Chapter 15
Theo and Daphne
Since getting back from town, Daphne layed in bed for the rest of the afternoon. She did not come down for lunch and when Theo tried to bring her food, she pretended to be asleep to escape the nausea in her stomach. By evening, as the sun began to set, she could no longer stay inside without feeling suffocated.
Daphne rolled out of bed and changed into her leggings and sneakers. She pushed her hair up into a high pony and grabbed her phone off the nightstand. When she made her way down to the foyer, Emma poked her head out of the living room and smiled.
"Hey," she said gently. "You feeling better?"
"Yes," Daphne nodded. "A bit. I'm sorry I couldn't join you guys this afternoon."
"Don't worry about it," Emma smiled.
"Thank you," Daphne returned the smile. "I'm going for a run. Have you seen Theo?"
"The guys are having a few drinks," Emma said. "Do you want me to call him?"
"No, it's alright," Daphne shook her head. "Just let him know in case he looks for me."
"You got it," Emma nodded. "Enjoy your run."
"Thank you," Daphne smiled once again as she pulled out her ear pods and put them on.
She reached the door and took in a deep breath, welcoming the chilly hair.
At the door, Daphne took a moment to stretch, her mind already calculating the route she would take and the amount of calories she needed to burn. She needed to punish herself for losing control, for letting her anxiety get the best of her. With each stretch, she mentally prepared herself, focusing on the numbers and the distances, trying to drown out the negative thoughts that clawed at her mind.
She started running, her pace steady but determined. The cold air stung her lungs, but she welcomed the discomfort. It was a distraction from the chaos in her mind. As her feet pounded the pavement, her thoughts drifted back to Sarah and Steven. Their taunts and cruel words still echoed in her mind, fueling her drive to keep running, to push herself harder.
As Daphne continued to run, her thoughts were fixated on Sarah and Steven. The memories of their cruel taunts and relentless bullying flooded her mind, each recollection stoking the flames of her anger. She remembered the way they would mock her, laughing at her in front of their classmates, making her feel small and insignificant. She remembered the way they would spread rumors about her, isolating her from potential friends. She remembered the notes they would leave in her locker, filled with cruel words and insults. They had stolen so many moments of her teenage years, filling them with pain and humiliation.
Her pace quickened, fueled by the boiling anger within her. Her breaths came in harsh, ragged gasps, but she didn't care. She needed to run, to push herself beyond the limits of her endurance. The physical exertion was a temporary escape from the emotional pain, a way to channel her rage into something tangible.
Daphne's legs burned with the effort, her muscles screaming for relief, but she ignored the pain. She couldn't stop, not yet. She ran faster, her heart pounding in her chest, her vision blurred with tears of frustration and rage. Sarah's face seemed to taunt her, her smug expressions etched into her memory.
Eventually, Daphne's body began to give out, unable to sustain the furious pace any longer. She slowed to a jog, then to a walk, her breaths coming in labored gasps. Her anger still simmered beneath the surface, but her body couldn't keep up with the intensity of her emotions. She turned and made her way back to the Harrison mansion, her mind still reeling.
When she finally reached the house, she stormed through the door, her fists clenched at her sides, her body trembling with exhaustion and fury. She was lost in the rage in her mind when she burst through the door of her room and stilled.
Theo was in the room, shirtless and with a white towel wrapped around his waist. He sat leaned back on the edge of the writing table with his hands gripping the edges. But he wasn't alone. Daphne's eyes narrowed as her gaze shifted from Theo to Ava.
"What the hell is this?" Daphne demanded, stepping into the room.
Theo's head snapped up, "Daphne-"
"What the hell is she doing in here?" Daphne asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Ava, standing a few feet away with a smug look on her face, tried to interject. "We were just talking. There's no need to get upset."
"I'm not speaking to you," Daphne snapped, pinning Ava with a deadly glare. "I'll deal with you in just a minute."
"We were just talking-" Theo tried to reach for her hand, but Daphne pulled away.
"Talking? In a towel? In our room?" She said, her eyes blazing with fury.
