Episode 12

WITH MADISON

I stepped out of the cab, settled the fare with the meager cash I had, and cautiously made my way home. Upon reaching the door, I tentatively pushed it open to find, alas, my parents sitting there nonchalantly. Didn’t they care even the slightest bit? This indifference pained me somewhat; I was truly alone. So I entered, matter-of-factly, indifferent to what they might say.

MRS. GEORGINA: Y-you, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Mr. Leandro right now? - she questioned sternly -

MADISON: I ran away. I won’t spend another second at this place. I just came to grab some things and then I’m gone. If I ever mattered to you, I might have asked a favor - I spoke with firm resolve -

MR. SIMON: Tell us, darling. Whatever it is, we’ll try to help. I hope one day you can forgive us - he spoke, with a note of sadness -

MADISON: I can’t see that happening. Nonetheless, I need to borrow some money and get your consent to leave the country immediately. I’m certain he’ll come after me, and if he does, please tell him you haven’t seen me and definitely not that I’m leaving the country - I said, a hint of sorrow in my voice as I took my father’s hand -

MR. SIMON: I’m not sure how much we can offer you; we’re not well-off. But I’ll give what I can - he remarked, summoning a faint smile. It was the first time I’d seen concern on my father's face like that after all this time, while my mother just watched us with stern eyes.

MADISON: That’s fine, thank you, Dad - I responded, a tearful smile creeping on my face. I wanted to cry at his gesture - I'll go gather my documents and some belongings - I informed him, and received a nod as I headed for my room -

Entering my room, I scoured for my documents and passport, and finally found them! - I exclaimed with a smile -. I hurried out of my room, as time was pressing; it was 08:40 am, and the flight was at 09:00 am to the very country I intended to escape to.

Stepping out, I was confronted with my worst nightmare: the demon Leandro and his thugs. DAMN IT!! - I cursed inwardly - They hadn't spotted me; they seemed engrossed in an argument with my parents. I desperately hoped my mother wouldn’t spill any details. I decided to make my exit through my bedroom window and as I gazed down, it was dauntingly high, but risks had to be taken, or so the saying goes.

I jumped, landing awkwardly, a sharp pain shot through my foot. CURSE MY TENDON - I hissed in pain - Just as I was lamenting, one of those damned guards spotted me, yelling for the others. TIME TO RUN, MADISON - I encouraged myself, limping at first but the pain began to fade as I picked up speed -

MINUTES EARLIER WITH LEANDRO...

I arrived at the Gonzalez residence, slamming the door as I entered. There the fools stood, clearly petrified by my arrival.

MR. SIMON: What brings you here! - he demanded, a mix of sternness and fear in his voice -

LEANDRO: Your foolish daughter has escaped - I said bluntly - but she won't get far. I will find her whatever it takes. To ensure she doesn't try fleeing again, I need you to sign a contract allowing me to marry her. Sign the papers - I ordered with authority -

MR. SIMON: You want what?! - he replied, eyebrows furrowed - Of course not, we will not let you marry her, she’s far too young for that. We won’t allow it - he stated decisively -

LEANDRO: So you choose death over compliance? Or perhaps if you agree, I'll forget the debt and pay you handsomely to leave and never return. After all, you've already sold her to me - I declared, locking eyes with them - So what will it be, shall I end you now, or will you opt for the latter? It matters little to me either way - I asserted -

MR. SIMON: We’d rather you killed us than to give y— he’s interrupted -

MRS. GEORGINA: It's a deal. I'll sign and let my daughter marry you in exchange for the money and our freedom - she stated -

MR. SIMON: What are you saying, woman?! - he exclaimed, appalled - Have you lost your mind? How can you do this to your daughter, YOUR DAUGHTER! - his voice raised as he grasped her shoulders -

MRS. GEORGINA: I know, but what choice do we have? He’ll kill us, can’t you see that? - she retorted angrily, brow furrowed - I'm doing this to save us both. She'll thank us one day, it's the least she can do for us after all we've done for her.

LEANDRO: Good. Then, that's settled. My associate will be here shortly with the paperwork - I stated with a grim composure, settling into a seat. A couple of minutes passed, and I heard shouting outside. I quickly rose and headed out.

