LINGERING THOUGHTS

Chapter 7

Lingering Thoughts

Maria stepped into the house and met Aunt May watching her favourite series.

"You're back, sweetheart?" She said while staring at the screen.

"Yeah" she changed to her flip flops and sat beside Aunt May. She rested her head on her laps. Aunt May understood her action. This was how she always felt after visiting her mom.

"Hey, baby. Are you okay" She asked stroking her hair gently.

"I am fine, I just want you to cuddle me for a while."

"No problem dear but don't you want to eat something."

"I'm not hungry"

She didn't persuade her further just kept on stroking her hair softly.

Soon Maria fell asleep on her laps and she smiled.

She looked down at Maria's sleeping face and saw her best friend staring back. Same nose. Same stubborn chin. Same fire hidden beneath the softness.

"I promised you, Hailey," she whispered. "I will never abandon her.“

"Though life hasn't really been fair to an innocent girl like you Maria. I promise to make sweet memories with you for as long as I can."

She kissed her cheek and reached out to the shawl beside her and covered Maria.

Soon she also slept off in that position.

MADISON'S PENTHOUSE

Francis entered inside and went straight to her room without wasting time.

Madison lay on the bed with a sexy transparent robe on her and a wine glass in hand.

“I knew you would come” she lose the robe and walked nakedly to Francis.

…..

The city lights sprawled below them, glittering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Silk sheets tangled beneath them. The air smelled of expensive perfume and sweat.

Madison arched beneath Francis, her nails digging into his shoulders. She was close. So close.

"Frankie," she breathed. "Don't stop."

Only she called him that. Only she was allowed.

His body moved on instinct. His mind was elsewhere. More like someone

Brown eyes.

She tightened around him, her breathing ragged. "Yes... right there..."

Tearing paper. A sick smile.

"Frankie—"

He slowed.

Not slowed. Stopped.

Madison's eyes flew open.

He pulled back. Withdrew completely.

He wore his trousers.

The silence was deafening.

Madison lay there for a moment, her body still trembling from the edge he had pulled her from. Her chest heaved. Her legs shook.

Then rage flooded her face.

"What is this? A punishment or what?“

He didn't turn around.

She sat up so fast the sheets pooled around her waist. Her hair was wild, her skin flushed, her eyes burning.

"I was about to—" She stopped herself, breathing hard. "I was right there, Francis. Right there."

He reached for his shirt.

Still no words just silence.

She was furious. But she dare not say anything without thinking if not Francis could end everything they share.

"I'm not in the mood," he said flatly.

"Really?“ She laughed, but there was no humor in it.

"You're lying."

He didn't answer.

He went to the door and left just as he came.

Madison sat in silence for a long moment. The anger was still there, simmering. But underneath it, something else.

He has never stopped before. Never.

She pushed the thought away. He was stressed. Work, probably. Or his father. Something would blow over. It always did.

She lay back against the pillows and reached for her phone. Scrolled for a moment. Then set it aside.

Her body still ached. Denied. Unfinished.

She closed her eyes and let her own hand drift down her stomach. It wasn't the same. But it would do.

He'll come back, she told herself. He always comes back.

When she finally reached her peak, she whispered his name into the empty room.

"Frankie."

She smiled in the darkness.

He would be back. And when he returned, she would make sure he never wanted to leave again.

After all she is the only one that can give him that satisfaction.

---

Francis was driving and his mind was wavering.

His mind has been on that girl since the meeting in the afternoon.

It is either her angry brown eyes, or her tearing the cheque or the sick smile when she did it. Or her cute comeback.

Yeah cute. He found her comeback cute and sassy in a way.

His lips went up but not fully forming a smile.

Gosh! what is wrong with me?

…….Next morning

Aunt May's Apartment

Aunt May woke to find herself on the couch, the shawl draped over her instead of Maria.

Speaking of Maria, where was she?

She turned toward the staircase.

Maria stood at the bottom of the stairs, fully dressed, and with a half smile on her face.

“Good morning, Aunt May.“