Theo moved to stand before her, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Daphne, please relax. Ava just came to talk, and I was getting out of the shower. That's all."
Daphne's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. "And you think that's okay? You think it's fine for her to be here, in our room, while you're half-naked?"
Ava smirked, clearly enjoying the confrontation. "Maybe if you weren't so insecure, you wouldn't jump to conclusions."
That was the last straw. Daphne's temper snapped, and she took a step forward. Her eyes narrowed as a small smile appeared on her face.
"Insecure?" She said. "You think I'm insecure about Theo and me?"
"You're overreacting," Ava rolled her eyes.
"Oh, okay," Daphne laughed. "Then let's see how you react, Ava."
Ava raised her brow, not understanding what Daphne was talking about.
"Daphne-" Theo tried once again to take her hand. But Daphne pulled away. She didn't take her eyes off of Ava as she unzipped her sweatshirt and took it off.
"Let's see how you like it when I talk to James," Daphne said, standing before Theo and Ava in her fitted yoga pants and black sports bra.
"Daphne," Theo's eyes narrowed, his tone treading on a warning.
"Oh, shut up," Daphne rolled her eyes as she turned to head out the door.
With in seconds, Theo stepped forward and grabbed her arm. He pulled her back to his chest and restrained her with her hands pinned against her back.
"Let go of me!" Daphne struggled against his hold.
"Not a chance," Theo growled, his voice low and possessive. "You're not going anywhere near James dressed like that."
Ava watched, her smirk fading as she realized the seriousness of the situation. Theo's grip tightened, his eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and protectiveness.
"You think you can just walk out and flirt with James to prove a point?" Theo's voice was harsh, his breath hot against Daphne's ear. "Not happening."
Daphne's heart raced, both from the confrontation and from Theo's intense reaction.
"You can't tell me what to do," she spat, trying to twist free.
"I'm not telling you what to do," Theo said through gritted teeth. "I'm protecting what's mine."
Daphne stilled at his words, her anger momentarily overshadowed by the intensity in Theo's voice. She looked up at him, their eyes locking. Theo's gaze bore into hers, and for a moment, everything else faded away.
"Tell her to leave or I swear to God, Theo, I will drag her out by her hair myself," Daphne said, her voice low and dangerous.
Theo glanced at Ava, his eyes narrowing. "You heard her, Ava. Get out."
Ava crossed her arms. "You can't be serious. She's acting completely childish and you're allowing her to. You're really going to let herâ"
"Now, Ava," Theo interrupted, his voice cold and firm.
Ava's eyes flashed with anger. "You can't let her talk to me like that."
Daphne pushed away from Theo and took a step forward.
"Get out," she said through gritted teeth. "Get the fuck out of this room, and don't you dare come near us again."
Ava's face twisted with fury, but she didn't move. Theo stepped between them, his body tense. "Now, Ava."
For a moment, it seemed like Ava would argue further, but then she huffed and turned on her heel, stomping out of the room. As the door slammed shut behind her, the tension in the room remained thick.
Theo turned back to Daphne, his expression softening. "Are you okay? Where were you earlier?"
Daphne's face grew pale. She swallowed hard, feeling a wave of nausea wash over her.
"I... I don't feel so good," she managed to say, her voice weak.
Before Theo could respond, Daphne turned and rushed to the bathroom. She barely made it to the toilet before she began to throw up, the anger and exhaustion from her earlier run taking a physical toll on her.
Theo followed her, his concern growing with each passing second. He knelt beside her, gently holding her hair back and rubbing her back in circles.
"It's okay. It's okay," he murmured, his voice soft and reassuring.
Daphne continued to heave, her body shaking with each bout of sickness. Theo placed his hand against her forehead, holding her upright as her body began to grow limp.
"I got you, baby" he whispered, surprising himself as the word slipped out his mouth. "I got you."
Tears began to roll down Daphne's eyes. She trembled and shivered as her body broke out in a cold sweat. When she finally stopped, she fell back against Theo's hard naked chest with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Theo shook his head, his expression filled with concern and care. He gently brushed her hair back and grabbed a washcloth. Dampening it with cold water, he wiped Daphne's face and neck.
