His Second Chance

“Yes, am almost at my apartment.” Madeline said with a wide smile plastered on her face. She had just finished her part time job at a local restaurant for the day and was heading home to take a real bath. “Alright, so you don't have plans for tonight. Then come over to the club for a girl's night. It's a Friday Madeline.” Her friend Jane said over the phone.

“You know I don't do parties especially night ones. And, besides am already exhausted from working overtime today.” Madeline just entered the bus that would take her home. She heard her friend sigh heavily over the phone. “You're such a bore Madeline. It's a Friday and all the girls are having fun over here with some hot guys. You can bring your boyfriend with you as well.” Madeline hated the fact that Jane was always a persistent person. She found an empty seat by the window and hurriedly took it before anyone else would. Manhattan could become like a beast on a Friday night due to the fact that people were heading home from working during the weekdays.

“You also know my boyfriend doesn't like late night parties, only exclusive parties and events that happen during the day.” Madeline said wishing this conversation would just end. She had already planned her routine for tonight. Taking a nice long shower to relieve her stress, checking her email out of habit to see if she got accepted as an intern in at least one of the top fashion houses and lastly have a small study session. Madeline was in her third year in university and was studying fashion designing. It's a dream she had pursued since she was a little girl and was very known towards the sewing machine.

“You know the both of you are such a bore and fit each other to the tea.” Jane slurred at the end before Madeline picked up beats of the loud music playing in the background. “I can tell someone's already tipsy.”

“Of course not! Anyway am off to party and dance till my feet drop dead. Stay in your apartment with your boring boyfriend.” Her friend cut the call and Madeline couldn't have been more happier. She pondered on her friend Jane's words. It's not that she was a boring person but at this stage in her life, Madeline couldn't afford to slack off and loose herself for even a second. Unlike Jane who came from a pretty good family background, she could freely lance around but that wasn't the case for Madeline.

Madeline reached her stop and got off the bus. Her apartment was only two blocks away from the bus stand and she didn't mind straining her legs a little more. The cold night was amazing on her skin and it seemed like a perfect Friday night. A typical night where guys and girls her age would either party or sit at home to watch movies and smear their mouths with popcorn. She reached her apartment building and said a nice greeting to the security man before making her way into the building.

Her legs were sore so she opt to take the elevator up to her floor. She got to her apartment and stopped to take a deep breath. She opened her door and got in only to gasp or more like surprised. Her boyfriend Kane Whitemon was seated in the living room with a laptop on his lap and his eyes fixated on the screens. Madeline didn't expect Kane to be back so early. She glanced at the time. It was around seven-thirty.

It seemed that Kane hadn't noticed her come in. Madeline slowly slided off her bag from her shoulders before she made her way behind him. She wanted to surprise him from behind. “You're home late.” Kane said not tearing his eyes away from his laptop. Madeline rolled her eyes and leaned her face forward to kiss him on the cheeks. “I could say the same time about you babe. You're home early.” And, Kane turned his neck around to face her and pulled her close to kiss her mouth. Madeline moaned in his mouth. No matter how long they were dating, she always felt like this was the first time kissing Kane Whitemon. Fresh and sweet at the same time.

“I missed you.” Kane smiled before returning his gaze back to the screens again. Madeline also looked at his laptop and smiled. She saw more like a property with buildings rising slowly. It was like an animated presentation. “I spent several days doing this.” Kane smirked at his accomplishment. “You deserve another kiss for this. Come here.” Madeline pulled his face to hers once more and kissed him deeply. She was so proud of her man and saw how hard he worked just to get a business proposal out there. She knew with Kane's much dedication, he was sure to succeed at an early age.

“You did over time again today?” Kane asked after he pulled away. Madeline smiled more at this. “Yeah. Needed more tips since it's a Friday night and besides Ms Boomer wasn't feeling well today.” Madeline took off her shoes and tossed them to a corner before moving towards the couch. Kane took his laptop off his lap and let Madeline sit on his lap. “You're so smart and so serious with your work. I love this about you Madeline. The two of us each pursuing our goals. It's wonderful and we pair with each other so well. Don't you think so too?” And, this made Madeline coze up more towards Kane. “I don't just think so but believe so my dear Kane.” She leaned her lips forward and Kane grabbed the back of her head to kiss her more. Kane loved the fact that Madeline was a beauty but not just that but she wasn't a distraction like the others. She was his drive to push forward with his goals. To show everyone especially his father that he could become a successful business man and prove how wrong his father was.

Kane's parents divorced when he was five years old and Kane mostly spent his life living with his single mother Amalie. Kane's father didn't have wealth and this caused a shift in his marriage to Kane's mother. Things got worse after Kane was born. His father Cole couldn't tolerate any more and left not before calling Kane a mistake. Amalie worked hard as a college professor in one of the schools in their neighborhood back home in East London and was able to send Kane to school. Kane developed a good IQ and was always at the top of his class. Now he was in his third year in Columbia university studying business. He did have some setbacks on being rejected but that didn't slow down his esteem but quite the opposite. It made Kane more driven more than ever to succeed.

“I'll make us some dinner quickly.” Madeline giggled when Kane won't leave her. “It's already done. I made pasta with shrimp sauce tonight.” Madeline's eyes widened at what she had just heard. “Did you make dinner Kane?” She felt her ears were deceiving her. “You were gonna be home late so I thought of easing that load off of your shoulders. See? Aren't I a perfect boyfriend,”

“Indeed you are.” Madeline replied with all honesty. Kane was the perfect partner for her. Their goals weren't the same but the path was the same. They knew each other and no matter what others would say about them being boring and extreme workaholics, Madeline knew that Kane was the one. She wanted the kind of relationship which her parents shared - that of mutual understanding and love.

“So, any news yet from your internship application?” Kane returned back to the living room with two cups of cold coffee to meet Madeline clearing the dining table after their dinner. “Not yet but the fact that my application is still pending and not yet rejected is making me less anxious.” Madeline wanted this internship badly as it was a huge step to achieving her dreams. “Am sure you'll be accepted. Your designs and application letter was spot on.” Madeline smiled and needed that boost of confidence from Kane. “By the way, dinner was great. You knew you could also present such presentation in the kitchen.” This made Kane smile proudly.

Kane led Madeline towards their small balcony which was attached to their apartment flat. The view of the full moon proudly brightened the night sky and the stars. They both settled on a big recliner that could accommodate two persons. “Thank you.” Madeline smiled as Kane handed her a cup of cold coffee. She leaned her head against Kane's broad shoulder and stargazed at the stars up in the sky. Both sat close to each other in silence allowing the night breeze to swirl around them and sipping their cold coffees.

“The stars are beautiful tonight.” Madeline whispered not moving her gaze away from the night sky that twinkled because of the countless stars. “Hmm,” Madeline felt Kane's chest reverberate in a slow rhythm when he replied. It was indeed a Friday night and instead of being at a club and loosing control to alcohol, Madeline would a thousand times prefer the solace and comfort with Kane by her side and at this exact moment, it was priceless and... Perfect.