Heir Of The Heart

Chapter 5: Daisy

“Oh my God! Daisy. It's so nice to see you again.” My sister said, rushing towards me and wrapping me in her arms and giving me the warmest hug.

She had waited at the airport to pick me up as soon as I arrived in New York. Davina kept inspecting me like I was sick, she's always had this motherly instinct whenever it came to me.

“Look how skinny you look. You haven't been eating well.” She had a worried look on her face.

I smiled. “It's nice to see you too, Davina.” Tears began to roll down my eyes uncontrollably. “I've been through so much, sis.”

Davina started wiping the tears on my face with her hands while tears also dropped from her eyes. “Hey, it's okay. I'm here now.” She said.

“I've missed you so much.” I said, crying.

“I've missed you too. Come here.” She pulled me in for another hug.

We remained in each other's arms for a couple minutes before finally heading over to Davina’s place.

We arrived at Davina's house and compared to my tiny apartment, this was way bigger. This was giving off a vibe of something I would call luxury. Davina lived in a very spacious two bedroom apartment with a living room as wide as a basketball court and it even had one of those fancy chandeliers that I had only seen in movies with wealthy people.

I didn't think I was coming to live in a tiny apartment but this was on a whole different level. Davina had really been doing well for herself. She worked as a medical doctor, following the family legacy which my parents wanted for both their daughters and by the look of things, they kinda have a lot of points to back up their arguments. Davina followed the path they laid down and she was thriving, I rebelled and decided to forge my own path and I'm struggling between low income jobs and also homeless. I was starting to think that maybe they were right, maybe if I had become a doctor like they wanted, I might also have a luxurious apartment like Davina did.

I simply stood there for a significantly long moment, looking all over the house. I was genuinely thrown off my feet.

“Want me to take you to your room or you gonna keep drooling all over my floor?” Davina teased at me.

It was obvious that I was beyond amazed, I couldn't close my mouth.

“You literally live in heaven, Davina.” I said.

“Yeah, sure.” Davina subtly laughed. “Come on, let me take you to your room.” She gestured with her head for me to follow her.

My excitement was impossible to hide. I was skipping behind Davina as she took me to the room. “Yo, I should have become a doctor, sis!” I exclaimed jokingly. “This stuff really pays well, you must be like a millionaire or something now.” I laughed.

Davina couldn't hold back her laughter. “You sure it wasn't stand-up comedy you wanted to do instead of fashion?” She said.

“Who says I can't do both and also become a rich doctor?” I replied, laughing.

“Yeah, my sister who can do it all. You go girl!” Davina teased but also in an uplifting way.

We both broke down in laughter in front of the room. She opened the door to reveal a sanctuary. The room was ten times the size of my room in Los Angeles and my sister was thoughtful enough to make it feel like mine.

Posters of famous fashion designers were all over the walls. There was a sewing machine and three mannequins in the room with more than enough space to move around unlike my room in LA. There was a velvet upholstered bed at the center of the bedroom and it looked soft and felt even softer.

I opened my mouth in amazement for minutes, just soaking in the perfection before my eyes. Tears subtly rolled down my cheeks.

“When did you have time to set this up?” I asked.

“Immediately you called and told me you needed somewhere to stay, I figured I should make you feel at home here.” She smiled, “you're welcome to stay here for as long as you'd like to, baby sis.”

I couldn't hold back the tears. “Thank you so much.” I reached out for another hug. “This means so much to me. Thank you.”

“Now, you have a workspace where you can really focus on your dream.” She smiled, “It's not going to be easy, but you can't give up after a setback.”

“Thank you, Davina.” I responded.

“Alright, get settled in and take a shower because we're going out soon.” Davina sounded excited. “We're having dinner with Mom and Dad.”

“No no no! Davina, I can't.” I said, my heart was about to burst out of my chest. “You know I can't.”

“Daisy, it's nothing serious. They miss you.” Davina said.

“They miss me or they want to mock me for being a failure after not listening to them?” I asked. “You know your parents. They're going to try and rub it all in my face and remind how they ‘told me so.’”

“Trust me, okay? I won't stand by and let them insult you.” She said, she had that convincing look in her eyes that reassured me. “Besides, it's been two years and they're your parents. What kind of parents would they be to gloat after their daughter went through something tough, huh?”

“Okay, I'll take your word for it.” I responded softly.

Later that night, Davina let me drive her car to our parents’ house. The car was highly sophisticated and expensive. Everything about Davina's lifestyle made me wonder if truly my parents were actually right and if I made the right decision or not.

We arrived at my parents' house and I was met with a nostalgic feeling. I hadn't stepped into that house in two years ever since I had a fight with them and decided to move out to sort things out on my own.

Waiting at the door was my mom who instantly ran towards me to embrace me. I was shocked at the warm welcome. She had tears rolling down her cheeks.

