2. Him?

Madison's POV

The following days were pretty good. I was hanging out with my colleagues and a few college friends, also went on a shopping spree alone. It was a good week off activity time. It was now the weekend, the day I finally meet my best friend after about a month and her boyfriend, because of whom she couldn’t come out to Jaxon’s club that day.

Yes, I need to approve of the man.

Lush has been with me since middle school, I still remember colliding with her in the school cafeteria, spoiling her favourite sweatshirt. The best possible accident I have ever made. She still blames me for it which I happily accept because, it gave me a chance to talk to her.

Just like her different name, she has always been a fascinating human, looking at the world with an absolute upside-down perspective. No wonder she made friends with me after I dropped my cold coffee on her sweatshirt, instead of getting mad and hating me for life. She is different and I love her just the same as ever.

I took a quick glance at the clock with toothbrush in my mouth. It was a quarter past ten in the morning. Realising I should hurry, since me and Lush were supposed to meet on a breakfast date, I rushed to the shower after clearing my mouth. I was out of the shower within the next few minutes.

Because I had my outfit taken out the previous night, wearing a short coco brown cardigan with a racerback tank top underneath and my skin fit black jeans, didn’t take long. I sat on the bed and slid my feet in my platform lace up motorcycle ankle boots. This colour combination and cardigan is the most aesthetically pleasing outfit in my closet.

I was happy.

Pulling my hair in a high ponytail and straightening my bangs, I was ready to go. Picking up my car keys and practically running out the door, I started my journey. The weather was good, warm sunlight was hitting my face, a major reason I love breakfast dates.

The GPS location was a twenty-minute ride and the roads were partially empty. I enjoy driving, especially because it gives me a feeling of me being the sole owner and handler of this black metal beauty, just like my life. I’m not a perfectionist, but exercising control on my life in every way is definitely I’m particular about.

I reached my destination, looking for a space to park my car. As it was still morning, I found an empty spot beside a matte black Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R. It almost felt like a crime parking my car near such a lavish metal existence. Everyone was whipped for the car, staring at it. Well, I was one of those people, so I didn’t really judge anyone.

I got out of my car and couldn’t resist the urge to pause in front of it and take a good look at it. The car naturally dominated the area and it was amazingly attractive, making my heart flutter especially because matte cars just hit different. With any person being interested in furniture and cars, they hold the keys to my city. A big reason I liked David, since he was interested in furniture as much as I was.

Fuck him, why was I even think about him? Ugh.

Trying to dismiss the thought I entered the café and immediately started searching for Lush. As usual she chose the most aesthetically pleasing place. A shelf with indoor plants and small paintings placed in front of a huge brick wall was enhanced by slow music playing in the background. The ceiling was covered with matte black bulb holders giving the place a soothing yet classy vibe.

The huge glass wall giving a beautiful view of the huge tree outside the café with a long joint corner table was the place I saw my pretty girl sitting on one of the long leg wooden chairs, sipping her coffee looking outside.

I screamed grabbing unnecessary attention, "LUSH!"

she noticed and shouted in the same loud voice, "MADISON!"

I went almost running and hugged her tightly, almost moving like a seesaw with my arms wrapped around her and said, "It's been so long, I missed you so much!"

"I missed you so much too.” She said laughing, as she hugged me back.

“Also, I'm very sorry for not coming to Jaxon’s club." She said holding me in a hug. I looked at her pursing my lips, moving away from her remembering I was supposed to stay mad at her.

She smiled, pulling me in a hug again and said "Ah I love you. And I swear we can go any day you want. And this time I won't bail end moment."

I narrowed my eyes and said taking out my pinkie finger. "Promise?"

She intertwined her finger with mine and said nodding, with a sweet smile on her face. "Promise."

We sat down to complete a small portion of our entire month’s tea. Time passes effortlessly quick whenever I meet Lush, we just sync so well each other. Luckily our friendship lasted because we never let anyone invade our bond, it was exclusively only our domain. Because both of us are extroverts, we’ve had many friends all along, but she is the only one I consider my best friend.

"Oh yeah. Why are you here alone? Where’s the man who has taken away my girl?" I asked, taking a bite of the sandwich.

"Nah Maddy, no one can never ever steal me from you." She said chuckling.

“Sure. This is why you ditched me our hangout last week.” I said shaking my head rolling my eyes.

“Come on, that won’t happen again. I promise, very sincerely.” She said holding arm, making her baby face, which nobody can resist.

“Jeez, stop being so cute.” I said furrowing my eyebrows and she laughed.

“Oh, here he is.” Lush said smiling brightly, looking at a person behind me.

Excited as she made me, I turned back and my smile faded away. My eyes furrowed in confusion and mouth left hung open. I could not gather words. My brain, breath and heart beat as if stopped for a second, simultaneously. An unnecessarily similar face was standing in front of me.

Lush’s boyfriend was that guy from the club, that night. The womanizer. 

Recalling our encounter, the faint image of him making out with a girl that night evaded my brain, not forgetting he was flirting with me as well. In conclusion he was cheating on Lush. I felt lightheaded carrying several shocking thoughts in my mind all at once.

Lush’s voice brought me to reality, "Maddy, that’s my boyfriend, Ethan B-"

“Brown.” I completed her sentence looking at him narrowing my eyes.

Seeing his bewildered expression, I realised he still didn’t recognise me. I stood up from my seat moving near him. His eyes were fixated on me, over flowing with confusion. I gritted my teeth letting out a smirk and said "Hello, Mr. Ethan Brown, I am Madison."

Hearing my name, his eyes widened and he gulped hard. I didn’t move an inch while he took a deep breath as if he was suffocated. He was stunned and his uneasy behaviour just added to my suspicion being rather an accurate assumption.

“You both know each other.” Lush asked looking at both of us in turns.

I folded my arms and I nodded, “Yeah, I do know him. Met him at the club that day you couldn’t join us.”

“Was very fun. Right, Ethan?” I said looking at him with my left brow. His expressions were the proof of my words. He remained quiet, getting paler each time our eyes met.

Without wasting another minute, I said, "I saw him that night in the club making out with a girl."

He furrowed his eyebrows and spoke up, for the first time.

"Yes, I was at the club but with a friend of mine, which Lush is already aware about.”

I was taken aback seeing the audacity of him lying straight up to my face. 

“You can't just go around putting unnecessarily blames on neveryone you see." He said with no ounce of shame reflecting in his words.

"Oh really? Just shut the fuck up. I’m telling you he's a motherfucking playboy. Don’t listen to-" I couldn’t complete my sentence when my eyes landed on Lush.

Her face was down with eyes pooling with tears and mouth hung open.

“Lush…” I said, moving towards her but she just lightly jerked my hand and grabbed her bag leaving without saying a single word.

I rushed behind her and she just stopped and said, with her voice tearing up, “I need t-time. Please.”

I froze on spot, with the dilemma to give her some alone time or go after her to make sure she is doing fine. A huge part of my heart sank seeing her eyes filled with tears. Repeating that image only made it worse. I was puzzled with no idea as to how I should bring her out of that broken state.

What should I do?