The family secret

13 - Fixing mistakes, part 3

JUSTIN

It was almost time for Justin's dinner party. He had locked himself in his office almost all day, trying to avoid Madi and Gus. They went to the supermarket one more time for the last groceries. Justin sighed and pulled out his phone from his pocket.

Justin: We need to talk in private. We need to stop seeing each other.

Caroline: Why? I don't want to.

Justin: I think someone found out.

Caroline: Who?

Justin: I don’t know yet.

When he heard Madi return from the store, he stepped out of his office. Gus was running inside the house.

‘Gus. Slow down. No running in the house.’ Justin spoke with a strict voice.

Gus slowed down a bit, but ran into the kitchen anyways. ‘Cookie!’ he screamed.

‘Sorry.’ Madi said. ‘I promised Gus a cookie if he behaved himself at the store. He pushed his own cart today and helped me with all the groceries.’

‘Cookie!’ Gus screamed again.

‘Coming.’ Madi went to his son and Justin took the last bag out of the car. He walked into the kitchen and saw Gus sitting in his high chair chewing on a cookie.

‘My father will pick him up soon. Has he everything packed to stay the night?’ Justin asked.

‘Yes, already packed. It's in his room.’ Madi was already making a sauce, mixing a white powder with a red creamy looking sauce.

‘Can I help you with something?' he asked.

Madi looked up from her sauce with raised eyebrows. ‘You want to help me cook?’ she muttered.

‘Y-yes?’

Madi gave him a simple task to do; cutting some veggies. She laughed. ‘I never thought I would see Justin Weekland help me cook.’

‘It's weird, isn't it?’ he asked. He gave her a warm smile and she smiled back at him. He finished cutting some cucumber and started to cut some tomatoes too. ‘Just tell me if I do okay. Don't go easy on me. I never done this before.’

Madi looked over to the veggies. ‘Just a bit smaller. You don't want to take a bite and have a hole tomato in your mouth.’

‘I don't think I can fit a hole tomato in my mouth.’ Justin laughed, took another tomato in his hand and opened his mouth.

‘Oh my god.’ Madi laughed. ‘What are you doing?’

Justin put the tomato in his mouth. ‘Lwo iw fih’ he said. Madi was laughing out loud and Justin spit out the tomato, spilling juice and seeds on his clothes.

‘Daddy funny.’ Gus said.

‘Don't try it, Gus. Your dad is just crazy.’ Madi told her son.

Justin laughed. Why didn't he spend more time with his family? What was wrong with him?

JULIAN

He was below deck with Sam. They talked about their feelings for a while. Julian had no doubt anymore. He was totally gay. They were kiasing a lot more now too. Julian was falling hard for Sam. But there was no way his family would be okay with this. He couldn't tell them. Maybe when they were both in collage, but not right now. They had to keep it a secret.

‘What are you thinking right now?’ Sam asked. Julian hadn't answered his question yet. They were quiet for a long time now.

Julian shook his head. ‘I was thinking of telling my mom. I have to tell someone. I love my mother and I know she loves me too. I tell her everything and never kept a secret from her.’

‘So, why won't you?’

‘Because I'm afraid.’ Sam came closer and wrapped his arms around his waist.

‘Why are you scared?’ He asked. His soft voice made Julian less scared, but he couldn't help it and got a chill on his body. Sam could feel him shiver and rubbed little circles on his back to calm him down. It felt nice and Julian held Sam even closer.

‘I don't want my mom to reject me, like my dad rejected Jaden. I still don't know what he did, but I know it's bad, because dad is always mad at Jaden, he gets moody and curses at Jaden for no reason at all.’

‘I think you should tell her.’

‘You do?’ Julian pulled away from Sam, only to feel Sam's lips on his. It was a soft and small kiss, but it made him blush either way.

‘Will you stay with me and hold my hand when I call her?’

‘Of course.’ Sam kissed him one more time and Julian kissed him back with more need and force. ‘Just call her already.’ Sam said, pushing Julian away with a smile.

Julian dialed his mother's number. His shaking hands made it difficult though. She picked up within seconds. ‘Hi mom.’ Julian said. ‘I need to tell you something important.’

‘I think I know what you're about to say.’ his mother said disappointed.