"You don't have to apologize," he said. "You've had a rough day."
"I need to shower," Daphne could hardly speak.
"I'll call Emma or Nadia," Theo said.
"No..." Daphne frowned.
"Daphne, you can barely keep your eyes open right now," Theo touched her face. "Please, let me get one of them. They will help you."
Daphne, frightened by her body's betrayal, began to sob. Theo's face twisted in pain as he quickly rose to his feet and rushed out of the room. He hurried down the hall and knocked on Nate and Emma's bedroom door.
"Emma?" He called, his voice urgent and his knocks persistent. "Emma, open up."
After a few seconds, the door opened and Emma appeared, her eyes wide with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Daphne," Theo said, slightly out of breath. "I think she might be food sick. Ava came in to talk to me and Daphne walked in and we got into an argument."
"Theo!" Emma gasped, her eyes widening farther in disbelief.
"Can you please come and help her?" Theo pleaded. "She needs to shower and she doesn't want me to help."
"Yes, of course," Emma nodded, rushing out of the room and running to Daphne and Theo's guest suit.
Upon entering the room, Emma found Daphne sitting on the bathroom floor, looking pale and exhausted.
"Oh, sweetie," she murmured, approaching her gently. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Daphne nodded weakly, allowing Emma to help her stand up. Emma closed the door and turned on the shower, adjusting the water to a comfortable temperature. She helped Daphne out of her clothes, being mindful of her fragile state, and supported her as she stepped into the shower.
The warm water cascaded over Daphne, washing away some of the physical and emotional strain. Emma carefully shampooed and conditioned Daphne's hair, then handed her a washcloth to cleanse her body. Throughout the process, Emma's presence was comforting and maternal, providing Daphne with a sense of safety.
Once the shower was finished, Emma wrapped Daphne in a fluffy towel and helped her dry off. She found one of Theo's shirts, soft and oversized, and assisted Daphne in putting it on. The familiar scent of Theo's cologne on the shirt provided an extra layer of comfort. Daphne sniffed the material as Emma dried her hair.
"He's an idiot and Ava is a bitch," Emma said quietly. "But he's your idiot and he's out there worried sick."
Daphne felt her tired heart squeeze. She tried to smile but her body wouldn't comply.
"Let's get you to bed," Emma said, opening the bathroom door. She walked back to Daphne and helped her stand up. They took small baby steps to the door and paused.
Theo was waiting anxiously outside the bathroom. As Emma and Daphne stepped out, he looked up and immediately approached them. Without a word, Theo scooped Daphne into his arms and carried her to the bed.
"Feeling any better?" he asked softly, worry etched into his features. Daphne managed a faint nod.
Theo laid her down gently, tucking the covers around her. When he looked up at Emma, his concern was evident.
"Should I take her to the hospital?" He asked.
Emma shook her head reassuringly. "No. I think she just needs some rest. The shower helped, and now she just needs to sleep. She should feel better by morning."
Theo nodded, though the worry in his eyes didn't completely fade.
"Okay," he said. "Thank you. For everything."
Emma smiled warmly. "I'll be just down the hall if you need anything."
As Emma left the room, Theo sat beside Daphne, his hand resting on hers. Daphne looked up and squeezed his hand, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Theo leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Get some rest," he said. "I'll be right here."
After a day of battling her demons, Daphne finally allowed herself to relax. Her breathing steadied, and after some time she drifted off to sleep, feeling safe as she firmly held Theo's hand.
________________
The night crawled with a slowness that was torture. Theo laid awake staring at the ceiling, listening to Daphne's even breathing and wondering where the tightness in his chest had stemmed from. When he turned to lay facing her, the tightness seemed to only increase.
He watched her, the night casting soft shadows across her peaceful face. The sight of her, wearing his shirt, brought an unfamiliar ache to his heart. It left him feeling confused and unsure of everything going on in his life.
