"You are doing well, honey, but you must consider the Company's vision. I have reviewed the reports of Sussane l regarding your progress. It would help if you increased transparency in our firm since accountability inspires confidence among our personnel, business associates, investors, and other stakeholders. It will safeguard your positive reputation since you will be taking over our Company's legacy." Laurene Carter stated, not as Dylan's mother but as the Chief Executive Officer of R&D Incorporation as she stared at her son's eyes solemnly.
They were having Face-Time right now because Laurene had an argent matter in their Company to resolve. Dylan couldn't blame her mother because her father wasn't around to lend a hand to her father due to his business trip. Ever since he was a child, Dylan has been left in the dark, and only Scarlett was there to ease his yearnings for a companion.
"I'll keep that in mind, Mother," Dylan responded while reviewing the paper he lacked and
must alter. Days passed, and Dylan couldn't help but feel the pressure of bearing the burdens as the Heir of the R & D Inc., Shouldering the responsibilities he was sure would occur to him once he overtook the Company.
Laurene's eyes sparkled in emotion as they landed on the eye bags under her son's eyes; she knew Dylan had been doing his best to meet the standard they set for him and their expectations. From the moment Dylan was born, Laurene promised herself that she wouldn't let the world throw daggers of hurtful words at her son. Laurene wouldn't let her past happen to her Heir. Being belittled will never occur to Dylan; she and her husband will mold him to be their creation. The business world is dangerous; no one knows who will play the cards of deceit and manipulation, who has the upper hand, and who will fall and gamble.
"Alright, reach me if you need my assistance. I need to end this now. Don't let yourself starve, okay?" Laurene reminded her son while picking up her files on her desk, which was evident on the Video call.
"Yes, Mom, you too," Dylan answered bluntly while picking up his things, leaving his desk clean and organized.
"And Sweetie? Mom loves you so much, and I'm proud of you." Dylan was about to respond when the call ended, leaving him dumbstruck. Dylan blinked twice and couldn't help but smile, His mother can be severe when talking about business, but she can be soft when they speak as a family.
Dylan broke off and took a deep breath as he leaned on his swivel chair inside his office. He moved his swivel chair near the window of his room and glanced at the reflection of
the mansion outside. His eyes landed on a familiar figure of a woman whose busy
sweeping the dusty ground near the garden; it was Madison.
Madison wiped her sweat until a maid attended near her; the maid named—Sophie mumbled something to Madison that made her laugh. At the moment, Dylan couldn't help but feel the pressure and fatigue he'd been feeling after a long day of working and striving for his process, suddenly lifted by Madison's smile.
Dylan stood up and did a little stretching to relax his swollen muscles and back after sitting. Madison's eyes darted to his side; out of his knowledge, he just realized that he raised his hand and waved at the two maids outside.
The maid named Sophie waved at him, persuading Madison to wave back in his spot, so Madison let a warm smile and waved back. Dylan felt something warm linger inside his heart at that moment.
He signaled Madison to prepare him some food because he could feel that his stomach was grumbling in hunger and was longing for Madison's meals. Dylan saw Madison nod and signaled back to wait for her.
Excitement filled Dylan, knowing that Madison would come inside his room; he immediately rested in his chair and waited like a child. Without Scarlett's loud mouth and words that kept asking him about marriage and always pushed his buttons, his days changed; it wasn't gloomy at all.
He couldn't focus like this in his works when Scarlett was around; instead of being his motivator, Scarlett would tackle some nonsense that didn't help him hit his progress. Thus, it prevented his productivity.
In just a leap of Minute, Madison knocked on Dylan's door while holding a tray of food for their young master. Sophie lends Madison a hand in cooking Steak with chard veg and chipotle yogurt. She also prepared chicken soup and tea for him. "Young Master, your food," Madison announced, informing Dylan of her arrival.
The door made a creaking sound, revealing Dylan in his casual clothes. "Come in," He said, giving her enough access so she could enter quickly. When Madison finally entered Dylan's Room, she placed the food on his empty desk. It seems like Dylan just finished organizing his files.
While moving around, Madison couldn't help but feel something on her stomach because she could feel Dylan's attention. "How's the Young Master's Day? You seemed tired. Do you want me to turn on the Air Humidifier so the Young Master will be relaxed?"
"A little pressured since I'll be taking control of the Company soon." Dylan pursed his lips and shook on Madison's second question. "No need."
Dylan picked the Spoon on the side of the chicken soup, shoved a little amount, and tasted it. The taste of Madison's soup exploded in his mouth as Dylan also consumed the tea he requested earlier.
"I am not knowledgeable in the Young Master's field, but I may lack education; perhaps, you should smile whenever you feel the pressure. The world may give you reasons to give up, but a smile can lift a person's tiredness and a sign that you must keep going on."
Dylan let his lips morph into a smile and whispered as he palmed his mouth and gazed away. "You win," he muttered with a soft laugh.
