Episode 16

With Madison

I had arrived at my parents' home, paid the taxi with the money the Guard had given me, and stepped out of the vehicle. As I entered, there were some new things—what happened here, I wondered, looking at the expensive purchases—but where had they gotten so much money for this?—until my father descended the stairs.

MR. SIMON: Daughter, what are you doing here? How did you get in?—he asked, somewhat surprised.

MADISON: Well, I have the keys, remember?—I said seriously and with an angry face—where's mom?—I asked, knowing she was central to this matter.

MR. SIMON: Oh, she's...—he's interrupted.

MRS. GEORGINA: Here I am!—she said as she walked down the stairs—what do you want here? This is no longer your home; you're married now, so don't come back here—she said seriously.

MADISON: So it's true, everything that wretch said. I don’t know who's worse, him or you—I said angrily—Let me ask you a question, "MOTHER"—I emphasized as she just looked at me seriously—What did I do to you for you to treat me this way, huh? Did I do something wrong? Don't I deserve to be treated better or rather haven't I deserved better all these years? Why have you changed so much towards me?—I said, starting to sob—WHAT DID I DO WRONG, MOTHER?—I cried out as tears rolled down my face—YOU CAN’T PUNISH ME LIKE THIS, I’M JUST A CHILD. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THEY MIGHT DO TO ME AT THAT HOUSE?—I shouted.

MRS. GEORGINA: Ha, what did you do to me?—she is interrupted.

MR. SIMON: Please, woman, don’t do this, don't hurt her anymore, please—she cuts him off.

MRS. GEORGINA: YOU SHUT UP!—she snapped.

MRS. GEORGINA: Well, I'll tell you, brat. Didn't you ever stop to think about how young I am?—she said, looking at Madison with some anger, Mrs. Georgina was still very young— I am still young, but didn't you ever consider that when I was your age I also had dreams and goals to achieve? I was so eager to finish university with the career I loved and become a professional, but then, that cherished dream went to HELL because of your DAMN FAULT!—she exclaimed, and Madison felt stabbed—I got pregnant with you at 17; at first, I thought about aborting you but no, your father refused. Initially, I didn't care whether your father had money or not, I just wanted to fulfill my dreams. I tried to love you when you were born, but over the years, as I saw girls your age on the street, they reminded me of my adolescence and what I couldn’t achieve. It frustrated me too much, and I told myself that if I couldn't fulfill my dreams, I would have everything I wanted in life. That's when I wanted to get into business with your father—she said as she cried profusely, Madison just felt guilty—Now you know the reason—she said, wiping her tears.

MADISON: Regardless, this doesn't justify that you've married me off to a stranger and a mafioso at that—I said, drying my tears and turning serious—Do you really not care about me at all?—I asked, wanting to cry again—Aren’t you afraid or worried about what they might do to me in that house?—I said, sobbing as they remained silent—Either way, I want to tell you that I love you very much, I’ve always loved you despite your absence, I'm sorry, mother, I'm sorry, father, I just hope one day I can forgive you for this—I said as I dried my tears again, turning to leave—GOODBYE!—I said, walking away.

Madison's thoughts...

What now? I have no one here; I’m still too young to work in this place, and on top of it all, I don’t know anyone,—I said as I walked despondently—There's no choice but to return to that grumpy old man's house and let my life be whatever it will be—I said sadly—there was still a little money left for a taxi, but I was unsure about going there; it was late, and I was very hungry, they’re probably looking for me—I said, smiling to myself, picturing the grumpy old man yelling at me—but what am I thinking—I said shaking my head—

I decided to take a taxi to the old man's house; there was nowhere else I could go, and my stomach was rumbling loudly.

With Leandro Hours Earlier

Finally, at my real job, the ghost company had assigned me the task of making it disappear; I was tired of it lately. Now, it would just be me and my true profession, which I loved, by the way. Today I hadn’t seen the girl, only in the kitchen that morning chatting with the maid. I was about to intervene, fearing what the maid might tell her, but when I saw her smile, I stopped in my tracks and decided not to approach, or rather, my body froze. I was in a hurry anyway and, deciding not to pay much attention, left for work.

Pulled from my thoughts by a phone call, it was one of my guards.