Theo sighed quietly, his mind racing. As he lay beside her, he couldn't ignore the growing attraction that simmered beneath the surface. It unsettled him, and made him question himself and the boundaries he had so carefully maintained.
He reached out, his fingers hovering just above her hand, before pulling back. The urge to touch her, to hold her, was almost overwhelming. But he couldn't.
Theo turned onto his back again, staring at the ceiling. The room felt stifling, the air heavy. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing, but the image of Daphne lying next to him, so close yet so far, refused to fade.
As the hours ticked by, Theo remained awake, the tightness in his chest a constant reminder of the emotions he was struggling to understand. He hoped that, come morning, the light of day would bring clarity. But for now, all he could do was lie there and listen to Daphne's breathing.
When she finally awoke the next morning, he was the first to greet her. Her eyes opened and she smiled from the arms of slumber. Theo had fought the urge to touch her all night. But she was awake and if she did not wish to be touched, she would tell him. As Daphne laid still beside him, he raised his hand and tucked back her hair. Her beautiful brown eyes peered back at him, catching the morning light and melting like chocolate, Theo's favorite.
"Thank you," Daphne whispered.
"For what?" Theo asked, his hand lingering by the edge of her face.
"For dealing with the mess that I was last night," Daphne leaned into his warm touch.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Much better," Daphne smiled but Theo could still make out her exhaustion.
"Good," he smiled.
"As a proper thank you, I will give you that discount you've been asking for," Daphne sighed.
"What do you mean?" Theo's brows furrowed.
"The last two days were a mess," Daphne shook her head. "I was a mess."
"No-"
"Let me finish," Daphne said gently. "You didn't hire me to take care of me."
Theo's insides dropped. He felt as if something shattered inside his mind as Daphne continued to speak.
"I won't charge you for these two days," Daphne said. "You've been such a loyal customer. It's on the house."
Theo didn't know what to say as he lay there staring at Daphne. Her words were like a cold splash of water, reminding him of the boundaries they were supposed to maintain. But the last two days had blurred those lines, and now he was struggling to find his footing.
Pulling his hand back, Theo turned to lay on his back. He had the sudden urge to laugh at himself. The absurdity of the situation, the intensity of his emotions, and the tangled web of his thoughts all seemed to converge into a moment of stark clarity. He stared up at the ceiling, the cool air of the room contrasting with the warmth of Daphne's presence beside him.
This isn't real, Theo thought to himself.
His feelings for Daphne, the way his heart raced when he looked at her, the way his chest tightened with worry when she was upsetâit was all a product of their circumstances. He had hired her to play a role, and somewhere along the way, he had gotten carried away. Being so far removed from his usual environment, from the pressures of work and the constant need to be on twenty-four seven, had made him more susceptible to the comfort and companionship Daphne offered.
"Why are you laughing?" Daphne asked.
"Nothing," Theo said with a sigh, his thoughts swirling.
It made sense now. He was relaxed, away from work, away from the relentless demands of his life. Daphne had provided an escape, a way to unwind and forget about everything else.
That's all it wasâa temporary reprieve, not real emotions. He was projecting his need for a break onto her, confusing gratitude and relief for something deeper.
"Do you want to shower first or should I?" Daphne asked.
"I'll go first," Theo said, rising out of bed. "And thank you for the discount. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."
"Likewise," Daphne sat up along with him.
Theo continued to chuckle as he walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind himself. Daphne watched him, wondering what was so funny. She shook her head before pushing the sheets back and climbing out of bed. Theo's shirt hung loose around her frame, grazing her thighs as she pushed her messy hair up into a bun and began to make the bed.
Despite the tension from the night before, the morning light brought a semblance of normalcy. They both fell into the routine they had established. After Theo finished in the bathroom, he emerged with a smile, his hair damp from the shower.
"Ready to put on a show again?" Theo teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Daphne rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.
"Always," she quipped back, grabbing her clothes and heading into the bathroom to get ready.
The morning passed in a comfortable rhythm. They both dressed, exchanged playful banter, and prepared themselves for their last morning in the Harrison mansion. By the time they made their way downstairs for breakfast, the atmosphere between them had lightened considerably.
