, the most unpredictable. Being the two most strong women, I admire in my life, my aunt and my mom appeared out of nowhere.

*Flashback*

I was going to answer but was cut off with a loud thud.

Some cartons flew in the air and a window came into view. Not only a window but two creatures, who looked like women.

"Mom? Helena? How did you guys know-" My mom interrupted my question, and said, "We'll talk about that later, we have more important things to do right now."

Mom and Helena then, rushed towards us and untied our hands. My mom gave me a bone crushing hug.

"We need to find Kevin and get out of this damned place, right now." Helena said. We all shook our heads. I got up to my feet as everybody else did. We made our way towards the locked door. We're four now, maybe that would be enough to break the lock.

My mother asked me to stand aside as the rest of them took a long run to hit the door. It opened, but not with the force they applied, but two men of Martino opened it.

"What in the hell is this sound?" One of them asked.

"What the-" The other trailed off looking at the new members. They looked so lost, and before offering them anymore time to calculate the situation and us to regret.

And then comes action.

I held one of the men, by looping my arms around his neck from the back as my mom punched him. Charles and Helena threw kicks and punches over the other. The man whimpered, as I tightened my grip around his neck. His hands grabbed my arms, trying to loosen them, and all my concentration gathered upon the hands. He took this moment as an opportunity and tripped me, by looping his foot around mine, leading to loose my balance. But before my body touches the ground, I got up pushing the man down. Other bouncers like men gathered, from the groans, the shouts and braking of property around the room, and flying of cartons. Mom and others got engaged with each men, and I punched the man dropped on the ground on the bridge of this nose.

A stiff groan emitted from his mouth, but before I know he harshly held my arms and with his full power he pressed my back to the floor, and his hands came up to my throat, trying to choke it. But, before it got too late, I kicked his calves, and pushed him away.

Soon Carlo Martino entered the scene, and signed his bouncers to stop. By now two of the men were lying on the floor holding their stomach, groaning in pain, and praying for life, and uncle Charles' nose was bleeding. Blood, spilling from mom's hand caught my eyes.

"Ah! Old friends I see." Carlo exclaimed.

"Shut up, Martino, don't misuse your vocal cords inside your throat saying shit. At least, use them for a good work, you never know, how long you have them. Now, tell me where my son is." That was Helena. I love this avatar of her.

"Feisty." He commented. "You expect-" Too late, Charles had already punched his jaw. Again, the fight resumed with Carlo and his other men. I used this moment to escape from the scene and check other rooms, to find Kevin.

There were not many rooms, which made it easier for me to find him. The only door left was at the end of the dimly lit, shady corridor, which was empty, as all the other men where engaged in the fight.

I rushed towards it, and open the door. Kevin was tied to a chair, and a ball of cloth was shoved in his mouth, as his muffled voice could be heard, when he saw me.

I quickly freed him from all the ropes. He got up from his chair and hugged me. Old feelings and emotions stroke me. He pressed his face on my shoulder, as I could hear my little brother sobbing. That's when I realized I was into tears too.

"Now, don't rub your nose on my hoodie now." I joked. In response, he rubs his sobbing nose on my hoodie.

"Eww." I laughed. And pulled back.

"Thank you."

*Flashback ends*

However, after that Carlo manage to flee. And also, we got our guns back. I was too exhausted after yesterday, but somehow managed to keep on putting my left leg in front of right, and then the vice versa, which some people call walking, and go to school.

So here I am now, at Violets place, after school, chilling. I went through my Instagram, as I waited for Violet to return. Violet had a beautiful house. Her mom is an artistic person, and dad, an architect. I love each corner of her house, which is so calm, with the color contrasts they've used.

Just then her phone rang. Without checking the caller ID, I yelled, "Violet, your phone." I'm in the hall, and she is in the kitchen. But she didn't answer. And then I checked the caller ID.

Cam.

Why was he calling her? Don't get me wrong, we all are great friends. Though, not as good as me and Violet, but still. If anything, we ask in our group chat. I shrugged the thought, and drowned in the yummy smell of pancakes, and turned on the T.V.

