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It was quite chilly when Maddie woke up the next day. She had a warm bath, dressed up for the day and was about to step out of her room when a knock sounded on her door. Thinking that it was the butler that had most probably come to give her Andrew's schedule for the day, she opened the door. However, instead of the aged butler, Jake looking all tall and handsome in his expensive looking tuxedo and shoes stood at the door looking down at her as Maddie had a petite form whereas he was tall. "Umm, good morning Mr Conat," Maddie greeted him with a polite bow, she hadn't been expecting it to be him. Didn't Mathew say that they were leaving the country this morning? She was thinking they would have already left by that time. Maddie suddenly became very conscious of the simple clothing of blue jeans and a floral long-sleeved blouse which she was putting on, especially as his eyes seemed to sweep across her body her from head to toe. "Good morning Miss Stewart. Can you step out so we ca
"I am done here. Dinner should be ready right about now. We should head to the dinning room," Andrew mumbled and Maddie blinked, and then smiled at the young blonde who was already gathering his painting materials together, including the painting he had just concluded. "Ummm, I thought you were going to let me see that," Maddie muttered with an almost pout, pointing at the painting he was folding neatly to a scroll, a hint of disappointment was playing in her eyes. "It still needs some finishing touches. Miss Maddie, I already gave you my word and I always keep my words, my dad taught me to, I will show you when it's finished. In fact, I am planning to gift it to you," Andrew told Maddie and she smiled. So he had been making the painting for her then? So sweet of him. It made her all the more curious to see this painting but then since he was going to gift it to her at the end, she could as well just wait, she comforted herself with this thought. Just then, the butler came into th
Staring into the ocean blue eyes of the lad before her, Maddie was dumbstruck. He was asking if he could call her mummy? If she could be his mummy? But it wasn't that simple! She couldn't just be his mummy simply because he wanted her to be, it didn't work like that. Not in real life, at least. But then, how could she even begin to explain this to the boy? Would he even understand? He was already upset, she couldn't bear to upset him even more. "Of course I know you can't be my mummy for real but I want to at least have someone I can call my mummy," Andrew seemed to have read her thoughts as he suddenly said. "Someone who would take me to the park, and play hide and seek with me, and hug me when I am feeling down, and make me a snack every now and then… I need someone I can call Mummy. Miss Maddie, can you be that someone, please," Andrew went on. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he spoke in a childish voice that shook. Maddie once again reached out to wipe the tears off the
The circumstances surrounding her own child's arrival hadn't been pleasant but she had been anticipating his arrival nonetheless, she hadn't expected him to die almost as soon as he was born, her sweet baby. There was not a day that went by without her thinking about him. About how life would have been for him had he stayed. And even though her family had comforted her back then with the fact that he had been a product of an unfortunate event that had taken place and was most probably better off dead, and that she was nowhere ready being a mother or taking care of a child, she didn't entirely agree with them. She had carried him for nine months, felt his warmth, loved him as he grew inside of her. Everyday, he had kept her company. She had been looking forward to his arrival so much that it had come as quite a shock to her when he had suddenly passed away a few minutes after he was born. She had practically gone numb for weeks after his birth and death. Even up until now, she still w
There were beads of sweat gathering on Maddie's forehead even though the room was quite chilly. Using one hand to turn on the bedside lamp, Maddie heaved her body upwards to sit on the bed. She grabbed a pillow and clutched onto it tightly as her body shook involuntarily, not from cold, she wasn't cold. It was due to the overwhelming various emotions washing through her all at once. Fear, disgust, hate, anger. Couldn't she just dream about unicorns and rainbows? Why did she have to dream about that horrible day? If only there was a way she could permanently erase the memories, she would have done so readily. Even though it had been over seven years already, the memories was still fresh in her memory. Each time she saw a child, she was reminded of it all. Everything she had gone through back then. The pain, the fear, the uncertainty, everything. The man had raped her and she hadn't been able to do a damn thing to stop him. She had just laid there, under him, as he had his way with her
Mummy? Maddie raised an eyebrow. Oh yeah, she had agreed to his request for him to call her mummy the previous night. It sure still felt weird, hearing him call her that, but it also felt warm, making her very heavy heart feel less heavy."Can I sleep in your room tonight mummy?" Andrew spoke again. A small smile formed on Maddie's lips as she nodded at the lad, and then she straightened herself up, taking his hand to lead him into the room while closing the door behind them.They got to the bed and Maddie tucked Andrew in before lying down beside him. He snuggled closer to her, resting his head on her bosom with his tiny arms spread out around her."Goodnight Sweetie," Maddie said to Andrew as she planted a kiss on his forehead."Goodnight mummy," Andrew mumbled groggily, and then gradually drifted to sleep. Maddie kept one hand on the lad's back, patting it gently even after he had fallen asleep. Not long after Andrew dozed off, Maddie followed suit.******Maddie jerked awake as
The day went by like every other day, after their heart-to-heart discussion, Maddie helped Andrew get ready for school, and then they ate breakfast before his teachers started to arrive. It was after breakfast, when Andrew had commenced school for the day that Maddie went to take her bath and brush her teeth. She changed into a casual t-shirt and jeans, holding her hair up into a ponytail with a hairband. She hadn't done so earlier because of her conversation with Andrew, which he had initiated. Maddie spent most of her day browsing the internet and chatting with Audrey. During Andrew's break period, Maddie prepared a snack for him and he even helped in preparing some of the ingredients, making a mess of his shirt that she had to help him change to a new one afterwards. It had become a normal routine, her making snacks for him during his break period. After school closed for the day, Maddie accompanied Andrew as he watched a particular reality TV show that was aired weekly. It was a s
Staring at her reflection in the washroom mirror as she washed her hands, Maddie took deep breaths in succession trying to gather her chaotic thoughts. "Damn what is wrong with me?" she asked her reflection, ending with a heavy sigh, and then turned off the tap to grab a napkin hanging in some metallic hanger right next to her and using it to wipe her hands dry. "I am probably just tired, that's it. I am tired and I just need to get some rest, and then I will be fine," Maddie said to herself, nodding vehemently as if that would make her words even more convincing to her. The previous night she hadn't had much sleep as she had been reminded of her horrible past, and then when she did sleep, she had a nightmare, which wasn't a nightmare perse but past memories of the same horrible past. It was all because she was tired, that was most probably why her thoughts and emotions were all over the place. "F**k you Jake!" Maddie mumbled under her breath. Hard as she tried to convince hers
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