Theo and Daphne walked in together, seamlessly slipping into their roles. Theo's hand rested lightly on Daphne's back as they approached the table, his demeanor relaxed and confident.
"Good morning, everyone," Theo greeted, his voice warm and engaging.
"Good morning," Daphne echoed, smiling brightly at the group.
"Did you sleep well?" Emma asked, her eyes darting between the two of them.
"Like a baby," Theo replied with a grin.
"Good," Emma's smile wavered as Ava and James walked into the room.
By now, everyone had heard about Daphne and Ava's argument. Everyone around the table stilled as the pair walked in and paused.
Theo and Daphne exchanged looks but remained silent. Beneath the surface, Theo's mind still worked to keep his emotions in check, but on the outside, he was every bit the charming, attentive boyfriend he was supposed to be. He guided Daphne as far away from Ava as he possibly could and handed her a breakfast platel.
From the corner of his eyes, Theo observed Daphne place the usual fruits on her plate. But once they made it back to their seats, Emma's chef came out and placed a bowl of oatmeal and bananas in front of Daphne.
"What's this?" Daphne looked up.
"I asked the kitchen to make you something that would be good for your stomach," Theo said, handing her a spoon.
"I can't eat this," Daphne shook her head.
"Why? Are you allergic?"
"No," Daphne said.
"Then Bon appetit."
"Theo-"
"Daphne," Theo gently pushed the spoon into her hand and pulled her chair closer, making sure she heard his every word. "I hate pleading."
"Is that what you're doing?" Daphne asked. "Pleading with me to eat?"
"No," Theo said, his eyes boring into hers. "I'm begging you to eat."
Daphne frowned, her chest fluttering and her heart racing. She slowly turned to the bowl of oatmeal and took a bit. Theo smiled as he leaned forward and kissed her cheeks.
"Thank you,'' he whispered.
Daphne nodded, chewing slowly. She drowned out everyone at the table and focused on Theo's hand on her back, soothing her. She felt him watch her as she ate the sliced bananas and pushed around the oatmeal. When she looked back up, she slowly pushed the bowl back and shook her head.
"I can't eat anymore," Daphne said.
"I'll take what I can get," Theo sighed and turned to his own food. "Tea?"
Daphne nodded, "Sure."
Theo called to the chef and politely asked her to make Daphne some herbal tea.
"Thank you," Daphne sighed and placed her head on his shoulder. She felt him tense up for a split second before he turned and kissed her head.
For the rest of the short morning, things remained calm. Ava did not try speaking to Daphne or Theo and for that everyone was grateful. Once breakfast was cleared, Theo announced it was time for Daphne and him to head out.
"It was wonderful meeting you, Daphne," Nate said, putting his arms around her and giving her a tight squeeze as he and Emma walked their pair to the car. "Thank you for coming. We hope to see you again soon."
"Thank you for having me," Daphne said.
"You're welcome to come back any time," Emma said. "With or without Theo."
Daphne smiled. She turned to the sweet woman and took her hands.
"Thank you," Daphne said, her heart filling with gratitude. "For last night and for everything else."
The smile on Emma's lips widened. She pulled Daphne into a tight hug and rubbed her back.
"Theo is so lucky to have you," she said quietly. "Take care of him. And take care of yourself."
"I will," Daphne's heart swelled.
"Okay, now move," Theo grabbed Daphne's hips and pulled her back. "My turn."
"Get away from me, you big baby," Emma shoved him. "Nate, you should have seen him last night. I swear I thought I was about to see Theo Silvano cry."
"He needs to be spooked," Nate said, coming to stand by his wife. "Daphne, I'm tasking you with the responsibility to humble this man."
"I'll see what I can do," Daphne laughed. "Thank you for everything again, guys. I had the best time."
"We'll miss you," Emma blew her a kiss.
"Thanks, you two," Theo gave Nate a hug before moving on to Emma. "Tell Reed I owe him a trip to the zoo."
"Will do," Emma smiled. "Have a safe flight."