As I was going through the channels, the bell rang. Violets mom and dad work till late night, so they mustn't be here. I got up to open the door but not before calling, "I'll get it."

I skipped on my steps, and headed towards the door. I opened it, not at all expecting the person in front of me.

"Rose?"

"Cam?" We said in synchronization. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I... um... actually Violet-l" I cut off his rambling, when I noticed something. He was hiding something, behind his back.

"What is it, in your hand?"

"W-what are you s-saying, I d-dont get it." He shrugged off.

Okay, now it is worrying me.

"Turn around."

"No."

I started tickling him. And he started dancing and laughing.

"Uh... no... stop wait." He says between fits of laugh.

And that was when I spotted a bouquet of Chrysanthemum Daisies. Violets favorite.

I gasped, "These are so beautiful. You bought it for her?"

"Um yes, will she like it?" He asked rubbing the back of his neck. His eyes anywhere but me. Unsurity was evident in his voice.

Hearing all this my eyes were now comically widened, my jaw touching the ground. But somehow, I managed to form words.

"Yes, of course she will!" I squealed. "Wait! Does that mean that you, oh, my god!"

"Um yes ac-" I cut him off.

"Shut up." I said excitedly, and took his hand in mine, and pulled him inside the house. And this was the time Violet decided to make her entry, balancing two plates in her hands.

"Cam?" Violet asked, definitely not expecting him.

Not giving him any opportunity to speak, I said, "Violet, I got a call from Charles, I need to report at the study for a meeting. So, I'll take my leave." I turned to leave.

"But I made pancakes for us." She said, a bit of hurt flickered in her eyes, but covered it soon.

"Cam is here. You both can enjoy, you know. Okay bye." I said. And without waiting for even one moment, I stormed out of the house.

Closing the door behind me, I pressed an ear to the door. Anyone who would see me like this, would surely think of a creep or a psycho stalker. But I really didn't care, not now.

Knowing my besties scream had the capability of alarming the entire USA, I waited. And, 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1.

"Oh, my god! Yes!" I heard her scream. Followed by a deadly silence. A smirk creeped up to my lips. Of course, I knew exactly, what is going on inside.

I'm so happy for them. They are so cute together. Violet always liked him, though she never confronted to anyone about it except me. And I wouldn't be lying if I say, Cam is so likeable. Grinning to myself, and deciding to give them some privacy, I walked up to my car.

Halfway on my way to home, I sighed, and looked into my reflection on the rear-view mirror. Like seriously, is my face too sister-like? I have to be the third wheeler with Will-Sophie, as well as Violet-Cam. However, I know, Violet would never let me feel as a left out one.

Kicking the thoughts out of my mind, I turned on the radio. Humming along the song playing, I entered the area of Verinos Mansion.

My place is quite far from the mansion, but I've to pass it each time, I go to or return from Violets house. So, I wore my Ray Ban sunglasses, and covered up my face properly with my hair and hoodie. Though they can easily identify my Mercedes, but still.

I gave a quick glance towards the big entry gate, to make sure nobody is following me.

Then I noticed a familiar hoodie and body structure. No, dont get me wrong, I wasn't staring at my partner in history class yesterday, the entire time, but his hair and lean body, was too hard not to notice. Though I missed his facial features.

He is standing in front of the Mansion, facing it. If any of the Verino's guards saw him he is so gone!

Why is he staring at the mansion, like a creep? Does he have a death wish?

Not wanting an early death of this kid, especially by the Verinos, I got out of my car, and headed towards him. I tip toed, and didn't stop until I was centimeters away from him.

I grabbed his hand in mine, and pulled him with me. I know, I'm scaring the shit out of him, but I solemnly swear, that I'm up to good. I could hear his protests, and anticipation, but didn't stop until I reached my car, which was safely parked behind a bunch of trees and bushes, making it look like a small woods.

He was wearing an irritated and annoyed expression. Eyebrows furrowed, and nose a bit scrunched, made me admire his beauty. That's when I noticed, I'm looking at his face for the very, first time.

Oh. My. God.