Reminder: Daisy. A character FROM manga. Eliza's friend who liked talking about girlish stuffs. She likes Neal.

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CHAPTER 6

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"A map hidden in a t-tree?" Neal sputtered.

"The legend says so... yes," replied Sarah.

"Tons of gold! We could have owned a mansion ten times bigger than the Andrews!" groaned Eliza.

"What important is not to rely on inheritance but on personal capability," said James with great solemnity.

Their heated conversation stopped when they arrived at the mansion. The Andrews servants readily stood to open their doors and they got off the car.

"Stop thinking about the lost treasure Neal. Daisy should be here. Remember to propose to her," whispered Sarah said to Neal as they walked into the churchyard. "Do not postpone this any longer."

"I was sick. Forgot to buy a ring," Neal answered carelessly.

"Of course you did." Sarah pulled a blue velvet ring box from her bag and pushed it to his son. "Daisy's family is very wealthy now. His father's investment in various railway station and plantation gave staggering returned. And Daisy is their only daughter."

"With her you can build up an alliance for our goal to destroy the Andrews," whispered Eliza.

They couldn't talk anymore since they had arrived at the church's gate. The yard was full of relatives and friends of the family patriarch, Sir William. Putting brave smiles, Neal walked behind his family, shaking hands with Albert, Ira, and other relatives. He saw Archie but he's just an accomplice of Albert. Lowering down his head, Neal ignored him and stayed close behind his parents.

"Stop following us. Look for Daisy!" whispered Sarah to Neal after a while.

Neal left his parents and made a secret signal to Eliza to come with him.

"What?" Eliza whispered.

"I'm not sure what to say to Daisy. Can you come with me?"

Eliza nodded. The siblings walked together when Neal felt someone hug him from the back. It's his girlfriend, Daisy.

"Daisy!" Eliza opened her arms giving the dark hair girl a hug. "I'm glad that you come."

"Me too, Eliza. Oh Neal, you look great! I like your lean look," Daisy gushed.

"Thanks," Neal responded blandly. Eliza turned and glared at Neal. He caught that and understood. "You look extraordinary, too," added Neal.

"What Neal meant is he likes your tulle," added Eliza, hurriedly. "It's lovely." She touched the intricate fabric on Daisy's sleeve.

"Isn't it pretty? I tried to look for it in London but couldn't find it. Finally Mom found this in... guess where? Los Angeles!" Daisy laughed.

"Los Angeles? You've got to be kidding. Where in Los Angeles?" replied Eliza with interest.

"It's behind the building in the intersection of fifth avenue and-"

Neal almost yawned. Girls talk was boring. Good that there's Eliza so he didn't have to say anything.

Unfortunately, Eliza's boyfriend soon came to pick her up.

"Catch you two later," Eliza waved.

Ignoring her brother's pleading glance, Eliza winked and left him with Daisy.

"Now where was I? Where dad bought this silk fan for me, wasn't it?" asked Daisy.

"I guess. But let's enter first. We need to find a seat," Neal said hurriedly. He had not been listening. Suddenly the silence found inside the church seemed desirable.

They entered the basilica. Seats were filing up fast. The only place they got was on the back row. As soon as they were settled, Neal's attention was drawn to the blonde sitting on the first row. Candy was here. It's not that he looked for her, but the fluffy blonde hair was easy to pick out of the rest.

It was hard to concentrate on the eulogy with Candy stood merely a few meters away. Candy... She almost ruined his life. There's something about her that he just couldn't let go, though. He hoped to see her face, but she didn't turn, not once.

oOo... ... ...

Candy was so absorbed at the ceremony. She couldn't take her eyes of Jen. The baby was sleeping carried by her mother with Albert stood next to them. She always knew Albert would make one fine husband and father. She stared proudly at Patty who acted as the baby god mother. For the candles, they used the ones Candy gave Jen as a gift. It was just lovely.

After the baptism service was over, Candy waited for Patty to finish up her duty as the god mother. Patty and the Andrews were mingled with the guests for a simple reception. Candy stayed to talk with Annie but her mother wanted her to go home.

"She's having a baby and will have a long trip to St. Helena on Tuesday," Mrs. Brighton explained.

