© an affiniteas 2011-2012 ink on Wattpad
07 | Daisie Gives a Pair of Eyes
IT WAS ANOTHER tiring day.
Walking out of the elevator, I released an exhausted sigh. It seemed like all the guests wanted to try out Symphony's Fine Dining today. Rubbing my eyes, I was just about ready to head out the lobby doors until Logan was walking my direction. His attention was stuck on the manila folder he tightly held onto. Serious stuff, I assumed. I smiled involuntarily because I haven't had the chance to talk to him.
Yet, I found myself spending more time with Bryce.
Go figure.
Once Logan glanced up, he caught my eyes. I swiftly looked away before waving him a hello.
Logan approached me, his dark blue eyes looking slightly tired. "Maisie! I haven't seen you around. How are you?"
I smiled and said, "I'm doing great. Just tired because of work today. And you?"
"I could say the same. Finals are coming up soon, deadlines need to be met, a little too much to handle."
"You can do it! You're Logan Valentino."
Logan let out a short laugh. "Thanks to you, I think I can now."
The way his midnight blue eyes lifted as he smiled was really cute, but I tried my best to not let it get to me.
When I was ready to leave, Logan quickly stopped me. "Bryce... he hasn't been bothering you, right?"
Thinking about it, I didn't want to bring up Bryce's fun filled experience he made me go through at the restaurant a few days go. This was his cousin we were talking about—flesh and blood.
Shaking my head, I said, "No, he actually showed me around the hotel when I got off work."
His blue eyes widened, taken back. "He did? Oh okay. When summer vacation comes, we should go out sometime, yeah?"
Assuming Logan meant it as a friends kind of deal, I nodded happily before watching him head to the main elevators. Logan's expression when I told him about Bryce giving me an exclusive tour was kind of questionable. It looked as though Logan was in disbelief. Well, I couldn't blame him.
Now that Logan mentioned it, everyone's school year was closing to an end. My younger brother's graduation was in two weeks.
"Hey, worker. Stop spacing out, you're blocking the way," a voice poked my thoughts away.
Just as I expected.
Bryce Valentino.
Once again, Bryce had his arms folded across his tailored suit in a mocking manner as if he was the big boss.
Wait, scratch that, he was going to be one eventually.
Clearing my throat, I replied dryly, "Sorry, Mr. Valentino, I was about ready to leave."
"Don't talk to me like that. I'm not my father," Bryce said, slightly disturbed.
"Well, Mr. Valentino, you don't like it when I call you Mr. Valentino? But Mr. Valentino, you don't even know my name. So Mr. Valentino, I should continue calling you Mr. Valentino. How does that sound, Mr. Valentino?"
Those icy blue eyes were glaring darts at me every time I emphasized "Mr. Valentino". Allow me to cash in my victory.
Bryce's jaw clenched before he said, "Fine. Daisie, stop standing there. You're blocking my way."
Raising my eyebrow, I said, "My name is not Daisie."
Bryce appeared to be surprised as he replied slowly, "It's not? But, your work name tag said Daisie."
Laughing, I shook my head. "Are you blind? My name is Maisie, not Daisie."
"Well, you never told me your name anyway, Daisie."
The more I thought about it, I asked, "Hold on, can you read that sign over there?"
Puzzled, Bryce followed to where I was pointing. It was only inches away. Bryce squinted his eyes. In the midst of this, I noticed how his nice dark eyelashes were being showcased. I needed to stop staring.
After a long pause, Bryce murmured, "Yeah."
"What does it say?" I asked with a content grin.
"... Do I have to tell you?"
"Come on. What does it say, Mr. Valentino?"
Bryce sighed in defeat. "Daisie, I can't read it. You happy?"
Just what I thought. And then, a rush of thoughts crashed in like a tidal wave. How could the heir of Phoenix Empire not have glasses or at least contacts if his eyesight was that bad? What would happen if Bryce couldn't read a slide show presentation or an offer, and he made a mistake because he couldn't see?
More importantly, why was I worrying about Bryce Valentino?