"Thank you," Daphne waved for the last time as Theo helped her into the car and closed the door. She watched the house grow smaller and smaller in the mirror as they began to drive off, heading for the airfield.
"Goodbye beautiful house," Daphne said quietly.
"You really liked that house, huh?" Theo asked.
"Yes," Daphne sighed and leaned back. "It's my dream house."
"Really?" Theo laughed. "Not a Penthouse in New York City?"
"No way," Daphne shook her head. "I want what Emma has. A beautiful home with lush green gardens, a loving husband, adorable kids, maybe a dog."
"That's it?"
"A full staff to take care of the house, vacations year around, the nicest cars and other toys to keep parked in the garage, a few businesses, trust funds for the kids, and maybe some kind of a hobby to keep me busy when my husband and I are not flying around the world."
"There it is," Theo laughed.
"One day, Theodore," Daphne sighed. "One day."
"That day will come soon enough if you keep robbing me blind."
"Why are you like this?" Daphne scowled playfully. "I gave you a discount, no? What more do you want? I could have charged you extra for the stunt you pulled with Ava last night but I didn't."
"Me?" Theo's eyes widened and he flickered his gaze from the road to Daphne. "I pulled a stunt, Miss. I will drag her out by her hair?"
"And I would have," Daphne rolled her eyes. "What did she want to talk about anyway?"
"She wanted to know if I was okay," Theo chuckled. "She said something about me not acting like myself."
"Do you think she's onto us?" Daphne asked.
"Not after your performance last night," Theo replied.
"You're welcome."
Theo laughed again, shaking his head. He didn't know what to say to that as they fell into a brief stretch of silence. Daphne stared out the window, picking at her manicure and chipping away at the polish. Theo glanced at her from the corner of his eyes and cleared his throat.
"Do you want to talk about what happened yesterday morning?" He began with caution.
Daphne stilled but didn't turn to look at him. She said quietly for so long that Theo began to think she wasn't going to answer his question. But after some time, her quiet voice spoke up.
"I was relentlessly bullied in high school," she said, her voice soft and tired. "My parents sent me to an elite private school because they wanted me to get the best education. But I was targeted because I was the scholarship student and not the trust fund babies."
Theo's grip tightened on the steering wheel as he glanced over at Daphne.
"What did they do?" he asked.
"They made my life miserable," Daphne continued her voice barely above a whisper. "Sarah and Steven were the worst. They would taunt me, spread rumors, and sometimes even sabotage my school projects. They never missed an opportunity to remind me that I didn't belong there."
Theo's jaw clenched as he listened, his anger growing with each word. "Did you tell anyone? Did you tell your parents?"
Daphne nodded, "Everyone knew. But no one did anything. Sarah's father was on the school board and Steven's mom worked for the Mayor's office."
"What about your parents?"
"They told me to ignore them," Daphne chuckled as if it was humorous to her. "My dad just kept saying that none of it would matter once I got into a good college and had a big fancy job."
Theo listened to the pain in Daphne's voice, wishing he could pull over and hold her.
"But you know something?" Daphne stared straight ahead. "No matter what I did, no matter how many good colleges I got into or how many fancy jobs I got, there were always people there to remind you that no matter how hard you worked your ass off, you could never be on the same level as them."
Needing to feel her, Theo reached out and took Daphne's hand. He held it tightly, wishing she would look at him so he could see her eyes.
"So," Daphne took in a deep breath. "I stopped trying."
"What do you mean?" Theo asked.
"I quit my job because I was never going to make enough money working nine to five to pay off my student loans," Daphne said. "I was the best in my department but some snotty rich boy got the promotion because his daddy had connections. He didn't need the pay raises. He already had everything he ever wanted in life. But no, the rice just get richer."
Theo felt a ping of guilt rise up inside his chest. He began to wonder how many opportunities in life he had gotten because of his parents.
"So I decided I did not to be a part of the rat race anymore," Daphne laughed. "If men were going to trample me in the work field and deny me what I worked so hard for, then I would just live off of their money."
Theo frowned thinking about the men Daphne spoke of. He did not like hearing about them.
