Chasing Daisy

by Paige Toon

  ‘Do you think I should go?’ I ask her later.

  ‘Absolutely,’ she replies without a moment’s hesitation. ‘It’ll make a nice change from the usual bars and clubs we hang out in.’

  ‘What will you do?’

  ‘I might go out with the lads, get rat-arsed and shag Pete to take my mind off things.’

  ‘Holly!’ I crack up laughing.

  ‘I’m not joking,’ she says. ‘That’ll piss Simon off.’

  ‘Hey,’ I berate her. ‘Don’t mess Pete around. He’s a good guy and you’ll probably get him fired if you do something like that.’

  She takes a deep breath and chews on one of her thumbnails. ‘Alright, Mum. What are you going to wear?’ she asks after a moment.

  ‘I have no idea. It’s black tie, apparently.’

  ‘You should check out that shop in the hotel lobby. I saw some beautiful dresses in there while I was waiting for you to come down yesterday.’

  I’m strangely nervous by the time I get back to the hotel at six thirty. I pop into the shop Holly mentioned before going upstairs. There are indeed some beautiful gowns here, but a quick glance at one price tag tells me I’d have to break into my father’s 10 million before I could afford even a single sequin. I go up to my room, racking my brains to try to think of an outfit that would suffice as I get on with my hair and make-up. I’m just starting to wonder if I should back out when there’s a knock at the door. I open it to find the hotel concierge standing outside on the landing.

  ‘Good evening, madam. I have a delivery for you.’

  He hands over a box and I take it, confused. I thank him and shut the door before putting the box on the bed and opening it up.

  I do a sharp intake of breath as I lift out the contents of the box and a floor-length gown spills out, shimmering with gold beads. There’s a note:

  Just in case you’re stuck for something to wear – Luis

  Luis bought me a dress? That’s like something out of a film. I would laugh, but I’m too astounded.

  I can’t possibly accept it. It looks like it cost an absolute fortune. No. It’s not appropriate. What was he thinking?

  But oh. . . It’s so beautiful. Perhaps I’ll just try it on?

  It fits like a glove, skimming my curves, and is low-cut enough to accentuate my breasts. I go and stand in front of the mirror by the door and stare at my reflection. Oh my God, it’s stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever owned anything this beautiful, even when I lived in my billionaire father’s penthouse apartment.

  There’s another knock at the door. I answer it absent-mindedly.

  ‘Wow,’ Luis says, his eyes wide. He’s wearing a black-tie suit, except said black tie is hanging loose around his neck. Dammit, he looks hot. ‘I never in a million years thought you’d wear it,’ he comments.

  ‘I, er, wasn’t going to,’ I stutter, stepping backwards to let him come in. ‘I was just trying it on.’

  ‘You look . . .’ He shakes his head, lost for words.

  ‘Thanks.’ I blush and put my hands to my face. ‘I’m not ready yet.’

  ‘You seem ready to me.’

  ‘I haven’t done my hair or anything.’ It’s still hanging loose down my back.

  ‘Leave it.’

  I come to my senses. ‘Sorry, Luis, but I can’t accept this.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ he brushes me off.

  ‘No, I can’t. I’m sorry. You’d better wait outside while I take it off.’

  ‘I’m not going anywhere unless you’re coming with me. Now.’

  ‘Stop being a bully,’ I snap. ‘I have to get changed.’

  ‘You’re not getting changed. I can’t return that dress, you know. They said no refunds. So you are coming to the charity event with me. And you’re wearing that dress.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘YES!’ He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door. I let myself be dragged reluctantly. Well, if they said no refunds. . .

  ‘Wait! I need my bag.’

  He sighs while I break away and run back to grab it.

  ‘Okay. I’m ready.’

  ‘Thank Christ for that,’ he murmurs, guiding me out onto the landing.

  ‘Anyway, what did you mean, you never in a million years thought I’d wear it?’ I ask as he pushes the button for the lift. ‘What about the no refunds policy? Wasn’t that a bit of a risk?’

  He waits until the doors open and we step inside before he answers. ‘I like taking risks.’