Answering the call

LEANDRO: Yes, what is it?—I said seriously.

GUARD: I apologize for disturbing you, sir, but you need to know this: this morning Miss Madison asked us to take her shopping, and she didn't allow us to call you. Upon arriving at the location, she went into a store, and she didn't let us follow. We waited outside, and when she took too long, we went in to find she had left—they said apprehensively—We're looking for her but can't find her.

LEANDRO: Are you really such incompetents? When will the day come that you do your job properly?—I exclaimed sternly—Where are you now?—I asked.

GUARD: We've split into groups to look everywhere; I'm heading to her parents' house—he said seriously.

LEANDRO: Good, let me know as soon as you find something. And I don't think the girl will go far; she's in my country, and I will find her—he said and hung up.

Leandro's thoughts...

This girl; ever since she came into my life, she’s been nothing but trouble, driving me mad. But as much as I want to, I can't seem to harm her; something stops me. Of course, I’m not in love with her. No, certainly not; it's just that no one has ever despised me, especially not a woman. She was different from any I've known, which drew my attention even more when I met her. And I don't intend to let her go. Once I find her, I'll punish her, and she’ll wish she never tried to escape again.

He thought that while leaving work, heading home to prepare some things. He was confident that his men would find her, but it never occurred to him that Madison might return on her own accord.

With Madison

I had arrived home, stepped out of the taxi, and instantly several men came rushing towards me.

GUARD: hey!—a guard shouts—Miss Madison is here!—he exclaims loudly, so the others could hear.

MADISON: Yes, yes, I'm here. What’s so surprising? I didn't run away—I lied with a serious face—now let go of me—I said as two of them held me by an arm.

GUARD: We will not do that. The boss is inside, furious—he said seriously.

MADISON: What do I care? I'm here now, and I didn't run away—I said seriously, knitting my brows as they ignored me and took me inside the mansion.

Inside, I was met by the old man with an angry face, frowning deeply.

MADISON: Ugh! Enough, let go of me—I said, as the guards released me abruptly, causing me to fall to the floor and letting out a gasp of pain.

LEANDRO: BE MORE CAREFUL, DAMN IT!—he shouted and tried to help Madison up.

MADISON: Leave me!—I said angrily, pushing him—I can get up on my own.

LEANDRO: Whatever, just know this is the last time you leave the house, I might even put bars on all the windows. You will only stay in your room. Or actually, from now on, you'll sleep with me—I said seriously—I’ve told you time and again to behave, but you don't listen. This is your punishment, and don't think I'm interested in you; I'm just doing this as a punishment.

MADISON: Of course, I won't do that, I won't sleep with you. I'd rather jump off the top of this house—I said seriously, gesturing with my hands—or even, I could use that chance to kill you in your sleep—I said mockingly—I get very scary when I'm angry.

LEANDRO: Ha ha, and what could you do to me with those little hands and your height?—he said mockingly, looking me up and down—don't make me laugh, girl—I laughed.

MADISON: Laugh all you want, decrepit old man, I'm just warning you—I said seriously, turning my back.

LEANDRO: Don't call me that, stupid girl—I said seriously—I am not old and I have a name; it's Leandro.

MADISON: Just like you don't call me by my name, I won't do it either. If you respect me, I'll reciprocate, I only give what I get—I said seriously, turning around to look him in the eyes.

Leandro's thoughts

This girl amazes me; she draws out aspects of me I didn't think existed, and I even find her sass, the way she talks to me, and looking me in the eyes somewhat amusing. No one dares to look me in the eye, but she does, and that makes her even more interesting to me.

MADISON: Ha, as usual, you just stare at me like a fool and don't answer—I said seriously, with my arms crossed. Seriously, you always stare at me in thought—whatever, I'm leaving—she said.

LEANDRO: Wait—he said while gently grabbing Madison's arm.

MADISON: What now?—I said seriously.

LEANDRO: Tonight we're going to a friend's house, and I want you to get ready—he said seriously.

MADISON: Can't you go alone?—she said raising an eyebrow.

LEANDRO: I've already told you; you need to obey me in everything without protest. In a few days, you'll be my wife, so you might as well start getting used to it—he said.

Madison remained silent and stood still. Leandro left her alone, walking away with a crooked smile.

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