Madison was standing near him, holding the food tray, observing Dylan's every movement. A smile flickered on Madison's lips while secretly glancing at Dylan, he must have been working hard, and the two dark circles under Dylan's eyes were proof of his progress.
The Atmosphere between the two wasn't dead; it was serene and pacifying. A Master who was having a meal after a long tiring day and a maid beside him stood as his companion, pulling him out of the darkness, breaking the stigma that he wasn't solitary.
Dylan pressed a napkin on his lips after feasting on the food that Madison had prepared for him. Madison excused herself for a moment to wash the dishes. While waiting for Madison, Dylan couldn't help but feel the undeniable feeling that he was starting to think about Madison.
It was the first time that he had met a person like her. Warmth and positivity radiate around her presence. Ever since he started to become closer to Madison, Dylan can express the words he wants to say; he doesn't need to sugarcoat his words.
Madison was always preparing his food. The foods were his favorite as if it was magical because those foods drive his fatigue away. Madison will always ask how his days are
and will lift him whenever he has a bad one.
She will give him her words of encouragement that put light on his darkest doubts. Those were the things that Scarlett hadn't done for him in their two years' relationship. Scarlet may visit him, but to wince about putting their relationship to the next level, she may prepare a portion of food for him. Still, it was purchased from a famous restaurant, and every time Scarlett was around, he didn't feel the warmth but only pressure.
Dylan ran hair through his hair and asked himself, "Am I falling for Madison?" being under
the spell of confrontation between his thoughts, Dylan knew that he and Scarlett didn't have a break-up. He only asked Scarlett to give him some time to reconsider their relationship.
He couldn't break the heart of Scarlett, who had been there since they were children, but Dylan couldn't help but fall for Madison even if it was wrong. He doesn't know what
to do. Dylan may be selfish, but Madison was his source of serenity. He can be himself and at peace whenever she's around.
On the other hand, when Madison finished washing the dishes, she remembered that Dylan said she should return immediately. While crossing the hallway, Madison couldn't help but be at the thought that she had been feeling an unknown warmth whenever Dylan was around. She couldn't help but think about him, or his face would cross his mind
for an unknown reason.
"Madison, can you play with my hair?" Dylan asked when she reached his room. Madison found him reading a book that she didn't know with his reading glasses on.
Madison nodded and did what Dylan asked her to. His hair was soft and silky like a dog's purr. When Madison was about to remove her hand from his hair, Dylan spoke, "Don't, I
just wanted to be held for a moment…" he murmured shyly.
Madison felt her heart pound rapidly. She puffed for air to ease the overwhelming sensations inside her heart and continued ruffling Dylan's hair.
They stayed like that until dawn, welcoming the sunset and the warm breeze inside Dylan's room. Madison's eyes darted to the profound face of Dylan, who seemed eager to understand what he was reading; Madison's lips trembled into a smile.
She had admired someone in the past, but her feelings towards Dylan were unexplainable. Ever since they became closer, Dylan showed his authentic self to her, and he was the only person who could make her smile subconsciously. Madison couldn't help but trace where her heart was located and looked outside. Is this what love feels like?
Dylan has become busier; he barely sleeps a wink because of the papers and reports his Mother designated. Dylan knew his Mother was testing his accountability since it is one of the core values a boss should possess. Dylan adjusted his necktie and let out a heavy sigh. He glimpsed at the wall clock and noticed that it was already dawn. He peeked outside his office's window, the darkness flickered across the ground, and there was still no trace of Madison. Since Dylan became more engaged with his training, he hasn't seen her for some time. Dylan tapped her fingers on his desk until he finished reading the pile of papers presented in front of him. Some were proposals that should be amended immediately, while some were fine but needed to redraft and made the proposal detailed and concrete. Dylan finished his work until evening came. He stretched his body since he needed an excellent slack after sitting inside his office all day and working his ass off. "Maybe I should take a dip," Dy
Dylan has been avoiding Madison since the incident happened in the swimming pool. He summoned another maid to bring him food instead of Madison, ensuring that Madison and his path wouldn't cross. There were times when the two met accidentally in the garden because Dylan needed some fresh air; he had a casual talk with Madison and then left her, along with his unusual behavior. He knew that Madison was clueless and didn't have any idea about his sudden treatment of her. Before turning his back to walk away, he saw a glint of sorrow in Madison's eyes, and his guilt kept bugging him overnight. Dylan buried himself with the piles of papers on his desk, checking and finalizing proposals and mapping out every detail that would benefit R & D Inc. In the future. The company's future lies in his hand, so he must do his best to meet what his father and mother foresee from him. Dylan heaved a sigh as he leaned on the backrest of his swivel chair, his hands clenched into a fist reminiscing Madi