  The charity event is being held in a nearby five-star hotel. Hundreds of candles glimmer in the darkness, uplighting the banzai trees and ornate Japanese gardens as our car pulls up. Men in dinner jackets and women in evening gowns climb up the steps ahead of us into the glowing hotel lobby. I’ve been to plenty of functions like this in my time, but not for a few years now, and certainly not since I’ve worked as a front-of-house girl.

  Luis guides me through to the ballroom. Chandeliers sparkle overhead and candelabras adorn every table. I feel dozens of sets of eyes upon us as the crowd parts to let us through.

  ‘You’ve got a lot of fans here,’ I murmur.

  ‘They’re not looking at me.’

  I smile at him, but he’s staring straight ahead.

  He leads me in the direction of the bar where tall flutes of fizzing champagne are laid out on silver trays. He takes one and passes it to me, then takes another for himself.

  We stand and scan the room for a moment.

  ‘There’s Simon and Catalina,’ Luis says, nodding in their direction.

  ‘I’ve barely seen the boss this weekend,’ I muse.

  Simon looks over and catches my eye. He says something to Catalina, whose face instantly sours, then walks in our direction. She follows him, reluctantly.

  ‘Daisy, hi!’ Simon bends down to give me a kiss on the cheek. I try not to look as astonished as I feel. ‘Luis.’ They shake hands. ‘Daisy, you remember my wife, Catalina.’

  ‘Hello.’ I nod at her and force a smile, aware she’s forcing one back.

  ‘Out together again?’ Catalina comments, pulling a face. ‘And you say you’re not an item?’ She looks from Luis to me.

  ‘Lovely to see you here, Daisy,’ Simon interrupts. ‘How are you finding everything with the team at the moment?’

  ‘It’s great, thanks,’ I reply warily.

  ‘Good. Good,’ he says determinedly. ‘You know, sorry to interrupt, Luis.’ He puts his hand on my arm and takes me to one side, leaving Luis to speak to Catalina. ‘Are you happy doing what you’re doing? Would you like to swap back with Holly to be the drivers’ on-hand girl?’

  ‘No, no!’ I answer vehemently. ‘I’m fine where I am, thanks.’

  ‘Well, if you ever change your mind, you come and speak to me. Okay?’

  ‘Okay. . .’

  ‘Right.’ He turns back to his wife. ‘We should probably mingle, darling.’

  ‘Absolutely.’ She turns away, not giving me another glance.

  ‘That was weird,’ I comment.

  ‘What did he say?’

  I fill him in. ‘Do you think it’s because of my dad?’ I ask worriedly.

  ‘I don’t know. . .’

  I sigh. ‘That’s the last thing I wanted, people to treat me differently.’

  He casually squeezes my arm and looks away. ‘I’m sorry about that.’

  ‘Don’t worry. It’s not your fault.’

  ‘I think you’ll find that it is.’

  ‘No, honestly, I’d rather you said what you said than let that prick get away with his comment.’

  ‘Speaking of whom. . .’

  I follow Luis’s gaze to see Norm jiggling our way.

  ‘Daisy! Luis! Great to see you both!’ He bends down to kiss my hand, then turns to Luis and shakes his. I resist the urge to wipe his slobber away on my dress. ‘WOW! You look stunning!’ he booms at me, and I can actually feel his hot breath on my face from a foot
away.

  ‘Thank you,’ I reply, trying not to flinch.

  ‘Now, you don’t look like a bun tart.’ He shakes with laughter, before adding, ‘I spoke to your daddy a few days ago.’

  My blood runs cold. ‘Did you?’

  ‘Yes. He said to pass on his regards.’

  ‘That’s nice,’ I lie, knowing that my father will have meant nothing of the sort.

  ‘Would you excuse us?’ Luis chips in. ‘I’ve just seen my teammate and have to talk tactics.’

  ‘Of course!’ Norm waves us through.

  ‘Oh, God,’ I say under my breath.

  ‘That’s not good, is it?’ Luis checks.

  ‘No. I don’t think my father knows I work here.’

  ‘Is it likely to be a problem?’

  ‘Oh, yeah,’ I say with absolutely certainty. ‘It’s likely to be a big problem.’

  ‘What do you think he’ll do?’

  ‘I’ll find out soon enough.’

