Chapter 3

“Daisy… That fits.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Fits how?”

He motioned vaguely around her. “You, sitting here alone at 5 PM on this random bench, all thoughtful and soft-focus like a Pinterest board. You’re literally giving melancholy in a meadow. Daisy fits.”

She blinked, then let out a short laugh. “Okay, you rehearsed that one.”

“I didn’t. But if I had, I’d have delivered it with more flair.”

“Right, Mister Flair.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re kind of dramatic.”

“And you’re kind of avoiding coffee. Which is borderline criminal. Can I fix that?”

She smirked. “I’m not sure I trust you with caffeine responsibility.”

“Oh come on, you don’t even know me yet.”

“Exactly.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. Then let me earn it.”

Before she could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and stepped to the side.

“Give me a sec—hello?”

His voice dropped an octave. His casual tone switched completely—his British accent sharper, posher, effortlessly smooth. Like BBC narrator meets royal aide. It was low, precise, rich.

“Yes, I’ve gone through the deck. No, they haven’t seen the revisions yet. But I’ve sorted it—tell Mum not to stress.”

Daisy stared.

Is he even speaking English?

He sounded like he belonged in a period drama. She blinked, trying to match the casual guy in front of her with the voice she was hearing. It wasn’t fake—it was just… polished. Like another version of him had stepped out.

He ended the call and turned back to her, casual again. “Sorry. Just work stuff.”

She gave him a look. “Was that… you?”

He grinned. “Told you I was from UK.”

“No, you told me. That? That was a reminder.”

He laughed. “Okay fine, I dial it down here. Don’t wanna scare off innocent bench girls.”

“Well,” she said, arms crossed but smirking, “a little warning would've been nice. I thought you were summoning Shakespeare.”

“I’ll do that after coffee,” he winked?”

She pretended to think. “Hmm... make it a surprise. Let’s see what Mr. Royal Telecaller picks.”

"Royal Telecaller woah.....interesting , Miss Daisy.”

“Life’s short,” she said. “So is this bench moment.”

He looked at her for a beat—really looked.

“Alright,” he said. “Challenge accepted.”

She blinked. “Wait… are you for real? Like, you’re actually offering me coffee?”

Ethan tilted his head, pretending to think. “Well, I did indirectly murder yours in cold blood. Seems only fair.”

Daisy glanced down at the brown stain on her shirt, lips twitching. “Tragic. Gone too soon.”

“So?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She stood up slowly, brushing off the bench. “Fine. But only if you promise not to call this a meet-cute. That’s where I draw the line.”

He stood too, holding an invisible halo above his head.

“Scout’s honor. No cheesy lines. Just caffeine. Straight from a humble London boy.”

She rolled her eyes, already walking. “Right. But just a reminder—this is India, not the UK. Keep the charm in check.”

He chuckled, falling into step beside her. “And yet, here you are… willingly following me to coffee.”

She smirked. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, London boy.”

And just like that, they strolled toward the café.

From quiet balcony glances…

to unexpected bench-side banter.

And Daisy couldn’t help the thought sneaking up in her chest

Maybe this wasn’t just a spilled coffee and a strange evening.

Maybe this wasn’t just a random crush at all.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***