Madison noticed how busy Emily and the other Maid were. In Madison's eyes, they werepreparing skewered meat called Barbeque and other new dishes. Hereyes widened when she saw a case of liquors and when she asked them to lend ahand, Emily and the other maids just told her that she must rest in her room.It was already 5:30 pm, and the sun was about to drown in the darkness. Madison wasabout to call Emily, who was walking in her direction, when the woman rushed asif she saw a ghost and immediately changed her direction."Are they avoiding me? Or Emily's too busy to notice me?" Madison murmured. When she reached the Maid's Quarter, she heard someone coughing; to her surprise, it was Sophie. "What happened? Are you unwell, Sophie?" Madison immediately attended to Sophie and drew her forehead on hers to check her temperature.Sophie coughed again and nodded, "I didn't know that I'll be catching a cold right now; Mila instructed me to serve the Young Master and his friends, but look a
"Madi..." Emily mumbled as her gaze flew to Madison, who had just returned from serving their Sir Sven, and instead of the proud smile Madison would have flashed in front of them, Madison's eyes were misted with tears, and her voice produced suppressed sobs.Their Young Master's Gathering ended earlier than they expected. Emily noticed Sven screaming and searching for Dylan in outrage, but some friends were blocking him from doing so. Mila appeared as the door opened; her gaze was solemn."Madison, tell us, what happened?" Mila queried as her fingers traced and knotted Madison's hair. I was serving the blond man when he grabbed my hand...When the Young M-Master noticed it, he held my hand and dragged me into his room a-and..." Madison muttered as she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat."And? Has he done something to you?" Madison grieved even harder as Mila's soft voice made her miss her Mother."He shouted terrible things to me; the Young Master paid for me, accused me
After taking a cold shower and wearing his office attire, he covered it with a Black Trench Coat Winter Jacket, revealing the glamor of his Angel wings Tassel Chain Brooch Collar Pins. Dylan puffed for air and tried to peek a glimpse outside his room, hoping that he would see Madison outside, but to his disappointment, there was no single trail of Madison outdoors."Young Master, your food." A maid knocked outside, announcing his breakfast had arrived."Just leave. I lost my appetite." Dylan reasoned out while fixing his hair and putting on his Wristwatch.He doesn't feel good. He didn't need anything. He just wanted to see Madison as if she were his energy source. Without Madison around, he couldn't think of anything aside from wanting to barge inside the Maid's Quarter and hold Madison. Then, kneeled in front of her and begged her for her forgiveness."Have a safe trip, Young Master," The maids said in unison as Dylan went inside his Aston Martin and drove his way to the office. He
Madison couldn't stop the silent sobs from her throat while holding her baggage inside the bus. Her tears were dry, but every time she remembered Dylan's terrible words, she would gaze out of the window and quickly wipe her tears away so that the other passengers wouldn't notice her crying.Dylan wasn't like that, and Madison firmly believed that. The person who threw her daggers of pain wasn't the Dylan she knew. The young Master that Madison knew may be playful and self-centered, but the man in front of her that night was a monster, and seeing him like that, he belittled and taunted her title, made her heart swell with emotion.Madison's heart gripped in pain as she kept thinking about how Dylan could easily say such words. Madison placed her left hand on her body where her heart was."What's this feeling?" She whispered in a tone of a question. Sophie once told her that loving someone wasn't only about happiness. It can be an extreme pain too. Was this unbearable feeling Madison fe
"Madison, buying a microwave is unnecessary. Honey, you just got home today and spendingyour money on this pricey stuff is too much," Ruth exclaimed, horrified at their oldest spending the results of her hard work from her previous job.Madison beamed and said, "Mother, I couldn't stand it when my sisters ate cold bread in themorning." While working at the Carter's Mansion, I learned how to use a microwave. You see, microwave ovens have a lot of benefits; I knew from Sophie that they can heat bread and leftover foods and are excellent for cookies and other desserts. Allow me to bake some cookies for you and the girls." Madison remarked.Madison gestured to her Aunt Sabina to take her mother out of the kitchen so that Madison could start preparing her cookies' ingredients. Her three sisters went outside and strolled in the town's outskirts because she gave Penelope a little money to buy what the three desired. Earlier, when she woke up from a nap, she asked her Aunt Sabina to assist
"Idiot!" Dylan burst out, annoyed at what was happening to him.He heaved a sigh to clear his mind. He had to do something. Only, he had no idea where to begin. If he could only talk to Madison, he might stop feeling upset. He always got what he wanted, after all. But how could he speak to Madison when he had no idea where he would find her?The last two days had been terrible already. The mansion felt strange without Madison. Dylan ran his hands over his head and sank into his bed out of exhaustion. He could not stand another day struggling with the same thing over again.In desperation, he dragged his butt out of bed and decided, "I need to talk to her!"He went to the kitchen and found Aunt Mila cooking alone."Good morning, Aunt Mila," Dylan began. The head housekeeper almost dropped the kitchen knife upon suddenly hearing a voice from behind. The desperate young man ignored it. In a casual tone, he continued to ask, "Do you know where Madison lives?"The look of shock was still e