Candy took them to their car and decided to take a walk on a trail behind the church. It was nice and peaceful. She was walking slowly meandering along the gravel path thinking she would take Terry here when he came in a few weeks. Then, she heard a couple came towards her. The woman was holding the man's arm. Candy took a step sideways to give them room and was about to glance up to give a simple greeting when she heard what they said.

"... good that you won't go to Europe with your family."

"Someone needs to manage the company while dad is away."

"We can go shopping together, Neal. There's one new shopping center opened in..."

"Enthralling," cut Neal hurriedly. "Talking of which... Daisy, I have something for you." He groped his pant pocket to pull the engagement ring and proposed to her. Anything. Just anything to make her stop talking about the boring shopping.

Neal. Candy's breath stalled hearing that name. For a second, she froze debating if she should greet them or ignore them. She chose the latter. Keeping her head down, she walked pretending not seeing him and kept her attention at the gravel at the side of the road...

Neal finally saw Candy, too. His heart leap at her sight! As a teenage boy, he was fascinated by her. In Florida, he had determined to ignore her. How was he supposed to act now? With his gut or mind?

He peeked, watching her from the corner of his eyes. She didn't grow any taller, still slender with reviving gentle curves. She lifted one foot, moved her leg apart, taking a step away. Her skin smooth, her face arrogant. He knew she saw him but deliberately refusing to acknowledge his presence. She was still cold but more desirable than ever.

"Neal," said Daisy, nudging his elbow. "Neal... what was that you wanted to give me?"

Neal dragged his eyes back to Daisy. She was pretty but no one could match Candy's natural beauty.

"Oh... This..." Neal released the ring box and pulled a piece of candy instead from his pocket. "A coconut candy. From Orlando. My favorite."

Daisy beamed at his attention. "Very nice of you, Neal. Let's go to lunch. I want to show you my new gloves."

Neal squeezed the ring in his pocket debating what to do. His mother would be so annoyed if she knew that he postponed proposing again. But it's hard to concentrate on Daisy or anyone when Candy was nearby, alone.

"Lunch? Hm... not sure what mom wants me to do after this," excused Neal subtly.

"Let's go and ask her then."

It gave him an idea. "Yes! And if you like the candy, I have more of it in the car. I go get those. Would you wait for me in in the church yard?"

"But our car is here." Daisy pointed to the opposite e direction.

"I'll use a shortcut," Neal lied.

"Okay. See you." She kissed him.

As soon as his girlfriend departed, Neal let out a deep sigh of relief and quickly went after Candy. His heart raced with excitement never before it happened since he moved to Florida.

He walked quickly along the path Candy took but she's no where to be seen. Has she gone back to the church?, Neal wondered. He turned around to return to the church yard hoping to take a glimpse of her.

"Neal!" He heard his mother call him from the distance. Neal shivered. She would be mad that he didn't proposed to Daisy yet. He had postponed it for a year!

"NEAL!" His mother and Daisy called at the same time this time. "Where are you?"

Nervously, Neal turned around to avoid them and returned to check the area one more time. Where's Candy? He made an estimate, thinking. She should be around here, based on how fast she walked.

Candy's lovely face toyed again in his mind. His heartbeat quickened. How should he explain this to Daisy? And what about his mother?

William's fault! Neal balled his fist in fury. Intense anger and bitterness whirled around in his mind.

Without William, Candy would have been his wife by now. Shaking with anger from head to toe, Neal pulled the diamond ring velvet box from his pocket and stared at it angrily. It's his right to choose whom to marry!

In anger Neal tossed the diamond ring box with all his strength to the tree in front of him. He would only marry a woman who made his heart tremble and soul dance with fire-

"Ouch!" yelped a feminine voice in irresistible tone.

Whoops! Did I hit anyone?, thought Neal.

"AHH HEEELP!"

Neal heard a helpless scream followed by a bustling about the leaves. Someone... A woman was falling from the tree just in front of him. In horror, Neal extended his arms and dashed to catch her.

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To be continued.

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IMPORTANT KEY : When one is infected by the flu and recovered, they become "immune" to the virus.

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NOTE:

ORLANDO: a city in Florida

The story is still long... ALBERTand Daisy will have more roles later.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading. Thanks for giving me the world.