A familiar face

MADELINE'S POV

It was finally done. It was finally over. Our two signatures registered on the divorce papers, and just like that a six year long marriage had come to an end.

My lawyer insisted I take fifty percent of his wealth as per custom, but I didn't want to have any piece of him left in my possession. My dignity as a woman did not permit such a decision to be held.

Max Collins Booker was now a stranger to me; the man I loved with all of me; the man whom I thought out of his love for me decided to make a baby together. I guess he was just hungry for sex.

Sitting across the table from me, I could see it in his eyes. He didn't feel in the tiniest bit sad. He had no remourse. It almost seemed that he was eager to get it over with. What a despicable human being.

My mind had been set. It was time to move on. 

– – –

A month had gone by after the long and messy divorce procedures, and life in that of Madeline Carrillo was that of self reflection and recuperation. Madeline had moved back to her late mother's abode, and found solace within the four walls.

The water was boiling. She turned off the gas, and poured it into a ceramic cup. She prepared tea whilst scrolling through social media casually. Nothing groundbreaking had occurred in the world.

‘Was life ever this boring?’ Madeline thought.

A message popped up. 

Maddy, I'm on my way. Be there in five.

It was from Chanel.

Madeline let out a smile. “What will I ever do without you?” She said,

I'll be waiting…

Madeline replied. 

She took her cup of tea and some cookies to the dining room. She sat down comfortably and took a bite whilst scrolling through the social media. She hit refresh on the trending page.

She froze. She gripped her phone harder, almost appearing like she was about to snap it in two. 

The headlines read: “Max × Melissa”

Instinctively, her finger clicked it. Her skin crawled out of pure spite, and she couldn't control her emotions at that instant.

It's official! He said the words!

Five years in the making :)

She said yes!

They're engaged!

Breaking News! Multi Billionaire Max Booker publicly announces engagement to longtime Secretary, Melissa Hart live at 10.05am. Click the link to view the full details.

She hit the home button and double tapped her phone. She had seen enough. 

The photo of the proposal made her want to crush her cup with brute force, even though she knew she couldn't. 

She thought she was over him. She thought the tears that occasionally ran down from the events of that day had been exhausted. Apparently it wasn't. A tear drop fell from her eyes.

Right on time, the door crashed open without warning. Chanel stormed in.

“Alright, girl. You've been locked up in the crib for far too long if you ask me. You need to get your ass up and–”

Chanel had realised that there was nothing but silence. She took a look at Madeline and saw her sobbing, desperately trying to hold back her tears.

“Not really in the mood right now, Chanel.” Madeline said. 

“Umm… I can see that now.” Chanel replied, dropping her bag and rushing towards her. “What's wrong?”

Madeline opened her phone, clicked into the trending page and handed it over to her. 

“I don't understand. What do you want me to…”

Chanel's eyes widened. “Oh. I see.”

She scrolled down a little before turning off the phone abruptly. 

“So what if he proposed?” Chanel said. “Who gives a fuck?”

“It's trending, Chanel.” Madeline replied, her face blunt and real.

“Let me rephrase it… do WE give a fuck?” 

“No.” Madeline muttered.

“Didn't hear you, Maddy. I said, do we give a fuck????”

“I'm really not as pumped to be yelling right now.”

“You know what?” Chanel continued. “I know what you need. You need to get your ass up, leave these four walls and have some fun girl.

“What don't you get by ‘I’m not in the mood’,” Madeline muttered.

“Absolutely nothing, sister. And I wasn't asking for your opinion. No, that wasn’t a request. We’re going out, and we're going out tonight.”

“Chanel, I just—”

“Madeline.” Chanel gripped her shoulders and wobbled her.“You’re not rotting in here like some sad, dumped housewife. Tonight, we’re getting your groove back.”

“I don’t have a groove,” Madeline grumbled.

“Then we’ll find it. Now get dressed. Believe it when I say… There are a lot of fish in the sea. You just gotta forget about your last ride and enjoy a new one. You have ten minutes.”

– – –

The sun had gone down. Night had fallen. 9PM. The ladies stood, looking onto a building up front. They were clothed in dashing dress. 

The booms and music said it all. They were before a night club: the only place that could kindle some flames in Madeline's heart. 

“I can't believe you actually convinced me to do this.” Madeline admitted.

“That's why I'm your best friend.” Chanel winked. “You’re gonna love it. Just like the good old times before you ever met him.”

“Let's not talk about him tonight, okay?”

“Let's not talk about him EVER!”

“Period.”

The two share a giggle. 

“You know, what, Channie.” Madeline concluded. “You're right.”

“Oh sweetie. I always am.”

Inside, they let loose. It started with one drink. Then two, and by the fourth, Madeline's head was buzzing and her body felt light. Chanel dragged her onto the dance floor, and for the first time in weeks… she laughed.

She was having fun. One would say too much fun.

A man stared her down on the dance floor, his eyes could not look away from her. He was handsome. He looked young. His eyes captivating. His clothing casual but majestic. He was definitely sexy. But there was something about him… something….

Madeline, almost like she caught the thread of distance between herself and the one who stalked her, turned around. Their eyes clashed. He smiled.

After that, things got blurry.

Flashing lights. Laughter. More drinks. The crowd and the vibes telling me where to go, and suddenly that was all she could remember. Her vision faded. 

---

The sun rose up to the horizon, striking the face of Madeline. She pulled off the blanket. She scratched her eyes. Her head was pounding. Her body in pains she couldn't understand. 

She stretched out. Then it hit her. Why was she on her bed? She looked again. It wasn't hers.

“Huh.”

“Finally up, huh?”

I froze in place. This voice got be starstruck. It was hot, deep and sexy. I turned my head to look at who it was.

Before me leaned a man slightly against the wall. His left hand in his pocket and his right hand stroking his hair. 

“Good morning, love.”

‘I know him. I've seen him before. Shit shit shit.’

This was no ordinary man. He was a very familiar face.