"My first year I was able to pay off half my student loans just by selling all the gifts I got," Daphne said. "I was in shock. I couldn't believe how people spent their wealth. How willingly they indulged while people like me and so many others waste their lives away just to be able to afford a decent living."
"It's an unfair world," Theo said.
"Yeah, it is," Daphne nodded. "It's cruel."
The silence returned between the two. The car's engine hummed as they both lost themselves in their thoughts and stared straight ahead. A light drizzle had begun to fall from the clouds overhead. Daphne watched a drop of rainwater slide down the windshield and disappear.
"I'm sorry," she said after a while. Her nose scrunched up as she turned toward Theo. "I shouldn't have said all that to you."
"It's fine," Theo gave a soft laugh.
"I don't hate rich people," Daphne said. "I don't hate you."
"Good to know," Theo chuckled, pulling into the airfield.
"I hope you don't think I'm a bad person."
Theo shook his head, "That thought never crossed my mind."
"And just for the record I know you work hard," Daphne added. "I've seen it."
"Was that a compliment?" Theo teased.
"No," Daphne laughed. "It was an observation."
"So close," Theo said, coming to a stop in the landing strip. He let go of Daphne's hand and unbuckled his seatbelt.
The drizzle had turned into a downpour. Two flight attendants quickly came forward with umbrellas and helped Daphne and Theo onto the jet as their bags were secured in the under cabins. Once inside, Daphne shook out her coat and looked around for Theo.
"I'm ready to be your co-pilot," she said, hands on her hips.
"We're not flying today," Theo smiled, taking a seat.
"What? Why not?" Daphne walked up to him.
"I didn't want to put you under that stress when you were sick," Theo shrugged. "I called the pilot last night after you went to bed."
"But you love flying," Daphne frowned.
"I do," Theo nodded. "But I can use the extra few hours to catch up on some work and maybe a nap."
Daphne hesitated, hovering by the seat before him.
"And you can read to me," Theo added with a smile. "We just got to the best part of the story."
Daphne rolled her eyes and sank into her seat. She buckled in her seatbelt as she pouted and muttered under her breath, "I liked being a co-pilot."
"I'll get you your own jet for Christmas," Theo teased with a smirk as he pulled out his laptop to begin his work. "Now, read."
"But you're working."
"I can listen to you and work at the same time," Theo said.
Daphne stared at him as the jet began to move. She reached into her bag and pulled out her book, opening to the page she had marked off. As they began to ascend into the sky, she looked down at the words and began to read.
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?' Daphne held the book up and read, seeing the small smile on Theo's face as his eyes stayed glued to his laptop screen. 'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat. 'I don't much care where -' said Alice. 'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat. '- so long as I get SOMEWHERE,' Alice added as an explanation. 'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, 'if you only walk long enough."
The six-hour flight to California passed in a blink of an eye. Daphne managed to finish reading the whole book to Theo while he worked. Once she was done and resting against the pillows, he paced before her, making his phone calls. Daphne's eyes followed him, listening to his words and watching the way the relaxed laidback Theo melted away to the corporate one. She sighed and pulled her knees closer while he occasionally looked over at her and flashed her a small smile.
When they finally arrived in California, Theo put away his laptop and followed Daphne off the jet. They drove to Pacific Crest University in silence, both too tired from their long adventures over the past two days. Theo looked over to Daphne several times, wondering what was going through her mind. As they began to pull into the parking lot of Lily's dorm room, he finally spoke up.
"Nervous?" He asked with a teasing grin.
"Terrified," Daphne rolled her eyes.
"She's harmless," Theo said. "Wait here. I'll bring her down."
"Sounds good," Daphne nodded.
Theo gave her one last look before exiting the car and heading into the building. He was surprised to find his own body growing restless as Daphne and Lily's meeting grew closer and closer. In the elevator, he laughed at himself, shaking his head. He pulled out his phone and quickly shot Daphne a text.
Theo: If you want to run, I would completely understand.
Daphne: If I can handle you, I can handle baby Silvano too.