  Quite a few racing drivers are here tonight. Pierre is chatting to Antonio Aranda and Kit Bryson, so we stop to say hello. Antonio seems happy enough to see Luis, but Kit makes his excuses and wanders off. I wonder if Holly was right when she said some of the other drivers were jealous of him.

  It takes two hours and several glasses of champagne before I can relax again. The auction is now over. People have been bidding for items that previously belonged to celebrities, all in aid of charity. Luis didn’t bid for anything, but Naoki Takahashi won a rug that Madonna used to have in her living room.

  ‘Shall we go and join the others?’ Luis asks me. ‘Dan texted me a little while ago. They’re all at some karaoke bar.’

  ‘Let’s do it!’ I squeal a little too loudly.

  ‘We’ll do it later, if you’re lucky, but let’s go and sing some karaoke in the meantime.’

  I whack him on his arm as he stands up and offers his hand down to me. I take it, my head fizzing with all the champagne.

  Holly detains me the second we walk through the doors of the low-lit venue.

  ‘Come with me.’ She drags me in the direction of the ladies’ room.

  ‘Was he there?’ No prizes for guessing that she’s talking about Simon.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Was she?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did you speak to her?’

  ‘Hardly. He was a bit weird, though.’ I relate Simon’s behaviour.

  ‘Strange.’ Her brow furrows. ‘Do you think he’s trying to get rid of me?’ she asks suddenly.

  ‘No! Of course not!’ I reply, although I hadn’t actually considered that possibility.

  ‘What else happened?’ she asks morosely, then suddenly seems to notice my appearance and perks right up. ‘Oh my God! That is the most amazing dress!’

  I smile and give her a twirl.

  ‘Did you get it from that shop in the lobby?’

  ‘Er, no.’ I screw my nose up in embarrassment. ‘Luis bought it for me.’

  ‘No way!’

  ‘Yeah, he did.’

  ‘Holy fuck! That’s like, so Indecent Proposal!’

  ‘I’m hardly Demi Moore and he’s hardly Robert Redford. And anyway! I’m not shagging him!’

  ‘You added that almost as an afterthought.’ She gives me an amused look.

  ‘Stop teasing me.’

  ‘I’m just going to the loo. Wait for me.’

  She goes inside a cubicle and I turn to stare at my reflection. I’d almost forgotten I was wearing this dress, this beautiful dress. Nerves flicker through me at the thought of Luis.

  ‘Look at you, checking yourself out,’ Holly jokes as she reemerges.

  I turn to her and lean up against a basin. ‘Do you think it’s strange that he bought me a dress?’

  ‘No,’ she replies. ‘He obviously wants to get you into bed.’

  ‘Holly!’

  ‘It’s true! Any idiot can see it.’

  I don’t say anything.

  ‘You fancy him, don’t you?’ She nudges me. ‘I knew you did!’

  ‘Holly, no, stop it, don’t say that,’ I plead.

  ‘Why not? It’s true. Just shag him and get it over with. Move on.’

  ‘What do you mean, move on?’

  ‘Well, he’s hardly marriage material, is he?’ She rolls her eyes and giggles.

  I try to laugh. ‘No, I guess not.’

  ‘But he’s supposedly brilliant in bed, so I’d get your kicks and be done with it, if I were you.’

  I have a sinking feeling she’s right. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if Luis were outside in the bar, trying to pull a woman at this very minute. Saying that, I haven’t seen that side of him since Silverstone. He seems different these days. More responsible. Maybe he’s changed. . .

  ‘What’s up?’ Holly asks, frowning.

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Oh my God,’ she says worriedly. ‘You don’t really like him, do you?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Seriously, Daisy, that’s a bad idea.’

  ‘I know!’ I snap. ‘You don’t have to tell me that, I know it already!’

  ‘Good.’ She gives me a wary look. ‘Because I don’t want to see you get hurt.’

  I stop short of telling her she can talk.

  I follow her back outside to the bar. Luis is squashed into a curved booth with Dan, Pete and a few of the lads. He pats the space beside him. After what Holly said, I’m reluctant to sit next to him, but my friend goes to the other side of the booth and there’s no room anywhere else for me, so I don’t have a choice. He immediately wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me affectionately back into him. I tense up, but don’t think he notices.

