Tasting
Chapter 202

I heard him apologise but somewhere inside of him he must have. thought it and believed it. An hour after I stormed to my room and locked myself in someone knocked saying breakfast was ready.

The day passes and I ignore them, refusing to leave my room, I need to keep my distance. Refuse to let Demitri or Marcello get close to me. Calix clearly will never agree, and I don’t want him to believe it’s. because I’m crazy.

The day passes quickly as I hide away refusing to talk to them. My mind considering ways forward as I fall asleep.

Waking it is still too early, I look around me wondering how I got here. How another year of my life has washed by and I’m no further to knowing where I will be or where I belong. Somewhere inside of me I had hoped things would work here, and I would stay but it’s clear Calix doesn’t want me here. A few hours pass as I consider the ways.

forward.

My head drops slightly. I plan to keep things strictly business. No. longer will I try get their attention, or let them touch me in that way, As much as Demitri and Marcello seem to want me, I can’t let them. Not while Calix thinks I’m crazy. So, business only. I will do the work they ask and nothing more.

Before and after work I will stay in my room, I will no longer eat with them, and will remove myself entirely to ensure Calix realises I know. what I want, and I don’t want his abuse.

A sigh escapes my lips as I look around me. They had knocked this.

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morning offering me breakfast, but I didn’t feel like it. Today is just another birthday like the rest.

Hearing the knock, I turn to the door.

“I’m sorry Daisy, look, there’s something out here for you. I understand if you don’t open the door and take it, but for Marcello and Demitri, please do.” I hear him walking away and consider just ignoring him but I can’t, not when he said it was for Marcello and Demitri.

Walking to the door I open it, seeing a box. Picking it up I carry it through to the bedroom. Sitting on the bed I look at it, taking out the note I begin to read.

Daisy.

I’m sorry, what I said was disgusting and I hate myself for it. I understand if you don’t want to see or talk to me, so I am happy to stay out of today if you wish, just let one of these two know.

Don’t hide away today, we put so much into it, Marcello and Demitri put a lot into today. I let you down, and right now because I did, you’re hiding away and now they are hurting. It’s your birthday. So please

come out.

Spend today like your birthday should be. I understand if you refuse to let me join, I won’t even argue if you tell me to fuck off. Please, for Demitri and Marcello, they did nothing wrong and I feel like they are being punished.

I’m sorry, again. Please don’t hide away.

Placing the note down, I open the box, moving the colourful paper out of the way my eyes widen seeing the dress. It’s beautiful, another note falls out as I take out the dress.

Get ready, you have a lot of birthdays to celebrate.

Your devils x

I smile slightly at the dress. A smaller box under it. My fingers slowly and carefully open it to reveal a pair of earrings. A devil, with a daisy inside its mouth. It makes me smile. Getting washed, I consider what today could be.

Quickly getting dried I put the dress on and shoes, then do my hair and makeup before walking to the door. Opening it, I stop. My eyes peering down at the flower. Picking it up I inspect it. It’s like a rose, but the petals inside are an apricot colour and slowly they become more white. towards the outer ones.

Looking at it I can’t help but wonder if they actually paid someone to pain it. Smiling I step out of the room and walk a few feet, stopping another rose is lying on the floor. Picking it up I carry on.

By the time I get downstairs and reach them. I have a total of twenty- four flowers in my hands. Marcello smiles and takes them placing them in the vase.

I see them holding a gift cach, my eyes flittering between them, I don’t feel comfortable and I’m not sure if it’s because I have never had gifts or celebrated my birthday before, or because of what Calix said.

“Give us a minute.” Calix looks at them, and they walk away.

“I’m sorry. If you don’t feel comfortable because of me, just say. A lot. of work went into today. You shouldn’t spend it alone.”

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“It’s fine Calix, just, this feels weird.” It does, I’m not used to attention. on my birthday.

“Just relax, here.” He smiles and holds out a box. My hand takes it and I thank him, slowly opening it, inside is a necklace, one that matches. the earrings. He takes it in his hand and walks around the back of me. I feel his fingers against my neck, and him fasten it.

“Now can we?” Demitri peers around the corner and I laugh going to talk.

“No talking little birdie. This is for you.” Demitri steps forward, holding out a small box. It’s identical to the one that the earrings were in. Opening it, my smile widens, a bracelet is encase within the box, matching the earrings I have on.

“Thank you.” My words are barely a whisper. I watch as he places it on my wrist, stepping back Marcello appears in front of me.

“For you cub.” Marcello holds out a box, opening it slowly, once again it matches, this time a ring. I watch as he places it on index finger. Smiling he steps back.

now

“You’re family little birdie. Stay or go, you are always our family.‘ Demitri hugs me.