‘What do you mean?’ His eyes widened and his breath got stuck.

‘Jule, it's all over the news honey.’

‘W-what? How can they know?’

'Someone took a photo of you.’

‘What? No! That means dad saw it too. Shit.’

‘Are you coming home or what?’

‘No way. Mom I have to go. I will call you later, okay? Love you.’ He pressed the call away. Tears streaming down his face. ‘Sam, we have a problem. Someone took a photo of us kissing. My mother said it’s all over the news. She wants me to come home.’

JUSTIN

The doorbell rang. Justin felt his hands sweaten. He was scared of what Caroline would do. Was she going to tell Madi what was happening? Was she going to accept he wasn't going to f**k her anymore? Justin straitened his dark blue Armani suit. He wore a white blouse underneath it. He looked good. He knew he looked good. He took a deep breath and opened the front door.

‘Justin!’ Chris greeted him.

‘Chris, Caroline, please come in. Welcome.’ He tried hard not to look too much at the very revealing dress Caroline was wearing. He could see her cleavage and all her curves. Damn, please help me God, he thought. He walked in front of Chris and Caroline, leading them into the beautiful decorated dining room. Madi had outdone herself. The big sliding doors were open. A warm summer breeze filled the room.

‘This is my wife Madi. Madi this is Chris and his wife Caroline.’ Justin introduced them.

‘Hello.’ Madi only said. She was shy like that.

Chris walked up to her and placed a kiss on her hand. ‘No wonder Justin hides you from the world. You are beautiful.’ he said.

‘I-I, eh, well thank you.’ Madi blushed. ‘Please take a seat. I will bring the food soon.’ Madi walked away.

‘You cooked?’ Chris asked her.

‘Yes.’

‘I helped with a few things.’ Justin said proud of himself.

‘That doesn't count.’ Caroline teased him.

‘I love a woman who can cook. Can I see your kitchen?’ Chris asked curious. He walked after Madi to the kitchen.

‘Why did you send those texts?’ Caroline asked angerly when they were left alone. ‘What has gotten into you? The last time we saw each other, you couldn't wait to f**k me. Now you say it's over?’

‘Yes, I'm done. I have to think of my son. I don't want him to grow up without his mother.’

‘So, you do it for her?’ Caroline hissed.

‘No, I do it for me. I told you someone found out. I got a text from an anonymous number. He knew I slept around. Currently it has been only you though.’

‘Wait, I wasn't the only one?’

‘Do you feel jealous I slept with other woman too?’

Caroline couldn't answer him, because Chris and Madi came back.

‘Car, they have a panini press and a machine to make churros. We need to get one of those. That would be amazing in our kitchen.’

‘Yeah, sure.’ Caroline answered without even looking at her huaband.

They all sat down and the meals Madi cooked them were delicious. Caroline didn't speak with Justin anymore. She was hurt. He told her she wasn't the only woman he slept with. She seemed jealous, but that was crazy. She was married to Chris Tyler for god sakes. After the last course, a sweet white chocolate mousse with raspberries on top, Chris and Caroline took off. Chris had to work early the next day.

‘That went well.’ Justin said, while placing dirty plates into the dish washer.

‘Justin, I need to ask.' Madi said. Her face beet red. 'Did you sleep with her?’

He felt the blood drain from his face. How did she know? Did the anonymous number message her too?

‘I have known for a while now you were sleeping with other women.' she explained. 'I can't blame you. You never loved me.’

‘You knew and you stayed with me?’ Justin asked with raised eyebrows. He couldn't believe her. Why would she stay?

‘I stayed for Gus. Your dad gave me a beautiful house and you gave me a son. Why wouldn't I stay? I would never go back to my abusive stepdad ever again. I would rather kill myself than go back to him. I stayed because I like it here.’

Justin swallowed hard. Who was this girl in front of him? Why didn't he know she was abused by her stepdad?

‘I'm glad you stayed. I ended it with Caroline. I promise you I'm not sleeping around anymore. I'm really glad you stayed. I would never take you away from Gus. I promise, all right, I promise.’ He pulled her arm closer to him and wrapped his arms around her. He felt her stiffened for a second, but she quickly laid her head on his chest and relaxed. ‘I promise Madi.’