As the three approach the doors of the diner, Pole speaks, " Daisy and I met at this diner, it's actually why I named her Daisy."

"I was on my way home after ordering dinner, I heard her small barks, she was barely 3 days old, left abandoned in a cardboard box. I found her in this alleyway between some other large boxes. Unfortunately, we were not able to catch the person who left her like that."

"How could anyone do something so horrible" Charis gently pets daisy's fur "You must have been so scared"

"Woof woof (the hood life ain't for every pup)"

"Lily actually helped me to feed her the first week we met-" Pole's sentence is cut short as the back door to the diner swings open.

"oh, there she is"

Lily' carefully existing the building, cautiously looking behind her, she looks up and jolts "Oh hello, what brings you out here?" lily stands by the door, clearly nervous and in a rush.

"I was just telling my friend Charis about how Daisy and I m-"

"Oh I remember, she threw up all over your favourite shirt after drinking too much milk" Lily giggles to herself relaxing for a second 

"Lovely to meet you guys but I've got somewhere to be, don't tell my mum I was out here" Lily rushes 

As Lily rushed past, the back door to the restaurant next door, swung open and out came a man about 5'10, his clothes pristinely ironed, his dark blonde hair in a neat side part, his cleanly shaven face holding an expression of disgust "What are you hoodlums doing in my alleyway" his voice snarky yet distinguished.

"Woof woof (aye who do you think you're talking too old man?)" Daisy retaliates 

"Calm down Daisy, let's just go home" as pole lifted daisy off the ground to keep her from running to the man, the back door to the diner swings open

"What's going on back here!", May 'Daisy' Young, standing at 5'4 she was one hell of a force to be reckoned with.

May turns to the 4 in the alleyway "Oh hey kids, what are you doing out here" her voice sweet and gentle.

"Ugh, of course you know these street rats" The distinguished man states, as he rolls his eyes

"How dare you talk to me and my kids that way, I'll have you know this was my alleyway first, you know what get over here" May removes her shoe, ready in hand to strike the man.

"You mad woman, how dare you threaten me with such violence. I would never hit a woman." the man steps back in fear.

"Why are you scared to lose-" her outburst cut short as Lily steps into diffuse the situation

"Okay mum, let's not get ourselves in a lawsuit, or to in jail tonight" Lily gently calms her mother

"I apologise, had I not insisted on bringing my colleague here with my dog, we would have caused a disruption" Pole steps in attempting to make peace 

"Lucky for you I'll let you all off with a warning tonight but be warned my lawyer will be on the line if I catch you here again" the man hurriedly rushes back inside.

"He was the lucky one, I should've sent him right back to his little posh town wherever he came from" May angrily mutters under her breath

"I'm sorry you had to see that" Lily turns to Charis 

"You don't have to apologise; I appreciate that you stood up for us" Charis tri

"Who is this young pretty lady, Pole you found a wife. Well, that must have been an overwhelming first impression, what's your name my dear?" May pulls out her hand 

"she's not my wife; she's just a colleague" Pole tries to correct May, who is so stuck in her own delusions has not heard a word

"My name is Charis, it's nice to meet you" Charis reaches out her hand expecting a handshake and is pulled into a hug.

"What a beautiful name, you can call me Aunt Daisy, you two should come in and I'll treat you two for a meal" May's soul crushing hug, squeezing the last remaining air in Charis's lungs.

"hugh. .. heeuhg" Charis attempts to blurt out

"Oh dear I nearly killed you" May quickly let's go

"are you okay?" worry written all over Pole's face

Charis manages to let a weak "Yeah. .. " in-between each heave for fresh air.

"I think its best if we just go home for tonight, but thank you for the offer" The three of them leave the alleyway, as Pole accompanies Charis home.

"Are you feeling any better?" Pole asks nervous

"Yes I'll be fine, I think I just need to rest" Charis her breathing now steady but her back has definitely seen better days.

"Are you sure? I. . I can carry you home if you'd like" Pole avoids eye contact trying not to seem as embarrassed as he is for asking

"No seriously I'll be fine" but unfortunately for Charis, the author decides her fate, and so she rolls her ankle over a stray rock.

"Okay, I'm definitely not letting you walk home, we need to get ice on it quickly " Pole gently picks Charis up in his arms, "Should I take you to the hospital?"

"It doesn't hurt, I think I'll be fine i can walk the rest it's not that far" Chairs insists

"Then if it's not that far, it'll be as if I didn't carry you all" Pole smiles trying to make the situation less awkward.

Awkwardly and silently the two make their way towards Charis's apartment.

'I can feel his muscles tensed, but he walks as if I weigh nothing at all' Charis to herself, hoping to get home faster 'The scent of his cologne is quite nice, maybe I should ask him'

'I'm so nervous all my muscles are tensed, I don't think it's obvious though, wait why am I even nervous to begin with, hold on is daisy still here? oh that reminds me I should buy her a dinosaur costume, actually I wonder what dinosaur daisy would be, wait what dinosaur would I be?' Pole lost in his thoughts till they arrive outside Charis's apartment. 

Randy: "how did you even find that all out?"

Rosalina: "I have my ways"

LOL that was kind of fun to write.

🐔