WINNING THE NANNY’S HEART

Chapter 16: Sorry

Dylan let out a sigh before explaining. "To be honest, Mom, I haven't figured out why. I just... I just lost it when I saw her talking with Sven. But I am sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to hurt her." His voice was filled with regret and frustration. He added, "I yelled at her and Emily. I told Madison stupid things. She got offended, and I argued with her below the belt. I shouldn't have been rude. I should've just talked to Sven." Exposing his mistake in front of somebody else made him so ashamed that he avoided Laurene's eyes.

Laurene dropped her hands to her lap. "That's not how I wanted you to grow up, Dylan," She replied disappointedly. Although nobody else could hear them, she lowered her voice and remarked, "I didn't work hard and give you a well-off life so that you could insult others. But now you're telling me you insulted Madison without knowing why. I can't believe you did it, Dylan." She scoffed in disbelief. Dylan had expected to hear those words. Those were not what he needed, but he did not argue.

He kept his eyes to the floor and repeated, "I'm sorry, Mom."

But singing his apologies only made his mother even more upset. In between her teeth, Laurene scolded, "Admitting your mistake doesn't make it forgivable, Son. You can't just expect me to understand and let it slide." She heaved a sigh and continued, "Madison has been doing her job well since the day I hired her. Do you know where I'm coming from, Dylan? I invalidated her by refusing to approve her resignation. I refused because she's so trustworthy I'm afraid it'd be difficult to find somebody else to replace her. But hearing what you've done, I doubt I could have the guts to ask her to come back. How can your apology bring her back, huh?" Although he was bowing his head, Dylan could see the rage on Laurene's face just by listening to her calculated but high-pitched voice.

Dylan risked himself by responding, "That's why I came here. Do you know where she lives?"

Laurene heaved an exasperated sigh. "Of course," she replied briefly, sounding as though she was done talking to Dylan. She got up from her seat and went to her desk. The cold confirmation cheered Dylan up.

Turning to his mother, Dylan bravely asked, "Can you tell me her address? Please?"

"Or else what?" Laurene raised an eyebrow as she went back to her seat. She was challenging Dylan.

Dylan thought about the possibility earlier but was not prepared for it.

"Or else what?" Laurene repeated with emphasis. "I'm busy, and you know it," she reminded and began shifting her attention to the documents in front of her.

Instead of thinking about what he would do if he failed to get what he wanted, Dylan persisted in begging. "Mom, please. I'll make sure she'll come back. Just tell me her address. Please." Hearing her son being stubborn, Laurene glared at Dylan in disagreement.

"Enough," Laurene said and pursed her lips. "She wouldn't leave if she could bear what happened. She left. Show some respect, Dylan." Dylan could only sigh when Laurene began tapping the files with her pen.

"What are you waiting for? You can go now," Laurene added, indirectly shoving Dylan out of her office.

But Dylan remained in his seat as he contemplated how to persuade his mother.

After a while, he finally stood up. Instead of walking to the door, he turned to Laurene and played the last card he could think of. Despite the uncertainty, he stood beside his mother and wrapped his arms around her like a sweet kid.

As he hugged Laurene, Dylan begged, "Please help me apologize to her, Mom. I can't let myself feel sorry without letting Madison know I regret what I did. Please, Mom, just this once. I badly need your help."

Dylan and Laurene were both persistent. It was only a matter of patience. "I can't give you what you want, Sweetie. I promised to respect her decision not to tell anyone." Hearing Laurene's unchanging response, Dylan abruptly loosened his hug and stood up to walk toward the door in dismay. How could a mother make her son beg?

He paused from walking and turned around. He could not believe he admitted what he did and pleased his mother to get nothing but shame and dismay.

"Fine! I'll find another way to find her then!" he yelled in annoyance. "I can't believe you refused to do me a favor, Mom!"

Dylan's expression came off as ingrate. Clutching the pen in her hand, Laurene warned, "Don't ever talk to me that way again, Dylan."

Realizing what he did, Dylan apologized, "I'm sorry, Mom." Looking hopeless, he explained, "I need to know where she is. I can't waste another day regretting what I did, Mom. I barely sleep thinking of Madison. I mean, I need to talk to her properly. But I don't know where to find her. I was hoping you'd understand and help me."

"But I understand now. I'm sorry for acting rude, Mom. I didn't mean to bother you, and I appreciate your time. I'll go ahead now," Dylan added. Without waiting for Laurene to speak again, he walked out of the office and headed back to the parking lot.

He was about to open the door to the driver's seat when he felt his phone vibrate in his jeans. He took it out and frowned upon seeing a message from Laurene. The shame, dismay, and annoyance he felt suddenly dissipated when he read it. His lips curved a broad smile as he stared at Madison's address on his phone screen.

Dylan immediately composed and sent a lengthy reply: [You don't know how relieved you made me feel, Mom. I love you so much! I'll be gone for a few days. I'm sorry for asking too much, but please don't tell Scarlett where I am if she asks you. I'm afraid she'd do something wrong if she finds out. Thanks, Mom! See you soon!]

With adrenaline rush in his veins, he immediately drove his car back to the mansion to prepare his belongings for the trip. An hour later, he had already departed from the city. But fear gradually replaced the excitement he felt as he traveled to the suburb. Now that Dylan had gotten Madison's address, he wondered whether he could ride the car with her when he returned.