Bound by a Contract Broken by Fate

"Goddamn it! Daisy, how are you still not in love with me after six years?" He shouted in frustration.

Daisy flinched at her boyfriend's raised voice. She wore a pink and white checkered blouse, which only enhanced the bright red blush that had formed on pale cheeks after hearing his exclamation. Her flawless blue eyes rested beneath beautifully shaped black eyebrows. She bit the bottom half of her cherry pink lips as she tried to hide the tears that were forming in her eyes. Daisy looked up at the man who was standing in front of her. He was wearing a dark blue suit and an exasperated expression.

"I am sorry Edward. Really... I am. I never meant to hurt you." She whispered while tears slid down her face.

Six years ago, everything happened in rush and she didn't know what to do. She didn't even have the time to consider the fact that relationships couldn't be built without love.

"Daisy... A-are you crying?" Edward asked apprehensively.

He felt a pain prick his heart when he noticed the tears in her eyes. The guilt of what happened all those years ago was eating him alive and it was entirely his own fault. He had convinced her to date him even though she had warned him again and again that she didn't love him in that way. Seeing her cry like this because of him, he just wanted to slam his face into the nearest wall.

"I am really sorry, Daisy. This is my fault." He admitted, stepping closer to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

"You're not the one who should be apologizing. It's me who should be sorry." Daisy replied with her face buried in her hands.

She tried hard to stop crying while despising her own actions.

Inhaling a deep breath, Edward shook his head and wrapped his arms around her trembling body.

"I shouldn't have brought this up, especially now... I've messed everything up." He sighed. "Can you still make it to dinner with my parents?" He asked as he gently stroked her hair.

Daisy nodded.

"It's alright, Edward. I'm fine." She said softly.

"Let's go inside then." Edward said.

He held Daisy's hand and escorted her inside the luxurious mansion.

Daisy was in awe as she noticed the exotic plants, water features and sculptures that bespoke of the family's wealth and status. They finally found Mr. Robert and Mrs. Alina in the living room, debating current politics.

"Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Daisy." Edward announced, smiling at his parents.

Edward squeezed Daisy's sweaty hand as his parents lifted up their eyes to see the girl beside their son. They schooled back their startled features and put on a passive expression.

"Good Evening, my name is Daisy Amber. It's a pleasure to meet you both." Daisy said as she bowed politely, her long hair hanging over her shoulders.

She had no idea that it would be this nerve-wracking to meet his parents. Garnering her courage, she straightened back up and handed the small gift bag that she had been holding to Mrs. Alina.

"This is just a small present. I hope you like it!" Daisy said with a big smile.

"It's a pretty crystal vase. I had told her that you appreciate things like this. She went to a lot of places to find just the right one." Edward proudly said, moving closer to his mother.

Noticing Daisy's apprehension, Mrs. Alina couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you! This is so sweet of you. I love it!" She said, happily accepting the gift.

"Don't just stand there. Please, take a seat Daisy. I promise we don't bite." Mr. Robert joked, even though his stern and straight face didn't change a bit.

All of these years Daisy had been so afraid to meet Edward's parents because of the differences in their social status. She didn't think that the Watson's would believe her to be a proper match for their son. However, on the contrary, they were exceptionally friendly and kind to her. She sensed that their warm regard could make anyone feel special. But, how long would that last after they learned more about her?

Daisy shook her head as she mentally pushed her doubts away and concentrated on the present moment. Taking a deep breath, she went to sit on the couch beside Edward.

After a few brief moments, she felt Mrs. Alina's eyes looking intently at her. Daisy shifted uncomfortably beside Edward and tried to remain calm.

Mr. Robert, noticing the pensive look on his wife's face, leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

Mrs. Alina blinked as if remembering something... or someone.

"She looks so much like..." She trailed, leaving her thought unfinished.

"Don't talk nonsense." Mr. Robert curtly responded.

Immediately, he cleared his throat, as if signaling to his wife to quickly drop the matter. Mrs. Alina nodded in understanding and inhaled a deep breath to clear her thoughts. She smiled slightly at Daisy.

"I was told that you two met in New York. Did you study at the same medical college with Edward?" Mrs. Alina asked.

Daisy's body tensed at the question and panic filled her mind. Edward took the initiative to answer his mother's question.

"No mom..." He said, shaking his head before continuing. "She studied at a community college. She worked a couple of part-time jobs to pay her way through school. No one was able to help or support her, since Daisy is an orphan. But, that is one of the reasons she has turned out to be so strong and self-reliant. Those qualities are what I love most about her." He confessed.

Edward encouragingly squeezed her hand and a smile formed on Daisy's face as her shoulders relaxed a bit. He was well versed in dealing with awkward situations, a quality she greatly appreciated. Of course, any conversation where her past was brought up made her feel uneasy. She wasn't ashamed of herself but she knew that her background was nowhere near compatible with Edward's, or his family's for that matter.

However, to her continued surprise, Mr. Robert seemed satisfied by what his son told them regarding her situation.

"There is nothing wrong with being an orphan, Daisy. As long as you are confident and proud of what you do, background and status aren't important." He stated, smiling at her.

He was also an orphan and he strictly believed that hard work always brought about success without exception.

Traces of tears gathered in the corner of Daisy's eyes. She couldn't be more grateful for the words spoken by Edward and Mr. Robert.

"I told you had nothing to worry about. I knew that they would like you." Edward whispered in her ear.

He never even doubted once in his mind that his parents wouldn't like Daisy. She was social, mature, and a loveable woman. She was absolutely perfect in Edward's eyes.