Theo burst into laughter, startling the students in the hall. He put his phone away and composed himself before knocking on Lily's door. Within seconds, the door flew open and Lily jumped out.
"Hi!" She squealed, throwing her arms around her brother and pulling him down. "You're here!"
"Lily, my back," Theo complained, pulling her up.
"I missed you," Lily's arms tightened around his neck. "You never call me anymore. You don't even answer my texts."
"I've been a little busy," Theo laughed. He spotted Wendy hovering inside the room and waved. "Helllo."
"Hi," Wendy waved back.
"Oh," Lily let go and stepped back. "Theo, this is Wendy. Wendy, this is Theo, my brother."
"Nice to meet you, Wendy," Theo held out his hand. "You must be a brave one to have survived living with her for so long. Welcome to the club."
Wendy laughed, shaking Theo's hand. "Most days I didn't think I would make it."
"Ah, but you did," Theo said. "And for that, you deserve a Lily-free weekend."
"I can't wait," Wendy laughed.
Theo laughed at the girl's theatrics. He wished he had brought Daphne up with him. She would have loved Wendy.
As soon as the thought of Daphne popped into his mind, Theo's chest tightened once more. He turned to Lily and smiled.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yep," Lily nodded.
With a deep breath, Theo picked up her bags as Wendy and Lily said their goodbyes. His heart began to pound faster and faster as they walked into the elevator and silently rode down to the lobby.
"Lily?" Theo began as they walked to the door.
"Yes?" Lily looked at her brother.
"There's someone in the car I want you to meet," Theo said.
"Who?" Lily asked curiously.
"You'll see," Theo smiled as he spotted Daphne stepping out of the car. Lily followed his gaze and paused.
"Oh," she said.
"You're the first one to meet her," Theo said to her quietly as they walked out of the building. "Be nice. Be normal. Don't scare her."
"Who is she?" Lily whispered.
"My.....girlfriend."
"Oh!" Lily's eyes widened.
"Remember what I said," Theo grabbed her hand before she could run off. Daphne raised her brow from where she stood watching them. "Be nice."
"I'm always nice," Lily pulled away and practically ran to the car. Theo was grateful for his long legs to be able to keep up with her. Once they reached the car, he moved to stand between the two.
"Lily, this is Daphne," he introduced. "My girlfriend. And Daphne, this is Lily....the baby Silvano."
"Hi," Lily smiled ear to ear. "It's nice to meet you. How tall are you?"
"Um....5'9," Daphne laughed, her eyes darting to Theo.
"Oh, Theo, she's perfect," Lily turned to her brother. "I think we have just enough space in the basement for her."
"Lily," Theo warned her to behave.
"I'm sure," Daphne nodded. "But we might need to rearrange some of the other bodies. I would hate to be uncomfortable in death. And please, only silk lining on my coffin. Do not put me in the ground. I hate dirt."
Lily paused, instantly impressed. She looked at her brother and nodded. "I like her."
Theo sighed and rolled his eyes. "I asked you to be normal and not scare her away."
Lily grinned mischievously. "I was just making sure she could keep up."
"Oh, I can definitely keep up," Daphne chuckled, enjoying the playful banter. "But silk lining is a non-negotiable. Comfort is key, even in death."
Lily's eyes sparkled with delight. "I really like her, Theo."
Theo shook his head, exasperation mingling with amusement. "Great, now I've got two of you to deal with."
Daphne nudged him playfully. "Don't worry. We'll go easy on you."
Lily laughed. "Yeah, we'll save the real initiation for later."
"Initiation?" Daphne raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"A little harmless fun," Lily said casually. "But we have to wait until you meet Mason and Levi."
Theo groaned. "Please don't listen to her. She's full of it."
Daphne laughed again, feeling more at ease. "I think I'll take my chances."
Lily winked at her. "Welcome to the family, Daphne. You're going to fit right in."
As they continued their lighthearted conversation, Theo couldn't help but feel a warm sense of relief. He couldn't look away from the smile on Daphne's face as she fell into pace with Lily as if they had been life long friends.
<3