Daisy's Code Novel by Amelia Bennett
Chapter 17

Harley caught the whispers and side glances from the crowd. He was no wallflower, and hanging with Lance was just part of the gig; he wasn’t about to buck the system.

“What’s the buzz? You all on edge for Lance to get here? Should I go and…” His words. were cut short as the group swarmed around him, showering him with compliments.

Shawn, watching the whole scene, decided to join the ribbing. “Hey, Harley, it’s my big day. You didn’t forget my present, did you?”

Shawn eyed Harley with anticipation. After all, Harley might have been just an employee, but he was on the payroll of someone who was a regular on the rich list, with Lance’s grandfather at the top.

Harley shot back, “Present? We cool, right? Me showing up isn’t gift enough? What’s with the materialism?”

He spoke without a hint of embarrassment, having clearly forgotten those lean paychecks from Lance. Now, he could weave tales and reprimand others with a poker face.

At Harley’s nerve, Shawn chuckled and clutched his chest in mock offense. “Is that right? You hit up a birthday bash without a gift?”

“Absolutely. I’m all about the free grub and hang time. My mug’s the pass; who needs gifts?” Harley grinned, embracing his role as the ultimate guest.

Shawn, a mix of exasperated and entertained, pinched the bridge of his nose. “Harley, I don’t care about other parties, but you better come through today. No gift, and you’re out on your ear.”

“Perfect. I’d save Lance a bundle, and he might just bump up my salary for the savings,” Harley quipped, unfazed by Shawn’s playful ultimatum.

*****

Amidst the party’s buzz, Daisy and Lance engaged in an unspoken duel of gazes, their own quiet moment amidst the chaos.

Daisy broke the silence with a question that sounded more forced than she’d intended. “What are you doing here?”

Lance responded with a look that was somewhere between amusement and disbelief, as if her question was almost laughably obvious. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”

His retort was light, but it stung Daisy’s pride. She’d only wanted to make small talk, not get judged.

Feeling the awkwardness, Lance decided to shift the conversation. “You’re Elden Wilder’s daughter?”

“Yes.” Daisy simply nodded, letting the truth of his words stand.

The day’s happenings had put her identity on display, and with Elden noticing her rapport with Shawn, it seemed she’d be hard-pressed to keep the Wilder family at arm’s length. She frowned, her desire for detachment from them growing stronger.

Lance observed the play of emotions across Daisy’s face, replaceing her expressions far more interesting than he’d admit. Even her annoyance was endearing, adding depth to her features.

Suddenly, Daisy noticed Lance’s subtle laughter and was taken aback. “What’s so funny?” she asked, ‘not recalling any recent antics that would warrant such a reaction.

Lance dodged a direct reply, instead gesturing toward the dimly lit garden path. “Let’s get going. The mosquitoes are having a field day out here,” he suggested, his tone considerate.

Initially, Daisy had sought the garden’s tranquility, bugs being the last thing on her mind. But with Lance’s heads-up, she peered at the lights and spotted the insects, crinkling her nose in mild disgust.

“Okay, let’s move on,” Daisy agreed, her hand replaceing Lance’s.

Daisy and Lance strolled into the bustling hall, the atmosphere already warm with chatter and laughter.

But their arrival didn’t go unnoticed-Harley ever vigilant, quickly pulled aside a few of the guests.

“Hey, guys,” Harley said, his voice low but firm, “keep the chatter light. Daisy’s in the dark about Lance’s real story. One wrong word, and…”

He drew a finger across his throat, a gesture that spoke volumes. The group nodded, getting the message loud and clear.

Shawn, a bit tipsy from the open bar, wasn’t oblivious to the room’s undercurrents. He spotted Daisy and Lance together and his face fell, a bitter smile playing on his lips. To the uninitiated, he looked like a man who’d just lost his love.

Harley, catching Shawn’s crestfallen look, stepped in. “Shawn, think twice. It’s Lance we’re talking about. You might get away with it today, but your birthday’s not every day. right?”

Shawn, getting the hint, mimed locking his lips and throwing away the key, promising silence.

Harley heaved a sigh of relief.

Daisy, zeroing in on Shawn, dropped Lance’s hand and offered a playful pat on Shawn’s cheek, which seemed to make the air tense.

Harley, closest to Lance, felt the chill and rubbed his arms, trying to shake off the sudden cold that was Lance’s jealousy.

“Shawn, stay with me. Your gift is in your jacket pocket. Guard it well,” Daisy said, slipping something into Shawn’s pocket before anyone could see.

Shawn clutched his pocket as if it held the world’s last treasure and, in a bold move, kissed Daisy’s cheek.

“Shawn’s playing for keeps, huh? Moving in on the relationship?” someone teased.

“Come on, give us another!” another voice chimed in, sparking a round of playful banter.

The ones who sensed Lance’s feelings sweat it out, worried for Shawn, who’d just pushed the boundaries.

But Daisy defused the tension with a gentle nudge. “Take care of him, will you? And ease up on the drinks,” she said, then turned to leave, Lance in tow.

Outside, Lance asked, “Daisy, when did you and Shawn become friends?”

“Ages ago, why?” she replied, her eyes questioning.

Daisy seemed oblivious to romance, not batting an eye at Shawn’s intimate gesture. It was hard to tell whether her naivety was a good or bad thing.

Lance, looking at her innocent gaze, sighed, “Just be careful. You two being so close, it could look…off, you know?”

He seemed a bit awkward, avoiding her gaze. Yet his ears were tinged with red.

“We’re like siblings, it’s all good,” Daisy said with a casual shrug.

Lance, patting her head, accepted her words. “Alright, but let’s try to avoid it. For your