Shaking my head, I said, "You should go to the optometrist, and get some glasses or contacts if you want."
"Take me," Bryce abruptly demanded.
"You can do it yourself! You're capable of going there."
"What if I can't find the place because I can't see?"
"That's not my problem," I said bluntly, ready to walk away and head home.
"Because of you, Daisie, my secret has been revealed. So, you must help me. If not, you'll lose your job."
A cunning grin formed on Bryce's lips, knowing he got me tied. He was pulling the blackmail card.
Stupid delivery boy.
As much as I knew I was going to regret my decision, I hopelessly agreed and told him to follow me. It seemed like Bryce always had the free time. Why was he never busy when I was around? When we walked to my car, Bryce complained that my car was too small for his taste even though he was laughing to his amusement. In the end, I plastered on a smile because he was the son of my boss.
Once we got in, Bryce said with a grin, "The best optometrist, you got that, Daisie?"
"It's Maisie. And, don't you have an optometrist? A family one at least?" I mumbled, turning on the engine.
He was a Valentino, for crying out loud.
"Daisie, if we did, then we wouldn't be in this situation. Am I right?" he answered in a clever tone.
Stupid, stupid delivery boy.
Taking a deep sigh, I pulled out of the parking lot, and off we went. How was I going to find the "best" optometrist?
Clicking my tongue as I searched from place to place, there was no optometry in sight. Well, this wasn't going in our favor or more towards my favor. When I glanced over to the passenger seat, Bryce was minding his own business on his cellphone. Not going to lie, I felt pity over him because it really did look like he was struggling to read whatever was on his screen.
Settling my attention back on the road, I ended up choosing whatever optometry we ran into. Bryce had no say in what was the "best" or not. He better deal with it. Spotting a sign that said The Looking Glass, this would be the lucky optometry that would have to deal with Bryce Valentino.
When Bryce noticed that I was parking, he lifted his head. His blue eyes scanned the place.
He teasingly remarked, "If they ruin my eyes, it's all your fault, Daisie."
Giving up on correcting him, I unbuckled my seat belt. "Stop whining, and let's go."
We both walked inside, and the receptionist immediately greeted us, standing up from her chair. As I looked over the counter, she had been reading a magazine. And, guess what? The Valentino family happened to be on the front page. That was no surprise.
The receptionist balanced her thick-rimmed glasses against her sharp nose bridge and seemed hesitant. "Mr. V-Valentino?"
Bryce said casually, "Call me Bryce. Anyway, something's wrong with my eyes. Daisie, over here, is telling me that I need glasses or something."
The receptionist never looked so nervous. Her leaf green eyes shook as she was fixing her bob-cut red hair to appear presentable. Trust me, Bryce Valentino was nothing to be nervous over.
If only I could tell her and myself that.
She quickly nodded as she shuffled through some papers. "You'll meet with Dr. Henderson, and she'll assist you on what needs to be done. If you'd just take a seat over there and fill out the paperwork on the meantime."
As Bryce was going through the questionnaire, I couldn't help but notice how much he struggled to read it. I offered to help, but the delivery boy waved me away. Giving up, I decided to let him be independent and suffer.
Through my waiting, I finally found this the perfect opportunity to ask, "Bryce, why did you make deliveries that one day?"
Bryce's attention was still on the papers as he said nonchalantly, "I wanted to ditch work. Your market just happened to be on the route. Hey, what's this say?"
"It's asking if you have any allergies. Um, how did you become a delivery person?"
"Gave the guy some money. Easy stuff. Why? You actually thought I was some delivery guy?"
"Of course not! I was just wondering."
Bryce scoffed in return, probably not believing my horrible lie. "I'm quite offended that you didn't recognize me as the incredible Bryce Valentino."
Could this guy get any more conceited or what?
Still, his confidence was starting to divert me.
Once Bryce was finished, we both waited. It wasn't long before the optometrist quickly came out of the opposite doors and called for Bryce's attention. Dr. Henderson had her blonde hair tied in a perfect ponytail and showcased naturally large green eyes. She revealed a friendly smile and motioned Bryce to follow her.