GUARD: Boss, Ms. Madison just escaped through the window - he reported breathlessly - the others have gone after her -

LEANDRO: So, the little pest was hiding here after all - I muttered angrily, my piercing gaze on Madison's parents who knew and intended to conceal her - Well, make sure you catch her and bring her here. Got it?! - I ordered, my brows knitting together in a frown - NOW HURRY UP! -

GUARD: As you wish, sir - he nodded and scurried off -

WITH MADISON

Maybe once I'm out of here, I'll attend university and study athletics. Being fast is my forte - I thought, as I kept up my breakneck pace, though the pain in my tendon was flaring up again - DAMN IT!! HELP ME, PLEASE!! - I begged -

Imagining I'd lost them, I pressed on, but they were still hot on my heels, mere meters away. My energy was waning; my legs weren't cooperating anymore, and, worse yet, I tripped over something hard and fell. I scrambled up and continued on. My throat went dry; I hadn’t had any breakfast, and weakness overtook me. As my head spun, everything went black, and I felt myself collapsing helplessly to the ground.

calling Leandro*

GUARD: Sir, we’ve found her. We found Ms. Madison - he spoke hurriedly -

LEANDRO: Good work. Bring her here - I responded tersely -

GUARD: There's an issue. She—he’s interrupted -

LEANDRO: What, what happened?! - I snapped - Did something happen to her?

GUARD: She fainted while running - he explained -

LEANDRO: Damn it! - I muttered under my breath - You fools better had been more careful. Regardless, take her home and tell the maid to look after her. Watch her closely, and I'll join in a few hours - I directed sternly and ended the call -

WITH LEANDRO

Ending the call, I continued to stare intensely at Madison's parents. Then my confidant Maximo arrived with the documents in hand.

MAXIMO: I'm here - he announced - here you go - he handed the papers to me, which I promptly snatched up to inspect -

LEANDRO: How long is the contract for? - I inquired -

MAXIMO: Oh, for a year - he replied, adjusting his briefcase, earning a mere nod from me - When you requested these documents, I could only assume one thing, but tell me yourself, what do you intend to do with them? - he asked, scrutinizing me -

LEANDRO: If it's what you think, it's for keeping that brat and I together; it's the only way to secure she can't run and won’t try something foolish against me - I said - But enough questions, let's go inside - I stated, marching into the house -

MAXIMO: Hold on - he said, catching my arm - Are you really that obsessed with this girl? Forgive me; it surprises me to see you like this. What's so pressing about having her with you? - he inquired, puzzled - Oh wait, don't tell me you’ve fallen for that kid - he joked with a mock laugh, while I ignored him and walked inside -

Inside, we proceeded with the signing of the marriage papers. For the first time, Mr. Simon shed tears for his daughter, whereas his wife did so with great enthusiasm, even greedily taking the money once all was settled.

LEANDRO: Well then, your daughter is now engaged, indeed, MARRIED to me. I don’t want you near her. Forget her and do not look for her, goodbye - I said, leaving triumphantly with a victorious smile -

Back outside.

MAXIMO: You’re really mad - he teased - but tell me honestly, are you in love with her or is it just an obsession?

LEANDRO: Of course, I'm not in love; you know that’s not for me. I need a new companion, that’s all, and now she’s mine to do with as I please - I said, smirking -

MAXIMO: A companion? - he asked, eyebrow raised - That’s quite unusual coming from you. What happened with Jennifer? I thought there was something between you two. What happened? - he probed -

LEANDRO: That woman claims she’s pregnant and says I'm the father - I declared flatly -

MAXIMO: And is it yours? - he asked, shocked -

LEANDRO: Of course not, or I'm not sure, to be honest. She claims I was the only one she was with in recent weeks, we never used protection that time at Marcos's party, but something doesn’t add up - I pondered - Nevertheless, once the baby’s born, I’ll do a DNA test to confirm. And keep an eye on her at all times; that’s your job now. She’ll be staying at the mansion until further notice, you might assume she’s already there -

DAMN IT! - I shouted suddenly, startling Maximo -

MAXIMO: What’s got into you, man! - he retorted with a frown -

LEANDRO: I sent her to the same place, and I can just imagine how Jennifer will react when she sees her - I said as I rushed to my car and sped away -

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