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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 rest of the week passed by quickly with Maddie observing her normal routine of waking up by 5:30am to prepare for the day, getting Andrew's schedule for the day from the butler, and then going to wake Andrew up, help him get ready for school and have breakfast before he commenced school for the day. Maddie would then spend the rest of her day surfing the internet about fashion and the fashion world or reading a book from the ones piled up on her study table. Most of the books on her study table were books on business, others were novels, both fictional and nonfictional. She also had her own book collections she had brought to the mansion with her, even fashion magazines, so she had quite a wide range of books to pick from. During Andrew's break period, she would prepare him a snack and a drink to go, and then they would make little conversations while he ate. After his break, he would return to his classes while she would return to her room to either read or browse or chat with
Maddie had never felt so nervous as she was at that very moment. With her arm in Jake's arm and the paparazzi snapping furiously at them as they walked down the red carpet. With all the jitters washing through her, she had a strong urge to puke. "Just breathe," Jake's soft voice sounded beside her, caressing her ears. Maddie turned to look at him, their gaze locking for an entire minute, searching each other's. And then she gave him a light nod, averting her gaze from him before obediently taking deep breaths in succession. "Mr Conat, is the woman beside you your girlfriend?" "Is she perhaps the mother of your child?" "Could you tell us what her name is? The paparazzi kept shooting questions at the trio as they walked down the red carpet escorted by The Conat's bodyguards, about twenty of them, hefty men in quite expensive tuxedos. Jake Conat never made a public appearance without them present. Especially when his son was with him. The bodyguards formed a protective circle around
"Hi Thomas," Jake muttered as he shook hands with a young man around his age but with dark brown hair. The man was all smiles, displaying his perfect dentition as he took Jake's hand in a firm handshake. Thomas Saltsman. A celebrity gymnast. Maddie could no longer keep up with all the famous celebrities they had run into at this party. Although she was fascinated seeing them all gathered together in the same space, she was losing her enthusiasm with each passing second. Seeing them in person, she couldn't help but think that they were just human beings like her. Yeah they were big shots, but they were still humans at the end of the day. "We should meet sometime next week to discuss our collaboration more thoroughly, don't you think?" Maddie heard Thomas say to Jake who simply hummed in response. Thomas' eyes moved to Maddie. Flashing her a smile he introduced himself. "I am Thomas Saltsman." Of course she knew he was Thomas Saltsman, Maddie thought as she offered the man a polite s
Jake was having a hard time breathing with Maddie so close to him but he was doing a pretty good job hiding it. From the moment she had stepped down the stairs looking so drop dead gorgeous back at the mansion, she had literally taken his breath away even up to this very moment. Although his son had sent him a picture of her in this very same dress, he couldn't help but admit that the picture held no candle to how she looked in the dress in person. With the way she was always dressed so casually in mostly pants or jeans and t-shirts or vests, one wouldn't have known she possessed such feminine curves, which the dress she had on now highlighted perfectly. Her chocolate brown hair was braided and held up in a bun with a few strands left to hang loosely down her hair on both sides of her face in a stylish manner. The make-up she was wearing was light, the peach lipstick and the way she kept pursing her lips every now and then was goddam inviting. The woman before him was undeniably bea
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