Checking the time, I wondered why my parents never called me. They knew I got off an hour ago. Because I was so tired and it seemed like Bryce was taking forever, I was starting to get sleepy. Folding my arms across my chest, my eyes fluttered. I felt my head bop up and down, trying to regain conscience.
"Daisie, wake up," a gentle voice bought me back.
"Huh?" I rubbed my eyes, and Bryce was standing in front of me.
This wasn't the first time, right?
Fixing my position, I cleared my throat and asked, "So, what's the result?"
Bryce gritted his teeth and said, "I need some reading glasses. Choose one for me."
Must I do everything for him?
As I was about to decline, Bryce quickly mentioned about firing me if I didn't. Grunting, I stood up and found a smile of satisfaction on his lips.
Keep smiling, delivery boy.
Glancing around the racks of multiple glasses, I found the perfect one for him.
"What the fuck is that? You think I'm some grandpa?" Bryce's face dropped in disgust as I handed it to him.
Holding in my laughter, I couldn't help but grin broadly watching Bryce's expression. I gave him those glasses with humongous lenses, and it was clear plastic. In my thoughts, Bryce would look like a dorky professor. Thinking Bryce would put it back, he ended up trying it on anyway.
Why did he still look good in those ugly glasses?
Bryce nodded, glancing in the mirror. "Not bad, but I don't think I'll be taken seriously with these on. Next."
Frame by frame, all of them managed to surprisingly fit Bryce. Yet, the word "next" would always escape from his mouth. Honestly, I did like the black framed glasses on him, but I didn't like the fact how almost every pair glasses took away his beautiful, blue eyes. After the thirteenth one, we were still nowhere.
Exhausted from choosing, I suggested impatiently, "What about contacts?"
And that way, his eyes would be perfectly visible.
Placing a failed choice back onto the shelf, Bryce turned to look at me. "You want me to poke my eyes out?"
Shaking my head, I explained the benefits of having contacts. Sure, it may be hassle to put on and take off, but that way, Bryce wouldn't have to worry about revealing his so called secret. To my amazement, he went with it.
Bryce Valentino actually listened to me?
Usually, it would take a day or two to prepare the contacts, but it seemed like this certain optometry wanted to show its best for a Valentino and had them already prepared just in case while we were glasses shopping. Dr. Henderson was guiding Bryce step by step on how to put them on, and I never found such entertainment like this before.
Bryce would flinch every now and then when placing the lens into his eyes. It was hilarious, but I did everything I could to not laugh because the action was too risky. I even resorted to cheering for him. A jerk should be thankful. After a couple tries, Bryce managed to perfect it.
The receptionist and Dr. Henderson happily exclaimed, "You did such a good job!"
Look, he already has a fan club.
Chuckling at the sight, I ended up clapping along. As we were about to leave, Dr. Henderson stopped me.
She gave me a kind smile. "It was so sweet of you to support your boyfriend."
I coughed from doubt, "Him? Oh no, he's not—"
"Daisie, let's go!" Bryce said after speaking with the receptionist.
Before I could even explain myself, I followed Bryce out of the optometry. Last time I checked, he was not my boyfriend.
After closing the store doors, I asked with a small frown, "Why does Dr. Henderson think I'm your girlfriend?"
Bryce was standing by my car door and was suddenly occupied with his phone. He shrugged, bringing his attention to me. There was a taunting smile growing on his face.
He said, "Don't look at me. I should have told her that you're my personal servant."
Rolling my eyes, I unlocked my car, and the two of us headed back in.
As he took his seat, Bryce's face actually showed sincerity. "Thanks, by the way."
I replied with a sly smile, "So Mr. Valentino, now that you have a pair of eyes, you'll call me by my real name, right?"
Despite his phone ringing non-stop, Bryce pressed the ignore button before shutting it off. Those alluring, sky blue eyes then jumped at mine.
Bryce returned back the grin and said, "You'll always be Daisie in my eyes."
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Dedicating this chapter to a good friend of mine when I first joined Wattpad, ChocolateWonders