Chapter 5

Tyler's POV

The quiet aftermath of Madison's departure weighed heavily on me. Her form receding in the distance left an indescribable emptiness, a gap that I hadn't anticipated. I found myself pondering over the unexplainable force that drew me to her. It was more than mere physical attraction; it was as though some invisible bond tethered us together.

Behind the wheel of my car, I retraced the path back home, but my thoughts remained trapped in the club, replaying every second of our unexpected alliance. Each revelation seemed to strike me like thunder, leaving me entangled in a storm of emotion. Alongside the excitement, fear lurked, for I couldn't escape the daunting prospect of confronting my parents.

As I continued to drive, my thoughts were fixated on the impending storm I'd face with my parents. I knew my mother, in particular, would not take this revelation lightly. She had always held Brenda in high regard, and marrying Madison was certainly not part of her grand plan.

How am I going to navigate this?

I understood that this would be an uphill battle, and there was no easy way around it. With an exasperated sigh, I mumbled under my breath, "I'm married, and that's it!" The words felt strange and foreign, a reality I was still struggling to accept.

The road home passed under the wheels of my car, but the atmosphere inside remained dense with worry. Thoughts of the impending storm that would befall me when my parents found out clouded my mind.

Pulling into the driveway, I killed the engine. The silence of the grand house mirrored the solitude that had settled within me. The house had never truly felt like a home, but at that moment, it seemed emptier than ever.

In the grand foyer, my footsteps echoed through the cavernous space. There was a sense of detachment, a feeling that I was an intruder in my own life. The overwhelming silence enveloped me, underscoring my isolation.

Reaching my room, I sought refuge within its walls. I switched on the calming cadence of classical music, its soft harmonies filling the space.

 “No place like home” I muttered. The warmth and fragrance of lavender from a scented candle offered a measure of comfort as I sank into a hot bath.

The water's embrace enveloped me, dispelling the heavy burden of my thoughts. It became a sanctuary, a refuge where my solitude could merge with contemplation. My parents' reaction was a daunting prospect, a turbulent storm on the horizon.

Amidst the warmth and serenity of the bath, I couldn't help but think about Madison. What was she going through right now? The decision to marry someone she barely knew must have weighed heavily on her mind.

Her personality intrigued me, a blend of determination and vulnerability. What was the true motivation behind this union, beyond the protection of her family's business?

Leaving the bath felt like abandoning the only respite I had found, but the pressing issues in my mind demanded attention. I wrapped myself in my luxurious Gucci robe, the soft fabric an indulgence that contrasted sharply with the turmoil within me.

With my phone in hand, I decided to tackle the unease that had been gnawing at me. I texted my mother.

"I'll be home for dinner tomorrow at 7pm."

The response arrived promptly, a few seconds later.

"Is everything all right, dear?"

I hesitated for a moment, mulling over my reply.

"I have something important to discuss."

Sitting on my bed, I stared up at the ceiling, thoughts drifting to Madison and the unexpected turn our lives had taken. The inexplicable attraction I felt towards her remained unresolved, and this unforeseen journey was only beginning. The road ahead appeared increasingly uncertain, and I couldn't help but wonder what lay in store for us.

As I contemplated the intricacies of the days ahead, my fingers danced across the screen of my phone. I composed another message, one destined for Madison.

"Tomorrow at 6:30, we're meeting my family. Be ready. I'll pick you up myself, and you can't say no. After all, you're my wife now *smiles*."

The response was swift and concise.

"I will be."

Lying back on my bed, I allowed my thoughts to drift back to Madison, the enigmatic woman who had transformed my life in a matter of hours. It was both the uncertainty and the allure of what lay ahead that consumed my mind.

I had almost drifted off to sleep when one more important thing crossed my mind—breaking the news to my best friend, Matthew. I sat, picked up my phone which I had already dropped on the mini table beside my bed, and dialed his number.

Ring… Ring…

After a few rings, Matthew finally answered, his tone a blend of confusion and grogginess. "Tyler, it's past midnight. What's so urgent that you're calling me at this ungodly hour?"

"Matthew, I need you to listen carefully. This is serious," I began, adopting a tone far more serious than our typical conversations.

"Serious? Is everything alright?" he asked, suddenly alert.

"Remember that girl I told you I met at the club, Madison?" I questioned.

"Madison? Wait, the hot one you were telling me about? The one you couldnt stop thinking about?" he replied, his voice filled with skepticism.

"Yeah, that's the one," I admitted, thinking back to that enchanting night.

"You didn't waste any time, huh? Is that why you called me at this hour, dickhead?" Matthew spat.

I cleared my throat, a knot forming in my stomach. "Well, that's where it gets complicated."

"Complicated? Spill the beans, buddy. You're making this sound dramatic, I was having a very sweet night rest," Matthew chuckled.

I took a deep breath and began to recount the bizarre turn of events, revealing our impulsive marriage, and the impending family dinner.

Matthew's laughter reverberated through the phone. "Hahaha, man, you must be joking! You got married just like that? How drunk were you?"

I sighed, realizing I was going to have to convince him this was no prank. "Matthew, I wish I could say it was a joke, but I'm married to Madison now. We both signed the papers and everything. I needed to make my mum leave me the fuck alone!."

There was a moment of silence, followed by Matthew's more serious tone. "Alright, man, let me get this straight. You met her at the club, had some wild night, and now you're married? Are you insane? Do you think your mum would buy this?"

I nodded on my end, even though he couldn't see it. "Yes, I know it sounds absurd, but it's true and there's nothing my mum would do. I’m married and that's it."

He was still trying to come to terms with the news. "So, what's your plan now? After you've gotten your mum out of your bag, what happens with you and her? Divorce? Annulment?"

"We haven't figured it all out yet," I confessed. "That's why I'm telling you. You see, Madison and I have to go to my family's place tomorrow for dinner, and I'd like you to be there."

Matthew chuckled again, but this time, it had a hint of disbelief. "Wait, what? You're bringing your wife? Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. I need you to be there to support me. And please, don't do anything that could make things more complicated," I pleaded.

"Man, you're really going through with this, aren't you?" Matthew laughed. "Alright, I'll be there. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm excited to meet your impulsive wife."

I sighed in relief. "Thanks, Matt. I know this is a lot to take in."

We chatted a while longer about Madison and my family's likely reactions, with Matthew occasionally laughing and poking fun at me. He was still in disbelief but agreed to be by my side as we faced the surreal situation together.

As we ended the call, I couldn't help but ponder how unexpected life could be, and how friendships could be tested in the most bizarre ways.