As Jake drove towards the mansion to drop Maddie off, they conversed at length. He made mention to her that she would be the one to take both Sheila and Andrew to and fro school everyday and she had no problems with it. On the contrary, she was more than excited to be a part of such an experience. She saw it as her simply discharging motherly duties to Andrew. It was a privilege for her. Jake also informed her of the martial arts training Andrew would be starting that day, explaining that the security agent would be training Andrew in the gym back at the mansion. She felt it was good he had made such a call. Maddie mentioned the playdate to Jake and asked for his take on it. He gave her his consent so she decided that later that day, she would contact Sheila's aunt to discuss it with her so they could both arrange for it together. When Jake hesitantly made mention of Laura Montenegro's death to Maddie, she was shocked. She was especially shocked that it had been a car explosion t
Jake returned home with Mathew just when Maddie and Andrew were about to commence dinner. They met them in the dining room."Welcome Daddy!" Andrew stood up and ran to meet his father at the entrance of the dining room, as soon as they emerged, hugging his legs. Jake simply used one hand to pat his hair, and then Andrew returned to his seat at the dining table, muttering a "hello uncle Matt" to Mathew on his way.Humming in response to Andrew's greeting, Mathew proceeded straight to the washroom to wash his hands while Jake approached Maddie who had stood up and stepped away from her chair."Look what I got for you," he said to her in a voice so soft, suddenly revealing a bouquet of white roses from behind him and stretching them out to Maddie who gasped softly at the sight of them."You got me flowers…" She was beaming with smiles as she accepted it, and then sniffed it. He had gotten her favourite flowers. She could tell that he had most probably asked Mathew. Now that was thought
"Hello." Stephanie moved to sit on one of the sofas in the living room as she mumbled this single word to the person on the other line. "Miss Anderson, I am really sorry to inform you that there has been no progress whatsoever in the task you assigned to us," a man's voice came from the other line. Stephanie's expression darkened even more at his words."You are an incompetent fool!" she half-screamed."I am really sorry Miss Anderson. We have been tailing her, looking for an opportunity but I don't think we would ever get that opportunity. The security always around her is so tight. She is Jake's Conat wife after all…" the man tried to get her to see reasons with him."Shut the f**k up you fool! Arrrgh!" In her fit of anger, she threw the phone all the way across the room. It crashed right on the floor next to Stephen who had just stepped into the living room. He was wearing a blue tuxedo and carrying a briefcase in his hand, all set for work. It was the early hours of the morning
She caught sight of her the moment she stepped into the breakfast cafe with two hefty men trailing behind her. Even with the hat she had on, she still attracted quite the attention and she knew that it was the fault of the bodyguards behind her. Of course people were going to suspect she was someone important seeing the bodyguards. She had made this protest to Jake but he wouldn't hear of it. She couldn't keep a low profile if there were bodyguards following her around. Maddie immediately started making her way across to the blonde whose jade green eyes had turned sharply towards her as if sensing her presence. Audrey flashed Maddie a contagious smile just as she reached the table she was sitting, Maddie returned the smile. "Maddie," Audrey rose, moving towards Maddie for an embrace. "Hey Audrey," Maddie mumbled as they embraced. When the two ladies pulled away from each other, they took their respective seats across from each other, smiles still playing on both their faces. "
Audrey and Maddie were all set to leave the restaurant when suddenly a voice rang out, "Maddie!" compelling the two girls to turn their heads towards the direction the voice had come from. "Maddie, what a pleasant surprise running into you here." Maddie's face broke into a frown as soon as the frame of the approaching blonde Anderson twin brother, hit her vision. What did he want? One of the bodyguards came to stand in front of Maddie blocking Stephen's path when he reached them and made to take a step closer. Even Audrey couldn't help but eye him. She had no problems personally with the man but she was well aware of all the controversy going on between him and her friend's husband Jake Conat. What was he doing trying to talk to Maddie? "I mean no harm, I was just saying hi, that's all," Stephen muttered. Maddie, unsure what response to give to him just maintained the polite smile playing on her face, and then made to walk past him. "Have a good day Maddie!" he said to her as sh
"Mr Conat." The butler's voice compelled Jake to turn his head away from the coffee machine to the door where the aged man was standing. He had heard him approaching the kitchen from a distance but hadn't been sure who it was. Returning his gaze to the coffee machine brewing his coffee, he turned it off as his mug got full, and then he picked up the mug, brought it to his lips to take a quick sip before he turned his head back to the butler who hadn't moved an inch from the door but just remained standing there, waiting on him. "I am such a fool!" Jake muttered, mostly to himself and ending with a scoff. He brought the mug to his lips again and took a few more sips before moving towards one of the counter height bar stools in the kitchen, placing the cup on the countertop in front of the stool, before moving to sit on it. The butler couldn't help but sigh softly. He had overheard the quarrel between Jake and Maddie. When his master had returned home looking all furious and had