  ‘Hey! It’s Dan’s song!’ Pete shouts, as the big screen opposite starts to show the words to Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’.

  ‘WOOHOO!’ Dan shouts, before throwing himself into the song with great gusto. As the chorus kicks in, he climbs up onto the table and starts playing air guitar. Holly and I scream with laughter as the boys cheer and Luis takes his arm from around my waist to clap. Seconds later, a petite Japanese woman with her hair tied up in a bun pads over to ask Dan, very politely, to sit back down.

  My waist feels cold . . .

  He’s just like Johnny! Stay away from him!

  But then he puts his arm back around me and a feeling of warmth floods my entire body. I tell the annoying little voice inside my head to go away.

  ‘Daisy, this one’s ours!’ Holly screams.

  ‘What?’ I ask in alarm as she passes me a microphone. ‘I can’t sing!’

  ‘That’s the point,’ Luis says, grinning.

  ‘Right, well you’d better do the next one.’ I smack him on his chest and take the mic as Holly and I launch into ‘Heaven On Earth’ by Belinda Carlisle.

  An hour and a couple of glasses of whisky and Coke later, we’ve all made complete tits of ourselves, including Luis who pulled off a ridiculous rendition of Vanilla Ice’s ‘Ice, Ice Baby’.

  I’ve never laughed so much in my life. We’re all in high spirits and even Holly is having a blast, which is a relief after all her moping about.

  Pete launches into Wham’s ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’, but my mind is elsewhere because Luis’s thumb has just started to stroke the curve of my waist. I’m quite drunk now, and this is beginning to feel dangerous. I lean into him as Holly, across from me, grins. Her eyes flit towards Luis and back again. I know she’s encouraging me to do the dirty deed, and right now, I don’t think I’d be able to resist.

  ‘I’m going to have to go back to the hotel and get some sleep before the race tomorrow,’ Luis says to me. My stomach crashes downwards until he says in my ear, ‘Want to come with me?’

  I glance at him, his dark eyes confirming he means what I think he means, and nod.

  We stand up and he makes his excuses about leaving early. I don’t know if the lads suspect anything is going on between us, but right now I don’t care.

  We don�
�t speak in the short taxi ride back to the hotel. That annoying little voice pops back to ask me if this is such a good idea. YES! It’s a brilliant idea, I scream back at it. I fancy him like mad tonight!

  But how will he feel about you tomorrow?

  Shut up, shut up, shut up!

  We walk into the lift together and I look at the buttons. He presses the number for his floor, then leans back against the gold-gilded railing and stares at me.

  He’s just like Johnny . . .

  As a reaction to that thought I reach over and punch the number for my floor, then defiantly look at Luis. A split-second later I’m in his arms and he’s kissing me passionately as my head tingles with anticipation. The lift comes to my floor and stops, and we break away from each other to stare out onto the empty landing. Then he’s kissing me again and the doors close before we shoot upwards once more.

  Inside his suite, he can’t keep his hands to himself. I can see his bedroom up ahead, but I don’t even know if we’ll make it that far, because we’ve kicked off our shoes, he’s taken off his jacket, I’m unbuttoning his shirt and now he’s unzipping my dress. He grabs my hand as I step out of the beaded gold garment discarded on the floor, and leads me through to the bedroom. I don’t feel as naked as I am, because his eyes stare straight into mine as we climb onto the bed and kneel, facing each other. I push his shirt off his shoulders and run my hands over his hard chest and then he’s pressing his lips to my neck.

  He takes his time with me and it’s slow, sensuous, erotic. I can hardly bear it because I want him so badly, but when he finally does take me, it’s worth waiting for.

  I can’t catch my breath for a long time afterwards as we lie, tangled in the bedsheets, hot and sweaty in each other’s arms. He turns to face me, running his forefinger along my jawline. I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say anything, just lie there staring into his dark eyes.

  ‘I should probably get some sleep,’ he says finally.

  ‘What is the time?’ I turn and look at the red digital display on the alarm clock next to his bed. ‘It’s almost two o’clock in the morning!’

  He grins. ‘I know.’