MY NAME IS DAISY - NOT A BAD DUCK
17. Opening Memories

Daisy was glued in front of the three heads. It seems that it just happened yesterday. They had just finished their dinner together to celebrate their birthday.

After nine years had passed, he was finally able to return to his homeland today. Visiting his father, mother and sister.

"We're going home now. It looks like it's going to rain, the sky is getting dark" said Grandfather who was preparing to leave while staring at the overcast sky.

Maxi grabs Daisy's hand and invites her to stand up. Daisy fixed the position of the flower bucket she was carrying and placed it in the three umbilicals. Then got up and followed the rigid footsteps of the grandfather who was walking in front of him.

"We're going to Benvollio's plantation. You follow Grandpa" said Grandpa.

"Maxi, accompany Daisy" said the grandfather again before his car door closed.

"Well, grandfather" Maxi grabs Daisy's hand and guides her into their car.

The schedule this time is to take care of the transfer of ownership and leadership of Benvollio plantation to Daisy. All this time the plantation was taken care of by Grandpa's confidants. Because grandfather was Daisy's guardian during his age was not enough to lead the company legally Lotus state.

"I know, it must be hard to come back here. Happiness and sadness mix together. But this is indeed a way of life to go" Maxi patted Daosy's hand slowly.

"I'm doing fine. You don't have to worry, Max" Daisy smiled.

"We're both the same fate, right? you also lost both parents" murmured Daisy.

"Yes, same. But maybe my sadness is not as deep as you feel. I lost both my parents when I was a baby. I don't have any memories I remember of them. I can only see from a few videos and photos of our togetherness"

"With you, there are already many beautiful memories stored in your memory. And I'm sure it's very heavy" Maxi said.

"Intensely heavy. But, like you said. I need to be strong, healthy and happy" Daisy smiled back.

Maxi smiles relieved to see Daisy is fine.

"Look at that Benvollio plantation. Very beautiful" Maxi pointed his index finger outside the car. Flowers and tea trees as wide as the eye can see. Two factory buildings stand in the middle of the plantation. At the west end there is a large house building with a magnificent fence. It was the childhood home of Daisy and her family.

Grandpa's car entered Benvollio's plantation gate.

Some people were standing up to greet Grandfather.

As Daisy and Maxi get out of the car. Two of them rushed to welcome.

Miss Aneth and Miss Gaby who turned out to be there rushed also to welcome Daisy.

"Good day, Miss" they both greeted Daisy at the same time.

Daisy was no longer surprised by the sudden presence of the two of them. That's a normal thing. Because there's something she's finally learned lately about Miss Aneth who turns out to be part of the Edoardo family's security team. Although Miss Aneth never tells her who she really is but the now-adult Daisy can recognize the true identity of miss Aneth.

"Good day, Miss" replied Daisy.

Daisy walks next to Grandpa and Maxi to the factory building with some factory officials who have greeted Daisy.

They headed straight for the second floor. From the stairs up, all could see the activity inside the factory as all the walls were made of glass. Daisy still remembers all that. Because as a child he was often invited by his mother to the factory.

Seeing the busyness of Mother and the workers is a very amazing thing for Daisy. Mom is very smart and smart at work. Never angry but firm. She is also very friendly and remembers all the names of her employees. During a work break, I joined the cafeteria for lunch with the employees at the same table with the same menu. Mom always talked and often asked about the news of her employee's family who happened to sit at a table with her.

"Daisy, let's go in" Maxi grabs Daisy's hand, leading her to follow the grandfather who entered the room. Daisy from her daydreams.

Nothing has changed. It's still the same as before. This room is a meeting room and also where you receive guests.

All the objects are still in the same position and look very well maintained.

Daisy looked at Grandpa who was just smiling back her gaze. Daisy smiled too. He knows Grandpa's keeping this all for him.

"From now on, you're the one who took your mother's place. All this time it's been well guarded waiting for you to be of legal age. Soon there will be an officer from the notary office to certify your leadership here. All this belongs to you. You deserve all this" Grandpa patted Daisy on the shoulder slowly.