When Maddie stepped back into the room and didn't see Jake, her heart sank further within her. True, she had told him to go away but couldn't he have stayed? Couldn't he have tried to assure her of his feelings for her? Or was she right to think that what he felt for her was shallow and already fading? Were her doubts true? Moving to sit on her bed, a heavy sigh escaped her lips as she reached for her phone to check if he had at least sent her a text message. Opening their chat, she sighed again as she saw that aside from the text, which he had sent to her to inform her that he was on his way home and that he missed her, and then her reply telling him that she missed him too, no other text had come from him. He must have texted her on his way back before he saw the news that got him all upset. He hadn't replied to her own text so that must mean he had already seen the news by the time she had replied to his text… . Why had he gotten so upset at her like it was her fault? She didn't
Maddie felt like her heart was about to burst from how erratically it was pounding against her ribcage. Did he really mean it? The words he had just said to her? Was that really how she made him feel? Tears came streaming down her cheeks and at the same time she laughed out feeling a fleet of overwhelming emotions wash through her. Yeah she had wanted a confession but this was way more than she had expected. His words had been the most beautiful and heartfelt… Right at that moment, she felt so special. So loved. It almost felt like they were both at the altar at that moment and he had just said his vows to her and now it was her turn. The thought made her laugh even harder. Was she even remotely fancying the idea of a wedding? Well, that wouldn't be so such a terrible thing to suddenly fancy, would it? She didn't used to fancy love but now she did. But then, if she proposed that they have a wedding, would Jake even agree to it? After all, he had told her before that he didn't fancy
The sun was slowly dipping below the horizon, casting a rather warm and golden hue over the serene seascape. The air was cool and soothing. The gentle sound of waves crashing against each other gave off a a soothing backdrop to the scene. Along the sandy shore, an aisle was crafted, adorned with seashells and colourful flowers. Audrey had been the one in charge of all the wedding decorations and she had done one hell of a job! The salty breeze carried with it a sense of anticipation, mingling with the laughter and chatter of everyone gathered, half of which the wedding couple didn't even know. Being the global favourite couple, people had come for their wedding from all around the globe. The place was packed full. It was a good thing that the private beach was immensely spacious. Underneath beautifully constructed bamboo arches, adorned with billowing fabrics and fresh blooming flowers, the guests were sitting in groups. A romantic melody soon started to play and the procession
The long awaited day of the trial of the state versus Linsley Conat finally came. As the masses were now actively involved in this case, Linsley Conat had been unable to bribe her way out of prison. The few people she knew in power in the judiciary system refused to help her. Her last resort, which had been to fake mental illness, had fallen apart because her son had made sure to cut her off completely from those that might be able to help her fake the reports and all the other necessary documents. Backed in a corner, helpless, all she had been able to do was wait dejectedly in her cell for the day of her trial…"All rise!"Everyone in the courtroom rose immediately as the command from the judicial assistant rang out. The judge stepped in and it was after he took his seat that he muttered a lazy, "Sit!" and everyone else in the courtroom took their respective seats.From across the courtroom, Linsley's almost lifeless eyes caught sight of her son and she gave him the most deathly st
It was all over the news the next morning being a Saturday, every news channel was airing it. Newspapers, magazines both online and in hard copy print all carried the news of the arrest of Linsley Conat. The news however didn't say under what grounds she was arrested but in the news published by Starlight Media agency, they announced that the son of Linsley Conat, Jake Conat had agreed to an exclusive interview to discuss the subject of his mother's arrest and give them all the scoop there was. The interview was scheduled for the next day being Sunday. The internet was in a frenzy. Jake got a call from the company warning him not to come because the paparazzi were everywhere. Even the security stationed far ahead at the entrance of the street leading to the mansion had called to inform him that the paparazzi were gathered there as well. Thankfully, the paparazzi couldn't get into the street because of the tight security at the entrance so they couldn't get anywhere close to the ma