“My sweet sweet Daisy.” Mom said, her voice shaky as she checked me like someone examining a patient, she did it instinctively. Though I couldn't tell if it was a doctor's instinct or a mother's instinct or maybe both. “You look so pale, are you okay? I have missed you so much.”

“Hi mom. I'm alright.” I responded nonchalantly. “I thought you were mad at me and wanted to gloat.”

“No way. You're my daughter, no matter what happens, no matter what you choose to do. I'm sorry if we've made you feel otherwise.” She grabbed me by the arm and led me inside towards the dining room. “Please have a seat dear.”

I had almost forgotten what luxury felt like. My parents were doctors and they were able to afford such a lovely home but that never mattered to me, I wanted to forget my own path.

My Dad suddenly stepped into the dining room and saw me sitting at the table. He paused to look at me for a long moment, then said, “Daisy, is that really you?” He sobbed.

“Dad.” I said softly as I stood up to walk towards him. I used to be really close to my Dad before the incident happened, but we hadn't spoken to each other in two years. I really wasn't expecting the kind of welcome that I received in their house but it warmed my heart to know that my parents still loved me regardless of my life choices.

My Dad pulled me in and hugged me tight. But something in me told me that I was in for a long dinner.

It was time for dinner and we all sat at the table. My Mom served me specially.

“You need to eat well. You look so skinny.” Mom said.

I looked at her and smiled.

“You know, I'm really proud of you Daisy.” Dad said.

I looked up at him, utterly confused at the statement. “You are?” I asked.

“Yes, I am.” He smiled. “You went ahead to chase your dream of becoming a designer despite all of our objections.” He took a sip of wine and continued. “It shows how determined you are to see it through and I must commend that.”

“Um… Thank you Dad. It means a lot to hear you say that.” I smiled. My Dad was finally coming around to accept my dream, I thought.

“I'm proud of you for trying your best.” He said, taking slow bites of steak. “Even though you failed.” He said, looking up and giving a concerning smile.

I squeezed hard on the fork in my left hand, trying so hard not to burst out in anger.

“She hasn't failed, Dad. She's still working towards it.” Davina intervened. “How can you say such a thing to your daughter?”

“She’s broke, homeless and malnourished. It's senseless to keep chasing this silliness.” He said. “When do you plan on telling your sister the truth?”

I banged my hands on the dining table and stood up angrily. “Were you seriously anticipating my failure, Dad?” I said, “you were waiting for when I come crawling back to you after everything falls apart? Really?”

“You've tried, sweetie.” He said calmly, still seated and eating. “It didn't work out. Now, it's time to go back to college and become a doctor.” He concluded, not showing any form of emotion on his face.

“I am never going back to study medicine!” I screamed. “I will do whatever it takes to make it in fashion and then I will be the one gloating in your faces.” I said, picking up my bag and starting to head for the door to leave. “I knew it was a mistake coming here. I'll see you at home Davina.” I said.

“Oh but you will be going back to school my dear daughter.” My Dad said calmly as he slowly stood up and reached inside his pocket. “I took it upon myself to speak with the CEO of ‘Virelli House’ whose father is a friend of mine.” He pulled out an envelope from his pocket and continued. “I showed him some of your designs and he happened to like them and wants to make you the creative director.”

I turned around in shock, I was unsure of how to feel.

“What?” I said in confusion.

I wondered if my Dad was actually being serious. Virelli House was one of the major fashion brands in New York. Though not as big as Veritas, only the best of the best ever get to work there and this was definitely a one of a kind opportunity. Dad never wanted me to become a fashion designer, so why did he go out of his way to use his connections for me in the fashion industry?

“Creative director at Virelli?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said, “but on one condition.”

There it was, I knew there would be a catch.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I have the contract with me. But this envelope contains a written agreement saying that you will go back to medical school and finish your program.” He handed me the envelope. “That's all I ask, and you can go ahead to chase your dream.” He reached for the glass on the table and took a sip of wine. “Don't worry, you won't have to start again from the beginning. I have sorted things out with the school, you can pick up where you left off.”

I looked down at the envelope in disappointment. “I actually thought that for once, you did something for your daughter. Yet somehow, you found a way to make it about you.” I said, “why are you so hell-bent on me becoming a doctor? What is it to you?”

My Dad sighed deeply. “You can achieve your dreams right now easily or keep chasing and chasing endlessly for years. The choice is yours. All you have to do is sign that agreement and go back to college.” He said.

I looked at him and Mom for a moment and just turned around to leave without saying a word, Davina followed behind me.

I held on to the envelope. Deep down, I knew I had a choice to make. I really didn't wan

t to let my Dad have his way but this opportunity was something I had dreamed of for a long time and it seemed foolish to let it pass by.