Grandpa called a man. The man handed the box to Grandpa. Then Grandpa gave it to Daisy.

"This is your mother's office access card that will be your office" Grandpa said.

Daisy tried hard to resist the outpouring of sadness in her heart. All the memories seemed to slowly decompose out of the memory box in his head. Slide after slide past portraits alternately appeared in his head.

Maxi who was sitting next to him clasped his hands tightly under the table. Maxi is trying to strengthen Daisy. He knows the sadness Daisy feels.

"Thank you, Max" said Daisy slowly.

Daisy sighed. He felt a little relieved.

Not long after, an officer from the notary's office arrived. The process of signing the transfer of leadership to Daisy and the revocation of Grandfather's power as interim leader was immediately carried out.

Everything went well.

"You can see your office, Daisy. During this time no one occupied the room. But every day is always cleaned. Fresh flowers in your mother's favorite vase are always replaced every day" said Grandpa.

"Welcome to lead. Grandpa is sure you are capable. You're so smart and strong" Grandpa slapped back on Daisy's shoulder.

"Thank you for taking care of all this" Daisy said.

"It's Grandpa's duty to take care of you and all this" Grandpa replied.

"You can go with Daisy, Maxi. Later you will accompany him and keep him in place of Grandpa and Grandma" Grandpa told Maxi as he walked out of the room.

Maxi and Daisy look at each other in surprise. So Grandpa knows that Daisy and Maxi are in a relationship.

They hurried to follow Grandpa's steps.

"Grandfather will have lunch and rest in the villa. You go home to Daisy. The driver will drive you" said Grandpa not caring about the surprised looks of his two grandchildren.

"Well, grandfather" Daisy and Maxi replied simultaneously.

Suddenly Grandfather stopped his steps and turned his head.

"Don't think Grandpa doesn't know how you feel about each other. Grandpa is old. I have memorized the affairs of young people. Ever since you were a teenager, Grandpa has known how you feel about Daisy. Take good care of Daisy. Grandpa believes in you" said Grandpa looking at Maxi, then patting Maxi on the back a little hard.

"Good, Grandpa. I will take good care of Daisy" Maxi replied firmly.

"Good!"said Grandpa. Then immediately continue his steps down the stairs.

"You don't have to go with Grandpa. Just start doing what can be done here" Grandpa said, stopping Maxi and Daisy.

Daisy and Maxi stared at each other. They're like little kids caught eating candy after brushing their teeth before going to bed.

"So, Grandpa has known all along" muttered Daisy feeling ashamed.

"Even great. That means Grandpa blesses us if we get married" Maxi muttered with a big smile.

"It's still a long time, isn't it, Max? I'm only seventeen. You said wait for me twenty years" Daisy said.

Maxi smiled again. "Waaaah, you also agree that when you were twenty we were married?"

"Well, Max. Right now in my head and heart there is only you. Marrying you was already my target at the age of twenty" Daisy replied innocently.

Maxi hugs Daisy tightly.

"Thank you, God" whispered Maxi.

"Mr Maxi, Miss Daisy. Let's go around the factory" Miss Gaby told Maxi that they had been followed by several employees. Maxi slowly let go of her embrace.

Miss Gaby and several employees seemed to be holding back laughter as well as happy to see the incident.

Maxi smiled shyly as she pinched Daisy's cheek.

"max. No kidding. Remember we're at work" whispered Daisy with a shy blush.

"Okay, Daisy. I was too happy" Maxi grabbed Daisy's hand and grabbed her.

Daisy attempts to release Maxi's hand, but to no avail. As Maxi further tightened his grasp.

"Max.." whispered Daisy.

"It's okay. Just holding hands will not reduce the seriousness in work" Maxi replied with a smile. Daisy knew the more she tried to let go of her hand. Maxi's hand was tightening.

Meanwhile, miss Gaby and the few employees who were walking behind them could only smile at the pair of young people in front of them.

***