It was a lot. Everything that had happened in the past couple days. It was too much revelation. She was angry, bitter, sad, frustrated, and hurt but most of all, what she felt the most was fear. The fear of losing the love she shared with Jake. The fear of losing the happiness he had brought into her life. The fear of losing the peace he had brought her. The fear of losing the complete perfect family she had envisioned. The fear of losing her brother even. It was because of this fear that she hadn't come to a decision all the while or even address the situation. Now she was ready. She knew what she had to do. Karen had ended their session with the words, "Maddie dear, don't forget that the past is past. It actually has no control whatsoever on your present or future, not unless you allow it. Your happiness does not lie in the past but in your now." Karen's words had been the final push she had needed to come to a decision… "Welcome mummy," Andrew who was in the living room rushed
Maddie had been sitting right across Karen for roughly fifteen minutes already, yet she hadn't said a word other than the greeting she had muttered to the lady when she had first stepped in. The warm smile playing on the therapist's face didn't falter, she continued waiting patiently for Maddie to speak. Drawing a sharp breath, Maddie finally opened her mouth to speak. "I umm, it's umm, complicated. I don't even know where to start." Karen's smile widened. "You can start anywhere you like Maddie. " The way Karen's office was designed, it was a modern office setting with an office table and a chair, and then across the table on the other end were two other chairs, arranged to slantingly face each other. There were a stretch of cupboards right behind the office table and chairs, at the far end of the wall, it contained drawers containing files of patients. Ahead of the office table before one got to the door or if one came from the door, were two adjacent reclining sofas. This w
"Idiot!" Linsley cursed under her breath the moment Stephanie was gone, kicking at her feet in fury, and just then her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and then picked the call rather hurriedly. "So, have you found that fool Harry?" she asked the person on the other line. "No we haven't. He seems to have disappeared," came the reply from the person on the other line. "Then find his f**king family fool and use them to lure him out!" She practically yelled into the phone. "Well, umm, his father and younger sister have disappeared as well. I think your son is protecting them by keeping them hidden somewhere." "Arrrgh!" Linsley screamed, tossing her phone across the wall in anger. "Incompetent fools!" she cursed, and then started to parade about the room. Her son was protecting Harry! Was he f**king insane? He had threatened to send her to jail but it had just been an empty threat, right? Well, she was beginning to think of the threat as more than just an empty threat.
Jake couldn't believe she was really in his arms. Sleeping so soundly with her face pressed against his chest. He had been on his way out to get himself a fresh cup of coffee when the knock on his door had sounded. He had immediately known it was her. So, he had quickly answered the door and alas! It had been indeed her!Even though she had not exactly voiced out her reason for being there, he had seen it playing so evidently in her eyes. But then, there had been conflicting emotions playing in her eyes too and she had almost scurried away. Thank goodness he hadn't let her! He hadn't known where the courage had come from to ask her to stay and let him cuddle her. He had almost thought she wouldn't stay or let him even as much as touch her but she had agreed. She had stayed and now she was in his arms.However, Jake didn't know whether to be pleased or not. It was almost like she was giving herself one last time to be with him, and then afterwards she would leave him for good. It wa
"You umm, you have something on your mouth," Jake's voice sounded seconds later when Maddie didn't look away like he had expected her to when their gazes first locked. His shaky voice gave away his nervousness. He wasn't lying though, she did have food particles smeared on one corner of her lips.On hearing his words, Maddie reached for a serviette piece on the table to wipe her mouth all over as Jake hadn't specifically pointed out the part of her mouth that was smeared with food particles. And she wasn't ready to ask him for specifics. As she performed this action, Jake found his eyes lowering to her lips, swallowing as he remembered how it tasted. She finished cleaning her mouth, her eyes returning to him and catching the desire playing in his eyes. Her gaze on him turned into a glare and he quickly looked away from her feeling slightly embarrassed. "Mummy, can you please pass me the ketchup?" Andrew's voice was Jake's saving grace as Maddie averted her gaze from him to her s
Jake did well to stay out of Maddie's way for the rest of the evening. Even skipping dinner. He was already content enough that she had returned to the mansion although he knew that her reason for returning was most probably because of her son. It had been evident in her face earlier when she saw him after getting out of the car. The way she had turned away from him so swiftly. He was pretty sure that if she could, she would have dug a hole and hidden herself in it right there and then. It was how much she despised him now. Well, she did have every right to. Closing his laptop, Jake rose from his chair and started to make his way out of the office study. He proceeded towards the kitchen in the second floor, opening the refrigerator to take out a foil covered plate. The plate contained the quesadilla pizza his son had given him earlier saying that Maddie and him had baked it and kept some for him. He knew that them keeping some for him was all his son and not at all Maddie's decis