“Okay little birdie, meal time. Let’s go.” Demitri pulls me out with him, getting in the car for a change we all sit in the back, Demitri looks far too happy. Getting to the restaurant we sit down. Everyone talking as we wait for food.

I watch as Demitri shuffles slightly, pulling out a box he smiles. His hand reaching out to hand me it. Another present? They sit and watch as I open it, inside is a leather journal, my eyes glance up confused.

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Chapter 203

“We swear never to touch it. Ever little birdie.” Demitri smiles.

Marcello moves and hands me another gift. How many gifts are they going to give me? I open it and laugh slightly.

“I already have loads.” I laugh as they laugh along with me.

“I figured they were faulty, haven’t even

yr eran or scary seen as voul took them out of the bags.” His head tilts.

“Is this a hint to go fuck myself Marcello?” I question and he laughs nodding.

“Okay, enough, food will be here soon.” Calix holds out a gift, my hands take it, and I look at them, wondering just how far have they actually gone? I take the box, it’s heavy. Opening it my eyes widen, and I shake my head.

“You need one for work, so use it for work and pleasure puddin.” Looking at the laptop I feel awkward. “And no arguing, food is here.” He laughs at my disappointment.

We sit and eat, and talk about everything but my life, which I am grateful for. An hour later we leave.

“Thank you, for today.” I smile at them.

“It’s not over yet little birdie. It wouldn’t be a birthday without cake.” He nudges me, and I feel like I’m missing more to this. The car stops and I look outside. It’s a hotel? I watch as they get out, Demitri pulling me along with him. Walking into a room they are ahead of me, as I step in I hear everyone shout happy birthday.

My eyes widen.

“And a surprise party. “I watch them smile at me, slowly people say

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happy birthday and give me gifts. Twenty minutes later, Demitri appears holds out a box, my eyes roll. Opening it I look at him. confused.

“Erm, what is it?” I stare at it confused.

“A tattoo gun, whenever you’re ready, just ask. I will do anything you want.” Demitri explains and Marcello laughs.

“Here you go cub.” Marcello holds out a box, opening it I smile. It’s a key, I look at him.

“When you get home, there will be a dresser, you are the only one with the key.” He kisses my cheek and I smile. Today is making this no getting personal hard.

“So where’s Calix, as I assume he will have another gift?” I watch as they laugh. “How many more are left?”

“Well, you have had ten I think little birdie, so nineteen left, one for every year. Now, go replace Calix.” I watch as they move, walking around I spot him instantly, my eyes going to the people he is with.

I don’t want to walk to him, he stands smiling at me waiting, but I feel like walking back out.

Standing I look at my parents and force my legs to walk, getting to them Calix smiles at me.

“I will give you some space.” Calix walks away and I stand facing my

parents.

“You look well Merlinda.”

y not Merlind

“I’m I’m not the child they sold.

“How are you, you seem to have settled with the Devil’s well.” I glance behind me to where they are watching me. What are they doing? Turning I look to my parents.

“For now.” My words sound harsh.

“We’re sorry, but we had no money. We knew you would be fine Daisy, look you are.”

I laugh at my mothers words.

“Fine? I was twelve, they called me mutt, I was literally treated like a dog, actually I was treated worse than a dog. Then after Mrs Jones sold me, I was sold out for sex.” How can she say I am fine?

“Yes but we knew you would get somewhere good Daisy. You did, they love you.”

I look back at them, Calix watching nervously.

“No they don’t, they just feel responsible for me.” Calix has made it known he hates me.

“Look, this is for you.” My dad hands me an envelope, opening it I take out the paper and read, my eyes widen. I feel my heart shattering.

“Come home Daisy, it will be different. You won’t need to work, you can get money so easily from them.”

“What?” I stare at my dad shocked.

“Daisy, what your dad is saying is, come home and we will help. Use them to get money, you won’t have to be rented out to make ends meet.” My mum smiles.

“Does Calix know?” I wipe the tears from my eyes.

“Of course he does. He had this given to us when we got here from one of the guys.” My head lowers hearing his words. So much for being part of their family.

“Daisy, you can get revenge, come home, sign it and come home.”

I shake my head. “Calix wouldn’t.” He wouldn’t agree.

“Daisy come on! You’re not smart, he is worried if he signs and says you’re free, you will end up back under contract to someone else, you‘ re dumb love, he knows that.” My mothers words hurt and I shake my head.

“Fuck you all. I would rather be dead.” Turning I rush out, getting in the car I look at Troy.

“Either drive or I fucking walk and never come back.” He looks at me and nods and begins to drive me home.