Decisions

“...Colin? Colin Denver?!” Madeline called out, putting the pieces together.

“So you do remember me.” Colin smiled.

“What the hell— why —why am I here?!” Madeline freaked out. ‘Don't tell me I–’

“Relax.” Colin shut off her thoughts. “You were drunk. I made sure you got home safe.”

“Home?” Madeline scoffed. “This is certainly not my home! Oh my God… This is… this is your place?! Oh my God. Oh my God! Did we… Where's Channie? What did–”

“My place. Yes. Safe. Better than the street, isn’t it?” Colin cut in.

Madeline pushed off the silky blanket. She realised she was not on her clothes. The perfume scent of the robe that clothed her caught her attention. She realised she was basically naked and covered up herself. “Why am I in your shirt? Where are my clothes?!” 

“Wouldn't you like to know.” Collins smirked. “You were all over me. You wanted all of me last night. You gave yourself away. You were so magnificent yesterday, so hot. Still are.”

“You motherfuck–”

Collins started laughing. “Chill. Dang you really can't remember anything that happened last night? I'm kidding. You threw up on them. I had them washed, and I couldn’t exactly keep you naked all night. Someone had to clothe you.”

Madeline gave him a death stare. “Don’t look at me like that, I didn’t do anything. I promise.”

“Rigggghhtttt… I'm supposed to believe you?” Madeline nagged. “Give me a break. God, this is insane. Of all people, it had to be you.”

“Hmm…” Colin fantasised. “Why not me?”

“Because you’re him! His frickin biggest rival. You’re the man my husband hated. The man I hated. You’ve been enemies for years, Colin!”

“That's Ex-husband now, Madeline.” Colin corrected. “And let's be honest with ourselves… you never hated me, did you, love?”

“Don't call me that, and don’t you tell me what I feel!”

“I'm not telling you, Madeline.” Colin said, walking closer to her. “Care to share why me coming closer has you trembling? Or does that answer my previous question?”

“Umm… how about because I literally just woke up half-naked in your bed! Do you expect me to be cool?”

“Half-naked? Come on now.” Colin could not help but smile. “You’re wearing my shirt. Looks better on you than it ever did on me.”

“For the love of God stop it. Just—stop it. I need to get out of here.”

Madeline got up. She walked past him.

“Wait.”

Madeline paused. “What did not understand in, ‘I’m leaving?””

“Not yet. Hear me out.”

“And what if I don’t want to hear you? Fuck it, I don’t even want to see you.”

“Then don’t look at me.” Colin said, his eyes softening. “Just listen. One minute.”

Madeline did not want to turn around, but his voice called to her conscience. “Fine. One minute. Then I’m gone.”

“Good. Here it is. I want you to be my fiancée.”

Madeline instantly regretted. “…Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Fake, of course. A fake engagement.”

“You’ve lost your damn mind.”

“I’m perfectly sane. I’m offering you an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?! This is a nightmare! Why would I ever EVER pretend to be engaged to you?”

“Because Max doesn’t deserve to win. And because you deserve better.”

“This has nothing to do with you and Max’s stupid rivalry. This is my life!”

“Exactly. Your life. And he ruined it. Did he not?”

“That doesn’t mean I’ll let you use me as some pawn in your game!”

“You think this is just about me? No. This is about you too. Imagine his face when he sees you between my arms. Imagine how hot his blood is going to boil; how fast his perfect world burns.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“Maybe. But I’m also right.”

“No. Absolutely not. I’d rather die than be tied to you, even for a second.”

“You’re dramatic.”

“I’m serious! You’re younger than me. You’re arrogant. You’re manipulative. You’re—”

“Handsome?”

“Ugh!”

“Charismatic?”

“Just kill me already.”

“Who said I’m joking? You should consider it. You need protection. You need power. And I… well, I need a fiancée.”

“Why? So you can rub it in Max’s face?”

“Partly. But mostly… because I think you’d be perfect for the role.”

“Role. Role?! I’m not some actress in your little game!”

“You’re right. You’re more than that. Which is exactly why you’d be perfect.”

“Colin, you are insane. Absolutely insane. I don’t even like you. I hate you.”

“Funny. Hate and love aren’t that far apart.”

“Don’t play games with me.”

“I’m not playing. This is real. I’m offering you something Max can’t take away from you.”

“You think dangling a fake engagement in my face will fix anything?!”

“Not fix. But change. And change is what you need.”

“I don’t need you! Don’t you get that?!”

“Say it all you want. You’ll still think about it later.”

“No. I won’t. I’ll forget this ever happened.”

“You won’t. You’ll remember every word. Especially when Max flaunts Melissa in your face. You’ll wish you had said yes.”

“Enough! I’m done. I’m leaving.”

“Madeline—”

“Don’t you dare say my name like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you own it.”

“Maybe I will… someday.”

“You’re insane. Absolutely insane.”

“Maybe. But you’ll think about it.”

“I’ll never think about it. Not once. Not ever.”

“Liar.”

“Shut up!”

“Come on, admit it. A part of you wants to see Max suffer.”

“…Shut. Up.”

“You imagine it, don’t you? Him watching you smile on my arm, wearing my ring. Him realising he lost the only woman who could ever outshine Melissa.”

“You’re disgusting. You’re worse than him.”

“But I’m honest. That’s the difference.”

“Honest? You call this honest?”

“Yes. Because I don’t pretend. I say exactly what I want. And right now, I want you.”

“Stop it.”

“Why? Do you want me too?”

“I said stop!”

“Fine. For now.”

“Good. Because this conversation is over.”

“Conversation maybe. But this isn’t over. Not between us.”

“You’re delusional. Goodbye, Colin.” Madeline walked towards the door, opening it.

“Goodbye for now, fiancée.”

“I am NOT your fiancée!”

“We’ll see.”

“I hate you!”

“You love me.”

“Please! And for the record, don’t you ever show up in my life again, do you understand?” She walked out of the room.

“You’ll come back. And when you do… I’ll be waiting.”

The door slammed to end the conversation.