Episode 15

WITH MADISON

"Surely this fool is a certified fool," I muttered as I arranged my belongings in my new room, which to be honest was quite beautiful, spacious and above all luxurious, boasting a massive wardrobe and a bathroom larger than my old bedroom. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much clothing with me since most of it was left in my old house. Tomorrow, come hell or high water, I must visit my parents for an explanation. I truly can’t believe this; I bet the ancient codger did it just to keep me close to him. Tomorrow I’ll find out the truth, and if it turns out be as I suspect, then I truly have no one left in this world, because if my parents really sold me off and on top of that, arranged for me to marry that man, I’ll never forgive them.

THE NEXT MORNING...

WITH MADISON

Now awake, I had quickly finished getting cleaned up and changing.

Afterward, I went down to the kitchen, checked my phone and saw it was 07:20 AM. Luckily, the housekeeper was already preparing breakfast and thank goodness that old fogey wasn't around. I sat down at the kitchen table.

MADISON: Good morning! – I greeted with a smile, startling the housekeeper as she turned around.

HOUSEKEEPER: Oh, good morning Miss Madison, how are you today? – She asked kindly.

MADISON: I’m fine, and you? – I replied politely. Wait, before you answer, I must apologize for last time. I was shouting and treating you poorly, and I just wanted to say I’m sorry, ma’am. – My voice dipped slightly as I hung my head a little.

HOUSEKEEPER: I understand, Miss, and there’s nothing to forgive. I’d react the same in your shoes. It’s not easy, but try to be patient with him. He’s not as bad a person as he seems. Yes, he’s involved in unsavory things, but he isn’t bad-mannered as you think. He’s only tough on bad people, but he treats us well, like me. He pulled me out of the ruins I was living in, – she said, taking my hand briefly before letting go. Just try not to contradict him too much.

MADISON: I don't know what to think of him; he hasn't been good to me... I really don't know what he wants from me, why he insists on having me here forcibly – I said with a serious tone.

HOUSEKEEPER: It is strange because he’s never done anything like this before. He used to send girls away after he got bored with them, while they were begging to stay. Except for Miss JENNIFER, she was allowed to stay over repeatedly, but she’s nothing but a gold digger – suddenly, she stopped herself.

MADISON: Hey, what happened? Why did you stop? – I asked, looking at her with a surprised expression.

HOUSEKEEPER: I shouldn’t be talking about these things. The boss will get angry if he finds out. Let's leave it at that – she turned back to her cooking.

MADISON: But –, alright, I don’t want to get you in trouble because of me and my curiosity – I said with a chuckling sigh.

HOUSEKEEPER: Did you know you look even more beautiful when you smile, Miss? – She continued with a smile of her own. You should do it more often.

MADISON: Aww, thank you. I haven’t had many reasons to smile lately. You know, my parents sold me to your boss, that's why I'm here – I shared in a somewhat somber tone.

HOUSEKEEPER: But look on the bright side, Miss. At least with Mr. Leandro, you won’t want for anything, and he’ll always protect you from harm – she said cheerfully.

MADISON: Hmm, well, I don’t know what to say, but let's change the subject. Tell me your name, I forgot to ask earlier – I requested, somewhat embarrassed.

HOUSEKEEPER: Oh, don’t worry about it, Miss. My name is Cinnia but feel free to call me whatever you'd like – she replied.

MADISON: No, of course not. May I call you Nana Cinnia, please? – I asked, giving her the best pleading look I could muster.

HOUSEKEEPER: I’d like that, but I don't know if the boss would approve – she said, looking sad.

MADISON: Don't worry about what that old grouch thinks – I said with an encouraging smile and she laughed along with me. It's true, he can’t tell you what to do. You can just call me Madison – I assured her, nodding my head decisively.

CINNIA: No, I cannot do that. The boss has given me explicit orders to treat you as the lady of the house – she said seriously.

MADISON: What? Lady of the house, you say? – I asked, confused – But I’m nothing to him – I added sternly.

CINNIA: Well, almost everyone here knows that you and he will be married soon – she replied, looking at me intently.

MADISON: That’s not true! – I retorted, visibly upset – I won't marry him. I’m far too young for that – I was lost in thought.

CINNIA: I understand. Let’s not talk about it any further. How about having some breakfast instead? – she suggested kindly as she set out the meal.

MADISON: You just reminded me, I have something to do – I commented as I headed towards the exit.

CINNIA: But, Miss, where are you going? You can’t leave, the boss will get angry and punish you, please don't go – she pleaded as she ran after me.

MADISON: Don’t worry, Nana Cinnia, I’ll handle it – I replied as I walked out, leaving her looking concerned.

As I stepped outside, the guards stopped me.

GUARD: Miss, sorry, but we have orders not to let you leave – one said, blocking my path alongside the other guards.

MADISON: That won’t be necessary. I need to go shopping for a few things, and I need them now – I stated with authority.

GUARD: Just a moment, I need to inform the boss – he said as he pulled out his phone.

MADISON: I need it now, I can’t wait for your stupid boss to deign to answer, so before something indecent happens, you'd better take me where I say – I demanded, my expression stern.

GUARD: Alright, Miss. Let’s go – he conceded before bringing around the vehicle.

Madison and four men left the house in the SUV.

MADISON'S THOUGHTS

Now, how do I distract them long enough to visit my parents' house? I need to find a way – I mused as I formulated a plan. We arrived at a huge shopping center selling everything under the sun. Stepping out of the SUV, I walked towards the entrance with Leandro’s suited bodyguards trailing behind me, drawing odd looks from onlookers. It was time to distract them, and I had an idea that wasn’t exactly strategic. I paused and turned to the head of the guards.

MADISON: I need to buy some personal 'girl' things – I gestured with air quotes, surprising the guard – And I’ll need some money since I haven’t got any – I forced a smile.

GUARD: Sure, Miss – He coughed awkwardly and reached into his wallet, handing me some bills. I made my way inside, and the guards followed.

MADISON: Hold on, wait! What are you doing? You can’t come in here; it’s a women's shop. With those grim faces, you'll scare everyone off. Better wait outside – I insisted, and to my surprise, they complied. It seemed Leandro had made it very clear who I was. Could it be true? Did my parents actually sign those marriage papers? – I wondered aloud quietly while looking for a store exit and found a gap leading out of the mall. Bingo! – I celebrated silently in my mind.

I carefully sneaked out without attracting attention and hailed a taxi, giving the driver my home address. I needed answers, but I wasn’t sure why I was even seeking them since my parents had already sold me. Why wouldn’t they go ahead and sign a marriage contract? Nothing should surprise me coming from them; it was clear they were capable of this. Nonetheless, I wanted them to explain one thing – why they did it and why they changed so much towards me. I needed to comprehend everything so I wouldn't have to see them or look for them ever again. After that, I could find peace and figure out what to do with my life. I'm tired of running from one place to another; I just want a normal home and life, like any 15-year-old girl.

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